scholar in residence weekend with rabbi irwin...
TRANSCRIPT
April 2015 Nisan/Iyyar 5775
Scholar-in-Residence Weekend
with Rabbi Irwin Kula
Program Topics
Beyond Tribe and Creed: Religion as a Path to Human Flourishing
The Technology of Mitzvot: Is There an App for That?
Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life
May 1–3
Our Scholar-in-Residence Weekend is made possible in part by the generous support of the Temple Beth-El Foundation, the Birmingham Jewish Foundation and the Independent Presbyterian Church Focus on Faith Committee.
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PROFESSIONAL STAFF & BOARD
Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg [email protected] Director of Congregational Rabbi Joseph Robinson Learning [email protected] Executive Director Bob Greenberg [email protected] Foundation Robin Gotlieb Executive Director [email protected] Bookkeeper Tammy McClellan [email protected] Communications Lindsey Herring [email protected] Events/Kitchen Debby Thomas [email protected] Administration Emily Gregory [email protected] Youth Programs Taryn Fink [email protected]
Officers
President Loraine Reznik [email protected]
Vice President Dan Weinrib [email protected]
Vice President Jessica Goldstein [email protected]
Vice President Eddie Griffith [email protected]
Secretary Barbara Brande [email protected]
Treasurer Steven Sikora [email protected]
2014-2015 Board of Directors: Michelle Bearman-Wolnek, Danielle Bogart, Barbara Bonfield, Dan Burnick, Steven Corenblum, Tracy Diamond, Todd Doobrow, Lisa Engel, Warren Gewant, Allen Halpern, Jacob Halpern, Naomi Kipp, Matt Swerdlin, Evan Rhodes, Ben Rosenbaum, Rebecca Rothman, Wendy Rutkoff, Stuart Shiland, Rhonda Siegel, Natalie Sikora, Tim Thornton, Alan Weintraub, Melvin Zivitz Past Presidents: Karl Friedman, Howard Bearman, J.B. Mazer, Myron Radwin, Morton Stern, Julian Brook, Norman Berk, Maury Shevin, Joan Lebow, Ron Froehlich, Ronald Shiland, Gary Gordon, Jack Schaeffer, Martin Damsky, Jimmy Krell, Steven Corenblum, Barbara Solomon, Seth Wolnek, Franklin Tessler, Vikki Grodner, Arlene Fisher
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RELIGIOUS SERVICE SCHEDULE
April 3 Erev Shabbat/Pesach/ Maariv 5:45 pm Candle lighting 6:51 pm First Seder at Home
April 4 1st Day of Pesach 9:30 am Maftir: Dalia Abrams Shabbat Mincha 5:30 pm Second Seder at Home
April 5 2nd Day of Pesach 9:30 am Maftir: Larry Brook Mincha 5:30 pm
April 9 Maariv for Yom Tov 5:30 pm Candle lighting 6:55 pm
April 10 7th Day of Pesach 9:30 am Maftir: Eph Mazer Mincha/Maariv 5:45 pm Candle lighting 6:56 pm
April 11 Meditation Service 9:00 am 8th Day of Pesach 9:30 am Yizkor Maftir: Chevra Kadisha Mincha/Maariv 5:30 pm
April 17 Erev Shabbat 5:45 pm Candle lighting 7:01 pm
April 18 Parashat Shmini 9:30 am Maftir: Melissa Stein Shabbat Mincha 5:30 pm
April 24 Erev Shabbat 5:45 pm Candle lighting 7:07 pm
April 25 Saturday morning 9:30 am Parashat Tazria-Metzora Maftir: David Reznik Shabbat Mincha 5:30 pm
WEEKDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE
Daily Morning Minyan 7:00 am Sundays & Secular Holidays 8:00 am Daily Afternoon Minyan 5:30 pm Saturday Afternoon Minyan 5:30 pm
Visit www.templebeth-el.net to livestream services.
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From Rabbi Konigsburg: FaithCraft
PAGE 3 APRIL 2015
On Pesach, we talk about our people in Mitzrayim. Mitzrayim is usually translated as “Egypt” but the word could also mean “a narrow confining space.” Some rabbis, when they talk about the exodus from Mitzrayim, they speak about an escape from a very narrow place, perhaps a prison or maybe some other confining location.
Modern Jews think of Mitzrayim not so much as a place but as a condition. We are all limited by self-imposed limits. We figuratively imprison ourselves in bad habits and inflexible thinking. I once heard a public service announcement about a man who wanted to hire a new manager. His Human Resources person recommended a dozen employees who had the qualifications for the new position but each one was rejected by the owner because of race, gender or some other prejudice. The owner was frustrated that it was so hard to find good employees, and the HR official could only shake his head that the owner could not see past his bigotry and find good quality candidates right under his nose.
When we come to synagogue, we too carry similar self-imposed limits as to what we expect from our Temple. For many people, our impressions of prayer can be vestiges of how we perceived prayer when we were very young and we never looked deeper into what kind of experience prayer can be. My friend, Rabbi Jonathan Slater of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, asks, “When in your own life, do you sense that you have listened to God’s word – or studied Torah, or engaged in prayer – as if listening to a harp: beautiful, entertaining, moving – but not existentially demanding? Or, not directed personally to you? Or, not unique in that moment and so also eternal and part of God? When have you ‘really’ listened? What was the difference? How might you nurture hearing with a ‘listening heart’ over just listening?”
If we can get out of the conditions that narrow our vision and be open to new and different experiences; if we liberate ourselves from our prejudices and see faith as a path that can help us find sublime beauty in the world; if we can leave the slavery of expectations and interact with the world as if it were born new each and every day; if we can do this, we can experience our own exodus from Mitzrayim, and find our hearts and minds liberated, and we will be ready not to just listen but to participate in the ongoing discussion with God.
EXPERIENCING MITZRAYIM
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Message From Foundation Executive Director, Robin Gotlieb
IF YOU HAD $1,000,000.00...
Spring signals a rebirth as dormant flowers push their colorful heads towards the
sun after all the winter weather we have experienced in Birmingham. All of God’s
creation celebrates the season and spring also brings the observance of Passover
to celebrate the deliverance of our ancestors from slavery.
The practice of giving to charity is an important part of many Jewish holiday
celebrations, including Passover. Some think of giving tzedakah as a way of helping others, but it can
also be a spiritual practice that can help, those who choose to give, be more generous and giving in
their everyday lives.
Congregants often ask me to “wait a few years” before beginning the conversation about their
legacy gift to the Foundation. We all feel if we wait a little longer, we will be able to do more.
The following story illustrates the importance of developing a plan for a gift to the Foundation now,
rather than later.
What will you give?
We have received the following donations since our last bulletin:
Joyce Spielberger and Maury Shevin made Chai donations to the Tenenbaum/Spielberger Tikkun Olam Fund wishing Mazal Tov to Lisa and Alan Engel on the birth of their granddaughter and in loving memory of Julie Bernstein’s mother, Anita Danneman.
Barry Dreayer and Sandra Jaffe made a Chai donation to the Elaine and Sigmond Rosen Fund wishing Mazal Tov to Lisa and Alan Engel on the birth of their granddaughter.
Lisa Kianoff made “Double Chai” donations to the Kianoff and Katz Family Youth Fund in honor of the Yahrzeits of Tese Kianoff, beloved mother and grandmother; Nathan Kianoff, beloved father and grandfather; Della Katz, beloved grandmother; and Helen Goldenberg, beloved Nana.
