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The Shofar
Beth Am Shalom - A Reform Jewish Congregation
A New Beginning . . . to an Old Tradition
www.bethamshalom.org
Message from Rabbi
NEW JERSEY STINKS!
Not all of it, of course, but the more than 1,500 acres of wetlands, marshes,
meadows, and water that the ExxonMobil refineries in Bayonne and Linden
contaminated, do in fact, stink. You know what else stinks? The settlement
that Governor Chris Christie agreed to with the oil giant; it will cheat our
state of billions of dollars (8.9) to restore these sites. Could our plainspoken, doesn’t suffer fools, Governor really have accepted 3 cents on the
dollar? If he is that gullible, I have that proverbial bridge I would like to
sell him. (I won’t go as low as suggesting the George Washington Bridge.)
May 2015
Iyar – Sivan 5775
Volume 8, Issue 11
When the government gave us more details of the deal, the news got even
worse; the settlement also includes Exxon’s liability well beyond the two
refineries, covering 16 additional polluted sites that were never even part of
the original case. In addition, the agreement also lets the corporation off
the hook for an estimated 800 gas stations—all for paltry sum of $225
million. Talk about stretching a dollar!
Check out our
WEBSITE!
www.bethamshalom.org
Now, subtract $40 million for attorney fees, and apply a new law permitting
the Governor to use some settlement funds for the general treasury, and we
are left with little money to repair the damage to our state and make our
land whole. According to the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club, state law holds
that those responsible must compensate us for the loss of resources and
contamination of waterways held in the public trust. “This case not only
hurts the environment, but is the biggest sellout of taxpayer money in state
history!”
What’s Inside:
Rabbi ................................... 1
Worship Services .................2
Cantor ...................................3
President ............................ 4
Religious School .................4
Tzedakah ........................
7
Refuah Shleima ....................8
Yahrzeit ............................... 9
Memorials ........................... 10
Sponsors ...................... 13-14
Calendar........................... 15
As New Jersey residents and Jews, we should be outraged, and we
should take action. Judaism is an environmental religion. Jewish law,
from the most ancient to the most recent compilations and interpretations
legislate and comment upon all facets of our world and humanity. Torah’s
very fist mitzvah (Divine commandment) declares that it is our responsibility
to be good stewards of the earth. “Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and
master it; and rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and all the living
things that creep on the earth” (Gen. 1:28). Does anyone honestly think by
“master” our world, God meant we should turn land into places that look
and smell “like petroleum waste dumps” and “sludge lagoons?” (see Mitch
Bernard, Asbury Park Press, 4/10/15 p. 21A)
Every Jewish worship service includes prayers that praise God as Creator.
Some passages site scripture as in, "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness
thereof" (Ps. 24), teaching that our natural world is God’s and but lent to us
to enjoy and tend. Our tradition also teaches that the natural world is
testament to God’s glory. Unnecessary destruction of it, therefore, only
demonstrates our disrespect for God and scorn of our own home. It is our
sacred duty, the Reform Movement teaches, to alleviate environmental
degradation and the human suffering it causes, instead of despoiling our air,
land, and water.
Continued on Page 11
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11/ Page 2
WORSHIP SERVICES
Friday, May 1
6:00PM Pot Luck Dinner
7:00PM Erev Shabbat Family Service
With Grade 3 & R.S. Awards
Sunday, May 24
10:00AM Morning Shavuot & Yizkor
Service
Shavuot
Shabbat Acherei Mot-Kedoshim
Exod. 19:1-8,20:1-14
Isaiah 42:1-12 or Ezekiel 1:1-29;3:12
Lev. 16:1-20:27
Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15
We are now collecting
food for the pantry at
Jesus is Lord
Fellowship
in Lakewood
Please use the bins
in the foyer
THIS MONTH
Sunday, May 17, 2015
10:15AM
Annual Congregational
Meeting
and immediately
following:
12:00 - 3:00PM
JCASE Event
Speaker from Israeli
Consulate, Field Day
Games for Children,
Food Trucks
May 28, 2015
12:30-4:30PM
Annual Mahjongg/
Card/Game Party
Registration forms are in
the foyer rack
Friday, May 29
7:30PM Erev Shabbat Service with
Confirmation
Friday, May 8
7:30PM Erev Shabbat Service
w/Torah
reading
Shabbat Emor
Shabbat Naso
Num. 4:21-7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25
Lev. 21:1-24:23
Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31
Saturday, May 9
10:00AM Morning Shabbat Service
and Bat Mitzvah of Breanna Durkas
Friday, June 5
7:00PM Erev Shabbat Super Family
Musical Service
Friday, May 15
7:30PM Erev Shabbat Service
Shabbat Beha’Alotecha
Num. 8:1-12:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai
Lev. 25:1-27:34
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
Saturday, May 16
10:00AM Morning Shabbat Service
and Bar Mitzvah of Michael Lee
Friday, May 22
7:30PM Erev Shabbat Service with
Anniversaries
Shabbat Bemidbar
Num. 1:1-4:20
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22
Saturday, May 6
10:00AM Morning Shabbat Service &
Bar Mitzvah of Mason Silvan
Friday, June 12
7:30PM Erev Shabbat Service
Shabbat Shelach
Num. 13:1-15:41
Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24
TEMPLE AMBASSADORS NEEDED
FUTURE MONTHS
As many of you know, I am but one of the Membership Committee for
Temple. Jennifer Sachs, Max Schloff and I are seeking the assistance of
members from the various active adult communities throughout the area.
