2715 30th Street

Rock Island, IL 61201

(309) 788-3426

E-mail

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

E-mail

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.

JEWISH FEDERATION

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