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1 Etz Chayim Conservative Synagogue s Monthly Newsletter MARCH, 2014 ADAR I/ADAR II, 5774 Friday evening services begin at 7:00 p.m. until Friday, March 14 th, when they begin at 7:30 p.m. until further notice. Saturday morning services begin at 9:30 a.m. FROM THE RABBI Friends, I m going to New York at the end of the week to give a talk at Pace University, in the Wall Street district, on Jewish business practices in the Middle Ages. As always, before I go to New York, I called my aunt Joelle last week to make sure that we could spend some time together. Joelle is a classical composer who grew up both in New York and in Morocco; she was married to my uncle Stephen. Joelle and I have been close particularly since Stephen died more than twenty years ago. I feel a particular kinship with her not only because of the affection I felt for Stephen (my son Gabi s middle name is Isaiah, after Stephen s Hebrew name), but also because of all the time we ve spent together. For part of the time I was in rabbinical school, I even lived in the same building as Joelle. Although Joelle is a successful composer, the past few years have been very hard on the classical music industry. At many schools, belt-tightening has meant that programs in music and the arts have disappeared, and this same belt-tightening has affected the artistic commissions on which Joelle and others in the creative arts rely for their sustenance. In her frustration, Joelle even got her real-estate license and tried to support herself for a while by wheeling and dealing in the cutthroat New York real estate market. Needless to say, it wasn t for her. It has been a difficult journey for her, but she s managed to navigate these difficult waters by giving public lectures here and there and with a few commissions that have continued to roll in despite an overwhelming tide flowing the other direction staving off those commissions. When I called her this past week to arrange to meet up, she suggested that we meet on Sunday night at her synagogue, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue (which reflects the Moroccan traditions of her youth), so that she could say kaddish for my uncle since I happened to be in New York on Rosh Hodesh Adar, his yahrzeit. I knew that his yahrzeit was on Rosh Hodesh Adar, but this year is a leap year and so Joelle commemorates it on Adar II and not Adar I just as we celebrate Purim on Adar II when

2 we have Adar I and Adar II. This pushes Purim off into the spring so even in a Jewish year (like this one) that started in late August or very early September, we ll celebrate Purim once spring has sprung. In this way, Purim represents for us the first signs of the new season. The Megilla tells a story of sadness turned into joy, darkness into light. So, too, do we emerge from the cold and darkness of winter into the warmth and brightness of spring. We tell the story of our redemption by reading the Megilla and we celebrate the bounty of the new season with Mishloah Manot, gifts to our friends; and Mattenot le eviyonim, gifts to the poor. We ll commemorate our redemption from slavery a month later with Pesah, but for the moment, we revel in the lengthening days and the re-emergence of natural beauty with the passing of winter and the arrival of Adar II. Hodesh Tov, Phil videos that have been viewed over 7 million times on You Tube. Russ will also appear at UAH on Monday, March 3, 5:30 p.m. at Chan Auditorium, College of Business Administration Building. Reception follows. The UAH College of Business Administration presents A Conversation on Climate Change Economist Russ Roberts of the Stanford University Hoover Institute and host of Econ Talk will moderate a conversation between climate scientists Dr. Kerry Emanuel of MIT and Dr. John Christy of UAH. Where do scientists agree and disagree on climate change? What evidence might bridge the gaps of disagreement? How can the average citizen navigate complex issues of science, economic impact, and public policy? If you are able to attend, please RSVP at: RUSS ROBERTS TO SPEAK AT ETZ CHAYIM & UAH, MARCH 2 & 3 Russ Roberts, son of Ted and Shirley Roberts, will speak at Etz Chayim on Sunday, March 2 at 4:00 p.m. His topic is "Preparing for Passover: A Surprising Lesson from the Exodus Story". Ted and Shirley will host a reception following Russ's talk. All are welcome. Russ is a Research Fellow at Stanford University Hoover Institution. He is the author of three economics novels, the host of the award-winning weekly podcast Econ Talk, and the co-creator of Keynes-Hayek rap SISTERHOOD Don your zaniest hat for Purim as we serve up a free hot dog supper. It will be March 15th, with supper at 6:30, followed by the hat contest and the Megillah shpiel around 7:00. Contest for best hats will have two age groups; children under thirteen and everyone else over thirteen. It s sure to be lots of fun as we celebrate the Jews escape from the madman Haman. Ladies, March 17 th is our next Lunch Bunch. Come meet us at Surin on Airport at 11:30 as we take a break from the kitchen and meet up for great food and conversation.

