CONGREGATION AGUDATH JACOB

Transcription

1 CONGREGATION AGUDATH JACOB April Nisan/Iyar Rabbi: Gordon Fuller President: Abbye Silver Phone: Editor: Fax: Office Admin: Amanda Henson This bulletin is published twelve times per year by Congregation Agudath Jacob a non profit organization. Founded in 1888 Celebrating 125 years Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. We are in that interesting time of the Jewish calendar where we are between Purim and Pesach, and before both Yom Hasho ah vehagevurah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day) and Yom Ha atzma ut (Israel Independence Day). We are also in the season of spring, a time symbolic of rebirth and renewal. I mention this because we are also living in interesting times geopolitically. In many ways, the Jewish community is more successful, more active, and more open than ever before in its history, at least here in America. There are more day schools, more Jewish summer camps, more adult learning opportunities, and more Jewish studies and Hillel programs on campuses than ever before. There is more inclusiveness and outreach in Jewish communities around the country toward physically and mentally handicapped, toward various gender identities and interfaith families, and toward welcoming converts, than ever before. And there are more Jewish congressional representatives and holders of other government positions of influence at all levels than Jews have known anywhere outside of Israel. Yet all is not rosy. The old joke about the theme of all Jewish holidays being described by the phrase, they tried to kill us, we won, let s eat is cute, and certainly applies to life in ancient Persia and Egypt, and hence the holidays of Purim and Pesach. And I don t generally like to either write or speak about negative things, but I want to share some important thoughts before I leave being your rabbi. Israel s existence is far from assured given the efforts of Hizbollah, Hamas, and Iran, and the progress of the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement (BDS) around the world. That is a phrase I never thought I would utter in my lifetime, but it is the reality we find ourselves facing, even in as successful a Jewish community as we have here in the United States. Anti- Semitic incidents are on the rise worldwide, having increased sevenfold over just the last year, including well known atrocities that occurred in France, Denmark, and Belgium, just to name a few. And lest we think this kind of anti-semitism is just over there, look up what happened to a Jewish student at UCLA last month when she wanted to run for a student judiciary office, but was prevented by doing so because she was Jewish and that alone was thought to bias her outlook and make her an unacceptable candidate. Most disturbing of all to me is the resurgence of the acceptability of anti-semitism in the Western world. What our college students have to put up with, and suffer through, on our college campuses here in the U.S. is unthinkable, and unacceptable. Unfortunately, in many places it seems to be spearheaded by faculty members, many of whom are Jewish themselves. I don t have a magic antidote to this uncomfortable predicament we find ourselves in. But I do have a few thoughts: 1. Beware of inflammatory language and labels hurled at Jews and at Israel (apartheid, racism, Nazism, atrocities, etc.). 2. Pay attention to when anti-israel sentiment is expressed appropriately as a political statement, or generalized to be thinly veiled anti-semitism. 3. Don t be afraid to stand up for Israel, and discuss it in your social circles. 4. Try to build bridges and alliances with non-jews who are supportive of Israel. I hope and pray that seeds of more rational, more peaceful, and more respectful attitudes toward both Jews and Israel are planted this spring, and sprout much sustained growth in the years ahead. Shalom uv rachah peace and blessings, Rabbi Gordy

2 Friday, April 3 ***NOTE EARLIER START TIME*** Erev Pesach Brief service 5:30 p.m. Candle Lighting 7:31 p.m. Saturday, April 4 1 st day of Pesach Shabbat Ends 8:27 p.m. Friday, April 10 Kabbalat Shabbat/8 th day Pesach 8:00 p.m. (note special time due to the Holiday) Candle Lighting 7:36 p.m. Saturday, April 11 Yizkor (approx) 10:45 a.m. Shabbat & Holiday End 8:32 p.m. Friday, April 17 Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting Saturday, April 18 Shabbat Ends Friday, April 24 Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting Saturday, April 25 Shabbat Ends 7:41 p.m. 8:37 p.m. 7:46 p.m. 8:42 p.m. Ma ot Chitim Just as it is traditional to welcome the poor to our Seders when we say the ha lachma anya this bread of the poor, it is traditional to donate money so that those who are less fortunate are able to celebrate the Passover with holiday foods. Please make donations to the Rabbi s discretionary fund and earmark them for Ma ot Chitim, and he will make sure the money gets to those in need. Caritas Feast of Caring The 2015 Caritas Feast of Caring Soup Cook-Off will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at in the Brazos Room of the Waco Convention Center. Come sample soups from Waco s finest restaurants, bid on silent auction items and enjoy a live band! Tickets are $25 per person and can be obtained online ( or by calling Leonard & Elysse Englander Alice Todd Yaffah Miller Rabbi & Sharon Fuller Walter & Gene Zacharias Henry HaCker Kay Stolzer s Birthday Kay Stolzer Kellers Conversion & Naming Abbye & Susan Silver Dorothy Caplan s 100 th Birthday Jackie & Dean Fuller Larry & Susan Goldstein Matthew & Martha Fuller

