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Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Tammuz 5, 5785
Max H. Golub Ruth Greenspan
Esther Portnoy
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Tammuz 6, 5785
Elizabeth Levine Irving Levine
Michael Lesowitz Abram Levinson
Robert Murray
Thursday, July 3, 2025 Tammuz 7, 5785
Samuel Berkowsky Elaine Kaplan
Michael Levine Yaakov Sullivan
Mildred Webber Leonard Bell
Edward Schulder
Friday, July 4, 2025 Tammuz 8, 5785
Max Eisenberg Zelig Rozenberg
Genevieve Thomson
Saturday, July 5, 2025 Tammuz 9, 5875
Evelyn Gruberg Roberta Licht
Jay Saltzman Pearl Arbetsman
Sandford Sharp
Monday, July 7, 2025 Tammuz 11, 5785
Frances Gould
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Tammuz 12, 5785
Anne Altarescu Murray Cohen
Elaine Zimmerman
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Tammuz 13, 5785
Scott Turkel Louis Behar
Isidore Rieger
Thursday, July 10, 2025 Tammuz 14, 5785
Sheala Berkowsky Mary Silver
Fanny Asher Eva Feldman
Marjorie Fischer
Friday, July 11, 2025 Tammuz 15, 5785
Margaret Rosenblum Robert Ushman
Florence Lytton
Saturday, July 12, 2025 Tammuz 16, 5785
Gladys Gordon Charlotte Berns
Abraham Faigin Eva Levinson
William Pariser Isidore Rider
Sunday, July 13, 2025 Tammuz 17, 5785
Charlotte Gilbert Leah Keiserman
Eleanore Rothstein Luba Trabka
July Yahrzeits
Monday, July 14, 2025 Tammuz 18, 5785
Murry Pavloff
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Tammuz 19, 5785
Harry Hirschberg
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Tammuz 20, 5785
Sadie Hecker Lena Hardbrod
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Tammuz 21, 5785
Hyman Moses David Silverman
Friday, July 18, 2025 Tammuz 22, 5785
Sally Pomerantz Leo Sussman
Saturday, July 19, 2025 Tammuz 23, 5785
Jerome Gilbert Sarah Leis
Judah Apsell Scott Kartiganer
Sunday, July 20, 2025 Tammuz 24, 5785
Isadore Kievva Joan Shapiro
Phyllis Wolf
Monday, July 21, 2025 Tammuz 25, 5785
Kate Pariser
Tuesday, July 22, 2025—Tammuz 26, 5785
Noah Gruenberg Joseph Mendelson
Annie Sprague
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Tammuz 27, 5785
Susan Abby Dabrusin Ellen Delson
Elizabeth Engelman Gross Irwyn Gilbert
Esther Unker
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Tammuz 28, 5785
Rachel Mullin Goldie Scherer
Friday, July 25, 2025 Tammuz 29, 5785
Sonia Schaffer Larry Stein
Murray Endick Edythe M. Sirota
Albert Rothstein Alice Zimmerman
Saturday, July 26, 2026 Av 1, 5785
Feige Tobi Hurwitz Milton Arner
Charles Sobel Frances Trest
Jacqueline Fox Sol Peretz
Sunday, July 27, 2025—Av 2, 5785
Bernard Nadle Gerald Levinstein
Monday, July 28, 2025 Av 3, 5785
Diana Levy Felice Rubin
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Av 4, 5785
Harry Ungar
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Av 5, 5785
Sophie Leibowitz Bruce Rubinberg
Thursday, July 31, 2025 Av 6, 5785
Murray Shapiro Betty Srago
Meyer J. Rider Saul Weinberg
The small sanctuary can always be opened for a quiet moment of prayer or meditation.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR VISITORS TO CAI CEMETERIES: The following procedures are in effect to visit our cemeteries.
The Erie Avenue and Workmen's Circle Cemeteries are now open on Sundays from 10am to 4pm until the end of November.
The gates are always locked during the week. If you need to get into the cemeteries, please call to make an appointment. Note: Unveilings must be scheduled in advance with Cemetery Chairperson, Todd Kelson, as well as our Rabbi. For additional info regarding the cemeteries, please contact the office at (845) 562-5604.
