the Volume 31, Number 7 March 2012

TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM Adar / Nisan 5772

Volume 35, Number 8 • April 2016 • Adar II/Nisan 5776

R R R R R R R R i i i i i i i i Pu M DIRECTORY

SERVICES SCHEDULE GENERAL INFORMATION: All phone numbers use (510) prefix unless otherwise noted. Services, Location, Time Monday & Thursday Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 Morning Minyan, Chapel, 8:00 a.m. Hours M-Th: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fr: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. On Holidays, start time is 9:00 a.m. Office Phone 832-0936 Friday Evening Office Fax 832-4930 (Kabbalat Shabbat), Chapel, 6:15 p.m. E-Mail [email protected] Shabbat Morning, Sanctuary, 9:30 a.m. Gan Avraham 763-7528 Candle Lighting (Friday) Bet Sefer 663-1683 April 1 7:33 p.m. STAFF April 8 7:39 p.m. Rabbi (x 213) Mark Bloom April 15 7:45 p.m. Richard Kaplan, Cantor April 22 7:52 p.m. [email protected] April 29 7:58 p.m. Gabbai Marshall Langfeld Executive Director (x 214) Rayna Arnold Torah Portions (Saturday) Office Manager (x 210) Virginia Tiger April 2 Shabbat Parah Bet Sefer Director Susan Simon 663-1683 April 9 Tazria Gan Avraham Director Jill Rosenthal & Marta Molina April 16 Metzora Bookkeeper (x 215) Kevin Blattel April 23 Pesach I Facilities Manager (x 211) Joe Lewis Kindergym/ April 30 Pesach VIII Dawn Margolin 547-7726 Toddler Program Volunteers (x 229) Herman & Agnes Pencovic TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM OFFICERS OF THE BOARD is proud to support the Conservative President Mark Fickes 652-8545 Movement by affiliating with The United Vice President Eric Friedman 984-2575 of Conservative Judaism. Vice President Alice Hale 336-3044 Vice President Laura Wildmann 601-9571 Vice President Etta Heber 530-8320 Advertising Policy: Anyone may sponsor an issue Secretary JB Leibovitch 653-7133 of The Omer and receive a dedication for their Treasurer Susan Shub 852-2500 business or loved one. Contact us for details. We COMMITTEES & ORGANIZATIONS: If you would like to con- do not accept outside or paid advertising. tact the committee chairs, please contact the synagogue The Omer is published on paper that is 30% office for phone numbers and e-mail addresses. post-consumer fibers. Adult Education Aaron Paul The Omer (USPS 020299) is published monthly Chesed Warren Gould except July and August by Congregation Beth Development Leon Bloomfield & Flo Raskin Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. Dues Evaluation Susan Shub Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA. Endowment Fund Charles Bernstein Finance Susan Shub POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Gan Avraham Parents Toni Mason & Lauren Smith Omer, c/o Temple Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Gan Avraham School Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610-3232. Gary Bernstein Committee © 2016. Temple Beth Abraham. House Stephen Shub The Omer is published by Temple Beth Abraham, Israel Affairs JB Leibovitch a non-profit, located at 336 Euclid Avenue, Membership Ulli Rotzscher Oakland, CA 94610; telephone (510) 832-0936. It Men’s Club Jereme Albin is published monthly except for the months of July Omer Lisa Fernandez/Rachel Dornhelm and August for a total of ten issues per annum. It Personnel Laura Wildmann is sent as a requester publication and there is no Public Relations Lisa Fernandez paid distribution. Ritual Eric Friedman Schools Alice Hale Social Action Marc Bruner To view The Omer in color, Torah Fund Anne Levine visit www.tbaoakland.org. Women of TBA Molli Rothman & Jessica Sterling Youth open i WHAT’S HAPPENING

Men’s Club Shabbat Friday, April 8 Saturday, April 2, 9:30 AM 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Please Join Us for TBA’s Youth Services

SHABBAT MISHPACHA for preschool-aged children and their families. Kitah Gimmel classroom. April 1, 10:15 a.m. T’FILLAT Y’LADIM for children in Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade and their families. In the Chapel. April 1, 10:15 a.m. JUNIOR CONGREGATION for children in 3rd - 6th grade. In the Chapel. April 16, 10:15 a.m. A special musical Kabbalat Shabbat: ADULT EDUCATION THIS MONTH: Preparing for Passover April 3, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel Our own Bette Birnbaum will be teaching us about – Songs of Freedom customs and rituals around Bikhor Cholim, visiting the sick. Bette is a terrific teacher and there is much Please join us as we prepare our to learn about this important . hearts and homes to celebrate April 17, 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel our freedom, and the freedom Nitzhia Shaked will return for a one day visit with of the Jewish people. us with more Pesach learning. She’ll be teaching us about Pesach from biblical times to the Haggadah. Featuring music and So timely right before the first Seder the following weekend. sermon-in-song by TBA’s April 10, 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel Judy Bloomfield, Denise Davis, Rabbi Art Gould is teaching a class on Rodef Shalom. Jeanne Korn and Jill Rosenthal. Wednesdays, starting April 13, 7:30 p.m. in the Baum Center Basic beginning Hebrew class (pre-reg is required) taught by Susan Simon. See PAGE 8 for events for Women of TBA and Men’s Club

1 FROM THE RABBI A Civil War Passover By Rabbi Mark Bloom The theme for this Omer’s issue led me to pull one of my favorite books off my shelf; Phillip Goodman’s Passover Anthology. In it, I found an intriguing Passover experience written up by Joseph A. Joel, a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War stationed in the mountains of West Virginia. They had received matzahh from the military chain. But how would they find the rest of the materials? Here is an excerpt: “We decided to send parties to forage in the country… We obtained two kegs of cider, a lamb, several chickens and some eggs. or parsley we could not obtain, but in lieu we found a weed, whose bitterness, I apprehend, exceed anything our fore- fathers ‘enjoyed.’ The necessaries for the choroutzes (sic) we could not obtain, so we got a brick which, rather hard to digest, reminded us, by looking at it, for what purpose it was intended. At dark we had all prepared, and were ready to commence the service. There being no Chasan present, I was selected to read the services, which I commenced by asking the blessing of the Almighty on the food before us, and to preserve our lives from danger. The ceremonies were passing off very nicely, until we arrived at the part where the bitter herb was to be taken… I said the blessing; each ate his portion, when horrors! What a scene ensued in our little congregation it is impossible for my pen to describe. The herb was very bitter and very fiery like cayenne pepper, and excited our thirst to such a degree that we forgot the law authorizing us to drink only four cups, and the consequence was we drank up all the cider. Those that drank more freely became excited, and one thought he was Mosses, another Aaron, and one had the audacity to call himself a pharaoh. The consequence was a skirmish, with nobody hurt—only Moses, Aaron and Pharaoh had to be carried to the camp. There, in the wild woods of West Virginia, away from home and friends, we conse- crated and offered up to the ever-loving God of Israel our prayers and sacrifice. Since then a number of my comrades have fallen in battle in defending the flag they volunteered to protect with their lives. I have myself received a number of wounds all but mortal, but there is no occasion in my life that gives me more pleasure and satisfac- tion than when I remember the celebration of Passover of 1862.”

Learn Torah with Rabbi Bloom & other TBAers Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Woodminster Cafe. No knowledge of Hebrew is required.