Our hope is that, as residents of these communities, you could reach any and
all Jewish residents seeking a spiritual home. We will provide you with newly
revised trifold brochures to aid you in this role.
Call me at 732-505-8204 if you are interested in helping us to grow our
temple “family”.
Pam Ligorski
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 / Page 3
CANTOR’S MESSAGE
History of Confirmation: Confirmation changed the requirements for
Jewish "adulthood" by moving the focus from religious practice to doctrine.
By Dr. Debra R. Blank from Life Cycles in Jewish and Christian Worship (found on myjewishlearning.com)
Our temple’s Confirmation ceremony will take place Friday night, May 29.
Jewish worship began to be fundamentally altered in the 19th century by religious reforms. While these
innovations, such as the ceremony of Confirmation, originated and proliferated primarily in Germany, they
also affected Jews in that century who lived as far away as Russia and North America.
Confirmation Posed as Replacement for Bar Mitzvah
Reformers, scrutinizing the rite of bar mitzvah, expressed a preference for a confirmation ceremony at
which the 13-year-old would answer rehearsed questions about the tenets of Jewish faith. The bar mitzvah
boy could at best display ability to read from the Torah and give a discourse; the confirmand could show
he knew the religious principles of his faith.
Different justifications have been advanced for confirmation. According to one view, for instance, the bar
mitzvah ceremony had simply lost its prominence among some Jews. According to another, people wished
to increase the participation of Jewish women in the community. As girls were educated more and more
like boys in the secular world, people felt the need for comparable Jewish education.
Whatever the reason, the process of confirmation was based on the model of Christian catechism,
whereby after a period of study, the confirmand would answer questions that displayed a comprehension
of Jewish religious principles. The culmination of the course of study indicated that the adolescent was now
sufficiently responsible to graduate to adult status. The content of the ceremony and preparation for it
varied widely (and still do), but it was (and in some places, still remains) characterized by some formal
confession of faith or statement of principles, following a period of study.
Development of the Confirmation Ceremony
Criticism of the ceremony of confirmation focused, of course, on its Christian roots. The critics argued that
practice, not profession of doctrine, distinguished a Jew. Supporters of confirmation pointed out that
unlike bar mitzvah, this ceremony included girls. However, there is no evidence of girls being confirmed
until 1814 in Berlin, whereas the earliest evidence for confirmation dates from 1803 in Dessau. Soon
thereafter, girls seem to have been included in the ceremony without exception, not only in Germany, but
in Denmark, Russia, and England. The leading American Reform rabbi of the 19th century, Isaac Mayer
Wise, introduced confirmation to the United States in 1846 while serving in Albany, New York. By the
latter 1800s, confirmation had thus become a common practice among the Jews of North America and
Europe.
Initially the ceremony was conducted apart from the synagogue, and was linked to the school and home,
but like many other lifecycle rites, it moved from the home to the public arena. By 1831 it was observed in
a Berlin synagogue.
From an early point, the rite was held on Shavuot, the holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah. The
profession of faith by the young generation lends a moving dimension to a holiday otherwise lacking in
physical symbols and folk customs. No doubt Shavuot has remained the preferred time for this rite
because of its convenience as well: the occurrence of Shavuot in late spring coincides with the end of the
school year. Thus confirmation marks the completion of supplementary Hebrew school along with secular
studies.
It was rare that confirmation actually replaced, at least de jure, the ceremony of bar mitzvah, though de
facto the latter clearly waned in popularity. In its initial stage, confirmation was conceived simply as a
repackaging of bar mitzvah, with a change in the educational focus from practice to doctrinal declaration.
