Chai Times - March

CHAI TIMES at CBI CHAI TIMES at CBI March March

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Index March Calendar April Calendar Messages: Rabbi Weintraub Cantor Schultz / Italian Shabbat Dinner Director of Lifelong Learning, Maureen Sechan The Decorating Committee Young at Art / Jewish Thought at Jo-Els Biking with Rabbi / Scholar in Residence Celebratory Kiddush / Hadassah Book Club World Wide Wrap 80's Purim Weekend Guess Who’s Coming To Shabbas? Guess Who Came To Shabbas / Misheberach Announc. Virtual Purim Bingo Bash Coffee Talk With Rabbi / Young Professionals American Jewish Heroes / Lunch & Learn Jews & Brews / Israeli Dancing Rosh Chodesh / Teddy Bear Purim Nefesh Moutain Concert ADL Announcement Hadassah Announcement Purim Carnival CBI Library CBI Birthdays CBI Anniversaries 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 - 23 24 25 26 27 28

March

Torah at 10 (Zoom)

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Simcha Shabbat Morning Service

Family Shabbat and Youth Service

PRTT Religious School

Wise AgingLIBRARY

Intro to Judaism ( AS )

Israeli Dancing

Rosh Chodesh Women's Group

Intro to Judaism ( CBS )

Coffee talk with Rabbi

Sisterhood General Meeting

Young Professionals class

Torah at 10 (Zoom)

Shabbat Morning Service Jewish Thought at Jo-El's

Biking with the Rabbi

Torah at 10 (Zoom)

Kabbalat Shabbat Service Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Shabbat Morning Service

Some of Us: Meet American Jewish Heroes

Israeli Dancing Israeli Dancing

Purim Service

Purim Spiel, Reading, Kid's Activities

PRTT Religious School

Israeli Dancing

3 10 17 24 31

PRTT Religious School

Israeli Dancing

Chevra Kadisha Dinner

Wise AgingLIBRARY

Lunch with the Rabbi

Intro to Judaism ( CBS )

Coffee talk with Rabbi

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class

Jews & Brews Shabbat Morning Service

Torah at 10 (Zoom)

Totally 80s Purim

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Torah at 10 (Zoom) Shabbat Dinner

Marjorie Lehman - Scholar in Residence Shabbat Weekend

Sun

8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30 6 7 5 4 13 14 12 11 20 21 19 18 27 28 26 25 1

Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat 2

PRTT

Sisterhood Event

Israeli Dancing

PRTT

Rosh Chodesh Women's Group

Some of Us:

Meet American Jewish Heroes

Wise Aging

PRTT Parent Education Class

Israeli Dancing

Lunch with the Rabbi Coffee talk with Rabbi Young Professionals class Battling Terrorism & Antisemitism

Torah at 10 Jewish Thought At Jo-Els

Men's Club Shabbat Dinner

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Torah at 10

Men's Club & Simcha Shabbat Morning Service

Family Shabbat and Youth Service Shabbat Morning Service

Shabbat on the Road Service

Wise Aging

Erev Pesach Pesach

CBI Second Night Seder

PRTT Pesach Yizkor

Yom Tov Service Pesach Yom Tov Services Pesach Yom Tov Services

Men's Club Passover BBQ

Coffee talk with Rabbi Jews & Brews Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class Israeli Innovations

Torah at 10

Shabbat Morning Service

Junior Congregation and Tot Shabbat

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Pesach Chol Hamoed Pesach

Chol Hamoed Pesach

Torah at 10

Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Chol Hamoed Pesach

Shabbat Morning Service

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30 1 6 5 4 13 12 11 20 19 18 27 26 25 3 10 17 24 7 14 21 28

April

Turning our clothes of mourning into clothes of joy

Each morning we recite Psalm 30. It is known as a psalm of Hanukkah, of dedication, yet it is part of the daily liturgy. Among its powerful lines is the acknowledgment that weeping may come at night, but that joy comes in the morning. It is a reminder that each day is a new opportunity. It is a reminder of one of the greatest blessings of this world, and also one of its challenges, that tomorrow is another day. As our sages taught: this, too, shall pass, Gam Zeh Yaavor.

That lesson is one that needs continual reminder, that needs continual support. We forget its blessing, and we forget its curse. The month of February at CBI included great celebration. Five years and one day from my installation as the Rabbi of CBI we welcomed Nefesh Mountain back. Once again they brought incredible joy and hope to our community. Once again, they inspired us sharing a vision of love and peace through their beautiful music.

As my six year at CBI continues I look ahead to the festival of Purim and welcoming back our tradition of having a scholar in residence Shabbaton. And this way, we fulfill my vision of our synagogue: to be a house of study, a house of prayer and a house of community. Purim reminds us that the world can change in an instant. It reminds us this for good, for evil, and all that is in between. It reminds us, as Psalm 30 does, that we can turn our moments of sadness into moments of gratitude and joy. I pray that you will enjoy all of our Purim celebrations this year, which feels so much more necessary in a world that seems to discount Jewish identity. It is in times like these, when we must be proud of who we are.

