B'nai Review May

May 2015 Iyar 5775 - Sivan 5775

Volume 5775 Issue 10

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE: Rabbi Luski on Sabbatical Page 3 May Sermonette Series Page 11 Shavuot Page 12 Mother’s Day Brunch Page 17

B’nai Israel REVIEW MAY 2015

Our Mission Through our congregational life, our goal is to provide the opportunity for our members 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.

Contact Us Rabbi Jacob Luski, D.D. 727.381.4900 x1008 Rabbi.luski@cbistpete.org

Youth Advisor Bianca Levi 727.381.4900 x1011 Youthdir@cbistpete.org

Accounting Denice Piller 727.302.9676 accounting@cbistpete.org

Cantor Jonathan Schultz 727.381.4900 x1005 Cantor.schultz@cbistpete.org

Community Engagement Liz Sembler 727.381.4900 x1007 lizsembler@aol.com

President Alice Ettinger aliceettinger112@gmail.com

Executive Director Susan Goldstein 727.344.1017 execdir@cbistpete.org

Torah Reader/Educator Deborah Marmon 727.381.4900 x1017 dmarmon@cbistpete.org

Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center Director Katherine Schaefer 727.302.9668 preschool@cbistpete.org

Office Manager Pam Askin 727.381.4901 officemgr@cbistpete.org

Pauline Rivkind Talmud Torah Education Coordinator Ricki Lewis 727.381.4900 morah@aol.com

Communications Coordinator Carolyn Moritz 727.381.4900 x1001 receptionist@cbistpete.org

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Men’s Club President Steve Feld USY President Hannah Weiss

Announcements RABBI LUSKI ON SABBATICAL Rabbi Jacob Luski will be completing his Mini-Sabbatical, May 4 - August 12, which was spaced out in short segments during the fall, winter, and summer months to accommodate the needs of the Congregation.

WHAT TO DO WHILE RABBI’S AWAY IF… A child is born in my family? There is an engagement in my family? There will be a wedding in my family?

Call the CBI office at 727.381.4900 to share the good news with the Congregation.

There is a death in my family?

Call the CBI office at 727.381.4900 during business hours or, after hours, call Susan Goldstein, Executive Director, on her cell phone at 214.263.8464. A member of the staff will help you make the necessary arrangements and will contact a Rabbi who will be in touch with you to plan the funeral.

For those who are not members, we request that you consult with David Gross or Michael Gross at David C. Gross Funeral Homes, 727.381.4911, for assistance with the funeral arrangements.

I have an emergency and need to talk to a staff member during non-business hours?

Call Susan Goldstein, Executive Director, on her cell phone at 214.263.8464.

We wish Rabbi Jacob and Joanne a most enjoyable last segment of their Mini-Sabbatical!

BUCS TICKETS LIFE & LEGACY ANNUAL MEETING You’re in luck! There are still some CBI is proud to be Mark your calendars: partnering with TOP Congregation B’nai Tampa Bay Bucs tickets available in the and the Grinspoon Israel’s annual meeting Mitzvah Men’s Club block for the upcoming Foundation in the Life & will be held on season. These are great seats: Section 135!

Legacy Program.

Wednesday, June 10.

Contact Mike Slomka at 727.458.6703 for more information.

Don’t miss out!

BIKKUR HOLIM DINNER AT THE PHILIP BENJAMIN TOWER The Benjamin Tower Foundation would like to One of the most important mitzvot in Judaism is bikkur holim: visiting the sick. It is a extend an invitation to CBI congregants who responsibility that the clergy of B’nai Israel take would like to join PBT residents for Shabbat very seriously. When our members are ill or dinners. Dinner is $10 every Friday at 4:45 pm.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy dinner and hospitalized, we want to know. In the interest of protecting confidentiality, hospitals today are fellowship before walking over to CBI for extremely cautious about sharing patient names, Shabbat services.

CBI will post each week’s menu to cbistpete.org even with clergy. We need our congregants to on Monday afternoons. RSVP with payment and communicate directly with us and to inform us of entrée choice to Kelli Rolfe by Wednesdays at illness or hospitalization. Please call Pam Askin at 727.381.4901 so that, as clergy and the 12:00 pm: 727.347.5191 or synagogue family, we can be helpful in moments krolfe@benjamintowerfoundation.org. of difficulty or stress.

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From the Rabbi What is the relationship between Pesah and Shavuot, the two major holidays in the Jewish calendar that come seven weeks apart?

Shavuot is actually the Atzeret or culmination of the Exodus. The purpose of the Exodus was not merely freedom, but to deepen the relationship between God and Israel. Thus it culminates at Mt. Sinai in the Covenant between God and Israel.

At Sinai, the Israelites received a new master – God. No longer bound to the enslavement of Pharaoh, they became the servants of the Holy One. Is this not exchanging one slavery for another?

Too often, we misconstrue freedom as the absence of restraint. We think freedom means no rules or regulations. But the truth is that unrestrained freedom leads to boredom, confusion and chaos. True freedom is one that accepts and welcomes constraints.

Rabindranath Tagore offered the following insight: “I have on my table a violin string. It is free to move in any direction I like. If I twist one end, it responds; it is free. But it is not free to sing. So I take it and affix it to my violin. I bind it, and when it is bound, it is free for the first time to sing.”

In order for us to be fully human, we need constraints. In order for us to accomplish anything, we need to discipline ourselves.

Contrary to the advertising motto, no rules is not just right.

