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Editor: Elizabeth Alexander Congregation B’nai Torah 6510 Hoover Road Indianapolis, IN 46260
Editor: ElizabethAlexander
Congregation B’nai Torah
6510 Hoover Road
Indianapolis, IN 46260
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SHIVAH ASAR B’TAMUZ
The Fast of the 17th Day of Tammuz marks the beginning of the ThreeWeeks. On this day the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the invadingBabylonian army. The Three Weeks culminate with the Fast of the 9th of Av. whichis the saddest and most tragic day of the year. It commemorates the destruction ofboth the first and the second Temples in Jerusalem. The first Temple wasdestroyed by the Babylonians and the second Temple by the Romans, 490 yearslater, with the second Temple being destroyed in the year 68 of the Common Era.
Approximately six decades after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans, BarKochba led a revolt against the Romans in an attempt to re-establish Jewishsovereignty in the land of Israel. The revolt, while successful at first, was bitterlycrushed with the fall of the city of Betar, which also took place on the 9th day of Av,in the year 135. In subsequent centuries, Tishah B’Av became identified with otherJewish tragedies. For example, it was on Tishah B’Av, 1492, that the decree issuedby King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain went into effect. The decreeordered the expulsion of all Jews from Spain on the 9th Day of Av, the alternativesbeing only death or conversion to Christianity. Three-hundred thousand Jews ledby the Abarbanel, were forcibly expelled on that day.
The Three Weeks between the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz (July 8 andTishah B’Av (July 29) are considered a period of mourning. During those threeweeks it is customary not to cut one’s hair and not to schedule any marriages. Themourning period intensifies during the Nine Days (beginning Thursday night, July19). During this period of time one should refrain from washing clothing, althoughbabies’ diapers and other small children’s clothing may be washed, if necessary.Pleasure bathing and swimming are prohibited during this period as well. Oneshould not eat meat or drink wine during the Nine Days, except on Shabbos. Inaddition, it is permissible to eat meat at a Seudas Mitzvah; i.e., a Bris(circumcision) or a Pidyan Haben (redemption of first-born).
On Motzei Shabbos, Saturday night, Jul 21, when reciting Havdalah oneshould use beer or juice rather than wine due to the prohibition against drinkingwine at that time. If one does not have beer or juice, then the Havdalah should berecited as usual, over wine, but given to a child to drink. If one uses beer or juice,then the blessing to be recited is Shehacol.
Rabbi’s Corner
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On Tishah B’Av evening (Saturday night, July 28), following MaarivServices, Megillas Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, is read in the traditionalmournful tune associated with it. Following services in the evening as well as in themorning, the Kinos Liturgy is recited while sitting on the ground or on low stools.To emphasize the mournful nature of the day, it is customary to remove the curtainfrom the Holy Ark and the covers from the readers’ tables, providing a starkappearance. As a rule, the lights in the synagogue are dimmed during the readingof Megillas Eicha and the recital of Kinos.
Because a Tallis and Tefillin are considered religious symbols of beauty,neither is worn at the morning services of Tishah B’Av. The Tallis and Tefillin areworn later for Mincha Services
Wearing leather shoes is prohibited on Tishah B’Av: However, there are noprohibitions against footwear made from cloth, rubber, or other non-leathermaterials. Washing, or anointing one’s self, as well as marital relations, areprohibited. The prohibition against washing does not apply to washing off dirt orthe like.
Although the Fast of Tishah B’Av ends at nightfall, one should refrain fromeating meat or drinking wine until “chazos” of the following day. This custom isobserved because the Temple burned all through the night following Tishah B’Avand through the next day. Because of this, weddings on the night immediatelyfollowing Tishah B’Av are forbidden.
This year Tisha B’AV falls on Shabbos and is postponed untilSunday. Therefore, eating meat and drinking wine is permissible onMonday morning. However, on Sunday night after the fast, it is prohibited
because of the mourning whichtook place that day. It is notdeemed appropriate to engage inactivities of simcha (joy)immediately after a day observedin morning. Bathing, washingcloths and haircuts are permittedon Sunday night after the fast thisyear but, music should wait untilMonday morning.
