Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 12, Number 5, May 2014 Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Rabbi’s Column Events of the Month . This will be surprising, but with all the holidays I could

write about which occur in May, I am going to concen- Shabbat services trate on Passover. No, not the one we just had, but the at Temple Ramat Zion one scheduled for the middle of May, known as Pesach Saturday, May 3, 10:30 am Sheni. The Torah established a second opportunity to Birthday Shabbat celebrate Passover for those who could not do so at its appointed time. Saturday, May 10, 10:30 am And while most of us observed the holiday at its proper time, the lessons Saturday, May 17, 10:30 am continue well beyond. Shaina-Aaron Ufruf at Heschel See flyer. And so let me share one nugget of wisdom I learned from the Passover Saturday, May 24, 10:30 am Anniversary Shabbat seders which I have truly been thinking about throughout this past month: Saturday, May 31, 10:30 am At one point, you may remember, we are introduced to four varied children, ------one wise, one contrary, one simple, and one who is not asking questions. Jewish World Watch What does the contrary child say that makes him deserving of such a Walk to End Genocide label? “What does this mean to you?” Sunday, May 4 11:30 am The reason given in the Haggadah is that, by saying “you,” he excludes Join Team Shir Ami at the Walk in himself. But the wise son is just as exclusionary! He asks, “What is the the Conejo Valley, Temple Etz meaning of the laws, statues and ordinances which the Lord our God has Chaim, 1080 E. Janss Rd.in commanded you?” Thousand Oaks, See article on page 4 or call Rae Wazana at In fact, the contrary child (also referred to as the wicked, mean, or evil child (818) 881-5549. – rasha in Hebrew), asks a terrific question! I can picture him, sitting ------through a long seder yet again, looking around the table at these three- Mother’s/Father’s Day Social times-a-year Jews, wondering what it truly means to them. And simply Action Committee Celebration asking them, “What are you getting out of all this?” Friday, May 9 1:00 pm Thursday, May 15 7:30 pm But perhaps it’s not the question that Join the Committee at the West makes him deserving of the title, but Valley Healthcare Center, 7057 Special Presentation by Linda Lingle, the way he asks it. Perhaps he isn’t Shoup Ave. in West Hills to asking at all, but merely stating his celebrate Shabbat and Mother’s/ former Governor of , at opinion with a demeaning, challenging, Father’s Day with the residents. Call Northridge Mobile Home Park Fran Kobulnick at (818) 345-2405. dismissive, nasty tone of voice. ------Linda Lingle was the Governor of Around the Rabbi’s Tisch Hawaii from 2002 to 2010. She has This is the problem with the written word. It doesn’t convey the way we Thursdays, May 1, 8, 22, & 29 a strong Jewish identity, connected would say it. It just sits there, flat, 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’ to all the Jewish congregations in . She also has a special stark, empty of emotion. Open to any Our 5774 season of Rabbi’s popular connection to and visited interpretation. weekly discussion around his dining with a personal invitation from room table continues. Join us for an Israel President Shimo n Peres . We send such words in text messages opportunity to learn Jewish wisdom and e-mails, intending one meaning, and discuss current topics of Jewish Linda graduated from Birmingham being read with perhaps another. interest. Call Rabbi at (818) 888- High School in Lake Balboa and CSUN in Northridge where she is Where we wrote with a light touch, it 9817 for more details. gets read with a heavy one. Where we currently teaching a senior course intended friendship, it is received Visit our website: in public policy. devoid of such emotion. www.shirami.com See flyer and article on page 2. (continued on page 2)

