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January, 2018 Tevet –Shevat— 5778

Inside HaRuach

Rabbi’s Desk .............................. 2

President’s Article ....................... 4

Sisterhood ................................ 5

Men’s Club ................................. 6

Religious School ....................... 10

Calendar .................................. 12

Preschool & Kindergarten ........... 14

BIC5 ....................................... 16

January Celebrations ................. 18

Yahrzeits ................................. 19

Todah Rabah ............................ 21

Candle lighting times

for January 2018

Friday, 1/5 4:32 PM

Friday, 1/12 4:39 PM

Friday,1/19 4:47 PM

Friday, 1/26 4:55 PM

The SPIRIT of Beth Israel Congregation - Chester County, PA

HaRuach

1/05, Friday, Shabbat Yeladim 1/10, Wednesdy, Discussion with Rabbi Jon 1/11,Thursday, Interfaith Open House St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 1/12, Friday, Shabbat Service with Choir 1/19, Friday, Interfaith Unity Shabbat 1/20, Saturday, Life Long Learning 1/24, Wednesday, Tu B’Shevat Program 1/27, Saturday, David Scott — Eagle Scout Court of Honor 1/31, Tu B”Shevet Celebration

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From Rabbi ‘Cutler’s desk Shalom

On December 13th, we celebrated Hanukkah at Beth Israel with the candle lighting, singing, and eating latkes. It was a great event. There were over 150 people with lots of children running around and playing. The food was plenti-ful, especially the latkes made by the men’s club. The choir members led us in singing Hanukkah songs. Families brought menorahs and we all lit the Hanuk-kah candles together as a community. What made this such a successful event was the positive Jewish memories that were created that night that young and old took away with them – the fun, making new friends, con-necting with each other. This took place around a Jewish event that has been observed for over 2,000 years. But it took a lot of planning, coordination, setting up and cleaning up. There was a core group of younger members of Beth Israel who made this a suc-cess. It was great to see younger members taking an instrumental role. I would like to express my thanks to each and every person who participated, organized, and helped in making this event joyous. The following day I went to visit an older member of Beth Israel at his home. This member lived his en-tire life in Coatesville. He and his family were involved with Beth Israel when it was in Coatesville. He served on the board, served several positions on the board and was president of Beth Israel. During our conversation, he spoke about the history of Beth Israel from when he was child until now and the members of his generation who were active in keeping the synagogue going. He spoke about the rabbis of Beth Israel, many of the congregants who have now passed away, the Hebrew school and holiday events. This member remembered fondly the Hanukkah parties that were held in the Coatesville’s syn-agogue. Now that tradition is continuing with a newer generation. He also spoke about the decision that he and others of his generation from Beth Israel made to move out of Coatesville to its present location. He continued to talk about the internal politics that went on in making that decision. The decision was made in 1993. It seemed at that time it was a risky and scary move for many and, at the same time, a great opportunity to flourish and continue the legacy of Beth Israel. It took a lot of people to make the move happen – raising funds, planning, contracting, design-ing, etc. But it happened because of the foresight and courage of those who wanted to create a com-munity for their children and children’s children. They acted because of the value and the importance that Judaism and therefore Beth Israel had for them. It was more than just a building it was l’dor v’dor – generation to generation. The Hanukkah party of 2017 was a great event because of the hard work and dedication of the pro-gramming team. It was also a great event because of the previous generations of Beth Israel who worked hard and were dedicated to ensuring that Beth Israel would have a future. Today we enjoy the fruit of their labors. And our children will be rewarded for what we are doing now.

Continued on next page . . .

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Continued From Rabbi Cutler’s desk

To see the next generation taking charge and to see so many children participating gave me hope for the Jewish future. I felt gratitude to all those previous generations who dedicated themselves, committing their time, finances, and hard work to ensure the future of Beth Israel and therefore ensure the future of the Jewish people. Each event, service, meeting, or gathering at Beth Israel cannot be enjoyed without feeling a debt of gratitude to so many people who worked and continue to work for the future of Beth Israel. The next time you walk through our doors, pause for a moment and think about the many people who dedicated themselves to enable us to have a place called Beth Israel and who enabled us to help en-sure the future of the Jewish people. We talk about the miracle of Hanukkah (the oil lasting for eight days) but the real miracle is the many peo-ple who are willing to give of their time, energy, and money to ensure that Beth Israel continues there-fore, ensuring that Judaism has a future.

