4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From The Rabbi s Study May 2013

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1 1 HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From The Rabbi s Study May 2013 Shavuot: Our Ongoing Relationship with the Holy Shavuot celebrates our ancestors formally entering into a relationship with G_d at Mount Sinai. The entire Tanach (Hebrew Bible) portrays this as a reciprocal relationship. Many people do not see the reciprocity and wonder why we do not see or experience more evidence of G_d. The question, for our Tradition, is inappropriate, for we human beings must be the first to reach out and not the other way around. That, in fact, is the meaning of reciprocate : We do something, and someone responds. If G!d has not yet reciprocated, we must ask ourselves what we have done to expect such reciprocation. When our Israelite ancestors were stuck between Pharaoh s army and the Red Sea, Moses cried out to G_d. The Holy One replied, Why are you crying out to Me? Speak to Israel, and tell them to go forward! (Exodus 14:15). Only when the Israelites dared to choose freedom by entering the water did HaShem respond by splitting the Sea. Perhaps the miracle of the Sea s division remains the lesser miracle when compared with the courage of our ancestors in choosing the Sea whatever might happen over and above the option of returning to live under oppression. Another example occurred on the very first Shavuot at Mount Sinai. Only when Moses ascended the mountain did G_d call out to him. Or HaChayim (the renowned Kabbalist and Talmudic scholar Chaim ben Alter, ) comments that it is the nature of k dushah ( holiness ) not to move toward an individual until the individual has moved toward holiness. Thus Rabbi Abraham Halevy bar Chasdai wrote, Where is G_d? In the heart of all who seek. G_d cannot be proven; nor can HaShem come to us. G_d can only respond if we re receptive. Do you want to experience G_d? Then you must move toward holiness first. There are many possible approaches. For some, this can be done through some grand life achievement or finding the perfect sunset. However, such events are too occasional and too ephemeral to give us a sense of living a life of holiness. Another path that others offer is to first peer into the eyes of another person. And while the sentiment behind such a suggestion is on target, such a path cannot sustain. The one sure path toward holiness, offered by tradition and fulfilling to generations of Jewish seekers, has been the mitzvot. This path has the advantage of providing us opportunities and experiences for holiness every day. And even should we not always receive a Divine response, we can know that we are enriching our souls by merely readying ourselves for the always momentous event of enriching the world through our good acts. The late great Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel subtitled his article on halachah (Jewish law) Jewish Law as a Response. All of Jewish Tradition laws, rituals, ethics, customs, prayer can be for us doorways to G_d. Anything, in fact, can be a doorway to something greater, but only if both see them as a doorway and then open and walk through the door! If we find our doorway to Judaism, then our heritage will flourish. If Tradition is merely an arbitrary mélange of customs, it will fall into desuetude. We need to find, open, and enter the doorway marked with our own name. (continued)

2 Doing this is to start to uphold our side of the Covenant, begun on Shavuot at Mount Sinai some 3,200 years ago, and when we do so, we invite HaShem s loving response. Judaism is not a human monologue addressed to an indifferent universe; nor does Judaism believe that we are waiting for Godot. Rather, Judaism understands life as a dialogue between earth and heaven, between us and the Divine. 2 So it is we who must create a climate of sanctity. And we can make our tables a tabernacle spread with prayer and worthy discussion of Torah topics (personal ethics, State of Israel, social justice, the relationship between Abraham and Sarah, et al). We can be mindful to let holiness into our homes. We can live inspired lives. This is why Shavuot is referred to in our prayers as z man matan torateinu, the time of the giving of our Torah, and not the time that we received Torah. For on Shavuot the Torah was given once and for all. But it is yet received wherever and whenever we open ourselves to holiness, wherever and whenever we do a mitzvah, wherever and whenever we reach out to G_d. The opportunities are abundant, arriving daily. Meanwhile, G_d waits to be welcomed. May this Shavuot we remember to climb the mountains of our lives. May we renew the Covenant our ancestors began with G_d at Mount Sinai. May we locate our spiritual hearts, and renew our commitment to fulfill our destinies. May we feel inspired to move toward holiness and so invite response. May we each find the doorway to holiness that bears our name. May we each receive again the Torah, as in days of old but like never before. May we each leave our own legacy of mitzvot, of deeds of caring and acts of love. May this be truly mo adim l simchah, a time for deep joy. Chag Samei-ach! A meaningful, joyous and inspiring Shavuot. Rabbi J.B. Sacks MONDAYS WITH MORT During the month of May there will be sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH at 10:30 AM on Monday, May 13th and on Monday. May 20th. Everyone is invited to attend in May as we begin the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers). Question of the Month: Why are bonfires lit on the eve of Lag BaOmer in Israel? 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 athttp:// Mort

