A Traditional, Egalitarian and Participatory Conservative Synagogue
ADAR/NISSAN 5781 NEWSLETTER/VOLUME 34:4A MARCH 2021 Scholarly Duo Lectures for March with Professors Jessica Cooperman and Hartley Lachter Thursday evenings, March 11 and 18, at 7:30 pm on Zoom Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZLectureMarch2021 Zoom ID: 821 9601 0875, Zoom Passcode: 613 aried adult education programming steps on the path to Jewish redemption. early modern European Christian writing has been a sustaining pillar of the Most importantly for Jews in Western about Jews often depicted the seder as Or Zarua community even during Europe, Kabbalah responded to negative a mysterious, secretive Jewish domestic this long pandemic hiatus when Christian depictions of Jews and Jewish ritual with sinister associations with murder our building has been largely disempowerment. The creativity of medieval and blood libel, contemporary American Vinaccessible. Hopefully, in the relatively kabbalists became a vital part of the legacy engagements with Passover have radically near future, we will again be able to gather of how Jews have created their own historical altered this depiction. The seder has been together in person for our educational narrative. moved out of an exclusively Jewish realm and experiences. But for now, thankfully, we have Dr. Lachter’s scholarly work explores reconceived as an opportunity for genuine upcoming visiting scholar sessions on Zoom how medieval Jewish-Christian debates, as connection between Jews and Christians during the period leading up to Pesah that well as disruptive moments of violence and through the celebration of a ritual that an will interest and invigorate us as a learning forced conversion, shaped Jewish mystical increasing number of Christians have come community. literature. He is the author of Kabbalistic to regard as an important part of their own On two Thursday evenings in March, Revolution: Reimagining Judaism in heritage. we will have the opportunity to convene Medieval Spain (Rutgers Dr. Cooperman’s book, Making Judaism again as a Zoom learning community for University Press 2014). Safe for America: World successive lectures by (married) professors His lecture will explore War I and the Origins of Jessica Cooperman and Hartley Lachter. what kabbalistic texts Religious Pluralism (NYU Joining us from the beautiful Lehigh Valley, can teach us about Press 2018), received Drs. Cooperman and Lachter will reexamine how Jews understood an honorable mention historical strategies of expressing and Jewish history—especially for the bi-annual Saul navigating Jewishness in challenging moments of crisis and Viener Book Prize in settings, both medieval and modern. setback—and how American Jewish History. On March 11, Dr. Lachter, Chair of the Kabbalah served as Her current research Department of Religion Studies, Philip and a form of resistance explores sites of Jewish- Muriel Berman Chair in Jewish Studies, literature for many pre-modern Jews. Christian dialogue and director of the On March 18, as we approach and and engagement in the post-World War II Berman Center for prepare for Pesah, Dr. Cooperman, Associate period. This lecture will examine some of Jewish Studies at Professor of Religion Studies and Director the ways American Jews and Christians Lehigh University, of Jewish Studies at Muhlenberg College, have reimagined their engagement with whose scholarly whose scholarship focuses on 20th-century the Passover seder, both together and focus is medieval American Judaism and Jewish culture, and separately, and consider how Jewish texts Jewish mysticism, on connections and practices associated with Passover have will give a lecture between religion been reinterpreted in order to serve new entitled What Can and state policy, purposes and communities. An exploration Kabbalah Teach will give a lecture of these different approaches to the seder Us About Jewish History? Kabbalah in the entitled Passover will offer us a window into the multiple Middle Ages is often imagined as Judaism's Seders and and shifting dynamics of Jewish-Christian best kept secret, known only to a small elite. Jewish-Christian relations in the post-World War II United But an examination of kabbalistic sources Engagement in States. reveals that Kabbalah was a very public form Postwar America. Please join us for what will be two of Jewish knowledge. In fact, kabbalistic Passover is often enjoyable and informative Zoom lectures in texts, including the famous Sefer ha-Zohar, described as the quintessential American March, presented by a dynamic scholarly addressed all of the pressing social and Jewish holiday, celebrated by more American duo, as we explore how Jews have deftly political issues facing Jews in their daily lives. Jews than any other religious ritual. Since navigated their complex surroundings and In particular, Kabbalah provided medieval the mid-20th century, however, seders have circumstances through time. Jews with a way of understanding national also been reinterpreted as auspicious sites -Marc Ashley trauma and historical misfortune as, secretly, for Jewish-Christian engagement. While 1 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH 2021 President’s Message by Diane Okrent he story of the their Jewish roots, and for the family with Jewish people is whom they are close or from whom they may one of constantly be estranged, let them come and feast. Let A CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE T adapting to new FOUNDED 1989 circumstances while they crave. Aaron and I hope to share these 127 East 82nd Street holding onto our blessings via Zoom with more people than New York, NY 10028 traditions and values. This