Keith Abrams made a very generous donation to the Dalia and Keith Abrams Dues Assistance Fund in honor of Dalia’s birthday.
Billy and Susan Lapidus made a donation to the Maxine and Stanley Lapidus Special Projects Fund in memory of Julie Bernstein’s mother, Anita Danneman.
Candace Caine made a very generous contribution in loving memory of her mother, Etta Caine, to the Etta Caine Kiddush Luncheon Fund.
There once was an old farmer who was constantly bragging about how generous he would be if he were only rich. One night, God sent an angel to test him. The angel asked, “If you had $1 million dollars, would you share some with God?” “Of course I would” answered the man without hesitation.
“If you lived in a mansion, would you let God have a room?” the angel asked. Again, the man quickly answered, “Absolutely.” Finally, the angel asked, “Would you let God use your old horse out back?”
The man thought for a long time and finally answered, “No.” “Why not?” asked the angel.
The man answered, “Because that horse is the only one I have and I need him.”
Moral of the Story: It’s harder to be generous with things that we actually have than it is with riches we hope to have someday.
Please contact Robin Gotlieb, TBEF Executive Director, to discuss giving options. [email protected] or (205)933-2794
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SPECIAL PROGRAMS: MAY 1-3
Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Irwin Kula Friday, May 1 Beyond Tribe and Creed: Religion as a Path to Human Flourishing Oneg/Reception: 5:30 pm Shabbat Service and Presentation: 6:00 pm Location: Temple Beth-El
Saturday, May 2 The Technology of Mitzvot: Is There an App for That? Service: 9:30 am with Kiddush Luncheon to follow Location: Temple Beth-El
Sunday May 3 Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life Light Breakfast: 9:30 am Presentation and Book Discussion: 10:00 am Location: Independent Presbyterian Church (3100 Highland Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35205)
*For a complete description of programs, visit www.templebeth-el.net.
Childcare available during all presentations.
In his book Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life, Rabbi Kula inspires us to explore our spiritual desires further, and reveals how to utilize our
yearnings as a path to self-discovery and a means to creating a more meaningful, impactful relationship with God.
To attend or host a book group with Temple Beth-El and Independent Presbyterian Church members, contact Rhoda Fleisig at [email protected] or Michelle Bearman-Wolnek at
Books are available for purchase at the Little Professor Book Store, where you will receive a 20 percent discount. There also will be copies available
for purchase at the synagogue.
About Rabbi Irwin Kula
Rabbi Kula is a nationally recognized spiritual leader. He received a 2008 Walter Cronkite award for work “toward equality, liberty and a truly inter-religious community.” Fast Company magazine and Religion and Ethics Newsweekly (PBS) both named him one of the leaders shaping the American spiritual landscape. He also has been listed in Newsweek as one of America's “Most Influential Rabbis,” and regularly appears on NBC’s “The Today Show.”
Rabbi Kula has written a number of influential texts on religion and spirituality. His book, Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life, won a “Books for a Better Life” award and was named one of the “Best Spiritual Books of 2006” by Spirituality & Health.
*Temple Beth-El is committed to communal lifelong learning. Come learn with us.
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SPECIAL PROGRAMS SATURDAY MORNING MEDITATION SERVICE: April 11
Temple Beth-El’s next Meditation Service will occur on Saturday, April 11, beginning at 9:00 am. We will offer a program of Jewish Mindful Meditation, chanting and a look at Torah text from a spiritual point of view. It also will serve as preparation for our traditional prayer practice/service, which will follow at 9:30 am.
Everyone is invited to this monthly service: beginners and those who have experience with Mindful
Meditation. For information about the service, meditation and Jewish spirituality, contact Rabbi
Konigsburg at the Temple Beth-El office by calling 933.2740.
WHEN FAMILY OR FRIENDS ARE ILL:
If you or someone close to you is hospitalized or becomes ill, please contact the TBE office as soon as possible. The rabbis regularly visit and contact congregants who are hospitalized or ill, and it is very important that the Temple be notified in the event a
hospitalization occurs. Thank you!
All Roads Lead to TBE... Please join us on Friday, May 8, 2015, as we officially welcome Rabbi
Joseph Robinson and Family to Temple Beth-El and celebrate his first year as our director of congregational learning.
5:45 pm: Shabbat services led by all TBE Religious School students
7 pm: Special Shabbat Meat Dinner in the TBE Cultural Center Adults (ages 13 & up): $18
Children ages 12 & under: Free
Please call the TBE office or visit www.templebeth-el.net before Wednesday, May 6, for dinner reservations. Space is limited.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! (AS OF MARCH 10) Julia and Evan Salter Susan and Chuck Beard 3651 Bermuda Drive 184 Grande View Lane
Birmingham, AL 35210 Maylene, AL 35112 Home Phone: 205.616.5269
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SPECIAL PROGRAMS
YOM HASHOAH COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Each year, as the events and stories of the Holocaust fade further into the past, our task to keep the history and the lessons of the Holocaust alive in our community becomes more and more important. Along with our local Holocaust survivors, who continue to be the main focus of our work and whose stories have been documented by the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, we realize there are second- and third-generation survivors in our midst whose family stories still need to be preserved and shared.
This year’s Yom HaShoah Commemoration will be at Temple Beth-El on Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 pm, and we want to feature these stories – your stories.
Our program is entitled: STORIES REMEMBERED AND RETOLD The stories of deceased Holocaust survivors as told by their local descendants
If you are interested in having your family’s story included, please contact the BHEC office at 205.795.4176. Although we hope to use all of the submitted stories, we recognize this may not be possible and some stories will need to be saved for another commemoration event. Join us in telling the stories to ensure that the Holocaust is remembered and its lessons are taught. Together we can fulfill the promise of “Never Again.”
Livestreaming of this program will be available at www.templebeth-el.net.
CELEBRATING BECOMING A BAT MITZVAH!
Melissa Stein
Daughter of Amy and Scott Stein
Saturday, April 18th
9:30 am
Kiddush Luncheon hosted by
Sandy and Morton Stern and Joyce and Gaston Stein
FAMILY PROMISE OF BIRMINGHAM
Temple Emanu-El will host our next rotation for FPOB the week of June 28 with the help of wonderful volunteers from Temple Beth-El and the entire Jewish community to help provide meals and a warm, safe place to stay each night during that week. If your child needs volunteer hours, Family Promise is a simple and meaningful way to earn those hours!
There are several ways you can help, including: providing a meal one night and dining with the guests at Temple, volunteering to help with set up or clean up on Sunday June 28 or Sunday July 5, helping pick up beds if you own a truck with a hitch, or volunteering to spend one night at Temple as a chaperone.
Please contact Matt Swerdlin at [email protected] or (202) 747-4271 to ask any questions or
schedule your volunteer time.
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Message From Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Joseph
A Broken World The Koznitzer Maggid1 says, “The world is so broken, but our children can make the world whole again. We break the matzah [during the Passover seder which becomes the afikomon]; the small piece we keep, and the big piece – the bigger brokenness – our children take away [in some families it is hidden]. They bring it back to us whole.” That healing potential of our children is one that needs to be nurtured and fostered in order to aid their efforts in mending the fractures in the world. We have been taking positive strides to build the proper scaffolding on their behalf by conducting our fact-
finding parlor meetings, last month and continuing through this month, with the goal of rebooting our curriculum. Thank you to those who have already shared valuable feedback in this process. As we move forward, we anticipate the fractures in education to be fewer and fewer, as well as cherish the great honor of witnessing our children change the world.
