Volume 30, Issue 2 Spring 2003

Volume 30, Issue 2 Spring 2003 KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 1

A message from Abbie Steiner, 2003 USY International Membership/Kadima Vice President Ever since I was a little girl, my mom and I would read Deborah Uchill Miller s tall tale for Passover, Only Nine Chairs. Now, even though I am eighteen and almost done with high school, I still glean a lot of meaning out of this silly Pesach tale. While, on the surface, it is merely a speculation in rhyme on how to handle nineteen guests at a Seder dinner when there are only nine chairs, this story looks at the importance of sharing. For those of you who unfamiliar with the story, a family invites all of their relatives to their Passover Seder. If no one is forgotten then there will be 19 noses, 38 thumbs and a whole lot of freckles in their dining room. But there is one problem. Even though there are 19 people expected, there are only 9 chairs. What a dilemma? Where will everyone sit? In the attic? On bookshelves? In empty trash cans? It isn t a problem when Jewish ritual tells them to stand, but when it is time to recline, half the guests will be on the floor! After looking at a variety of scenarios to pass through the rich Pesach traditions, including all sitting on one chair, they come to a solution - everyone will share a chair. In the poetic conclusion, we read that, The eating was over, The Blessings recited. We ve almost forgotten A guest we ve invited. So open the door, Elijah is there. And what do you know... He brought his own chair! What a fitting ending. The messianic time will come when we all learn how to share and get along with one another. So, this Pesach, think about what you can do to share more of yourself with others. It is not enough to be a freed people alone, we must be free together. B hatzlacha V shalom, Abbie Steiner From the Editor The theme of this issue of Kol Kadima is Celebrating Freedom. Each Passover, we celebrate our freedom and the transformation of the Jews from slaves to a free people. It seems like such a basic thing to celebrate, and something that we often take for granted, but in today s world it becomes a powerful and relevant message. Around the world, people s freedoms are being challenged. The free world is once again threatened by individuals who want to take away the freedoms we cherish. Israel struggles every day to make sure that its citizens are free and protected. Passover is the holiday where we commemorate our freedom as a people. We spend eight days remembering that we are free people and no longer slaves in Egypt. When we read the Haggadah at the Passover Seder, we learn what it was like for our ancestors to live without freedom - without the freedom to live as they chose, without the freedom to practice Judaism, and without many of the other basic freedoms that we as a free people enjoy. Each year, we are commanded to retell the Passover story as if we were personally slaves in Egypt, and as if we personally went through the transformation from slavery to freedom. This is one of the most powerful messages and enduring themes of Passover. The Jewish people know not to take their freedom lightly, a message that Jewish history has taught us well. Israel is so important to the Jewish people because it is the expression of our right to be a free people in our own land - another of the enduring themes of the Passover Seder. Although these are trying times for many people around the world, we as Jews must continue to celebrate and embrace the fact that we are free. The Jewish people have freedom - we are no longer slaves in Egypt. We must stand up for what we believe in against those who wish to take away our freedoms, the very freedoms we celebrate during this Passover season. As you celebrate this Passover, remember that there are others who still do not have the freedoms that we enjoy. The lesson we should learn from this is that we should not, and at the same time cannot, take our freedom for granted. Chag sameach! KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 2

