Second Night Passover Seder Saturday, April 20th 6:00 pm ... · 5) Finally, another clue to the popularity of Passover might be the Seder itself. There is no denying that the Exodus

CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 1 April, 2019

Hazzan Neil Schwartz Spiritual Leader (612) 999-5060

David E. Ginsburg President (318) 469-8503 [email protected] Website: agudathshreveport.com

The Shul Shpiel

Shabbat Services: Friday Evening at 8:00 p.m., Saturday Morning at 10:00 a.m.

Adar II - Nisan 5779 APRIL 2019

Congregation Agudath Achim Synagogue

9401 Village Green Drive, Shreveport, LA 71115

Phone: 318-797-6401

Second Night Passover Seder

Saturday, April 20th

6:00 pm to 8:50 pm

Pesach Services 9:45 am Sunday, April 21st

10:00 am Saturday with Yizkor, April 2


Executive Board Message

Kari Dicken

This month we are celebrating Passover, the commemoration of our ancestor’s being freed from slavery in

Egypt. This is a joyous and spiritual time for Jews all over the world. It is a time to relive the telling of the

Passover story to the younger generations and to gather together as families and communities to remem-

ber the hardships and triumphs of our people. At the center of the Passover celebration is the Seder meal,

where we not only tell the Passover story, but we experience the story through the smells and tastes of all

the elements of the Seder plate. As I was looking at my Seder plate, I was trying to come up with a way to

make each element that represents the past, also have a purpose in our present and future. I want to

share what I have come up with.

I started with the shank bone (Zeroa), which is placed on the plate to symbolize the lamb that was sacri-

ficed before they were finally granted their freedom as slaves in Egypt. While animal sacrifices are no

longer part of modern Judaism, most meals center around a main dish of sorts, whether brisket, fish, or

vegetables. This shank bone could be viewed as the memory of meals and holidays celebrated, and

the friends and family whom we share them with.

Next was the Haroset, one of my favorites, this represented the clay or mortar that was used by the Jews

as slaves when constructing buildings for Pharaoh. I think this mortar can still be applied to our current

lives, in the sense of using clay or mortar to build and maintain the walls of the synagogue. Not necessarily

in the physical sense, but that these traditions and stories are told over and over to build upon our relation-

ships with our children and families and each other within the community. We as the members are the

haroset that holds the congregation together.

On the other side of that we have the bitter herbs (Maror). This item is all about the bitterness and mis-

treatment of the Jews when they were slaves in Egypt. Today we can view the bitter herb as times when

someone may have spoken offensively to you, or you personally failed or accomplished a task or goal.

The bitter herb represents all the hard times that arise in our life. And then when we make the sandwich

with bitter herb and haroset you can view it as the mortar of the community overpowering the bitterness

you are going through.

Then we have the Karpas dipped in salt water, which symbolized the Jews’ prosperity that was stifled by

Pharaoh when we were slaves. The karpas is the green and new beginning that represents this time of

year, but also the growing population of the Jewish people. These herbs can be thought of today in much

the same way, karpas would now represent the growing of our families and addition or new members to

our congregation. The salt water would still represent the tears as the loss of members from the

community, in any form. And though we always hope for a fruitful year we should not forget the

contributions of those who were here before us.

Lastly is the hard-boiled egg, this represents the cycle of life. It reminds us that there is always hope for a

new beginning. This I find most applicable to us this year, as we prepare for our own “new beginning”. As

you all know we are nearing the end of our time with Cantor Neil and are winding down the search for a

new spiritual leader. We are finishing one cycle and about to begin together on an entirely different one.

Whoever we bring into our congregation will be asked to learn some of our customs and practices. But we

will need to learn from them as well. It will be as if we are starting over again, which is not always easy, or

fun. However, if we can bring in all the different elements of the congregation working together, we can

successfully transition to our newest life-cycle.

I hope you all enjoy your Seder and think of different ways to apply the symbols of the Passover story to

our present situation so that we can move forward to the next transition unified and well fed.

Chag sameach!


Hazzan’s Notes

Why Observe Passover?

It is no secret that while the Conservative Movement continues to uphold the Dietary Laws as a way to bring holiness into the mundane act of eating, many Conservative Jews agree with their Reform counterparts that Kashrut has little or no place in their personal lives. Even if a family "keeps Kosher" at home, few Conservative Jews are willing to observe the same level of dietary restrictions while eating outside the home.

However, when Passover arrives each year, many of these same Conservative Jews carefully put away all bread, cereal, pasta, and Scotch, and for eight days, most of us observe the commandment to eat Matzah and its "Pesadich" derivatives. While many may not regularly attend Shabbat services, most Conservative Jews participate in one or two Sederim every year, at home with family / relatives / friends, or at a synagogue.