Mending the Fractures Come one, come all, to our All Youth Groups Mock Seder. Join us from
4:30 to 6 pm for food, song and community in an effort to prepare us for Passover. April 1 and we ‘aint fool’ng.
What better way to celebrate and experience our redemption from Egypt, than to kick up our heels from having to labor over a Friday night meal? Join the community for our Passover Family Shabbat Ruach, Friday the 10th at 5:45 pm. Please RSVP with the TBE office.
Communal memory has been a factor in our continued survival throughout the years. Take to heart the stories and memories of dear loved ones as we commemorate the Holocaust on Sunday, April 12th, at 3:00 pm. Our community-wide program is entitled Stories Remembered and Retold. Be a part of the continued chain of memory.
Once again our Youth Minyan will commandeer portions of our regular Saturday morning Shabbat service. Our young scholars will take over the Torah and Musaf services on Saturday, April 25. Come and join the exciting milestone in their learning.
Search for Afiko-Men Hidden throughout this bulletin are eight Afiko-Men. Be the first under the age of 13 to find them all and win a prize from Rabbi Joseph! 1Yisroel Hopstien (1737–1814) was one of the more important Hasidic leaders of Poland during the 18th and early 19th centuries. He wrote many books on Hasidut and Kabalah.
Find my brothers! Sorry...I don’t count as 1 of the 8!
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
April Religious School Calendar
Ramah Darom Offers Tikvah Program Ramah Darom is offering a new program in the Southeast. Tikvah at Ramah Darom is a new four-week Jewish summer experience designed for teen campers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Summer 2015 programs are offered June 9-July 6 and July 8-August 3. To reserve your spot, call 404.531.0801 or visit www.ramahdarom.org/apply.
For more information, visit www.CampRamahDarom.org/Programs/Tikvah-Program.
Sports, swimming, art, boating, campfires… and more
Small cabin groups build social skills and friendships
Develop problem-solving and independent living skills
Gain a sense of autonomy while having fun
Experienced, professionally educated counselors
Engaging, innovative activities inspire a passion for Jewish values and community
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SPEEDY RECOVERY
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and continued good health to: Bernard Stern and Roz Hellman
PAGE 10 APRIL 2015
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Judy Luks on the birth of her grandson, William Benjamin Johnson, on February 25, 2015. Also,
Mazal Tov to great-grandmother, Bertha Luks. Congratulations to proud parents, Rebecca Wearb Johnson and
Seth Johnson, of Jacksonville, FL.
Mazal Tov to Barbara and Gary Gordon on the marriage of their son, Louis, to Shoshana Basha on February 1,
2015. The couple resides in Boston. Shoshana is the daughter of Patricia Dranoff. Louis is the grandson of the late
Sara and Al Gordon, and late Henrietta and Simon Wolf.
CONDOLENCES
With sympathy, we wish the following families peace and love during their time of sorrow:
Anita Allen Danneman Mother of Julie Bernstein (Randy), Neil Danneman and Jeff Danneman
Frances Jaffe
Mother of Cindy Jaffe Klepak (Gary), Laurie Jaffe Turner (Glenn), Marc Jaffe (Susan) and Susan Jaffe Poole (Laine)
Max (Mendy) Mutchnick Brother of Marsha Asman (Harry), nephew Eric Asman (Natalie), and niece Toby Siegel (Bert)
May the families be comforted among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Mazal Tov to the following on their
Special Birthdays:
Edward Goldberg, Susan Goldstein, Deborah Gross, Fran Ivker, Roslyn
Mannon, Barbara Royal, Stuart Royal, & Jonathan Rutkoff
*Special Birthdays are published in the
bulletin beginning with age 50 and every 5 years
thereafter.
April
Josif & Fira Charny (62) Susan & Richard Einhorn (20) Rochelle & Martin Green (20)
Shelby & Joel Kimerling (1) Ricki & Lanning Kline (38)
Anna & David Levy (2) Raena & Kristopher Maday (10)
Toby & Joel Mendler (47) Kerri & Efram Peller (14)
Harriet & Gilbert Routman (45) Tatyana & Zanvel Shitsel (59) Marilyn & Malcolm Sokol (51)
Sari & Barry Spieler (7) Evdiniya & Boris Zinger (40)
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A Special Thank You to All Who Helped Make the Disco and Diamonds Gala a Success!
Diamond Sponsors Carol & Jimmy Filler Brenda & Fred Friedman The Kimerling Foundation Levy’s Fine Jewelry
Marjorie Perlman Harold Ripps Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center
Emerald Sponsors Ideal Furniture Schaeffer Eye Center Sirote & Permutt, P.C. Standard Iron & Metal
Ruby Sponsors Allen Kipp/ARC Realty Alscan Suzanne & Howard Bearman Adrienne & Julian Brook Max Cooper
Sallie & Bruce Downs Lisa & Alan Engel Mervyn Epsman Hannah & Colin Helman Johns-Ridout’s Funeral Parlors L. Kianoff and Associates, Inc. Sol Kimerling Sue & Bill Lischkoff
Major Promotions Lynette & J.B. Mazer Red Wing Shoes Micky & Stanley Rubenstein Jimmy Rushton Pam Ruttenberg Servis 1st Bank Joyce & Arthur Serwitz
Dan Weinrib & Eyal Ron/Allstate
Sapphire Sponsors Victoria & Gerald Belopolsky Julie & Harold Ceitlin Caryn & Steven Corenblum
Toby & Warren Gewant Karen & Reuben Halpern Bobby Heilpern K-Chem, Inc. Debra & Jeff Lindy Barbara & Stuart Royal Sherri & Jeff Weissman
Auction Items, Balloon Pop Items & Donations Damsky Paper, AAA Plastics, Beth Schaeffer, Slice, Taj India, Maurine & Jacob Halpern, Party City, Icing on the
Cookie, Sushi Village, Nail Envy, Jessica & Michael Goldstein, P.F. Chang’s, Roz Bloomston, Little Savannah, Eli’s Jerusalem Grill, Jinsei, Crestline Bagel, ICON Performance, Naomi & Allen Kipp, TBE Sisterhood, TBE Sisterhood
Gift Shop, Hampton Inn Downtown Tutwiler, Iron City Grill, Rabbi Joseph Robinson, Emily Hausman, TBE Religious School, Table Matters, Inverness Country Club, Villager Yoga, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Cherie Greenberg,
LJCC (Marilyn Leeds, Mary Zarate, Katelyn Crews, Kreston Collins), Angel Hair Salon (Eli Semana, Shlomi Dadon), S&H Designs, Oak Street Hair Group, Painted Shovel, Stone Hollow Farmstead, TBE Men’s Club, Toby Klein, Alley
Bulka, Amy Soverow, Jamie Jaffe, Darrell Ezekiel, Betsy Marks, Oven To Table, Reuben Halpern, Juarez Boxing, Barbara & Arieyeh Austin, Andrea & Jeff Shapiro, Melt, Post Office Pies, Avondale Brewery, Amy P Photography, Wasabi Juan’s, Parkside, HotBox at Parkside, Saw’s, The Pantry in Crestline, George Sarris and The Fish Market, Highland Golf Course, Red Wing Shoes, Gus Mayer, Starbucks, Yucatan Trading Company, Serendipity Boutique,
Majestic Nails, Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center, Levy’s Fine Jewelry, Ginsburg Dermatology, Nail Couture, Schaeffer Eye Center, Rebecca & Josh Rothman, Grassroots Wine, Nancy & Doug Lewis, Shari & Greg Friedman, Lisa & Jim Bor, Meg & Marc Krawitz, Danielle & Alan Weintraub, Melissa & Steve Altmann, Wendy & Jonathan Rutkoff, Julie Tuck, Food Bar, Little Soles, Lili Pad, Gigi’s, Sexton’s Seafood, Birmingham Bake & Cook Company, Learning Express, Flower Buds, O’Carrs Restaurant, New York Butcher Shoppe, Cummings Jewelry Design, BAM
Sports Grill, Metropolitan Properties, Susan Bently, Sheldon Black, Edwin & Naomi Fineberg, Kathy & Steven Goldman, Myra & Eddie Griffith, Ricki & Lanny Kline, Judy Michaelson, Harold Lischkoff, Susan & Stuart Padove,
Amy Sanders, Dorothy Shiland, Stuart & Blythe Shiland, Bari Sokol, Ralph Sokol, Amy & Scott Stein, Gloria Weintraub
