Post on 09-May-2018
2715 30th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 788-3426
Office@TriCityJewishCenter.org
Website
www.TriCityJewishCenter.org
Facebook Facebook.com/TriCityJewishCenter
Candle Lighting Times Parasha Friday Night Havdalah June 1 & 2 Beha’alotecha 8:12 p.m. 9:12 p.m. June 8 & 9 Sh’lach 8:16 p.m. 9:17 p.m. June 15 & 16 Korach 8:19 p.m. 9:20 p.m. June 22 & 23 Chukat 8:21 p.m. 9:21 p.m. June 29 & 30 Balak 8:21 p.m. 9:21 p.m.
JUNE / JULY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 5778/2018
Rabbi
Jeffrey Lipschultz
dvjewish@rof.net
President
Michael Weindruch
Vice President
Maynard Siegel
Dues & Reviews
Justin Teitle
Secretary
Vicki Levin
Thursday, June 14 6:00 p.m. Farewell Party for Rabbi Saulson
At Temple Emanuel
Tuesday, June 19 12:00 p.m. Nosh & Mingle Luncheon
Tuesday, June 26 7:00 p.m. Annual Open Board Meeting
Saturday, June 30 10:00 a.m. Brunch & Learn with Rabbi Jeff
Wednesday, July 4 Office Closed in Observance of Independence Day
Sunday, July 15 9:00 a.m. Sisterhood Bake Day at Center
Thursday, July 19 9:00 a.m. Sisterhood Bake Day at Center
Tuesday, July 24 7:00 p.m. Center Board Meeting
The following members have been nominated for a three year term, expiring in
2021 to the Center’s Board of Directors.
The election will take place at the Annual Open Board Meeting on
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
All Center Members are invited and encouraged to attend
the annual Open Board Meeting.
Steve Barkan
Lee Blumberg
Michael Weindruch
Allan Ross
Kris Cawley
Debbie Weindruch
THE SEDRA NEWSLETTER JUNE / JULY 2018
Happy Birthday America
Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz
We have finally arrived at the summer and it’s a relief to have good weather even though it’s hot and
let all experience outside time. As the summer goes on we prepare ourselves for the secular holiday of
Independence Day or July 4th. Even though there is no religious significance to this day for American
Jews counting the blessing of being an American is an important aspect of our faith. The great Louie
Finkelstein the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary felt we should make July 4th a special Jewish
expression of thanksgiving for the given blessing of being a free person in such a special country. It is
without question that the US has been a unique experience for Jews in our history. From the founding of
our nation, the US represented the first time that Jews did not have to be enfranchised into the
protections of our nation and its laws, because we had never been disenfranchised.
Where Europe and the Middle East cut us out and excluded us based on our faith and culture, the US accepted us without specific
mention. We were just .03 percent of the population in 1776 just 1350 people, barely worth a mention but the fact that we were not
mentioned for good or for ill were historic in our experience.
In 1893 Rabbi Maurice Harris speaking on the impact of America on the American Jewish community wrote: Jews are emancipated in
America in the fullest sense; we are an integral part of the nation, sharing its duties and its rights, and at times indistinguishable from the
Gentiles. The religious freedom for which we have fought 3,000 years is ours at last. But there are two sides to freedom–freedom to
observe, freedom to neglect. In the Ghetto, it was easier to observe; in the larger world, it is easier to neglect.
That is the rub and the challenge of freedom for Jews in the United States. Harris wrote that in countries where we have been
persecuted as strangers for centuries that persecution as much as the Torah and Talmud has keep Judaism and Jewish people hood alive.
It is the old, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
Beginning on July the 4th 1776, American Jews for the first time in our history were able to live in a country where our freedom to
worship, study, assemble, participate and excel was no longer in jeopardy. It began with Washington’s famous letter to the Jews of Rhode
Island thanking them for their important contributions in the war for independence. Washington quotes the prophet Micah wrote: “May
the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in the land continue to merit and enjoy the goodwill of the other inhabitants. While
everyone shall sit safely under his own vine and fig-tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.” (Micah 4:4)
In America we have developed a new and different concept of government. It was best stated by Abraham Lincoln 150 years ago in his
Gettysburg Address. He said that ours was a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. What he meant is that
government is the servant, not the master of our society. The policeman, the postman, the tax collector are civil servants--they work for
you. The mayor, the governor, the congressman, our president are all elected officials. We put them there, they work for us, and they are
answerable to us. If we are pleased with their performance, they get our votes at the next election. If we don't like how they are doing
their jobs, we get into that polling booth and vote against them--for we are a free people. Our government works for us. We are its
master, and it is our servant. With all the problems we face in our system in the end it still works without bloodshed and every year we try
to improve it so it becomes more represented. Having lived in a country where elections could get violent, it is truly beautiful that even
when the results are not what we like we accept them and embrace our country as one. We recognize that we may not always agree with
what happens on Election Day but we embrace our new leaders because the people choose them.
