Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by
Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
Mothers’ Day this weekend gives rise to the founding mother of our Jewish nation, the mother of the State of Israel, Israel’s fourth and only female prime minister, Golda Meir . 

From childhood, Golda Mabovitch displayed qualities of motherly leadership and a hard-headed dedication to her principles, no doubt affected by the Kiev anti-Semitic Russian pogroms she was born into in 1898. At the age of eight years, and as a result, Meir’s family relocated to Milwaukee. In her motherly care for people, and pursuit of social justice, by the time she was 10, Meir was seen organizing fellow grade school pupils to raise money to buy textbooks for children who couldn’t otherwise afford them. 

Then, in her high school days, Meir adopted the principals of the US public schools, where she learned to cherish the American concepts of democratic freedom and independence. As a Jew, she continued to embed the Torah’s vision of tzeddakah, ideals she sought to fulfill for her people and mankind first in teaching in Milwaukee, and then in her Israeli political career. 

As a young pioneer, Meir quickly became a world-renowned stateswoman who devoted her full spirit to the country she mothered- Israel. She tilled the fields of Palestine so that barren soil might bloom. As the country’s first Minister of Labor, she built homes for the immigrant survivors of the Shoah, and as Foreign Minister, created ties of friendship with powerful nations, but also strove to cooperate with the new, struggling countries of Africa and Asia. As Prime Minister, she never despaired of the search for peace, paving the way for negotiations between Egypt and Israel. At the same time, she steadfastly held high the goal of fruitful collaboration with all peoples of the Middle East. 

Even at the height of her power, "Golda", as she was affectionately called, retained her warmth and informality. She looked like a kindly Jewish grandmother, with her craggy face, baggy suits, orthopaedic shoes and old-fashioned handbag, but this homely exterior masked a pugnacious personality, a burning ambition, monumental egocentrism and an iron will. Now doesn’t that say something about mothers?

Happy Mothers’ Day and Shabbat Shalom,
- Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director

(Image presents Margaret Thatcher (L) meets Golda Meir in Tel Aviv, March 1976. Moshe Milner/GPO)
Story time for Shabbat with the lovely Susan and Gil Grodsky this afternoon
Once upon a time a poor unfortunate man lived with his mother, his wife, and his six children in a one-room hut.

Because they were so crowded, the children often fought and the man and his wife argued. When the poor man was unable to stand it any longer, he ran to the Rabbi for help.

Sound familiar? Anyone else finding themselves ready to leave their homes? Join us as our wonderful Morah Shoshana reads Zemach, Margot's Yiddish  #Folktale  about how, just when we thought things were getting a tad better, It Could Always Be Worse. 

See you soon for pre Shabbat fun! 
Adult class with Rabbi Lachtman, May 12th at 7.30pm
“We See It So Differently" has several easy-to-learn and highly-effective Jewish mindfulness methods anyone can utilize for making sure that you are able to respond with compassion, wisdom and integrity each time you start to cringe because someone is spouting some opinions that horrify you. Utilizing these creative and effective ways to disagree without being disagreeable could save your next holiday get-together or phone call to a relative, and restore the peace in your family, your workplace, and your congregation. Not necessary to purchase the book now. However, we do have books for sale!
Zooming through to the end of year, May 17th at 9.15am
Mental Health webinar with Drs. Bill Salzman and Lisa Blum, May 17th at 11am
Temple Beth David 's own Dr. Bill Saltzman, and Dr. Lisa Blum, will be conversing with our community members for best and positive practices of how to cope in these trying times. 
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This is a two part (and later more) series geared both towards adults, and parents of Temple Beth David Religious School, and all parents of quarantined children. Zoom link will be posted on our website. 
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For information, mental health consultancy, a pick me up chat and call, or more with regards to "Help Us Heal", please contact Rabbi Lachtman . 
Useful Resources and other reading material
  • (Image depicts Gold Meir, and her shoe by artist Hanoch Piven)

  • How our school celebrated Israel’s 72 years, how Israel is on its way to recovery from COVID-19, how the faces of Israel bring forth the many ways to convey “I am Israel”, and how our tears of sorrow and fear will turn to tears of joy, as we await an announcement of full recovery to the Land, oh please Gd, tomorrow. Last week's religious school eblast here.
  • JLife Magazine, from Pesach to Shavuot edition
  • At 72 years, I am Israel!
  • Golda Meir- a mother figure of Israel
  • Mothers' Day in Israel is no longer celebrated as Mothers' Day
  • Shavuot 101
  • Lag BaOmer 101
  • David's Word, TBD's newsletter
Blueberry Cream Cheese Babka by Wood and Spoon
INGREDIENTS
For the dough:
1 cup (240 gm) milk, lukewarm
2–1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 large egg plus one large egg yolk
4 cups (560 gm) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 gm) sugar
2 teaspoons salt
10 tablespoons (140 gm) unsalted butter, at room temperature
For the syrup (optional)
½ cup (100 gm) sugar
½ cup water
For the filling:
1 cup high quality blueberry preserves
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS
To prepare the dough:
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large dough, sprinkle the yeast over the milk and allow to dissolve, about five minutes. Add the egg and egg yolk and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the flour, sugar, and salt and beat on low to combine. Once combined, continue beating for an additional 5 minutes. With the mixer on low, add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time until combined and then beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. If your dough is extremely sticky and doesn’t stretch some away from the wall of the bowl, sprinkle in another 2 tablespoons or so of all-purpose flour. The dough will be loose and wet but should hold its shape decently. Once combined well put the dough into a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to rest for an hour. After an hour, dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two equal-sized pieces. Gently work each piece into a flat square. Place a sheet of parchment or Silpat on a baking sheet and grease it with baking spray. Place both squares of dough on the parchment, cover the sheet with plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rest in the fridge overnight.

To shape the loaves:
When you’re ready to prepare your loaves, spray two (8”x4”) loaf pans with cooking spray and line the long sides and bottom with a piece of parchment paper. Combine the jam, zest, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll one piece of dough out onto a floured surface into a 13”x16” rectangle. Spread half of the filling in a thin layer over the top of the dough leaving a 1/2 “ border around the perimeter of the dough rectangle. Starting at one of the short ends, roll the dough up tightly and then pinch the end to the roll to seal. Use a sharp knife to cut down the length of the center of the dough log into two pieces. Twist the two pieces around each other into a spiral and then place the wrapped loaf in one of the prepared pans. Repeat the process with the second piece of dough. Cover the pans with a tea towel and allow the loaves to rise in a warm spot in your kitchen, about 1-1/2- 2 hours.

When ready to bake:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the covers from the pans and place in the preheated oven to bake for about 40 minutes or until the top is golden and the inside registers at 180 degrees F. Remove the loaves from the oven and use a thin skewer or cake tester to poke tiny holes all over the loaves. Pour or brush the syrup over top (optional) or each loaf. Allow to cool slightly in the pan and then continue cooling completely on a cooling rack.
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Shabbat Shalom and wishing you a Happy Mothers' Day!