B'nai Review February

February 2015

Shevat 5775 - Adar 5775 Volume 5775 Issue 7

In This Issue: CBI Announcements

A Message From The

… Rabbi

… Cantor

… President

… Executive Director

Adult Studies

Tu B’Shvat

Youth

A Message From

MERCAZ

A-Team

Sunday Morning

University

February Calendar

Women’s League

Mitzvah Men’s Club

Life Cycle Events

Mitzvah Grams

Donations

Todah Rabah

Around the

Community

Advertisements

2 - 3

4 - 5

6

7

8 - 9

10

11

12 - 13

14 - 15

16

17

18

19

20 - 21

22

22

23 - 27

2!

2

Rabbi

Jacob Luski, D.D.

727.381.4900 x1008

[email protected]

Cantor

Jonathan Schultz

727.381.4900 x1005

[email protected]

Executive Director

Susan Goldstein

727.344.1017

[email protected]

Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood

Education Center Director

Katherine Schaefer

727.302.9668

[email protected]

Pauline Rivkind Talmud Torah

Education Coordinator

Ricki Lewis

727.381.4900

[email protected]

Youth Director

Bianca Levi

727.381.4900 x1011

[email protected]

Community Engagement

Liz Sembler

727.381.4900 x1007

[email protected]

Torah Reader/Educator

Deborah Marmon

727.381.4900 x1017

[email protected]

Office Manager

Pam Askin

727.381.4901

[email protected]

Communications Coordinator

Carolyn Moritz

727.381.4900 x1001

[email protected]

Accounting

Denice Piller

727.302.9676

[email protected]

President

Alice Ettinger

[email protected]

Men’s Club President Steve Feld

USY President Hannah Weiss

B’nai Israel REVIEW

FEBRUARY 2015

Contact Us

Our Mission Through our congregational life, our goal is to provide the opportunity for our mem-

bers and friends to experience Jewish life to its fullest. We want to transmit the ideals

of Conservative Judaism to our children and grandchildren, to enable them to be

knowledgeable and responsible participants in Jewish life, sensitive and ethical human

beings and reliable custodians of an enduring heritage. Through the synagogue, we want

to find strength and inspiration in worship and study, in the sharing of lifecycle events,

in acts of caring, in reaching out to the wide Jewish and non-Jewish communities, and in

concern and support for Israel.

mailto:[email protected]












3

LAW SHABBAT & SIMHA

Join CBI on February 14, at 9:00 am to honor the

legal profession during morning services. This is

also a Simha Shabbat, so come recognize our

February birthday and anniversary celebrants!

FEDERATION SUPER SUNDAY

Be a superhero this Super Sunday! Join the

Jewish Federation of North America on Sunday,

February 8, in the annual phone-a-thon that

raises funds for the global Jewish Community.

Contact [email protected]

for more information.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE

We are very sorry that the photo directory has

not yet been delivered. There have been several

delays in publication from the production

company. In an effort to contain mailing costs,

you will be notified when they are available for

pick up in the office. Todah Rabah to all of you

who supported this project with ads.

We apologize again for the delays.

FROM THE JUDAICA SHOP CREW

We will soon be getting ready for Passover. It is

difficult to believe that Hanukkah is behind us;

thank you for your support! For your special

needs, we special order and gift wrap. Presently

we keep the same Judaica Shop hours:

Monday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tuesday 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Thursday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Please call for an appointment:

Diana Litt 727.392.5554

Eileen Richman 727.492.4509

Anita Helfand 727.347.2300

Come in and browse!

HEVRA KADISHA

The Hevra Kadisha Burial Society of CBI will be

honored at a dinner on Tuesday, March 12.

For more information, contact Pam Askin

at 727.381.4901.

SHALACH MANOT UPDATE

Watch your mail for order forms to order

Women’s League wonderful homemade

Hamentaschen. The office must receive orders

by Friday, February 20. Please join us for baking

on Monday, March 2, at 5:00 pm.

No experience necessary!

BIKKUR HOLIM

One of the most important mitzvot in Judaism is

bikkur holim: visiting the sick. It is a

responsibility that the clergy of B’nai Israel take

very seriously. When our members are ill or

hospitalized, we want to know. In the interest of

protecting confidentiality, hospitals today are

extremely cautious about sharing patient names,

even with clergy. We need our congregants to

communicate directly with us and to inform us of

illness or hospitalization. Please call Pam Askin

at 727.381.4901 so that, as clergy and the

synagogue family, we can be helpful in moments

of difficulty or stress.

FIRST SEDER

Join your CBI Family on

Friday evening, April 13,

as we welcome

Passover together.

Jo-El’s will cater the

seder dinner. Stay tuned!

PURIM

Join us for readings of

Megillah Esther on

Wednesday evening,

March 4, and Thursday

morning, March 5.

Announcements


4

From the Rabbi

The Talmud relates that an old man was seen planting a carob tree as the king rode by.

“Old man,” the king called out, “how old are you?” “Seventy years, your majesty,” the old man replied. “How many years will it take for that tree to bear fruit?” asked the king. “Perhaps seventy years,” the man replied.

Mockingly, the king went on: “Do you really expect to ever eat of the fruit of the tree?”

“Of course not,” the man said, “but just as I found fruit trees when I was born, so do I plant trees that future generations may eat from them.”

Tu B’Shvat, the 15th day of the month of Shvat, is the New Year of the Trees. The reason for this particular date is that until this point trees are sustained in Israel from the rainfall of the past year; from this point on, they are sus-tained from the water of the following year. Thus, Tu B’Shvat is primarily of agricultural importance, marking the renewal of the trees.

