Beit Haverim Newsletter August 2014

August 2014

Coming Events at Beit Haverim

Rabbi Alan Berg Cantorial Soloist Ann Brown Shabbat Services Fridays at 7:00 p.m. at Beit Haverim 1111 Country Club Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 311 Lake Oswego OR 97034 Rabbi’s Hours: by appointment

Phone: 503-568-1241

1

Family Shabbat Service led by Robin Kay

7:00PM

BH

6

Board of Trustees Meeting

7:00PM

BH

8

Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown

7:00PM

BH

9

B’not Mitzvah of Abigail & Audrey Minch

10:00AM

BH

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Ladies Night Home of Robin Kay

6:30PM

15

Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown

7:00PM

BH

16

Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Sherman

10:00AM

BH

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Family Nosh & Kibbutz Home of Mark and Cathy Newman

2:30PM

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Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown

7:00PM

BH

23

Bat Mitzvah of Edyn Pilkington

10:00AM

BH

29

Shabbat Service led by Robin Kay

7:00PM

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Email : office@beithav.org Website www.beithav.org

Beit Haverim is an open, inviting, and spiritually alive Jewish community, located just outside of Portland, Oregon in Lake Oswego. We welcome everyone to our Reform congregation of Jews by birth, Jews by choice and Jews at heart.

FROM Rabbi Alan Berg

Remembering Alvin Rackner and Russian Resettlement Dear Friends, Many decades ago I had a close rabbinic partnership with Alvin Rackner, the historic director of the Portland Jewish Family and Child Service during the Jewish Russian refugee resettlement program of the 70’s and 80’s. Alvin passed away in July and I was immediately drawn to his legacy.

It was a time of great optimism in the Jewish community, with each issue of the Portland Jewish Review bringing news of a vision of what it means to bring tikkun olam to Russian Jewry.

Alvin set an ethical tone and led a brilliant and devoted team. I recall Carol Chessler doing an amazing job during this period but I’m sure there were many others; and the results were phenomenal.

I thought of Alvin Rackner and his times in the context of the crisis of tens of thousands of children coming to the American border. Once a decision is made about which children qualify for refugee status, couldn’t the superior talents of our Jewish Family Service using the model established

by Alvin for Russian Refugee resettlement, be used to help these children and their families?

I cannot but think of the Kindertransport, sending Jewish children out of Germany to England for their survival as the darkness fell over Europe.

Let’s be a part of the team that arranges for a kinder transport for these children. I have heard similar calls for this kind of a vision from some public officials, including Governor Duval Patrick of Massachusetts. There is a great benefit in using established community social service agencies, including those of the Jewish community, to address this wrenching challenging of children fleeing across borders seeking safety.

God bless Alvin Rackner, his memory is a blessing.

Warmly, Rabbi Alan Berg August, 2014

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Letter From Our President, Sue Greenspan Ah, the benefits and responsibilities of membership…..

I believe it was an American Express Commercial that spoke of the benefits of membership. How, by using this card, your world would open up. The things one could do with this membership. The places you could go, the sights you would see. Accepted Worldwide. All because you are a member.

We can say the same things about Membership at Beit Haverim. As a congregant, wow, the benefits you receive: One of the most important benefits is being a part of a religious affiliation. A religion that has withstood the test of time for almost 6000 years. A membership in a group with rich traditions. A membership that is worldwide. You are welcomed at synagogues around the world.

Other benefits of Membership…  In times of need and in times of joy, you will always have rabbinical and congregational support. Your membership includes this at no additional charge.  Access to Religious School for you children. We have programs for preschoolers all the way through Confirmation; including Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.  Having the honor of, lighting Shabbat candles on Friday night, reading from the Bema or perhaps the Torah during the High Holy Days, or other times during the year.  Meeting people with the same interests or perhaps developing a new one.  Being a member also holds responsibilities as well: Paying dues, you can honestly afford, to support our family.  Participating in our many committees.  Pitching in to do what is necessary to enhance and strengthen our Synagogue.

