The Shofar - Beth Israel Synagogue

25 SHEVAT 5768—25 NISAN 5768
!
FEBRUARY—APRIL 2008
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
!
WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
The Shofar
Message from Bruce
It may be a bit early,
but my mind is already
beginning to wander
toward Passover.
Of course, as I write
this we are again
reading the Passover
story as part of our
Torah reading cycle.
And last week I
actually had to drag
out our collection of
Haggadot
for
my
daughter Rachel who
led a Seder as part of
her sixth grade history
study of the ancient
Israelites.
But perhaps the cold
weather is what is
turning my thoughts to
our joyous springtime
festival which, along
with the high holidays
and Sukkoth, are the
great hinges around
which the Jewish year
turns.
This year I am excited
that
we
will
be
celebrating Passover as
a community.
Our
second night Seder will
take place on Sunday,
April 20.
As our
Haggadah says, “All
who are hungry, let
them come and eat.”
But of course, Passover
is about more than
eating. The stringent
dietary restrictions, the
hours of preparation,
the strange, flat, dry
bread, and most of all,
the Haggadah’s unique
retelling of the Exodus
story – shared with
family and friends and
filled with questions,
songs and laughter – is
a defining moment for
each of us. Looking
back at my quite
secular
upbringing,
nothing
impressed
upon me my Jewish
identity so much as
(Continued on page 2)
Beth Israel will be hosting the Second
Night of Passover,
Sunday April 20th at 5:00 PM
"LET ALL WHO ARE HUNGRY COME AND EAT!"
FREE Passover dinner, prepared by Beth Israel volunteers.
ALL are welcome, please RSVP by March 28th.
We look forward to hosting as many people as we
can for this wonderful holiday.
Anticipate great food and even better company!
Upcoming Events
2/6: Women’s Rosh
Hodesh Service followed
by dinner at Gaetano’s
6:30 PM ℡
2/29: Shabbat services
& pot luck dinner
6:00 PM
3/21: Purim Megillah
services & pot luck
dinner 6:00 PM
3/30: Teen pizza &
discussion night
7:00 PM
4/4 : Shabbat services
celebrating April mitzvot
6:45 PM
℡ = RSVP
to Mimi Bloch
203-949-0651
mimibloch@aol.com
Page 2
(Message from Bruce—Continued from page 1)
that annual trip to Uncle
Natie’s house with the table
that I was sure was a thousand
feet long.
The Shofar—Spring 2008
and our ties with those around
us. Let us then take this time
to fulfill Haggadah’s words not
just for ourselves, but for all
who are hungry and in need.
Sentiments
MAZEL TOV
I know that all of you have
similar childhood memories of
Seders past. For those of you
who have married Jewish
spouses,
unlocking
those
memories will open new
insights into your partner’s
childhood
and
their
relationship with their allencompassing religion.
Passover touches us deeply in
terms of both memory and
identity. Thus, this astounding
festival goes beyond feeding
our bodies. That is why the
Haggadah’s very next words
are “All who are needy – let the
come and celebrate the Passover
with us.”
I see our communal Seder as a
unique opportunity as a
synagogue to meet the needs
of the community we serve.
That is why I am not only
urging all of you who are
around for the second night of
Passover to share it with us; I
am also encouraging you to
bring friends, neighbors, and
extended family with you.
Passover is a unique moment
in time when we form and
strengthen our identity as Jews
Other notes:
Just a reminder about two
programs near and dear to my
heart. Torah study is now a
monthly event here at Beth
Israel. Lox, bagels, maybe a
piece of coffee cake, and good
discussion, is our Saturday
morning fare. Plus there are
supervised activities for the
children. Our discussions have
been lively and thought
provoking. And I am hoping
that once we build a strong
core of support, we can extend
our offerings to more Saturday
mornings. Upcoming dates are
February 9 and March 22.
And we will be celebrating
another Kabbalat Shabbat with
a carry-in dairy dinner on
February 29. This is a funfilled way of welcoming the
Sabbath – plenty of good food,
fine conversation and maybe
even a little singing and
dancing (plus lots of fun for
kids of all ages!). More details
on all these events will be
found in these pages or in
subsequent communications,
so please stay in touch.
to
Art & Rose Abo, who are now
grandparents! Their
daughter and son-in-law,
Allyson and Jeffrey Salek,
gave birth to their own
daughter Emily on December
14, 2007. Art and Rose are
proud and very happy
grandparents!
Brian Schacht, son of Kathy
and Barry, who graduated
from SCSU in December and
began his teaching career in
January. Brian is a Special
Education teacher at Hop
Brook intermediate school in
Naugatuck.
Rachel Sirota, daughter of
Lorri Brown and Wayne
Sirota, who became engaged
to John Scignano on
December 24th. The couple
will be married on November
28th in Great Neck, New
York. All are very excited!