To this end, its proponents were always careful to argue that the newer ceremony served a separate
educational function. This claim led to a gradual increase in the age of the confirmand to 16 or 17 in order
that the child's education would be prolonged and to emphasize the independence of the confirmation
from the traditional bar mitzvah. By the 19th and early 20th centuries in North America, confirmation
generally eclipsed bar mitzvah among North American Jews, most of whom had arrived from Germany,
bringing Reform Judaism with them.
But bar mitzvah has enjoyed a rebirth of popularity and significance among the descendants of those
liberal Jews who once dispensed with it. Indeed, by the 1970s, bat mitzvah had become the norm for
many Jewish girls just as bar mitzvah was typical for boys.
Cantor Forman
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 / Page 4
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
May is Jewish American Heritage Month in the United States of America. It is the
month to recognize and celebrate Jewish-American achievements and contributions to
the United States of America. It is the month to recognize the more than 350-year
history of Jewish contributions to America and the American culture.
The list of Jewish contributions is long and commendable. I hope you will take some
time to research some of the significant contributions the Jewish people have made to
the United States.
For me, I would like to recognize some of the achievements and contributions made
by our own members to our beloved Beth Am Shalom. While I hope that I always am
supportive, this month I would especially like to recognize my fellow Board members,
the volunteers who give effortlessly to support Bingo, and our other programs and
fund raisers. A very special thanks to the religious school committee for never saying
no and always being sure our youngest members needs are fully meet, our Women of
BAS and the Men’s Club, our staff and our Rabbi and Cantor for helping Beth Am
Shalom remain a house of peace, prayer and of the people.
We are planning a huge celebration of Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day on May 17,
2015. The event will begin at noon, after our Annual Meeting. From noon till 2 PM we
will have food trucks for your dining pleasure and a Field Day with outdoor games for
our children (although I believe a child/parent softball game is on the schedule). At
2 PM we will parade into the sanctuary where we are privileged to be able to announce
that the guest speaker will be Andrew Gross, the Political Advisor to the Deputy Consul
General of Israel in New York!
Our Yom Yerushalayim event is part of our JCASE (Jewish Community through Arts,
Social Action and Education) initiative. JCASE is taking off at Beth Am Shalom and
many of our members are already helping put together this event and numerous
others. We hope to spread our excitement amongst ourselves and our
community. As a temple member, you are already part of our JCASE team – so jump
in and share your ideas, and let’s look forward to celebrating all of our wonderful
achievements!
Check our website, like us on Facebook, and read the weekly email notices because
new and exciting things are continually being scheduled.
B'Shalom,
Francine Gimpel, President
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 / Page 5
The Men’s Club of Beth Am Shalom and the Blue Claws
are joining forces in a Temple fundraiser.
Purchase vouchers and
choose from over 70 games this season –
many with promotional giveaways.
Vouchers can be redeemed for same day
or
advance game tickets (your choice) at the Blue Claws box office or
may be redeemed by calling Kyle Volp at (732) 901-7000
Vouchers are $11.00 per ticket.
Please make your checks payable to: BAS Men’s Club
To purchase vouchers, contact:
Carl Nelson: [email protected] or (732)929-0866
Marvin Wasserman: [email protected] or (732)575-8539
############
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Cell Phone: (732) 551-4054
May Birthdays:
Yom Wholedit Samayach – Happy Birthday to:
Rebecca Abramson, 9 Iyar**Sami Card, 13 Sivan**Breanna Durkas, 16 Sivan
George Fossetta, 8 Iyar** Tori Friedman, 20 Iyar**Zoe Friedman, 18 Iyar
Isabel Krasner, 18 Iyar**Sydney Menack, 10 Iyar**Rebecca Sadowsky, 9 Sivan
Taylor Savin, 19 Iyar** Remington Silvan, 14 Iyar** Melissa Wilhelm, 4 Iyar
Mazel Tov to Breanna Durkas, Michael Lee, and their families on their becoming B’nai Mitzvah this month.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone on our May 17 Religious School Field Day for our JCase Yom
Yerushalayim event.
Many thanks to those of you who continue to support our Religious School with your generous donations.
Shelly Newman
Religious School Chair
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 / Page 6
MEN'S CLUB
The Men’s Club meeting held on April 19th was attended by fifteen members. The guest
speaker was Claudia Roemer, and the topics covered were “Safe Investing for Seniors”
and “Protection of Identity Theft”. This topic received the interest of most of the
members. Their comments, questions and interest were appreciated.
Thanks to Norman Cutler for bringing breakfast for all.
Nominations and elections were held for the fiscal year of July 1, 2015 to
June 30, 2016. The nominations were:
President: Marvin Weiss
Vice President: Steven Rosenzweig
Treasurer: Fischel Myers
Secretary: Michael Philips
All nominees accepted and were unanimously elected. All the terms are for one year.