As members, it is vital to the survival of our temple, that we pull together and support one another. We must appear to others as a solid and undeniable entity that commands respect and admiration. Every member must take it upon themselves to turn the other cheek, sacrifice ego, and most importantly, think in positive terms as to our people and our mission. It is the duty to our children, whose impressionable minds must be shaped to believe this creed. By empowering ourselves to this commitment, can we endure the future and continue to make contributions to Judaism, country, and family.

L’Shalom Sue Greenspan

August, 2014

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August Events Shabbat Service Birthday Blessings August 8th All members who celebrate their birthday during the month are invited to come up to the bima to receive a birthday blessing. About a week before the service, you will receive a reminder email inviting you and your family members to attend this service. If you don’t receive a reminder, or if we don’t include a family member who’s celebrating a birthday that month, please email the office to add that person to our list. .

Ladies’ Night Tuesday, August 12, 6:30PM Location: home of Robin Kay Address will be given when you RSVP to Robin 503-701-1506

Spend a lovely evening under the stars in the beautiful backyard of the Kay/David home. Join us as we sit under the fire and dine on delicious picnic fare.

Please bring your favorite summer picnic food to share. We will provide gooey s’mores for dessert and promise lively conversation as always!

August, 2014

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If you would like to host a Nosh and Kibbitz (children or adult), please call or email Sue Greenspan 503.691.0370 and we will arrange a time.

August, 2014

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Bat Mitzvah of Abigail Minch Saturday, August 9, 10AM Hello. My name is Abigail Minch and my parents are Michelle and David Minch. I have a little brother named Levi and a twin named Audrey. I live in West Linn and I am an 8th grader at Rosemont Ridge Middle School. I have been going to Beit Haverim since I was about 6.

My Bat Mitzvah is on Aug. 9 and my Torah Portion is Va-et' Chanan 6:4-13 and my Haftorah is Isaiah 40:1-3.

Other than studying and getting ready for my Bat Mitzvah, I enjoy many activities including horseback riding and hanging out at the barn. I have been riding for 4 years and I am even leasing my favorite horse, Lex. I also enjoy doing art, hanging out with my friends, and playing with my 3 dogs and bunny.

For my mitzvah project, I am doing 3 things. First, Audrey and I have started a business called Polished Ponies. Audrey and I are selling handmade horse polos to raise money for abused horses. All profits are going to Once Upon A Rescue in Sherwood.

Second, I have been volunteering at Once Upon a Rescue. Third, I have been raising awareness about the wild mustangs being rounded up left unattended in corrals or being sent to slaughter I have been doing this by raising awareness about American Mustang The Movie by speaking at many schools and also speaking at the lake Oswego hunt club. This movie gives you a look at what is happening to the wild mustangs. Also, we will have a poster board at temple to tell you more about this cause.

There will also be postcards for you to sign which we will mail to the Bureau of Land Management asking for a change in wild mustang management. You can visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

I would like to thank all of my religious school teachers for helping me learn about being Jewish. I would also like to thank my Hebrew tutors, Rachel and Sami and Rabbi for helping me learn my Torah portion. Lastly I would like to thank my parents for taking me to my Hebrew lessons and to religious school.

August, 2014

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Bat Mitzvah of Audrey Minch Saturday, August 9, 10AM Hi, my name is Audrey Minch and I’m 13. I am going into eighth grade at Rosemont Ridge Middle School and live in West Linn. My parents are Michelle and David Minch. I have 2 siblings Abby (13, twin) and Levi (10). I also have 4 pets, 3 dogs and a rabbit. I’ve been a member at Beit Haverim for about 8 years.

When I’m not at school or synagogue I enjoy horseback riding and my discipline is English hunter/jumper. I also enjoy biking and hanging out with friends or family.

I will become a Bat Mitzvah on August 9, 2014. My Torah Portion is Va-et-hanan 5:25-6:3 and my Haftarah is Isaiah 40:4-6.

My mitzvah project has 3 parts all involving horses. Abby and I hand make horse polo wraps to sell and raise money for abused and neglected horses. We also are helping to spread the word about the survival of the wild Mustangs by speaking at different schools and events and promoting American Mustang The Movie. We were also interviewed by Author Terri Farley for her new book about kids and mustangs and photographed by National Geographic Photographer Melissa Farlow. Lastly we volunteer at a local rescue barn, mucking stalls and getting a horse back in shape using the lunge line.

