HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website:

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1 HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From From The The Rabbi s Rabbi s Study Study April June Israel: Sing A Song of Home From the Rabbi s Study A story emerged from Russia years ago that expresses a truth about Jewish life. The secret police in the Soviet Union knocked upon the door of a Russian Jew. They accused him of corresponding with a foreign agent named Rabinovitz in the state of Israel. The Jew laughed and explain that he had been writing letters to his brother Hayim Rabinovitz who happened to live in Tel Aviv. The Russian officer then responded, But don t you know that you are not supposed to be in contact with anyone abroad? The Jew answered with a shrug and stated, You don t understand. I am living abroad, and he is at home. Wherever we may live, America or elsewhere may be our home, but Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. True, Israel is not paradise. It is not the Garden of Eden. It has its problems, and we do not have to agree with everything that the Prime Minister or government says or does. Israelis disagree with each other all the time--and rather vigorously. This is perhaps why they have so many political parties. In the 2015 Israeli elections, for example, some 17 different parties won seats in the Knesset (and many others tried to win seats)! Yet, with all of Israel s difficulties and problems, Israel is today the spiritual center for all Jews. Period. Let me go even further: what the State of Israel has achieved in humanitarian and rescue efforts, in the arts and sciences, in the resurrection of the Jewish spirit, in building up barren wastelands and settling cities, in its advances in education, in forging new innovations in technology, in the establishment of a democratic government, and in preserving Jews and Judaism entitles it to a moral claim on our lives. Israel s welfare and existence deserve the highest priority in the life of all Jewish communities around the globe and in the life of every Jewish household and, surely, in the heart of every Jew. Indeed, personal loyalty--although not blind loyalty--is today as in the past, one of the litmus tests of Jewishness (yiddishkeit) and religiosity. Let s face it--there is no branch of Judaism today that does not support Israel wholeheartedly. The lone exception may be found among some small Hassidic and other small ultra-orthodox sects. Such groups usually live by themselves--and no longer are part of the conversation of Judaism today. continued continued

2 2 David Ben-Gurion stated about Israel that, This country made us a people; our people made this a country. This geographically small entity continues to make us and shape us as a people. To the extent that we personally are willing to give to Israel, to lend to Israel, to invest in Israel, to speak up for Israel, to visit Israel--to exactly that same extent do we feel our Jewishness and Judaism vital and alive. Israel celebrates its 70th birthday on Thursday, April 19 (beginning, of course, at sundown the evening before). This is Yom Ha Atzma ut, Israel Independence Day. We at CAH will salute and celebrate Israel s 70th birthday most especially at a special service on Friday evening, April 20 at 8 p.m. Instead of our usual Friday night service, we will instead have a shirah b tzibbur, a community sing-a-long. This is precisely how most Israelis tend to celebrate; shirah b tzibbur is a special phenomenon in the history of the country. At our Friday night service, we will celebrate Israeli history and culture through its music. We will sing songs that became popular here in the United States as well as some that may be less familiar to you. But we will join with Israelis in celebrating the country that made us a people, showing our support and love for our sisters and brothers there. For, at least in a spiritual sense, we are living abroad, and they are home. Rabbi J.B. Sacks

