April. CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families March 2011 CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

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1 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL A Family of Families March 2011 CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES April Friday, April 1 Maya Hiatt will help lead the service Saturday, April 2 Bat Mitzvah of Maya Hiatt 10:00am Friday, April 8 in honor of Rona & LA Train Saturday, April 9 9:00am Friday, April 15 Saturday, April 16 9:00am Friday, April 22 Saturday, April 23 9:00am Tuesday, April 26 Yizkor Service for end of Pesach 6:00 pm Friday, April 29 Saturday, April 30 9:00am Torah Study 11:00am Please come and join us. Dear Friends: The first seder of Pesach this year will be celebrated on Monday, April 18. Elsewhere in this newsletter, I ve included a list of the items that we customarily find on the seder table. Two of them are marked with an asterisk. Do you know why? Everyone knows that the seder is a retelling of the experience of the Israelites, first as slaves in Egypt, then as they were freed with God s guidance and Moses leadership, and finally making explicit the lesson of Pesach: if we like freedom, it is our task to extend this boon to all other peoples. All but two of the items of the seder table list have roles to play as we unfold the Passover story. But what about the roasted egg and the green herbs? They are never used during the seder; they are extraneous to the story of Jewish liberation. Yet they are present. The reason is that, originally, there were two holydays, one after the other, in the spring. One was called The Feast of Matzot, and it was akin to our present-day Passover seder. The other was called the Feast of Aviv (Spring) and dealt with the rebirth of nature in March and April. The symbols of life and growth that the egg and greens constitute are remnants of this older festival that was overwhelmed by the historically-oriented Feast of Matzot. They are vestiges of a much earlier celebration. Maybe you can find a way to include them in your family s celebration this year. What is crucial, regardless of how you observe Pesach and what ritual objects you include in your celebration, is to remember and act on the fundamental syllogism and lessons of the holyday. There are four simple insights you need to have. 1. Slavery is a terrible institution. Slavery stinks. 2. Freedom is far to be preferred. Freedom is great 3.It would be selfish in the extreme if we enjoyed freedom for ourselves, but refused to help make it a reality for others who are not now free. The task to which the seder calls every Jew is to be a bringer of freedom, whether to someone who is actually in chains or to someone who is enslaved by chronic illness, illiteracy, hunger, loneliness or any other condition that denies to a person the benefits of full freedom. 4.The reason that Elijah does not appear at our doors to announce the imminent arrival of the Messiah is that we have not yet completed our task of bringing freedom to the world. When we have created a world in which freedom is the legacy of all men and women, then Elijah will stand at our doorsteps on Passover and point down the street to the Messiah who is about to arrive. For Phyllis and myself, for all who lead Congregation Beth Israel, we wish you the happiest possible Pesach and stimulation that will lead you to help change the world in the coming year. Fondly, Kenneth D. Roseman, Rabbi

2 Dear Members of CBI, PRESIDENT S MESSAGE The ingredients of any delicious cake yield the final product. The same goes to for Congregation Beth Israel. During my 2 years as your president, I have been most fortunate to have a most supportive board of Trustees. Condolences to the Brownstein Family David Brownstein, died suddenly and unexpectedly on March 28, 2011, at his home in Pearland, Texas. David, age 61, was the third son of Julius Brownstein, now deceased, and Jewell Rae Brownstein, who lives in Houston. The J.R. Brownstein family invites you to contribute to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice in David s name. Happy Passover These trustees have overseen the total operation of our house of worship, which includes most importantly our finances. They also oversee our very large physical plant, which includes a magnificent building and beautiful grounds. Our officers and trustees have given their energy and time handling the demands and responsibilities of their office. For their effort I am grateful to each and every one of them. The Rabbi s Sunday morning presentations of religion in America continue as well as our Friday and Saturday services. I hope to see you in Temple/Synagogue. Congregation Beth Israel with its many diverse programs is where it happens and makes you proud to be Jewish. Shalom, Maury Wolfson CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 Saratoga Telephone /Fax congregation@bethisraelcc.com Website: bethisraelcc.com Rabbi Kenneth Roseman Debbie Bustillo, Office Administrator Susan Martin, Corpus Christi Community Religious School Administrator President Maury Wolfson First Vice President Jim Gold Second Vice President Suzy Hilliard Secretary Gary Blum Treasurer Ed Mange Past President...Andy Lehrman Sisterhood President.... Iris Karas Cofty President Meredith Hilliard Adult Education David Jacobs Cemetery Co-Chairs...Robert Adler, Carl Kuehn Gary Blum and Clara Braslau Ritual Committee Co-Chairs....Andrew Sheinberg and Joe Loon Program Coordinator..... Meredith Ryan Membership Committee Chair......Susan Martin Social Action Committee Chairs....Jim Gold Dues Committee Co-Chairs Ann Engel and Leslie Kane Building Chair......David Jacobs Grounds Chair.. Rikki Schmitchel Fine Arts...Laurie Mintz and Ross Burney Webmaster Jack Widder