We will have a poster at the temple with more info and postcards that you can sign that will go to Sally Jewel (we pay for postage) asking to make a change in BLM’s management of wild horses. To learn more about our mitzvah project and how you can make a difference for domestic and wild horses visit our Facebook page and our Instagram, Polished_ponies.

I would like to thank Beit Haverim for making the past eight years very special and for providing more the opportunity to become a Bat Mitzvah. I would also like to thank my previous religious school teachers as well as my two Hebrew tutors, Rachel and Sami.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Rabbi Berg for being there every step of the way and helping me to accomplish this day. And of course I would like to thank my wonderful family for not only being there the entire way but taking the time, money and effort to help me become a Bat Mitzvah.

I am looking forward to celebrating with everybody!

August, 2014

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Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Sherman Saturday, August 16, 10AM

Hi, my name is Jacob Sherman and I will be a 7th grader at Athey Creek Middle School in the fall. Rita and Steven are my parents. I have a 16-year-old brother Joshua, a black lab named Nation and a cat named Tilley. We rescued both from shelters. The most important thing to me is my family, whether I’m playing sports with my dad as my coach and mom and brother watching, traveling with them, sharing a meal or spending time at home, nothing is better than being with my family. I play on the West Linn 12u All Star Baseball team and will be playing football starting in the fall. I play defensive tackle and offensive guard. My football team lost in the championships last year. We had a great season.

My pre-school days were spent at The Foundation School at Neveh Shalom and I have been studying Hebrew since the 3rd grade. I would like to thank all my past religious and Hebrew school teachers as well as my current tutor Sami Oberlander and Rabbi Berg in helping me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah.

For the past school year I have been volunteering at the West Linn Food Pantry after school as well as at my former primary school Cedaroak Park before school to help the teachers and staff with anything they may need. I really enjoyed my volunteer work at both places, it felt good to help others. I also helped collect clothes and made sandwiches this past winter for the homeless in downtown Portland. I will be contributing a portion of the money I receive for my Bar Mitzvah to the Ritok Foundation. The Foundation is run by my mother and cousin and is in honor of our cousins who perished in the Holocaust at Auschwitz. We keep their names alive by contributing to and giving grants from their fund to organizations such as Yad Vashem, the Jewish National Fund and Blue Card, which supports Holocaust survivors. I hope one day that my brother and I are able to run the Ritok Foundation and continue giving to those in need.

My Parashat is Eikev, from the book of Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25, I’d like to welcome the entire congregation to attend my Bar Mitzvah as well as the Kiddush lunch that will follow. I will be very nervous but excited too, hope to see you all there!

August, 2014

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Bat Mitzvah of Edyn Pilkington Saturday, August 23, 10AM Hello, my name is Edyn Pilkington. I have just finished my seventh grade year at Lakeridge Junior High in Lake Oswego. I have one older brother, Elijah, two cats (Simba and Sushi) and a crazy lab named Ziggy. My parents are Shawn and Lizz Pilkington. I love where we live in West Linn. There are huge trees and lots of wildlife. I spend most of my free time dancing. I am involved in ballet, hip hop, and jazz. I never seem to stop dancing and often drive my family crazy as I twirl all through the house.

In school, I enjoy most of my core classes. I seem to do well in math and science. This year I was on our yearbook committee and found I loved taking pictures and helping with the layout of the school’s yearbook. I also enjoy leadership opportunities. I was involved in our school’s recycling program and just recently learned I was selected as a Building Connections Leader for my 8th grade year. This will strengthen my leadership skills in working with students, staff and the community. I am very excited and eager to be a part of this team.

I began my Jewish Education at SMJC in West Linn. I then had the opportunity to expand my Hebrew and Jewish studies for several years in Portland and now feel fortunate to be able to return to Beit Haverim. I will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on August 23rd. I have had the wonderful support of my whole family and our dear friend (and tutor) Sami Oberlander. My Jewish education has also been enhanced by B’nai Brith Camp. This year is my sixth year and I can’t imagine ever missing a summer at BB Camp!

