Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 16, Number 5, May 2018. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Rabbi’s Column . Events The month of May is when I think most about Mike.

of the Month Mike was my childhood best friend, and his birthday was the first week of May. We never forgot each other’s Shabbat services at birthdays, throughout the years, no matter where we were de Toledo High School living. Saturday, May 12 - 10:30 am Birthday Shabbat When we did get together, we continued the activities we loved to do as teens–giggle, mess around, toss a ball. Saturday, May 26 - 10:30 am Anniversary Shabbat I remember one day, when we were in our mid 30s, calling him up and ------asking if he would like to play catch. He sounded very hesitant, and JWW Walk to End Genocide ultimately politely declined. And this happened repeatedly over the next few Sunday, May 6, 11:30 am weeks. 1000 Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Pressed, he finally explained why he could no longer play catch. He had Our Team is participating in this annual Canejo Valley event. See been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. His mobility was becoming seriously article on page 2 or call Rae compromised. Wazana at (818) 881-5549. ------As the years passed, I could see the decline. Mike began to limp noticeably. Around the Rabbi’s Tisch Then he had to use a cane. It was becoming difficult for him to swallow, Thursday, May 10 and 17 limiting our luncheon dates. Eventually he ended up in a wheelchair, and his wife and hired attendants had to care for his every need. 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’

Our 5778 season of Rabbi’s weekly He tried to continue his teaching, but it was becoming arduous to just get up discussion concludes its second half. Call Rabbi at (818) 888-9817 in the morning and dress. He told me it sometimes took him 3 hours to get or see flyer. hoisted out of his bed and onto his wheelchair, and for him to bathe and ------dress. Mother’s/Father’s Day Social And so, when I think of Mike, especially in the month of May, I think of how Action Committee Celebration difficult it was for him to do the simplest of tasks. And how much I take for Friday, May 18, 1:00 pm granted doing these same tasks. Join the Committee at the West Valley Healthcare Center, 7057 When I dress each morning, I try to think of Mike, and be more appreciative Shoup Ave. in West Hills to of my ability to get prepared to go to work in minutes, where it took him celebrate Shabbat and Mother’s/ hours. Father’s Day with the residents. See article on page 4 or Call Claire Mike died a few years ago. I miss him, especially around his birthday. But Silverman at (747) 237-7130. the lessons I learned from his life, from the challenges he faced with ------courage and patience, will continue to be a part of my morning routine for Torah and Shabbat Study my life time. Saturday, May 19, 10:30 am Northridge Mobile Home Park Rabbi David Vorspan Stan Schroeder leads our monthly study and discussion session. Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 or see flyer.

Yom Yerushalayim Shavuot May 13 May 20

Visit our website: Memorial Day www.shirami.com Mother’s Day May 28 May 13 page 2 May 2018 President’s Report Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide Shalom, by Rae Wazana

It’s May and means we walk! We start By the time you read this article, our Shir Ami out the month on Sunday, May 6 as the Shir Ami Walk Team will be warming up and getting Walking Team will be joining walking teams from ready for the annual Jewish World Watch other congregations and groups for the Jewish Walk to End Genocide which will take place in World Watch Conejo Valley Walk to End Thousand Oaks on Sunday, May 6th. So far, we have 18 Genocide. There is still time so sign up either as a people registered to walk with our Temple Team. member of the team or as a “virtual walker” at www.jww.org. Standing idly by is not an option! At our Shabbat services on April 14th, Amy Cecil, the Director of Community Engagement for Jewish World There are only four more Shabbat services and only Watch, spoke about the missions of JWW. She talked two more Shabbat Torah Study sessions until our about two of the newest projects which are starting in Summer vacation. It is imperative that you make Chad and Uganda: Perma-gardening to help grow more every attempt to attend one or more of these food for the Darfuri refugees living in camps and drilling services because if you don’t, you won’t be able to wells to provide more water. take a vacation from them. There is nothing worse than sleeping late on Saturdays and not knowing it’s She thanked our Congregation and Rabbi and Bonnie because you’re on vacation. for all the support and participation we have given to JWW since its founding in 2004. Amy also displayed We’re also winding down our adult education one of the beautiful “quilts of care” which Bonnie helped program, Around the Rabbi’s Tisch (and on the sew together. The two quilts will be displayed at both Rebbitzen’s Chairs) on Thursday evenings. So, this the Los Angeles and the Thousand Oaks Walks to End is your chance to continue your Jewish education Genocide. The quilts will be sent to a children’s hospital and amaze your friends and family. in Syria. Amy also talked about some of the new “Pop- Up” exhibits at the Walks which will be interactive And as a heads up for next month, our annual Walk showing what perma-gardening is and what it feels like Around Lake Balboa (and the annual Shir Ami to carry a heavy jug of water for a distance.