Many people complain that Judaism makes demands on them. Why should religion be demanding and restrictive? Why can’t it be whatever I want it to be? Because then it would serve no purpose. A religion that asks nothing of its adherents gives them nothing in return.

God’s gift of Torah to us at Sinai was meant to impose obligations – mitzvot upon us. It is precisely these obligations that sanctify us, make us spiritual and help us reach our full human potential. Without Torah, the Exodus is incomplete.

In essence, Pesah without Shavuot leads us nowhere. Pesah with Shavuot, with our acceptance of God’s gift of the Torah and our commitment to observe it, leads to the Promised Land of becoming all that we are capable of being. As Shavuot is poorly observed in our time, we are diminished as a people and as individuals. If Jewish continuity is in jeopardy, it is perhaps because we have forgotten the pledge our ancestors made at Sinai in accepting God’s gift of Torah: “All that the Lord has spoken we will faithfully do!” Exodus 24:7 Shavuot is a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm this commitment and become truly free.

Hag Sameah!

Shalom,

From the Cantor The High Holy days are only a few months away, and that means that CBI Choir rehearsals will be starting up soon – specifically, rehearsals will begin on Thursday night, May 14 at 6:45 pm in the chapel. Anyone who would like to sing with the choir, please contact me at cantor.schultz@cbistpete.org or by phone at 727.381.4900 x1005.

The choir will perform on the following dates: Selichot night, Saturday night, September 5; Erev Rosh Hashanah, Sunday night, September 13; Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday night, September 22 Back to this month: I will be continuing my Friday Night Service Class on the following Tuesdays in May: May 12, 19 and 26. If you would like to learn how to lead the Friday night service, or if you’d simply like to become more familiar with the prayers so that you may feel more inclined to sing along, then this is the class for you! This class is for Hebrew readers, as we will be using the Siddur Sim Shalom.

I also invite all of you to join me on Shabbat morning, May 16, when I will present A Sermon in Song. This work, composed by my colleague Hazzan Stephen Freedman in 1995, is an exploration of synagogue music, set to the music of the synagogue. For example, I will explain the Freygish scale and the Ahavah Rabah mode while singing the Freygish scale and the Ahavah Rabah mode. I will also demonstrate how a cantor might embellish a melody by singing a simple setting of a prayer followed by an elaborate setting of the same text. Some of you may remember that I delivered this Sermon in Song several years ago, and I am delighted to reprise it this month.

We also have a major festival this month, Shavuot, which celebrates the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. Appropriately, we mark this occasion by reading The Ten Commandments. Public readings of The Ten Commandments are interesting liturgically because the tropes used for public reading parse The Ten Commandments so that each Commandment is a verse. Therefore, when the Torah reader chants The Ten Commandments, s/he is reenacting the revelation at Sinai.

Hag Sameah, 4

From the President Pesach is over and the dishes, pots, and pans are once again put away. Now is the season where CBI leadership looks to you for the future. The Nominating Committee, headed by Immediate Past President Laurie Reiskind, has made calls and has asked for volunteers to help lead us for the next few years.

Why do so few people say “yes” when asked to take on a role in leadership? Is it because of feelings of inadequacy? Is it fear? Is it complacency? Let someone else have the headache! Does leadership always come with a headache? Well, sometimes, yes. But most times, no.

What we know is that everyone (a) has an opinion; (b) has a crystal ball and see what would make things better; and (c) has hindsight and is certain he/she knows what COULD HAVE made things better!

But what we don’t have are people who “put their money where their mouth is.” That’s why I am writing. Please share your crystal balls and your hindsight. Please don’t just say what could or should have been, or could or should be. Be part of the solution. Offer your insight with positive suggestions for a positive opportunities for the better.

Many people are taking the opportunity to keep CBI alive and vibrant:      

The Engagement Committee has come up with many new ideas.

Members of the Strategic Planning Committee are working hard to provide us with the ideas and tools for our future.

Helen Kahan calls everyone with birthday and anniversary greetings.

Selma Gaby calls to make sure we have ushers for services.

Our wonderful Minyanaires help us carry out services every day. (You are too numerous to mention individually, but we know who you are!)

Many others work throughout the year on our committees -- Ritual, Finance, High Holy Days, Adult Education, PRTT, Youth Commission, USY, and many others.

They are leaders. You can join them. If you don’t want to do it alone, grab a friend or let us pair you up with some others to form a group. We are looking for members who will work with Ari Weisberg on Membership, help with Fundraising, become part of a team to develop our community projects. We don’t ask for your resume. We just ask for you to step up and share your talents and ideas so that, together, we can create positive solutions to the challenges that face all faith-based organizations in these changing times.

Todah Rabbah --Thank You -- to all who are part of our current leadership team. If you’re not there yet, give it serious consideration. You might just be surprised at how worthwhile you’ll find the effort to be!

Shalom,

From the Executive Director I remember my first Tikun Leyl Shavuot like it was yesterday. In fact, it was over 20 years ago. Although I didn’t really know what it was, when my friend and teacher, Rabbi Michael Siegel, asked, I unhesitatingly agreed to help arrange the first community-wide one in Chicago’s Lakeview area. Four synagogues (one Conservative, two Reform, and one Modern Orthodox) and the JCC participated.

