4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From The Rabbi s Study November 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 November 2013 Kristallnacht 75 Years Later [What follows is the horrendous story of what came before the infamous Kristallnacht, written by Walter Bingham, who now lives in Jerusalem. I have edited it only slightly for space considerations.] The Jewish world will commemorate Kristallnacht or the Night of the Broken Glass from November 9-10, That night, most Synagogues throughout Germany, Austria and the by then annexed Czechoslovakian Sudetenland were set alight, thousands of Jewish businesses were destroyed and almost 30,000 Jews sent off to concentration camps. I was in a city called Mannheim and saw it all when I tried to get into my school which was behind the Synagogue. But why did it happen on that particular night? What caused this outrage, the worst pogrom in Germany before the policy of extermination was formulated at the Wannsee Conference held in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee on 20 January 1942 in the presence of Adolf Eichman and other high ranking Nazis. Well, the trigger for these atrocities can be found in the events of a few years earlier. During 1938 the Polish authorities were concerned about the German annexation of Austria in March of that year and also about the increased persecution of German and Austrian Jews. It was not the Polish Jews' welfare that concerned them, but they feared that the many Polish nationals among them would either want to or be forced to return to Poland. So in mid-october the Polish government issued a denationalization law which annulled the citizenship of Poles living abroad for more than five years, unless before the end of the month they received a special stamp into their passports from the Polish Consulates. Not surprisingly, Jews were refused this facility. German policy at the time was not yet the mass extermination of Jews, but to get them out of Germany; so when the Nazi regime learned that Polish officials would not stamp the passports of Jews, thereby making all of them stateless, without any nationality and hence without passports, they were concerned about their having to remain in Germany. So SS Reichsfuehrer (Field Marshal), Chief of Police and the Gestapo Heinrich Himmler ordered that all Polish Jews be immediately and forcefully repatriated to Poland. It was during the small hours of October 28, 1938, when about 20,000 men, women and children had to respond to the dreaded knock on the door. They were arrested, permitted to hurriedly pack just one suitcase and, allowed only 10 marks per adult, were transported to the Polish border in sealed trains. When the Poles became aware of this, they closed the border: No more Jews was the order. With Polish machine guns facing them and German bayonets behind them, these Jews were stranded. Jewish welfare organizations were allowed to hastily erect some shelter. The circumstances were grim and food was short, while the Poles and Germans argued for two or three days. Eventually the Poles were forced to accept this by now dejected, hungry and tired mass of people. Most of these were interned in Zbaszyn, a small Polish border town, before some months later being moved to the Warsaw Ghetto. My own father was among them. (continued)

2 2 (continued) At the time, I was at a Jewish school in another town; had I been at home, I too would have had the same fate, because the Gestapo asked my mother where I was, and she told them that I had gone out and she did not know where to. She herself was not arrested on that occasion but at a different time and fortunately survived the concentration camps and so was able to relate these events to me. I left Mannheim on that fateful day to travel back to my home, some 72 km and even remember that it was the 3.22 pm diesel train. (Ask me what I had for lunch yesterday and I can t remember.) Among those deported to Poland on October 28 were the Grynspans from Hanover. Their 17-year old German born son Hershel who lived illegally in Paris received a postcard from his family telling him of their deportation and desperate plight. He became so angry and enraged that he called at the German Embassy in Paris, asked for the Ambassador, and when taken to Ernst Vom Rath a third secretary, he drew a pistol and shot him. Vom Rath died of his wounds on November 7. This was the trigger for the spontaneous pogroms three days later known as Kristallnacht. It is documented that plans for such an outrage had been planned in great detail and that the Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himmler only waited for a suitable moment to implement them. During the torching of the Synagogues the fire service was in attendance, not to douse the flames, but to cool and protect neighboring German properties from being damaged. Just one other fact is worth mentioning. After the event the remains of some walls of one synagogue constituted a danger to the public, and so to add insult to injury, the Jewish community was ordered to pay for the demolition. When Hershel Grynspan was arrested by French police he protested: Being a Jew is not a crime; I am not a dog, I have a right to exist on this earth; wherever I have been I have been hounded like an animal. There are conflicting reports about his fate, but it can be safely assumed that he did not survive the war. Let us never forget the brave Hershel Grynspan z l. Rabbi J.B. Sacks Message from Brenda Rich Greetings: My goodness. It is already November. Happy Chanukah!!!! But let me talk about October for a little bit. On October 13, we had a wonderful day at the Gene Autry Museum where we were led by delightful docents on a tour of Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic, followed by a delicious lunch, and the most delightful and entertaining Klezmer concert by the Mostly Kosher Klezmer group. You can see reviews some who attended elsewhere in the Migdalor. Personally speaking, I was very disappointed by the turnout. There were only 15 in attendance which included the Rabbi and 5 non-members. I am also disappointed in the turnout from members for our Mah Jongg tournament that will be held on November 3. There are only 24 signups and only 7 CAH members. I know there are a lot more members who play Mah Jongg. Where are you???? If you are not happy with events being planned by the Ways & Means committee, please come to our next meeting on Tuesday, November 12 th at 5 p.m. and give us your ideas. SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 FESTIVE INSTALLATION OF RABBI J. B. SACKS. THIS WILL BE AN AFTERNOON NOT TO BE MISSED. On November 1, our Friday night service will be commemorating Kristallnacht 75 years later. Services will begin at 8 p.m. On November 15 th, our Friday night service will be honoring our Veterans. Services start at 8 p.m. Please invite any veteran whom you know to be at our service. On December 6 th, we will be celebrating the 10 th night of Chanukah with latkes and sufganyiot. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR EVENTS AND OUR SERVICES. A survey was ed to all those who attended our High Holy Day Services. Please fill it out. Each person who attended these services should fill it out. SHALOM!

