7227 bittersweet moors drive fort wayne, in 46814 b'nai ...23 27-28 anna lee schefman 23 27-28...
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B'nai Jacob Bulletin
Since 1912 ... Celebrating 100+ Years
Congregation B'nai Jacob 7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46814 Tel: 260-672-8459
Fax: 260-672-8928
Email: [email protected] Website: www.bnaijacobfw.com
Visit us on Facebook
Rabbi Mitchell Kornspan
President Pamela Friedman
April 2019
Adar II & Nisan 5779
1
Rabbi’s message
2 Rabbi’s message (cont.)
Chevra Kadisha
Sisterhood
3
Life Cycle
4
Donations/Tzedakah
5 Passover
IN Jewish Historical
Society
6 Religious School
Rabbi’s Hours
Board Meeting
7
Events
8
ABC'S of Passover
9 Shtar Harshaah
Maot Hittim
Dear B’nai Jacob family,
Penny and I wish you and your
family a Chag Kosher
V’sameach, a healthy, happy
and Kosher Passover.
When we gather for the seder, we
will open the Haggadah and once
again relive the amazing exodus
from Egypt, when G-d redeemed
us from slavery.
In the Haggadah, we learn:
"Rabban Gamliel said: Whoever
has not made mention of these
three things on Pesach has not
fulfilled his or her obligation [to
remember the Exodus]" (Mishna
Pesachim 10). These three things
Pesach, Matzah, and Maror are so
important that they should be
understood, and not just
mentioned.
For example, let us look at Pesach.
"What is the reason for this Pesach
[offering] which our ancestors ate
when the Beit HaMikdash (the
Temple) was standing? It is
because HaShem passed over
(pasach) our forefathers' houses in
Egypt, as it is written: 'And you
shall answer: This is the Pesach
offering to HaShem Who passed
over the houses of the Children of
Israel in Egypt, when He smote the
Egyptians and saved our
houses'" (The Haggadah).
Everyone understands that the
Pesach lamb commemorates this
“passing over” in Egypt. But if we
dig a little deeper, we will learn an
important lesson about Hashem’s
great love for us!
Indeed, why was it necessary to
mention that the Jewish firstborn
would be saved? Would we even
think that they should have been in
danger? Thus, wasn’t it sufficient
just to let us know that G-d smote
the Egyptian firstborn? After all,
weren’t all the miracles, all the
plagues, meant to save the
Children of Israel?
The answer is indeed enlightening.
For after 210 years of rigorous
servitude in Egypt, the Jews had
sunk into the depths, into 49 gates
of transgression. There was almost
no difference between the Bnei
Yisrael and the Egyptians!
Our Rabbis taught us that had the
Jews stayed in Egypt any longer,
they would not have been able to
be redeemed! Remember the
Midrash that speaks about how the
Angel of Egypt protested before
Hashem, as the Red Sea was split
and the Egyptians were drowning:
(Continued on page 2)
JEWISH LEARNING See page 6 for opportunities for
continuing your Jewish Learning
Lunch & Learn
Mishneh Torah
Torah Study
Ethics Class
“The Egyptians are idolaters and the Jews are idolaters. Why do You, Hashem, save one nation and drown the
other? “
So it is that Pesach, the passing over the houses of the Jews, teaches us an amazing concept! Hashem did not
choose us for our righteousness. G-d chose us out of His tremendous love for us. Passing over the
Jewish homes, distinguishing between the Jewish and Egyptian firstborn, even when they seemed the same,
reflects one of the greatest miracles…… G-d’s deep love for us.
I would add that to me this was so, because of the bond and the covenant G-d had made with our ancestors.
Hashem swore to Abraham that our people would be redeemed. [See Genesis 15:7-21]
The impact of our ancestors has upon us should never be underestimated. Many of us love the Torah and the
Jewish way of life, because we have been inspired by loving grandparents and parents. And many of us have
chosen this love of Judaism because of the teachings by which we have been inspirited. These passed down
lovingly from generation to generation.
No wonder that Rabban Gamliel taught that one who has not made mention of the Pesach has not fulfilled his
obligation. Without this, we would have missed why we were redeemed from Egypt.
Now the question to ponder is will YOU be the person who triggers love for G-d and our fellow, for learning
Torah, and for living a life filled with pursuing goodness? Will you be the inspiration for others to follow? By
your answer, you will come to understand why Hashem saved the Children of Israel long ago!
