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Dear Friends,

Welcome to the second issue of our new

quarterly bulletin, Chalonot. This edition

is being published during a unique period

in the shul‘s 125-year history. The shul is

completely closed to slow down the spread

of the coronavirus and we have switched

much of our programming, like so many

other communities, to online venues.

These are certainly unprecedented times

and we are learning and adapting as we go

along. I am enormously proud of our

community‘s response to this epidemic.

The medical professionals we assembled

to guide us through these uncertain times

have kept us ahead of the curve in making

difficult decisions. Our lay leadership have

been keenly sensitive to the needs of our

members. This situation has challenged us

to find new ways to collaborate and care

for each other and it has shined a light on

the strong foundation of chesed present in

our community.

True, the fact that we cannot physically

congregate and conduct minyanim is a

spiritual challenge and being isolated

from one another makes it difficult to stay

connected. Nevertheless, our situation –

all of us confined to our separate homes –

reminds me of a scene from the Torah.

When the wicked, non-Jewish prophet

Bilaam observed the Jewish people as an

outsider, he couldn‘t but praise them for

how their individual homes were arrayed.

He declared in his famous blessing: מה טבו

,how good are your tents אהליך יעקב

Jacob. Here we find one of the most

meaningful blessings bestowed up on the

Jewish people collectively, though not

when they were amassed together in one

congregation. Rather, it was made when

observing them all separated into their

individual homes - much like we are

today. Even if we can‘t be together, this

blessing reminds us of the beauty of the

Jewish community as it is made up by

individual homes. And as I was thinking

about this verse, I realized that the

climactic event of the Exodus from Egypt

took place in a very similar layout.

Hashem passed over the homes of Bnei

Yisrael in Egypt during the plague of the

firstborn not when the entire people was

gathered together in one place. Hashem

passed over each individual home that had

blood over its door. We were all spread

out in our individual homes during this

powerful moment, just as we were when

Bilaam pronounced his blessing. And just

as we are right now and will most likely be

the night of Pesach.

We expect that this Pesach will be

different than all other Pesach

celebrations in recent memory. Many of

us who planned to be away will find

ourselves here in Englewood in their

homes. Most likely, we will still be

practicing social distancing. Here at the

shul, we are hard at work making sure we

can provide all the necessary resources

and guidance for those making Pesach

and the unique challenges of this

particular Pesach during a pandemic.

Please look through the table of contents

on this page carefully to find important

Pesach information in this Spring edition

of Chalonot.

Shoshana, our daughters, and I wish

everyone a happy, healthy, kosher, and

meaningful Pesach.

Rabbi Poupko

CAT BULLETIN ON-LINE: www.ahavathtorah.org/bulletin

WISHING A HAPPY PASSOVER TO EVERYONE!

RABBI POUPKO, SENIOR RABBI

IN THIS ISSUE: RABBI CHAIM POUPKO

MICHAEL RATZKER, PRESIDENT

PASSOVER GUIDE:

PESACH PREPARATIONS

EREV PESACH

SEDER STARTERS

RITUAL OF REMEMBRANCE

PESACH SCHEDULE

YOUTH DEPARTMENT

DOR L’DOR EVENTS

NEW MEMBERS

LEFECYCLE EVENTS

PESACH TAKE-OUT MENUS

ENJOY DIVREI TORAH & SEDER

STARTERS FROM RABBI POUPKO, RABBI

GOLDBERG, RABBI KUESSOUS, RABBI

ISRAELI AND RABBI ROSENSWEIG

A NEW QUARTERLY JOURNAL

PROVIDING A WINDOW INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT

CONGREGATION

AHAVATH TORAH Chalonot is Hebrew for Windows

THE PASSOVER EDITION!

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PASSOVER GUIDE

CLICK HERE FOR PDF

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Once we were

slaves now we

are free.

Next month, we will

chant these words at our private

Seders, but with the arrival of COVID-

19, this statement seemingly does not

ring true this year. Free people can

attend services at their Synagogues,

visit their loved ones, shop for more

than 20 minutes at a time, and don‘t

have an 8pm curfew. Additionally,

people who are free have at least a

perceived sense of security in their

lives.

This has been an extremely challenging

time for all of us, some more than

others. We continue to daven for the

cholim, to pray that this insidious virus

ceases to spread and that a vaccine is

imminent. While we are all living with

restrictions that we never could have

imagined, we are still free. We have the

luxury of spending time, whether

physically or virtually, with our families

and friends, praying and learning with

our Rabbis, and benefitting from the

widespread talents of our members

ranging in areas of expertise from

medical advice to community service to

online workout classes. The array of

programming whether educational or

solely for entertainment purposes is

truly remarkable.

