May 23rd 2019 18 Iyar, 5779

Upcoming Services

Friday, May 24th Kabbalat Services at 8:00 pm

* Saturday, May 25th

Shabbat Services at 9:30 am Kiddush Sponsored by Alan and Nancy Agree

in memory of their son Charles *

Friday, May 31st Kabbalat Services at 8:00 pm

* Saturday, June 1st

Shabbat Services at 9:30 am *

Friday, June 7th Tot Shabbat at 6 pm

Kabbalat Services at 8:00 pm Ceremony of Confirmation at 8

pm *

Saturday, June 8th Shabbat Services at 9:30 am Tikkun Leyl Shavout 6:30 pm

TUESDAY, MAY 28TH

7 PM CBOI’S

ANNUAL MEETING ALL WELCOME

For more information, see our website at www.cboi.org

This week our Torah reading, Parshat B’har teaches the principles of Land Tenure and the Shmittah (Sabbatical) year. The Torah teaches that in ancient Israel every seven years, the owners of the land would allow it to lie fallow. The pur-pose of allowing the land to lie fallow was to give it a chance to renew itself, to absorb new nutrients and to rest from con-stant use. Spiritually, the landowners were reminded that their successes were blessings from God. This Torah read-ing also gives us the laws regarding permanent legal rights of landowners, the legalities of sale and mortgages and the

repaying of one’s own indebtedness. Essentially, this Torah portion creates a frame-work of commerce which is both ethical and moral for the community and for the preservation of the land itself. Most importantly, we learn that not everyone is the same. Each is unique and different and as hard as one might try the accomplish-ments will be different. Some will get more and some less because that is the nature of the world. Leviticus 25:6 teaches, “But you may eat whatever the land, during its Sabbath, will produce – you, your male and female slaves, the hired and bound laborers who live with you… In our Etz Hayim Humash commentary, we use in synagogue, teaches: Sometimes the wealthy don’t believe that poor people are actually suffering, suspect-ing that they are just too lazy to provide for themselves. Let the wealthy undergo the experience of not knowing whether there will be enough to eat, and their attitudes will change. Recent events in our country lead me to believe that we no longer have any interest in the experiences of others unless those same people agree with our own current world view. This “echo chamber” of belief causes me to wonder how many people have experienced another’s viewpoint or position and if they did, would they adjust their positions based on their experiences? Last weekend, Robert F. Smith, a billionaire businessman, gave a commencement speech at his alma mater, Morehouse College, where he announced that his gift to the 2019 class was to pay off their student loans in full. A gift that will run into the tens of millions of dollars. He could have easily just said to them work hard and you too will become a billionaire, but he knew that is not the case. Mr. Smith knew that many of these young people worked hard to graduate, some were able to focus on their studies, but most held down many jobs or survived on a combination of food stamps and food pantries to feed themselves and their families. Robert Smith’s gift will be transformative for their lives. I was fortunate, my grandparents were able help to help each of their grandchildren pay a portion of college. At the end, I still had student loans. But then again I was fortunate, Sharon and I had help to purchase our first house and we rolled my student loan into that mortgage and when we sold that first house, “poof” no more student loans. However, students today face a difficult time because they are saddled with thousands of dollars of debt that will stay with them for years to come and they will not have the financial freedom to pursue their dream job or to comfortably start the next chapter of their lives. Mr. Smith is paying it forward to 400 young people who will not have any student debt. What more will these young people accomplish being debt free? And how might they pay it forward to others thus transforming the lives of others. Mr. Smith’s example reminds us that if we step back from our own place in the world, we may see another side of the same issue and recognize that we can transform another’s life for the better. I pray that each of us will step back from our strongly held beliefs, see the viewpoint of another and adjust our attitude in a way that transform the lives of those around us.