Shalom to all!

Rabbi Jon

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President’s Article

Mark B. Segal

Learn, Live, Teach Judaism………L’Dor va Dor.

It is time to start preparing for our biennial election

to be held at the semiannual congregational meeting on

Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 7:30, p.m. At that time, we will

elect our officers: president, executive vice-president, fi-

nance vice-president, program vice-president, secretary, and

treasurer. We will also elect eight members of the board of directors, and three trustees.

The officers, board members, and trustees shall be members of the congregation, of the Jewish faith,

and 18 years old or older, who have Beth Israel as their primary congregational affiliation. The president

shall have been a member of the board for at least two years prior to becoming president. The three vice-

presidents shall have been a member of the congregation for at least two years prior to assuming office.

I have appointed Rob Greer to chair the nominating committee. Two additional members of the nom-

inating committee will be appointed. If you are interested in serving Beth Israel as an officer, board mem-

ber, or trustee, please contact Rob, rgreer923@gmail.com.

We depend and rely on all our congregants to participate in the life of the congregation. The officers,

board members, trustees, and committee members make and implement the decisions that keep the congre-

gation going and flourishing. We are at a time when we need an influx of new leaders who can bring fresh

perspective, new ideas, and energy. Now, it is your turn to ensure our future.

N’aseh v’Nishma…..We will do and we will hear.

L’Shalom,

Mark

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Beth Israel Sisterhood

SISTERHOOD SNIPPETS

Shevat

YOGA & WELLNESS

by Paula Coplon

The spiritual discipline of yoga has been around for thousands of years. Although people often think of yoga spe-

cific movements and poses, its primary purpose began as a way to reach spiritual enlightenment. Hindus and Bud-

dhists practice yoga as a way of reaching greater spiritual heights. In modern times, we all need to find a place in

our busy lives to be quiet allowing us to express our spirituality and touch our inner beings – in turn creating well-

ness. Yoga can help with this by making us aware of breath, posture, diet, and positive thinking.

A typical yoga class begins with people joining together in a dimly lit room with soft music playing. Each person

has her own yoga mat, which becomes her personal space where she can create her own practice. The instructor

will spend the first moments asking participants to become aware of their own breath (pranayama). Our muscles

keep us breathing and our hearts beating even without our awareness. Therefore, this attention to conscious

breath is key to the practice of yoga. As you progresses through the class, the movements and poses (asanas) co-

ordinate with the breath. This, in turn, leads toward a more meditative practice.

Many of the classic yoga poses can be interpreted easily in a Jewish way. This month of Shevat, for instance, in-

cludes the reading on Shabbat Shira of Beshallach and the vision of Miriam and the women dancing as they reach

safety after crossing the Yam Suf strongly resonates with me. I picture Natarajasana (the Hindu Lord of the Dance)

pose at the end of the reading. It suggests joy, openness of spirit and oneness with God. How fitting that Women’s

League Shabbat often includes this reading.

Tu B’Shevat, of course, is about growth, greenness and trees. What better pose could there be to celebrate than

Vrksasana, the Tree pose? With some creativity, each month’s theme can easily translate to a spiritually fulfilling

class.

Two very helpful books to help begin an at-home yoga practice or Rosh Chodesh gathering are

Torah Yoga (Diane Bloomfield, Jossey-Bass, 2004) and Aleph-Bet Yoga (Steven A. Rapp, Jewish Lights

Publishing, 2002). They give a delightful Jewish spin to the practice as well as offering poetry, prayers and medita-

tions. When teaching a class I often choose a word as a theme and use the poses throughout the class to spell out

the word. This helps create a flow and allows kavanah (the Jewish mindset for prayer). At the end of class we all

participate in Savasana (corpse pose). This is often the most difficult of poses as it can be a struggle to be still but

its rewards are so beneficial as we learn to relax, breathe and meditate. As tension is released from the body we

feel at peace and one with the universe.

