CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families April April. Torah Study 11:00am Please come and join us.

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1 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families April 2009 CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES April Friday, April 3 7:30 pm Saturday, April 4 9:00am Friday, April 10 6:30 pm Saturday, April 11 9:00am Wednesday, April 15 9:00am Yizkor (Memorial) Service for the End of Pesach Friday, April 17 7:30 pm Saturday, April 18 9:00am Tuesday, April 21 Yom HaShoah Service 6:30 pm Friday, April 24 Yom HaAtzma ut-israel Independence Day 7:30 pm Saturday, April 25 9:00am Torah Study 11:00am Please come and join us. Dear Friends: Do you know that Pesach is really a double festival? I am not referring to the practice of celebrating a second day of Pesach at the beginning and end of the holyday period, but to the earliest ages of our people s history. The Israelites left Egyptian slavery in approximately 1250 BCE. It took them forty years to move through the Sinai and the Negev and, eventually to enter the Promised Land of Canaan. There, they conquered the native tribes, eventually settling down side-by-side with the indigenous people. In the earliest phase, they were ruled by Judges (see the biblical book by that name) and then, as the books of I & II Samuel and then I & II Kings tell us, by Saul, David, Solomon and a series of lesser monarchs who governed the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judea. The northern ten tribes were taken captive by the Assyrians in 721, and they disappeared from the annals of history shortly thereafter. The two southern tribes (Judah and Benjamin) were taken into exile by the Babylonians in 587, but returned to Canaan and self-rule in 538. During the majority of this early history, there were two Spring festivals. The first festival was an agricultural festival, focusing both on planted crops and herds of animals. For centuries, this festival ran parallel to a freedom festival, commemorating the liberation from Egyptian bondage. But eventually, the two festivals merged into the Passover celebration with which we are familiar today. Many scholars date this amalgamation some-

2 time around the time of the Babylonian Exile. Obviously, the historical references of Pesach trumped the agricultural connections, especially as Jewish life moved into cities and away from a direct linkage to the land. Many of the distinctive items we find on our seder plates have strong historical allusions: the matzah is the bread that the Israelites baked in a hurry as they were leaving Egypt; the shank bone is reminiscent of the lamb s blood that was daubed over the lintels of the Israelite houses; the charoset ( a relatively new tradition) reminds us of the mortar the slaves had to use; and the bitter herbs and the salt water teach us about the bitterness of slavery. But consider some of the other things on the seder plate. The lamb bone doubles as a reminder of the spring sacrifices during the agricultural festival; the lettuce and the egg are not used during the seder, but they are connected intimately with the spring growing season and the birth of new life at that time of the year. They are vestiges of the older agricultural festival, but, even while we think primarily of the historical connotations of the seder, they help us recall the dual origins of the festival of Passover. As you gather at your seder table, I hope you will visualize both aspects of Pesach, the agricultural and the historical, and rejoice both in the bounty of the land that we enjoy and the bounty of freedom which is our most precious possession. Chag sameach, Kenneth D. Roseman MEL KLEIN TO BE HONORED Mel Klein, a long-time and very valued member of CBI, has been accorded the distinctive honor of an honorary degree from his alma mater, Colgate University. The degree will be awarded at the 2009 Commencement ceremony on May 17. Robert Tyburski, President of Colgate, wrote that Mel has led a distinguished life of professional achievement, while devoting time, energy and resources for the well being of others through his volunteer efforts and philanthropic support. We rejoice that Mel is receiving this highly-merited accolade and extend our very best wishes to him and his family on the occasion of this singular honor.. CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 Saratoga Telephone /Fax congregation@bethisraelcc.com Rabbi Kenneth Roseman Debbie Bustillo, Office Administrator Susan Martin, Corpus Christi Community Religious School Administrator President Andrew Lehrman First Vice President Suzy Hilliard Second Vice President.....Maury Wolfson Secretary Lois Blum Treasurer Juan Rodriquez Past President Rona Train Sisterhood Co-Presidents...Nedra Lockhart Jill Jacobs, Natalie Honigbaum Cofty President Meredith Hilliard Adult Education....David Jacobs Cemetery Co-Chairs...Robert Adler, Carl Kuehn, Gary Blum and Leigh Sheinberg Ritual Committee Co-Chairs...Andrew Sheinberg and Joe Loon Program Coordinator Meredith Ryan Membership Committee Chair......Susan Martin Social Action Committee Co-Chairs.... Michelle Arevalo-Davila, Diana Stillman Dues Committee Co-Chairs Ann Engel and Leslie Kane Building Chair...Maury Wolfson Grounds Chair.Rikki Schmitchel Fine Arts...Laurie Mintz and Ross Burney Security Alan Yaffe Webmaster......Jack Widder