Our next meeting will be on May 31st due to the Annual Congregational Meeting on the
17th and Shavuot on the 24th. The May meeting will have another interesting topic for
all. Guests are always welcome.
Respectfully,
Marvin Weiss, President
The Men’s Club’s main purpose is to help and assist Beth Am Shalom and to foster goodwill and friendship among its
members. Initial annual membership is free. Thereafter, dues are $30 per fiscal year which starts on July 1 and ends
on June 30 of the following year.
SISTERHOOD
Mark the date for
Sisterhood’s Annual Mahjongg/Card/Game Party:
May28, 2015 from 12:30 – 4:30PM
Registration forms may be found in the foyer racks
Deadline for registering is May 21, 2015
Women of Beth Am Shalom
The Book Club will be meeting on May 21 at 7:15PM.
“The Coffee Trader” by David Liss
The Shofar
/ Volume
3, Iss5
Page7
The Shofar
/ Volume
8, Issue
11 //Page
TZEDAKAH
GENERAL FUND
Dennis & Shelly Newman in loving
memory of his mother,
Frieda Newman
Marilyn & Jack Sabo in loving memory
of Milton Itell
Irene Strausberg in loving memory
of her father, Louis Silver
Marilyn & Jack Sabo in loving memory
of Bernice Salowe
Sally & Bill Bassoff in loving memory
of her mother,
Belle Goldman Himmelstein
Irene Strausberg in loving memory
of her husband, Arthur Strausberg
Deborah & Marvin Wasserman in
loving memory of Ellen Shurak
Donald Fink in loving memory
of his mother, Ruth Solomon
Howard & Lois Geschwind in loving
memory of her beloved mother,
Mollie Isaacs
Carl & Tama Nelson in loving memory
of Sharon Pihonack
Claire Kramer in loving memory of
her father, Morris Ritzer
Leo & Mimi Ross in honor of the
marriage of Lois Pollinger’s grandson,
Jeffrey Greenberg
Al & Sue Rutsky in loving memory of
his mother, Ida Rutsky
Werter & Janice Willis in loving
memory of Bernice Salowe
Ben Goldberg in loving memory of
his mother, Regina Goldberg
Fischel & Dorothy Myers in loving
memory of Sharon Pihonack
Lynn & Steven Kaban in loving
memory of her sister, Susan Broth
Lois Pollinger in loving memory of
Sharon Pihonack
YAHRZEIT FUND
Rochelle Rosenberg in loving
memory of her father,
Philip Loeb
Claire Aschner in loving memory
of her mother, Rose Trub
Marilyn & Jack Sabo in loving
memory of her mother,
Sarah Padgursky
Dorothy & Fischel Myers in loving
memory of his mother,
Anna Myers
Rita Rudenstein in loving memory of
her husband, Martin Rudenstein
William Freiman in loving memory
of his second wife, Joann Freiman
Fred & Muriel Rosenfeld in loving
memory of her father,
Morris Miller
Gloria & Len Kaminer in loving
memory of his sister,
Estelle Baimel
Gloria & Len Kaminer in loving
memory of his father,
Philip Kaminer
Gloria & Robert Bernstein in loving
memory of her father,
Morris Kirshen
Lynn & Steven Kaban in loving
memory of her mother,
Miriam Radow
Judy & Marty Lefsky in loving
memory of her mother,
Sally Wiener
Dick & Diane Gaines in loving
memory of Ali Ganezer
Sidney Gelbein in loving memory of
his wife, Barbara Gelbein
Susan & Lester Kostick in loving
memory of his mother,
Hannah Kostick
Irene Strasberg in loving memory of
her father-in-law, Jack strausberg
Joyce Gartenberg in loving memory Mike & Jacky Philips in loving memory
of her husband, Richard Gartenberg
of Esther Ribler
David & Yvette Atkins in loving
memory of his grandmother,
Eva Atkins
Helen & Harold Wechsler in loving
memory of his mother,
Rebecca Wechsler
Helena & Harold Wechsler in loving
memory of her mother, Celia Leff
Rosalyn Weinstock in loving memory
of her father, Samuel Kushner
Myrna & Irwin Sachs in loving
memory of her mother,
Lottie Balous
Reuben & Iris Baumgarten in loving
memory of her mother,
Dorothy Lesson
Marilyn & Jack Sabo in loving
memory of her father,
Irving Padgursky
Marvin & Sherry Levy in loving
memory of his father,
Abraham Levy
Bernice & Harris Zeldin in loving
memory of Esther Ribler
Vallerie & Brian Magory in loving
memory of Esther Ribler
The Ligorski Family in
loving memory of:
Esther Ribler
Judy Bernard
Robert Rogove