Friday, August 1, 2025 Av 7, 5785
Morris Zeger Charles Miller
Saturday, August 2, 2025—Av 8, 5785
Sam Rubinberg Jerome Shapiro
Samuel Shapiro Wolfe Shapochnic
Caroline Lerner Krat Dr. Rubin Krat
Israel Lerner Rose Weinberg
Sunday, August 3, 2025 Av 9, 5785
Rina Barr Libby Richland
Charles R. Miller
Monday, August 4, 2025 Av 10, 5785
Fanny Berkowitz Harry Himmel
Seren Zeger Charles Hoyt
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 Av 11, 5785
Jack Dabrusin Hyman Selesnick
Leonard Tisch Dr. Philip Jaffe
Seren Zeger
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Av 12, 5785
Harold Kieva Leonard Friedman
Thursday, August 7, 2025 Av 13, 5785
Esther Marshall Arthur Lesowitz
Friday, August 8, 2025— Av 14, 5785
Harold Gantz
Saturday, August 9, 2025 Av 15, 5785
Ida Hirshfield Esther Shapiro
Marty Kantoff
Sunday, August 10, 2025 Av 16, 5785
Marie Graber Hyman Guttenplan
Helen Kaufman Leslie Handler
Rachel Jaffe Mildred Neslin
Monday, August 11, 2025 Av 17, 5785
Dina Feigen David Geller
Tuesday, August 12, 2025—Av 18, 5785
Harry Axelrod
Wednesday, Av 13, 2025 Av 19, 5785
Mary Bordo
Friday, August 15, 2025 Av 21, 5785
Adolph Barer
August Yahrzeits
Monday, August 18, 2025 Av 24, 5785
Beverly Mark
Wednesday, August 20, 2025—Av 26, 5785
Helen Dubroff Irene Lazarus
Thursday, August 21, 2025 Av 27, 5785
Jenna Cerrato George Stangler
Friday, August 22, 2025 Av 28, 5785
Ruth Paletsky Marion Rider Levin
Saturday, August 23, 2025—Av 29, 5785
Louis Shapiro Annie Skyer
Deborah Becker Windheim
Sunday, August 24, 2025 Av 30, 5785
Samuel Nurick
Monday, August 25, 2025 Elul 1, 5785
Herman Berkowsky Harry Solomon
Jodie Brooks Harry Feldman
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Elul 2, 5785
Allen Jay Rich Louis P. Levine
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 Elul 3, 5785
Carol Schwartz Deborah Sergi
Julie Whitebook
Thursday, August 28, 2025 Elul 4, 5785
Roman Kushnirov Clara Rieger
Friday, August 29, 2025 Elul 5, 5785
Beatrice Strauss Jerold Ian Berkley
Michael Friedman
Saturday, August 30, 2025 Elul 6, 5785
Jacob Dabrusin Frieda Cohen
Sadie Feldman
Sunday, August 31, 2025—Elul 7, 5785
Alex Carmen
YAHRZEIT MINYANS
We are always happy to arrange a yahrzeit minyan. If you would like one, please call (845) 562-5604 for Congregation Agudas Israel or (845) 562-5516 for Temple Beth Jacob at least one week in advance (two weeks in the summer). This will give us time to help you find enough people.
Thank you very much.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR VISITORS TO TBJ CEMETERIES: The following procedures are in effect to visit our cemeteries
The Big Rock Cemetery is always locked. Cedar Hill Cemetery is usually open. If you need to get into the Big Rock, please call the office to borrow a key. The key must be returned after visiting.
Note: Unveilings must be scheduled in advance with Cemetery Chairperson, Ken Packer. For additional info regarding the cemeteries, please contact the office at 562-5516 or Ken Packer at 845-590-1315.
