VOLUMI 52 NUMB.R 7 !6:Q~'iliFiIl MARCH 2002 ;JI~Uil1l 'jj ADAR/N.SAN 5762 TEMPLE EMANUEL NE""SLETTER www.fempleemanuel.org ~~~:siiiilii!! ;;;=;::;;;.~ one co tion ... one rr"nPORTION OF THE WEEK From the Rabbis Study MARCH 2 - KI TISSA -- Exodus 30:11-34:35 In Ki Tissa, God addresses Moses, who is on by Jerome P. David, D.D. Mt. Sinai, and instructs him regarding a cen­ sus of the Israelites, speaks of Betzalel and Oholiab, Israelites whom God has chosen to am writing this message, having just officiated be the chief artisans for the building of the at a funeral - the funeral of a beautiful, little, Tabernacle, and instructs the Israelites about three-year-old child. Amber Blatt attended our observing the Sabbath as a sign of the I covenant between God and the people. God Pre-School along with her twin sister, Nicole. She then inscribes the Tablets, which Moses has died, suddenly, from complications secondary to hewn out of rock, with the Ten the flu. Commandments. Moses descends the moun­ tain and is so enraged when he sees the At a sad time like this, words seem so inadequate, and yet I am truly Israelites worshipping and dancing around inspired by the love and strength of the parents, Allen and Susan, by their the golden calf, that he smashes the Tablets. supportive and loving family and by our caring Temple Emanuel family. MARCH 9 - Vayakhel-Pekuday -- Exodus 35 :1- Allen said to me, "Amber had a big life for three years old." And in fact 40:38 . she did. I first met Susan and Allen through my "Introduction to Judaism" Each year the Torah is read in its entirety. class 11 years ago, and I performed their wedding ceremony. It was three Since there are more Torah portions than Sabbaths, certain Torah portions are com­ years ago that they were blessed with twin girls. Amber was older by a few bined several times during the year. This moments. As a pre-schooler she was caring, generous and loving. Amber Shabbat we read a double portion -- Vayakhel defended what was right and she wanted to make everyone happy. She was and Pekuday. Vayakhel begins "And Moses congregated (vayakhel) the entire community a peacemaker. Amber thought of herself as an artist or a ballerina, and she of Israel" to remind them to observe Shabbat. loved to dress up and help mom with everything. She seemed to have a wis­ The people are asked to bring gifts for the dom beyond her years. Truly, for 3 years old, she had a big life and they construction of the mishkan (tabernacle). The second parsha Pekuday begins - "And had a big life together. Amber and Nicole were inseparable, always togeth­ these are the records (pekuday) of the er, looking out for one another, watching over one another. They loved mishkan" which give a very careful account­ books, being read to, Disney movies, Barbies, and library day at our Pre­ ing of how much gold. silver and copper were used in the construction of the mishkan and School. Nicole said, "I miss her." And so do we all. how the garments of the priests were made. We embrace this family with one giant hug and we know that Amber's Pekuday is the last parasha in Exodus light will continue to glow and warm our hearts. (Shemot), which is the second book of the Torah. Today and tomorrow give your child an extra hug. Tell them how Inside this Issue MARCH 16 - Parashat Vayikra -- Leviticus 1:1- much you love them. We pray that 5:26 President's Message 2 with God's help this wonderful fam­ This Shabbat we begin reading the third Anniversary Weekend 3 book of the Torah, Leviticus. Leviticus con- ily will be led to the dawn of a new Adult Education 4 • tains many of the laws and precepts of day. Judaism. It also contains a description of the Ritual Education 5 system of sacrifices that was, for the Israelite Youth Groups community of the time, the primary way of and the guilt offering-asham. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs 6 worshipping God. In Hebrew this book and its first portion are called Vayikra meaning, "And March 23 - Tzav -- Leviticus 6: 1-8:36 The Senior Scene [God) called: The parasha opens with God There are five "named" shabbatot that precede Sisterhood 7 calling to Moses and explaining the various the holiday of Passover. This week is Shabbat Executive Director 8 sacrifices. Five different sacrifices are HaGadol or the Great Sabbath. This series of Men's Club 10 described: the burnt offering--olah; the meal special shabbatot allow us to prepare spiritual­ Contributions 15 offering--minchah; the sacrifice of well-being­ ly for Passover... by reminding us that God Calendars -zevach shelamim; the sin offering--chatat; Continued on page 13 trying to sit quietly during the serious at Temple Emanuel likely has their own parts of the Seder, wisbing I was old unique approach to Holiday celebra­ enough (later, young enough) to ask tions. including Passover. my hope is the four questions. dipping the bitter that we are aD able to impart the beau­ elcome to the herbs, and of course the raucous ram­ ty of our religion with our children WIf arc h page through the house searching for through these celebrations. The more Presidenfs Message! the Aflkomen before someone else that we u parents can do to m8ke these Now ~ up with a topic for the found it! memories filled with happiness, joy, IIlOIltll OlMuch can be a tough one. I Even now, Passover remains one of and positive experiences, the greater a could discuss the weather but it's my favorite times of the year. We direct impact it wiD have on ensuring another four weeb of dreary winter. almost always spend Pesach with JeWish continuity. Your membership in How about MaIch Madness? No, it friends and family and my wife and I Temple Emanuel clearly demonstrates would only appeal to college hoop fans. (mostly Brenda) make sure that the your commitment ro this future. If I kno~ at the end of March this year we Seder is "child friendlyw so that our you would like any assistance on how to celebrate Pesach. Passover it is! children, and the other kids. derive a make your own celebration of the Passover is actually a pretty good great deal of enjoyment from it. Jewish Holidays more enriching for topic since it is one of my favorite Whether it's crazy pictures of wild your family, please contact our Rabbis, Jewish holidays. While one of the great beasts or dozens of plastic frogs raining Mayda in the Temple Office, or Rita in benefits ofbeing Jewish is the ability to down, (you know the lIong •.. "frogs . our Religious School tHe part in our myriad of Holiday tra­ here, frogs there, frogs in Pharaoh's Wishing you an the best for a great ditions (and let's not forget, every underwear"l) we try to express the jay Pesach, and remember, one of the ben­ Shabbat . is a Holidayl), Passover has that our ancestors must have felt in efits of matzoh is it makes you realize always been special for me. Maybe it's their journey from slavery to freedom. how much you miss bread! one of those things that develop when Although it's been almost 3000 years, you are a kid. I remember helping to the Passover story remains a strong B'Shalom clean the house of hametz (never very message of adversity and triumph, weII), polishing the silverware, a large which has been central to the history of crowd of family and friends at our Judaism. ~/.~ Seders, the reading of the Haggada, Although each of our 1000 families Kenneth A. Karach e?W ~~ ... e?W g-~ (A Monthly column so we can know more about each other.) By .1_.. Gro..... rg Yiddish than a religious culture. For vah class here in Temple Emanuel's the family it has been a long and suc­ new building. cessful fit. The family witnessed the David and Nancy Oberlander also b'nai mitzvot of children Janet and make their home in Cherry Hill. David and their subsequent confir­ David is a real estate attorney and mations. Three years ago, Adele's member of the Cherry Hill School The Oberlander Family grandson Scott Oberlander was bar Board. He skis (occasionally) and mitzvah at Temple Emanuel and plans reads (a lot) and, like his father before ore than fifty years ago, a young to be confirmed this spring. This is a him, has served as Men's Club presi­ couple moved to Camden from M family that has and continues to dent. Nancy, who grew up in Long New York City figuring that they makes its mark on its religious home. Island, is a social worker in the would stay for about six months. One Adele Oberlander, who makes her Audubon school system. She is a for­ of the first things that Adele and Fred home in Cherry Hill, is a very actively mer member of the Sisterhood board Oberlander did was join a small retired chemistry teacher. Some of and counts tennis and softball among Reform synagogue called Temple her students have served on the her pastimes. As for the next genera­ Emanuel. Today, Adele is counted as Temple board of trustees, including tion, 15 -year old Scott is a sophomore the longest .continuous member of at Cherry Hill East where he is on the our temple and the first of three her son David.