Each synagogue held its own “opening” event then, at 11:00 pm, about 100 of us gathered at the JCC. The first session was a panel discussion – actually an “Ask the Rabbi” event with a rabbi from each organization – moderated by a neighborhood scholar. After a snack (I was on KP duty with the Modern Orthodox rebbitzen), we moved to the next set of sessions. We studied through the night with 75 minute sessions (three class choices per session) separated by dairy snacks (featuring ice cream and cheesecake) and lots of coffee. There were sleep rooms, one for women and one for men, for those who needed rest between sessions. At 6:00 am we walked one block over to Lake Michigan for sunrise shacharit services – one egalitarian and one men only. Some then went back to the JCC for one more breakfast snack, OJ, and coffee before either going to services or going home to bed.

That year, I chose to go home to bed. I had explained to my husband (Harold) what the plan was for the night and told him I’d be home before he got up that morning. Well, he waited up all night. He wanted to know where I’d been all night because NOBODY stayed up all night to study on a Jewish holiday that he’d never heard of anyway! I calmly explained that I had about 100 witnesses, and invited him to check in with any number of them. I believe it was a rabbi who finally reassured him. In any event, he was prepared the following year, and he finally recognized Shavuot as a real Jewish holiday!

In fact, Shavuot is a really beautiful Jewish holiday, and I hope to see you in shul as we hear the Ten Commandments read and recite Yizkor one last time in 5775.

Chag Sameach, 5

February 2014

Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center (PRECEC) Another school year has flown by in the blink of an eye! This month we celebrate the 57th graduating class from Pauline Rivkind Early Childhood Education Center. A lot has changed over the course of the school year and our preschool certainly would not be as successful as we are today without the love and support of our families, staff, congregation members, and surrounding community. Serving over 65 local families, we are proud to proclaim that Pauline Rivkind is truly a place where “Education is a Work of Heart!”

With over 50 families registered for Summer Camp Shalom, I’d like to extend a final invitation to those of you who are still looking for a fun and educational program for your child this summer. From June 8 – August 14, students will be experiencing weekly water day fun, working in the Goodness Garden, and a variety of dramatic themes to enjoy their summer weeks. For more information please call the preschool office direct line: 727.302.9668.

The 2015-2016 school year begins on Monday, August 24. We have very limited space available in our accredited VPK program. If you have or know of a child who will be 4 years old by September 1, please have them contact the preschool office immediately so that they do not miss out on the opportunity to join our PRECEC family. VPK hours are from 9:00 – 12:00 daily and are state funded. Prepare your child for kindergarten through our hands-on, interactive program!

On a final note, this month is Teacher Appreciation month. All of our lives have been touched in several ways by the men and women who dedicate their lives to educating others and inspiring our youth. As Henry Brooke Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Please take the time to express your gratitude for the educators in your life and in the lives of your children. You are welcome to join us on Saturday, May 9, for the Educator's Shabbat beginning at 9:00 am.

Katherine Schaefer, PRECEC Director

PRECEC students sing and enjoy matzah at the Practice Seder. Photos courtesy of Michael Frye.

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 preschool@cbistpete.org or 727.302.9668.

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Hebrew High School Mazal Tov to this year’s Hebrew High graduates!

Peninah Flo Benjamin ✡ Hannah Eva Hartung ✡ Hannah Nicole Kunins ✡ Rachel Esther Piper ✡ Jack Samuel Sutton ✡ Hannah Leigh Terzi ✡ Hannah Mae Weiss ✡ Ari Edward Zimmer ✡

Dear Liz Sembler, CBI Community Engagement Director, The youth of Congregation B’nai Israel have provided 25 men living at Beacon House with lunch for a whole week! That’s powerful!

I understand they did this while attending Hebrew High School, and what a wonderful lesson to learn.

It is never too early to bring awareness to individuals and families in our community who do not have the basic needs of health care, food, and shelter. I commend you and Congregation B’nai Israel for bringing this awareness to youth in our community with hands-on experience.

The PB&J sandwiches were delivered to Beacon House today and the men will begin enjoying them tomorrow as they go out for the day, either to work or school. They receive a hot meal every day from our Community Kitchen, but many days find it a challenge to secure an affordable and healthy lunch.

Thanks to your youth, they do not have this worry for the next week.

Thank you for all that you do for our neighbors in need.

Sincerely,

LETTER BOX

Beth Houghton Executive Director, St. Petersburg Free Clinic

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Advocacy for Israel Committee Anti-Semitism in Europe: A series by Dr. Leslie Pearlstein Russian media and officials have been portraying Ukraine as a hotbed of far-right extremism, including anti-Semitism, ever since former President Viktor Yanukovych was removed from power at the end of February 2014. In his first public reaction to Mr.Yanukovych's downfall, President Vladimir Putin told journalists on 4 March, 2014: "We see the rampage of reactionary forces, nationalist and anti-Semitic forces going on in certain parts of Ukraine, including Kiev." He used similar language in his speech declaring the annexation of Crimea two weeks later, when he said that the "coup" against Mr.Yanukovych was the work of "nationalists, neo-Nazis, Russophobes, and anti-Semites."

The Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities (VAAD) of Ukraine responded with an open letter saying that President Putin's assertions about the rise of anti-Semitism in their country "did not match reality." Mr. Putin's advisers "might have confused Ukraine with Russia where Jewish organizations registered a rise of anti-Semitism last year," it added.