page 2 May 2014 President’s Report Special “Tisch” with Linda Lingle by Stan Schroeder Shalom, We are privileged to have Linda We’re now into May and, believe or Lingle speak to us at a special not, we have only two months remain- version of our usual Thursday ing before we take our summer break and meet evening Around the Rabbi’s Tisch again in September at our new home at New May 15 at 7:30 pm. The event will Community Jewish High School. be in the rec room of Northridge Mobile Home Park, 19120 Nordhoff St., east of May is also the beginning of our “walking season,” Tampa Ave. and is free. as we join Jewish World Watch in their Walk to End Genocide, on Sunday, May 4 in the Conejo Valley. Linda moved to Hawaii following graduation from On June 1 we will have our own Walk Around Lake CSUN with a BA in journalism. While editing a weekly Balboa on Sunday, June 1 with all proceeds going newspaper on , she became interested in to the Association of Jewish Educators Scholar- local politics. She served ten years on the ship Fund. County Council. She was also Mayor of Maui for two terms and became in 2002, after Looking at our attendance at Saturday morning an unsuccessful bid in 1998 when she was defeated Shabbat services, it is hard to believe that there was in the closest election in Hawaii history. She was a time when the congregation and Rabbi Vorspan Governor for the two term limit. would look nervously at the door, hoping for that tenth person to show up. Now, more often than not, Linda has been active in the Republican Party since we are welcoming the thirtieth or fortieth person to deciding to run against a corrupt Democratic estab- join us for Shabbat services. As much we put into lishment in a heavily Democratic state. She received our Social Action activities, when it comes to national attention when she delivered a primetime davening, we are no slouches there, either. address on the third night of the 2008 Republican National Convention. We will be having a special “Tisch” this month (May 15) with a special guest, former Governor of I met Linda Lingle in March when she gave a talk at a Hawaii Linda Lingle. meeting of the Current Events Club at Fountainview. I was invited by our member Phyllis Robinson. Since we will be taking a break in July and August, Along with the rest of the audience, I was impressed we need to make a real push over the next two by her manner of talking about her personal journey. months for SOVA and our Social Action Committee’s She is a dynamic speaker with a message for all of collection of Target $10 gift cards for Mother’s Day us about the duties of citizenship. for those in the domestic violence shelters that we support. Linda was raised in a Reform Jewish [Democratic] home. She has a close association with the Reform, If you have any questions or want to provide your Conservative, and Orthodox Jewish congregations input, please feel free to email me at and communities in Honolulu. During her time as [email protected].. governor, she studied weekly with the Chabad rabbi.

Thank you. Linda has personal and professional ties to Israel. Jordan Pistol, President She was part of the U.S. delegation formed by ------President George W. Bush to go to Israel to Rabbi’s Column (continued) celebrate Israel’s 60th Independence Day in 2008. She was also personally invited by Israel President Perhaps the contrary child meant well. But, judging Shimon Peres to attend his annual Presidential from the words on the page, it’s hard to tell. Conference.

The lesson for this Pesach Sheni: we should all get You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity, much better at writing what we truly mean, in a way thanks to Linda’s generous offer to speak to us. that leaves no doubt as to our intention! Please register with the included flyer, as we need to know how many will attend to set up the room. Rabbi David Vorspan

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Birthdays & Anniversaries DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to Birthdays

acknowledge the following donations: $ Frank Locasio...... 4/5 Omitted last month In Memory of Ted Lipschultz Laurie Orens...... 5/5 Myrna Gold...... 5/7 Bonnie Goldman’s co-workers at LADWP Harvey Cohen...... 5/12 Debra Geffen...... 5/12 Yahrzeits Linda Tapper...... 5/19 Jerry Kovar...... 5/21 Jacqueline Gordon for Lee C. Gordon Ellen Fremed...... 5/23 Carol and Irwin Koransky for B. Koransky Gladys Sturman...... 5/30 Ethel Granik for Calman Goldberg Irv Strassner for Mary Stanger Anniversaries Shirley Shapiro Fay and Ed Schneier Pat and Jerry Michaelson...... 5/15 26th Nancy and Lonny Scharf for David Haas and Rose Scharf Carol and Art Altshiller for S. Martin Altshiller Judy Eisikowitz for Elsie Eisikowitz and Herman Solomon Eisikowitz Mailbox Elaine Selznick for Ben Selznick and Sadie Gessler To all of the lovely members of Birthdays Congregation Shir Ami,

Ed Orens Harvey Cohen To be grateful is an understatement - Aaron and I Sylvia Hockmeyer Linda Tapper are beyond touched at the generosity and warmth Gabriel Lichtman you all have shown us. Not only did the ladies of Shir Ami throw me and join me in the most special Selling Chametz of bridal showers (and indeed shower me with gifts),

Carol and Irwin Koransky but the gorgeous mezuzah you have all given us is Nancy and Lonnie Scharf absolutely perfect to help us start our lives together. We look forward to sprinkling the glass into it in a mere few Congregational News weeks and hanging it up in a

Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: prominent place where we will always think of our second Frank Locasio knee surgery May 5 family with fondness and appreciation. May he be blessed with a complete recovery in body and spirit. Love, Aaron and Shaina

getting married. Your generosity in the shower gifts was Mailbox really overwhelming!

