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Why Matzah?

How improbable that the central symbol of the seminal event in Jewish history is a cracker! So we must probe: Why matzah?

When told to "hurry up," Ralph Waldo Emerson's remarkable aunt and inspiration, Mary Moody Emerson, responded, "Hurry up is for slaves." Time is the most precious human commodity. If we cannot control our own time, we are not free. While all of us will have obligations, only a slave has no control over his or her own time. Matzah represents the forced hurrying of the slave.

Our tradition took this symbol of hurry, of slavery, intentionally overturned this symbolism—subverted it, if you will, and made the bread of affliction the symbol of Passover freedom.

Israeli scholar Israel Yuval writes,

"In the ancient world, the rising and leavening of dough represented the power of civilization, human activity, and interference in nature, while the matzah...was the symbol of simplicity and primitivism, the bread of the unsettled nomad, the bread of affliction that lasts a long time."

The bustle and forced activity of Egypt was bread; the long impoverished but emancipated wandering was matzah.

Pesach is a bracing meditation on time and freedom. In leaving Egypt there was no time to bake bread. The humble symbol of matzah, product of necessity, becomes a stirring symbol of liberation. The fleeing Israelites transformed the "Hurry, slave!" message of matzah into a declaration of freedom for all humanity.

Chag kasher v’samei-ach! May you and yours have an unhurried, healthy, joyful and liberating Passover!

(I hope to see all of you at our community seder on Tuesday night, March 26!—See elsewhere in this issue for details!)

Rabbi J.B. Sacks

HAMIGDALOR

CONGREGATION AM HAYAM

4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca. 93003 Phone (805) 644-2899 Fax (805) 644-2887

Website: www.amhayam.org

From The Rabbi’s Study—March 2013

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Message from Brenda Rich

MONDAYS WITH MORT

During the month of March there will be no sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH at 10:30 AM

due to a family activity and medicaL appointments that happen to fall on Mondays during March.

Everyone is invited to attend in April as we continue the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus).

Roz and I wish everyone a Kosher Pesach!

Question of the Month:

What is sung after the Megillah reading on Purim?

The answer can be found at http://www.mondayswithmort.com/doyouknow.htm,

Also be sure to check out the entire Mondays with Mort web site at http://

www.mondayswithmort.com

and the CAH web site at http://www.amhayam.org.

Mort

Greetings:

This has been a sad month in our Am HaYam family as we lost 3 members. Our hearts, love, friendship go

out to Lois Lebman on the loss of her beloved husband, Sandy; Martha Zoloth on the loss of her beloved

husband, George; and to Murray Kaufman on the loss of his beloved wife, Bunny.

All of them will be greatly missed. May their memories always be for a blessing.

But we also had some joy in February with the celebration of Purim on Saturday night, February 23rd and

Sunday morning, February 24th. Rabbi Sacks introduced a new reading of the story of Esther with lots of

mostly familiar melodies to the prayers. Most were dressed in costumes and it was a most enjoyable

celebration. Many pictures were taken but you will have to wait until the April Migdalor to see them as

this issue is chuck full of information for Pesach.

Speaking of Passover. Please send in your reservations to attend our community seder on Tuesday, March 26th.

You will find the flyer elsewhere is the Migdalor. Again we will have reading from our special Haggadot,

singing, and a delicious Seder meal. Come and make this a truly family event with your Am HaYam family.

Upcoming events that you must put on your calendars today are:

Sunday, April 28th – Jewish Heritage Day 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 5th Gold & Silver Sale Party and Tea Party – 2 p.m – 4 p.m.

Sunday, June 2nd Gourmet Progressive Brunch 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Also you will want to place your orders for scrip. See all the suppliers elsewhere in the Migdalor. You will

be able to pick up scrip at any of these events.

Chaig kasher v’samei-ach!

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Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Time 6:00 PM

Cost: $25 per person Children: $9

6& Under No charge

Checks Payable to CAH

Please remit to:

Congregation Am HaYam

4839 Market Street, Unit C

Ventura, CA. 93003

RSVP BY 3/20/13

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GUIDE TO PASSOVER FOODS and KASHERING

Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards

[NOTE: The Rabbinical Assembly Pesach Guide presented here was approved on January 10, 2012 by the Committee on Jewish Law

and Standards by a vote of 15-0-0. Rabbi Sacks has adapted it to render it more user-friendly.]

The Torah prohibits chametz (leaven) during Pesach. For more on what is and is not considered chametz, please see the article “Passover Lore” elsewhere in this Migdalor, in the section on Chametz. The prohibition on chametz during Pesach includes ownership. Therefore, people traditionally arrange for the Rabbi to sell their chametz. For more on this, see the article “Mechirat Chametz—The Selling of Chametz” elsewhere in this Migdalor.

When we think of Pesach, we first and foremost think of not eating chametz, which the Torah clearly prohibits. This may be trickier than it seems, for many common foods contain some admixture of chametz. The following guidance is provided with a view towards shopping and otherwise doing one’s Pesach preparations.

During the eight days of Pesach, chametz cannot lose its identity in an admixture. Therefore, the minutest amount of chametz renders the whole admixture chametz and its use on Pesach pro-hibited. However, during the rest of the year, chametz follows the normal rules of admixture, i.e. it loses its identity in an admixture of one part chametz and sixty parts of non-chametz (batel be-shishim). This affords us the opportunity to differentiate between foods purchased before Pesach and those purchased subsequent to the onset of Pesach.

Kosher le-Pesach labels which do not bear the name of a rabbi, or do not bear one of the recognized symbols of rabbinic supervision, or which are not integral to the package, should, in general, not be used.