3 The Israeli/Arab conflict has been going on a very long time. Come join us on March 30 th as Max Rosenthal takes us through the whys and wherefores of it all. The time and place will be on the card you receive in the mail. This is open to everyone and your guests are welcome. Thank you to everyone who helped with the fundraiser for Lev Lalev. We will send a check for over $100! Leigh MEN S CLUB, ETC. NEXT MEN'S CLUB MEETING: March 27 th, Thursday, 7:30 PM at Synagogue enjoy 2 hours of fun and relaxation come and you will be glad you did. Mar 3 UAH College of Business Administration presents A Conversation on Climate Change, Russ Roberts, 5:30 PM, Chan Auditorium Mar 6, 8, 9 Chicago the Megillah at TBS, tickets $10, 7 PM, Mar 8 Claudia Cerezo s Bat Mitzvah Mar 14 From now on, Friday night services begin at 7:30 PM. Mar 15 Hot Dog Supper & BBYO Purim Program, 6:30 PM at EC, ribbon awarded for best Purim hat! Mar 17 SH Lunch Bunch, Surin at Airport Road, 11:30 AM Mar 23 Hadassah Tea, 2 PM at EC Mar 27 Mar 30 Men s Club, 7:30 PM at EC History of the Arab/Israeli Conflict, Max Rosenthal speaking, 2 PM at EC, refreshments. IMS (INTERFAITH MISSION SERVICE): Deliveries made to Food Pantry and First Sop bi-weekly. These services need your support. Please leave all items in the entry way of Synagogue. SIMCHA/MEMORIAL PLAQUES: $50.00 and $75.00 respectively. ONEGS Mar 07 Mar 14 Mar 21 Mar 28 Cerezo/Pepper Kropp Higgins Goodman PLEASE CONTACT JOE SACKS AT FOR ADDITIONAL INFO. THANKS...JOE UPCOMING EVENTS Mar 2 Russ Roberts at EC, 4 PM, Preparing for Passover: A Surprising Lesson from the Exodus Story, reception to follow. BIRTHDAYS Mar 01 Jonathan Ralston Mar 02 Claudia Cerezo Mar 02 Michal Hall Mar 03 London Pigott Mar 04 Myles Johnson Mar 08 Millie Rosenthal Mar 20 Maryn Liles Mar 25 Sharon Roberts Mar 25 Harrison Sacks Mar 27 Stephanie Hancock Mar 27 Lucy Fisher Mar 28 Seth Spraggins

