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Why Matzah?
How improbable that the central symbol of the seminal event in Jewish history is a cracker! So we must probe: Why matzah?
When told to "hurry up," Ralph Waldo Emerson's remarkable aunt and inspiration, Mary Moody Emerson, responded, "Hurry up is for slaves." Time is the most precious human commodity. If we cannot control our own time, we are not free. While all of us will have obligations, only a slave has no control over his or her own time. Matzah represents the forced hurrying of the slave.
Our tradition took this symbol of hurry, of slavery, intentionally overturned this symbolism—subverted it, if you will, and made the bread of affliction the symbol of Passover freedom.
Israeli scholar Israel Yuval writes,
"In the ancient world, the rising and leavening of dough represented the power of civilization, human activity, and interference in nature, while the matzah...was the symbol of simplicity and primitivism, the bread of the unsettled nomad, the bread of affliction that lasts a long time."
The bustle and forced activity of Egypt was bread; the long impoverished but emancipated wandering was matzah.
Pesach is a bracing meditation on time and freedom. In leaving Egypt there was no time to bake bread. The humble symbol of matzah, product of necessity, becomes a stirring symbol of liberation. The fleeing Israelites transformed the "Hurry, slave!" message of matzah into a declaration of freedom for all humanity.
Chag kasher v’samei-ach! May you and yours have an unhurried, healthy, joyful and liberating Passover!
(I hope to see all of you at our community seder on Tuesday night, March 26!—See elsewhere in this issue for details!)
Rabbi J.B. Sacks
HAMIGDALOR
CONGREGATION AM HAYAM
4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca. 93003 Phone (805) 644-2899 Fax (805) 644-2887
Website: www.amhayam.org
From The Rabbi’s Study—March 2013
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Message from Brenda Rich
MONDAYS WITH MORT
During the month of March there will be no sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH at 10:30 AM
due to a family activity and medicaL appointments that happen to fall on Mondays during March.
Everyone is invited to attend in April as we continue the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus).
Roz and I wish everyone a Kosher Pesach!
Question of the Month:
What is sung after the Megillah reading on Purim?
The answer can be found at http://www.mondayswithmort.com/doyouknow.htm,
Also be sure to check out the entire Mondays with Mort web site at http://
www.mondayswithmort.com
and the CAH web site at http://www.amhayam.org.
Mort
Greetings:
This has been a sad month in our Am HaYam family as we lost 3 members. Our hearts, love, friendship go
out to Lois Lebman on the loss of her beloved husband, Sandy; Martha Zoloth on the loss of her beloved
husband, George; and to Murray Kaufman on the loss of his beloved wife, Bunny.
All of them will be greatly missed. May their memories always be for a blessing.
But we also had some joy in February with the celebration of Purim on Saturday night, February 23rd and
Sunday morning, February 24th. Rabbi Sacks introduced a new reading of the story of Esther with lots of
mostly familiar melodies to the prayers. Most were dressed in costumes and it was a most enjoyable
celebration. Many pictures were taken but you will have to wait until the April Migdalor to see them as
this issue is chuck full of information for Pesach.
Speaking of Passover. Please send in your reservations to attend our community seder on Tuesday, March 26th.
You will find the flyer elsewhere is the Migdalor. Again we will have reading from our special Haggadot,
singing, and a delicious Seder meal. Come and make this a truly family event with your Am HaYam family.
Upcoming events that you must put on your calendars today are:
Sunday, April 28th – Jewish Heritage Day 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 5th Gold & Silver Sale Party and Tea Party – 2 p.m – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 2nd Gourmet Progressive Brunch 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Also you will want to place your orders for scrip. See all the suppliers elsewhere in the Migdalor. You will
be able to pick up scrip at any of these events.
Chaig kasher v’samei-ach!
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Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Time 6:00 PM
Cost: $25 per person Children: $9
6& Under No charge
Checks Payable to CAH
Please remit to:
Congregation Am HaYam
4839 Market Street, Unit C
Ventura, CA. 93003
RSVP BY 3/20/13
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GUIDE TO PASSOVER FOODS and KASHERING
Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
[NOTE: The Rabbinical Assembly Pesach Guide presented here was approved on January 10, 2012 by the Committee on Jewish Law
and Standards by a vote of 15-0-0. Rabbi Sacks has adapted it to render it more user-friendly.]
The Torah prohibits chametz (leaven) during Pesach. For more on what is and is not considered chametz, please see the article “Passover Lore” elsewhere in this Migdalor, in the section on Chametz. The prohibition on chametz during Pesach includes ownership. Therefore, people traditionally arrange for the Rabbi to sell their chametz. For more on this, see the article “Mechirat Chametz—The Selling of Chametz” elsewhere in this Migdalor.
When we think of Pesach, we first and foremost think of not eating chametz, which the Torah clearly prohibits. This may be trickier than it seems, for many common foods contain some admixture of chametz. The following guidance is provided with a view towards shopping and otherwise doing one’s Pesach preparations.
During the eight days of Pesach, chametz cannot lose its identity in an admixture. Therefore, the minutest amount of chametz renders the whole admixture chametz and its use on Pesach pro-hibited. However, during the rest of the year, chametz follows the normal rules of admixture, i.e. it loses its identity in an admixture of one part chametz and sixty parts of non-chametz (batel be-shishim). This affords us the opportunity to differentiate between foods purchased before Pesach and those purchased subsequent to the onset of Pesach.
Kosher le-Pesach labels which do not bear the name of a rabbi, or do not bear one of the recognized symbols of rabbinic supervision, or which are not integral to the package, should, in general, not be used.