Class Photo) is scheduled for Sunday, June 3. A very heartfelt “Todah Rabah” to all of you for your continued support of Jewish World Watch and for being As always, if you have any questions or want to willing to speak up, advocate for justice, and for not provide your input, please feel free to email me at standing idly by in the face of terrible atrocities and [email protected]. ongoing acts of violence. Thank you. Jordan Pistol, President

Our Condolences

We regret to inform the congre- gational family of the passing of: longtime member Esther Perez.

May God comfort Esther’s son Mark and her daughter Judith and their familes at this time of their bereavement. 2017 Shir Ami Jewish World Watch Walk team

Esther at Mitzvah Day 2013 page 3 May 2018

Birthdays & Anniversaries DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to Birthdays acknowledge the following donations: $ Harvey Cohen...... 5/12 Debra Geffen...... 5/12 Yahrzeits Sally Shane...... 5/16 Linda Tapper...... 5/19 Fran Friedman for Arnold Friedman, Hilda Glassman, Sol Jerry Kovar...... 5/21 Wohlberg, and Dinah Rubin Cheryl Niesen...... 5/21 Ethel Granik for Tena Granik and Calman Goldberg Ellen Fremed...... 5/23 David and Susan Lipman for Joseph Lipman and Gladys Sturman...... 5/30 Belle Lipman Lou and Paula Loomis for Roy Loomis Anniversaries Lonny and Nancy Gail Scharf for David Haas and Rose Scharf Pat and Jerry Michaelson...... 5/15 30th Shirley Shapiro

Birthdays Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards

Sylvia Hockmeyer Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for Ed Orens sending your cards celebrating simchas and conveying your get- Other well and condolence messages.

Lynn Cherney in memory of Esther Perez She is creative with individualized, Ethel Granik in memory of Esther Perez artistic cards that include a message Lew and Claire Silverman for condolences to the and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. families of Al Simon and Esther Perez Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

Congregational News Breakfast with the Rabbi - April 22 Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to:

Fran Kobuknick Our Program Committee led by VPs Sima Schuster Paullette Pistol and Gladys Sturman gathered 38 of us for a delicious lox and bagel breakfast at de Toledo High School with Gloria Weinstein cream cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, herring, Phyllis Schroeder orange juice, coffee, fresh fruit, and pastries. Jordan Pistol Following the breakfast Rabbi Vorspan introduced his May they be blessed with a complete recovery in topic of “Should we always tell the truth?” with a video body and spirit. by Virginia congressional candidate Brad Blanton

who ran on a platform of radical honesty, telling the absolute truth on all personal and political issues.

Rabbi then discussed the Jewish view in which circumstances allow us to not tell the truth. He then gave examples of several questions and he polled the attendees. Then he gave the Jewish position and reasons. This led to interesting discussion and an hour of informative entertainment

Thanks to Sima and Gladys and their committee for a delightful event.

page 4 May 2018

Social Action Committee this issue to participate. I’m looking forward to seeing you

First, I thank our Congregation, family, there! and friends for their food and Passover Our Committee sends their sympathy to the family of the donations to SOVA. They picked up over 200 lbs. at late Esther Perez, and will always remember her de Toledo H.S. during March. And we dropped off dedication and hard work on behalf of Congregation Shir 300 lbs of Passover items and food for the needy Ami for Operation Gratitude and Project MOT. families at SOVA. Special thanks to everyone who helped with this mitzvah project. Sima Schuster, Charlene Kazel is Shir Ami's liaison for Operation Fiona Taylor, and Sam Kobulnick helped in Gratitude and Project MOT and truly works very hard in collecting, buying, and delivering the items. collecting all the much needed items for our military. She Remember we collect non-perishable and non- is in charge of the card and letter writing for our military. breakable food for SOVA at all services and events. See her article on page 8.