2 FROM THE PRESIDENT The Passover Table By Mark P. Fickes The Passover seder (literally “order”) is perhaps the most widely kept family ritual of the Jewish calendar. The source for the commandment of telling the Exodus story is in the Torah. In the third of the fourteen books that compile the Mishne Torah, Maimonides codifies the laws of the Sabbath and festivals. One of the sub-sections in this book is entitled “Laws of and Matza” (the laws of leaven and unleavened bread). The seventh chapter in this section deals primarily with the laws of the Passover seder service and instructs us how best to officiate such a service. Maimonides tells us it is a commandment to talk of the miracles and wonders faced by the Israelites in Egypt on the night of the fifteenth of Nisan. In Exodus 13:3, we read: “Remember this day, on which you left Egypt.” The Torah continues in Exodus 13:8: “And you shall tell your son on that day, saying: ‘It is because of this…’” implying the command- ment is to be fulfilled when matzah and are placed before you. The commandment applies even though one does not have a son. Even great Sages are obligated to tell about the Exodus from Egypt. Whoever elaborates concerning the events which occurred and took place is worthy of praise, according to Maimonides. What else characterizes this night of Jewish ritual? Maimonides quotes the descriptive legal text introducing us to the other two biblical commandments of the evening – the matza and maror. Both of these rituals were designed to enable the literal tasting and through this the experiencing of the story. The bitter herbs allow us to relate and re-experience in some way the bitterness of the years of slavery, and the unleavened bread, the very same bread that the Israelites ate when they left in haste for fear of Egyptian pursuit, is at one and the same time the bread of slavery and redemption. The law is concluded with the instruction to those without children, even those who are wise, and presumably have studied the story to great depth and perhaps many times before, even they have to tell the story once again, this year the same as last. If this was an academic exer- cise, then there would be little reason for such a person to tell the story again every year. On the other hand, there are many reasons to repeat the story when the goal is to connect spiritu- ally with the past. Chag Sameach!

Please Join Us for Morning Minyan on Mondays & Thursdays Join the regulars at our Minyan service, each Monday and Thursday usually starting at 8:00 a.m. The service lasts about an hour, and is really a great way to start the day. As an added bonus, breakfast is served immediately afterwards. To use the old expression – try it, you’ll like it. If not as a reg- ular, just stop in once or twice and see what it’s all about.

3 EDITORS COLUMN COVER ARTIST Invite a Stranger to Your Seder, It’s a Mitzvah That May Lead to Marriage By Lisa Fernandez EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a repurposed article as first seen in the 2015 Omer. I’m encouraging you all to invite someone you don’t know over for a seder. I learned the tradi- tion from my mother, who has a long history of inviting strangers, many of them very strange, to our Passover table. But one time, the guest turned out to spark a lasting romance. Passover is a time for matzah, marror, and in my family, matchmaking. One particular year, I was dating someone my mother despised. And so, during this particular Passover, she made an especially urgent plea to the Hillel at the University of Rochester. I need a nice, Jewish, medical student ASAP to be one of our Pesach guests, she told them. Hillel complied: On the first night of seder, in walks Joel Shapiro, medical student extraordinaire. We were not a match. But Joel did have an eye on someone in my family. Next day, he called for my older cousin, Marcie. Apparently, he fell in love over my mom’s dry and soup while we were all sitting around the seder table. Apparently, so did she. The two married, and they’ve been blissfully wed for more than 20 years. You just never know what might happen if you invite a stranger into your house for Passover. Love might be waiting for you in between bites of your Hillel sandwich. So, please consider inviting someone to your table this year.

About the Cover Artist, Leah Sarber By Jessica Sarber In this image of a Seder table, Leah Sarber shows the timeless curiosity of children. The wide-eyed children demonstrate the special holiday that Passover is: the unique table setting, the teaching of our heritage to children and the responsibil- ity that comes with freedom. The four questions, which encourage children to ask over and over again, are an ageless reminder to parents that teaching, patience and our children’s joy, no matter their age, lasts a lifetime. My sweet daughter Leah, the artist, was born during Passover and in a few weeks she will be 15. Like the children in the drawing, Leah is as curious and engaged in the events around her as she always has been; the picture fits her personality. Leah is an active fresh- man at Skyline High School, sings and acts with the Peter Pan Foundation, volunteers as a Teen Wild Guide at the Oakland Zoo, and participates with Midrasha and BBYO. In her spare time, she loves to draw.

THE OMER We cheerfully accept member submissions. Deadline for articles and letters is the seventh of the month preceding publication. Editor in Chief Rachel Dornhelm Jessica Dell’Era, Nadine Joseph, Richard Kauffman, Lori Copy Editors Managing Editor Lisa Fernandez Rosenthal, Jan Silverman, Debbie Spangler Layout & Design Jessica Sterling June Brott, Jessica Dell’Era, Charles Feltman, Elizabeth Proofreaders James, Jeanne Korn, Anne Levine, Susan Simon, Debbie Calendars Jon Golding Spangler Cover Leah Sarber Distribution Hennie Hecht B’nai Mitzvah Editor Susan Simon Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 Help From People like you! E-Mail [email protected]

4 SIX WORD MEMOIRS Six-Word Memoirs: Passover Beanie Babies symbolize plagues at Seder. Compiled by Jessica Teisch Grandparents fragrant with old country, . Scoobydooby wawa whispered torturously by sister! Missing the old, rejoicing in new! -Joel A. Biatch -Ann Rapson, still 61 Having fun with cousins observing Seder. The hottest horseradish Mom can find! Adults hearing cousin falling while hiding!!! Dad piles it on the matzah! One aunt’s matzah balls soft, fluffy. -Lori-Jill Seltzer One aunt’s matzah balls, atom bombs. Candles lit, cups, no Kids negotiating for afikomen prize. Seder plate, symbols of exodus story -Vicki Weller Bitter herbs remind us of slavery Second Seder Bibliodrama Enactment Much Fun! Salt water reminds us of tears -Eric Friedman Matzah reminds us of our haste Wine, Women and Men, Family, Song, Memories. Greens and eggs remind of spring -Elinor DeKoven, 80 reminds us of the mortar Shankbone reminds us of lamb’s blood Drinking Elijah’s cup at age 9. (In my defense, it was purple.) Angel of Death passed over us -Bess Gurman Passover - week without bread and pasta No carbs? No problem on Passover! We pray, we eat, we pray. -Karen Bloom, age 46: -Edie Mills My mother used Seder for matchmaking. Great Tradition! Great Family! Great Food! First night’s great, remaining week hard. -Herb Bloom Why not ? I say yes! Oy voy—can we eat now? Rice not kosher, rainbow marshmallows OK. 4 cups 4 questions 80 pages?! We are slaves to many things. Did Elijah drink more this year? -Lisa Fernandez, 46 -Ben Stiegler In coming issues please send us your six word memoirs Is it time to eat yet? to Jessica Teisch at [email protected] with the word -Norm & Jan Frankel “six word memoir” in the subject line. Please include your name and your age, because part of the beauty is Maxwell House haggadot and charoset—yum. seeing how we feel about Judaism at different ages. -Rebecca Sparks, 47 The Six-Word Memoirs on Jewish Life is a partnership Matzah ball soup, too much carrot. between Reboot (www.rebooters.net) and Larry Smith. -David White In November 2006, writer and editor Larry Smith issued a challenge to fans of his online publication, SMITH Saba’s Hagadah says “Eat egg now!” Magazine. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s legendary (It never fails to cause a ruckus. We’d always argue that shortest of short stories (“For sale: Baby shoes, never it seemed so out of place to do it at that moment, but he’d worn”), Smith asked readers to describe their lives in six insist. Then one year, he pointed into his Hagadah and words. Since then, the Six-Word Memoir® made its debut said “it says so right here!” We look, and lo and behold, in 2006, nearly one million short life stories have been it’s there, in his handwriting, in pencil, no less). shared on the storytelling community SMITH Magazine -Patricia Eliahu website.