Rae-ann Kershnar, on her
engagement to Scott Allen.
The excited
and happy couple is planning
an April wedding. Our very
best wishes!
REFUAH SHLEIMAH
to
Fran Markowitz
Sonia Ruderman
Elsie Peretzman
to
Sue Rubin for a speedy
recovery.
3
Page Page
3
Announcements
Reminder
Just a reminder:
any
food
brought
into
the
kitchen
MUST HAVE
A KOSHER SYMBOL on it,
or come from a kosher bakery.
Ink Cartridge Fundraiser
Beth Israel is collecting empty
ink jet cartridges. They can be
dropped off at the Synagogue
or to Alida Cella (949-8656).
We are reimbursed .50 to $4.00
depending on the brand. What
you may usually throw
away could
be
an
easy
donation!
Purim is around to corner….
Be on the lookout for the flyer
about our annual Purim
Fundraising
event
of
Mishloach Manot (the sending
of gift baskets). Letters will be
mailed in the middle of
February.
We will be needing help to
make the baskets and deliver
them. Baskets are being made
on Sunday March 9th .and will
be delivered on Sunday, March
16th. Please let Mimi or Alida
know if you can help make
and/or deliver the baskets.
Stop & Shop Gift Cards...
are available through Bob
Gross (203-269-1986). This is a
no-brainer fundraiser for the
synagogue, as we receive 5% of
all purchases that you’ll make
anyway!
If you spend $400 a month at
Stop & Shop, that’s a ‘gift’ of
$240 per year to the
synagogue. If just 10 families
did this, the synagogue would
earn an additional, easy $2400
EACH YEAR! If 20 families
participated, we’d make $4800
A YEAR. All this, without
spending a dime more than
you normally do. Please buy
them today—for yourself and
your friends. POST-DATED
CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED!!
someone’s inside,
hesitate to ring it!
don’t
Editor’s Note…
Please let me know if there are
any errors that need correcting,
or if I’ve missed any important
dates. I apologize in advance
for any oversights.
Phyllis Gordon,
Shofar content editor,
pgordon@snet.net
Cemetery Notice
Please note that the only two
monument companies Beth
Israel cemetery uses are:
Giordano Brothers
275 Derby Avenue
New Haven CT
203-777-5569
Advertise in the Shofar
and
If anyone is interested in
placing an ad in the Shofar,
these are the rates:
½ page - $225
Business card - $75
Full page - $400
Don’t forget...
we now have a doorbell on the
left side of our main door’s
doorframe, so if the door is
locked when you know
Nolan’s Hamden Monument
Company
323 Washington Avenue
Hamden CT
203-288-8486
(formerly Lichtenstein).
Any questions please contact
Bob Gross 203-589-7425
Page 4
The Shofar—Spring 2008
Contributions
November – December 2007,
January 2008
Synagogue Fund
Lynne Rappoport in memory
of Ryan Gordon, Esther Lee,
and Karen Schlessinger
Kathy and Barry Schacht in
memory of Mike Schacht
Kathy and Barry Schacht in
honor of Brian’s graduation
from SCSU with a teaching
degree in Special Education
and getting a teaching job in
Naugatuck
Phyllis and Barry Gordon in
memory of Ryan Gordon,
Esther Lee, and Karen
Schlessinger
President’s Message
“Let all who are hungry come and
eat.”
This year, Beth Israel is very
pleased to host a Second Night
Passover Seder. It will be
lovingly prepared by members
of our congregation and open to
family, friends and all who wish
to join us.
There will be no charge; we are
welcoming everyone to our
House of Israel. Beth Israel is
making a conscientious effort to
reach out to non-affiliated folks
Donations can be made to the
following Beth Israel funds:
Torah Fund
Endowment Fund
Cemetery Fund
Synagogue Fund
Tree of Life
Prayer Book Fund
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Book of Remembrance
Walter Fried Memorial Fund
Yahrzeit Fund
Kol Nidre Fund
Youth Fund
Library Fund
Education Fund
Keer Family Fund
Torah Account
Barbara Gross in memory of
Karen Schlessinger
Mimi & Beryl Bloch in
memory of Dorothy Liner
Please send all donations to:
Beth Israel Synagogue,
P.O Box 536,
Wallingford, CT 06492
Kol Nidre
Henni Stolzman
Rae-ann Kershnar
Yahrzeit Fund
Naomi & Saul Freilich
Ursula Finkel in memory of
Sarah & Jacob Caplan
Debra Fallon Caplan in
memory of Ida Caplan
in our area looking for a warm
and welcoming community. It is
our sincere hope that by opening
our doors as wide as they will
go, we will be able to grow and
become
a
spiritual
and
communal cornerstone for our
members and beyond.