Dear Congregation Shir Ami, A very special thank you to Sherry Dollins, Ellen Fremed and Donna Levine for organizing the beautiful Words cannot adequately express the bridal shower! They saw to and created every detail blessings we feel being a part of Congregation Shir with such perfection! Thank you to Jennifer Dollins for Ami! The bridal shower that you gave Shaina and creating yummy chocolate lollipops and chocolate Aaron was so beautiful! The room was filled with coated pretzel sticks! love! It was so very special! Many of you have watched all three of our children grow up and have Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and lots of shared in our joys. And now our Shaina Maidel is love! Bonnie and Rabbi David

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Social Action Committee very much, and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! Happy Mother’s Day. Special thanks again to those who helped Congregation Shir Ami provide Shalom, the necessary food items and matza Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President to SOVA families for Passover. Your ------kindness and compassion were appreciated by all Operation Gratitude and Project MOT the Jewish families who received by Charlene Kazel Passover packages. Special thank you also to Sima Schuster and May 11 is Mother’s Day. We Fiona Taylor for their many trips to salute all mothers, and especially SOVA on behalf of our congregation! those who have loved ones serving in the military. Our hearts are with you. The members of Congregation May is a very special month for Shir Ami as well. We Shir Ami work diligently through Operation Gratitude are now collecting Target $10 gift cards for the to make the lives of your loved ones a little easier and mothers and their children in the Domestic Violence happier. We let them know that those at home care. Shelters we help sponsor for Mother’s Day. To those of you who have already sent Fran your And after we celebrate all the special days and Target cards, thank you very much. holidays we donate and volunteer and make our world Now that Passover is behind us, I am a better place.

hoping that many more of you will Being a Mother is the happiest and most rewarding of please also help us so that they can all professions. Thank God for Mothers; you are life’s buy something they need personally. Please mail the greatest gift. Happy Mother’s Day to one and all. cards directly to Fran Kobulnick at 5139 White Oak ------Ave. #13, Encino, CA 91316, or give them to Rae Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide Wazana, Fiona Taylor or Claire Silverman at by Rae Wazana services. If you need help, call Fran at (818) 345- 2405. Thank you for helping with this special mitzvah As you are reading this article, several of project. us from Shir Ami are preparing to participate in the JWW Walk to End Genocide. About We will be going to West Valley Healthcare Center 12 of our Congregation members are joining with on Friday, May 9 at 1:00 pm to bring in the Sabbath other synagogues, temples, schools, and many other and then celebrate Mother’s/Father’s Day with the organizations to express our support for Jewish World residents. Please join us for our sing-along led by Watch and its theme this year: Ten Years. One Life Claire Silverman and the Social Action choir, at a Time. We are walking to bring attention to victims followed by distribution of beautiful plants and of violence and genocides in Darfur, Congo, and refreshments. The best part of this community South Sudan. Thus far, our Shir Ami Team has raised mitzvah is the warm hugs of appreciation during our almost $900 to help support the many JWW projects one-on-one visits. All are welcome to join us; please and awareness and advocacy events. Thank you to contact Fran Kobulnick for more information. Rabbi and Bonnie and many Shir Ami members,

family, and friends for your generosity in helping Our annual Walk Around Lake Balboa will take Jewish World Watch continue its many programs of place on Sunday, June 1. We are raising money for “Not Standing Idly By”! the Association of Jewish Educators College Scholarship fund to be given to local high school If you would like to join us for this year’s Walk in seniors for use towards their first year in college. Thousand Oaks on Sunday, May 4th at 11:30 am or Member Maralyn Soifer is their President. See her would like to donate to Jewish World Watch, please article on page 7 and the flyer with this Shir Notes. contact our Walk Team co-captains, Fiona Taylor (818) 903-6381 or Rae Wazana (818) 881-5549 for On a personal note, I would like to thank you for more information. The Walk starts at Temple Etz your continued support of our very important Chaim,1080 E. Janss Rd. community mitzvah projects. Sam and I miss you all We will have a more complete report about the Walk in next month’s Shir Notes.

