CHABAD COMMUNITY CENTER For Jewish Life And Learning April 2009 Issue 4 Nissan 5769 IN YOUR WORDS KIDS COOK UP FUN WHILE “Passover in Lanzhou (China) was LEARNING JEWISH HERITAGE a reaffirmation of the About a dozen – make ability of Chabad to that a baker’s dozen – of unite and rekindle the children spent a recent Sunday threading juicy Jewish spirit.” fruit chunks onto skew- DR. ELI RESHEF ers and dipping their Tu B’Shvat-inspired kebabs into colorful pools of “The kids also learn that melted chocolate. They are a part of the being Jewish is fun. Chabad Community You don’t only have to Center’s Kosher Culinary come for services - you Club, learning to prepare foods like challah and can come to make fruit hamantashen while Reb- dipped in chocolate.” bitzen Nechoma Gold- man and her sister Fraidy FRAIDY MANN Mann intersperse lessons about Jewish holidays Ch i l d re n m a k e c h o c o l ate -d i p p e d fru i t k ebabs t o c e l e - and traditions. brate t h e b i rt h d a y o f t h e trees d ur i n g a re c e n t Ko s h er “I basically think (the Mann said they devel- Cu l i n ar y Cl ub e v e n t . Th e stu d e n ts m a k e Je w i s h f o o d s cooking club) is awesome oped the ideas for each a n d p l a y g a m es t h at h e l p t h e m l ear n a n d b o n d . class with another sister ... because it’s fun and we in Detroit, where a similar “The kids have a blast no ward, at dripping food on also play games, which I cooking club is underway. matter what we do,” Mann the exact spots where the She said most of the cook- said. They’re also talented, tablecloth has shifted. really like.” ing projects focus on the she noted lightly with a ZACHARY KAPLAN nearest holiday. towel in her hand after- » See COOKING, 2 FEATURES A knight in shining armor, princesses and bal- e c i p e o x 2 lerinas, Star Wars’ Commander Cody and a band R B of young three-foot-tall cowboys and cowgirls Rabb i ’s Re m ar k s 3 FESTIVE MOOD livened the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning during a Western-themed Purim party Up s h er i n 3 this March. About 150 people joined the festivities to listen Co l l a g e 4, 5 WRANGLED IN first to Meir Szkovski’s reading of the Megillah and respond with a roaring echo of graggers at Guest Co l u m n 6 the mention of Haman’s name. “Enough people wore (cowboy) hats that Pr o g ra m m i n g 7 AT WILD WEST you understood right off the bat what the i d s o r n er theme was,” said Naomi Cohen, who sported K C 7 Western wear to the holi- Ma z e l To v ! 8 PURIM PARTY day celebration. Cohen » See PURIM, 3 a chocolate-covered dried cooking classes are both fun -2- Cooking apricot. and enriching for his son. There are tangible perks RECIPE BOX All fun and games for the parents, too. “He Coming up next “I basically think it’s awe- doesn’t necessarily like The next Kosher Culinary Chanukah Cookies some,” said baker-in-training eating everything he makes Club event will be May 3. Mix together 3 cups Zachary Kaplan, 8, whose – he’s a really picky eater,” Dr. Visit www.JewishOKC.com flour, 1/2 teaspoon face gave away the fact Andy Wagner said of his son to register your children! baking soda, 1 cup that he had already enjoyed Brandon, 5. sugar, 1 teaspoon some of his chocolaty treat. “Like the rugelach last vanilla and 1 egg. Chill “It’s fun cooking in the time, I think he ate one and for one hour and begin cooking club because it’s me and my wife ate the rest,” preheating oven to 375. fun and we also play games, he said. Then roll dough flat and which I really like,” Zachary cut with your favorite said. Jewish future cookie cutters. Bake For instance, one game Mann said the Kosher Culi- 8-10 minutes. that covered a time lapse nary Club is a way of getting in a recipe left the children parents into the Chabad Rugelach scrambling to collect puzzle Center and a way of secur- Mix together 4 eggs, pieces and assemble a large ing the Jewish future. 1 cup oil, 1/2-3/4 cup comic strip about an upcom- “The kids also learn that sugar, 4 teaspoons ing holiday. being Jewish is fun,” she baking powder, 1 cup said. “You don’t only have to orange juice and 2 Parents get involved come for services – you can teaspoons vanilla. Chill Galit and Moshe Levy, come to make fruit dipped for one hour and begin whose children Michelle, in chocolate.” preheating oven to 6, and Noa, 3, both partici- The children in the Kosher 350. Meanwhile, make pate, said they like that their Culinary Club range in age filling by combining 6 daughters get to spend time from 3 to 12, and the young- tablespoons cocoa, with other Jewish kids and est receive nearly one-on- 3/4 cup sugar, 3 get to express their creativ- one attention thanks to tablespoons oil, 1 ity