Namaste (shalom)

Additional information can be found in Yoga Journal Magazine, Active Interest Media

Paula Coplon teaches Torah Yoga and is a past Southern Branch President and Women's League Creative Judaica

Arts Chair.

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The Beth Israel Men’s Club is happy to assist the congregation in any way that is needed.

Men’s Club is open to all male members of the congrega-tion. To steal a line from a local car dealership – “We have always been your Men’s Club’ –(you just didn’t know it !) We are proud and happy to be of service to the congrega-tion, but we would like to do more social, education and family activities and become a more active Men’s Club. We especially need more members who are interested in becoming more involved with leadership of the Men’s Club There are still many synagogue members that have not

participated in any Men’s Club events if not, why not ? Please feel free to let us know what you are interested in. Membership is free but we do have suggested donation of $36 per year to help us fund our activities. If you are not on the email distribution list or would like to be more involved, please call or email: Neal Stone 215-630-0689

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Interfaith Action Community Corner One year ago, Beth Israel Congregation welcomed to our synagogue several of our neighbor organizations

from different faith traditions. Together we held a Unity Shabbat service. Beth Israel helped our neighbors

learn more about our Jewish values and traditions and we learned about our neighbors.

This started the Interfaith Action Community.

Since last year Beth Israel has participated with the IAC in:

Iftar Supper and Interfaith Dialogue at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Open House, Service and Discussion at the Islamic Society of Chester County Open House, Vespers Service and disaster relief collection at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Simchat Torah Service and Open House at Beth Israel

The IAC, with Beth Israel’s help, is planning more interfaith dialogue sharing opportunities for 2018. Such as:

Tour and Open House at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Open House at Om Hari Mandir in Downingtown

Day of Hope day of service

Interfaith Dialogue at YMCA

All of our Beth Israel Congregation is welcome to actively participate and contribute to these events and dia-

logues. Please contact Rabbi Jon if you have any questions or suggestions!

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Beth Israel Congregation

SQUARES

Buy a square on our Beth Israel Super Bowl grid win cash prizes for matching the game score!

$25.00 per square

$90.00 for four (4) squares

Payout:

$200 to match the score at the end of the first quarter

$200 to match the score at half time

$200 to match the score at the end of the third quarter

$500 to match the final score

You may stop in or call the synagogue to purchase your squares.

All squares must be paid for by cash or check (we will not bill you or accept credit cards).

Reserved squares will be assigned at random by the office staff and only held for four (4) days,

After which if payment is not received the squares will be released.

Rules Each square will be assigned two numbers representing a possible score at the end of each quarter. The score of one team

will be listed vertically (on the left) and the score of the other team will be listed horizontally (across the top). The numbers

assigned to each square will be randomly chosen with a deck of cards and distributed on the Thursday before the game to

everyone who purchased a square. Numbers will not appear more than once horizontally or vertically but may appear both

horizontally and vertically. The numbers will be chosen after all squares have been purchased or no later than the Thursday

before the Super Bowl game. To win you must match the last digit of each score; i.e. if the score is 21 to 14, the winning com-

bination is 1 – 4.

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How to donate to Beth Israel

and save on tax expense

We want to inform you about how you can potentially

save money twice on your federal taxes while donating

to Beth Israel. We have opened a brokerage account at

Scottrade where you can donate stock. By transferring

your stock that has appreciated over time to our brokerage account, you do not

have to pay any capital gains tax on the amount of appreciation. If you itemize

deductions, you can also take the total value of the transfer as a charitable do-

nation. Depending on your tax bracket, this could be a substantial tax savings.