Shmuel Kaminetsky, a rabbi in Dnipropetrovsk, home to one of the country's largest Jewish communities, also rejects the idea that Ukraine is anti-Semitic. Life is "easier and safer" for Jews in Ukraine than in Western countries such as Belgium and France, “where radical Islam is on the rise.�

Still, concerns remain about the presence of far-right extremists in some parts of Ukrainian society, especially the new volunteer battalions, which have played a key role in the current conflict.VAAD Ukraine director Yosyp Zisels told a news conference in October that the volunteers were fighting "bravely" for Ukraine's "sovereignty and territorial integrity." But he conceded some of them held views that are "Nazi, ultranationalist and racist." Far-right extremists and fascists were fighting on both sides of the conflict, Zisels said.

Jewish leaders are increasingly concerned about the fate of fellow Jews in areas controlled by the insurgents, especially after the murder of Jewish businessman Heorhiy Zilberbrod in Donetsk in August. In September 2014, at least 100 Jewish families fled Donetsk to the government-controlled city of Mariupol, according to Donetsk rabbi Pinkhas Vyshedsky. Rabbi Vyshedsky himself recently moved his office to Kiev "to help Jews from his city who found refuge in the capital and other parts of the country."

Nevertheless, some Jews are also concerned about their safety in Kiev. In September, swastikas were painted on the Babi Yar Holocaust memorial in Kiev, where 34,000 Jews were murdered in the course of a week in September 1941. Commenting on the incident, World Jewish Congress Vice President Boris Fuchsman said: "We often say that there is no anti-Semitism at the state level today, but no-one has rooted out everyday anti-Semitism."

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Adult Studies CBI-Hadassah Book Club 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, the book club meets on Wednesday, May 20, to discuss Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons: At the outset of World War II, Jack Rosenblum and his family escape Berlin for London. Jack embraces the welcome pamphlet instructing immigrants how to act like “the English.” He acquires Saville Row suits and a Jaguar. He never speaks German, apart from the occasional curse. But one key item - membership in a golf club - remains elusive. So Jack hatches a wild idea: he’ll build his own.

Jack’s wife, Sadie, does not share this obsession. She wants to cook her mother’s recipes and remember the life they left behind.

But when Jack relocates them to the country, Sadie watches their savings deplete as he pursues his quixotic dream.

In this gently surprising first novel, Natasha Solomons tells the captivating love story of a couple making a new life - and their wildest dreams - come true.

Summary excerpt courtesy of Amazon.

Talmud Made Easy Join Steve Wein as he and his Talmud Class continue study of 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 everyone.

No previous knowledge is necessary.

Meet at the Buns Family Library at CBI on select Wednesday evenings at 7:00.

Next Sessions: Wednesdays, May 6 and May 20

Learn the Friday Night Service with Cantor Schultz!

If you’d like to learn how to lead the Friday night service, or if you’d just like to become more familiar with the prayers and the melodies we use, this is the class for you! This class is for Hebrew readers, as you will be using Siddur Sim Shalom in class.

Upcoming Sessions:Tuesdays, May 12, 19, and 26.

Please note there is no class on Tuesday, May 5, as Cantor will be at a convention in Chicago.

Educator’s Shabbat Come join CBI in honoring the educators in our community on Shabbat Hinuch: Saturday, May 9, 9:00 am.

Glimpses into Jewish History: Summer Sermonette Series Get a glimpse into summer history during summer Shabbat evening services or be inspired by our speakers with a D’var Torah during summer Shabbat morning services. If you would like to present a message on Shabbat evening or morning from May through August, please contact Lou Bader at 727.867.4913 or gemster@tampabay.rr.com.

View the full May sermonette schedule on the next page!

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May Sermonette Speakers Friday, May 8, 6:30 pm Sephardic Kabbalat Shabbat.

Speaker: Oren Adelson Saturday, May 9, 9:00 am Educator’s Shabbat; April & May Simha Shabbat.

Speaker: Ruth Lebowitz, Letter to a Teacher Friday, May 15, 6:30 pm USY Kabbalat Shabbat.

Speaker: Sherrie Carroll Saturday, May 16, 9:00 am Shabbat morning services.

Speaker: Cantor Schultz, Sermon in Song Friday, May 22, 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat.

Speaker: Eric Pastman Saturday, May 23, 9:00 am Shabbat morning services.

Speaker: Lou Bader, Shavuot Saturday, May 23, 8:15 pm Erev Shavuot Services. Tikun Leyl Shavuot, dairy Oneg.

Speaker: Liz Sembler Sunday, May 24, 9:00 am Shavuot Yom Tov Services, First Day. Speaker: Sandi Rodman

Monday, May 25, 9:00 am (Memorial Day) Shavuot Yom Tom Services, Second Day.Yizkor Memorial Service.

Speaker: Mark Lewis Friday, May 29, 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat.

Speaker: TBD Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am Shabbat morning services.

Speaker: Linda Grau, “RE———” 11

Shavuot CELEBRATE SHAVUOT, THE FESTIVAL OF THE GIVING OF THE TORAH, May 23, 24, & 25 Over 3300 years ago God gave Moses and the Jewish people the treasure of the Torah.

The Festival of Shavuot is the two-day celebration, commemoration and re-enactment of the giving and receiving of the Torah.

On the first day of Shavuot, the Ten Commandments are read from the Torah in the Synagogue.

We encourage everyone to attend services to receive the Ten Commandments. It is important for Jews of all ages to be present, especially the children, our “guarantors” that the Torah remain ours forever.

So this year, join us and receive the gift that keeps on giving.