I see myself as a very positive energetic person. I love working and helping others. For my Bat Mitzvah project, I have focused on several areas of volunteer work. I have been working with Meals on Wheels, food shelters and assisting children with learning disabilities in reading and math. I plan to continue giving back to my community as much as possible. It has been a great experience and I have gained such a positive insight of how much of an impact one person can make in the lives of others.

This past year, our family returned to Congregation SMJC/Beit Haverim, and found the warmth and kindness of so many. As I have prepared for my Bat Mitzvah, I was given the privilege meet and work with Rabbi Berg. He has been incredibly kind and encouraging. He has given me wonderful ideas and support as I prepare for my Bat Mitzvah. I am so grateful for everyone’s support and generosity. I look forward to seeing everyone in August.

August, 2014

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Religious School Open House Beit Haverim Religious School Open House Sunday, September 7, 2:30PM The Religious School of Beit Haverim will host its annual open house/family day for the upcoming school year.

Come see what we have to offer for you and your family!

Observe a class in session and learn about our curriculum or send your child to try out the class while you schmooze with other parents.

Stay after the classroom visit for coffee, bagels and a chance to talk with Rabbi Berg, Sue Greenspan, temple President and Heather Kirkbride, religious school chair, as well as other parents.

Our Religious School offers quality Jewish education for children preschool age through teenagers. We also offer Hebrew classes, tutoring and preparation for B’nai Mitzvot, and Confirmation class.

Learn why kids love coming to religious school at Beit Haverim!

August, 2014

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High Holy Days 5775 The friends and family of Beit Haverim invite you to join us in celebrating these special days together. Services are included with your membership and we request non-members to make a donation which can be applied towards membership dues.

Non-Member Reservations Unless indicated otherwise services are held at the following location: Beit Haverim, 1111 Country Club Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 Selichot Social Hour Sat, Sept. 20, 7:00 PM Havdallah Service followed by Selichot Service please bring dessert to share 8:00 PM Rosh Hashanah Erev Rosh Hashanah* Family Service Main Service* Tashlich

Wedn, Sept. 24 7:00 PM Thur, Sept. 25 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Immediately following Service George Rogers Park, 611 S. State Street, Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Shabbat Shavuah Torah Study Cemetery Service

Fri, Sept. 26, 7:00 PM Sat, Sept. 27, 10:00 AM Sun, Sept. 28, 10:00 AM Oswego Pioneer Cemetery , 17401 Stafford Rd, Lake Oswego, OR (next to the Lake Oswego Golf Course)

Yom Kippur Kol Nidre* Fri, Oct. 3, 7:00 PM Family Service Sat, Oct. 4, 9:00 AM Main Service* 10:00 AM Adult Study Session 2:00 PM Afternoon Service 3:00 PM Yizkor, Neilah 4:30 PM Potluck break fast to follow approx. 6:00 PM Join the congregation in breaking the fast following Yom Kippur services. Please contact Leslie Bratschi to let her know what light snack you are planning to bring.

Continue to Join us for the holidays...

Sukkot Celebration/Luncheon Thur, Oct. 9, 10:00 AM/ Lunch and discussion to follow/ weather permitting in the sukkah Sukkot Service Fri, Oct. 10, 7:00 PM /weather permitting in the sukkah Simchat Torah/Shabbat Service Fri, Oct. 17, 7:00 PM / Followed by a Special Dessert Oneg to Welcome Guests High Holy Days Food Drive: There will be an Oregon Food Bank barrel in the lobby to collect nonperishable foods during the high holy days. Think about canned meats/fish, cooking oils, canned fruits/ vegetables, beans, peas, and shelf stable milk. Monetary donations are also welcome. Each time you come to worship, please consider this mitzvah. *childcare available No reservations are required for Yom Kippur afternoon services which include: 2:00 Adult Study Session, 3:00 Afternoon Worship, and Yizkor, which will begin at approximately 4:30. Please also join us as we break the fast following concluding services. Bring a dish to share for this potluck event.

August, 2014

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In our community Mazel Tov to Mara Newman daughter of Cathy and Mark Newman Mara has been busy in swimming this year. At the Howard Jones meet at Mt. Hood Community College she broke two meet records-one from 2011 (100 back) and the other (200 back) from 1991! She's currently ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. for 14 year olds in both the 100 and 200 back. Good luck to Mara as she heads to Senior Sectionals in July at Mt. Hood Community College where she'll race against the top swimmers in nine states. In August she'll travel to Indianapolis to swim in her first national meet where she'll swim four events--100 back, 200 back, 100 fly and 50 free.

Community News and Notables Help us share community news and notables. We'll include community members' simchas and acknowledgments of life event struggles and condolences. Let us know if you received an award/honor, earned a promotion, welcomed a new addition to your family, celebrated a special anniversary or occasion, are mourning a special person or healing from an illness or surgery.

Email Gabrielle Williams (photos welcome) or call the office at 503-568-1241. We hope to hear from you!

August, 2014

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Donations Donations help your Beit Haverim Community Thrive!

Donations to Beit Haverim can be made in honor of a loved one's simcha (special occasion), in memory of a loved one, or "just because."

Click here to make your on line donation! Thank you!

In honor of 

Donation made by Karin Stolz to all the July birthdays for the Birthday Blessings

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Donation made by Sue and Dan Greenspan in honor of Rabbi and Bonnie Berg’s new grandson

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Donation made by Sue and Dan Greenspan in honor of Barbara Gray’s mother, Lillian Yawnick

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Donation made by Karin Stolz in honor of Rabbi and Bonnie Berg’s new grandson

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Donation made by Robert and Leslie Peltz in honor of their granddaughter, Freida Wonder Van Duser

Save the date B’nai Mitzvah January 10, 2015 April 18, 2015 April 25, 2015 June 20, 2015 August 29, 2015

Natalie Goldberg Caden Ellertson Matigan Williams Zack Friedman Gabriel Horwitz

Knitzvah!

We are again knitting/crocheting hats, cowls, headbands and scarves for Lift Urban. They host a party every December for low income adults living in NW and Downtown Portland. This helps keep folks warm and it is often the only gift they receive all year. We have yarn at Beit Haverim that you can use. It is a basket in the fireside room.

Last year we were able to give 47 items. It would be great to increase that number.

Any questions, call Karin Stolz.

Thank you so much for being part of this worthwhile project.

August, 2014

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Get Involved!

High Holidays and Memorial Plaques In the year 2000, we opened our Sacred session of the Beit Haverim Cemetery (Lake Oswego) and a few years ago installed a beautiful memorial stone on which families can place loved ones' names on memorial plaques. Memorial plaques are available for $180 and are a lasting and way to remember those who were dear to you in life. If you purchase soon, we hope to have your plaque installed before our Sept. cemetery memorial service.

Please contact the office for more information or to order

Misheberachs Every Shabbat service we say a prayer for those who have passed and we also say prayers of healing for those who are struggling physically, emotionally or mentally.

Please be sure to let us know of you or a loved one who could use these healing prayers.

Just send an email to Allison at the office or call to have the name on our weekly misheberach list.

August, August,2014 2014

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Tikkun Olam A Note from our Tikkun Olam chairperson, Barbara Gold.

We are enjoying our glorious summer and beginning to think about the High Holidays coming up next month. Let's begin planning our annual food drive and see if we can surpass what we provided last year.

Oregon Food Bank needs these nutritious foods:  Shelf-stable milk  Foods high in protein such as canned meats (i.e., tuna, chicken, salmon) and canned or dried beans  Foods high in nutrients, such as canned fruits and vegetables (preferably with reduced sodium and reduced sugar)  Whole-grain foods such as brown rice, whole grain cereal and whole-wheat pasta  Soups, chilies and stews (preferably with reduced sodium and reduced fat)  100 percent fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed)  Unsaturated cooking oils  And other nutritious, “healthy-choice” foods (preferably with reduced fat, sodium and sugar) Begin to purchase these items now. We will have barrels in our building which we'll need to fill to the brim for our hungry neighbors. At the Kol Nidre service, we will begin to hand out special bags for you to return filled with food... but you can start bringing foodstuffs in at any time.