3 SPRING ADULT LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES Pursuant to numerous requests, Rabbi Roseman has agreed to summarize the course that he offered during the first semester to students at TAMU-CC. The course was entitled THE HISTORY OF RELIGION IN AMERICA. Our Spring series continues on Sunday mornings in April. The remaining sessions will take place in the Grossman Auditorium at 11:00 AM and will conclude about noon. They will be preceded at 10:30 by light refreshments and fellowship. On Sunday, April 3, Rabbi Roseman will discuss the growth of two contradictory religious movements during the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth: on the one hand, fundamentalism and, on the other, social activism. If you want to know how to identify a fundamentalist, this is the talk you should not miss! Finally, on Sunday, April 10, he will discuss the crisis of faith that has occurred since the 1920s and the emergence of alternative forms of religiosity and spirituality in the modern era. Save the Date Announcing the 2011 Joint Installation Luncheon/Miriam Award Presentation to Laura Smith Noe Wednesday, May at 11:30 at the Corpus Christi Country Club Invitations will be forthcoming TRADITIONAL KABBALAT SHABBAT SERVICES SCHEDULED Once-a-month, lay members of Congregation Beth Israel conduct traditional Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming the Sabbath) services in the Racusin Chapel. These services last about 45 minutes; attendees often then join the rest of the congregation in the Sanctuary for the Rabbi s sermon, the concluding parts of the service and the Oneg Shabbat. The mood of these services is relaxed and celebratory, and all are welcome. The schedule for the entire year is: No April May 13, 2011 June 17, 2011 We encourage you to enter these dates on your calendar now so that you will be able to attend these services when they occur.

4 FAMILY CORNER I want to thank all our congregants who came to the March Family Shabbat Dinner. Your compliments and support meant the world to me and I look forward to cooking more delicious meals for all of you. This nice Jewish girl couldn't be happier watching all of you eat my food! This month we will not be getting together for our monthly Family Shabbat Dinner due to the upcoming Passover holiday. We will resume again on May 6 th and look forward to breaking bread together, making new friends, and bringing in the Sabbath! CBI will once again be hosting its 2 nd night Passover community sedar on Tuesday, April 19 th at 6:00 pm and is taking reservations now. Please call Debbie Bustillo at CBI for a reservation form or you can find one in your CBI newsletter. Your paid reservation and form must be turned into the CBI office by April 12 th. Since we have lived in Corpus the last 4 years, we have not missed 2 nd sedar at CBI, and if you're thinking about coming, let me tell you it is a fun-filled evening with Passover surprises by Rabbi Roseman, delicious food, and a warm feeling of the community coming together as a whole to celebrate this Passover holiday. If you've heard about Phyllis Roseman's matzoh candy and have never tasted it, you're in for a real treat I am her biggest fan!! I want to wish all of you a zeisen Pesach (sweet Passover) and can't wait to break matzoh together!! Leslie Green Programming Director APRIL 8th IS A SPECIAL SHABBAT At Shabbat evening services on April 8, 2011, we shall gather to express our thanks and admiration to Rona and L.A. Train for all that they have done over the years to enhance and strengthen Temple Beth El and Congregation Beth Israel. The service will be conducted in part by members of the congregation and will begin at the normal time of 7:30 PM. A festive oneg Shabbat will follow. We hope you will join your friends and fellow congregants to tell the Trains how much we appreciate all that they have done for all of us and for the Jewish and general communities of Corpus Christi and to wish them well in their new home in Houston.