Lila Simms
David Goldberg
Sheryl Katz
Milton Itell
Bernice Salowe
Lucene Yuson
Ellen Shurak
Ivan Schwartz
Selig Ligorski
The Ligorski Famiy in loving memory
of Debbie Murphy’s mother, “Elsie”
Rochelle Rosenberg in loving memory
of Sharon Pihonack
Fran Gimpel in loving memory of
Esther Ribler
The Friedeman Family in loving
memory of Sylvia Pergola
YOUTH GROUP
The Friedeman Family in loving
memory of Blanka Strauss
Joan & Marvin Weiss in loving memory
of Esther Ribler
Continued on Page 8
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 8
TZEDAKAH
cont'd
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY
FUND
MERRILL POLLINGER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Wayne & Rose Friedland
2014 – 2015
ONEG SHABBAT FUND
Mildred Drukaroff and
CIRCLE
OF FRIENDS
David Drukaroff
of &their
who
remembered
them
on Purim
Millie
Jim neighbors
Donahue in
honor
of
Ron & Sun Bernknopf
in honor in honor
Mike Philips becoming President
of their Anniversary
Sally & Bill Bassoff
April 3
of the Chavurah
Lucille & Seymour Berger
Wayne & Rose Friedland
Harold & Helene Wechsler in
Millie & Jim Donahue in honor of
Howard
& Lois Geschwind
honor of their Anniversary
Charlotte Ehrmann for serving
Francine Gimpel
May 15
as President and Chairman of
Ben Goldberg
Chavurah for many years
Dwight Halpern
BINGO FUND
Judy & Marty Lefsky
Jacky & Mike Philips
TREES
Sonya Wallace: “Mazel Tov
Marilyn & Jack Sabo
on your new home” to
Judy & Marty Lefsky in loving
Max & Barbara Schloff
Mike & Jacky Philips
memory of Millie Schneir
Dollie Sussna
Sonya Wallace in loving memory
of Sharon Pihonack
Fran Gimpel in honor of the 75th
birthday of Robert Hill
BUILDING FUND
Judy & Marty Lefsky in loving
memory of her mother,
Sally Wiener
Harriet & Marty Glassman in
loving memory of Milton Itell
MERRILL POLLINGER
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CEMETERY FUND
Karel Schnitzer in loving memory
of her husband, Joel Schnitzer
REFUAH SHLEIMA
Delores Ackerman
Maxine Albaum
Andrea Avella
Lillian Bauman
Linda Bell
Phyllis Berger
Jeff Besougloff
Brandon Bravo
Tim Burkhardt
Karen Castor
Barbara Chester
Roy Craig Sr.
Bill Davis
Roslyn Davis
Claire Drapkin
Mildred Drukaroff
Brooke Ducey
Dov Eisak
Richard Eisenstein
Trish Frankenberg
Charlotte Freedman
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
William & Dorothy Freiman
Wayne & Rose Friedland
The Ligorski Family
Vallerie & Brian Magory
Dennis & Shelly Newman
Helene & Harold Wechsler
Richard & Lenore Turteltaub in
honor of the occasion of the
marriage of Lois Pollinger’s
grandson, Jeffrey Greenberg
Joyce Himelman in loving
memory of Esther Ribler
Shawn Friedman
Lane Galloway
Leonard Gibel
Marilyn Gibel
Marilyn Gilbert
Linda Gillick
Michael Gillick
Jessica Guber
Caryn Habermann
Walter Jackowski
Mark Kaban
Rob Kalp
Steve Kayne
Tyler Keats
Barry Koopersmith
Claire Kramer
Rayna Kravetz
Marty Lefsky
Rose Levine
Linda Lutkiewicz
Ira Matthews
Frances McKiernan
Linda Millet
Rosemarie Moore
Marie Morgadonna
Judy Nadler
Ava Nebbia
Lynn Palin
Nikhil Patten
Rubie Puritz
Robin Ratliff
Wendy Rubenstein
Ron Salsbury
Sigmund Schwartz
Donald Thailer
Melody Triano
David Vienick
Alexandra Warren
Michelle Watkison
Ed Whalen
Barbara Woldow
Lilyan Wolf
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 9
YAHRZEITS
May 22
May 1
Victor Arnao
Ann Blum
Sidney Davis
Gertrude Frey
Max Goldstein
Mollie Goldstein
Bert Meyerberg
Lena Sacks
Anita Siegel
Albert Soloway
Melvin Vienick
May 8
Heskel Brisman
Neal Cohen
Harry Cutler
Adrienne Goldfarb
Barbara Kaplan
Kate Meyerberg
Sara Miller
Frances Mitchell
Ivan Rosenzweig
Betty Singer
Frieda Stegman
John Jacob Turteltaub
Bernard Wechsler
Gertrude Welger
May 15
Steven Abrams
Simon Feder
Murray Feldman
James Fossetta
Jeannette Franklin
Deborah Friedland
Ian Neil Komar
Sid Levy
Irving Lifschitz
Harry Mandelbaum
Sarah Morris
Alexander Radow
Adela Saul
Robert Tolchin
Betty Woldow
Julius Blum
Philip Deutch
Mollie Fassler
Barry Frankenberg
Morris Grossman