Prohibited foods—no matter when they are bought—include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffees containing cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol.

Most Ashkenazi authorities have added the following foods (kitniyot) to the above list: rice, corn, millet, legumes (beans, including soy, and peas; however, string beans are

permitted). Some Ashkenazi authorities permit, while others forbid, the use of legumes in a form oth-er than their natural state, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, and soy oil. Sephardic authorities permit the use of all of the above. Follow your family tradition or consult Rabbi Sacks. Israeli prod-ucts are often marked “contains kitniyot” and thus Ashkenazi Jews who do not use ( קטניותkitniyot) need to be vigilant when purchasing Israeli products for

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Passover. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unanimously that peanuts, peanut oil, and string beans are permissible provided that such products have proper year-round kosher certification and do not contain any chametz.

Permitted Foods:

A. The following foods require no kosher le-Pesach label if purchased prior to the onset of Pesach: pure white sugar (no additives); non-iodized salt (not iodized); frozen fruit (no additives); all pure fruit juices; white milk; unsalted Grade A butter; filleted fish, and quinoa (with nothing mixed in, particularly Bolivian or Peruvian quinoa).

B. The following foods require no kosher le-Pesah label if purchased before or during Pesah: Fresh fruits and vegetables (for legumes see above), eggs, fresh or frozen kosher meat (other than chopped meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, pure black, green, or white tea leaves, unflavored tea bags, Nestea (regular and decaffeinated), unflavored regular coffee, olive oil (extra-virgin only), whole or gutted fresh fish, whole or half pecans (not pieces), whole ( unground) spices and nuts, baking soda, and bicarbonate of soda. [Note: Frozen, uncooked vegetables may be processed on shared equipment that uses chametz. It is preferable to

purchase those with a “kosher l’Pesach” label. One may, however, buy bags of frozen non-hechshered vegetables before Pesach provided that one can either determine that no shared equipment was used or one is careful to inspect the contents before Pesach

and discard any pieces of chametz. Indeed, even without inspection, if one removes pieces of chametz found in the package on Pesach itself, the vegetables themselves are

permissible. What one should do, then, might well depend upon how strict one wishes

to be when it comes to such matters.)

C. The following foods require a kosher le-Pesah label if purchased before or during

Pesah (that is, they ALWAYS require a reliable “kosher l’Pesach” certification: All baked

products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal, and any products contain-ing matzah); canned tuna; wine; vinegar; liquor; oils; dried fruits; candy; chocolate fla-vored milk; ice cream; herbal tea; decaf tea; decaf coffee; dried fruits yogurt; non-Grade

A butter, chocolate milk, cheeses, soda; and all frozen processed foods. For concerns

about baby food, please ask Rabbi Sacks.

NON-FOOD ITEMS: Detergents, cleaners, etc., which are not a food stuff and which are not eaten, may be used for Pesach with no hechshered supervision. This would include: aluminum products, ammonia, baby oil, bleach, candles, contact paper, charcoal, coffee

filters, fabric softener, isopropyl alcohol, laundry and dish detergent, oven cleaner, paper bags, paper plates (with no starch coating), plastic cutlery, plastic wrap, polish, powder and ointment, sanitizers, scouring pads, stain remover, water with no additives, and was

paper.

MEDICINE: Prescription medicines are permitted. Non-prescription pills and capsules

are permitted; for liquids, please consult a rabbi.

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KASHERING OF UTENSILS: The process of kashering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to Halachah,

leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil (ke-voleo kakh poleto). Therefore,

utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling, those used in broiling are kashered by fire and heat, and those used only for cold

food are kashered by rinsing.

A. EARTHENWARE (china, pottery, etc.) may not be kashered. However, fine china which was put away clean and has not

been used for over one Jewish calendar year may be used after thorough detergent and hot water washing. It is then considered

pareve, and may be designated for meat or milk.

B. METAL. To kasher pots, silverware, and utensils wholly of metal not used for baking, thoroughly clean the item with soap and

water, then, following a strict 24 hour waiting period during which they are not used, immerse the item in water that is at a rolling

boil הגעלה(– hag’alah). For pots and pans, clean handles thoroughly. If the handle can be removed, do so for an even more

thorough cleaning. To effect ( הגעלהhag’alah), the item must be completely exposed to the boiling water. Pots and pans are either

immersed in a larger pot of boiling water (may be done one section at a time) or filled with water brought to a rolling boil and then a

heated stone is dropped into the pot such that the boiling water overflows to cover the sides of the pot. A safer alternative might be

let the water boil over the sides of the pot. In the case of silverware every part of each piece must be exposed to the water at a

rolling boil. Following this process, each utensil is rinsed in cold water For metal bakeware, contact Rabbi Sacks.

C. OVENS AND RANGES: Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly cleaned. Then, oven and range should

be heated at maximum heat for one hour; range tops until the elements turn red and glow. Then parts of the range top around the

elements that can be covered should be covered (usually with aluminum foil). Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and

cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle while empty. Following this process, the oven should be again cleaned to

remove any ash. If the oven was very dirty to start, two cycles may be needed to assure a thorough cleaning.

D. MICROWAVE OVENS, which do not cook the food by means of heat, should be cleaned, and then a cup of water (8 oz.) should be placed inside. Then the oven should be turned on until the water almost disappears (at least 6 oz. is gone.). A micro-wave oven that has a browning element cannot be kashered for Pesah.

E. GLASSWARE: Authorities disagree as to the method for kashering drinking utensils. One opinion requires soaking in water for

three days, changing the water every 24 hours. The other opinion requires only a thorough scrubbing before Pesah, or putting

them through a dishwasher.