SUNDAY
JULY 1,
2025
— TAMMUZ 5, 5785
MONDAY
6
9am Pickleball
9:30am Pickleball
7
10am Walk Live
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
7pm CAI Hagbah Class
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
5:30pm Kol Board Mtg 6pm Pickleball
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
6pm Pickleball
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
13
9am Pickleball
9:30am Pickleball
14
10am Walk Live
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
9am Pickleball
20
9:30am A Solomon Grief Group
27
9am Pickleball
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
21
7pm Meditation Class
28
7:30am CAI Morning Minyan
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
2
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
8
7pm CAI Book Club
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi 6pm Pickleball
15
22
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
6pm Pickleball
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi
7pm Men Basketball
6pm Pickleball 3
9
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
10
10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
7pm Men Basketball 7pm TBJ Cemetery Mtg
4
INDEPENDENCE DAY BUILDING CLOSED 7pm TBJ Shabbat Service 8:19pm Candle Lighting
5 9:30am CAI Shabbat Service 9:30am TBJ Torah via Zoom 12:30pm CAI Topics in Judaism 9:24pm Havdalah
11
9:30am Pickleball 10am Chair Yoga 12pm AA mtg 7:30pm TBJ Shabbat Service 8:16pm Candle Lighting 12
9:30am CAI Shabbat Service
9:30am TBJ Torah Study via Zoom 11:45am CAI Simchat Kiddush 12:30pm Topics in Judaism 9:20pm Havdalah
16
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
17
10:30am Bridge Club
12pm AA mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi
7pm Men Basketball
7pm CAI E & F Mtg 7:30pm CAI BOT
18
9:30am Pickleball
10am Chair Yoga 12pm AA mtg
5:30pm CAI Family Shabbat
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat Service
8:12pm Candle Lighting
19
9:30am CAI Shabbat Service
9:30am TBJ Torah Study
12:30pm CAI Topics in Judaism
12:30pm TBJ BBQ & Swim Party 9:15pm Havdalah
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live 11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Vollyeball 6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Hagbah Class 23
29
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
1:15pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
24
12pm AA mtg 2:30 Tai Chi 7pm Men Basketball
25
9:30am Pickleball 10am Chair Yoga 12pm AA mtg 7:30pm TBJ Shabbat Service
8:06pm Candle Lighting
26
9:30am CAI Shabbat Service
9:30am TBJ Torah Study via Zoom 12:30pm Topics in Judaism 9:07pm Havdalah
31
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
6pm Pickleball 30
2pm HV Volleyball
5:30pm CAI Jews & Brews
6pm Pickleball
12:30pm TBJ Book Club
2:30pm Tai Chi 7pm Men Basketball
Dates and Times of Events are all subject to change. Please check your emails for current events.
AUGUST 1, 2025— AV 7, 5785
SUNDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
3
TISHA B’AV
9am Pickleball
12pm A Solomon Grief Group
9am Pickleball
11am A Solomon Grief Group
10
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
9am Pickleball
17
2pm TBJ New Student Cantor Welcome Reception
9am Pickleball
1pm TBJ Choir
Rehearsal
9am Pickleball
1pm TBJ Choir
Rehearsal
MONDAY 24
1
9:30am Pickleball
10am Chair Yoga
12pm AA Mtg
6pm CAI Erev Shabbat Service
7pm CAI Dinner
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat Service
7:59pm Candle Lighting
2
TISHA B’AV EVE
9:30am CAI Shabbat Service
9:30am TBJ Torah Study via Zoom
8pm TBJ Tisha B’Av Zoom only 8pm CAI Tisha B’Av Service at synagogue 8:59pm Havdalah
4
7pm Meditation Class
11
9:30am Pickleball
1pm Mah Jongg
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
18
9:30am Pickleball 10am Walk Live 1pm Mah Jongg 6pm Pickleball 7pm Meditation Class
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA Mtg
1pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
5:30pm Kol Mtg
6pm Pickleball
5
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
6
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball 6pm Pickleball
7
9:30am Beginner Pickleball 10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA Mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi 7pm Men Basketball
9:30am Pickleball
10am Chair Yoga 12pm AA Mtg
8
7:30pm TBJ Shabbat Service
12
9:30am Pickleball
12pm AA mtg
1pm OA mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi
6pm Pickleball
7pm CAI Book Club
13
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
7pm TBJ Exec Mtg
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
14
10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA Mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi 7pm Men Basketball
19
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA mtg 1pm OA mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi 6pm Pickleball
20
9:30am Pickleball 10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
21
10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA Mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi 6pm TBJ Sisterhood Dinner
7pm Men Basketball 7pm CAI E & F 7:30pm CAI BOT
25
7:30am CAI Morning Minyan
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live 1pm Mah Jongg
31
6pm Pickleball
7pm Meditation Class
26
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
12pm AA mtg 1pm OA mtg
2:30pm Tai Chi
6pm Pickleball
27
9:30am Pickleball
10am Walk Live
11am Tai Chi
12pm AA mtg
12:30pm Line Dance
2pm HV Volleyball
6pm Pickleball
7pm TBJ Board Mtg
28
9:30am Beginner Pickleball
10:30am Bridge Club 12pm AA Mtg 2:30pm Tai Chi 7pm Men Basketball
9:30am Pickleball 10am Chair Yoga 12pm AA Mtg 7:30pm TBJ Shabbat Service
7:19pm Candle Lighting
23
9:30am CAI Shabbat Service
9:30am TBJ Torah Study via Zoom 8:27pm Havdalah
30
9:30am CAI Shabbat Service
9:30am TBJ Torah Study via Zoom 8:15pm Havdalah
Cash and checks are preferred, since we lose 3.5% of your donation for bank fees if you pay with a credit card.
Please be sure to designate which fund you are donating to. A minimum donation of $10 is requested (except as indicated) to be listed in the newsletter. If you wish to send an appropriate card, we ask that your donation be no less than $18.00. For accounting questions, please contact Anna Geheran at (845) 562-5604 ext. 104.
Jacob Copans Memorial Fund
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Meyer J. Rider Memorial Arts & Music Fund
Simcha Tree Leaves, Memorial Plaques and Bricks must be paid for in advance.
Payments can be made by cash, check or credit card or through the Temple Beth Jacob website.
Memorial Walkway Brick at Big Rock Cemetery 4” x 8” brick for $118 or 8” x 8” brick for $360
Congregation Agudas Israel Programs & Events
Shabbat Services at 9:30am
Saturdays at the Synagogue & via Zoom
Topics in Judaism Class
Every Saturday at 12:30pm
Hagbah Class
7:00pm on Monday, July 7 & and Tuesday, July 22nd.A class on how to properly lift the Torah taught by Klaus Solomon. Please RSVP by July 3.
Summer Shabbat Family Service
Friday, July 18 at 5:30 6:00pm
Join us for a special Shabbat designed for families with children
Morning Minyan Monday, July 28 at 7:30am Monday, August 25 at 7:30am
Erev Shabbat Dinner & Service
Friday,August 1—Service at 6:00pm followed by dinner at 7:00pm
Special Guest Darshan:
Rabbi Adam Baldachin of Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale
On Saturday,August 2nd at 9:30am
Tisha B’Av Commemoration
Saturday,August 2nd at 8:00pm
Alex Solomon Parents/Grandparents Bereavement Support Group
9:30am on Sunday, July 20
(NEW DATE & TIME) & 11:00am on August 10 at Kol Yisrael, 290 North St, Newburgh
If you have lost a child or grandchild, no matter what age or when, come to find and share support.
For more info contact AlexSolomonGriefGroup @CongregationAgudasIsrael.org
Simchat Kiddush
Saturday, July 12 & Saturday, August 9
Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries & other simchas with a festive Kiddush for a $36 Sponsorship. Call 562-5604 to sponsor.
Jewish Book Club at
Golden Hour Books 109 South William Street, G1 Newburgh, NY
7:00pm on Tuesday, July 8
Discussion will be Judaism Is About Love By Shai Held, Part III & IV And
7:00pm on Tuesday, August 12
Discussion will be The Aleppo Codex by Matti Friedman
Jews & Brews
5:30 7:30pm on Thursday, July 30 at
Billy Joe’s Ribworks, 26 Front Street, Newburgh
Your first beer is Free! The first hour is Ask The Rabbi Anything.
How DoYou Make a Lulav Shake?
Add meaning to your Jewish life by thanking God for the blessings of the earth and create special memories on Sukkot by ordering your Lulav & Etrog set for $36.
Orders must be placed & paid for by Friday, September 19th.
