Congregation A Traditional, Egalitarian, and Participatory Conservative Synagogue

ADAR/NISAN/IYARO 5770rZarua NEWSLETTER/VOLUME 22:3 MARCH/APRIL 2010 We Are But of Yesterday: Yosef Yerushalmi on Jewish History, Memory and Meaning An Adult Education Course on Four Sundays Between Pesah and Shavuot by Marc Ashley

ongregant Marc Ashley will transmission of our tradition. rigorously dissected but not necessarily again be offering a course Professor Yerushalmi, who passed preserved for communal memory. How did exploring pivotal issues in away only a few months ago, was a leading biblical and rabbinic texts ascribe meaning classical Jewish thought on figure of 20th-century Jewish intellectual to history? Through modern historical inves- Cfour Sundays between Pesah life and a mentor at Harvard and Columbia tigation, has the Passover story now lost and Shavuot. In “We Are But of Yesterday: to many of today’s foremost Jewish studies its capacity to inspire future generations of Yosef Yerushalmi on Jewish History, scholars. His erudite and elegant 1982 Jews? Can a dispassionate historical per- Memory and Meaning,” we will pay tribute book, Zakhor: Jewish History and Jewish spective nurture a vibrant religious Jewish to the seminal ideas of the late eminent Memory, addressed the clash between col- culture? In exploring these key questions Jewish historian Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi. lective memory, in which meaning is about history, memory and meaning, we By focusing on themes reflected in attached to historical events through reli- will evaluate Prof. Yerushalmi’s lament that Professor Yerushalmi’s work, we will inves- gious rituals and discourse, and modern the modern historian’s craft has indeed tigate how Jews have traditionally imbued historical study, in which the past is scruti- become the faith of the fallen Jew. history with meaning through vehicles of nized but not revered. From his study of Classes will meet in the synagogue collective memory, and how those tradi- conversos following the Spanish Inquisition library on April 11, April 18, April 25, and tional methods of remembering and under- to his assessment of Freud’s Jewishness, May 2 at 10:00 a.m. All Congregants are standing the past have come under Prof. Yerushalmi’s wide-ranging scholarship welcome to attend, and no prior knowledge assault in the modern period. Jews have investigated the processes that help con- of any kind is required. Please join us for always been absorbed by their history— stitute Jewish identity and group memory stimulating discussions of these crucial thereby fulfilling the biblical imperative to over time. historical and religious issues in contem- “remember!”—but what we choose to We will discuss how those traditional porary Jewish life. To register, please remember and how we preserve our mem- processes have been disrupted in modern contact the synagogue at 212-452-2310, ories are critical to the future successful times, as the meaning of past events is extension 39, or at www.orzarua.org.

Interfaith Special on SIRIUS XM Radio. Book Signing. Rabbi Harlan J. Wechsler co-hosted a Writer, editor, unique dialogue with the Archbishop of and OZ Congre- New York, Timothy Dolan, on SIRIUS XM gant Norman Satellite Radio on Sunday, December 20. Podhoretz will The two religious leaders shared a spirited be discussing discussion on faith and the holidays in and signing today’s world, including the importance his new book, of nurturing tradition in an increasingly Why are Jews secularized society. Rabbi Wechsler and Liberals?,at Archbishop Dolan each hosts a program of Synaplex 2010 his own on SIRIUS Radio. Rabbi Wechsler’s on Lag B’Omer, weekly program, “Rabbi Wechsler Teaches,” Sunday, May 2, airs Sundays on SIRIUS XM Stars, SIRIUS in the Or Zarua Sanctuary. Please see channel 102 and XM channel 155. page 3 for more information about this —AARON SHELDEN event and the Synaplex. 1 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 What’s Nu at Or Zarua? Congregation by Harvey M. Brenner, M.S. Ed, FTA, Executive Director

halom, and welcome to what I on the transmission of common bacteria OrZarua hope will be a semi-regular and viruses. These products are safe, A CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE column whereby I can share effective and relatively inexpensive (as FOUNDED 1989 with you some of the items, well as easy to use). Just spray, rub your ideas, programs and issues I hands together and the air will dry the dis- 127 East 82nd Street S deal with on your behalf. infecting liquid in moments. New York, NY 10028 The short answer to the question in In our restrooms we have upgraded our phone: 212-452-2310 fax: 212-452-2103 my title is many things! hand soaps, dispensers, deodorants and www.orzarua.org Dina, Luisa, Anthony and I (essentially hygienic room-freshening sprays. They uni- your office and building staff) are putting formly utilize the same “orange blossom” DR. HARLAN J. WECHSLER, Rabbi into place many checks and balances that fragrance as our new “green” (environmen- ANDREW J. FRACKMAN, President will help us serve you better. We’re working tally friendly) cleaning supplies, making the HARVEY M. BRENNER, FTA, Executive Director with Jay Palmer, our webmaster, to improve entire building smell fresher and cleaner the appearance and functionality of our without the use of caustic chemicals or the ILANA BURGESS, Youth Education Director website. Our database management soft- production of noxious odors. These newer CHARLES SPIELHOLZ, Newsletter Editor ware, Chaverware, has many new upgrades products are healthier for both you, our and enhancements that we are reviewing visitors, and for our staff, who utilize the so that we can maintain our records more products daily while cleaning the premises. easily and effectively, thereby enhancing Also, by switching to larger capacity toilet OZ Committee Chairs communication with you, our members. tissue rolls, we save money and produce ADMINISTRATION Alan Ilberman Our physical plant, now about eight less post-consumer packaging waste than years old, is constantly being monitored our former products, helping us become AESTHETICS Aaron Shelden and inspected so that we can provide a more environmentally responsible citizens. BOOK DISCUSSION Reed Schneider safe, clean, attractive environment for our Over the next few months, I’ll share BUILDING Diane Okrent members and guests to frequent. We’ve with you more developments in our opera- CEMETERY Aliza Kaplan replaced HVAC motors and blowers so that tions in the hopes that it will not only Mort Schwartz our units run quieter and more efficiently show you what we are doing to improve than the OEM ones originally installed. our operating standards at OZ, but help to HESED Stephanie Failla We’ve added hygienic “hand sanitizing inspire you to share your ideas with us as HEVRA KADISHA Vera Silver stations” to the classrooms and social to how we can improve the membership Gerry Solomon hall that don’t require water yet cut down experience. HOUSE Janet Katz Aliza Kaplan LIBRARY Barry Feldman In this Issue MEMBERSHIP Michael Schwartz MINYAN Sheldon Adler “We Are But of Yesterday” Course ...... 1 Weekday Minyan ...... 9 PROGRAMMING Sara Stone What’s Nu at Or Zarua?...... 2 Monthly Calendars ...... 10 PUBLIC RELATIONS Aaron Shelden Podhoretz on Why are Jews Liberal?...... 3 Book Discussions...... 12 PURIM SPIEL Arthur Rosenbloom Synaplex 2010 ...... 3 Davidson School Fellowships ...... 12 Bonnie Maslin Holocaust Memorial Service ...... 4 Or Zarua Crafts Club ...... 13 Tibor Feldman Student Siddur Ceremony...... 4 Or Zarua Newsletter Going Green...... 13 Barbara Sassoon Hebrew School Calendar ...... 4 Summer in the CIty...... 13 First Graders Interview Rabbi Wechsler ...5 Passover SCHOOL Betsy Dizengoff Family and Youth Activities...... 5 Guidelines...... 14 TORAH/HAFTARAH Yaakov Shechter Join MERCAZ USA...... 6 Fast of the Firstborn ...... 14 WEBMASTER Jay Palmer Family and Friends Shabbat Dinner ...... 7 Congregational Second Seder ...... 15 JTS Party in the Garden...... 7 Omer Basics ...... 15 If you are interested in serving on a synagogue OZ Library News ...... 8 Schedule of Services ...... 16 committee, please contact the office for the A Note from the Editor ...... 8 Meal Match/Hametz Forms ...... 17 committee chair’s email address. Or Zarua Cemetery ...... 8 Or Zarua Community...... 18 My Journey with AIPAC...... 9 March/April Checklist...... 20