Committee Members & Staff Barbara Brande, Tracy Diamond (Co-Chair), Arlene Fisher, Maurine Halpern (Co-Chair), Jacob Halpern, Naomi Kipp, Sue Lischkoff, Rabbi Joseph Robinson, Micky Rubenstein, Beth Schaeffer, Susan Shiland, Tim Thornton,
Danielle Weintraub, Warren Collins, Nico Cusi, Bob Greenberg, Emily Gregory, Sherrie Grunfeld, Lindsey Herring, Rabbi Randall Konigsburg, Tammy McClellan, Debby Thomas
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Excerpts and text from the THE RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY PESACH GUIDE
by Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff and the Committee on Jewish Law & Standards (CJLS) Kashrut Subcommittee (For the full Pesach Guide, please visit www.rabbinicalassembly.org/pesah-guide or you can pick up a
copy at the Temple Beth-El office.)
Judaism’s master story is the Exodus from Egypt, followed by the trek to Mount Sinai and then to the Promised Land of Israel. We leave Egypt not as individuals but as a nation, and we do so only with the help of God. This is very different from the staunch individualism at the heart of the liberalism that has forged most Western countries. At Mount Sinai we engage in a Covenant with God that establishes the basis of our relationship with God – and the duties of that relationship – for ourselves and all our descendants.
This Guide, prepared by the Kashrut Subcommittee and approved by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, explains in detail the laws and customs regarding the dietary restrictions of Passover, the rules that remind us each time we eat of Passover’s messages for us. Some of these guidelines are, frankly, quite technical and even complicated; that is the result of the special stringency of the Passover rules in Jewish law and the complex, new ways in which foods are processed in our time.
We hope that this Guide will enable Jews to understand what they may eat on Passover and how to prepare their kitchens for the holiday in ways that are clear and understandable. We do not intend this Guide to replace your rabbi’s guidance on these matters; on the contrary, any question you have about what is written here or what is missing you should address to Rabbi Konigsburg.
KASHERING THE KITCHEN
It is customary (and easiest) to remove the utensils and dishes that are used during the year, replacing them with either new utensils or utensils used year to year only for Pesach. This is clearly not possible for major appliances and may not even be possible for dishes and utensils.
There is a process for kashering many, but not all, kitchen items thus making them kosher for Pesach:
The general principle used in kashering is that the way the utensil absorbs food is the way it can be purged of that food. This principle operates on the basis of the quality or intensity of how the items absorb food. Things used for cold food can be kashered by rinsing since no substance has been absorbed by the dish or glass. Items used on a stove absorb the food and thus need a stronger level of action namely expelling the food into boiling water. The most intense form of usage is directly on a fire or in an oven and these utensils require the most intense method of kashering, namely ליבון (libbun), which burns away absorbed food.
FOODS The Torah prohibits the ownership of hameitz (flour, food or drink made from the prohibited species of leavened grain: wheat, oats, barley, rye or spelt) during Pesach. Ideally, we burn or remove all hameitz which may be effected from our premises through donations to a local food pantry. In some cases, however, this would cause prohibitive financial loss. In such cases, we arrange for the sale of the hameitz to a non-Jew and its repurchase after Pesach.
(Continued on page 13)
Passover Guide
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Mekhirat hameitz – the sale of hameitz is accomplished by appointing an agent, usually one’s rabbi to handle the sale. This must be considered a valid and legal transfer of ownership and thus the items sold must be separated and stored away from all other foods and supplies. This means that non-Passover dishes, pots, utensils and hameitz food that have been sold as part of the selling of one’s hameitz should be separated, covered or locked away to prevent accidental use. At the end of the holiday, the agent arranges to repurchase the items on behalf of the owner, since the hameitz at that time is again permitted. One must wait until one is sure the repurchase has been done. If ownership of the hameitz was not transferred before the holiday, the use of any such hameitz remains prohibited after the holiday and any such products should be given away to a non-Jewish food pantry. The sale will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, April 3rd, the day before Pesach.
Prohibited foods
Since the Torah prohibits the eating of hameitz during Pesach, and since many common foods contain some, guidance is necessary when shopping and preparing for Pesach.
Prohibited foods include the following:
•biscuits •cakes •crackers •leavened bread
•pasta •coffees containing cereal derivatives
These are foods that are generally made with wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye (grains that can become hameitz). Any food containing these grains or derivatives of these grains must be certified kosher for Pesach.
Flavorings in foodstuffs are often derived from alcohol produced from one of these grains which would render that food hameitz. Such products also need Pesach supervision. Rabbinical authorities added the following foods classified as kitniyot, grains and legumes, to the above list of prohibited foods:
•beans • corn • millet • peas • rice • soy
These and some other plant foods (e.g. mustard, buckwheat and sesame seeds) are not permitted for eating on Pesach. They need not be sold or disposed of before Pesach. The processed products, whether liquid or solid, from kitniyot are also forbidden by most rabbinical authorities. These might include, but not be limited to, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), corn oil, corn sweetener, and soy oil. Most Sephardic authorities permit the use of all the kitniyot foods other than those that might have come in contact with the prohibited grains. Israeli products are often marked “contains kitniyot” and thus Jews who do not use kitniyot need to be vigilant when purchasing Israeli products for Passover. Our Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has permitted the use of peanuts and peanut oil on Pesach, provided said items have proper year-round kosher certification and do not contain any hameitz ingredients.
Passover Guide (Continued from page 12)
*Please note that the Temple Beth-El office will be closed for Passover on Friday, April 10th.
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Passover Guide Siyum Bechroim Services—Calling All First Born
Fast of the First Born
Friday, April 3rd
7:00 am Minyan with breakfast following
A first born is commanded to fast on the day before Pesach in commemoration of the deliverance of the First Born of Israel from the 10th plague which killed the Egyptian First Born Sons. The day before means the day on which the First Seder falls which, this year, is Friday, April 3rd. The requirement to fast is waived however if the first born is present at what is termed a Seudat Mitzvah — a festive meal which follows the performance of certain Mitzvot (i.e. Brit Milah, baby naming).