To achieve this, we have much
more going on than just
Passover. We have an ambitious
calendar of events over the next
few months, which is fueled by
the results from the survey that
was mailed out in October.
The gist of the results indicates
that the new programming we
have introduced coincides with
the interests of our members. As
evidence, we have seen record
turnout for events such as the
Open House to welcome Bruce
Alpert, our Sabbath Joy Musical
Shabbat, and every Saturday
morning Torah, Tots and Bagels.
I see renewed energy and spirit
in our Congregation, and it is
very exciting. The more we do, it
seems, the more people come. I
hope Beth Israel becomes and
remains an open door where all
who hunger for community and
spiritual fulfillment can find a
place to dwell every day of the
year.
Alida Cella
Page 5
The Shofar—Spring
Page
2008
5
From the Ritual Committee
Lots of new and exciting
events are being planned at
Beth Israel.
New this year….We will be
having a special monthly
service that will honor anyone
that
has
a
birthday,
anniversary or other Mazel
Tov during the month. We are
planning a special Oneg with
cake and ice cream and the
special milestones will be
announced during the service
that
evening.
Our
first
celebration service will be held
on Feb. 15th for January and
February simchas.
March
celebrations will be held on
March 7th and April’s will be
April 4th. Please be sure that
we
have
the
updated
information for everyone in
your family. Our list is not
complete and we don’t want to
exclude anyone. Please send
me an email with your families
dates, to be sure we have
correct information.
The success of our pot luck
dinner services is allowing us
to continue to have them
monthly. Our next pot luck
dinner will be on Feb. 29th.
Bring a dairy dish and RSVP to
Mimi as to what you are
bringing. On March 21st we
will be combining the reading
of the Megillah for Purim with
our pot luck dinner. Services
will start at 6:00 PM for all
dinner services.
Our Torah, Tots and Bagels
program has been very
successful. Thanks to Andrea
Curcio for working with the
tots and of course to Bruce
Alpert for his insight into the
Torah. You do not need to
know about the Torah portion,
everyone is welcome.
The
discussions
have
covered
many things, including Torah
study, but certainly not limited
to that. Our upcoming Torah,
Tots and Bagels will be Feb. 9th,
March 22nd and April 12th.
Hope to see you there. Leave
the tots with Andrea and come
and learn.
Bruce Alpert. This has the
makings of a wonderful
tradition for Beth Israel and I
do hope that everyone can
bring their family and “Leave
the cooking to us”!! Mark your
calendars now for Sunday
April 20th. Please also let us
know if you are aware of
anyone who will be alone for
Passover. We want to be sure
that we welcome them to join
us at the Seder.
We are also looking for any
and all Beth Israel members
who
play
a
musical
instrument. We would love to
put together a service similar
to the Sabbath Joy service we
held back in October, only
with members from our
congregation, rather than an
outside group. In order to do
Calling all teens… we will be that, we need help of our
having a special “Teen Pizza & talented musicians.
Please
Discussion” night on Sunday email
me
at
th
March 30 at 7:00 PM. It will mimibloch@aol.com so we can
be a fun night and it is open to get everyone together.
all of our teenagers. Come and
bring a Jewish friend.
Mimi Bloch
This year Beth Israel will be
having a Communal Family
Seder on the second night of
Passover. The members of our
congregation will be cooking a
delicious dinner and the Seder
service will be led by our own
Sunday, March 16th,
8-10 AM
Deliver Purim
Baskets
Volunteers needed.
Page
Page66
Shofar—Spring
Page
2008
5
The The
Shofar—Spring
2008
Simchas!
BIRTHDAYS
February
5th
Evan Huber
Seth Huber
th
7
Samantha Caplan
Judy Solomon
th
13
Emily Sirota
th
15
Gerri Nolan
March
5th
Simona Fried
th
14
Sam Ruderman
th
19
Rachel Murphy
nd
22
Elise Schoolnik
Marjorie Cohen
th
24
Dave Solomon
Lisa Radin
th
30
Maxine Snyder
31st
Robert Nolan
April
9th
Dick Caplan
th
Art Abo
15
Jack Huber
Bruce Snyder
24th Arlene O’Tell
Rachel Alpert
Marion Ruminski
27th Jaeden Curcio
29th Sarah Alpert
ANNIVERSARIES
February
None!
March
13th Robert & Gerri Nolan
16th Steve & Leslie LeClair
April
24th Ken & Sue Burt
Rosh
Hodesh
Jewish women
have a special
connection to
Rosh Hodesh
and therefore
refrain from
extra work on that day. This
special connection is explained in
an ancient book called Pirkei
d’Rabbi Eliezer (chapter 45):
“When the Israelite men wanted to
take their wives’ earrings for the
Golden Calf, the women heard
about it and were not agreeable.