I am very grateful to the following

individuals for all of their efforts.

Thank you Rabbi Poupko for taking the

initiative and forming the Medical

Advisory Committee to help us

navigate these challenging times. We

are so thankful to our medical

professionals who have selflessly

volunteered their time, Josef Schenker,

Aliza Solomon, Lisa Wisotsky, Josh

Hartman and Vickie Shulman. Your

advice and guidance has been

extremely helpful to CAT‘s executive

board, facilitating our decision-making

process in a way that prioritizes the

safety of our members.

Thank you to our Rabbinical and office

staff, who have adapted so well to

working remotely and continue to offer

support to our members, catering panel

and local businesses. A special thank

you to Shoshana for establishing a

committee to address the needs of our

more vulnerable community members.

I also want to thank Shira and Nurit for

providing virtual work-out classes

which are keeping us both heart

healthy and sane.

Lastly, thank you to all of our members

for your outpouring of support and

constructive suggestions. It is truly

remarkable to see, once again, evidence

of this community‘s overwhelming

generosity, kindness and resilience.

Two weeks ago, I was sitting in a Czech

stadium watching a Sparta Prague

hockey game. On the boards was the

team‘s mission statement,

NEZASTAVIS or DON‘T STOP.

I am so thankful that so many of you

have not stopped looking for

opportunities to ease the current

situation. May we all enjoy a

meaningful Pesach as we look forward

MICHAEL RATZKER, PRESIDENT LISTEN TO CAT

SHIURIM ONLINE AND

ON THE GO!

Did you miss a weekday class at

Ahavath Torah? Don’t sweat it!

Now you can find all of our

weekday classes online. Listen

on the go and when it works for

you.

Just visit our SoundCloud

homepage at

soundcloud.com/ahavathtorah

for all recordings.

Particular playlists include...

Rabbi Kuessous: Shir Hashirim

Shiur for Women

Nach B'iyun with Rabbi Goldberg

In-Depth Halacha with Rabbi

Kuessous

Eve Flechner Parsha Shiur with

Rabbi Poupko

Dr. Shoshana Poupko: Reflecting

with the Rebbetzin

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Mechirat Chametz

Any large quantities of Chametz which cannot be dis-

posed are then put into a separate closed and marked

location and completely sold to a non-Jew. Please note,

one should preferably physically dispose of all actual

Chametz (bread, cereal, etc.) rather than include such

substances in the sale. That which cannot be disposed

of, however, will be included in the sale. Any of the Rab-

bis can act as an intermediary in the selling of Chametz

to a non-Jew for the Passover period. When this is

done, the seller should remember not to eat the Cha-

metz in question for some time after Passover is over in

order to allow the Rabbi the opportunity to repurchase

the products from the non-Jew. (This year such Cha-

metz should not be eaten before 9:00pm).

To maintain social distancing, please fill out the online

form available for members: click here. All forms must

be received by April 7th at 12:00pm. The custom is to

make a donation to the Rabbi‘s Discretionary Fund

when submitting a contract. Click here to make dona-

tions.

Maot Chitim

Maot Chitim is a long-held tradition to contribute gen-

erously towards funds that ensure that everyone who is

in need has the means to celebrate Pesach properly.

Given the current economic impact of the pandemic,

the needs of many families are far greater this year.

Please click here to donate to our Maot Chitim fund.

Shmurah Matzah

Ideally, one should use hand-made Shmurah Matzah to

fulfill the mitzvah of eating Matzah at the Seder. Only in

a case of great need, what is called in halachah a Sha‘at

haDechak, can one make use of machine-made Shmu-

rah Matzah. This year certainly qualifies as a Sha‘at

haDechak since it will be far more difficult to obtain

hand-made Shmurah Matzah.

Therefore, if one cannot find hand-made Shmurah Mat-

zah one may use machine-made Shmurah Matzah for

the Seder. It is best to use machine-made Shmurah

Matzah whose wheat has been watched from the time of

harvesting (k‘tzirah). If one can find only Machine-

made Shmurah Matzah whose wheat has been watched

from the time of grinding (t‘chinah) this is acceptable as

well.

Kitchen Preparations

Englewood Keilim Mikvah

As of March 24, the Englewood Keilim Mikvah is

closed. The Rabbis will be distributing alternative pro-

cedures for newly purchased utensils that require

tevilah.

Communal Keilim Kashering

There will be no Communal Keilim Kashering. See

‗Kashering the Kitchen‘ below for written instructions.

Click here (https://youtu.be/OA3P1shmhME) for video

demonstrations.

