Holiday Highlights Special Children’S Section

Special Holiday Edition • All New Children's Features • Recipes • How-to Passover Guide

s”xc chabad Vol. 30 Issue 3 timesPesach 5768 /April 2008

Holiday Highlights Special Children’s Section

LEADING LADIES: Women&Kabbalah s”xc CHABAD HOUSE- message from the Rabbi LUBAVITCH HEADQUARTERS Serving Rutgers University and Central and South New Jersey www.chabadnj.org Dear Friends, 170 College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 As the Holiday of Passover approaches, we are pleased to pres- (732) 296-1800 ent you with this informative Passover Guide. www.chabadnj.org Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, Passover is celebrated as the Festival of Redemption and Rabbi Baruch Goodman, Freedom. It is a time when we commemorate the exodus of our Rabbi Shraga Crombie forefathers from ancient Egypt and on the birth of our nation. It -REGIONAL OFFICES- is also the time when we focus on exodus from slavery and bondage, which symbolizes our ability to break free of our per- CHABAD OF EAST BRUNSWICK sonal restrictions and limitations. Thus when we celebrate 121 Applegate Lane Passover it is also a unique opportunity to move forward with East Brunswick, NJ 08816 our goals and aspirations in order to reach new heights and accomplishments. It is a (732) 579-8273 time when we reflect on strengthening ourselves and our spirituality and also on www.chaicentral.org strengthening our community and society. At the Chabad House - Lubavitch we are Rabbi Aryeh Goodman constantly working on increasing and strengthening our community by providing CHABAD OF GREATER MONMOUTH COUNTY innovative Holiday Programs, Social programs, Judaism Classes and study groups, Congregation Sons of Israel and Holiday & Shabbat Services. 4 Violet Drive Ocean, NJ 07712 One year, the day before Pesach, the Rabbi of Berdichov asked that six silken scarves (732) 922-0523 and six loaves of bread be brought to him at once. People searched the whole town Rabbi Yosef Carlebach and returned with six scarves, but not one loaf of bread. CHABAD OF THE SHORE The Rabbi held the scarves in his hand and said; “Master of the Universe, the Czar 620 Ocean Avenue West End, NJ 07740 forbids the importing of these scarves. He has soldiers and policemen to help (732) 229-2424 enforce this law. But, here are the scarves, somehow smuggled across the border. www.chabadshore.com “Master of the Universe, three thousand years ago You commanded Your children Rabbi Laibel Schapiro not to bring bread into the house on Pesach. You have no soldiers or policemen, yet there is no bread to be found in all of Berditchov. Truly, Your children ARE special.” CHABAD OF MANALAPAN-MARLBORO Jews are a special people, no use denying it. The Rabbi of Berditchov knew this bet- 26 Wickatunk Road ter than most. Manalapan, NJ 07726 (732) 972-3687 Rabbi Baruch Chazanov Is it not remarkable, how Pesach brings out the best in us: we all become more observant of the laws, we become more concerned with family and parents. We CHABAD OF MONROE TOWNSHIP spend so much on Yom Tov foods, Matzah, Pesach dishes... and, as if that were not 4 Kelly Court enough, we invite the stranger and the poor person to join us at the Seder. Monroe Township, NJ 08831 You are special, and this is a special time of the year. My friend, we need your spe- (609) 655-7727 cial help. Please send us your special Pesach contribution today. www.chabadhousemonroe.com Rabbi Yudi Spritzer Please enjoy this holiday guide and join us by helping sponsor a program, which will CHABAD OF NORTH AND SOUTH BRUNSWICK bring the light and love of Torah to a young man or woman on the college campus. 4100 Route 27 South Brunswick, NJ 08540 With blessings for a happy and kosher Passover, (732) 522-5505 www.southbrunswickchabad.com Rabbi Yosef Carlebach Rabbi Mendy Carlebach CHABAD AT MIDDLESEX COUNTY COLLEGE CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES (732) 846-3864 Rabbi Baruch Goodman for New Jersey DATE TIME BLESSING BLESSINGS 1 BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-----NOI Donate Now Fri. April 18 Shabbos Hagadol before 7:22 p.m. 1 E-LO-----HEINU ME-LECH HO- Sat. April 19 1st Night of Passover after 8:24 p.m. 2 & 3 OLOM ASHER KI-DE-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VI-TZI-VO- and Maximize (First Seder) NU LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL Sun. April 20 2nd Night of Passover after 8:25 p.m. 2 & 3 SHABBOS KODESH. Your Tax Deduction (Second Seder) 2 BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-----NOI E-LO-----HEINU ME-LECH HO- Fri. April 25 7th Night of Passover before 7:25 p.m. 4 OLOM ASHER KI-DE-SHA-NU Your Old Car is Our New Car - Help Sat. April 26 8th Night of Passover after 8:32 p.m. 2 BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VI-TZI-VO- NU LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL Us Help Others Sun. April 27 Passover ends 8:33 p.m. YOM-TOV. Remember Yizkor April 27th Donate Your Car to Chabad House For A 3 BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-----NOI E-LO-----HEINU ME-LECH HO- Full Sale Value Tax Deduction OLOM SHE-HEH-CHE-YOH- CHOMETZ DEADLINES NU VI-KIYE-MO-NU VE-HI-GE- Call 732-296-180Oor 888-627-6908 or YO-NU LEZ-MAN HA-ZEH. visit www.chabadnj.org Search for Chametz Thurs., April 17 after dark 4 BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-----NOI E-LO-----HEINU ME-LECH HO- Burn Chametz Fri., April 18 before 11:39 a.m. OLOM ASHER KI-DE-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VI-TZI-VO- SERVING NEW JERSEY FOR OVER 29 YEARS Finish eating Chametz Sat., April 19 before 10:37 a.m. NU LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL We also accept real estate donations. Our Nullify Chametz Sat., April 19 before 11:39 a.m. SHABBOS V’SHEL YOM TOV. Experience Gets You The Maximum Tax Deduction! exclaiming: “My daughter! their Your prophecy has come true!” singing was But three months later, when accompanied by tambourines. A message from little Moses had to be hidden in Where did these tambourines the river among the reeds, her come from? The Midrash states The Rebbe father tapped her on the head, that the Jewish women had great Following the Song by Moses demanding; “My daughter! Where vision and foresight, creating and and the Children of Israel after is your prophecy?!” designing tambourines as they pre- Crossing the Red Sea, the Torah This is why Miriam stood pared for the Exodus. relates: among the reeds “from afar to “The Jewish women of that “Miriam the Prophetess, the sis- know.” Watching and looking for- generation were confident of ter of Aaron, took the tambourine ward to the realization of G-d’s Divine miracles, so they took in her hand, and the women fol- promise, she remained firm in the along their tambourines from lowed her with tambourines and veracity of her prophecy...” Egypt.” Even during the darkest cymbals. Miriam said to them: (Midrash) Exile, the righteous women knew Sing to G-d, the Exalted...” [Exodus Miriam’s pronouncement of the that the Divine promise would be 15:20] forthcoming Redemption at first fulfilled, and they would eventual- Why does the Torah refer to excited the Jews suffering in ly be redeemed. Miriam as a prophetess? Egyptian bondage. But this great Moreover, those faithful women The Talmud explains the histor- excitement was followed by great translated the hope in their hearts ical background, going back to the disappointment. Moses was hidden into action. Rather than vague time when Miriam was the sister in the river to avoid being caught wishful thinking, their belief in the of Aaron before Moses was born. by Pharaoh’s soldiers who hunted Redemption was real and tangible. Miriam had then boldly declared down the Jewish baby boys. Miriam knew with certainty, with prophetic vision, “My mother Was it all over now? Miriam’s that regardless of how unrealistic will give birth to a son who will prophecy apparently went down the prospects for Redemption may redeem Israel...” the drain, and the Redemption was have looked at the time, the But why is Miriam mentioned now impossible. All hope seemed Exodus was actually “right around by her special “prophetess” title? lost as Moses, the intended the corner.” Miriam and the And why does the Torah find it redeemer of Israel was doomed. women were fully ready and pre- necessary to single out Miriam’s pared for this great and auspicious song from the rest of Israel? MIRIAM’S VISION moment. To better appreciate Miriam’s But Miriam refused to change Having strengthened and major contribution to the Exodus her stance. She knew that she did- encouraged Israel’s faith during and the Redemption, let us review n’t fabricate this prediction. These the hard depressing times, these the details of Miriam’s personal were Divine and holy words, and women deserved to herald the background. she faithfully clung to her prophe- redemption, leaving Egypt with a The word ‘Miriam’ is derived cy: “My mother will give birth to a song in their heart and tam- from the Hebrew word meaning son who will save Israel.” bourines in their hands. ‘bitter,’ relating to the bitter times Imagine Miriam’s predicament Miriam’s song was indeed dif- when she was born and raised. in those trying times. The young ferent and it therefore stands out Pressured by Pharoah’s decree girl was surely the target of angry in a class by itself! Miriam’s song to kill all firstborn boys, Jewish questions and doubts, teased and was not inspired after the fact, as families began to break apart, and taunted, “where is your prophecy was the singing by the rest of Miriam’s own parents Amram and now?” Israel. Rather than being a result Yocheved divorced. Miriam’s song, years later, was a and effect of the miracle, her song Amid all this despair and hope- powerful vindication and triumph of faith was the cause and reason lessness, Miriam announced a over many years of doom and for the miracle! Divine prophecy: “My mother will gloom. Miriam rejoiced and was When celebrating the holidays, give birth to a son who will save thankful that her prophecy was we declare in our prayers: “In Israel.” Inspired by their daugh- proven right. those days...in our time.” May ter’s prophecy, Amram and Miriam’s song and her tambourine Yocheved remarried. When the TAMBOURINES continue to inspire us to this very baby was born, the house was The Torah considers it notewor- day, and may it strengthen our filled with light, and Amram thy that Miriam and the women faith as we look forward to the kissed Miriam on the head, did not only sing orally, but that coming of Moshiach, very soon.

