New Light News April 20205915 Beacon Street, Pittsburgh PA 15217 • 412-421-1017 • info@newlightcongregation.org

From the Desk of the Rabbi Dear Friends,In a few weeks we will recite those immortal words “Next Year in Jerusalem.” I have not quite understood the true meaning of those words until this year. The “Jerusalem” that we mention after all the prayers are said and done in the Passover Haggadah is not physical Jerusalem that many of us have visited. Do we really mean that Jews from every corner of the world will find themselves next year celebrating Passover in the Holy City? It is a travel agent’s nightmare! Not to mention overwhelming the restaurants (I was there last year and it is difficult to get a table!) No, I think the Jerusalem we are referring to here is the Heavenly Jerusalem. I have carried this idea of Heavenly Jerusalem ever since I learned about it in rabbinical school and I could never quite buy it. Until now. The Rabbis of the Talmud make frequent mention of it as an eternal city that is preserved in heaven despite the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70. I read once where this Heavenly Jerusalem descends when the moment is ripe (perhaps the messianic era) and we will feel the true holiness of the city that David, Solomon and God intended. The world we live in is far from idealized. We have fallen into a reality that brings on panic, sadness, suspicion, and other dark thoughts. We shape ourselves to new behaviors that are strange. The idea of “loving the stranger” is dispelled by social distancing. As it comes closer, many of us crack jokes but there is an overwhelming feeling of dread. When we say “Next Year in Jerusalem,” we are talking about moving closer to an idealized life. When we say “Next Year in Jerusalem” we are talking about renewal and hope. Jerusalem is the mindset we look forward to. Jerusalem is what happens when we get to the end of this terrible plague. Obviously the ancient Israelites were familiar with plagues. Plagues were as common as the weather. When the plague came to end and you were spared, you held hands with one another; you gave hugs to your children; you celebrated an idealized reality: liberation. That is why the Rabbis end the Seder with “Next Year in Jerusalem.” Our present reality is much closer to the Heavenly Jerusalem than it is to the liberation of slaves from Egypt. The Rabbis are saying, “Keep your eye on the horizon; it is coming; it is coming – we will reach the end of this horrid thing and be united as a community – not just as a community but as a world.”Remember to treat each other tenderly. May you be assured of the safety of those who are most dear to you. Trust that joy will come like a new dawn. Know that we are all here together. Take the time to allow for self-compassion. Take the time to find gratitude. Keep our precious planet in mind when you say your prayers. Take breaths, release worry, and hold on to the belief that God triumphs and our people are eternal. Am Yisrael Chai! In faith,Rabbi

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April Presidents’ ReportAs we write this on March 24th life is on hold. New York and Los Angles are traffic-jam free for the first time, ever. So too here in Pittsburgh. The result: pollution levels have dropped precipitously in all three cities. Do all tragedies have a silver lining? Is this a natural experiment to encourage us to buy electric cars?New Light is a community, tied together in love and friendship through our weekly religious services and events. How do we continue our mission? How do we continue to serve God now that everything is shut down? We are a community-oriented species. We need that physical interaction of others. We need to see each other – as long as we are six feet apart.Technology offers a partial answer. For some of us, computers are neither simple nor useful for our everyday activities. Too many rules; too many errors with no obvious solution; too many scams and viruses. Too many complications. Too expensive.Yet the ability to gather together, even if it is on a screen, offers comfort and connection; a temporary way forward until life returns to “normal.”All this is to say that we will maintain our activities using software called Zoom. This will include our Friday evening services (at 6:00 P.M.) and all Board and Committee meetings. While far from perfect, we can both see and hear each other. We are also open to other suggestions, including conducting a Havdalah Service Saturday night with a discussion of the week’s Torah portion. If you have other ideas or suggestions, please call Barbara or Steve. (As of right now, using technology on Shabbat is prohibited.)Over the past week we have had three training sessions on how to use Zoom. If you have not tried it, please call Steve, who will do a one-on-one. There are actually two options: using the computer (or tablet or smartphone) or using your phone. Using the computer offers both video and audio if you have a camera and microphone. The advantage is that we can see and hear each other. But for some of us, there is no computer or our computer does not have a camera or microphone. Instead, you can call in using your phone. It does not even have to be a “smart” phone. All you need is the meeting number. Again, please call Steve for assistance.For more information on how to use Zoom with your phone: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663-Joining-a-meeting-by-phone.The following meetings are scheduled over the next few weeks:• Hebrew Pronunciation Class – date and time to be announced.• Friday Night Shabbat Services – 6:00 P.M. Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/351087897 or dial-in

646-876- 9923, Meeting ID: 351 087 897. Use the same meeting number every Friday night. The Sim Shalom sidur (pdf) is available on our website on the religious services page.

• Board Meeting – 10:30 A.M. Sunday, April 5th: Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/925641128 or dial-in 646-876-9923, Meeting ID: 925 641 128.

In other news:Tree of Life has distributed funds donated following 10.27. We received a check for $247,000.The Frick Park Memorial of Trees project is delayed to the Fall.We submitted a proposal to the Snow Foundation to renovate the Cemetery garage into a Chapel with working bathrooms.- Barbara and Stephen

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Friday Night (Virtual) ServicesWe encourage everyone to participate in Friday night services. It’s a great way to feel connected. To use Zoom technology on your computer, tablet or smartphone:Connect to: https://zoom.us/j/351087897, Meeting ID: 351 087 897To participate just by phone, dial: 646-876-9923. Meeting ID: 351 087 897 No password requiredThese instructions and a copy of the Shabbat Sim Shalom (we have permission to distrubute and you may print it) are on the web site on the Religious Services page: https://newlightcongregation.org/religious-services/A friend of Rabbi and Beth Perlman has a great guide to making virtual prayer meaningful at https://forward.com/life/441980/virtual-davening-livestream-minyan-jewish-prayer-quarantine/There are many instruction guides and videos to help use Zoom - here’s a good place to start: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697

Cancelations and ContinuationsUntil it is safe, all gatherings - services and classes - will either be canceled, postponed, or held remotely.• Friday night services are now at 6:00 P.M. via Zoom technology. See the next section for

details and tips.• The Sacred Seasons class with Rodman is on hold for now.• Hebrew Reading/Pronunciation Class will resume on-line when we work out logistics.• Saturday morning and Sunday morning services are canceled. • Weekly D’var Torahs will be posted online on the Religious Services page, in the Messages

from the Rabbi section.