past year has And, so it is with Congregation Or Zarua. phone: 212-452-2310 fax: 212-452-2103 presented a series We as a community are committed to www.orzarua.org of tests for us and opening our communal home, via Zoom for SCOTT N. BOLTON, Rabbi the rest of the world. How do we hold onto the time being, to all who are hungry—for DR. HARLAN J. WECHSLER, Rabbi Emeritus our traditions when we are prevented from community, for connection, for religious observing them in our usual ways? services, for education for themselves and DIANE OKRENT, President We, at Or Zarua, have been blessed their children. ISAAC NAGIEL, Treasurer with the creativity and enthusiasm of Rabbi We have gathered—and will continue to KAREN KAPLAN, Secretary Bolton, Sigal Hirsch, Helene Santo, Deborah gather—via Zoom for strong daily morning HELENE SANTO, Executive Director Wenger, and many volunteers as they have minyans, Torah study, Pirke Avot study, SIGAL HIRSCH, Director of Youth Education developed myriad online opportunities Talmud class, and Siddur class. We are and Programming for learning, praying, participating and Zooming into and out of Shabbat. And, when CHARLES SPIELHOLZ, Newsletter Editor connecting. Yasher Koach! May we go from needed, we are participating in Zoom Shivas strength to strength! and Shiva minyanim. We are also gathering And, Yasher Koach to Charlie Spielholz for every Wednesday morning and every other OZ Committee Chairs editing and publishing a monthly (vs. every Shabbat morning for in-person services. The ADMINISTRATION Pamela E. Gold other month) newsletter, and a hilarious numbers are small but, as more people are Purim edition with Raanan Korinow, too! vaccinated, more will be comfortable coming AESTHETICS Aaron Shelden Our Zoom Purim festivities were as to shul. ART GALLERY Bobbi Coller joyous and inclusive as possible with the Our Hebrew School has been open and wholehearted participation of Or L’Atid, our family learning opportunities abound. These BOOK DISCUSSION Reed Schneider megillah readers, and our Purim Spielers! programs will continue online until we are Nora Yood Yasher Koach to Judy Buchman-Ziv for such back in our building. BUILDING Gerry Solomon a creative Zoom spiel. The Purim Packages By participating in our Zoom programs, HESED Susan Lorin and Pizza and Popcorn pick up added to the members have been able to stay connected holiday fun! by seeing, hearing, and interacting with one HEVRA KADISHA Roberta Hufnagel Now we are in the countdown to Pesah! another. This has been comforting in this Gerry Solomon Last year, I sent Passover greetings to family time when we need each other more than KESHER ISRAEL Laura Fisher and friends that included a graphic that ever. The Or Zarua community is strong. LIBRARY Barry Feldman said “Next Year in Person!” Who would have Our commitment to the community, thought that we would be sending the same however, takes resources—both personal and MARKETING Dana Gross greeting a year later? And, yet, here we are. MEMBERSHIP Raanan Korinow Many of us are planning Zoom sedarim We need volunteers to create minyanim, lead again. services, read Torah and Haftorah (when MINYAN Sheldon Adler As we approach Passover, I think about we are in our building), plan programs, and NOMINATING Jay Palmer Ha Lachma Anya with which we begin perform acts of hesed. AND LEADERSHIP the Maggid at the seder, preserved in the ORAL HISTORY Mimi Alperin original Aramaic. “This is the bread of mentioned at Kol Nidre, membership dues only provide 40% of our revenues. The rest PROGRAMMING Marc D. Ashley of Egypt. All who are hungry, let them come comes from your generous contributions PUBLIC RELATIONS Aaron Shelden and eat. All who are in need, let them come at Kol Nidre and throughout the year. celebrate Pesah. Now we are here. Next year As we approach Pesah, count the Omer, READERS Marc D. Ashley in the land of Israel. Now we are enslaved. remember the Shoah, celebrate Israel’s 73rd AND LEADERS Jay Palmer Next year we will be free.” Independence Day, and celebrate Shavuot, STRATEGIC Arthur H. Rosenbloom We preserve this command in the I ask that you consider additional support for DEVELOPMENT vernacular so that everyone understands the depth and breadth of the activities you WEBMASTER Jay Palmer that Passover is inclusive—all who are hungry are invited to come and eat. As I contemplate I wish you and your family a happy, YOUTH EDUCATION Eric Schmutter the menu for my sedarim, albeit for far healthy, joyous and peaceful Pesah! If you are interested in serving on a synagogue fewer in-person guests than usual, I think about the literal meaning of hunger and B’Shalom! committee chair’s email address. the material meaning of need. But, I think about the spiritual meanings, as well. All who hunger for community, for connection with
2 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH 2021
Siyum MAH NISHTANAH? Masekhet Pesahim: How Will This Year’s Seder Be Thursday, March 25 Different From Last Year’s? Immediately following Shaharit Sunday, March 21, 10:00 am (after Shaharit) via Zoom Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomSunday
Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomDaily Meeting ID 283 908 873 Passcode 613 Zoom ID: 518 639 181 (Same Zoom Credentials as Sunday Morning Services) Zoom Password: 613 (same credentials as Shaharit) oin Rabbi Bolton for an address to the community about Pesah this year, Zooming Jyour seder and making the most of Rabbi Bolton will lead a siyum on our yom tovs. What have we learned Thursday morning, March 25 about celebrating holidays during after the completion of the Shaharit the Pandemic? How can we create a special Passover feeling in our homes service (which begins at 7:15 am). that takes us back to Egypt, so we can leave in haste? How has the role of Everyone who attends the siyum religious imagination been enhanced will join in a festive meal. and changed over the last year All are invited to attend the siyum. and what implications arise for our upcoming Passover experience? Ta’anit Behorot Fast of the Firstborn Careful With That Matzah! Thursday, March 25 Packaging The Seder Necessity What is the Fast of the Firstborn? Ta’anit behorot, the Fast of the Firstborn, is a custom observed on the day before Throughout Jewish History Pesah to commemorate our gratitude for surviving the pre-Exodus tenth plague, Annual lecture led by Rabbi Bolton In Memory of his Father, Stewart L. Bolton, z”l, Packaging Engineer dawn-to-dusk fast, which this year falls Wednesday, March 31, 7:30 pm on Thursday, March 25. Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZWedTalmudClass Zoom ID: 858 1909 5662; Passcode: 613 his mother or to his father. Having an (Same Zoom Credentials as Talmud Class) older brother or sister, by either parent, rom round to square, the history of the shape of matzah begets the question: F What role did packaging play in ensuring subject to Temple service. It was this matzah would be available for seder? hierarchy that was the target of the Were there unique packages and dishes for tenth plague. matzah throughout Jewish history or just in not only about how to make it but how The mitzvah of attending a siyum—a completion of the reading of a tractate to store it? of Talmud—overrides the mitzvah of observing this fast. Firstborns can opt We will examine Torah, Talmud and to attend a siyum, which is followed by Responsa literature, as well as the history a festive meal. The meal is part of the annals regarding Passover Judaica to deal, so the fast is legitimately broken. consider the boxes and not just the boards Synagogues facilitate this choice for of matzah. morning before Pesah. 3 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH 2021
PESAH SCHEDULE Sell Your Hametz Sunday, March 21 Rabbi Bolton will arrange the transaction Pre-Pesah Lecture: Mah Nishtanah? with Rabbi Bolton (Zoom) 10:00 am efore Passover, we are required to later than noon on Wednesday, March 24, “sell” any hametz in our possession or email a scan of the signed form to Thursday, March 25 to a non-Jew. The transaction is [email protected]. Please be sure to Ta’anit Bechorot (Fast of the Firstborn) arranged by the rabbi, to ensure sign the form. It is customary to enclose a Shaharit, Siyum (Zoom) 7:15 am B Bedikat Hametz Evening compliance with the requirements of contribution to Or Zarua’s Ma’ot Hittim Fund halakhah. The completed form, below, with your authorization. Friday, March 26 Shaharit (Zoom) 7:15 am Finish Eating Hametz and Sell Authorization for the Sale of Hametz and Burn Hametz before 11:58 am Zoom into Shabbat 6:00 pm In accordance with Jewish law, I/we authorize Rabbi Bolton to sell all hametz in Candlelighting 6:56 pm my/our possession at the locations listed below. Enclosed is my/our contribution to Or Zarua’s Ma’ot Hittim Fund. Note that this authorization must be signed; Saturday, March 27 this authorization is NOT valid without your signature. Erev Pesah Shabbat Services (in person with You may submit your registration, No Zoom) 10:00 am Authorization for the Sale of Hametz ONLINE by going to https://orzarua.shulcloud.com/form/hametz-sale-2021.html Light Candles after 7:52 pm NO LATER than Wednesday, March 24. First Seder Name(s) ______Sunday, March 28 First Day of Pesah (no service) Street Address ______Apt # ____ Erev Second Day of Pesah Light Candles after 7:52 pm City/State/Zip ______Second Seder Monday, March 29 Second Day of Pesah (no service) Yom Tov Ends 7:53 pm Address ______Tuesday, March 30 Address ______Third Day of Pesah, Hol Hamoed Shaharit (Zoom) 7:15 am Address ______Wednesday, March 31 Fourth Day of Pesah, Hol Hamoed Signature ______Shaharit (Zoom and Please note that this authorization must be signed. in person with registration) 7:15 am Careful With That Matzah! with Rabbi Bolton 7:30 pm NO LATER THAN Wednesday, March 24 -By scan and email to: [email protected] Thursday, April 1 Fifth Day of Pesah, Hol Hamoed -By fax: 212-452-2103 Shaharit (Zoom) 7:15 am -By US Postal Service mail so that it arrives by Wednesday, March 24 to: Yizkor (Zoom) with registration 11:00 am Rabbi Scott N. Bolton, Congregation Or Zarua Yizkor Registration: https://tinyurl.com/OZPY2021 127 East 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028 Friday, April 2 Sixth Day of Pesah/Erev Day 7 Ma’ot Hittim Fund Shaharit (Zoom) 7:15 am Zoom into Shabbat Assist needy Jews to prepare for Passover and Day 7 Pesah 6:00 pm he Haggadah tells us that every Jew money), to two communal organizations Candlelighting 7:03 pm must experience the Exodus from — the Joint Passover Appeal in New York Egypt, and the Mishnah tells us that a and the New York Board of Rabbis — for Saturday, April 3 Jew should drink four cups of wine at distribution to needy Jews. Shabbat and Day 7 of Pesah T Shabbat Services (in person service the Seder, even if funds for these come from We hope that you will give generously the public dole. with registration) 10:00 am We, therefore, raise such funds each kindness. Please make your check payable Light Candles after 8:00 pm year to assist less fortunate Jews who to Congregation Or Zarua and write Ma’ot Sunday, April 4 cannot afford to prepare for Passover. We Hittim Fund on the memo line. Last Day of Pesah (no service) forward the funds, called ma’ot hittim (wheat Festival Ends 8:00 pm 4 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH 2021 The First Seder is After Shabbat