Trees are vital not only to the fertility of the soil, but especially for sustaining all of life. This recognition came early in Jewish history. Moses warns the Israelites prior to their entry of Canaan: “When in your war against a city…you must not destroy its trees. You may eat of them, but you must not cut them down.” (Deut. 20:19). In modern times, the message of Tu B’Shvat has been broadened to include ecology and environmental issues. But even this idea is already found in the Midrash. When God created Adam, He showed him all the trees in the Garden of Eden and said: “See how beautiful and perfect are My works! All that I have created, I have created for you. Therefore, be ever-mindful: “Do not abuse or desolate My world. For if you abuse or desolate it, there is no one to repair it after you.” (Kohelet Rabbah 7:28).

Tu B’Shvat therefore serves as a powerful reminder of our connection to the earth, our relationship to the Land of Israel, of our dependence on nature, and of our obligations to future generations. So many of our holidays and ob-servances focus on our history, our past. Tu B’Shvat focuses on our future. And that future, to a large extent, will depend on how careful we are to preserve and keep safe our environment.

Celebrate Tu B’Shvat. Plant trees in Israel. Pay attention to ecological concerns. Protect the earth. Eat the fruits of Eretz Yisrael.

Join us on Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 pm for our annual Tu B’Shvat Seder presented by our Hebrew High School students led by Janice LeVine in cooperation with JNF and our A-Team. Shalom,

From the Cantor

A few days ago, I was watching a nature show about California redwoods. These trees are the tallest living things on Earth – many grow to more than 300 feet tall, and the tallest tree

on record is 379 feet tall. I have stood in the presence of these giant, majestic trees, and

they are massive, some more than 25 feet wide at the base. I have marveled at the im-

mense scale of these trees both in their direct presence and through watching the nature

show, where I watched footage of a man walking through a redwood forest, and he seemed

like an insect next to these wondrous trees. The oldest California redwoods are also the

oldest living things in the world – many are known to be 1,200 to 1,800 years old, and the

oldest known specimen is about 2,200 years old. They are also endangered. They were very much prized by the logging and lumber industries for the wood’s

beauty, light weight, resistance to fire because of its low resin content, and resistance to decay. According to Wik-

ipedia, “Before commercial logging and clearing began by the 1850s, this massive tree occurred naturally in an esti-

mated 2,100,000 acres along much of coastal California (excluding southern California where rainfall is not sufficient)

and the southwestern corner of coastal Oregon within the United States. An estimated 95% or more of the origi-

nal old-growth redwood trees have been cut down….” As we get ready for Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the Trees, let us thank the Almighty that we live in an age of eco-

logical sensitivity, an age where logging of redwoods is limited and restricted to second growth trees. Let us also be

thankful that we now recycle paper, so that trees do not need to be cut down so that we may write. At the same

time, let us also thank God for creating fruit trees, so that we may eat of their bounty – on Tu Bishvat and through-

out the year.

Happy Tu Bishvat!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-growth_forest

5

From the President The secular New Year has just passed. We may have made resolutions to ourselves, and

they may have already been broken. In the spirit of the New Year I am asking myself and

you to set aside 18 additional hours during the next year just for Congregation B’nai Israel.

How you use those 18 hours is up to you, and nobody but you will measure or record

your progress. Some of the ways you can give to CBI include: attend more Shabbat services,

tutor or read books in Pauline Rivkind Talmud Torah/Early Education Center (PRTT/

PRECEC); help in the office; attend minyan and/or services more than you usually would; attend

an adult studies session; and there are many more ideas that can come from you. Finally, Tu B'Shevat is the Jewish New Year of the Trees. As you will recall, customs for Tu B’Shevat include planting

trees and eating dried fruits and nuts, especially those native to Israel. I would like you to think about nurturing an-

other planting you have already made. All of us have planted our religious roots at CBI and our congregational fami-

ly. However, for those roots to flourish and become something spiritually meaningful, they must be watered, fed,

and nurtured just like a sapling tree. In the spirit of Tu B’Shevat, think about how you will nurture your religious

roots and help water and feed those roots by spending some more time at Congregation B’nai Israel.

Shalom, and I will see you at CBI.

From the Executive Director

It’s February again, so it’s time to say, “Let’s ‘do’ Mitzvah Month at CBI!” What can we do

to help repress the very real problem of hunger right here in Pinellas County? We can make a difference on a local level by helping replenish non-perishable food items at

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services (“GCJFS”) in three ways.

Be a part of I Can, 1 Can. When you come to the shul for an adult education class, to pick

up your child at preschool or PRTT, to volunteer, to daven at week-day minyan, or any reason

whatsoever (except on Shabbat), bring a can of food to be donated to GCJFS.

Write a check to GCJFS, and send it to 14041 Icot Boulevard, Clearwater 33760. Buy a gift card to Winn-Dixie, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, or one of the many vendors available through our

Mitzvah Gelt program. Write a check to CBI-Scrip, and let Carolyn Moritz (727.381.4900, x1001) know how

much you’d like to spend. We’ll send the gift card to GCJFS.

Participate in the Pinellas County Crop Hunger Walk, sponsored by Church World Services, on Sunday afternoon,

February 22 (AFTER you’ve participated in Sunday Morning University!), to benefit the St. Pete Free Clinic and

Daystar. Registration is at 1:30, and the Walk begins at 2:00. Visit http://bit.ly/cropwalkpinellas for information.

We can help on a worldwide basis. Visit mazon.org to learn facts about the reality of hunger in America. Did you

know that 49 million Americans – including 17 million children and almost five million seniors -- are hungry? Write a

check or donate online at mazon.org, and make a difference. Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger is an organization

that (a) provides for people who are hungry and advocates for other ways to end hunger and its causes; (b) educates

and raises the consciousness of the Jewish community regarding its obligation to alleviate hunger and its causes; and

(c) promotes making donating a portion of the cost of life cycle events (historically, at least 3%) to MAZON a perma-

nent tradition in Jewish life. When you visit the website, check out some of the great links to information about hun-

ger in America, references to verses in the Torah, and the halachic foundation of Jews caring for the hungry.

