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Tzedakah
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CANTOR SHARON WALLACH DEDICATION
Michael & Rita Appel
Rabbi Andy Busch
Harry & Irene Deitchman
James & Barbie Prince
Cantor Ann Sacks
Rabbi Elissa Sachs-Kohen
Cantor Robbie Solomen
Jeff & Sheri Stern
Henry & Lyla Tobin
GENERAL SYNAGOGUE FUND
Irene & Harry Deitchman
For the Yahrzeit of Herman Deitchman
Elinor & Saul Elizhewitz
For the Yahrzeits of Anna Elishewitz and Sophie Master
Abby Lillianseld
In Honor of the Snyder Family
Maxine Rosenthal
For a Yahrzeit
Robin Hurwitz
Sam & Marilyn Posner
Sue & Arthur Ross
Rabbi Search Update by Gary S. Posner
Chairman Rabbi Search Committee
The Rabbi Search Committee has worked, outside of the spotlight, and fielded questions from time-to-time from individual members. At this point, the Committee thought it would be a good idea to provide a brief update on the progress.
As most of you know, the Committee's first step was to obtain input from the Congregation as to priorities to guide the selection of Adat Chaim's next spiritual leader. The Committee spent the first weeks assembling and circulating a survey. Approximately one-third of all member families returned the survey.
The survey results provided needed background and assisted with the development of the first round interview questions for the candidates. The questions seek to obtain, among other things, information on a candidate's approach to conducting Services and delivering sermons, comfort level with chanting Torah, views on how to best reach-out to interfaith families, desired role in adult education programs, commitment to involvement in children's education and view on issues of the day that impact clergy such as same-sex unions. Some are open ended questions, while others are more pointed. The goal of the interview questions is to get a broad picture of the candidate and his or her philosophies on the gamut of issues concerning synagogue life and that affect Adat Chaim's members.
Solicitations for candidates have been circulated. Some inquiries have been received. On February 17, the Committee conducted the first candidate interview.
In the weeks ahead, the Committee hopes to continue with interviews and identify candidates who can be recommended to the Board for further consideration. Ultimately, the objective is to find the best rabbi to serve the needs of Adat Chaim.
The Committee welcomes input and questions. Additionally, the Committee looks forward to having as many members attend Services and get-togethers when prospective candidates visit the Congregation in the coming weeks.
Finally, the Committee extends its thanks to all who have participated in the survey, called with comments, offered suggestions and shared praise.
Reminiscing by Alvin Bober
March is the month between; winter is gone, but it isn’t spring. We are very pleased that nighttime temperatures no longer hover in the 20’s. Sure we still have brisk weather but the worst is over. We are beginning to think openly and with enthusiasm about gardening, baseball and Purim along with Pesach.
This year I have purchased my tomato plants from a firm that guarantees super results. I expect my vines of tomatoes on the 4th of July to be the envy of New Town. This company has available classic varieties, new hybrids and ones suited for commercial farms. It took considerable study to select my plants but I’m ready for great things. I’m salivating just thinking of that red Big Boy on my kitchen table.
This winter, Oriole Management has recruited a potentially great ball team. Many of us are amazed at the selections of the Brass. At least 10 of the new recruits are known, topnotch players. And their salaries are unheard of for Orioles. The Orioles are spending real cash for personnel. Spring training is in full force in March. 2011 is the first year for our team to be in Sarasota, FL. Minor league Orioles will be there too. This is an excellent step up. The Coaches can easily interact with one and all while the upcoming rookie can be energized by the presence of established players.
As March rolls on we can evaluate whether or not our new 10 potential starters still have the right stuff. If the answer proves to be yes, playoff games in Baltimore will be a reality. Think of it, a winning season! Having Buck Showalter as Oriole manager is really the key to success in 2011. Showalter has proven credentials. What he accomplished with that ragged tagged bunch of players in 2010 was just boggling. In 2011, with a personally selected staff, expect the very best season from Buck Showalter. Talent is a must but leadership is how you win in a WORLD SERIES.
