NEWSLETTER. XSp GX Rwk XMsW. April RYYA / ISYN. Co-Presidents. Wishing you a kosher and happy Pesah!

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1 NEWSLETTER April RYYA / ISYN Co-Presidents Erica New Eran Shiloh XSp GX Rwk XMsW Wishing you a kosher and happy Pesah! The Child Who Doesn t Know How to Ask a Question Passover is fast approaching and Purim is in the rear view mirror. At Purim, Mordechai tells Esther not to think she is exempt from Haman s decree. At Passover, we are reminded that in every generation they have risen to destroy us, eerily echoed in our time by vandalized cemeteries, bomb threats, and swastikas. In the Haggadah, there is one enigmatic character. The child who does not know how to ask a question presents the greatest challenge to the parents on how to transmit the Passover story. Indeed, that child is given the same answer as the wicked child: It is because of what the Almighty did for me when I went out of Egypt. Who is this child? Are they a small toddler encountering our strange rituals for the first time? Are they wise and all-knowing, and without need to ask a question? Are they the potential wicked child, for whom the practices have no significance? Are they someone with no connection to mitzvot, or, conversely, very spiritually advanced, already filled with wonder? The whole point of the Seder is to tell the story. This child requires our special attention, no matter who they are or where they are coming from. It is said that any of us contains elements of all of the four children. The child who doesn t know how to ask is a blank slate, or possibly a mirror of ourselves. The person we are telling the story for is ourselves as much as others. When do we find ourselves unable to ask a question? When we are afraid and vulnerable, our ability to ask disappears. The Exodus was terrifying for the Israelites, and in our own times, we perceive new terrifying external threats. The Haggadah suggests that this child is a small child, by using the feminine form of At rather than the masculine Atah, suggesting that it is a mother s obligation to take special interest in educating this very young child. Small children also want to feel that they belong. By stressing the word me, they may begin to have a sense of inclusion. Our sages suggest that by giving this child the same answer we give to the wicked child, we are giving a warning not to be like that, where for the wicked child, the word me gives a sense of exclusion. Another approach to this child would suggest the need for education- to bring her to the point where (continued on page 2) Beth El - The Heights Synagogue builds vibrant Jewish community. We welcome all in participatory, traditional, egalitarian worship and learning. Saturday Morning Services at 9:15 s 3246 Desota Ave., Cleveland Hts., OH s (

2 Learners Torah Discussions Open to All Join us to study and discuss selections from the weekly Torah portion. We consider commentaries, raise questions, and share tips for using the Chumash. Each week s lesson is self-contained so come as your schedule permits. The sessions are accessible for non- Hebrew speakers or readers and open to people at all levels of experience. Contact Information We meet in the Community Room, after the Torah is taken out and the portion is introduced (about 10:20 am to 10:30 am), and rejoin the service in time for the d var Torah. Questions? Contact Mia Buchwald Gelles: or miabgelles@gmail.com. Upcoming Learners Torah qdiscussion Date April 22 - Parashat Shmini Questions? Concerns? Comments? Complaints? Please do not hesitate to contact the Presidents by or telephone Eran (440) Erica (216) Help Us Stay In Touch! Please be sure we have your current contact information. Send changes to info@ bethelheights.org or call (216) Keep Up with the News! Join the BE-THS Lists! Send an to Mick Miller, mick@mickmill.com, if you need help with signing up. The New Sanctuary Chairs Have Arrived! Our new sanctuary chairs were delivered on a very snowy, cold, blustery March 3. Several hardy souls helped bring them qin, and set them up, so we could enjoy the much-morecomfortable seating on Shabbat, the following day. (The Child Who Doesn t Know How to Ask a Question, Continued from page 1) she might be able to ask a question, able to join in the general discussion of the Haggadah. The parent has to spend more time explaining, not less time, must not ignore the child. Not asking does not mean, Don t bother. Where do we turn for the answers to our non-questions, the ones we are too afraid to ask? Our tradition of freedom on Passover ideally makes the Seder a safe space where all are welcome, where anybody can ask a question, where anybody can join in. The Haggadah tells us that the more one tells the story, the more they are praiseworthy. The word Mitzrayim Egypt, in Hebrew connotes a narrow place. Narrow in outlook, narrow in possibility, narrow in conformity. Attention to the well-being of the smallest and weakest among us is a fundamental principle of Judaism, as eternal as Passover itself. Alan Lerner and Erica New Beth El The Heights Synagogue Newsletter, Vol. 19, No. 7, April 2017 Beth El The Heights Synagogue Carol Bruml, Editor Telephone , news@bethelheights.org General submittal deadline is the 7th of each month Desota Ave., Cleveland Heights, OH Published 11 times per year. For address or mailing list change, call