Yes, hunger is even a problem, not only around the world, but in the Jewish community right here in St. Pete/Pinellas

County. In February, we’re saying “I CAN bring 1 CAN every time I come to CBI (except on Shabbat).” If we all join

in, together we can repress hunger. Let’s do it!

B’Shalom,

http://bit.ly/cropwalkpinellas

6

Adult Studies

Talmud class with Steve Wein

CBI and the St. Petersburg Chapter of Hadassah

co-host a monthly Book Readers’ Discussion

Group on Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the CBI

Library. If you are interested in leading the

discussion for a meeting, please contact Sheila

Wasserman at 727.347.5816. This month join

us on February 18 to discuss The Lemon Tree:

An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by

Sandy Tolan.

The JTS mini-course Abraham: Father of

Three Faiths explores the character of

Abraham as he is described in Judaism,

Christianity, and Islam, comparing biblical and

rabbinic material with sacred texts and

interpretations. Brought to you by JTS in

partnership with CBI. Sessions three and four are

Thursday, February 5 and 12, 10:30 am - 12:00

pm. RSVP to Bonnie Smith at 561.852.3454 or

[email protected].

Do you wish you could chant a

Haftarah at services? If you

can read Hebrew, here's a great

opportunity for you!

Liz Sembler will help you

develop the skills to prepare

and present a Haftarah. Classes

are every Wednesday, 5:30 -

6:30 pm until February 25. For

more information, contact Liz

Sembler at

[email protected].

Join Steve Wein as he and his

Talmud Class begin a new

Tractate this year along with its

selected commentaries. The

classes are in English, and Steve

explains all. Materials will be

provided. The class involves

both textual analysis and lively

discussion, and is open to all.

No previous knowledge is

necessary. Buns Family Library

on select Wednesday evenings

at 7:00 pm.

THE BEST OF TBJFF PRESENTS...

HUNTING ELEPHANTS

Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and an impressive cast of Israeli top talent give bravura comic turns in HUNTING ELEPHANTS, a bank heist caper and coming-of-age tale from writer-director Reshev Levi (Lost Islands).

At the bank where his father works, 12-year-old Jonathan (Gil Blank) watches helplessly as his father succumbs to a sudden heart attack while testing a new high-tech security system. In a cruel double blow, the evil bank manager (Moshe Ivgy) refuses to pay the father's pension. In the aftermath, widow Dorit (Yael Abecassis) leaves her son in the care of his cantankerous grandfather Eliyahu (Sasson Gabai) and mate Nick (Moni Moshonov), both former Zionist freedom fighters now barely existing in a nursing home. Guilt-ridden over his father's death, and mortified when his mother begins dating the bank manager out of financial desperation, Jonathan and the aging misfits hatch a plot to rob the bank that wronged his family. Joining the misadventure is Jonathan's great uncle, a disgraced British lord and frustrated actor (Stewart in a scene-stealing role).

Nominated for seven Israeli Academy Awards including Best Film, HUNTING ELEPHANTS is a delightful concoction of jocular hijinks and tender moments

sure to leave audiences smiling.

CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL OF ST PETERSBURG

300 58TH STREET NORTH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

7:30 PM

OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY

FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE AT

WWW.TBJFF.ORG



7

RSVP by January 28 to CBI at 727.381.4900 in order to have enough materials for

the event.

For more information, please contact Beth Glickman Morris at [email protected] or

727.536.5263.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Congregation B’nai Israel 300 58th Street North • St. Petersburg, FL 33710

BRANCH OUT! GET OFF YOUR STUMP! LEAF YOUR CARES AT HOME!

Join us for a complimentary seder featuring an interactive, family-friendly sing-a-long with David and Janice LeVine and the teens of Hebrew High.

JNF will make a special presentation to recognize CBI’s completion of a second Parkland Project and commencement of a Woodland Project. In addition to CBI’s support in the greening of Israel, as a partner with JNF, CBI receives a 20% monetary benefit from your gift to JNF that is used for Zionist Education & Advocacy programming, which provides stipends for high school and college students to supplement expenses for advocacy events and programs in Israel.

[email protected]


8

February 2014

Calling All Storytellers!

Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center is looking for some fabulous volunteers

to come read to our youngest learners. We will even provide you with a selected P.J. Library Story

that supports our Judaica! Schedules are flexible as we have availability Monday through Friday,

9:30 am - 12:00 pm. Interested in getting involved?

Please contact Preschool Director Katherine Schaefer at

[email protected] or 727.302.9668.

Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center (PRECEC)

One of the most important aspects of building a growing school is being able to develop and foster a supportive

community that is engaged and proactive. This semester, Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center is

reaching out to our surrounding community, families, and congregation members in order to build a stronger

foundation. Inspired by the incredible parental support our school receives, we can all look forward to another

fantastic semester learning and growing together!

As our school has focused on through our Torah Aura Flyer, “A home is more than a house. It is where a family

lives. A synagogue is more than a building. It is where a community gathers.” Throughout the month of February,

children will be learning all about what it means to be a community by studying Community Helpers, Transportation, Health and Wellness, and taking a closer look into Tu ’B’Shevat and taking great care of

the earth. Children can look forward to visits from a nurse, a police officer, and many

other special volunteers while working on problem solving skills and

creative expression.

This month, we are delighted to announce the opening of our Tiny Owl Infant Room.

This classroom, serving families of children ages 2 months to 12 months, is a wonderful

new addition to our school as we welcome our youngest students to our

PRECEC family! For more information or enrollment questions, please contact me at

727.302.9668 or [email protected].