Wishing you and your family a Chag Kosher V’Sameach,
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mitchell Kornspan
(Continued from page 1)
Fort Wayne’s Chevra Kadisha is looking for
volunteers to assist with the mitzvah of the ritual
preparation of bodies for burial according to Jewish
tradition. For more information on serving the
Jewish community in this way, please contact Mike
Adams ([email protected] or 260-444-9373)
or Eileen Goltz ([email protected] or 260-602-
5544). Men are especially needed at this time. Thank
you.
PLEASE HELP:
We are seeking volunteers who will choose to cover one Kiddush at a time. Simple menus can be prepared on Shabbat at the synagogue and can be as easy as cream cheese and bagels served with a tossed salad or a bowl of fruit. Ingredients, however, must be delivered to the synagogue kitchen prior to the beginning of Shabbat. Reimbursement of $40 or less is available from Sisterhood if requested with a receipt. To volunteer, call the office at 260-672-8459. The Sisterhood is grateful to those who volunteered to coordinate and/or sponsor Kiddushim in the past.
Registration is open for Camp Joe Levine! Camp
Joe Levine is a Jewish day camp for children ages 4
-13. Camp will be held at Fox Island County Park
during the weeks of July 8, 15 and 22. The
application packet can be obtained from the CBJ or
the Jewish Federation office.
Yahrzeits
Adar II/April 25 31-1 Phyllis Adele Agrue
28 3-4 Edith Horwitz
28 3-4 Nathan Weinstein
29 4-5 Sam Berebitsky
Nisan/April
1 5-6 Samuel Babich
1 5-6 Calvin Prady
2 6-7 Goldie DuBow
2 6-7 Mordecai Rifkin
5 9-10 Izidor Schachter
5 9-10 Etta G. Sheray
5 9-10 Diane Wolf
6 10-11 Herman Davis
6 10-11 Sarah Mildred Jacobson
6 10-11 David Levin
6 10-11 Shirley Ruth Marer-
Brateman
7 11-12 Ronald Miller
7 11-12 Ida Price
9 13-14 Herbert Brateman
April Birthdays
1 Bruce Merritt
6 Karmiya Farber
6 Dr. Jere Leib
12 Zackary Zemmol
14 Joshua Bradley
14 Cassie Martinez
14 Brandon Roberts
14 Jay Zemmol
14 Beth Zweig
18 Sharon Eisbart
18 Theresa Farber
18 Debbie Sheray
18 Scott Trauner
20 Sheryl Merritt
21 Marci Trentacosti
22 Donna Tourkow
23 Michael P. Adams
27 Dan Droegmyer
29 Melissa Schneider
Published by
Congregation B'nai Jacob
OFFICERS President...............Pamela Friedman 1st Vice President.........Jay Zemmol 2nd Vice President..Mark Schneider Recording Secretary...Mort Schaffer Treasurer ............Melissa Schneider Financial Secretary.......Mike Adams BOARD MEMBERS
Janet Finkel Marc Nusholtz
Jeff Herman Debby Roberts
Jerry Jarvis Josh Tourkow
Past President ...........Ron Friedman
Congregation B'nai Jacob extends sincere condolences
to Rabbi Kornspan and Penny on the recent passing
of the Rabbi’s brother, Donald Kornspan.
Shiva minyanim will take place Sunday, March 31 -
Friday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Synagogue.
May his memory ever be a blessing.
