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HORIZONS March 2018 Adar, 5778 — Nisan, 5778

March 2018 Adar, 5778 — Nisan, 5778

UPCOMING EVENTS

Host an Oneg ……………………. 2

President’s Column ……………. 3

Rabbi’s Column ………………… 4

Seder Tips ……………………….. 6

Sale of Chametz ………………… 8

Seder Menu & Deadline ……….. 9

Passover Schedule ……………. 10

Education Director’s Column .. 11

Social Actions ………………….. 13

March Yahrzeits ………..……….15

January Contributions ………….16

Easttown Library, March 8th ….17

Sisterhood News ………………..18

Gift Shop ………………………….19

Donations ………………………...20

Classes w/Rabbi Jacob ………..21

Donation Form…………………...22

Calendar ………………………….23

Advertisers …………………… 24

IN THIS ISSUE

3/4 Purim Carnival @ CBENT

3/8 Office Closed

3/10 Jr. Congregation & Tot Shabbat @ OS 10:30 am

3/11 Board Meeting 9:30 AM

3/11 Daylight Savings

3/11 Sunday Hebrew School returns to Or Shalom 9 AM

3/15 Sisterhood Event

3/18 Hebrew School 9 AM

3/25 No School

3/27 No School

3/30 Community Seder 6:15 PM

4/1 No School

4/28 Shabbat School OS 9 AM

HORIZONS 2 March 2018 Adar, 5778 — Nisan, 5778

Horizons is published monthly. Material submitted for publication may be edited for style, length and content. Please contact the office to report any errors or omissions. Thank you. Editor: Lauren Porter Congregation Or Shalom 835 Darby-Paoli Road Berwyn, PA 19312 Phone: 610-644-9086 www.OrShalom.com E-mail: [email protected]

Congregation Or Shalom Executive Committee

President: Andrew Levin Vice President: Treasurer: Alan Daroff Secretary: Larry Bilker Membership: Scott Markovitz Events/Fundraising: IPP: Alan Messing

Auxiliary & Community Groups

Sisterhood:Mindy Bernstein/Laurie Katz Men’s Club: Dan Bernick Social Action: Gina Arlen Education Chair: Heidi Lurie/Alice Presley

Ritual Committee: Murray Klug

Advertising rates Advertising contracts are arranged through the Temple office. All advertis-ing is due the first of the month for next month’s edition of Horizons. We accept ads with a check made out to Congrega-tion Or Shalom and the ad copy sent at the same time. Size 11 issues Per issue Full Page $900 $100 1/2 page $450 $50 1/4 page $225 $25 1/8 page $180 $20

Or Shalom Sisterhood is delighted to announce that you can sponsor an Oneg for any celebration you wish! Friday night and/or Saturday

morning. The Sisterhood will be happy to purchase it and set it up, we only want you to join us and

celebrate! Call Julie Miller at (267) 886-9171 or email Julie at [email protected]

Do you know Unaffiliated Jews in Chester County, Montgomery County

and Delaware County?

Celebrate with an Oneg

Do you have Jewish friends or acquaintances who live in Chester County, Montgomery County and Delaware County who are not already members of a synagogue? If you do, why not invite them to one of the upcoming events at Or Shalom, for example our next Friday night dinner? They may have a good time and decide to come back. They may have such a good time that they decide to become members themselves. According to a recent survey by the Jewish Federation, there are many, many unaffiliated Jews in Chester county. We’d love to contact them, but don’t know who they are. You can help. Todah rabah!