Prohibited foods—no matter when they are bought—include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffees containing cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol.
Most Ashkenazi authorities have added the following foods (kitniyot) to the above list: rice, corn, millet, legumes (beans, including soy, and peas; however, string beans are
permitted). Some Ashkenazi authorities permit, while others forbid, the use of legumes in a form oth-er than their natural state, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, and soy oil. Sephardic authorities permit the use of all of the above. Follow your family tradition or consult Rabbi Sacks. Israeli prod-ucts are often marked “contains kitniyot” and thus Ashkenazi Jews who do not use ( קטניותkitniyot) need to be vigilant when purchasing Israeli products for
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Passover. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unanimously that peanuts, peanut oil, and string beans are permissible provided that such products have proper year-round kosher certification and do not contain any chametz.
Permitted Foods:
A. The following foods require no kosher le-Pesach label if purchased prior to the onset of Pesach: pure white sugar (no additives); non-iodized salt (not iodized); frozen fruit (no additives); all pure fruit juices; white milk; unsalted Grade A butter; filleted fish, and quinoa (with nothing mixed in, particularly Bolivian or Peruvian quinoa).
B. The following foods require no kosher le-Pesah label if purchased before or during Pesah: Fresh fruits and vegetables (for legumes see above), eggs, fresh or frozen kosher meat (other than chopped meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, pure black, green, or white tea leaves, unflavored tea bags, Nestea (regular and decaffeinated), unflavored regular coffee, olive oil (extra-virgin only), whole or gutted fresh fish, whole or half pecans (not pieces), whole ( unground) spices and nuts, baking soda, and bicarbonate of soda. [Note: Frozen, uncooked vegetables may be processed on shared equipment that uses chametz. It is preferable to
purchase those with a “kosher l’Pesach” label. One may, however, buy bags of frozen non-hechshered vegetables before Pesach provided that one can either determine that no shared equipment was used or one is careful to inspect the contents before Pesach
and discard any pieces of chametz. Indeed, even without inspection, if one removes pieces of chametz found in the package on Pesach itself, the vegetables themselves are
permissible. What one should do, then, might well depend upon how strict one wishes
to be when it comes to such matters.)
C. The following foods require a kosher le-Pesah label if purchased before or during
Pesah (that is, they ALWAYS require a reliable “kosher l’Pesach” certification: All baked
products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal, and any products contain-ing matzah); canned tuna; wine; vinegar; liquor; oils; dried fruits; candy; chocolate fla-vored milk; ice cream; herbal tea; decaf tea; decaf coffee; dried fruits yogurt; non-Grade
A butter, chocolate milk, cheeses, soda; and all frozen processed foods. For concerns
about baby food, please ask Rabbi Sacks.
NON-FOOD ITEMS: Detergents, cleaners, etc., which are not a food stuff and which are not eaten, may be used for Pesach with no hechshered supervision. This would include: aluminum products, ammonia, baby oil, bleach, candles, contact paper, charcoal, coffee
filters, fabric softener, isopropyl alcohol, laundry and dish detergent, oven cleaner, paper bags, paper plates (with no starch coating), plastic cutlery, plastic wrap, polish, powder and ointment, sanitizers, scouring pads, stain remover, water with no additives, and was
paper.
MEDICINE: Prescription medicines are permitted. Non-prescription pills and capsules
are permitted; for liquids, please consult a rabbi.
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KASHERING OF UTENSILS: The process of kashering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to Halachah,
leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil (ke-voleo kakh poleto). Therefore,
utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling, those used in broiling are kashered by fire and heat, and those used only for cold
food are kashered by rinsing.
A. EARTHENWARE (china, pottery, etc.) may not be kashered. However, fine china which was put away clean and has not
been used for over one Jewish calendar year may be used after thorough detergent and hot water washing. It is then considered
pareve, and may be designated for meat or milk.
B. METAL. To kasher pots, silverware, and utensils wholly of metal not used for baking, thoroughly clean the item with soap and
water, then, following a strict 24 hour waiting period during which they are not used, immerse the item in water that is at a rolling
boil הגעלה(– hag’alah). For pots and pans, clean handles thoroughly. If the handle can be removed, do so for an even more
thorough cleaning. To effect ( הגעלהhag’alah), the item must be completely exposed to the boiling water. Pots and pans are either
immersed in a larger pot of boiling water (may be done one section at a time) or filled with water brought to a rolling boil and then a
heated stone is dropped into the pot such that the boiling water overflows to cover the sides of the pot. A safer alternative might be
let the water boil over the sides of the pot. In the case of silverware every part of each piece must be exposed to the water at a
rolling boil. Following this process, each utensil is rinsed in cold water For metal bakeware, contact Rabbi Sacks.
C. OVENS AND RANGES: Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly cleaned. Then, oven and range should
be heated at maximum heat for one hour; range tops until the elements turn red and glow. Then parts of the range top around the
elements that can be covered should be covered (usually with aluminum foil). Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and
cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle while empty. Following this process, the oven should be again cleaned to
remove any ash. If the oven was very dirty to start, two cycles may be needed to assure a thorough cleaning.
D. MICROWAVE OVENS, which do not cook the food by means of heat, should be cleaned, and then a cup of water (8 oz.) should be placed inside. Then the oven should be turned on until the water almost disappears (at least 6 oz. is gone.). A micro-wave oven that has a browning element cannot be kashered for Pesah.
E. GLASSWARE: Authorities disagree as to the method for kashering drinking utensils. One opinion requires soaking in water for
three days, changing the water every 24 hours. The other opinion requires only a thorough scrubbing before Pesah, or putting
them through a dishwasher.