Purim is especially meaningful this March. The recent events in Egypt give weight to the message of Purim. Tyrants are always bad news. We have to be constantly on the alert to counteract their evil ways. Egypt has a magnificent history of invention, engineering, science and art but they still have the reputation of picking off-quality leaders. Ancient and modern Egyptian administrators have huge gaps in their philosophy of governance.
Dena and I spent two weeks or so touring Egypt including a riverboat cruise on the Nile. Our guide was a graduate engineering student who couldn’t find a job helping farmers improve the quality of their crops. Israel has developed sophisticated techniques to maximize irrigation. Egypt still uses open ditches to distribute water to field crops. We thought that Egypt had the talent to be a 1st class nation again but they didn’t have the coordinated leadership to explore that asset. Leadership, wonderful word, is in such low presence.
Maybe the Orioles have really found it this year.
Congregational School News:
Cathy Litofsky, Hebrew School Liaison
Report cards have gone home, the classes are buzzing with the excitement of Purim and spring is on its way! A few basic reminders to all of our Hebrew School families as we move into nicer weather and plan for special activities and guest speakers:
1. If your child is sick, please do not send them to Hebrew School;
2. Remember to review Hebrew reading with your child and make sure they have completed all of their homework;
3. We would greatly appreciate your prompt payment of any outstanding Hebrew School balances.
4. Do plan to attend Purim services on Saturday evening, March 19th. A special Purim play will be performed by our Dugma students and the Hebrew School students will be busy assisting with set designs and props.
5. The Purim Carnival will be held on Sunday, March 20th. Please note that the special time for Hebrew School that day is from 10AM – Noon. We could use a few parent volunteers. If you can assist that day, contact me at the e-mail address above (Older siblings can help too!). Students are encouraged to dress in costume as one of the traditional characters in the Megillah.
And now for some classroom updates . . .
Dear Parents, Horim Yekarim, Shalom!
The Aleph Class is busy preparing for Purim and Pesach. We have learned about Esther's heroism and Haman's wickedness. We are also excited to be learning how to recite the four questions for our Passover Seder. We have continued to davin (pray) every Sunday morning and enjoy singing our favorite prayer, Modeh Ani.
~ Marissa Friedman
Time is flying when we have fun, don't you agree? For us, the students in Hebrew school,it is a very short time from Tu B'Shevat to Purim to concentrate on a very important chapter - Kedushah.
Have you ever imaginedthat you were someone else? Perhaps you had the role of a princess ina schoolplay and you spoke and walked regally. Or maybe you and your buddies pretended to be pro-basketball stars. The Kedushah, the third blessing in the Amidah, helps us stretch our imaginations so we can picture angels as they praise God. The Torah tells us in the Book of Isaiah that winged angels praised Godwith the words of the Kedushah (Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh). We are like angels when we say these words - we rise up on our toes three times and we imagine that we are elevating ourselves in the same way that angels are elevated in God's eyes. KEDUSHAH means "HOLY", and in this - the central blessing of the Amidah - we express our awe at God's holiness. When we say these words, we try to focus on being kinder and more patient, more helpful and more thoughtful. In this way, the Kedushah help us concentrate on becoming better people. Please come to the services with your children to feel the amazing atmosphere ofKabbalat Shabbat! ~ B'Shalom, Irina Minevich
We have completed our study of Hannah Senesh and her poetry. The students who were able to find her poetry online have an extra gift from this 23 year old Jewish martyr who sacrificed herself during WWII. We are now reading the megillah and also learning about Golda Meir. We are having fun learning and contrasting time periods and culture. We are gearing up for the Purim Carnival. There is no mention of God's name in the Purim story. Why is that? The Passover story continually mentions God. Why is that? ~ Avrum Weiss
Hebrew School Dates for March 2011:
Thursday, March 3 Hebrew School Open; Dugma in session
Sunday, March 6 Vav-Zayin Family Education Program (11AM – Noon)
Thursday, March 10 Hebrew School Open; Dugma in session
Saturday, March 12 Vav-Zayin Family Shabbat service
Sunday, March 13 Hebrew School Open
Thursday, March 17 Hebrew School Open; Dugma in session
Sunday, March 20 Purim Carnival during Hebrew School (10AM – Noon)
Thursday, March 24 Hebrew School Open; Dugma in session
Sunday, March 27 Aleph-Bet-Gimmel Family Education Program (9:30 – 10:30AM)
Sisterhood
Cathy Litofsky, President
410.356.7288
We look forward to a great evening of food and film sponsored by the Sisterhood on Saturday, March 5th @ 7:30PM. The movie will be Liberty Heights and the food will be dishes reminiscent of the good ole days of Baltimore. You know what I mean: coddies, some great desserts and, of course, popcorn for the movie! Reservations would be helpful so we can make sure that we have enough food for the evening. We also wouldn’t mind a small donation of $5/person to help defer the cost. Contact Lynn Ruddie with your reservation at or phone her at 410.833.7987. We’ll see you at the movies!