They said: ‘[You want our jewelery]
to create a disgrace and an
abomination that has no power?
We will not listen to you!’
“G-d therefore gave them reward in
this world in that they celebrate
Rosh Hodesh and grants them
reward in the next world where they
are renewed like the new month.”
from www.askmoses.com
Beth Israel will hold a Rosh
Hodesh Women's Service, on
Wednesday, Feb. 6th, at 6:30 PM,
with dinner to follow at Gaetano's
Tavern on Main.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar and join us!
Wednesday, Feb. 6th, 6:30 PM
Rosh Hodesh Womenʹs
Service, with dinner to follow
at Gaetanoʹs Tavern on Main.
Saturday, Feb. 9th, 9:30 AM
Torah, Tots and Bagels
Friday, Feb. 15th, 6:45 PM
Celebrate January & February
Birthdays, Anniversaries,
and Mazel Tovs –
Special Oneg Shabbat
with Bruce
Friday, Feb. 29th, 6:00 PM
Pot Luck Shabbat with
possible guest musician
Friday, March 7th 6:45 PM
Celebrate March Birthdays,
Anniversaries, and Mazel
Tovs – Special Oneg Shabbat
with Bruce
Sunday, March 16:th, 8-10 AM
Deliver Purim Baskets
Friday, March 21, 6:00 PM
Purim Pot Luck Dinner,
Megillah & Music
Friday, April 4, 6:45 PM
Celebrate April Birthdays,
Anniversaries, and Mazel
Tovs – Special Oneg Shabbat
with Bruce
Special Purim & Passover Pullout Section
Background on Purim
Purim
14th Adar/March 21, 2008
Purim is preceded by the Fast of
Esther which commemorates
Esther's fasting before pleading
with King Ahasuerus to spare the
Jewish people.
Purim Mitzvot
There are four Mitzvot which are
obligatory on Purim:
• the reading of Megillat Esther
• festivity and rejoicing
• Shalach Manot
(sending gifts)
• Matanot L'Evyonim
(gifts to the poor)
Reading of Megillat Esther
One is required to read the Megillah both by day and night.
One may read the Megillah all
night until dawn, and from sunrise until sunset. If one has read
the Megillah before sunrise but
after dawn, one has fulfilled the
obligation to read the Megillah.
Both men and women are obligated to hear the Megillah.
Feasting and Rejoicing
It is a mitzvah to have a sumptuous meal on Purim, including
meat dishes and wine. This
feast must be held during the
day. There is also a custom of
drinking until intoxication as our
Sages tell us, "A person is obligated to drink on Purim ‘til he no
longer knows the difference between cursed is Haman and
blessed is Mordechai.
Matanot L'Evyonim
(Gifts for the Poor)
The gift should be sufficient to
buy bread. The gifts to the poor
are given during the day, usually
after the reading of the Megillah.
Shalach Manot
(Gifts to One Another)
These gifts should be sent to as
many people as one chooses but
they should be sufficient to convey regard for the recipient. If at
all possible, these gifts should
be sent by messengers, rather
than delivered personally because the Megillah uses the
word mishloach (sending) for
these gifts.
One is required to give at least
two gifts to two poor people on
Purim, in other words, one gift to
each. Even a poor person who
subsists on charity is required to
perform this mitzvah. This obligation can be fulfilled through
food or drink or even clothing.
Purim Dinner
Friday night,
March 21, 6:00 PM
followed by Megillah reading
Special Purim/Passover Insert
The Shofar—Spring 2008
Passover Preparations
From the Rabbinical Assembly Pesach Guide
The Torah prohibits the ownership
of hametz (leaven) during Pesach.
Therefore, we arrange for the sale
of the hametz to a non-Jew. The
transfer, mekhirat hametz, is
accomplished by appointing an
agent, usually the rabbi, to handle
the sale. It is valid and legal
transfer of ownership. At the end
of the holiday, the agent arranges
for the reversion of ownership of
the now-permitted hametz. If
ownership of the hametz was not
transferred before the holiday,
the use of this hametz is
prohibited after the holiday as
well (hametz she-avar alav haPesach).
Prohibited foods include the
following: leavened bread, cakes,
biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffees
containing cereal derivatives,
wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and
all liquids containing ingredients
or flavors made from grain
alcohol.
Most Ashkenazic authorities have
added the following foods
(kitniyot) to the above list: rice,
corn, millet, legumes (beans and
peas; however, string beans are
permitted).
