Volume LXX • Number 4

Congregation Sons of Israel

Voice

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DECEMBER 2013 • 28 KISLEV - 28 TEVET 5774

Manalapan, NJ

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732.446.3000

Voice

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Table of Contents From Our Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Men’s Club Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sisterhood News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nursery News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Torah Tots Tidbits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adult Education/Ritual Notes . . . . . . . . . . . Condolences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trees in Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December Yahrzeit List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December Anniversaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calendar: December . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calendar: January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minyan Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Timely Synagogue information can be sent to you via e-mail. It’s easy to register. Go to our Web site http://www.sonsofisrael.com and click the “Join our Free Email Mailing List” for instructions.

About Our Advertisers Please support our advertisers who have helped reduce the production costs of the Voice. Wine on Nine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weed Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melmed Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friendship Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin & Edith Stein Hospice . . . . . . . . . . . Benchmark Lending - Jay Lillianthal . . . . . Brooker Photography & Video . . . . . . . . . . Marlene’s Favors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keller Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Touch of Class DJs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Network 1 Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven Stern, D.M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels . . . . . . Israel Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Do you need to earn Community Service?

Occasionally, the office at CSI gets very busy. If anyone (teens or adults) is available to help out for an hour or two, please call Allison in the office at 732446-3000.

Be one in a minion!

Our evening minyan (Sunday – Thursday 7:30pm) needs your help. Please call the office to commit to one evening per week.

the VOICE • 28 KISLEV - 28 TEVET 5774

From Our Rabbi WHAT IS - AND ISN'T - OBSOLETE By Rabbi Robert S. Pilavin

o you ever wonder about what stays "in fashion" and what does not? "Obsolescence" is what happens when something is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. Sometimes a "new" product is clearly superior to what it replaces. And obsolescence is a practical necessity when we lack the means to repair the "old." We may forego a word processor and stick with our typewriter until no stores carry typewriter ribbons! "Planned" obsolescence occurs when products are deliberately designed to have a short life-span. A daily newspaper might be a case in point. Of course, sometimes a product is no longer desirable because it has gone out of fashion; its "style" (but not its substance) is obsolete. In technology, a new version of an item is often superior to the old version. Not so in matters of culture, where a "vintage" wine is the gold standard. Not so in relationships, where an "old" friend is more esteemed than a new one - and I haven't even mentioned grandparents! A case in point would be Shabbat morning, December 7. Our synagogue is hosting a kiddush in honor of its long-time members. Officially billed as a kiddush for "30-year" members (90 families strong!), this

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celebration will include many members who are with us for more than four decades. By coincidence, that Shabbat immediately precedes the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Gene Klein, who served our congregation with distinction for fourteen years (1974-88). Rabbi Klein passed away the same day as our shul's oldest member - Bill Epstein. (Bill's daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Ron Leiser, are also 30+ year members.). Shortly after Rabbi Klein's passing, Past President Jerry Enis arranged for Rabbi Klein's personal files to be returned to us. These files contain Rabbi Klein's records on baby namings, Bar (Bat) Mitzvahs, conversions, weddings, etc. during his administration. As I perused these files I was warmed to discover how many of our current members first celebrated their life-cycle events during Rabbi Klein's tenure. I am proud to have officiated at the weddings of individuals whom Rabbi Klein had named! In technology, last year's gadgets, like yesterday's newspaper, are obsolete. In relationships, by contrast, a member-of-long-standing is as precious to us as a bottle of fine wine from a "vintage" year. It is my hope that many of you will be able to take part in our tribute to that elite fraternity, the 30+-year members of Congregation Sons of Israel. May we be blessed with their fellowship for many years to come!