May is going to be a mitzvah filled month Here’s wishing all the Mother's, Grandmothers, Great for our Congregation. May 6 Team Shir Grandmothers, and Aunties a happy Mothers Day filled Ami will again be participating in the annual with love and the mitzvah of honoring your parents. Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide in Thanks also for keeping me in your prayers. We Thousand Oaks. Team Captains Rae Wazana and appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness always. Fiona Taylor can help you sign up to be a walker or help with your donations to support our Team. Shalom, Please see article in this newsletter. We truly are so Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President blessed to have such a strong Walking Team led by Rabbi and Bonnie Vorspan Special thanks to Rae Walk Around Lake Balboa: Painted Turtle Camp and Fiona for being our liaison with JWW and by Sheilah Hart Sunday, June 3, 9:00 am keeping us up to date with their projects and events. As chair of the June 3 Walk Around Lake Balboa Our Committee will be having their annual benefiting the Painted Turtle Camp, I am providing you Mother’s/Father’s Day Shabbat Celebration at West additional information about the camp. Valley Healthcare Center West Hills, on Friday, May 18 at 1:00 pm. Claire Silverman will lead everyone The Painted Turtle is more than a camp. It's a place where children with chronic and life- threatening illnesses with her guitar in singing the Shabbat prayers. There can be just kids. They arrive seeking an authentic camp will be a special dessert and all residents will receive experience, and what they discover is confidence and a a personal gift. We also do one-on-one visits with the sense of belonging that lasts long after they head residents. We welcome everyone to come join us in home. For many campers, their time at The Painted this special mitzvah! Remember that many residents Turtle is the highlight of the year. For their families, do not have regular visitors, and really enjoy the time Camp provides unparalleled care, education, and well- we spend with them. Contact Claire or me for more needed respite. All programs are always completely free information. of charge, as no camper or their family will ever pay to We continue to collect Target $10 gift attend The Painted Turtle. cards for the women and children in the JFS Domestic Violence Shelters we help sponsor for The Painted Turtle is a member of the Serious Mother's Day. We are in need of more cards. They Fun Children's Network founded by Paul Newman. The may be given to Committee members at services and network's multi-disease medical camps and programs events. Many of the women and children do not get are considered the finest in the world and have served to visit their families outside when they come into the hundreds of thousands of children and families around shelters for protection. They have always been the globe. appreciative to those who remember them during this Don't forget to send in your very difficult time. Kitty Glass, Outreach Coordinator walking form with your donation of Jewish Family Service Domestic Violence, will pick and what you will be bringing to up the cards and distribute them before Mothers share at our buffet table. Please Day! Thanks for helping in this special Mitzvah. join us for our Walk. We want to

Our annual Walk Around Lake Balboa will be see you there. Call me at: Sunday, June 3 at 9 am (registration at 8:30). See (818) 884-2342 if you have any questions. Sheilah Hart’s article on this page and the flyer in

page 5 May 2018 Berle won an amateur talent contest when he was 4, Biography of the Month: Milton Berle and he appeared as a child actor in silent films. He by Stan Schroeder became a vaudevillian at 12 in a revival of the