3 Cheri DeWilde Teresa Mendoza Food from the Faithful We will bring Cereals & pastas on an on-going basis. Please bring packages throughout the year and we will see that they are delivered to caritas April 2 David Wolpo April 5 Jo Spark April 6 Dean Fuller April 8 Elizabeth Silver April 9 Kenneth Schwarz April 10 Lydia Hoffman April 12 Steven Schwarz April 13 Ricky Olmsted April 14 Frances Torchy Hoffman Matthew Spark April 18 Joel Leland Farley April 21 Melanie Bauer April 28 Jeff Glick Thank you to Jeff Wolf for sponsoring the Purim dinner! Thank you to Judy Hersh & Susan Silver for all of their hard work on the luncheons for the candidates for Rabbi! The annual Yom Hashoah service, sponsored by GWIC, will be held Monday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Rodef Sholom. Watch the announcements for more details! The next board meeting will be held Wednesday, April 8 at Harry Finkelstein Nathan & Audrey Koss Marilyn Sherman Gerald Abels Jim & Marcia Olmsted Robert Todd Alice Todd William Beville demoville Brent & Dianne demoville Lauren Hoffman Craig & Lydia Hoffman Sam Harelik Harry & Bev Harelik Bessie Zoblotsky Morris Zoblotsky Sally Jacobsohn Phyllis Ruttenberg Akmal

4 Rabbis Discretionary Fund Alice Todd Jeff & Lea Levin Cemetery Restoration Fund Steven Chodorow Frances Torchy Hoffman April 8 Mr. & Mrs. Paul Farmer April 17 Mr. & Mrs. Scott Reznik February 28 Brent & Dianne demoville Rabbi & Sharon Fuller Shabbat Donations March 7 Brent & Dianne demoville Jake & Simone Bauer March 14 Jake & Simone Bauer Brent & Dianne demoville Abbye & Susan Silver Jeff & Lea Levin March 21 Jake & Simone Bauer Jerry Gerson Jeff & Lea Levin Abbye & Susan Silver Jeff Wolf Minchah Moonlight Service & ISJL Visit!! Have you ever been to a Shabbat afternoon service? Have you ever said the Jewish blessing on the new moon? Join us for these special experiences Saturday evening, April 18 at 7:30-9:00 p.m. Please RSVP to the office if you plan to attend. Also, our ISJL fellow, Arielle Nissenblatt will be joining us for services & religious school April 17 & 18.