Katherine Schaefer, PRECEC Director



9

Important Summer Program Deadlines:

Taglit-Birthright Israel: Israel Outdoors

February 3

Covenant Fund Scholarship Application

February 13

Applications for all USY Summer Experience programs are accepted on a first-come, first-serve

basis. Limited spaces are still available, so visit www.usy.org/escape to register for a program!

Come to CBI on Friday, February 6, at 6:00 for USY-led Kabbalat Shabbat services!

USY

Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center

Presents Our Annual

Pasta Dinner & Silent Auction Sunday, February 22 5:00 - 7:00 pm CBI Social Hall

Please join us for a delicious buffet-style pasta dinner for

an evening celebrating community and student artwork.

All guests are welcome! Tables will be set up around

the Social Hall displaying student and classroom art-

work, as well as themed classroom gift baskets that are

up for silent auction. The Silent Auction opens at 5:00

and will close at 6:15. Winners will be announced upon

closing of auction. Payment is due upon item pickup and

can be made in the form of cash, check, or credit card.

Menu:

Pasta, Choice of Alfredo or Marinara Sauce,

Mixed Greens Salad with Choice of Dressing,

Challah Garlic Bread, Dessert Treats

*All proceeds will benefit the reconstruction of our Organic Vegetable

Goodness Garden and new classroom equipment*

Dinner tickets are $6.00 per person. Children 12 months and younger

are free. Please return bottom portion of this flyer to Miss Katie, along

with payment in the form of cash or check, to pick up dinner tickets.

There is no limit on the amount of tickets you can purchase.

Money and ticket orders are due by Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

http://www.usy.org/escape

10

A Message From MERCAZ

THE ZIONIST ELECTIONS: MAKING YOUR VOICE COUNT IN ISRAEL

Since the days of Theodore Herzl, Jews from around the world have been participating in the World Zionist

Congress, shaping the direction of what is today our beloved State of Israel. Jews in the United States have the

opportunity this coming winter to have their voices heard in Israel through a democratic election of delegates

to the next Zionist Congress.

Conservative Judaism in the United States - the values we hold dear - will be well-represented by MERCAZ, the

official lobby for religious pluralism, protection of Israel’s environment, and a peaceful two-state solution

to Israel’s security challenges. Moreover, a strong MERCAZ voting block will ensure financial benefits of $2 million

annually to Conservative-affiliated institutions in Israel and around the world.

Voter registration begins on Tuesday, January 13, and will continue until the end of April.

Register to vote MERCAZ.

Visit www.mercazusa.org or call the Campaign Headquarters at 212.533.2061 to learn more.

Make your voice count this year in the Zionist elections.

Thank you.

Save the Date

ISRAEL BONDS

Pinellas Cocktail Supper

Sunday, March 22, 2015 6:00 pm

St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater

12600 Roosevelt Blvd N St. Petersburg, FL 33716

For Information Contact:

[email protected] - 727.282.1125

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

http://www.mercazusa.org


11

Advocacy for Israel Committee

Anti-Semitism in Europe: A series by Dr. Leslie Pearlstein

In my last article I wrote about current Anti-Semitic events in Sweden. Sweden has a checkered past

when it comes to its role in treating Jews. Sweden’s treatment of Jews up to and during World War

II was often anything but principled and accommodating. In 1685, King Charles XI prohibited Jews

from residing in Sweden “on account of the danger of the eventual influence of the Jewish religion

on the pure evangelical faith.” By 1800 Jews could live in Sweden, but under numerous restrictions.

Equal-rights legislation didn’t come until 1910. During World War II, the country served as a haven

for Jews evacuated from Denmark. On October 1, 1943, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler ordered Danish

Jews to be arrested and deported. Despite great personal risk, the Danish resistance movement,

with the assistance of many ordinary Danish citizens, managed to evacuate 7,220 of Denmark's

7,800 Jews, plus 686 non-Jewish spouses, by sea to nearby neutral Sweden. Jews have long honored

Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, posted in Budapest, for saving over 100,000 Hungarian Jews

during World War II.

Formally neutral, Sweden became a de facto ally in the Nazi war effort. Like Switzerland, it was a

recipient of Nazi-looted gold. One of Nazi Germany’s biggest trading partners, it was a large

supplier of high-grade iron ore to the German steel industry. Sweden permitted transit for German

armies on their way to fight in Russia and to occupy Norway. The Swedish navy escorted German

military supply ships, while Swedish industry helped the Germans make up for the losses suffered

from Allied bombing raids. Sweden enforced their Jewish employment exclusion.

Even after the war, Sweden dragged out negotiations with the Allies to restore looted gold. Arguing

that it was not accountable for gold acquired before a 1943 declaration invalidating wartime asset

transfers in occupied countries, Sweden was able to postpone until 1955 millions of dollars in

Dutch gold restitution. The lawyers and organizations involved in bringing lawsuits in the U.S. against

Swiss banks and others for their Holocaust-era activities also had Swedish Nazi-profiteering

industry as a target for litigation. But controversies about the Swiss, German and Austrian industries

cases resulted in decisions to leave Sweden alone. Its undeserved image of purity remained largely

intact.

Whereas in the past Swedish Anti-Semitism was mostly “vicarious “, current Anti-Semitic behavior is

quite overt. Current population statistics do not bode well for future Jewish life in Sweden.