Since it isn’t always possible to arrange for a Simcha to fall on the right day, the custom developed to have a “SIYUM” on that day. A SIYUM is a public completion of the study of a section of Rabbinic literature. Since the SIYUM—which means completion—is followed by a meal of celebration, any first born who is present is permitted to eat. This effectively negates the fast for the rest of the day. The SIYUM will take place at morning Minyan on April 3rd beginning at 7:00 am. There will be a breakfast at the conclusion of Minyan. Bring your Tallit and Tefillin (we can provide these if you need them).
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PASSOVER BIMAH FLOWERS
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the following congregants who have generously donated the flowers which adorn our Bimah.
First two days of Passover In loving memory of our beloved family members From: Lynette & J.B. Mazer, Carole & Michael Mazer and Family, Nancy & Dennis Lutz and Family Last two days of Passover In memory of our loved ones From: Anonymous
Passover Guide
Out with the Old Bring your unopened chametz to be donated to Collat Jewish Family Services. We will have drop-off
boxes outside the TBE office. Please bring all items by Wednesday, April 1.
We make donations at this time of year for those who can’t afford matzah for Passover. If you would
like to participate in this mitzvah, you may write a check to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, and
earmark it for Ma’ot Hittim/Rabbi’s Matzah Fund. Thank you!
Jewish Law requires us to rid our homes of Chametz for Pesach. One of the ways we do this is to sell our Chametz to someone who is not forbidden to own Chametz. This year, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper has agreed to buy our Chametz for the duration of Pesach.
Fill out the colored insert found in this bulletin or in the TBE office and return to Temple Beth-El before 9 am on April 3, 2015. Do not wait until the last minute! This form authorizes Rabbi Konigsburg to act as your agent in setting up the sale. Please include a donation to the Rabbi’s
Discretionary Fund. This donation will go to Chief Roper’s requested charity, the Birmingham Police Athletic Team, which offers a variety of sport programs to children at risk in Birmingham.
Chief Roper will be at Temple Beth-El at 10:00 am on Friday, April 3, to purchase our Chametz. Join us in this important Mitzvah and make a difference in our community at the same time.
We wish all of our members a Happy and Kosher Pesach.
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Passover: First Seder is Friday, April 3, and Second Seder is Saturday, April 4. The Gift Shop has all the essentials
to make your Seder table complete, such as Seder plates, Kiddush cups and Haggadahs.
All Passover items are on sale half-price at The Gift Shop!
Shavuot, May 23-25: One of the customary things to eat on Shavuot is dairy food. Sisterhood would like to help you fulfill this mitzvot. Order your-made-to-order-only blintzes by May 10: $22/dozen and $12/half-dozen. Contact Hannah Helman, [email protected], 967-9659.
Wedding - Bar/Bat Mitzvah Registry: Make an appointment with Esther Levy, Gift Shop Chair, to meet with her and make gift selections for your upcoming simcha. We have many beautiful items for these occasions - Kiddush cups, tallises, Shabbat candlesticks, Seder plates - all items that every Jewish home should have!
Congratulations to Loraine Reznik on being nominated to serve as Treasurer of the Southern Region, Women's League of Conservative Judaism!
SISTERHOOD FUND DONATIONS A Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Lisa & Alan Engel on the birth of their granddaughter Hadassah “Haddie” Rosalyn Haines A Chai donation wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Esther Levy on being nominated for the Light of Torah Award A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Sue Lischkoff on being nominated for the Light of Torah Award From: Pam Ruttenberg & Arnold Shiland In loving memory of Anita Allen Danneman From: Ruth Siegler Lynette & J.B. Mazer A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Virginia Heiman on her special birthday Wishing safe travels to Shirley & Ron Froehlich From: Lynette & J.B. Mazer
A Chai donation wishing continued good health to Morton Stern A Chai donation wishing continued good health to Dodie Sokol From: Natalie & Albert Sikora A Chai donation in loving memory of Felice Cohen A Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine A Chai donation wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg From: Shirley & Ron Froehlich A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Sue Lischkoff & Esther Levy on being nominated for the Light of Torah Award From: Susan & Stephen Greene
Sisterhood Flower Fund
In loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Arlene Fisher
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HANDS UP TOGETHER 2015
Join CJFS in celebrating 25 years at the 6th Annual Hands Up Together event at 7 pm on Monday, May 11, at the Alabama School of Fine Arts Day Theater. For sponsor or ticket information, visit http://cjfsbham.org/highlights.php.
GUEST SPEAKER: GREGG SWAIN Please join us for a fascinating talk and book signing of “Mah Jongg: The Art & History of the Game” with author Gregg Swain at 11 am on Sunday, April 12 at the LJCC. Cost is $5. The event is co-sponsored by the Sisterhoods of Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Knesseth Israel Congregation, and Birmingham Hadassah. Contact Mindy Cohen at [email protected] or 879-0411 ext.233 for more information.
Jewish Community News
Chesed Celebrates Purim Our Purim festivities began at Brookdale Place where Rabbi Robinson and our Religious School children played Family Feud Purim Style with the residents. Homemade goodies were enjoyed by all, including mountains of delicious hamentashen. Our wonderful volunteers then continued bringing Purim cheer and goodies to other seniors in our community.
From baking and serving, to goody bag prep and visiting with our senior friends, the Chesed Committee volunteers continue to be amazing! Our thanks go to Esther Schuster, Julie Ceitlin, Dale Marcus, Toby & Bert Siegel, Ruth Siegler, Jean Bearman, Carol Tuck, Eleanor Binderman, Micky Rubenstien, Donna Schiff, Sherrie Grunfeld, Amy Peetluk, Karen Halpern, Marian
Radwin, Meredith & Brian Weintraub, Sheri Krell, and Sybil Michelove.
Our next Chesed event will be a celebration of Israel Independence Day. Rabbi Konigsburg will lead the program at Brookdale Place on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 2 pm.