The President’s Column

What is new on OrShalom.com ** Read All About It **

The web site may be the best kept secret at Or Shalom next to the Rabbi’s cooking. When was the last time you checked out the web site? I reference it all the time. It is bookmarked on all my devices. Starting this month we are offering advertising on the web site. Yes, you can advertise your business on the Or Shalom web site. This a great opportunity to promote your business, just send a nice message to anybody that visits the site, and help the shul at the same time. If you have any questions about how to advertise on the site please check with LP in the office. Also, spread the word to anybody you think would be interested in advertising on the site. The best part is if you order now we are offering a substantial discount to members to advertise on the site. Act now … our operators are standing by. Other than the great advertisements on the site here are a couple of other reasons I check out the site on a regular basis:

Calendar – Have you ever wondered if there is a Jewish holiday coming up, what time to light candles on Friday, or the location of school? Well you guessed it … it is all in the calendar. I never miss an event when I remember to check the calendar.

Donations – Yes, you can make a donation directly from the web site. Saturday morning when you are feeling guilty that you are not in services you can make a donation in your PJ’s right from your Lazyboy. FYI – If you want to mail the check and save the 3% service change the address is also on the web site.

Membership Directory – Have you ever wanted to complain to the President of the synagogue that his monthly Horizon articles sink, but you just did not have my phone number? Well now you know where it find it.

Home Page – Are you looking for information to attend the Community Seder (30-Mar) or it has been so long since you attended service that you have forgotten the time they start? Information is right on the home page.

While I am on the subject of web sites I would like to send out a BIG Or Shalom Thank You to Larry Bilker. As most of you already know Larry is the technology guy at Or Shalom. Whenever there is a technology question Larry’s name always comes up. Did you also know that Larry is the board secretary, a presenter for the Men’s Club, and the administrator for the web site. Larry has put a lot of effort into making Or Shalom a great place. Next time you are at Or Shalom as enjoying a little WiFi which Larry installed and you see Larry I hope you remember to give him a BIG Thank You yourself. May your tomorrow be better than today and the next day better then tomorrow, Andy


Mitzvah of the Month Rabbi Jacob Rosner

A rabbi was set to interview for a position. The lay leader asked, “rabbi what will you be speaking about during your interview sermon”? “oh,” he said, “I think I will talk about kashrut and the importance of keeping a kosher home”. “rabbi” the leader said, “obviously you can speak about whatever subject you choose, but take my advice. The nearest kosher restaurant is hundreds of miles away, and few, if any of our members keep kosher, if you want my advice I would choose a different subject. The rabbi thought a moment and suggested “how about a discussion of the importance of observing Shabbat!” “well”, said the leader, “we are a congregation primarily made up of merchants, we all keep our stores open seven days a week, I can’t tell you what to speak about, but if you what this position I would suggest a different topic. The rabbi stroked his beard and thought for a minute. “how about speaking about issues of war and peace and how they relate to torah…or how the torah demands that society take care of the poor , the orphan and the widow. Or I can speak about the number of times the torah demands that we treat the stranger with dignity and compassion, and relate it to how we view the immigrants and aliens among us” “or perhaps I can speak about the need for changes in halakha such as the need to bring women and gays into a position of equality” “rabbi” the leader once again interjected, “we are a divided community I would advise you to steer clear of current issues” By this time the rabbi was perplexed. “what do you suggest I speak about’, he asked. “oh that is easy, speak about Judaism.”

Continued next page


We make jokes about “why would any nice Jewish boy or girl eve want to be a rabbi", and then we proceed to make those jokes a reality by our unwillingness to treat the position of the rabbi with the respect it deserves. Why is it that often the most traditional among us decide that the one ha-lakha they will ignore is K’vod Harav or the mitzvah of respecting the rabbi A great rabbi once said that the job of a rabbi is to bring comfort to those who are uncomfortable and to make those who are comfortable uncomfortable. We are meant to challenge Jews to change and live a life of torah. And we are taught and trained to be community leaders. One of our most important tasks is to see to it that our children are given a torah education. As a rabbi I have involved myself deeply on our Hebrew school by attending every meeting I could and making a presence in the classroom. How sad that despite my volunteering, a new education director will be chosen with little involvement of the 2 rabbis. As much as I respect and admire the lay leaders who dedicate themselves to our school, the idea of a rabbi who has professional knowledge of the subject matter denied access, is beyond my comprehension. If we want at least a few of our boys and girls to grow up to be the next generations spiritual leaders, we need to treat our rabbis with the dignity and respect the position demands.