5 SISTERHOOD INFORMATION Upcoming Events Wednesday, April 6th Executive Board 5:30 CBI Friday, April 8th We will honor Rona Train for her many contributions to our community. Please consider bringing a baked good for this special Oneg. Please join us as we wish Rona and L.A. the very best in their home in Houston. Passover Wine testing has been canceled Tuesday, April 19th 2nd Night Congregational Passover Seder In preparation for Passover, I am planning on sending holiday packages to college students. Please me (ibkaras@gmail.com) the name and address of any children you have who are currently attending college.

6 Corpus Christi Community Religious School Susan Martin, Director I hope everyone enjoyed Spring Break and now feels rested and ready for the last few months of school. Bill and I spent a long weekend in Atlanta with our children and grandchildren. The highlight of the trip was the naming (Simchat Bat) of our granddaughter, Jessel Hart Martin. She was wrapped in her father s tallit and blessed with wine from her greatgrandfather s Kiddush cup. It was a joyous occasion! Before the break, Molly Glazer, our ISJL Education Fellow, joined us for s and Family Dinner on Friday evening. On Sunday Molly guided our students and teachers through Purim stations. They acted out the story of Esther, prepared and then exchanged Mishloach Manot boxes. The morning activities culminated with Top Chef Hamentashen. The culinary masterpieces of each group were judged on creativity, presentation, originality and taste. Look for pictures of our fun time in this bulletin. I d like to thank Olivia, Sarah, Julia, and Tim Noble for hosting Molly. This was Molly s last official visit to Corpus Christi. At the end of the year, she will assume the role of Educator at Congregation Emanuel in Winston Salem, North Carolina. We wish her well! Shalom! Susan RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Sunday School 10:00 am April 3, 10 & 17 Hebrew School 4:30 pm on Thursdays April 7 & 14 Mazel Tov Claire and Kevin Koel announce the birth of their daughter, Sophia Elizabeth Francesca Koel born on February 21, Claire is the daughter of Karma and Michael Lakin (former BIS and CBI members). Both families now live in Katy, Texas Mazel Tov Adam Karas, soon to graduate from Carleton College in Minnesota, has been awarded a prestigious Watson Fellowship to spend next year studying in Jordan, Syria and Tibet. He will live and work with various indigenous groups and focus on the impact of twenty-first century civilization on their traditional ways of living.

7 SETTING THE SEDER TABLE Three pieces of Matzah Represent the two loaves of bread set out during Temple sacrificial cults and one for the Passover itself. Matzah is the dry bread that the Israelites took with them when they escaped slavery in Egypt and had no time to let the dough rise. Roasted shankbone Both in memory of the lamb that was slaughtered during the Passover service in the Temple and the lamb blood that was daubed on the doorposts so the angel of death would pass over the houses of the Israelites during the last plague. *Parsley (green herbs) the growth of the Spring, the green of hope and renewal. Horseradish to symbolize the bitterness of slavery. Haroset A mixture of apples, wine, cinnamon and walmuts to represent the mortar that the Israelites used to build the structures of Egypt. *Roasted egg To represent the triumph of life over death. Wine Four cups each for one of the biblical promises of redemption. A cup for Elijah To symbolize the messianic hope. Elijah is the prophet who heralds the coming of the messianic future. (see Malachi 3:23 24) Afikoman The middle piece of matzah that is hidden early in the seder and later found. A Greek word cannoting dessert 92 ND STREET Y PROGRAMMING RESUMES Due to a number of conflicts, some of the discussions at the 92 nd St. YMHA could not be aired in Corpus Christi when they were originally broadcast. However, we have secured the DVD disks of two of them and will put them on our big screen in April and May. THURSDAY, APRIL 14, :30 PM We shall hear a presentation by Ethan Bronner, Bureau Chief in Jerusalem of the New York Times. Even though this program originally aired on February 23, it seems that current events have made its relevancy even more compelling. Please note that this program will begin at 7:30, since it is on a disk rather than a live program. TUESSDAY, MAY 12, :00 PM Join Nir Barkat, ninth mayor of the city of Jerusalem, for a discussion of the crucial issues facing the ancient city. Jerusalem is the holy locale to the three major Abrahamic religions, home to all branches of the Israeli government, place of a rich and diverse, artistic and cultural life, a growing center for technological innovations and a critical element in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and negotiations for a twostate solution. Prior to to his election as mayor, Barkat served for five years as opposition leader of city council. He approaches his job with business methods and entrepreneurial skills derived from the two decades in instructional business. He will be interviewed by Bret Stevens who is deputy editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal and writes its Global View column..

