1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

April 2015 — Nissan & Iyar 5775
RABBI’S MESSAGE
Dear Congregants and Friends,
Its been several weeks now since the Israeli elections, and many scholars, journalists,
academics and pundits of all sorts are trying to figure out just what happened.
Unsurprisingly, many attributed Likud’s victory as a reflection of the support that many
Israeli’s have for Netanyahu’s policies, specifically in the realm of security; both internally vis
a vis the Palestinians, and internationally vis a vis Iran. Detractors of Netanyahu point to the
scare tactics and fear-mongering he evinced on election day, in his warnings that “Arab voters are coming out in
droves to the polls; Left-wing organizations are busing them out.”
Having analyzed much of the literature coming out of the post-election period, one particular essay by Israeli scholar
Tomer Persico seemed most on the money in terms of explaining the results. Persico argues, quite persuasively, that
the key trend in the election cycle was that of cultural identity. For example, the Shas party is supported by many
Israelis of Mizrachi (that is, North African and Middle Eastern) descent. One of their slogans was “Mizrachi votes
for Mizrachi” - meaning, if you are of this background, you should be voting for us. While Mizrachi’s politics are
predominantly Orthodox and patriarchal, they were able to garner the votes of many secular Israelis, and even
feminists, because these voters’ cultural identities trumped many of their other political and personal values.
Using this same observation, Persico claims that the Zionist Camp party faired poorly because they did not promote
any particular cultural identity; in fact, one of their core pillars is universalism – the privileging of general
Western-liberal values over specific cultural ones. Ironically, one of the particular identities that they end up
disregarding is that of Jewish identity itself! According to Persico, the Left ultimately failed to do as well as they’d
hoped in this election because the Right could more substantively claim to promote Jewish identity (however
defined: ultra-orthodox or Russian Jewish or Mizrachi or Nationalist).
I find this argument quite compelling, and I encourage you to read the article for yourself and see what you think.
(tomerpersicoenglish.wordpress.com). Furthermore, this phenomenon reflects a related struggle in the US : while
the older generations of American Jewry feel a deeper connection to their Jewish identity (both culturally, and, for
many, religiously), for younger Jews this connection does not come as easily. We in the diaspora are searching for
our own new models of what Jewish identity can and should look like in the 21st century—a Judaism that will be
relevant and fulfilling for generations to come.
Yours,
R’ Gabe
4004 West Esplanade Avenue, South - Metairie, LA 70002 - Phone: (504) 454-5080 - Fax: (504) 883-8010 - www.BethIsraelNOLA.com
Page 1
NEWS & HAPPENINGS
Ongoing Classes:
Thursdays 7:30PM - Parshat HaShavua with R’ Gabe
Saturdays 5:00PM - Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah with Dr. Yehuda Halper
Sunday April 12th, 7:00pm at the Uptown JCC
Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration
Join together with the New Orleans Jewish community as we take time to reflect on
and remember the Shoah. We will hear from author Alexandra Zapruder, founding
staff member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum . Rabbi Gabe will be
offering the closing benediction.
Tuesday, April 14th, 12:00PM - Lunch & Learn
Come learn about an aspect of Jewish Law and its comparison in US Law at the Gertler Law
Firm (935 Gravier St #1900, New Orleans, LA). $10 donation for lunch.
CELEBRATE PASSOVER with JOSEPH, April 15th, 2015
This April, the national tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is
coming to New Orleans at the Sanger Theater! Please join a contingent from Beth Israel
as we go out for a night of theater together. We will be sitting in the orchestra section,
at the group rate price of $70 a ticket. Please contact the shul at
[email protected] or by leaving a message at Extension “0” to reserve a
ticket ASAP.
Sunday April 19th, 7:30pm at the Greenberg’s Home
Rosh Chodesh Women’s Gathering
Join together with the women of Beth Israel as Rebbitzen Abby Streusand leads an
evening of reflection and community in honor of the new month of Iyar.
Mondays 7:00PM, beginning April 20th - What is Modern Orthodoxy?
Join us for a five-part series that will explore the mission, values, and history of Modern
Orthodox Judaism, and how it has manifested in both the US and Israel.