Mitzvah of the Month (continued)


Choose Your Megillah Carefully Most of us spend lavishly when we make our Seder. The food is plenti-ful, the wine flows freely, the table is set beautifully. Yet, when we open the Haggadah, that tells the Passover story, more than likely we have before us a worn, tattered, wine-stained book that cost a quarter when it was purchased in the 1950's and has pages missing. (here is a hint - Maxwell House makes a heavenly coffee, and Manischewitz makes an okay gefilte fish [real gefilte fish is never bought], but neither of them are expert Haggadah makers). It would be wise to make a one time investment in a suitable Haggadah that offers explanations, beautiful art, and a good translation. Each of the major Jewish movements has created wonderful Haggadahs.

Prepare the Seder We spend so much time preparing the menu and the guest list. WE are concerned with timing, having the correct food groups, sitting the right people next to each other, etc. How much time do we spend to make sure that the ritual of the Seder is meaningful to those participating? If your Seder consists of Zeyda sitting at the head of the table saying something like "BzzzzzzzzzBzzzzzBzzzz, mumble, mumble, mumble, while Uncle Morris keep interrupting to ask, "can we eat already?" and Scott chases Melanie under the table, then you are all missing the point. If you are not going to say the entire Haggadah, take the time before-hand to decide what is important and what can be skipped.

Ask any guests you may invite to come prepared with an explanation or a song that they remember from their Seders. It will make your guests feel at home, and it will enhance your Seder as well.

The following Seder tips are to share with your family and friends.

Rabbi Jacob Rosner


The following Seder tips are to share with your family and friends.

Rabbi Jacob Rosner

Invite Guests In the beginning of the Seder, we proclaim, "Let all who are hungry come, and eat, all who are needy come and celebrate Passover with us." Can you imagine the pain in the heart of the senior citizen who contemplates the holy day without a spouse with whom so many Passovers were shared? No Jew should be alone on Passover. We are commanded to invite all who are hungry. That commandment includes gay or lesbian Jews who may feel alienated from the community. It includes Intermarried families who may feel rejected. It includes university students who are far away from home. It is a great mitzvah to invite those who would otherwise be alone.

Explain the Rituals The Haggadah means, "the telling" because it serves as a spiritual tool to fulfill the four time repeated biblical commandments to tell the exodus story to our children. It is important to relate the story of the suffering of our people throughout the ages to the suffering of others today. Perhaps we can use the Seder as a starting point for a discussion of the plight of the African Americans in our country or the struggle for freedom for all of the Middle East.

Sing a Lot Make the Seder a joyous occasion. Be sure that every child present who

is capable, get to recite four questions the accompanying nahas of the

parents. Each child should be rewarded for finding the afikomen, not just

the actual finder. In traditional circles it is during Pesach not during Cha-

nukah when major gifts are given.


DELEGATION OF POWER FOR SALE OF CHAMETZ

I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi _________________ to act in my place and stead, and on my behalf to sell all Chametz possessed by me, knowingly or unknowingly as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law (e.g. Chametz, possible Chametz, and all

kinds of Chametz mixtures).

Also Chametz that tends to harden and adhere to inside surfaces of pans, pots, or cooking utensils, the

utensils themselves, and all kinds of live animals and pets that have been eating Chametz and mixtures

thereof.

Rabbi ________________ is also empowered to lease all places wherein the Chametz owned by me may be found,

particularly at the address/es listed below, and elsewhere.

Rabbi __________________ has full right to appoint any

agent or substitute in his stead and said substitute shall have full right to sell and lease as provided

herein.