page 5 May 2014 human, as directed by his mother, was swathed in winter Putting Your Best Foot Forward underwear from ankles to wrists, corduroy pants, two by Owen Delman pairs of socks, ankle high galoshes, flannel shirt, sweat Fourteen years old and I’m freezing at shirt, winter coat with hood, woolen scarf, knit cap, inner 2 AM at the corner of Chicago’s Devon and outer gloves, and ear muffs. The first night, Mom and Kedzie in November. I had waited asked me the concerned mother question (“Do you think too long to find an after-school job. (In you’ll be warm enough?”), I pretended not to hear her! truth, I used my summer hours for (Of course, her clothing choices were right on!) Grumpy dating, hanging out with the guys, building model Benny also kept a fire going in an aging, rusty 50 gallon airplanes and, basically, ignoring the need to find a oil drum, its flames fed by wooden pallets used to deliver part-time job.) In September, when I finally left the the wrapped packets of 25 papers from a truck which gate, all of the school week jobs had been taken, never slowed down as it dropped its evening load. It leaving only the weekenders that no one wanted. reminded me of a low bomber run dropping its load. That’s how I ended up here, on Most people bought the Tribune, Herald American, or a Saturday night selling news- Sun Times. They drove up, called out their choices and I papers from a corner stand with brought the papers to them. On slushy days, their tires Grumpy Benny -- every Satur- left my pants covered by dirty splotches thrown from the day night from 7 PM to 3 AM. gutter. They paid and usually left the change as a tip. A Grumpy’s job training consisted nickel here, a dime there, regular customers would of “Do what I tell you” and “We double the charge and leave it as a tip. On this particular ain’t got no time for customer service. They’re just November Saturday, around midnight, the wind whipping goddamn papers, that’s all” the heavy, wet snow starting to cover the gray slush, a My mother had thought it was a terrible idea. “What long, large car (Cadillac?, Lincoln?, Packard?, Buick?) do you mean until 3AM? Can’t you just work until it appeared at the curb. I couldn’t determine the make, my closes?” glasses were alternately being covered by large, wet snow flakes and fog from my breath which crept up from “Benny says it closes at 3AM. People pick up their the scarf which covered most of my face. papers after a movie and dinner or coming home from downtown,” I answered. The car honked, I came to the window and heard a very muffled “Anywhere sits!” The woman (I think it was a “It’s crazy. Imagine a thirteen year old boy staying out woman, though I couldn’t tell for sure) in the passenger that late.” side didn’t look at me. Nor did I see her mouth move! Then it came again “Anywhere sits!” I motioned for her to “I’m fourteen.” roll down her window, but she shook her head and I

figured she didn’t want snow to get in the car. But she “Don’t talk back.” did look towards the driver and shout “Morry bellum” or “I’m not. I’m just sayin’.” words like that. He knew the language because, though I never saw him, he must have rolled down his window Dad finally chimed in. “It won’t hurt him to have a job and I clearly heard “A Forvitz, please.” like that. He’s not going to be alone. It’ll be good for him. And, anyway, his boss, Benny, will be there.” Aha, now I could answer. “I’m sorry, sir, we don’t carry the Forvitz.” The matter was settled. Domestic tranquility was restored and I had a job. “Vhere?”

I won’t dwell on the weather conditions which I had to Now, the only place I had seen the Forvitz, the Yiddish endure. It was, after all, Chicago during the months of daily newspaper was at Bubbe’s. So, I asked Grumpy September -- tolerable, October -- a sense of Benny where they could get it. Grumpy, never one to impending Ice Age, November -- Ice Age, December - give away business, grumped over his shoulder, “I’ll see - an endurance contest between the weather and the if I can get it next week. Sell ‘em a Trib today.” and went humans and January -- oh, for the warmth of just the back to his business with another car. Ice Age! “I’m sorry. We don’t know. We might have it next week. ” Survival was maintained, though not assured, by And with that, the long car drove into the wet, white multiple layers of clothing. From the inside out, this night. (continued on page 8) page 6 May 2014

Biography of the Month: Internet access (via something called "long-term by Stan Schroeder evolution" or "LTE" technology), you'll be using an