This magazine contains sacred writings; please do not deface or discard. But the desire behind her transgression was the holy yen of the Shechinah to per- meate all. And in the end, she will suc- ceed, and life within will also be Divine. As long as the drama of this universe remains incomplete, the Shechina is silent, she does not sing. We see the world She vitalizes, but we do not hear her voice within it. In all people’s minds, She plays a secondary role—for her husband conquers and subdues, while she, they say, only provides life and nurture. Such is the mindset of an immature world. There is a time-yet-to-come, when the secret of the Inner Light will be revealed. Then the Mother of Life will sing loud without bounds. Kabbalah Looks at Biblical WomenBy Tzvi Freeman

here is an outer Bible, a story of Sarah Tmen and women, of wars and Eve (Chava) wonders. And there is an inner “WHATEVER SARAH Bible, according to ancient traditions, in “ADAM CALLED HIS which each word uncovers fathomless TELLS YOU,” G–D TOLD wisdom, beauty and light. WIFE CHAVA, FOR SHE ABRAHAM, “LISTEN TO WAS THE MOTHER OF HER.” (Genesis 21:12) From the outside, Biblical women ALL LIFE” appear to play only a supportive role in (Genesis 3:20) The first to heal the wound that Eve a drama dominated by men. made was Sarah. She descended to the lair of the snake, to the palace of From the inside emerges a story of men She was the other side of the image of Pharaoh. She resisted his lure and rose manipulated by potent women and nur- G–d. In her source above, she is “the back up. While living within, she tured with feminine values. A story that Shechina”—the Divine Presence That remained bonded Above. reveals the inner quality of womanhood Dwells Within. that transcends the minds of men. Abraham empowered Sarah to do so, yet This is what drove the earthly Chavah Abraham himself was not capable of such This is the secret of the words of to eat the fruit: this yearning to be with- a thing. This is the role of a man—to acti- Solomon’s wisdom, “A woman of valor is in, to experience the taste of life, to be vate the power dormant in a woman. the crown of her husband.” As a crown immersed in it. With this she trans- Without a woman, man has no bond with sits above the head and goes beyond it, gressed. And she took with herself the the Shechina. Without a man, the woman so the inner light of womanhood is of Shechina and imprisoned Her as well, cannot be the Shechina. Once there is a an essence-quality, of a place the mind so that havoc ensued throughout the man, the woman becomes everything. cannot touch. cosmos. ABOUT OUR COVER ARTIST MIRY GOLDMINTZ Miry, daughter of renowned artist Bracha Lavee, launched Miry: artist, wife, mother and teacher, bring to life the her career after attending Betzalel, Israel’s foremost school ancient beauty of our biblical women.Through the use of for Art & Design. Her creations are enhanced by her years hard cold metal, feminine beauty combines ancient as a special-education art instructor. traditions with modern expression.

In the past year, Mary created an innovative expression: Miry's work is available at: Wall – fine art, hand painted metal sculptures. Starting with Gabrieli Art Studios laser cut metal, and dressing them in robes of vivid paints, 6 Yoel Salomon Street Jerusalem. 972-2-6233938 layer after layer convey a feeling of living tradition. www.gabrieli.co.il Sarah is the embodiment of the cosmic reward and your children shall return.” power of purification and healing of (Jeremiah 31:14) souls. What Chava confused and stirred together, Sarah sifts and refines; where Rachel is the embodiment of the Chava entered in darkness, Sarah switch- Shechinah as She descends to care for es on the light. Her work continues Her children, even to travel into exile through each generation: As the soul of with them, insuring their return. Abraham draws souls in and holds them close to the Infinite Light, the soul of Her sister, Leah is also our mother, the Sarah discerns the stains that must be Shechina. Yet she is the transcendent, cleaned and the dross that must be reject- concealed world; those hidden things of ed. When any soul or spark of light is the Divine Mind too deep for men to healed and returned to its source, you fathom. She is the Sphere of Royalty as know that Sarah’s touch was there. She rises above to receive in silent meditation.

Rachel is the world of revealed words unless Deborah went with him, and for Rebecca and deeds. She held beauty that Jacob that she scorned him. could perceive and desire. But Leah was “DRINK…AND I WILL too lofty, too far beyond all things, so For Deborah did not see greatness in ALSO DRAW WATER Jacob could not attain her in the same emulating the qualities of manhood—in way. fighting and winning and conquering— FOR YOUR CAMELS but as a mother in Israel, as a giver of TO DRINK.” Yet it is from Leah that almost all the life, nurturing her people with kindness (Genesis 24:17–18) Jewish nation descends. and with faith.