1. Glass Cookware: There is a difference of opinion as to whether it is to be kashered. One opinion is that it must be kashered.
After a thorough cleansing, there should be water boiled in them which will overflow the rim. The other opinion is that only a thor-
ough cleansing is required.
2. Glass Bakeware, like metal bakeware, is more complex. Contact—- Rabbi Sacks is you have a concern.
F. DISHWASHER: After not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, a full cycle with detergent should be run.
.
G. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: If the parts that come into contact with hametz are removable, they can be kashered in the
appropriate way (if metal, follow the rules for metal utensils). If the parts are not removable, the appliance cannot be kashered.
(All exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned.)
H. TABLES, CLOSETS AND COUNTERS: If used with hametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered, and then they
may be used.
I. KITCHEN SINK: A metal sink can be kashered by thoroughly cleaning and then pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink
should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used.
J. CHAMETZ AND NON-PASSOVER UTENSILS: Non-Passover dishes, pots and hametz whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked in order to prevent accidental use.
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MECHIRAT CHAMETZ: THE SELLING OF CHAMETZ
One must not have any chametz (leaven) in his or her legal possession during Pesach.
After doing a complete and thorough cleaning of your home, you should throw away any
opened packages of chametz, thereby beginning Pesach in a chametz-free environment.
Consider donating new and closed chametz items to a local food pantry.
The remainder of your chametz should be stored in a place where you will not inadvertently use it.
Document of Permission – Sh’tar Harsha'ah
This sale is usually executed by appointing someone knowledgeable as your agent by
completing a sh’tar harsha'ah, or Document of Permission. The agent then sells your chametz by writing a sh’tar m’chirah, or Document of Sale. Rabbi Sacks is honored to serve as your agent for this purpose.
For up-to-date information on prohibited and permitted foods, check out the Rabbinical Assembly Web site at www.rabbinicalassembly.org.
You should sell your chametz even if you will be away for the duration of the holiday.
In order to make your home fully kosher for Pesach you should:
1. Fill out the form below and mail to Rabbi Sacks so that it arrives to him by March 21, 2013. Otherwise, call him with the information by March 20, 2013.
2. Search your home (b’dikat hametz) on the evening of Sunday, March 24, 2013 (you can find details at the beginning of most haggadot. See elsewhere in this Migdalor for more of an explanation (Under “Passover Lore”)
Document of Permission
I, ___________________________________, hereby designate Rabbi J.B. Sacks as my agent to sell all my chametz, including but not lim-ited to any leavened food, dishes, pots, pans and utensils, which may be in my possession. I understand that the sale will be in effect before noon on Monday, March 25, 2013 until after sundown Tuesday, April 2, 2013.
Name: _____________________________________________
E-mail:________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________
City: ___________________________ State: _____ Zip Code:___________
Signature: ______________________________________
3. On Monday, March 25, 2013, remove and burn all chametz by 11:30 am (see a haggadah for the text). Your home should be completely kosher for Pesach at this time.
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PASSOVER LORE—DO YOU KNOW?
Rabbi J.B. Sacks
NAMES OF THE FESTIVAL
Chag Ha-Matzot (“Festival of the Unleavened Bread”), reflects the centrality of matzah in the cel-
ebration of Pesach.
Chag Ha-Pesach (“Festival of the Paschal Lamb Offering”), recalls the offering that was brought to
the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem in former times, even as the word Pesach (from the
Hebrew, "to protect" or "to pass over") links us to the biblical account of the tenth plague when our
ancestors’ homes were "protected" when the Angel of Death by-passed (i.e. "passed over") them.
Chag He-Aviv (“Festival of the Semi-ripe Barley”; in later Hebrew this name connotes "Festival of
Spring”), reminds us of the agricultural dimensions and seasonal significance of the Festival.
Zeman Cheruteinu (“Season of Our Freedom”), marks the attainment of freedom from bondage
by our ancestors. It is this name that is used in every Amidah (central prayer) and Birkat HaMazon
(Blessing of Nourishment, or Grace after Meals) throughout Passover.
MA-OT CHITTIM ("Wheat Money")
Especially for Passover, care must be taken to provide for the poor, as the costs for Passover
observance are greater than usual. The less fortunate, with all Jews, should be able to celebrate
free of worry on the Festival of Freedom. The practice of distribution ma-ot chittim (also known as
kimcha d’Pischa, literally "Passover flour") was instituted so that the needs of the indigent might be
met. This custom has given rise to the creation of special Passover funds in local communities. The
money for selling one’s chametz (see below) is generally channeled into such a fund.
CHAMETZ
Any product that is fermented or that can cause fermentation may not be eaten. Only five
grains are considered as included in this prohibition: wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt. Any
food or drink made from one of these grains, or which contains one of these grains, even a most
miniscule amount, is considered chametz. Obviously, matzah is made from one of these five grains,
although careful tending has ensured that no leavening has occurred.
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In addition, all utensils that came into contact with chametz may not be used during Pe-
sach or even on the day preceding it. These and any non-Pesach foods we are saving
are stored where we won’t see them or get into them. (The prohibition includes not see-
ing chametz in one’s domain.) The surfaces upon which we prepare food, cook food
and eat food are scoured and usually covered for the duration of the Festival. The re-
frigerator is likewise cleaned to remove any trace of chametz. Many utensils may be
“kashered” for Passover, that is, they might be rendered usable for the holy day by fol-
lowing the traditions for doing so.
