Congregation B'nai Shalom
Traditionally Speaking
April, 2005
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Congregation B'nai Shalom Traditionally Speaking |
From the Rabbi
From the President
Programming
Sisterhood
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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - From RABBI JONATHAN GLASS
Move it to the Living Room
The Pesach seder is our greatest event of the year. Along with Bris Milah, it is our most widely practiced ritual. Certainly there is no home ritual that rivals it.
Yet, for all that, the seder is not easy to carry out. With the vast amount of Hagaddah passages to read and the many ritual details, a seder can easily turn into the question that outranks the other four--the biggest question of all--"When do we eat?!" (Sound familiar?).
But if we look carefully at the program of the seder, we can see the direction that our sages were pointing us in. The seder is modeled after the Greco-Roman symposium, a time of discussion with everybody reclining comfortably on their couches and partaking of appetizers of dipped veggies and the like. Relax. Get comfortable. Have some carrots. Let's talk....That's the atmosphere that our sages are setting for the first part of the seder.
So, a good idea is to start the seder in the living room. Sit on pillows or on a couch. Have some dips with "karpas" veggies handy. Have the seder plate on a coffee table and discuss the significance of each of the symbolic foods. The seder plate foods are actually designed to be "conversation starters." You'll find that if you discuss each of them, you will have already covered much of the Hagaddah. The Hagaddah itself is a record of the discussions of the sages. Like the symbolic foods, it is a starting point, a catalyst--not something that is simply meant to be recited.
Remember the words of Rabban Gamliel--"The minimum requirement for the mitzvah of Hagaddah is to discuss the significance of the Paschal offering, Matzah, and Maror.” These are three of the symbolic foods on the plate and one can spend quite some time on each one! Another eye-opening activity is to go through the Hagaddah and try to find where the four questions are answered! Try it--I dare you!
Pesach is our time of freedom and a time of celebration. It's a time of new beginnings. May our seders this year bring us all joy and a renewed commitment to the covenant that binds us to Hashem, to Torah, and to each-other.
Rabbi Jonathan Glass
FROM THE PRESIDENT - ROB CHEIFETZ
As I write this, I am still smiling about our wedding-themed, black-tie-optional fundraiser. Everyone had a fabulous time, all of the “actors” nailed their lines, the food was fantastic, the wine was superb, and we raised more than $5,000 for our Rabbi Retention Fund. On top of that, many of the attendees and donors were not members of our shul, which means that we raised funds from a source we wouldn’t otherwise have reached. All in all, the event was wildly successful.
Back to the Wedding. The Wedding “ceremony” itself was flawlessly executed. Wendy F. and Naomi S. were resplendent as matrons of honor, in matching pastel dresses. Rabbi Jewboy Cain officiated in his usual inimitable down-home style, complete with a klezmer-inspired banjo rendition of the theme from Deliverance. The wedding occurred underneath a beautiful chuppah hand-made by Ronda Levin. Bride Amy F. was stunning in a black sheath gown with white veil, with matching black flowers and boots (appropriate for her procession to “These Boots Are Made For Walking”). Groom Jeff F. wore a traditional tuxedo; and he wore it well, despite his pain from his recent circumcision. Bride and Groom exchanged vows each had written for the occasion, and Rabbi Cain inspired us all with words of wisdom about the nature of the Union, the Cleaving To, the Coming Together that is a marriage.
Following the ceremony, we all danced a spirited (and lengthy) Hora, putting the Bride and Groom up on chairs for the traditional “napkin” dance. “Uncle” Larry K. made HaMotzi for us, and we all enjoyed a magnificent dinner including Beef Bourguignon, Crown Breast of Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, chocolaty desserts and a fabulous and exotic wedding cake.
The toasts were inspired. Wendy and Naomi expressed their love and devotion to the Bride in song (Wendy is now spending her time turning down recording contracts from major studios!). And I gave a toast in which I not only insulted the Bride, but was able to use the phrases “Do unto sheep,” “Blessed are the geese,” and “Bubbe’s sofa” to maximum comedic effect. You had to be there; and those who were laughed a lot. This was especially true during the Bride and Groom’s “First Dance,” a slapstick masterpiece that witnesses will talk about for years to come.
Many thanks to everyone whose hard work, good humor, and selflessness made the event so great: Amy and Jeff F.; Wendy and Ben F.; Naomi and Gary S.; Amy and Brent S.; Sandy R.; Marci and Jay E.; Tara and Gidon L.; Eudice G.; Jeff D.; Matt F.and Kristin G.; Annette L.; Emma S.; Rachel B.; Ronda and Jonathan L.; Ron K.; Donna and Jose C.; Ruth R.; Harold K.; Stacey and Elliott L.; Larry K.; Edie R.; Basel & Balfour catering; Personalities, Inc. (Rick Loiben, our masterful DJ); our florists, Fairy Garden of Long Grove and Bill’s Grove; Hungarian Kosher Market; Friedmanware Plastic Ware; Strauss’ Organic Celery Co-op; and Sir Mix-a-Lot.
May we only have simchas. Shalom and L’hitraot.
Upcoming events:
Sunday, May 15: 2005 Israel Solidarity Day featuring The 34th Annual Walk With Israel. Registration is from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry, Buffalo Grove. The kickoff and 5.7K walk with Israel starts at 10 a.m. food and entertainment will be at Temple Chai, 1670 RFD, Checker Rd., Long Grove, starting at 11:30 a.m. The Moshav Band and Joel Frankel will be entertaining the crowds. Parking will be made available at Congregation Beth Am. There will be NO parking at Temple Chai. Bussing will be provided back to the parking lot at Congregation Beth Am. Shuttles will be provided between congregation Beth Am and Temple Chai for those unable to walk. All funds raised will go toward sending Israeli children to camp. For more information call (312)444-2905 or e-mail israelsolidarity@juf.org. Register at www.juf.org/walk.
An educational twist has been added to this year’s theme. Every synagogue in the area will have a booth on different Jewish heroes.
Once again we had a very successful lox box fundraiser, selling 100 boxes. We’re sorry to have turned down late orders but the food orders had been placed and we didn’t have extras of the needed items. We couldn’t have had this fundraiser without the help of many people. Thank-you to: Judy A., Linda & Don E., Wendy F., David G., Janice & Sam H., The H. family, Ron & Avi K., The L. family, Valerie L., Ron L., Beth L., Anne M., Lenny M., Edie & Mark R., Ruth R., Aileen & David S., and Naomi & Gary S.
Upcoming programs:
Chocolate Party: May ? We’re looking to reserve an evening in May.
Culminating dinner and Bingo: June 6 (tentative date). We will try to have the dinner catered by Simply Simchas.
Rummage Sale: July 10. Please start saving items to donate.
Kabbalat Shabbat Services ---Come join our Family Kabbalat Shabbat services at 6 p.m. on April 1 and 7 p.m. April 8-29. Don't forget to bring the kids!
Pesach Service Times: 4/21 - 6 a.m., 4/24-25 - 9 a.m., 4/26-29 - 6 a.m., 4/30 - 9 a.m., Mincha and Ma’ariv to be announced., and 5/1 - 9 a.m., Yizkor - 10:30, Mincha and Ma’ariv to be announced. If you can attend a minyan erev Pesach (4/23 and 4/24), please call the shul office by April 20th.
OUR LIBRARY NEEDS GOOD JEWISH BOOKS----This is a beautiful way to memorialize a loved one or honor someone special and promote Jewish education at the same time. No shul library should be without a set of Talmud. We need one! ---Artscroll Hebrew English Talmud ---$50 per volume---Your donation can dedicate one or more volumes today!