Page 2
PASSOVER 2015 / 5775
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Sat, March 28th - Shabbat HaGadol
Shacharit………………………………………………..9:00AM
Rabbi’s Sermon……………………………………….10:45AM
Mishneh Torah Class with Dr. Halper…………5:00PM
Shabbat Ends………………………………………….7:53PM
Thurs, April 2nd
Search for Chametz after…………………………7:55PM
Fri, April 3rd - Erev Pesach
Morning Minyan / Breakfast Siyum
for First Born……………………………………………7:15AM
Last Chametz…………………………………………10:34AM
Burn Chametz before………………………………11:49AM
Mincha / Abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat………7:00PM
Candle Lighting………………………………………...7:02PM
Kiddush at Seder after……………………………...7:20PM
Sat, April 4th - Pesach, 1st Day
Shacharit Services…………………………………….9:00AM
Mincha /Maariv…………………………………………7:00PM
Shabbat Ends / Candle Lighting after………….8:02PM
Community Seder……………………………………..8:00PM
Sun, April 5th - Pesach, 2nd Day
Shacharit Services……………………………………9:00AM
Yom Tov Ends…………………………………………7:58PM
Thurs, April 9th - Chol HaMoed Pesach, 4th Day
Mincha /Maariv…………………………………………7:00PM
Candle Lighting…………………………………………7:06PM
Fri, April 10th - Pesach, 7th Day
Shacharit Services…………………………………….9:00AM
Mincha / Abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat………7:00PM
Candle Lighting…………………………………………7:06PM
Sat, April 11th - Pesach, 8th Day
Shacharit Services……………………………………9:00AM
YIZKOR (Approx)……………………………………10:30AM
followed by Shir HaShirim Reading
Shabbat / Pesach Ends not before…………….8:02PM
Community Seder at Beth Israel
Saturday, April 4th following 7:00PM services
All are welcome but space is limited.
Reservations have been closed, but there still
may be space for you! Contact the synagogue
office ASAP to check on availability.
Adults $36 pp / Children $20 pp
All Children under 5 are Free
Page 3
PASSOVER 2015 / 5775
Searching for Chametz - At Home and on The Road
Bedikah, Bitul, Biur – Searching, Nullifying, and Destroying your Chametz
If you will be at home for Yom Tov, you do Bedikat Chametz (searching for Chametz) on Thursday night, April 2nd, as soon as possible after nightfall (7:55pm this year) with a blessing, candle, and the 10 pieces of bread or other chametz (if that is your custom), and the night-time
Bitul-nullification formula. Most haggadot (and siddurim) have the liturgy and details. On Erev
Pesach, Friday, April 3rd, chametz is burned and nullified by the end of the 5th halakhic
hour of the day (11:49am this year).
Traveling for Pesach: Bedikat Chametz in your home
Regardless of your destination and intent to return home during Pesach, your house should be
in a condition that if you had to return home, you would not encounter any chametz. Clean for
any significant pieces of food and put any chametz away and mark the areas. Fill out a sale of
chametz form for your home.
1) If you will still be home on Thursday night, do Bedikat Chametz as normal. Do Biur/Bitul
Chametz wherever you are on Friday.
2) If you will already have left your home by Thursday night, do Bedikat Chametz the last night
you are at home, after nightfall, without a blessing. Do Biur/Bitul Chametz wherever you are on
Friday.
Traveling for Pesach: Bedikat/Biur/Bitul Chametz in your Pesach location
If you're in a hotel, or a rental, you need to do Bedikah there. If you are a guest in someone’s
home, even if they are not there, you have no obligation (although you may wish to make sure
before Friday morning that you won’t see any chametz over Pesach!). Just remember to say the
second 'kol chamira' nullification formula on Friday morning, having your chametz at home in
mind.
1) If you’ll be in your Pesach location by Thursday night, do the same Bedikah you would have
done if you were at home: candle, 10 pieces of bread, say the blessing beforehand, and Bitul formula afterward. Do Biur in that Pesach location the next morning as you would if you were
home. If burning is a big inconvenience, flush it down the toilet. Don't throw it in the garbage
in case it won't be collected before Pesach. Remember to say
the second 'kol chamira' nullification formula together with the Biur) having your chametz at
home in mind as well.