The next Book Club will take place on Monday, March 21st at the home of Myra Wittik. Her address is 3942 Chaffey Road, Randallstown. The book being discussed is The Cookbook Collector, by Allegra Goodman. Discussion will begin at 7:30PM.
Join us on Monday, April 4th at 6:15PM for the Joint Sisterhood Dinner. Adat Chaim is hosting the event this year and we look forward to seeing all the women of the congregation at the event. Please see the flier in this Bulletin and get your reservation in by March 14th. The theme is “Hats off to Sisterhood.” So wear a fun hat that evening and join in on the fun!
Shalom until next month!
Cathy
Attention Giant, Safeway and
Food Lion Customers
Giant gift cards are available in denominations of $25, $50 and $100. Adat Chaim receives 5% of each gift card purchased. Giant gift cards may also be used at Martins in Westminster.
Did you know that Safeway has a program Follow these easy steps if you have a Safeway card:
that will turn groceries into dollars for our shul? 1. Log onto www.escrip.com.
It is really easy to do once you have a Safeway 2. Select Safeway.
Card. 3. Follow their instructions!
Do you already shop at Food Lion? Updated information for Food Lion
Go onto www.foodlion.com. Click on Good Neighbors on the left side of the page. Then click on In the Community, and then Lion Shop and Share. You can then register your card with Adat Chaim. If you have any questions about these programs or want to order Giant cards, please contact Arlene Nusbaum at 410-655-2242.
Contributions can be made to:
I am enclosing ______
Chai ($18)
Double Chai ($36)
Triple Chai ($54)
10 X Chai ($180)
Other ______
I would like to donate to the following special fund ______
(Please specify) / Contributions can be made:
In Memory of
For Speedy Recovery
In Honor of
In Appreciation of
Other ______
(Please specify)
Other ______
(Please specify) / Buy a Brick ($18)
Congregational School
Chumash Book Plate ($75)
Endowment Fund
General Synagogue Fund
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Rabbi Seymour Essrog
Lecture Fund
Tree of Life ($180.00)
Yad Ezra/Dues
Yahrzeit Plaque ($250)
Donation for (name/occasion)
Send card to
Address
City, State, Zip / Your name(s) as you wish them to appear in Bulletin
Card to be signed
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Torah Tidbits - Compiled by Arlene Nusbaum
March 5
Pekudei
Exodus 38:21-40:38
Moses makes anaccountingof the gold, silver and copper donated by the people for the making of the Mishkan. Betzalel, Ahaliav and their assistants make the Eight Priestly Garments– the Apron, Breastplate, Cloak, Crown, Hat,Tunic,SashandBreeches-- according to the specifications communicated to Moses in theParshah of Tetzaveh.
The Mishkan is completed and all its components are brought toMoses, who erects it and anoints it with the holy Anointing Oil, and initiatesAaronand his four sons into the priesthood. Acloudappears over the Mishkan, signifying the Divine Presence that has come todwellwithin it. This week's Torah reading also speaks of thehalf-shekeleach Jewcontributedto the Sanctuary.