3 Calendar, April RYYA / ISYN Saturday, April 1 1:00 to 11:45 am Shabbat Playdate: Jewish-themed songs and stories for children 7 and under in the babysitting room. The children will rejoin the main congregation in time for Adon Olam. Sunday, April 9 5:00 pm Pasta Palooza! Your kitchen is already prepared for Pesah! Come eat a hametzadich dinner with us at shul! See the Concise Pesah Calendar for all events between April 10 and April 18. Saturday, April 22 About 10:20 am The Learners Torah Study Group will meet in the Community Room to discuss Parashat qshmini; they will rejoin the congregation in time for the d var Torah. Yahrzeits, April 2017 Nisan ~ ISYN Louis Levine 5 Nisan Gertrude Adler 6 Nisan 5762 Armin Rothstein 6 Nisan Isadore Einhorn 7 Nisan Ben Engel 7 Nisan Ida Glanz 8 Nisan Gregory Reimer 9 Nisan Iris Bergsman 11 Nisan 5766 Israel David Margolin 11 Nisan Leonora Katz 12 Nisan Hyman Fromson 13 Nisan Barbara Joyce Gilden 13 Nisan Morris Schwartz 14 Nisan Abraham Gordon 14 Nisan Elinor Orche 15 Nisan Samuel Rottman 15 Nisan Clara Soffer 15 Nisan Celia Davis 16 Nisan Leslie Rolle 16 Nisan 5765 Louis Widzer 16 Nisan Rabbi Samuel Fredman 17 Nisan 5701 Mike Michelson 17 Nisan 5766 Bessie Falck 20 Nisan 5767 Irwin Horowitz 20 Nisan Louis Carr 22 Nisan Rachel Gooch 23 Nisan 5764 Morris Harry Haskin 23 Nisan Doris Silver 23 Nisan Herman Eiffer 23 Nisan Jack Zollett 24 Nisan Pearl Gelfand 26 Nisan Esther Markowitz Kazdan 26 Nisan 5773 Harry Katz 26 Nisan 5765 Albert Paige 26 Nissan Abe Fromson 27 Nisan Bessie Wasserman 27 Nisan Leo Goldstein 28 Nisan Herman Givertz 28 Nisan Zev Peretz Bloom 28 Nisan Sylvia Auerbach 29 Nisan Dean Winslow Freed 29 Nisan 5773 Jennie Friedler 29 Nisan Iyar ~ RYYA Adolph Amsel 1 Iyar Yetta Leah Singer 1 Iyar 5765 Maurine Berman 3 Iyar 5762 John Berger 3 Iyar 5733 Jesse Cantleberry 3 Iyar Ralph Lerner 3 Iyar 5771 Helen Podgurski 4 Iyar OU Passover Guide 2017 The OU Passover Guide for 2017 can be downloaded from this site: oukosher.org/ index.php/ passover. It is packed with important and useful information, and contains a complete list of foods certified for Passover by the OU, as well as a full list of items that do not require certification.