I usually write these bios from a extension of the technology a 20-year-old actress combination of sources, and first conceived while sitting at dinner with Hitler. don’t credit individual sources. I At the time she made Ecstasy, Kiesler was married to received this one as an email one of the richest men in . Friedrich Mandl and copied and edited it. was Austria 's leading arms maker. His firm would In 1933, a beautiful, young Austrian woman took off become a key supplier to the Nazis. Mandl used his her clothes for a movie director. She ran naked beautiful young wife as a showpiece at important through the woods. She swam naked in a lake - business dinners with representatives of the pushing well beyond the social norms of the period. Austrian, Italian, and German fascist forces. One of Mandl's favorite topics at these gatherings, which The most popular movie in 1933 was King Kong, but included meals with Hitler and Mussolini, was the everyone in Hollywood was talking about that technology surrounding radio-controlled missiles and scandalous movie with the gorgeous, young Austrian torpedoes. woman. Louis B. Mayer, of the giant studio MGM, said she was the most beautiful woman in the world. The Wireless weapons offered far greater ranges than film was banned practically everywhere, which of the wire-controlled alternatives that prevailed at the course made it even more popular and valuable. Muss- time. Kiesler sat through these dinners "looking olini reportedly refused to sell his copy at any price. stupid," while absorbing everything she heard.

The star of the film, called As a Jew, Kiesler hated the Nazis. She abhorred her Ecstasy, was Hedwig Kiesler. husband's business ambitions. Mandl responded to She said the secret of her his willful wife by imprisoning her in his castle, beauty was "to stand there Schloss Schwarzenau. In 1937, she managed to and look stupid." In reality, escape. She drugged her maid, Sneaked out of the Kiesler was anything but castle wearing the maid's clothes and sold her stupid. She was a genius. jewelry to finance a trip to London . She'd grown up as the only child of a prominent She got out just in time, for in 1938, Germany Jewish banker. She was a math prodigy. She excelled annexed Austria. The Nazis seized Mandl's factory at science. (He was half Jewish). Mandl fled to Brazil. Later, he As she grew older, she became ruthless, using all the became an adviser to 's iconic populist power her body and mind gave her. president, Juan Peron.

Between the sexual roles she played, her tremendous In London, Kiesler arranged a meeting with Louis B. beauty, and the power of her intellect, Kiesler would Mayer. She signed a long-term contract with him, confound the men in her life, including her six becoming one of MGM's biggest stars. She appeared husbands, two of the most ruthless dictators of the in more than 20 films. She was a co-star to Clark 20th century, and one of the greatest movie producers Gable, Judy Garland, and even Bob Hope. Each of in history. Her beauty made her rich for a time. She is her first seven MGM movies was a blockbuster. said to have made - and spent - $30 million in her life. But Kiesler cared far more about fighting the Nazis But her greatest accomplishment resulted from her than making movies. At the height of her fame, 1942, intellect and her invention continues to shape the she developed a new kind of communications world we live in today. You see, this young Austrian system, optimized for sending coded messages that starlet would take one of the most valuable tech- couldn't be "jammed." She was building a system to nologies ever developed right from under Hitler's nose. allow torpedoes and guided bombs to always reach After fleeing to America, she not only became a major their targets. She was building a system to kill Nazis.

Hollywood star, her name sits on one of the most By the 1940s, both the Nazis and the Allied forces important patents granted by the U.S. Patent Office. were using the kind of single-frequency radio-

Today, when you use your cell phone or over the next controlled technology Kiesler's ex-husband had been few years, as you experience super-fast wireless peddling. (continued on page 7)