PERMITTED FOODS: The following
foods require no kosher le-Pesach
label if purchased prior to Pesach:
unopened packages or containers
of natural coffee without cereal
additives (However, be aware that
coffees produced by General
Foods are not kosher for
Passover unless marked KP);
sugar, pure tea (not herbal tea);
salt (not iodized); pepper; natural
spices; frozen fruit juices with no
additives; frozen (uncooked)
vegetables (for legumes see
above); milk; butter; cottage
cheese; cream cheese; ripened
cheeses such as cheddar (hard),
muenster (semi- so ft ) and
Ca memb ert (soft ); frozen
(uncooked) fruit (with no
additives); baking soda.
purchased without a kosher lePesach label); wine; vinegar;
liquor; oils; dried fruits; candy;
chocolate flavored milk; ice
cream; yogurt and soda.
The following processed foods
(canned, bottled or frozen),
require a kosher le-Pesach label if
purchased during Pesach: milk,
butter, juices, vegetables, fruit,
milk products, spices, coffee, tea,
and fish, as well as all foods listed
in Category C.
DETERGENTS: If permitted during
the year, powdered and liquid
The following foods require no detergents do not require a
kosher le-Pesach label if kosher le-Pesach label.
purchased before or during
Pesach: Fresh fruits and MEDICINE: Since hametz binders
vegetables (for legumes see are used in many pills, the
above), eggs, fresh fish and fresh following guidelines should be
followed: If the medicine is
meat.
required for life sustaining
The following foods require a therapy, it may be used on
kosher le-Pesach label if Pesach. If it is not for life
purchased before or during sust a i ni ng t hera py , some
Pesach: All baked products authorities permit, while others
(matzah, cakes, matzah flour, prohibit. Consult your rabbi. In all
farfel, matzah meal, and any cases, capsules are preferable to
products containing matzah); pills.
canned or bottled fruit juices
(These juices are often clarified KASHERING OF UTENSILS: The
with kitniyot which are not listed process of kashering utensils
among the ingredients. However, depends on how the utensils are
if one knows there are no such used. According to halakhah,
agents, the juice may be leaven can be purged from a
purchased prior to Pesach utensil by the same process in
without a kosher le-Pesach label); which it was absorbed in the
canned tuna (since tuna, even utensil (ke-voleo kakh poleto).
when packed in water, has often Therefore, utensils used in
been processed in vegetable cooking are kashered by boiling,
broth and/or hydrolyzed protein-- those used in broiling are
however, if it is known that the kashered by fire and heat, and
tuna is packed exclusively in those used only for cold food are
water, without any additional kashered by rinsing.
ingredients or additives, it may be
EARTHENWARE (china, pottery,
etc.): may not be kashered.
However, fine translucent
chinaware which has not been
used for over a year may be used
if scoured and cleaned in hot
water.
MICROWAVE OVENS, which do not
cook the food by means of heat,
should be cleaned, and then a
cup of water should be placed
inside. Then the oven should be
turned on until the water
disappears. A microwave oven
that has a browning element
cannot be kashered for Pesach.
TABLES, CLOSETS AND COUNTERS: If
used with hametz, they should be
thoroughly cleaned and covered,
and then they may be used.
KITCHEN SINK: A metal sink can be
kashered by thoroughly cleaning
and then pouring boiling water
over it. A porcelain sink should be
cleaned and a sink rack used. If,
GLASSWARE: Authorities disagree however, dishes are to be soaked
as to the method for kashering in a porcelain sink, a dish basin
drinking utensils. One opinion must be used.
requires soaking in water for
three days, changing the water HAMETZ AND NON-PASSOVER
every 24 hours. The other opinion UTENSILS: Non-Passover dishes,
requires only a thorough po t s a n d h a met z who se
scrubbing before Pesach, or ownership has been transferred,
p u t t i n g t h e m t h r o u g h a should be separated, locked up or
covered, and marked in order to
dishwasher.
prevent accidental use.
GLASS COOKWARE: There is a
difference of opinion as to
whether it is to be kashered. One
A Few Words About Yizkor
opinion is that it must be
kashered. After a thorough
cleansing, there should be water In the Prayers of “Yizkor,” “May He
Remember,” we ask Hashem to
boiled in them which will overflow “remember” the souls of our loved ones
the rim. The other opinion is that who have passed away....Yizkor is
only a thorough cleansing is really an opportunity for us to bring to
mind intensely, to re-create, if only for
required.
a few brief moments, connections that
METAL (wholly made of metal)
UTENSILS USED IN FIRE (spit,
broiler) must first be thoroughly
scrubbed and cleansed and then
made as hot as possible. Those
used for cooking or eating
(silverware, pots) must be
thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned
and completely immersed in
boiling water. Pots should not be
used for a period of at least 24
hours between the cleaning and Glass bakeware, like metal bake
the immersion in boiling water. ware, may not be kashered.