Temple Beth Jacob Programs & Events
TBJ Book Discussion at the Temple
Thursday, July 31 at 12:30pm
“A Guide for the Perplexed” by Dara Horn
Software prodigy Josie Ashkenazi invents an application that records everything its users do.When she visits the Library of Alexandria as a tech consultant, she is abducted in Egypt’s postrevolutionary chaos with only a copy of the philosopher Maimonides’ famous work to anchor her―leaving her jealous sister, Judith, free to take over her life.
A century earlier, Cambridge professor Solomon Schechter arrives in Egypt, hunting for a medieval archive hidden in a Cairo synagogue. Their stories intertwine in this spellbinding novel of how technology changes memory and how memory shapes the soul.
Tisha B’Av Commemoration
Saturday, August 2 at 8:00pm via Zoom Only
Tisha B'Av is the focused day of loss for our People. It is a day of Lamentations, of destruction, of sadness and pain. We join together with words of prayer, acts of memory and opportunities for learning and reflection to share the weight of the 9th of Av. Join us along with several other small URJ congregations as we gather virtually for an observance of this powerful day on our calendar. Please register for the event by copying & pasting this link in your browser: https://urj.tfaforms.net/901?id=701UG00000PDi9h
New Student Cantor Welcome Reception
Join us on Sunday,August 17 at 2:00pm At the Powelton Club
to welcome Rachael Geier as our new Student Cantor
BBQ & Swim Party
Saturday, July 19 from 1:00 3:00pm at the home of Ken & Carol Packer
Bring a towel, lounge chair, suntan lotion and enjoy the fun in the sun.
$10 per person.
RSVP by July 14.
Sisterhood Annual Dinner
Thursday, August 21 at 6:00pm
Orange Hill Restaurant 82 Route 17K, Newburgh
The cost is $47 per person. Sisterhood membership of $18 is due at the dinner.
Gift of Life Bone Marrow Swabbing
Stem cell donors needed. So far we have 142 Matches! Must be 18 to 59 years old and in good health. Contact Sherrill Murray-Lazarus to volunteer at smlazarus@yahoo.com. Swabbing dates:
Thursday, July 3 from 2 5pm at the Community Day-Algonquin Park, Newburgh
Wednesday, July 9 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Hudson Valley Renegades Jewish Heritage Night
Sunday, August 17 from 10am – 12pm at the Federation Fun Day, Thomas Bull Park, Route 416, Montgomery,
Friday Night Shabbat Services 7:30pm
July 4**
July 11
July 18
July 25
August 1
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
July 4 service will begin at 7:00pm
Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County Events
HudsonValley Renegades Jewish Heritage Night –6:35pm on Wednesday, July 9. Gates open at 5:30pm. Kosher food options available.To get tickets, go to: www.gofevo.com/event/Jewishheritage535. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Dutchess, Orange & Ulster Counties.
Levine Speaker Series- 4:00pm on Sunday, July 27. Meet Ron Kampeas, a dynamic speaker and bureau chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and expert on the involvement of Jews in the American political discourse.Tickets are $18 per person. Sponsorships available. Newburgh location details to be given upon registration Register at https:// www.jewishorangeny.org/calendar/levine-speaker-series-presents-ron-kampeas
Israeli Folk Dancing - Dance with Shmulik! – 10:30am on Sunday,August 17 at Federation Funday at Thomas Bull Memorial Park, 211 Route 416 in Campbell Hall. Vendor Fair, Food, Silent Auction & DJ available. Register here: https://jewishorangeny.regfox.com/israeli-dancing
Meditation & Tai Chi Classes
7:00pm on Mondays Meditation
2:30pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays—Tai Chi 11am on Wednesdays– Tai Chi
Join us with certified instructor Bryon Abrams as he teaches us mind-body practices and mindfulness meditation to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, depression & fatigue. Donations Appreciated.
Line Dancing For Intermediate/Advanced 12:30 – 2:00pm on Wednesdays.
Free for JCC members, $6 for non-members Come and have a good time.