Lillian Katz
Reuben Klein
Max Lewin
Jessie Savrick
Milton Schloff
Ida Seidenberg
Robert Shafranek
Janey Toledano
Spencer Wallace
Noel Yaskulka
Arthur Yohalem
May 29
Joseph Albert
Elaine Gaines
Tonya Gimpel
Samuel Greenstein
Edward Komar
Mary Lee Libstug
Pauline Moss
Joe Scarrino
Leon Sickel
Jesse Steinberg
Pauline Wilkenfeld
When observing a Yahrzeit, please check the Kaddish list to be sure your loved one’s name is included. If omitted, please
inform Rabbi Gold so he can add it to the list. The Kaddish list is displayed on the Yahrzeit Wall.
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 10
MEMORIALS
Beth Olam Cemetery
Located at 1235 Highway 70 in Lakewood
A perpetual care memorial park with
ground level grave markers only.
For information and availability, contact:
Sonya Wallace – (732)323-8722 or
Temple Office – (732)363-2800
* * * * * * * * * *
Toms River Jewish Cemetery
Whitty Road, Toms River
Section One reserved for Jewish decedents,
with traditional upright grave markers.
Section Two reserved for non-Jewish
decedents, with ground level grave markers
only.
Section Three reserved for Jewish decedents,
with ground level grave markers only.
The Rabbi, Cantor, Officers and
Members of the Congregation
extend their heartfelt sympathy
to . . .
Salvin Ribler & Family on
the loss of his sister,
Esther Ribler
Martin Kayne & Family on the
loss of his cousin,
Alan Goodman
Devorah Malamud & Family on
the loss of her brother,
Moishe Lerner
For information and availability, contact:
Michael Philips – (732)323-0012 or
Temple Office – (732)363-2800
When Tragedy Strikes
Tragedy often comes suddenly and
unannounced, therefore, it is wise to plan for
the eventuality when death touches us. We
want to be there for you, and accordingly, we
have prepared this emergency guideline,
which we hope you will save:
1.
2.
3.
If a loved one becomes seriously ill
and is taken to the hospital, please
call Rabbi Gold at his temple office.
If the situation is grave, do not
hesitate to call Rabbi Gold at his
home: (848)222-4912.
If the Rabbi is unavailable, we do
have contingency plans. Please call a
Temple Officer or Committee
Chairperson listed below:
Memorializing Our
Loved Ones
Temple has different ways for you to keep
alive the memory of your loved ones.
STONE “HONOR WALL”
Large Tile.........................$10,000
Medium Tile..........................5000
Small Tile.............................2500
BRASS PLAQUES
Large Plaque.......................$1250
Sanctuary Seat ......................500
Honorial/Memorial ....................250
BRONZE YAHRZEIT PLAQUES.....$250
PATIO PAVER .............................150
TREE OF LIFE LEAF......................125
Francine Gimpel..................... (732)657-7120
Bill Mullis .............................. (732)276-7483
Vallerie Magory..................... (732)295-1150
Cemetery Committee:
Sonya Wallace ...................... (732)323-8722
Mike Philips........................... (732)323-0012
EXTERIOR TREE MEMORIALS.......500
Please contact the
Temple Office:
( 732)363-2800 or
[email protected]
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 11
RABBI’S MESSAGE
cont’d from Page 1
I pray we turn these teachings into actions. Our state has invited us to share our views and
comments until June 5th. Please join me, and (what I hope will be) thousands of other residents and
community groups in demanding a just settlement that restores the land that ExxonMobil destroyed.
Here’s how:
a)Write your own comments electronically to: [email protected],
b)with the subject “Exxon Mobil Settlement”
or
b) Send a hard copy to:
Office of Record Access
NJDEP
Attn: Exxon Mobil Comments
P.O. Box 420 Mail Code 401-06Q
Trenton, N.J. 08625-0420
or
c) Visit http://www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/proposed-exxonmobil-settlement
read more and/or click on the words “ExxonMobil Action Page” and you will find a very
user friendly way, complete with prepared text, to make your voice heard.
To go immediately to the action page, visit:
https://secure3.convio.net/scnj/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&cmd=display&page=
ActionAlertTakenPage&id=1365
To go directly to the homepage of the NJ chapter of the Sierra Club, visit:
www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey
Isaiah delivers God’s promise: "I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high
places and fountains in the midst of valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry
land springs of water" (Isa.41:17-18). God needs partners. God needs us, lest we forsake our home
and responsibility by allowing our Garden State to become filled with dead rivers, poisoned fountains
and a wilderness of sludge pools.
Please take a few moments, send your comments, speak truth to power and make a difference.
Rabbi Steve
JOIN THE CELEBERATION - RIGHT HERE AT BAS!
YOM YERUSHALAYIM 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
12PM – 3PM
Speakers; Including Andrew Gross
Political Advisor to the Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York
FOOD
TRUCKS
OPEN TO ALL!
OUTDOOR
GAMES
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 12
COME PLAY WITH US!
Canasta
Mahjongg
Poker
Solitaire
Mahjongg, Card and Game
Party
(Canasta, Gin Rummy, Poker, Pinochle, Etc.)
OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN
Thursday, May 28th
12:30-4:30 p.m.
Kosher Chinese Buffet, Dessert & Coffee
Fun, and Prizes
$25 per person
Registration and full table payment due by May 21st please.
Registration Forms are available in the temple lobby
For information, please call (732)833-6744 or (732)349-8885
Beth Am Shalom Sisterhood
1235 Highway 70
Lakewood, NJ 08701
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 13
REGISTRATION FORM-CARD AND GAME PARTY
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015
12:30-4:30 p.m.
In order to attend, you must register your game by May 21st. The cost is $25 per
person and includes a Kosher Chinese buffet lunch. Please make checks payable
to BAS SISTERHOOD.
Please indicate your game (e.g. Mahjong, Canasta, Bridge, etc.)
________________________________________________________________
NAMES OF PLAYERS AT YOUR TABLE:
1. (Contact person and phone
number_______________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
4._______________________________________________________________
5._______________________________________________________________
6._______________________________________________________________
Mail registration form along with FULL PAYMENT to:
BAS Sisterhood
1235 Highway 70
Lakewood N. J. 08701
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 14
BAS MEN’S CLUB ANNUAL RAFFLE
Only 150 tickets will be sold!
1st Prize: One year’s BAS Membership Dues
(Religious School & Maintenance Fee not included)
2nd Prize: $120 Maintenance Fee Paid
Cost: $36 per ticket or 2 tickets for $50
(Both tickets must be used for the same purchaser)
Tickets are available in the Temple office or
from Members of the Men’s Club
The winning tickets will be drawn at the May 17th
Annual Congregational Meeting
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 /Page 15
IN APPRECIATION
Chavurah of Beth Am Shalom presented a commemorative plaque to
Charlotte Ehrmann in appreciation of her many years of leadership and
dedication to the Chavurah group. After 9 years as president of Chavurah,
Charlotte has stepped down. During her presidency, Chavurah grew from
approximately 10 members to its present size of 42 members.
Chavurah offers its members camaraderie, monthly programs of Jewish
interest, and refreshments thereafter. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday
of every month at Beth Am Shalom on Route 70 near the Lakewood/Brick
border.
Charlotte is remaining an active member of Chavurah. The incoming
president, Michael Philips, presented the plaque. For information regarding
Chavurah, please call the Beth Am Shalom office, 732 363-2800.
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11/Page 16
Trees in Israel
Beth Am Shalom is now selling trees in Israel through the
Jewish National Fund.
Do you have a simcha such as births, birthdays, engagements, weddings,
bar/bat mitzvahs or anniversaries that you wish to honor,
and/or a death that you want to memorialize?
The cost is $18.00 per tree.
You can purchase individual trees, a ring of trees (3),
a circle of trees (5), or an orchard of trees (10).
Please contact Fran Gimpel, 732-657-7120
and give her the name of the honoree or decedent, and the name and address
where to send the acknowledgement.
(Donations to this program will be listed on the Tzedakh Page)
MAKING A DONATION IS EASY
In an effort to make it easier for you to help make the office run more efficiently, we request that the form
below be used when making a donation. Please fill it out and mail or drop it off at Temple, along
with your check. Thank you for your cooperation.