in hands-on ways. other helpers. teaspoon vanilla Making the edible arrange- And although Wagner said and 3-4 tablespoons ments for Tu B’Shvat was his son is often more inter- boiling water. Then roll fun “because you got to dip ested in “cooking” on the dough flat into a circle. them in chocolate and eat Iron Chef game for the Wii Spread a thin layer of them,” Michelle said, speak- when at home, he echoed the filling on the dough ing for herself before turn- other parents in saying that and cut like a pizza. Roll ing her attention back to Chabad activities like the up each slice starting with the wide side. Bake Cl o c k w i se fr o m t o p : Ga l i t Le v y w i t h d au g h ters No a 30-45 minutes. a n d Mi c h e l l e ; Bra n d o n Wa g n er ; Do v ber Go l d m a n a n d Li o r El ber g ; Ad a m Judk iewicz; Ch y a Sara h Cass i us ; Fruit Bouquet Ra c h e l Ro se ; Co rb i n Ki l l e n . Place chunks of fruit - choose from pineapple, apple, dried apricot, strawberries, dried figs and oranges - on skewers. Heat baking chocolate until melted. Dip each fruit halfway into the chocolate. Place skewers into a vase filled with chocolate chips or other treat.
Ne w s l e t t e r d e s i g n e d , w r i t t e n a n d e d i t e d b y We n d y K. Kl e i n m a n Fe e d b a c k w e l c o m e : w k .k l e i n m a n @g m a i l .c o m Rebbitzen Nechoma I don’t remember -3- OVADIA GOLDMAN Purim Goldman said of the any Purim without empty serving dishes and rain.” The weather RABBI’S REMARKS previously brought two everyone’s empty plates. earlier in the day was grand mezuzot back Sorenson also said she rainy. with her from Israel, both loves getting to see all her But what does Harel PASSOVER TEACHES of which were affixed to friends and the freedom think that means? doorways in the Chabad everyone feels in cos- “G-d sees our costumes, Center between the tume at Purim. “You can he’s laughing so much, IMPORTANCE OF Megillah reading and be yourself,” she said. and that’s the rain - you the start of dinner and Also in costume was know, He’s laughing, the UNITY AMONG JEWS dancing. She said this Beni Harel, who came tears. ... Shalom to Y’all, year’s Purim party was decked out with a cow- “We’re happy. We’re Soon, we especially great because boy hat, bolo-style tie and Jewish.” will be at our it was the first one in the a silver Seder tables new Chabad center. “This dep- Ch i l d re n d resse d u p in c o stu m es t o c e l - recounting feels more like home,” u t y ’ s ebrate t h e Pur i m in t h e Wi l d West Part y . the moments she said. badge. Mo r e p h o t o s o n p a g e 5! when Moses Chana Sorenson agreed. “I love carried the “I think it’s better than Purim,” message from the one last year - and H a r e l G-d to Pharaoh. next year will be better. said. “Let my people go,” he intoned, a Every year it gets better,” “ L e t phrase that was to become one of she said. me tell the most familiar to every Jew, “so An integral part of the y o u that they may serve Hashem.” event was the Wild West- some- At one point Pharaoh agrees. style buffet, complete thing, Indeed, he says, you may go! You with beef and vegetarian y o u can leave Egypt, but not all of you. chilis and sloppy Joes. “I won’t Moses immediately declines: We know the food was good bel- will go, but all of us will go, we will when there’s none left,” ieve it. leave no one and nothing behind. My wife, Nechoma, and I recently celebrated our son Mendel’s Bar FIRST HAIRCUT IS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION Mitzvah. Inspired by the Lubavitch- Aaron Clark’s first haircut didn’t take place in a home kitchen or in a corner er Rebbe, we raise Mendel and his barbershop - it took place at the Chabad Community Center in front of an siblings to love Hashem, to love audience of about 30 people, nearly all of whom took a snip. “I thought, OK, it’s the Torah and to love every Jew. a celebration of a haircut,” said Aaron’s father, Kevin, about his first impression of Mendel did very well (I don’t an upsherin, the custom of celebrating a Jewish boy’s first haircut at age three know of a father that would not that leaves distinctive payos, or hair curls, on the sides. But really, Kevin Clark say this). During the Bar Mitzvah, explained, the event marks the beginning of the child’s formal Jewish education. as I was k’velling and schepping Aaron’s mother, Nancy, said the metaphorical concept of an upsherin really nachas, something caught my rings true to her - that like a tree needs nurturing to reach maturity, a child’s hair is attention. We were dancing Chas- not cut for several years, and then upon the age of maturity both the tree and the sidic-style, in circles. I looked at the child