What is going on here? What elements have elevated the observance of Passover dietary laws and the Seder for Conservative Jews almost to the level of lighting the Hanukkah candles and attending High Holy Days services? There is most probably some mix of reasons, and this Bulletin article will explore a few of the possibilities.

1) At the time of Passover, the season is changing, even in parts of North America where there are not huge variations in weather throughout the year. Apparently there may be something "hard-wired" into our human psyche that attempts to recognize the onset of Spring through religious festivals, because every religion combines ceremonies at this time of year with some sort of special foods.

2) Even though most North American Jews are not involved "hands-on" with farming and ranching, our own home gardens come to life at this time of year, and our pets may be more likely to give birth in the Spring. Also, we are not so far removed from the lives of our Israelite ancestors and our American farmers that their farming life makes no sense to us. We understand that various crops grow in different seasons.

3) The formative experience of the Israelite Exodus from Egyptian servitude is attached to the Passover Festival. This powerful narrative is echoed by liberation movements throughout history, including the American experience with Civil Rights. Scholars tell us that there was an ancient "Chag HaMatzot", a "Festival of Unleavened Bread" that occurred in Spring, and "Chag HaPesach" was added to commemorate the Exodus.

4) One strength of Judaism is the undeniable fact that most of our holidays are full of "hands-on" rituals, usually accompanied by special foods. Passover is an excellent example of this; Jewish cooks who do not have time to make matzah balls for weekly soup on Shabbat will find the time to do so for Pesach. Families enjoy the challenge of being creative eating only matzah products for a week rather their usual starches.

5) Finally, another clue to the popularity of Passover might be the Seder itself. There is no denying that the Exodus is a great narrative, and the Haggadah uses lots of ways to communicate this narrative that are appropriate for various age-groups. Maybe a reason that most Jews stock up on matzah and wine for Pesach is simply that Seder would not seem "Kosher" if there were bread / pasta products at the table!

Please use the form on page 9 to appoint me as your agent for "Selling Chametz" this month. If you choose to donate to the "Ma'ot Chittim" Fund, your donation will be used to help needy community members with Seder costs and with buying Passover food.

Thank You!

Hazzan Neil Schwartz


Havdalah took place at the home of David and Susan Gross, Saturday, March 16th. All who attended agreed that it was a touching and meaningful ceremony, one of many highlights of a truly memorable weekend.

Lovely Havdalah Ceremony led by Rabbinical Candidate Sydni Adler and Her Fiancé Rabbi Feivel Rubinstein.

LATE BREAKING NEWS: Rabbi Sydni has accepted our offer to be our next spiritual leader. She and Rabbi Rubinstein will be joining us on June 17th. The Executive Board thanks all those who helped make Rabbis Sydni’s and Feivel’s visit to Shreveport special! See below as we share the Havdalah at Dr. David & Susan Gross’ home.


Rubenstein Giftshop

Stunning Jewelry at the Rubenstein Gift Shop

Check out the new lower prices on our 14K gold and sterling silver pendants--some are as low as $10! We have bracelets and chains too.

A big thank-you to our in-house jeweler, David Ginsburg, who recently helped with getting the pricing just right!


Please join us on Wednesday, April 24th, 7:00 pm

Topic: “What is Sefirat HaOmer”?

Family Service

Friday, April 26th

8:00 pm

With story and songs

Board Meeting

Sisterhood

Adult Education

Sisterhood Dues for 5779, 2018-19

$36.00 are due. Please send your check to Sara Zweig or drop off at

the synagogue office Monday - Friday, 9am-2pm.

AA Board Meeting

Monday,

April 15th

7:00 pm

Men’s Club

Also, please continue to save and drop off your labels for Education, Box Tops

for St. Judes. Thank you for your donations of toiletries which are now being

donated to Project Celebration , Inc. which provides shelter and services for

domestic violence survivors .

Men’s Club is pleased to have sponsored

another wonderful kiddush luncheon, this

time in honor of visiting rabbis Sydni Adler

and Feivel Rubenstein on March 16th. A

crowd of nearly 40 showed up for this

important occasion as our congregation

continued its search for a new spiritual

leader.


Birthdays in April

If you are interested in being a Host or would like more information concerning Oneg or Kiddush

refreshments, please contact the synagogue office at 797-6401, or Sandra Ginsburg at 865-2218.

If there are any errors or omissions, please be assured it was unintentional. Please contact office with corrections.