1. Glass Cookware: There is a difference of opinion as to whether it is to be kashered. One opinion is that it must be kashered.

After a thorough cleansing, there should be water boiled in them which will overflow the rim. The other opinion is that only a thor-

ough cleansing is required.

2. Glass Bakeware, like metal bakeware, is more complex. Contact—- Rabbi Sacks is you have a concern.

F. DISHWASHER: After not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, a full cycle with detergent should be run.

.

G. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: If the parts that come into contact with hametz are removable, they can be kashered in the

appropriate way (if metal, follow the rules for metal utensils). If the parts are not removable, the appliance cannot be kashered.

(All exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned.)

H. TABLES, CLOSETS AND COUNTERS: If used with hametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered, and then they

may be used.

I. KITCHEN SINK: A metal sink can be kashered by thoroughly cleaning and then pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink

should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used.

J. CHAMETZ AND NON-PASSOVER UTENSILS: Non-Passover dishes, pots and hametz whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked in order to prevent accidental use.

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MECHIRAT CHAMETZ: THE SELLING OF CHAMETZ

One must not have any chametz (leaven) in his or her legal possession during Pesach.

After doing a complete and thorough cleaning of your home, you should throw away any

opened packages of chametz, thereby beginning Pesach in a chametz-free environment.

Consider donating new and closed chametz items to a local food pantry.

The remainder of your chametz should be stored in a place where you will not inadvertently use it.

Document of Permission – Sh’tar Harsha'ah

This sale is usually executed by appointing someone knowledgeable as your agent by

completing a sh’tar harsha'ah, or Document of Permission. The agent then sells your chametz by writing a sh’tar m’chirah, or Document of Sale. Rabbi Sacks is honored to serve as your agent for this purpose.

For up-to-date information on prohibited and permitted foods, check out the Rabbinical Assembly Web site at www.rabbinicalassembly.org.

You should sell your chametz even if you will be away for the duration of the holiday.

In order to make your home fully kosher for Pesach you should:

1. Fill out the form below and mail to Rabbi Sacks so that it arrives to him by March 21, 2013. Otherwise, call him with the information by March 20, 2013.

2. Search your home (b’dikat hametz) on the evening of Sunday, March 24, 2013 (you can find details at the beginning of most haggadot. See elsewhere in this Migdalor for more of an explanation (Under “Passover Lore”)

Document of Permission

I, ___________________________________, hereby designate Rabbi J.B. Sacks as my agent to sell all my chametz, including but not lim-ited to any leavened food, dishes, pots, pans and utensils, which may be in my possession. I understand that the sale will be in effect before noon on Monday, March 25, 2013 until after sundown Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

Name: _____________________________________________

E-mail:________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

City: ___________________________ State: _____ Zip Code:___________

Signature: ______________________________________

3. On Monday, March 25, 2013, remove and burn all chametz by 11:30 am (see a haggadah for the text). Your home should be completely kosher for Pesach at this time.

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PASSOVER LORE—DO YOU KNOW?

Rabbi J.B. Sacks

NAMES OF THE FESTIVAL

Chag Ha-Matzot (“Festival of the Unleavened Bread”), reflects the centrality of matzah in the cel-

ebration of Pesach.

Chag Ha-Pesach (“Festival of the Paschal Lamb Offering”), recalls the offering that was brought to

the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem in former times, even as the word Pesach (from the

Hebrew, "to protect" or "to pass over") links us to the biblical account of the tenth plague when our

ancestors’ homes were "protected" when the Angel of Death by-passed (i.e. "passed over") them.

Chag He-Aviv (“Festival of the Semi-ripe Barley”; in later Hebrew this name connotes "Festival of

Spring”), reminds us of the agricultural dimensions and seasonal significance of the Festival.

Zeman Cheruteinu (“Season of Our Freedom”), marks the attainment of freedom from bondage

by our ancestors. It is this name that is used in every Amidah (central prayer) and Birkat HaMazon

(Blessing of Nourishment, or Grace after Meals) throughout Passover.

MA-OT CHITTIM ("Wheat Money")

Especially for Passover, care must be taken to provide for the poor, as the costs for Passover

observance are greater than usual. The less fortunate, with all Jews, should be able to celebrate

free of worry on the Festival of Freedom. The practice of distribution ma-ot chittim (also known as

kimcha d’Pischa, literally "Passover flour") was instituted so that the needs of the indigent might be

met. This custom has given rise to the creation of special Passover funds in local communities. The

money for selling one’s chametz (see below) is generally channeled into such a fund.

CHAMETZ

Any product that is fermented or that can cause fermentation may not be eaten. Only five

grains are considered as included in this prohibition: wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt. Any

food or drink made from one of these grains, or which contains one of these grains, even a most

miniscule amount, is considered chametz. Obviously, matzah is made from one of these five grains,

although careful tending has ensured that no leavening has occurred.

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In addition, all utensils that came into contact with chametz may not be used during Pe-

sach or even on the day preceding it. These and any non-Pesach foods we are saving

are stored where we won’t see them or get into them. (The prohibition includes not see-

ing chametz in one’s domain.) The surfaces upon which we prepare food, cook food

and eat food are scoured and usually covered for the duration of the Festival. The re-

frigerator is likewise cleaned to remove any trace of chametz. Many utensils may be

“kashered” for Passover, that is, they might be rendered usable for the holy day by fol-

lowing the traditions for doing so.