WWW.SONSOFISRAEL.COM

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Voice

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A News Magazine Published Monthly by Congregation Sons of Israel Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert S. Pilavin President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Lebowitz Nursery School Director . . . . . . . . . . Renée Narson Men’s Club President . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Katz Sisterhood President . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Berger Editor, the Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Berger Manager of Communication & Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allison Robinson Manager of Bookkeeping & Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michele Sacks

www.sonsofisrael.com 732-446-3000 the Voice is the official monthly publication of Congregation Sons of Israel and is mailed free to all congregants and nursery school families. Third class postage paid at Freehold, New Jersey. Advertising rates upon request. Congregation Sons of Israel Gordons Corner Road • PO Box 369 Manalapan, NJ 07726

Comments, Suggestions, Questions.. Rabbi Robert Pilavin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] President Michael Lebowitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Executive Vice President Bob Schwartz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Vice President/House Rudy Stanko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Treasurer Howard Mucha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Manager-Communication & Business Allison Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Manager-Bookkeeping & Special Events Michele Sacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Vice President/Ritual David Binder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Vice President/Education & Nursery Stacey Katz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Vice President/Membership & Programming Darrin Goldman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Vice President/Fundraising Karen Wertheim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Publicity Harold Wiener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Men’s Club Michael Katz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Sisterhood Nancy Berger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Recording Secretary Marla Weinstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] the Voice Bill Berger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Articles for the next issue of the Voice are due December 9 Ads for The Voice are needed to help us pay for the publication of each issue. If you are a dentist, doctor, lawyer, accountant or Indian chief and you want to let our readers in on the secret, advertise in The Voice. If you own a business or work in a business that sells to the public, advertise in The Voice. Solicit your doctor, realtor, the places that you eat and drink, get your hair cut or your nails manicured to advertise in The Voice. If you need information on rates, etc., contact Allison Robinson at the Synagogue office or email Jack Linder at [email protected]. Give us your leads, we will follow them up.

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the VOICE • 28 KISLEV - 28 TEVET 5774

president’s message

By Michael Lebowitz hope everyone enjoyed "Thanksgivukkah" as much Chanukah shows. On December 3rd, we are as I did! Not sure about you, but my biggest decision celebrating our beautiful annual community menorah that night was whether to have turkey or latkes. I chose lighting. Also on December 3, the Sisterhood will be both, of course, and I suspect most of you did, too. showing the film, "For My Father" – still another Jumping back a few months, on behalf of the reason to celebrate the holiday here at CSI. board, I would like to thank our 100+ members who Other highlights of December – as if Chanukah took the time to respond to our post-High Holiday wasn't enough! – include our 30+ Year survey. The Ritual Committee has been reviewing the Membership Appreciation Kiddush on December results and using your feedback to consider how we 7, and then that same night, our long-awaited Casino can make next year's Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Night, which will be held at the Ivy League Day Camp High Holiday experience even more enjoyable and to in Manalapan. Bring your friends, bring your will to your liking. win - and your cash! There will be all the games you As President, I am always thinking about love, plus prizes, a 50/50 raffle, refreshments and fundraising, and I'd like to remind you that it is the end more. We expect this to be a huge fundraiser. of the tax year, so it might be a good time to consider After all the celebrations, don't forget to give back a contribution, or pre-paying for a sponsored kiddush. on December 16, with our annual CSI Blood Drive. On In our "Congregant Speaker's Bureau" news, I December 22, we are looking forward to a great Winter want to thank Ira Marshall for his D'var Torah, Men's Club Breakfast. There will also be a milestone delivered in honor of his wedding anniversary, Rafi event in shul on December 28 - Sharon and Richard Mishan for his sermon on the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Schleifstein are sponsoring the Shabbat kiddush in Israel, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, and Joel Krinsky for his honor of their 50th anniversary! D'var Torah on bargaining with G-d - delivered in Once again, I remind you that minyan doesn't go honor of his 70th birthday. If you feel motivated to on vacation in December - even if you do - so please speak about the parsha, we invite you to participate – stand up and be counted at our minyan. Pick a day, just contact David Binder, our Ritual VP. bring a friend – it's not just "shul" – it's cool. Also This year, as Jews, long after the last remember that Shabbat afternoon minyanim start early Thanksgiving leftover is discarded, we have the added and end early between 4 and 5:30 now. Come on in and excitement of Chanukah extending into the first week be counted! of December, which offers me a perfect opportunity to Happy Chanukah! remind you of everything that will be happening here. We are looking forward to our annual Nursery