Pesach Kashrut Guides

The Kashrut industry has produced a number of high-

quality, easy to follow guides. The following guide pro-

duced by the Chicago Rabbinical Council is one of the

most user-friendly and most in line with our communi-

ty‘s standards and practices.

The following are the most relevant portions for prepar-

ing your home and shopping for Pesach:

Kashering the Kitchen (pdf)

or type in http://bit.ly/KasherKitchen

Which Items Can Be Kashered?

Countertops

Tevillas Keilim

Shopping Guide (pdf)

or type in http://bit.ly/CATshopping

Medicine and Cosmetics (pdf)

or type in http://bit.ly/MedCosm

Pets (pdf)

or type in http://bit.ly/PesachPets

Click here for the complete Guide (large pdf file)

or type in http://bit.ly/CRCPesachGuide

PESACH GUIDE 2020: PREPARATIONS FOR PESACH

CHECK SEDER AND A LA CARTE PESACH MENUES

FROM OUR CATERERS

CLICK HERE

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Bedikat and Biur Chametz - The home, car and any

area in which Chametz has regularly been eaten should

be fully cleaned during the weeks preceding Passover.

All Chametz found during this cleaning must be proper-

ly disposed of. On Tuesday night, April 7, as soon as

possible after 8:10 p.m., the home is carefully searched

by candlelight or by flashlight for any remaining Cha-

metz. The blessing for this search can be found in a Sid-

dur or a Haggadah. All Chametz found during the

search (which we have not sold; see below) is then

burned on Wednesday morning, April 8 by 11:53am.

The latest time to eat Chametz is 10:47am.

There will be no Communal Biur Chametz this

year. One should burn their small pieces of chametz

used for the Bedikat Chametz using as much caution as

possible. One can burn them in your BBQ grill. An al-

ternative, safer method is to flush the small pieces down

the toilet.

Bitul Chametz - In addition to physically destroying

the Chametz of which we are aware, as an added pre-

caution we also nullify our ownership over any Chametz

which we may have missed. The formula for this nullifi-

cation (Kol Chamira) is found in the siddur or Hagga-

dah and is recited after the search at night and on

Wednesday morning before 11:53am, immediately after

the burning of the Chametz. As this formula deals with

the legal concept of ownership, we must fully under-

stand what we are saying and have full intent to nullify

our ownership over any remaining Chametz. The Eng-

lish text of the Kol Chamira can be said as follows: "All

Chametz and leavening that may still be in my property

which I have or have not seen, which I may have or

have not removed, of whose existence I have or have no

knowledge, shall be considered ownerless and deemed

as valueless as the dust of the earth."

PESACH GUIDE 2020: EREV PESACH

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HALAKHOT OF BITTUL CHAMETZ

RABBI ITAMAR ROSENSWEIG

Scholar in Residence

We dispose of chametz in multiple ways:

bi’ur, mekhirah, and bittul chametz. The

process of bi’ur chametz begins with

house cleaning several weeks before yom tov. It culminates

with bedikah on erev pesach eve and burning the chametz

the next morning. Mekhirat chametz is the practice of sell-

ing chametz to a gentile before yom tov. Because the Torah

prohibits owning chametz, you can avoid the Torah prohi-

bition by transferring title of the chametz to a gentile. Bittul

chametz is the act of renouncing of chametz before pesach.

Bittul is usually performed by reciting the kol chamira

statement after bedikat chametz and again after bi’ur.

How does bittul chametz work and what does it accom-

plish? Tosafot (Pesachim 4b s.v. mi-deoraita) argue that

bittul constitutes a form of hefker, the halakhic process of

renouncing ownership and abandoning title to an object.

According to Tosafot, the mechanism of bittul is like that of

mekhirah. In both cases you avoid the Torah prohibition

through terminating your ownership. In the case of

mekhirah this is done through transferring the chametz to

a gentile. In the case of bittul this is accomplished through

legally abandoning it.

Ramban (Pesachim 4b s.v. inyan) disagrees with Tosafot‘s

account of bittul and raises several objections. The core of

Ramban‘s attack is that the familiar procedure of bittul

chametz is incompatible with the rules of hefker. For exam-

ple, according to one view of hefker (R. Yossi in Nedarim

43a), the abandoner (mafkir) doesn‘t lose title until the

item has been captured by another party. On this view, bit-

tul would be ineffective until someone else takes possession

of the chametz. (Usually, no one takes possession of it.) Se-

cond, some opinions maintain (Nedarim 45a) that the act

of legal abandonment is valid only if it is witnessed by three

persons. Yet bittul chametz does not need to be witnessed

by anyone. Third, Ramban notes that whereas renouncing

ownership through hefker is prohibited on shabbat (as a

form of property transfer), the Talmud assumes (Pesachim

7a) that you can do bittul on shabbat. These considerations

suggest that bittul is not grounded in the principle of

hefker.