With these words, Rebecca betrothed herself to Isaac and rose to become Miriam Esther mother of two great nations. Not for her (Exodus 2:4) act of giving, alone, but for her eager- ness, because she pursued any opportu- “SO I WILL GO TO THE nity to do good, seeking it with joy and A young girl stands amid the reeds lin- KING, CONTRARY TO delight, with all her soul and being. ing the river bank, still and quiet, watching from afar. She is the guardian PROTOCOL. AND IF And she implanted this within us as our of the promise, of all her people have I PERISH,I PERISH.” inheritance. We only need awaken it yearned for. She will not allow that (Esther 4:16) and we will find the Rebecca within. promise to leave her sight. Her name is Miriam and Miriam means A woman of secrets, of mystery, cloak- Few stories are as detailed in the Bible bitter, for it is a bitterness that drives ing her true identity within many garbs, as the union of Rebecca and Isaac—it is her, all the bitterness born of her peo- until her time arrived. A woman like the told and retold three times. For in this ple’s harsh lot. Only her vision can morning star, at that impossible place tale, lies the birth of our people and our assuage that burning pain, and she where the night becomes so dark it has purpose. In it lies the inner secret for alone sustains its pulse. It is a powerful nothing left but to reveal the dawn. which the cosmos was created: the vision, one that will transform the bitter fusion of opposites, the paradox and to sweet, the darkness of exile to the One who dared set foot in the inner- beauty of life. For this, we are here—to great light of freedom. most chamber of evil, raising Haman its unite heaven and earth. And in the prince to the pinnacle of glory, only union of Man and Woman is found all In her merit, we were redeemed from that he should manufacture his demise. these. slavery. And in the merit of women of faith today, the entire world will be When she ripped away her mask and And who is the matchmaker in this cos- redeemed of its darkness. her inner light burst forth, the façade of mic drama? It is the simple servant of chance and coincidence and palace Abraham, who speaks to the Master of intrigue opened like a curtain to reveal the Universe from the sincerity of his wonders and miracles on their back heart, obsessed with his mission and Deborah stage. This way, Esther contains the delights in its every step. It is each and final redemption, for she married mira- any one of us. “THEY CEASED LIVING cle with mundane, discovering unbound- IN UNWALLED TOWNS ed light within a cloud of darkness. Rachel and Leah IN ISRAEL, UNTIL I, DEBORAH, AROSE; Last Word “A VOICE IS HEARD ON I AROSE AS A MOTHER HIGH,WAILING, BITTER IN ISRAEL.” (Judges 5:7) Of the most lofty, enlightened souls, CRYING. RACHEL many had wives greater than them- In the peaceful shade of an ancient date selves and daughters greater than their WEEPS FOR HER CHIL- palm in the hills of Ephraim, there you sons. So it was with Abraham, Isaac and DREN, SHE REFUSES TO would find a wise woman, a prophetess Jacob. So it was with Rabbi Akiva and BE CONSOLEDFOR to whom Israel streamed for counsel, Rabbi Meir. So it was with many great THEY ARE GONE.” for guidance and for hope. masters of the Kabala. She summoned Barak, a mighty warrior, These great men, in their personal lives, “Restrain your voice from weeping,” and instructed him to wage battle were already tasting of the World to G–d tells her. “Hold back your eyes against the oppressors of her people. Come, when the quality of womanhood from their tears, For your work has its But Barak insisted he would not go will loom over man. Question:

How can I be sure that my children will share the Jewish values and beliefs that I hold dear. The world has changed so much since I was young, and I can only imagine how much more it will change by the time my children grow up. How can I pass on my convictions to my children? Answer: Ideologies are too abstract to pass What makes the on. For your beliefs to be con- veyed to the next generation, Seder memorable is they need to ride on the back of the action: concrete rituals. You can’t expect your children to share all of your the crunch of the sentiments and feelings, but you Matzah that reminds can teach them to continue your customs. us of the freedom, the red faces from One of the geniuses of Judaism is its emphasis on doing. Pesach is a the horseradish that great example. It is a festival full commemorates of demonstrative rituals that convey a deeper message. slavery, spilling the wine for each of the We may not all remember exactly how many Israelites left Egypt, or ten plagues, and the the order of the ten plagues, but search for the we all remember eating Matzah at the Seder. And by power of Afikoman. By association we remember the punctuating the core messages of the Seder - that freedom is an ideal worth cele- exodus story with brating, and that from humble these hands-on beginnings a nation can reach greatness. These abstract ideals experiences, we etch have seeped into the Jewish psyche from generation to genera- it into our children’s tion by being linked with ritual memory forever. and custom. There is no guarantee that your But it could have been otherwise. children will follow your ways. Imagine the Seder was observed But three thousand years of evi- as a group meditation on the dence suggests that living your virtues of liberty. Instead of eat- beliefs through ritual works. The ing Matzah and horseradish we Jewish people has survived with would read odes to freedom from our message in tact because we such great writers as Tolstoy and are still eating Matzah. Lofty Plato, Shakespeare and Rowling. ideals are difficult to pass on, but Then we would end with some crunchy Matzah stays fresh for quotes from Nelson Mandela, and millennia. sing a few songs of peace and love from Woodstock.

What would be the result? Nothing. There would be no result because such a commemo- ration would be quite forgettable. The kids would be completely By Aaron Moss unengaged and the message total- ly lost on them. You won’t want to spill wine on this Haggadah a

The KOL MENACHEM HAGGADAH adds layer upon layer of fresh insight to the age-old celebration of our journey from slavery to freedom.

• A richly textured commentary which creatively blends traditional, mystical and life-enhancing insights. • Each step of the Seder explained in simple language. • Ornate Hebrew typography. • Luxurious, hand-tooled binding. • Insights culled from over 100 classic sources, including Toras Menachem. 1 1 272 pages • 6 /2” x 9 /4” Available in NUSACH ASHKENAZ & 18.438.1334

7 NUSACH HA-ARIZAL alligraphix C

Explore the Seder as an experience of far reaching significance.

AVAILABLE AT JUDAICA STORES WORLDWIDE

PHONE 718.951.6238 • FAX 718.953.3346 • TOLL FREE 1.888.580.1900 [email protected] • www.kolmenachem.com by Gladys Yenta

