Visit our website: Shir Notes www.shirami.com The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 18, Number 3, March 2020. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi’s Column . Events of the Month Many years ago I was on a Sunday morning religious TV program hosted by my father, Rabbi Max Vorspan z”l. Shabbat services at There were three or four rabbis on the panel and I de Toledo High School remember we got around to discussing prayer. Saturday, March 7- 10:30 am Birthday Shabbat My father asked the rabbis what synagogue they would attend if they didn’t Saturday, March 21 - 10:30 am attend their own services. I don’t recall all of the answers, but I was struck by Anniversary Shabbat one Conservative rabbi who mentioned that he would go to the Young Israel Around the Rabbi’s Tisch near his home. Thursdays, March 5, 12, & 19 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’ To this many Conservative rabbis who viewed this episode took exception. Our 5780 season of Rabbi’s weekly They argued that Conservative rabbis should be creating services not only discussion continues its 2nd half. for their members, but for themselves as well. Call Rabbi at (818) 888-9817 or see flyer. And yet, I can understand why a rabbi would choose such a radically Brunch with thr Rabbi different service had s/he the choice of attending his or her own or a more Sunday, March 8, 11:00 am demanding service. The perfect service for many Conservative rabbis has at de Toledo High School been the type presented at Camps Ramah. All Hebrew, no bar/bat mitzvah, A lox and bagel and hpmemade no sermon (but a good Torah commentary), surrounded by people additional dishes brunch will be knowledgable in the choreography and format of the service. Lots of singing. followed by Rabbi Vorspan’s No cantor or choir. And well-paced. talk/discussion of a topic of current interest. See flyer or call Sherry It’s the type of service common in Israel, but hard to find in America, if only Dollins at (818) 527-1291. because Conservative services have become interminable. Torah and Shabbat Study For me, I would attend a service just like what we offer. True, it’s more Saturday, March 14, 10:30 am abbreviated than most Conservative services, both in liturgy and Torah Northridge Mobile Home Park reading. But I like the pace, the spirit, and the enthusiastic participation by a Stan Schroeder leads our monthly knowledgeable group that has been doing this for more than two decades! study and discussion session. See flyer for more information.. I don’t remember what my response was on my father’s TV show (I believe I have a video of it and I’ll have to revisit it). But I believe I have managed to create the type of Shabbat morning service attractive, not only to my congregants, but to myself, as well! Rabbi David Vorspan The Month of Adar Known as a month of celebration and happiness, the late-winter month of Adar contains the joyous holiday of Purim that takes place mid-month. Fast of Esther and Purim, however, isn’t the only thing that makes Adar special. The Megillah Reading March 9 Talmud tells us that “when the month of Adar Purim March 10 arrives, we increase in joy” to welcome a Shushan Purim March 11 season of miracles. Accordingly, the Talmud See my Purim poem on page 8 tells us that this month is fortuitous for the Stan Schroeder Jewish people. page 2 March 2020 President’s Report Congregation Shir Ami to Honor Rabbi David Vorspan by Sherry Dollins After a good start on the year, we’re Rabbi David Vorspan has been the rabbi of really beginning to roll now. March is a Congregation Shir Ami since its inception in good month to take stock of where we 1998. During that time he has served as not are now before the leap into the major activities that only its spiritual leader, but also has been follow. the main force in attracting new members to the As in every month, we have our usual schedule of congregation via his meaningful High Holy Days services. Shabbat Services, Around the Rabbi’s Tisch (and The Rabbi’s fully participatory and music-filled Shabbat on the Rebbitzen’s Chairs) and our monthly services are one of the main stays of the congregation and Torah/Shabbat Study Session. These are the his active support of its well renowned social action foundation of Congregation Shir Ami. As the programs is exemplary. His well-attended “Around the foundation, we invite all members to come to take Rabbi’s Tisch” weekly sessions in his home offer advantage of the foundation we have built and join congregants a unique and inspiring educational us for Shabbat Services at 10:30 a.m. two experience. Saturdays per month. (And if you come a little In 2002, Rabbi Vorspan became the first and founding earlier, you can help with setting up for the rabbi of the New Community Jewish High School, now Kiddush!) After that, coming