Rabbi _________________ also has the full power and right to act as he deems fit and proper in accordance

with all the details of the Bill of Sale used in the transaction to sell all my Chametz, Chametz mixtures,

etc., as provided herein.

This power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinic and Civil laws.

Signed: ______________________________________________

Date: ______________

Name: ________________________________________________

Address/es: __________________________________________

________________________________________________

City/ State/ Zip Country: ____________________________

_______________________________________________

send to or shalom office


You are cordially invited for Passover Seder

with your Or Shalom Family Friday March 30, 2018 at 6:15 pm

Come and enjoy this catered event! Adults $45 Children 3 to 12 $20 Choice of: Matzo Ball Soup or Vegetable Soup, Choice of Brisket or Chicken with Apricot Glaze or Rolled eggplant with Red Pepper and Portobello Mushroom stuffing Mixed vegetables and sweet apple kugel Mixed salads, pickles, olives, etc. Dessert: Sweet tray of Passover Cakes and Cookies Grape juice and drinks People may purchase Kosher wine ahead from our gift shop. Please state if for adult or child when ordering your choices Reservations are required – the cutoff date is Thursday March 15

th per caterers.

We cannot accept people without Reservations since we need to provide a Firm count to the caterer. PLEASE RSVP by Phone at (610) 644-9086, or by email at [email protected]

Note: Deadline for count Is Thursday March 15 at 2 PM.

MUST be paid for in advance. Send checks to Congregation Or Shalom

mailto:[email protected]


From the Education Director Ellen Glassman

OR TAMID RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS

The Passover Seder opens with an invitation. “All who are hungry, let them come and eat with us; all who are needy, let them come and observe the Passover with us.” Hunger comes in different forms. Some search to nourish their body with food to satisfy their hunger; others search to nourish their soul through meditation, words, prayer or song. Together, we can work towards nourishing both. Let’s help fight hunger by collecting Kosher for Passover non-perishable items to donate to the Mitzvah Food Pantry. A donation box can be found in the lobby near the Sanctuary. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, March 22

nd so we have time to deliver these items prior to

Passover. Let’s help satisfy our hunger for knowledge and community by coming to-gether at our Or Tamid Religious School Seder at Or Shalom on Sunday, March 18

th at 10:15am. Congregants are encouraged to attend. We’d

welcome your help setting up too! Meet us in the kitchen at 9:15am to prepare. Retelling the story of the Exodus from slavery provides us with the opportunity to remember the past, connect with the present, reaffirm our freedom and look towards the future, asking questions of our own. Connecting congregants with our students will be an added bonus. I hope you’ll join us. In addition, the Zayin/7

th grade class is studying the Ten Plagues and

wrestling with the questions, “If G-d is so omnipotent, why did the Jews have to suffer so long until they were let out Egypt” and “Why did G-d choose specific plagues like “blood, frogs, hail, boils and more” for the Egyptians to battle instead of other plagues?


From the Education Director Ellen Glassman (continued)

Our class would like to challenge our congregation (that’s you!) to think of modern day plagues that our society is currently battling. The Jewish Women Archives identifies ‘entitlement, distortion of reality and discrimination’ as modern-day plagues; The Religious Action Center sees inequality, lack of affordable housing and gun violence as plaguing our society; Aish recognizes greed and technology as 2 current plagues. I’d like to see education reform to include the ability for every child to have an equal education and every school district to have equal resources. We’re interested in learning what you think! Please send your plagues – feel free to write an explanation or just share the plague itself (as few as one plague and as many as 10!) to Ellen Glassman at [email protected], bring/mail them to Lauren Porter in the office or snail mail them to the synagogue. The Zayin class will discuss them and share their thoughts in an upcoming edition of the Horizon! Thanks for supporting our students! Ellen Glassman, Education Director