According to European Union reports, an estimated 574,000 Muslims lived in Sweden in 2012,

making up 6.05 percent of the population, compared to 1998, when there were 284,000 Muslims,

or 3.21 percent of the total population. Population increase during 2004-2012 has mainly been

attributed to immigration from Muslim countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. This translates

to an influx of Muslim immigrants as opposed to any other ethnicity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Denmark

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Denmark

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_resistance_movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/iraq-population/

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/afghanistan-population/

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/somalia-population/

14

Shevat - Adar 5775

FEBRUARY 2015

1

Temple Beth-El Art Show

8:30am Minyan, World Wide Wrap

9:45am PRTT

6:30pm Minyan

2

Temple Beth-El Art Show

7:45am Minyan, Breakfast

6:30pm Minyan

6:45pm All Task Force Meeting

3


6:00pm Chess Club

6:30pm Minyan

4

TU B’SHVAT


4:45pm PRTT Alef-Heh

5:30pm Haftarah Class

6:30pm Minyan

7:00pm Tu B’Shvat Seder

7:00pm Hebrew High & Mehina

8

Federation Super Sunday


9:45am PRTT

6:30pm Minyan

9


6:30pm Minyan

10


6:00pm Chess Club

6:30pm Minyan

7:00pm Women’s League

“Chocolate Galore”

11




6:30pm Minyan


7:00pm Talmud Class

15


NO PRTT

6:30pm Minyan

16

PRESIDENT’S DAY


6:30pm Minyan

17


6:00pm Chess Club

6:30pm Minyan

18


10:00am CBI-Hadassah Book Club



6:30pm Minyan


22


9:45am PRTT

9:45am Sunday Morning University

2:00pm Pinellas County’s

Hunger Crop Walk

5:00pm Preschool Silent Auction &

Pasta Dinner

6:30pm Minyan

23


6:30pm Minyan

24


6:00pm Chess Club

6:30pm Minyan

25


10:00am Hadassah Mah



6:30pm Minyan


7:00pm Talmud Class

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

15




7:00pm Tu B’Shvat Seder


5


10:30am JTS Scholar: Abraham, the

Father of Three Faiths

6:30pm Minyan

7:00pm BACA Concert

Congregation Schaarai-Zedek,

Tampa

6


5:57pm Candlelighting

6:00pm USY Kabbalat Shabbat

7

9:00am Shabbat Services, Kiddush

12:30pm Shabbat Minha

7:00pm TBJFF Select Film Series





7:00pm Talmud Class

12


10:30am JTS Scholar: Abraham, the

Father of Three Faiths

6:30pm Minyan

13


6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat


14

9:00am Law Shabbat Services,

February Simha, Kiddush



Hadassah Book Club




19


6:30pm Minyan

20


6:00pm Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat


21

9:00am Shabbat Services, Kiddush



0:00am Hadassah Mah-Jongg




7:00pm Talmud Class

26


6:00pm Florida Holocaust Museum’s

“To Life, To Justice”

The Mahaffey Theater

6:30pm Minyan

27


10:00am PRECEC Shabbat

Celebration


8:00pm Shabbat Ruach

St. Petersburg

Hadassah Chapter

28

9:00am Shabbat Zahor Services,

Kiddush

11:30am Ritual Workshop “Aleinu”


Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

16

Women’s League

TORAH FUND DINNER

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 6:00 pm

Honoring Esta Blaxberg:

2015 Woman of Achievement

$20 Couvert:

Please make checks payable to CBI Women’s League

GIFT OPPORTUNITIES Benefactor $180

Guardian Level $300

Associate Patron $600

Patron $1200

CONTACT Joanne Luski [email protected]

Marilyn LeVine [email protected]

Jennifer Sternberg (Torah Fund cards)

[email protected]

“CHOCOLATE GALORE”

Come join your sisters: Indulge in chocolate!

Bring your favorite “chocoholic” recipes to be put into a

cookbook for everyone. Prepare to enjoy chocolate

treats, drinks, and even poetry!

RSVP by February 5:

Call the Synagogue at 727.381.4900

Tuesday, February 10, at 7:00 pm

The executive board and leaders of the CBI Sisterhood (aka Women's League) wants to thank all who attended and

participated in our Women's League Shabbat 5775! The sanctuary was filled with our prayers and song. The

Kabbalat Shabbat service was followed by a delicious Got Shabbat dinner, and Shabbat morning concluded with a fine

Kiddush luncheon. Some women came alone, some with families -- and all joined together to celebrate sisterhood in

ways old and new.

Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 pm “All About Chocolate!” This meeting promises to be interesting and delicious.

WATCH YOUR MAIL TO ORDER SHLACH MANOT!

Monday, March 2, 5:30 pm “Hamentaschen Baking!” Join the long tables of women shaping pounds of dough and

various fillings into delicious treats for Purim. Messy fun, and not in your own kitchen! For new and older bakers

alike, filled with tradition and love.

Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 pm “Get Tech Savvy!” NOTE CHANGED DATE

Tuesday, March 24 17th Annual Women’s Community Seder at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater. We

are a sponsoring organization for this event, so save the date! Watch the Jewish Press and B’nai Review for the

official announcement and invitation.

Wednesday, April 29, 6:00 pm Torah Fund Dinner.

Your Women’s League keeps a close eye on the needs and resources of the CBI kitchen and serving departments.

We connect and work cooperatively with all the other arms of the synagogue. We welcome all women to show up,

join, and make and renew friendships at CBI!

Give Your Sister a Lift! Need a ride to Sisterhood meetings or events? We are looking for our sisters who would

like “a lift” to and from CBI’s Women’s League. We want YOU here to enjoy the fun and learn along with us! Give

Karen Kauffman a call AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE so we can make arrangements to give you and your

friends a lift. The more the merrier! Contact Karen at 727.392.1623 or 727.481.8225 to give or request a lift.




17

The Mitzvah Men’s Club was honored to present Past President Jesse Rodman

with his outgoing President’s plaque.