If you would like to join us in extending Beth-El loving-kindness to the community, please contact us. Dorothy Ziff [email protected] Sandra Gilbert [email protected] Cindy May [email protected]
Julie Bernstein: Wishing you a complete recovery and continued good health From: Deborah Botnik Michelle Konigsburg: Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery Jeri Davis: Best wishes on the occasion of your special birthday Chesed Committee of Temple Beth-El: Thank you for your visit and bag of gifts, and the good work you do for our community. From: Ralph Sokol
LEAGRAMS
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DONATIONS
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Good Fortune Fund
A Generous donation wishing Mazal Tov to Raquel Wolnek on becoming a Bat Mitzvah From: Geri & Bob Stone A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Lisa & Alan Engel in honor of the birth of Haddie Haines A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Robin Gotlieb in honor of her daughter Carlie’s engagement to Alex Cohen A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Sue Lischkoff in honor of her nomination for the Light of Torah Award A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Esther Levy in honor of her nomination for the Light of Torah Award Wishing Mazal Tov to Nadine & Louis Cohen on the engagement of their son Alex to Carlie Gotlieb From: Ricki & Lanning Kline A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Lisa & Alan Engel in honor of the birth of their granddaughter Hadassah Rosalyn Haines From: Sheri & Jimmy Krell A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Dorothy Shiland on the Bat Mitzvah of your great-granddaughter Molly Frohsin From: Lynette & J.B. Mazer A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Ella Rosenthal on becoming a Bat Mitzvah A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Bess Rosenthal on becoming a Bat Mitzvah From: Sherry & Jerry Cherner A Chai donation in honor of Julie Bernstein for teaching Mah Jongg From: Mary Kimerling Wishing Mazal Tov to Lisa & Alan Engel on the birth of their granddaughter, Hadassah From: Charlotte Corenblum & Karl Friedman Wishing Mazal Tov to Estelle Strauss on her 83rd birthday From: Hazel & Murray Pizette
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
In honor of Rabbi Konigsburg for our baby naming From: Denise C. Ginsburg In appreciation of Rabbi Konigsburg for his many visits and support of our mother Jenny Cohen From: Victor Cohen & Family In honor of Rabbi Konigsburg From: Pat & Alan Geldzahler
In appreciation of Rabbi Joseph for his kindness and thoughtfulness to our family, and for officiating the funeral of our mother Jenny Cohen From: Victor Cohen & Family In loving memory of Edna and Harry Kamenshine In appreciation of Rabbi Konigsburg for his help with Edna Kamenshine’s funeral From: Ilene & Allan Wilensky
Shabbat Sim Shalom Daily Prayer Book
A Generous donation wishing Susan Gerber happy birthday From: Sherry & Jerry Cherner A Generous donation in loving memory of Roberta Gerwin, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Beth & John Gerwin
Keith Altman Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
A Most Generous donation wishing Mazal Tov to Estelle Strauss on her 83rd birthday From: Sandra Steinbrook & Jeffrey Spielberger A Generous donation wishing Mazal Tov to Kaitlyn Jefferson on becoming a Bat Mitzvah From: Geri & Bob Stone A Chai donation wishing Mazal Tov to Kaitlyn Jefferson on becoming a Bat Mitzvah From: Rosalyn Peller
Edie Wilensky Memorial Fund A Chai donation in honor of Eva Wilensky for teaching Mah Jongg From: Mary Kimerling A Chai donation in loving memory of Edie Wilensky, beloved niece on her Yahrzeit From: Ilene & Allan Wilensky In loving memory of Felice Cohen Wishing speedy recovery to Gina Karp In loving memory of Janet Thieberger’s son From: Eileen & Len Levin In loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Lois M. Lande In loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Mervyn Epsman In loving memory of Anita Allen Danneman From: Arlene Fisher Wishing a speedy recovery to Dodie Sokol From: Eileen & Len Levin
Chico Bomchel Memorial Social Action Fund
A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Mary & David Kimerling A Chai donation in loving memory of Lena Weiss, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit A Chai donation in loving memory of Chita Weintrob, beloved wife on her Yahrzeit A Chai donation wishing speedy recovery to Dodie Sokol From: Howard Weintrob & Family In honor of Cathy & Irwin Fingerman on the engagement of their son Levi to Megan Wilson From: Karen & Dan Weinrib
Elmwood Cemetery Fund
In loving memory of Bess Caine, beloved grandmother on her Yahrzeit From: Candace Caine
Robert Spielberger Memorial Fund Wishing speedy recovery to Jay Cohen Wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg In loving memory of Bernie Bloomston, beloved uncle on his Yahrzeit From: Lynn & Bert Bloomston
Rosemore/Goldstein Food for the Needy Fund
In loving memory of Eddie Crowell In loving memory of Elois Howard From: Mrs. Marion Rosemore, Dr. Martha Morrow & Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow
Simcha Shabbat Fund A Generous donation in honor of Virginia Heiman’s birthday From: Virginia Heiman A Generous donation in honor of Naomi Fineberg’s birthday From: Naomi & Edwin Fineberg A Double Chai donation in honor of Sam Tenenbaum, Jr.’s birthday From: Sam Tenenbaum, Jr. A Double Chai donation in honor of our anniversary From: Lynn & Bert Bloomston
Chesed Committee Fund Wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg From: Dorothy Ziff
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Temple Beth-El General Fund Wishing a speedy recovery and continued
good health A Chai donation wishing speedy recovery to Gerson May From: Penny Gordon A Chai donation wishing continued good health to Riva Hirsch From: Ricki & Lanning Kline A Chai donation wishing speedy recovery to Morton Stern A Chai donation wishing speedy recovery to Dodie Sokol From: Shirley & Ron Froehlich Wishing speedy recovery to Sheri Epstein Wishing speedy recovery to Morton Stern From: Dolly & David Staff Wishing speedy recovery to Gerson May From: Betty & Bob Anfanger Wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg From: Frieda & Eph Mazer Wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg From: Susan & Michael Stein Wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg From: Charlotte Corenblum & Karl Friedman Wishing speedy recovery to Michelle Konigsburg From: Hazel & Murray Pizette Wishing speedy recovery to Gerson May From: Arlene & Milton Goldstein Wishing speedy recovery to Tracy Diamond From: Nan & Bill Goldman
Memorial Fund
In Loving Memory Of A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Anita Allen Danneman From: Janet DeForest & Jonathan (Greg) Barber A Chai donation in loving memory of Anita Allen Danneman From: Ricki & Lanny Kline A Chai donation in loving memory of Anita Allen Danneman From: Shirley & Ron Froehlich
A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Asher Bailey A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Southpace Properties A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Hannah & Colin Helman A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Sheri & Jimmy Krell A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Joan & Mike Krawchek A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Susan & Bernard Bryan A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Ester Winston A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Mayer Cohen A Chai donation in loving memory of Edna Kamenshine From: Dolores & Edward Bloomston A Generous donation in loving memory of Esther Brown From: Rona & Frank Harper A Chai donation in loving memory of Janet Cypress Harris From: Sherry & Jerry Cherner A Chai donation in loving memory of Janet Cypress Harris From: Charlotte Corenblum & Karl Friedman A Double Chai donation in loving memory of James Douglas Hewell From: Melissa & Melvin Zivitz A Chai donation in loving memory of James Douglas Hewell From: Melissa & Steve Altman A Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Jean & Ira Levine A Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Hannah & Colin Helman
A Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Sheri & Jimmy Krell A Chai donation in loving memory of Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Jamie & Greg Odrezin A Chai donation in loving memory of Frank McCay From: Sherry & Jerry Cherner Nathan Carl Schaeffer From: Charlotte Corenblum & Karl Friedman Arlene & Milton Goldstein Ricki & Lanny Kline Patsy Collat From: Arlene & Milton Goldstein Lison & Jack Spiegelman Edna Kamenshine From: Arlene & Milton Goldstein Ricki & Lanny Kline Charlotte Corenblum Melba Epsman The Padawer Family Lison & Jack Spiegelman Barbara & David Betten Thomas Palmer From: Ricki & Lanny Kline Janet Cypress Harris From: Lynette & J.B. Mazer Anita Allen Danneman From: Sherry & Jerry Cherner Charlotte Corenblum & Karl Friedman Ilse Nathan Marjie & Myron Butler Sherri & David Romanoff Hazel & Murray Pizette Mervyn Epsman
On Their Yahrzeits In loving memory of
A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Charles Raymond, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Paula Glover A Most Generous donation in loving memory of E.M. Zeidman, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Philip F. Zeidman A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Eugene M. Zeidman and Philip Fisher, beloved father and grandfather on their Yahrzeits From: Adele Zeidman Silver
DONATIONS
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A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Alan Perlman, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Marjorie Perlman A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Ruth Bodenheimer, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Elise Bodenheimer A Most Generous donation in loving memory of Bessie Caine, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Harold Caine A Generous donation in loving memory of Milton Levine, beloved husband on his Yahrzeit From: Natalie Levine A Generous donation in loving memory of Sadie Shiland Starr, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Anita Shapiro and Toby Gordon A Generous donation in loving memory of Paulina Belotserkovskaya and Abraham Belotserkovskiy, beloved grandmother and grandfather on their Yahrzeits From: Dr. Olga Belotserkovskaya and Dr. Al Belotserkovskiy A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Walter J. Klein, beloved husband on his Yahrzeit From: Toby Klein A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Mae Ruth Green, beloved mother-in-law on her Yahrzeit From: Helen Green A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Beth DeYoung, beloved grandmother on her Yahrzeit A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Lewis DeYoung, beloved grandfather on his Yahrzeit A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Jim Foy, beloved uncle on his Yahrzeit From: Michael P. Goldstein A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Elaine Royal, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Joyce R. Serwitz A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Mel Bruck, beloved husband on his Yahrzeit From: Ellen Bruck A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Abraham Michaelson, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Judy Michaelson
A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, beloved father, Daniel Cohen, beloved brother, Isadore Schlaff, beloved father, and Norman Schlaff, beloved brother, on their Yahrzeits From: Shirley & Paul Schlaff A Double Chai donation in loving memory of Aisic Hirsch, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and Joseph Schuster, beloved father, on their Yahrzeits From: Riva Hirsch A Chai donation in loving memory of Haim Mouyal, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Regina Smith A Chai donation in loving memory of Esther Padove, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Stuart Padove A Chai donation in loving memory of Helen Rotenstreich, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Joy Fleisher A Chai donation in loving memory of Nellie A. Palmer, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Dr. Cheryl Ann Palmer A Chai donation in loving memory of Harry Biel, beloved grandfather on his Yahrzeit From: Ginger, Larry, James Henry & Eli Brook A Chai donation in loving memory of Steffi Levite, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit A Chai donation in loving memory of Abbey Benck, beloved granddaughter on her Yahrzeit From: Pam Ruttenberg A Chai donation in loving memory of Betty Pekarne, beloved sister on her Yahrzeit From: Bonnie & Jules Weiner A Chai donation in loving memory of Audrey Cohen, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Gail Schuster A Chai donation in loving memory of Ida Brown, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Jerome Brown A Chai donation in loving memory of Rita Routman, beloved sister on her Yahrzeit From: Penny Gordon A Chai donation in loving memory of David W. Levin, beloved husband and father on his Yahrzeit From: Betty Levin Anfanger & Family
A Chai donation in loving memory of Sidney Gewant, beloved father on his Yahrzeit A Chai donation in loving memory of Edythe Gewant, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Toby & Warren Gewant A Chai donation in loving memory of Mary Hoffman Baker, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Debra & Jeff Lindy A Chai donation in loving memory of Bert Steinberg, beloved stepfather on his Yahrzeit From: Jay Cohen A Chai donation in loving memory of Philip Schattner, beloved uncle on his Yahrzeit From: Rita Glanz A Chai donation in loving memory of Reva Levy Engel, beloved mother and grandmother on her Yahrzeit From: Lisa & Alan Engel and Family A Chai donation in loving memory of Rabbi Nissan Yablonsky, beloved grandfather on his Yahrzeit From: Nissah Mattenson A Chai donation in loving memory of Sam Slaughter, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Harlene & O.J. Wehby A Chai donation in loving memory of Felix Cohen, beloved father and grandfather on his Yahrzeit From: Mayer Cohen A Chai donation in loving memory of Norman Fleisher, beloved brother on his Yahrzeit From: Robert Fleisher A Chai donation in loving memory of Rosa Colb, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Nancijoy Weissman A Chai donation in loving memory of Mary Meyerowitz, beloved mother and grandmother on her Yahrzeit From: Sandy & Gene Siegal and Family A Chai donation in loving memory of Marvin Kemeny, beloved father on his Yahrzeit From: Fred Kemeny A Chai donation in loving memory of Sofa Shilkrot, beloved wife on her Yahrzeit From: Leonid Shilkrot
PAGE 20 APRIL 2015
DONATIONS
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A Chai donation in loving memory of Elizabeth Slater, beloved grandmother on her Yahrzeit From: Amy Alpern A Chai donation in loving memory of Beverly Levy Marks, beloved mother on her Yahrzeit From: Julie Marks Paul Steinlauf, grandfather From: Maxine Sklute Jake Lipsitz, father From: Mickie Cohen Rita Routman, mother Ann Brick, grandmother From: Cindi & Michael Routman David Levy, brother From: Harriet Routman
Annie Routman, mother From: Gilbert Routman Cookie Senior, sister-in-law Nazlie Senior, grandmother From: Natalie & Albert Sikora Elisa Sokol, mother Sandra Apolinsky, sister-in-law From: Ralph Sokol Molka Draluk, mother From: Tatyana Shitsel Harry Padawer, brother From: The Padawer Family Sue Small, aunt Joe Feldser, uncle From: Sharon & Steve DeShazo Bernie Bloomston, father From: Rhoda & Robert Feirman
Hyme Cohen, grandfather From: Cindy May Helen Rotenstreich, grandmother From: Tammy & Keith Fleisher Sima Kaz-Kagar, aunt Josef Iacubovich, grandfather Moses Golubov, uncle From: Lazar Golubov Bruce Mayer, husband From: Norma Jean Long
THIS MONTH IN JEWISH HISTORY 101 - THE SHORT COURSE
12 Nisan – 11 Iyar
13 Nisan – The German Workers’ Party was renamed the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party on this date in 1920, and thus, the beginning of the Nazi Party (this occurred on the anniversary of the day Haman published his degree of extermination of the Jews in the Purim Story).
22 Nisan – The Kishinev Pogrom broke out. The massacre led to worldwide protests and the beginning of Jewish self defense organizations in 1903.
25 Nisan – The trial of Adolph Eichmann on charges of genocide in Europe during WWII opens in Jerusalem on this date in 1961.
3 Iyar – Tel Aviv becomes the first Jewish municipality on this date in 1921.
Special Note of Gratitude
We want to express our deepest gratitude for the love and support offered during the weeks of my
recovery from knee replacement surgery. I am making tremendous progress this second time around
and trust that in the next few weeks, as my strength returns and mobility increases, I will be able to
engage more actively in synagogue and community life.
We feel very blessed to be a part of this special community. The words “thank you” barely touch the
depth of our gratitude.