2) If you won’t be in your Pesach location until Friday morning, the question arises as to
whether you have an obligation to do a Bedikah in that location. If your rental agreement began
by Thursday night and you had the keys by then, even if you were not in that location yet, you
should search as soon as you arrive. Biur and Bitul must be done by the end of the 5th halakhic
hour regardless of where you are.
Page 4
PASSOVER 2015 / 5775
Kashering Utensils—an introduction
(Taken from OU.org) - Ask R. Gabe with any particular questions.
ONE OF THE MOST DAUNTING PREPARATIONS we make for Passover is kashering, a process to prepare chametz utensils for Passover use. As with all areas of halacha, those who are unsure of how to apply the
rules of kashering to their situation should consult an Orthodox rabbi.
The Torah (Bemidbar 31:23) requires kashering utensils acquired from a non-Jew, as they are presumed to have
been used with non-kosher (and will have absorbed non-kosher flavor). Since chametz on Passover is also forbidden, the Talmud applies the laws of kashering to chametz as well. There are four basic methods of kashering.
The prescribed method depends on the utensil and how it was used.
LIBUN (BURNING)
Utensils used directly in the fire (e.g., BBQ grate) must be kashered by placing them in fire. This process has the
effect of burning any absorbed taste. To qualify as a complete libun, metal must be heated until it glows. A selfclean cycle of an oven (approx. 850° F) also qualifies as libun. There is no need to wait 24 hours before libun,
though it is often advised. There is no need to scrub the utensil before performing libun, since the fire will burn
off residue, but some cleaning is advised.
HAGALAH (BOILING)
Utensils that were used to cook non-kosher liquid can be kashered with hagalah (boiling in water). To prepare
the utensil for hagalah, the utensil must be thoroughly cleaned. Only utensils that can be scrubbed clean should
be kashered. Items that have narrow cracks, crevices, deep scratches or other areas that cannot be cleaned, cannot be kashered for Passover. The following, for example, cannot be kashered for Passover: pots with rolled lips,
bottles with narrow necks, filters, colanders, knives (or other utensils) where food could get trapped between the
blade and handle. After cleaning, the utensils should then be left idle for 24 hours. To kasher, every part of the
utensil must make contact with boiling water. This process can be done in parts. For example, a large spoon can
be immersed into a pot of boiling water for 10 seconds, turned over and then the remainder immersed. The pot
used for kashering can be a clean chametz pot that has not been used for 24 hours. When the utensil is removed
from the boiling water, it should be rinsed off in cold water.
IRUY KLI RISHON (POURED BOILING WATER)
If the utensil only came in contact with hot liquid being poured on it (iruy), it can be kashered in the same manner. If the utensil came in contact with hot chametz solids, then one should kasher by pouring boiling water via
an even melubenet (heated stone), pouring water onto the stone and allowing water to drip onto the surface. For
example, if hot pasta fell into a sink, stones should be heated on the stove, and moved around the surface of the
sink while boiling water is poured over them. In this way, the water will remain boiling on the surface of the
sink. The stones may need to be reheated several times, since they cool down quickly. In all other aspects, the
process is identical to hagalah.
LIBUN KAL (LIGHT BURNING)
In certain cases, libun kal is sufficient. This can be accomplished by heating in an oven at 550° F for one hour.
This method of kashering can be used in place of hagalah. It is also used when the need for libun is only an added stringency.
NOT EVERY MATERIAL CAN BE KASHERED. Ceramic, such as china, and enamel-coated pots, cannot be kashered. It is the custom of Ashkenazim not to kasher glass. Some poskim did not permit kashering plastic or other synthetic materials for Passover, however the opinion of the OU rabbanim is that they may be kashered, if
there is a need. Ask your rabbi for guidance. As a rule, materials such as metal, wood, stone, natural rubber and
fabric can be kashered.
