Plaza Press. Celebrating March. March Passover. Irish-American Heritage Month. Optimism Month. Craft Month. Plan a Solo Vacation Day March 1

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1 March 2013 Plaza Press The Newsletter for Jewish Federation Plaza Celebrating March Passover Irish-American Heritage Month Optimism Month Craft Month Plan a Solo Vacation Day March 1 Cereal Day March 7 Napping Day March 11 St. Patrick s Day March 17 Root Canal Awareness Week March Passover March 26-April 2 Easter Sunday March 31 April is the month that Passover is celebrated. Passover is probably the best known of the Jewish holidays. Passover begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. It is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavu ot and Sukkot). The primary observances of Passover are related to the Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. This story is told in Exodus Chapters The name Passover refers to the fact that G-d passed over the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In Hebrew, it is known as Pesach which is based on the Hebrew root meaning pass over. The holiday is also referred to as Chag he-aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-matzoth (the Festival of Matzahs), and Zeman Herutenu (the Time of Our Freedom). The most significant observance related to Passover involves the removal of chametz) from homes. This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic way of removing arrogance, and pride). Chametz includes anything made from the five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) that has not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after coming into contact with water. Traditional Jews of Ashkenazic background also avoid rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes (beans) as if they were chametz. All of these items have been used to make bread, thus use of them was prohibited to avoid any confusion. Such additional items are referred to as kitniyos. We may not eat chametz during Passover; We may not even own it or derive benefit from it. All chametz, including utensils used to cook it must either be disposed of or sold to a non-jew.

2 Continued from Page 1 The process of cleaning the home of all chametz in preparation for Passover is an enormous task. After the cleaning is completed, the morning before the seder, a formal search of the house for chametz is undertaken, and remaining chametz is burned. The grain product eaten during Passover is matzah unleavened bread, made from flour and water and cooked very quickly. This is the bread that the Jews made for their flight from Egypt. The day before Passover is the fast of the firstborn, a minor fast for all firstborn males, commemorating the fact that the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt were not killed during the final plague. On the first night of Passover (first two nights for traditional Jews outside Israel), we have a very special family meal filled with ritual to remind us of the significance of the holiday. This meal is called a seder, from a Hebrew root word meaning order. Passover lasts for seven days (eight days outside of Israel). The first and last days of the holiday (first two and last two outside of Israel) are days on which no work is permitted. Work is permitted on the intermediate days. These intermediate days on which work is permitted are referred to as Chol Ha-Mo ed, as are the intermediate days of Sukkot. SOPAC BLUES IN THE LOFT: MICHAEL HILL S BLUES MOB SUNDAY, MARCH 3, :00 P.M. TICKET COST: $15.00 SOPAC is excited to launch the new In the Loft series consisting of blues, jazz and Midtown Direct concerts set in an informal club café atmosphere in the SOPAC Loft. A casual, affordable and fun concert series featuring up-and coming musicians and seasoned professionals, the In the Loft series offers an upclose perspective on today s blues and jazz musicians as well as Midtown Direct Rep. If interested, please call SOPAC for details (973)

3 Now you can friend, follow, and like JCHC in many ways! JCHC is pleased to announce our Facebook pages. Enjoy learning more about our communities and look for daily updates on our new pages. Facebook pages are: Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey; The Lester Senior Housing Community and; Village Apartments of the Jewish Federation Check out our YouTube videos! Some videos include: "Smile" - ARTS by the People & Lester Senior Housing Center.m4v or WMBC TV visits the Lester Senior Housing Community to observe a pre-passover Seder Check out our new and improved website at You can check out the activity calendar, menus and much, much more about community life at Village Apartments! QR Code- The latest way to keep connected! Bar codes are optical machine-readable labels attached to items that record information related to the item. And look for the QR codes in our ads and literature that you can scan with your smartphone to learn more about us. We will be providing you with the QR Code. JCC Senior Passover Seder Monday, March 18, :00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Temple B nai Abraham 300 E. Northfield Road, Livingston, NJ Cost $15.00 Members/$20.00 Guests Village Apartments Residents: Transportation Cost $1.50 Village Apartments Residents should contact the office if you are interested in attending.