Michelle and Rabbi K
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Shabbat Pesach April 3-4
*Sylvia Back Marilyn Bearman Bell *Harvey Benjamin *Harry Berk *Dora Block *Harriet Bogart Annie Bram Conrad David Cohen Sylvia Cohen Hyman Coplon *Molly Crayne Jeph Epstein *Harry Evans *Charles Feigelson Roslyn Fingerman Sandor Fried *Rachel Friedman *Margot Fuld Rae Garfield Leonard Gennis *Myron Ginsberg *Dave Goldberg Bennie Goldstein Fred Goldstein Ethel Gorlin *Bernard Gottlieb Blanche Gottlieb Georgia Griffith Sheina Grusin Ester Gutman Max Hasson Stanley Hellman George Hiller *Max Hoffman Sarah Jacobson *Herman Jaffe *Philip Kadis Rose Kaufman Edith Kreisman I. Levine Richard Levy *Abraham Lipsitz *Walter Morse Sadie Muldawer Anna Odrezin *Josephine Regal Bertha “Fritzi” Rosenberg
*Robert Rosenbluth *Annie Rotenstreich Rosalind Rothman
Ben Royal Esther Rubenstein *Sam Rubenstein *Jennie Rubin Selma Sakoloff Marie Scheuer Frieda Schnier *Chana Schniper Marjorie Shafferman *Wilyum Sher Jack Silverman *Fannye Sokol *Melvin Sokol Paul Steinlauf Harold Stern *Helen Wilder *Henrietta Wolf Esther Zell *Philip Ziff
Shabbat Pesach April 10-11
*Ike Abelson Ida Abroms Warren Axelroth Nathan Azrin Ann Banks Seymour Barnes *Joyce Benjamin Harmon R. Berger Abraham Blatt Steve Browdy Alfred Buchalter Pearl Cohen *Sam Cohen *Frances Copeland *Marilyn Crayne *Etta Dannis *Grace “Tootsie” Eiman Ann Elder Michael Epstein *Morris Fisher *Eric Fuld Sarah Gettinger Albert Goldforb Nakhoma Guberman Lee Harris *Rose Helman Bessie Kirschner Sam Klotzman Norman Kurman Jack Lande Carl Levy Blanch Lipman *Folly Marcus
Blanche McCrossen Philamae Mendelsohn *Benjamin Mesch Boris Mintsin Ruth Mirelman *Isadore Newman Andronit Peremitin Abe Pizitz *Harry Ravitz Sanford Reitman *Marvin Rich Alex Rittenbaum Edith Robinowich *Moses Robins Jerome Schwartz *Maurice Schwartz Bette Shapiro Fannie Siegel *Morris Silverfield Elsie Siskin Morris Staff Cecile Sundock *Peter Tichansky *Isaac Torme Bernard Trachtman *Bobby Tuck *Harold Weisner *Minnie Zakuto
Shabbat Shmini April 17-18
*Abraham Banks *Sara Bearman *Jennie Berman Barney Bonfield Harold Bruchis Abraham Cohen Jack Cohen *Isaac Copeland *Aaron Dombrow Aaron Eidex *Dina Feldstein Israel Fitterman Frank Friedman *Gladys Friedman Lillian Furman *Sam Geeser Claire Gettinger David Glick Helen Coplon Grusin Helen Jaffe *Ida Jaffe Rebecca Joseph Anita Kaplan Dorothy Kaplan
*Isidore Kulpe Betty Lean Lola Liberman *Reuben Lipsitz Rosa Litovsky Morton Litowich Sam Michelson Alexandra Nelubin-Bearman
*Fannie Pearlstein Gerald Permutt Jean Reitman Jackie Riskin Louis Roth Mel Safer *Edward Schulman Carl Schultz Margaret Schwartz Nathan Schwartz *Joseph Senior *Stuart Shevin Isadore Shiland *Sylvia Shiland *Jennie Simon *Rose Sokol Tea Sternklar *Morris Tenenbaum Asya Udler Neville Wallace *William Weber *Morris Weinstein *Freddy Weintraub *Max Weintraub Louis Winick Bennie Witt *Rebecca Witt Paul Ronald Yanuck Bertha Zion Sigmund Zion
Shabbat Tazria-Metzora
April 24-25 Leslie Allen Abraham Altman Dyna Asman Gabriel Asman *Abe Baker Harold Bank *Fred Berman Paul Blatt Lizzie Bloomston Yefim Bubis Ida Bubis Kishinevskaya
Benjamin Buchalter Louna Capouya Max Chused Esther Cohen *Wallace Cohen *Sarah Copeland Florence “Tootsie” Epsman
*David Finkelstein *Sarah Frankel Arthur Goldberg *Mary Goldstein Bessie Halpern Roselle Harris Nadja Idelman Dr. Marvin Kaplan *Baila Karasek *Harry Kirshner Raya Kishnevskaya *Israel Landau *Samuel Lemkin *Solomon Lepp *Max Levin Edna Levine *Mary Lichtenstein *Bernard Lichter Khaya Lyublinskaya Judy Mayer *Walter Morris Natalie Morrow Richard Nassau Jerrold Packler Yetta Pizitz *Jacob Radwin *Barnet Randman *Benjamin Roth *Ethel Schoenberg *Eugene Schwartz *Edward Isaac Stein Louis Stubblefield Alvin Tenenbaum *William Torme Joyce Weintraub *Rosa Weintrob *Simon Wolf Muriel Zable Samuel Zakuto Itsk Zeltser *Nathan Zivitz
*Denotes a perpetual memorial plaque in sanctuary given by family members.
YAHRZEITS
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CHALLAH DESIGNS/RECIPES FOR THIS MONTH’S SHABBATOT, FROM RABBI JOSEPH
Every Shabbat, we are blessed to explore our tradition through the Torah reading of the week. Every portion has a different message and lesson to be learned. Challenge your family with a unique design to your challah. See if they can find the connection between your challah and the weekly parasha. Night 1 and 2 of Pesach (April 3-4) and the Final days of Pesach (April 10-11) The holiday of Pesach challenges us all for great ways to craft our challah into something wonderful, as we forgo any leavened products all together. However, with the first two seders falling on Shabbat, we can double down on the creativity. Take a page (or two) from Dr. Ron Wolfson’s Art of Jewish Living: The Passover Seder and try these creative ways of enlivening your seder with food: Pesach Appetizers and Personal Seder Plates
Visit www.templebeth-el.net for Pesach appetizer and personal seder plate recipes and directions!
Shmini (April 17-18) Now that one can eat chametz again, it would be very powerful to use your challah to express the various animals, birds, fish and insects that can be eaten. For a complete list of the laws of kashrut, check out this week’s Torah reading. Make sure your fish have fins and scales. Four-legged insects are forbidden unless they have a pair of jointed legs with which they can leap.
Tazria-Metzora (April 24-25) This double portion “oozes” with the laws of impurity, skin disease, and leprosy. Try turning the yucky, icky, and messy feelings toward this parasha into a positive light. Bake yourself some Monkey Bread (your family will love you for it!). Give this recipe and directions a go (http://www.melskitchencafe.com/the-best-monkey-bread/).
Temple Beth-El 2179 Highland Avenue P.O. Box 550220 Birmingham, AL 35255-0220 (205) 933-2740
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Permit No. 889 Birmingham, AL
Passover at Temple Beth-El
Passover Guide begins on page 12! See inside for a complete schedule of events.
Plus: Looking to sell your Chametz? We can help! See the
insert and page 15 for more details. And…
Don’t forget about the Sisterhood Gift Shop Sale! All Passover Items 50 Percent Off from Now until
the End of Passover!
Celebrate the achievements of our Confirmation Class and our high school seniors as we wish them well with their future
endeavors! Send names of high school graduates and intended colleges to
Emily Gregory at [email protected] by May 6.