Ashkenazi Jews have followed the minhag (custom) of treating rice, corn, pea-

nuts or members of the pea family, as chametz because these products swell when

cooked and so resemble a leavening process. According to the strictest application of

this minhag, neither the grains nor any of the flours or oils made from them may be

used. Some Ashkenazi commentators do allow the use of these products when in cer-

tain forms, such as oil. Sephardic tradition allows these products, in any form, to be

eaten. No, one cannot declare oneself a Sephardic Jew for eight days a year!

The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement has ruled

unanimously in separate rulings that peanuts and string beans are not members of the

pea family and hence should not fall under this minhag (and are hence fully acceptable

for Passover use in all forms).

In addition to a prohibition on eating chametz, one cannot get any advantage from it.

So, for example, Jewish bakeries often close during the week of Passover to not make

money from chametz during the holy day.

MECHIRAT CHAMETZ (Selling Chametz)

Since one must now own any chametz during Pesach, any chametz stored is sold (to

a non-Jew) for the duration of Pesach and then repurchased. The transaction is

technically an actual sale: People sign a document appointing the Rabbi as their legal

agent for this purpose. Food that is sold must be placed out of the way and covered,

along with the year-round ("chametz-dik") dishes, so that one does not encounter the

chametz during Pesach itself. At the end of the holiday, the agent (the rabbi) arranges

for the reversion of ownership of the now-permitted chametz. Some who do not change

dishes nevertheless should consider selling their actual chametz. Those needing or de-

siring Rabbi Sacks’ help to accomplish this mitzvah should contact him by March 20,

2013 or mail the form elsewhere in this Migdalor to him so that it arrives to him by

March 21, 2013 at: Rabbi J.B. Sacks, 5910 Elba Place, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.

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BEDIKAT CHAMETZ/BI-UR CHAMETZ

(Search for/Burning of Chametz)

After thoroughly cleaning one’s home, a search for leaven takes place on the

evening before Pesach. So as not to make this search in vain, a few crumbs or

pieces of chametz are conspicuously placed, searched for by candlelight and when

"found," swept onto a wooden spoon with a feather. (Obviously, it is helpful to count

how many pieces of bread/candy/whatever you have conveniently placed throughout

the house so that no chametz remains!) Children (of all ages) delight in this tradition.

One does not have to have a wooden spoon and/or feather to conduct the search.

The following morning before 10:00 a.m. or so (consult the Rabbi if more specificity

is required), these last crumbs/pieces are burned (in some places, flushed or thrown

in the outside garbage can). A short declaration is recited both evening and morning,

which can be found in most haggadot (plural of haggadah, the seder booklet).

Any other chametz found in the house is then considered to be “mere dust” and not

food (and hence, the household is still considered to be fully kosher for Pesach for

the family that worked so hard to clean. A humane remedy if there ever was one!!!)

Many modern young families have now incorporated this Ritual in whole or in part

as a feature of their family’s preparation for Pesach even in homes which will not be

traditionally kosher for Pesach.

This year the first seder takes place on Monday night. Thus this year the search for

chametz takes place on Sunday evening, March 24 with the burning of chametz on

Monday morning.

ON MATZAH and MATZAH SH’MURAH ("Watched Matzah")

One may eat matzah at any time during Passover (and during the year), but the

mitzvah ("commandment") regarding matzah applies only to the seder on the

first night—and even then one only needs to eat matzah immediately following the

recitation of the blessing for matzah recited as part of the seder.

One finds many types of matzah. Most common is the plain square or

rectangular matzah, packaged in boxes. Egg matzah, yokeless or regular, because

it is not pure but an admixture, is popular, but NOT acceptable for making the special

blessing of “al achilat matzah” during the seder ritual. Sorry, but for this purpose,

regular matzah, should be used.

The requirement of supervision of matzah is sh’murah mish’at t’china,

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"supervised from the time the grain is milled (into flour)." From that point on, it is to be

stored in cool conditions and kept away from water or moisture until the time for bak-

ing it into matzah.

Some have the custom, especially for seder evenings, of applying a stricter level of

supervision called sh’murah mish’at k’tzirah, "supervised from the time of reaping."

The grain for this matzah is thus watched from the time it is harvested to ensure that

no moisture has affected it. Such a stricture is apparently post-Talmudic. Chassidim

use only this matzah sh’murah for all of Pesach. Most of us are not this strict; how-

ever, many of us enhance our own s’darim (plural of seder) with it.

Matzah sh’murah usually comes in large round cakes, with a different taste and

texture. It probably comes much closer to what our ancestors actually ate in

haste when they were leaving Egypt. Although one can also find this matzah in

the square or rectangular prepackaged format like the more common plain matzah as

well, we prefer the round, handmade kind specifically to better recall the original

Exodus experience.

Anyone who wishes matzah sh’murah should contact Rabbi Sacks before March 18,

and we will obtain some for you at his cost. He will bring it to the Community Seder.

If you are not joining us for the Community Seder, please make arrangements for

someone to pick it up for you.

TA’ANIT B’CHORIM (Fast of the Firstborn)

Firstborn Jews fast from sunrise the day before Passover, i.e. the morning pre-

ceding the first seder according to custom. This fast, Ta’anit B’chorim,

commemorates the miracle that the firstborn Jews were spared from the tenth

plague that killed every firstborn Egyptian. While in many quarters the mitzvah

applied to males only, in some places firstborn women were encouraged to fast as

well, since their birth spared a life and thus contributed to the survival of our people.

And although in general a female never acquires the status of firstborn in Jewish law,

we in the Conservative Movement promote equality of women and men, and hence

we adopt the approach that all firstborns should fast.