5 MISHLOACH MANOT Thank you to all Mishloach Manot Volunteers and Donors! Thank you to all who made our 2016 Alper, Dvora McLean, Eden Bruner, Food Sourcing Basket Fundraiser such a success Eric Eisenman, Rogers, Flo Steve Grossman — you made over $43,000 for the TBA Raskin, Jana Good, Jeanne & Sara schools with a portion going to Mazon, Korn, JB Leibovitch, Jennie Chabon, Food Donors A Jewish Response to Hunger! Jennifer Beck, Jerry Levine, Jessica Clif Bars & Luna Bars, Clif Bar & Sarber, Jessica Teisch, Jill Levine, Joan Company/Steve Grossman; Crackers, Thanks to all members who donated to Korin, Jody London, Jonathan, Lillian Ozery Bakery; Divine Chocolate; Mishloach Manot and to those volun- & Rebecca Klein, Joy Jacobs, Judy & Fig Bars, Natures Bakery, Ghiradelli teers who worked to make it happen!!! Mark Langberg, Jueli Garfinkle, Rabbi Chocolate; Hamentashen (Dairy) - It does take a village. & Karen Bloom, Lara Gilman, Larry Kathy Sanders & Gary Zimmerman; Hamentashen Bakers Reback, Laura & Hugo Wildmann, Leah Hershey Kisses, Hennie Hecht, Kosher Goldberg, Liat Porat, Lisa Fernandez, Katering; Lance Toasty Crackers , Adi Schacker, Amy Tessler, Anne Lisa Tabak, Lori-Jill Seltzer, Lori Snyder’s-Lance; Method Hand Soap, Levine, Bob Klein, Deborah Reback, Rosenthal, Marcia & Andy Wasserman, Method Company; Numi Tea (Variety of Debra Weinstein, Doree Jurow Klein, Marcia Benjamin, Melissa, Roxanne Organic Teas); Caramel Popcorn, Edie Doreen Alper, Jeanne Korn, Jing & Joel & Ellis Diamant, Moira Belikoff, Nora & Dick Mills, in memory of Jeanette Piser, Joy Jacobs, Karen Schoonmaker, Morton, Patricia & Avi Eliahu, Ron Jeger; Plum Mashups (Squeezable Maria Tostado, Rayna Arnold, Stacy Berrol, Rebecca Sparks, Rose Hoffman, Fruit), Plum Organics; Pop Chips Margolin, Tina Eisenman, Wendy Siver Sharon Alva, Sharon Shoshani, Sheldon (Variety of Popped Potato Chips); Driving Route Preparation Schreiberg, Ward Hagar , Liat Bostick, Coldwell Amy Tessler, Amy Kaminer, Jeanne & Banker Piedmont/Oakland; Red College and Out of Area Vines, American Licorice Co/Amy & Sara Korn, Julie Rubenstein, Doreen Congregant Coordinator Alper Steve Tessler; Semifreddi’s Bakery Debby Barach Free Bread Coupon, Michael Rose; Basket Schlepping to Cars Seventh Generation (variety of house- College and Out of Area hold soaps); Shopping Bags, Whole Sara Korn, Scott Tessler, and Steven Congregant Basket Mailing Kluger Foods Market, Oakland; Starbucks Via Amy Kaminer, Debby & Marc Barach, Coffee; Sunflower Kernals, Sunopta; Basket Assemblers Kathy Saunders, Willa & Rick Heeger, Tangerines, Ailsa Steckel, Arlene Adi Schacker, Amy, Steve & Scott Sherry Marcus Zuckerberg, Debbie Spangler, Diane Tessler, Angela & Naomi Levy, Anne College Basket and Out of Area Abt, & Gabriella Gordon; Teatulia Tea; Levine, Carolyn Shaw, Barbara Berman, Congregant Donors Torani Syrups; Trader Joe’s Lakeshore Debby Barach, Deborah Reback, Doug (Discount on Caramel Popcorn & Moss, Ellen Beilock, Jeanne & Sara Debby & Marc Barach Pretzels); Traditional Medicinal (Sample Korn, Jing & Joel Piser, Joe Lewis, Joy Route Coordination Teas); Tuna, Wild Planet Jacobs, Juliette Hagar, Karen Bloom, Amy Tessler and Jeanne Korn Karen Schoonmaker, Kathy Saunders, And of course, the incredible Lisa Fernandez, Lori Rosenthal, Volunteer Coordinator co-chairs: Roxanne & Ellis Diamant, Noah and Amy Tessler Amy Tessler, Debby Barach, Jeanne Milah Gammon, Nora & Ava Morton, Korn, Jing Piser, Rick Heeger, Steve Phyllis Press, Rayna Arnold, Rey Data Entry & Database Grossman and Virginia Tiger Steinberg, Rose Hoffman, Rick, Willa Management We thank you for making it look so easy & Kayden Heeger, Sarah Liron, Sherry Rick Heeger and Steven Grossman and for your heartfelt dedication and Marcus, Steven & Arleen Kluger, hard work. You did such a great job! Steven Grossman, Ulli Rotzscher Administrative Heavy Lifting & Support TODAH RABBAH! Route Drivers & Helpers Virginia Tiger Adi Schacker, Alison Heyman, Allan Gordon, Amy, Steve, Scott & Jenna Mailing Prep Tessler, Amy Moscov, Angela & Hennie Hecht, Agnes Pencovic Naomi Levy, Arlene Zuckerberg, Caren Shapiro, Carolyn Shaw, Danna All Kinds of Heavy Lifting & Gillette-Pascal, David Rosenthal, Support Debbie Spangler, Debra Coltoff, Doreen Joe Lewis

6 MISHLOACH MANOT

7 WOMEN OF TBA, OUR SISTERHOOD MEN’S CLUB

Sponsored by WTBA & Girls Night Out! Oakland Ruach Hadassah Beyond The Matzah Ball: ROSH International Passover Foods And Customs CHODESH Women of TBA and Oakland Ruach Hadassah present Faith Kramer, j weekly columnist, talk- Monday, ing about the Passover recipes and food ways April 11 of Jewish communities around the world. Come learn and taste. On behalf of The Women of TBA (WTBA) and Thursday, April 7, 7:30 - 9 p.m. Oakland Ruach Hadassah, we would like to invite all East Bay Women to join our Rosh Chodesh Baum Center group. 341 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland The group meets monthly on the Monday close to Girls Night Out is a casual, monthly event to Rosh Chodesh, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at rotating gather TBA women together for relaxed and members’ homes. The meetings are facilitated by unstructured social time. FREE. members of the group. RSVP: Not required but if you want to taste, Our new book is The Grammar of God by Aviya best to let us know you’re coming so we have Kushner. The meeting will open with a short dis- enough food! cussion about the significance of the new month. Jo: [email protected] or Questions? Amy Tessler at [email protected] Lara: [email protected]. or (510) 482-1218 to get on the distribution list for the upcoming meeting locations. FREE.