3 Dear Members of CBI: PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Spring has arrived in South Texas and I for one look forward to getting outdoors again. The warm weather entices us to go outside and take advantage of the, soon to be over, with pleasant days and cool nights. Getting away for Spring Break means the school year is nearing the end and plans are being made for summer vacations. Here at CBI we look forward to celebrating Passover and as we have for several years, once again CBI will be hosting dinner for the 2 nd Night of Passover at the Temple. Information in the last bulletin including a reservation form was sent to everyone and I would urge each of you planning to attend to send your reservations in at this time. If you did not receive one, please call Debbie at the office to request another. Our bulletin for the first time went out by format to all who have provided the office with your address. By doing so, it is anticipated CBI will save $ in printing and mailing costs which greatly helps up meet our budget. If you have not entered the computer age or do not have , please let us know and a hard copy will continue to be sent. Your Board of Trustees recently approved the purchase of a defibrillator, which we now have on site. We will be setting up a class to be held by Dr.Gregg Silverman to train and teach all who are interested in how to use it in case of an emergency. I am also happy to announce we are currently in negotiations with Rabbi Roseman on the renewal of his contract which we anticipate will be finalized in the near future. Finally the Nominating Committee is working on the new slate of proposed Board members for which will be announced when approved by the Board. Iris and I wish each and everyone of you a very Happy Passover! Andy Lehrman President CBI has a new website. Look us up at BethIsraelCC.com Monthly Newsletters are available for download. A special thank you to Dottie Heffler Fran Brodkey vera rosenheim for their many years of service and dedication to Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood

4 A Message from the Family Corner I hope that you have all been enjoying the Family Shabbat Dinners, I know that I have enjoyed putting them together. I hope that you will all continue to come and partake in the festive evening. If you have any future main course ideas, I am always open to them. A special thank you to Leslie Green and Natalie Honigbaum for helping me to cook for March s Shabbat Dinner. I have come to learn that these dinners give the congregants the opportunity to reunite with friends and spend some time just relaxing while enjoying good food and friends. For those of you who have missed out on these fun-filled nights, please consider coming to our next dinner. If you are interested in helping me cook for any of these dinners, please feel free to call me at (361) There will be no Family Dinner for the month of April. Shalom Meredith Ryan RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Sunday School 9:30 am April 5, 19 & 26 Hebrew School 4:30 pm on Wednesdays April 1 & 22 Corpus Christi Community Religious School Susan Martin, Director I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Breaks. We were fortunate to have such nice weather to enjoy our time off. Speaking of time off, there will be no Wednesday Hebrew classes on April 8 th and April 15 th, and no Sunday Religious School on April 12 th, due to the Pesach holiday. Our students put their culinary talents to use in preparing hamantaschen on March 1 st, with muchappreciated help from Meredith Hilliard and Julia Noble. The extra treats were sent to the JCC for the Purim Carnival lunch the following Sunday. Many thanks go to those students from grades 5 through 9 who helped man the booths at the carnival. Students are encouraged to participate in the Youth Mitzvah Project at the JCC on Sunday, April 5 th, at 1:30 PM. We will be assembling coloring bags for Driscoll Children s Hospital patients and their siblings. There are several opportunities for the youth of CBI to spend time in Israel. NFTY EIE High School in Israel has openings for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters, as well as a 6½- week summer session. More information is available at Young Judaea offers a variety of short-term Summer Programs in Israel for teens entering 10 th -12 th grade. Also, the Young Judaea Year Course is a 9- month program for recent high school graduates who want to spend a dynamic year living, volunteering and earning college credits in Israel. More information on these programs can be found at Our year-end program for Religious School will be held on Sunday, May 17 th, in conjunction with a CBI fundraiser. I would like to involve all our students in the planned activity; therefore, I must know who will be in attendance on that day. Please let me know as soon as possible by phone ( ) or me at susanmartin@bethisraelcc.com Shalom! Susan

5 From the Jewish Community Council Be Part of the 2009 Campaign We invite you to help achieve CJA s Goal of 200 Gifts. No contribution can be too large, and none ever too small CJA Board Members will be calling to remind you to make your pledge!! When the phone rings, make a generous gift to the Combined Jewish Appeal. Picassos in Progress A Masterpiece Gallery by the JCC Kids Saturday, April 25, :00-9:00 PM K Space Contemporary 415-D Starr Street *Musical Entertainment by Ruben Limas *Silent Auction *Complimentary Beer and Wine *Coffee Bar, Hors d oeuvres, Dessert *Auction proceeds benefit the JCC Preschool Sponsored by the JCC PTO ZUMBA Mondays & Wednesdays 7 pm to 8 pm BRANDEIS Not Too Late! Do your Spring/Passover Cleaning Donate your used books to Brandeis Upcoming sale May 13 ***Sunrise Mall*** We will pick up books, or you may deliver to 4531 Ayers, Suite 213 Tuesdays 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM

6 P E R P E T U A L YAHRZEITS Sabbath of April 3, 2009 *Bessie Bein Gil Cavazos *Abraham D. Danziger *Ida Deborah Glanz *Dr. David N. Grossman *James Harris *Sherry Katz Hilton Ethel Horner *Jack Kaufman *Jerry (Jerome) Levy Dorothy Miller *Morris Minsky Dr. Peter Oshman *Elizabeth Posner Benjamin Roosth *2nd Lt. Bill Trodlier Sabbath of April 10, 2009 Frank Androski *Hyman Bornstein *Harry Bornstein *Dr. J.W. Castroll *Bertha Selig Franklin *Philip Goldstein *Blanche Gordon *Dr. Bernard Grossman *Sadie Herz Hirsch *Myer Joseph *Sweetie Kins *Abraham Lampert *Anna Liedeker *Esther Ruth Schlader *Simon Sklar *Minnie Trodlier *Mae Weil *Ida Zeidman *Sheindlya Zitser Sabbath of April 17, 2009 *Betty Blum *William Cohan *Harold Zeitlin Dobrer *Rachel Katz Bebe Lashinsky *Ben D. Marks *Jacob Marks *Yetta Nelson Sara Reingold *Ida Solka *May Spitz Sabbath of April 24, 2009 *Rose Alexander *Joseph Blum *Pearl Blum *Hannah Levinson Braslau *Isabelle Davis *Melvin Davis * Nettie Eisenberg *Eva Goltzman *Otto Heffler *Esther Mack *Harry Maltz *Martin Nelson Rose Primack *David Roberts Charles Schwartz Jay Schlaikjev Jennie Spear *Albert Veenik Sabbath of May 1, 2009 *Arch Allen *Dave Bergman *Tracy Braslau *Julius Brownstein *Robert R. Brodkey Ida Elzweig *Sadie Finkelstein *William Frank *Sam Goltzman *Howard J. Goodman *Arthur Haas *Max Katz *Samuel Kins *Adolph Krams *Irving Lepow *Philip Levy *Rose Lieberman *Julian Mandelstamm Edwin Mange Martha Mange Freda Marks *Harry Postrong *Maurice Rednick Gershon Rosenwasser *Morris Rosenwasser *Harry Samuels *Jacob Samuels Melville Samuels *Juliette Susan Scott *Eugene J. Steiner *Frances Wasserman *Michal Wisznia *Benjamin Zane

7 DR. RAYMOND LEWANDOWSKI TO SPEAK AT CBI On Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 PM, Dr. Raymond Lewandowski, Corpus Christi s leading physician specializing in genetics, will speak on the topic CRACKING THE DNA CODE. Dr. Lewandowski will address promising breakthroughs in this relatively new branch of medicine, including ways that genetic medicine may be applicable to prenatal treatments and such diseases as Parkinson s and mental retardation. There is even talk of a healing gene, that will enhance recuperation from a wide variety of wounds and illnesses. Dr. Lewandowski s interests range beyond the strictly scientific dimensions of his medical specialty. He recently published a book entitled The Imprint of God: Secrets of Our Genetic Code. Among the challenging topics in this volume are discussions of evil, God and war, conscience and death. If you are interested in the cutting-edge of modern medicine and how it may affect your life, this is a talk that will appeal to you. We invite you to attend this talk that is co-sponsored by Brandeis Women, Hadassah, the JCC and Congregation Beth Israel. There is no charge, and dessert and beverages will be served after the session is over.