Page 5
PASSOVER 2015 / 5775
SALE OF CHAMETZ
During the Passover festival all manner of leavened foods and drinks and ingredients which are made from or
contain an admixture of grains (chametz) are prohibited to any one of the Jewish faith. One who cannot dispose
of all his/her chametz before Pesach must authorize a rabbi, in advance, to sell his/her chametz for him/her to a
non-Jew. This is called “Mechirat Chametz.” This sale of chametz is a legal action, giving the non-Jew all rights to
ownership over the chametz that has been sold and permission to access the food in one’s home/office. After the
conclusion of the festival, the chametz may be repurchased from the non-Jew. Please sign the authorization form
below and return it to the shul office to Rabbi Gabe’s attention by Thursday, April 2nd.
PLEASE NOTE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SALE DEPENDS ON THE CHAMETZ BEING ACCESSIBLE
TO THE NON-JEWISH PARTY TO WHOM IT IS SOLD. PLEASE CLEARLY INDICATE HOW THE CHAMETZ
CAN BE ACCESSED FOR ALL OF PESACH. ACCESS TO CHAMETZ (INCLUDING TIMES WHEN I AM NOT
HOME) CAN BE ARRANGED BY CONTACTING:
NAME:__________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER:_______________________
Authorization Form to Sell Chametz
I, the undersigned, empower and permit Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg to sell all chametz (leaven) and all products
containing chametz possessed by me knowingly or unknowingly as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic law, and
to lease all the places wherein the above mentioned products owned by me may be found, especially in
the premises located at:
Address (location of chametz):
Places where chametz is stored: (Kitchen, Pantry, Bar, etc.):
ESTIMATED VALUE OF CHAMETZ (Edibles):___________________
Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg has the full right to sell and lease the above by such transactions as he deems
fit and proper for such time as he chooses. The authority, which is hereby given, is meant to be in conformity
with the Torah and Rabbinic laws and regulations, and also to be in acceptance with the laws of the United
States of America and the State of Louisiana.
To this I do hereby affix my signature on this
day of
Signature
2015.
Name (please print)
Page 6
DONATIONS TO BETH ISRAEL FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 19, 2015
Mishloach Manot 5775
General Fund
Anonymous
Dr. Laszlo & Shula Fuchs
In honor of…
Myron Goldberg's Birthday……..by Barry & Susan Fox and Andy,
Colleen, Amelia & Campbell Fox
The Chalew's 40th Anniversary………..by George & Elaine Haas
Joel Picker…………………………….by Joe & Sarah Pasternack
In memory of Irvin S. Smith
Alan & Diane Franco
Mike & Marcy Gertler
Richard Katz
Roberta Katz Sollender
In memory of…
Harry Finkelstein……………………………………...by Alan Katz
Sara Palmer Thomason……………………………by Anita Arcana
Morris Barton……………………………..by Evelyn Barton Joseph
Fannie Buderman………………………….by Gary & Sonya Batten
Milton Lopp
Claire Kamil Merlin Diamond………………by Jack & Rachel Merlin
Dorothy Cotlar………………………...by Jerome & Sandra Kanter
Roses PessesTeles…………………………...by Joel & Paula Picker
Harry Finkelstein……………………………….by Juliet Greenberg
David Barkoff……………….by Kenneth Barkoff & Denise Caplane
Regina Kansas Belasco………………...by Marvin & Peggy Belasco
Libbey Gordon……………………………………..by Richard Katz
Nadiv Kehaty
Refuah Sheleimah to...