One caveat is that the stock must be held for more than one year. We hope that

you will consider Beth Israel since it is a win-win for all of us. Please contact

Stuart Miller for details at Stooey222@yahoo.com

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Religious School Chai-lights

By Joan Sharp

Happy 2018! I hope everyone had an enjoyable, meaningful Chanukah and winter break filled with good times, family, and friends. In this month’s article, I’d like to focus on Tzedakah. Tzed-akah is generally translated as “charity,” however, the word “tzedakah” actually means “justice.”

This is the blessing that should be recited when one performs the ritual of tzedakah:

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid-shanu b’mitz’votav, v’tzi vanu lir’dof tzedek.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who hallows us with mitz-

vot and commands us to pursue justice.

Here are some ideas your family can incorporate into your home Shabbat celebrations to encourage tzedakah. Each week, set aside money to donate to a cause. Put it in a tzedakah box. If you don’t have one, make one and let your kids decorate it. Place coins in the box imme-diately before lighting the Shabbat candles on Friday night. This ensures that your last act of the week is one of charity.

At the end of the year, or when your box is full, let your children select where the money goes. They will feel involved, valued, and will learn that their choices can make a difference. Don’t worry about what you see as the cause’s significance. For example, as a toddler, a child might choose the Australian Koala Foundation, so he could help his favorite animal by planting euca-lyptus trees. But as he or she grows, the choices change. Perhaps as they learn more about the world, they will choose to plant trees in Israel through Jewish National Fund, or gave to the local food bank.

Engage in social justice. Children of all ages can participate in community service. Shop to-gether for items for a food, toy, or book drive. Collect items from your house. Deliver donations to a local food pantry or clothing resale shop with your kids. Have older kids stock shelves at a food bank, work with animals, or host a birthday or holiday party for those less fortunate through local organizations.

Continued next page

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UPCOMING RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EVENTS: Wed., Jan. 3 – Classes resume after winter break

Fri., Jan. 5 – Shabbat Yeladim – 6:30 pm

Sun., Jan. 14 – No classes: MLK holiday

Sun., Jan. 21 – Confirmation students meet at St. Elizabeth’s church at 9:25 a.m.

Sun., Jan. 28 – B.I. High Tu B’Shevat Chocolate Seder – 1:00 p.m.

Care for the environment. Caring for the planet has no age re-quirement. Do a neighborhood or park cleanup. Pick up trash when you walk the dog. Plant a tree. Buy eco-friendly/reusable products. Compost. Recycle. Bring your own bags.

Visit the sick and the elderly. Stop to see a relative. Deliver meals to homebound seniors. Share part of Shabbat afternoon at a retirement or assisted living facility. Make birthday cards for seniors. Brighten someone’s day.

Welcome the Stranger. Ensure that no one is alone for holidays. In-vite newcomers to your community to share a celebration with you. Make a seat at your Shabbat or Seder table, and open your home for

When you intentionally engage

your children in giving of their

time and energy (not just mon-

ey) to help others, you will instill

in them the Jewish value of

tzedakah, seeking justice in the

world for those less fortunate

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Note: please see www.bethisraelpa.org for latest up-to-date calendar of events

January 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 BIP: No School

2 BIP: School Resumes 7:30 PM Sisterhood Mtg.

3 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 7:15 PM Choir

4 7:00 PM Ritual Cmt Mtg.

5 6:30 PM Shabbat Yeladim 7:30 PM Shabbat Service

6 9:30 AM Shabbat Services

7 9:45 AM Religious School 11:30 AM Programming Committee Mtg.

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9 7:30 PM Board Mtg.