3 3 Message from Brenda Rich Greetings: This article is being written before our community Seder so you won t hear about how fantastic it was until next month. Sorry if you were not there. Elsewhere in the Migdalor, Ruth Resnick has thanked all those who participated in our Mishloach Manot Purim fund raiser. It was a rousing success. The theme on the program was hope and that is what Arnie & I wish for you. We hope that the year will bring you good health. If you recall, there was a line in this year s Mishloach Manot program for sending a bag to the firefighter s who gave so much during the Thomas Fire. Not only did they risk their lives then but continuously do so whenever they are called upon. Ruthy and I Googled to find Ventura City fire departments and only came up with 3 and only one was a Fire Station. We packed 3 of our CAH bags filled to the brim with goodies and when we delivered the bag to the Fire Station on Main Street, the firefighter gave us names of 5 more fire stations. We delivered one bag to the one on Seaward and one bag to the one on Ventura Avenue. At each firehouse, we were received warmly and the bags were very appreciated. So thank you. For the other 3 firehouses, we will bring bags when we do our apples and honey. Look for the flyer and article on our next fund raiser the Santa Barbara Gay Men s Choir that will be held on Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. We need everyone s participation. So please do not say NO. As we celebrate Passover Arnie and I want to take this time to wish you all a very Happy Passover. As the Jewish people were led out of slavery into freedom, let us lift our voices in prayer and hope that all people throughout the world will find freedom to worship as they please without fear of retribution; may our children throughout the world learn to respect one another's beliefs and individuality (adults also) and be able to live without fear; may bullying in all forms cease to exist and may we all learn to love one another. Love to All. Shalom, Brenda

4 4 On behalf of Marc Goldman, our Ways and Means Vice President and my other committee members; Brenda Rich and Fran Lande, I want to thank all the people who once again made our Mishloach Manot Program a success. Thanks to Fil Barton, Alma Boronkay, Donna Gustafson and Roz Resnick for assembling the bags. Thanks to Fil Barton and Mark Rich for helping deliver them. I want to give a big shout out to all of you who participated in the program: Ruth Atlas Fran Bagdad Fil Barton Bob Berman Sydell and Bernie Bubman Toba Burg Sue Cohen and Ed Palmer Stephen Goch Donna Gustafson Kenny Halpern Elaine Hanig Charlotte and Richard Johnson Lois Lebman Eva Lowe Miriam and Darryl Mack Judy Margolis Andrea Massion Linda Nelson Judye and Rick Newberger Roz and Mort Resnick Yulma Rodarte Bev and Fred Rosen Lee Rothschild Rabbi JB and Steven Karash Esther Taxon Freya and Alan Teplinsky Norma Van Riper Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova We hope our Purim bags made your Purim a little sweeter. Ruthy Resnick

5 Tree Planted In Israel April 2018 To Arielle Star In loving memory of Pahana From Mom and Kenny 5 To Lois Lehman Speedy Recovery From Brenda and Arnie Rich In Memory Of Judy Kupperman IMO Bess Jacobs Phil & Selma Silverman IMO Milt Rothschild Florence Beck IMO William Paynter In Honor Of Eva Lowe IHO First Born Nancy & Herb Stein IHO New Great Granddaughter Tributes Norma Van Riper to Rabbi Sacks for Scholarship & Kindness Norma Van Riper to Marc Goldman for Kindness Norma Van Riper IMO Milt Rothschild Norma Van Riper Get Well Wishes to Those in Pain

6 6 Family Promise We Can Help Relieve Homelessness We see them on the streets - the homeless. We ask ourselves, who are they? How did they get here? Could it be me? How can I help? Family Promise is a nationwide program started 32 years ago by a synagogue in New Jersey. The shul got several other congregations and churches together to host a homeless family for one week, and provide services to help them find a permanent home. The family rotated among the host congregations until they could secure a permanent place to live, a process that took about days. West Ventura County has started our own Family Promise Program. Eight congregations, including Temple Beth Torah, have agreed to host one or more families, up to 14 individuals, for one week, about four times each year. The families sleep and eat dinner and breakfast at the host facility, but leave early in the morning for a day center where they shower, do laundry, use the computer and work with a social worker to find a job and housing. The host congregation provides shelter and food. The families are referred to the program by schools, social workers and others. Smaller congregations like ours are being asked to support the host congregation. That s where we come in. Volunteer Now!!!! Thanks, Miriam Mack