Kadima Director Karen L. Stein Editor, Kol Kadima Hirsch Fishman Department of Youth Activities Jules A. Gutin, Director Karen L. Stein Rachel Field Ezra Androphy Hirsch Fishman Jeremy Luski Yossi Garr International Youth Commission Chair Dr. Marilyn Lishnoff Wind USY 2003 Membership/Kadima Vice President Abbie Steiner The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Judy Yudof, President Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein, Executive Vice President Kol Kadima is published quarterly by the Youth Department of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Subscription price is included in Kadima membership dues. Kol Kadima is the official magazine of Kadima. We welcome articles of varying viewpoints; all articles represent the author s point of view and not necessarily the organization s opinion. If you are interested in writing or submitting photos and/or artwork for Kol Kadima, please send all material to Karen Stein, Kol Kadima, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10010. By fax: (212) 353-9439, and also e-mail kadima@uscj.org. All work for publication must include full name, address and region. This publication is printed on recycled paper. Publication No. 964600. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the United Synagogue, founded in 1913 by Dr. Solomon Schechter. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism promotes the role of the synagogue in Jewish life in order to motivate Conservative Jews to perform mitzvot encompassing ethical behavior, spirituality, Judaic learning, and ritual observance. Combining an awareness of communal responsibility with a strong sense of commitment, the United Synagogue is a dynamic force within the Conservative Movement. VOLUME 30, ISSUE 2 SPRING 2003 IN THIS ISSUE: ON THE COVER Celebrating Freedom - the four key parts of the Passover Seder (clockwise from right): the afikomen, matzah, the shankbone, and the Haggadah. SHALOM KADIMA! 2002 USY International Membership/Kadima VP...2 From the Editor...2 CELEBRATING FREEDOM A Time to be Free...4 Passover Fun...5 Find the Chametz!...6 Charoset Recipes...7 Ballad of the 4 Sons...8 My Hobby...9 Ransoming the Afikomen...10 KADIMA COAST TO COAST Tzafon Kadima Kallah...11 CHUSY Kadima Kallah & 8th Grade Shabbaton...12 Hagalil/Seabord 8th Grade Shabbaton...13 The Amazing Maize Maze...14 FOR NEXT TIME...15 THE LAST WORD...16 KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 3

A Time to be Free The holiday of Passover is considered the ultimate celebration of freedom in Jewish time. It is the telling of the historical feeling of the Jewish people from slavery, and is also considered the celebration of our spiritual freedom. Pesach, also known as z man heiruteinu, literally the time of our liberation, is a time when we are commanded to recreate the experience of leaving slavery, of liberation from bondage and becoming a free people. We were Pharoah s slaves in Egypt, and the Lord our God brought us forth from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. (Passover Haggadah) This is one of the prettiest images of God that we have in liturgical text. The strength and power of God, reaching out to take us out of Egypt, brings up thoughts of muscle and might. And yet, the idea of God reaching out and lifting each of us up from Egypt, placing us gently in a mighty hand and carrying us to freedom, is also a gentle image of love and care. We experience a communal deliverance performed on a personal level. In this text, freedom is not something that we earn, and it is not something inherent in our being. Freedom is delivered to us, as a personal gift from God. Being slaves in Egypt is something that has touched our lives as Jews, permanently. Our annual re-enactment of this slavery reminds us of the humanity that we share with all people. Our redemption at the hand of God also has left a permanent mark. We were set free by God, and will never be slaves again. We are empowered to guarantee our own freedom, and are called to action against all restrictions of freedom. God s role in our redemption is so emphasized in the retelling of the Pesach narrative in the Haggadah that the roles played by Moses, Miriam and Aaron are virtually absent there. Pesach is the first step towards the convenant between God and the people, a convenant established at Mt. Sinai, and culminating in Israel s entrance to the Land of Israel. God s right to choose us in this convenant is established when God s hand stretches out to save us in Egypt....mixvnn `vi `ed el`k envr z` ze`xl mc` aiig xece xec lka In each and every generation a person must see her/himself as if actually coming out of Egypt... It was not only our ancestors who the Holy One redeemed, but all of us as well were redeemed along with them. (Passover Haggadah) The Pesach narrative teaches us that there are always possibilities for change in our lives. Until the Exodus it was a common belief that one born a slave would remain one throughout life. The Exodus from Egypt challenged the idea of permanent identity. Things do not have to remain as they are. We have the power to change the world, and we have the ability to change our personal destinies. God has shown us in the story of Pesach that change is possible. The message of Pesach is that freedom is an ongoing process. There will always be moments in our lives when we need to find freedom. There are many different types of slavery that we will encounter in our lives. It is through faith that we are able to find our redemption. If we allow God in our lives, then we allow ourselves the chance to experience coming out of Egypt, we allow God to deliver us from slavery to freedom. Reprinted from The Call of Freedom, published by the Department of Youth Activities, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. For more information about the publication, visit www.usy.org/connect/publications/. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 4