page 7 May 2014 Biography of the Month: Hedy Lamarr spreading wireless signals across the entire (continued) available spectrum. This kind of encoding is only possible using the kind of frequency switching that The drawback of this technology was that the enemy Hedwig Kiesler invented. could find the appropriate frequency and "jam" or intercept the signal, thereby interfering with the missile's intended path. Association of Jewish Educators Scholarships by Maralyn Soifer Kiesler's key innovation was to "change the channel." It was a way of encoding a message across a broad Several people have asked me about students who area of the wireless spectrum. If one part of the have received Association of Jewish Educators’ spectrum was jammed, the message would still get scholarships. I have given profiles of three students through on one of the other frequencies being below: used. The problem was, she could not figure out how to synchronize the frequency changes on both the *Brittany received a scholarship in 1995. She had receiver and the transmitter. To solve the problem, been accepted to Brandeis University as a Jewish she turned to perhaps the world's first techno- Studies Major. She was a 4.0 student at El Camino musician, George Anthiel. Real High School, and she had many offers for admittance to colleges. She chose Brandeis because Anthiel was an acquaintance of Kiesler who achieved it had the best Jewish Studies program. Brittany some notoriety for creating intricate musical excelled not only in academics, but also in athletics. compositions. He synchronized his melodies across She was a gold medal winner at the JCC Maccabi twelve player pianos, producing stereophonic sounds Youth Games and ran track and field in high school. no one had ever heard before. Kiesler incorporated She graduated from Brandeis and is currently living in Anthiel's technology for synchronizing his player Colorado. She is married and has three children. She pianos. Then, she was able to synchronize the is a director of a Hebrew School program. frequency changes between a weapon's receiver and its transmitter. *Karen also graduated from El Camino High School and won an AJE scholarship. While Karen had a high On August 11, 1942, U.S. Patent No. 2,292,387 was grade point average, she had struggled in her early granted to Antheil and "Hedy Kiesler Markey", which years of school. She was diagnosed as dyslexic in first was Kiesler's married name at the time. grade. Through parental support, special education services, and sheer tenacity, Karen was able to Most of you won't recognize the name Kiesler. And no overcome many of her learning challenges and one would remember the name Hedy Markey. But it's succeed in high school. She was accepted to an out a fair bet than anyone reading this newsletter of a of state university to major in Kinesiology. She plans certain age will remember one of the great beauties of to go into sports medicine. Hollywood's golden age ~ Hedy Lamarr! *Leah was born in Russia, and she immigrated to the That's the name Louis B. Mayer gave to his prize just before she started middle school. actress and that his movie company made famous. She knew no English when she started school in West

Meanwhile, almost no one knows Hedwig Kiesler - Los Angeles. She graduated seven years later with aka Hedy Lamarr - was one of the great pioneers of honors from University High School. Again, her wireless communications. Her technology was parental support, English Learner program in school, developed by the U.S. Navy, which has used it ever and her motivation and drive to succeed helped her since. You're probably using Lamarr's technology, too. become the scholar she is today. She won an AJE Her patent sits at the foundation of "spread spectrum New Comer’s scholarship in 2013. technology," which you use every day when you log If you have further questions, please feel free to email on to a wi- fi network or make calls with your me. [email protected] Bluetooth-enabled phone. * Because of privacy the names have been changed. It lies at the heart of the massive investments being made right now in so-called fourth-generation "LTE" Editor’s note: Association of Jewish Educators wireless technology. This next generation of cell Scholarships is the beneficiary of this year’s Social phones and cell towers will provide tremendous Action Committee Walk Around Lake Balboa June 1. increases to wireless network speed and quality, by See the flyer with this Shir Notes.

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Putting Your Best Foot Forward (continued) A Little Humor? - Jewish Jeopardy

But I knew, Benny wasn’t going to order the minimum Thanks to Claire Silverman

25 papers on the chance of selling one. A group of leading medical researchers have

It was time for my midnight break. The Bagel, a deli published data indicating that Seder participants across the street served as a winter oasis and should NOT partake of both chopped liver and bathroom. The thought of a hot chocolate and a bear charoses, it seems that this combination can lead to claw kept me alive during my darkest hours. Grumpy Charoses of the Liver. Benny sent me on my way “No more than 15 minutes, kid!” I don’t think he ever learned my name. At our seder, we had whole wheat and bran matzoh, fortified with Metamucil. The brand name, Sitting in a booth, nursing my hot chocolate and of course, "Let My People Go." denuding the bear claw of its sticky, sweet, thin sliced almonds, I tried to will my body to warm up before my Old Jewish men in Miami get hernias from wearing 15 minutes expired. Looking around at the sparse chai's which are too heavy. This condition is called group of other midnight patrons, one immediately chaiatal hernia! caught my eye, sitting at the next booth. He was reading a newspaper, holding it high off the table to If a doctor carries a black bag and a plumber carries catch the light. It was the Forward, or the Forvitz, as a tool box, what does a mohel carry? A briskit! my disappointed big car customer called it. JEWISH JEOPARDY - At his table I asked, “Excuse me, where did you get I give the answer, you give the question the Forward?” A: Midrash. “Vye, you vant maybe to read?” Q: What is a Mideast skin disease?