7 7 CONGREGATION AM HAYAM SPONSORS FRATELLI MEN S CHORUS PERFORMANCE Only Congregation Am HaYam s innovative Ways and Means Committee could bring a men s chorus from Santa Barbara to a Lutheran Church in Oxnard under the sponsorship of the Diversity Collective, a newly formed Ventura LGBTQ organization. Fratelli Men s Chorus will be making its first Ventura County appearance on Sunday, May 6 th, at 2 pm, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oxnard (see flyer for more details.) The acclaimed chorus of 24 men s voices will sing classical as well as popular songs during their performance. Renowned tenor Eduardo Villa, who has performed internationally in the most prestigious opera houses in the United States, Europe and Asia, and under the baton of Placido Domingo, will be the featured artist. This concert is Congregation Am HaYam s main fundraiser for the year. Tickets are only $20, but we need every member and supporter of Congregation Am HaYam to not only buy a ticket, but to become a sponsor at levels ranging from $50 to $500. Bring your family and music-loving friends to an afternoon of joy they will long remember. Tickets are available at or directly by calling Congregation Am HaYam at For further information contact Marc Goldman at

8 8. The Diversity Collective of Ventura County & Congregation Am HaYam present Sunday, May 6, :00 Pm Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 721 Doris Avenue Oxnard, CA General Admission $20.00 Fratelli is a chorus of gay men and their allies meeting in Santa Barbara, California that seeks to create musical experiences that inspire compassion, community, pride and activism. This concert will be Fratelli s first performance in Ventura County. It was founded in 2016 by its director, Zack Thomas Wilde. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.com Search Fratelli, Ventura County beginning Monday, March 26. OR CALL FOR TICKETS: (805) Marc Goldman (805) Diversity Collective of VC The Diversity Collective of Ventura County and Congregation Am HaYam are in partnership to bring Fratelli, a men s chorus, to Ventura County. Both organizations are 501c3, non-profit. The funds we raise from this event will support the continuation of programs within Ventura County that nurture a spirit of justice, positive inclusion and diversity. Sponsorships & Program Ads are available. Contact Marc at for

9 SIGNIFICANT BOOK CLUB 9 At the last Significant Book Club, participants discussed Steven Spielberg: A Life in Films by Molly Haskell. It was fascinating to learn about his life and how it influenced his film making. We also shared our picks for favorite and most important movies, discovering that these were not always the same one. The Significant Book Club will next read Yitzhak Rabin Soldier, Leader, Statesman by Itamar Rabinovich. It is an insider s perspective on the life and influence of Israel s first native-born prime minister, his bold peace initiatives, and his tragic assassination. The book can be purchased at a 40% discount with the code RABIN at Additionally, the book can be bought on Amazon, using Amazon smile of course. As participants in Jewish Lives, we will again have access to their phenomenal resources, including a reading guide and a recording of the live stream/ recording of the author discussing the book. The Rabin Reading Guide can be found at: The recording of the live stream can be found on the website also. The discussion will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 after services, during kiddush. Even if you cannot read the book, I encourage you to attend the discussion, as one can always learn from the fellow participants. For more information, please contact Fran Lande at fblande@gmail.com.

10 Mondays with Mort 10 During the month of April there WILL BE sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH at 10:30 AM Except for Monday, April 2nd. Everyone is invited to join us as we continue the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus). Question of the Month: Who is the embodiment of Matzah and who is the embodiment of Chametz? The answer can be found at Also be sure to check out the entire Mondays with Mort web site at and the CAH web site at Remember!!!!!! SCRIP = GIFT CARDS Purchasing scrip means buying gift cards!! CAH can meet all your needs: Markets; Restaurants; Dept. Stores; Entertainment; Gas Cards; Brent s Deli; Ventura Kosher Market and more Contact Brenda Brenda.bashful16@gmail.com

11 11 April Birthdays Evan Karash 7 Lois Lebman 8 Fred Rosen 18 Betty Abramson 21 April Anniversaries No Anniversaries If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please me at bfrosen@gmail.com

12 12 Food Share Collection Food Share The Good News and the BETTER News The good news is Food Share came and emptied an entire barrel of non-perishable food donated by members of CAH. The BETTER news is that the barrel is again empty, sitting in the lobby, and waiting for more of your donations! Please take a paper bag and return it full of non-perishable foodstuffs to help the one in six people of Ventura County who are food insecure. Let this be your first Mitzvah of the New Year! A Community of Caring We are a family, and sometimes our members need to know there are people who are concerned about them. If you or someone you know in the CAH family is ill, bereaved or in need of consolation, condolence or acknowledgement of a happy event, please contact Brenda Rich so she can alert our volunteers who will reach out to offer a caring voice or helping hand.