Many who observe this fast use a Jewish legal principle pertaining to the importance

of Talmud Torah (Torah study) to supersede and cut short a fast. A siyyum

("conclusion") is the study of the final lines of a body of study one is completing. Usu-

ally held immediately after shacharit (morning) services, a siyyum is followed by a

se’udat mitzvah, a mandatory "feast" to celebrate the completion of significant learn-

ing by someone. This brings any fast observed up to that point to an abrupt end for all

who are present.

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Many firstborn, however, choose to absent themselves from this study session

because they prefer to fast—not only to connect with this piece of history and

tradition, but in order to heighten the taste, both gastronomic and spiritual, of the

seder—or, alternatively, to commemorate the three-day fast in the time of Queen

Esther which took place at Passover time (and not at Purim!).

This year Ta’anit B’chorim starts at sunrise on Monday, March 25, continues until

the after sundown that evening.

S’FIRAT HA-OMER ("Counting of the Omer")

The Torah commands us to count seven full weeks from the time we bring the

omer. On the fiftieth day we are to bring an offering of new grain to the Holy One

(Leviticus 23;15-16). An omer was a sheaf or a dry measure of barley from the new

spring harvest that was brought to the Temple on the second day of Passover. We

still count these seven weeks.

The purpose of the counting, according to the Kabbalists (mystics), is to

join Passover, the festival of physical redemption and emancipation, with

Shavuot, the festival when the Israelites entered into the brit, the covenant with

God (and receiving the Torah), making it the festival of spiritual freedom. In

this understanding, the purpose of the Exodus was to get to Mount Sinai. While

it is true that without Pesach, there would not have been Shavuot, it is equally

clear that without the goal of Shavuot, Pesach would be divested of much of its

significance. Thus the days between the two festivals are anxiously and expectantly

counted, just as one awaits a close friend by counting the days until her or his

arrival.

Starting on the second night of Passover (Tuesday, March 26), during the

second seder, until the evening of Shavuot, we count the omer by reciting a

special benediction concerning the counting of the Omer and then enumerate what

day of the omer period we are in. We do so using two methods: by the exact number

of days (e.g. the twenty-third day) and by the number of weeks (three weeks and

two days). Enumerating in both methods helps avoid any confusion.

MAIMUNA

Among North African and Turkish Jews, Passover is somewhat extended by

celebrating the day after Pesach (evening and next day, April 2-3) as Maimuna.

According to tradition it is the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of Maimon ben

Joseph, the father of Maimonides (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon or (by using the

boldfaced initials) Rambam, twelfth century).

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Coins, candy and grass are thrown to the children upon returning from synagogue.

The coins and candy represent the wealth and food that the Israelites brought out of

Egypt on their way to freedom, and the grass symbolizes the reeds of the Red Sea.

(The Red Sea will again part: However, in this case someone must sweep up the

grass!)

The table is set with various types of good luck symbols: pitchers of milk, garlands

of leaves and flowers, branches of fig tress, ears of wheat, a plate of fresh flour

with a coin, a jar of honey, various greens and a fish bowl complete with (raw, fresh)

fish, the latter an obvious and common symbol of fertility. The menu consists of an ar-

ray of sweets, including coconut macaroons, marzipan stuffed dates and walnut pan-

cakes known as muflita. (Since the sweets were prepared during Chol ha-Moed, the

intermediate days of Pesach, they are prepared with attention to the laws of Pesach

food preparation.)

Traditionally, Maimuna is the time for matchmaking among the young. In Israel,

Maimuna takes place outdoors in a picnic-like atmosphere characterized by (what

else?) much eating, drinking and singing. Exactly how this festival originated and

its connection with Maimon are obscure—though interestingly, Maimuna reflects

an immediate transition to the agricultural themes and dairy foods of the Omer

period and Shavuot respectively.

NEED a PLACE for SEDER?

HAVE ROOM at your SEDER?

We at Am HaYam care about our members. We know that not everyone has family living nearby, and that not everyone can make Pesach or host a seder every year. We want to help.

If you find yourself in need of a place to go for the First Seder, Friday, April 6, please contact Rabbi Sacks via Email at rabbijb@aol.com. Please let him know how many in your household, what dietary concerns (kosher and general) you have, and how traditional a seder you are hoping for this year. Rabbi Sacks will do his best to try to match you up with a Am HaYam household. You must include a phone number so that the Rabbi can call you back.

If you have space at your seder for any extra persons, please Email Rabbi Sacks and let him know, if you can, how many person or persons you might be able to include, if your seder is kosher or not, and how traditional a seder you run.

For Second Seder, please make a reservation to join your Am HaYam family for an interesting, interactive, joyous, meaningful experience on Tuesday night, March 26. Information can be found elsewhere in this Migdalor. Look forward to seeing you there.

14

From the Rabbi’s Kitchen

MOCK CHOPPED “LIVER” SPREAD

This recipe is so geshmak (delicious). Alle meine sonim—All my enemies should never get to taste this! Meanwhile, it makes about 1 cup. Depending upon how many come to the seder, I usually double, triple or quadruple the recipe. If any is left over, save in the fridge in an airtight container and spread on matzah or matzah crackers, or celery/other veggies all week long!

3 T. oil 1 c. chopped walnuts

½ lb. mushrooms, chopped Pepper & Salt, to taste

1 small onion, chopped 1 TB water

1. Saute mushrooms and onions for 8 minutes.

2. Pour into blender or food processor, adding walnuts, seasonings and water.

3. Blend until smooth.

4. I usually refrigerate this for several hours and serve chilled.

SEPHARDIC CHAROSET (that Ashkenazim will love)

½ c. grated coconut 4 c. (be generous!) mixed dried fruit

½ c. ground walnuts raisins, apricots, apples, prunes, etc.)