2 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2010 Eat! Play! Love! at Synaplex 2010 A cornucopia of events at Congregation Or Zarua on Lag B’Omer, Sunday, May 2 EAT… PLAY… LOVE… FOOD FOR THOUGHT PLAY, DANCE AND SING LOVE YOUR CHILDREN Norman Podhoretz discusses his with Miss Joanie in a program Noted child psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Klagsbrun new book, Why are Jews Liberal? for 5-year-olds and under. answers all your child-rearing questions.

FOOD FOR THE SOUL PLAY WITH PUPPETS LOVE THAT MAGIC! Marc Ashley leads a discussion, Small Wonder Jewish Puppets An incredible magician entertains “We Are But of Yesterday: present their interactive show us all with his bag of tricks. Yosef Yerushalmi on Jewish History, for children aged 3 to 9. LOVE ISRAELI MOVIES Memory and Meaning.” Two performances with music. Come see the award-winning Israeli FOOD FOR THE BODY PLAY AND LEARN ISRAELI DANCING movie, The Band’s Visit. A delicious Israeli lunch; wine and with Shalhevet, the Israeli dance troupe LOVE LEARNING cheese at the end of the day. from Columbia/Barnard and JTS. Study Talmud with Rabbi Wechsler. All ages welcome! All programs subject to change. Consult your email bulletins for current updates and information. But don’t forget to save the date.

Podhoretz on Why are Jews Liberals? OZ Congregant Norman Podhoretz will discuss and sign his new book on May 2

n Lag B’Omer, Sunday, May 2, from Bar-Illan Copies of Norman Podhoretz’s Why Or Zarua Congregant Norman University. In 2004, Are Jews Liberals? will be available for Podhoretz will discuss his in recognition of his purchase in the synagogue office starting most recent book, Why Are editorial achievement March 15 for $27; 40 percent of each OJews Liberals?, and sign as well as of his own sale will accrue to Or Zarua. An order form copies for those attending this Synaplex writings, he was is provided below for your convenience. event in the Sanctuary. awarded the In the book he deals with the ques- Presidential Medal of tion of why most American Jews support Norman Podhoretz Freedom, the highest BOOK ORDER FORM liberal causes and vote Democratic. He honor the U.S. government can bestow on first traces the history of anti-Semitism to a civilian. Yes, I would like to order ______show why Jews might naturally shy away Mr. Podhoretz has written hundreds copies of Why are Jews Liberal? by from the political right; but by the time of of articles for periodicals in America and Norman Podhoretz at $27 each for a the Six Day War of 1967, he contends, other countries and has lectured widely total of $______. I understand this reaction no longer made sense. In his on foreign policy, American culture, and 40 percent of each sale will accrue to book, Mr. Podhoretz proposes an answer Jewish affairs. In addition to Why are Congregation Or Zarua. to the question of why, despite today’s fun- Jews Liberals?, he is the author of eleven damentally changed circumstances, Jews books, including the memoirs Making It, Please make your check payable to remain committed to liberalism. Breaking Ranks, Ex-Friends, and My Love Congregation Or Zarua. Born in Brooklyn in 1930, Norman Affair with America and such studies in Name ______Podhoretz was educated at Columbia politics and culture as The Present Danger, Address ______University, Cambridge University, and the Why We Were in Vietnam, The Bloody Phone______Jewish Theological Seminary. He served Crossroads, and World War IV. Email ______as editor-in-chief of Commentary magazine A member of Congregation Or Zarua, from 1960-1995. He holds a number of Mr. Podhoretz spoke to us in 2002 on his Books may be picked up in the syna- honorary doctorates and other awards, book The Prophets: Who They Were, What gogue office starting Monday, March including the 2007 Guardian of Zion award They Are. 15 or at the event on Sunday, May 2.

3 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 Holocaust Memorial Service Yom Hashoah ceremony led by our teens and community leaders

e will commemorate Yom the Holocaust to the next generation. We especially important because Israel is Hashoah vehaG’vurah cannot allow our people to forget the fighting to protect itself from forces that on Sunday, April 11 at destruction of the many communities and wish to see its destruction. Being together 7:30 p.m. On this day the lives in Europe. on this day will also show the world that Wvictims of the Holocaust For the last few years at Or Zarua, we 6,000,000 of our people did not die in vain. are remembered. We also proudly salute remembered the Holocaust with a wonder- Yom Hashoah is a community event the heroism shown by many during this fully artistic and touching ceremony led by and everyone is invited. horrible time and pass on the memory of our teens and adults. This year, support is —ILANA BURGESS

Siddur Ceremony HEBREW SCHOOL CALENDAR Third Graders to be Honored at Shabbat Services March 2010 ongregation Or Zarua will ber of Or Zarua and to be a Jew. Sat 6 Junior Congregation honor the students of our com- Towards the end of the service, all and SIddur Ceremony, munity on Saturday, March 6. students will be invited onto the bimah to 10:00 a.m. The Hebrew School third lead the Congregation in Ein Keloheynu Mon 15 B’nai Jeshurun, 6 p.m. graders will receive their own and Adon Olam, adding ruah and joy to C Mon 29 Pesah (no classes) siddurim, which they have personally deco- our service. rated and studied. Each student will have This will be a special Shabbat for all the opportunity to express, in his or her and I do hope you can join us. April 2010 own way, why they are proud to be a mem- —ILANA BURGESS Wed 7 Classes resume Mon 26 B’nai Jeshurun, 6 p.m.