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Since the fast begins this year after Shabbos, Havdalah is postponed untilafter the fast, Sunday night. Before the reading of Megillas Eicha on Saturdaynight, the blessing on the Havdalah candle is pronounced. The Sunday nightsHavdalah consists only of the beverage and the blessing of Hamavdil. The choice ofbeer or juice should be used instead of wine.
The Fast of the 17th Day of Tammuz begins at dawn (5:12 am) Sunday,morning, July 8 and concludes Sunday night (after 10:07 pm), while the Fast ofTishah B’Av begins Motzei Shabbos, Saturday night, July 28 at 9 pm, and endsSunday night, July 29 after 9:52 pm. Pregnant and nursing women, as well as sickpersons, even those who are not critically ill, should consult a rabbi as to theirrequirements with regard to fasting. Seudah Shlishis will not be served in shulon Shabbos July 28. It should be eaten at home before Mincha.
It has been prophesized that with the coming of the Messiah and thesubsequent rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the fast days will undergo ametamorphosis – days of national mourning will become joyful holidays. May G-dgrant that the fulfillment of this prophesy take place speedily and in our time.
Rabbi Aha said: “The Divine Presence never leaves the Western Wall ofthe Holy Temple.”
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On Sunday, June 24, an election for officers was held at B’nai Torah. Wecongratulate the following slate of officers elected unanimously.
Zack Herman President
Benton Marks 1st Vice President (Financial &Administrative)
Richard Bentley 2nd Vice President (Religious,Education, and Youth Programs
Carl Chaifetz Secretary
Michael Aronson Treasurer
Newly Elected Members of the Board of Directors were:
Maryo Pasarel
Esti Rotstein
Sam Zitin
We wish them much success. Their success benefits all of B’nai Torah!
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Mazel Tov to Ron and Devera Gurvitz upon the engagement of their grandson, DazackGantz. The parents are Sherri and the late Yehuda Gantz.
Mazel Tov to Marshall and Anita Yovits upon the birth of their granddaughter,Talia.
Mazel Tov to the Schwartz family upon the Bar Mitzvah of Sam Schwartz.
Mazel Tov to Yaakov Bartky upon his graduating from high school.
Mazel Tov to Shoshana Bevell upon her engagement to Yehuda Leib Ross of Skokie, IL
Mazel Tov to Sebastian & Osya Schulman who had a baby girl, Tzina Chaya.
Mazel Tov to Tallia Berday-Sacks on being the winner of the Mark Pescovitz Award given bythe Jewish Federation.
Mazel Tov to Caryn & Rick Bentley upon their 31st Wedding Anniversary.
Mazel Tov to Melissa & Carl Chaifetz upon their 5th Wedding Anniversary.
Mazel Tov to Cal Shere upon graduating from Fasman Yeshiva High School. Cal is going toIsrael to study in a Yeshiva this next academic year.
Mazel Tov to Nat Shere upon graduating from Yeshiva University. He is going to attendColumbia University Graduate School.
Mazel Tov to Noam Rose upon graduating from North Central High School
Mazel Tov to Talia Berday-Sacks upon graduating from North Central High School
Mazel Tov to Evan Hershenson on his engagement to Kimberly Korn with a Novemberwedding planned..
Mazel Tov
As we go to press we are delighted to share the wonderful news of a newborn grandsonto Dr. Elliott and Mrs. Bartkey through their daughter, Yocheved in New York. May theBartkey’s continue to have good news to share with us.
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Kiddush Sponsorsor
Seudah ShlishisMichael Aronson in memory of his father, Rabbi Benjamin Aronson
Caryn, Lizzy, Avi, Daniel in honor of Rick Bentley’s Birthday
Lizzy, Avi & Daniel in celebration of Caryn & Rick Bentley’s 31st wedding anniversary
Shoshana Bevell in memory of her father, Dr. George Weber
Carl & Melissa Chaifetz in celebration of their 5th wedding anniversary.