ut in the Chabad House yard Always looking for inspiration, a most “unorthodox” scene Alan honed in on coaches like Owas unfolding. Boys sporting Vince Lombardi and other books colorful jerseys and pads along with and tapes on winning, positive their kippahs were gathered in a thinking and self-improvement. huddle.A gentle gray bearded man His focus and hard work paid off, towered above the youth, who hung and in 1986 he was signed as a on his every word and move. When free agent by the Green Bay he crouched down, the 6’5” 240 Packers. pound man made eye contact and gave advice. The kids were in sev- A note in his locker became a bea- enth heaven. After all, it’s not con of Jewish connection for Alan. every day you get to scrimmage “Knowing I was the “lone Jew,” a with a Super Bowl champ! Green Bay businessman named Lou Weinstein contacted me. He Later, in the social hall, the boys congratulated me, opened his home tried on his massive Super Bowl and invited me to spend Rosh ring over cokes and pizza and Hashanah with his family.” enjoyed some Jewish coaching as well. A Jew in the NFL is somewhat of an that the Torah was packed full of anomaly, and while Alan never spirituality and the solid inspiration Alan Veingrad is uniquely posi- experienced anti-Semitism he did he had sought through motivational tioned to inspire Jewish pride and feel the odd man out. With the speakers. connection. As the world’s only Weinstein’s support coupled with Torah observant man who played his own core sense of identity, Alan After four years with the Packers, and starred in the NFL, he travels was not vulnerable to the proselytiz- Alan went to play for the Dallas widely to share his story. His mem- ing or pre and post game prayer Cowboys, where he was on the orable presentation is always meetings. “I said my own prayer Super Bowl Championship team, enjoyed, because in addition to thanking G-d for not getting my playing nearly every position on the playing as an offensive lineman for neck broken, for being able to play line. He blocked for Emmit Smith the Green Bay Packers and Dallas and not harming other players.” Cowboys, Veingrad is warm and and protected Troy Aikman. Smith valued his help so greatly that he humorous. Born in Brooklyn, raised in New presented Alan with a Rolex watch Jersey and Miami, this unusual man after winning the NFL rushing title. Alan readily describes himself as a had a usual Jewish upbringing, mediocre high school player in attending synagogue until his Bar Moving on, Alan ended his NFL Miami. He went on to play college Mitzvah, and skipping out of irrele- career after the big one, retiring in ball at East Texas State University, vant Hebrew School whenever he 1993. “My body was aching and now Texas A&M-Commerce. Only could. Alan recalls large family hol- maxed out,” he recalls, and he found when a college coach told him he iday gatherings that focused mostly his passion for the game waning. He had the size and skills to shoot for on the food. Besides a general also married and started a career in the NFL did he begin to really focus belief in G-d and strong foundation the business world. on that goal. of Jewish pride, he did not realize ed to know more. I asked him for a Torah book I could read, and that After an was the beginning.” inspiring 2004 trip to “People mistakenly think that Torah Israel, Alan observance is rigid, but really it’s felt it was inspiration, it’s focus, and it’s exact- time to be ly what I always valued and found called by his partially in sports. I started to real- Hebrew ize that this way of life and values moniker, were rich in meaning. The more I Shlomo. met the Chabad rabbis and enjoyed The family Shabbos meals with them, the more koshered their kitchen, and the chil- I realized that I wanted to feel that dren started attending Margate way all the time, not just once a Hebrew Day School in Margate, week. So, my observances grew out Florida. Shlomo says he never of that.” looked back. His family treasures the weekly unplugged 25 hours of Alan reminds his audiences that Shabbos, when they can focus on he’s been there; he has reached a each other and escape the barrage level of success and fame that few of cell phone, pager, computer, tele- enjoy. “For forty years I lived that phone. While he enjoys recreation- life.” No crisis made him change, al sports with his children, he has just a desire for more depth. An no desire to have them end up on eye opener was a 2003 interview he the astro-turf. “My body still suffers gave for the Fort Worth-Star from the impact of my football Telegram. Alan told the reporter career.” about his busy post NFL life, filled with martial arts, kayak fishing, Shlomo applies his developed sense scuba diving and the like. of discipline, honed from years on the field, to Torah practice. “Some may laugh at me because I’m the “People mistakenly first at shul, with my tallis and tefillin, ready for the minyan. I fondly On the surface Alan had it all, a think that Torah remember coach Jimmy Johnson. growing family, vacations, a lucra- When he called a meeting for 7:00 tive career and many recreational observance is rigid, but a.m. you were there, prepared! activities. Yet, there was a gnawing feeling of a void. really it’s inspiration, Working in com- mercial real A cousin, an observant radiologist, it’s focus, and it’s estate lending, invited Alan to a Friday night Shlomo, now 44, Shabbat dinner. “Truthfully, I went exactly what I always also travels because I felt obligated. He had extensively to given me a lot of medical care and valued and found pursue his pas- advice.” Then the cousin suggested sion, entertaining Alan sit in on Torah class, and Alan partially in sports. and inspiring kids, college youth went, again to fill his familiar obli- and families, speaking for many gation. I started to realize Jewish organizations. “This class was held in a very that this way of life In addition to passing wealthy doctor’s house. During the some pigskin with the first 59 or so minutes of the one starry eyed kids, Shlomo hour class I was looking around the and values were rich still gets to flex his mus- beautiful house, at the chandeliers, cles in service of the opulence, the pool and lake in in meaning. Judaism. He is the man the yard, and thinking what a great of choice for hagbah, the party I would have in this house if it honor of lifting the heavy was mine. At the very end, the “While I still enjoy those activities, Torah scroll by its wooden rabbi talked about how jealousy and seeing this article in print just point- staves, which takes place materialistic desire can consume ed out how shallow my life was. I during the Torah reading. you if you let it. I was sitting with had already started going to Chabad my mouth hanging open. I realized for Shabbos, and I realized that he was on to something, and I want- there was more to life than that.” LIBERTY AT LAST In the story of the Exodus, G-d assures Moses that despite the fact that his initial intervention with the Egyptian king Pharaoh has made things worse, liberation will indeed arrive.

Indeed, after a series of plagues that crush the country and subdue its king, Pharaoh finally surrenders. After merci- lessly torturing, abusing and murder- ing the Hebrews for decades, they are set free. On the fif- teenth of Nissan the Jewish people experience a mass exodus from a genocidal regime and a tyran- nical monarchy. They have embarked on the path to freedom.

More than three millennia have passed since. Yet we their children and grandchildren still com- By Yosef Y. Jacobson memorate this event annually. To this day, Passover remains the most widely observed and celebrated Jewish holiday. Could Jews still sit down annually and The Maharal of Prague wondered aloud Many Jews who deem themselves sincerely declare, “We were slaves to how the Jews could celebrate their free- remote from tradition and religion are Pharaoh in Egypt and G-d has liberated dom from Egypt during times when still compelled to participate in some us?” they were plunged back into darkness sort of Passover seder. and persecution. Could a 2nd century LIBERTY UNDER Palestine Jew truly celebrate Passover? The significance of this cannot be over- OPPRESSION? How about an 8th century Yemenite stated. It is easy to celebrate the miracle This question was raised by one of the Jew? A 14th century Spanish Jew? A of freedom when you are free. Yet for great Jewish thinkers of the 16th centu- 17th century Polish Jew? Or a German most of their history the Jewish nation ry, who was himself subjected to horri- Jew in 1938? A Russian Jew in the found itself exiled, oppressed, dominat- ble persecutions from Christian authori- 1960’s? ed – physically, emotionally and reli- ties. Rabbi Yehuds Leow (1512-1607), giously -- by tyrants and dictators of all known as the Maharal, was chief Rabbi Yet celebrate they did. For 3,323 years, a stripes. If Passover represents the jour- of Prague, and one of the most influen- stubborn nation was determined to re- ney from slavery to freedom, what tial Jewish personalities of his time, experience freedom. Under the watchful became of it after the Babylonian author of many major works on Jewish eye of the Inquisition, in Stalin’s Gulag destruction of the First Temple? Or after thought. During his day, Jews suffered Archipelago, even in the Warsaw the Greek and then Roman conquest of terribly from the infamous blood-libels, Ghetto, you could hear the same ques- the Jewish land and the exile of its being accused of slaughtering Christian tion being asked each year: “Why is this inhabitants? What happened to the cele- children prior to Passover in order to night different than all other nights?” bration of liberty following the destruc- use their blood for Passover matzah. And the answer given: Because tonight tion of the Second Temple, the horrific we were set free! Hadrianic persecutions and the long, tragic events that led to the greatest How did they manage to do this? Were exile in Jewish history? they irrational, oblivious to reality? Or, perhaps, the Jewish people were celebrating something very authentic they felt in their souls every Passover, despite the often unbearable conditions from without? THE NEW MAN The answer presented by the Maharal of Prague is both profound and moving.