Jackie Gothard…………………………………….by Richard Katz
Anita Arcana
Morris & Cathy Bart
Joe & Lee Blotner
Joel Brown / Kosher Cajun
Sandra Carp
Sarah Carp
Dr. Stuart & Gail Chalew
Sion & Barbara Daneshrad
Jason & Rachael Beth Feder
Dr. Dan & Marcy Fertel
David & Anne Freedman
Reuben & Marlene Friedman
Dr. Laszlo & Shula Fuchs
Aaron Goldberg
Edward & Blayne Gothard
Jacob & Lee Kansas
Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg & Abby Streusand
Sandra Kasten
Alan Katz
Stephen & Barbara Katz
Irwin & Judy Lachoff
Steven & Leslie Loeb
Rabbi Barbara Metzinger
Dale & Carol Newman
Susana Palma
Joel & Paula Picker
Neil & Jennifer Schneider
Robert M. Steinberg
Alessandro & Julie Steinhaus
Hal & Lauren Ungar
Building Fund
Bradley & Daniela Bain
Richard Katz
Alvis & Jessie Wilson
Jacob & Lee Kansas
Mark & Keri Pollock
Prayer Book Fund
In memory of…
Claire Kamil Merlin Diamond………….by Dr. Carl & Shirley Merlin
In honor of…
Kiddush Fund
Arabella Cook's 1st Birthday……….by Dr. Mark & Debbie Belknap
Jewish War Veterans, Jules Lazard Post 580, New Orleans
In honor of …
Dr. Georgette Somjen………………...by Alexander & Eva Barkoff
Joe Blotner's 1st Great Grandchild…………..by Gertrude Beerman
The birth of Dalia Yehudis Prero………………by Joe & Lee Blotner
Adra Greenberg's 2nd birthday………..by David & Risa Streusand
Youth Programming Fund
Bradley & Daniela Bain
In memory of…
Edward Bruchis…………………………..by Richie & Evellen Bruchis
In honor of …
Sarah Kresteel……………………………by Harris & Rosalie Dulitz
Stan Streusand…………………………..by David & Risa Streusand
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
In memory of…
Louis Wright………………………………………..by Sylvia Stern
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush in honor of a loved one’s Yahrtzeit.
Please support our congregation by sponsoring a Kiddush Lunch to honor someone, remember someone,
celebrate a simcha, or even just enhance our Shabbat celebration. If you cannot sponsor a complete
kiddush, you may be a partial sponsor through a donation to our kiddush fund.
There are three levels of Kiddush sponsorship:
$180 for a Basic Dairy Kiddush
$270 for a Deluxe Dairy or Basic Meat Kiddush
$360 for a Deluxe Meat Kiddush
Contact the synagogue office today to reserve the date for your special Kiddush or to make a donation!
Page 7
APRIL 2015 YAHRTZEITS
In memory of…
Remembered by…
In memory of…
April 1 (12 Nissan)
Morris Dickerman
Sariette W. Ekman
Ida Breen Novoselsky
April 11 (22 Nissan)
Dr. Isidore David Brickman…………………Beverly Brickman
Bessie Greenberg
Sadie Lomm Pailet
Irving Roth
April 2 (13 Nissan)
Eleanor Gross Alexander…………Alexander & Eva Barkoff
Kenneth F. Barkoff
Denise L. Caplane
Meyer Raitman
April 3 (14 Nissan)
Bessie Flaster Davis………………………………Doris Davis
Sadie Gertler (Sarah)…………….Mike & Marcy Gertler
Judge & Mrs. Steve Plotkin
Florence Leventhal……………………Isaac & Holly Pollack
Shirley Padulsky
Joseph Elias Rivlin
Sarah B. Smith
April 4 (15 Nissan)
Maurice Burnstein
Dorothy Shapiro…………………………………Ron Shapiro
Michael M. Watsky
Remembered by…
April 12 (23 Nissan)
Louis Barder………………………………Barry & Alona Katz
Richard Katz
Harold J. Bruchis
Nettie Eichholz
April 13 (24 Nissan)
Harold A. Bruchis………………………………Joseph Bruchis
Lillian Fisher
Rita Rosenson…………………………...Dan & Marcy Fertel
April 14 (25 Nissan)
Nathan Breen
Saul Cantor…………………….Doris Cantor
Ephraim & Debbie Rothschild
Maurice Grossman
Annie Zeid Solomon
April 15 (26 Nissan)
