contemporary Pesach food is sustenance and symbol Part of celebrating our freedom is being free to make mistakes.

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1 contemporary Congregation Olam Tikvah Glenbrook Road Fairfax, Virginia Pesach food is sustenance and symbol PPesach includes a number of mitzvot and traditions. Many of them are connected to the home, and the vast majority of those are associated with food what we do and don t eat. Rabbi David Kalender At the core of our preparations is the commandment to remove chametz (leaven) from our homes and workplaces. It s a rigorous, physically demanding process of cleaning, wiping, boiling and schlepping. We clean everything (especially the kitchen) thoroughly, take out the dishes that have never been used for chametz, and perhaps cover countertops on which chametz has been prepared. shift in what and how we eat. Everywhere we turn, it looks like Pesach. As the holiday begins, we have dedicated ourselves and our surroundings to our Jewish identities. Chametz operates on multiple levels. On a physical level, we begin with the idea that the Torah/God said so. For some, that s enough. There is also something powerful about setting aside eight days every year during which we eat foods unique to the holiday. The power comes in part because the food restrictions force or encourage us to remind ourselves every minute of our connection to our Jewish past, and our choice to make it part of our personal tradition. Also, we eat foods at the Seder, and during the rest of the holiday, that may be family recipes ( this apple cake is good enough to eat all year round ), and we enjoy the creativity of cooking delicious food within the traditional holiday restrictions. Those two elements prompt me to continue to follow the traditional Ashkenazic prohibition of kitniyot (legumes). Though some eat kitniyot, as it is not technically chametz (and therefore not prohibited in the Torah), I do not eat them, because of my emotional connections to family and communal tradition. Once the Seders are the year. Every meal connects me to history, and avoiding kitniyot is part of that. Besides, quinoa is better for us than rice. On a spiritual level, chametz (leavened food) symbolizes an an overdeveloped sense of importance that eclipses his or her personality. Tradition teaches that the swollen ego has taken over and we must do everything possible to rid it from our lives. The ancient the shackles of slavery physical and spiritual. If we are to succeed tency. It is hard to remove the physical and spiritual chametz from mitzvah will be make this the best Pesach ever. Volume 53, Number 4 April 1, 2016 making pesach Kid-Friendly Debra Beland Ackerman Once we sat at the kids table; now we are the grown-ups. It s Whether we are hosting the Seder or we are guests, we want our kids to be happy and engaged, but we don t want the adults to feel they ve been robbed of a real Seder experience. So how do you that have helped. Give the kids a job before the Seder We know that kids are always more invested when they are involved in the process. So make Seder prep an inclusive operation. you can pass on to you kids. Younger children can round up all the pillows in the house and place them on the chairs so that everyone yourself out of the lesson and encourage them to look it up online). All kids can make and decorate place cards, menus and other decorations. And for those who are drawn to the kitchen, you can peelers, celery choppers, and creators of salt water for dipping. It s their contributions. Speaking of perfect It s been a year, and my family is still talking about the gray potato kugel. Last year I got distracted, and the potatoes sat too long between slicing and baking. So when I pulled back the foil to let it cool, I found myself faced with something that looked more like a sidewalk than a side dish. I considered tossing it, but I have a thing about wasted food, and we needed it to round out the meal. I squared my shoulders and put it on the table. And you know other people s kitchen fails, which was highly entertaining to the kids at the table. Part of celebrating our freedom is being free to make mistakes. So let go of your quest for perfection and free yourself from that added stress. It s a good lesson for your kids, and it will help you enjoy the moment. Serve up some snacks It s Pavlovian you sit at the table and you eat. Only Seder doesn t work that way, which is hard for kids big and small. Make it easier by prepping kid-pleasing snacks to tide them over until the meal is served. Something as simple as a plate of sliced apples and attention. See KID-FRIENDLY, page 3