Passo assover Fun From The Passover Guide by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner Games Nuts and nut games are popular for Passover, for two reasons: firstly, nuts within the shell are available in abundance for little cost and are kosher for Passover; secondly, nut in Hebrew has the same numerical value as the word good in Hebrew, both are 17. Text Games Guessing Game Let a player put nuts under plates for other players out of the room who will return at a signal and indicate which plate they wish. Leader may choose to put different numbers of nuts or the same number under each plate. Scrambled Pesach Story Cut up the story of Passover and distribute parts without numbering sequence. The leader begins and each participant starts reading when he believes that his portion is appropriate. Nut Ferry Carry nuts on the blade of a dull knife as relay teams with a time limit. Questions and Prizes Plan on asking questions throughout the Seder for which winners receive nuts, and at the end of the Seder the prizes can be given out based upon the number of nuts they have collected and their appropriate age and needs. Nut Roll Make a board lean against a wall and attempt to win a nut by tossing against the board and having the tossed nut roll down and hit a target nut. Nut Pick-Up Using two pencils, determine who can pick up the most nuts in a time limit to be placed in each team s bowl. Nut Pitching Each team attempts to throw nuts into a target basket or pot within time. Active Participation in the Seder Dressing Up in Costume Costumes are a wonderful way in which you can be kept involved in the Seder. You can dress up as guests and come in through the door for Ha Lachma Anya and even be dressed up as Jewish historical guests but remember to save Elijah the Prophet for opening the door after the meal. The 10 Plagues You can distribute symbols of each of the 10 plagues: ping pong balls for everyone to throw at the mention of hail or sunglasses to symbolize darkness. While there are commercial Plague Sacks which have symbols for each of the plagues, you can help plan for your own interpretations. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 5

Find the Chametz! According to ancient tradition, the night before the Passover Seder, we make a final search of our homes (called Bedikat Chametz ) to find any edible chametz, which we will destroy. Time Required: 15-30 minutes Here s How: 1.) After nightfall on the night before the Passover Seder, we search our homes for chametz (leavened grain products). The house should already be clean for Passover and the chametz should have been sold. 2.) Any chametz which will be eaten later that night or the next morning should be put together in one designated area. 3.) Prepare a candle or flashlight, a feather or old toothbrush, some newspaper, and a small bag. 4.) Place pieces of hard chametz that does not make crumbs (a bit of bread can be used) in ten different places around the house. The chametz can be wrapped in paper. Chametz is hidden so that the searcher will have something to find, and the blessing will not be said in vain. 5.) Turn off the lights in the house, and light the candle. 6.) In the room in which the search will begin, the head of the family should say: Blessed are you Adonoy our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to burn chametz. In Hebrew: epycw xy` mlerd jln epidl` d dz` jexa.ung xeia lr epeve eizevna 7.) There should be no talk between the blessing and the start of the search. During the search, it is only permitted to talk about things directly related to the search. 8.) Walking with the lit candle, search through every room in the house, looking in all corners, for chametz. 9.) When a piece of chametz is found, use the feather or toothbrush to sweep it into the newspaper. Put all the found chametz into the bag. 10.) When all the chametz has been found and gathered, the following is said: Any leaven that may still be in the house, which I have not seen or have not removed, shall be as if it does not exist, like the dust of the earth. 11.) The next morning, when chametz can no longer be eaten, the chametz which was found in the search is taken outside and burned. Recite the following before burning this chametz: All leaven and anything leavened that is in my possession,whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth. 12.) And the following is said during the burning of the chametz: May it be Your will, Lord, our God and God of our fathers, that just as I remove the chametz from my house and from my possession, so shall You remove all the extraneous forces. Remove the spirit of impurity from the earth, remove our evil inclination from us, and grant us a heart of flesh to serve You in truth. Make all wickedness be consumed in smoke, and remove the dominion of evil from the earth. Remove with a spirit of destruction and a spirit of judgment all that distress the Shekhina, just as You destroyed Egypt and its idols in those days, at this time. Amen, Selah. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 6