Bertha Grodsky
Lillie Katz…………………………………………Miriam Katz
April 6 (17 Nissan)
Norma Barnett
Sylvia Packler Gerson………………Lynnda Gerson
April 16 (27 Nissan)
Marshall & Jane Gerson
Harry Karn
Mike Lavigne
Joseph Novoselsky
Ephraim Lubritz
April 17 (28 Nissan)
April 7 (18 Nissan)
Hannah Arnowitz
Yetta Green
Helen Goldberg
Frieda Rosenberg
April 8 (19 Nissan)
Pincus Glazer
Ignatz Rosenberg
Sarah Lieberman…………………………Gertrude Beerman
Liselotte Rosenberg
Israel Trestman…………………………Robert & Fran Lenter
April 18 (29 Nissan)
Roslyn Trestman
Cheppa Chesky
Joel & Toby Mendler
Judith Cotlar Guidry……………………Sidney & Diane Cotlar
April 9 (20 Nissan)
Fannie Fein Simkin
Joseph Covert…………………………………Mildred Covert
Solomon Teles……………………………Joel & Paula Picker
William Feldman
Harry Turkish
Sidney Singer
Jacob Stahl
April 19 (30 Nissan)
Lonnie Whitfield………………………Rick Israel Champagne Natalie Brown…………………Ken & Sue Rae Brown Bishop
Joel Brown
April 10 (21 Nissan)
Sarah Esther Covert
Anina Bruchis Cohen
Fay Gurry Rosenberg…………………Leon & Ava Nowalsky
Samuel Louis Sazer……………………Morris & Lisa Sazer
Cantor Bernard Schram
Esther Strug…………………………Joseph & Myra Balfour
Denna Brooks Zoblotsky
Page 8
APRIL 2015 YAHRTZEITS
In memory of…
Remembered by…
April 20 (1 Iyar)
Albert Fox…………………………Myron & Marcie Goldberg
Jennie Nirken……………………………Jack & Annette Rau
Robert Richmond
Bernard Rosenberg
In memory of…
Remembered by…
April 26 (7 Iyar)
Marcel Kahn
Joseph Boris Merlin……………Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Merlin
Dr. & Mrs. Carl Merlin
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Merlin
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Shefsky
Edith Pukof Friedman……………...Albert & Charlene Pukof
Rebecca Davidson Schwartz
Maurice Singer
April 21 (2 Iyar)
Annie Botkofsky
David Charles Levin
Annie Marcus
Sophie Weinstein……………………………Beverly Brickman April 27 (8 Iyar)
Jennie Lavine Herzog
April 22 (3 Iyar)
Albert Lupin
Lillian Glazer……………………………...Shelley Middleberg Abraham Wasserman
Betty Kansas
April 28 (9 Iyar)
April 23 (4 Iyar)
Golda M. Katz
Estelle Gervis………………………………………..Barbara
Lonnie Whitfield……………………Rick Israel Champagne
Gervis
Zlata D. Levin…………………………...J. Joseph Blotner
April 29 (10 Iyar)
Max Gumelsky
Dan & Marcy Fertel
Sydney & Joyce Fertel Goldie Goldblum Mintz
Victor Polikoff………………………Stephen & Barbara Katz
April 24 (5 Iyar)
Esther Pressner………………………Sol & Jackie Gothard
Louis Bograd
Sarah Rachael Steinman
Louis Goldstein
Jerrold Packler………………………Marshall & Jane Gerson
April 30 (11 Iyar)
Adolph P. Polmer
Maxine Ball
Rose Sherman………………Ken & Sue Rae Brown Bishop
Gertrude R. Fischer
David Gansar……………………………………Alan Katz
April 25 (6 Iyar)
Susan Schutz
Margaret Baumsten……………………..Jacob & Vicki Karno
Kate Slebotsky Hellman
Isadore Berniker
Samuel I. Katz……………………………Barry & Alona Katz
Jacob Aryeh Blowell
Richard Katz
Jerome Glazer
David Smith…………………………………..Alan Smason
Annette Smason
Our Deepest Sympathies

On the loss of Harry Finkelstein, z”l, husband of Leona Finkelstein.

On the loss of Deborah Pactor Gentcher Rice, z”l, sister of Jody Rau.
Page 9
BETH ISRAEL & COMMUNITY NEWS
CHESED COMMITTEE NEWS
HOME HOSPITALITY
The committee is a group of people who recruit others from
throughout the community to help individuals and families by
providing anything from a phone call, a home or hospital visit
or a meal in such circumstances as an illness or the birth of
a baby.