2 April 2016 Page 2 My name is Steve Tursky I live in Fairfax, with my wife, Amy. We have a 25-year old daughter who lives and works in Philadelphia. I have lived in the Washington, D.C. area for most of my adult life. During that time, I have been a member of three congregations and Men s Clubs, and president of two of those. In the late 1970s. I wanted to give back to Adas Israel, which had provided a safe Jewish place for a rather lonely young man to practice his Judaism. I was an active congregant who led services, read Torah, taught Hebrew literacy and led Sunday morning Minyan. I joined Men s Club, served on the Board, and implemented a Men s Club Shabbat. only for men my father s age, I found a vibrant club that gave back to many synagogue institutions. I remained part of that club until 1993, when we joined Agudas Achim. In that smaller congregation, I got active again, and Men s Club members made me feel right at home. In 1999, I became Men s Club President. Agudas Club supported the aspirations of young people to go to Israel, through an endowment that gave scholarships subsidizing their expenses. In 2007, my family joined OT. I joined Men s Club and served on the Board. I m now VP for Ritual. I am part of a congenial group of guys. Bruce Gordon, Bob Watts, Howard Sloan and Jack Klevan have been instrumental in getting and keeping me active. Conservative Judaism was the movement of choice for both my parents and my generation. Now our traditional movement is evolving, forging a new identity for new times. The biggest challenge facing Conservative Judaism is making sure that our synagogues become intergenerational families. Olam Tikvah as an institution, and the Men s Club in particular, are great examples of how all the generations can interact with each other with respect and love. Every Shabbat, older people, younger people and families with children of all ages pray together and schmooze at Kiddush and Kiddush Club. Lifecycle events are special occasions for all of us, and even more importantly, politics is not discussed from the pulpit. Our OT rabbis exemplify in their behavior the ways in which Jewish people should conduct themselves. Their support of Men s Club activities and philosophy makes our jobs that much easier Steve will be honored as blue yarmulke man-of-the-year on Sunday, April 17. Join us. Learn more at Mention this ad for a free consultation with a certified arborist on the condition of the trees and shrubs on your property THIS SPACE IS RABBI MICHAEL HENESCH ~ CERTIFIED MOHEL ~ MARYLAND, D.C., VIRGINIA AND BEYOND BRIS mysonsbris.com 3-D-5-5 For ad info. call

3 Page 3 April 2016 KID-FRIENDLY, continued from page 1 Pass over the plagues to the next generation bags. But why spend the money when you have perfectly good kids have had the responsibility of presenting the plagues as they are read during the Seder; they take that responsibility seriously. One year I stapled 10 paper plates to popsicle sticks and they made puppets. Another year they created posters. Last year there was a mimed skit that included throwing cotton balls and a dramatic last gasp from a sick cow. If you ll have other young guests at your table, encourage them to come a little early to strategize on a plague plan so that they are part of the process. discovery) time how to satisfy the kids with some options you know will work. Pesach food limitations eliminate some go-to standbys, but if you the parents of your young guests what they are most likely to eat, and if you are a guest, set your kid up for success by giving the host accurate information. I always make lots of extra hard-boiled eggs and a big bowl of celery and carrots. Over the years I ve cooked a few matzah balls in water instead of soup (so they don t get green at my vegetarian house are dairy, so that won t work for those of you serving brisket). Just remember, one dinner of celery and matzah won t leave your child malnourished, but it may make the meal more pleasant for you both. Seder can also be a time to try something new. Pesach is a festival of freedom, and one way we can celebrate being free is to eat something new. After all, slaves don t have choices about what they eat, and they don t have the luxury of refusing something because they don t like the taste. So talk to your child about adding a new food to their celebration and agree that both of you will be open to the idea of tasting it AND passing on a second bite if it s not a hit. Younger children and Pesach T Sharon Sherry Pesach, a festival of freedom (Z man Chayrutaynu), of spring (Chag HaAviv) and of unleavened bread (Chag HaMatzot), is also the perfect time to make memories to last a lifetime! Both the holiday and the Seder are accessible for small children and, with a little advance planning, can be pleasurable for the whole family. Before the holiday, we clean our houses and search for chametz (bread and anything leavened). Even the youngest children can help clean their rooms and toys, and that is a great starting point! Bedikat Chametz, the symbolic search for leaven, is done after up the pre-hidden bread: it s an engaging activity for children of all ages! Children can also help you prepare Seder food. Washing parsley and chopping and mixing apples for charoset are fun, if messy, activities. Consider some dessert help, too have the children paint melted chocolate chips on matzah for a yummy treat! Making matzah To help the children understand the order of the Seder, you can act out the Pesach story with pictures and puppets, and even create a matching game based on the order of the Seder. Pesach places supreme importance on conveying the story and meaning to the next generation. The Rabbis have always known that the future of the Jewish people lies with our children. To this end, use the Haggadah and some children s books to tell the story at the Seder table, so that even the youngest ones can grasp the concepts. Sing some children s songs along with the traditional Haggadah prayers, for everyone s enjoyment. In addition, children will want to contribute to their family Seder tables with their own creations. There are many ritual objects to what you can create with a plastic wine cup and stickers or a piece of fabric and fabric markers! together.