Ends How Does this Affect the Observance of Pesah? •Prior to lighting Shabbat candles, light 24 (or 48 hr) hour candle that you lit prior to Motzi Shabbat (Saturday night) after a 24 (or 48) hour candle from which to Shabbat to Yom Tov candles; these Yom Tov TShabbat ends. This means there are candles will also be used for havdalah during some changes in the way we prepare for the Saturday night (this allows the avoidance of kadesh of the Seder. Also, if you did not Festival of Passover since there are certain striking a match during Yom Tov). light a 48 hour candle, light another 24 hour procedures that we can not do on Shabbat. •By Friday the house should have NO hametz at all. to Yom Tov candles of Day 2 of Pesah. approaches to observing the festival in order •For Shabbat, perform Motzi over two full to observe Pesah. pieces of EGG MATZAH as you would hallah Saturday night Havdalah is different. It is for Shabbat Dinner and Lunch. said during Kiddush (Kadesh of seder). •The Fast of the First Born (Ta’anit Begin Kiddush as in the Haggadah and Behorot) is Thursday, March 25 and so is is done on Shabbat morning (before use the special insertions for a Saturday the Siyyum. The Siyyum will be online after 11:58 am). night—without a havdallah candle—and use the online service for Shaharit. Attending a •Seudah Shlishit (a light meal before the light of the Yom Tov candles for Boreh Siyyum means one does not have to fast. Me'orei haEish. Then add the blessing that •Bedikat Hametz (the search for hametz) and fruit. ends HaMavdil Bein Kodesh l’Kodesh and is conducted the evening of Thursday, •On Saturday night (March 27) then add the Shehehayanu. March 25. candlelighting is performed after 7:52 pm •Friday is Biur—burning of the hametz is (when 3 stars are out). Perform the candle Continue with the Seder! done at 11:58 am. Guidelines for Passover The guidelines below were prepared for During the eight days of Pesah, hametz and eggs. the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on does not lose its identity, even in an Permitted foods that DO require a Jewish Law and Standards by Rabbi Mayer admixture. Therefore, the minutest amount Kosher le-Pesah label: all baked products Rabinowitz. They were accepted by the of hametz renders the whole admixture Committee on December 12, 1984, and hametz, and its use on Pesah is prohibited. matzah meal, and any other products con- have been reviewed by Rabbi Bolton. Following are some general guidelines. taining matzah), canned or bottled fruit juice Remember that the kosher for Passover Consult Rabbi Bolton when there is any home is a unique and transcendent doubt about the status of a product. Examine listed among the ingredients), canned tuna experience for adults as well as children. the Kosher le-Pesah label: If it does not (often processed in vegetable broth and/or Pesah feels different to the extent that it is bear the name of a rabbi, does not contain hydrolyzed protein, even when packed in different, and special foods and practices one of the recognized symbols of rabbinic water), wine, vinegar, liquor, oil, dried fruit, are the source of the special experience. supervision, or is not integral to the package, ice cream, yogurt, and soda. check with Rabbi Bolton. The following processed foods (canned, he Torah prohibits the ownership bottled, or frozen) DO require a Kosher of hametz (leaven) during Pesah. Food Items le-Pesah label if PURCHASED DURING Therefore, we arrange for the Prohibited food: leavened bread, cake, PESAH: milk and milk products, butter, sale of the hametz to a non-Jew. biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffee containing juice, vegetables, fruit, spices, coffee, tea, The sale—mekhirat hametz—is cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, Taccomplished by appointing an agent, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or usually the rabbi, to handle the transfer. The transaction is a valid and legal transfer According to Ashkenazic custom, the Detergent: If permitted during the year, of ownership. At the end of the holiday, following foods—kitniyot—are added to the powdered and liquid detergents DO NOT the agent arranges for the reversion of prohibited list: rice, corn, millet, and legumes require a Kosher le-Pesah label. ownership of the now-permitted hametz. If (beans and peas; but string beans are Medicine: Because many pills are made ownership of the hametz was not transferred permitted). The Committee on Jewish Law with hametz binders, follow this guideline: If before the holiday, the use of this hametz and Standards has ruled unanimously that the medicine is required for life-sustaining is prohibited even after the holiday (hametz peanuts and peanut oil are permissible. therapy, it may be used on Pesah; if it is not sheaver alav ha-Pesah). In contrast to Ashkenazic custom, for life-sustaining therapy, some authorities The Torah also prohibits the eating of Sephardic authorities permit the use of all permit, while others prohibit the use of the hametz during Pesah. We often need guid- kitniyot on Pesah. medicine. Consult Rabbi Bolton. ance when shopping and preparing for the Permitted foods that DO NOT require holiday because many common foods con- a Kosher le-Pesah label: fresh fruit, fresh tain some admixture of hametz. vegetables (for legumes, see above), Continued on the next page
5 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH 2021
Wednesday Evening, April 7, 7:30 pm VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Yom HaShoah Memorial Program See the Hesed Column, Page 9 We will be commemorating Yom HaShoah with a Ceremony of Remembrance and Recognition of Heroism. OZ Congregant and Past President Michael Schwartz Omer Basics will give an address entitled: WHAT’S AN OMER? The Prophet Nahum’s Message and His Place on Yom HaShoah An omer is a unit of measure for cut sheaves of a grain crop. The 49-day period Zoom Registration Required: between the second day of Pesah and the https://tinyurl.com/OZYomHaShoahApril2021 day before Shavuot is referred to as the Drinking glasses and Glassware: the omer. Guidelines for Passover stemware require only a thorough cleaning, continued from previous page by hand or in a dishwasher, before Pesah. WHY DO WE COUNT IT? There is a difference of Glass cookware: The Torah tells us in Parashat Emor opinion as to whether glass cookware should Kashering (of hametz items) (Leviticus 23:15–16) that an omer of Utensils: The process of kashering be kashered. One opinion is that it must be barley was brought to the Temple on the utensils depends on how the utensils are kashered—after a thorough cleaning, boil second day of Pesah as a “wave offering.” used. According to halakhah, leaven can be This omer of barley consisted of newly purged from a utensil by the same process rim. The other opinion is that only a thorough harvested grain, and new barley could through which it was absorbed into the cleaning is required. not be eaten until the omer offering was utensil (ke-voleo kakh poleto). Therefore, Like metal bakeware, Glass bakeware: brought. Starting on the second day of utensils used in cooking are kashered by glass bakeware may not be kashered for Pesah, 49 days were counted, at the end boiling, those used in broiling are kashered Pesah. of which Shavuot was celebrated and Dishwashers: an offering was brought to the Temple food are kashered by rinsing. and leave the dishwasher unused for from the early summer’s wheat harvest. Earthenware: China, pottery, etc. may 24 hours. Then, complete a full wash cycle with detergent. nightfall each day during the seven weeks. chinaware that has not been used for over a If parts that come Electrical appliances: The counting of the omer connects the year may be used for Pesah if scoured and into contact with hametz are removable, Exodus from Egypt with the giving of the cleaned in hot water. they can be kashered in the appropriate way Torah at Mt. Sinai. In eagerness, we count Metal: Utensils made entirely of metal (if metal, follow the rule for metal utensils). the days of waiting for the revelation. If the parts are not removable, then the appliance cannot be kashered. However, all HOW DO WE OBSERVE IT? and then heated to the highest possible exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned For a period of time during the counting temperature. Utensils used for cooking or in either case. of the omer it is traditional to observe eating (such as silverware or pots) must If Tables, closets, and countertops: certain semi-mourning customs, such be thoroughly scrubbed, cleaned, and they have come into contact with hametz, as postponing weddings and forgoing then completely immersed in boiling water. surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and haircuts. This tradition may have an These metal objects should not be used for covered before use. agricultural origin in that the period a period of at least 24 hours between the Metal sinks must be Kitchen sinks: leading up to the summer harvest is cleaning and the immersion in boiling water. thoroughly cleaned and then doused with a time of concern for the continuing Metal baking utensils cannot be kashered boiling water. Porcelain sinks must be thor- safety of the crop. But also during this for Pesah. time of year in the second century CE, Ovens and ranges: Every part that comes rack. Items may be soaked in a basin placed some 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva’s students into contact with food must be thoroughly inside a porcelain sink. perished—they were most likely killed by scrubbed, cleaned, and then heated to the In Hametz and non-Passover items: the Romans. highest possible temperature for a half hour. order to prevent accidental use, all non- For ovens with no self-cleaning feature, use Passover kitchen items and hametz whose WHAT IS LAG B’OMER? the broil setting; for self-cleaning ovens, ownership has been transferred should be Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of the use the self-cleaning feature to achieve the separated from Passover items, marked, counting—“lag” is an acronym made up highest temperature. Continuous-cleaning covered, and placed in a locked area. of lamed (30) and gimel (3). The massive ovens must be kashered in the same fatalities of Rabbi Akiva’s students halted manner as regular ovens. n ever-increasing variety of Kosher on that day, and the customs of semi- Microwave ovens: These do not cook le-Pesah products is available in mourning are suspended. Lag B’Omer food by means of heat. After the interior is local markets as well as in the is observed as the yahrzeit of Rabbi cleaned, place a cup of water inside. Keep specially dedicated Pesah stores Shimon bar Yohai, the person said to have the oven on until the water disappears. A that appear each year. Patronize authored the mystical book The Zohar. microwave oven that has a browning element Athese special Pesah stores, for they provide This year Lag B’Omer begins on the night cannot be kashered for Pesah. an important service to the of Wednesday, April 28. Jewish community. 6 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH 2021
Adult Education Class with Marc Ashley Between Pesah and Shavuot “Righteousness Like a Mighty Stream”: Social Justice as Divine Imperative Three Sunday mornings on Zoom, April 11, 18 and 25, at 10 am Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomSunday Zoom ID: 283 908 873; Passcode: 613 (after Sunday morning services; Zoom credentials are the same as the those for the service) ocial justice how social justice is to be realized? and that we must seek to imitate God in the is not only of In Judaism, justice and righteousness Scontemporary are two sides of the same coin, conjoined justice based on Jewish values must be our relevance. It is a by common aspirations. Indeed, the Hebrew greatest concern. bedrock Jewish word tzedakah denotes both ideas, in Please join congregant Marc Ashley on commitment, the three Sunday mornings in April on Zoom for cornerstone of an philanthropy that encompasses each. The his annual adult education class between ideal community means of establishing justice and embodying Pesah and Shavuot. This year’s course, that has inspired righteousness, however, must move beyond “Righteousness Like a Mighty Stream”: and shaped Western the abstract to the concrete. Social Justice as Divine Imperative, will values for centuries. Jewish tradition, from the Torah to the be held on April 11, 18 and 25, at 10 am. Jewish tradition teaches us that one of the Talmud and beyond, establishes procedural Although social justice is a cutting-edge three pillars of the world’s very existence is and substantive foundations of social justice, agenda item in modern society, it has been the performance of acts of lovingkindness. an integral focus of Jewish thought for many The Torah urges us not only to achieve rules. Indeed, Jewish law even recognizes centuries. Please join us on Zoom and justice but to strive for it vigorously and its own limitations, mandating that we participate in this important conversation on implement it meticulously: “Justice, justice sometimes must act beyond the letter of the a crucial theme. shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Yet law in pursuing justice. Because Judaism what does Jewish thought teach us about dictates that justice is a divine imperative, Kesher Israel Presents for Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut Women on the Front Lines with Debbie Zimelman, photographer and a solider from the IDF Wednesday, April 14, 12:00 noon Zoom Registration Required: https://tinyurl.com/DebbieZimelmanAtOZApril2021 Join us for a dynamic book presentation in honor of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israeli Memorial and Independence Days). We will hold a ZOOM book talk with photographer and author Debbie Zimelman, who wrote and Jpublished Women on the Front Lines Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The author’s talk will highlight the stories behind superb photographic images. Debbie will also women. We will welcome a chayyelet, a former Israeli combat soldier, as well.
7 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH 2021
Online OZ Gallery For March Artistic Visions of the Ten Plagues
James Jacques Joseph Tissot Left: Water is Changed into Blood, c. 1896-1902 Right: The Fourth Plague: The Plague of Flies, c. 1896-1902
Imagining the Ten Plagues o wonder Pesah is such a popularly celebrated holiday! We get together with family (soon, we hope), share a fabulous Nmeal and retell a thrilling, inspirational tale of victory over oppression, of hope and salvation, a tale packed with colorful recounting of the Ten Plagues—has inspired artists’ imagination as expressed through illuminated Haggadot to engravings to The Ten Commandments or Charlton Heston’s Moses.) For example, the two images seen above are by French-born painter and illustrator Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902), whose name was Anglicized as James Tissot. Tissot became a successful painter of Paris society before moving to London in 1871. He was famous as a painter of fashionably dressed women shown in various scenes of everyday life. He also painted scenes and characters from the Bible. Tissot’s parents were both devout Catholics and his mother instilled a pious devotion in her son at a very young age, lessons he would not forget. Late in his life, Tissot would reward his mother’s religious teaching by working on engravings and painting of subjects from the Hebrew Bible. A Google search for visual expression of the Ten Plagues led us to SEFARIA: The Art of the Ten Plagues by Rabbi Bolton: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/150370?lang=bi. In this luminous source sheet, Rabbi Bolton places relevant text from Exodus alongside images of each of the Plagues. Asked about the importance of these images in our appreciation of the Pesah text, Rabbi Bolton says: “In the case of the Plagues, artists’ interpretations invite us to wonder about not only the visual scenes but the emotions that are stirred. Viewing [the images] encourages us to re-live the experience of going out of Egypt, as we are commanded in every generation: hayav Adam lirot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatza m’Mitzrayim. What did it look like? How did it feel? Where is God to be located? From which perspective shall I paint the picture?” Rabbi Bolton adds: “The artist presents a view that is to behold! Then the work stirs us to artfully use our religious imagination ourselves.” -Gerry Solomon
8 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH 2021 From Compassion to Action: OZ Hesed Opportunities “The reward for charity depends entirely upon the extent of the kindness in it.”—Talmud Bavli staples—particularly rice and pasta—via the Volunteer to make Friendly Phone VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Pantry’s Amazon list. While Or Zarua has not Calls to Seniors resumed in-person Hesed activities due to Help homebound seniors stay connected. the pandemic, please note that NYCP Volunteer to help pack groceries at a Isolated seniors have been hit hard by the posts its volunteer shifts at Met Council pantry and distribute to pandemic. Encore Community Services, a www.nycommonpantry.volunteerhub.com. a Senior Residence on the Upper Volunteers can manage their own East Side is seeking Friendly Callers to reach out on The OZ Hesed committee is working sign-ups and signing-in is done a weekly basis by phone to homebound with the Metropolitan New York electronically as well. Shifts are 3.5 hours seniors. They are serving 2,000 seniors and Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty and include lifting 30 pound bags of need more volunteers. If you are interested (Met Council) on a new project to bring groceries. Before arrival, volunteers need please contact Gigi Verkaik at food to Seniors. We will be packing to know their user name and password for [email protected] for more information. groceries at a Met Council pantry Volunteer Hub as it is used for sign in. It’s (Lexington Avenue and 31st Street) for easy to reset your password if needed. When Or Zarua Hesed Fund delivery to and distribution at a Senior you arrive, please head straight to the pantry. Please consider making a donation to the For more information, contact Stacy at Residence on East 92nd Street. Our OZ Hesed Fund using Shulcloud [email protected]. next session will meet on Sunday, (https://tinyurl.com/OZDonationPage) March 21. Individuals and families for disbursement to our partners. You may are welcome to volunteer. If interested Thursday Night Pasta and Salad at the learn more about them at the please contact Jeff Haberman at: Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter links below: [email protected] or Unfortunately, because of the spike New York Common Pantry: (917) 697-1677. in COVID cases, NCS has reinstituted its http://nycommonpantry.org policy of not having volunteers on site at the Met Council for Jewish Poverty: residence on 81st Street, so that volunteers https://www.metcouncil.org New York Common Pantry are not needed at this time. However, please Project ORE: Helping the Hungry look for further notices for when volunteers https://edalliance.org/our-programs/ Our long-time partner has remained open may once again go to 81st Street to package community-centers/project-ore and is deemed an essential service during or serve food. Donations to the Hesed Fund Food Bank for New York City: the COVID-19 crisis. They are seeing huge are needed. To volunteer when NCS is able https://www.foodbanknyc.org demand for their services. The best way to resume operations please contact Jeff UJA Federation of New York: to help is to make a donation through our Haberman at [email protected]. https://www.ujafedny.org Hesed Fund. You can learn more about the Leket, Table to Table (Israeli): Pantry here: http://nycommonpantry.org. Superbowl Tzedakah Fund https://www.leket.org/en/ You can also donate needed pantry Still In Play! See Page 10 Or Zarua Book Discussions Kafka’s Last Trial by Benjamin Balint Sunday, April 18, 7:00 pm Moderator: Rabbi Bolton Zoom Link:https://tinyurl.com/OZBkDisc Meeting ID: 840 2954 6173, Passcode: 613 afka’s Last Trial by Benjamin Balint is at once a brilliant biographical portrait of a literary genius, and the story of two countries whose national obsessions with overcoming the traumas of the Kpast came to a head in a hotly contested trial for the right to claim the literary legacy of one of our modern masters. Apeirogon by Colum McCann Sunday, May 23, 7:00 pm Moderator: Pat Davidson Zoom Link:https://tinyurl.com/OZBkDisc Meeting ID: 840 2954 6173, Passcode: 613 peirogon as they sought to survive and, ultimately, transcend the deaths of their children. Rami Elhanan is Aan Israeli whose thirteen-year-old daughter, Smadar, becomes the victim of suicide bombers. A decade later, Bassam Aramin’s ten-year-old daughter, Abir, is killed by a rubber bullet. After meeting the grieving fathers, Irish writer Colum McCann was moved by their willingness to share their stories with the world, and inspired to create this lyrical masterpiece that spans centuries and continents, exploring art, history, nature, politics, and religion, and strives to be both tragic and hopeful.
9 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH 2021 On Select Shabbatot and on Wednesday Mornings On the following Shabbatot OZ will have an in-person On Wednesdays at 7:15 am the Shaharit (morning) service will service beginning at 10:00 am and ending at 12 noon: be available either in-person or via Zoom (a “hybrid” service). March 13 and 27 April 3, 10 and 24 For participants attending the service via Zoom, you will be joining the participants attending in-person in the OZ Sanctuary. In order to attend the in-person service on Shabbat one must pre-register; to register please use the following link: To attend in-person you must pre-register using the following link: Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZPerson Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZPerson
For in-person services on Shabbat after April 24, see upcoming To attend the Wednesday morning service via Zoom please continue issues of the OZ Newsletter and eblasts. Note that Shabbat services to use the Zoom credentials that have already been established for will not be available via Zoom. participation in the Monday-Friday daily morning service: Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomDaily Zoom ID: 518 639 181; Zoom Passcode: 613 •When registering for in-person services, answers to several questions must be provided. •Be sure to bring before services begin. •Remember to keep your mask on over your nose and mouth while you are in the building.
Superbowl Tzedakah Fund Still In Play! ZOOM Into OZ’s It’s 4th Down and You’re the One t's Game On for our Superbowl Tzedakah Fund and the clock is ticking! We Daily Shaharit Minyan Iyear. We like to support the Met Council and Project ORE with meaningful gifts. In typical times, Marcel and Shelly Adler throw a Superbowl Party at Or Zarua in memory of his parents that starts the tzedakah collection in their Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomDaily honor. This year because of COVID there was no party, yet Shelly and Marcel Zoom ID: 518 639 181 are encouraging all of us to join them in making Passcode: 613 generous tzedakah donations. It's Fourth Down and goal to go. People are hungry and in need. Will you Sundays, 8:45 am be the one who helps push us into the End Zone? Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomSunday Please contribute to the Superbowl Tzedakah Fund Zoom ID: 283 908 873 using this link: Passcode: 613 tinyurl.com/OZ-2021SuperBowlTzedakah
ZOOM Into & Out of Shabbat with OZ Zoom into Shabbat on Friday Nights See Calendar for times Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomIntoShabbat Zoom ID: 854 630 476 Passcode: 613 Zoom out of Shabbat on Saturday Nights See Calendar for times Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomOutOfShabbat Zoom ID: 775 962 249 A recording of Rabbi Bolton’s presentation Miraculous Medicine: Vaccinations, Midrash, and Jewish Law is on YouTube and can be found by clicking: Passcode: 613 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIhH1kdlxAw.
10 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH 2021 Or Zarua Community Torah Study Mondays, 12:00 pm (see the calendar in this newsletter) Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZMondayTorahStudy Zoom ID: 8152 249 6147; Passcode: 613 T commentator to study together in depth. This approach is not typical to Jewish communities around Image above: Did you know that “Rashi Script” the globe but a wonderful and unique feature of the Or Zarua experience. was not Rashi's handwriting but an early printer's font that differentiated commentary While we are taking walks and fortifying in new ways (thank God for quiet reading and study time as from Torah text in early volumes? well as our parks) on Shabbat mornings, the Or Zarua community is invited to take a break from normal Monday endeavors and join for communal Torah study on Mondays at noon. Rabbi Bolton will teach from the weekly parashah and explore Rashi’s commentaries that illuminate the text and make evident what Rashi intended to accomplish as he taught Torah in his Diaspora community of Troyes, France in the 11th Century. We pride ourselves as a congregation on having weekly, interactive Torah study. Join with other Congregants and Rabbi Bolton as he leads learning and discussion of the weekly parashah. The classic commentary of Rashi is thought of as foundational and central to understanding Torah’s words and narratives. Additionally, Rabbi Bolton will show how some of Rashi’s comments speak to psychological or existential issues that Jews of medieval France faced and modern NYC folks still contend with. Scenes from Community Torah study at OZ via Zoom. Each Monday Rabbi Bolton leads a Torah study session covering the parashah (section) to be read on the following Shabbat. As a bonus a piece of art work related to the parashah is included. Above left: Yitro. Above right: Terumah. Talmud and Siddur Classes with Rabbi Bolton Talmud Class for 5781 Siddur Class for 5781 Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00 pm Thursdays, 8:40–9:40 am See the Calendar for Dates See the Calendar for Dates Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZWedTalmudClass Link: https://tinyurl.com/OZZoomSiddur Zoom ID: 858 1909 5662; Passcode: 613 Zoom ID: 832 425 240; Passcode: 613 Jews in a Non-Jewish World: Idol Worship and Living With Others. “I Thought the Service Was Over!” Chapter 1 of Masekhet Avodah Zarah Readings, Songs and Passages of Study After the Throughout history, Jews have maintained strong religious beliefs and cultural ties. The Talmudic Sages, through the paradigm of The Siddur is not only a prayerbook but a repository for passages exploring the mitzvah of refraining from and even abolishing idol of study, hymns to sing, and glorious, poetic songs. We will study worship, confront us with questions: how do we, as Jews, navigate passages from the Rambam such as the Thirteen Principles of Faith, living in a non-Jewish world? How much interaction and integration is collections of Torah verses prepared for the worshipper who wanted to acceptable, when it comes to business or socializing with neighbors? go right to study after prayers and other materials that were inserted Should there be any limits? The Rabbis' discussions and debates into the post-service sections of printed siddurim stemming from about the prohibition against idol worship is engaged as a framework manuscripts of the Middle Ages. Of course, already in the Talmud, of thought concerning the Jewish People’s place among the nations certain Sages would add personal prayers and pleas of their own of the world. From the beginning of Tractate Avodah Zarah (Idol after their recitations of the Amidah. Those personal prayer passages Worship) the Sages expand on laws that seem black and white on have made their way into some prayer rites at the end of morning their face but move us into discussions about living in the complex services as well. They stand on their own as petitionary poetry, and we world of kaleidoscopic humanity. Join the learning no matter what will study them as stand alone liturgy. In this class we sing, listen to your background. Students may use either the Artscroll Schottenstein the music of prayer, discuss prayer life and examine prayer language Volume 1 Avodah Zarah or the Koren Talmud Bavli Avoda Zara closely. Gain understandings and add meaning to prayer life. Join us -Horayot. Class meets at 7:30 pm on Wednesday evenings at 8:40 am on Thursdays. throughout the year. Either class may be joined at any time.For additional information contact Rabbi Bolton ([email protected])
11 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH 2021