May 2010 Mon 17 B’nai Jeshurun, 6 p.m. Tue 18 Shavuot (no classes) Mon 24 Last week of classes

CONGREGATION OR ZARUA OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Rabbi Wechsler (left) and teacher Calvin Tesler (right) hold a tallit over students Friday preparing for the Siddur Ceremony on Saturday, March 6. Third grade, front row 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (from left): Eli Cohen, Skye Rabbin Binbaum, and Simon Fitts. Fourth grade, back row (from left): Gabriella Raviv, Nicole Balassi, Zoe Fleishaker, and Hart Rapaport. The Or Zarua office is closed Saturday and Sunday as well as on Jewish and federal holidays.

4 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2010 First Graders Interview Rabbi Wechsler Questions, Answers and Stories Shared

n Thursday, February 4, the been a member of the rabbinate. Or Zarua first-grade class met Every question was answered by with Rabbi Wechsler in his Rabbi Wechsler. He was more than willing office to ask him some ques- to share many stories about the early Otions. This was an opportunity years of Or Zarua, his time studying at the for the students to learn about what the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the year rabbi does during the day and his role at that he spent in Israel as a rabbinical Or Zarua. student. The students had prepared their The students had a wonderful meet- questions in advance. They asked Rabbi ing with Rabbi Wechsler. They learned a Wechsler about the founding of Or Zarua, lot about him and his job. The rabbi had what he does during the day, and how he an opportunity to interact with the Or learned Hebrew. The students were also Zarua students on a personal level. We interested in why Rabbi Wechsler chose to look forward to future conversations. become a rabbi and for how long he has Rabbi Wechsler (center) with first-grade —DANIEL SILVERMAN students Annie Sahn and Jason Nash.

Family and Youth Activities WWW.ORZARUA.COM

March Saturday, April 17 • TBA Friday, March 5 • following services USY AND KADIMA Use our award-winning website to: DINNER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS A joint program to be announced. G View calendar and service times Details on page 7. Reservations required. Saturday, April 24 • 10:30 a.m. G Register for meals and events Saturday, March 6 • 10:00 a.m. OZY TEEN-LED SERVICE G JUNIOR CONGREGATION Make donations online May SIDDUR CEREMONY G Sign up for morning minyan A celebration of the youth at Or Zarua. Monday, May 3 • 4:00-6:00 p.m. G Learn about educational programs Saturday, March 13 • TBA HEBREW SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE G Listen to Shabbat Melodies USY AND KADIMA Wednesday, May 5 • 4:00-6:00 p.m. A joint Chocolate Seder HEBREW SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE You can access the Shabbat Melodies April Saturday, May 15 • 10:30 a.m. page directly at: http://www.orzarua.org/davening.shtml Sunday, April 11 • 7:30 p.m. JUNIOR CONGREGATION YOM HASHOAH VEHAG’VURAH for 2nd grade and older. Service led by Or go to www.orzarua.org HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE students, teachers and parents. and click the link on the home page. A special musical and oral presentation by Saturday, May 22 • TBA Shabbat Melodies are in mp3 and our teens and our community leaders. USY AND KADIMA wma formats, which play in both Mac Saturday, April 17 • 10:30 a.m. Annual Casino Night and Windows environments. JUNIOR CONGREGATION for 2nd grade and older. Service led by students, teachers and parents.

WELCOMING GUESTS It is important for us as a community to greet guests and new members at our services to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Let’s all make more of an effort in this regard. If you are seated next to someone whom you do not know, please reach out and introduce yourself. We should be sure to do the same at our kiddushim. Making this effort is consistent with our culture and will repay dividends.

5 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 Join MERCAZ USA The Zionist Arm of the Conservative Movement

e Jews love anniversaries. secure, as long as the ideal Jewish society But the work of MERCAZ USA doesn’t Last year, we celebrated within the Jewish State has not been end with the Zionist Congress. Upon our the 100th anniversary of achieved, the Zionist movement will con- return from Israel, our thoughts will turn the founding of Tel Aviv, the tinue with purpose. again to our ongoing work to strengthen Wfirst city of the modern In just a couple of months, the 36th the connection between the Diaspora and Zionist movement. The year before, in World Zionist Congress, the heir of Herzl’s Israel. How do we infuse Israel more 2008, we celebrated the 60th anniversary first congress, will convene in . strongly into the life of our congregations? of the State of Israel. And this year, 2010, And seated in the assembly hall, among the How do we get more of our children to is itself an “anniversary” year as we mark 550 elected delegates from Israel and the spend time in the Jewish State? How do the 150th anniversary of the birth of Diaspora, will be nearly 60 delegates repre- we promote the Hebrew language? These Theodore Herzl, the founder of the modern senting the worldwide Conservative/Masorti are among the goals of this organization Zionist movement. Movement under the “MERCAZ” banner. for the past 30 years ago and they will It was Herzl who convened the First The Conservative Movement, through continue to guide our work long into the Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in MERCAZ USA, is a full partner in the WZO future. (For details about our program, visit August 1897. Fifty years (and a couple of and Jewish Agency. Our delegates to the our website, www.mercazusa.org) months) later, the U.N. General Assembly Zionist Congress will be working to push Be a part of that future! A strong approved the Partition Plan for Palestine, forward our agenda: to shape the nature of MERCAZ USA helps ensure success of a thereby endorsing the creation of the Israeli society with the values of religious vibrant Masorti Movement in Israel and Jewish State, and we, today, are the bene- pluralism and environmental awareness and throughout the world and a strong Zionist ficiaries of these acts. to gain important resources for the develop- connection in our American Jewish commu- But while the Jewish State is a ment of institutions of Conservative-Masorti nity. Your membership brings this goal closer blessed reality, the mission of Zionism Judaism in Israel and throughout the world, to reality. Join MERCAZ USA, the Zionist has not been completed. As long as there including the Schechter Institute, the Masorti Organization of the Conservative Movement. are Jews in need, as long as Israel is not Movement and the Conservative Yeshiva. —BOB GOLUB MERCAZ Membership Application

_____ $500 Benefactor _____ $250 Sustainer _____ $100 Sponsor _____ $54 Family _____ $36 Individual _____ $12 Student (over 18)

Last Name______First Name ______

Last Name (Spouse) ______First Name (Spouse) ______

Address ______

City ______State ______Zip Code______

Telephone ______Email______

Congregation______

Please complete your Membership Application and mail with your dues payment to: MERCAZ USA 820 Second Avenue, 10th Floor New York, New York 10017

