Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 REQUESTED VOL. XLVI NO. 7 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY APRIL 03 2020/9 NISAN 5780 NEXT DEADLINE APR. 17, 2020 16 PAGES HOW TO REACH US - PHONE 860-442-8062 • FAX 860-540-1475 • EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 JFEC food pantry #URFEDERATION@WORK is open Community Relief and Recovery Fund The Jewish Federation Food Pantry is open A message from Carin Savel, JFEC Executive Director for PORCH PICK-UP by calling 860-442-8062 in I have spent much of the past week in touch with organizations the morning from 9-12 to reserve your bag/s of and community members, talking about how the Jewish Federation food THEN call us again between 1-2 PM from our parking lot in the rear of the building (28 Channing need while staying connected and engaged Jewishly during a very Street, New London) so we can put your food on the challengingcan play a positivetime. role in helping people find the assistance they BACK PORCH. The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut has developed The pantry is open to ANYONE in the community a response to help support our community through this most in need of food. We provide 3-4 days-worth of food. challenging and uncertain time. The Community Relief and We try to include canned veggies, canned fruit, Recovery Fund is open and aimed at helping to continue to provide cereal, a side dish, peanut butter, pasta, sauce, support for a range of current and anticipated social services and 2019-20 Young Emissaries Roi Refaeli and Tal offering emergency assistance to those vulnerable and impacted in and frozen meat. Occasionally we are able to obtain Amar at the last Jr. Youth Group event on March our community. acanned limited meat, amount tuna of fish, fresh dried produce or canned where beans, we shoprice, 8 held at the PEZ Factory in Orange, CT. A week The stakes could not be higher. The success of the Community weekly at the Gemma Moran United Way Labor Food later, on March 15, Roi and Tal were on their way Relief and Recovery Fund has the potential to significantly Center to replenish our pantry. When you call, let us home to Israel. They just emerged from 14 days impact the vitality of the community as we know it and provide know if you have any food allergies. of quarantine that took place in their respective life-saving measures to those in need. homes. To make your contribution to the JFEC Community Relief and Jewish Film Fest Recovery Fund, please go to our website (jfec.com) and click donate. You may also mail a check to 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 Tal and Roi -- An made payable to ‘JFEC.’ For either method, indicate in the memo line postponed that your gift is for the fund. abrupt farewell If you need services, please call us at 860-442-8062 or email By Marcia Reinhard, JFEC Assistant Director [email protected]. It was the morning of March 9 – Purim. Three of the congregations in our community were preparing to gather that evening for a fun celebration. Joy was in the air. However, so was Project Based on rising concern about COVID-19 and News of the COVID-19 virus. Suddenly it was much comments by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, closer to home as we had recently heard that the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut Board Passover of Directors, Executive Director Carin Savel and the was the epicenter of the virus there. Our Young Jewish Film Fest (JFF) Committee, unanimously Emissary,Westchester Roi, County, called specifically,me with newsNew Rochelle,that the up and made the decision to postpone the 2020 Jewish Westchester emissaries were being sent home the Film Fest of Eastern Connecticut until 2021. The 26th very next day, Tuesday, March 10. No one saw that Annual JFF was scheduled to run from May 26 – June coming! running 21, 2020. “Of course, we’re disappointed, but we felt that we did what we had to do,” said JFF co-chairs news on the Whatsapp Emissary Supervisor chat. PASSOVER BAGS are now ready for PORCH PICK UP at the Fay Clymer, Arlene Dressler and Rachel Sheriff, “Just TheAs Paris the dayYoung went Emissaries on, there werewas aalso flurry being of more sent Jewish Federation Office, 28 Channing St., New London. Call the like everyone else is doing during this time. And we home the next day. Then, the Brooklyn emissaries. Federation at 860-442-8062 from 9 AM-3 PM Monday-Friday to are grateful for the many expressions of support Now, our kids, were worried they’d be next. reserve your bag and schedule your PORCH PICK-UP. from donors and patrons that we have received.” TAL CONT. ON PG 13 If you have not been able to get out and shop for Passover, Entering its 26th year, the JFF is always a highlight the Federation has a limited number of Passover bags ready for for the community; however, large crowds in close you as always for your longstanding support of the pick up at the Federation office. They consist of: quarters throughout the festival present conditions Jewish Film Fest. We have faced adversity before, 1. 