April BirthdaysCarol Berkman Arnold Epstein Barbara Epstein Charles Honigsberg Saul Kaufman Karen Coburn Ileen Portnoy Honey Sapir Jerry Sapir Eileen Snider

April AnniversariesMarilyn & Charles Honigsberg Honey & Jerry Sapir

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MeetingsThe Men’s Club and Sisterhood meetings for April are canceled.

The Congregational/Board meeting will be held via teleconferencing. Zoom connection information is below.In accordance with the New Light Congregation Constitution and Bylaws, Article IV, Section 2, a Congregational Meeting shall be held on Sunday, April 5th at 10:30 A.M., in preparation for the June 7th annual meeting. The regular board meeting will follow. Motions placed at the April 5th meeting will be the only ones considered at the annual June meeting. Only members in good standing are allowed to vote at the annual meeting.Agenda for the Congregational Meeting1. Nomination of Officers and Board Members for the 2020-2021 calendar year.2. New BusinessThe Nominating Committee will propose the following slate:• Co-Presidents: Barbara L. Caplan, Stephen R. Cohen• Membership VP: Debbi Salvin• Social VP: Barbara L. Caplan• Treasurer: Harold Caplan• Financial VP: Carl Solomon• Recording Secretary: Ileen Portnoy• Corresponding Secretary: Janet CohenBoard Member Vacancies:There are five vacancies for a three year term and one vacancy for a two year term.Proposed new board members are:• Arnold Epstein• Jake Notovitz• Karen Shapiro• Aryeh Sherman• Barry WerberOther nominations for officers and board members will be taken from the floor.Marilyn Honigsberg is stepping aside from her role as Administrative Assistant. We are deeply grateful for her contributions in that role for the past two years.

Zoom information for the Sunday, April 5th congregaton/board meeting: Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/925641128 or dial-in 646-876-9923, Meeting ID: 925 641 128.

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Recent Events

PurimOn March 10th we celebrated Purim with dinner, a hyper-speed Megillah reading by Yitz Francus, and the Purim-themed movie “For Your Consideration.” Rabbi and Beth Perlman were in costume as ABBA (and Eema) and serenaded us with a Purim variation of ABBA music.

Holocaust TourNew Light members had a private tour of the exhibit “For You Were Strangers: Jewish Immigration to Pittsburgh, 1890-1990” on March 1st. Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, director of the center, provided a very meaningful presentation.

Rabbi Jonathan Perlman 412-904-3601Co-President/Social VP/ Barbara Caplan 412-521-4332 & YahrzeitCo-President Stephen Cohen 412-421-3999Administrative Assistant Marilyn Honigsberg 412-521-7174Membership Debbi Salvin 724-444-6324 Sisterhood Sharyn Stein 412-521-5231Men’s Club Harold Caplan 412-521-4332Onegs Hugh Casper 412-421-7619Treasurer Harold Caplan 412-521-4332

Simcha Tree & Ileen Portnoy 412-683-7985 Memorial Plaques Cemetery Stephen Cohen 412-421-3999Religious Committee Carl Solomon 412-421-2165 Recording Secretary Ileen Portnoy 412-683-7985Corresponding Secretary Janet Cohen 412-512-0949Calendar Janet Cohen 412-512-0949Yahrzeits Barbara Caplan 412-521-4332Website Stephen Cohen 412-421-3999

Reminders ● To purchase Memorial Plaques, Simcha Tree Leaves or Stones contact Ileen Portnoy 412-683-7985 ● To sponsor an Oneg in honor of that special person/event or for no reason at all call Hugh Casper at 412-421-7619 ● To purchase bricks for our “Garden of Freedom” or sponsor a Kiddush luncheon contact Barbara Caplan 412-521-4332 ● To purchase Giant Eagle gift cards contact Marilyn Honigsberg at 412-521-7174 ● For information on our cemetery contact Stephen Cohen at 412-421-3999

NEW LIGHT CONGREGATION 5915 Beacon Street 412-421-1017 www.newlightcongregation.org

Form for the Selling of ChametzNote: Please contact Rabbi Perlman by noon on Sunday, April 5th 10:00 AM if you wish to authorize the sale of your Chametz. You can mail this form to him at 6536 Darlington Rd, Pittsburgh, 15217. If possible, all Chametz – food not acceptable during Pesach (Passover), or materials containing such unacceptable food –should be destroyed or given away before the holiday begins. Should this be impos-sible, the Chametz 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 to Rabbi Perlman. Remember to call him no later than Sun-day, April 5th, by noon.I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi __Perlman____ to act in mybehalf to sell all Chametz possessed by me – knowingly or unknowingly – as defined by Torah and rabbin-ic law, and to lease all places wherein Chametz owned may be found. This transaction will be in effect for the duration of Pesach, which this year begins with sundown of _April 8____and runs through _April 16, 2020__ And to this I hereby affix my signature on this _________________________ day of_________________________ ,in the year _________________________.Name:

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