SHAVUOT SERVICE SCHEDULE Saturday

May 23

Sunday

May 24

Monday

May 25

8:15 pm 8:59 pm 9:00 am 12:00 pm 7:59 pm 9:00 am 12:00 pm

Erev Shavuot Services, Tikun Leyl Shavuot Study Session, and Oneg Yom Tov Candlelighting Yom Tov Services, 1st day Shavuot Minha Candlelighting Yom Tov Services, 2nd day Shavuot, Yizkor Memorial Service Minha

Other Important Days Lag B’Omer is he 18th day of Iyar, or the 23rd day of the Omer (this year, that falls on the evening of May 6 and continues into May 7). This day marks the cessation of the plague that had afflicted Rabbi Akiva’s students, and so Lag B’Omer is a day of respite from the sadness of s'firah. Tahunun is not said, weddings are permitted, and haircuts and shaving are allowed for those who refrain during s'firah weeks. People often celebrate with picnics or parties!

Yom Yerushalayim is the 28th day of Iyar. On the 28th day of Iyar in 1967, the IDF entered the Old City of Jerusalem, occupied by Jordan since the War of Independence in 1948. For the first time since 1948, the Jewish people had control over the Kotel! On Yom Yerushalayim we reflect on this significant event and honor the men and women of the IDF who participated in its liberation. It is also appropriate on this day to remember those who fell in the battles for the city in both 1948 and 1967. This year, Yom Yerushalayim falls on the evening of Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17.

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Todah Rabah Todah Rabah to Ricki Lewis and our wonderful Pauline Rivkind Talmud Torah religious school students, who added so much to CBI’s festive Purim celebration.

Todah Rabah, also, to all of those who donated to CBI’s Maot Hittim Fund. The mitzvah of Maot Hittim (money for wheat) has evolved to ensure that all Jews are able to celebrate Pesah. By giving to CBI’s Maot Hittim Fund, you have helped us respond to the financial needs of those in our community who would not otherwise have been able to participate in a Seder.

Esta Blaxberg Dorothy Bowser & Elizabeth Unruh Dr. Pat Cottrille Dr. Larry & Sheryl Feinman Larry & Helen Freid Selma Gaby Joel & Ellen Goetz Susan Goldstein Valerie Hyman

Robert & Carolyn Isakson Byron Kolitz & Dr. Starr Silver Hannah Krassner Dr. Steve & Susan LeVine Dr. Morrie & Marilyn LeVine Mark & Ricki Lewis Jeff & Diane Litt Shelley Lynn Dr. Arthur & Bebby Marlin Debbie Marmon

Ruth Mauer Adele Morris Phil & Joan Redisch Dr. Marc & Laurie Reiskind Murray & Myrna Rubin Cantor Jonathan Schultz Greg & Liz Sembler Rose Sutton Dr. Hugh & Susie van Gelder

CBI is proud to be partnering with TOP and the Grinspoon Foundation in the Life & Legacy Program.

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Iyar - Sivan 5775 May 2015 Sunday

Morning Minyan Followed by Breakfast

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Sunday Thursday: 6:30 pm

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9:00am Minyan, breakfast 7:45am Minyan, breakfast 9:45am PRTT Closing Program 6:30pm Minyan 6:30pm Minyan

Sunday: 9:00 am Monday - Friday: 10 MOTHER’S DAY 7:45 am

Evening Minyan

Monday

Tuesday

5 7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:00pm Chess Club 6:30pm Minyan

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7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 5:30pm Friday Night Service Class with Cantor Schultz 6:00pm Chess Club 6:30pm Minyan 7:00pm Women’s League Board Meeting

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YOM YERUSHALAYIM 9:00am Minyan, breakfast 5:00pm Menorah Manor 30th Anniversary Masked Ball The Coliseum 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 5:30pm Friday Night Service Class with Cantor Schultz 6:00pm Chess Club 6:30pm Minyan

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SHAVUOT DAY 2 MEMORIAL DAY: OFFICE CLOSED 9:00am Shavuot Yom Tov Services, Yizkor, Kiddush 12:00pm Yom Tov Minha 6:45pm Sephardic Shabbat “Sneak Peek!”

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 5:30pm Friday Night Service Class with Cantor Schultz 6:00pm Chess Club 6:30pm Minyan 7:00pm Board of Trustees Meeting

9:00am Minyan, breakfast 10:30am Mother’s Day Brunch See Page 17 6:30pm Minyan

Please consult this calendar or the 24 Shavuot schedule on SHAVUOT DAY 1 Page 12 for holiday 9:00am Shavuot Yom Tom Services, Kiddush service times.

12:00pm Yom Tov Minha 7:59pm Candlelighting

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Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat on the Beach Upham Beach 7:40pm Candlelighting

Parasha Aharei motKedoshim 9:00am Shabbat Services, Kiddush*

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7:45am Minyan, breakfast 1:30pm Investment Committee Meeting 6:30pm Minyan 7:00pm Talmud Class 7:00pm Men’s Club Meeting EREV LAG B’OMER

LAG B’OMER 7:45am Minyan, breakfast 10:00am Library Committee 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 9:00am PRECEC Mother’s Day Tea Party 10:00am PRECEC Pre-Shabbat Family Celebration 6:30pm Sephardic Kabbalat Shabbat 7:51pm Candlelighting

Parasha Emor 9:00am Educator’s Shabbat, May Simha Shabbat, Kiddush*

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7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 10:00am Library Committee 6:30pm Minyan 6:45pm Choir Rehearsal

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:30pm USY Kabbalat Shabbat 7:55pm Candlelighting