¼ c. sugar 12-oz. jar cherry preserves

2 t. cinnamon 1/3 c. sweet wine (I use Malaga)

1. Insert metal blade processor. Combine coconut, walnuts, sugar and cinnamon with 2-3 pulses.

2. Add dried fruits and chop with 3-4 pulses, until mixture is in medium-sized pieces.

3. Place in a 4-quart pot, adding water to cover. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for approximately 1 hour.

4. When mixture begins to thicken and come together, stir in cherry preserves.

Remove from heat, add wine and let cool.

I usually make a double dose and use it throughout the week as a matzah spread.

15

GREEK CHAROSET

2 oranges, unpeeled, but remove seeds 1 c. sweet red wine

1 c. raisins 2 t. ground ginger

1 c. pitted dates 2 pinches of cayenne

1 c. cherry preserves 4 T pine nuts

1. In a food processor, chop orange coarsely (several pulses should do!).

2. Add raisins and dates and process until finely chopped.

3. Transfer to a medium-sized saucepan and stir in preserves, wine, ginger, and

cayenne. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over lowest heat for 8-10 minutes

until thick, stirring often to prevent sticking.

4. Stir in pine nuts.

Makes 2 ½ cups. Make be kept in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CARROT-APPLE PUDDING

5 lage carrots, grated ¼ c. sweet Passover wine

2 medium apples, peeled, cored & grated ¼ c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. raisins 1 t. cinnamon

3 egg whites, lightly beaten ¼ t. each: ground allspice,

2 T. oil nutmeg and ginger

1. Preheat the oven to 325.

2. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pour into an oiled 9- by 5- by 3-inch loaf pan.

3. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.

4. Uncover and bake another 40-45 minutes or until the top is nicely browned and crusty.

5. Let cool. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Truthfully, if more of life were this easy, then life would be easier. What can I say?

Nothing, other than to report that this recipe has no cholesterol, has about 3 g fat, 136 calories, 21 g. carbohydrates and 2 g protein, which—if I can quote from the beginning of this recipe—is not so terrible.

16 RHUBARB COMPOTE

This is not only a great side dish, but can also serve as a spread on matzah or a topping for other dishes!.

1 lb. rhubarb, cut into 1’’ pieces ½-1 c. sugar

1 lb. tart apples, peeled, cored pinch of ground cardamom (optional)

and cut into 1” pieces 1/8 t. almond extract

½ pint strawberries, stemmed

and left whole

1. Place the rhubarb, apples and strawberries in a large saucepan.

2. Add the sugar, cardamom (if using), and the almond extract.

3. Cover and—over medium-high heat—bring the fruit to a slow boil.

4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until the

fruit is soft.

Serve at room temperature. The dish will thicken as it cools.

Makes 6-8 nservings. You can easily double this recipe.

FASTER-THAN-PASTA TOMATO-FARFEL BAKE

This is an easy dish for anytime during Pesach. In fact, I have brought it as the main dish for vegetarians (and vegans) at a meat seder. It can easily be doubled.

2 ½ c. crushed unsalted canned tomatoes 1 T. sugar

¼ c. chopped onion 1 ½ c. matzah farfel

½ t. salt ¼ c. oil

¼ t. pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375. Meanwhile, prepare a 1-qut baking dish with oil, butter or

Passover cooking spray.

2. Combine tomoatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and sugar in a medium bowl.

3. Mix farfel and oil separately.

4. Place layer of farfel mixture in the bottom. Add a layer of tomatoes.

5. Repeat layers, ending with the farfel mixture.

6. Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serves 6.

17

MOCHA NUT BARS

Kids of all ages will enjoy these. Use pareve margarine for a meat meal. Use any nuts you wish. I grind them fine, but any consistency is good.

2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate ¼ t. salt

½ c. margarine or butter 1 tsp. instant coffee

2 eggs ½ c. matzah cake meal

1 c. sugar ½ c. chopped nuts

1. Melt butter and chocolate and cool.

2. Beat eggs and sugar together.

3. Blend in salt, chocolate and butter.

4. Gradually stir in the coffer and the cake meal.

5. Turn into 2 well-greased (or sprayed) 9” square pans (or 1 13” x9” or larger pan).

6. Bake approximately 15-20 minutes.

7. Cut when warm.

(CHOCO-)BANANA NUT FARFEL PUDDING

2 c. matzah farfel 3 T. oil (can use margarine or butter)

2 eggs 1 large banana, sliced

½ t. salt ¼ c. walnuts, chopped

1/3 c. sugar chocolate morsels, if desire

1. Pour cold water over farfel in a colander. Drain quickly, leaving farfel moist but not soggy. Transfer to a mixing bowl.

2. Beat eggs and blend into farfel.

3. Add salt, sugar and oil. Stir well.

4. Add banana and nuts (and chocolate, if using). Mix and pour into a greased or sprayed casserole dish.

5. Bake in a moderate over (350) until brown—about ½ hour.

I usually double this—it’s delicious.

I hope you do have a zissen (sweet), tasty, meaningful Passover!

Chag kasher v’samei-ach, Rabbi Sacks

18

February 1st, 2013

To Whom It May Concern:

We are a small non-profit organization (ID #77-0436251) and depend on help from outside our community

as well as locally to meet our financial obligations in order to provide services to both the Jewish and non-Jewish members of our community. We greatly appreciate your support that will help us to reach our goals this year.