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5 Page 5 April 2016 From Our Hearts Mazal Tov We wish a hearty mazal tov to Wendy & Joe Rosner, on the birth of their daughter, Juliet Charlotte Condolence We extend our deepest sympathy on the loss of Alvin Adler, father of Shelley Adler Emeric Fischer, father of Joel Fischer Friema Juduth Grylack, sister of Lawrence Grylack Victor Lazarowitz, husband of Ruth Lazarowitz Pauline Smulowitz, grandmother of Shari Boyett Joan Tomasino, sister of Diane Fertman Nathan Weiss, father of Shana Weiss daughter of Matthew and sister of Abigail, is a Lanier Middle School 7th grader and OT Religious School student. Caroline loves music, video games and writing and illustrating her own stories. She also loves animals and has cared for many pets over the years. Caroline looks forward to sharing this day with friends and family Kiddush Sponsors Thank you for your donations to the Kiddush Fund, April 1-7 Lindsay & Christopher Belmonte; Ruth & Ed Diener; Judy & Jon Gabel; Samantha & Kevin Leahy; Iris & David Littwitz (30); Randee & Jerry Markowitz; Claire & Mark Tanenbaum April 8-14 Ellie Klein & Dan Finkel; Melissa & Steve Hochberg (30); Julie & Howard Kaye (30) April Maria & Gary Frankel; Michelle & Paul Nash; Miriam & Gerald Smolen (25); Marie & Glenn Taubman B nei Mitzvah son of Marilynne & Steven, older brother of Zachary and Ezra and grandson of Lilly & Stuart Eder, is a Frost Middle school 7th grader. A second-generation Olam Tikvah bar mitzvah, Ethan joined the OT community at birth and attended OT preschool beginning at age two. Ethan loves the beach, video games (especially Minecraft), and has spent the ish Scouting Pack/Troop As he approached becoming a bar mitzvah, Ethan started volunteering with SOME (So Others Might Eat), where he makes meals to feed homeless people. Ethan looks forward to sharing his simcha with his family and close friends, and with the OT community. Mishloach Manot Thanks to your participation, a majority OT families received Stryer, Brenda Klemow and Anne Kramer and with the help of over 50 volunteers (packing and delivering) and the computer expertise of Melissa Benson, this year was another success. The February Contemporary focused on the history and success of the Purim project at Olam Tikvah. I would like to recognize and thank Beth Rivelis, whose name was unintentionally left out of the article. Beth brought her expertise in doing mishloach manot for the and helped to make it a success. Be sure to check or OT s Facebook page for Purim and Mishloach Manot pictures. Thank you again for your participation. Thank you to Debbie Malafsky The Sisterhood Judaica Shop, located in the upper lobby, is open during Religious School, during business hours or by appointment. Call Joanne Stryer

6 April 2016 Page 6 Capital Improvement Fund Levine, by Roberta & Henry Wulf; Judy & Stan Schretter; Devora Rubin & Dana Rubin Birth and brit of Judah Joseph Ravski, by Roberta & Henry Wulf by the Toobin Family Birth of Nava Yael Beraha, granddaughter of Elliott Abrams, by Roberta & Henry Wulf B nei Mitzvah of Nathan & Jacob Goldberg, by Roberta & Henry Wulf Incredible kindness of the entire OT community, by Roberta & Henry Wulf Marriage of Lizz Billinson and Aaron Kushner, by Roberta & Henry Wulf Marriage of Michelle Schuster to Richard Strauss, by Roberta & Henry Wulf Natalie Levine s special birthday and the 60th wedding anniversary of Natalie & Julian, by Rita & Mitchell Rasansky Beatrice Owrutzky, by Michele, Stuart and Elyse Endick Dorothy Goldstein, by Roberta & Henry Wulf Emeric Fischer, by Roberta & Henry Wulf Robert Brill, by Roberta & Henry Wulf William Friedman, Comfort & Condolence Fund Mildred Busman, by Etta Gabel Emanuel Passamaneck Prayer Book/Tallit Hyman Toobin, father of Michael, by the Toobin Family Gerald Brissman/Lyle Miller College Outreach Fund Levine, by Adele & Irv Greenspon; Gloria Brissman Birth of Noa Shoon, granddaughter of Leona Shoon, by Eileen & Norman Leshan Marriage of Michelle Schuster to Richard Strauss, by Barbara & Robert Cohen; Eileen & Norman Leshan; Fraida & Alan Zusman; Chai Chavurah Mildred Busman, by Eileen & Norman Leshan Torah & Religious Articles Fund R FUAH SH LAYMAH Barbara Villarruel, by Debra & Herman Stein Tzedakah Memorial Landscape Fund Levine, by Sandy & Al Gabriel; Betty Marmon Anna & Irv Jacobs s new home, by Sandy & Al Gabriel Bar Mitzvah of your grandson, by Sandy & Al Gabriel Alvin Wolfson, by Natalie & Julian Levine Arnold Kaplan, by Natalie & Julian Levine Constance Kreuter, by Natalie & Julian Levine Dorothy Goldstein, by Sandy & Al Gabriel Florence Rubino, by Natalie & Julian Levine Joan Tomasino, by Joan & Don Sacarob Murray Berger, by Natalie & Julian Levine Memorial Adult Education Fund Levine, by Leslie & Irvin Varkonyi (OTC); Sandy & Al Gabriel (OTC) Natalie & Julian Levine, two very special people on a special anniversary, by the Goldberg Family Rochelle, David, Molly, Nathan and Jacob (OTC) by Debbie & Mark Weber Marriage of Michelle Schuster to Richard Strauss, by Debbie & Mark Weber Naming of Rayna Pollack, by Debbie & Mark Weber Dr. Adaya Barkay, by Debbie & Mark Weber; Ronnie Rodriguez Robert Brill, by Debbie & Mark Weber (OTC) = Olam Tikvah Chorale Thank you to Rabbi Kalender, for all your help with Sarah s Bat Mitzvah, by Karen & Mark Hasson With thanks and deep appreciation to Rabbis Kalender and Ravski and the Olam Tikvah community for your support, encouragement, and by Wendy, Joel and Shoshana Fischer by Eileen & Norman Leshan Emeric Fischer, by Wendy & Joel Fischer We thank you for your donations, Levine, by Randee & Jerry Markowitz Marriage of Michelle Schuster to Richard Strauss, by Randee & Jerry Markowitz Dr. Adaya Barkay, by Randee & Jerry Markowitz Robert Brill May the memory of your father/ grandfather be for a blessing, by Stephanie & Ilan Sussan Stahl Family Experience Israel Fund Thank you for the honor I received at the B nai Mitzvah of my great nephews, Nathan & Jacob Goldberg, by Pam Hoberman Todah Rabbah to Gideon Frishman, by Bonnie & Michael Witlin Kristol, by Beth & Barry Reisig 50th wedding anniversary of Joanne & Tom Stryer, by Bobbie Ebert Levine, by Jane & Bill Behrmann by Judy & Stan Schretter Irv Jacobs s special birthday, by Bobbie Ebert Marriage of Michelle Schuster to Richard Strauss, by Beth & Barry Reisig; the Toobin Family; Bobbie Ebert R FUAH SH LAYMAH Roberta Wulf, by Jane & Bill Behrmann Levine, by Pearl & Steve Raikin Birth of Charlotte Frances Continetti, daughter of Anne & Matt, granddaughter of Susan & Bill Kristol, by Clare & Herb Bachner Birthdays of Pearl s children and grandchildren Avi Shapiro, Devora Shapiro, Ivan Carrier, Ethan Carrier, Aria Risling, by Pearl & Steve Raikin Abraham Epstein, by Rita & Gideon Frishman Bertha Levine, by Edith Krantzman Bess Schofer, by Sylvia Ambaruch Charles Alexander, by Rachel Rothberg Craig Kinsley, by Lynne & Elliott Dubin Dora Silver, by Barbara Finkel Enrique Wajser, by Graciela & Yair Granek Eric Kammer, by Traci Goldberg Esther Nattboy, by Rochelle Salzman Eve Miller, by Joel Miller Fannie Laden, by Rachel Rothberg Florence Diener, by Edward Diener