to the Tisch and the de Toledo High School, in West Hills. He is Torah/Shabbat Study session will be easy. admired and respected by the staff and This month we will also have a Brunch with the students there as well. As a result of the Rabbi. If you are reading this on or before February Rabbi’s affiliation with the school, 28, you still have time to RSVP and enjoy a lox and Congregation Shir Ami has found a bagel brunch accompanied by the remarks of Rabbi welcoming location for its High Holy Days Vorspan. services, Shabbat services and varied programs through- out the year. de Toledo High School provides Shir Ami March is the month where we prepare to go out into members a spiritual “home” within its vibrant Jewish the world and make it a better place. This is the environment. month to register to join the Shir Ami Team for the Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide. And To acknowledge and honor Rabbi Vorspan as the mark your calendars for April 19 for the walk. Founding Rabbi of de Toledo High School and in Congregation Shir Ami does many, many things, but recognition of his dual roles in these two Jewish standing idly by is not one of them! communities, Congregation Shir Ami is engaging in a fundraising campaign to dedicate a permanent plaque in As always, if you have any questions or want to his name. The plaque will be placed in the room at the provide your input, please feel free to email me at school in which we hold Shabbat services. The dedication [email protected]. ceremony will be held at de Toledo High School on Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2020. Thank you, In a couple of weeks, Shir Ami members will receive an Jordan Pistol, President information packet inviting everyone to participate in this very special project. This material will provide full details on donation opportunities and the dedication ceremony. All funds raised will be donated to de Toledo High School from Congregation Shir Ami in honor of Rabbi Vorspan. By participating, you will not only show your respect for the rabbi and his efforts on behalf of our congregation, you will be part of the legacy of investing in future generations in the greater Jewish community. You will also be supporting the school that continues to offer our members a site for our religious and spiritual needs. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about this opportunity at (818) 527-1291 or Scene from Purim carnival adloyada in Israel [email protected]. page 3 March 2020 Birthdays & Anniversaries DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to Birthdays acknowledge the following donations: $ 3/5 Carol Cramer................................ Yahrzeits Neil Hattem................................... 3/9 Seymour Potell.............................. 3/15 Ben Bloom for Ethel Bloom Jerry Michaelson........................... 3/19 Harvey Cohen for Betty Cohen and Bertha Gottesman Stephen Schuster......................... 3/26 Jay and Gale Cohen Carol Cramer for Phil Cramer Stanley Falkenstein for Tillie Falkenstein Anniversaries Corinne Geller for Hildegard Geller Paula and Lou Loomis.................. 3/3 47th Stan Goodman for Gloria Goodman Rae and Armand Wazana............. 3/11 53rd Jacquie Gordon for Joseph Gordon and Lee Gordon Fran and Sam Kobulnick..................3/23 51st Ethel Granik for Sarah Golberg, Tena Granik, and Calman Golberg Sheilah Hart for Belle Lipman, Joseph Lipman, and Richard Hart Irwin and Carol Koransky Jack Kutcher for Louis Kutcher Lou and Paula Loomis for Roy Loomis Ed Orens for Laurie Orens and Julius Orens Ann and Seymour Potell for Joseph Potell Congregational News Elizabeth and David Raider for Naomi Packer, Frank Packer, and Alfred Raider Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: Ed Schackman for Belle Schackman and Harry Schackman Lonny and Nancy Scharf for S. Bricker, R. Haas, Fran Kobulnick L. Scharf, and G. Scharf Ellen Fremed Ed Schneier for Harvey Schneier and Harry Kritzer Sam Schultz for Ruth Schultz Fran Friedman Lea Schwartz for Chuck Bailin Sheilah Hart Lew and Claire Silverman for Milton Silverman Paullette Pistol Laura Simon for Al Simon and Allegra Haim Ethel Granik Mariana Stark for Aurelie Austin Phyllis Schroeder Linda and Harvey Tapper for Nathan Josephy, Gertrude Josephy, and Ruth Tapper May they be blessed with a complete recovery in Fiona Taylor for Grace Konrad Bonnie and Rabbi David Vorspan for Leonard Meshul and body and spirit. Sime Meshul . Rae and Armand Wazana for Fifyne Henderson and Paul Kroop Birthdays Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards Michael Easley (73) Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for Some Modern Equivalences sending your cards celebrating simchas and conveying your get- Ratio of igloo’s circumference to its diameter:: well and condolence messages.