The Membership Application may also be completed online at www.mercazusa.org/membership.html

6 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2010 First Family and Friends Shabbat Dinner by Sarah Klagsbrun

habbat Dinner at Or Zarua on extension of his dining area, and why not? the Berkshires sleep-away camp for the February 5 was an extremely The idea of a dinner where the entire past few summers, was shocked that Or special and well attended focus was eating and schmoozing with Zarua does not use the Camp Ramah event. It was a dinner designed new and old friends on Shabbat seemed tunes on Friday nights or even know them. Sto be perfect for families to incredibly appealing. I shared this idea This was a surprise to Eliana because the feel at home together in their own over- with Anne Schneider at a board meeting ruah on Friday night at Camp Ramah is sized Manhattan living room. And the and her response was, “Who doesn’t like incredible (almost at the Ezra level). By dinner was a success. Or Zarua has had to eat and schmooze? I’d love to organize leading Kabbalat Shabbat services with many beautiful dinners with incredible this event with you.” Then Sara Stone the Camp Ramah tunes, that ruah was intellectual content. I have, unfortunately, graciously stepped in to help both of us in brought to Or Zarua for the Family and missed several of these events. I could this endeavor. Friends dinner. not attend because, for starters, I could The Family and Friends Dinner on The February Family and Friends not bring my two-year-old as these events February 5 was open to the entire commu- Shabbat Dinner not only sold out, there go way past his bedtime. My focus is to nity, but the event was planned around the was a long waiting list. The people who share with you the ideas that led to the needs of families with young children. We attended want to return. People who could planning of this event and why a second wanted to make sure families that could not attend because the event was sold Family and Friends Dinner is scheduled for not come to other events for reasons simi- out, want the opportunity to attend. Non- Friday, March 5. lar to my own—the events went too late, members who have heard about the dinner Each year, I look forward to Sukkot they would need to hire a babysitter for want to attend. Given the huge success of dinners at Or Zarua when you can bring their young children as they were too the February Family and Friends Dinner, we your family and an informal dinner to the young to go with OZ babysitters they did have scheduled another one for Friday, Or Zarua Sukkah. At the Or Zarua Sukkah, not know, or the kids could not wait for din- March 5. These dinners are open to the I have found fellow Congregants and ner to be served which was way past their entire community. As long as you don’t friends eating and socializing. I would love usual dinnertime to begin with—could mind a grape juice spill and excited chil- to be able to invite these people from attend this dinner. The purpose of this din- dren running around with their friends— Or Zarua, some of whom I know well and ner was to be able to come to shul, attend come one, come all! some that I don’t, to my home for Shabbat services, spend time with old friends, and dinner. That being said, I live in a meet new friends. The Family and Friends Manhattan apartment and there are Dinner was without a formal program and SHABBAT DINNER already five of us. Space is an issue. ended before young children needed to be WITH FAMILY Cooking is an issue. Who has time with in bed. Families experienced a dinner that three young children needing constant started with Shalom Alechem, followed by AND FRIENDS attention? Does a pre-made barbecue communal Kiddush, and a dinner that chicken, noodle kugel and pareve cookies ended with singing z’mirot. Friday, March 5 from the Kosher butcher suffice? Even if it Having an active two-year-old who immediately following services, does, as my friends are very loving and loves to explore, I wanted to make sure which begin at 5:33 p.m. easy-going, there is still the space issue. services were welcoming to children mak- Join the OZ community for a special I could do buffet, but there is the issue of ing noise, walking around on the bimah, Kabbalat Shabbat service led by our dog, who would eat the food if it is exploring the shul in an open environment. Sarah Klagsbrun with traditional within a jumping distance from his mouth. I always loved davening to Camp Ramah Camp Ramah tunes, followed by Let’s not forget to mention cleaning up Kabbalat Shabbat tunes and wanted to a festive meal with singing. Guests afterwards. Charlie Spielholz told me that share that with Or Zarua. My daughter and non-members are welcome. he views the Or Zarua social hall as an Eliana, who has attended Camp Ramah in Please make dinner reservations by MONDAY, MARCH 1 JTS PARTY IN THE GARDEN at 212-452-2310, ext. 39 “Twilight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” Tuesday, May 11 or www.orzarua.org This year’s event is entitled “Twilight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” We will be joining $36 adults; $12 children aged 5-12; Park Avenue Synagogue, 55th Street Synagogue, and Sutton Place Synagogue for this children under 5, no charge wonderful evening at JTS on Tuesday, May 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Save the date; Sponsored by Anne & Reed Schneider a mailed invitation will follow. and Sarah Klagsbrun & Eric Weinstein

7 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010

Or Zarua Library News TALMUD CLASS An Update on Donations Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. in the OZ Library ith the 92nd Street Y G Please do not contribute underlined restructuring its library, or soiled books. This year, we are studying the fourth our library has become a G The library is limited to Judaica and chapter of Baba Metzia, which covers major source of literary related subjects. We cannot accept other disputes over financial matters. The Judaica for the synagogue genres. fourth chapter deals with fraud, from W G the subject of price fixing, to truth in community. Contributions from Or Zarua No textbooks. Congregants of new and used books have G Please call the office before deliver- advertising. As well, the use of language provided a comprehensive collection of ing in excess of one carton. to mislead becomes, by association, religious texts, fiction, biography, history, G Duplicates may be donated to a related issue that is discussed. socioiogy, cooking, art, and other Jewish other organizations. Classes are taught by topics. G Please notify the office if you are RABBI WECHSLER At this time, shelf space has become considering contributing new books. increasingly limited. While gifts are deeply Your cooperation will allow the library No prior knowledge of Talmud, Hebrew appreciated, it is necessary to set guide- to stock relevant reading material for your or Aramaic is required. lines for contributions. reading enjoyment. —BARRY FELDMAN OZ Cemetery Gravesites for Members A Note from the Editor he Or Zarua section of Beth El Guidelines and Deadlines Cemetery is located in Washington TTownship (Bergen County), New Jersey, just ten miles away from the he Or Zarua Newsletter welcomes best; therefore, you are strongly encour- George Washington Bridge. Beth El contributions from members of aged to submit high-resolution photo- Cemetery is well maintained and land- our community which relate to a graphs. Please submit photographs as scaped with trees and shrubs. The ceme- synagogue program or function, JPEGs. tery’s design provides a serene and beau- the Conservative movement, or Deadlines for submissions are gener- T tiful final resting place that reflects the the life of our community. Publication ally six weeks before the issue date: guidelines are based on interest to our March 25 May/June/Summer community and, of course, space limita- July 29 September/October tions. All articles are subject to editing. September 23 November/December Significant editorial changes will be dis- November 24 January/February cussed with the contributor prior to print- January 27 March/April ing. Please submit written material in DOC, TXT, or RTF format; try to avoid Please send all submissions via email DOCX. You may also submit written mate- to Charlie Spielholz at [email protected]. rial in the body of an email message. Finally, I would like to thank Lynn Nack Photographs are always appreciated. of David November Design for all her help High-resolution photographs (4" x 5" at with layout and dealing with the printer. 300 dpi or 4 MB minimum) reproduce the —CHARLIE SPIELHOLZ Rabbi Wechsler (center) reciting psalms at the landscaped central area.