At the end of the month we welcome Professor Marjorie Lehman. One of my favorite professors at JTS, she brings an energy to the study of Jewish life and Jewish texts. I hope that you’ll join us for study, for Shabbat meals, for building community together. As we enter the second month of Adar, let us increase joy!

The holiday of Purim is a time when many things appear backwards. Think about all the backward things we do. Rather than sitting in solemn prayer, the synagogue is filled with raucousness. Our reading of sacred text is marked not by pious study but by noisy distraction, lest we hear Haman’s name. Silliness overturns seriousness, costumes and noisemakers overturn decorum, and parody overturns strictness.

The Megillah itself has many “backward” themes. The King’s power is exceeded by his minister’s. The Queen overrules the King, refusing his invitation. Everyone bows, including (we presume) all of the other Jews, except Mordechai, who remains upright. And Haman, rather than feeling satisfied that everyone has bowed low before him, sees only the single Jew, Mordechai, who remains upright. Esther at first refuses to get involved on behalf of the Jews, then turns around and speaks directly to the King. Haman, who thinks he is being honored by the King, ends up establishing the celebration for Mordechai, his arch enemy. And Haman turns out to be the one who is hung on his very own gallows.

Come join us as we read the Megillah from beginning to end – that will be “forward” –and see if we can be so crazy that we can’t tell what’s forward and what’s backward.

Hag Purim Sameah, Cantor Jonathan Schultz

A recent discussion in PRTT revolved around a topic that surprisingly doesn’t come up frequently. We spend a great deal of time discussing middot, Jewish ethics and values, comparing traditional text studies to the way these values occur in our students’ lives and their reaction to these situations that connects them in a Jewish way. We routinely connect biblical history to current holiday rituals and discuss how we practice them today. Amazingly, the subject of God and belief in God doesn’t come up very often. When I raised the topic recently by asking our fourth through seventh graders “Do you have a relationship with God?” the students’ reactions varied between confused, uncomfortable, defiant, and silent. While the students ultimately enjoyed a deep conversation about God—“God is like Jiminy Cricket: Always let your conscience be your guide.” I wasn’t surprised by their reactions. Psychologists say that abstract thinking doesn’t develop until ages 11 to 16. Abstract reasoning skills can develop earlier through culture, experience, and teaching, and young children can have an understanding of the underlying lessons in a story, for example.

At this age, and earlier, kids use symbols, rituals, and behavior as a concrete connection to God: “God wants us to be good by doing mitzvot like giving tzedakah.” Our students are well able to understand their deeds and behavior as Jewish values in action, even if they’re unclear about their developing relationship to God. Even for adults who don’t believe in God the Torah is still symbolic of a Jewish connection, a recipe for living a good and ethical life.

Purim is approaching, and God isn’t mentioned in Megillat Esther, a fact that has led to lots of discussion. We know about the hints that exist to indicate the presence of God, and abstract reasoning teaches us the underlying lesson that anti-semitism must be confronted. We read about Mordecai’s behavior and his commitment to his Jewish heritage, and Esther’s sacrifice and reliance on communal prayer for courage. The story of Purim is a story of action with symbols hinting at the abstract presence of God which elevates the purpose of the characters.

“God is hiding in the world. Our task is to let the divine emerge from our deeds.” (Abraham Joshua Heschel, God in Search of Man.)

A message from the decorating committee

Congregation B’nai Israel is embarking upon our Operation Upgrade project. We have been getting multiple bids for flooring, wallcoverings (wallpaper or paint), refinishing our wood doors throughout the building, & new plumbing in our bathrooms.

We have been working with a decorator as we did 25 years ago to guide us properly. We have had multiple meetings since December with the committee and then Kelly Taaffe , our decorator.

This renovation will take place in stages because of donations that were spread out over multiple years. In another month, you will start seeing people around the building doing various tasks. However, most of the initial work will be done over the summer when the building is not being used as much.

We have notified the staff about purging items they do not need to make this project easier. We also are going to need volunteers who want to be involved by helping us make sure the sub-contractors show up and are doing what they should be doing with assistance from the decorating committee. If you have any interest in volunteering, please call Harry Heuman or Allison in the office.

Any questions, you can call anyone on the committee.

Thanks,

Susie Schwartz, Stephanie Stein, Louisa Benjamin, Marilyn Benjamin, Susie Berman & Harry Heuman

World Wide Wrap

DATE SAVE THE 8 's

PURIMII WEEKEND

SATURDAY MARCH 23

SUNDAY MARCH 24

COME DRESSED IN YOUR BEST 1980S COSTUME

JOIN US FOR MA’ARIV, HAVDALAH AND MEGILLAH READING FOLLOWED BY AN 80S THEMED HAPPY HOUR. WE WILL SING KARAOKE AND SHARE SNACKS, COCKTAILS, AND MOCKTAILS! PROGRAM CONCLUDES BY 11PM AND IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

(727) 381-4900

ASSISTANT@CBISTPETE.ORG

JOIN US FOR A CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST BEFORE MORNING MINYAN FOLLOWED BY THE MEGILLAH READING AND SPIEL, THEN A COSTUME PARADE AND A HOT DOG LUNCH. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL AGES!

