Discussion SPECIAL ISRAEL EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW
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S Emanu-El F CHRONICLE VOLUME CLXV, NO. 17 | APRIL 2019 | ADAR II/NISSAN 5779 APR APR 14 30 Holman/ World Grand Scholar- Premiere: AN in-Residence ORATORIO Rabbi David Israeli Elections BY SASCHA APR Ellenson JACOBSEN 07 Discussion SPECIAL ISRAEL EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW Ambassadors Israeli Elections Discussion in Washington Sunday, April 7, 9:30 – 11:00 am, Main Sanctuary D.C., Deputy Advanced registration is required for security Ambassador in purposes. Thailand, and Deputy Consul The Israeli election will take place on General in April 9. Join us for a conversation Shanghai. His about what we can expect, with past domestic commentary by the Israeli Consul Foreign General Shlomi Kofman and Professor Ministry positions John Rothmann. It will most certainly include Director of North American Economic Affairs, be a stimulating discussion! Policy Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Diplomatic Shlomi Kofman began his Advisor and Director of the International Department in appointment as Israel’s Consul the Parliament and Ministry of National Infrastructure, and General to the Pacific Northwest in Head of the Northeast Asia sector. August 2017. He most recently served John F. Rothmann is a radio talk show host on KGO 810 as a Policy Advisor to the Deputy AM in San Francisco. John first joined the KGO family Foreign Ministers based in Jerusalem, in 1996. A frequent lecturer on American politics and Israel. Over the course of his 20-year the presidency, John has spoken on over 150 university diplomatic career, Shlomi has served campuses throughout the United States, Canada, and as Israel’s Deputy Consul General Israel. John has been a professor at the Fromm Institute in New York City, Chief of Staff to at the University of San Francisco since 2004. Shlomi Kofman (top) and John F. Rothmann (bottom) Iran Talk: Next Steps After the Collapse of the Deal and Iran’s Role in the Region with Professor Abe Sofaer and National Security Advisor Michael Ledeen Thursday, May 2, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Martin Meyer Sanctuary Join Abe Sofaer and Michael Ledeen — world-class Hoover Institute Fellows and experts on Iran, international law, and treaty negotiations — for an in-depth exploration of this complex issue. As renowned authorities on these topics, our guest speakers have decades of first-hand experience in operating and advising the highest levels of government. We will ask them: “How do we prevent terrorism, war, or a nuclear catastrophe while supporting human rights for the Iranian people?” This event is sponsored by the Israel Action Committee. If you have questions about this event, contact Ariana Estoque, Director of Adolescent and Adult Education, at [email protected] or (415) 751-2541 x307. Abe Sofaer (top) and Michael Ledeen (bottom) 2 FEBRUARYAPRIL 2019 2019 SHALOM RAV FROM OUR RABBI By Richard and Rhoda Goldman Senior Rabbi Jonathan Singer he Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas has jumped on the The rabbinate here at Emanu- TPassover bandwagon! This year, rather than cleaning El encourage you, on that first your house, you can opt for a Seder at a resort that has or second night, to empower been kashered for Passover! Enjoy Passover meals as yourself by making a Seder, Matasiyahu entertains you, and experience freedom for the even if you have never done entire week of the holiday! so before. We’re glad to That is one way to celebrate Yitziat Mitzrayim — the going share with you activities out from Egypt — which our tradition teaches us to do or discussion questions to for the week of Passover. The tradition of this festival make your Seder meaningful, encompasses the celebration of freedom, the enjoyment of and you can even download a sumptuous spring feast, the chance to relax (recline), and Haggadot from the internet! the remembrance both of our liberation from slavery in Your Seder can be adjusted to Egypt and of our people surviving on Lechem Oni (matzah, meet your needs and those of the bread of affliction) as we wandered the desert for 40 your guests, to engage children, and to discuss and debate years. While the observance of all of the above may seem topics of interest to those in attendance. It is your story to contradictory, I believe the ancient rabbis wanted us to tell, your identity to affirm and celebrate. both recall and rejoice, zocher v’oneg! So at Seders, we The Atlantis Resort has it right: whether you’re in the drink fine wine while eating wonderful foods (some of Bahamas or the Himalayas or at home for Passover, make which have been “magically” conjured up with Passover a Seder, bring matzah, and recall from whence we came… matzah meal), but also remember Avadim Hayunu by and with inspiration from the Holy, how we can keep going eating matzah — plain at first, then combined with bitter forward to bring redemption for all. herbs, recalling both our liberation and our suffering, Chag Pesach Sameach! reconnecting to our people’s experience of oppression but ultimate redemption. I am grateful that in the diaspora, we have the opportunity to celebrate more than one Seder. While I love our congregational Seders with the chance to retell the story as a community, there is a formal reason for that gathering on the second night. The mitzvah of Passover commands you to “take a lamb and roast it, and eat it, with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and staff in your hand... it is a Passover sacrifice to Adonai.” But note that it is our individual responsibility as Jews, in our own or our neighbor’s house, to observe and celebrate the Seder. The obligation is not upon the rabbis, but on each one of us, regardless of our level of knowledge or observance, to make a Seder — because each of us was redeemed from enslavement. Avadim Hayenu — V‘ata B’nai Horin! Image courtesy of the Center for Jewish History, NYC EMANU-EL SF 3 Shabbat Calendar UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS Friday, April 5 A Weekend with 5:30 pm, First Friday Under Five Service (Martin Meyer Sanctuary) Rabbi David Ellenson 6:00 pm, Classic Shabbat Service Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14 (Main Sanctuary) Weekend Schedule: Saturday, April 6 One Shabbat Service Lecture: “Faith, 10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service Doubt, Meaning, and Belief in the 21st (Main Sanctuary) Century” Friday, April 12, 6:00 pm Friday, April 12 6:00 pm, One Shabbat Service Dinner (immediately following Shabbat (Martin Meyer Sanctuary) Service)* with continuation of the sermon topic 8:30 pm, Young Adult Late Shabbat Service Friday, April 12, 7:15 pm (Martin Meyer Sanctuary) Torah Study: “Conversion, Membership, Saturday, April 13 and Identity” 10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service Saturday, April 13, 9:15 am (Main Sanctuary) Lecture: “Multiple Consciousnesses – 10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service Jewish Identity in the Trump Era” (Martin Meyer Sanctuary) Sunday, April 14, 9:30 am David Ellenson was the Interim President of Hebrew Friday, April 19 Union College-Jewish Institute on Religion, following the 5:30 pm, Erev Pesach Shabbat Service tragic death of Rabbi Aaron Panken on May 5, 2018. He is (Chapel) also immediate past Director of the Schusterman Center Friday, April 26 for Israel Studies at Brandeis University. David has written 6:00 pm, One Shabbat Service extensively on the origins and development of Orthodox Judaism in Germany during the 19th century; Orthodox (Martin Meyer Sanctuary) legal writings on conversion in Israel, North America, and Saturday, April 27 Europe during the modern era; the relationship between 10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service religion and state in Israel; the history of modern Jewish (Martin Meyer Sanctuary) religious movements; and American Jewish life. 10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service * There is limited space for the Friday night dinner, so registration is required. (Main Sanctuary) This weekend is made possible by the generosity of Jon Holman and Diana Grand. Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat Sponsoring an Oneg-Shabbat for Friday evening is a lovely way to honor or “Stories and Outlooks of remember a loved one or to celebrate Jews from Arab Countries” a Simcha. When you sponsor an Oneg- Shabbat, you help us welcome Shabbat Sunday, April 28, 2:00 – 4:00pm, with the warmth and community that are Martin Meyer Sanctuary characteristic of our congregation. Join us as we hear the compelling For more details, please contact Svetlana personal stories of former Jewish Leykin at [email protected] or refugees from North Africa and the (415) 751-2541 x123. Middle East. JIMENA leaders will reflect on the current rise of Antisemitism, Antizionism, and attitudes towards Israel and the Middle East. This event will include a film, moderated panel discussion and Moroccan desserts. 4 APRIL 2019 COMMUNITY text here Increase the anticipation in the days and weeks before Passover… engage children of all ages… and find ideas to liven up your Seder with these Passover activities & crafts! Preparing for Your Seder Part of the excitement of the Seder is in the preparation. You can do the following activities with the children to get them ready for the actual Seder: • Make simple Seder plates out of paper plates and markers, two clear plastic plates with the five sections glued in the middle, or any other ideas you may have. • Make or supply simple Kiddush cups. • Make matzah or get it from a box and compare it to bread. • Make a three-pocket matzah cover out of paper, felt, or cloth; napkins work really well, too. • Sing songs that teach the themes and lessons of Pesach. Photo credit: • Make charoset. flickr.com/photos/slgc/ • Have a group search for chametz. Set the Scene Matzah Holder Your activity area should be big enough for all to move about, but small enough to see and hear without Three ceremonial boards of matzah are placed in a special amplification.