values and aesthetics of Congregation Or Zarua. Gravesites within the Or Zarua sec- OR ZARUA IS ON FACEBOOK! tion are available for sale solely to mem- bers of our Congregation. Burial is limited Join our Facebook community! Follow us at www.facebook.com/orzarua for more to persons of the Jewish faith. If you are events and news. interested in buying gravesites in the Or Zarua section, please contact the syna- gogue office at 212-452-2310, ext. 14.

8 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2010 My Journey with AIPAC by Arthur H. Rosenbloom

t was on an airplane during a business ing legislation aimed at stopping Iran’s other elected leaders, during which they trip in 1994 that I first thought about illicit nuclear program. AIPAC highlights participate in face-to-face discussions with joining AIPAC. I’d arrived at a stage of include: Israels’ top leadership. AIPAC also works life at which it was possible for me to G Successfully lobbying for more than to combat Israel-bashing practices, preva- Idevote more of my time to involvement a dozen bills and resolutions condemning lent on many college campuses, by recruit- in the non-profit world. It was now time to and imposing tough sanctions on Iran. ing and helping train student leaders of act on my inclination to do so. I removed G Working to provide critical security many races and creeds to champion from my briefcase a yellow, legal-sized assistance to Israel each year to ensure Israel’s vital interests. Having spoken with notepad. Drawing a vertical line down the that Israel remains capable of facing members of both groups, I bear witness to center of the page, I listed, in the left-hand increased threats. AIPAC’s effectiveness with them. column, each of my eleemosynary inter- G Supporting America’s efforts to help The capstone of AIPAC’s programmatic ests, and in the right-hand column directly Israel achieve peace with its neighbors. year is its annual Policy Conference in parallel to the listing of each such inter- G Helping pass legislation requiring Washington, D.C. Sitting there among est, the names of the organizations likely the administration to evaluate all future more than 6,000 participants, including to satisfy those interests. One of those military sales to Arab states given the over 1,000 college students, and listening left-hand column interests was “Israel and need to maintain Israel’s qualitative mili- to Israel’s prime minister, U.S. presidents, U.S. politics.” In the corresponding right- tary edge. leaders of Congress on both sides of the hand column I wrote “AIPAC”. My journey G Working to obtain many resolutions aisle, and Middle East scholars has been, with AIPAC had begun. affirming congressional support for Israel’s for me, a transformative experience. This I soon learned that as America’s lead- right to self-defense in the face of terrorism year’s AIPAC Policy Conference will take ing pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC works with by groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. place March 21-23 and I hope you’ll join Democratic and Republican political lead- In support of these efforts, it’s been a Evelyn and me there. ers to enact public policy, strengthening thrill for me to lead groups that lobby For further information, please the vital U.S.-Israel relationship. With the members of Congress and to derive satis- contact me at [email protected], support of its 100,000 members nation- faction from seeing those efforts ripen 212-520-7128 or Akiva Roth at AIPAC. wide, AIPAC has worked with Congress, into pro-Israel congressional legislation [email protected], 212-750-4110. the Executive branch, and every party in and resolutions. I look back with satisfaction on my power in Israel. Initiatives range from AIPAC provides fact-finding missions journey with AIPAC that began with another securing vital foreign aid for Israel to pass- to Israel for members of Congress and journey—that flight in 1994.

Weekday Minyan LIFE EVENTS AT OZ Your help is needed to strengthen the Or Zarua Minyan

embers of our Congregation are id you know that Or Zarua runs appropriate Torah portions are read. Msometimes faced with painful, a daily minyan every weekday Each morning, there are Congregants and and, in some cases, tragic events in morning? Shaharit, the morning guests who are reciting the Mourner’s their lives. If you know of a member of service, begins at 7:15 a.m., Kaddish. In order to accomplish these the Congregation who is coping with DMonday through Friday, except prayers, a minyan of 10 is needed. And to extended illness, hospitalization, or a on Rosh Hodesh and Hol Hamoed, when it ensure a minyan at Or Zarua we need your death in their family, please contact begins at 7:00 a.m. On Sundays, Shaharit help. If you want to be part of the minyan the synagogue office at 212-452-2310 begins at 8:45 a.m. Each morning, Barkhu on any given morning, all you need to do so that Rabbi Wechsler can be is said and the Amidah is recited with the is attend. If you want to help strengthen informed. Press extension 14 for the Kedushah. The weekly Torah portion is the Or Zarua minyan, please sign up for a executive director or extension 12 for read every Monday and Thursday. On morning or two each month by contacting the rabbi’s assistant. Rosh Hodesh and during Hol Hamoed, the Sheldon Adler at [email protected].

9 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 Or Zarua Book Discussions Sunday evenings, March 7 and April 25, 7:30 p.m.

March 7 As the president told his closest advisers, the technology A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman these attempts to resolve the issue of a sector. Start-Up and the Founding of Israel Jewish homeland had left him in a condi- Nation addresses by Allis Radosh and Ronald Radosh tion of “political battle fatigue.” the trillion-dollar Based on never-before-used archival question: How lease material, A Safe Haven is the most com- does Israel—a join us plete account to date of the events that small country of for our led to this historic occasion. Allis and just 7 million peo- next Or Ronald Radosh explore the national and ple, surrounded by Zarua global pressures bearing on Truman and enemies, in a con- P the people—including the worldwide stant state of war, book discussion on Sunday, March Jewish community, key White House advis- and with very few 7 at 7:30 p.m. in ers, the State Department, the British, the natural resources—produce more start-up Or Zarua’s library. Arabs, and the representatives of the new companies than much larger nations like Ari Weiss will lead United Nations—whose influence, on both Canada, Japan, or China? Perhaps we, too, us in discussing sides, led to his decision. can learn from Israeli’s innovation, entre- A Safe Haven: preneurship, and business successes. Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel April 25, Special Discussion is a senior fellow at the by Allis Radosh and Ronald Radosh. Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Council on Foreign Relations, has served On May 14, 1948, under the steward- Economic Miracle as a foreign policy adviser to the U.S. ship of President Harry S. Truman, the by Dan Senor and Saul Singer government, and has written extensively United States became the first nation to about the Middle East for publications recognize the State of Israel—just e are pleased to invite including and The moments after sovereignty had been Congregants, including New York Times. Saul Singer is the editorial declared in Jerusalem. But it was hardly a teenagers, to join us on page editor for . foregone conclusion that America would April 25 when author If you would like more information on welcome the creation of this new country. WDan Senor will appear to Or Zarua book discussions or have a book While acknowledging this as one of his discuss his provocative book, Start-Up suggestion, please contact the synagogue proudest moments, Truman also admitted Nation at Or Zarua. office at 212-452-2310, ext. 12 or email that no issue was “more controversial or Israel has become a major player in [email protected]. more complex than the problem of Israel.” the global business world, especially in —REED SCHNEIDER

Davidson School of JTS RABBI WECHSLER Offers Full-Tuition Fellowships for Exceptional Applicants TEACHES ON SIRIUS XM RADIO hanks to the generosity of the and communal education. The Davidson Sundays at 3:00 a.m. Jim Joseph Foundation, the School welcomes students of all ages and and 11:00 a.m. William Davidson Graduate backgrounds who have a wide range of School of Jewish Education of professional goals within Jewish educa- abbi Wechsler is on SIRIUS XM TJTS is pleased to offer full- tion. All applicants will be automatically RStars Radio three times each tuition fellowships for exceptional M.A. considered for the fellowships. To view Sunday. Subscribers to SIRIUS Radio applicants for fall 2010. The Davidson the application and its requirements, visit can access the program, “Rabbi School offers full-time, part-time, and the Admissions website at www.jtsa.edu. Wechsler Teaches,” on Channel 102, distance learning M.A. programs in Jewish For more information on the M.A. program, and XM Radio subscribers can tune in Education with opportunities for special- visit the Davidson School website to Channel 155. Non-subscribers to izations in day school education, syna- or contact Abby Eisenberg, Director of SIRIUS Radio can obtain a free, three- gogue school administration, and informal Admissions, at 212-678-8022. day trial at www.sirius.com.

12 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2010

Or Zarua Crafts Club OR ZARUA Contribute to Mitzvah Projects or Work on Your Own NEWSLETTER

r Zarua Crafts Club members and ask you to join the OZ knitting circle— GOING GREEN completed their second blan- it’s an opportunity to sit, share and create Future issues to be emailed ket for the Jewish Board of with good intent plus bagels. For more istribution of the Or Zarua Family and Children Services’ information about the Crafts Club, email Newsletter will be heading OSanctuary Stitchers program. Terry Edelstein at [email protected]. to cyberspace in the very The blanket will be given to a child or teen near future. The many living in a JBFCS residential treatment advantages of distributing facility. To learn more about the program, D the newsletter this way include: saving go to www.sanctuarystitchers.org. about $5,000 a year on printing and The next meetings of the Or Zarua postage, introducing color photographs Craft’s Club will be held Sunday, March 14 and typography, receiving the newsletter and Sunday, April 11 at 10:15 a.m. in the on a more timely basis, incorporating Or Zarua library. last-minute updates, and the possibility The Crafts Club wishes Carrie Fox of providing links to register for events. and her family the very best in their new Congregants who chose not to home in Westchester County. Carrie receive issues by email can still opt infused the work of the “knitters” with the for hard copies by regular mail. Printed enthusiasm and focus she lends to every- newsletters will also be available in thing she undertakes. The club is appre- the synagogue sanctuary. From left: Carrie Fox, Debbie Solymar, ciative for the leadership, warmth and So keep your eyes on your com- Lorraine Shapiro, Robin Blumenthal and camaraderie she brought to Or Zarua’s puter inbox as Or Zarua modernizes its Diane Okrent display the second blanket production of quilts for the Jewish Board’s communications. completed for the Sanctuary Stitchers Sanctuary Stitcher’s program. —CHARLIE SPIELHOLZ We are looking to reinforce our ranks program by the OZ Crafts Club.

Upcoming Events May 2010 Summer in the City: Precollege Program for High School Students

Monday, May 10 o you know a rising junior or Barnard College-Columbia University; OR ZARUA ANNUAL MEETING senior in high school? If so, explore the rich culture and history of AND ROOFTOP PICNIC tell him or her about United New York City during evenings and week- Synagogue Youth’s (USY) ends; and experience Jewish New York Tuesday, May 18 wonderful Summer in the City in a program supervised by USY. The SHAVUOT PANEL DISCUSSION D program. For one month, participants Summer in the City precollege program experience the best of all that New York promises an exciting, unforgettable Sunday, May 23 City has to offer, both academically and summer. Interested students can find LIGHTS...CAMERA...ACTION...ISRAEL! culturally. They learn from top instructors more detailed information at Salute to Israel Parade at The Jewish Theological Seminary and http://www.usy.org/programs/sitc.

MEET, GREET AND SEAT Ushers are needed for Shabbat services throughout the year. Please email Janet Katz at [email protected] to add your name to our list of volunteers. You will be contacted by email only. Your help is greatly appreciated.

13 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 Guidelines for Passover

The guidelines below were prepared for Following are some general guide- broth and/ or hydrolyzed protein, even the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on lines. Consult Rabbi Wechsler when there when packed in water), wine, vinegar, Jewish Law and Standards by Rabbi Mayer is any doubt about the status of a prod- liquor, oil, dried fruit, ice cream, yogurt, Rabinowitz. They were accepted by the uct. Examine the Kosher le-Pesah label: If and soda. Committee on December 12, 1984 and it does not bear the name of a rabbi, does The following processed foods are updated annually by Rabbi Wechsler. not contain one of the recognized symbols (canned, bottled, or frozen) DO require a Remember that the kosher for Passover of rabbinic supervision, or is not integral Kosher le-Pesah label if purchased during home is a unique and transcendent experi- to the package, check with the rabbi. Pesah: milk and milk products, butter, ence for adults as well as children. Pesah juice, vegetables, fruit, spices, coffee, tea, feels different to the extent that it is differ- Foods fish, and meat. ent, and special foods and practices are G Prohibited foods: leavened bread, the source of the special experience. cake, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffee Non-Food Items G Detergent. If permitted during the he Torah prohibits the ownership containing cereal derivatives, wheat, year, powdered and liquid detergents DO of hametz (leaven) during Pesah. barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids con- NOT require a Kosher le-Pesah label. Therefore, we arrange for the taining ingredients or flavors made from G Medicine. Because many pills are sale of the hametz to a non-Jew. grain alcohol. made with hametz binders, follow this The sale—mekhirat hametz—is According to Ashkenazic custom, the T following foods—kitniyot—are added to guideline: If the medicine is required for accomplished by appointing an agent, usu- life-sustaining therapy, it may be used on ally the rabbi, to handle the transfer. The the prohibited list: rice, corn, millet, and Pesah; if it is not for life-sustaining thera- transaction is a valid and legal transfer of legumes (beans and peas; but string py, some authorities permit, while others ownership. At the end of the holiday, the beans are permitted). The Committee on prohibit the use of the medicine. Consult agent arranges for the reversion of owner- Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unan- Rabbi Wechsler. ship of the now-permitted hametz. If own- imously that peanuts and peanut oil are permissible. In contrast, Sephardic author- ership of the hametz was not transferred Kashering before the holiday, the use of this hametz ities permit the use of all kitniyot on G Utensils. The process of kashering is prohibited even after the holiday Pesah. utensils depends on how the utensils are (hametz she-aver alav ha-Pesah). G Permitted foods that DO NOT used. According to halakhah, leaven can The Torah also prohibits the eating of require a Kosher le-Pesah label: be purged from a utensil by the same hametz during Pesah. We often need guid- fresh fruit, fresh vegetables (for legumes, process through which it was absorbed ance when shopping and preparing for the see above), and eggs. into the utensil (ke-voleo kakh poleto). holiday because many common foods con- G Permitted foods that DO require a Therefore, utensils used in cooking are tain some admixture of hametz. Kosher le-Pesah label: all baked products kashered by boiling, those used in broiling During the eight days of Pesah, (matzah, cake, matzah flour, matzah farfel, are kashered by fire and heat, and those hametz does not lose its identity, even in matzah meal, and any other products con- used only for cold food are kashered by an admixture. Therefore, the minutest taining matzah), canned or bottled fruit rinsing. amount of hametz renders the whole juice (often clarified with kitniyot, which G Earthenware. China, pottery, etc. admixture hametz, and its use on Pesah is are not listed among the ingredients), may not be kashered. However, fine prohibited. canned tuna (often processed in vegetable

WHAT IS THE FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN? WHY ONLY THE MALE FIRSTBORN? Ta’anit bekhorim, the Fast of the Firstborn, is a custom In the ancient world, male firstborns were subject to Temple observed on the day before Pesah to commemorate our grati- service. It was this hierarchy that was the target of the tenth tude for surviving the pre-Exodus tenth plague, which smote all plague. firstborn Egyptians but spared all firstborn Hebrews. It is a dawn-to-dusk fast, which this year falls on Wednesday, April 8. HOW CAN A FIRSTBORN AVOID FASTING? The mitzvah of attending a siyum—a completion of the reading WHO IS CONSIDERED A FIRSTBORN? of a tractate of Talmud—overrides the mitzvah of observing this A firstborn is a male child who is the first child born either to fast. Firstborns can opt to attend a siyyum, which is followed by his mother or to his father. Even if he is the first male born a festive meal. The meal is part of the deal, so the fast is legiti- to either parent, having an older sister precludes his firstborn mately broken. Synagogues facilitate this choice for firstborns status—he is not the first child. by scheduling a siyyum for the morning before Pesah.

14 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2010 translucent chinaware that has not been then the appliance cannot be kashered. used for over a year may be used for However, all exposed parts should be thor- CONGREGATIONAL Pesah if scoured and cleaned in hot water. oughly cleaned in either case. SECOND SEDER G Metal. Utensils made entirely of G Tables, closets, and countertops. metal and used in fire (such as a spit or If they have come into contact with broiler) must first be thoroughly scrubbed, hametz, surfaces should be thoroughly Tuesday, March 30 cleaned, and then heated to the highest cleaned and covered before use. 8:00 p.m. possible temperature. Utensils used for G Kitchen sinks. Metal sinks must be immediately following services, cooking or eating (such as silverware or thoroughly cleaned and then doused with which begin at 7:15 p.m. pots) must be thoroughly scrubbed, boiling water. Porcelain sinks must be thor- We invite you, your family and your cleaned, and then completely immersed in oughly cleaned and outfitted with a sink friends to share the Second Seder boiling water. These metal objects should rack. Items may be soaked in a basin with us on Tuesday, March 30. not be used for a period of at least 24 placed inside a porcelain sink. Services will start at 7:15 p.m. hours between the cleaning and the G Hametz and non-Passover items. Our Congregational seder, led by immersion in boiling water. Metal baking In order to prevent accidental use, all non- Rabbi Wechsler, begins at 8:00 p.m., utensils cannot be kashered for Pesah. Passover kitchen items and hametz whose immediately following services. G Ovens and ranges. Every part that ownership has been transferred should be comes into contact with food must be separated from Passover items, marked, Please make seder reservations by thoroughly scrubbed, cleaned, and then covered, and placed in a locked area. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 heated to the highest possible tempera- An ever-increasing variety of Kosher at 212-452-2310, ext. 39 or ture for a half hour. For ovens with no self- le-Pesah products is available in local www.orzarua.org cleaning feature, use the broil setting; for markets as well as in the specially dedicated $90 adults; $55 children aged 5-12; self-cleaning ovens, use the self-cleaning Pesah stores that appear each year. children under 5, no charge feature to achieve the highest tempera- Patronize these special Pesah stores, for ture. Continuous-cleaning ovens must be they provide an important service to the Watch your mail for an invitation. kashered in the same manner as regular Jewish community. ovens. G Microwave ovens. These do not cook food by means of heat. After the interior is cleaned, place a cup of water OMER BASICS inside. Keep the oven on until the water disappears. A microwave oven that has a What’s an omer? An omer is a unit of measure for cut sheaves of a grain crop. browning element cannot be kashered for The 49-day period between the second day of Pesah and the day before Shavuot is Pesah. referred to as the period of sefirat ha’omer—the counting of the omer. G Glassware. Drinking glasses and stemware require only a thorough clean- Why do we count it? The Torah tells us in Parashat Emor (Leviticus 23:15-16) that an ing, by hand or in a dishwasher, before omer of barley was brought to the Temple on the second day of Pesah as a “wave Pesah. offering.” This omer of barley consisted of newly harvested grain, and new barley G Glass cookware. There is a differ- could not be eaten until the omer offering was brought. Starting on the second day of ence of opinion as to whether glass cook- Pesah, 49 days were counted, at the end of which Shavuot was celebrated and an ware should be kashered. One opinion is offering was brought to the Temple from the early summer’s wheat harvest. The that it must be kashered—after a thor- counting, sefirat ha’omer, is done at nightfall each day during the seven weeks. The ough cleaning, boil water in the cookware counting of the omer connects the Exodus from Egypt with the giving of the Torah at so that it overflows the rim. The other Mt. Sinai. In eagerness, we count the days of waiting for the revelation. opinion is that only a thorough cleaning is How do we observe it? For a period of time during the counting of the omer it is required. traditional to observe certain semi-mourning customs, such as postponing weddings G Glass bakeware. Like metal bake- and foregoing haircuts. This tradition may have an agricultural origin in that the period ware, glass bakeware may not be kash- leading up to the summer harvest is a time of concern for the continuing safety of ered for Pesah. the crop. But also during this time of year in the second century CE, some 24,000 of G Dishwashers. Clean any food trap Rabbi Akiva’s students perished—they were most likely killed by the Romans. or filter and leave the dishwasher unused for 24 hours. Then, complete a full wash What is Lag B’omer? Lag B’omer is the 33rd day of the counting—“lag” is an cycle with detergent. acronym made up of lamed (30) and gimel (3). The massive fatalities of Rabbi Akiva’s G Electrical appliances. If parts that students halted on that day, and the customs of semi-mourning are suspended. come into contact with hametz are remov- Lag B’omer is observed as the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, the person said to able, they can be kashered in the appropri- have authored the mystical book, The Zohar. This year Lag B’omer begins on the night ate way (if metal, follow the rule for metal of Saturday, May 1. utensils). If the parts are not removable, 15 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 Pesah Meal Match SCHEDULE OF First Seder, Monday, March 29 PASSOVER SERVICES 5769/2010

et us increase our joy in this z’man from our members. Congregants wishing to Sunday, March 28 heiruteinu—the season of our libera- be guests, please let us know what Seder Bedikat Hametz at night Ltion—by hosting other Congregants atmosphere is most attractive to you. or by joining a host family for the first Please note: This matching is available Monday, March 29 Seder on Monday, March 29. only for members of Congregation Or Zarua. Fast of the Firstborn/Siyum We welcome hosts who celebrate in If you would like to be a host or a Shaharit 7:15 a.m. many different ways—making their own guest, please complete the form on Erev Pesah Hagaddah, following the traditional one, page 17 and send it to the synagogue Candlelighting 6:59 p.m. or offering children lots of opportunity to office or register online at www.orzarua.org First Seder interact—as we know there will be interest by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 25. Tuesday, March 30 First Day of Pesah Shaharit 9:00 a.m. Minhah/Ma’ariv 7:15 p.m. Candlelighting 8:00 p.m. Second Seder 8:00 p.m. (Congregational) Ma’ot Hittim Fund Wednesday, March 31 Assist needy Jews to prepare for Passover Second Day of Pesah Shaharit 9:00 a.m. he Hagaddah tells us that every Jew ma’ot hittim (wheat money), to two com- Thursday, April 1 must experience the Exodus from munal organizations—the Joint Passover Hol Hamoed TEgypt, and the Mishnah tells us that Appeal in New York and the New York Minyan 7:00 a.m. a Jew should drink four cups of wine at Board of Rabbis—for distribution to the seder, even if they come from the needy Jews. Friday, April 2 public dole. We hope that you will give generously Hol Hamoed 2 We therefore raise special funds to the fund as many will benefit from Minyan 7:00 a.m. each year to assist less fortunate Jews your kindness. Please make your check Minhah/Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15 p.m. who cannot afford to prepare for payable to Congregation Or Zarua and Candlelighting 7:03 p.m. Passover. We forward the funds, called write Ma’ot Hittim Fund on the memo line. Saturday, April 3 Shabbat Hol Hamoed Shaharit 8:45 a.m. Sunday, April 4 Hol Hamoed 4 Minyan 8:45 a.m. Sell Your Hametz Seventh Day of Pesah Minhah/Ma’ariv 6:15 p.m. Rabbi Wechsler will arrange the transaction Candlelighting 7:05 p.m. Monday, April 5 efore Passover, we are required to Please complete the form on page 17 Seventh Day of Pesah “sell” any hametz in the household and send it to the synagogue office by Shaharit 8:45 a.m. Bto a non-Jew. The transaction is 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 26 or email it to Last Day of Pesah normally arranged by the rabbi to ensure [email protected]. It is customary to Minhah/Ma’ariv 7:15 p.m. compliance with the requirements of enclose a contribution to Or Zarua’s Ma’ot Candlelighting 8:06 p.m. halakhah. Hittim Fund with your authorization. Tuesday, April 6 Last Day of Pesah/Yizkor Shaharit 9:00 a.m. Festival ends 8:08 p.m.

16 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2010 March/April Checklist Remember these dates and deadlines

G Mark your calendars for the Synaplex 2010 on Sunday, May 2, G Order your copy of Norman Podhoretz’s book, Why are Jews an all-day cornucopia of discussions, entertainment, film, and Liberals?, prior to his May 2 discussion and book signing using food at Congregation Or Zarua. Synaplex 2010 is described in the order form on page 3. detail on page 3. We hope to see everyone there. G Become a member of MERCAZ USA using the form on page 6. G RSVP by noon, Monday, March 1 for the Family and Friends G Attend the AIPAC meeting, March 21-23 (see page 9). Friday night services and dinner on Friday, March 5. G Sell your hametz! Submit the form on page 17 by 11:00 a.m. G Register for Marc Ashley’s class on four Sundays, April 11, p.m., Friday, March 26. April 18, April 25, and May 2, 10:00 a.m. G Remember the Ma’ot Hittim Fund and please donate generously. G Put the Kadima and USY events on March 13, April 17 and G Sign up for the First Seder Pesah Meal Match, either as a host May 22 on your schedule. or a guest, by Thursday, March 25, using the form on page 17. G Participate in the Or Zarua Holocaust Memorial Service, G RSVP for the Congregational Second Seder by Wednesday, Sunday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Let us not forget. March 24. G Discuss A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman and the Founding of G Sign up for the morning minyan. Israel on Sunday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. G Follow Or Zarua on Facebook. G Convene with the OZ crafts club on Sundays, March 14 and April 11 at 10:15 a.m. G Save Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. for Talmud Class with Rabbi Wechsler. G Reserve Sunday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. for author Dan Senor’s special book discussion on Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s G Submit all articles and ideas for the May/June/Summer issue Economic Miracle. Everyone is enthusiastically encouraged to of the OZ newsletter to Charlie Spielholz ([email protected]). attend, including teens. by Thursday, March 25.

CONGREGATION OR ZARUA First Class 127 East 82nd Street U.S. Postage New York, NY 10028-0807 PAID New York, NY Permit No. 7998