Social actions


march YAHRZEITS

March 2, Adar 15, 5778

Flora Furman, mother of Brett Furman

Edward Monah, father of BettyAnn Monash

March 5, Adar 18, 5778

Audrey Broder, mother of Mindy Bernstein

March 12, Adar 21, 5778

Michael Woliner, cousin of David Walker

David Greenberg, father of Sylvia Millrood

March 14, Adar 27, 5778

Rosalyn Gelb Meyer, mother of Steven Meyer

March 17, Nissan 1, 5778

Susan Elizabeth Gross, sister of Ellen Gross


Alfred Clark, father of Leonard Clark

Joseph Cohen, father of Jay Cohen

Dorothy Soloway, mother of Howard Soloway


Murray Slavin, father of Susan Goldberg


Constance Cohen, mother of Natalie Zipkin

Rita Levin, wife of Andrew Levin

Edith Perzley, mother of Richard Tregerman


Tibor Klein, father of Samantha Klein


Gerry Allon, mother of David Allon


Lillian G. Jenkins, mother of Lane Liebman


Ann Liss Erlich, mother of Michelle Cohen

Joseph Fure, grandfather of Jennifer Harmelin

Ida Goldberg, mother of Ben Goldberg

Irving Hyams, father of Warren Hyams


Contributions

Congregation Or Shalom gratefully

acknowledges the following generous contributions in the month of

January 2018

Hebrew School Boxtops General Mills: General Mills Box Tops for Education Cards and misc contr Alan & Susan Daroff: Memory Romerowsky's Yahrzeit Donations David & Andrea Allon: memory of Vivian Rose, Andrea's mother Bernard & Paula Blaustein: memory of Sidney Seidenberg Nelson & Paula Kardos: memory of Sarah Kardos Fred & Helaine Leibowitz: Memory of Harold Krasnick & Irene Milberg Florence Messing: Memory of Mr & Mrs Leon Messing Scott & Jan Sachs: Memory of Edith Roth Sachs Don & Dede Strumpf: Memory of Rose Goldman, Michael Goldman, Louis Greenberg Beth Zatuchni & Gerald Satlow: Memory of Steve and Evelyn Zatuchni, Blanche Romirowsky General Donation Hugh & Lynne Biggin: Thankyou for G. Satlow's thoughtful assistance Jonathan & Stacey Sandler: Contribution


Sisterhood news

Mindy Markovitz, Tema Tiller, Mindy Bernstein, Laurie Katz and Lisa Leff

Thanks to everyone who helped pack Shalach Manot bags, and thanks to all those who sponsored bags, especially those who sponsored for the entire congregation. This fund raiser is usually Sisterhood’s biggest, and it was a big success again this year.

We also had a great time at last Sunday’s happy hour. Thanks so much to Julie and Steve Meyer for hosting the event and for providing such a delicious spread of munchies.

Sisterhood’s next event is an evening of painting. This fun night happens at Busy Bees Pottery and Art Studio, located at Lincoln Court, 215 Lancaster Avenue, in Frazer. The date is Thursday, March 15th, from 5:30 to 8pm. We will be painting on canvas with an art instructor present to help us. The cost is $29/person. Wine, cheese, and crackers will be served. Please call Mindy or Laurie if you plan to attend. We really hope to see you there! Mindy Bernstein (610-647-1128) and Laurie Katz (610-999-9602) Sisterhood Co-Presidents


CLOSING SALE CONTINUES FOR PASSOVER

The OR SHALOM GIFT SHOP has

a large selection of Seder Plates, Kiddush Cups,

Matzah Plates, Matzah Covers, Saltwater Holders, Novelties for the children,

and more….

ALL AT 50% OFF (exclusions: candles, wine, mezuzah scrolls, & bubble gum)

Stop by and see our display

for Passover in the lobby and in the store.

Special store hours during the month of March: Sundays, March 11 & 18 9:30AM-12:30PM

Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20 4:30PM-6:30PM

Additional hours by appointment or information, call Mindy Markovitz 610-644-3245

Cash or Checks Accepted-CREDIT CARDS now accepted, too.