Guess Who’s Came To SHabbas

Guests for Guess Who’s

Coming to Shabbat Dinner

The Reiskind’s hosted Janice and David LeVine, Lauren and Mason Salit and a couple new to our area, Elise and Craig Goldstein for Shabbat dinner on 2/16.

at the home of Kathleen Buns are Willow Dantowitz, Bonnie Halprin, Michael Barth, Maureen Shacter, Eva Gutman, Josh Gutman (snow birds from Rhode Island) and not pictured Meryl Lasher and Matthew Friedman.

The misheberach list will be refreshed over Passover. Please submit the names you want to keep on the list. All other names will be removed. -

Please contact assistant@cbistpete.org

Nefesh Moutain Concert

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism, and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

ABOUT ADL RESOURCES

ADL STANDS WITH ISRAEL

ADL FLORIDA

M O N D A Y , M A R C H 2 5 , 2 0 2 4 7 : 0 0 P M FEATURING SARAH EMMONS ADL FLORIDA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

IN ANTISEMITISM: JOIN ADL FLORIDA FOR A BRIEFING ON THE CHALLENGES NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY CONGREGATION SCHAARI ZEDEK

W SWANN AVE, TAMPA, FL 33609 FREE ADMISSION CLICK HERE TO RSVP

RESPONDING TO THE SURGE

3303

ABOUT SARAH

Sarah Emmons is Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Florida’s Regional Director. In this capacity, she leads Florida’s anti-hate efforts which include responding to antisemitic and hateful incidents, delivering anti-bias programming in schools, college, and workplaces, as well as leading advocacy efforts that protect marginalized communities. Prior to joining the ADL team as Florida Regional Director, Sarah was the Executive Director of Achieve Miami, an education non-profit that seeks to close opportunity gaps for under-resourced youth. Sarah has also served as the Managing Director of Radical Partners, where she provided capacity-building support for community organizations, and as a Research Manager with the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab, where she managed social science research evaluations. She started her career as a high school math teacher with Teach For America in Tulsa, OK. Sarah holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College.

HOST COMMITTEE

Jeanie & David Abelson | Lindsay & Jordan August | Judy Benjamin

Stacy & Will Conroy | Isabel & Jonathan Ellis | Debbie & Fred Hoffman

Carol & Mark Jaffe | Joyce & Barry Karpay | Julie & Scott Klavans

Amy & Steve Klein | Haley & Lonnie Klein | Ilene & Rabbi Gary Klein

Laura & Stephen Kreitzer | Carlen & Jon Mines | Iris & Steven Pastor

Ellie & Joseph Probasco | Lori & Alan Rash | Laurie & Marc Reiskind

Lauren & Mason Salit | Audrey Schechter | Sarah & David Scher

Susie & Alan Schwartz | Jan & Craig Sher | Karen & Mandel Sher

Elizabeth & Jim Shimberg | Skipper & Ezra Singer | Barrie & Chuck Slonim

Helaine & Zunya Solc | Cindy Spahn | Debbie & Brian Taub

Rochelle & Steven Walk | Rachel & David Wein

Rande & Steven Weissman | Paula & Carl Zielonka

Dear Hadassah ,

Hadassah’s global End The Silence Campaign is launched and gaining momentum. We have been speaking out for women and the people of Israel for 112 years. Now is the time to speak out louder than ever for the women and girls who were brutally raped and mutilated on October 7 by Hamas terrorists, who used premeditated mass sexual violence and torture as a weapon of war and who continue to sexually abuse the hostages women and men they are holding in captivity. Weaponizing sexual violence is never acceptable. Not anywhere and not today.

Now it's up to us to help End The Silence and get Loud. We encourage you to participate locally and here’s how:

Click here for the International Women’s Day March 8 Event Guide

Be sure to Register your event by Wednesday, March 6, so National can include it in all post-March 8 social media and with the press.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/Hadassah3/EndTheSilenceCampaignInternational WomensDayGlobalEventUnitParticipation

For marketing/eblast assistance from your GA, be sure to complete a Project Request Form. Please note, all March 8 event requests will be given priority.

For signs and giveaway info cards, visit new myHadassah End The Silence Resources section here: https://my.hadassah.org/myhadassah/resources/end-the-silencecampaign.html?t#

For a Florida specific flyer with QR code, click here

Whether your group is small or large, in a public place or a private one, we all can make our voices heard. The time is now. End The Silence.

For questions, contact floridarequests@hadassah.org. If you know of others that may be interested, please forward to them.

Thank you,

Hadassah Florida

CBI Library

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PurimoffersavarietyofbooksaboutQueenEsther-forallages.