8 APRIL LIBRARY NEWS Spring is here and with it brings the joyous celebration of the first Passover recorded in the book of Exodus. The Train Library has a wonderful collection of books for all ages recounting the Lord s grace and protection of His people and his reminder always to remember. PASSOVER Eighteen Gates of Jewish Festivals Issachar Miron. A remarkable recount of the celebrations fun and informative. In Jewish Tradition Judith Fellner A Feast of History, Passover Through the Ages Chaim Raphael Keeping Passover, Everything You Need To Know To Create Your Own Celebration - Ira Steingroot HAGGADAHS The Scholar s Haggadah with Historical Commentaries Heinrich Guggenheimer 400 pages of Ashkenazic, Sephardic and Oriental versions. This is a real gem! From Bondage To Freedom Rabbi Ibraham Twerski The Family Haggadah Ellen Schechter COOKBOOKS Passover requires special menus browse through these cookbooks to discover new and innovative recipes for your seders. The Jewish American Kitchen Raymond Sokolov Tastes of Jewish Traditions, Recipes for the Whole Family J. Hirsh & I. Goodman The New Complete International Jewish Cookbook Evelyn Rose Easy Kosher Cooking Rosalyn Manesse CHILDREN The little ones (and their elders ) will love these simple retellings of a favorite Bible story But This Night is Different Marcus & Zwerin The Matzo Ball Boy Lisa Schulman Toby Belfer s Seder Gloria Teles Pushker Exodus, Includes a Children s Haggadah - Sheryl Prenzlau Shalom and Joy at Passover, The Library Cats

9 Pre-Passover Food Drive Donate your Chometz Now through April 5th (after April 5, please DO NOT bring Chometz to CBI!!) Unopened boxes/bags of pasta, bread, chips, cereals, cookies, crackers, flour, baking goods, and depending on how strict you are: legumes, peanut products and corn products; and any other non-perishables you would like to donate as you Spring clean and make your house Pesahdik. We'll collect it in the foyer of CBI, and deliver it to the Food Bank. PASSOVER IS COMING... Congregation Beth Israel Social Action Committee - March/April 2009

10 The Congregation thanks you for the following contributions Otto Kuehn by Carl & Chris Kuehn Sara Jean Swiff Lesser by LA & Rona Train Ruth Goldner Robinson by Thomas & Barbara Dunn Harry Marks by Marcia Marks Pearl Lieberman by David & Ann Engel Sarah Adler Martha C. "Bess" Nance by Robert & Chris Adler Rosalie Roberts YAHRZEIT DONATIONS In Memory of Ida Solka Pauline Sheinberg by Joseph & Ruth Sheinberg Seymour Applebaum by Gertrude Applebaum Isadore Zeidman by Sarah Zeidman Marsha Zeidman Max Yaffe by Alan Yaffe Frank Davis by Louise Davis Archie Goodman by Doris Katz Philip Lieberman by Dorothy Jessel CEMETERY ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of Malvina Newman by Ted & Edith Mason Dora Wolfson by Gloria Wolfson Ada Leshin Ida Levinson by Marvin & Yetta Leshin Frances Hausman by Lorraine Hausman in Honor of Dottie Heffler-for her dedication to the Sisterhood by Evelyn Maltz ADULT EDUCATION FUND Donation by George & Grace Kopf TRAIN LIBRARY FUND in Memory of Serena Lowry Schmidt by Maurice & Rebecca Schmidt GENERAL FUND Donation by Ernest Saenz Jaime (Jimmy) Garza Homer Benavides

11 The Congregation thanks you for the following contributions HEBREW REST FUND in Honor of TRACY BRASAU YOUTH FUND in Memory of The birth of Oren Jacob-Grandson of Ross & Marcia Burney Morris Braslau by Jerry & Elizabeth Susser by Marilyn & Irving Braslau Recovery of Meredith Hilliard by Jerry & Elizabeth Susser RABBI WEISSMAN MEMORIAL FUND in Memory of Mort Finkelstein MITZVAH FUND by Maurice & Rebecca Schmidt in Honor of The birth of Oren Jacob-Grandson of Ross & Marcia Burney LESLIE SIMON FUND Dottie Heffler, Fran Brodkey & Vera Rosenheim For their dedication & service to the Sisterhood Donation by by Brian & Natalie Honigbaum Marvin Gardens Leon & Gail Loeb on their marriage by Andy & Iris Lehrman PENNYBAUM PERPETUAL TORAH FUND Dr. Charles Clark Herman Josephs Recovery of in Honor of Phyllis Roseman-on being named the recipient of the 2009 Miriam Award by Karma & Michael lakin by Brian & Natalie Honigbaum Recovery of Meredith Hilliard by Clara Braslau in Memory of David Rucker by Jerry & Elizabeth Susser Meredith Hilliard Hank Josephs Bill Baum by Karma & Michael lakin Don t forget..you can remember a friend or relative with a minimum contribution of $5.00 to one of our many funds. These funds support camp scholarships, education, cemeteries, fine arts, library, and building improvements, to name a few. An acknowledgement card will be sent to the honored person or family. Please make checks payable to CBI and specify the fund. Call the CBI office with any questions.