1 box of Matzah which are contrary to recommendations from 2. 1 box Matzah Ball & Soup Mix multiple public health experts regarding public this challenge as we always have – as a strong and 3. 1 jar Gefilte Fish gatherings. The unprecedented safeguards now and we have every confidence we will weather supportive community. 4. 1 container of Macaroons being enacted will help protect not only each of us With much appreciation 5. 1 bottle of Grape Juice individually, but also the welfare of our families, 2020 International Film Festival Co-Chairs 6. 1 Maxwell House Passover Haggadah friends and neighbors. As it is unknown when Arlene Dressler, Fay Clymer & Rachel Sheriff these restrictions will change, it was decided that for this year cancellation was in the best interest of everyone’s health and safety. We express sincere concern for all those affected May you be blessed with good health, peace by this crisis. We are in this together, and our collective well-being depends on all of us. Thank and joy during Passover and always. 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, APRIL 3, 2020 Selecting your Passover Haggadah A Bibliography Prepared by Carla Cohen a service primarily in English, you will need to choose another Haggadot are used to conduct a Seder, an ancient ritual that Haggadah. incorporates both a religious celebration and a joyous meal. The THE OPEN DOOR, edited by Sue Levi Elwell, ($9.95) was published religious celebration commemorates the freeing from bondage of the by CCAR in 2002. In keeping with the Reform movement’s increased Israelite slaves in Egypt. Thus, it has great resonance for all peoples, use of Hebrew and greater incorporation of ritual, the Haggadah and many other religious groups now conduct Seders. follows the order of the Seder with Hebrew and English. This The Haggadot listed below represent major liberal traditions Haggadah strikes a nice balance between tradition and modern in Judaism. All of them are gender-neutral (“ancestors” instead of customs. It is also terse if you want to move the Seder along at a brisk “forefathers”, “four children” instead of “four sons”). We encourage pace. you to experiment with several Haggadot, especially if you are just A NIGHT OF QUESTIONS, starting to hold Seders. Then you will be able to make an informed edited by Joy Levitt and choice when investing in eight, ten or twelve of the same Haggadah. Michael Strassfeld ($24). The The prices listed are approximate and depend on where you purchase Reconstructionist Movement in the Haggadot. 1999 published this handsome Four questions to ask when choosing among Haggadot: Haggadah, with three 1. Is your Seder to be conducted in both Hebrew and English objectives: 1) to preserve the material and contemporary ancient language, 2) to wrestle language that will contribute to abilities of your guests? with the questions posed by any Seder. The interpretation of 2. and does the balance between the two languages reflect the the story of the Exodus, and the ten plagues is particularly issues that you wish to discuss? 3) inspire us to seek freedom compelling. In his introduction, 3. IsHow the much Haggadah commentary attractive, is included,and will you and enjoy does it overreflect the the for all peoples. Of particular Rabbi Bronstein makes a point years? interest is a discussion of the all leaders should remember: 4. How many do you have to buy, and do you expect to be four children – whom they see as aware, as well as wise or skeptical “It is not our intention that this using them for many years to come? as well as wicked. This new Haggadah speaks to the modern, more Haggadah should be read in its prepared by the Central Conference of secular Jew and to observers of tradition. A PASSOVER HAGGADAH, entirety… Our aim is to provide American Rabbis (Reform Movement), edited by Herbert Bronstein, GATES OF FREEDOM HAGGADAH by Chaim Stern ($10.95) is an a wide latitude and scope for illustrations by Leonard Baskin ($16.95). This Haggadah is a favorite excellent Haggadah that presents traditional text with modern choice.” because of its lovely illustrations. The text contains introductory commentary in a manageable service.