Metal baking utensils cannot be
DISHWASHER: After not using the
kashered.
machine for a period of 24 hours,
OVENS AND RANGES: Every part a full cycle with detergent should
that comes in contact with food be run.
must be thoroughly scrubbed and
cleaned. Then, oven and range ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES:
should be heated as hot as If the parts that come into contact
possible for a half hour. If there is with hametz are removable, they
a broil setting, use it. Self- can be kashered in the
cleaning ovens should be appropriate way (if metal, follow
scrubbed and cleaned and then the rules for metal utensils). If the
put through the self-cleaning parts are not removable, the
cycle. Continuous cleaning ovens appliance cannot be kashered.
must be kashered in the same (All exposed parts should be
thoroughly cleaned.)
manner as regular ovens.
once existed between ourselves and
loved ones who have passed away.
It is also an opportunity to
secure additional merit for
those beloved ones by
performing the act of
“Tzedakah,” Charity.
Yizkor is recited on Yom Kippur,
Passover, Shavuot (The Feast of
Weeks) and Shemini Atzeret, holidays
on which the Jewish People were
obligated to appear “not emptyhanded” at the Temple in Jerusalem.
We fulfill the “non-empty-handed” part
of the obligation by generous pledges
to Tzedakah, and by redeeming them
after the holiday. Next Yizkor will be
recited April 27.
Special Purim/Passover Insert
The Shofar—Spring 2008
A Quick Guide to the Passover Seder
1. Kaddish: Sanctification
This is a blessing over wine in
honor of the holiday. The wine is
drunk, and a second cup is
poured.
2. Urechatz: Washing
A washing of the hands without a
blessing, in preparation for eating
the Karpas.
3. Karpas: Vegetable
A vegetable (usually parsley) is
dipped in salt water and eaten.
The
vegetable
symbolizes the lowly
origins of the Jewish
people; the salt
water
symbolizes
the tears shed as a
result of our slavery.
Parsley is a good
vegetable to use for
this
purpose,
because when you
shake off the salt water, it looks
like tears.
4. Yachatz: Breaking
One of the three matzahs on the
table is broken. Part is returned to
the pile, the other part is set
aside for the afikoman (see #12).
5. Maggid: The Story
A retelling of the story of the
Exodus from Egypt and the first
Passover. This begins with the
youngest person asking The Four
Questions, a set of questions
about the proceedings designed
to encourage participation in the
seder. The Four Questions are
also known as Mah Nishtanah
(Why is it different?), which are
the first words of the Four
Questions.
At the end of the maggid, a 11. Shulchan Orech: Dinner
blessing is recited over the A festive meal is eaten. There is
second cup of wine and it is no particular requirement
drunk.
regarding what to eat at this meal
(except, of course, that hametz
6. Rachtzah: Washing
cannot be eaten).
A second washing of the hands,
this time with a blessing, in 12. Tzafun: The Afikoman
preparation for eating the The piece of matzah set aside
matzah.
earlier is eaten as "dessert," the
last food of the meal. Different
7. Motzi: Blessing over Grain families have different traditions
Products
relating to the afikoman. Some
The ha-motzi blessing, a generic have the children hide it, while
blessing for bread or the parents have to either find it
grain products used or ransom it back. Others have
as a meal, is recited the parents hide it. The idea is to
over the matzah.
keep the children awake and
attentive throughout the pre-meal
8. Matzah: Blessing proceedings, waiting for this part.
over Matzah
A blessing specific to 13. Barech: Grace after Meals
matzah is recited, and The third cup of wine is poured,
a bit of matzah is and grace after meals is recited.
eaten.
This is similar to the grace that
would be said on any Sabbath. At
9. Maror: Bitter Herbs
the end, a blessing is said over
A blessing is recited over a bitter the third cup and it is drunk. The
v e g e t a b l e ( u s u a l l y r a w fourth cup is
poured, including
horseradish; sometimes romaine a cup set aside for the prophet
lettuce), and it is eaten. This Elijah, who is supposed to herald
symbolizes the bitterness of the Messiah, and is supposed to
slavery. The maror is eaten with come on Passover to do this. The
charoses, a mixture of apples, door is opened for a while at this
nuts, cinnamon and wine, which point.
symbolizes the mortar used by
the Jews in building during their 14. Hallel: Praises
slavery.
Several psalms are recited. A
blessing is recited over the last
10. Korech: The Sandwich
cup of wine and it is drunk.
Rabbi Hillel was of the opinion
that the maror should be eaten 15. Nirtzah: Closing
together with matzah and the A simple statement that the seder
paschal offering in a sandwich. In has been completed, with a wish
his honor, we eat some maror on that next year, we may celebrate
a piece of matzah, with some Passover in Jerusalem.
charoses.