Jack & Sally Cotlar who helped sponsor the Shabbos Mevorchim Meat Cholent Kiddush
Ronald & Devera Gurvitz upon engagement of their grandson
Lidiya Kiperband in memory of Vaninstein Avrium Kofovich, father
Rabbi & Mrs. Raphael Nemetsky who joined Lizzy, Avi & Daniel in celebrating Rick andCaryn’s 31st wedding anniversary
Cyndy Pakula in memory of Jack Zeckel, father
Michael Povolotskyi in memory oif Zavel ben Eliyahu, father
Rabbi & Mrs. Rotstein in honor of his father’s Yahrzeit
Asya & Sebastian Schulman in honor of their new daughter
The Schwartz Family special thanks to Rabbi Schusterman, Rabbi Gettinger, & thecommunity
Marshall & Anita Yovits upon the birth of their granddaughter
Marshall & Anita Yovits in memory of Marshall’s father.
Roza Zelikovich in memory of Dora and Shimon Davidovich, parents
.
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To Our Premium DonorsHart and Simona Hasten
Mark and Anna Ruth HastenCarl & Shirley Cohen
Aliyah Donations
Amdur ShimonAronson Michael.
Bartky ElliottBentley RichardBunen GeorgeBussell DavidChaifetz CarlCohen Itamar
Cotlar JackEkhaus DanielEkhaus Ivan
Flaumenhaft GadFogelson Bernard
Frank JeffreyFrankel StevenGaffen Andrew
Gettinger YisraelGold Mordechai
Goldfarb BenjaminGreen RobertHasten HartHasten Mark
Herman AvrumHerman Steven
Hershenson MarvinHomnick Yisroel
Katz MorrisLasdun Abraham
Lee JonathanLurie Phil
Merin Harry
Pakula BarryPasarel Maryo
Povolotskyi MichaelReznik Doniel
Rosenfeld StephenRotstein, Mordechai T.
Sanders YinonSchusterman Mendel
Schwartz DrewShere Mark
Silverman MartinWeiss Tibor
Yovits MarshallZelikovich Michael
Zitin Sam
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Yahrzeit Donations In memory of loved ones
Michael & Vivian Aronson in memory of Rabbi Benjamin Aronson, father
Joseph Belth in memory of Irving Belth, father
Mary Bronicki in memory of Esther Schwartz, daughter
Toby Cohen in memory of Joseph Cohen, father
Jack Cotlar in memory of Hannah Cotlar, mother
Helen Cowen in memory of Abe Cowen, father
Charlotte Epstein in memory of Rose Greenwald, sister
Lea Frankovitz in memory of Paul Goldstein, brother
Milton Goldstein in memory of Jacob Goldstein, father
Delores E. Hanna in memory of Bernard Nickborg, father
Evelyn Harris in memory of Etta Baumohl, aunt
Lidiya Kiperband in memory of Vainstein Avrum Kofovich, father
Inge Levenbach in memory of Erna Strauss, mother
Inge Levenbach in memory of Harry Levenbach, husband
Susan & Marvin Mitchell in memory of Lee Mishulan, aunt
Benjamin Reck in memory of Beatrice Reck, wife
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Do you recognize Harry Goldstein in this picture? Who else do you recognize? Tellus more so we can fill in the facts in the next Shofar? Email your answer to [email protected] then I will forward to Rick Bentley who will determine the winner.If you are unable to email, you may call him at (317) 254-0894.
History Contest
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Rabbi Yisrael [email protected]
Congregation B’nai Torah6510 Hoover RoadIndianapolis, IN 46260
Office News Corner
The 2012 Honors Annual Dinner
Virtual Tribute Journal
All donors can be viewed
At
Virtual Tribute Journal
Executive Board Officers2012-2013
PRESIDENTMR. ZACH HERMAN
1ST VICE PRESIDENTMR. BENTON MARIKS
2ND VICE PRESIDENTDR. RICHARD BENTLEY
SECRETARYMR. CARL CHAIFETZ
TREASURERMR. MICHAEL ARONSON
Phone: 317 253 5253Fax: 317 253 5459E-mail: [email protected]
Greetings,
Summer is here, flowers are growing at the Shul, thegrounds are looking wonderful. We have volunteersworking in the heat. However, there is one volunteerthat stands out – Bob Green spends hours on groundcare. Thank you Bob.
Also, thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Zelikovitch for alltheir help.
And while we are on the subject of landscaping, aspecial thank you is also extended to Dr. Bentley forhis planting Aravah (willow) bushes.
By the way, if my car is not here, I may have walkedto work!
Try to stay cool,
Elizabeth Alexander