Parasha BeharBehukkotai 9:00am Shabbat Services, Kiddush* EREV YOM YERUSHALAYIM

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7:45am Minyan, breakfast 10:00am CBI-Hadassah Book Club 6:30pm Minyan 7:00pm Talmud Class

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 10:00am Library Committee 6:30pm Minyan 6:45pm Choir Rehearsal

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 11:00am PRECEC VPK Graduation 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat 7:59pm Candlelighting

Parasha Bemidbar 9:00am Shabbat Services, Kiddush* 8:15pm Erev Shavuot Services, Tikyun Leyl Shavuot, Oneg Yom Tov 8:59pm Candlelighting EREV SHAVUOT

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7:45am Minyan, breakfast 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 10:00am Library Committee 6:30pm Minyan

7:45am Minyan, breakfast 10:00am PRECEC Shabbat Celebration 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:02pm Candlelighting

Parasha Naso 9:00am Shabbat Services, Kiddush*

* Shabbat Minha service will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of morning services.

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From the Judaica Shop Crew Spring and summer is the time for weddings, and we have several items to complete your Bridal registry: ✡

Apple and honey dishes ✡ Seder plates ✡ Kiddush cups ✡ Dreidles ✡ Latke plates … just to name a few!

We even gift wrap!

Our Monday hours have changed!

Our new schedule is: Monday 11:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tuesday 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Thursday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Can’t make these hours? We will happily make an appointment. Call: Anita Helfand 727.347.2300 Diana Litt 727.392.5554 Eileen Richman 727.492.4509

Love from the Judaica Shop Crew: Karen, Eileen, Diana, & Anita

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Mitzvah Men’s Club Another month has passed, spring is in full bloom, and Passover is behind us. Soon we will be able to say, “Here comes summer!” Mitzvah Men’s Club has been busy bringing fun and meaningful events for all seasons to our CBI family. We brought you the World Wide Wrap in February, the Men’s Club Shabbat in March, Yom Hashoah candles in April, and on May 10, we look forward to our very popular Mother’s Day Brunch. All of these functions would not have been possible without a core group of volunteers that I want to thank again and again. We are very fortunate to have our seasoned members that have helped us over many years and continue to share their volunteer spirit. But, we also are in need of new members – a new and energetic generation to help continue these truly magnificent undertakings. While it is great to be a member of CBI and attend our functions, please consider joining the Mitzvah Men’s Club volunteer team and accept my invitation to come to one of our board meetings.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 pm in the Atrium. There, you can schmooze and kibbitz with our board and learn more about this wonderful organization. If you can’t come to the meeting but want to volunteer, call or email me at 727.541.5358 or sfeldine@aol.com and we’ll help you become a part of the action.

Becoming an active member of the MMC has been an enlightening experience for me, and I hope that we can make it just as insightful for you. RSVP early to 727.381.4900, not only for the meeting, but also for the upcoming Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 10.

L’hitraot, Steve Feld, MMC President

The Mitzvah Men’s Club of CBI invites you to

Sunday, May 10, at 10:30 am Adults $20 | Children (ages 5 - 18) $10 | Mothers are free

RSVP by Monday, May 4: 727.381.4900 or receptionist@cbistpete.org Checks payable to Mitzvah Men’s Club to: 300 58th Street North St. Petersburg 33710

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Life Cycle Mazal Tov! Hebrew High School Graduates Peninah Benjamin, Hannah Hartung, Hannah Kunins, Rachel Piper, Jack Sutton, Hannah Terzi, Hannah Weiss, and Ari Zimmer Jeremy Reiskind Recipient of Morris and Shirley Rapoport Award in Jewish Studies at Rice University Lilly Salcman Recipient of the Jewish National Fund Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Steve Warren New home in Seminole Hannah Weiss Elected SATO Vice President for the Hanegev Region of USY Dr. Charlene Wygodski Recipient of the 2015 Breaking the Class Ceiling Award by the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU Louis Zerin Bar Mitzvah of son, Travis Ian Zerin

In Memoriam Diane Green-Shnider

Mother of Bonnie Schaffer

Rae Schuster

Grandmother of Sheryl Soule “Mickey� Singer

Norman Tauberg

Brother of Shirley Blau Grossman Roberta Tepper Uncle of Sheryl Weitman

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

Etz Chaim Tree of Life

Looking for a special way to honor family and friends celebrating a Simha?

Leaves on the Tree of Life have been inscribed:

Happy 50th Birthday Laurie Reiskind With love from family and friends: Pam Askin, Michael Barth & Maureen Shacter, Susie & Ira Berman, Gail & Mike Frye, Susan Goldstein, Ricki & Mark Lewis, Carol & Bill Marger, Ruth Mauer, Reva & Leslie Pearlstein, Karen & Cary Reich, Steven, Abby, Danyelle & Michael Reiskind and Livia & Steve Wein.

March 23, 2015 Mazal Tov Hebrew High Graduation 5775 April 24, 2015

BUNS FAMILY TREE OF LIFE

It is a Tree of Life to those who uphold it.

Proverbs 3:16-8

is just the answer. What a joy it is for someone to walk into our shul and see a tribute in honor of his/her Bar or Bat Mitzvah, special birthday, anniversary, or wedding. Order forms are in the synagogue office and lobby. Minimum donation $254 18

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!

YOM HULEDET SAMEAH!