4 SENIOR TV Jewish Federation Plaza s Private Cable TV System Senior TV is Here Join the happy satisfied residents that have signed up for this wonderful new Television service. For a low monthly fee of $35.00 you will receive Channels 2,4,5,7,9,11,13, Lifetime, A&E, USA, TNT, TCM, Discovery, History, HBO, HBO 2, HBO Family, HBO Comedy, Animal Planet and many more. You also get your own in-house channel. This channel allows you to see all the upcoming activities, trips and announcements. SIGN UP and SAVE!! Transportation Information You May Need: ACCESS LINK METRO TRANSPORT WEST ORANGE TRANSPORTATION ESSEX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION

5 AARP Driver Safety Class MSU Art Exhibit We are offering the AARP Driver Safety class at Jewish Federation Plaza on Tuesday, March 19 th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you drive and are interested in taking the course, please sign up at the bulletin board across from the office. The cost of the course is $12.00 for AARP members and $14.00 for non-aarp members. Individuals who pass the course may be eligible to have their auto insurance reduced. Montclair State University is hosting an art exhibit featuring holocaust survivor and artist Israel Bernbaum entitled, Painting His Story. The exhibit contains murals, drawings and other artifacts about the holocaust and Judaism. The exhibit will be on display at MSU s George Segal Gallery from Feb 26 th thru Apr 21 st. JCHC residents will visit the exhibit on Thursday, March 14 th. Be sure to sign up at the bulletin board across from the office if you are interested in attending. Upcoming Events On the Line: You are What You Eat Good Samaritians of America Comedy with Marion Oxenhorn MSU I Am a Star Art Exhibit AARP Driver Safety Course Tenants Association Las Vegas Review Rabbi Polansky Passover Program Housecalls Stroke Prevention It s Never2Late Programs

6 Happy March Birthday Volunteers entertained residents at the Plaza Purim Program. Sarah Bardack 3/01 Sandye Garrison 3/02 Anita Blumenfeld 3/02 Lai-Ping Chan 3/04 Florence Widelitz 3/04 George Aptecker 3/05 Mildred Friedman 3/06 Norma Tooter 3/09 Marsha Sonet 3/10 Renee Levy 3/12 Rafael Ortiz 3/15 Sophia Gottlieb 3/17 Leo Safran 3/25 Eleanor Berkowitz 3/25 Joseph Podnos 3/26 Allegra Judah 3/28 Exercise class participants enjoyed a healthy delicious brunch provided courtesy of Tami Rager & JCHC. Linda Schulman from Daughters of Israel presented Healing benefits of Art & Music.

7 In the Neighborhood By Sandye Garrison Our new residents enjoyed an informative visit with some of our board members. Everyone is getting settled in and again, we welcome all 16 new residents. On March 14 "the Arminio Family Revue" will take place in the dining room at 8:00 p.m. They are always very entertaining and we look forward to a great evening. Come and join us! The tenants meeting normally scheduled for March will not happen so we can bring you the musical revue. I promised bios on our new tenants so here we go: We have a lovely new addition to our community. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Irene Goldberg. Irene grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She was educated there and went on to meet and marry Arthur. They spent 63 years together. She is the mother of Jack and Zelli, her daughter who she unfortunately has lost. Irene has3 grandchildren named Adam, Cori, and Rikki. She is great -grandmother of Joseph, Shawn, Abigail, Eloise and Brezlin. She enjoys people, clubs, music, attending Broadway shows, playing Mah Jong and dining out with friends. I know you will delight in talking to her. Welcome Irene!

8 Get Well Wishes Condolences Condolences To: Josephine Chan From: Marlene Hyatt To: Bella Rosman From: Sarah Bardack Library Angels Ilse Frank Florence Glovin Irene Goldberg Ronald Ramos Florence Weidlitz To: Thelma Gottlieb on the loss of her beloved daughter Abby Nudle From: Marlene Hyatt Lois Binenkorb Dolores Lederman Helen Mandel Norma Tooter Florence Widelitz Renee Fisher Carol Sziklay Gert Freeman Sarah Bardack Pearl Schiff Shirley Magnus Doris Markowitz Mickey Spector Florence Glovin Ilse Frank Renee Levy Myra Jast Marlene Mankoff Sarah Moskowitz Myra Goldberg Wanda Robinson Pearl Berkowitz Phyllis Bauer To: Thelma Gottlieb on the loss of her beloved daughter Abby Nudle From: Bea Greenberg Sandy Garrison Evelyn Sperling Sophia Gottlieb Batia Horn Ethel Kendler Margot Solodar Linda Israel To: Rivka Rachum on the loss of her beloved father From: Margot Solodar