The Exodus of Egypt, he suggests, was not merely a political event, in which slave laborers were allowed to leave a country and forge their own destiny. It was also an existential mutation, in which the gift of freedom was “wired” into the very psyche of a people. With So for example, when parents and educators the divine liberation from Egyptian bondage, a new type of person was created -- the Free Man: The individual impose upon their children and who will never make peace with oppression and who will forever yearn for lib- students values and erty. The exodus implanted within the soul a quest for liberty and an innate repulsion toward subjugation. traditions by means Hence, the entire drama that led up to of authority and the Exodus from Egypt: the dialogue with Pharaoh, the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, the king becoming coercion alone, more obstinate, the ten unparalleled plagues that subdued Egypt, and finally many of these the lavish seder ceremony performed while still in Egypt. In an era when oppression was the norm, when kings kids upon were believed to have divine and end- less power, and the ordinary human adulthood being was at the mercy of whimsical leaders and gods, the Egyptian Exodus was intended to revolutionize human might reject imagination for all eternity. these values. The Jews would discover – and would impart this discovery to all of humani- ty -- that the primary responsibility of freedom is the innate right of each and and their environment that they are every society is to preserve the free- every one. If – as the Baal Shem Tov indeed free. dom and dignity of every individual brilliantly put it – you are where your human being under the sovereignty of will is, this means you are essentially Education, of course, requires authority a free G-d. free. If you crave freedom, you are and discipline. Children who are grant- indeed free. ed the license to do whatever they Thus, even if subsequently conquered want, often end up having unhappy and oppressed, targeted for abuse, hunt- WHY DO THEY lives, lacking stability, direction, and ed down like animals, the Jew would REBEL? security. In the long run, children are never cease to see himself inherently as This idea of the Maharal contains pro- unhappy when they are given too little a free man. He would never acquiesce found ramifications in the field of con- structure. to persecution, and would never come temporary education. to terms with the reality of subjugation. On the other hand, when moral and Being that freedom is an intrinsic prop- religious values are communicated to His very being would remain obsessed erty of the human soul, a manifestation youngsters only in the name of authori- with the belief that the future must be of its G-dly nature, we must be extreme- ty rather than with the voice of compas- different, that redemption is yet to ly cautious to encourage, rather than be sion, when faith is about dogma rather come, that a society in which evil and threatened, by its full and intense than depth, when passion is completely corruption rules cannot endure. expression. replaced by obligation, the voice of the soul with the burden of tradition, the This, the Maharal posits, is what Jews If this is true of every person, how values we hold so dear can be perceived celebrated each year at their Passover much more so with children and as instruments of oppression in the eyes seders, notwithstanding their deprived teenagers, who have a particularly pro- of our children. In their desperate need circumstances. They were not living in found quest for freedom, for self expres- for freedom, we sometimes give them la-la land. They knew very well they sion, for the liberty to make their own no choice but to say goodbye to all we were exiled, yet they thanked G-d for choices and to author their own exis- attempted to teach them. the Exodus of old, because it gave them tence. This is not sinful; it is a divine the awareness of freedom, the yearning quality that can be actualized to pro- A delicate balance between anarchy for freedom, and the conviction that duce the greatest blessings. If we sup- and suppression must be maintained. press their liberty, it may compel them Youngsters must be shown why the tra- to express it in undesirable ways. ditional, moral and religious values of The exodus implanted their parents and grandparents are So for example, when parents and edu- means for self-actualization, self dis- within the soul a quest cators impose upon their children and covery – and the ultimate freedom. students values and traditions by means And they must be given wise opportu- of authority and coercion alone, many nities to experience the happiness of for liberty and an innate of these kids upon adulthood might having the freedom to choose that reject these values. This is not out of which constitutes the path to a digni- repulsion toward disdain for the values per se as much as fied and deep life; the freedom to it is their way to prove to themselves choose freedom. subjugation. For more by Rabbi Jacobson, visit www.algemeiner.com I’ve Lived Through Many Passovers By Irene Frisch

Pedaling away on the health club’s sta- After the liberation, it took time until Jewish, asked with surprise, "What is tionary bicycle, I create mental lists of we returned to normal life. Ten years that for?" tasks that lie ahead. It is the beginning later, my mother passed away, and I of April, so I think of Passover, a big was living in Western Europe. At an "I never ate bread during Passover to-do in my household. international book fair I met a Prince before, and I do not intend to do so Charming -- a young man with the now," I answered. Vittoria was The seder is one of the few occasions bluest eyes in the world, tall and appalled. "You intend to spend your when my entire family gathers at my handsome, with impeccable manners. life with that fancy family, and eat table. There will also be friends, The man was of a different faith, yet I matzah during Easter?" dressed in their finest. We will pray, was young and in love, and didn’t sing, laugh, and eat. think of the consequences. On my That moment was one of clarity. I birthday, he sent me beautiful roses. remembered my late mother and her To reach that stage, however, I will His calling card was imprinted with Passover. I realized that my roots were need to make many trips to the base- his family crest, some European nobil- stronger even than my romantic ment to bring down our regular dishes ity. Even my father was impressed. desires. I did not go to Nice. and bring up the Passover dishes. I need to clean the house, superclean The young man proposed, and I was Soon afterward I left for America, the kitchen, dispose of all leavened ready to accept. His mother wrote me where I met a Jewish prince. A young foods, and buy special Passover food. I a letter, inviting me to spend the man, tall and handsome, with impec- will complain about my aching back Easter holiday in the family's villa in cable manners. We celebrate Passover and sore hands, and be very busy. Nice, France, to get acquainted. Young in our home and to this day, I’ve and excited, I accepted the invitation never eaten bread during My early youth memories come back and started to pack for the holiday. I the holiday. as a little girl in Poland, excited about wanted to impress the mother, a very the coming Passover. My Passover par- elegant lady, so I asked my best ticipation then consisted of new dress- friend, Vittoria, to help me pack. es and shoes. After filling the suitcase It was always the same ritual. I’d try with my most precious the first pair of shoes and claim that outfits, I also packed they fit perfectly. I refused to try a box of matzah. another pair. The shoes were usually That year Easter too small, so by the first day of and Passover Passover I limped in my new shoes fell at the and would have to return home to same time. change into my old shoes. The new Vittoria, shoes were then given to a less well- who was off family. not My comfortable, untroubled life came to an abrupt end when World War II began. I was eight years old. After being expelled from our town, I ended up in hiding, first alone, then joined by my mother and sister.

The kind and brave woman who offered us shelter was illiterate; we had no access to a newspaper or a cal- endar. We did not know what month it was, or even what time of year it was. It is inconceivable how primitive we lived. I remembered my late mother and her One day my mother told us that the next day was the start of Passover. We Passover. I realized that my roots were had almost no money and lived on bread and potatoes. For the next eight stronger even than my romantic desires. days we ate potatoes three times a day, never touching bread. It was our only taste of Freedom. Chabad Rabbis in Action

Donating Blood During Chabad's RU Mitzvah Marathon Week - Rabbi Join the music every Tuesday Night at Chabad featuring live Goodman with student participants Yazmin Schwartz, Mallory Goldberg, entertainment, hot food and crowds of great people to meet and Mike Schaier

Chabad's Student Board of Governors Planning Meeting Rabbi Baruch Goodman celebrating with Rutgers AEPi Fraternity Brothers

Over 400 students enjoyed "Sephardic Shabbaton" with all traditional Chabad and AEPi - Perfect Together. AEPi President Yonnie Dicker, Matan Sephardic/Syrian foods, prayers, and songs at Chabad House Shmuel, Rabbi Goodman, and Jewish Involvement Liaison Adam Tucker.