Charoset Recipes Charoset is an integral part of every Passover Seder. It plays an important symbolic role in the Seder itself, but is also looked forward to every year because of its wonderful flavor. While most Americans celebrating Passover rely on a traditional Eastern European recipe, charoset recipes from other countries use a wide variety of other ingredients native to each area. If your family enjoys other fruits, nuts, and spices, add them to your charoset and start a new family tradition. Here s a few tasty combinations to try: Traditional Charoset Ingredients: - 3/4 cup walnuts - 1/4 large cooking apple - Kosher wine to moisten - 2 level teaspoons cinnamon - 2 level teaspoons sugar Mince the walnuts and the apple (you can use a food processor for this). Moisten with the kosher wine and flavor with the cinnamon and sugar. Makes 20 1/2 teaspoon servings. Sephardic Charoset Ingredients: - 1 cup walnuts - 1 cup golden raisins - 1 cup black raisins - 1 cup dried apricots - 1 cup prunes - 1 cup currants - 1 cup dates - 1 cup kosher red wine Put all ingredients together into a food processors until well blended. It should be paste-like in consistency. Yemenite Charoset Ingredients: - 8 ounces chopped dates - 1 chopped green apple (cored) - 1/2 cup chopped nuts - 1/3 cup of Manischewitz wine - 2 tablespoons Matzah Meal - 3 tablespoons Sesame Seeds - 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger - Dash of Cinnamon - Dash of Cayenne Pepper Mix together, chill, and serve. Turkish Charoset Ingredients: - 1 cup seedless raisins - 1 pound pitted dates - 1 orange, peeled, sliced, & pitted - 1 apple, peeled, cored, & sliced - 2 tablespoons sweet wine Soak the raisins for 30 minutes in hot water to cover, and then drain. Grind the raisins, dates, orange, and apple together. Add the wine to make a thick paste. Chill for 1 hour before serving. California Charoset Ingredients: - 1 whole orange - 1 large avocado (peeled & diced) - juice of 1/2 lemon - 1/2 cup sliced almonds - 1/2 cup raisins - 4 seedless dates - 2 figs or prunes - 2 tablespoons apple juice - 2 tablespoons matzoh meal Peel and section the orange; reserve the peel and the sections. Toss the avocado and lemon juice in a bowl and set aside. In a processor or blender, place the almonds, raisins, dates, and figs, and process until coarsely chopped. Add the orange peel and sections and process briefly to combine. Add the avocado and process 1 or 2 seconds more. Transfer the mixture to a glass bowl; gently mix in the apple juice and matzoh meal. Cover and chill. New American Charoset Ingredients: - 2 Granny Smith apples - juice of 1/2 lemon - 1/2 cup fresh mango, peeled & diced - 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 tablespoon sweet wine Peel, core, and dcide the apples and sprinkle with the lemon juice. Place all the ingredients in a food processor, and pulse once or twice just to break everything up. Let it sit for all the flavors to meld. Chill and serve. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 7