3 3 Reviews Our trip to the Gene Autry Museum on Oct. 13th was extremely enjoyable. Since I was the "in charge" person, it was very easy for me to make all the arrangements for the docent tour, the lunch and the Klezmer Band concert with the various people at the museum who were in charge of each of these three events. I know everyone really enjoyed themselves, as they all thanked me profusely for getting this arranged. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would encourage everyone to join us at all Am HaYam events since they are planned with our member's and guests' enjoyment in mind. Sincerely, Lois Lebman I had an absolutely magnificent time. The tour was amazing. The lunch was fantastic. The Klezmer band was the best I have ever heard. They were young, energeticand lively musicians and singers. They were not loud and obnoxious sounding. They brought humor into their entertainment with various short stories and acting. They had audience participation with singing and dancing the horah. The comradery was also fantastic. Everyone had an amazing time. The afternoon was way beyond worth the $30 cost. Fil Barton I had such a fun day at the museum Sunday. I expected to enjoy lunch, the tour and getting to know my Am HaYam family. The surprise was Mostly Kosher, the Klezmer band. I am not a fan of klezmer music but this lively group of young performers had music, skits and jokes and were amazing. They made icing on the cake for the day. Many thanks to Diane for suggesting it and to Lois for organizing it. Ruth Resnick It would have been nice to see more members of CAH attend our docent tour about the history of Jews in Los Angeles since the middle of the nineteenth century and how they thrived and contributed to the growth of the Los Angeles community. We carpooled from CAH and Leisure Village. The tour lasted one hour; afterward we had a sandwich and salad lunch in the cafeteria. To top the day off, we were delightfully entertained by the "Mostly Jewish" Klezmer band, a young group of musical artists, who played many Yiddish songs, including "Roumania-Roumania", told many old fashioned jokes interspersed with the music, and had everyone laughing and crying for more. It is important to participate in our fund-raising functions, as well as Sabbath services. It also gives us all a chance to get to know one another better in our congregation Am HaYam when we socialize together. Alma Golden My husband and I enjoyed the museum exibition very much. The music was fantastic! Lee Weiss

4 4 MONDAYS WITH MORT During the month of November there will be sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH on every Monday at 10:30 AM. Everyone is invited to attend in November as we continue the Book of Bereshit(Genesis). Questions of the Month: 1. According to the Vilna Gaon where is it unusual and not unusual for miracles to occur? 2. According to Rashi when do we not say Hallel for a miraculous occurrence? 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 Mort In Memory Of Phil Silverman IMO Harriet Silverman Ilana Wolfson IMO Esther Wolfson and Evelyn Schreier In Honor Of Ruth Resnick IHO the first birthday of Gil Bratspis Tributes Lois Lebman to Milt Rothschild, get well Tree Planted In Israel October 2013 TO GIL STARK SPEEDY AND COMPLETE RECOVERY FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH TO CLIFF SAWYER AND FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF MOTHER ZENITA SAWYER FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH TO LEE AND MILT ROTHSCHILD SPEEDY AND COMPLETE RECOVERY

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6 6 Congregation Am HaYam 10TH NITE OF HANUKKAH On Friday December 6th Hanukkah Songs Starting at 7:00 PM December 6th Cost $6.00 per person Services to Follow Sufganyiot at Oneg PAYABLE TO CAH MAIL TO CAH 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca NAME ADDRESS #ATTENDING THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE PLEDGES FOR THE YOM KIPPUR APPEAL BARBRA & BRUCE MINER FIL BARTON ROZ & MORT RESNICK JUDY EPSTEIN RUTH RESNICK DENISE HEAP BRENDA & ARNOLD RICH SHERRY HORWITZ MARK RICH ANN & IRV JACOBS MIRIAM RUBINSTEIN TERRI, MAURICE AND RICARDO KOZAK SAMANTHA SCHWARTZ LOIS LEBMAN NANCY & HERB STEIN RENA LEIBOVITCH DAWN VAN VALKENBURG EVA LOWE NORMA VAN RIPER JUDY AND MORT MARGOLIS MYRNA WINER

7 7 November Birthday s Janice Aharon-Ezer 15 November Anniversaries Mort & Judy Margolis 6 Seymour & Vivian Barr 21 Jerry & Dianne Ruthman 30 If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please me at bfrosen@gmail.com

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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 Norma Van Riper Sherry Horwitz Jack Sperber Myrna Winer Laila Hanig Rachel Kozak Herb Stein 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

15 15 YAHRZEIT November 1 Frank Spunt, uncle of Fil Barton Joseph Bergman, Father of Irv Bergman *Nettie Fenick Mother of Elaine Hanig Hermman Laff, Father of Toba Greinetz *Rose Kupperman, Mother of Mark Kupperman Lina Hirsch, Mother of Eva Lowe Martin Myles, Husband of Sheila Myles Loretta Zeller, Mother of Sheila Myles *Sally Resnick, Mother-In-Law of Ruth Resnick *Sally Resnick, Mother of Mort Resnick *Irene Rich, Mother of Arnold Rich *Selma Weiner, Mother of Myrna Winer * November 15 Dinah Brunell, Sister of Vivian D. Barr Meyer Sobol, Grandfather of Cookie Dimant *Edith Rosenthal, Mother of Alma Golden Ruth Greinetz, Mother of Earl Greinetz *Saul Kupperman, Father of Mark Kupperman Meyer Fogel, GrandFather of Myra Matlin Maurice Packer, Father of Bob Packer *Baylis Resnick, Husband of Ruth Resnick *Baylis Resnick, Brother of Mort Resnick Pearl Berman, Mother of Jackie Saltz *Marion Wayne, Mother of Ann Sperber Charles Trister, Father of Harry Trister Samuel Kurnick, First Husband of Norma Van Riper Sam Wolfson, Father of Ilana Wolfson Harry Perrick, Father of Martha Zoloth Betty Perrick, Mother of Martha Zoloth *Inscribed on Memorial Wall

16 November 2013 Cheshvan/Kislev Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat EREV SHABBAT SERVICE 8:00 PM 1 2 SHABBAT SERVICE 10:00AM Kristallnacht 75 years later Candle Lighting 5:43 PM Shabbat Ends 6:39PM Daylight Savings Time Ends Turn clocks back Mah Jongg Tournament 8:30 a.m Mondays With Mort 10:30 AM Happy Anniversary Judy & Mort Margolis Candle Lighting 4:37 PM Shabbat Ends 5:34PM Ritual Meeting 10 a.m. Board Meeting 11 a.m Veterans Day Mondays With Mort 10:30 AM Ways & Means/ Membership meeting 5 p.m. EREV SHABBAT VETERANS SERVICE 8:00 PM Candle Lighting SHABBAT SERVICE 10:00AM Shabbat Ends 5:29PM Mondays With Mort 10:30 AM Happy Anniversary Seymour & Vivian Barr Happy Birthday Janice Ahoron-Ezer Candle Lighting 4:29 PM Shabbat Ends 5:27 PM Mondays With Mort 10:30 AM 1st night of Chanukah 3rd night Chanukah Happy Anniversary Jerry & Dianne- Ruthman 2nd night Chanukah Candle Lighting 4:27 PM 4th night of Chanukah Shabbat Ends 5:25 PM

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