4 News from Beth El TW$DX Condolences to: OYLBA OWXYN Janet Century, whose mother, Evelyn Josephine Century, passed away on March 7. Condolences too, to Janet s father, Bernard Century, and to her brother, Lucas Larry Century. Ari Klein, Ditte Wolin, and Shoshanna and Aviva Klein, on the loss of Ari s mother. Sue Klein z l, who passed away on March 15. Refuah Sh lema to:! HMYL$ HAWPR Bernie Cantleberry Betty Hoffer, Miriam Palevsky s mother Miriam Palevsky Arnold Stone Marvin Warshay Daniel Weisberg, Marsha Weisberg s brother Miriam Weisberg, Marsha Weisberg s sister Thanks for Contributions to: Sherry Ball and Marty Gelfand, in memory of Edith Gelfand z l. Sherry Ball and Marty Gelfand, in memory of Marty s mother, Eleanor Gelfand z l. Betty Bloomfield, in memory of Selma Mayzel z l. Joel Genuth, to the Lunch and Learn Kiddush Fund. Adi and Judith Gerblich, in memory of Judith s father, Dr. Jacob Chassis z l. Ilene Gertman Marsha and Lowell Katz, in honor of their February wedding anniversary. Marsha and Lowell Katz, in memory of Sylvia Protus z l. Marsha and Lowell Katz, in memory of Marilyn Protus Fischer z l. Harvey and Karen Kugelman, in memory of Karen s mother, Sonia Goldstein z l. Michael Lederman and Sharmon Sollitto, in honor of Leon Gabinet. Alan Lerner and Erica New, in memory of Irvin Lerner and Sonia Lerner z l. Stephen Pepper and Linda Tobin, in memory of Bertha Pepper z l. Stephen Pepper and Linda Tobin, in memory of Jules Pepper z l. Adam Probst Shari Robins, who dedicated a new High Holy Days Mahzor in memory of Edwin and Helene Robins z l. Juliana Sadock Savino to the Kiddush Fund. Eran Shiloh, to the Presidents Discretionary Fund. Menachem Shoham Erev Purim at Mitchell s Ice Cream 4

5 Barry Starr, in memory of Robert and Sarah Starr z l. Leonard Tracht, to the Kiddush Fund. Marsha Weisberg Thanks to those who led services and read the Megillah at Mitchell s on Purim. Jamie Saunt Joe Buchwald Gelles Nan Hecht Rabbi Shulamit Izen Becky Schur Noam Gelles Thanks for sponsoring the Pasta Palooza to: Linda Tobin and family, in honor of Stephen s April milestone birthday. Thanks for Kiddush sponsorships to: February 4 Leonid and Mariya Baron, in memory of Yevgenia Baron Probst z l. February 25 Lunch and Learn with David Shutkin Bill and Carol Bruml, Joe and Mia Buchwald Gelles, and Eran Shiloh. March 4 Juliana Sadock Savino, in memory of her mother, Marilyn Savino z l. March 18 Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Shulamit Izen and Stephen Pepper Bill and Carol Bruml, Fern Grunberger, Joshua Pepper, Stephen Pepper and Linda Tobin, Bud Stern, Lenny Tracht, Ieda and Marvin Warshay, and Beth and Scott Wachter. Thanks to: Robin Koslen for organizing the Refugee 101 program, held on March 5, and for providing the brunch that was served at the event. Thanks to the hardy souls who helped bring our new chairs in and set them up on March 3, despite the cold and blowing snow: Marvin Palevsky Bruce Amsel Bill Bruml Joe Buchwald Gelles Bud Stern Dave Tomberg Teri Tomberg Thanks for March newsletter mailing help to: Sherry Ball Bud Stern Carol Bruml Teri Tomberg Marty Gelfand Beth Wachter Nina Sobel Scott Wachter Purim Seudah at BE THS Shabbat Playdate April 1 11:00-11:45 am in the Babysitting Room Jewish-themed singing and stories for children 7 and younger. Purim photos by Bill Bruml and Mia Buchwald Gelles 5