8 From the Jewish Community Council

9 HOME FOR SEDER CBI SISTERHOOD SECOND NIGHT PASSOVER COMMUNITY SEDER Tuesday, April 19 th, :00pm Congregation Beth Israel 4402 Saratoga ADULTS $20 CHILDREN $10 (13 AND UP) (6 12) Children 5 and Under Complimentary RESERVATIONS Make a check payable to: Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood & Fill out the enclosed form Have it at the Congregation office NO LATER THAN April 12 th Paid reservations are a must, Seating is limited We will have RESERVED TABLES for eight and ten people. Please indicate on the enclosed form the names of those you would like at your table. If no preference is indicated, seating will be assigned. CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED! DO YOU NEED A RIDE? Call the Congregation Office and arrangements will be made. We will be using A Passover Haggadah, drawings by Leon Baskin. IF YOU HAVE A COPY PLEASE BRING IT WITH YOU. *Priority Reservations for CBI Members until April 5 th *Community Reservations taken after April 5 th

10 The Congregation thanks you for the following contributions Yahrzeit Donations Philip Lieberman Dorothy Jessel Jack Kaufman Irving Fenster Idabel Fenster Rabbi Gerald Klein Alan Yaffe Morie Giller Max Yaffe David Greenberg Evelyn Greenberg Malvina Newman Edith & Ted Mason Dorothy Schwartz Meredith & David Ryan Mildred Green Chafetz Rona & LA Train Sara Jean Swiff Lesser Helen White Nedra Lockhart Otto Kuehn Chris & Carl Kuehn Alvin Roseman Rabbi & Phyllis Roseman Birdie Maltzman Pat & Sam J. Susser Seymour Applebaum Gertrude Applebaum Serena Lowry Schmidt Maurice & Rebecca Schmidt Mort Finkelstein Cemetery Endowment Fund Ada Leshin Julius & Pearlie Leshin Recovery of From Helen Bornstein Marvin & Yetta Leshin Charles Clark Jeanne Nisenson Children's Library Fund Leonard Nisenson Leona Stich Dr. & Mrs. Donald Novick Mitzvah Fund Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP In Honor of From Al Geller on his 95th Birthday Elinor & Hymie Roosth Gloria Wolfson Mille Zalim Javina Istrials Susan & Bill Martin Elinor & Hymie Roosth Gloria Wolfson Jerry Bateman J.M. Rodino Lynn Jones Recovery of From Evelyn Maltz Elinor & Hymie Roosth Ruth Josephs Sam J. Susser Gloria Wolfson Evelyn Maltz Donation By Mary & Elijah Ramirez Oshman Family Foundation The Oshman Family Endowment Fund Dorothy Jessel General Fund Gertrude Applebaum Elizabeth & Ray Falk Hebrew Rest Cemetery Fund Recovery of From Evelyn Maltz Jerry & Elizabeth Susser In Honor of From Carol & Sam Kins on their Jerry & Elizabeth Susser Wedding anniversary High Holy Day Appeal In Honor of From Maya Hiatt on her Bat Mitzvah Dee & Harriet Diaz Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Eric & Carol Adatto Nelson Elsbeth Thiem Thiem Family Alvin Reingold Harriet & Dee Diaz Sara Reingold Sudy Zane Rosalyn & Maury Wolfson Donation By Mary & Elijah Ramirez Racusin Jewish Outreach Fund Robert Racusin Florence Levinson & Family Rona Train Leadership Fund In Honor of From LA Train on his Birthday Margo & Kenneth Train Susser Family Fund Recovery of From Sam J. Susser Shelly & Bruce Jacobson 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, & 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.