Searching for the Ideal Seder again a too long and too meandering experience that barely By Jeff Ilfeld resembled the Seder I remembered and loved. Passover has always been my favorite holiday. Delicious We had the year that half the family couldn’t be in smells, all my favorite scrumptious Jewish foods, sit- Northern California, something that would never have hap- ting at the adult table, and always everyone in the family pened in my Grandpa’s day, so we had our two Seders at together and, usually, in a joyous mood. My grandfather Passover, then a third in San Diego in July. It felt like cel- always led the Seder with the same Hebrew Haggadah ebrating July 4th at Thanksgiving–I don’t recommend it. year after year, making it easy for the rest of the family After 20 years of searching for our ideal family seder, by prompting us for our participation, and shushing the we’ve now come full circle. Back to the traditional inevitable side discussions and laughter. Hebrew Haggadah that is now being used and familiar to Things have changed since he died twenty years ago: still a our third generation. The Haggadah is nothing special— joyous holiday, but our Seder has been like a boat without that’s part of its problem—but it’s known, comfortable, a rudder. The Seder was always Grandpa’s way, and with and has a history with my family, 45 years’ worth of food him gone, we’ve never quite settled on how to proceed. stains and all. We’ve found our way. We first traded leading the Seder each year, but some were Another annual event that has become a tradition more comfortable than others. We then had the revolt involves the Men’s Club and our TBA family: Oakland against our traditional Hebrew Haggadah, with leaders A’s Jewish Heritage Night. Mark your calendars now bringing in their own preferred Haggadah, but never find- (but no need to RSVP yet) for Tuesday August 9th; tick- ing one that satisfied everyone. There was the year that we ets are discounted at $28. A group of 200 of us will go to tried different Haggadot for everyone, but trying to keep the A’s and get free parking, free give-away A’s blanket, everyone together turned into the longest Seder ever and free dinner, and a great time with our community. a huge flop. One year we each brought our own favorite passages and stories to put together as a Seder service, Hope to see you there! 8 COMMUNITY EVENT Building Jerusalem From Legos By Susan Simon It was a whirlwind of activity at our Build Jerusalem out of Legos event on a rainy Sunday. Dozens of children and adults dove right into the bins of more than 70,000 Legos to work together and build a model of the Old City of Jerusalem. While it looked pretty chaotic at times, there was a method to the madness and in less than two hours our mastermind, architect Stephen W. Schwartz, gave us a tour of Jerusalem using our own creation. The children and adults had a great time. Thanks to the par- ents who donated at the auction as well as to our three anonymous angels who funded this event!

9 CELEBRATING PURIM

10 CELEBRATING PURIM

11 COOKING CORNER Matzah Round Up By Faith Kramer This month’s Jewish ingredient focus is on matzah (and matzah meal), which is no surprise since Passover begins the evening of April 22, and Pesach is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, or matzah. Since I have so many recipes to share, I’m skipping some of my usual background and history except to note that commercial, machine-made matzah production began in France in 1838. Mechanical production eventu- ally changed matzah’s shape from round to square (less waste) and made the flatbreads more affordable and balls while they cook). Remove with slot- easier to ship. ted spoon and drain. Store as directed in article or reheat in . Below are recipes for everything from Matzah Balls (to serve in soup) to Matzah Crunch (with nuts). Have a favorite matzah recipe you’d like to share? Email CUSTARD 4-5 Servings me at [email protected] and I’ll include it in a future update. This recipe is adapted from one given to me for pain perdu when I was in New AUNT BETTY’S Orleans. Pain perdu, or “lost bread,” FLUFFY MATZAH BALLS became my family’s favorite French toast Makes about 20-22 matzah balls recipe and now this version is their favorite for matzah brei. Since I make My husband’s Aunt Betty (z”l) was renowned this different every time I prepare it, for light and fluffy matzah balls. I encourage you to create your own varia- Fortunately I asked her for the recipe so tions. If you can’t find kosher for we can still enjoy them. Passover vanilla extract, be sure to use 4 large eggs the grated orange rind. 1 cup matzah meal 10 whole matzah sheets 1/3 cup oil 4 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup plain seltzer 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (or more or less to 1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste taste) 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper 2 cups of whole, low fat or fat-free Separate eggs. Whisk egg whites for 1 min- milk ute until foamy. Beat yolks in a large 1 tsp. of alcohol-free vanilla extract, bowl until combined. Add oil, seltzer, optional salt and pepper to yolks. Mix well. Slowly 2 tsp. grated orange rind, optional stir in matzah meal with a fork until ¼ tsp. salt well combined. Fold in a third of the egg ¼ tsp. whites. When incorporated, fold in another Dash of grated nutmeg third and then the remaining third. Cover 2 Tbs. butter (or more as needed for the with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-3 frying pan) hours or overnight. (Batter will thicken Cinnamon Sugar (optional) as it chills). Soak whole matzahs in a large bowl filled Before shaping, bring a very large soup with warm water until just softened. (For or stock pot of lightly salted water to a crisper matzah brei, just rinse and a boil. Chill a plate and lightly coat drain, do not soak.) Drain well and break with oil. Wet hands and gently shape into small pieces in a large bowl. into 1” rough balls being careful not to over handle or compress the dough, plac- In another bowl, combine eggs, milk, ing finished balls on plate. When they are vanilla, orange rind, salt, cinnamon and all formed, gently add balls to simmer- nutmeg and beat to mix well. Pour over ing water. Once the water has returned to soaked and drained matzah. Let sit for a a simmer and the matzah balls are float- few minutes to allow matzah to absorb some ing on top, cover and cook at a simmer of the custard mixture. Stir the mixture for about 50 minutes. (After 30 minutes of occasionally. simmering time, check and quickly turn the Heat butter in a very large frying pan