Ramban therefore proposes a different theory of bittul.

Ramban‘s account begins by observing that as a matter of

halakhic property law, persons do not have the legal power

to own prohibited items (issurei hanaah). The halakhah

dispossesses owners of holding title to such goods. Since

chametz is a prohibited item on pesach, the pure principles

of Jewish property law imply that it is not possible to vio-

late the Torah prohibition of owning chametz. You are ha-

lakhically dispossessed of your chametz ownership the mo-

ment the chametz prohibition goes into effect. How then

can the chametz prohibition be violated?

Ramban argues that the Torah imposes a special penalty on

persons who ―desire and intend to maintain possession‖ of

their chametz on pesach (da’ato alav ve-hu rotzeh be-

kiyumo). It does so by overriding the standard rules of ha-

lakhic property law by artificially assigning ownership to

those persons who want to (and in fact do) possess cha-

metz—solely for the purpose of holding them accountable

for the chametz transgression (see Pesachim 6b). Crucial

for Ramban‘s theory, this penalty through assignment of

ownership is limited to persons who ―desire and intend‖ to

possess chametz on yom tov.

Bittul chametz is a procedure for avoiding the penalty of

artificial ownership assignment. It is a formal declaration

that you neither desire nor intend to possess or benefit

from chametz. If you genuinely do not want to benefit from

chametz or possess it over yom tov, you will not be penal-

ized with artificial ownership and therefore you won‘t vio-

late the chametz prohibition, even if you so happens to

have chametz in your possession. Under Jewish property

law one is automatically dispossessed of ownership of pro-

hibited items (such as chametz), and there is no basis for

penalizing someone who has no desire to possess chametz.

Consistent with his theory, Ramban maintains that you

need not recite the bittul. What matters is your state of

mind: that you have no interest in possessing or benefiting

from chametz.

Why do we do bedikah and bi’ur in addition to bittul? In

principle, the Talmud suggests that bittul by itself would be

enough. But bittul is effective only if you genuinely have no

desire to possess and benefit from chametz on pesach. The

Talmud is concerned that if you don‘t physically dispose of

your chametz, you might come across a doughnut or liquor

bottle in your pantry and want to either consume it or to

continue to possess it. This would undermine your bittul

(now you want your chametz!) and trigger the artificial as-

signment of ownership. That‘s why the halakhah advises

you to get rid of all chametz, through bedikah and bi’ur and

not to rely on bittul alone. Ramban notes that this concern

is limited to the kind and quantity of chametz that you

might actually desire on pesach. For small crumbs lying

around the house, bittul can do the job by itself.

PESACH DVAR TORAH

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STRANGER THINGS AT THE SEDER

RABBI CHAIM POUPKO, Senior Rabbi

The Pesach Seder is designed

intentionally with strange

behaviors. There are a number of

mitzvot and minhagim that we

perform that make this night different from all other

nights for very specific reasons. In fact, we pause and

declare that this night is different than all other nights.

Many of the things that we do that are strange, have very

good reasons for them. It‘s easy to understand why we

eat the bitter maror, why we break the middle matzoh,

or why we have the charoset. There is one practice that

we have, though, that is not just strange - we‘re not even

sure why we do it. Karpas, the dipping of a vegetable into

saltwater before the meal begins, is one of the most

mysterious rituals of the evening. Indeed, according to

some there is no deeper reason or symbolism behind it

other than to look strange…to arouse the curiosity of the

children. One novel approach suggests that it is a veiled

reference to the events that initiated the entire story of

Yetziyat Mitzrayim, events which are not referred to in the

Haggadah at all. Karpas is also one of the colors used by

Rashi to describe the Ketones Pasim, the coat of many

colors dipped in blood by the brothers of Yosef to convince

Yaakov that he was dead. That series of events eventually

led to Bnei Yisrael coming down to Egypt. Therefore, the

Karpas is dipped as well to recall the brothers‘ actions.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

• Do you think the Haggadah intentionally or

unintentionally left out the story of the family‘s descent to

Egypt? Why or why not?

• Should everything we do at the Seder have a specific

reason or is ―to arouse the curiosity of the children‖ reason

enough? Why?

• If you had to write the story of Yetziyas Mitzrayim in your

own words, with what event would you start it?