6 POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR THE SALE OF HAMETZ Pesah 5777 (Passover 2017) I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Moshe Adler to act in my place and stead, and in my behalf, to sell all hametz possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly) as defined by Torah and Rabbinic law (i.e., known hametz, substances of doubtful hametz status, and all kinds of hametz mixtures); hametz that tends to harden and to adhere to the inner surfaces of pans, pots or cooking and utility vessels; and all kinds of live animals that have been eating hametz or mixtures thereof. I further authorize Rabbi Moshe Adler to lease all places wherein the hametz owned by me may be found, especially but not exclusively on the premises located at:. (full address, including city and state) Rabbi Moshe Adler has the full right to sell and to lease by transactions, as he deems fit and proper and for such periods of time as he believes are necessary for the halachically effective disposal of my hametz as defined above. I further give Rabbi Moshe Adler full power and authority to appoint a substitute in his stead with full power to sell and lease as provided herein. The above given power is in conformity with all Torah and Rabbinic laws, and in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio and of the United States of America. I hereby affix my signature on this day of, in the year, as reckoned in the United States of America. Signature Printed Name Address City, State, ZIP Please see that your authorization reaches the Rabbi by Monday, April 3, Thank you. Selling the hametz is a free service, and donations are entirely voluntary. Should you wish to make one, please make your check payable to the order of BETH EL THE HEIGHTS SYNAGOGUE and earmark it Maot Hittin. This is a fund for purchasing Passover food for needy Jews. Please mail your forms directly to Rabbi Moshe Adler 4083 Bushnell Road, University Heights, OH 44118

7 Pre Passover Pasta Palooza! Want the kids out of the kitchen, so you can prepare for Pesah? Your house is already hamez-free, and you want to keep it that way? Need an hour to catch your breath, and rest from all the preparations? Join us on Sunday, April 9, 5:30 to 7:00 pm for a Pre-Passover Pasta Palooza! $10/person, children 6 and under free Reservations requested by April 3 Register at Desota Avenue, Cleveland Heights, OH info@bethelheights.org ~ ~

8 Concise Pesah Calendar 2017 Sunday, April 9 After 8:43 pm B dikat hametz (final search) may start JMX TQYDB Monday, April 10 - Erev Pesah XSP BRE 7:00 am Weekday morning service, followed by siyyum (completion of a talmudic tract). 11:17 am Latest time for eating hametz. 12:22 pm Last time for annulling (renouncing ownership of) hametz. 7:44 pm Yom Tov Candle-lighting (l hadlik ner shel yom tov) 8:02 pm Sunset 8:44 pm Nightfall, first seder may begin IWwAR RDS Tuesday, April 11 First day of Pesah 10:00 am Pesah I Morning Services: Shaharit, Hallel, and Musaf First blessing of reader s repetition of Musaf includes T fillat Tal (the prayer for dew); mashiv ha-ruah is not said again until Sh mini Atzeret (next-to-last day of Sukkot). 8:45 pm Yom Tov Candle-lighting, second seder may begin YNw RDS Tonight we begin counting the omer (see Haggadah) Wednesday, April 12 Second day of Pesah 10:00 am Pesah II Morning Services: Shaharit, Hallel, and Musaf 8:47 pm Nightfall, Havdalah may be said ( borey p ri ha-gafen and ha-mavdil beyn kodesh l hol no candle or spices) Sunday, April 16 Erev Yom Tov 8:50 pm Yom Tov Candle-lighting (l hadlik ner shel yom tov) (8:09 pm Sunset) Monday, April 17 Seventh Day of Pesah 9:15 am Pesah VII Morning services: Shaharit, Hallel, and Musaf 8:52 pm Nightfall; Yom Tov candles may be lit (l hadlik ner shel shabbat v yom tov) Tuesday, April 18 Last (eighth) day of Pesah 9:15 am Pesah VIII Morning Services: Shaharit, Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), Hallel, Musaf, and Yizkor RWKZY 8:53 pm Passover may be ended and Havdalah recited ( borey p ri ha-gafen and ha-mavdil beyn kodesh l hol no candle or spices) (Please allow the Rabbi an hour to buy back your hametz before you use it.)