musical comedy “Florodora” in Atlantic City, and was Last month I wrote about Don Rickles. I have written hired by producer Jack White in 1933 to star in about many comedians: Jack Benny, George Burns, “Poppin’ the Cork,” a musical comedy. From 1934 to Jackie Mason, Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, several more. ’36, Berle was heard frequently on the radio on “The Why hadn’t I written about Milton Berle, the Jewish Rudy Vallee Hour” and attracted publicity as a regular comedian who captured me and millions more in the on “The Gillette Original Community Sing,” a Sunday early days of television? night comedy-variety radio program broadcast on Today’s comedy superstars, especially CBS. Then came the “Milton Berle Show,” a variety those whose careers are driven by tele- format he would revive for his television debut. vision, may owe their success to pioneer- That debut was “Texaco Star Theatre,” which began ing Jewish entertainer Milton Berle. in September 1948 on ABC and continued until June Born Mendel Berlinger in a five-story walkup in the 1949. The show became the first-ever “appointment Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan July 12, 1908, television” -a program prompting viewers to adjust Berle became America’s first small-screen star. He their schedules to watch it at a specific time. Berle’s chose Milton Berle as his professional name when he autobiography notes that in Detroit, “an investigation was 16. His father, Moses Berlinger was a paint and took place when the water levels took a drastic drop varnish salesman. His mother, Sarah (Sadie) Glantz in the reservoirs on Tuesday nights between 9 and Berlinger changed her name to Sandra Berle when 9:05. It turned out that everyone waited until the end of the ‘Texaco Star Theatre’ before going to the Milton became famous. bathroom.” Nicknamed “Mr. Television,” he influenced and helped According to Artie Butler, Berle’s friend and a well- promote the work of hundreds of younger comics. known composer/arranger, Berle had a Jewish sense “Milton Berle was deceptively successful and very of comedic wit. When Butler was 16, he met Berle Jewish,” said Lawrence Epstein, author of “The while filling in for his piano player at the Town and Haunted Smile: The Story of Jewish Comedians in Country Club in Brooklyn. America,” published in 2002, the year Berle died. “His success came about because early television sets were “Milton was a mensch, a lovely man, a giving man,” mostly sold in wealthier urban areas, with Jews and Butler said. “He had a New York, garment district, gentile urbanites accustomed to and appreciative of Stage Deli, vaudeville-based Jewish sensibility, the Jewish humor. So Berle’s quick talking, his high-speed theatrical yiddishkeit, but not in Yiddish. I asked him jokes, his dressing in outlandish costumes, and his where he got his first laugh. He told me he was a sprinkling of Yiddishisms all played well. Ironically, it chorus boy in one of Ziegfeld’s musicals, a hoofer. was Berle’s success with those urban audiences that Every night his mother was there in the audience. He was purposefully out of step with the other dancers propelled the sales of televisions around the nation. and Florenz Ziegfeld himself told him after the show Epstein said that once televisions reached the rural to keep doing that, that it got a lot of laughs.” areas of America, viewers “took a look at [Berle] and said he spoke so fast they couldn’t understand him, Berle assisted popular upcoming comics. Butler says and that he wasn’t funny, and [they asked], ‘What was young comedians sought Berle’s advice because he was a pioneer. “Every comic including David Brenner that foreign language?' and Rodney Dangerfield wanted to hear the stories Berle’s close friend Lou Zigman, a Los Angeles-based about how Milton worked in the Catskills at labor lawyer and Brooklyn native, said that Berle kept Grossinger’s and the Concord, and how he worked performing, assisting other comics, giving to charities, the Jewish audiences,” Butler said. “Milton told them and spreading Jewish culture until his death, and he they were rough audiences and he had to learn how was even performing card tricks as a hospital patient at to finesse them.” age 90, according to Zigman. In 1947, Berle, Jimmy Durante, George Jessel, “I asked Milton how come all the gentiles knew Yiddish Robert Taylor, and Bing Crosby founded the Friars humor,” Zigman said. “He answered that the great Club of Beverly Hills. The private show-business club majority of comedians and writers in those early years is famous for its celebrity roasts, in which club were Jewish. That’s why it spread, and our culture members are mocked by their friends in good fun. spread, all over the country.” Continued on page 6

page 6 May 2018 Biography: Milton Berle (continued) accompanied by the Muppets. His version was