10 9:30 AM BIP PTO Mtg. 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 6:45 PM Discussion with Rabbi Jon 7:15 PM Choir

11 7:30 PM Interfaith Event — tour St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

12 7:30 PM Shabbat Service with Choir

13 9:30 AM Shabbat Services

14 NO CLASSES

15 MLK no school

16 17 9:00 AM BIP Parent Conf. 3-day classes 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 7:15 PM Choir

18 6:00 PM BICS Core Committee Mtg. 7:00 PM Rel School Committee Mtg

19 7:30 PM UNITY SHABBAT Service Interfaith event

20 9:30 AM Shabbat Services Life Long Learning

21 9:45 AM Religious School

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23 9:00 AM BIP Par-ent Conf. 2-day classes

24 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 7:15 PM Choir

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26 7:30 PM Shabbat Service

27 9:30 AM Shabbat Services

5:30 David Scott

28 9:45 AM Religious School Pre-K Parent Workshop 1:00 PM BI High

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30 31 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 6:30 PM Tu B’Shevat program

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Note: please see www.bethisraelpa.org for latest up-to-date calendar of events

February 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 7:30 PM Shabbat Service

3 9:30 AM Shabbat Service 6:00 PM Havadallah & Potluck Dinner

4 9:45 AM Religious School 11:30 AM Programming Com-mittee Mtg.

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6 7:30 PM Sister-hood Mtg.

7 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 7:15 PM Choir

8 7:00 PM Ritual Cmte Mtg.

9 6PM Tot Shabbat Dinner 7:30 PM Shabbat Service with the Choir

10 9:30 AM Shabbat Service

11 9:45 AM Religious School

12 13 7:30 PM Board Mtg.

14 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 7:15 PM Choir

15 7:00 PM Rel. Sch. Cmte. Mtg.

16 7:30 PM Shabbat Service

17 9:30 AM Shabbat & Lifelong Learning 11:30am BIC5 General Comm. Luncheon Mtg.

18 NO CLASS: CRS

19 BIP NO SCH

20 21 4:15 PM Religious School One+ 7:15 PM Choir

22 23 7:30 PM Shabbat Service

24 9:30 AM Shabbat Service 7:00pm Adult Purim Spiel-Robin & The Robinettes

25 9:45 AM Religious School 9:45am CRS Pre-K Parent Workshop 1:00pm BI High

26 27 9:30am BIP Hamentashen Baking

28 9:30am BIP Hamentashen Baking 9:30am BIP Purim Parade 3,4,5 day classes 12:00pm BIP Purim Pa-rade K Enrich 5:15pm PURIM:Rel Sch One+ + Pizza/BYODD 6:30pm Purim Megillat Esther Reading

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Preschool & Kindergarten News

Adrianne Liebman

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LACHALL, COHEN & SAGNOR

H. MICHAEL COHEN Attorney at Law

Tel. (610) 436-9300 144 West Market Street Fax (610) 696-7962 West Chester, PA 19382-2985 Email: mcohen@lcslaw.com

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…And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and talk of them when you sit in your house….(Deut. 6). The preceding words are from Deuteronomy 6 in the Torah, said by Moses at the time the Israelites were about to en-ter the promised land. You have heard them repeated in the Shema/Ve’ahavta prayer. The phrase “and these words” is ambiguous, but most likely refers to the laws and teaching of Torah. How do we meet our obligation as Jewish people to teach and pass on the premises of Judaism to our children? We can do it by sending our kids to religious school, supporting religious school activities, or teaching the children of oth-ers. You are teaching or modeling Judaism every time you attend a synagogue service or function, show interest in what your children or grandchildren are learning in religious school, share Jewish stories or Jewish music, share Jewish experiences of your childhood, or learn something new about Judaism yourself to share with your family. Now, what does this have to do with BIC5 (Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County Caring Community)? The con-nection is you are teaching Judaism (words of Torah and its interpretations) every time you act according to the pre-cepts of Judaism. You are passing on Jewish teachings every time you become involved in a social action project, con-tribute to the BIC5 fund to help needy families within our community, visit someone who is ill, give an elderly person a ride, take action when you see an injustice being done; when you are an advocate for animals or contribute to preserv-ing our environment. Doing acts of kindness, helping the needy, standing up for justice, are concepts that are brought to our attention over and over in the Torah and Rabbinic literature. Over and Over Torah teaches us that we are, in-deed, our brothers’ keepers and we are responsible to pursue peace and justice in the world. Our BIC5 was initiated based on the teachings of Judaism about our responsibilities to ourselves and the world. So, when you participate in giving, caring, doing acts of kindness you are not only being a model to our children, teaching the words of Torah diligently to them, you are being a valued contributor to BIC5 goals. Thank you, once again, to all of you who have supported the efforts of BIC5. You are passing Judaism on by living the teachings of Judaism. Ann Greenstein