5 HOW TO OBSERVE THE YAHRZEIT It is traditional to kindle a Yahrzeit Candle in the home on the evening Yahrzeit begins. It should remain lighted until sunset the next day. Possible prayer before lighting a Yahrzeit candle: Eternal God, I/we light this candle in memory of (name), my/our beloved (relationship). The light of the flame rekindles all the warm memories of the moment we shared together, and reassures me /us that a piece of his/her soul dwells in my/our heart(s) forever. May his/her soul be bound up with the bonds of eternal life. Amen. Candles are available at the Gift Shop. Every effort should be made to say Kaddish at congregational services. It is meritorious to perform some Mitzvah or to contribute to the synagogue in commemoration of the deceased. Kaddish will be read on March 27 Nisan 8 Minnie Hoffman Lena Aronson Lynn Nisan 9 Abraham Berkman Bella (Birdie) Citrin Nisan 10 Abe Greenberg Sam Eisenberg Louis Genecov Nisan 11 Willie Bauer Frank Chazanow Evelyn Chernoff Nisan 13 Harry Adler Bernard Rapoport Kaddish will be read on April 3 Nisan 14 Nisan 15 Nisan 16 Mitchell M. Marcus Jack Ruttenberg Ida Goldberg Mollie Weissman David Stein Jacob Wizig Mrs. Abe Hashfield Mrs. L. Fred H.B. Cohen Nisan 17 Sam Bernstein Ana G. Mantel Nisan 18 Jenny Wizig Nisan 19 Sadie Goltz Kaddish will be read on April 10 Nisan 21 Ida Fred Mildred Fetter Nisan 22 Irving Stupak Nisan 23 Louis Wise Abe Jacobs Dora Sacks Nisan 24 Nisan 25 Nisan 26 Joseph Muskat Rebecca Genecov Bessie Levin Murray Hersh Marvin Fuller Nisan 27 George Adelman Mrs. Mitchell Stein Julia Moes Kaddish will be read on April 17 Nisan 28 Leah Beerman Alex Stein Morris Miller Nisan 29 Ida Berkman Don Tocker Iyar 1 Harry Goltz M.S. (Max) Roberts Iyar 2 Sam Rubel Iyar 3 Tessie Ruskin Iyar 4 Adam Kiss Lester Englander Lawrence Lynn Kaddish will be read on April 24 Iyar 5 Iyar 6 Iyar 7 Iyar 8 Iyar 9 Iyar 10 Iyar 11 Agnes Rubel Mrs. Ben Golob Abraham J. Sprecher Ruth Bell Bertha Rosen Rebecca Brickman Jake Berkman Eva Wizig Abe Hashfield M. Berlowitz Z. Hoppenstein Muriel Jesenof Mary Novich Dr. Sam Chernoff Annie Esserman Sarah Israel Jack Weissman Dave Freed Max Chodorow Lillian Rubenstein

6 Pesach Preparations: Most commonly asked questions Q. What is the Siyum Habechorim? A. On the day before Passover, the first born of our people fast to commemorate their being spared the fate of the firstborn Egyptians. But one may eat if he is participating in the Seudat Mitzvah, the festive meal which accompanies the performance of certain mitzvot. One such mitzvah is Talmud Torah study. Thus, when a person completes a significant section of material (e.g., a tractate of Talmud) it is customary for all present to join in a Siyum, a ceremony of completion with a meal. Any firstborn who participates in the ceremony may eat. This is known as the Siyum Habechorim. Q. Why must we clean our houses so thoroughly before Pesach? A. On Pesach, we are not allowed to eat, derive benefit from, or possess Chametz. All Chametz must be removed from our homes before Pesach. To facilitate this cleaning, the following rituals are part of Pesach preparations. (The text for the ceremonies can be found in many Haggadot) Bedikat Chametz: After the house has been cleaned, on the night before Pesach, we search once again for any crumbs of chametz we may have missed. We use a candle, a feather and wooden spoon. This symbolizes that all the chametz which we could see was removed. The ceremony of Bedikat Hametz is recited this year on Thursday, April 2 after sundown. (8:18 p.m.) Bi ur Chametz: On the morning before Pesach, we burn the chametz that has been found during the search of the previous night. This ceremony should take place by 12:29 p.m. on Friday, April 3, though Chametz should not be eaten after 11:26 a.m. It is also customary not to eat matzah at all on Friday until the Seder. Mechirat Chametz: We are not always able to destroy or remove all our chametz. Doing so could be economically disastrous. So, the rabbis ordained that a symbolic sale is made of all the chametz to a non-jew in the community, who then sells it back to us after Pesach. The chametz is no longer in our possession. This is normally done by the rabbi for the entire congregation. Incidentally, it is only necessary to sell or destroy food stuffs; dishes and utensils are simply locked away in storage for the duration of the festival. Use the form in the newsletter to participate in this mitzvah. Q. What is chametz? A. If one of the five grains: wheat, oats, rye, barley, or spelt comes in contact with water after it s harvested, it becomes fermented or chametz. This fermentation takes 18 minutes, according to tradition. Pesadik baked goods are make from flour which has not been fermented. The term chametz is also applied to dishes and utensils which have been in contact with chametz foods during the year. Q. Why do most Ashkenazim not eat beans, rice, corn or peas on Pesach? A. Although these are not among the five species of grain that can become chametz, the rabbis forbade their use because, in the past, flour was made from them. They felt that people might become confused and be tempted to use regular flour if they were allowed to use flour made from those plants. To avoid possible confusion, most Ashkenazic rabbis ordained that these not be used at all. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unanimously that peanuts and peanut oil are permissible, as peanuts are not actually legumes. Some Ashkenazic authorities permit, including while many conservative others forbid, the use of legumes in a form other than their natural state, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, or soy oil. Sephardic authorities permit the use of all of the above. Q. What foods may not be used during Pesach? A. All these foods are considered Chametz and may not be used during Pesach: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelt, rice, peas, dry beans and liquids which contain ingredients made from grain alcohol. Q. What foods require Rabbinic supervision for Pesach? A. Any prepared food must be certified Kosher for Passover: Matzah, noodles, candies, cakes, beverages, canned and processed foods, processed cheeses, jam, jelly, relishes, wines, liquors, salad oils, vegetable gelatin, shortening, vinegar. A Kosher for Pesach label or tag without product name and Rabbinic signature is unreliable. This applies to products made in America, Europe or Israel. Q. Are there foods which require no certification? A. The following products require NO CERTIFICATION if purchased and unopened BEFORE Pesach begins: Pure natural unflavored coffee (ground or instant), sugar (not confectioners or powdered), pure brown sugar, saccharin, tea, salt, pepper, natural spices, milk, frozen vegetables when packed without additives, frozen fruit juices with no additives, vegetables (string beans are permitted) dried fruit, honey, Hershey s cocoa, 100% pure safflower, coconut or cottonseed oil, nuts (except legumes) baking soda (NOT baking powder), detergents and scouring powders. All these items should be left unopened until Pesach begins.