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Photos by Alan Brooker

Rabbi Pilavin

Mr. Joseph Levy

Men’s Club Breakfasts: on October 27th, Mr. Joseph Levy spoke about Jewish refugees from Arab countries; on November 17th, Rabbi Pilavin led a discussion about the recent Pew Foundation survey. WWW.SONSOFISRAEL.COM

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the VOICE • 28 KISLEV - 28 TEVET 5774

Men’s Club Happenings By Michael Katz, President hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed it with family and friends. I want to thank Rabbi Pilavin for leading us in a lively and provocative discussion about the Pew Research Forum’s survey on Jews and Judaism. Our Sunday morning breakfast programs continue on December 22 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, located at 310 Mounts Corner Drive in Freehold. The museum will have a special presentation for us centered around their current exhibit titled “The Land Was Theirs – The Story of the Jewish Farmers of Monmouth County”. The program that day will start at 10:00 AM. Please RSVP to the office if you will be attending as we need to let the museum know how many people will be in our group that morning. On February 2, we will be having our annual Super Bowl party. For only $22, come down to CSI, watch the game on our GIANT screen, enjoy “Football Friendly” food like chili, buffalo wings, beer battered onion rings and more, and receive an entry in our Super Bowl Grid. A fun time is always had by all who attend. Look for the flyer in this issue of the Voice. We are selling tickets to the NJ Devils game on March 2 against the San Jose Sharks. The tickets cost $60. Look for the flyer in this issue of the Voice. Details of our programs and events will be

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forthcoming utilizing the CSI web site, www.sonsofisrael.com, email notifications, telephone messages, future issues of the Voice, flyers in the Synagogue and mailings. You can always contact the Synagogue office at 732-446-3000 for information on our events. To those who have already sent in their dues for 2013/14, thank you very much. For those who have yet to do so, please join us. Your $36 membership dues help the Men’s Club provide assistance to our Synagogue for capital improvements as well as charitable donations to many worthwhile causes. We are looking for men who would like to be trustees for the Men’s Club. Please contact Michael Katz at [email protected] if you are interested in joining our board. When you look at the Men’s Club wall in the main entranceway, you will see a special “Men of Distinction” section. As many of us have honored the special women in our lives with inclusion on the “Women of Valor” wall, the Men’s Club would like you to honor those special men in your life with a plaque in the “Men of Distinction” section. The cost is $150 for this special honor. I want to wish everyone a very Happy and Joyous Chanukah.

0(1·6&/8%´0E12)',67,1&7,21µ Is your husband, son, father, grandfather, or any other special man in your life deserving of special recognition? If your answer is yes, as well it should be, there is a way for you to honor that special man or men, iQ \RXU OLIH DQG DW WKH VDPH WLPH DVVLVW WKH 0HQ·V &OXE LQ LWV IXQG raising activities. As you may have noticed, one wall in our synagogue lobby is GHGLFDWHG WR WKH 0HQ·V &OXE 2QH VHFWLRQ RI WKDW GLVSOD\ LV VHW DVLGH IRU ´0HQRI'LVWLQFWLRQµVLPLODUWRWKH6LVWHUKRRG·V´:RPHQRI9DORUµ ) 

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Congregation Sons of Israel Gordons Corner Road PO Box 369 Manalapan, NJ 07726

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Freehold, NJ Permit No. 305

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER; DATED MATERIAL

Minyan Times - for December Weekday Mornings* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friday Afternoon December 6, 13, 20, 27 . . . . . . . . . . . .

4:15 P.M.

Saturday Mornings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9:00 A.M.

*Please note that on Wed. December 25 and Wed. January 1 the morning minyan will be held at 8:30 AM.

Sunday-Thursday Evenings . . . . . . . . . . Saturday Mincha December 7, 14, 21, 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7:15 A.M

7:30 P.M.

Please Note: Evening weekday minyan no longer includes mincha

4:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M

We urge all members to consider at least a once-a-week commitment to one of the morning or evening services that are held each day. It will be good for the soul and ensure that we have a “minyan” promptly each and every day!