Chabad's Student Board of Governors weekly Planning Meeting Chanukah in the Frats - Rabbi Goodman visiting with Jewish brothers at the ZBT Fraternity

Chabad Rabbis in Action

Rabbi Eliyahu Kaufman, Spiritual Thursday Night's "Bake to the Future" - Chabad's Executive Student Leadership Team breaking for a pose at one Leader of Cong. Ohav Emeth in college women busy baking Challahs for of its weekly Jewish Social Action planning meetings (Top Row, l-r) Rachel Highland Park, NJ, as guest lec- the weekly Shabbat Experience week- Zezon, Erica Santiago, Elana Spector, Fallon Gross, Mollie Marko, Michael turer for Chabad's weekly ends at Chabad. Here, SDT Sorority Schaier, Dan Bouskila, Adam Goldberg, (Bottom Row, l-r) Ruth W., Bonnie "Wandering Jew Wednesday" Leader Geri Wurman of Manalapan fin- Rosengarten, Rachel Greiff, Etel Sverdow, Nechama Verter, Irina Bangiyeva, ishes her whole wheat, two tone challah. Merideth Hand, Mikki Friedman, Ari Kahan, and Rabbi Baruch Goodman

Chabad's Daily Morning Minyan members Rabbi Yosef Goodman, Shlomo Ski Trip Organizer, and past student Rabbi Baruch Goodman Aronoff, and Michael Schaier at Rutgers celebrating a young man's first President of Chabad, Avi Feygin of with Chabad Student Aliyah to the Torah for his Bar Mitzvah. Alex Tolchinsky is a student of Brooklyn, laying Tefillin before Skiing -- Treasurer Michael Schaier Chabad's Hebrew School in East Brunswick. Praying for success on the on the Ski Trip Slopes

RU's Weekly Talmud Learning Group meeting in the Rutgers US Air Force Major Jesse Arnstein and family visiting his "old Chabad Library of Judaica taught by Rabbi Baruch home" at Chabad for a special Homeland Security Shabbaton Goodman and Rabbi Israel Botnick. with the Rutgers students Challah Baking 101

by Erica Santiago, RU ‘08

The typical motherly question of brush the egg yolk on top of an already 15:20, where Jewish women are com- “what did you learn in school today” made twist of dough,” remarked Sarah. manded to set aside a portion of dough now has a new meaning for many coeds “What we do with the Rutgers students for the kohein. atT Rutgers University. Besides learning is far more challenging and hopefully Today, the rabbis determined that liberal arts and sciences, college women more rewarding.” Jews throughout the world should be who attend the Chabad House at “We begin by describing this ancient reminded of this mitzvah by separating Rutgers University acquire a hands-on, art and mitzvah as it originated in the a piece of dough before baking it and age-old talent for baking Challah bread Torah with the first Jewish woman, burning the dough. (You may have for the Shabbat. Sarah (wife of Abraham).” In Jewish tra- noticed that on boxes of matzah at Through a radically new approach to dition, there are three mitzvot (com- Pesach, there is usually a notation that Jewish education, the Chabad House at mandments) that are reserved for says “Challah Has Been Taken,” which Rutgers offers young men and women women: challah (separating a portion of means that this mitzvah has been ful- on the college campus unique Jewish dough), niddah (family purity), and had- filled for the matzah.) experience workshops in Building a lakat nerot (lighting candles) – known The recipe, although quite simple, Jewish Home and Family, Running a calls for a few hours of waiting. So, dur- Jewish Organization, Publishing a ing that time, Sarah speaks with the col- Jewish Newspaper, Marketing and lege women regarding their key role in Advertising in the Jewish Community, Today, the rabbis setting the spiritual pace of a relation- Jewish Chaplaincy in Hospitals, Nursing ship, and ultimately of the home they Homes, Juvenile Prisons, and Children’s determined that Jews will build with their future husbands Rehabilitation Centers, as well as fun one day. (Certainly not indicative of all culinary activities such as throughout the world students at Rutgers University, one stu- Hamantaschen baking for Purim, and dent saw a flyer on campus advertising Matzah baking for Passover. what she thought would be a workshop According to campus Rabbi Baruch should be reminded on challah baking “rolls,” but was in fact Goodman, “keeping strong and commit- a lecture entitled, “The Role of the ted to Judaism based solely on memo- of this mitzvah by Jewish Woman.”) ries from Hebrew school just doesn’t Rebbetzin Sarah also gives a weekly make the grade for today’s college stu- separating a piece tour of the new, state-of-the-art, 5-star dent; they need to personally rediscover spa-grade Chabad Mikvah to give stu- their Judaism in ways that are meaning- of dough before dents a glimpse into the beauty of the ful and challenging to them now, as mitzvah of family purity. young adults. Chabad House is now pro- baking it and “After the kneading, braiding, form- viding them with the tools and experi- ing and baking, it’s time for the challahs ences that help make Jewish living a burning the dough. to be taken out of the oven – 50 pounds viable option in their lives.” of golden loaves destined to be served at The Challah Baking Workshop, led the next night at Chabad’s Friday Night by Campus Rebbetzin Sarah Goodman, Shabbat Experience Dinner Celebration, allows this 3,300 year old tradition to by the acronym Chanah, spelled in added Sarah Goodman. “Soft, sweet and come alive for between 10 and 20 col- Hebrew chet, nun and hey. This first delicious whole wheat challahs to feed lege women each Thursday evening. woman’s mitzvah is challah, that is, the the army of 500 Shabbos guests we’re “Challah baking is more than that first privilege of separating a portion of blessed to have each and every week- attempt in Pre 1A standing in line with dough from bread before baking it. This end.” the rest of the class for a chance to commandment comes from Numbers Chabad Campus Leadership Team Sets Dates for Mitzvah

Chabad’s Collegiate Leadership Team at Rutgers: (front row, l-r) Fallon Gross (Pres.), Erica Santiago (VP), Elana Spector; (middle row): Rochel Gelman, Etel Sverdlov, Dan Bouskila (Pres. Marathon RJSU), Nechama Verter, Irina Baniyeva, David Schneider (Treasurer); (top): Sarah Goodman, Rabbi Baruch Goodman, Ari Kahan, Reuven Meir, and Adam Goldberg. [Camera Shy: MB Klyman(Gabbai), Michael Schaier (Treasurer & Gabbai), Jack Shamie (Sephardic Minyan by Blair Singer, RU ‘11 Director), Mikki Friedman and Bonnie Rosengarten]