rely on their roots and their nourishment to grow strong. Aaron didn’t even people in the circles, and there was wait for his upsherin to end before asking a thoughtful question, wondering out an expression of shared joy, uplift loud as his mother, Nancy, placed tzit tzit over his head for the first time why the and even a tinge of excitement. garment had no sleeves. Klal Yisrael of Oklahoma City was Rabbi Ovadia Goldman told the dancing - the professed atheists, inquisitive boy, the agnostics, the rabbis; from all invoking his walks of life, from all backgrounds, Hebrew name, affiliations, knowledge levels and “Lazor, your levels of observance, all in the haircut today embracing circle. All as one. will tell you you Weeks later I still can replay that should never be scene in slow motion. And as I embarassed to reflect on that today it dawns upon be a Jew.” me that this is what Moses meant Left : Na n c y Cl ar k c l i p s h er s o n Aar o n ’s when he declined Pharoah’s gen- h a i r as h i s fat h er , Ke v i n , a n d br o t h er , erous offer. Ro bert , l o o k o n . To p : Aar o n b l o w s o ut This was an » See RABBI, 6 t h e c a n d l es o n h i s t h i r d b i rt h d a y c a k e . -4-
KADDISH TU B’SHVAT
CHANUKAH NIGHT LIVE PRE-JEWISH -5- UNIVERSITY
WINTER PURIM CAMP
CONTACT US www.JewishOKC.com [email protected] (405) 286-0900 3000 W Hefner, OKC 73120 -6- DR. ELI RESHEF GUEST COLUMNIST PESACH IN CHINA SENDS A MESSAGE
In the city of Lanzhou, in Gansu Prov- sap the energy even from a seasoned Beijing cabbie. We ince of northwest China, I read the Four decided to pass on the generous offer. Questions to an audience of one - my Enter the Blackberry. A quick e-mail across seven seas to wife, Edie Roodman; I was the youngest in Rabbi Ovadia and lo, a personal messenger from Chabad attendance. I suspect that in that remote with a huge package of kosher-for-Passover provisions for Chinese city of 4 million people (a quarter at least a dozen people arrives that evening at the front desk of them Muslim), we were the only Jews of our hotel. The next night, in our hotel suite overlooking celebrating Passover, or perhaps the only the central square of Lanzhou, a Passover Seder was con- Jews, period. ducted. And while the pace of the service was dictated by A Chinese professor, a reproductive spe- yours truly in a typical physician fashion (you never know cialist like me, followed me in my when the next delivery or emer- medical practice for six months. gency will occur, even in China…), She then invited me to speak at the Passover spirit shone bright Lanzhou University at a confer- in this remote desert town on the ence for 200 Chinese physicians ancient Silk Road. Hagaddah read- from four provinces. Our tour of ing, kosher wine, matzos and other China coincided with Passover appropriate fixings were greatly while in Lanzhou. Prior to setting appreciated in our slightly shabby off to China, we contacted Rabbi yet spacious hotel suite. Ovadia Goldman of Oklahoma Both my wife and I are products of City Chabad to see if his connec- diametrically different spiritual back- tions around the world would grounds from Chabad. But the uni- assist us in celebrating a kosher versal Jewish message of love and Passover Seder in a faraway land. respect transcends our differences, “Absolutely,” said Rabbi. “One as illustrated in a remote part of of my Torah study-buddies is a China. In this day and age of connec- Chabad rabbi in Beijing. Let me tivity, Chabad networking touches contact him.” Armed with the lives across the globe, whether in names of Rabbi Shimon Freun- Nepal, Shanghai or Oklahoma City. dlich and his wife, Dini, and their phone number, we arrived The other day, during Mendel Goldman’s Bar Mitzvah, I in Beijing for the second part of our China voyage. We looked around the room in amazement. A very diverse audi- contacted the appropriate Chabad following the discovery ence celebrated an important life-cycle event. There were of actually three Chabad houses in this sprawling Chinese Jews and non-Jews, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, agnos- metropolis. After invoking Rabbi Ovadia’s name, we were tic, and perhaps a smattering of atheists. All were united by an politely notified that the rabbi was out of the country but uplifting event, by a dynamic and charismatic and inclusive that we were welcome to celebrate Passover with them at Chabad family, and by a spirit of kinship rarely seen today. the house or come and pick up a care package. Beijing is a Similarly, Passover in Lanzhou was a reaffirmation of the abil- large and confusing city. A trip to this Chabad House would ity of Chabad to unite and rekindle the Jewish spirit.