9 13-14 Ryan Zimmerman
10 14-15 Mushke Golder
10 14-15 David Ochstein
11 15-16 Libby Babich
11 15-16 Sharon Subeck
12 16-17 Rae Dorman
12 16-17 Sidney Hutner
13 17-18 Samuel Appel
13 17-18 Jerry Morgenstein
13 17-18 Ann Peltz
13 17-18 Barney Sterling
15 19-20 Chaim Norkin
16 20-21 Isser Goldin
16 20-21 Mary Levy
16 20-21 Dorothy Maier
17 21-22 Steve Abrams
17 21-22 Harry S. Dale
17 21-22 Ida Schneider
18 22-23 Ruth Mark
18 22-23 Harriet Mirman
18 22-23 Harry Sheray
19 23-24 Louis Hirsch
19 23-24 Irving Luskin
19 23-24 Frederick Milz
19 23-24 Samuel Ochstein
19 23-24 Tillie Ochstein
20 24-25 Etta Gepsman
20 24-25 Samuel Kornspan
20 24-25 Anna Trauner
20 24-25 Philip Trivus
20 24-25 Samuel Weinberg
21 25-26 Ronald Brateman
21 25-26 Tina Wilcox
22 26-27 Jacob Bruch
22 26-27 Jean Rehm
23 27-28 Sonia Finkelstein
23 27-28 Anna Lee
Schefman
23 27-28 Erna Shulkin
23 27-28 Rosetta R. Siegle
23 27-28 Morton Trauner
24 28-29 June Saul
Himelstein
25 29-30 Leah Edelman
25 29-30 Zelda Punsky
25 29-30 Arthur Albert
Sapirie
26 30-1 Rebecca (Brocha)
Kaplan
A.J. Ochstein Fund
In memory of Herb Rynearson
-Mical Rynearson
David Siegel Memorial Fund
General Fund
In memory of Arlene Leib
-Nancy Gerow
In appreciation
-Victoria D’Angelo & Chris
Young
In memory of Abe Dubin
-Josh & Donna Tourkow
In memory of Molly Cohen
-Hugo & Lis Kahn
TZEDAKAH
Kiddush Fund
In memory of Elaine Shine
-Keith Groman
In honor of the anniversaries of
Daniel & Vicky D’Angelo and Marc
Nusholtz & Mary Wilger
-Keith Groman
In appreciation of the Sisterhood
-Keith Groman
Levy/Levin Endowment Fund
Library Fund
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
In memory of Helen Rath
-Irene & Bob Walters
Seth Horwitz Education Fund Simon/Hannah Crell Education Fund
In memory of Margot Krel
-Rossya & Howard Klebanow
Sisterhood Nursery Fund
Torah Maintenance Fund
Winnick Memorial Garden Fund
Yahrzeit Fund
If you would like to make a donation in honor/memory of someone,
please fill out the form and submit it with your check to:
Congregation B’nai Jacob
7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46814-4543
I have enclosed $_________________
In honor/memory of: _
Fund Preference: Please indicate which fund you prefer to donate to:
A.J. Ochstein Fund Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
David Siegel Memorial Fund Simon/Hannah Crell Education Fund
General Fund Sisterhood Nursery Fund
Kiddush Fund Torah Maintenance Fund
Levy/Levin Endowment Fund Winnick Memorial Garden Fund
Library Fund Yahrzeit Fund
Seth Horwitz Education Fund
From: _
The Indiana Jewish Historical Society invites you to submit nominations for the 2019 Hoosier Jewish Legend Award! Kindly nominate Hoosiers who have created a significant and lasting impact to their profession, faith-based and/or secular community, and the legacy of the role of the Jewish community in Indiana’s continuing story. Nominations are due by May 1. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at noon in Carmel, Indiana. Find more information or download an application form from www.ijhs.org
Passover 2019 will be celebrated from April 19 - April 27.
Thursday, April 18 after nightfall – Bedikat Chametz*
After the house has been thoroughly cleaned, a ceremonial search is performed for whatever
"chametz" may remain. All chametz should have already been put away in cabinets, the garage
or in some place where it can be marked and not be used, even by accident.
*Selling of Chametz form available by calling the synagogue office at 260-672-8459. Return
to office or Rabbi by Friday, April 11.
Friday, April 19 – Eve of Pesach One may eat a chametz meal until 10:55 a.m. No matzah is to be eaten until the Seder that night.
First Seder - Candle lighting: 8:06 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, 9:15 a.m. –Pesach Services
Second Seder - Candle lighting: 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 25, Candle lighting 8:13 p.m.
Friday, April 26, Candle lighting 8:13 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 9:15 a.m. – Eighth Day Pesach Services
Yizkor approximately 10:45 a.m.
Havdalah 9:23 p.m.
The gift shop is fully stocked for your Judaic needs! Come browse after Services and during office hours. Office hours for April will be most Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Rabbi's Hours in APRIL
Rabbi Kornspan will be conducting services and classes as well as available for appointments
from April 6th to the 13th.
Please call the office to make an appointment.
MISHNEH TORAH Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. TORAH CLASS Saturdays, April 6 & 13 at 12:45 p.m.
TALLIT AND TEFILLIN Sunday, April 7 (off site - please RSVP) at 10:30 a.m. ETHICS CLASS Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m.