The old saying goes, “if you want Dovid Adom, free Shabbat Candles for At a recent info session held at the something done right, you have to do it college women, the putting on Tefillin Rutgers Student Center on College yourTself.” But when you have a whole for the college men, saying the Shema Avenue, student president Fallon Gross group of students who feel the same Yisrael, sponsoring a letter in the new and Rabbi Goodman unveiled this year’s way, you have the makings of a power- Sefer Torah being written for Peace in impressive Mitzvah Marathon goals and ful and influential leadership team. Israel, packing Passover gifts and schedule. Led by this year’s student President Seders-to-Go for Jewish US Army and “At this crucial time in history, it is Fallon Gross of Flemington, NJ (RU ’09), Air Force Soldiers stationed overseas, up to us to do what is right and fulfill Chabad’s Leadership Team is proud to plus many others. the directives of the Rebbe who told us announce the dates of the annual that Moshiach is now ready to come,” Rutgers Mitzvah Marathon – a week Rabbi Goodman commented. “Talking long marathon of goodness and kind- ‘These valiant and about Moshiach is important, but doing ness, on and off campus. Involving something to make it happen is signifi- over 400 student volunteers, this effort trend-setting young cant. We are very proud of each and brings hot food and joy to homebound every one of our student leaders and seniors and shut-ins, toys and funds for people renew our faith volunteers: they show by example, in hospitalized children, sandwiches and the midst of their busy college sched- clothes to homeless people, blood dona- in the future, despite ules, how to express their love and care tions for our area’s blood banks, Jewish what we hear in the for G-d, His people and His world.” programming for special needs young Mitzvah Marathon Director, Erica adults, as well as the opportunity to do a news media. Santiago from New Winsor, NY (RU mitzvah with fellow students on cam- ’08), added that “we are looking for peo- pus. ple to give an hour out of their week to Beginning on April 6 and continuing make the difference in someone else’s through April 13, student leadership vol- life – and you can’t imagine what a dif- unteers will be running Mitzvah According to Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, ference it makes. To give an hour, Marathon Tables throughout Rutgers’ 5 Executive Director of Chabad House, respond to the facebook event, or email campuses in New Brunswick and “these valiant and trend-setting young us at [email protected]. For more Piscataway. Student will offer passersby people renew our faith in the future, information, please call Mitzvah a wide variety of mitzvah opportunities despite what we hear in the news Marathon Headquarters at 732 296-1800. including a Tzedokah Box for Children media. To see so many students give of Victims of Terror in Israel and Magan themselves to others is truly inspiring.” Saturday, April 19 – Sunday, April 27 The laws and customs of Passover we might have handled Chametz in SHOPPING FOR help us prepare, spiritually and physi- the house, car and office (desks and cally, for the Liberation we experi- drawers, etc..) on our clothing and in PASSOVER We are careful to buy only Kosher-for- ence at the Seder and through the our pockets (especially children’s!); in Passover foods which are free of festival. Passover’s unique ‘diet’ is purses, pocketbooks, attaché cases, Chametz. Fresh fruits and vegetables, crucial: we eat Matzah, the unleav- etc. Kosher cuts of meat and Kosher fish ended ‘bread of faith’, and we refrain (prepared according to Jewish Law, from eating or owning products made THE PASSOVER and having had no contact with from Chametz, fermented grain. KITCHEN Chametz) are Kosher-for-Passover. Before Pesach we clean and search all Packaged foods should have reliable areas, appliances and utensils used in Rabbinical supervision valid for the preparing, serving, and eating during Holiday. In addition to foods, many Saturday Night Live! the Festival. medicines, sprays and cosmetics con- tain Chametz; your rabbi can help It is necessary to have special dishes, determine which to use. THIS YEAR, because Shabbat silverware pots, pans and cutlery for falls the day before Pesach, Passover. Some utensils may be some observances are held a koshered, ask a rabbi. General day earlier; we search for instructions: The oven is cleaned and chometz on Thursday night, scoured; then not used for 24 hours. Heat to maximum temperature for 2- April 17th, and we burn our 4 hours. Clean stovetop grates and chometz on Friday morning, top burners, then heat until grates April 18th. On that Shabbat, glow red-hot. Afterward, cover oven challah is eaten separately, and stovetop with foil. Microwave and the meal is otherwise ovens and stainless steel sinks can be eaten on Kosher-for-Pesach koshered, although not in the same dishes. For more information manner, ask your rabbi. Clean refrigerators, freezers, cabinets, cup- on observing these special boards, closets, tables and counters to Shmurah Matzah rules, please call Chabad or remove Chametz. Surfaces that come your local rabbi. in contact with hot food or utensils- The ideal Passover Matzah cover with materials that prevent heat and liquid from passing. is hand-made “Shmurah” Launder tablecloths and cloth nap- (guarded) Matzah. The THE CHAMETZ- kins without starch. wheat is carefully watched FREE ZONE and protected against con- In the weeks prior to Passover, we STORING AND tact with water from the clean out homes of leavened products SELLING CHAMETZ moment of harvest to pre- made from five major grains (wheat, Chametz you wish to keep (e.g. food, vent any chance of fermen- barley, rye, oats and spelt). In con- cosmetics, or utensils) should be tation. Kneaded, shaped trast to Matzah – the flat ‘bread of stored during Passover in designated and rolled by hand, and affliction’, the humble ‘poor man’s closets, cabinets, or rooms-and bread’ – the inflated Chametz repre- locked, sealed or taped shut. They made the same way as our sents potential arrogance and selfish- will be sold (and the place leased) to ancestors did when they ness. On a non- Jew before Passover, complete- left Egypt, they are baked Passover, we ly removing it from our legal posses- under meticulous supervi- will be sion. A competent rabbi performs the sion to avoid even the ‘Chametz sale: he acts as the agent to sell the slightest possibility of leav- free’ for chametz before the festival, and to en. It is a beautiful custom eight days. buy it back after it ends. Step one is to to eat Shmurah Matzah on clean any place each of the Seder nights. nce upon a time in a small city "I really want to thank you," she in Midwestern America, there said. "Every day to me is now very Olived a very kindly and gener- precious, and with this unexpected ous rabbi named Rabbi Shmotkin. FOUR gift, you have done the impossible, for Every year it was his practice, at you have made this day somehow Passover time, to mail out boxes of even more precious to me than Shmurah Matzah in order to bring a usual." feeling of celebration to the Passover BOXES Everyone was beaming at the Festival. This is the story of four table and somehow a very sad and boxes of this Shmurah Matzah. distant night had turned into a very The first box arrived at the home close knit one. "Rabbi Shmotkin is of a friendless, middle-aged account- doing something right when he gives ant, who lived alone and whose sole this Matzah away," the accountant companions were his tank of tropi- thought to himself. cal fish. Since tropical fish were not Three days later when he known as big talkers, our account- returned to the office, the man he ant often sat at home at night listen- had given the Matzah to approached ing to the radio and wondering. the accountant almost before he had He remembers going to the door had a chance to have his morning one afternoon to pick up his mail. coffee. "You know," he said, "that spe- When he opened the door, a card- cial Matzah you gave me for board box fell at his feet. At first he Passover, it had a rather profound thought it was a medium size pizza effect on my wife, who not only isn't that had been wrongly delivered to Jewish, but she's not even very reli- his home, but when he opened it up gious. We don't have a Seder at my and saw the letter inside, a smile house on Passover any more, but I came to his face, a rare one for that passed out your Matzah and she was time in his life, and he said a special fascinated by it. She could not thanks to Rabbi Shmotkin, just for believe how ancient it looked, and remembering him. she said it gave her a feeling of con- The next afternoon, the friend- nection with a past she barely knew less little accountant again went to existed. the door to collect his daily portion "And you know what's really sur- of "occupant mail." Again when he prising? She made me take down our opened the door, another cardboard dusty unused bible and that very box fell at his feet. He examined it night, (it happened to have been closely and again found that it was Passover eve) she had me read the Shmurah Matzah from Lubavitch. entire story of Exodus out loud to her "Strange," he thought, "one box was and the kids. You know women nice, but two seems a bit extrava- never cease to amaze me." gant on the Rabbi's part." "Well that's just astounding," the The afternoon after that, our sad little accountant thought. "This pro- accountant again went to the door gram of Rabbi Shmotkin's certainly for his mail. This time he noticed a has had an effect in the most unex- certain trepidation in his step and a pected of fashions." slight hesitation as he opened the OF He walked slowly toward his office, door.You guessed it, in fell another when the Jewish woman who had box of Shmurah Matzah. married the gentile virtually accosted Now you must understand that this him in the hall. "I really want to accountant knew a thing or two about MATZAH thank you for that Matzah you gave computers, so that his initial thought By Stan Lapon us for Passover. You know every year was that maybe he was in some sort my daughter, husband and I go to my of Chassidic computer loop, like when parents' house for a semi-Seder. It's the government forgets that it has done--to give the Shmurah Matzah really just a meal, because my hus- sent you your tax refund and decides away. Since he didn't know many band isn't much interested. When our to send you the same tax refund people, he gave away two of the boxes daughter opened the Matzah box at every week for the rest of your life. to people at work, one to a Jewish the house and gave everyone a piece "Why," he pondered, "couldn't I get woman who had married a Christian and then she read the rabbi's letter into a government refund loop, and one to a Jewish man who was that came with the Matzah out loud, instead of a Shmurah Matzah loop? married to a non-Jewish woman. The you know, my husband said to me, Just my mazel," he said to himself, third box he took with him to his 'She really likes this service stuff,' and "everyone else gets money when Seder dinner and the fourth he kept he agreed to let me send her to there is a mistake,I get Matzah." for himself. Hebrew Sunday school. Before that The afternoon after that, he went night he was against the whole idea, I The little accountant's Seder din- don't know what changed his mind, as usual to get his mail, opened the ner was most depressing. His father's door and... you guessed it, in fell a but I think the rabbi's Matzah had wife was quite ill and could barely sit something to do with it." fourth box of Shmurah Matzah. at the table. Her days were not to be "Shmotkin is trying to tell me some- long, it seemed to all assembled, who “Needless to say, I was in a state of thing," our accountant thought to nodded among themselves with little shock from these revelations, and had himself, "but what could it be? knowing looks. When it came time to no small feeling of guilt about hang- "Four boxes of Shmurah Matzah display and taste the first Matzah, the ing on to my own box. Look at the has to be a sign, like the four ques- accountant's stepmother brightened good I could have done for someone tions, only more expensive," our little up. "Who brought the Shmurah else, if I had given all of Rabbi friend pondered. "What shall I do? Matzah to the Seder?" she asked, Shmotkin's Shmurah Matzah away. What shall I do?" Finally, after an rather strongly, everyone thought. But then I remembered how I felt excess of soul searching, he decided "Why I did," responded the little when I got my first box and was kind to do exactly as Rabbi Shmotkin had accountant. of glad that I had set it aside.”