Shabbat Shalom

http://www.cboi.org/

Join Us Friday, June 7th

8:00 PM

Ceremony of Confirmation

Dylan Beegal and Brady Deutsch

Win 4 tickets to the Phillies June 12th

baseball game. 7:05 PM

vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

$5 per chance $20 10 chances

Call the office 215 579-2200 or email Sharon.segarra@cboi.org

to get your raffle tickets

Page 4 Congregation Brothers of Israel

Page 5

CBOI Scholarship Information

Kessel-Young Memorial Scholarship The Kessel-Young Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in June 1976 by Ida Kessel and the late Joseph Kessel in memory of their parents, Lena and Louis Kessel and Dora and Louis Young.

A scholarship will be awarded to a member of our Congregation graduating from high school, on the basis of need, to further the student’s education.

Applicants must be “hard workers” who will benefit from this assistance. The intent is to encourage students to continue their education. Academic excellence is not a criteria for this award.

In establishing this special Fund, the Kessel Family has recognized that awards are usually made to outstanding students in either sports or academic work. All too often, many students who show promise and are willing to work are denied assistance. To receive an application for the Kessel-Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, contact the Synagogue.

George S. Weiner Religious School Scholarship Fund

The George S. Weiner Religious School Scholarship Fund has been established to aid youngsters from Congregation Brothers of Israel to attend the Rabbi Howard Hersch Religious School. Scholarships will be given out based on need. Contact the CBOI office for information.

Support CBOI when you shop! bring in your McCaffrey’s receipts Purchase scrip from Giant, Shop Rite and McCaffrey’s to benefit the Sisterhood. Bring in your BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION And designate CBOI as your charity when you shop with Amazon Smile

Page 6 Congregation Brothers of Israel

Wishing Everyone A

Safe and Enjoyable Summer

Services Continue

Through-out The Summer

Friday Nights at 8:00 PM

Saturday Mornings at 9:30 AM

Get Your

SWAG On

Check out CBOI’s Latest SWAG

Available for Sale!!!

Samples and order forms in the

synagogue lobby

Page 7

Yahrzeits May 19—25th

Donations

We thank you for your generosity- Belovin Fund

Harriet Belovin and Robin Belovin Speedy Recovery to Michelle Cooper

Berger Fund Judi and Fred Young

In memory of Selma Cooper

Chasin Fund Rabbi and Joan Hersch

In honor of James Wartenberg’s grandson, Jack, becoming a Bar Mitzvah

Mazel Tov to Jeffrey and

Christine Schwartz on their son Adan becoming a Bar Mitzvah

* Mazel Tov to Heath Dumack and

Karen Hirschman on their son Jacob becoming a Bar Mitzvah

Are you having an anniversary or wish to

commemorate a yahrzeit? Is it your child’s birthday?

Why not sponsor an

Oneg or Kiddush? Contact the office at 215-579-2200 or

sharon.segarra@cboi.org

14 Iyyar Sarah Gersowitz

14 Iyyar Edith Kemeny

14 Iyyar Ida Leaness

14 Iyyar Bluma Sarowitz

15 Iyyar Samuel Kravitz

15 Iyyar Louis Nemlich

15 Iyyar Albert Rosner

15 Iyyar Isidor Schlam

16 Iyyar Doris Cohen

16 Iyyar Jennie Friedman

16 Iyyar Rebecca Lavinson

16 Iyyar Barney Levine

16 Iyyar Richard Neistadt

17 Iyyar Hyman Belovin

17 Iyyar Morton Epstein

17 Iyyar Belle Gripman

17 Iyyar Celia Haveson

17 Iyyar Max Kalen

17 Iyyar Esther Nusbaum

17 Iyyar Boris Rapoport

18 Iyyar Joseph Fulep

18 Iyyar Charles Levenson

18 Iyyar Pearl Maskantz

19 Iyyar Samuel Introligator

19 Iyyar Benjamin Shein

19 Iyyar David Weisberg

20 Iyyar Charles Agree

20 Iyyar Flora Brickman

20 Iyyar Jacob Klevansky

20 Iyyar Ida Singer

Page 8 Congregation Brothers of Israel