Good Evening,

When planning this introduction, I was going to go into detail about all of the hard work that this dedicated

man has accomplished for us throughout the last few years, but then I noticed that if I did that, we wouldn’t

have much time for the meeting itself! Suffice it to say, he has worked endlessly and tirelessly to help keep the

Mitzvah Men’s Club in tip-top shape while working alongside the various entities that make up this

congregation. In addition, his business acumen has and will allow us to save money and time in various ways

that were not known to us in the past. In our discussions, we turn to Jesse for his “I think we shoulds” that

always precede his useful suggestions. As a result of his talent and hard work as Past President of the MMC, I

now proudly present him with this beautiful plaque.

Steve Feld, MMC President

Mitzvah Men’s Club

Pictured: President Steve Feld (left) awards Past President

Jesse Rodman (right) the outgoing President’s plaque

WORLD WIDE WRAP XIX

Join the us for the World Wide Wrap!

Sunday, February 1

8:30 am Instructions on putting on the Tefillin

9:00 am Morning Minyan

Minyan followed by brunch and a presentation by

guest speaker Neil Solondz,

the “Voice of the Rays.”

“The World Wide Wrap is a signature program of

FJMC focusing on a unique ritual imbued with story and

metaphor that spans ages and generations. We bind up,

we engage, we use our whole bodies, we share

ourselves as symbols for others while we involve

ourselves in very personal and soul searching moments.

We teach and we learn. We participate in the ritual as

an integral part of and vehicle for expressing our

personal and community values. We lead by example

and we teach through innovative engagement using any

and all media, method and spirit.”

Orin Rotman, World Wide Wrap Chairman

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Life Cycle

In Memoriam Harold Berger

Brother of Beverly Dikman

Jacqueline Wellington Bush Mother of Caryn Baird

Asheri Engelman Husband of Marcia Engelman

Father of Dr. Greg Engelman

Jill Engelman Wife of Dr. Greg Engelman

Mother of Leigh Engelman

Aimee Engelman

Daughter of Morton Stenzler

Sister of Robin (Dr. Jimmy) Post

Cindy (Alan) Weisser

Camille Flashman Mother of Ronnie (Fred) Geffon

Elihu Nemiroff Brother of Ricki (Mark) Lewis

Joseph Shure Brother of Beverly Sherman

Harold Wolfson Companion of Leatrice Tucker

Father of Steve (Penny) Wolfson

Karen (Jim) Dawkins

Mark (Julia) Wolfson

Ellen (Manny) Valladares

Brother of Bette Schroeder

Lorraine Denenberg

May God comfort the families among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Mazal Tov! Linda & Steve Grau,

Lillian Grau, Hannah Freid

Marriage of their daughter and granddaughter

Sharon Grau to Marty Russell

Arthur & Diane Jay

Engagement of their son

Justin Jay to Elexis Persino

Audrey Kopelman

New home at Lake Seminole Square

Lisa Robbins

New position as Assistant Director of the

Young Adult Division at the

Jewish Federation of North America

Sandi Rodman

New business venture in real estate at

Keller-Williams Realty

Ezra Sembler

Graduation from the University of South Florida

with a B.A. in Elementary Education

It’s A Girl!

Jackson Hutch Benstock

Daughter of Alexis Benstock & Michele Hutchins

Granddaughter of Peter & Tonya Benstock

Tracey (Benstock) Solomons

Great-granddaughter of Jerry & Jean Benstock

Lilly Shay Berman

Daughter of Joel & Cari Berman

Granddaughter of Ira & Susie Berman

Lenny & Betsy Englander

Debi Englander

Layla Rose Lincoln

Daughter of Drew & Stefanie Lincoln

Granddaughter of Dr. David & Arline

Dresdner

Annie Ronay

Daughter of Alex & Alexia Ronay

Granddaughter of Jorge & Masha Ronay

Great-granddaughter of Aron Bass

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Mitzvah Grams

Join us in wishing Mazal Tov! to members celebrating their birthdays, anniversaries, and B’nai Mitzvah. Your good wishes can be part of their memories, while at the same time supporting B’nai Israel’s commitment to help our schools, youth groups, and Synagogue through your donations to our

Mitzvah Fund.

MAZAL TOV!

Anniversaries

Jesse & Sandi Rodman

Bruce & Mary Ann Marger

Alan & Laney Kay

Lou & Yollette Frey

Drs. Ben-Ami Braun & Anita Braun-Luria

Ben & Yael Alpert

Robert & Sheryl Sutton

Dr. Frank & Kathy Mendelblatt

Tom & Carol Epstein

Masha Ronay

Dolores Diamond

Edward Ginsberg

Joseph Fuchs

Dr. Sheldon Scheinert

Michael Noonberg

Fred Geffon

Terri Gross

Carol Epstein

Edward Bailey

Marilyn Goldberg

Patricia Adelson

Ellie LeVine

Marian Lustigman-Rooth

Eileen Richman

Bryan Greenberg

Leah Sandler

Beverly Sherman

Rony David

Dean Hershkowitz

Dr. Starr Silver

Livia Wein

Mark Howard

Jeffrey Litt

Sarah Blanchard

Charlotte Goldberg

Vivian Neumann

Dr. Mark Sokolov

Chaim Bloom

Rosalind Litt

Eric Pastman

Dr. Maury Seldin

Millie Gelfond

Tertia Kunins

Beverly Levine

In Honor of: ___________________________

Check the names of everyone to whom you want to send a Mitzvah Gram.

Send this form together with your check, minimum $10 donation fro each acknowledgement to: CBI St. Pete, C/O Kesef Accounting Services, PO Box 159 Montvale, NJ 07645, donate online at cbistpete.org, or drop off your check in the synagogue office.

*The minimum donation per acknowledgement is $10.

Please print:

Your Name: ______________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

City, _____________________________Zip: __________________

Telephone: ______________

Other Simhas

Do a Mitzvah on your birthday

Attend the Daily Minyan!