The committee is open to both men and women and the
more people involved, the more this group of volunteers will
be able to do to help.
If you are interested in serving on the committee or helping
in some way, please contact:
Get in on your share of the mitzvah
of hachnasat orchim! The task is ours
to extend southern hospitality to
visitors who find themselves in New
Orleans over Shabbat.
Can you offer a bed, or a Friday night
dinner, or a Saturday afternoon
lunch? Contact Jessie Wilson at [email protected]
and find out how you can participate in Beth Israel's
hospitality endeavors.
Jennifer
Schneider at
[email protected]
or (504) 883-5137, Eva Barkoff at [email protected]
or (504) 832-3617.
Help us maintain a network of
volunteers in home hospitality.
Book Dedications
Dedicate a book in honor of a
loved one, in memory of someone
special, or for a happy occasion!
Only $36 each!
Contact the synagogue office to
dedicate a prayer
book or Chumash!
Thank You to our Volunteers
To our Holy Kitchen Krewe: Jackie Gothard, Blayne
Gothard, Judy Antin Lachoff, Chink Lepow, Shula Fuchs,
Gertrude Beerman, Lee Beerman Blotner, Jessie Wilson &
Jessy Posternock
Beth Israel is a proud
member of the Orthodox
Union and a supporter of
YCT Rabbinical School!
To our committed office volunteers:
Paula Picker & Shirl Watsky
SISTERHOOD NEWS
The Sisterhood continues to grow!
If you haven't joined yet, it's never
too late, and we'd love to include
you. You can join by sending a
check for $18 to Beth Israel made
out to Beth Israel Sisterhood (and note that it is for
sisterhood dues) or join at the next function.
For more information, please contact our President:
Sisterhood Presents...
Thursdays, 5:30PM at Beth Israel
YOGA WITH JANICE OPPENHEIM
Open to men and women of all ages
Lee Miller Blotner
(504) 834-2312, [email protected]
$6 sisterhood members - $7 non-members
Page 10
COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY GROUPS WELCOME
As we did on Canal Boulevard, our new building is available to the
community for use by civic and neighborhood groups and service
organizations as well as by our members for various professional,
social, or life cycle functions, etc. We have technology for business
meetings with video conferencing, high definition movie display,
versatile space for your group or organization’s needs and much,
much more. All groups and organizations are welcome to use our
facility regardless of religious affiliation. Contact the synagogue
office for more info or to schedule your event!
In March we hosted:
Jewish Family Service - Parents of Troubled Adults Support Group & Passover Food Basket Preparation,
Nation Alliance of Mental Illness Support Group, Mishneh Torah Class with Tulane Jewish Studies Professor
Dr. Yehuda Halper, Torah Study and Jewish Learning Series: “Preparing for Pesach” with Rabbi Gabe, and
Yoga with Janice Oppenheim
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Wednesday, April 1st, 12:00PM - Jewish Family Service - Passover Basket Project - at Congregation Beth Israel. For more info,
contact Rachel Eriksen at (504) 831-8475 or [email protected].
Sunday, April 12th, 2:00PM - Declare Your Freedom Music Festival (DYF^ 3.0) - at Tulane University’s LBC Quad.
Sunday, April 12th, 7:00PM - JCC - Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration - at the Uptown JCC, 5342 St. Charles Avenue, New
Orleans. For more info contact Liba Kornfeld at (504) 897-0143 or [email protected].
Thursday, April 16th, 7:00PM - Hadassah Panel Discussion - at Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, 3737 West Esplanade
Avenue, North, Metairie. For more info contact Charisse Sands at (504) 888-2824, (504) 231-6464 or [email protected].
Sunday, April 19th, 11:00AM - AVODAH Partners in Justice Jazz Brunch - at Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 West Esplanade
Avenue, South, Metairie. For more info contact Dani Levine at (504) 861-1068 or [email protected].
Wednesday, April 22nd - Federation - Movie Screening in Honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut…“Above and Beyond” - at the National
World War II Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans. For more info contact Sherri Tarr at (504) 780-5609 or
[email protected].