12 COOKING CORNER over medium heat. Add matzah mixture and SAUCY EGGPLANT BAKE fry. (If too much for one pan, cook in Serves 4-6 batches and keep warm in a 250-degree oven. Be sure the matzah brei has room Oil for baking dish to fry not steam in the pan. If you will 4-5 cups marinara sauce or other sea- be holding the matzah brei for any time, soned pasta sauce slightly undercook it so it won’t dry 1 recipe Oven-Fried Eggplant Cutlets out.) 4-5 oz. cheese such as mozzarella or Let the matzah brei mixture set in the cheddar, finely shredded hot pan for a minute or two then use Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease large your spatula to break it into chunks and baking dish. Spoon third of the sauce on turn. Keep turning and breaking up the bottom. Layer half the eggplant over it. brei every one to two minutes for a few Spread another third of sauce over egg- more times until the custard mixture is plant and sprinkle on half of the cheese. absorbed but the matzah is still moist. Top with remaining eggplant, sauce and (You could also add it to the pan in cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes until three-inch diameter dollops to create cheese is melted and eggplant and sauce individual pancakes.) are heated through. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired. ZUCCHINI FRITTERS Serve by itself or with maple syrup, jam Makes 16 fritters or other toppings. These fritters are adapted from ones I made in a cooking class at a restaurant in OVEN-FRIED EGGPLANT CUTLETS the shadow of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. 3 cups shredded zucchini Serves 4-6 ½ tsp. salt 2 lbs. eggplant ½ cup finely chopped onion 1/4 tsp. plus 1/2 tsp. salt 4 eggs, beaten Oil for baking sheets ½ cup matzah meal 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper ¼ tsp. ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. ground dried oregano ½ tsp. dried mint flakes or 2 Tbs. 2 cups matzah meal fresh, minced mint 4 eggs beaten Vegetable oil Slice eggplants into 1/4” rounds. Place Toss zucchini with salt. Place in colan- in colander. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt. der, let sit 15 minutes, rinse and squeeze Toss. Let drain for 1 hour, tossing occa- out moisture. Mix zucchini, onion, eggs, sionally. Pat slices dry. matzah meal, pepper and mint. Let bat- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 3-4 ter rest 5 minutes. Put 2 Tbs. of vegeta- baking sheets with oil. Mix remaining salt ble oil in large fry pan over medium high with pepper, oregano and matzah meal. heat. Drop 2 Tbs. of batter in the heated Place in bowl. Place eggs in a second oil. Flatten. Repeat. Fry 2-3 minutes on bowl. Dip slice of eggplant into egg so each side until golden brown. Drain on it is covered on both sides, shaking off paper towel-covered plate. Repeat, adding excess. Next dip in matzah meal, coating oil as needed. Serve warm or at room tem- both sides. Place on greased baking sheet. perature as an appetizer or side dish. Repeat with remaining rounds, placing on baking sheets in single layers. Put in oven. After 15 minutes, turn over CAULIFLOWER MATZAH BAKE eggplant. Bake additional 15 minutes or Serves 6-8 until slightly golden on the outside and 4 cups of vegetable stock, divided the inside has a creamy texture when you 4 sheets of matzah, broken into eighths bite into it and is cooked through. Do not 1 large head of cauliflower overcook. Let cool on rack. Store airtight 3 Tbs. oil, divided plus extra for bak- with slices separated by waxed paper in ing pan refrigerator. Use in Saucy Eggplant Bake 2 cups chopped onion or other recipe. 1 tsp. minced garlic ½ cup chopped fresh, green poblano chili pepper (see note) ¼ tsp. salt

Continued on page 14 13 COOKING CORNER

Cooking Corner, continued from page 13 Grease a large baking or lasagna pan and preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large ¼ tsp. ground black pepper sauté or fry pan, over medium high heat, ¼ tsp. paprika, optional heat oil and sauté onion until softened. 2 Tbs. minced flat leaf parsley Add spinach and cook, stirring occasion- Heat 2 cups of stock. Pour over matzahs ally, until the spinach is cooked and any in a bowl. Mix occasionally until matzah liquid has evaporated. Season to taste has absorbed all the liquid. Trim and core with salt and pepper. the cauliflower. Cut the rest into bite- In a medium bowl, combine egg, cottage sized pieces (about 5-6 cups). Preheat cheese and ½ tsp. each of salt and pepper. oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8” x 12” bak- Mix until smooth. ing pan. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large fry pan over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until Layer 2-3 matzah sheets to cover bottom of beginning to soften, add garlic. Sauté greased baking pan, breaking pieces to fit until golden. Add peppers. Sauté until as needed. Spread with 1/3 of the mari- beginning to soften. Add salt, pepper na sauce. Top with ½ the egg and cottage and cauliflower. Mix well. Sauté stirring cheese, one half of the spinach and onions occasionally until cauliflower begins to and ½ the mozzarella. Cover with 2-3 mat- brown. Add 1 cup of stock, cover pan and zah sheets, another 1/3 of the sauce and lower heat to simmer. Cook covered, stir- the remaining egg and cheese, spinach and ring occasionally, until the cauliflower onions and mozzarella. Cover with anoth- is almost cooked. Remove from heat. Mix er layer of matzah and remaining sauce. with matzah and remaining stock. Taste and Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese. Cover correct seasonings. Put into baking pan. with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover. Bake Drizzle with 1 Tbs. oil, sprinkle with another 15-20 minutes. Let rest for 5 min- paprika. Bake 50 minutes until browned and utes before serving. somewhat firm. Garnish with parsley. Note: Poblano peppers are sometimes BAKED MATZAH DESSERT labeled pasilla chilies. (A true pasilla Serves 4-6 is a dried chili). Bell pepper is a milder substitute. Try this topped with ice cream or whipped cream. 1 Tbs. margarine or butter plus extra MINA OR PASSOVER LASAGNA for pan 4-6 Servings 1 egg, beaten Mina is a Sephardic layered casserole made 3 Tbs. lemon juice using sheets of matzah instead of pasta. 2 tsp. grated lemon zest Here it gets the lasagna treatment adapted 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon from a recipe submitted by Deborah Sosebee 1/8 tsp. salt to the Women of Temple Beth Abraham’s 2007 1 cup sugar cookbook, Everyday to Holidays. 1 cup apple juice 2 Tbs. oil plus extra to oil to grease 2 1/2 sheets of matzah or 2 cups of mat- pan zah 2 cups chopped onion Thoroughly grease the bottom and sides 1 lb. fresh spinach leaves, chopped of a 9” pie pan. In a large bowl, mix 2 eggs, lightly beaten together egg, juice, zest, cinnamon, salt, 1 lb. cottage cheese (small curd, sugar, and apple juice. Break matzah into drained) or ricotta cheese (drained) 1/2” pieces (2 cups) and stir in. Let sit ½ tsp. salt, plus extra to taste for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. ½ tsp. ground black pepper, plus extra Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Pour filling to taste with liquid in pan. Cut 1 Tbs. margarine 2-26 oz. jars marinara sauce, divided into small pieces and dot top. Place pan 6-9 whole sheets of matzah (depending on on baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes size of pan) until gooey (it should be thickened and ½ to 1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese, sticky, much like a pecan pie filling). divided Serve warm or at room temperature. ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