Dear Friends,
A Message From Cantor Carl Sayres
There is a story in the Talmud (Gittin 55b) about a man who throws a lavish party and invites his good friend named Kamsa. But the invitation gets misdelivered by accident to the man’s enemy, whose name was Bar Kamsa. Bar Kamsa arrives at the party, and the host sees him and angrily demands that he leave. Bar Kamsa asks to be allowed to stay and not be embarrassed, even offering to pay for his meal, or even half of the entire feast, and even the entire party. But the host refuses and kicks Bar Kamsa out. Humiliated, Bar Kamsa seeks revenge by going to the Roman authorities and accusing the Jews of rebellion. This leads to war, and eventually the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
The core concept that the Talmud is trying to warn us about is Sinat Chinam - baseless hatred. The idea that hating someone for any trivial reason leads to disastrous consequences. It’s easy to spot Sinat Chinam. There is so much of it around us. A quick glance at the news displays baseless hatred on every scale - global, national, local. Hatred of others - immigrants, political rivals, entire communities of people - has become endemic in our national discourse.
It’s much harder to see it in ourselves - petty grievances between friends or family members, subtle (or not so subtle) passive-aggressive jabs at others in our community. And in our minds, we create reasons for this - something he did, something about her. But here’s the thing about baseless hatred - it’s the only kind.
The good news is - there is an antidote for Sinat Chinam. That is Ahavat Chinam - boundless love. Boundless love spreads quickly. Go out and do an act of Hesed, loving kindness, for a stranger on the street. Even better, do an act of Hesed for someone you’ve had a conflict with. A random act, unasked for, to let them know that you love them. Does this sound difficult? Try it. You’ll discover that it’s infectious. Once you experience it, you won’t want to stop.
This world needs so much repair. And while it’s tempting to focus on the global problems and the national issues, it’s far more effective to start with personal relationships.
Imagine if the host had paused and shown kindness to Bar Kamsa. That one act might have changed the history of the world. Every day, each of us has tiny moments to choose Ahavat Chinam over Sinat Chinam. This summer, with our friends and neighbors and throughout the community, let’s actively seek these moments - letting go of petty grievances and embracing acts of compassion, forgiveness, and love. This is the heart of what the Torah teaches. This is how we repair the world.
Cantor Carl H. Sayres
PLEASE
THURSDAY 7/17/25 7:00PM E & F COMMITTEE
THURSDAY 7/17/25 7:30PM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THURSDAY 8/21/25 7:00PM E & F COMMITTEE
THURSDAY 8/21/25 7:30PM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dear Friends,
A Message From Rabbi Douglas Kohn
“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…”
Maybe.
Yes, our Temple’s most active schedule runs from September to June, and we have some quiet, planning, easier times in the heat of summer. It is time for walks, time at a pool, outdoor concerts, lemonade and chips, and wearing t-shirts and sandals.
And, it is the time when the world does slow down. Trees are growing, birds are chirping, winds are billowing, and we are reflecting. Especially, I reflect…
During summer, I try to get caught up on reading and writing. I read the light stuff – fun novels – and the heavy stuff – 20th century political philosophy. I allow my usually busy mind to think of bigger, more global themes, and leave the memos, emails, do-lists for another day.
And, I enjoy writing. I complete drafts of all of my High Holy Day messages early in the summer. Some are completed as you read this article. And, I dibble in books I have outlined, chapters I am playing with, even poetic possibilities I tease along.
As such, I ponder and imagine during summer. I invent new thoughts, outline new books in my head, reflect on how the world works in its endless seasonal ebbs and flows. It is a time for taking in, not putting out.
Yes, we still live from Shabbat to Shabbat, but even those moments are gentler, less planned and demanding. It is ok to come to Shabbat services in a loose shirt. In fact, it is expected. But, the rhythms of time move more ponderously. We know that summer eventually will surrender to the late-summer rush of High Holy Day planning, but that can wait.
What does your summer entail?
I do hope you have reading and listening to concerts, taking strolls and listening to the birds, on your daily enjoy list (drop the do-list for a couple months). I know there are those who have medical matters and healing planned, and perhaps summers gentleness will offer benign support to those endeavors. And, summer travel may come along. It is nice to get away and share the blue skies in other places with family and friends.
Drop me a note and let me know what your summer looks like! I am curious – at least to share reflections and ponderings!
