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A PASSOVER MESSAGE
A time for hope and freedom
BY RABBI SHALHEVET
This week, we began our celebration of z’man cheiruteinu, the “time of our freedom.” Every year, we take this opportunity to celebrate the days thousands of years ago when our ancestors marched proudly through the parted walls of water toward freedom.
We cleanse ourselves of our chametz, both inner and outer — Jaimee takes this opportunity every year to do some spring cleaning as we remove the chametz from our cabinet and she vacuums out the last crumbs. Inwardly as a people, we think about what it means to cleanse ourselves of our inner chametz. The Talmud likens chametz to the ego because just as chametz puffs up bread, our ego puffs us up as well. So, we remind ourselves that we come from slaves, that we are no more important than anyone else.
For the past few Sunday mornings, we have joined a local group on a mile and a half walk, holding posters declaring “we support Israel,” “bring our hostages home” and “we stand with Israel.” This Passover, there were 133 empty chairs around Seder tables, chairs left empty by hostages held by Hamas. One of those chairs belonged to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American seen in a Hamas hostage video released yesterday for the first time since he was kidnapped on Oct. 7. Hersh's absence is represented in our temple sanctuary by an empty chair draped in a prayer shawl. Let’s fill his chair and all the others with our hopes and prayers for the return of the hostages and for peace in Israel.
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This past Sunday, as we gathered for our walk, in honor of Earth Day we were handed gloves and plastic bags and encouraged to clean up any garbage we saw on the mile and a half return trip. As a Jewish people, we care not only about our people and about all people, but about our world as a whole.
As Am Yisrael, the People of Israel, we rejoice and celebrate what it means to be free and at the same time we think of all that is not free. We think of our earth, plagued by the litter covering its ground, of the hostages still awaiting release, of the oppression of antisemitism, and of ourselves enslaved to our own egos. And we pray that we will take our gift of freedom and put it to good use, helping ourselves, those around us, and our world.
On behalf of Jaimee, Sam, Gabi, Ben and Jake, I wish you a zissen Pesach, a sweet, happy, and healthy Passover.
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Let all who are hungry come and eat
Almost 50 people came together on the second night of Passover for the Temple Beth Emeth Community Seder led by Cantor Lisa Ann Wharton and her husband, Akiva the Believer Wharton. There were regulars, who attend every year, and some who experienced their first Passover Seder. It was a mix of congregants, extended family members and even a group from the Mount Sinai Congregational Church. Alex Pittinsky led the singing of the Four Questions, Riley Crowe found the afikomen and all who came hungry didn't leave that way.
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Passover Shabbat
Join Rabbi Helayne Shalhevet and Cantor Lisa Ann Wharton at 7:30 p.m. Friday for our Passover Shabbat, which will include a Yizkor service. The Ritual Committee has adopted this Shabbat and will serve a kosher for Passover oneg.
YARTZEITS: We'll be remembering Susan Gordon Berkowitz, Rose Kay, Jack Lefkowitz, Stanley Arthur Lefkowitz, Betsy Rosen, Sylvia Silverman and Jack Zuckerman.
ZOOM
Click here to join
Meeting ID: 812 1284 3779
Pass code: 525252
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IN THE TORAH
Special Torah Portion for Passover, Exodus 12:21-51
After the death of the Egyptian firstborn, the Israelites are finally allowed to leave. They do so quickly, even though they do not have everything prepared and did not have time for the dough on their backs to rise, making matzah.
What do we learn from this portion? The Israelites had asked many times for freedom. Yet when it came time, they had not prepared anything for their journey. From this we learn two things: First, the importance of being prepared. Despite having to wait long, how can we expect something to happen if we are not prepared for it? The second lesson is one of faith. The Israelites, while continuing to ask for freedom, did not actually believe it would happen — or they would have been prepared. Our faith isn’t just something in our minds, It can and should shape our very lives.
— Rabbi Helayne Shalhevet
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CAN YOU ADOPT A SHABBAT?
We are looking for a family to adopt any of the upcoming Shabbats below. Every temple family is expected to adopt just one Shabbat every year, participating in any way you're comfortable and hosting the oneg Shabbat refreshments after services.
May 10, 24
June 21
July 12, 19, 26
To reserve one of these or another 2024 date, please email Marcia Grossman at shoelady27@aol.com
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JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE SHABBAT
Have you got three minutes?
If you'd like to talk for up to three minutes about a few of your Jewish American heroes, the Ritual Committee would like to hear from you. Bob Sandak and the committee members are planning a Jewish American Heritage Shabbat on Friday, May 24. It will involve congregants contributing a three-minute talk on a topic like famous Jewish athletes, accomplished Jewish scientists or memorable Jewish comedians. So, think of a topic you're passionate about and let Bob or Phil Paskowitz know.
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Temple family news
BY JOAN PERRIN
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Yasher koach to Cantor Lisa Ann and Akiva Wharton for another memorable second night Community Seder. Special shout out to Diane Schwindt for all she did, along with a team of helpers who made the event so successful.
Another Barn update. The new total for April's Barn Sale is $685. The next Barn Sale will be May 5.
Please email me at perrinjoan@aol.com with any special news you'd like to share with your temple family. I'd like to pass along your birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, retirements, family milestones, requests for healing, and personal losses.
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Friday, May 3
7 PM
Family Shabbat Teacher Recognition Night
Sunday, May 5
9 AM
Men's Club
10 AM
Barn Sale
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Look for TBE News in your inbox every Thursday morning. Send your thoughts, suggestions, corrections and contributions by email to info@tbemtsinai.org and send temple family news items to Joan Perrin at perrinjoan@aol.com. | | | | |