Anniversaries

Birthdays

Jack & Judy Buns Ellen Podgor & Cheryl Segal Dr. Mark & Noelle Walters Dr. Craig & Tertia Kunins Aaron & Helen Applefield Dr. Jimmy & Robin Post Jeffrey & Jessica Strait Carl & Gail Rubinsky Joe & Eva Fuchs Dr. Michael & Leisa Zimmer Herb & Sandy Brasch Larry & Helen Freid Dr. David & Vicki Greenfield Samuel & Beulah Steel Dr. David & Rachel Wein Dr. Stanley & Nancy Rosenberg

6 17 19 22 24 24 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 29 30 31

Eliot Dantowitz Susan Scheinert Diane Weiner Peter Benstock Dr. Harold Pollack Beulah Steel Philip Hirschfield Stephen Wein Sam Janofsky Eva Fuchs Rita Jacobson Lawrence Lew David Robbins Dr. Bob Sheppard Herb Brasch Jared Shenofsky Ilene Worman Jim Gordon Ben Thomas

7 7 8 9 12 12 13 13 14 15 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 18 18

Hannah Krassner Helen Kahan Vivian Lurie Dr. Robert Weisberg Ronald Yogman Ann Mark Steve Feld Louis Frey Cynthia Goldstein Pam Kravitz Rachel Domber Sheryl Feinman Walter Loebenberg Ralph Mizrahi Kim Zinkerman Dr. Irwin Ayes Sheila Knapp Shelley Lynn

Do a Mitzvah on your birthday Attend the Daily Minyan!

Other Simhas

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 for each acknowledgement to: CBI St. Pete, 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: ______________ 19

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CELEBRATE YOUR MAY BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY AT SIMHA SHABBAT SATURDAY, MAY 9, 9:00 AM

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Donations Adult Education Fund

In Honor Of

Mitzvah Fund (cont’d.)

April Birthdays & Anniversaries In Memory Of Beverly Dikman Joanne Luski Susan Turner's Speedy Drs. Warren & Naomi Abel Lillian Grau Recovery Dr. Harold & Anita Pollack Louis Stromwasser Dr. Steve Warren Anita Sher Lillian Grau Mussie Eidelman Rabbi and CBI Camp Ramah Fund In Honor Of Harold & Charlotte Goldberg Women of Distinction Murray & Myrna Rubin In Appreciation Ellen Bernstein, Esta Liz Sembler's birthday Blaxberg, and Livia Wein In Memory Of Robert & Carolyn Isakson Ruth Mauer Mirla Kremer Wedding of Adele Morris’ Dr. Ed & Vivian Lurie Loved Ones Granddaughter Shelley Lynn Lillian Grau Millie Gelfond's Birthday Cantor's Discretionary Fund In Honor Of Leo Lang Esta Blaxberg, Woman Steve & Linda Grau Cantor Schultz of Distinction Anita Helfand & Lorri Helfand Cantor Schultz Lawrence Wein & Jane Greenwald Dr. David & Rachel Wein Dr. Marc & Laurie Reiskind Betty Sembler's Speedy Gail Warren Leadership Fund In Honor Of Recovery Susan Goldstein Ricki Lewis, CBI’s Ruth Mauer's Speedy Woman of Distinction Recovery Esta Blaxberg, Women’s Alan & Susie Schwartz Birth of Rose Sunshine League Woman of Bizer Achievement Birth of Yael Golda Marlin Bill Marger, MMC’s Man Ed & Janet Shapiro Anita Helfand of the Year In Memory Of Murray & Myrna Rubin Hebrew High Graduates Amnon Abayov Essachar Abayov Dr. Mike & Sandy Slomka Betty Sembler’s Speedy Leonard & Patty Adelson Elihu Nemiroff Recovery Ed Bailey & Dr. Nancy Landfish Joyce & Eugene Bailey Ruth Mauer’s Speedy Alvin & Nita Barshefsky Miriam Barshefsky Recovery Judy Benjamin Lillian Grau Dr. Mark & Louisa Benjamin Lillian Grau In Memory Of Dr. Pat Cottrille Lillian Grau Phil & Joan Redisch Samuel & Bertha Dr. Larry & Alice Ettinger Jean Kraff Redisch Sandy Herskowitz Dr. Stanley & Nancy Rosenberg Elinor Citrin Murray Fink Mollie Fink Dr. Mike & Sandy Slomka Regina Landes Lenny & Millie Gelfond Jean Kraff Ilene Goldblatt Maurice Goldblatt Jacobs Beautification Fund In Memory Of Art & Diana Jay Jean Kraff Adele Morris Jean Kraff Lillian Grau Lillian Grau Audrey Kopelman Lillian Grau Library Fund In Memory Of Dr. Morrie & Marilyn LeVine Jean Kraff Lillian Grau Dolores Diamond Helen Fait Jeff & Diane Litt William Litt Bev Sherman Lillian Grau Cindy Rubin Mike Richman Jean Kraff Jean & Harry Kraff Minyan Fund In Honor Of Sandra Sherman Jean Kraff Bob & Rhonda Sattin Daily Minyan Elaine Kleinmetz Norman Tauberg Francie, Keith, & Schreiber Family Jean Kraff In Memory Of Beatrice Schaikowitz Jean Kraff Bob & Rhonda Sattin Bob’s Father Arlene Rothman Lillian Grau Mitzvah Fund In Honor Of Bay Vista Hospitality Committee Camille Flashman Dr. Harold & Anita Pollack Lillian Grau Akif Abayev In Appreciation Bennett & Randi Rabin Meyer Miller Audrey Kopelman In Appreciation Dr. Marc & Laurie Reiskind Sandy Herskowitz Rose Sutton Misheberach

Eileen Richman

Ellen Bernstein

Dr. Pat Cottrille

In Honor Of

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Donations

Mitzvah Fund (cont’d.)