But occasionally Berle’s life took on a more serious a slow, wistful look back at note. He risked his newfound TV stardom at its vaudeville. He talk-sings zenith to challenge “Texaco Star Theatre” when its the song, which gives it corporate sponsor, Texaco, tried to prevent black the feel of a staged monologue. He’s just performers from appearing on the show. looking back over his “I remember clashing with the advertising agency career, and it’s a very sweet moment. Muppet Rowlf and the sponsor over my signing The Four Step says “Boy, you were really the Entertainer, huh?” Brothers” – a black dance group – “for an Berle nods and responds “One of ‘em.” He’s a stand- appearance on the show,” Berle wrote in his in for all of vaudeville here. Similarly, The “Entertainer” autobiography. “The only thing I could figure out is standing in for the entire 20th century. The song was that there was an objection to black performers was written in 1902, but it was newly popular in the on the show, but I couldn’t even find out who was mid-70s due to its use in The Sting, a film set in the objecting. ‘We just don’t like them,’ I was told, but 1930s. who the hell was ‘we’? Because I was riding high in Hollywood said farewell to comedian Milton Berle on 1950, I sent out the word: ‘If they don’t go on, I April 1, 2002 in a zany funeral service that mixed don’t go on.’ At ten minutes of eight – ten minutes solemn eulogies with the kind of one-liners and before showtime – I got permission for the Step borrowed jokes he was famous for in a 60-year career Brothers to appear. If I broke the color-line policy or that went from vaudeville to the living room TV set. not, I don’t know, but later on I had no trouble booking Bill Robinson or Lena Horne.” It was his last "roast" as old friends stood in front of his coffin, draped in his trademark trench coat and Berle “deserves credit” for taking a stand on hat, and cracked jokes about a man they loved. integration in the context of The Texaco Star Theatre, Epstein said. “His whole television career Among the 300 attendees at the private service for depended on that show. This was six years before Berle at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in the Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation. Los Angeles suburb of Culver City were stars from Berle invited the black singer Pearl Bailey. He also television's golden age, including Red Buttons, Sid Caesar, Don Rickles, and Jayne Meadows. invited Senor Wences, a Sephardic Jewish ventriloquist who spoke with a thick accent. “I’m not Berle's coffin was surrounded by flowers and sure too many people of the era, given the stakes, photographs of the comedian in his heyday as "Uncle would have had as guests a black singer and a Miltie" and "Mr Television." It was draped in a trench Sephardic Jew who used his hand as a puppet.” coat and a hat because Berle hated drafts and always

Berle never forgot his Jewish upbringing. He hosted feared he would catch a cold and never went the first charity telethon, for the Damon Runyon anywhere without the hat and coat, even the sun- drenched, desert city of Las Vegas. Cancer Research Foundation, in 1949. A permanent fixture at charity benefits in the Rickles set the tone for the eulogies, declaring to Hollywood area, he was instrumental in raising Berle's grieving fourth wife, Lorna Adams, "I would millions for charitable causes and made it into the like to be paid for this." Red Buttons followed, Guinness Book of World Records for making the describing Rickles as "the greatest argument against greatest number of charity performances by a human cloning." show-business professional. According to Zigman, he was a member of the Creative Arts Temple in Comedy writer Larry Gelbart apologized to Berle Beverly Hills, and spoke at the synagogue’s because the man who ushered in the golden age of charitable events. television died in the same week as two other Hollywood luminaries, actor Dudley Moore and “Milton was a product of New York Jewish culture,” filmmaker Billy Wilder. "I hear you Milton, sorry," Zigman said. “We take pride in ourselves as being Gelbart said. "I know you work alone." multiracial and multiethnic, having a respect for My own last words to end this article: In 1949-50 I other people.” would drive my mother and two sisters to my Uncle Berle made a guest appearance on The Muppets Simon’s house (we didn’t have a TV) on Tuesday show November 11, 1977. In it he sang the classic nights in my 1930 Model A Ford with a rumble seat to Scott Joplin’s ragtime The Entertainer, watch Uncle Miltie. To borrow from another favorite, Bob Hope, “Thanks for the memory.” page 7 May 2018