RABBI DANIEL GOLDBERG, ASSOCIATE RABBI

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

RABBI DANIEL GOLDBERG, Associate Rabbi

The Gemara in Pesachim (116b) presents

a fascinating machloket between Rabbi

Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon regarding the

bracha that we recite over the second cup of wine as we con-

clude Maggid. According to Rabbi Tarfon the bracha should

read:

רים, גאל את־אבותינו מםצ אלנו ו ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם, אשר ג

לה הזה לאכל־בו מצה ומרור הגיענו הלי ו

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who

redeemed us and redeemed our ancestors from Egypt, and

brought us on this night to eat matsa and marror.

However, according to Rabbi Akiva, the bracha must contin-

ue from there with the words:

גלים אחרים הבאים לר מועדים ו כן ה' אלהינו ואלהי אבותינו יגיענו ל

נאכל שם מן ששים בעבודתך. ו ין עירך ו בנ מחים ב שלום, ש ראתנו ל לק

ך שיר נודה ל רצון, ו בחך ל סחים אשר יגיע דמם על קיר מז בחים ומן הפ הז

ראל. שנו. ברוך אתה ה', גאל יש דות נפ על פ אלתנו ו חדש על ג

so too, Lord our God, and God of our ancestors, bring us to

other appointed times and holidays that will come to greet

us in peace, joyful in the building of Your city and happy in

Your worship; that we shall eat there from the offerings

and from the Pesach sacrifices, the blood of which shall

reach the wall of Your altar for favor, and we shall thank

You with a new song upon our redemption and upon the

restoration of our souls. Blessed are you, Lord, who re-

deemed Israel.

We, of course, follow the position of Rabbi Akiva. But it is

worth considering the different approaches expressed by

these two sages. For Rabbi Tarfon, the summation of Mag-

gid is a simple expression of gratitude. For Rabbi Akiva, on

the other hand, we conclude Maggid with more than grati-

tude. We conclude with a prayer for future redemption,

which reflects our current state of exile.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

• How does this machloket represent a broader tension on

Seder night?

• Does Rabbi Akiva‘s concluding prayer undermine the ex-

pression of gratitude that precedes it?

• How can a person express deep gratitude without becom-

ing complacent and accepting the status quo?

• How can a person make requests of Hashem and yearn for

a better world without displaying a lack of gratitude for all of

the good that God has already bestowed upon him/her?

SEDER STARTERS

TORAH NUGGETS AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS FROM THE CAT SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

TO INSPIRE DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION AT YOUR SEDER TABLE

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RABBI WILLIE & ESTEE BALK, YOUTH DIRECORS

ברוך "המקום"

RABBI ANDREW ISRAELI

TEEN DIRECTOR

There are many words in the Hebrew

language that we use to refer to the

creator of the world. When we make a

bracha, we use the word, ah-do-nay,

implying Hashem is the master of the world. The word

elo-heinu, implies that Hashem is not only our God, but

the God of the entire world.

On the night of the seder we refer to Hashem with the

word ―Makom‖, something to do with place, as we in-

troduce the four sons. The question that many of the

commentators ask is, what is the reason that God is re-

ferred to as ―hamakom” specifically on the night of the

seder. We see the word hamakom refer to God in nu-

merous other instances throughout tanach as well.

In parshat vaytze, when Yaakov Avinu is running away

from his brother Eisav, he falls asleep again in the ma-

kom, in the place, and Rashi comments that Yaaakov

encountered God in prayer. Again this word appears in

the megillat Esther, when we are told that the salvation

with come, m’makom acher, and the Maharal from

Prague points out that this is an allusion to God as well.

In a situation in which we would have to go to a house

of morning, again the word makom appears, when we

take leave of the mourners, and ask God to comfort the

mourners amongst the mourners of Tzion and

Yerushalayim.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

Why at these times do we refer to God as makom,

―place‖? Does it have what to do with God being om-

nipresent and omnipotent? Can we find this allusion

elsewhere in tanach or in the Haggadah?

Why might this phrase specifically introduce the

four sons?

What role does the place in which we are having the

seder, play into our overall seder experience? If we

could choose a place in the world to have our seder,

where would it be and why?

SEDER STARTERS

RABBI MORDECHAI KUESSOUS

ASSISTANT RABBI

FOR THE BENAROYA SEPHARDIC CENTER

There is something very curious about

the language in which we begin the

Magid. Why would the Baal Haggadah choose to write

only this paragraph in Aramaic, when the rest of the Hag-

gadah was written in Hebrew? The Zohar offers a fasci-

nating explanation based on a Gemara in Masechet Shab-

bat 12a. The Gemara there teaches that we should never

pray in Aramaic because that is the only language the an-

gels do not understand and they won't be able to deliver

our prayers to God. But don‘t we want the angels to bring

the tefillot of the seder up for us like all other tefillot? The

answer the Zohar gives is so profound! Tonight, we don‘t

need the angels to handle our prayers for us because Ha-

shem himself comes to our seder and joins in together

with us. The Baal Haggadah wanted us to know what an

incredible opportunity we have so he intentionally began

the Magid in Aramaic to emphasize this point. How

amazing it is that on this night we have Hashem himself

in our midst! Let‘s ensure we take advantage of God's

presence and let‘s also remember to conduct ourselves in

a way befitting the presence of our king.