Page 11
Services February – April 2008
Date
Day
Time
Event & Leader
Feb 1
Feb 6
Friday
Wednesday
6:45 PM
6:30 PM
Feb 8
Feb 9
Feb 15
Friday
Saturday
Friday
6:45 PM
9:30 AM
6:45 PM
Feb 22
Feb 29
Friday
Friday
6:45 PM
6:00 PM
Shabbat services – Todd & Wynn
Adar 1 Women’s Rosh Hodesh Service –
Rae-ann & Nancy
Shabbat services – Bruce
Torah, Tots & Bagels– Bruce
Shabbat services (Jan/Feb Birthdays &
Anniversaries) – Nancy
Shabbat services – Alida
Shabbat services & Pot Luck Dinner – Bruce
Mar 7
Friday
6:45 PM
Mar 14
Mar 16
Mar 21
Friday
Sunday
Friday
6:45 PM
8:00 AM
6:00 PM
Mar 22
Mar 28
Mar 30
Saturday
Friday
Sunday
9:30 AM
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
April 4
Friday
6:45 PM
April 11
April 12
April 18
April 20
Friday
Saturday
Friday
Sunday
6:45 PM
9:30 AM
6:45 PM
5:00 PM
April 25
Friday
6:45 PM
Shabbat services (March Birthdays &
Anniversaries) – Bruce
Shabbat services – Alida
Purim baskets delivery (8-10 AM)
Purim Megillah Service/Music &
Pot Luck Dinner – Bruce & Nancy
Torah, Tots & Bagels – Bruce
Shabbat services – Todd & Wynn
Teen Pizza & Discussion Night – Bruce
Shabbat services (April Birthdays &
Anniversaries) – Bruce & Nancy
Shabbat services – Alida
Torah, Tots & Bagels – Bruce
Shabbat services – Nancy (no oneg)
Communal Seder (2nd night of Passover)
– Bruce
Shabbat services – Bruce
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Page
Page12
12
Shofar—Spring
Page
2008
5
The The
Shofar—Spring
2008
SAVE THE DATE “FORE”…
THE RYAN C. GORDON
MEMORIAL KIDDUSH CUP
THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH, 2008
REGISTRATION BEGINS:
Putting Contest:
SHOTGUN Scramble TeeTee-Off:
Dinner:
7:45 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
2:30 PM
Please plan to join us for our synagogue’s major fundraiser.
You don’t have to play to participate!
Dinner is really, really good!!
You can also participate by donating (or having someone else donate)
an item for our raffle and auctions.
All items donated are GREATLY appreciated and contribute
tremendously to our proceeds. Favorite auction items include:
theater/sports tickets; specialty baskets; wine; week/weekend
timetime-share; family portrait; personal services.
Please contact Mindy Schwartz at 203203-982982-7532
with your ideas or donated items.
Look for our brochure in the mail shortly!
Page 13
Kiddush Cup Sponsors
We sincerely hope that you will utilize the services of our wonderful sponsors whenever
possible and let them know why. We value their friendship and generosity and wish for
them to remain sponsors in the years to come. Our support of them can only help to
ensure an ongoing relationship! Please check our website for links to the businesses below.
Presidential Sponsor (19th Hole) $1250
Donald Sullivan & Sons, LLC Plantsville
Fore Starters (Continental Breakfast)
Sponsor $800
Lynne Rappoport
Wallace Realty, LLC Wallingford
Oasis (Snack Cart) Sponsors $500
B.C. Bailey & Sons Funeral Home,
Wallingford
Harvest Capital, LLC, South Windsor
Golfer Gift Sponsor $500
Nelson’s Automotive Services,
Wallingford
Gold Sponsor $300
Christo’s Pizza & Restaurant,
Wallingford
Hole-In-One Sponsor $250
Eric Levine, Toyota Of Wallingford,
Wallingford
Putting Contest Sponsor $200
Quinnipiac Physical Therapy & Sports
Medicine, Wallingford, Hamden,
North Haven
Tee Sponsors $150
Arakelian Rugs, Inc, Westville
Archie Moore’s Restaurant, Wallingford
Cella, Flanagan & Weber, Atty’s At Law,
North Haven
C.M Smith Agency, Glastonbury
Coachman Square At Woodbridge,
Woodbridge
CT Healing Institute, Wallingford
David Fried, DMD, Wallingford
David & Sue Haber
Hartford Wolf Pack Community
Foundation, Hartford
Hire Logic, LLC, South Windsor
Julius Gold, DMD, Wallingford