11 P E R P E T U A L YAHRZEITS *Indicates the names below that are commemorated on our permanent Memorial Tablets. These names along with others whose Yahrzeit commemoration is requested, will be read by the Rabbi before the Sabbath Kaddish Prayer. Sabbath of April 1st Gil Cavazos *Abraham D. Danziger *Ida Deborah Glanz *David N. Grossman *Sherry Katz Hilton Ethel Horner *Jack Kaufman George Benjamin Kopf Maurice D. Nast Peter Oshman *Elizabeth Posner *Leslie Simon, Sr. *2nd Lt. Bill Trodlier *Alex Weil, Sr. Sabbath of April 8th *Penny Baum *J.W. Castroll *Donald D. Feuer Rose Hauer *Frances Hausman *Sadie Herz Hirsch *Sweetie Kins *Anna Liedeker Dorothy Miller *Minnie Trodlier *Julius Wahlberg *Mae Weil Mary Zeidman Sabbath of April 15th Frank Androski *Bessie Bein *Harold Zeitlin Dobrer Ben Ferrell *Philip Goldstein *Blanche Gordon *Jerry Levy *Morris Minsky *Yetta Nelson Benjamin Roosth *Esther Ruth Schlader *Simon Sklar *May Grossman Spitz Sabbath of April 22nd *Rosa Alexander Abe Blum *Harry Bornstein *Hyman Bornstein *Hannah Levinson Braslau *William Cohan *Nettie Eisenberg *Bertha Selig Franklin *Howard Greenberg *Bernard Grossman *Myer Joseph *Abraham Lampert Bebe Lashinsky *Harry Maltz Edith Mange Henny Mosbach Sara Reingold *David Roberts Charles Schwartz Rabbi Stephen Elliott Weisberg *Ida Zeidman *Sheindlya Zitser Sabbath of April 29th *Arch H. Allen *Dave Bergman *Louis Blair *Betty Wiener Blum *Pearl S. Blum *Robert R. Brodkey *Julius Brownstein *William Frank *Arthur Haas *Otto Heffler *Rachel Katz *Philip Levy *Esther Mack *Ben D. Marks *Jacob Marks *Martin Nelson *Harry Postrong Rose Primack Gershon Rosenwasser *Morris Rosenwasser Melville Samuels *Jacob Samuels Jay Schlaikjev *Ida Solka Jennie Spear *Eugene J. Steiner Morris Wasserman

12 April 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 *Maya Hiatt will help lead the service 2 *Bat Mitzvah of Maya Hiatt 10:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 3 Sunday School 10am-12pm CBI Sisterhood Executive 7 Hebrew School 4:30 pm-6:00pm 8 9 9:00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 10 Sunday School 10am-12pm CBI Board 14 Hebrew School 4:30 pm-6:00pm :00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 17 Sunday School 10am-12pm 18 1st Night Passover Seder 19 CBI SISTERHOOD 2nd night PASSOVER COMMUNITY NO HEBREW SCHOOL :00 am Torah Study 11:00 am 24 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 25 Yizkor Service for end of Pesach 6:00 pm NO HEBREW SCHOOL :00 am Torah Study 11:00 am

13 CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 4402 SARATOGA CORPUS CHRISTI, TX ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED L Dor VaDor Judaica Shop Call Clara to set an appointment at