3 3 Chefs at BBQ. Irv Jacobs; Jef Bratspis; Maurice Kozak Quan Greenberg and Rabbi Sacks performing at JHD Attendees Listening to Rabbi & Quan Greenberg

4 4 Message from Brenda Rich Greetings: I am writing this article with a great deal of enthusiasm because yesterday, Sunday, April 28 th was our Israel Heritage Day. And it was such a lovely day. Don t miss the pictures elsewhere is this issue. It began at 10:30 when all attendees had a chance to visit our vendors Fil Barton; Dazzle Me Designs; Platter- Gees; Fit to Be Tied; and Alpacas & More. They also got their first look of the numerous items that were available for our Silent Auction and Raffles. Special thanks to Fil Barton and Lois Lebman who were responsible for getting so many items to make this day such a success. Thanks also to Rabbi Sacks Eva Lowe, Lois Lebman and Ruth Resnick who provided items for our silent auction that drew successful bids. Special thank you to Diane Mautner who provided a lovely hand-made baby s hamper, bib, teddy bear towel, and teddy bear. At 11 a.m, Rabbi Sacks on the keyboard and Cantorial Soloist, Quan Greenberg entertained us with well-known Jewish songs. Following Irv Jacobs and Maurice Kozak cooked up delicious hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers that were accompanied with mustard, relish, onions, pickle chips, tomatoes, cole slaw and potato chips. Fresh fruit was an added bonus. After lunch there was a very moving presentation of Charles Pierce, a Holocaust survivor presented by his daughters, Emily and Sherry. This day could not have been a success without the hard work of the following volunteers whom I have not previously thanked. Amnon Aharon-Ezer for his late hours bbqing. Janice Aharon-Ezer, Jef Bratspis (and Gil, as usual, you brightened up the day); Myra Matlin for kitchen duties. Donna Gustafson & Fran Lande for checking-in attendees. Eva Lowe for handling the cash/checks sales. Mark Rich for handling the credit card sales and for doing everything that had to be done. Elaine Hanig and Ruth Resnick for selling raffle tickets. And to all who came, todah rabah, for making this day a success. If you were not there Sunday, you really missed a special event. Make sure you do not miss any more of our events. This Sunday, May 5 th, we are having a Gold N Tea Party from 2 4 p.m. The Gold ladies will by buying Gold and Silver, jewelry, gold coins, watches, silver flatware and paying cash on the spot. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be available. On Sunday, June 2 nd, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., we will be have a delightful Progressive Brunch with stops at the homes of Roz & Mort Resnick, Eva Lowe and ending at CAH for dessert and coffee. Cost is $25.00 per person up to May 28 th and $36 after that. Mail your checks, made payable to CAH to 4030 Nice Court; Oxnard, CA Last but not least, this weekend services on Friday, May 3 rd at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 th at 10 a.m., will be a celebration of Yom Yerushlayim, Jerusalem Reunification Day. There will be special songs, prayers and readings celebrating Jerusalem. Shalom

5 5 Tree Planted In Israel April 2013 TO: COOKIE DIMANT AND FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARK DIMANT HUSBAND FATHER GRANDFATHER AND GREAT GRANDFATHER FROM: BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH TO: MILT ROTHSCHILD A COMPLETE AND SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM: BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH TO: TODD AND TRISTA BRANNING IN MEMORY OF DEAR DAISY LOVE PEACE SHALOHA FROM:KENNY HALPERN TO: DON AND CAROL HOROWITZ IN HONOR OF YOUR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FROM: BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH TO: LARRY AND SUSAN DLOTT IN MEMORY OF PHIL ROCKWELL BELOVED FATHER OF SUSAN FROM: KENNY HALPERN Attention Jewish War Veterans We welcome ALL Jewish Veterans of any War, to join our Bernard I. Becker Post 123 We now meet at Congregation Am HaYam 4839 Market Street, Unit C Ventura, CA, the 3rd Sunday of each month For information contact: Quartermaster Bill Green Sen. Vice Commander Irv Bergman or Commander Joseph Ettenberg