“No, but I know someone who wants to get one.” A: The Gaza Strip. “It’s not hard, if you vant, they sell dem right der. The Q: What is an Egyptian Belly Dance? front door,” he nodded his head toward the entrance. A: A classroom, a Passover ceremony, and latke. I looked up and they were, neatly arranged in a stand. Q: What are a cheder, a seder, and a tater?

The next week when the long car drove up for its A: Sofer. Forvitz and Benny didn’t have the paper, I directed Q: On what do Jews recline on Passover? them across the street, making sure that Grumpy

Benny didn’t hear me giving away business. The Mrs. A: Babylon. rolled down the window, and with a big smile, thanked Q: What does the rabbi do during some sermons? me. I watched as they crossed the intersection and pulled into the deli parking lot. A: Filet Minyan. Benny was wrong, there’s always time for customer Q: What do you call steaks ordered by 10 Jews? satisfaction. A: Kishka, sukkah, and circumcision. Q: What are a gut, a hut, and a cut? Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards And speaking of circumcisions: An enterprising Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for Rabbi is offering circumcisions via the Internet. The sending your cards celebrating service is to be called..."E-MOIL" simchas and conveying your get- well and condolence messages.

She is creative with individualized, artistic cards that include a message and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

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May Israel and Jewish Holidays The third holiday is Yom Yerushalayim ( by Stan Schroeder Day) that falls on May 28. It is 28 Iyar on the Hebrew calendar, the date in 1967 that the Israel Defense This month we celebrate/commemor- Force captured the Old City from Jordan, reunifying ate three important holidays of our Jewish State of the city that was divided in the 1948 War of Indepen- Israel and the holiday that occurs on the 33rd day of dence. From Psalm 122:3 “Built-up Jerusalem is like a the counting of the omer: Lag Ba’Omer (May 18). city that was joined together.” May our holy city, capital of Israel, never be divided again! Israel’s Memorial Day Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Independence Day Yom Mailbox Ha’Atzmaut have been celebrated on consecutive days since 1951. Israel declared independence with Dear Congregation, a proclamation and a speech by the first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion May 15, 1948, 5 Iyar on On behalf of Jewish Family Service the Hebrew calendar. They are celebrated according of Los Angeles (JFS) and our Board of Directors, we to the Hebrew calendar. However, they are thank you for your generous donation of 655 pounds advanced by one or two days if 5 Iyar falls on a of Matzoh to support JFS {SOVA’s hunger relief Friday or Saturday, or delayed by one day if 4 Iyar programs. falls on a Sunday to avoid a conflict with Shabbat. The JFS {SOVA Community Food and Resource

This year 4 Iyar does fall on Sunday, so the holidays Program responds to hunger and poverty in our are delayed to start Sunday night: Yom Hazikaron on community by providing individuals and families with Monday, May 5, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut on Tuesday, the resources they need to regain self-sufficiency and independence including free groceries, case May 6. Yom Hazikaron is more than a Memorial Day management, counseling, legal and job assistance, for fallen soldiers. Its official name has been and other supportive services. expanded to Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and victims of Terrorism. There are Because of caring community members like you, ceremonies at all the military cemeteries, with the SOVA was able to distribute more than 3.2 million largest gathering at the military cemetery at Mount pounds of food last year. The three SOVA pantries Herzl in Jerusalem. Almost all Jewish citizens visit now serve an average of 12,000 people each month, one or more cemeteries. almost three times as many as before the economic

crisis began. We don’t know how many more people The holiday starts with a siren throughout the country will turn to SOVA for help in the near future. at 8 pm (preceding evening as in all Jewish holidays). The day starts with a ceremony at the JFS {SOVA is a community program in all respects. Western Wall in which the flag is lowered to half We serve the diverse Los Angeles community, we staff. At 11 am another siren is sounded, lasting two depend on community volunteers, and we rely on minutes. Everyone in the country comes to a stop community supporters who donate food and money. until the siren ends. We are grateful to you for being part of the SOVA

community. Yom Hazikaron ends at sundown as Yom Ha’Atzmaut begins. Stands are erected around the Jewish Family Service is committed to improving and plaza on Mount Herzl for a traditional celebration of enhancing the lives of our neighbors, regardless of torch lighting and pageantry. Twelve torches are lit, religion, age, or ethnicity, as we strive to uphold the symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. This year’s theme highest standards of service while adapting to the is “the Women’s era.” Fourteen women will be changing needs of those we serve. For nearly 160 honored for contributions to Israel’s culture, econ- years JFS programs and services have enriched the omy, and government and will light the 12 torches. quality of life for families and individuals and have helped to make our community strong and whole. We I have attended this event twice and came away could not do this without your support; we thank you. inspired, amazed, and entertained. I was most impressed by the youth groups who performed in With sincere appreciation, various musical, athletic, and dance routines. Happy 66th Birthday, Israel - Am Yisrael Chai (the people Terry Friedman Paul S. Castro, JD of Israel live!) President Chief Executive Officer page 10 April 2014