Our people have fought and died for our freedoms and for others who have sought our help when their freedoms were threatened. I
pray that we will ever remain a proud people with our heads erect, and a strong people--with our backs straight, and a generous people-
with our hearts and courage as great as our imagination and inventiveness. I pray that we remain the friend and ally of freedom
everywhere. I pray that we continue to be the land of freedom and opportunity, the hope of oppressed peoples everywhere, and when we
make a mistake we will learn from it, correct it, and try to make it better.
I am happy to contemplate the summer and July 4th here for the first time in almost three year in the quad cities. We arrived here
almost three years ago from NJ right after the holiday and thus not able to experience July 4th with all in our community and for the past
two summers I have been in Israel celebrating July 4th in Jerusalem but this year I am home and looking forward to seeing the fireworks
on the Mississippi and enjoying this special time with my family.
Have a blessed July 4th.
In a few short weeks, we will be holding our Annual Open Board Meeting. It's your opportunity to
hear from the congregation's committee chairs as they recap this past year. It's also your opportunity
to ask questions and hear directly from those you've chosen to represent you on the board.
As I approach the end of the first year of my presidency, I have learned a few important factors. They
include: 1.) The job of President is to carry out the wishes of the membership; 2.) We have a great
group of volunteers, but not-surprisingly, many of these members do a multitude of tasks and sit on a
variety of committees; 3.) We have an ageing membership base that lives mainly on the Iowa side of
the river; 4.) We have a passionate group of members who want to strengthen our Jewish identity and
work closely with ALL Jews of the Quad Cities; and 5.) Although times might be tough financially, we
have a solid core of members who have and will continue to support the mission of Congregation Beth
Israel.
I have received nothing but positive feedback from the membership in many areas. Here are just some
of the reasons for this positive activity. In the past year we had a tremendous Rummage Sale directed
by the Sisterhood, celebrated the New Year and Yom Kippur, honored our Veterans at the annual
Veterans Day Service (one of our highest attended services of the year and guided by Gary Segal),
waved good bye to the many members who escaped the Midwest winter to warmer climates,
celebrated Passover with our community Seder (organized by the Ross family), celebrated the 50th
Birthday of our Rabbi Jeff with a beautiful service and luncheon, and had one of the largest turnouts for
our annual Holocaust Memorial Service.
We also participate with an extremely active Jewish Federation that brings in movie festivals, musical
entertainment and guest speakers to enhance our Jewish identity and ties to Israel. And most
importantly, takes the time to provide help to the seniors in our community.
I also attended more funerals than I cared to. We have trouble getting a minyan for services on
Shabbat.
However, more good things are happening at the Center. Our office is running smooth and efficient as
we discovered Ryan Colgan seamlessly make the transition to Administrator.
But several challenges are in front of us. We have received interest on the sale of our building and the
discussion of a possible move to an alternative site in Iowa. We are slowly but surely working to make
a stronger, more robust Jewish community by having conversations with our friends at Temple
Emanuel. Our Hebrew School continues to prepare our students for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and our
Joint Religious School provides a time on Sunday to learn with and about our Temple partners.
I invite you to attend this year’s Open Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 26th
at 7 PM. You will be voting
on adding and / or retaining six Board Members, hear annual recaps of the committee chairs, ask
questions and get feedback on issues of importance to you and best of all, socialize with fellow
members.
As always, you can continue to call or email me with any thoughts or suggestions you might have. We
need your input and volunteer assistance to make the congregation all that it can be.
-Michael Weindruch
BETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD
Summer is almost here! Finish up your Spring Cleaning and
donate today!
Rummage Sale
Sisterhood will be having their Rummage Sale on
August 2nd & 3rd (Thursday and Friday).
We are accepting clean clothes, home decor, household
items, kitchen items and small furniture pieces. If you
would be willing to volunteer during the sale or with set
up, please contact the Center Office at 309-788-3426.
Bake Sale
We will have a Bake Sale coinciding with our Rummage
Sale on August 2nd & 3rd. You will be receiving a phone
call soon. Please be willing to either open up your
kitchens or your wallets. Baked goods should be
dropped off at the Center by 3:00 p.m. on August 1st.
If you have any questions please contact Randi Segal at
randi.segal2@gmail.com, 309-762-4479 or Stephanie
Tansey at stephanietansey22@gmail.com. Thank you!
Bake Days at the Tri-City Jewish Center
July 15th and July 19th from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sisterhood will be baking challah for the upcoming Bake Sale. If you would be willing
to help, please contact Randi Segal at 309-762-4479 or Marla Andich at 309-738-4336.
CENTER NEWS
Welcome new members Dan and Brandi Fleming, Austin, Kyleigh, and Logan
and Mazel Tov! on their conversion to Judaism.
Mazel Tov! to Dan and Brandi Fleming on the birth of their son, Logan.
Thanks to contributions from the Elsie Kohen and Ruth Evelyn Katz funds, the
Center has purchased 104 new Etz Hayim Chumash prayer books for the main
sanctuary. The new books are now available for plaquing (dedication in honor or
memory of loved ones) at a price of $75.00 per book. Please contact the Center
office if you are interested. 30 books have been dedicated in memory of Elsie
Kohen and Ruth Evelyn Katz.
Farewell to Scott, Elizabeth, Max, & Grant Stroud, Greg & Sheri Kinman, and
Nancy Kaplan on their recent move. We wish them the best on their new chapter
in life, may it be full of joy and success on behalf of Congregation Beth Israel.
Dues & Holiday Honors
Birdies for Charity
Dear Center members,
Recently you received your Birdies for Charity pledge
brochure from our synagogue. The board has decided that any pledge by our
members can count toward your dues and or High Holiday honors.
As an example if you pledge $50 to "Birdies", that amount will count toward your
holiday honors commitment. By pledging to Birdies the Center can receive up to a
10% bonus.
Everyone benefits by pledging to Birdies, local charities, the Center, and of course
you. This is a good way to bring in some needed revenue to our synagogue. If you
need new pledge cards, please stop by the office to pick one up.
Let's increase our Birdies money this year. Final pledges are due by July 13th.
Pledge now! www.birdiesforcharity.com
SCHOOL NEWS
JRS Mitzvah Project Hosts an Overflow Crowd
The eighth grade class of the Joint Religious School organized the third annual African Dinner at the Tri-City Jewish Center in May, They were assisted in this Tikkun Olam Project by the members of the Confirmation class. More than 200 guests poured into the Center for the dinner surpassing all estimates and necessitating quick runs to HyVee for more ingredients for the dinner. The dinner preparations were overseen by Aline Nshimirimana of Burundi with help from class members Madelyn Rode, Ethan Geifman and George Rothbardt as well as Rabbis Saulson and Lipschultz. Great music was provided by Sheryl Hassell-Bennett, Neal Sears, David Smith, St. Mary's Swahili Choir and the Teranga Drum Group. A beautiful quilt by local artist Sarah Detweiler was raffled, and an incredibly diverse group of guests appeared to be having a wonderful time. As a result of funds raised, the JRS will be able to pay school fees for two deserving students in rural Kenya. The project started two years ago when the JRS students saw a video about a Holocaust survivor who had "paid it forward" by doing the same thing for a Kenyan student who eventually became a noted human rights lawyer and philanthropist. Thanks goes to all who supported this project including Ryan, Juanita and Ben of the Center staff and many congregants of Beth Israel and Temple Emanuel. Eighth grade JRS Instructor Linda Golden is grateful to all who helped her class to know that this community sup-ports their efforts to become caring adults. Anyone who would like to help but missed the op-portunity can send a check to the Temple or the Center made out to "Temple Emanuel" with a note saying "For African Dinner."
Hebrew School
2017 - 2018
On Friday, May 11th, the
Hebrew School students
participated in the annual
All – Hebrew School Class
Service. The students were
recognized for their
outstanding achievements
completed throughout the
year. Thank you to our
teachers and everyone who
attended the service for
supporting our Hebrew
School students.
YAHRZEITS 19 Sivan
Friday, June 1
Sam Newman
John Smithson
20 Sivan
Saturday, June 2
Reah Bender
Harry Leman
Bessie Geifman
Mary Slivken
21 Sivan
Sunday, June 3
22 Sivan
Monday, June 4
23 Sivan
Tuesday, June 5
Esther Carp Johnson
24 Sivan
Wednesday, June 6
Belle Phillips
Sheldon Weiner
25 Sivan
Thursday, June 7
Jewel Garger
Ben Vinar
26 Sivan
Friday, June 8
Bee Siegel
27 Sivan
Saturday, June 9
Saul Schiff
Rose Rudman
Ida Baumel
28 Sivan
Sunday, June 10
Mary Gendler
Morton Teitle
29 Sivan
Monday, June 11
Louis Versman
30 Sivan
Tuesday, June 12
Ben Geifman
Pearl Barkan
1 Tammuz
Wednesday, June 13
2 Tammuz
Thursday, June 14
Millie Blitz
Hyman Strum
3 Tammuz
Friday, June 15
Frank R. Alter
Esther Andich
Leah Feldman
4 Tammuz
Saturday, June 16
Lillian Geifman
Moshe Blaushtein
Albert Gersick
5 Tammuz
Sunday, June 17
Phillip Rubovitz
6 Tammuz
Monday, June 18
Abe Cohn
Beyla Versman
7 Tammuz
Tuesday, June 19
Dr. Eugene Leman
8 Tammuz
Wednesday, June 20
Edith Friedman
Ira J. Weissman
9 Tammuz
Thursday, June 21
Elaine Cohen
Ben Zare
10 Tammuz
Friday, June 22
Goldie Dockterman
11 Tammuz
Saturday, June 23
12 Tammuz
Sunday, June 24
Judith Gurewitz
13 Tammuz
Monday, June 25
Joseph Elman
Morris Weiner
Bernard Goldstein
14 Tammuz
Tuesday, June 26
William Lerner
Morris Blitz
15 Tammuz
Wednesday, June 27
Israel Gendler
16 Tammuz
Thursday, June 28
Rose Leibovitz
Minnie Ander
17 Tammuz
Friday, June 29
Pauline Goldman
Thelma Hanen
Robert Versman
18 Tammuz
Saturday, June 30
David Manvitz
Lena Alter
Louis Spector
19 Tammuz
Sunday, July 1
Ben Cooper
20 Tammuz
Monday, July 2
21 Tammuz
Tuesday, July 3
Louis Weiner
22 Tammuz
Wednesday, July 4
Morris Cohn
23 Tammuz
Thursday, July 5
Harrison Kavensky
24 Tammuz
Friday, July 6
Jean Stahl
25 Tammuz
Saturday, July 7
26 Tammuz
Sunday, July 8
Simeon Galex
Jack Turkeltaub
27 Tammuz
Monday, July 9
28 Tammuz
Tuesday, July 10
Steve Gumbiner
29 Tammuz
Wednesday, July 11
1 Av
Thursday, July 12
Ida Helen Rich
2 Av
Friday, July 13
Joseph Kenter
3 Av
Saturday, July 14
Milt Kershner
4 Av
Sunday, July 15
Harry Shapiro
5 Av
Monday, July 16
6 Av
Tuesday, July 17
7 Av
Wednesday, July 18
Himan Weindruch
8 Av
Thursday, July 19
Tammy Vinar
Leo Marcovis
9 Av
Friday, July 20
Morton Kaplan
10 Av
Saturday, July 21
Reeve Geifman
Sarah Zubatsky
11 Av
Sunday, July 22
12 Av
Monday, July 23
Earl Guberman
Meyer Rich
13 Av
Tuesday, July 24
14 Av
Wednesday, July 25
15 Av
Thursday, July 26
George Phillips
David Rochman
16 Av
Friday, July 27
Gertrude Levy
17 Av
Saturday, July 28
18 Av
Sunday, July 29
Charlotte Shapiro
19 Av
Monday, July 30
Ella Weissman
20 Av
Tuesday, July 31
Harry Weindruch
Joannie Geifman
Max Geifman