Ballad of the 4 Sons (Sung to the tune of Clementine ) From The Passover Guide by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner Said the father to his children, At the seder you will dine, You will eat your fill of matzoh, You will drink four cups of wine. Now this father had no daughters, But his sons they numbered four. One was wise and one was wicked, One was simple and a bore. And the fourth was sweet and winsome, he was young and he was small. While his brothers asked the questions he could scarcely speak at all. Said the wise one to his father Would you please explain the laws? Of the customs of the seder Will you please explain the cause? And the father proudly answered, As our fathers ate in speed, Ate the paschal lamb ere midnight And from slavery were freed. So we follow their example And ere midnight must complete Take a Passover Quiz (from The Passover Guide by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner) All the seder and we should not After 12 remain to eat. Then did sneer the son so wicked What does all this mean to you? And the father s voice was bitter As his grief and anger grew. If you yourself don t consider A son of Israel, Then for you this has no meaning You could be a slave as well. Then the simple son said simply What is this, and quietly The good father told his offspring We were freed from slavery. But the youngest son was silent For he could not ask at all. His bright eyes were bright with wonder As his father told him all. My dear children, heed the lesson and remember evermore What the father told his children Told his sons that numbered four. 1.) What are the other names of Passover? 2.) How long is this holiday? 3.) What are the Hebrew dates? 4.) What does this phrase refer to: The Intermediate Days? 5.) What is the name of the Sabbath preceding Passover? 6.) Which name is out of place? Pharaoh, Aaron, Miriam, Moses. 7.) Who was Zipporah? 8.) Which of the following doesn t belong? Frogs, lice, ants, locusts. 9.) What was the tenth plague? 10.) Name three songs sung during the Seder. 11.) What does Haggadah refer to, and what does the word mean? 12.) Who is the Fourth Son? 13.) What word is out of place? Shankbone, bitter herbs, cheese, salt water. 14.) Complete this phrase: On all other nights we don t dip 15.) Why are four cups of wine poured during the Seder? KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 8

My Hobby by Jules Gutin Many people have hobbies. In some instances people collect things as a hobby. When my son Eitan was much younger he collected baseball cards and comic books. (In fact, they re still taking up room in our house, even though he has had a home of his own for several year!) I, too, am a collector. I collect Pesach Haggadot. I haven t taken an exact count lately, but I know that I have over 400 different editions of the Haggadah, all stored in a tall bookcase in our living room. My collection began in 1968 with a gift I had received from the family of a younger friend of mine, in gratitude for helping him to learn the Torah reading for his Bar Mitzvah. It was the first time I had encountered a Haggadah which wasn t the red and yellow version we had used in our day school or the Maxwell House version which our family (and so many others) used at their family Pesach Seder. I poured over its commentaries and explanations over and over again, fascinated by the new insights. Back in the 1960 s one of the most famous illustrated editors of the Haggadah was designed by an artist named Arthur Szyck. A few of my friends received large boxed copies as Bar Mitzvah gifts. When my parents traveled to Israel for the first time in the summer of 1968, they purchased what still remains as one of my most treasured possessions, a Szyck Haggadah with a beautiful silver cover. It was then that my hobby began in earnest. There are thousands of printed editions of the Passover Haggadah, including reproductions of those which were written by hand prior to the advent of the printing press. One might wonder why there are so many different editions with illustrations and commentaries. There are at least three reasons to consider. First, the book is not very lengthy. Before the printing press, when books were written and illustrated by scribes and artists one was far more likely to own a Haggadah, than a hand written Siddur or Humash. It was much less expensive. As a Jewish ritual text, the Haggadah is unique in that it is intended for use in the home, and not in the synagogue, like a Siddur or Humash. In our day, in particular, the illustrations also help to maintain the interest of children, who are key participants in the Seder ritual. Although we use a standard Haggadah at our family Seder, we also make sure to embellish the text with supplementary songs and readings culled from many different sources. Some from other Haggadot and, in recent years, from various internet sites. There are some which we repeat year after year (like the ballad of the four sons or a great song about the ten plagues!) while others are included to address timely issues such as Israel s MIA s. Pesach is a very special time at our house. Each year about thirty members of our extended family (now extending over four generations) gather together to celebrate and reflect. With all of the changes, one thing remains constant. Unlike other families who might rush through or even eliminate the special Seder songs at the end of the Haggadah, our Seder actually builds to a crescendo at the end. We sing melodies that seem to be unique to our family. Our friends, and those who have married into the family have never heard them before. All we know is that these are the melodies my grandparents brought from Eastern Europe. Those melodies remind us that our Seder is a combination of old and new traditions helping each of us to view ourselves as if we had participated in the Exodus from Egypt, much like the Haggadah text tells us. May you and your families enjoy a Happy and sweet Pesach as you gather with family and friends to celebrate our tradition. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 9