14 COOKING CORNER MATZAH CRUNCH the pan(s) with foil. Then top with parch- ment paper cut to totally cover the foil Adapted from Marcy Goldman,the inside the bottom of the pan(s) to make it Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking easier to remove cooked confection. Makes 6-8 servings Place matzahs in a single layer on top of Everyone loves this very popular dessert. parchment, breaking some into pieces as You might also know it under one of its needed to completely cover the bottom of alternative names such as Caramel Matzah the baking sheet(s). Crunch or Toffee and Chocolate Matzah Combine the butter or margarine and the Crunch or the even Matzah Crack, but you brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medi- might not have realized how easy this um heat, stirring constantly, until the is to make. Matzah Crunch variations are mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 3 min- all over the internet but originated with utes, stirring constantly. Pour over the Marcy Goldman, who first developed the prepared matzahs, covering completely. recipe in 1994. Place baking sheet(s) in oven then turn This version reflects one made by my moth- heat down to 350 degrees. Bake for 15 min- er-in-law, who makes hers with a topping utes. Check every 3 minutes to make sure of chopped walnuts or pecans. To make it topping is not burning. (If the toffee more like Goldman’s, leave out the nuts. layer seems to be in danger, remove pan(s) Be sure to read through the directions from oven. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. thoroughly before you begin. You are boil- Replace pan(s) and continue to bake for ing sugar and making candy, so while the total of 15 minutes.) directions are fairly easy they are exact. After 15 minutes, remove from the oven Always be careful when handling hot sugar. and sprinkle immediately with the choco- Other notes: late chips. Let stand for 5 minutes and Make sure your matzah has no added salt. then spread the melted chocolate evenly Some brands are marked salt free, oth- over the matzah. While still warm, sprin- ers aren’t labeled, so check the package’s kle with nuts and cut (a pizza cutter ingredient list. works well) or break into squares. Place in freezer, still on cookie sheets, until When I use two pans and 6 matzahs I need chocolate has set. closer to 1 cup of chocolate chips, so have some extra on hand just in case. Faith Kramer writes a food column for the j weekly and Some folks have commented that they some- blogs her food at www.clickblogappetit.com Contact her times have trouble getting the chocolate at [email protected] to melt before spreading. If that happens to you, place the pan(s) in the still warm (but turned off) oven until the chocolate has melted enough to spread. Be sure to make room in your freezer before you begin, since you will need to chill the baking sheet(s) filled with crunch to help the chocolate set. 4-6 sheets unsalted matzah 1 cup unsalted butter or margarine 1 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup semi-sweet choco- late chips (or coarsely chopped chocolate) 1-2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans, optional Preheat the oven to 375°F. Depending on the size of rimmed baking sheets, you’ll need one large or two small- er pans. Line the bottom and sides (leave an overhang) of 15 GAN AVRAHAM Plenty of Dads Take Care of Babies: tion behind having multiple areas of engagement is to Exploring Gender Identities at the Gan allow our children to freely identify with whatever inter- By Jill Rosenthal and Marta Molina ests them in the moment. Being mindful of the way we present gender in the classroom, both through the objects “When someone with the authority of a teacher describes we provide and the way we communicate with the chil- the world and you’re not in it, there is a moment of psy- dren, should also be part of that intention. chic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” Adrienne Rich A huge takeaway from the conference was the importance of using language in the classroom that challenges the The faculty of Gan Avraham heard this quote as part of gender binary: that the world is divided into male and the keynote address on February 12 at our annual Jewish female, boy and girl. Furthermore, it stressed that educa- Early Childhood Educator’s Conference, sponsored by tors need to recognize the fact that there are dimensions Jewish Federation of the East Bay. We joined over 125 of gender and many ways of expressing one’s identity. fellow educators to explore the topic of gender identity For example, when we hear things like, “Only girls can and expression. dress as princesses!” or, “I’m the mommy, so I get to take The keynote speaker was Joel Baum, executive director care of the baby,” we respond by pointing out the many of Gender Spectrum, a San Francisco-based non-profit ways these comments reinforce narrow understandings of organization that “provides consultation, training and gender roles, identities and the ways they are expressed. events designed to help families, educators, profession- You may hear a teacher say: “Really? I know plenty of als, and organizations understand and address the con- dads who take care of babies!” cepts of gender identity and expression.” His captivating There is a saying in the Jewish religion, and one that has and informative presentation was entitled: The Gender recently been brought up in Kitah Alef—B’tzelim Elohim Inclusive School: Dimensions of Gender. — we are all created in God’s image. This certainly rings One of our primary jobs as early childhood educators is true when exploring issues around gender and identity. to create a balanced environment for our students. We We were so grateful to have been a part of this confer- intentionally set up the classroom so that a variety of ence that taught us so many ways of creating a gender materials are available to everyone, to meet the myriad inclusive school and that validated our interests in main- needs and interests of the children. One child may taining a school environment that is both welcoming and express curiosity in the dramatic play area while another safe for all. friend decides to build a structure with blocks. The inten-

Purim Play with Rabbi Bloom. 16 BET SEFER State of the School Address: trained in called Philosophical Inquiry. The depth of What’s Going On in Bet Sefer their thinking was demonstrated during their recent Share By Susan Simon A Shabbat. Plus they are now nearly experts at Hebrew Through Movement. With two-thirds of the school year completed, it is prob- ably time for a State of the School type of address. Plus, In fourth grade, we work with our students, one on some of you might be wondering what we do with the one, regularly, to make sure that they really know how students each week. I hear lovely compliments following to decode Hebrew words. This is especially important ceremonies from our regular Shabbat because this is the last year we have time to really “per- attendees about what a great job we are doing. But how fect” decoding skills. The fourth graders master the do the students really get there? V’ahavta as well as the prayers of the Friday night table service. They study the Jewish calendar as well as selec- It all starts in Mechina where our Kindergarten-age chil- tions from the prophets. dren learn through song, art projects, stories and fabulous discussions. As I write this, the children are currently Our structure entirely changes in fifth and sixth grades. working on their annual social action project where they While the students still come twice a week, they learn learn about hunger in our community and raise money Jewish studies on Tuesdays and T’fillah and vocabulary for the Food Bank. They are prepping for Purim and will on Thursdays. The fifth graders master the Friday night be consumed by making matzah covers and pillows to service and the sixth graders master the Saturday morning recline upon for their Pesach seders. They have learned Torah and Musaf services. In Judaic Studies, our fifth Torah stories and a little Hebrew and are generally happy graders just finished their unit on which culmi- campers! nated in a very delicious dinner that the students cooked for themselves and their families. They have also spent Our first graders are a tiny group this year. They are get- time learning about Israel and the Holocaust and the year ting an introduction to Hebrew letters and really focusing isn’t finished yet! on the First Family (Abraham, Sarah and their clan) and the start of the Jewish people. This is also the first year In sixth grade the students studied about what our sages they are learning to understand the Hebrew language by had to say about friendship, what makes a good friend, practicing Hebrew Through Movement with Adi Schacker. what to look out for, and how to be a good friend. All of If you ever have a moment before pick up, watching them this was done in the context of being exposed to Jewish following her instructions is adorable. sacred texts such as the Mishna, the Gemara, and the Shulkhan Aruch. This semester they are learning about The second graders team up with the first graders for a lifecycle ceremonies. They started with death and burial, special program that we rent from Jewish Learning Works have visited the mikva at Beth Jacob, and will end the called Dira L’Haskir. This is based on a famous Israeli school year learning about Brit Milah with Joel Piser. children’s book about an apartment for rent in a building inhabited by a diverse group of animals. As they look Our seventh graders finished their modules on Drash for a new tenant, many biases are uncovered in the appli- Delivery (Public Speaking) and Holocaust (thank you cants. The children get to act out the story with puppets Misia Nudler for speaking with them recently!) and are and an apartment building we put together. They learn a now engaged in their Israel module. They had a fabulous little Hebrew and get to explore the ideas of racial biases trip to LA with Rabbi Bloom and some parent chaper- through this very entertaining and repetitive story. The ones where they visited the Museum of Tolerance, Beit second graders’ comprehension of Hebrew has also grown T’shuvah, the Orthodox LA area, and Disneyland. dramatically. And their decoding skills are just beginning And now I’m knee deep in planning for next year. We to come together as they are learning the vowels. never have enough time to accomplish our goals, we Our third graders come on both Tuesdays and Thursdays never have enough resources, there is always more I which can be a rough transition for some students. Plus, wish we were doing. Yet when we see the students our class is huge! Hebrew decoding skills are now at the on the bima leading so proudly, when we see them at forefront of their learning. They are also demonstrating La’atid events or BBYO, or confirmation classes, we deep thinking as they read Torah stories and delve into have to know that as a community, we are having a the lessons that they can learn from them, sometimes major impact on their Jewish souls. And really, that’s using a technique that some of our teachers have been what it’s all about.