Ashkenazi Jews have followed the minhag (custom) of treating rice, corn, pea-
nuts or members of the pea family, as chametz because these products swell when
cooked and so resemble a leavening process. According to the strictest application of
this minhag, neither the grains nor any of the flours or oils made from them may be
used. Some Ashkenazi commentators do allow the use of these products when in cer-
tain forms, such as oil. Sephardic tradition allows these products, in any form, to be
eaten. No, one cannot declare oneself a Sephardic Jew for eight days a year!
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement has ruled
unanimously in separate rulings that peanuts and string beans are not members of the
pea family and hence should not fall under this minhag (and are hence fully acceptable
for Passover use in all forms).
In addition to a prohibition on eating chametz, one cannot get any advantage from it.
So, for example, Jewish bakeries often close during the week of Passover to not make
money from chametz during the holy day.
MECHIRAT CHAMETZ (Selling Chametz)
Since one must now own any chametz during Pesach, any chametz stored is sold (to
a non-Jew) for the duration of Pesach and then repurchased. The transaction is
technically an actual sale: People sign a document appointing the Rabbi as their legal
agent for this purpose. Food that is sold must be placed out of the way and covered,
along with the year-round ("chametz-dik") dishes, so that one does not encounter the
chametz during Pesach itself. At the end of the holiday, the agent (the rabbi) arranges
for the reversion of ownership of the now-permitted chametz. Some who do not change
dishes nevertheless should consider selling their actual chametz. Those needing or de-
siring Rabbi Sacks’ help to accomplish this mitzvah should contact him by March 20,
2013 or mail the form elsewhere in this Migdalor to him so that it arrives to him by
March 21, 2013 at: Rabbi J.B. Sacks, 5910 Elba Place, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
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BEDIKAT CHAMETZ/BI-UR CHAMETZ
(Search for/Burning of Chametz)
After thoroughly cleaning one’s home, a search for leaven takes place on the
evening before Pesach. So as not to make this search in vain, a few crumbs or
pieces of chametz are conspicuously placed, searched for by candlelight and when
"found," swept onto a wooden spoon with a feather. (Obviously, it is helpful to count
how many pieces of bread/candy/whatever you have conveniently placed throughout
the house so that no chametz remains!) Children (of all ages) delight in this tradition.
One does not have to have a wooden spoon and/or feather to conduct the search.
The following morning before 10:00 a.m. or so (consult the Rabbi if more specificity
is required), these last crumbs/pieces are burned (in some places, flushed or thrown
in the outside garbage can). A short declaration is recited both evening and morning,
which can be found in most haggadot (plural of haggadah, the seder booklet).
Any other chametz found in the house is then considered to be “mere dust” and not
food (and hence, the household is still considered to be fully kosher for Pesach for
the family that worked so hard to clean. A humane remedy if there ever was one!!!)
Many modern young families have now incorporated this Ritual in whole or in part
as a feature of their family’s preparation for Pesach even in homes which will not be
traditionally kosher for Pesach.
This year the first seder takes place on Monday night. Thus this year the search for
chametz takes place on Sunday evening, March 24 with the burning of chametz on
Monday morning.
ON MATZAH and MATZAH SH’MURAH ("Watched Matzah")
One may eat matzah at any time during Passover (and during the year), but the
mitzvah ("commandment") regarding matzah applies only to the seder on the
first night—and even then one only needs to eat matzah immediately following the
recitation of the blessing for matzah recited as part of the seder.
One finds many types of matzah. Most common is the plain square or
rectangular matzah, packaged in boxes. Egg matzah, yokeless or regular, because
it is not pure but an admixture, is popular, but NOT acceptable for making the special
blessing of “al achilat matzah” during the seder ritual. Sorry, but for this purpose,
regular matzah, should be used.
The requirement of supervision of matzah is sh’murah mish’at t’china,
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"supervised from the time the grain is milled (into flour)." From that point on, it is to be
stored in cool conditions and kept away from water or moisture until the time for bak-
ing it into matzah.
Some have the custom, especially for seder evenings, of applying a stricter level of
supervision called sh’murah mish’at k’tzirah, "supervised from the time of reaping."
The grain for this matzah is thus watched from the time it is harvested to ensure that
no moisture has affected it. Such a stricture is apparently post-Talmudic. Chassidim
use only this matzah sh’murah for all of Pesach. Most of us are not this strict; how-
ever, many of us enhance our own s’darim (plural of seder) with it.
Matzah sh’murah usually comes in large round cakes, with a different taste and
texture. It probably comes much closer to what our ancestors actually ate in
haste when they were leaving Egypt. Although one can also find this matzah in
the square or rectangular prepackaged format like the more common plain matzah as
well, we prefer the round, handmade kind specifically to better recall the original
Exodus experience.
Anyone who wishes matzah sh’murah should contact Rabbi Sacks before March 18,
and we will obtain some for you at his cost. He will bring it to the Community Seder.
If you are not joining us for the Community Seder, please make arrangements for
someone to pick it up for you.
TA’ANIT B’CHORIM (Fast of the Firstborn)
Firstborn Jews fast from sunrise the day before Passover, i.e. the morning pre-
ceding the first seder according to custom. This fast, Ta’anit B’chorim,
commemorates the miracle that the firstborn Jews were spared from the tenth
plague that killed every firstborn Egyptian. While in many quarters the mitzvah
applied to males only, in some places firstborn women were encouraged to fast as
well, since their birth spared a life and thus contributed to the survival of our people.
And although in general a female never acquires the status of firstborn in Jewish law,
we in the Conservative Movement promote equality of women and men, and hence
we adopt the approach that all firstborns should fast.