4 YAHRZEITS Mar Adar II Lotta Helene Chester Mar Adar II Mary Hoffman Baker Mar Adar II Goldie M. Ludmer* Mar Adar II *Memorial Plaque Melvyn Harris Kisrch **Light Memorial candle at sunset the prior evening DONATIONS Rabbi Fund From: Harriet & Joe Sacks To: Ted Roberts - speedy recovery and continued good health. From: Millie & Max Rosenthal To: Sandra Wiederecht - Glad that your eye surgery is over, good eyes for the future. Sisterhood Fund From: Diana & Howard Polin To: Ted Roberts - Thinking of you. Speedy recovery and continued good health. To: Shirley Roberts & Family- With heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your sister, Dotty Katz. To: Sandy Pepper & Family - Thinking of you on the passing of your sister-in-law, Jaycee Pepper. General Fund From: Marion & Don Shelman A Yahrtzeit memorial. From: Shirley & Ted Roberts To: Etz Chayim Synagogue & Sisterhood - Thank you for your kindness and donations I received in Memory of my sister, Dotty Katz Greenbaum Fund From: Ana & Seth Spraggins To: Shirley Roberts & Family - You are in our thoughts and prayers during your time of sorrow. To: Nannette Schwartz - You are in our thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery. BBYO Fund From: Shirley & Ted Roberts To: Sandra Wiederecht - Get well soon and continued good health. Outdoor Lighting Fund In Memory of Gertrude and Perry Schlein from their daughters Natha Hancock and Robin Slomka and their families. Synagogue Plaques From: Sandy Pepper & Fernando Cerezo The Bar Mitzvah of Nathan Skip Cerezo The Bat Mitzvah of Claudia Ceil Cerezo ESTHER; A THREAT TO THE EMPIRE by Ted Roberts It is not true that Purim was initiated by our sages for Jewish husbands to get slobbering drunk in the presence of the congregation - though drunkenness is recommended. And I once attended a Purim festival in New Orleans in which a jazz band constantly cycled the synagogue. Anything goes on Purim except a poem of praise to Haman. I won t bother to repeat the narrative we all know it. Esther is one of the most exotic books of our bible. Why was it accepted into the Canon? Your impulsive answer: A great Jewish victory a reasonable answer. But it does contain the accusation of Jewish blood thirst not a great reflection on our reputation. The

5 endangered Jews killed 75,000 of their enemies. They also hanged Haman and his ten sons. Well, maybe excusable considering the times (which loved to boast of slaughter) and the malevolence of their enemies. And after all, the book boasts they did not lay a hand on the plunder. Strange, we should be so generous. This statement is repeated several times. The most striking feature of the Book of Esther is that nowhere, not once, is there a mention of the G-d who saved us from the many tyrannical kidnappers that clutched at our soul as it passed in the dim halls of history. The Jews save themselves by the manipulation of Mordecai and his beautiful niece. That G-d who split oceans, drowned Egyptian charioteers, and delivered quail in Marengo sauce to his starving petitioners is nowhere to be found. So why of all the Septuagint the Hebrew to Greek translation of our Tanakh roughly 300 BCE why was this book selected for our holy collection? Ask your Rabbi. Scribblers are not capable of answering such weighty questions. It is interesting, though, that the Book of Esther in its original Septuagint form DOES mention our rescuer with several prayers pleading for His help. Someone removed them. Maybe to show our self-reliance? Who knows? burlesque show. Maybe even more! She, completely at odds with the times, refuses. And the book dwells on the social implications the universal impact all over Persia women may turn down, disobey, reject their husbands. This is a greater threat to the empire than armies of Babylon. It goes beyond showing their beauty whatever that means. A revolution? No more hot suppers, no more sweeping the drive. If a wife rebels at her husband s command, Persian society may rebel at the King s command. This evil thing must be nipped in the bud lest the King find himself unemployed. One might guess that the PFS (Persian Feminist Society) is advising Vashti, who s as bold as her Jewish counterpart, Esther. Both, strong women. And as we all know, the story has a happy ending. Scribbler on the Roof: ted11@hiwaay.net Website: Blog site: Buy Ted's collected works at Another strange element in the Book of Esther rarely commented on is the feminist theme throughout (which also may explain its inclusion in the Tanakh). First and foremost Esther, at great danger to herself, saves her people. But let s be ecumenically fair and note the behavior of Vashti, the Queen. When the King throws his party, he summons Vashti to show her beauty to the people and officials. Here your imagination can run wild. This is at best the King displaying his conquest or at worst a

6 Hey Etz Chayim Family! Just a short note to let everyone know we will be returning back to Sweet Home Alabama to share my Bat Mitzvah with all of you who have nurtured and loved me since I was just 3 months old. I am now in 7 th grade at Dunckel Middle School here in Farmington Hills, Michigan. I still dance about 6 hours a week, and I love exploring my new surroundings here in Michigan. I am looking forward to sharing my Bat Mitzvah with you all. It will be March 8, 2014, at Etz Chayim. Rabbi Phil will be officiating. I hope you can all attend and join us in the Kiddush Luncheon afterwards. My entire family is looking forward to seeing everyone.

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