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Celebrations This Month

1-Jan John Barnett

3-Jan Margaret Coleman

3-Jan Christina Drucker

5-Jan Roselyn Cadoff

7-Jan Elaine Bran

7-Jan Jennifer Kauffman

9-Jan Amy Honig

11-Jan Samuel Barnett

12-Jan Henry Gracey

13-Jan Jennifer Stein

14-Jan Presley Parker 9th

14-Jan Melinda Suss

15-Jan Arthur Hodess

21-Jan Hannah Scott 15th

22-Jan Allan Endy

24-Jan Evelyn Klein-Franczuszki

24-Jan Rebecca Weintraub

25-Jan Andrew Shapanka

26-Jan Emma Decker 9th

26-Jan Allen Jacowitz

26-Jan Todd Wolstenholme

27-Jan John Harrison

27-Jan Vicki Stone

28-Jan Claudia Pickholtz

29-Jan Jeffrey Scharf

29-Jan Isaac Weintraub 17th

30-Jan Hannah Schifter 11th

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Yahrzeits

The following will be observed on Jan 5 & 6

6-Jan David Corbett Tevet 19 6-Jan Phyllis R. Katz Tevet 19 6-Jan Fannie Rosenblum Tevet 19 7-Jan H. Stanley Berman Tevet 20 8-Jan Evelyn Grossman Tevet 21 8-Jan Anna Kramer Tevet 21 8-Jan Mary Mobley Tevet 21 8-Jan Vincent Sheller Tevet 21 9-Jan Richard David Domesek Tevet 22 9-Jan Irving Goldstein Tevet 22 9-Jan Estelle Minus Tevet 22 9-Jan Martin L. Stone Tevet 22 9-Jan David Winicur Tevet 22 10-Jan Jacob Lopatin Tevet 23 10-Jan Dora Milberg Tevet 23 10-Jan Shirley Seftel Tevet 23 10-Jan Frank Stefanick Tevet 23 11-Jan Rachel Buch Tevet 24 11-Jan Abraham Endy Tevet 24 11-Jan Doris Gilbert Tevet 24 11-Jan Steven Kahn Tevet 24 11-Jan Fred Lenox Tevet 24 11-Jan Louise Maletz Tevet 24 11-Jan Marilyn Suss Tevet 24 12-Jan Harold Halpren Tevet 25 12-Jan Shirley Kornfield Tevet 25 The following will be observed on Jan 12 & 13

13-Jan Ralph Gerstenfeld Tevet 26 13-Jan Cecelia Greenberg Tevet 26 14-Jan Jenny Kernerman Tevet 27 14-Jan Herbert Solash Tevet 27 15-Jan Sam Betesh Tevet 28 15-Jan Sam Clark Tevet 28 15-Jan Newton Duitch Tevet 28 15-Jan Mae Stein Tevet 28 15-Jan Ted Wallace Tevet 28 15-Jan P. Benjamin Weiss Tevet 28 16-Jan Muriel L. Bishop Tevet 28 16-Jan Jay Leblang Tevet 29 17-Jan Honey Magid Shevat 1 17-Jan Stewart Schadoff Shevat 1 17-Jan Barry Zeichner Shevat 1 18-Jan Abraham Margolies Shevat 2 18-Jan Ida Margolies Shevat 2 19-Jan Louis Cohen Shevat 3 19-Jan Sigmund Suss Shevat 3 19-Jan Frances Wexler Shevat 3