important part of the of the experience of our first taste of freedom. It was not Moses, Aaron and the wise sages who were meant to experience this great simcha, it was not the women Rabbi or the men, the boys or the girls. It was not the believers or the doubters, the ones who observed or the ones who would not. It was as the verse states, binoreinu u’vizkeineinu, all of Klala Yisrael. Each and every Jew was an integral part of that first Jewish simcha, that first Pesach. The scene at Mendel’s Bar Mitzvah was sweet indeed, but it was but a magnification of smaller scenes that repeat themselves almost daily at the Chabad Community Center for Jewish Life and Learning. Whether at the children’s Kosher Culinary Club, Nechoma’s Parsha class, JLI or the Purim party, whether on a day of joy or at a time of mourning, it is always a conglomeration of all types of Jews coming together, celebrating and experiencing as one. As we each celebrate Passover, in our homes and at community Seders, and recount the exodus experience, the exodus of the entire Jewish people as one, let us also re-experience it. Let us do all we can over the next few months to bring together and unite our Jewish family and friends in special gatherings, either around your kitchen table, in your living rooms or across your backyards. And when we do, let us serve some kosher food for the body and inspir- ing Jewish thought and study for the soul. For soon we will, together as one, experience the final exodus, the final redemption with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, the righteous Moshiach. Amen. B’Shalom, Rabbi Goldman PROGRAMMING -7- PESACH SEDERS April 8 & 9, 8 pm. RSVP to the community Passover Seders Kee p it o n t h e fr i d g e ! by March 27 to reserve your spot at the table and relive our journey out of Egypt and into freedom. And don’t miss ... COMMUNITY SHABBATON May 8-10. Join us for a family week- LAG B’OMER end getaway in Guthrie. Eat, pray, laugh May 12, 5:30 pm. Celebrate this outdoor and learn at this Shabbos with scholar- holiday marking the passing of the great sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, including in-residence Rabbi Manis Friedman. Email fraidy@ a cookout, petting zoo, moon bounce, and music and dancing. jewishokc.com for more information. AFTER THE SHABBATON: SHAVUOS GETTING TO LIKE THE PEOPLE WE LOVE May 29, 5:30 pm. Celebrate the giving May 10, 10 am. This workshop at the Chabad Com- of the Torah by listening to the reading of the Ten Commandments, and enjoy a munity Center is a chance to hear more of Rabbi delicious dairy buffet. Fun for young and old alike! Manis Friedman’s wisdom on our relationships with the people we love. JEWISH ENRICHMENT Sundays 1-3 p.m. Fun merges with On w w w .Je w i s h OKC.co m learning each week as students explore their heritage in a joyful, nurturing envi- tPASSOVER: WHAT FOUR QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE? ronment. Ages 3 and up. GET THEM ANSWERED AT WWW.JEWISHOKC.COM!
tStart w i t h a h o w -t o l ess o n o n p re p ar i n g f o r t h e h o l i d a y . JLI: BIBLICAL REFLECTIONS tTh e n m o v e o n t o a stu d y o f t h e Ha g g a d a h a n d t h e Wednesdays May 6 - June 10, 6:30-8:30 Se d er , b o t h t h e ser v i c e a n d i ts spiritual s i d e . pm. Find yourself in the stories of the tYo u c a n a l s o l ear n ab o ut t i m e l ess Pesa c h st o r i es , Torah as we explore the themes of ambi- re v i e w t h e h i st o r y be h i n d t h e h o l i d a y a n d f i n d o ut h o w tion, jealousy, courage and conviction in t o m a k e a s p rea d o f Ko s h er -f o r -Pass o v er f o o d s . Genesis. tAn d re m e m ber t o ta k e t h e t i m e - o r , if y o u ’re s h o rt o n it, re m e m ber t o d o w n l o a d t o y o ur MP3 p l a y er - au d i o MOMMY AND ME l ess o n s o n v ar i o us Pass o v er t h e m es , s o n g s t o s i n g at t h e Se d er , a n d v i d e o s ab o ut h o w m at z a h is m a d e a n d o t h er Thursdays April 23 - May 14, 10:30 am - to p i c s in a n e x te n s i v e m u l t i m e d i a c o l l e c t i o n . 12 pm. Create lasting relationships with other mothers while helping your child tPLUS: PHOTO ALBUMS. INTERACTIVE CALENDAR. learn new skills and have fun Ages 3 VIRTUAL TOUR. ONLINE LIBRARY. JUDAICA SHOP. months to 4 years. -8- mazel tov! SIMCHAS & BIRTHDAYS BAR MITZVAH Eric Kaplan, April 2 (11 Nisan) Andria Kaplan, April 5 (10 Tamuz) Ronit Judkiewicz, April 6 (9 Iyar) Sholom Cohen, April 12 (8 Tamuz) Daniel Seelig, April 15 (5 Nisan) Adam Gratch, April 16 (27 Iyar) Judy Mitchell, April 16 (10 Nisan) Menachem Mendel Pinson, April 24 (28 Sivan) Sam Karchmer, April 29 (27 Iyar) H. Gene Goldstein, April 30 (12 Iyar) Miriam Litzman, May 5 (10 Sivan) Fishel Litzman, May 8 (13 Nisan) Wh at a w o n d erfu l e v e n i n g t o c e l ebrate o ur s o n Me n d e l ’s Bar Ben Shanker, May 10 (12 Nisan) Mi t z v a h t o g et h er o n Ja n uar y 17 Victoria Mahan Mitchell, May 16 (6 Iyar) w i t h s o m a n y fa m i l y a n d fr i e n d s ! Yes w e l i v e far fr o m a l l o ur Naomi Ruth Romani, May 17 (22 Nisan) fa m i l y , but y o u a l l c a m e t o g et h er Yakov Romani, May 21 (12 Sivan) a n d g a v e Me n d e l a g reat c e l - ebrat i o n . Th e w ar m t h , t h e l o v e Jacob Bannet, May 31 (8 Iyar) a n d t h e fee l i n g o f ‘y es , w e w a n t Eli Fuchs, June 1 (13 Sivan) t o be h ere w i t h y o u ’ w as a m a z - Adam Perlmutter, June 3 (27 Nisan) i n g . Me n d e l d i d a g reat j o b at rea d i n g h i s Ch ass i d i c d i s c o urse Eli Reshef, June 4 (21 Nisan) b y h eart (y es fr o m m e m o r y !) a n d Sivan Segall, June 4 (26 Sivan) h e d e l i v er d a beaut i fu l D’v ar To ra h . Th e d a n c i n g a n d s i n g i n g a n d u n i t y w as v er y t o u c h i n g Yaniv Segall, June 15 (3 Sivan) a n d w i l l sta y w i t h o ur fa m i l y f o re v er . He h a d h i s f i rst Al i y a h Michelle Seelig, June 16 (25 Nisan) in t h e beaut i fu l Ch aba d Co m m u n i t y Ce n ter , a n d h e g a v e a l l o f us h ere in Ok l a h o m a Ci t y s o m et h i n g t o be p r o u d o f . Let us Eve Herling, June 17 (19 Iyar) a l l c e l ebrate m a n y h a p p y t i m es t o g et h er ! Robert Wise, June 24 (29 Sivan) -Rabb i Ov a d i a a n d Ne c h o m a Go l d m a n Marina Roytman, June 26 (23 Nisan)
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