Jerusalem Day - 5778 This state of affairs changed in 1967 as a result of the Six-Day War. by Stan Schroeder Before the start of the war, Israel Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim) sent a message to King Hussein of Jordan saying is an Israeli national holiday com- that Israel would not attack Jerusalem or the West memorating the reunification of Jeru- Bank as long as the Jordanian front remained quiet. salem and the establishment of Israeli Urged by Egyptian pressure and based on deceptive control over the Old City in June 1967. intelligence reports, Jordan began shelling civilian The Chief Rabbinate declared locations in Israel to which Israel responded on June Jerusalem Day a minor religious 6 by opening the eastern front. The following day, IDF paratroopers holiday to thank God for victory in June 7, 1967 (28 Iyar 5727), Israel captured the Old at Western Wall the Six-Day War and for answering City of Jerusalem. June 7, 1967 the 2,000-year-old prayer of "Next Later that day, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan Year in Jerusalem". This year it occurs on Sunday, declared what is often quoted during Yom May 13 and is the 51st anniversary of this momentous Yerushalayim: achievement. “This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated The day is marked by state ceremonies, memorial Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided services for soldiers who died in the battle for capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of Jerusalem, parades through downtown Jerusalem, reciting the Hallel prayer with blessings in our holy places, never to part from it again. To our synagogues, and saying the Pesukei Dezimra (hymnal Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour—and verses) of Sabbath and High Holidays. There are also with added emphasis at this hour—our hand in lectures on Jerusalem-related topics, singing and peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow dancing, and special television programming. citizens, we solemnly promise full religious freedom Schoolchildren throughout the country learn about the and rights. We did not come to Jerusalem for the significance of Jerusalem, and schools in Jerusalem sake of other peoples' holy places, and not to hold festive assemblies. The day is also marked in interfere with the adherents of other faiths, but in Jewish schools around the world. order to safeguard its entirety, and to live there together with others, in unity.” Under the 1947 UN Partition Plan, which proposed the The war ended with a ceasefire on June 11, 1967. establishment of two states in the British Mandate of Palestine—a Jewish state and an Arab state— On May 12, 1968, the government proclaimed a new Jerusalem was to be an international city, neither holiday—Jerusalem Day—to be celebrated on the exclusively Arab nor Jewish for a period of ten years, 28th of Iyar, the Hebrew date on which the divided at which point a referendum would be held by city of Jerusalem became one. On March 23, 1998, Jerusalem residents to determine which country to the Knesset passed the Jerusalem Day Law, making join. The Jewish leadership accepted the plan, the day a national holiday. including the internationalization of Jerusalem, but the One of the themes of Jerusalem Day, based on a Arabs rejected the proposal. verse from the Book of Psalms, is "Ke'ir shechubra la As soon as Israel declared its independence in 1948, yachdav"—"Built-up Jerusalem is like a city that was it was attacked en masse by its Arab neighbors. joined together" (Psalm 122:3). Jordan took over east Jerusalem and the Old City. Although most Haredim are averse to observing days Israeli forces made a concerted attempt to dislodge associated with the modern State of Israel, Yom them, but were unable to do so. By the end of the Yerushalayim is an exception and some will observe 1948 Arab-Israeli War Jerusalem was left divided it in various ways. This is because it marks the time between Israel and Jordan. The Old City and East from which Jews could once again pray at the Jerusalem continued to be occupied by Jordan, and Western Wall. the Jewish residents were forced out. Under Jordanian rule, half of the Old City's fifty-eight Following the liberation of the Old City Naomi synagogues were demolished and the Jewish Shemer added a verse to her new popular song cemetery on the Mount of Olives was plundered for its Jerusalem of Gold (Yerushalayim Shel Zahav) to tombstones, which were used as paving stones and celebrate the realization of the Jewish dream for the building materials. City.

page 8 May 2018 Operation Gratitude & Project MOT on my left arm from shoulder to by Charlene Kazel wrist. I do not remember crying or even being burned, but I will You know the World War II book/movie always remember my mother’s screams. “The Invisible Thread”? Well, we all carry an invisible st thread and a visible thread. It’s in our DNA, who we are When I was pregnant with my 1 child the greatest and what we are. It’s what we inherited from our safety invention ever created came down the pike. It Bubbies, Zaydis, and all those who came before them was that plastic gizmo that you stuck into empty wall and it’s what filtered down to our mothers, fathers, and sockets to prevent any child from doing what I did. to each of us. You can be sure that they were in every exposed socket in our house. I’ve always thought my articles should be about Mother’s STORY #2 Day and Father’s Day together because they are such a As a child I didn’t know what ESP was, but my mother wonderful team. But for now let’s just talk about did. At age 18 and upon graduating from Roosevelt “Mother’s Day”. High in Boyle Heights, my Uncle Moishe was drafted We all need to be authors and follow our roots to pass and sent to Europe as a Ranger. on to our children to tell them of our mother’s love and My mother was working on Cloverdale off Wilshire remembrances. when the Miracle Mile was being created. She had to For me that’s the visible thread because I mostly have taken the bus home to La Brea and Pico and resemble her side of the family with darker hair, eyes, walked the short distance home to where we were skin, and similar features. She was kind, gentle, very then living in a court at 1429 So. Highland Ave. smart, a hard worker and very generous. People didn’t I was 5 yrs old and home alone at the time when my have a lot of money then, shortly after the great mother walked in the door crying her heart out. When depression, but my mother never stood idly by - if I asked her why she was crying she said “Something someone needed something she was always there to has happened to Uncle Moishe”, her baby brother help in any way she could. This sense of generosity and they were very close and he was reaching out to must have come from her father, my Zaydi, who was her, calling “Elaine, Elaine” (or maybe it was Ida, her always putting loose change in a pushka. given name which she had changed to Elaine) and she told me that he needed her. So now here I am following that invisible thread that’s part of my neshama. Every single year our congregation She got on the phone to call my Bubbie, Zaydie and donates to a different charity, but SOVA, our food bank, Auntie Esther to see if they had heard anything or and Operation Gratitude and Project MOT are in our had been notified in any way by the military and they hearts year round. hadn’t.