Congregation Am HaYam will be holding a Barbeque, song and dance day, informative speakers on

Sunday, April 28th for Israel Heritage Day. In conjunction with that we will be having a silent auction. A donation of your choosing that we could auction off would assist this project. Your name will be listed

in our program.

The Internal Revenue Code requires us to acknowledge your contribution in writing and to state that in

consideration of your gift we did not provide you with any goods or services. This letter is your receipt for your donation and is an acknowledgment of the above. Please retain it for your records.

Very truly yours,

Brenda Rich

Congregation Am HaYam 4839 Market Street Unit C Ventura, CA 93003 Tel: 805-644-2899

Web Site: www.amhayam.org Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

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20

21

22

23

24

25

CONGREGATION AM HAYAM

4839 MARKET STREET UNIT C (IN REAR)

VENTURA, CA 93003

805-644-2899

KOSHER FOOD: HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, VEGGIE BURGERS,

COLE SLAW, BOTTLED WATER, CHIPS

AND 1 RAFFLE TICKET - $12 PER PERSON CHILDREN UNDER 7 FREE

VENDORS

Entertainment

Speaker

Silent Auction

and Raffle

FUN FOR ENTIRE

FAMILY

SODA, COFFEE,

TEA AVAILABLE

RSVP: MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CONGREGATION AM HAYAM

MAIL TO: 4839 MARKET STREET UNIT C

VENTURA, CA 93003

ATTENDING ADULTS _____________ CHILDREN_____________ TOTAL _______

Event is being subsidized by

Jewish Federation of Ventura County

26

IMO Sandy Lebman

David Minkin

Cookie & Mark Dimant,

Kelly Watson

Jane & Douglas Payne

Len & Carole Lebman

Jane & Douglas Payne

Jack & Sylvia Schonfield

Ann and Jack Sperber

Jack & Sylvia Schonfield

Felice Klein

Marge & David Compton

Larry & Margo Cools

Dr. Ronni Sanlo Sherry & Barry Horwitz Bill & Gretchen Schmidt

Arthur Zweig Bruce & Barbra Miner

The Kozak Family IMO Abram Israel Kozak

Earl Greinetz IMO Herman Laff and Ruth Greinetz

Ruth Resnick IMO Esther Finkel

Brenda & Arnie Rich IMO Esther Finkel

Judy Kupperman IMO her Father, Leo Jacobs

Mort & Judy Margolis IMO Max Margolis, Beatrice Margolis, Barnard Silberman

Ray Mautner IMO his Father, Eugene Mautner

Dawn Van Valkenburg IMO her Husband, Glen Van Valkenburg

Eva Lowe

Norma Van Riper

Lois Lebman for Sandy's beautiful memorial Service

The Kozak Family

In Memory Of

We welcome ALL Jewish Veterans of any War, to join our

Bernard I. Becker Post 123

We now meet at

the 3rd Sunday of each month

For information contact:

Quartermaster Bill Green 805 499-4633

Sen. Vice Commander Irv Bergman 805-482-6542

or Commander Joseph Ettenberg 805-484-4181

In Honor Of CAH

27

Rabbi J. B. Sacks, The Board of Directors

and Membership of Congregation Am HaYam extend our deepest condolences to

Lois Lebman and family on the passing of Sandy Lebman and

Martha Zoloth and family on the passing of George Zoloth

Murray Kaufman and family on the passing of Bunny Kaufman

May Their Memories Be for a Blessing

Congregation Am HaYam

A Leaf Has Been Engraved in Honor Of

Judith Deborah Massarano

Daniel H. Rubinstein

David Elijah Rubinstein.

Simon Leo Rubinstein

Jonah Gabriel Rubinstein

Maya Phillipa Rubinstein

Zohar Baruch Rubinstein

Rivka Dahlia Weiss

Yael B'ruria Weiss

Menachem Yonah Weiss

Betzalel Massarano

Sa'adia Massarno

From: Miriam Rubinstein

28

Tributes

Judy an Mort Margolis to Jack Sperber in memory of brother Fred

Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova to Jack Sperber

in memory of brother.Fred

Myrna Winer and Jerry Cordova to Norma Riper in memory of husband Donald.

Alma Golden to Lois Lebman

in memory of husband Sandy.

Ann and Irv Jacobs to Lois Lebman in memory of husband Sandy.

Judy and Mort Margolis to Lois Lebman

in memory of husband Sandy.

Ann and Jack Sperber to Lois Lebman in memory of husband Sandy

Judy and Mort Margolis

Eva Lowe

To

Lee & Milt Rothschild in Honor Of 60th Anniversary

29

30

Tree of Life Leaves Purchased

TO LEE AND MILT ROTHSCHILD IN HONOR OF YOUR 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

FROM: BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH MYRNA WINER AND JERRY CORDOVA

TO: ANN SPERBER

COMPLETE AND SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH

TO LOIS LEBMAN AND FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF SANDY LEBMAN

HUSBAND FATHER GRANDFATHER GREAT GRANDFATHER FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH

NEILL AND ARNIE FINGERHUT KENNY HALPERN

MYRNA WINER AND JERRY CORDOVA

TO COOKIE EICHNER AND FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF BOB EICHNER

BELOVED HUSBAND FATHER GRANDFATHER AND WONDERFUL FRIEND

FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH

TO MARTHA ZOLOTH IN MEMORY OF HUSBAND GEORGE ZOLOTH

FROM BRENDA AND ARNIE RICH

Tree Planted In Israel March 2013

31

We want to thank Rabbi Sacks and the Am Ha Yam Congregation for helping us to

celebrate our 60th Wedding Anniversary on Shabbat Yitro. The Tributes, cards,

Trees in Israel and hugs were greatly appreciated.