17 LA’ATID Youth Fill Mishloach Manot Baskets at La’atid By Amanda Cohen On Sunday, March 6, 16 students participated in a special Purim and social action-themed La’atid event. Students learned about a local organization, Shalom Bayit, which helps families who are victims of domestic violence. The students made mishloach manot baskets for 30 Shalom Bayit clients. After learning about the organization, students made cards and stuffed gallon-sized bags full of treats. They then worked in the TBA kitchen to make hamantashen for the basket (and made some to eat and some to take home to share with fam- ily members). It was a great event and everyone is looking forward to the Chocolate Seder, which will take place on Sunday, LA’ATID April 17. More info to come, but please save the date! Contact Amanda Cohen for more information at [email protected].

18 CELEBRATE PASSOVER

SELLING OF THE CHAMETZ DEADLINE: TUESDAY, APRIL 19TH A reminder about selling your Chametz, as it is not only an important Passover custom, but an important charitable effort that we undertake here at TBA. It is that time of the year where we “sell” our Chametz. This means that all the chametz that remains left in your homes after you clean it, even if put away in the garage, becomes the property of a non-Jewish agent to which Rabbi Bloom will sell. You then make a donation of equivalent value (many people give $18, though some give significantly more), and that money will be donated to the Jewish community of Peru. Please print the form below and mail along with a check to Temple Beth Abraham. ********************************************************************************************************* I hereby authorize Rabbi Mark Bloom to act as my agent to sell any chametz that may be in my possession wherever it may be—at home, place of business, car or elsewhere, in accordance with Jewish law:

Name______Signature______

Address ______

I enclose $______for the Ma’ot Chittim Sale of Chametz. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Abraham note “Chametz Sale” in the memo. Temple Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

19 LIFE CYCLES Sasha Rebecca Arielle Carey, April 16, 2016 My name is Sasha and I am a 7th grader at Raskob Day School. In my free time, when I am not studying for my bat mitzvah, I like to play sports including basketball, softball, tennis, golf, and foot- ball. I also like to work on the musical at my old school (Oakland Hebrew Day School) as a student stage manager. My parsha is Metzorah, which is about skin disease appearing on people’s bodies and mold appearing on their doors and houses. In my drash, I will talk about how the mold that appeared might have B’nai Mitzvah been caused by lashon hara, or gossip. I will also talk about how we can all be better people by avoiding gossip. I hope you can join me when I read Torah for the first time! I would like to thank my teachers at OHDS and TBA for helping me learn Hebrew. Also, thank you Jessica Dell’Era for tutoring me. I really appreciate my parents for helping me with my drash and being the best parents ever.

New Members Sam Chatterton-Kirchmere and Elisabeth Duffy We are relative newcomers to the Bay Area, arriving almost 3 years ago when Sam began his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Oakland. This July, he’ll finish residency and be an official pediatrician! Elisabeth (Liz) is a marine biologist and has been primarily doing marine conservation work. Our son, Caleb, is 2.5 years old, and we are excited that he’ll be joining Gan Avraham this fall. We were drawn to TBA because of the warm and welcoming people and the sense that it was a group that joyously embraced Jewish traditions and community action.

Jesse Miller and Celine Piser Jesse and Celine are Bay Area natives and Cal alums. Jesse is a software product manager and classical pianist. Celine teaches Comparative Literature and loves to cook. Their daughter Milana will be starting at Gan Avraham in the fall.

Welcome New Members Jesse Miller & Celine Piser. Daughter Milana (entering Boris Lipkin & Pardis Farhadian Gan in Sept.) Timothy Barry & Jaime Rapaport Barry. Daughter Sam Chatterton-Kirchmerer & Elisabeth Duffy. Son Dahlia Caleb (entering Gan in Sept.) Morgan & Nicole Lopez. Sons Jackson (Gan in Sept.) & baby Max

20 LIFE CYCLES APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1 9 15 24 Kevin Horodas Annette Bourget Willa Heeger Bayne Albin 2 Neila Geagan-Jessel 16 Yaeir Heber Stella Goodwin Steven Grossman Benjamin Jacobs Gideon Ur Danielle Raskin Jonathan Jacobs Ellen Kaufman David White Rachel Swetnam 3 18 25 Nick Adams 10 Sharon Djemal Heike Friedman Dan Kaiser Michelle Cossette Mathew Frierman Liam Gordon Eva Sasson Fernando Garcia Ruth Kleinman Shoshana Yael Kay Jeffery Michael Hamilton 4 Maayan Rubin 26 Steven Jacobs Yehudit Chang Aaron Sloan Freid Fred Knauer 19 Jerry Lorber Talia Gordon Laurence James Jenny Michaelson Joseph Karwat 5 Yulia Rozen Gabriella Serena Klein Ray Plumhoff Benjamin Marinoff Cheri Feiner 11 Jonathan Klein Liat Porat 27 David Goodwin Rey Steinberg Talia Mc Lean Maya Young Naomi Levy 20 Welch Warren 6 12 Marc Zak Deena Aerenson Jonathan Gordon Gary Bernstein Lindasue Kay 28 Marianna Eyzerovich Renuka Bornstein David Lorber Caden Reischer-Craft Aaron Bayen Fifi Goodfellow Joseph Young Maya Rath Kevin Schwartz Robert Klein Ian von Kugelgen Aviva Maidenberg 21 30 7 Richard Shapiro Desten Broach Steven Harris Shoshana Bette Edelstein Bayla Jaffe Roberta Masliyah 13 Avrah Ross Noah Stein Sarah Levine Benjamin Barnes Shira Levine David Schleuning Beverly Turchin 22 Stephen Steiner Audrey Hyman Simone Rotman Ronit Varga 14 Lila Miller Elana Sasson Sara Zimmerman Sophia Blachman-Biatch David Oseroff Isabel Goldman 8 Rosalind Heeger 23 Mary Kelly Judith Stein Lisa White Shira Kharrazi

Is your birthday information wrong or missing from this list? Please contact the TBA office to make corrections.