In other Tikkun news, our "Knitzvah" knitters are continuing to make scarves and hats to hand out to homeless folks in winter.

And Jewish Family and Children's Services has a need for volunteers to help with small projects. You can read their newsletter here and see what appeals to you to do.

August, 2014

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news Amazon Shopping Earns $'s For Beit Haverim Just use this link here when you make your purchases through Amazon and Beit Haverim earns a percent of your spending. Be sure to share the link with family and friends - it really adds up!

Order your Siddur Today Several congregants have requested their own personal copy of our prayerbook, MISHKAN T'FILAH: A REFORM SIDDUR, TRANSLITERATED. We have ordered some to keep in the office. If you would like to purchase a copy, please click here.

Add a special touch to your Siddur with foil stamped engraving done locally at At Grossenbacher Brothers, Inc. (GBI) located in Portland, Oregon.

Thank you to Designer’s Litho for doing all our recent printing jobs.

They have been wonderful to work with!

Designer’s Litho 14997 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road Suite #105 Sherwood, OR 97140 Tel: 503-625-5070 Fax: 503-625-7675

Community Events ORA is a group of Northwest Jewish Artists based in Portland. We are a group that supports and educates our members and creates opportunities to show and sell our work. We are currently looking for guest artists to participate in our fall show and sale, Celebration of Art, with a special preview night on Saturday, November 22nd, continuing on Sunday, November 23rd at the MJCC. If you are interested in jurying for this show, please email us. Jurying will take place September 10th. If you are an artist or person interested in art and would like to receive notification about our events, please submit your email address to the email listed.

April, 2014

August, 2014

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In the Beit Haverim Community Yarzheits

Birthdays Stefani Kalik

August 2

Matthew Goldberg

August 4

Dana Scheele

August 5

Rabbi Berg

August 6

Richard Wolff

August 7

Kim Kent

August 10

Gabriel Horwitz

August 13

Hannah Berkowitz

August 14

Michael Brock

August 14

Susan Perlstein

August 17

Elizabeth Wolff

August 17

Laurie Wiegler

August 19

Deborah Wexler

August 20

Mark Rittenbaum

August 21

Michael Callagan

August 23

Diane Lewin

August 24

Jacob Sherman

August 24

Gail L. Feinstein

August 25

Emily Anderson

August 26

Jeremy McMullen

August 26

Fred Schwartz

August 28

Alex Goldman

August 29

Barbara Gray

August 29

Jordan Yospe

August 29

Bob Silverforb

August 31

Esther Casuto

August 23

Sister of Esther Schwartz David Gold

August 18

Grandfather of Janet Sahni Rose Greenspan

August 5

Grandmother of Daniel Greenspan Leonard Mortimer Horwitz

August 3

Father of Barbara Brady Herta Julius

August 20

Grandmother of Judith Kleinstein Rose Landskroner

August 14

Mother of Charles K Landskroner Shirley Anne Perlstein

August 14

Mother of Susan Perlstein Miriam Rabiroff

August 25

Mother of Robin Rabiroff Louise Rogers

August 8

Mother of Jennifer Kalik Fanny Schwartz

August 20

Mother of Fred Schwartz Nathan Schwartz

August 26

Judith Sherman

August 13

Anniversaries Heather & Douglas Kirkbride

August 2

Paul Diller & Jennifer Evert

August 11

Jeff & Tami Sternoff

August 14

Esther & Fred Schwartz

August 23

Tamara & Adam DiVergilio

August 24

Charles K. & Sheila Landskroner

August 25

Michelle & David Minch

August 26

Carol Cohen & Cary Mallon

August 29

Roy Lambert & Mary Maxwell

August 29

Michael & Brandy Horwitz

August 30

Dena Gutterman & Lee Anderson

August 31

Ritu & Janet Sahni August, 2014

August 31

August, 2014

Mother of Steve Sherman Boris Sokol

August 18

Father of Larry Sokol Emily Takahashi

August 28

Niece of Alvin Payne and Nancy Lepler Robert Wexler

August 24

Father of Deb Wexler Jennifer Wheaton

August 24

Daughter of Barry & Deanna Wiegler Page 17 Page 17