Ransom the Afikomen (Adapted from a publication of the United Synagogue) When we think of the afikomen, chances are we also think of the joy surrounding the discovery of this broken piece of matzah (probably by the youngest person at the Seder). But is this simply a game, or is there a deeper meaning to this custom? Tzafun, the eating of the afikomen, has tremendous significance. The matzah eaten at the beginning of the meal was symbolic of our past, of our redemption from Egypt. The matzah reserved as the afikomen and put away to be eaten at the end of the meal is symbolic of our future redemption. Tzafun means hidden. In most households, the afikomen is hidden either by the adults or by the children, who then demand a ransom for its return. The hiding of the afikomen symbolizes the hidden nature of our future redemption. When will the Messianic era arrive? How will the Messianic era come about? The answers are hidden - yet there are some hints. The afikomen symbolizes the korban pesach, the Passover sacrifice that every Jew must share. Today, each participant at the Seder must, as the final part of the formal meal, eat a portion of the afikomen. The cooperation of everyone at the Seder in bringing the hidden afikomen to light and making it available to all is symbolic of the cooperation we must exhibit if we are to help speed up the arrival of the Messiah. Only after eating the afikomen can we recite the Birkat Ha Mazon (Blessing after Meals) and invite Elijah the Prophet, the harbringer of the Messiah, to our Seder table. In ransoming or redeeming the afikomen, instead of just paying off the hiders, each participant at the Seder should also purchase his or her share to eat. Money is inappropriate for such a purchase. Let us instead make a pledge of action, vowing to carry out ma asim tovim, good deeds, as well as acts of tzedakah (charity) and g milut chesed (loving-kindness). For example, we might pledge to bring food to a homeless shelter or begin to visit the sick at a local hospital. Think of what you will offer for the afikomen this year as it is passed around the table. After Birkat Ha Mazon, we will then follow a beautiful custom in which each participant pours some wine into Elijah s cup. As you pour wine from your cup into Elijah s, share with those at your seder what you have decided to do this year to make the world a better place. Tzafun Leader (to the participants), as the afikomen is distributed: To share in the afikomen, we must each pledge to make our world a better place and to make ourselves better Jews. Think about this as we recite the Birkat Ha Mazon. We will share our commitments when we welcome Elijah. Suggested Dialogue: After Birkat Ha Mazon Each participant (while pouring a small amount of wine into Elijah s Cup from their own cup): This year I pledge to... In this way may I do my share to help bring about our future redemption and hasten the coming of the Messiah. The Leader then says: As the Sages teach us: Only through its own efforts will Israel be redeemed. Just as our ancestors each did their part in preparing for the exodus from Egypt, the historic redemp-tion over 3,000 years ago, so too must we each do our part to bring about our future redemption. We have each made a pledge to better our world in the year to come - symbolizing our cooperative pledge by pouring some of our own wine into the Cup of Elijah. It is only through cooperation, self-sacrifice, compassion, and generosity that we may truly improve the world. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 10

dnicw lew Coast to Coast Tzafon Kadima Kallah: February 28-March 2 See your chapter in the next Kol Kadima! The next time you have a chapter program or event, bring along a camera and snap a few pictures! Afterwards, write a short description about the pictures and send them in! That s all it takes! All submissions for Kadima Coast to Coast should be sent to: Kadima 155 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 E-mail: kadima@uscj.org We can t wait to SEE you!!! KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 11

dnicw lew Coast to Coast CHUSY Kadima Kallah & 8th Grade Shabbaton Kadima Kallah CHUSY Kadimaniks explored the theme of Heroes throughout the weekend. Many famous (and not so famous) heroes were topics of discussion. Kadimaniks also spent time learning about Israel and remembering Ilan Ramon and the six other astronauts. CHUSY Kadimaniks planted eighteen trees in Israel in their memory. Every Kadimanik learned that we are all heroes in some way! 8th Grade Shabbaton The CHUSY 8 th Graders had their own special Shabbaton that was designed to welcome them into USY. The theme was Building Bridges: Kadima to USY, Junior High to High School and we did just that! We helped build a bridge from Kadima to USY! KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 12

dnicw lew Coast to Coast Hagalil/Seaboard 8th Grade Shabbaton: February 28-March 2 KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 13