PASSOVER AT THE OR SHALOM GIFT SHOP

(First Seder is March 30th)


Donations

We would like to thank those who have donated books and other items

to the synagogue. Unfortunately, just like you, we have no space to

accept most of the books and other items that have been donated

unsolicited. Please contact the synagogue office before you drive over

to drop off items. If we can use the items, we will welcome them and

provide a tax letter receipt but if we just have no room for the items you

want to donate, please consider another worthy cause for your donation.

Membership Directory

The new simplified membership directory and class list is now posted on our web site. It is password protected and will be

updated regularly as members notify the office of changes to their information.

Please review it today to make sure information about your family is correct.

If not, contact the office with changes

Jo Ann Weiss mother Blanche Wahl

passed away Friday Morning February 2, she was 100 yrs old


(Not So) Basic Judaism

Rabbi Jacob offers a Basic Judaism class for adults each Monday

evening, from 7:30 to 8:30. The focus will be on learning about the holidays, life cycle events, great

Jewish books and more. The Rabbi promises that even the most knowledgeable will find something new and intriguing in this class.

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class

Rabbi Jacob invites any adult seeking to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah,

to schedule private lessons with him. Other One-on-One Classes with Rabbi Jacob

Rabbi is offering one-on-one classes at your convenience on many

Jewish topics such as: Learning to read or speak Hebrew, synagogue

skills, bible, Mishna, etc. You can even name your own class!

Please email the office at [email protected] to schedule your class with the Rabbi now.

Classes with Rabbi Jacob


Or Shalom Donation Form

I would like to help support Or Shalom. I have specified each donation and I have included one check for the total amount payable to Or Shalom. Please send all donations to: Congregation Or Shalom, 835 Darby Paoli Road, Berwyn PA 19312

Name____________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________ Fund #________Amount $________ Phone #___________________ Made in memory of________________________________________ Made in honor of__________________________________________ Speedy Recovery__________________________________________ Send acknowledgment to (include address)

Name____________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________ Fund #________Amount $________ Phone #___________________ Made in memory of________________________________________ Made in honor of__________________________________________ Speedy Recovery__________________________________________ Send acknowledgment to (include address)

Definition of Funds

1. Building Fund: Donations are used for the continuous upkeep of our building. These funds help offset unexpected expenses such as A/C, Heater, roof repair and any emergency repairs to our facility. 2. Beautification Fund: Donations are used for the upkeep of our grounds. Trees, plants, mulch, etc.

3. Biblical Garden Fund: Donations are used to maintain and support our biblical garden. 4. Paul Seres Education Endowment Fund: This fund is maintained to provide interest income for restricted use by the synagogue for Education.

5. General Fund: All monies donated to this fund will supplement the current year’s budget.

6. Hebrew School: Funds are used for the needs of the Religious School. Examples: Bulletin boards, books and school supplies, etc. 7. Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund: The Rabbi uses these funds for charitable purpose. Donations to this fund can be made directly to the synagogue office.

8. Social Action: Donations will be used for all social action events and programs. Any questions to this fund should be addressed to Gina Arlen at [email protected]. 9. Tree of Life: A leaf can be purchased to honor or commemorate any important life event. The cost of a leaf is $180.00 which will be displayed in our foyer. For more information please contact office at 610-644-9086

10. Yahrzeit Plaque: Two plaques can be purchased for $360.00. The first would be a permanent plaque on the back wall of the sanctuary. The second plaque would be placed during the week of the Yahrzeit on the memorial wall in the front of the sanctuary. Additional information will be requested when purchasing a plaque. Please contact Ellen Gross at [email protected] for more information.

11. Oneg: Sponsor an Oneg for Friday night and /or Saturday morning for any celebration you with. The cost is $45.00 and the Sisterhood will purchase and set it up. Checks should be made payable to Or Shalom Sisterhood


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