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 Clara Rosenbluth celebrate family occasions and support at (818) 348-1498 so she may mail you an Congregation Shir Ami. order form. The cost of each plaque is $36.

The Tree is on a rosewood background Each plaque may contain up to three lines of and consists of gold-colored leaves and engraving: English name, Hebrew name, and rocks. It is displayed at all Congregation the years of birth and death. Both of our Shir Ami services and events. Memorial Boards are displayed at all our

For more information or to place an order, services. call Sherry Dollins at (818) 886-7590. page 11 April 2014

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 Rabbi David and Bonnie Vorspan are pleased to invite you, the members of Congregation Shir Ami, to two special events in celebration of the marriage of their daughter, Shaina Ann to Aaron Brenner Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Ufruf Aaron and Shaina will be called up for an aliyah and special blessing for their impending marriage during Contemporary Services on Saturday, May 17, 2014 10:30 AM at the Shirley Levine Chapel on the grounds of Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School across the street from Ramat Zion For those unable to park in the TRZ parking lot and walk across the street, parking will be available in the Heschel parking lot

Kiddush Luncheon to follow in the Temple Ramat Zion Social Hall

RSVP by May 1 by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (Vorspan home number: 818 888-9817)

Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Sheva Berachot It is traditional to have festive celebrations each evening during the week following the wedding.

Please join Shaina and Aaron on Sunday, May 25, 2 PM at the Temple Ramat Zion Social Hall for a wedding cake and champagne/sparking cider reception and to view a video of the ceremony

RSVP by May 1 by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (Vorspan home number: 818 888-9817) Let’s go for a walk around Lake Balboa!

Join Congregation Shir Ami’s Social Action Committee on Sunday, June 1st at 9:00 am. Registration required starting at 8:30 am All Proceeds go to Association of Jewish Educators Scholarship Fund Minimum donation: $10 per person, NO MAXIMUM! Following the walk, a brunch will be provided by our Social Action Committee near the lake. Please bring vegetarian salad, side dish, or dessert to share, and remember to wear your Mitzvah Patrol shirt. Pets are welcome.

Also please bring non-perishable and non-breakable food for SOVA.

Sit-down activities are available for those who don’t walk. Call Ellie Zatz at (818)

883-9924 or Paullette Pistol at (818) 389-1892. 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 [ ]

Meet Linda Lingle, Former Governor of Hawaii

Special Version of “Tisch” Thursday, May15, 7:30 pm Rec Room of Northridge Mobile Home Park 19120 Nordhoff St. (east of Tampa) Northridge

Linda is a Valley girl, a graduate of Birmingham High School and California State University Northridge. She was raised in a Reform Jewish home. Upon receiving her degree in journalism, she moved to Hawaii where her father was setting up an auto dealership.

While managing a newspaper on Molokai, Linda became interested in politics as a result of a local problem. She served ten years on the Maui County Council. She was also Mayor of Maui for two terms and became Governor of Hawaii in 2002. She was Governor for the two term limit.

Linda is currently teaching a senior course in public policy at her alma mater CSUN. She is a member of the Governors’ Council of the Bipartisan Policy Council (BPC) in Washington, DC founded in 2007 by four former U.S. Senators. The BPC seeks principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue.

We are indeed fortunate that Linda Lingle generously offered to speak to us about her life journey and our responsibilities as good citizens. She has a special connection to Israel and hopes to use her knowledge and skills to contribute to our Jewish State.

Please mail the registration form below or email Stan Schroeder at [email protected] or call him at (818) 718-7466. ------Registration for Linda Lingle lecture May 15 at 7:30 pm (no charge) Mail to Congregation Shir Ami, P.O. Box 6353, Woodland Hills, CA 91365

Name: No. of attendees: Phone: