ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Click here to read the HIGH HOLIDAY HANDBOOK

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Our goal is to have 100% participation of our members.  Won't you help us reach our goal? The only way to reach that goal is to have EVERY congregant  family buy at least one SCRIP card. We are convinced that once you try using SCRIP, you will see how easy it is to raise money for CBI at no additional cost to you.

There are hundreds of cards to choose within dozens of categories such as:    

Books...Dining...Apparel...Department Stores...Discount Stores...Gas...Travel...Vacations

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Dear High School Student:

I am pleased to announce that the 2010 Fall Semester of Congregation B'nai Israel's Hebrew High School will soon be getting under way. Please click here to read carefully the registration materials describing our exciting Hebrew High School Program.

Pre-register by sending your completed Registration Form and $125.00 
Registration Fee  to the Synagogue Office by August 27, 2010.

Assignment of courses will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

 The registration fee is $150 if paid after August 27, 2010.

Final Registration will take place on Wednesday, September 1st at 6:45 p.m.

We look forward to a dynamic and exciting course of study for the Fall Semester, 5771.

Classes will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., beginning SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

All Jewish teenagers are invited -  so bring your friends!

 See you on Wednesday, September 1st !


Shalom,
Rabbi Jacob Luski

Order your Etrog & Lulav NOW for the holidays!

We need to receive your PAID orders by Tuesday September 7^th so that you will receive your sets in time for Sukkot.

The Lulav and Etrog are lovely symbols of the holidays.  Reserve yours now to use at home during the Sukkot holidays and to bring to shul to participate together with your children in the Hashanot procession.

High Holidays Youth /Services

Supervised  activities for ALL CHILDREN are provided from 10:30 am until the conclusion of adult services.

Grades 3-7 Junior Congregation – Chapel, from 10:30 am until the conclusion of services.

Grades K-2 K’tongregation  - Youth Lounge from 10:30 am until the conclusion of services.

Ages 2-5 Child Care – Classroom # 8, from 9:45 am until the conclusion of services.

Infants and toddlers under age 2, accompanied by parent(s) are welcome in the Atrium. All services will be broadcast in the Atrium.

We recommend that all children, ages 2-7, wear a name tag with their parent’s names so that we may locate parents if needed.

Rosh Hashana

Thursday, September 9^th and Friday,  September 10^th :

A Kiddush will be served for young people up to age 12 following their respective services. Parents are requested to pick up their children at the appropriate location at the conclusion of Adult Services.

 Yom Kuppur

Monday, September 18^th:

A light lunch will be served to those children too young to fast (under 12) following Youth Services. Supervised activities will be provided for ALL children. Parents are requested to pick up their children at the appropriate location at the conclusion of Adult Services.

Kever Avot Services

During the High Holiday period, is customary to visit the graves of our loved ones and those who created our Jewish community.  Kever Avot Services will be conducted by Rabbi Jacob Luski and Hazzan Paul Goldstein on Sunday, September 5, 2010, at 10:30 am at Menorah Gardens and at 11:30 am at the CBI section of Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg .

Tashlich

The annual service of Tashlich will be conducted on the First Day of Rosh Hashana,

Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 6:30 pm

at Lake Pasadena , located at 64^th Street & Fourth Avenue North.

 The ceremony is based on the text of Micah: “And you shall cast into depths all of your sins”.  It is one of the traditional practices surrounding Rosh Hashana. We urge you to be present for this wonderful opportunity for children and parents to share in what is always a lovely outdoor ceremony. Minha and Maariv will follow at 7:30pm  at the Synagogue.

Operation Isaiah

To continue our Operation Isaiah tradition, please bring donations of canned goods, peanut butter, pasta and highly nutritious foods, as well as Publix gift certificates to the synagogue on or before Kol Nidre eve on Friday, September 17^th, and deposit them in the bins directly in front of the synagogue, to benefit the food pantry at Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services.

The Operation Isaiah Food Drive is inspired by the words of Isaiah which we read on Yom Kippur…”Is this not the fast I have chosen …to share your bread with the hungry?”

(Isaiah 58:6-7).  Isaiah’s message of over 2500 years ago could describe our society today.  Operation Isaiah was created the The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism many years ago to give Conservative congregations the opportunity to begin the New Year with a food drive and a collection for MAZON: A Jewish Reponse To Hunger. Join forces with United Synagogue in working to turn Yom Kippur 5771 into one that fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy.

CBI CHOIR REHEARSALS

Hazzan Paul Goldstein will hold rehearsals with the CBI Choir 

Thursday evenings, August  19^th and 26^th at 6:00 p.m in the Chapel.  

All Choir members and those who are interested are invited to attend.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Are you aware CBI is growing?! We are, as individuals and as a Congregational Family. We have spread our wings and have tried new ways to do the things we have been doing for years. Once again this year we will together make Havdalah and daven Kabbalat Shabbat on the beach. We will shake it up at our Gift and Craft Show by offering a sneak peek Saturday night, December 4 and conclude the show with the CBI annual Hanukka celebration! As a Congregational Family we will learn together, play together and continue to grow stronger and stronger. If you have not been to a CBI event lately, join us, support us and grow with us.

                 CBI wants to know “What’s on YOUR Plate” for 2010-2011?

Friday evening, August 20 the “Got Shabbat” dinner series will kick off this year’s series. Leave your coat and tie at home and come dressed casually for a Musical Kabbalat service followed by a southern style Shabbat dinner. Seating and serving will be down home and family style. Please refer to the flyer in this bulletin for all the details. Get your reservations in on time!

 Due to the overwhelming response to the “Got Shabbat” dinners a strict reservation deadline will be followed!  Don’t be disappointed!  Make your reservations early!

                 With the High Holidays quickly approaching I find myself reevaluating the year gone by and setting personal and professional goals for the new year. As you do your personal evaluation, my hope is you will choose to become more involved in CBI and take advantage of all it has to offer.

 Shana Tova!

Sandy Brasch

Youth and Family Program Director

“Got Shabbat?” Dinner Series

August 20, 2010  - Shabbat Southern Style

September 24, 2010 - Sukkot, hosted by USY Alumni

January 14, 2011 - Hosted by Sisterhood

March 25, 2011 - Hosted by Mitzvah Men’s Club

May  6, 2011 - Dine Israeli-style at the Kotel

TALMUD MADE EASY RETURNS

Stephen Wein will continue his class covering the first tractate of the Talmud, Berachot.  The class will study the actual text as well as selected commentaries.  Knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic or Jewish or American law is not required or necessary.  All materials will be provided.  Berachot deals with blessings and prayers that make up Judaism's fundamental rituals.  The class involves both textual analysis and lively discussion and is open to all with no necessary prerequisites. Classes will meet in the Buns Family Library at 7:00 pm on the following dates: 

Tuesday, August 31^st at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, September 15^th at 7:00 pm

In the Buns Family Library

TORAH FOR SENIORS

^{Join Rabbi Luski on Tuesday mornings each month at 11 a.m. at Philip Benjamin Towers as he teaches and discusses Torah in an easy to follow fashion.}

Watch for new dates in the Fall

LUNCH WITH RABBI

^{Deli lunch and Mishna Study with Rabbi Luski meets monthly on Wednesdays at noon in the CBI Atrium.  Come and join our group as we enjoy lunch, schmooze and enjoy a meaningful time learning “What, When, Why & Where” of our Jewish History in an informal atmosphere.  Previous knowledge not necessary.  Classes are held in English. Please RSVP your lunch orders to 381-4900 by 4 PM by Tuesday before.}  

Watch for new dates in the Fall

Introduction To Judaism

Rabbi Jacob Luski has formed an Introduction to Judaism. This class is a unique opportunity for Jews by birth to learn more about the meaning of Judaism, as well as those non-Jews considering conversion. The class offers a warm and intimate environment to explore the fundamental beliefs, values, practices and history that have shaped the Jewish people throughout the ages.   Please contact Rabbi Jacob Luski at 727-381-4900, extension 203, about your interest in this class.  

Watch for new dates in the Fall

KEVER AVOT MEMORIAL SERVICES

During the High Holiday period, it is traditional

to visit the graves of our loved ones

and of those who created our Jewish community.

Kevot Avot Memorial Services will be conducted by

Rabbi Jacob Luski and Hazzan Paul Goldstein.

On Sunday, September 5, 2010 at:

10:30 a.m. at Menorah Gardens ,

Chapel Hill Memorial Park , Largo ,

and at

11:30 a.m. at the CBI section at Royal Palm Cemetery , St. Petersburg .

Volunteer to USHER FOR HIGH HOLIDAYS

 Come to the aid or your Congregation and volunteer to be an usher for the High Holiday services. We need your help!  Please attend our annual Usher Committee information Meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at 6:45 pm to learn more.  Attendance is mandatory. We will tailor the usher schedule to the hours you anticipate being in the shul.  If you need more information, please call Sara Latham 381-4900 ext. 202 .

MINYANAIRES ARE NEEDED!

CBI is always proud to say that we are the only shul on the West Coast of Florida that has a twice-daily minyan. We are being proactive in order to ensure the viability of the minyan. This is of utmost importance to those who are saying kaddish which cannot be said if there is not a minyan present. It is very upsetting when someone who has made the effort to come is not able to say kaddish. In order to avoid this occurrence, we have captains who will be in charge of a particular morning or evening and will recruit congregants to come on the designated day and time.

All congregants can fulfill a mitzvah by attending MINYAN!

An extra special challenge:

Every month on the day of your birthday, plan on attending MINYAN! 

Check for exact times on the CBI calendar at http://www.cbistpete.org/calendar_synagogue.htm . 

DAILY MINYAN  

Please join our twice daily Minyan which meets weekday mornings at 7:45 am,

Sunday mornings and on Holidays at 9:00 am and weekday evenings at the following times:

August 1 - 5:            8:00 pm

August 8 - 12:          7:55 pm

August 15 - 19:        7:55 pm

August 22 - 26:        7:50 pm

Aug 29-Sept. 2:       7:40 pm

Historic Jewish Press Internet Site

Articles from the Palestine Post, predecessor to the world-famous Jerusalem Post, have been available on the Internet for a number of years. Now other Jewish publications have been digitized and indexed and are available at a “Historic Jewish Press” site. To date there are 11 publications including the Palestine Post 1932–1950, Bulletin of the Alliance Israélite Universelle (1860–1913) and Ha-Magid 1856–1903. A complete list, as well as links, to each publication can be found at  

http://jpress.huji.ac.il/cross-section/allpub-en.asp

SHABBAT GAMES FOR THE KIDS..

 Look what's new for you! CBI will now have a Shabbat Game Cart located in the alcove of the Social Hall each Shabbat morning. The game cart will have games for children to play while their parents enjoy the Kiddush.

PARENTS! Please assist your child in cleaning up before leaving.

lsraeli Folk Dancing

(It's Free) (It's Fun) 

Every Sunday Evening at Menorah Manor from 6 - 8  p.m. in the Activities Room. 

New members are welcome.
For more information, please contact Janice LeVine at 392-3683

A MESSAGE FROM THE GEMILUT HASADIM COMMITTEE

Would you like to join a Committee that does deeds of lovingkindness? You can visit a member who is in a local hospital upon receiving a call. Our members who are mostly at home would love to receive a phone call periodically. Many of our members have already joined this Committee, but we are always looking for more volunteers. Please sign up to do a good deed, a mitzvah by calling Yollette Frey at 319-8150 or Sandy Harwood at 392-4803.

PRAYER FOR THE ILL

 Each Saturday morning Congregation B’nai Israel offers prayers of healing during our regular Shabbat morning service. We invite you to join us for weekly Shabbat worship so that you might pray for a loved one and/or yourself at that time in our prayers. If you wish to have someone’s name specially mentioned from the Bimah, please call the synagogue office at 381-4900 with that individual’s English and Hebrew name and that of their parents.         

May God offer healing to all that are ill.         

SHABBAT MORNING 

CHILDCARE

On some Shabbatot we have no children in the childcare program. We are instituting a new procedure. If you would like to request childcare for your preschoolers for Shabbat morning, please call the synagogue office by Wednesday prior to the Shabbat, so we can make the necessary arrangements.  

NEWS FROM THE RITUAL COMMITTEE

             Over the past several weeks, a number of events relating to the Ritual life of our shul have occurred, and I want to inform the Congregation about them.

            First and foremost, upon recommendation of the Ritual Committee, the Board of Trustees has approved the purchase of a set of new Siddurim for use on Shabbat and Festivals, and a new

set for use on weekdays. This is an updated edition of our current Siddur Sim Shalom – it is smaller in size, more user-friendly, and among other editorial changes, contains references to Judaism’s Matriarchs, as well as the Patriarchs. The Ritual Committee has plans underway to acquire these Siddurim. Dedication opportunities are available at $36.00 each through the shul office.

            To help acquaint our membership with the new Siddur, a Ritual Subcommittee, chaired by Steve Wein, is planning an introduction program. Details will be disclosed as they are developed.

            Next, as a means of making our congregants (and others) more familiar with Prayers of our various services, our Committee is moving forward with a plan to put a prayer-introduction segment on the CBI website. It is contemplated that one by one, various T’filot will be introduced. Each particular prayer will be recited, then sung, on the website, and the text of the prayer will be provided, along with a transliteration, and a page reference to the new Siddur. It is hoped that this will enable interested persons to become more familiar, and comfortable, with the T’filot of our services. For non-computer users, we will make a CD and printed text of the materials available in the synagogue office. Both Hazzan Goldstein and lay members of our congregation will be involved in preparing the various presentations.

            Third, the Ritual Committee has put in motion plans for a series of musical Kabballat Shabbatot for the summer season. These services will offer musically-talented congregants the opportunity to become involved in the musical component of the service, in addition, of course to Hazzan Goldstein, who will organize and oversee the program. Congregants who are interested in lending their talents to these very well-received services should contact Hazzan.

            As always, your suggestions and participation relating to the ritual life of our shul are most welcome. Please contact the shul office, or me at 397-9955 or via email at morborn@aol.com with any questions or comments.

Participate in Aliyot

The Ritual Committee of Congregation B’nai Israel encourages worshippers to participate in services by performing aliyot. If you would like to receive an aliyah, please call the synagogue office at 381-4900, or kindly speak to one of the ushers when you enter the sanctuary, and every effort will be made to accommodate your request. Those wishing to receive an aliyah on Shabbat morning are asked to arrive at services not later than 9:30 am. 

DAVENERS NEEDED

            The Ritual Committee is seeking to increase the number of Congregants who have the ability to lead services--especially morning and evening services at Daily Minyan. Those with prior davening experience who wish to improve their skills, or those with no prior experience who want to learn this most important and rewarding skill are invited. Please contact the Synagogue Office at 381-4900 to express your interest. Hazzan Goldstein has graciously agreed to conduct classes based on the number of people expressing interest. Thank you very much.

                                                                              Morry Bornstein

                                                                Ritual Committee Chair

REQUEST FROM THE RABBI

Please keep me informed of significant events in your family life. It is my desire to be of help and service to you in times of special need. It is especially important that I know of those in the hospital, assisted living or nursing homes, so that they may be included in a prayer for recovery at Shabbat Services.

Rabbi Jacob Luski

Visiting the Sick

One of the most important mitzvot in Judaism is bikkur holim – visiting the sick. It is a responsibility that the clergy at Congregation B’nai Israel takes 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 the Rabbi. We need our congregants to communicate directly with us and to inform us of illness or hospitalization. Please call Rabbi Luski’s assistant (727-381-4900, ext. 206) so that as clergy and as a synagogue family, we can be helpful in moments of difficulty or stress. 

A Note from Rabbi Jacob Luski…

            Some of our B’nai Israel members have been adversely affected by the economic downturn. We want to try to be of help to you…and whatever the circumstances may be, we want you to remain affiliated with our congregation.

            Please know that we are available and ready to be a resource for you with complete respect for confidentiality.

                                                                        Rabbi Jacob Luski

Silence is Golden

Cell phones. pagers, cameras, and other electronic devices should not be used anywhere in the building or on the grounds on Shabbat and holidays. In addition, cell phones should be turned off during funerals, weddings, baby naming ceremonies  and during classes. 

 Remember:  Save your Newspapers and Magazines

Your clean dry newspapers and magazines are worth money to us- Will you save them for us? Thanks for your help!   Please do not bring  plastics, string, mail, tape, wire, bags or boxes. Remember that the containers for newspapers and  magazines are located in the back parking lot near the fence.

              TO BOOK MEETING ROOMS

If you are having a meeting or event, you must reserve a room with Pam Askin as soon as possible to schedule it on the Synagogue calendar to make sure there is a room available, all facilities information is known, and a custodian knows to open and close the building at the proper time. Also, if you need to cancel a meeting or a room reservation, please notify the synagogue office as well.

Do We Have Your E-Mail Address?

B’nai Israel has established an e-mail group that is a quicker and more cost-effective way to communicate with our members.  We e-mail to our members Bereavement notices as well as a weekly update with service schedule and program information.  

Our e-mail list is used for synagogue purposes only and the e-mail messages are sent via blind copy so that no one else sees your address.

If you don’t have e-mail yet, here is a good reason to get it! Please sign up today by sending an e-mail to Anita at receptionist@cbistpete.org. Be sure to include your name(s), along with your current  e-mail address(es ) In the subject line, please write “sign me up”. Be sure to include your name in the body of the e-mail.         

Note: if you would like an event or announcement posted on this site, 

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