13 13 Get Well Norma Van Riper Mort Resnick Dianne Ruthman Fred Rosen Ann Sperber Herb Stein Kenny Halpern Roz Resnick Lee Rothschild Beth Morales Betty Abramson Bruce Irvine Lois Lebman Bob Packer Sheila Myles Fran Lande Gail Packer Irv Jacobs Elaine Hanig Arnie Rich Nancy Stein Donna Gustafson Jerry Cordova Judith Jacobson Judye Newberger Les Hanig ATTENTION ALL JEWISH WAR VETERANS MEMBERS JWV Post 602 meets in the Veterans Administration Clinic, Recreation Building 22, Plummer Street, North Hills, CA. They meet the 1st Sunday of each month, at 10:00 am and all Jewish Veterans are welcome to attend. Please join us there.

14 YAHRZEIT 14 April 6 Emanuel Levy Father of Arlene Bergman Douglas Klein Father of Lee Rothschild April 20 Sarah Goch, Wife of Stephen Goch *Lew Fenick, Stepfather of Elaine Hanig Bertha Resnick, Mother-In-Law of Ann Jacobs *Regina Spoon, Mother-In-Law of Judy Margolis *Sam Rich, Father of Arnie Rich Bella Pugach, Grandmother of Leonid Skuratovsky *Sol Wayne, Father of Ann Sperber Edith Furst, Sister of Norma VanRiper *Inscribed on Memorial Wall

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16 April 2018 Nissan/Iyar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2nd day Passover Services 10am No Mondays with Mort 3rd day Passover 4th day Passover Ways & Means Meeting 1PM Marc Goldmans house 5th day Passover 6th day Passover 7th day Passover Services 10 a.m. Light Candles at 7:04PM Services 8PM Happy Birthday Evan Karash Passover Services 10 AM Shabbat Ends 8:00 PM 8th day Passover Yizkor Service Happy Mondays with Erev Yom Yom Light Candles Shabbat Ends Birthday Mort at 7:09PM HaShoah HaShoah 8:06PM Lois Lebman 10:30 a.m. Ritual Meeting 10 a.m. Board Meeting 11 a.m Mondays with Mort 10:30 a.m. Happy Birthday Fred Rosen Erev Yom Ha Atzmaut Yom Ha Atzmaut Light Candles at 7:14PM Services 8PM Happy Birthday Betty Abramson Services 10 a.m. Shabbat Ends 8:12PM Mondays with Mort 10:30 a.m. Light Candles at 7:20PM Shabbat Ends 8:18PM Mondays with Mort 10:30 a.m.

17 17 PAST PRESIDENTS Mort Resnick Arnie Fingerhut z l Jerry Ruthman z'l Peter Shack z'l Brenda Rich OUR VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim - Brenda Rich Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton Librarian -- Programming Tributes Telephone Purchasing Yahrzeits Migdalor Sunshine Donna Gustafson Lois Lebman Ruth Resnick Bev Rosen Bev Rosen Webmaster Mort Resnick Publicity Rabbi J. B. Sacks rabbijb@aol.com phone# BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich brenda.bashful16@gmail.com phone# VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER- Lois Lebman SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Ruth Resnick WAYS & MEANS VP - Marc Goldman MEMBERSHIP VP - Miriam Mack RITUAL VP - Roz Resnick RITUAL VP Emeritus Milt Rothschild z l HOUSING VP - Neal Abramson IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich ADULT EDUCATION VP - Fran Lande DIRECTORS Betty Abramson, Alma Boronkay, Rick Newberger, Andrea Massion