CELEBRATE YOUR

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY

AND ANNIVERSARY

AT SIMHA SHABBAT

SATURDAY,

FEBRUARY 14, 9:00 AM

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YOM HULEDET SAMEAH!

Birthdays

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5

8

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http://cbistpete.org/donate

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January Birthdays

Our 65th Wedding

Anniversary

Charlotte & Harold

Goldberg's Anniversary

Rachel Luski & Alan

Medvin's Engagement

Harold Goldberg

In Memory Of

Jill Engelman

Harold Wolfson

Jacqueline Wellington

Bush

Morris Landfish

Asheri Engelman

Wendy Benstock

Ada K. Block

Morton Wygodski

Philip Schwartz

Loved Ones

Rebecca Steinberg

Sarah Daneman

Joseph Shure

Gerald Levin

Dr. Mel Robinson

Helen Kanner

George Gross

Larry Solomon

Isaac Winter

Murray M. Jacobs

Maurice Rubenstein

Seymour Abt

Ida Abt

Harold Wolfson

Helen Kanner

Harold Wolfson

Jill Engelman

Helen Kanner

Helen Kanner

Jill Engelman

Harold Wolfson

Gerald Levin

Helen Kanner

Asheri Engelman

Donations In Memory Of

Harry Heller

Harold Wolfson

Milton Lewis

In Memory Of

Gerald C. Levin

In Memory Of

Robert Campbell

Dr. Allen Smith

Leon & Lillian Smith

Elihu Nemiroff

In Memory Of

Ruth Shapiro

In Memory Of

Betty Elias

In Memory Of

Leon Glassman

In Honor Of

Birth of Lily Berman

In Memory Of

Camille Flashman

Asheri Engelman

In Honor Of

Janet Augenbraun’s

Birthday

In Memory Of

Harold Wolfson

Evelyn Sackett

Jack Lebowitz

Al Koenig

Gerald Levin

In Appreciation

In Honor Of

Ed Ginsburg

My Birthday

Cheryl Needle

Esta Blaxberg,

Hadassah Woman of

Achievement

Adult Education Fund

Sharyn Jacobson

Charlotte Levine

Mark & Ricki Lewis

Building Maintenance Fund

Jane Wood

Buns Technology

Improvement Fund

Fred & Kathleen Buns



Susan Goldstein

Camp Ramah Fund

Dr. David & Janice LeVine

Cantor's Discretionary Fund

Dr. Ed & Vivian Lurie

Ellen Glassman Adult Studies

Ben & Rita Thomas

Gail Warren Leadership Fund

Jack & Linda Goldfarb

Dr. Stanley & Nancy Rosenberg

Dr. Mark & Debbie Sokolov

Library Fund

Leslie Goldman

Esta Blaxberg

Moshe & Sharon Gershuny

Ruth Lebowitz

Janet Sherman and Steven Deitel

Bev Sherman

Mitzvah Donations

Akif Agayev

Dorothy Bowser & Dr. Elizabeth Unruh

Murray Fink

Jeff & Diane Litt

Greg & Liz Sembler

Renee Lipman

Janet Augenbraun

Joe & Sally Cohen

Lenny & Millie Gelfond

Dr. Patricia Cottrille

Harold & Charlotte Goldberg

Larry & Vera Green

Mirla Kremer

Adele Morris

Gloria Abrams

Gloria Abrams

Janet Augenbraun

Ed Bailey & Dr. Nancy Landfish

Marilyn Benjamin

Jerry & Joan Benstock

Jerry & Joan Benstock

Drs. Steven Bloom & Charlene

Wygodski

Morry & Billie Bornstein

Joe & Sally Cohen

Willard Fein

Sheri Frogel

Lenny & Millie Gelfond

Lucille Ginsburg

Harold & Charlotte Goldberg

Dr. Mark & Judi Gordon

Jay & Terri Gross

Anita Helfand & Lorri Helfand

Anita Helfand & Lorri Helfand

Robert & Deborah Jacobs

Arlene Ludin

Ruth Mauer

Ruth Mauer

Keith and Carol Olsen

Steve Moss

Myrnalee and William Scheffer

Dr. Philip Warren

Rochelle Haber

Susan Singleton

Marianne Goldstein

Christine Grabenstein

Adele Morris

Ellen Moss

Dr. Marc & Laurie Reiskind

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Donations Jacqueline Wellington