9 The Steps of the Passover Seder There are 15 steps of the Passover Seder. Can you put them in order? Yachatz Break the middle matzah and keep half for the Afikoman (a piece that is hidden and eaten at the end of the meal). Urchatz Wash the hands. Karpas Eat a vegetable dipped in salt water. Maggid Recite the Story of the Exodus. Shulchan Orech Eat the festive meal. Rachtzah Wash the hands. Motzi Recite the blessing of the matzah. Hallel Recite psalms of praise. Matzah Eat the matzah. Kadesh Make a blessing over a cup of wine. Nirtzah Acceptance of the service. Maror Eat the bitter herbs. Barech Recite grace. Korech Eat a sandwich of matzah and maror. Tzafun Eat the Afikoman (the hidden piece of matzah). If you are unsure of the answers, compare your answers with your friends and neighbors. You may also check the bulletin board for answers. HAPPY PASSOVER

10 March 2013 PLAZA Calendar is subject to change Sunday 3 11:00 BRUNCH 2:00 MOVIE 10 Daylight Savings Time Begins. Move all clocks ahead One Hour. 11:00 BRUNCH 2:00 MOVIE 17 11:00 BRUNCH 2:00 MOVIE 24 2:00 MOVIE 31 Passover Day 6 2:00 MOVIE Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4 10:15 TOWN BUS 10:45 Essex Green 11:30 TAI CHI 2:00 MOVE TODAY 11 10:15 TOWN BUS 10:45 Trader Joes Millburn 11:30 TAI CHI 2:00 MOVE TODAY 18 10:15 TOWN BUS 10:45 Irvings & Farmers Market 11:30 TAI CHI 1:00 Housecalls Stroke Prevention 2:00 MOVE TODAY 25 Passover 10:15 TOWN BUS 11:30 TAI CHI 2:00 MOVE TODAY 1 st Seder 5 11:00 EXERCISE 2:00 CURRENT EVENTS 6:00 LIBRARY 12 11:00 EXERCISE 2:00 CURRENT EVENTS 1:15 Rabbi Polansky Passover Program 6:00 LIBRARY 19 9:00-2:00 AARP Driving Safety Class (Recreation Room) 11:00 EXERCISE 2:00 CURRENT EVENTS 6:00 LIBRARY 26 Passover Day 1 Office Closed Dining Room Open 2nd Seder 6 10:45 Rt 10 Shopping 11:00 Walking Club 12:15 Life Long Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 7:15 Life Long Learning 13 10:45 Livingston Mall 11:00 Walking Club 12:15 Life Long Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 7:15 Life Long Learning 20 10:15 Blue Star Mall, Rt 22 11:00 Walking Club 12:15 Life Long Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 7:15 Life Long Learning 27 Passover Day 2 Office Closed Dining Room Open 7 10:45 Walmart Cedar Knolls 11:00 Exercise 2:00 GOOD Samaritans of America 14 11:00 Exercise 11:00 On the Line You Are What You Eat 10:45 MSU: I am a Star Exhibit & Lunch 8:00 Tenant s Association Vegas Review Event 21 10:45 Essex Green 11:00 Exercise 2:00 Never2Late Sing-along 28 Passover Day 3 10:45 Livingston Mall 11:00 Exercise 2:00 Comedy with Marion Oxenhorn 1 9:00 10:00 1:00 ONEG SHABBAT 8 9:00 10:00 1:00 ONEG SHABBAT 15 9:00 10:00 1:00 ONEG SHABBAT 22 9:00 10:00 1:00 ONEG SHABBAT 29 Passover Day 4 9:00 10:00 1:00 ONEG SHABBAT 2 9:00 SHABBAT SERVICE 11:00 KIDDUSH 7:00 MOVIE 8 9:00 SHABBAT SERVICE 11:00 KIDDUSH 7:00 MOVIE 16 9:00 SHABBAT SERVICE 11:00 KIDDUSH 7:00 MOVIE 23 9:00 SHABBAT SERVICE 11:00 KIDDUSH 7:00 MOVIE 30 Passover Day 5 9:00 SHABBAT SERVICE 11:00 KIDDUSH 7:00 MOVIE