Q: If God was the one sitting next to you at the Seder,

what would you ask him?

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PESACH GUIDE 2020: SEDER RITUAL OF REMEMBRANCE

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SHABBAT

Shabbat, April 3/4, Parshat Tzav, Shabbat HaGadol

7:06 pm - Shabbat Candle Lighting

9:46 am - Latest Shema

8:06 pm – Shabbat ends

Shabbat, April 17/18, Parshat Shmini, Shab-bat Mevarchim, 8th/9th Omer

7:20 pm Shabbat Candle Lighting

9:33 am – Latest Shema

8:23 pm – Shabbat Ends

Shabbat, April 24/25, Parshat Tazria-Metzora, Rosh Chodesh Iyyar, 15/16 Omer

7:28 pm – Shabbat Candle Lighting

9:28 am – Latest Shema

8:31 pm – Shabbat Ends

PESACH GUIDE 2020: SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 PRE-SHABBAT HAGADOL DRASHA Delivered by Rabbi Poupko (Zoom) 8:00pm TUESDAY, APRIL 7 - BEDIKAT CHAMETZ Bedikat Chametz no earlier than 8:10pm WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 EREV PESACH - TAANIT BECHOROT Fast begins 5:02am Siyum (Zoom) 8:30am Last Chametz before 10:47am Destroy Chametz before 11:53am Eruv Tavshilin Yom Tov Candle Lighting 7:11pm Daven Mincha before sunset 7:29pm First Seder after 8:11pm THURSDAY, APRIL 9 - 1ST DAY OF PESACH Latest Kriyat Shema 9:41am Daven Mincha before sunset 7:30pm Yom Tov Candle Lighting & Second Seder after 8:12pm FRIDAY, APRIL 10 - 2ND DAY OF PESACH, 1 Omer Latest Kriyat Shema 9:40am Shabbat Candle Lighting 7:13am Daven Mincha before sunset 7:30pm SHABBAT, APRIL 11 – CHOL HAMOED, 2 OMER Latest Kriyat Shema 9:39am Daven Mincha before sunset 7:32pm Shabbat Ends/Havdalah after 8:14pm TUESDAY, APRIL 14 CHOL HAMOED PESACH, EREV YOM TOV, 5 Omer Yom Tov Candle Lighting 7:17pm Daven Mincha before sunset 7:35pm WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, PESACH, 6 Omer Latest Shema 9:36am Daven Mincha before sunset 7:36pm Yom Tov Candle Lighting 8:19pm THURSDAY APRIL 16, PESACH, 7 Omer Latest Shema 9:35am Daven Mincha before sunset 7:37pm Yom Tov Ends/Havdalah 8:20pm Chametz sold thru Rabbis permitted after 9:00pm

FIRE SAFETY TIPS:

Cooking

• If you are cooking, check on it regularly. Preferably, one should stay in the kitchen any time food is cooking over an open flame, or your cooking device does not have an auto-shut off.

• Keep anything that can catch fire, for example, oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, and curtains, away from heat sources such as stove burners, Hot Plates, or a Shab-bat Hot Plate.

• If using an external timer with any heat-producing device, make certain it is compatible with the device you are using.

Candles

• Use candle holders that are sturdy and won't tip over easily. • Put candles on uncluttered, non-slippery surface. You can cut to size, then glue, non-slip materials, such as some drawer/cabinet liners, to the bottom of your candle holder.

• Try to avoid burning the candle all the way down if it's not absolutely necessary.

• If a candle must burn continuously, be sure it's enclosed in a glass container, and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.

• Lit candles should not be placed in windows, where window blinds, curtains, or other window treatments could accidentally ignite.

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FUN PRINTABLE GAMES

FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Click on the links to download

RABBI WILLIE & ESTEE BALK, YOUTH DIRECTORS

RABBI WILLE & ESTEE BALK

YOUTH DIRECTORS

Over the last two weeks so much has changed. Just a month ago, we enjoyed our 5th and 4th grade luncheons with

over 50 kids at each luncheon! There were Divrei Torah, singing, games and of course lots of raffle prizes. Although we missed each other on Purim, we hope everyone is staying safe in their homes. We had so much planned and although we couldn‘t gather together, we were thankful to decorate the sanctuaries with festive balloons to feel the simcha of the day.