dnicw lew Coast to Coast The Amazing Maize Maze Temple Beth El - Rochester, NY Up in Rochester, New York, it tends to get really cold, really fast. However, we had no fears when it came to running around lost in the freezing weather. Our chapter programming vice president came up with the fabulous idea of going to the Maize Maze. What could be more fun than being set loose in a mix of corn and mud to try to find your way out. We set the date and decided to go. Our wonderful parents drove us out and some brave ones even volunteered to stay and do the maze. After splitting into three groups of seven, we were set free and raced to find our way out. This is gonna be a piece of cake! I ll get us out of here in 5 minutes! Both of these quotes could be heard frequently at the start. Needless to say, we all did manage to find our way out - two hours and 36 minutes later. We had a fabulous time searching for an escape, learning about the harvest, and singing all sorts of Kadima ruach throughout the maze. We even got to feed some animals at the end, and of course we got some ice cream for ourselves! Our brave communications vice president had the following to say: Have you ever been lost before? Believe me, you ve never felt lost until you ve been stuck inside a corn maze with no clear way out. One of the highlights in Rochester during the fall is the Amazing Maize Maze, a corn maze where you are led into the maze and have to find your way out. But despite the feeling of, Will we ever get out of here? it was probably one of the most fun experiences I have ever had. All in all, it was a fabulous Kadima trip that we can t wait to do again next year! - by Lisa Waltzer and Hannah Steiner, Temple Beth El, Rochester, NY Congratulations to: David Langer - Clark, NJ Stephen Dougherty - Ventnor, NJ Adam Polokoff - Atlanta, GA Simon Fleger - Startford, CT Sara Lodgen - Swampscott, MA for finding all the words in the Israel Word Search from the last issue! KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 14

For Next Time: Yad B Yad is Kadima s special tzedakah fund. Each year, Kadima raises thousands of dollars to help teenagers with special needs enjoy the same Jewish experiences that we do. Kadima chapters across North America raise money for Yad B Yad through tons of exciting programs. This past year, chapters held many programs including bowl-a-thons, tzedakah teas, Purim Carnivals, Mitzvah-a-thons, etc. What great programs has your Kadima chapter run? What great ideas do you have for programs? Take the lead and ask your youth director or advisor to plan a Yad B Yad program! Submissions are welcome for the Summer 2003 issue! Has your chapter done a cool program that you would like to write about? Talk to your advisor and send in a few paragraphs about your program (pictures too!) and we ll include it in the next section of Kadima Coast to Coast. Please submit poems, stories, and pictures via e-mail to kadima@uscj.org by June 13, 2003. (Please submit all pictures in.jpeg format, no more than 1 photo per e-mail). Or, you can mail them to: Kol Kadima 155 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 Graduating from Kadima? Don t let the magic of Kadima disappear... JOIN USY!!! In USY there will be even more Kinnusim, Encampments, Summer Trips across North America and to Israel and Europe, International Convention, and much, much more! See you next year in USY! KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 15

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, NY PERMIT NO. 7906 The United Synagogue Of Conservative Judaism, Department of Youth Activities Address Service Requested Rapaport House 155 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10010 E-mail us!!! kadima@uscj.org Passo assover Wor ord Search: Afikomen Bitter Herbs Carpas Chametz Charoset Cup Egg Egypt Elijah Haggadah Maror Matzah Moses Passover Seder Shankbone Slaves Vegetable Wine J X E Y E S E D E R I G B R E V O S S A P R A C H X L C L C M A T Z A H O S B R E H R E T T I B A E A O N A E L I J A H R V T R O R C R P I X A A A E A B O H W L Q S G H L G M K S A B Q Q S G P S E O N E M O K I F A F N V S A T E G Y P T D W I N E H X T G W U D A I X M S S O Z E C C N H See your name in print! Send in your completed quizzes and we will put your name in our winner s circle! Send puzzles to Kol Kadima, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Don t forget to include your name and chapter. KOL KADIMA SPRING 2003 - PAGE 16