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14 14 Get Well Seymour Barr Mort Margolis Bob Packer Dianne Ruthman Vivian Barr Milt Rothschild Murray Kaufman Jinx Gates Elaine Allen Gail Packer Sheila Myles Fred Rosen Ann Jacobs Jerry Cordova Mort Resnick Ann Sperber Jack Sperber Myrna Winer To : Cookie Dimant IMO Beloved Mark From: Elaine Hanig Ann & Irv Jacobs Lois Lebman Nancy & Herb Stein To: Rabbi J B Sacks IMO Beloved Mother From: Elaine Hanig Nancy & Herb Stein Tributes To: Cantor Josh & Sherri Pearlmen From: Elaine Hanig & the Hanig Family, For your gracious hospitality To: Doris & Max Ross, IHO of your 65th Wedding Anniversary From: Elaine Hanig To: Jeremy Lowe, In gratitude for your safety and thoughtfulness From: Your Grandmother, Eva Lowe May Birthdays Bob Packer 2 Jack Sperber 2 Ann Jacobs 13 May Anniversaries NO ANNIVERSARIES If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please me at beverly.rosen@verizon.net

15 15 YAHRZEIT May 3, Frieda Cushnir, Wife of Robert Cushnir Warren Elis, Brother of David Ellis Alice Fremed, Mother of Richard Fremed *William Halpern, Father of Kenneth Halpern Frank Harary, Father of Marty Harary Esther Lasman, Mother of Jerry Lasman *Aaron Resnick, Father in law of Ruth Resnick *Aaron Resnick, Father of Mort Resnick Fay Rubenstein, Mother-in-law of Miriam Rubinstein May 17 *Rosa Kaufman, Mother of Betty Abramson Yetta Axelrod, Mother of Larry Ames Robert Zwirn, Father of Bunny Ames Herman Spunt, grandfather of Fil Barton Ira Berk, father of Errol J. Berk Joel Elis, Father of David Ellis Morris Fox, Father of Howard Fox Zelda Mindess, Mother of Harriet Friedman Milton Resnick, Brother of Ann Jacobs Steven Lasman, Father of Jerry Lasman Byron Meyer, Son of Jerry Meyer Sara Light, Sister of Herbert Stein Joseph Stein, Father of Herbert Stein Adele Weiss, Wife of Bernhard Weiss *Inscribed on Memorial Wall

16 May 2013 Iyar/Sivan Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Happy Birthday Bob Packer EREV SHABBAT SERVICE 8:00 PM SHABBAT SERVICE 10:00AM Jack Sperber Light Candles 7:24PM Shabbat Ends 8:23 PM Board Meeting 11:30 AM No Mondays with Mort Ritual Meeting 4:00 PM Candle Lighting 7:29 pm Shabbat Ends 8:29 PM Gold N Tea Party 2:00 PM Ways & Means, Membership Meeting 5:00PM Happy Birthday Ann Jacobs Erev Shavuoth 8:00 PM Shavuoth 10:00 AM Shavuoth 10:00 AM Yiskor EREV SHABBAT SERVICE 8:00 PM SHABBAT SERVICE 10:00AM Mondays with Mort 10:30AM Light Candles 7:35PM Shabbat Ends 8:35 PM JWF Meeting Mondays with Mort 10:30AM Candle Lighting 7:40 pm Shabbat Ends 8:41 PM No Mondays with Mort Candle Lighting 7:44 pm

17 17 Rabbi J. B. Sacks phone# BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich phone# VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER - Lois Lebman SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson WAYS & MEANS VP - MEMBERSHIP VP - RITUAL VP - Milt Rothschild Ilana Wolfson HOUSING VP - Arnie Rich IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich DIRECTORS ONE YEAR Janice Aharon-Ezer DIRECTORS TWO YEARS Eva Lowe Diane Mautner PAST PRESIDENTS Mort Resnick Arnie Fingerhut Jerry Ruthman Peter Shack Brenda Rich OUR VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim Oneg Shabbat Librarian Programming Tributes Telephone Purchasing Yahrzeits Migdalor Sunshine Webmaster Publicity Elaine Hanig Gail Packer Fil Barton Donna Gustafson Ann Jacobs Lee Rothschild Jack Sperber Bev Rosen Ann Sperber Mort Resnick