Many who observe this fast use a Jewish legal principle pertaining to the importance
of Talmud Torah (Torah study) to supersede and cut short a fast. A siyyum
("conclusion") is the study of the final lines of a body of study one is completing. Usu-
ally held immediately after shacharit (morning) services, a siyyum is followed by a
se’udat mitzvah, a mandatory "feast" to celebrate the completion of significant learn-
ing by someone. This brings any fast observed up to that point to an abrupt end for all
who are present.
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Many firstborn, however, choose to absent themselves from this study session
because they prefer to fast—not only to connect with this piece of history and
tradition, but in order to heighten the taste, both gastronomic and spiritual, of the
seder—or, alternatively, to commemorate the three-day fast in the time of Queen
Esther which took place at Passover time (and not at Purim!).
This year Ta’anit B’chorim starts at sunrise on Monday, March 25, continues until
the after sundown that evening.
S’FIRAT HA-OMER ("Counting of the Omer")
The Torah commands us to count seven full weeks from the time we bring the
omer. On the fiftieth day we are to bring an offering of new grain to the Holy One
(Leviticus 23;15-16). An omer was a sheaf or a dry measure of barley from the new
spring harvest that was brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover. We
still count these seven weeks.
The purpose of the counting, according to the Kabbalists (mystics), is to
join Passover, the festival of physical redemption and emancipation, with
Shavuot, the festival when the Israelites entered into the brit, the covenant with
God (and receiving the Torah), making it the festival of spiritual freedom. In
this understanding, the purpose of the Exodus was to get to Mount Sinai. While
it is true that without Pesach, there would not have been Shavuot, it is equally
clear that without the goal of Shavuot, Pesach would be divested of much of its
significance. Thus the days between the two festivals are anxiously and expectantly
counted, just as one awaits a close friend by counting the days until her or his
arrival.
Starting on the second night of Passover (Tuesday, March 26), during the
second seder, until the evening of Shavuot, we count the omer by reciting a
special benediction concerning the counting of the Omer and then enumerate what
day of the omer period we are in. We do so using two methods: by the exact number
of days (e.g. the twenty-third day) and by the number of weeks (three weeks and
two days). Enumerating in both methods helps avoid any confusion.
MAIMUNA
Among North African and Turkish Jews, Passover is somewhat extended by
celebrating the day after Pesach (evening and next day, April 2-3) as Maimuna.
According to tradition it is the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of Maimon ben
Joseph, the father of Maimonides (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon or (by using the
boldfaced initials) Rambam, twelfth century).
13
Coins, candy and grass are thrown to the children upon returning from synagogue.
The coins and candy represent the wealth and food that the Israelites brought out of
Egypt on their way to freedom, and the grass symbolizes the reeds of the Red Sea.
(The Red Sea will again part: However, in this case someone must sweep up the
grass!)
The table is set with various types of good luck symbols: pitchers of milk, garlands
of leaves and flowers, branches of fig tress, ears of wheat, a plate of fresh flour
with a coin, a jar of honey, various greens and a fish bowl complete with (raw, fresh)
fish, the latter an obvious and common symbol of fertility. The menu consists of an ar-
ray of sweets, including coconut macaroons, marzipan stuffed dates and walnut pan-
cakes known as muflita. (Since the sweets were prepared during Chol ha-Moed, the
intermediate days of Pesach, they are prepared with attention to the laws of Pesach
food preparation.)
Traditionally, Maimuna is the time for matchmaking among the young. In Israel,
Maimuna takes place outdoors in a picnic-like atmosphere characterized by (what
else?) much eating, drinking and singing. Exactly how this festival originated and
its connection with Maimon are obscure—though interestingly, Maimuna reflects
an immediate transition to the agricultural themes and dairy foods of the Omer
period and Shavuot respectively.
NEED a PLACE for SEDER?
HAVE ROOM at your SEDER?
We at Am HaYam care about our members. We know that not everyone has family living nearby, and that not everyone can make Pesach or host a seder every year. We want to help.
If you find yourself in need of a place to go for the First Seder, Friday, April 6, please contact Rabbi Sacks via Email at rabbijb@aol.com. Please let him know how many in your household, what dietary concerns (kosher and general) you have, and how traditional a seder you are hoping for this year. Rabbi Sacks will do his best to try to match you up with a Am HaYam household. You must include a phone number so that the Rabbi can call you back.
If you have space at your seder for any extra persons, please Email Rabbi Sacks and let him know, if you can, how many person or persons you might be able to include, if your seder is kosher or not, and how traditional a seder you run.
For Second Seder, please make a reservation to join your Am HaYam family for an interesting, interactive, joyous, meaningful experience on Tuesday night, March 26. Information can be found elsewhere in this Migdalor. Look forward to seeing you there.
14
From the Rabbi’s Kitchen
MOCK CHOPPED “LIVER” SPREAD
This recipe is so geshmak (delicious). Alle meine sonim—All my enemies should never get to taste this! Meanwhile, it makes about 1 cup. Depending upon how many come to the seder, I usually double, triple or quadruple the recipe. If any is left over, save in the fridge in an airtight container and spread on matzah or matzah crackers, or celery/other veggies all week long!
3 T. oil 1 c. chopped walnuts
½ lb. mushrooms, chopped Pepper & Salt, to taste
1 small onion, chopped 1 TB water
1. Saute mushrooms and onions for 8 minutes.
2. Pour into blender or food processor, adding walnuts, seasonings and water.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. I usually refrigerate this for several hours and serve chilled.
SEPHARDIC CHAROSET (that Ashkenazim will love)
½ c. grated coconut 4 c. (be generous!) mixed dried fruit
½ c. ground walnuts raisins, apricots, apples, prunes, etc.)
¼ c. sugar 12-oz. jar cherry preserves
2 t. cinnamon 1/3 c. sweet wine (I use Malaga)
1. Insert metal blade processor. Combine coconut, walnuts, sugar and cinnamon with 2-3 pulses.
2. Add dried fruits and chop with 3-4 pulses, until mixture is in medium-sized pieces.
3. Place in a 4-quart pot, adding water to cover. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for approximately 1 hour.
4. When mixture begins to thicken and come together, stir in cherry preserves.
Remove from heat, add wine and let cool.
I usually make a double dose and use it throughout the week as a matzah spread.
15
GREEK CHAROSET
2 oranges, unpeeled, but remove seeds 1 c. sweet red wine
1 c. raisins 2 t. ground ginger
1 c. pitted dates 2 pinches of cayenne
1 c. cherry preserves 4 T pine nuts
1. In a food processor, chop orange coarsely (several pulses should do!).
2. Add raisins and dates and process until finely chopped.
3. Transfer to a medium-sized saucepan and stir in preserves, wine, ginger, and
cayenne. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over lowest heat for 8-10 minutes
until thick, stirring often to prevent sticking.
4. Stir in pine nuts.
Makes 2 ½ cups. Make be kept in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
CARROT-APPLE PUDDING
5 lage carrots, grated ¼ c. sweet Passover wine
2 medium apples, peeled, cored & grated ¼ c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. raisins 1 t. cinnamon
3 egg whites, lightly beaten ¼ t. each: ground allspice,
2 T. oil nutmeg and ginger
1. Preheat the oven to 325.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pour into an oiled 9- by 5- by 3-inch loaf pan.
3. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
4. Uncover and bake another 40-45 minutes or until the top is nicely browned and crusty.
5. Let cool. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Truthfully, if more of life were this easy, then life would be easier. What can I say?
Nothing, other than to report that this recipe has no cholesterol, has about 3 g fat, 136 calories, 21 g. carbohydrates and 2 g protein, which—if I can quote from the beginning of this recipe—is not so terrible.
16 RHUBARB COMPOTE
This is not only a great side dish, but can also serve as a spread on matzah or a topping for other dishes!.
1 lb. rhubarb, cut into 1’’ pieces ½-1 c. sugar
1 lb. tart apples, peeled, cored pinch of ground cardamom (optional)
and cut into 1” pieces 1/8 t. almond extract
½ pint strawberries, stemmed
and left whole
1. Place the rhubarb, apples and strawberries in a large saucepan.
2. Add the sugar, cardamom (if using), and the almond extract.
3. Cover and—over medium-high heat—bring the fruit to a slow boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until the
fruit is soft.
Serve at room temperature. The dish will thicken as it cools.
Makes 6-8 nservings. You can easily double this recipe.
FASTER-THAN-PASTA TOMATO-FARFEL BAKE
This is an easy dish for anytime during Pesach. In fact, I have brought it as the main dish for vegetarians (and vegans) at a meat seder. It can easily be doubled.
2 ½ c. crushed unsalted canned tomatoes 1 T. sugar
¼ c. chopped onion 1 ½ c. matzah farfel
½ t. salt ¼ c. oil
¼ t. pepper
1. Preheat oven to 375. Meanwhile, prepare a 1-qut baking dish with oil, butter or
Passover cooking spray.
2. Combine tomoatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and sugar in a medium bowl.
3. Mix farfel and oil separately.
4. Place layer of farfel mixture in the bottom. Add a layer of tomatoes.
5. Repeat layers, ending with the farfel mixture.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Serves 6.
17
MOCHA NUT BARS
Kids of all ages will enjoy these. Use pareve margarine for a meat meal. Use any nuts you wish. I grind them fine, but any consistency is good.
2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate ¼ t. salt
½ c. margarine or butter 1 tsp. instant coffee
2 eggs ½ c. matzah cake meal
1 c. sugar ½ c. chopped nuts
1. Melt butter and chocolate and cool.
2. Beat eggs and sugar together.
3. Blend in salt, chocolate and butter.
4. Gradually stir in the coffer and the cake meal.
5. Turn into 2 well-greased (or sprayed) 9” square pans (or 1 13” x9” or larger pan).
6. Bake approximately 15-20 minutes.
7. Cut when warm.
(CHOCO-)BANANA NUT FARFEL PUDDING
2 c. matzah farfel 3 T. oil (can use margarine or butter)
2 eggs 1 large banana, sliced
½ t. salt ¼ c. walnuts, chopped
1/3 c. sugar chocolate morsels, if desire
1. Pour cold water over farfel in a colander. Drain quickly, leaving farfel moist but not soggy. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. Beat eggs and blend into farfel.
3. Add salt, sugar and oil. Stir well.
4. Add banana and nuts (and chocolate, if using). Mix and pour into a greased or sprayed casserole dish.
5. Bake in a moderate over (350) until brown—about ½ hour.
I usually double this—it’s delicious.
I hope you do have a zissen (sweet), tasty, meaningful Passover!
Chag kasher v’samei-ach, Rabbi Sacks
18
February 1st, 2013
To Whom It May Concern:
We are a small non-profit organization (ID #77-0436251) and depend on help from outside our community
as well as locally to meet our financial obligations in order to provide services to both the Jewish and non-Jewish members of our community. We greatly appreciate your support that will help us to reach our goals this year.