SHOP & CONTRIBUTE TO BETH ISRAEL
We are pleased to announce that Congregation Beth Israel has partnered with AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile has the exact same prices and product selection as Amazon.com. The AmazonSmile
Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to
Beth Israel.
Access AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. On your first visit to
AmazonSmile, you will need to select “Congregation Beth Israel Menorah Institute” as your charitable organization. You can use your
same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile, and your shopping cart, wish list, wedding or baby registry, and other account
settings will be the same for both. Please go to smile.amazon.com for questions and additional AmazonSmile program details.
Page 11
April 2015
Sunday
12 Nissan - 11 Iyar
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
12 Nissan
1
Thursday
16 Mar 13
Cheshvan
Nissan
1
2
Code of Jewish Ethics
Search for Chametz
at
GoP
11:00AM
after
7:55PM
Women’s Tehillim Circle
8:00PM
Parsha Study at
Rabbi’s Home 8:00PM
Nissan
19 Mar 16
Cheshvan
4
5
Passover - Day 2
Shacharit 9:00AM
17 Nissan
6
Chol HaMoed
Passover - Day 3
18 Nissan
7
Chol HaMoed
Passover - Day 4
19 Nissan
8
Chol HaMoed
Passover - Day 5
20 Nissan
7:06
Chol HaMoed
Passover - Day 6
Yom Tov Ends:
7:58PM
12
9
Mincha / Maariv
7:00PM
23 Nissan
13
24 Nissan
Community Yom
HaShoah
Commemoration
at the Uptown JCC
7:00PM
14
25 Nissan
Lunch & Learn at the
Gertler Law Firm
12:00PM
15
26 Nissan
Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor
Dream Coat at the
Sanger Theater
7:30PM
16
Saturday
Friday
2
3
14 Nissan
5:54
7:02
Erev Passover
Shacharit & Siyum for
First Born 7:15AM
Last Chametz: 10:34AM
Burn Chametz by:
11:49AM
Mincha / Abbreviated
Kabbalat Shabbat /
Maariv 7:00PM
21 Nissan
10
7:06
Yom HaShoah
Torah Study with Rabbi
Gabe at BI 7:30PM
18 Mar 15
Cheshvan
Nissan
7:58
Passover - Day 1
Shacharit 9:00AM
Mincha / Maariv
7:00PM
Shabbat Ends /
Candle Lighting:
7:58PM
Community Seder
8:00PM
11
22 Nissan
Passover - Day 8
Passover - Day 7
Shacharit 9:00AM
Mincha / Abbreviated
Kabbalat Shabbat /
Maariv 7:00PM
27 Nissan
3
4
28 Nissan
17
7:11
Shacharit 9:00AM
Yizkor (approx.)
10:30AM
Shir HaShirim reading
following services
Shabbat / Yom
Tov Ends: 8:02PM
18
29 Nissan
Shemini
Mincha / Kabbalat
Shabbat / Maariv
7:00PM
Shacharit 9:00AM
Mishneh Torah
5:00PM
Shabbat Ends:
8:07PM
19
30 Nissan
Rosh Chodesh
Iyar Day 1
Rosh Chodesh
Women’s Gathering
at the Greenberg’s
7:30PM
26
7 Iyar
20
1 Iyar
21
2 Iyar
3 Iyar
22
Yom Hazikaron
Observed
Rosh Chodesh
Iyar Day 2
8 Iyar
4 Iyar
Yom Haatzmaut
Observed
Torah Study with Rabbi
Gabe at BI 7:30PM
Learning with Rabbi
Gabe - What is
Modern Orthodoxy?
7:00PM
27
23
28
9 Iyar
10 Iyar
29
Learning with Rabbi
Gabe - What is
Modern Orthodoxy?
7:00PM
Page 12
30
11 Iyar
24
7:15
5 Iyar
Mincha / Kabbalat
Shabbat / Maariv
7:00PM
25
6 Iyar
Tazra/Metzora
Shabbat HaGadol
Shacharit 9:00AM
Mishneh Torah
5:00PM
Shabbat Ends
8:12PM