5/6 Howard & Charli Silberman

in honor of Bridgie & Lindy’s Conversion

12/13 Oneg Committee

19/20 1st Seder

26/27 Jerry & Carolyn Sheehan in honor of their

40th Wedding Anniversary

April - Oneg Shabbat / Kiddush

Andrew Austin April 2

Ezra Henderson April 2

Laurie Ann Fox April 3

Pam B. Sacharin April 14

Rachel Gross Lawent April 14

Ariel Silberman April 15

Steven K. Fox April 16

Joan Lurie April 16

Goldy Marrus April 16

Elizabeth Judd April 19

Steven Lurie April 20

Brian Rubenstein April 20

Seth Aaron Barrow April 23

Dr. Howard Lippton April 23

Dr. Sanford Katz April 26

Howard Silberman April 26

Bernard & Dorothy Lobel

April 14th

62nd Anniversary


Congregation Agudath Achim Second Night Passover Seder

Saturday, April 20th, 2019 6:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.

Reservation deadline is Wednesday, April 10th

We would appreciate your timely reservation so that sufficient Passover supplies can be

ordered for our Seder. Those who reserve after April 10th will pay a higher rate.

Members: Non-members:

$25 for age 13 – adults $30 for age 13 – adults

$15 for ages 7 – 12 $20 for ages 8 – 12

age 6 and under Free $10 ages 5 – 7

$90 Family Maximum age 4 and under Free

Turkey Dinner: ____ # of Adults ____ # of Youths ____ # of Children

Food Allergies: _______________________________________________________

Name(s): ____________________________________________________________

E-mail(s): ____________________________________________________________

Phone(s): ____________________________________________________________

To RESERVE: Please send this completed form with your check to Agudath Achim.

For information, please call the office at (318) 797-6401 or call Cantor Neil at (612) 999–5060.

Checks are payable to Cong. Agudath Achim; please write "Seder" in the Memo area.

OR………..You may also pay via credit card in the office or by phone.

Your payment is your reservation. Reservations after the deadline will pay a higher rate.

Note: Havdalah will be made during our Seder at the appropriate time, and candles for

the Second Night of Passover will be publicly lit during our Seder after Havdalah.

Passover


M’chirat Chametz – Selling Chametz / Leavened Foods before Passover

I hereby appoint Hazzan Neil Schwartz to act as my agent for the selling of all Chametz

(foods and beverages containing leavening, and traditionally not consumed on Passover);

located at the premises of my home, car, place of business, and elsewhere, whether in my

possession knowingly or unknowingly, in accordance with Jewish Law. I understand that

Hazzan Schwartz will sell my Chametz to a non-Jewish person on the morning of Friday,

April 19th, 2019, and that all of these Chametz foods and beverages will not be available

for my use until two hours after sunset at the end of Passover, on Saturday, April 27th.

In consideration of Hazzan Schwartz acting as my agent for the sale of my Chametz, I

would like to make a non-obligatory donation of $ _________ to a Ma'ot Chittim Fund, for

the purpose of helping purchase Passover foods for those in need. This charitable

Fund will be managed through the Cantor's Discretionary Fund in a confidential manner,

so as to not embarrass any recipients of anonymous financial help for Passover food.

I understand that this signed form will be mailed or brought to Hazzan Neil Schwartz

at Agudath Achim Synagogue during the month of April, no later than mid-morning on

Monday, April 15th

(along with any voluntary donation to a Ma'ot Chittim Fund), and that

I will be included in the Contract of Sale which will be finalized on Friday, April 19th, 2018.

I also understand that my sending or bringing in this form (and any voluntary donation) in

a timely manner will help with purchasing Passover food for the needy before Pesach.

Signed: ______________________________________________________________

Printed Name(s): _______________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________ Zip Code: ___________

Phone Number(s): ______________________________________________________

Date this document is signed: _____________________________________________

Office Use

Received by: __________________________________________________________

Date / Time: __________________________________________________________

Check # / amount or Cash amount: ________________________________________

All voluntary contributions will be deposited into the Cantor's Discretionary Fund, to

be used for the purchase of Passover food for the needy, in a confidential manner.

Passover


It is the custom of Agudath Achim to commemorate the Yahrzeit by reading the name the Sabbath before.

Donations In memory of: By For Recovery of: By:

In honor of: By:

YAHRZEITS

If there are any omissions or errors in the list

above, please be assured it was unintentional.

You may notify the office with any corrections.

Week of Week of Week of

March 30 - April 5 April 6 - 12 April 13 - 19

Week of Week of

April 20 - 26 April 27 - May 3

Hedva Rosenfeld Sade

Abe Gilbert

David Brandt

Louis Rosen

Herman Yellen

Samuel Edward Strain Sr.