Congregation Am HaYam will be holding a Barbeque, song and dance day, informative speakers on
Sunday, April 28th for Israel Heritage Day. In conjunction with that we will be having a silent auction. A donation of your choosing that we could auction off would assist this project. Your name will be listed
in our program.
The Internal Revenue Code requires us to acknowledge your contribution in writing and to state that in
consideration of your gift we did not provide you with any goods or services. This letter is your receipt for your donation and is an acknowledgment of the above. Please retain it for your records.
Very truly yours,
Brenda Rich
Congregation Am HaYam 4839 Market Street Unit C Ventura, CA 93003 Tel: 805-644-2899
Web Site: www.amhayam.org Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
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20
21
22
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24
25
CONGREGATION AM HAYAM
4839 MARKET STREET UNIT C (IN REAR)
VENTURA, CA 93003
805-644-2899
KOSHER FOOD: HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, VEGGIE BURGERS,
COLE SLAW, BOTTLED WATER, CHIPS
AND 1 RAFFLE TICKET - $12 PER PERSON CHILDREN UNDER 7 FREE
VENDORS
Entertainment
Speaker
Silent Auction
and Raffle
FUN FOR ENTIRE
FAMILY
SODA, COFFEE,
TEA AVAILABLE
RSVP: MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CONGREGATION AM HAYAM
MAIL TO: 4839 MARKET STREET UNIT C
VENTURA, CA 93003
ATTENDING ADULTS _____________ CHILDREN_____________ TOTAL _______
Event is being subsidized by
Jewish Federation of Ventura County
26
IMO Sandy Lebman
David Minkin
Cookie & Mark Dimant,
Kelly Watson
Jane & Douglas Payne
Len & Carole Lebman
Jane & Douglas Payne
Jack & Sylvia Schonfield
Ann and Jack Sperber
Jack & Sylvia Schonfield
Felice Klein
Marge & David Compton
Larry & Margo Cools
Dr. Ronni Sanlo Sherry & Barry Horwitz Bill & Gretchen Schmidt
Arthur Zweig Bruce & Barbra Miner
The Kozak Family IMO Abram Israel Kozak
Earl Greinetz IMO Herman Laff and Ruth Greinetz
Ruth Resnick IMO Esther Finkel
Brenda & Arnie Rich IMO Esther Finkel
Judy Kupperman IMO her Father, Leo Jacobs
Mort & Judy Margolis IMO Max Margolis, Beatrice Margolis, Barnard Silberman
Ray Mautner IMO his Father, Eugene Mautner
Dawn Van Valkenburg IMO her Husband, Glen Van Valkenburg
Eva Lowe
Norma Van Riper
Lois Lebman for Sandy's beautiful memorial Service
The Kozak Family
In Memory Of
We welcome ALL Jewish Veterans of any War, to join our
Bernard I. Becker Post 123
We now meet at
the 3rd Sunday of each month
For information contact:
Quartermaster Bill Green 805 499-4633
Sen. Vice Commander Irv Bergman 805-482-6542
or Commander Joseph Ettenberg 805-484-4181
In Honor Of CAH
27
Rabbi J. B. Sacks, The Board of Directors
and Membership of Congregation Am HaYam extend our deepest condolences to
Lois Lebman and family on the passing of Sandy Lebman and
Martha Zoloth and family on the passing of George Zoloth
Murray Kaufman and family on the passing of Bunny Kaufman
May Their Memories Be for a Blessing
Congregation Am HaYam
A Leaf Has Been Engraved in Honor Of
Judith Deborah Massarano
Daniel H. Rubinstein
David Elijah Rubinstein.
Simon Leo Rubinstein
Jonah Gabriel Rubinstein
Maya Phillipa Rubinstein
Zohar Baruch Rubinstein
Rivka Dahlia Weiss
Yael B'ruria Weiss
Menachem Yonah Weiss
Betzalel Massarano
Sa'adia Massarno
From: Miriam Rubinstein
28
Tributes
Judy an Mort Margolis to Jack Sperber in memory of brother Fred
Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova to Jack Sperber
in memory of brother.Fred
Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova to Norma Riper in memory of husband Donald.
Alma Golden to Lois Lebman
in memory of husband Sandy.
Ann and Irv Jacobs to Lois Lebman in memory of husband Sandy.
Judy and Mort Margolis to Lois Lebman
in memory of husband Sandy.
Ann and Jack Sperber to Lois Lebman in memory of husband Sandy
Judy and Mort Margolis
Eva Lowe
To
Lee & Milt Rothschild in Honor Of 60th Anniversary
29
30
Tree of Life Leaves Purchased
TO LEE AND MILT ROTHSCHILD IN HONOR OF YOUR 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
FROM: BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH MYRNA WINER AND JERRY CORDOVA
TO: ANN SPERBER
COMPLETE AND SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH
TO LOIS LEBMAN AND FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF SANDY LEBMAN
HUSBAND FATHER GRANDFATHER GREAT GRANDFATHER FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH
NEILL AND ARNIE FINGERHUT KENNY HALPERN
MYRNA WINER AND JERRY CORDOVA
TO COOKIE EICHNER AND FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF BOB EICHNER
BELOVED HUSBAND FATHER GRANDFATHER AND WONDERFUL FRIEND
FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH
TO MARTHA ZOLOTH IN MEMORY OF HUSBAND GEORGE ZOLOTH
FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH
Tree Planted In Israel March 2013
31
We want to thank Rabbi Sacks and the Am Ha Yam Congregation for helping us to
celebrate our 60th Wedding Anniversary on Shabbat Yitro. The Tributes, cards,
Trees in Israel and hugs were greatly appreciated.