In Memory Of

David & Teddi Robbins Ilona Sakovich Alan & Susie Schwartz Greg & Liz Sembler Joel & Betty Shane Anita Sher Dr. Mike & Sandy Slomka Martha Terry

Annette Robbins Lev Pleskov Lillian Grau Jean Kraff Lillian Grau Lillian Grau Jill Engelman Lillian Grau Barbara & Manuel Stein

Pauline Rivkind Fund

In Memory Of

Jeremy & Rebecca Douglass Lee Shenofsky

Seymour Zapen Mark Shenofsky

Prayer Book Fund

In Memory Of

Dr. Arthur & Bebby Marlin

Eva Marlin

PRTT Fund

In Honor Of

Ed & Janet Shapiro

Anita Helfand's Speedy Recovery

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Honor Of

USY Fund

In Honor Of

Anonymous

Jerry Gilbert's Speedy Recovery In appreciation to Rabbi Luski for attending to mother's funeral Rabbi Luski Misheberach for Robert Sundick In Appreciation Rose Sunshine Bizer’s Baby Naming Esta Blaxberg In appreciation of special recovery prayers CBI's Women of Distinction Sandi Rodman's Birthday

Steve & Linda Grau

Ruth Mauer's Speedy Recovery Birth of Max Ava Melker

Steve & Linda Grau Anita Helfand & Lorri Helfand Robert & Carolyn Isakson Wayne & Sue Bizer Eileen Richman Murray & Myrna Rubin Shirley Sommella

In Memory Of Janet Augenbraun Sylvia Ayes Barbara Bernstein Esta Blaxberg Beverly Dikman Larry & Sheryl Feinman Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Joel & Ellen Goetz Anita Helfand & Lorri Helfand

Jean Kraff Lillian Grau Lillian Grau Samuel Bernstein Jean Kraff Fred Berger Jean Kraff Perry E. Gaby Sandy Herskowitz Jean Kraff Lillian Grau Lillian Grau Lillian Solomon

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund In Memory Of (cont’d.)

Sharon Koenig Bob & Elaine Lachter Larry & Aldena Lew Yvette Lew Ruth Mauer Tracy Benstock Solomons Judy Moore Allen & Betty Polon Sharron Scott Don & Jane Silverberg Shirley Sommella Claire Weinstein

Rita Jacobson

Gladys Koenig Anna Lachter Lillian Grau Lillian Grau Karen Goldblatt Murburg Lillian Grau Jean Kraff Dr. Gary Norris Philip Katz Jack Polon Lena Lew Lillian Grau John Sommella William & Minnie Berman Jeffrey & Barbara Dissin Samuel & Elizabeth Weinstein Stanley Weinstein

In Memory Of Drs. Warren & Naomi Abel Rita Jacobson Sharon Koenig Bruce & Mary Ann Marger Ruth Mauer

David Alpert Roz Melker David Dotson Jean Kraff Lillian Grau Florence Veniar

USY Pilgrimage Fund

In Honor Of

Connie Simon

Laurie Reiskind's 50th Birthday Ruth Mauer

Murray & Myrna Rubin

In Memory Of Shelley Lynn Frank & Arlene Moss

Lillian Grau Norman & Raela Moss

Yizkor Appeals (through April 22) Akif Abayev Michael Bender & Robin Perlman David & Irene Beyth Pearl Brook Dr. Pat Cottrille Beverly Dikman Rachel Domber Dr. Greg Engelman Dr. Larry & Sheryl Feinman Joe & Eva Fuchs Dr. Mark & Judi Gordon Steve & Linda Grau Anita Helfand & Lorri Helfand Dean Hershkowitz Michael & Arlene Hurwitz Sam & Sandy Janofsky

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Mirla Kremer Leo Lang Larry & Aldena Lew Dr. Marc & Laurie Reiskind Eileen Richman David & Teddi Robbins Anita Sher Warren & Rebecca Simmons Dr. Bob & Jennifer Sternberg Susan Turner Linda Weiss Mark & Julia Wolfson Art & Kim Zinkerman Susan Goldstein Leslie Kirsner

Great Happenings at CBI

The Jews of Spain: Past, Present, and... Future?

Presented by Moisés Hassán on Wednesday, March 25

Photographs courtesy of Valerie Hyman

Dear Mr. Kauffman, On behalf of Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, Inc. and the many clients we serve, I thank you and the Minyan Pushke Fund for the very generous donation of $5400.00 for the food pantry.

As you know from your discussion with Gail Allen, this very important part of Gulf Coast is stocked entirely through donations and cannot be kept open without the generosity of individuals and groups like yours.

Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services provides services that give our clients hope, dignity, and the chance for a brighter future. Last year, we provided over 1,600 household members with food from our pantry, and 1,250 individuals were supplied with household items and school supplies.

We are committed to providing excellent management of our client's needs; helping children, families, and individuals who are in crisis, need constant care, or just looking for help improving their lives.

Again, personally and on behalf of all of us at Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, THANK YOU! Sincerely, LETTER Jay Miller, GCJFCS Board Chair

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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 ruthannmizrahi@gmail.com ~

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 polyglatt@gmail.com

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250 58th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 philipbenjamintower.org 727-347-5191 Ad sponsored by Benjamin Tower Foundation

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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

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID St. Petersburg, Fl. Permit # 618