Because I believe in the importance of telling your I was 5 at the time and it was summer vacation from children about your mother/grandmother, I’m going to school. So one day we packed up and went to the tell you three mother’s day stories I’ve passed down to beach and met my Bubbie, Auntie Es, and her 2 best my children. friends since kindergarten, Eve and Rose who would soon become her sister-in-law. STORY #1 When I was 2 or 3 years old, we were living in Boyle We were all sitting on the blanket when Auntie Es Heights with my Bubbie and Zaydi, Auntie Es and Uncle and Rose took my mother for a long walk. To me the Moishe. I was in the bedroom with my mother. She was beach seemed empty as I sat there watching their sitting at the dressing table, doing her hair and putting it backs as they walked farther and farther down the up in the style of the time. She was using hairpins that sand. When they returned my mother was crying as could have been lethal weapons. that was the day that she was told that her baby brother had been seriously wounded. Well somehow I must have picked up one of those hairpins and toddled around the end of the bed with my And when did his injury occur? June 6, 1944 (D-Day!) right hand I stuck that hair pin into the wall socket and at the exact time and date that my mother knew that sparks were reflected in the dressing table mirror and he was calling out to her. my mother was screaming in fear as she ran around the Continued on page 9 foot of the bed, scooped me up in her arms and ran with me to the kitchen where my Bubbie schmeered butter page 9 May 2018

TREE OF LIFE Congregation Shir Ami Memorial Board

This beautiful Tree of Life, with leaves If you would like to honor the memory of your priced at $100 and rocks at $250 (one loved ones by dedicating plaques on our new remaining), makes a perfect way to Memorial Board, please call Helga Unkeless at celebrate family occasions and support (818) 340-5751 so she may mail you an order Congregation Shir Ami. form. The cost of each plaque is $36.

The Tree is on a rosewood background and consists of gold-colored leaves and Each plaque may contain up to three lines of rocks. It is displayed at all Congregation engraving: English name, Hebrew name, and Shir Ami services and events. the years of birth and death. Both of our Memorial Boards are displayed at all our For more information or to place an order, services. call Helga Unkeless at (818) 340-5751.

Operation Gratitude & Project MOT And I also had to be in school the very next day (continued) because we were having tryouts for the cheerleading squad. Well, my mother didn’t care We didn’t see him for another 3 years as he and I was going home. went from hospital to hospital overseas and then back to San Francisco for more medical But the very next morning I woke up with a rash all attention. over my face and was whisked off to the doctor. I had measles. How could that have happened? My My beloved and loving Uncle Moishe was also friends were all O.K. and there was no epidemic. the big brother I never had and my protector. He But with all good credit to my mother, how could lived for 91 years and is now in heaven singing she have possibly known that I would be sick the and dancing with beloved family and God. very next day?