Mastrianni & Seguljic, Atty’s At Law,
Plainville
Arlene O’Tell
R.A. Levine Company, West Haven
Roman Oil Co., Inc., Meriden
Safe Home Security, Wethersfield
Security First Insurance Group,
Waterbury
Bill, Sharon & Brent Speed, Rocky Hill
The Tire Store, Wallingford
The Wurzer Family
Page 14
The Shofar—Spring
Page
2008
13
Upcoming Yahrzeits
Honoring Our
Beloved Relatives
Date
Name
Hebrew Date
Relationship to Congregant
Feb. 4
Feb. 5
Arthur Bramley
Esther Lee
Jack Greenberg
Motah Benjamin Alschuler
Sadie Alpert
Libby Katz
Jacob Shapiro
Ryan Gordon
28 Shevat
29 Shevat
Daughter: Lynne Rappoport
Feb. 6
Feb. 7
Feb. 8
Feb. 9
Feb. 10
Feb. 11
Feb. 14
Feb. 16
Feb. 18
Feb. 19
Feb. 20
Feb. 22
Feb. 24
Feb. 25
Feb. 27
George Groobert
Pearl Factor
Esther Neiman
Abraham Tafeen
Harry Hassell
Thomas Caplan
Shirley Keer
Gussie Shapiro
Anna Novick
Jennie York
Bertha Ruskin
David Goldberger
Clara Milcowitz
Rose Fishbein
Sarah Pinsky
Belle Hubelbank
Akiva Goldstein
Mary Schlessinger
Abraham Meltzer
Mary Krupp
Morris Elmowitz
William Papoosha
Eva Sarkin
Bernard Neiman
30 Shevat
1 Adar
2 Adar
3 Adar II
3 Adar
Daughter: Susan Burt
4 Adar
5 Adar
8 Adar
10 Adar
Son: Richard Caplan
Sister: Hilda Rosenman
12 Adar
13 Adar
14 Adar
15 Adar
16 Adar
18 Adar
Daughter: Miriam Brodsky
Daughter: Miriam Bloch
Granddaughter: Alida Cella
19 Adar
21 Adar
22 Adar
March 2
March 3
Lothar Mickel
Elsa Fried
25 Adar
26 Adar
March 4
March 7
Hilda Reiskin
Katherine Hodos
Lena Pinsker
George Groobert
27 Adar
30 Adar
March 10
Parents: Barry & Phyllis Gordon
Grandmother: Lynne Rappoport
3 Adar II
Daughter-in-law: Henni Stolzman
Grandson: David Fried
Brother: Saul Fried
Page 15
March 12
March 14
March 15
March 16
March 18
March 22
March 23
March 27
March 29
April 3
April 6
April 7
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 14
April 16
April 18
April 19
April 20
April 23
April 24
April 25
April 26
April 27
April 28
April 29
Charles Fishbein
Rebecca Markowitz
Shirley Goldstein
Meyer Markowitz
Cecilia Maneta
Bessie Katzman
Frances Fredericks
Israel Katz
Lilian Bush
David Katzman
Morris Brodksy
5 Adar II
7 Adar II
8 Adar II
9 Adar II
11 Adar II
15 Adar II
16 Adar II
20 Adar II
22 Adar II
Daughter-in-law: Fran Markowitz
Daughter: Miriam Fried
Daughter-in-law: Miriam Brodsky
Meyer Alex
Marion Kaletsky
Harry Caplan
Ed Kaspinow
Anna Cassman
Sherman Milcowitz
Regina Fredericks
Selina Schlessinger
Milton Milcowitz
Joshep Calechman
Horace Reiner
Bessie Robbins
Rose Tugender
27 Adar II
29 Adar II
1 Nissan
Daughter: Barbara Rubin
2 Nissan
5 Nissan
6 Nissan
Mother: Renee Milcowitz
Marcia Rubin
Jack Hodos
Hyman Feinblum
Esther Gershberg
Isaac Semack
Israel Sitnitsky
Harold Brodsky
Louis Pinsker
Jacob Keer
Rae Funt
Herman York
Dorothy Monchick
Esther Markowitz
13 Nissan
14 Nissan
15 Nisssan
7 Nissan
Daughter: Alida Cella
Wife: Renee Milcowitz
9 Nissan
11 Nissan
18 Nissan
19 Nissan
20 Nissan
Wife: Miriam Brodsky
21 Nissan
22 Nissan
23 Nissan
24 Nissan
A Note on Yahrzeits
If we do not show your name
and your relationship with
your loved one in our yahrzeit
listing, please notify Phyllis
Gordon (203-269-5094,
pgordon@snet.net) to update the
information for future editions.
If you would like to ensure a
minyan to say kaddish, please
contact ritual committee chair
Mimi Bloch (call 203-949-0651
or email to mimibloch@aol.com),
so the committee can make
arrangements.
Beth Israel Synagogue
P.O. Box 536
Wallingford, CT 06492
Office (203) 269-5983
www.bethisraelwallingford.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Membership
Ritual
House
Cemetery
Alida Cella
Beryl Bloch
Todd Schwartz
Mindy Schwartz
Nancy Huber
Gerri Nolan
Barbara Gross
Mimi Bloch
Debbie Gross
Dick Caplan
Bob Gross