While we are still processing our new reality, we are working hard on creating and gathering resources to help enhance Shabbos, even when it looks different. To us, Shabbos is a time where we can bring the light of Torah to our youth, share the warm atmosphere

together. We will continue doing this through various resources. During the times of King David, they had their own plague that infected the people at that time and his antidote was that each person should try to say 100 Brachot everyday.

The idea is to become more aware of the brachot we say and appreciate what we have more than before. With this in mind, we have created a printable game to play at home on Shabbos, ―Me‘ah Brachot The Game‖. We will also have virtual raffles with challenges that kids can complete on their own and as a whole family. Additionally, if we can‘t come together in groups, we will bring groups to you with our new ―Parsha Commotion‖ printable game. Our hope is that we can utilize our new quality time with our families to reconnect with each other and rekindle the beauty of Shabbos that we haven‘t done before.

Have a happy and safe Pesach and we hope that we‘ll be able to come back together soon!

Parsha Commotion

Brachot Campaign

Brachot Campaign Week 2

SIMPLE CHAROSET RECIPE

3 apples, peeled and diced

1 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped*

1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

1 teaspoon sugar, or brown sugar

1 tablespoon red wine or grape juice

1 tablespoon honey

Nut allergies? Substitute walnuts with dates

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food pro-

cessor and pulse until just forming a paste.

SIMPLE MAROR RECIPE

1 horseradish root (fresh), peeled, chopped

1 beetroot, roasted/boiled, peeled, chopped

(¼ cup) white vinegar

2 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food proces-sor and pulse until just forming a paste. Transfer paste to a small sterilized jar; and cover with a lid.

It will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.

SIMPLE SEDER RECIPES

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DOR L’DOR a project of Congregation Ahavath Torah

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Wednesday, May 20

Pre-Shavuot Virtual Lunch & Learn with Rabbi

Kuessous; Sephardic menu Concert by The Choraleers

Wednesday, June 17

Trip to Wave Hill Gardens

Tuesday, July 21

Pre-Tisha B’Av Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Daniel

Goldberg; Video: ‘Names, Not Numbers’

Dor L’Dor Committee:

Eileen Gorlyn: eilee63400@aol.com

Ruth Schapiro: rschapir26@aol.com

Deborah Berger: berger.deborah@gmail.com

Ellen Flamholz: eflam@nj.rr.com

Esther Fruchter: estherfruchter@gmail.com

Diane Katzenstein: omadk@verizon.net

Beryl Niewood: beryl.niewood@gmail.com

Esther Berezin: emmaeb181@gmail.com

Dor L’Dor offers a variety of cultural experiences for

adult members of our community.

•Visits to major current art exhibitions

•Lunch and Learns

•Outstanding movies and discussions

•Presentations by historians and other experts.

•Excursions to museums such as the Museum of Jewish

Heritage. Trips always include transportation, lunch,

docent or electronic guides, and admission

To contact Dor L’Dor please e-mail:

dorldor@ahavathtorah.org or call 201-569-4560

HAGGADA HIGHLIGHTS

Join on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/2015681315

or dial-in (646) 558 8656 Meeting ID: 201 568 1315

TUESDAY, MARCH 31 12:30pm

WITH RABBI CHAIM POUPKO Senior Rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Torah

12

LIFECYCLE EVENTS

MAZEL TOV TO:

December/January

Erica & Arnaud Bensoussan on the Bar Mitzvah of

their son Samuel.

Debbie & Sam Moed on the birth of a

granddaughter, a baby girl born to parents Zoe &

Jonathan Moed

John & Nina Nanasi on the birth of a

granddaughter, a baby girl born to parents Sarah

and Pete Russell

Pearl & Irving (ob"m) Zuckerbrot on the marriage

of her grandson Asher to Avigayil Rosensweig.

Mazal tov as well to Rav Joel & Bluma Finkelstein,

Rav Michael & Smadar Rosensweig, and Rav

Itamar Rosensweig

Debra & Shlomo Tsadok on the birth of a

granddaughter, named Noa Lev, a baby girl born

to Ronit Tsadok

Emily & Eli Isak on the birth of a baby boy

Jackie & Sid Adler on the birth of a grandson, born

to parents Amy & Michael Adler

Our Teen Director Rabbi Israeli and his wife,

Racheli on the birth of a son

Chana and Jordan Katz on the engagement of their

daughter, Aleeza, to Zachary Braverman of

Lakewood, NJ

Ilana & Jeff Gdanski on being honored with the

Keter Shem Tov award at the Yachad Gala this

coming week.