Mazel tov to Sandy & Jill Egan on the birth of a daughter, Mazel Tov Neve Vergano Mazel tov to Alden Cohen & Sabrina Berdux on the birth of a daughter, Aliya Love Mazel tov to Dan & Angela Engel on the birth of a daughter, Raquel Antonia

21 LIFE CYCLES

May God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

ADAR II 22-29 NISAN 1-7 James Abe Dickson Richard Frankel April 1-8 April 9-15 Viet Pham Solomon Saidian Midred Arenbart Adler Sidney Getzovitz Samuel Shneiderman Joseph David Weiss Pauline Belzer Jack Kubalik Grace Gill Jacob Zilverberg Sue Kantor Gayle Raskin Rose Gottesman Bessie Altman Ethel Rose Kapler Dan Ben-Zeev Elliott A. Nankin Sidney Arenbart Faye Zaslov Anne Goor Eleanor Heyman Michael Nicolas Miller Maria Belina Werner Gross Jocelyn Holton Samuel Schechtman Morris K. Cohen Samuel Lampart Samuel Jarmulowsky Therese Schwarcz Esther Sadie Gold Regina Mendel Alice Kessler Edda Birnbaum Albert Hyman Irving Lutz Annie Levit Murray Goldstein Freda Katz Samuel Moses Leo Lorber Richard Gray Sima Kobuzyatskaya Adolph Moore Rebecca Rubin Stephen Lazar Morris Lerman Bettie Bercovich Mary Weiss Jacob Weinstein Horace Joseph Marx H. Andre Blau Lonnie Balint Blutstein Charles Friedman Bernice Ring Gilsom Djemal Nelly Collins Abraham Hoffman David Weinstein Herman Hertz Joseph Epstein Eve Reingold Miriam Goldberg Nathan Blumstein Fritz Gottschalk Birdie Weisbrod Esther Morofsky Vernon Alpert Bonar Philip Oseroff Nathan Weissman Saul Pearce Samuel De Vorin Ben Weiss Renee Davis Peter Hecht Richard Fickes Stanley Behr Sidney Szepsel Kahane Jennie Rosenzweig Allen Lee Lipsett Donald Bleiberg Albert Levine Herman Zatkin Pola Silver David Cook Albert Louis Bloch Joeseph Kantor Hilda Brodke Jack David Leon Pavel Blymenkrantz Leo Wood Pearl Brodke Vera Popper Raymond Bolton Sam Frankel Sarah Gordon Beatrice Simon Gussie Leson Jack Helfend Blanche Groskopf Joseph M. Kramer Howard Maccabee Barbara May Benjamin Israel Kurtz Alfred L. Miller Sophelina Reingold Boris Carasick Shirlee Perl Arlene Morris Annie Silver William Goldfine Samuel Peters Augusta Wolffs NISAN 15-21 Eileen Kessler NISAN 8-14 April 23-29 NISAN 22 Michael Lasar April 16-22 Henrik Balint April 30 Mary Leavitt Jennie Bercovich Rose Gelfand Claire Braaf Samuel Neuman Nelson Blachman Herbert L. Groginsky Judith Diamant Arleen Shub Robinowitz Anna Hoffman Irene Langberg David Klein Tillie Rubin Irving Barach Elsa Maho Shelly Jane Raskin Lipton Maurice Veiss Lily Benisty-Kent Avrim A. Raskin Aaron Nudler

Recent Deaths in Our Community Susanne Spritzer, Mother of Hildie (Tsutomu Satomi) Marjorie Rosenberg, Mother of Susan Cossette Arnold Shuster, Father of Jon (Beth Sirull) Maury Polse, Son of Betty Ann Neil Boorstyn, Step-Father of Jason (Jeanne) Swartz James Hallem, Step-Father of Jennifer Beck (David Joseph) 22 DONATIONS

Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.

Davis Courtyard/Next Big Stephen & Amy Tessler Minyan Fund Thing Fund Micah & Ortal Trilling Daniel & Anne Bookin, in memory of Harvey & Fran Blatter Jeannette Jeger Kitchen Fund Sheba Bookin David Weiner & Ellen Kaufman, in Renat Engel Norman & Jo Budman, in loving memory of Milton Weiner Jeff Gutkin & Helene Blatter memory of Ruth Roth Ruth Kleinman Harold & Jean Pearl, in memory of Yom HaShoa Fund David Levin Max Pearl Helen Fixler, in memory of Sandy & Dawn Margolin TBA General Fund Leonard Fixler Barbara Oseroff Richard & Naomi Applebaum, in Camper/Scholarship Fund Ray Plumhoff & Jennifer Berg memory of Shirley Margolin Jessica Sacher, in memory of Ulli Rotzscher David & Shany Barukh, in memory of Etty Bernstein Sheldon Schreiberg & Sherry Marcus Father Jessica Siegel Harvey & Fran Blatter, in memory of Rabbi Discretionary Fund Bruce & Alicia von Kugelgen Frieda Blatter Joshua & Heidi Bersin, in memory of Richard Bersin B’nai Brith Girls Chapter-Oakland Lewis & Karen Bowen, in honor of BBG Caroline Hastings Herbert & Harriet Bloom, in memory of Matilda Bloom Holzman Ellen Beilock & Sheldon Schaffer Katherine Cohen, in honor of my Steven Berl & Anita Bloch daughter, Sarah Cohen Eve Gordon-Ramek, in memory of Henry Ramek Etoile Stella Campbell, in memory of Bruce Goldberg & Jana Good, in mem- Miriam Sharp, Dlebert Campbell and ory of Phyllis Goldberg Neil Goteiner & Nadine Joseph, in honor of Max Lopez’s bris Lily Kent Myra Kaplan, in memory of Sigmund Alden F. Cohen & Sabrina Berdux Kaplan Neil Goteiner & Nadine Joseph, in honor of Stuart Zangwill’s Birthday Jessica Dell’Era Mark & Maribel Mogill, in memory of Ariella Jessel & Emily Geagan Renat Engel Minette Mogill Helen Fixler Misia Nudler, a good recovery for Wasserman Fund Noah & Carrie Garber Elizabeth Simms Jack Coulter, in memory of Bob & Lori Jaffe Sheldon & Barbara Rothblatt, in Norman Kleinman memory of Phil Rothblatt Judith Klinger Pola Silver Teen Holocaust Marshall & Lynn Langfeld Cheryl Zatkin-Steres, in honor of Vicki Zatkin’s retirement Fund JB Leibovitch & Judy Chun, in memory Linda Ostomel, in memory of of Raymond Chun, on the occasion of Cheryl Zatkin-Steres, in memory of my Cara Ostomel Bohon’s father, John the second yahrzeit father, Joe Zatkin Todd Ostomel, in honor of our Lori-Jill Seltzer Kiddush Fund wedding guests Susan Simon Annie J. Schwartz Strom, in memory of Mark & Lori Spiegel, in memory of Samuel Jaffe Hilde Spritzer’s mother

It is a Jewish tradition to give contributions to commemorate life cycle events and other occasions. Are you cel- ebrating a birthday, engagement, anniversary, baby naming, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or recovery from illness? Or per- haps remembering a yahrzeit? These are just a few ideas of appropriate times to commemorate with a donation to Temple Beth Abraham. These tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated and are a vital financial supplement to support the wonderful variety of programs and activities that we offer. Thanks again for your support! We could not do it without you! Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Abraham and mail to: 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 or donate online at http://tbaoakland.org/giving/donate

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Save the Date: Save the Date: Sunday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 27 TBA Annual Meeting Rock n Roll Shabbat

WHAT’S INSIDE TBA Directory...... i Mishloach Manot...... 6 Bet Sefer...... 17 What’s Happening...... 1 Women of TBA...... 8 La’atid...... 18 From the Rabbi...... 2 Men’s Club...... 8 Celebrate Passover...... 19 From the President...... 3 Community Event...... 9 Life Cycles...... 20 Editors Column...... 4 Purim Pics...... 10 Donations...... 22 Cover Artist...... 4 Cooking Corner...... 12 Calendar...... 24 Six Word Memoirs...... 5 Gan Avraham News...... 16