The Kiddish prepared by Elaine and Brenda was outstanding.
The decorated sheet cake was a thing of beauty and tasted great.
Thank You All,
Lee & Milt
Thank You
Lois Lebman and her children
would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, telephone calls, Tributes,
beautiful cards, attendance at the memorial service and Memorial donations in
Sandys' honor. Each and every one was very meaningful to the family and they are
all very much appreciated
Thank You
32
March Anniversaries
March Birthdays
If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please email me at beverly.rosen@verizon.net
Get Well
Dianne Ruthman 8
Fran Lande 11
Arnie Fingerhut 13
Rick Newberger 15
Irv Jacobs 23
Steven Karash 23
Nancy Stein 27
Ruth Resnick 31
Cantor Maurice & Joanne Glick 26
Seymour Barr
Vivian Barr
Elaine Allen
Ann Jacobs
Dianne Ruthman
Jinx Gates
Fred Rosen
Ann Sperber
Myrna Winer
Mort Margolis
Milt Rothschild
Stella Berman
Gail Packer
Jerry Cordova
Bob Packer
Murray Kaufman
Sheila Myles
Mort Resnick
Jack Sperber
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March 1,
Albert George Kattan, Father of Fil Barton
William Fingerhut, Father of Aaron Fingerhut
Lila Lewis, Mother of Jinx Gates
David Rosenthal, Nephew of Alma Golden
Esther Sinay, Sister of Irwin Jacobs
Toby Lauber, sister of Jack Katz
*Bess Jacobs, Mother of Judy Kupperman
Beatrice Margolis, Sister of Morton Margolis
*Barnet Silberman, Father of Judy Margolis
*Dean Rich, Son of Arnold & Brenda Rich, nephew of Roz & Mort Resnick
Max Knell, Father of Dianne Ruthman
*Sophie Seidenberg, Mother of Mark Seidenberg
Tillie Treitman, Mother of Paul Treitman
Sarah Goldfeder, Grandmother of Eileen Walker
March 15,
Etta Allen, Mother of Bob Allen
Sarah Barr, Mother of Seymour E. Barr
Esther Becker, Mother of Irwin Becker
Emanuel Levy, Father of Arlene Bergman
Florence Elis, Mother of David Ellis
Rose Friedman, Mother of Harold Friedman
*Morris Rosenthal, Father of Alma Golden
Irwin Koster, Father of Arlene Horwitz
Celia Jacobs, Mother of Irwin Jacobs
Max Jacobs, Father of Irwin Jacobs
*George Kunstadt, Husband of Hilda Kunstadt
Celia Mautner, Mother of Raymond Mautner
Sol Sabath, Father of Gail Packer
*Frances Witkowsky Pierson, Mother of Muriel Posner
Leonard Rothschild, Son of Lee & Milt Rothschild
*Inscribed on Memorial Wall
YAHRZEIT
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March 2013 Adar/Nisan 5773
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
EREV SHABBAT
SERVICE 8:00 PM
Candle Lighting
5:35PM
SHABBAT SERVICE
10:00AM
Shabbat Ends
6:31PM
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NO
MONDAYS
WITH MORT
Happy Birthday
Dianne Ruthman
Candle Lighting
5:41PM
Shabbat Ends
6:36PM
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
DAYLIGHT
SAVING TIME
BEGINS
Ritual Meeting
9:30 AM
Board Meeting
10:30 AM
Happy Birthday
Fran Lande
NO
MONDAYS
WITH MORT
Ways & Means
Membership
Meeting 4:30PM
Happy Birthday
Arnie Fingerhut
Happy Birthday
Rick Newberger
EREV SHABBAT
SERVICE 8:00 PM
Candle Lighting
6:46PM
SHABBAT SERVICE
10:00AM
Shabbat Ends
7:42PM
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
NO
MONDAYS
WITH MORT
Candle Lighting
6:52PM
Happy Birthday
Irv Jacobs and
Steven Karash
Shabbat Ends
7:48PM
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
NO
MONDAYS
WITH MORT
Passover 1st night
1st Day
Passover
Service
10:00 AM
Community
Seder 6:00 PM
@CAH
Happy Birthday
Nancy Stein
2nd Day
Passover
Service
10:00 AM
3rd Day
Passover
4th Day
Passover
Candle Lighting
6:57PM
5th Day
Passover
Shabbat Ends
7:53PM
31 6th Day
Passover
Happy Birthday
Ruth Resnick
35
Rabbi J. B. Sacks
rabbijb@aol.com———phone#323-387-0096
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Brenda Rich
brenda.bashful16@gmail.com
phone#-805-469-0268
VICE-PRESIDENT—
TREASURER - Lois Lebman
SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson
WAYS & MEANS VP -
MEMBERSHIP VP -
RITUAL VP - Milt Rothschild
Ilana Wolfson
HOUSING VP - Arnie Rich
IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich
DIRECTORS—ONE YEAR
Janice Aharon-Ezer
Sandy Lebman
DIRECTORS—TWO YEARS
Eva Lowe
PAST PRESIDENTS
Mort Resnick
Arnie Fingerhut
Jerry Ruthman
Peter Shack
Brenda Rich
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Kiddushim Elaine Hanig
Gail Packer
Oneg Shabbat Fil Barton
Librarian Donna Gustafson
Programming
Tributes Ann Jacobs
Telephone
Purchasing Lee Rothschild
Yahrzeits Jack Sperber
Migdalor Bev Rosen
Sunshine Ann Sperber
Webmaster Mort Resnick
Publicity
Recommended