12 CONGREGANTS TO BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE A representative of the Ritual Committee will begin making personal calls in the next week to ask members of the congregation iif they would be willing to help light the Shabbat candles, lead the kiddush and recite the Torah blessings during Friday night services. The first calls will go to members who have Yahrzeits on a particular Shabbat, in the hope that they will be attending anyway and would gladly accept the honor of this kind of participation. A full sheet of instructions will be provided to all who are willing to help in this way, and you don t have to sing! We hope everyone who is contacted will be willing to accept this aliyah on one Friday night during the year. And if you have children at home it s an honor they can share with parents or grandparents and derive a great sense of meaning and importance for their Jewish lives. BAKING HAMANTASCHEN FOR PURIM CELEBRATION

13 YOM HASHOAH TO BE COMMEMORATED AT CBI On Sunday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m., Professor Robert H. Abzug of the University of Texas at Austin will speak at Congregation Beth Israel in commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Dr. Abzug is the Oliver H. Radkey Regents Professor of History and the Director of the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies. Dr. Abzug will explore with us the topic WHY DO WE REMEMBER? Now that we are seventy-six years past the onset of the Nazi regime in Germany, it is relevant to ask ourselves what is the purpose of remembering the Holocaust. Is it simply that the act of remembering itself has value, or are there other reasons why a continuing memorial has power and importance? Among his published works are America Views the Holocaust: a Brief Documentary History and Inside the Vicious Heart: Americans and the Liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camps. We invite all members of the Jewish community and guests from the general community of Corpus Christi to join us for this talk, which is sponsored without charge by the Adult Education Committee of CBI. Light refreshments will be served after Dr. Abzug s talk so that we may greet each other. Please also note that a brief memorial service will be held on the actual day of Yom HaShoah, Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 PM at CBI. You are very cordially invited to attend. Mitzvah Committee The Mitzvah Committee reaches out to members of our Jewish community in times of need, whether someone is sick, a loved one has passed away, or a congregant remains homebound for any reason. It is our mitzvah to deliver a home-cooked meal/food at time such as these. Please contact us if you or someone you know needs the Mitzvah Committee's help. It is our pleasure to do a mitzvah for you! Contact us: Congregation Beth Israel at Rona Train at Leslie Green at L Dor VaDor Judaica Shop at Congregation Beth Israel Don t Let Passover PASS YOU OVER!!! We have many beautiful Passover items ON SALE Come do a little schmoozing. And a LOT of shopping Sisterhood Needs YOU! We will be at the Judaica Shop on Wednesday, April 1 st Thursday, April 2 nd Friday, April 3 rd 10:00 am until 1 pm Sunday, April 5 th 10:00 am until 12:00 pm

14 Upcoming Sisterhood Events Annual General Board Meeting Wednesday, April 1st 5:30 CBI We will be voting on a new set of sisterhood by-laws. Everyone is welcome to attend. Pot Luck Dinner to Follow Bring your favorite dish! Old Board/ New Board Meeting Wednesday, May 6th CBI Installation Luncheon Wednesday, May 6th

15 1st Annual Sisterhood Havdalah Honorarium Thank you to everyone who helped out and participated. It was a fabulous event!

16 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 SARATOGA CORPUS CHRISTI, TX L Dor VaDor Judaica Shop Passover is just around the corner! We have beautiful new Passover merchandise arriving daily: Seder Plates, Havdallah Sets, Wine Cups, Matzo Plates, Haggadah s, and more. This is a good time to give, receive and be supportive of our sisterhood. Wednesday Sunday HOURS 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm 10:00 am -12:00 pm Call Clara with any special requests.

17 APRIL 2009 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 29 Sunday School 9:30 am-12:00 pm Hebrew School 4:30 pm-6:00 pm 2 3 7:30 pm 4 9:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 5 Sunday School 9:30 am-12:00 pm 6 7 CBI Board Meeting 7:00 pm 8 NO HEBREW SCHOOL 9 2nd Night Community Passover Seder 10 7:30 pm 11 9:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 12 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Yizkor Service 6:30 pm NO HEBREW SCHOOL :30 pm 18 9:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 19 Sunday School 9:30 am-12:00 pm Yom HaShoah Service 6:30 pm 22 Hebrew School 4:30 pm-6:00 pm :30 pm Yom HaAtzma ut (Israel Independence Day) 25 9:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 26 Sunday School 9:30 am-12:00 pm Prof. Robert Abzug will speak in commemoration of 2:30 pm NO HEBREW SCHOOL 30 1 * 7:30 pm 2 9:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am *LL = Service by Lay Leader