Weekly News and Updates, June 7, 2011
Maury L Schwartz , beloved father of Radhika Schwartz, Deborah Pogel, Judy Oberer, and David Schwartz passed away on May 30th at his home in Skokie, Illinois. A memorial service will be held in Fairfield at the Pogel residence on June 9th, this Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, followed by refreshments. All are welcome. The address is 906 E Monroe, 1 block south of the old hospital.
During Maury’s 60 year involvement in Jewish studies, he served as education director for Jewish congregations in Omaha, NE, Kansas City, MO, Miami Beach, FL, and Naperville, IL. He worked successfully to upgrade in-service teacher education programs, raise standards for all religious teacher qualifications, and was instrumental in the development of the Community High School of Jewish Studies. He created a special education class for religious school youngsters regardless of congregational affiliation, a first in his era. He also had a long career as director of the adolescent department at Chicago Read Mental Health Center and a private practice in counseling and therapy.
He especially cherished his children, was a loving grandfather, devoted uncle and friend. Maury was a righteous man, a solace to many and a blessing to all.
The family asks those who wish to honor Maury to make a contribution to the beautification fund of Congregation Beth Shalom in Fairfield; to be used to plant trees and expand the gardens.
Please send contributions to:
Congregation Beth Shalom
c/o 200 W. Washington
Fairfield, IA 52556
Shabbat Services 8:00 p.m., Friday Evening, June 10 (Sivan 8)
Service will begin at 8:00 p.m. at Beth Shalom on Friday, June 10.
Shabbat Candle Lighting Times for Fairfield
Shabbat (candle lighting) begins at 8:21 p.m. on Friday, June 10. Shabbat ends (Havdalah begins) Saturday, 9:31 p.m. in Fairfield.
Shavuot Services in Iowa City, Des Moines on Wednesday, June 8
After Pesach, the Festival of Freedom (“Let my people go…”), comes Shavout, the Festival of Responsibility (“…that they should serve Me.”) – the giving of the Torah. It is customary on Shavuot to study Torah long into the (first) night (Tuesday evening June 7); to decorate the home with flowers, fruits and greens; to eat a festive dairy meal; and to attend a Torah reading of the Ten Commandments.
To participate in the 3323rd giving of the Torah on Wednesday, June 8, here are the schedules for a couple places in Iowa:
Iowa City: Chabad of Iowa City, 420 East Jefferson Street • Iowa City, IA 52245
Reading 1, 11:00 a.m.
Reading 2, 5:00 p.m.
Followed by a dairy buffet
More info: (319) 358-1323 or http://www.chabadiowacity.com/
Des Moines: Judaic Resource Center, 943 Cummins Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50312
Reading at 11:00 a.m.
Followed by a dairy Kiddish
an RSVP would be helpful: (515) 277-1770 or Jcrspark@msn.com
Yizkor Service Thursday at Beth Shalom, June 9 for 2nd Day of Shavuot, at 1:10 p.m.
There will be a Yizkor Service at Beth Shalom on Thursday, June 9 for 2nd Day of Shavuot, at 1:10 p.m.
Yizkor, a special memorial prayer for the departed, is recited in the synagogue four times a year, following the Torah reading on the last day of Passover, on the second day of Shavuot, on Shemini Atzeret and on Yom Kippur.
Yizkor, in Hebrew, means “Remember.” It is not only the first word of the prayer, it also represents its overall theme. In this prayer, we implore G-d to remember the souls of our relatives and friends that have passed on.
When we recite Yizkor, we renew and strengthen the connection between us and our loved ones, bringing merit to the departed souls, elevating them in their celestial homes.
The main component of Yizkor is our private pledge to give charity following the holiday in honor of the deceased. By giving charity, we are performing a positive physical deed in this world, something that the departed can no longer do.
The soul gains additional merit if the memory of its good deeds spur their loved ones to improve their ways.
Mazel Tov:
to Suzannah Schindler
Suzannah Schindler, daughter of Rich and June Schindler, graduated from Wellesley College, with a major in Asian Studies, on May 27.
to Taddy Blecher & Annie Falk
Dr. Taddy (Adam Paul) Blecher and Annie Falk were married on 2 June, in Fairifeld. Taddy is the CEO of Maharishi Institute, in South Africa.
Other Mazel Tov?
If you have a milestone in your family such as a graduation, engagement, wedding, etc., let Beth Shalom know for inclusion in an upcoming Beth Shalom Newsletter. Contact Beth Shalom Newsletter Editor Ben Winkler at HBWink@gmail.com, with names (including parents) milestone event, date and place of event, and any other pertinent information.