The following will be observed on Jan 19 & 20

20-Jan Morris Gordon Shevat 4 20-Jan Lillian Knable Shevat 4 20-Jan Chester Rapkin Shevat 4 20-Jan Julius Rockmuller Shevat 4 21-Jan Rachel Levin Shevat 5 21-Jan Fred Resnick Shevat 5 21-Jan Gail Winawer Shevat 5 22-Jan Mildred Lederman Shevat 6 22-Jan Samuel Riebman Shevat 6 22-Jan Ida G. Segal Shevat 6 23-Jan Irvin Becker Shevat 7 23-Jan Simcha Buna Margolis Shevat 7 23-Jan Jesse Riebman Shevat 7 24-Jan Minnie Charnekar Shevat 8 24-Jan David Skolnik Shevat 8 25-Jan Anne Altman Shevat 9 25-Jan Martin Chanes Shevat 9 25-Jan Sara Den Shevat 9 25-Jan Carl Levithan Shevat 9 25-Jan Philip Minus Shevat 9 26-Jan Solomon Horowitz Shevat 10 26-Jan Morris Kauffman Shevat 10 26-Jan Jack Rubin Shevat 10 26-Jan Freda Selig Shevat 10 The following will be observed on Jan 26 & 27

27-Jan Rose Apfelbaum Shevat 11 28-Jan Samuel Chertok Shevat 12 28-Jan Sidney Dunn Shevat 12 28-Jan Ida Gerstenfeld Shevat 12 28-Jan Joseph Goldstein Shevat 12 29-Jan Herman Bernstein Shevat 13 29-Jan Morris Greenberg Shevat 13 29-Jan Faye Savitch Shevat 13 30-Jan Esther Clark Shevat 14 30-Jan Robert Feingold Shevat 14 30-Jan Robert Haber Shevat 14 30-Jan Anna Meyer Shevat 14 30-Jan Sonia Sadofsky Shevat 14 31-Jan Jules Abramowitz Shevat 15 31-Jan Clara Chertok Shevat 15 31-Jan Joseph Epstein Shevat 15 31-Jan Bertram Oshins Shevat 15 31-Jan Josette Van Liefferinge Shevat 15 1-Feb Royce LaVon Bailey, Jr. Shevat 16 1-Feb Hilton Herman Shevat 16 2-Feb Sidney DeKosky Shevat 17 2-Feb Henry Endy Shevat 17 2-Feb Alex Gordon Shevat 17 2-Feb Alice Hendel Shevat 17 2-Feb Jacob Schultz Shevat 17

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Todah Rabah Tzedakah is a mitzvah, a unique privilege granted to every Jew. Remembering friends and family in this manner is an appropriate way to show our feelings towards both our loved ones and our community. We

want to thank the following for their contributions.

General Operating Fund To The Cohen Family, In Memory of Bea Cohen

From Sidney and Marsha Tishler

To Allan and Roslyn Cohen, In Memory of Bea Cohen

From Joanie and Tom Cloetingh

In Memory of Gary’s Father, N. Travis Levin

From Gary and Susan Levin

Donation

From Gary and Susan Levin

In Honor of Barry and Sandy Milberg

From David Milberg

Capital Improvement Fund In Honor of Deborah Kaplan

From Terry and Onyinye Myers

Cohen Fund Donation

From Morris Kauffman

Donation to Honor Joanie Sharp

From Cindy Blair-Miller and Evelyne Blair-Miller

Donation

From Brian and Halle Schonherz

Donation

From Michelle Harbold

We wish Andrea Keller a refuah shleima

From Nancy and Steven Goldberg

Donation

From Susan and Gary Levin

Donation

From Esther and Drew Weintraub

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Thank you for the Leagram wishes for our anniversary

