CBT Hakol August 2024

Congregation B’nai Tikvah

www.bnaitikvah.org

HaKol: The Voice of CBT The JCC of North and South Brunswick

Welcome to the new HaKol

Inside

Shalom and welcome to the new online HaKol! We're thrilled to announce the relaunch of our online version of CBT’s newsletter. We understand the importance of staying connected and informed, and this new platform will allow us to share news, upcoming events, and inspirational messages with you in a more accessible way.

Besides the convenience of being able to access the current and older issues (over time) anytime, anywhere, from your computer or mobile device, we hope to provide you with enhanced content. Our goal is a more engaging format with photos, videos, and links to additional resources.

And remember, “HaKol” means The Voice. And that means it’s everybody’s voice. Please feel free to contribute articles, comments, suggestions, photos, and letters for sharing.

We want to hear your voice!

From the Rabbi

2

Cantor’s Column

3

Presidents’ Corner

4

Upcoming Events

10

Member News

11

Strategic Planning

12

Men's Club

14

Donations

21

Our New Platform

27

Schedule of Services 28

July/August 2024

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FROM THE RABBI

BY RABBI ROBERT WOLKOFF

“G-d bless you Jerry Mendelbaum, let nothing you dismay. This May you had a rotten month, what more is there to say?” -- Allen Sherman Well I don’t know about you, but I identify with Jerry Mendelbaum more than ever before. With the war against Hamas, the deterioration of democracy in America, and the rise of anti-Semitism virtually everywhere (not to mention the Mets at .500, and the Giants probably headed to the same fate), it’s been a rotten month. And with Tisha B’av coming up — the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, the anniversary of both Temples being destroyed, the expulsion from Spain, etc. July and August aren’t looking too wonderful either.

But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. It’s a little-known holiday called Tu B’Av— literally, the fifteenth of the month of Av. Back in the old days in Israel, Tu B’Av was a festival marking the beginning of the wine harvest. But even more, it was the annual shidduch (matchmaking) day in Jerusalem. We are told that on this day the young unmarried girls of Jerusalem would dress in white, and go out to the vineyards surrounding the city.

There, they would “make their case” before the young men of the city and their families. The beautiful would emphasize their looks. The aristocrats would emphasize their lineage and standing in society. And the rest would cite Ayshet Chayil and say, “Beauty is deceitful, and appearance is vanity—a woman who reveres the Lord should be praised.” One particularly beautiful custom for that day was that all the women would wear borrowed clothes so that those who could afford better attire would not overshadow the poor, who couldn’t.

Think of it. A day marked not by ferocity but by fecundity.

A celebration of the produce of the Land and the people of the Land.

White swirling dresses, à la Isadora Duncan or Martha Graham.

An invitation to love, not war. To beauty, not ugliness.

Gosh, do we need it or what?

BRING BACK TU B’AV!!!

[CONTINUED ON PAGE 8]

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PRESIDENTS’ CORNER

BY RUTH ANNE KOENICK & MARTY ABSCHUTZ

Hello everyone.

Marty and I are honored to serve as Co-Presidents of Congregation B’nai Tikvah.

While we live only about five minutes from each other and we have some different skills, one of the most important things we have in common is our love and passion for CBT and our commitment to work with you to ensure the success of our religious home.

About Us

We look forward to getting to know you and hope that you will volunteer to work on any one of the variety of committees, programs and ritual life that make up CBT. We look forward to seeing you at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services or any time during the year.

Wishing you a sweet and wonderful summer.

Ruth Anne Koenick She/Her/Hers Marty Abschutz He/Him Co-Presidents

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FROM THE RABBI [CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2]

How’s that for a rallying cry? Okay, maybe we aren’t going to be able to fan the flames of an international movement for holiday restoration. Nothing is going viral over this.

But at least, as we get bogged down in all the negativity, we can remember that 2000 years ago, less than a week after the saddest and most traumatic day in our experience, we were dancing, and looking hopefully to the future. And in this context, I should mention that as I write these very words, a new Nova Festival is being held in Israel.

40,000 people celebrating in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, fulfilling the promise of Mia Schem, one of the surviving hostages taken from the Nova Festival attacked by Hamas: “We will dance again.”

Not exactly Tu B’Av, but close enough. Rotten month(s) or no, “We will dance again.”

Rabbi Robert L. Wolkoff

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July

August:

11th – Summer Tot Series @10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 15th – Blood Drive @3:00 PM - 7:00 PM 18th – Backyard Wine Tasting @7:30pm (private home - please contact office for details) 25th – Summer Tot Series – @10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 28th – CBT Bike Ride - time TBD

1st – Summer Tot Series 12th – Tisha B’Av program 15th – Summer Tot Series – @10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 18th – CBT Bike Ride

Congregation B’nai Tikvah is Central NJ’s premier egalitarian Conservative synagogue.

Our Congregation warmly welcomes Jewish and interfaith families, couples, same sex couples, and singles into our highly diverse community.

Please see our schedule of services and join us!

For more information, please go to www.bnaitikvah.org or call the office at 732.297.0696.

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Member News The congregation wishes a hearty Mazal Tov to: Allison & David Nagelberg, on the birth of their granddaughter, Lila Lee Ehrentreu Marcia & Gary Wesalo, on the birth of their grandson, Theodore Maxwell Golner Meryl & Wayne Gonchar, on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin David Gonchar Susan & Darryl Gurney, on the birth of their granddaughter, Leah Rose Firestone Caryl & Danny Greenberg, on the marriage of their son, Joshua to Taylor Mayhall

The congregation extends heartfelt condolences to: Steve & Shelly Talmud, on the passing of Steve’s brother Jack Talmud Lynn & Arthur Biderman, on the passing of Lynn’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Terri & Al Woller, on the passing of Terri’s mother, Ruth Gitlen Steve & Cynthia Lebowitz, on the passing of Steve’s brother and our dear member, Wade Lebowitz

May G-d comfort them among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

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Strategic Planning At Congregation B’nai Tikvah, our new Board of Directors was recently installed, and we continue to look to the future along with our Strategic Planning Committee as well as to the present with all of our ongoing committees.

TO DO THIS WE NEED YOUR HELP! The new Board has several committees that need your involvement.

These include a wide variety of areas such as Membership/Hospitality, Ritual, House & Grounds, Social Action, Adult Education, Programing, Budget &Finance, Youth Commission.

The Strategic Planning Committee is looking for members to be involved with planning our future. We are working on creative ideas to keep us strong and the place to be a part of the Central New Jersey Jewish community.

The time commitment varies from minimal to extensive, your choice.

For more information, please reach out to: Marty Abschutz, Co-President, nb.cbt.president@gmail.com Ruth Anne Koenick, Co-President, rakoenick@gmail.com Mitch Frumkin, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee, mfrumkin@kipcon.com Thanks !!

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Thank you for all your tab donations and helping the Ronald McDonald House Charities help families in need. Keep the tabs coming !!!

A recap of recent events: May 23 saw a number of CBT Men’s Club members being super charged on Route 1 as we took part in the Mens’ Club regional event.

Keep an eye and ear out for more Mens’ Club Regional events such as summer baseball games to attend.

On June 9th the Men’s Club of CBT was involved in two special events. The morning meeting held a special program”Reflections: College Students Journey Since October 11th” ( see photos next page).

The images on this page do not tell the powerful words that each college student spoke. The 30 attendees were moved by their words and courage during this challenging time. Thank you again to Rafi Rockman, Alex Wolkoff, Becca Smoller and Laila Friedman.

CBT Men’s Club spent the afternoon assisting in the WAM Family Fun Day Event at the Willows Swim Club in Kendall Park. Men’s club members prepared the BBQs, cooked the food, helped with food service and collected donations of compost. A fun day was had by all, especially the children.

CBT Men’s Club Membership is only $36 and you can be a part of our wonderful organization and receive all of our benefits throughout the year. If you have any questions or ideas about events or volunteer opportunities for the Men’s Club please contact Brian Berness or Craig Cohen. We look forward to many more meetings and events starting in September 2024.

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(l-r: Rafi Rockman, Alex Wolkoff, Becca Smoller, Laila Friedman)

On Sunday June 9 the Men’s Club of CBT held its June meeting featuring four college students.

The topic was “Reflections: College Students Journey Since October 7”.

All four provided valuable insight into what’s happening on their respective campuses.

The session added more depth and everyone walked away more informed.

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Support Our Advertisers!

Hakol Advertising Interested in advertising in our monthly Hakol? Know someone who might be? There are various options for advertising in our monthly newsletter, and by advertising in Hakol, your ad is also featured in our Thursday weekly announcements, as well as on our advertisers page of our website, and linked to your own business’ website. For details, options, pricing, please contact the CBT Office at 732-297-0696.

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DONATIONS

DONATIONS RECEIVED MAY 15TH THROUGH JULY 1ST, 2024 Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Tammy & Keith Zimmerman, in appreciation of Rabbi Wolkoff for a beautiful and meaningful unveiling for Keith’s father, Herbert Zimmerman Harriet Cohen, in memory of Irving Cohen Harriet Cohen, in memory of Samuel Neustein Doris Birkenthal, in memory of Phyllis Birkenthal Lisa & Leon Suttner, in memory of Tikki and Sidney Suttner Lou & Audrey Flumen, in loving memory of Irving Bach Jill Stone, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Jill Stone, in memory of Emanuel Gandel

EXPERT ADVICE

Cantor’s Special Fund Irwin Kalet, in memory of Lottie Alexander Mark Rosen, in appreciation of Cantor’s performing the wedding of his daughter Rachel to Alex Zakim Ellie & Bill Greenberg, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Ellie & Bill Greenberg, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg The Juro Family, in memory of Susan Penny Juro Jodi Wexler Marcou Social Action Fund Joyce & Gerald Fishelberg, in memory of Sanford Gurtov Lauren & Andrew Cohen Fern, Allan & Marc Katronetsky and Ilana & Yonaton Yares & Family Janet Weiss, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Laura & Howard Waksman, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Tammy & Keith Zimmerman, Mazel Tov to Meryl & Wayne Gonchar, on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin David Gonchar Rose & Jeff Berger, in memory of Cyla Kestenman Rose & Jeff Berger, in memory of Paula Berger Neil Spindel, in honor of his father, Joseph Spindel, on Father’s Day Joyce & Joel Gerbman, in memory of Betty Stark Joyce & Joel Gerbman, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Meryl & Gordon Heit, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Cindy & Neal Gittleman, in memory of Terri Woller’s mother, Ruth Gitlen (continued)

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DONATIONS Lisa & Jeff Tannenbaum, Mazel Tov to Caryl & Danny Greenberg, on the marriage of Joshua to Taylor Lisa & Jeff Tannenbaum, Mazel Tov to Meryl & Wayne Gonchar, on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin David Gonchar Adrienne & Bruce Rogove, in memory of Adrienne’s father Jacob J. Cohen Adrienne & Bruce Rogove, Mazel Tov to Allison & David Nagelberg, on the birth of their granddaughter, Lila Lee Ehrentreu Yahrzeit and Tzedakah Fund Amy & Mitchell Schreck, in memory of Mildred Schreck R. Lynn & Arthur Biderman, in memory of Lynn’s mother Rosalie Goldberg Kerry & Gary Halpern, in memory of Barry Blum Kerry & Gary Halpern, in memory of Harold Halpern Kerry & Gary Halpern, in memory of Gloria Halpern Barry & Rena Lepinsky, in memory of Ida Piaskowski Ronnie & Jerry Levine and Beatrice, Julianne & Donald, in memory of Ellen Freedman Costello Janice & Barry Kipnis, in memory of Ivan Kipnis Natasha Rosenbaum, in memory of Sylvia Rosenbaum The Kessler Family, in memory of Dorothy Hankins Arlene & Mitchell Frumkin, in memory of Bernard Diamond Vicki & Burt Bauman, in memory of Benjamin Bauman Candace, Craig, Emilee & Sydney Botnick, in memory of Mildred Browndorf Leslie & Steven Dickert, in memory of Morton Meiskin Stephen Breitkopf, in memory of Nettie Rosenblum Fern, Allan & Marc Katronetsky and Ilana & Yonaton Yares & family, in memory of Fern’s mother, Constance Cohen Janice & Barry Kipnis, in memory of Brian Bork The Kessler Family, in memory of David Goodman

EXPERT ADVICE

Safety and Security Fund Anonymous Carole & Bob Turkheimer, in memory of Milton Turkheimer with love Carole & Bob Turkheimer, in memory of beloved mom, Gertrude Norack Janet Weiss, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Ruth-Ann Breitler Bikur Cholim Cheryl & Myron Asnis Charlie, Laurie, Daria & Brooke Valan and Samantha & David Bartels, in loving memory of Charlie’s sister, Donna Valan-Wright The Harkavy Family, in memory of Joseph Schiavone Leonard & Joyce Mandelblatt, in memory of Dorothy Mandelblatt

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DONATIONS Shomrei Tikvah Fund Ruth Anne Koenick & Paul Herman, in memory of Louis Koenick Brenda & Mark Sherman, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Brenda & Mark Sherman, Mazel Tov to Marcia & Gary Wesalo, on the birth of their grandson, Theodore Maxwell Golner Brenda & Mark Sherman, Mazel Tov to Meryl & Wayne Gonchar, on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin David Gonchar Les & Dave Offenberg, in memory of Gussie Offenberg Marci & Marty Abschutz, in memory of Samuel Abschutz General Fund Jill Aroeste, in memory of Julius Levine Marci & Marty Abschutz, Mazel Tov to Marcia & Gary Wesalo, on the birth of their grandson, Theodore Maxwell Golner Arnie Miller Youth Activity Fund Phyllis Horlick, in memory of Rose Rosenbaum Susan Miller, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Needy Family Fund Janice & Art Baer, in memory of Joseph Berezin Janice & Art Baer, Mazel Tov to Marcia & Gary Wesalo, on the birth of their grandson, Theodore Maxwell Golner Shiva Fund The Tannenbaum family, in memory of Sylvia Tannenbaum

Passport to Israel Fund Kerry & Gary Halpern in honor of their granddaughters’ Kayla Brook Morales and Chloe Jackson Morales’s baby namings Janet Weiss, Mazel Tov to Allison & David Nagelberg, on the birth of their granddaughter, Lila Lee Ehrentreu Debra & Stu Allen, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Ritual Fund Cheryl Fitzer Attas & Moshe Attas, in memory of Lawrence Fitzer Marci Oslick & Phil Welsher, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud Louanne & John Wolf, in memory of Steve Talmud’s brother, Jack Talmud

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DONATIONS Allen Karp Fund for Music Ilene Karp & Family, in memory of father-in-law and grandfather, Leon Karp Trees for Israel Fund Dot & Larry Cohen, in memory of Irving Cohen Dot & Larry Cohen, Mazel Tov to Allison & David Nagelberg, on the birth of their granddaughter, Lila Lee Ehrentreu Mark Kasdin Memorial Fund Maxine Kasdin, in memory of Mark Kasdin Shabbat Luncheon Fund Ruth Anne Koenick & Paul Herman, in memory of Ruth Anne’s aunt Frances Horowitz Lynn & Arthur Biderman, in memory of Lynn’s father, William Goldberg Adrienne & Andy Ross, Mazel Tov to Allison & David Nagelberg, on the birth of their granddaughter, Lila Lee Ehrentreu Barbra & Bruce London, in memory of Marvin Simon Barbra & Bruce London, Mazel Tov to David & Allison Nagelberg, on the birth of their granddaughter, Lila Lee Ehrentreu Adrienne & Andy Ross, in memory of Norman Spigelman Ann M. Gold, in memory of her beloved mother, Rose L. Merker Adrienne and Andy Ross, in memory of David Margolese Arlene & Arthur Cederbaum, in memory of Nathan Cederbaum Marci Oslick & Phil Welsher, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Marci & Marty Abschutz, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Goldberg Adrienne & Andy Ross, in memory of Jack Spigelman Adrienne & Andy Ross, in memory of Lynn Biderman’s brother, Richard Daniel Goldberg Adrienne & Andy Ross, Mazel Tov to Meryl & Wayne Gonchar, on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin David Gonchar William & Gail Reinholtz, in memory of Rose Reinholtz Adrienne & Andy Ross, in memory of Terri Woller’s mother, Ruth Gitlen Adrienne & Andy Ross, Mazel Tov to Caryl & Danny Greenberg on the marriage of Joshua to Taylor Alan & Gaye Feinberg, in memory of Isaac Feinberg Shabbat Together Lauren & Andrew Cohen Diane Young Uniman and Howard K. Uniman, in memory of Dr. Geraldine Prose Young

Please Note: It is never the intention of the office to leave out someone’s donation from the Hakol listings. If your donation was inadvertently left out, please contact the office and we will submit for the next Hakol. Thank you.

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MAKE A DONATION PLEASE USE THE FORM BELOW OR DONATE ONLINE AT WWW.BNAITIKVAH.ORG

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Our New Platform: Issuu

This issue of HaKol is the first one that we are publishing using a new (to us) platform: Issuu. So why did we make the switch?

Most importantly, we wanted a medium that was easy for our readers to use, no matter the method they choose to access (PC, iPad, phone, etc).

By converting to flipbooks on Issuu, we are hoping that the experience of leafing through HaKol is much more similar to reading a physical copy, albeit in digital form.

This new method of delivery allows us to embed internal links, for example from the table of contents, for continued articles, for email addresses, as well as links to advertisers’ web sites. When you flip to a page in the HaKol, hyperlinks will briefly flash to indicate that is a live link. In addition, we can embed videos and other media (from TikTok, YouTube, etc.), offering us the opportunity to beef up our digital game.

In coming months, our intent is to convert older issues to this new format to provide an archive in one easily-accessible place.

We’d love to know what you think about it! Please let us know at hakolfeedback@bnaitikvah.org

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Daily Schedule of Prayer Services Please join us in-person if you can. All services are also available via Stream and Zoom (password needed; please contact the office for more info).

Sunday 9:00 AM & 7:30 PM Monday 7:30 PM Tuesday 7:30 PM Wednesday 7:30 PM Thursday 8:00 AM & 7:30 PM Friday - Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 PM (unless otherwise noted) Shabbat 9:30 AM