7 Page 7 April 2016 TZEDAKAH, continued from page 6 Florence Tuchman, by Cheryl Bloom Floyd Santner, by Heidi Freeman Frances Stein, by Betsy & John MacCarthy Frieda Lubing, by Lael Lubing George S. Elpern, by Sarah Elpern Gertrude Stone, by Ray Stone Herb Burstein, by Sharon & Lance Sherry Ida Dolinsky, by Jane & Herb Myers Ida Huett, by Rita & Gideon Frishman Ida Stein Laster, by Jerome Stein Isaac Frishman, by Rita & Gideon Frishman Joseph Caplan, by Betsy & John MacCarthy Karen Anne MacCarthy, by Betsy & John MacCarthy Leo Driessen, by Dvorah Richman & Paul Driessen Matthew Alexander Rutzick, by Cynthia & Mark Rutzick Michael I. Shore, by Ilka Shore-Cooper Miriam Reiter, by Rachel Rothberg Nancy Shreve, by Linda Noble Nathan Sklar, by Barbara & Robert Cohen Roma Sherry, by Sharon & Lance Sherry Samuel Bendersky, by Edith Krantzman Samuel Goldgell, by Marsha Feldman Selma Wishnatzki, by Laura Williams Sylvia Richman, by Dvorah Richman & Paul Driessen Tevis Freeman, by Shana Singerman Zoltan Czitrom, by Irvin Varkonyi Walter Hausfeld Playground Fund by Rhoda & Mark Miller Fine Arts and Social Action Committee contributions are held Find us at Don t have a computer, or just want to talk to a person? Please call us during business hours, , so we can help you. SELL YOUR CHAMETZ from owning chametz during the holiday, it is customary to sell it and then repurchase it after the end of Pesach. It is our honor and responsibility to be your agents for this sale. Please sell your chametz no later than 9:15am on Friday, April 22. At that time, the transaction will have been completed. If you have not authorized a sale by that time, Jewish law requires that you dispose of all chametz by giving it away or destroying it. your chametz online Rabbi David Kalender Rabbi Evan Ravski It is customary to make a donation when arranging for the sale of chametz. Please make out checks to Olam Tikvah, and know that these funds help provide for the less fortunate at this holiday season. They are happier at home. Have the peace of mind that they are safe and well cared for. Our experienced and compassionate caregivers are here to help! One-on-One in homecare Servicing Northern Virginia Live-in and hourly care for 13 Years $5.00 Off One Coupon Per Customer THIS SPACE IS IT Support for your business Providing IT support for Olam Tikvah since 2008 Contact Brian Williams to place an ad today! BWilliams@4LPi.com or (800) x D-5-5 For ad info. call

8 the contemporary Congregation Olam Tikvah Fairfax, VA Organization Permit # Founded in 1964 Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism David Kalender, Evan Ravski, Assistant Howard Nachman, Rachelle Palley, Exec Director... Lisa Friedman, APRIL 2016 April-May 2016 Calendar Highlights 3:30pm Sisterhood Painting and Margarita Afternoon SAT 9 9:30am Men s Club Military Shabbat FRI 15 6:15pm Membership: Italian Shabbat Dinner April 22-30: Pesach FRI 22 7:00am Ta anit B korim/siyum 7:35pm Candles No evening service: First Seder Sat 23 9:30am Service Day 1 No evening Service: Second Seder FRI 29 9:30am Service SAT 30 9:30am Service includes Yizkor 9:00pm Service Chametz belongs to you again at 9:10pm. MAY 2016 WED 18 11:30am World of Hope Golf Classic