Gertrud Wiener

Abram Ginsburg

Freada Wolchansky

Rose Vogel

Isreal Murov

Hashe-Baile Abramson

Ida F. Goodman

Esther Meisel

Nathan Carroll

Salome Gardsbane

Bennie Rubenstein

Louis Wolchansky

Harry Soffer

Benjamin Witriol

Felix L. Alcus

Jeanette Katz

Ann E. Gardsbane

Moshe Lurie

Issie Gelfand

Ben Frumer

Ronald Aldin

Barbara Alcus

Nathan Yellen

Edwin Coltin

Helen Arnold Faye Tobin

Sara Lee Levinson Faye Tobin

Goldie Sternberg Faye Tobin

Harry Sternberg Faye Tobin

Abram Ginsburg David & Sandra Ginsburg

Ron & Diane Aldin David & Sandra Ginsburg

Pearl Toys Peggy Evensky

Barbara A. Threefoot Dr. Ike & Berte Muslow

Felix L. Alcus Dr. Ike & Berte Muslow

Rose G. Lincove Vogel Jan & Warren Epstein

Jerome Chapman‘s Dr. Marshall &

Birthday Charlett Frumin

Cantor Neil Schwartz Alan Organick &

Ellen Soffer

Bob Gordon David & Sandra

Ginsburg

General Donation: By:

Donation Dr. Sam Silverblatt


Did Jew know?

The 2019 Earth Day theme is “Protect our Species”

…..Specifically the endangered & threatened species: bees,

coral reefs, elephants, giraffes, whales and insects.

A few suggestions are: to avoid pesticides, plant bee

friendly plants, use sunscreens that are oxybenzone -free, end plastic

pollution, and support and practice sustainable fishing and tourism.

Greenfaith.org lists numerous different religious teachings

re: safeguarding our environment.

The 3fold perspectives of science, faith & activism

bless us with knowledge, moral grounding and practical

action that can make a difference.

Per Hazon, the Jewish Lab for sustainability (hazon.org)

“Passover offers a perfect opportunity to combine the wisdom of a traditional Jewish

holiday with our contemporary desire to live with our health and sustainability in mind.

Sources:

Earthday.org

Truah.org

Tikun Olam!!!


Passover Services

Friday, April 19 = No evening Services (First Seder of Passover).

Saturday, April 20 = 10:00 a.m. = Services for First Day of Pesach.

6:00 p.m. = 2nd night Congregational Seder.

Sunday, April 21 = 9:45 a.m. = Services for 2nd Day of Pesach.

Friday, April 26 = 8:00 p.m. = Family Service; songs and a story.

Saturday, April 27 = 10:00 a.m. = Services for Last Day of Pesach,

with Yizkor Memorial Prayers.


25 Adar II 1 26 Adar II 2 27 Adar II

3

28 Adar II 4 29 Adar II

5

8:00 pm

Services

7:19 pm

1 Nisan 6

Tazria

10:00 am

Services

Shabbat

Hachodesh

2 Nisan 7 3 Nisan 8 4 Nisan 9 5 Nisan 10 6 Nisan 11 7 Nisan 12

8:00 pm

Services

7:24 pm

8 Nisan 13 Metzora

10:00 am

Services

Shabbat

Hagadol

9 Nisan 14 10 Nisan 15

7:00 pm

Board Mtg.

11 Nisan 16 12 Nisan 17 13 Nisan 18

Search for

Chametz

14 Nisan 19

Eve of

Pesach

No Service

1st Seder

7:29 pm

15 Nisan 20 1st day of

Pesach

10:00 am

Services

6:00 pm

2nd Night

AA Seder

16 Nisan 21

2nd day of

Pesach

9:45 am

Festival

Service

17 Nisan 22

Earth

Day

18 Nisan 23 19 Nisan 24

7:00 pm

Adult

Education

20 Nisan 25 21 Nisan 26 7th Day of

Pesach

8:00 pm

Family

Services

7:34 pm

22 Nisan 27

8th day of

Pesach

10:00 am

Services

Yizkor

23 Nisan 28 24 Nisan 29 25 Nisan 30 26 Nisan 1

MAY

27 Nisan 2

MAY

28 Nisan 3

MAY

8:00 pm

Services

29 Nisan 4

MAY 10:00 am

Services

April 2019

Adar II - Nisan 5779

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Documents

Second Night Passover Seder Saturday, April 20th 6:00 pm ... · 5) Finally, another clue to the popularity of Passover might be the Seder itself. There is no denying that the Exodus