April Class Schedule
Hebrew School 4th 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Shabbat School 6th 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Adult Education Workshop
at the home of Drs. Mary Wilger and Marc Nusholtz on Sunday, April 7, 2019.
Tallit and Tefillin will be at 10:30 a.m. A Lunch & Learn will follow at 11:30 a.m.
RSVP’s required by Thursday, April 4. Contact the office to make your reservation at 260-672-
8459 or [email protected]
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, April 4 7:00 p.m.
Mah Jongg
The Temple has weekly mah jongg open play in
the Madge Rothschild Resource Center on
Sunday mornings, Thursday afternoon, and
Monday evenings. Enjoy the beautiful space,
friendly conversation, and a chance to play this
centuries-old Chinese game. They also have mah
jongg resources in the Rabbi Richard B. Safran
Library.
Save the Date!
The annual meeting of members of
Congregation B’nai Jacob, Inc. will be
held on Sunday, May 19, 2019.
Time to be determined.
JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS
The Story of the Curious George Authors Hans and Margret Rey were German Jewish refugees who escaped
Nazi-occupied Europe on makeshift bicycles carrying the original Curious
George manuscript. The book "The Journey That Saved Curious George:
The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey" will be read from
and discussed on Friday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, April 11 at
7:00 p.m. at the downtown Allen County Public Library in the Teens
Living Room. The events are for grades 4 through adult.
The movie "Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's
Creators" will be shown on Sunday, April 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the
downtown Allen County Public Library theatre for free. There will be a
live Q & A session via Skype with the film's director immediately after the movie.
Ma'ase Learn about how the Israeli NGO Ma'ase is making a difference in the lives of Arab, Druze
and Jewish youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and making Israel a better place on
Monday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. at The History Center at 302 E. Berry St.
Thoughtful Thursdays
The Jewish community’s Thoughtful Thursdays team will meet to
assemble bags for the 70 Brightpoint Head Start families on Wednesday,
April 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Rifkin Campus
Thank you to the volunteers from Congregation Achduth Vesholom,
Congregation B'nai Jacob, and the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne.
The final bag assembly for the school year will be on Wednesday, May
1 at 11 a.m., followed by a volunteer luncheon and meeting in the
Goldstine Chapel.
Forbidden Sounds, Music of the Holocaust
The Ball State University Honors College Concert: Forbidden Sounds, Music of the
Holocaust will be performed on Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. in Hahn Hall in Muncie. A
concert honoring the music of composers who were murdered or whose music was banned
during 1933-1945, and remembering the historical events of the Holocaust.
People of the Book Lecture with author Chris Bohjalian
The New York Times best selling author of 20 books, Chris Bohjalian, will be speaking
and signing books at the Rifkin Campus on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Critically
acclaimed novelist Chris Bohjalian uses his gripping fiction to explore contemporary
social issues and how they play out in the lives of ordinary people, as well as to shed light
on some of the most important moments in history. Three of his books have become
movies. A reception will follow as well. This event is free and open to the public.
ABC'S OF PASSOVER
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Passover is brimming with symbols of
slavery and freedom.
Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is known
as the "holiday of freedom,"
commemorating the Jewish Exodus
from Egypt following 210 years of
slavery. Passover is regarded as the
"birth" of the Jewish nation, and its
lessons of struggle and identity continue
to form the basis of Jewish
consciousness 3,300 years after the
event.
Passover is an 8-day holiday (in Israel,
seven days). The name derives from the
fact that during the final plague – the
slaying of the first born – G-d “passed
over" the Jewish homes.
SEDER NIGHT – The holiday is
marked by the celebration of an
elaborate Seder on the first two nights
(in Israel, on the first night only). The
Seder is designed to give each Jew the
experience of "going from slavery unto
freedom." As recorded in the Haggadah,
we tell the Exodus story and recount the
Ten Plagues. We eat symbols of slavery
and freedom, and the festive meal
includes many delicious recipes for
foods that people look forward to all
year (think matzah balls!). We recite the
Hallel prayer of praise, and end the
Seder with the hope of “Next year in
Jerusalem!”
The Seder is a special tie of family
bonding and children are a particular
focus of the night. They enjoy a variety
of Passover songs like the Four
Questions (Ma Nishatana), tell of the
Four Sons, sing the “Dayenu” song, try
to "steal" the Afikoman, and open the
door for Elijah the Prophet.
