Nisan 5769 – April 2009

Shabbat Hagaddol, Shabbat Chol Hamo!ed Shabbat Sh!mini, April 3 - 4 Pesach, April 10 - 11 April 17 - 18 Candle Lighting: 7:03 PM Candle Lighting: 7:10 PM Candle Lighting: 7:17 PM Havdalah: 8:06 PM Havdalah: 8:13 PM Havdalah: 8:20 PM

A Teaching from Rabbi Weintraub: Passover: External and internal observance Passover is a time of many rituals. We initiate changes in prayer and readings a month before the holiday. We give special monetary donations and study dedicated sections of . We strictly separate food and kitchen items, and we scrub, search, burn, fast and immerse. As all rituals, those of Passover have two aspects, halahca and aggada. Halacha refers to the practice and observance, the normative, legal, external character of the ritual. Aggada (literally, story) refers to the intention and spirit surrounding the ritual, to its religious meaning in the life of the observant individual and community. Halacha There are three Biblical Mitzvot, or commandments, about Passover: 1) eat Matzah 2) refrain from eating or owning Chametz; and 3) tell the story. Matzah is unleavened bread, traditionally made of flour and water that are baked in eighteen min- utes or less from the admixture of water. Chametz refers to leavening or souring agents, or foods containing such agents. Thus, Chametz in- cludes bread, cereal and grains, and for Ashkenazic Jews even foods such as rice, millets and beans which are not chametz intrinsically, but are made into flours that can be confused with “cho- metzdik” flours. Further, fermented foods such as vinegars, or virtually all liquors (minus approved wine and fruit brandies), and many canned, bottled and processed foods contain leavening agents (cornstarch, corn syrup, etc.) are not Kosher for Passover. For more details, consult the Rabbinical assembly Passover Guide at www.rabbinicalasssembly.org In the weeks before Passover, we sell all Chametz foods and utensils. On the day before, we search for, burn, or verbally nullify our ownership of any Chametz still remaining in our possession. This year, this should be completed by Wednesday morning, April 8, 10:45 A.M. Also, this year, because the Holiday immediately precedes Shabbat, some special arrangements should be made to prepare food for Shabbat. It is permitted to cook on the Holiday (Thursday and Friday) only for that particular day. It is also completely forbidden to cook on Shabbat, However, in order not to diminish the oneg/pleasure of Shabbat, the Rabbis created a legal device to allow cook- ing done on the Festival to be used for Shabbat. This ritual is called Eruv Tavshilin, “the mixing of dishes”. One person in each household should follow this ritual, which takes place on Wednesday afternoon, April 8, before candle lighting. Two foods are prepared and set aside, usually a matzah and a hard- boiled egg or piece of chicken or fish. The food is reserved for Shabbat and this allows us to continue cooking and baking for Shabbat over the Festival. The following Blessing is said in Hebrew (and English also if you choose): Baruch Atta Adon’ Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam Asher Kidshanu B’Mitz’votav V’tzivanu Al Mitzvat Eruv. Blessed are you, Adon’ our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who made us holy through Mitzvot and commanded us to observe the of Eruv. The following declaration may be said in any language one understands (the Aramaic and Hebrew are in our Shabbat Siddur Sim Shalom on page 306): “By means of his mixture we are permitted to bake, cook, warm, kindle lights (from a pilot or flame lit before the Holiday), and make all the necessary preparation during the Festival for Shabbat, we and all who live in this place.” Aggada What is the “story”, the meaning of all of this? Above all Passover is a celebration of Y’tzi’at Mitzrayim, the wondrous liberation from Egypt. Mitzrayim comes from the root, Tzar, meaning narrow or constricted. Passover, (which the Talmud calls another Rosh Hoshana, another New Year with possibilities for teshuva repentance) can liberate us from suffocating habits. Our calendar recognizes that the expansiveness we felt on Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur has weakened, and the confining habits of winter have strengthened. How do we liberate ourselves as Spring approaches? The spiritual challenge in life is not so much getting ahead or moving on, as of reaching up, of see- ing the Heavenly in earthly affairs. The Kabbalists imagined human life as partaking of arba olamot, four worlds. These are the world of assiyah, or action, of practicality; , formation, the world of feeling and language; bri’ah, creation, the world of initiative and intellect; and atzilut, nearness, the world of pure will and spirit. It is important not to dismiss this view as silly or to take it in a simple, literal fashion. As many relig- ious and psychological paradigms, aaba olamot is a schema to help people understand the challenge of being alive and improving the world. In this fashion, we may see our work of leaving Mitzrayim, the narrow place: Assiyah: Action/materiality. How am I treating my body? Has it worsened over the winter? What are the Chametz, the fermentation, the addictions, which are constricting my physical freedom and from which the dietary changes of Passover may free me? Y’tzirah: Formation/feeling. Since the searching and forgiveness of Rosh Hoshana, what de- pendencies have I taken on with my spouse, partner, friends, children, parents, colleagues? Where am I locked into passive roles? Where do I suppress my anger or joy? Why? Bri’ah: Creativity/Intellect. Are we satisfied with our Jewish knowledge? Have we in general stimu- lated our minds? If we had “thoughts” about writing, or playing the piano again, or going on a re- treat with a son or daughter, did we act on them? Atzilut: Intimacy/Spirit. Where is my relationship with G-d? Is my life more integrated than it was last year? Am I less despairing? Do I have a vision for which I am working? These are the questions that should accompany buying horseradish and cleaning the cupboards. I look forward to joining you in fulfilling the Halacha and exploring the Aggada of this extraordinary Holiday. Chag Kasher V’samei’ach A Happy, Kosher Passover, Rabbi Weintraub