Bush

Elihu Nemiroff

Jerry Levin

Harold Wolfson

Harold Wolfson

Louis Rosenberg

Harold Wolfson

Wendy Benstock

Bernice Schwartz

Morris & Edythe Shane

Harold Berger

Edward Goldman

Bertha Slomka

Betty Steel

Harold Wolfson

William Wolfson

In Honor Of

Ari Weiss' Bar Mitzvah

In Memory Of

Anna Pearlstein

Lou Gray

Elihu Nemiroff

In Memory Of

Herman Marlin

In Appreciation

Rabbi Jacob &

Joanne Luski

In Honor Of

Rachel Luski & Alan

Medvin's Engagement

Rachel Luski & Alan

Medvin's Engagement

Rachel Luski & Alan

Medvin's Engagement

Rachel Luski & Alan

Medvin's Engagement

Rabbi Luski

In Memory Of

Reiva Levine

Harry Winaker

Carol Colen

Gertrude Berger





Martin McDermott &

Karen Kindt

Jerry & Selma Rosenberg

Leah Sandler

Alan & Susie Schwartz

Alan & Susie Schwartz

Joel & Betty Sue Shane

Anita Sher

Don & Jane Silverberg

Dr. Mike & Sandy Slomka

Sam & Beulah Steel

Gerald & Gail Wiseberg

Mark & Julia Wolfson

Pauline Rivkind Fund

Steve & Livia Wein

Mike & Gail Frye

Ruth Gray

Jesse & Sandi Rodman

Prayer Book Fund

Dr. Arthur & Bebby Marlin

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

Lou Bader

Dr. Irwin & Barbara Feinman

Marv & Lee Leibson

Lou & Yollette Frey

Michael & Barbara Noonberg

Shirley Sommella

Bob & Jennifer Sternberg

Dr. Bob & Cindy Weisberg

Irwin & Hannah Ayes

Sylvia Ayes

Jerry & Barbara Colen

Beverly Dikman

Anonymous

Tom & Carol Epstein

Irwin & Barbara Feinman

Irwin & Barbara Feinman

Eddie Ginsberg

Joel & Ellen Goetz

Bryan & Robyn Greenberg

Alma Hirsch

Michael Hirsch

Sheila Knapp





Jay and Eleanor Whiteside

L. Denenberg

Anita Sher

Fred Silverman

Fred Silverman

Susan Turner

Susan Turner

Mary Wygodski

USY Fund

Lucille Ginsburg

Steve & Linda Grau

Larry & Vera Green

Dr. Leslie & Reva Pearlstein

USY Pilgrimage Fund

Ellen Bernstein

Ira & Susie Berman

Ellen Bernstein

Ellen Bernstein

Pearl Brook

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Larry & Myrna Irwin

Louis Gaby

Yetta Bunting

Gerald Levin

Emanuel Faber

Lillian Ginsberg

Gerald Levin

Lorraine Maller

William Hirsch

William Hirsch

Freda Kriger

W M Lustigman

Sadie Lustigman

Irvin Lustigman

Judy Curtis

Camille Flashman

Harold Y. Wolfson

Otto Weiskopf

Julius Silverman

Rebecca Silverman

Joseph Shure

Harold Berger

Joseph Shure

In Memory Of

Martin Ginsburg

Gerald Levin

Isadore J Silverstone

Theodore & Sylvia

Pearlstein

In Memory Of

Harold Wolfson

Camille Flashman

Dr. Mel Robinson

Harold Wolfson

Jerry Levin

Audrey Chenkin

Gerald Levin

Harold Wolfson

Gerald Levin

22

Around the Community

Temple Beth-El Art Show It’s not too late to stop by Temple Beth-El’s 42nd Art Festival! Free

admission Sunday and Monday, February 1 and 2. Light lunch available for purchase on Sunday; $20

gourmet luncheon at 12:30 pm on Monday (reservation required). For more information contact

727.347.6136 or visit www.artfestivalbethel.com.

400 Pasadena Avenue South, St. Petersburg. 33707

Annual St. Petersburg Chapter of Hadassah Mah Jongg Tournament Fundraiser

Wednesday February 25, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at CBI. $21 donation for continental breakfast, a great

buffet lunch, and fabulous door prizes!

RSVP to Susan Scheinert at 727.394.1428 or [email protected].

Todah Rabah: Tizmoret 2015

Todah Rabah to Tizmoret for a lively performance, to our Composer and First Chair sponsors,

to Michael Frye for taking excellent photographs,

and to all who helped make our 2015 Concert Series a success!

CBI Concert Series 2015 Sponsors:

Composer

Alice & Dr. Larry Ettinger

Bebby & Dr. Arthur Marlin

Sandy & Dr. Michael Slomka

First Chair

Gail & Mike Frye

Linda & Jack Goldfarb

Susan Goldstein

Marilyn & Dr. Morris LeVine

Susan & Dr. Steven LeVine

Ricki & Mark Lewis

Laurie & Dr. Marc Reiskind

Jane & Donald Silverberg

http://www.artfestivalbethel.com


23

Advertisers

24

Women’s League needs YOU

To help bake your own recipes/cake mixes to be used for Kiddushim.

If interested, please contact Ruth Ann Mizrahi at 727.347.6688 or [email protected]

~

Women’s League Catering is Special Trust us with your simcha and you’ll discover that in addition to the delicious food, the great attention to

detail, and the unbeatable value, there’s one thing that separates us from the rest. With everything we do, from

the first phone call to the serving of each carefully prepared dish, we do it with all our heart.

Give us a call and see for yourself. Contact Livia Wein at

727.393.3289 or [email protected]

Please

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Our

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25

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Weekly kosher Shabbat dinners, traditional Jewish holiday celebrations, private van service, Katz’s Korner

minimart, and a full schedule of daily activities are available to our residents.

Studio and one bedroom apartments are available

through rental programs that offer affordable housing to seniors living on limited income.

250 58th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 philipbenjamintower.org

727-347-5191

Ad sponsored by Benjamin Tower

Foundation

A 55+ independent living community that honors

Jewish tradition

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Wednesday evening,

March 4, 6:30 pm

Our High School students

will read Megillat Esther

Traditional Megilla reading

by Debbie Marmon

Annual Costume Parade - All ages!

Dessert Reception to follow

Dress in Costume! Applaud Esther!

Boo Haman! Cheer for Mordecai!

Shalach manot for children!

Singing! Ruach!

Thursday, March 5,

7:45 am - 9:00 am

Purim Service & Megilla Reading

followed by Purim L’Hayim for all

Purim Carnival at Temple Beth-El

Sunday, March 8, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

IT’S ADAR! IT’S PURIM!

BE HAPPY!

Congregation B’nai Israel

B’nai Israel Review

300 -58th Street North

St. Petersburg, FL 33710-7889

Tel: 727.381.4900

Fax: 727.344.1307

Website: www.cbistpete.org

24 Hour Telephone Voice Mail

Change Service

Requested

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID St. Petersburg, Fl.

Permit # 618

PURIM 5775 AT CBI!

B'nai Review February

Documents

Transcript of B'nai Review February