STORY #3: regarding my mother and ESP We are so grateful to everyone serving in our I’m in High School now and at Reseda Bowl armed forces, but we also owe our parents a world when our group from Girls Athletic Club was of gratitude for putting up with all of us and for working on our bowling emblem to stitch out the loving, teaching and supporting us through all the “C” of our letter girl sweaters. I’m happy as a adventures in our lives. clam until my parents showed up. It was a Monday because that was the day they both had All our mothers deserve a Gold Star for all their off. I asked them “What are you doing here?” My efforts and patience through the years. So please, mother’s reply was, “We came to pick you up as you pay tribute to your mothers, also share your because you’re sick” WHAT?! Boy was I ever a stories and some of your pranks teenager in a huff replying that I was not sick with your children as you take a and felt just fine. Well that didn’t go over very stroll down Memory Lane. well with my mother. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY page 10 May 2018

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami You can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by Maralyn Soifer by putting in the number 92785. Our congrega- tion will pop up and click on the button next to Here is an easy way to earn the name. Click on the button that saves the money for our Temple. We changes. are now officially a Ralphs’ community agency. All 5. You should also check the bottom of your you have to do is follow these simple instructions to receipt when you shop. It should say “At your help earn money for Congregation Shir Ami. request, Ralph’s is donating to

1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card already, CONGREGATION SHIR AMI”. go to the store or go to website www.ralphs.com 6. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) and select Order a Ralphs reward card. 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it. 7. Start Shopping! 2. Once you have your card, go to the website: www.ralphs.com and select Create an account Make sure that the clerk swipes your card each 3. If you have an account, your email address is your time you shop. Verify that your receipt shows a account ID. If you forgot your password, select contribution to Congregation Shir Ami at the Forgot your password? and you will receive an bottom. email with instructions to reset it. Follow the instructions to enter your email address and Important Note: All participants must confirm create a new password. their selection annually starting in September. 4. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and an On or after September 1, sign into your account account, you will see Account Summary when you and reconfirm Community Rewards selection.

login. You can change to our Temple by clicking

on Edit within Community Rewards.

91365 CA Hills, Woodland

6353 Box P.O.

Ami Shir Congregation Thursdays May 10 and 17, 7:30 - 8:30 pm “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” at the Vorspans’

This popular Shir Ami educational series concludes the second half of its 5778 season. Come join us for our weekly discussion of Rabbi Vorspan’s selected topics of Jewish interest. We discuss Jewish texts and current events as they relate to Jewish values and our lives as Jews. This is a unique opportunity to learn and share in an informal format around the Vorspans’ dining room table.

The Vorspans’ home is located at 22320 Philiprimm St. in Woodland Hills. Call Rabbi Vorspan at (818) 888-9817 for more information.

Saturday May 19, 10:30 am: Torah/Shabbat Study at Northridge Mobile Home Park rec room

Stan Schroeder leads a Shabbat study session one Saturday morning a month at Northridge Mobile Home Park (19120 Nordhoff St.). We discuss the weekly Torah portion, the Shabbat prayers that are included in our Contemporary service, and various subjects relevant to Conservative Judaism.

The Torah reading will be Bemidbar (Numbers 1:1 - 4:20). It includes the census of the Israelites (in the wilderness), delineating the tribes and where each will camp. We will also discuss the holiday of Shavuot starting that night. We are commanded “la asok b’divrei torah” (to engage in the study of Torah). Join us and fulfill the mitzvah.

Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 for more information. Let’s go for a walk around Lake Balboa!

Join Congregation Shir Ami’s Social Action Committee on Sunday, June 3rd at 9:00 am. Registration required starting at 8:30 am

Minimum donation: $10 per person, The Painted Turtle Camp started NO MAXIMUM! Following the walk, a in 2004 and has provided a fun- brunch will be provided by our Social Action filled free camping experience to Committee near the lake. Please bring over 53,000 kids with chronic and vegetarian salad, side dish, or dessert to life threatening illnesses. 100 % share, and remember to wear your Mitzvah of our donations will go to this Patrol shirt. worthy organization.

Also please bring non-perishable and non-breakable food for SOVA. Sit -down activities are available for those who don’t walk. Call Sheilah Hart at (818) 884-2342 or her cell at (818) 389-0639. Sign up by returning this tear-off with your check for $10 (or more) per person to Congregation Shir Ami, P.O. Box 6353, Woodland Hills, CA 91365. Make check payable to Congregation Shir Ami. ------Total Donation $______Donation Amount: $10 [ ] $18 [ ] $36 [ ] Walker Names: Brunch (y/n) $72 [ ] Other [ ] 1. ______Phone no. ______2. ______3. ______Number of participants ______4. ______I will bring: Salad [ ] Dessert [ ] Side dish [ ]