MATZAH – At the Seder, it is a special
mitzvah to eat matzah, the Seder’s main
symbol. Everyone should try to eat 2/3
of a square matzah (or 1/2 of a round
matzah) within 4 minutes, while leaning
to the left. The most common reason for
eating matzah is that on the morning of
the Exodus, the Jews were so rushed in
getting out of Egypt that the bread
didn’t have time to rise. At the end of
the festive meal, the special “dessert” is
another piece of matzah, called the
Afikoman.
FOUR CUPS – At the Seder, we drink
four cups of wine – corresponding to the
four expressions of freedom mentioned
in the Torah (Exodus 6:6-7). Everyone
should have their own cup, which holds
minimally 98cc (3.3 oz). Try to drink
the entire cup for each of the Four Cups
(or at least drink a majority) within 4
minutes. And as an expression of
freedom, we lean to the left and back
while drinking the Four Cups.
KARPAS – Toward the beginning of
the Seder, we eat karpas – a vegetable
(e.g. celery, parsley, potato) dipped in
saltwater, to commemorate the tears of
hard labor.
BITTER HERBS – Later in the Seder,
we eat Marror, the bitter herbs. Though
many have the custom of using
horseradish, Romaine lettuce is also
used. (“Red horseradish” in jars bought
from the stores should not be used, since
it’s a mixture of mostly beets with some
horseradish.) The Marror is dipped into
Charoset, a bricks-and-mortar mixture
of dates, wine, nuts and apples.
SEDER CHECKLIST – Seder means
"order" because there are so many
details to remember. Your Seder table
should include:
a Seder plate with:
Celery, parsley or potato
(Karpas)
Lettuce (Marror)
Horseradish (Chazeret)
Charoset
Roasted chicken wing
(Zero'ah)
Hard-boiled egg (Beitzah)
Matzah cover with 3 matzot (and
extra matzah)
Wine and grape juice
Haggadahs
Cup for Elijah
Saltwater
Kiddush cups
Pillows for reclining
Afikomen prizes
CHAMETZ-FREE ZONE – During
the week of Passover, Jews are
forbidden to eat or possess any chametz
(leavened grain). For this reason, we
dispose of (or sell) all bread, cookies,
pasta, beer, etc. – and purchase only
products labeled "Kosher for
Passover." (Ashkenazi Jews also refrain
from eating kitniyot – rice, beans, etc.)
To avoid any problems of residual
chametz, we also have special sets of
dishes and pots for Passover. As a
practical consideration, many people
begin cleaning for Passover weeks
before the holiday begins.
SEARCH-AND-BURN – On the
evening before Passover, we conduct a
careful search of the home for chametz.
It is done by candlelight and is a
memorable experience for the whole
family. Any remaining chametz is either
burned the next morning (in a ceremony
called Sray'fat Chametz), or is sold to a
non-Jew for the week of Passover. The
sale must be serious and legally binding;
it should be done only through the
assistance of a qualified rabbi. Any food
that is sold must be put in a cabinet and
taped shut.
The full article with hyperlinks can be
read at: https://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/
g/48959286.html
SHTAR HARSHAAH (Selling of Chametz) 5779
PLEASE READ, COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE SHUL OFFICE
Chametz (leavened products), which were impossible to finish or give away before Passover, may be
stored in such a way that we are sure not to use it during the holiday, and its actual ownership is transferred
to a non-Jew until the holiday ends. Please complete the form below and return it no later than April 11.
Mail the completed form to: Rabbi Kornspan or email this completed form to
Congregation B'nai Jacob [email protected]
7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46814
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
I, _____________________ fully empower and permit Rabbi Kornspan to act in my behalf
to sell all Chametz possessed by me - knowingly or unknowingly - as defined by Torah and
Rabbinic law, and to lease all places wherein Chametz owned may be found. This
transaction will be in effect for the duration of Pesach.
_____________________________ __________________
(Signature) (Date)
_____________________________ __________________
(Print your name) (Home telephone #)
_____________________________ __________________
(Home address) (Business address)
_____________________________ __________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maot Hittim
It has been a tradition to collect "money for wheat" (donations for the poor for Passover.) If
you would like to make a contribution to aid the needy, please make out a check to the
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, earmarking it for Maot Hittim or Passover charity.
Please send it to Congregation B'nai Jacob, 7227 Bittersweet Moors, Fort Wayne, Indiana
46814.
I, _____________________, am donating __________________ for Maot Hittim, to be
used to aid the needy.