Go to http://kanestreet.org/religious-life/rabbi-weintraubs-teachings/ to read more of Rabbi Weintraub!s Teachings

Schedule of Services, Seders and Candle Lighting — Passover 5769/2009

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 SATURDAY, APRIL 11 • 7:00 AM: Service for Birkat Ha!Chamah, Intermediate Shabbat of Passover Blessing of the sun, held every 28 years, • 9:30 AM: Morning Services meet at Synagogue and pray outside • 1:00 PM: Mincha • 7:30 AM: Sanctuary; Ta!anit B!chorim, Fast of First born Service and Siyyum Talmud SUNDAY, APRIL 12 study Chol Ha!Moed, Second Intermediate Day • Light Candles by 7:08 P.M. of Passover • First Seder • 8:30 AM: Morning Services

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 TUESDAY, APRIL 14 First Day of Passover Seventh Evening of Passover • 9:30 AM — Morning Services with • Light Candles by 7:16 P.M. Tal Prayer for Dew • 8:00 PM: Evening Services, • Light Candles after 8:10 PM • Second Seder WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 Seventh Day of Passover FRIDAY, APRIL 10 • 9:30 AM: Morning Services Second Day of Passover • 7:15 PM: Mincha – Ma!ariv Services • 9:30 AM: Morning Services • Light candles for Eighth Day after 8:17 PM • Light Candles by 7:11 PM • Services: 8:00 Pm THURSDAY, APRIL 16 Eight Day of Passover • 9:30 AM: Morning Services with Yizkor Memorial Prayers

BIRKAT HA!CHAMAH – THE BLESSING OF THE SUN Once every 28 years! – At Kane Street, Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 AM Once every twenty years, according to ancient Rabbinic calculations, the sun returns to the same position that it occupied at the time of its creation, on the Fourth Day. To mark this event, Jews say a blessing “Birkat Ha!Chamah – The Blessing of the Sun”. We recognize G-d!s merciful creation in the daily renewal of this blazing source of our light and warmth. This year, this astronomical event will occur Wednesday morning, April 8, also Erev Pesach, and Kane Street will host a brief Birkat Ha!Chamah Service. We will meet at the Synagogue at 7:00 AM and walk outdoors to a place from where the sun is visible. We will look at the sun, continue with a short service including the blessing of the sun, Psalms, a short teaching and prayers. It should take 20 minutes and allow us to return to Synagogue for Shacharit and a “Siyyum” study session for the fast of the first born. Because one can say this blessing the whole morning, if at 7:00 the sun is completely obscured we will try again at 10:00 following Shacharit, Siyyum study and breakfast.

Schedule of Services

Kabbalat Shabbat: Friday at 6:00 PM Shabbat Morning: Saturday at 9:30 AM / Mincha: Saturday at 1:00 PM Shacharit: Sunday at 9:00 AM

YOUTH SERVICES All of our Junior Congregations (Mini-Minyan for ages 2-5; Junior Congregation for grades K-3; KC Minyan for grades 4-6) take place on the Second Floor of the Goldman Education Center at 11:00 AM each Shabbat. For more information please contact [email protected].

SINGING SERVICE — Saturday, April 18th; 10:30 AM This informal service uses the power of singing to build group spirit and to explore the deeper meanings of the prayers. It meets in the Chapel and is led by our Music Enrichment Director, Joey Weisenberg. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or comments.

Mazal Tov - Todah Rabah

The Kane Street community extends a warm Mazal Tov to Gisel, Ricky, Agustin, Guido, Sebastian and Tommy Baler on the celebration of Agustin!s becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Shabbat Hagaddol. We thank Ricky and Gisel for their generous sponsorship of Kiddush in honor of this Simche, and wish all the family continued nachis and happiness together.

Upcoming Kane Street Events

KADIMA & USY CHAMETZ DRIVE — March 26th - April 3rd Time for Passover cleaning! USY & Kadima are sponsoring a Chametz Drive. Please donate your UNOPENED boxed or canned food. We will deliver the donated food to a local food bank before Passover. Food drop-offs can be made ONLY on Monday and Wednesday!s from 3:30pm – 7:30pm. If you are already scheduled to come to an event, class, or to pick up your child at KSS, we appreciate your bringing a donation with you! No food will be accepted after April 3rd.

BEYOND BRCA1 & BRCA2: THE NEXT GENERATION OF GENETIC DISCOVERY — Kane Street Synagogue; Thursday, May 7th; 7:00 PM Research has demonstrated a link between testing positive for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations and developing breast and ovarian cancer. But not all women with a mutation develop cancer and many women without a mutation do. The Kane Street Synagogue and the Jewish Women!s Foundation of NY are hosting a seminar featuring Dr. Freya Schnabel, Director of Breast Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. The seminar will include an educational talk including the most current knowledge of breast and ovarian cancer genetics and man- agement of high-risk women. She will also introduce a cutting edge study focused on women of Ashke- nazi Jewish ancestry to help answer these important questions. Eligible women that are interested in par- ticipating in the study will have the opportunity to enroll in the study at the event. This research will ultimately offer Ashkenazi women an improved individualized assessment of their risk in acquiring breast or ovarian cancer. COST: Free. RSVP: Debbie Polinsky at [email protected]

Community

SEDER HOSPITALITY Kol Nichfin Yese V!yifsach, Kol Diztrich Yese V!yuachul! Let anyone who is hungry, come and eat, anyone who is in need, come and celebrate the Passover! This call opens the central Maggid (“discussion”) part of the Seder. Welcoming friends and even people we don!t know well (yet) is one of the most powerful expressions of freedom, trust and solidarity. If you have seats at your Seder for those seeking hospitality, or if you need a Seder for either or both nights, please notify [email protected]. Let us know also, as well, any important descriptive information (vegetarian, many young children will be present, no children will be present, etc.).

USY AND KADIMA RSVP to [email protected] or through BBUSY!s Facebook page. To learn more about Brownstone Brooklyn USY/Kadima go to http://kanestreet.org/community/teens/

USY Lounge Night at Ozzie!s Coffee — Saturday, April 18; 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM Hang out w/ friends, learn to make duct tape wallets & MPS covers, check your Facebook, or just relax! Members get FREE Coffee, Tea, or Cocoa. Location: Meet at Ozzie!s Coffee on 5th Avenue @ Garfield in Park Slope. Price: FREE w/membership. RSVP: By April 15th

Kadima 3 Part Dinner — Sunday, April 19; 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM Join Kadima for a Sunday dinner on one of Brooklyn!s coolest streets. We!ll have appetizers, main course, and dessert at three different houses on the same block. Plus a dinner related Scavenger Hunt. Meet/Pickup: Park Slope Jewish Center. Price: FREE

CALLING ALL MUSAF LEADERS If you would like to lead musaf, please send an email to Ritual Committee Chair, Rena Schklowsky at [email protected]. Let her know that you're interested in leading musaf. If you are a bit rusty, you can arrange to have a few sessions of coaching with Rena at a mutually agreed upon time.

TIKKUN OLAM / SOCIAL JUSTICE. Pick up a brochure in the back of the Synagogue or go to http://kanestreet.org/community/social-justice/ for more information about our programs.

MOM (Mitzvah of the Month) Book and Toy Drive for JBFCS Domestic Violence Shelters During March and April, the Social Justice Committee is collecting items for the Jewish Board of Children and Family Services' domestic violence shelters. JBFCS operates four such shelters, which provide both emergency and longer-term housing. Primarily women and children are residents of these shelters; they are in immediate danger from domestic violence/abuse. These shelters help the families cope, providing emotional support, as well as enrolling children in school and finding employment for the adults. Please deposit children's and adult books and children's educational toys in the receptacle in the lobby of the Goldman Center.

JOIN KANE STREET SYNAGOGUE!S MENSCH SQUAD The Mensch Squad is a new Kane Street initiative that organizes members of our community to support one another in times of need. Go to www.kanestreet.org/community/the-mensch-squad/ or contact Debbie Polinsky at [email protected] for more information.

HELP GREET PEOPLE AT OUR SERVICES To volunteer, please contact Idelle Abrams at [email protected]

Education

KANE STREET KIDS Kane Street!s Goldman Educational Center is also home to our Preschool, Kane Street Kids. For informa- tion about Kane Street Kids, contact Director Joyce Heller, [email protected] or 718-875-1550.

KANE STREET HEBREW SCHOOL The Kane Street Hebrew School is in full swing; for any questions or registration, contact Rabbi Valerie Lieber, Educational Director, [email protected] or 718-875-1550.

ADULT EDUCATION For a complete listing of our programs go to http://kanestreet.org/education/adult-education/

BEN AND MARTHA FRIEDMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR TEEN AGE JEWISH PROGRAMS The Kane Street Synagogue is now receiving applications for the Ben and Martha Friedman Scholarship, established by Drs. Mordechai and Ellen Friedman in memory of Mordechai!s beloved parents. The Scholarship supports the teenage (13-18) children of members of the Kane Street Synagogue in their at- tempts to enrich their experiences as Jews. Children who are planning to engage in a new activity, during the coming year that contributes to the teen!s knowledge of his or her Jewish heritage are invited to apply. Financial need and the applicant!s involvement with Synagogue activities will also be taken into account. The award for this year is one thousand dollars. Candidates should submit to the Synagogue, c/o Rabbi Weintraub, a 300-500 word proposal describing the activity, and how they believe it will contribute both to an increased knowledge of Judaism, and to their overall Jewish pride and identity. The deadline for sub- mission is April 2. Any questions should be directed to Rabbi Weintraub at 718-875-1550.

METNY SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE The Metropolitan Region New York (METNY) Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is pleased to offer a one-time generous gift, specifically for tuition assistance, for entering ninth grade stu- dents to a Solomon Schechter High School. In these challenging economic times, METNY!s leadership wants to assist students who desire a day school education. Applicants must meet the following criteria: The families are members in good standing of an affiliated METNY Conservative synagogue. The student is in need of financial aid. The Process will be as follows: The student will submit admissions and financial aid applications to the Solomon Schechter high school. The high school will process the student!s applications. The high school will submit the application(s) of worthy candidates to the METNY Scholarship Committee. The Scholarship Committee will review the ap- plications and determine the amount to be awarded to the individual student. Prior to the final date of the student!s acceptance, METNY will notify the student of the amount of his/her award. At the beginning of the new academic year, a check will be sent to the school after verifying the student is enrolled. The deadline for all submitted material is Monday, May 4, 2009. Please be in touch with any questions. We can be reached at [email protected] or at 212-533-0800.

About Town

DEREKH TORAH™: THE WAY OF TORAH !— Wednesdays, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM beginning May 13 First Rate 92nd Y Introduction to Judaism for Adults NOW IN BROOKLYN! This 30-week course is designed for both Jews who seek a deeper connection with their heritage and for non-Jews who wish to have a greater understanding of Judaism. Contact Rabbi Leana Moritt, director of Jewish Outreach at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life, at 212.415.5767 or [email protected] for informa- tion or to schedule an interview. Cost: $620 per person and $950 couple. Payment plans and scholarship assistance available.

Contact Us

To find out all that Kane Street Synagogue has to offer, please visit our website at www.kanestreet.org. Linda Kass-Mahler, Executive Director • [email protected] or call 718-875-1550 Samuel H. Weintraub, Rabbi • [email protected] or call 718-876-1550. The Rabbi maintains “call-in hours” Tuesdays 10:15-12:15 and Wednesdays 11-1. Jay Brodsky, President • [email protected] Submissions to the Kane Yirbu should be emailed to Kane Yirbu editor Barbara Speregen at [email protected] by the Friday preceding publication. Kane Street Synagogue, Congregation Baith Israel Anshei Emes 236 Kane Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231 • Phone: 718-875-1550 • Fax: 718-797-1152 [email protected] • www.kanestreet.org