Much more than 3 square meals a day!

Super Coupon Passover dietary laws are Super Coupon All Shoppers Must Present This Coupon To Receive Discount observed during all 8 days of the All Shoppers Must Present This Coupon To Receive Discount 6 to 10-oz. jar White. Red, Hot or Sauce holiday. At ShopRite, you will find 4.5 to 5-oz. pkg., Osem, Streits Soup or .50¢ Gold’s all the newest menu selections from .50¢ Manischewitz OFF Horseradish your favorite brands as well as the OFF Matzo Ball Mix With this coupon Limit one per family. freshest choices from our meat, fish With this coupon Limit one per family. Good at any ShopRite. Effective Sun., March 16 Good at any ShopRite. Effective Sun., March 16 0 016160 0 thru Sat., April 26, 2008. produce and dairy departments. 0 016190 1 thru Sat., April 26, 2008. Super Coupon Super Coupon All Shoppers Must Present This Coupon To Receive Discount All Shoppers Must Present This Coupon To Receive Discount 22-oz. pkg., Frozen, Salmon 64-oz. btl., White, Light or or Reg., Kineret, Unigars or Concord Manischewitz, Rokeach or $1.00 A&B .50¢ Kedem OFF Gefilte Fish OFF Grape Juice With this coupon Limit one per family. With this coupon Limit one per family. Good at any ShopRite. Effective Sun., March 16 Good at any ShopRite. Effective Sun., March 16 0 016170 7 thru Sat., April 26, 2008. 0 016180 4 thru Sat., April 26, 2008.

A TIME TO GROW

Be a part of the dream come true... Help Chabad build for a better tomorrow BUILDING CAMPAIGN GOAL: $10,000,000 o Please contact me to discuss a Building Fund Dedication. o Please send me a video tape of your activities. Name ______o Please send me information on your new dormitory facility for my child. Ad d r e s s ______o Please send me information regarding a bequest/endowment to Chabad House. C i t y / S t a t e / Z i p ______o I would like to sponsor a complete Shabbaton. Please find my contribution/pledge of $1,000. Te l . ______o In Honor o Memory of______o Date of Shabbaton (if desired) ______o VISA o MasterCard o I would like to sponsor a complete Shabbat Kiddush Luncheon. Please find my o Discover o AMEX contribution/pledge of $613. o In Honor o Memory of______Credit Card # ______o Date of Kiddush (if desired)______o I would like to sponsor a special Holiday Program. Exp. date______Please find my contribution/pledge of $360. Signature______o I would like to be a partner in your wonder work! Please find my contribution/pledge of $______. o I wish to write a short testimonial of how Chabad affected my life. Please contact me.

Please make checks payable to “Chabad House-Lubavitch”. All contributions are tax deductible. Please return this form to: Chabad House • 170 College Ave. • New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: (732) 296-1800 • Fax: (732)828-6890 • Toll-Free: (888) 621-6908 • Email: [email protected] of Central New Jersey ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: 170 COLLEGE AVE. NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901 PHONE: (732) 296-1800 FAX: (732) 828-6890 CAMP SITE: RARITAN VALLEY ACADEMY, PISCATAWAY, NJ WWW.GANISRAELNJ.COM DAY CAMP GIRLS: AGES 4-12 GRADES PRE-K - 6TH AIR-CONDITIONED FACILITY PRIVATE GYM & LUNCHROOM BOYS: BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR PLAY AREA CAMPUS SETTING IN PISCATAWAY AGES: 4-8 GRADES PRE-K - 3RD SWIM INSTRUCTION ARTS & CRAFTS, DANCE, SPORTS GIRLS TRAVEL CAMP JEWISH HERITAGE THEME DAYS GIRLS: SPECIALTY DAYS WEEKLY TRIPS AGES 10-13 CHOICE DAY GRADES: 5TH - 8TH HOT LUNCHES & SNACKS DAILY WARM & FRIENDLY COUNSELORS

CALL 732-296-1800 FOR MORE INFORMATION & APPLICATIONS

The Les Turchin Chabad House NON-PROFIT ORG. Chabad House-Lubavitch Headquarters U.S. POSTAGE 170 College Avenue PAID New Brunswick, N.J. 08901 CHABAD LUBAVITCH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED