Congregation Brothers of Israel

PRESS RELEASE In the spirit of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, members of Congregation Brothers of Israel of Newtown, PA helped to bring light to the lives of those in need of food in our community by hosting a drive to collect monetary donations during this holiday season. As a synagogue family, the donations were made to the BCHG Community Food Pantry at Penndel and the Congregation Tifereth Israel of Lower Bucks County - Food Pantry in Bensalem; both are local ...food pantries. Congregation Brothers of Israel's members raised a total of $6,720 for these food banks during the month of December to help those who are food insecure. $3,360 was donated to the Penndel Food Pantry, which serves 150 families per week; and, $3,360 was donated to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to support the Mitzvah Food Pantry at Congregation Tifereth Israel. They serve approximately 110 families a month, with a larger distribution to approximately 90 households once a month. Food pantries are able to get more food supplies and they can better address shortages and other needs with the monetary contributions they receive. Financial donations also allow them to purchase high quality nonperishable products along with perishable items such as milk, eggs, cheese and meats. The needs of our community are much more than one person could handle alone, so we are so thankful that our CBOI family could help to make this happen, said Co-Presidents Donna Nowicki and James Wartenberg. We want our local families to thrive, so we are grateful for the opportunity to work with both food banks. Together, we will fight food insecurity and make sure meals are available to more of those families in need during this holiday season and year round, said Rabbi Aaron Gaber. On behalf of Congregation Brothers of Israel, with many helpful hands and one enormous heart, Rabbi Aaron Gaber presented the checks to the local food banks. The first picture is from The Congregation Tifereth Israel of Lower Bucks County - Food Pantry in Bensalem On the right is Brian Gralnick Director, Social Responsibility Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia with Rabbi Aaron Gaber The second picture is from The Penndel Food Pantry From left to right: Dave Marino (Pantry Staff), Bev Trautwein (Pantry Volunteer), Kathy Korhonen (Pantry Volunteer), Rabbi Aaron Garber, Fred Gropper (Pantry Volunteer) and Joyce Leichliter (Pantry Volunteer)

Elul Reflections September 18 Hineni Hineni. Here I am.... A little bit nervous, a little bit self counscious. Afterall, whom am I talking to? And what have I done? Am I a sinner in search of grace Or a saint seeking salvation? Am I so evil Or so good As to warrant this season of introspection? And yet here it is, and here I am: This time of change and correction. This heart of confusion and contrition. Oh, if I could change! If I could be so sure of myself That I no longer had to imagine the sights of others; To be so loving of myself That I no longer had to ration my loving of others; To be so bold with myself That I no longer had to fear the bravery of others. Oh, if I could change There is so much I would change. Maybe I will, but it scares me so. Maybe I won’t and that should scare me more, But it doesn’t So let me pray just this: Let no one be put to shame because of me. Wouldn’t that make this a wonderful year? Hineni. Here I am. Rabbi Rami shapiro As we begin Rosh Hashanah together (even if we are physically distanced) lets do so hand in hand and help each other create the positive change we all want and need in our lives. May this coming year be one that will be filled with joy and gladness for all! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-4NDcq8mks&feature=youtu.be

Elul Reflections September 17 Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.... Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing? The young boy paused, looked up, and replied Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves, the youth replied. When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water. The old man replied, But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference. The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, It made a difference to that one! adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 1977) Can you take a small step to clean up and repair your tiny corner of the world? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JijBMqorLe0&feature=youtu.be

Elul Reflections September 16, 2020 Rabbi Harold Schulweis wrote: The last word has not been spoken,... The last sentence has not been written, The final verdict is not in. It is never too late To change my mind, My direction, to day no to the past And yest to the future, To offer remorse, To ask and give forgiveness. It is never too late To start over again, To feel again To love again To hope again. . . Does Rabbi Schulweis’s poem reflect a valid point of view about human nature? Can you say no to the past and yes to the future? Can you feel again, hope again and love again? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC5ZBXW9IUE&feature=youtu.be

Elul Reflections September 15, 2020 Avinu Malkeinu, have mercy on us, answer us, for our deeds are insufficient; deal with us charitably and lovingly, and redeem us.... Perhaps one of the more popular prayers found in our Mahzor. The images of God as our parent, and our sovereign are central to the theology of the High Holidays. When you think of Avinu (our Parent) what do you learn about yourself? And when you thnk of Malkeinu (our Sovereign) what are you reminded of? Perhaps one way to look at these two images is that parent represents for many of us a sense of closeness and protection while the image of a sovereign is the image of justice and distance from us. As we enter the new year, we try to reflect on the past with the subjectivity that comes from closeness and the objectivity of distance to create a clearer picture of what we need most in our work toward repentance. Can you explore your life with both subjectivity and objectivity? If so, what do you find? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxuBqf-q7Fw&feature=youtu.be

Elul Reflections September 14, 2020 In the religious poem, B’Yom Din, we ask, who is the voice of truth on the Day of Judgement and who pronounces the rules of justice?... Upon setting out to create the world, God thought: If I create the world through my attribute o fmercy, then sinners will be plentiful; if I create the world through My attribute of justice, then how will the world endure? I will create the world with a mixture of both attributes and hope that will be able to endure. As we get closer to the holidays and the new year, how will we mix the Divine attributes of justice and mercy to help the world endure? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TJU2zNYq_o&feature=youtu.be