7 The following require NO PASSOVER CERTIFICATION if purchased BEFORE or DURING Pesach: Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, fresh fish and kosher fresh meat. Q. Can any dishes or utensils used during the year be used on Pesach? A. It is preferable to have dishes and utensils specifically reserved for Pesach and stored away during the rest of the year. However, since this is not always possible, the rabbis ordained that certain types of utensils may be kashered, specifically prepared for Pesach. However, earthenware, enamelware or porcelain utensils, if used during the year, may not be used during Pesach. Kashering of Utensils The process of kashering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to halakhah, leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil (keole o kakh poleto). Therefore, utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling, those used in broiling are kashered by fire and heat; and those used only for cold food are kashered by rinsing. Please direct any questions to your rabbi, who is available to assist you in Passover preparation. Earthenware China, pottery, etc. may not be kashered. However, fine translucent china which has not been used in over a year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water. Metal Utensils wholly made of metal (including handles) used in fire (spit, broiler) must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed and then made as hot as possible. Those used for cooking or eating (silverware, pots) must be completely immersed in boiling water. Pots should have water boiled in them which will overflow the rim. The utensils should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between the cleaning and the immersion in boiling water. Metal baking utensils cannot be kashered. Oven and Ranges Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Then, the oven and range should be heated as hot as possible for a half hour. If there is a broil setting, use it. Self-cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens. A microwave oven, which does not cook the food by means of heat, should be cleaned, then a cup of water be placed in it. Then the oven should be turned on until the water disappears. A microwave that has a browning element cannot be kashered for Pesach. Dishwasher Some authorities permit the use of dishwashers during Passover after not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, and running two full cycles with detergent. Others recommend not using a dishwasher at all during the festival. Glassware Authorities disagree as to the method for kashering drinking utensils. One opinion requires soaking in water for three days, changing the water every 24 hours. The other opinion requires only a thorough scrubbing before Pesach, or putting it through a dishwasher. Electric Appliances If the parts that come into contact with Chametz are removable, they can be kashered in the appropriate way (if metal, follow the rules for metal utensils). If the parts are not removable the appliance cannot be kashered. (All exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned). Table, Closets and Counters If used with chametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered, and then they may be used. Kitchen Sink A metal sink can be kashered by a thorough cleaning and by pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used. Chametz and Non-Passover Utensils Non-Passover dishes, pots, and chametz whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked so as to prevent accidental use. How may a refrigerator be kashered? Remove all chametz food and opened packages. Clean thoroughly with hot water and baking soda and scour the racks. In a freezer, frozen chametz foods should be put in a sealed box and should be sold with other chametz.