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE FOLLOWING TEMPLE BETH JACOB MEETING DATES:
WEDNESDAY 8/13/25 7:00PM EXECUTIVE
WEDNESDAY 8/27/25 7:00PM BOARD
NO EXECUTIVE OR BOARD MEETINGS IN THE MONTH OF JULY.
Congregation Agudas Israel Donations
Rabbi Discretionary Fund
Karla Ritter
In memory of Jacob Ritter
Leslie & Glenn Green
In memory of Irving Green, beloved father & grandfather
General Fund
Leslie & Glenn Green
In memory of Joseph Schaffer, beloved Grandfather
Paul & Michelle Sosnick
In memory of Max Sosnick
Marc & Roslyn Busman
In memory of Boris Rabinowitz
Naomi Lee
In memory of Sophie Yosem
Joseph & Ellen Rones
In memory of Harry Rones
In memory of Shirley Shapiro
Lauren Kurland & Scott Cohen
In honor of the ordination of Cantor Carl Sayres
Pamela Berkowsky
In memory of Benjamin Newman
General Fund
Debra Metzner
In memory of Sally Metzner
Sheila & Barry Silver
In memory of Anne Silver
Norman & Ellie Neslin
In memory of Leonard Handen, father
In memory of Milan Neslin, father
Lorraine Wernow
In memory of Jerome Wernow, husband
Michael & Joan Gittelsohn
In memory of Ben Gittelsohn, father
Michelle Petrollese
In memory of Fred & Terri Zelkind, parents
Barry & Marcia White
In memory of Leo Weitzner, father
In memory of Pearle Feldman, mother
In memory of Ida Faigin, grandmother
Laurie Eichengreen
In memory of Laura B. Eichengreen, mother
Stacey Lazarus & Sherrill Murray Lazarus
In memory of Avery Lazarus
In honor of Dana Montello’s birthday
In honor of Rabbi Kohn & Cindy
In honor of Ken Packer & Stacey Yerger, Federation Volunteers of the Year
Donald Janowitz
In honor of Rabbi Kohn & Cindy
James & Stefanie Kostenblatt
In honor of Rabbi Kohn & Cindy
Ian & Mona Rieger
In honor of Sheila Levinstein’s birthday
Sonya Wexler
In memory of Julian Fish
Michael Schwartz
In memory of Carol Schwartz on Mother’s Day
Ann & Jeffrey Gross
In memory of Irene Engelman
In memory of Gisella Raynski
In memory of Elizabeth Gross
Carole & Arthur Weintraub
In memory of Joseph Buchwald, father
In memory of Jacob Weintraub, father
In memory of Sarah Weintraub, mother
Steven & Robin Licker
In honor of the ordination of Cantor Carl Sayres and Cantor Turia Stark
Hyman & Lillian Moses Scholarship Fund
Holly, Ed, Rachael & Patrick Schorno
In loving memory of our mother & grandmother, Lillian Moses on her birthday
Susan Abby Dabrusin Memorial Computer Fund
Enid & Joseph Gohra
In memory of Bette Shapiro Risberg
In memory of Rose Baker
In memory of Benjamin Shapiro
In memory of Anna Shapiro
In memory of Leo Risberg
Temple Beth Jacob Donations
Cemetery Fund
Inga Gruenberg
In memory of Avery Lazarus
In memory of Noah Gruenberg
In memory of Chaim Gruenberg
In memory of Perla Gruenberg
In memory of Ruth Gruenberg
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Barry & Marcia White
In honor of their anniversary
Steven & Susan Pearl
In honor of Rabbi Kohn & Cindy
Babi Satzman
In honor of Rabbi Kohn & Cindy
Gladys Bell
In memory of Betty Lewis, mother
In memory of Leonard Bell, husband
Susan & George Levy
In memory of Sheila Pomerantz
In memory of Nicholas Ritchie, stepfather
Arnold Socol
In memory of Jean Socol, mother
In memory of Joseph Socol, father
In honor of Arnie’s birthday
Shari Franco
In honor of Sheila Levinstein’s birthday
Barry & Deborah Pariser
In honor of their anniversary
Scott Copans Memorial Library Fund
JoEllen & Kenneth Copans
In memory of Lawrence Copans, father
In memory of Scott Copans, son Kol Yisrael Donations Elsa Cameron