(The minimum donation for an acknowledgement card to be sent is $10.00)
Funds to which donations can be made are:
Rabbi Stanley & Myra Yedwab Adult Academy of Judaism, Merrill Pollinger Scholarship Fund,
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, Cantor’s Discretionary/Music Fund, Building Fund, General Fund,
Oneg Shabbat, Religious School, Cemetery Beautification Fund, Honorial/Memorial, Yahrzeit,
Jr. or Sr. Youth Group, Prayer Book*
*Please note: while lesser donations are welcome, the cost of a Prayer Book is now $35.00 & large print is $45.00
Please accept the following donation(s) to the fund indicated below:
From:______________________________
Please send acknowledgment card to:
Address:____________________________
Please send acknowledgment card to:
In memory of/in honor of/on the occasion of:
In memory of/in honor of/on the occasion of:
Fund: _____________________
Fund: __________________
$______
$_______
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11 / Page 17
BLOOMFIELD-COOPER
JEWISH CHAPELS, Inc.
Since 1978, the Bloomfield Family has managed
And operated funeral Chapels with traditional
Jewish values, dignity, care and respect.
Located in:
Lakewood • Ocean • Manalapan
1-800-247-5235
L. Bloomfield Dir/Mgr. NJ Lic. #3357
A. Bloomfield Mgr./Dir. NJ Lic. #4074
CEMETERY
BEAUTIFICATION FUND
The Toms River Jewish Cemetery on Whitty Road:
We would like to pave the driveway from the entrance
into the cemetery itself making it more accessible.
Beth Olam Memorial Park on Highway 70:
We have beautiful pillars at the entrance way that
have deteriorated through the years and are in need
of resurfacing. They are an important part of the
entrance to the cemetery as well as to the temple.
You may specify to which cemetery you would like to
donate, and also if you would like it to be in honor of
someone. Let’s all get together and make these
improvements in memory of our loved ones.
Contact the office with any questions:
(732) 363-2800
Beth Am Shalom Memorial Park
Toms River Jewish Cemetery
Cemetery Committee
The Shofar / Volume 8, Issue 11/ Page 18
By Invitation Only
Complete Party & Design Service
Invitations * Calligraphy * Centerpieces * Decorations
Balloons * Party & Wedding Favors * Sign-In Boards
Unique & Custom Giftware * All Business Printing
Tel. (732) 363-4754
Fax (732) 364-4441
Cell (732) 600-9897
Judie Singer
11 Cathedral Drive
Lakewood, NJ 08701
BETH AM SHALOM
CHAVURAH GROUP
Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1:00PM
For information call:
Jacky Philips at (732) 323-0012
or
Charlotte Ehrmann at (732) 349-2715
BETH AM SHALOM
1235 Highway 70
Lakewood, NJ 08701
BETH AM SHALOM
Religious School Calendar
Emergency number during school hours: (732) 551-4054
1235 Highway 70
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Ph: 732-363-2800
Fax: 732-363-7823
Religious School Cell: 732-551-4054
2007-2008 Religious School Calendar
2007-2008 Religious School Calendar
MONTH
CLOSED
Wed. 4th: Erev Purim Service & Megilla
Sun. 8th: Purim Carnival at Temple Beth Or
Sun. 29th: Model Seder, L-3 & 6
Tue. 31st: Model Seder, 4 & 5, 7-9
Friday, 6th: 4th Grade Service
March
Rabbi Stephen D. Gold
Cantor Alisa T. Forman
Rabbi Stanley Yedwab, Rabbi Emeritus
Francine Gimpel, President
April
5, 7
May
10
Bill Mullis, Vice President
Vallerie Magory, 2nd VP
Joan Weiss, Financial VP
David Friedman, Treasurer
Rochelle Newman, Secretary
Barbara Hankins, Office Admin / Editor
Barbara & Henry Yuson, Webmasters
Glenn Nozek, Facebook
Check out our Website &
Facebook Page:
www.bethamshalom.org
https://www.facebook.com/
BethAmShalomLakewood
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tues. 21st: Israel Independence Celebration
Friday, 2nd: Family Service
Friday, 1st: 3rd Grade Service
Friday 29th: Confirmation
Last Sessions: Sunday, May 17th, Grades K-6
Tuesday, May 19th: Grades 7 & 8
* Grades K-3 will be participating in all family services. Although attendance
is not mandatory, it is a learning experience, enjoyable for the children, and
an honor to be called up to the Bima. Please help your children to have this
wonderful experience as often as possible.
Beth Am Shalom: Reform Jewish Congregation, Est. July 2007 by the
merger of Temple Beth Am and Temple Beth Shalom.
Member of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County and Union for Reform Judaism.
The Shofar is a monthly periodical. Annual Subscription cost for mailing is $35.
Issue Date: May 2015, Volume 8, Issue Number 11