The Kiddish prepared by Elaine and Brenda was outstanding.

The decorated sheet cake was a thing of beauty and tasted great.

Thank You All,

Lee & Milt

Thank You

Lois Lebman and her children

would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, telephone calls, Tributes,

beautiful cards, attendance at the memorial service and Memorial donations in

Sandys' honor. Each and every one was very meaningful to the family and they are

all very much appreciated

Thank You

32

March Anniversaries

March Birthdays

If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please email me at beverly.rosen@verizon.net

Get Well

Dianne Ruthman 8

Fran Lande 11

Arnie Fingerhut 13

Rick Newberger 15

Irv Jacobs 23

Steven Karash 23

Nancy Stein 27

Ruth Resnick 31

Cantor Maurice & Joanne Glick 26

Seymour Barr

Vivian Barr

Elaine Allen

Ann Jacobs

Dianne Ruthman

Jinx Gates

Fred Rosen

Ann Sperber

Myrna Winer

Mort Margolis

Milt Rothschild

Stella Berman

Gail Packer

Jerry Cordova

Bob Packer

Murray Kaufman

Sheila Myles

Mort Resnick

Jack Sperber

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March 1,

Albert George Kattan, Father of Fil Barton

William Fingerhut, Father of Aaron Fingerhut

Lila Lewis, Mother of Jinx Gates

David Rosenthal, Nephew of Alma Golden

Esther Sinay, Sister of Irwin Jacobs

Toby Lauber, sister of Jack Katz

*Bess Jacobs, Mother of Judy Kupperman

Beatrice Margolis, Sister of Morton Margolis

*Barnet Silberman, Father of Judy Margolis

*Dean Rich, Son of Arnold & Brenda Rich, nephew of Roz & Mort Resnick

Max Knell, Father of Dianne Ruthman

*Sophie Seidenberg, Mother of Mark Seidenberg

Tillie Treitman, Mother of Paul Treitman

Sarah Goldfeder, Grandmother of Eileen Walker

March 15,

Etta Allen, Mother of Bob Allen

Sarah Barr, Mother of Seymour E. Barr

Esther Becker, Mother of Irwin Becker

Emanuel Levy, Father of Arlene Bergman

Florence Elis, Mother of David Ellis

Rose Friedman, Mother of Harold Friedman

*Morris Rosenthal, Father of Alma Golden

Irwin Koster, Father of Arlene Horwitz

Celia Jacobs, Mother of Irwin Jacobs

Max Jacobs, Father of Irwin Jacobs

*George Kunstadt, Husband of Hilda Kunstadt

Celia Mautner, Mother of Raymond Mautner

Sol Sabath, Father of Gail Packer

*Frances Witkowsky Pierson, Mother of Muriel Posner

Leonard Rothschild, Son of Lee & Milt Rothschild

*Inscribed on Memorial Wall

YAHRZEIT

34

March 2013 Adar/Nisan 5773

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

EREV SHABBAT

SERVICE 8:00 PM

Candle Lighting

5:35PM

SHABBAT SERVICE

10:00AM

Shabbat Ends

6:31PM

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

NO

MONDAYS

WITH MORT

Happy Birthday

Dianne Ruthman

Candle Lighting

5:41PM

Shabbat Ends

6:36PM

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

DAYLIGHT

SAVING TIME

BEGINS

Ritual Meeting

9:30 AM

Board Meeting

10:30 AM

Happy Birthday

Fran Lande

NO

MONDAYS

WITH MORT

Ways & Means

Membership

Meeting 4:30PM

Happy Birthday

Arnie Fingerhut

Happy Birthday

Rick Newberger

EREV SHABBAT

SERVICE 8:00 PM

Candle Lighting

6:46PM

SHABBAT SERVICE

10:00AM

Shabbat Ends

7:42PM

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

NO

MONDAYS

WITH MORT

Candle Lighting

6:52PM

Happy Birthday

Irv Jacobs and

Steven Karash

Shabbat Ends

7:48PM

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

NO

MONDAYS

WITH MORT

Passover 1st night

1st Day

Passover

Service

10:00 AM

Community

Seder 6:00 PM

@CAH

Happy Birthday

Nancy Stein

2nd Day

Passover

Service

10:00 AM

3rd Day

Passover

4th Day

Passover

Candle Lighting

6:57PM

5th Day

Passover

Shabbat Ends

7:53PM

31 6th Day

Passover

Happy Birthday

Ruth Resnick

35

Rabbi J. B. Sacks

rabbijb@aol.com———phone#323-387-0096

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Brenda Rich

brenda.bashful16@gmail.com

phone#-805-469-0268

VICE-PRESIDENT—

TREASURER - Lois Lebman

SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson

WAYS & MEANS VP -

MEMBERSHIP VP -

RITUAL VP - Milt Rothschild

Ilana Wolfson

HOUSING VP - Arnie Rich

IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich

DIRECTORS—ONE YEAR

Janice Aharon-Ezer

Sandy Lebman

DIRECTORS—TWO YEARS

Eva Lowe

PAST PRESIDENTS

Mort Resnick

Arnie Fingerhut

Jerry Ruthman

Peter Shack

Brenda Rich

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Kiddushim Elaine Hanig

Gail Packer

Oneg Shabbat Fil Barton

Librarian Donna Gustafson

Programming

Tributes Ann Jacobs

Telephone

Purchasing Lee Rothschild

Yahrzeits Jack Sperber

Migdalor Bev Rosen

Sunshine Ann Sperber

Webmaster Mort Resnick

Publicity