8 SALE OF CHAMETZ 2015 Congregation Agudath Jacob IMPORTANT- PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE In addition to the prohibition of eating Chametz (leaven) on Passover, we are not allowed to own or benefit from chametz, so the Torah requires us to rid our homes of all leaven and leaven products. To accomplish this, we isolate all existing Chametz in secured cabinets and pantries and sell this leaven to a non-jew prior to Passover. This is a legal sale and conducted in accordance with Jewish and civil law. The rabbi acts as agent for all consenting families and will repurchase your Chametz at approximately 8:32 p.m. on Friday, April 11, Complete the form below and make sure it is in the synagogue office, ATTENTION: RABBI GORDON FULLER, no later than 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2. It is customary to include a donation to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund with your completed form. Have a Happy and Kosher Pesach! MAIL OR BRING THE COMPLETED FORM TO: Congregation Agudath Jacob, Attention: Rabbi Gordon Fuller 4925 Hillcrest Drive, Waco, Texas I, hereby designate Rabbi Gordon Fuller to act as my agent to sell all leaven in my possession at the address(es) below, as well as leasing of said premises for the subject of the sale. I understand that this will fulfill my obligation regarding the disposition of leaven on Passover in accordance with Jewish law. (Signature) (Date) (Print your name) (Home telephone number) (Home address) (Business address)

9 April Nisan Iyar 5775 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:18AM/8:48PM 8:16AM/8:48PM 8:15AM/8:49PM :31PM Erev Passover Erev Pesach Service at 5:30 p.m. 8:14AM/8:50PM 9:35PM/ 9:35PM Passover I 12 Nisan 13 Nisan 14 Nisan 15 Nisan Kesubos 58 Kesubos 59 Kesubos 60 Kesubos 61 8:13AM/8:50PM 8:11AM/8:51PM 8:10AM/8:52PM 8:09AM/8:52PM 8:08AM/8:53PM 8:07AM/8:54PM :35PM Passover II Hol Hamoed Passover I Hol Hamoed Passover II Hol Hamoed Passover III Board meeting 8:35PM Hol Hamoed Passover IV 9:39PM/ 8:36PM Passover VII 8th day Pesach Service at 8:00 p.m. 8:05AM/8:54PM 9:39PM Passover VIII (Yizkor) Yizkor (Approx) 10:45 a.m. 16 Nisan/1 L'Omer 17 Nisan/2 L'Omer 18 Nisan/3 L'Omer 19 Nisan/4 L'Omer 20 Nisan/5 L'Omer 21 Nisan/6 L'Omer 22 Nisan/7 L'Omer Kesubos 62 Kesubos 63 Kesubos 64 Kesubos 65 Kesubos 66 Kesubos 67 Kesubos 68 8:04AM/8:55PM 8:03AM/8:56PM 8:02AM/8:56PM 8:01AM/8:57PM 8:00AM/8:58PM 7:58AM/8:58PM Yom Hashoah 7:00 p.m. 9:43PM Yom Hashoah 8:40PM Kabbalat Shabbat ISJL fellow visit 7:57AM/8:59PM 9:44PM ISJL fellow visit Havdalah Service 7:30 p.m. 23 Nisan/8 L'Omer 24 Nisan/9 L'Omer 25 Nisan/10 L'Omer 26 Nisan/11 L'Omer 27 Nisan/12 L'Omer 28 Nisan/13 L'Omer 29 Nisan/14 L'Omer Kesubos 69 Kesubos 70 Kesubos 71 Kesubos 72 Kesubos 73 Kesubos 74 Kesubos 75 7:56AM/9:00PM 7:55AM/9:00PM 7:54AM/9:01PM 7:53AM/9:02PM 7:52AM/9:02PM 7:51AM/9:03PM Rosh Hodesh I Rosh Hodesh II Caritast Feast of Caring 9:47PM 9:47PM Yom Hazikaron Yom Ha'Atzmaut Kabbalat Shabbat 8:45PM 7:50AM/9:04PM 9:49PM 30 Nisan/15 L'Omer 1 Iyar/16 L'Omer 2 Iyar/17 L'Omer 3 Iyar/18 L'Omer 4 Iyar/19 L'Omer 5 Iyar/20 L'Omer 6 Iyar/21 L'Omer Kesubos 76 Kesubos 77 Kesubos 78 Kesubos 79 Kesubos 80 Kesubos 81 Kesubos :49AM/9:04PM 7:48AM/9:05PM 7:47AM/9:06PM 7:46AM/9:07PM 7:45AM/9:07PM 7 Iyar/22 L'Omer 8 Iyar/23 L'Omer 9 Iyar/24 L'Omer 10 Iyar/25 L'Omer 11 Iyar/26 L'Omer Kesubos 83 Kesubos 84 Kesubos 85 Kesubos 86 Kesubos 87 [ Candle Lighting, Observance End, Printed March 25, 2015/5 Nisan 5775 for Waco, TX]