From Sandy and Barry Milberg

To Mrs. Sunny Stempler, Condolences on the loss of her brother

From Sandy and Barry Milberg

To Michael and Linda Cohen, In Memory of Bea Cohen

From Sandy and Barry Milberg

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Who knew? Tu B’Shevat, ,ט״ו בשבטis the New Year for Trees (similar to Arbor Day). In Israel, Tu B’Shevat is a day of ecological awareness. It is one of the four New Years in the Jewish Cal-endar. (Ask Rabbi Jon about the other three.) Tu B’Shevat has significance in Jewish law because it is the cutoff date by which the age of a tree is calculated for the sake of orlah, a Biblical prohibition against eating the fruit of a tree in its first three years. After Tu B’Shevat of the tree’s third year, the fruit is permitted for consumption, provided that the relevant tithing has occurred. (Tithes are 10% portions of a product given as charity.) Starting in the Middle Ages, in keeping with the Talmud’s description of this day as a holiday, Tu B’Shevat was celebrated with a feast; however, it is a minor holiday, instituted by the Rabbis, and unlike the major holidays mentioned in the Torah, there is no restriction of work on this day. Also unlike other holidays, the feast is not the usual Jewish feast of meat (brisket) or fish (lox) and wine (always), but rather a feast of fruits such as dates, figs, pomegranates, and grapes. Another custom is to plant trees in Israel. On Tu B’Shevat, we remember that Man is a Tree of the Field (Deuteronomy 20:19) The Code of Jewish Law states that on Tu B'Shevat fasting and eulo-gies are forbidden, and all penitential prayers are omitted.

Now you know

Todah Rabah Tzedakah is a mitzvah, a unique privilege granted to every Jew. Remembering friends and family in this manner is an appropriate way to show our feelings towards both our loved ones and our community. We

want to thank the following for their contributions.

Sisterhood’s Yahrzeit Floral Fund

From Barry and Sandy Milberg,

in memory of Barry’s grandmother, Dora Milberg

From Roz Goldstein,

in memory of Roz’s mother, Louise Maletz

From Shelly Kramer,

in memory of Shelly’s mother, Mae Stein

From Ione Apfelbaum Strauss,

in memory of Ione’s grandmother, Rose Apfelbaum

From Herb and Roselyn Cadoff,

in memory of Roselyn’s father, Jules Abramowitz

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Beth Israel Congregation’s Journey to ISRAEL

Join us as Rabbi Jon Cutler

guides us through the history, majesty, spirituality

and religious significance of Israel

June 19 -June 29, 2018

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!

U:\ITINERARY\Cutler Rabbi Jon Israel JUNE 2018 ITIN.docx

Shabbat Yeladim

Shabbat Yeladim is monthly, Friday evening program at 6:30 PM for young children here at Beth Israel. This program is geared to-wards children from infants to 2nd graders ( older sibling are welcome!). Fell free to stay for the Friday night Shabbat services immedi-ately after at 7:30 PM. Parents and children along with Rabbi Jon will sing songs, hear a story about the weekly Torah portion as well as welcome Shabbat with blessings. This wonderful program will end with our own little Oneg ! Check the calendar for dates and please RSVP to jsreinbold@comcast.net .

24 HaRuach BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION of CHESTER COUNTY

385 Pottstown Pike (Rte. 100)

Eagle, PA

P.O. Box 678

Uwchland, PA 19480

(610) 458-8550

biccsyn1@gmail.com

www.bethisraelpa.org

Rabbi ................................................. Jon Cutler

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President ....................................... Mark B. Segal

Executive Vice President ............... Halle Schonherz

Vice President, Finance .............. Nadine Dinerman

Vice President, Program .....................................

Treasurer ........................................ Stuart Miller

Secretary ...................................... Roz Goldstein

Immediate Past Presidents ...... Robert Greer and

Andrew Weintraub

Cindy Blair-Miller, Larry Faden, Linda Glazer,

Michelle Harbold, Barb Hendel, Deborah Kaplan,

Morris Kauffman, Robin Kerollis-Napiecek, Gary

Levin, Jody Reinbold, David Scott, Mandy Scott,

Heather Simon, Martin Skolnik, Neal Stone and Paul

Zislis

TRUSTEES

Ed Margolis, Jeff Pickholtz, Don Suss

Pre-School Director ................... Adrianne Liebman

Religious School Director ..................... Joan Sharp

Bookkeeper/Office Administrator ..... Bernice Gause

Music Director .................. Robin Kerollis-Napiecek

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See up-to-date Calendar on www.bethisraelpa.org for highlights