Barbara & Rudy Treitel on the birth of a grandson,

a baby boy born to parents Andrew & Avivit Treitel

Nicki & Mordy Katz and Marleen & Kenneth Wolf

on the engagement of their grandson Andrew Katz

to Ronit Langer of Teaneck

Beatrice & Chaim Rosen on the engagement of

their son Jared to Adeena Chefitz

Nina & John Nanasi on the aufruf and

forthcoming marriage of their son Marc to Miri

Mauskop

Ilana & Jeff Gdanski on being honored with the

Keter Shem Tov award at the Yachad Gala

Tanya & Darren Wolf on the Bar Mitzvah of their

son Henry, celebrated in Israel during Chanukah

Esther & Moshe Muschel on the engagement of

their son Jeremy to Anna Siegel of New York, NY

Rene & Raphael Levy on the engagement of their

son Joseph to Risa Schwartz

Howard Miller on the birth of his first grandchild,

a daughter born to Kristen & Andrew Miller

Pam & Robert Lunzer on the engagement of their son Eli to Yosefa Heber

February

Lori & Martin Schlakman on the marriage of their

daughter Gabrielle Schlakman to Ahron Guttman

of Houston, TX

Caroline & David Kinzelberg on Nathaniel's Bar

Mitzvah.

Pauline & Natan Hayes on the birth of a daughter

Grandparents Esther & Moshe Muschel,

grandparents Jill & Daniel Wohlfarth, great

grandparents Miriam & Felix Glaubach, on the

birth of a grandson born to parents Lea & Justin

Muschel

Ilana & Stuart Goldberg, Guests of Honor, at The

Frisch School's dinner

Aliza & Rabbi Gideon Black on the birth of a son.

Mazal tov as well to grandparents Helene & Barry

Berkowitz and Mrs. Naomi Jacobs & Mr. Michael

Black

Dena Guttmann & David Schwartz

Aliza & Gary Liebman

Mindy & Joshua Sladowsky

Jenni & Ari Jacobovitz

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

...continued on page 13

13

TO SPONSOR

A DAY/WEEK/MONTH

OF LEARNING PLEASE CONTACT THE

SHUL OFFICE:

201-568-1315

OR E-MAIL

OFFICE@AHAVATHTORAH.ORG

MAZEL TOV TO:

February (continued)

Talya & Mark Douek on the birth of a daughter

Aura & Dr. Michael Herman on the birth of a baby

boy. Mazal Tov to the grandparents Denise & Marc

Setton and Sharon & Dr. Robert Herman

Our Annual Dinner Honorees: Norris & Nancy

Nissim - Guests of Honor, Eileen & Rabbi Norman

Gorlyn - HaKarat HaTov Award, and Beth & Nat

Lipschitz - Young Leadership Award

Peggy & Philip Danishefsky on being honored by

Sinai Schools at their Annual Dinner.

Deborah & Isaac Nesser on the Bar Mitzvah of

their son Michael.

Merce & Richard Andron on the Bat Mitzvah of

their daughter Kate.

Daliah & Doran Shapiro on the birth of a son.

Mazal Tov as well to grandparents Marla & Saadia

Shapiro.

Sarah Bartges & Gil Ohana on the birth of a son.

Linda & Seth Epstein on the birth of a grand-

daughter, born to parents Aviva & Michael Epstein

Cheryl & Evan Borenstein for being named Guests

of Honor at the Moriah Annual Dinner

Ayelet (née Lichtiger) & Brian Rosen for being

honored with the Alumni Leadership Award at the

Moriah Annual Dinner

March

Barbara & Marty Teicher on the Bar Mitzvah of

their grandson Yitzy Teicher, son of Elana & Ira

Teicher

Danielle & Joe Cohen on the birth of a son. Con-

gratulations to grandparents Faye & Doron Cohen

and Francie & Fred Brinn

Samantha & Nachi Engelhardt on the birth of

twins, a son and a daughter

Roni & Yehuda Blinder on the engagement of Abi-gail Blinder to David Peyser from Great Neck.

Jeffrey & Eden Aronoff on the engagement of their

son Joseph to Nechama Simon of Los Angeles. Mazal tov as well to Nechama's parents, Esther & Milton Simon of Santa Monica, and Joseph's grandparents, Carole & Mordy Appleton

Sandy & Alex Solomon on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Darren

CONDOLENCES TO:

December/January

Cheryl Lasher on the loss of her mother, Mrs. Peggy Zimmerman, ob‖m

The family of our member Mrs Wendy Brandell Sebrow, ob‖m on her passing

Francine Aronson Dinovitzer on the passing of her mother, Barbara Aronson, ob‖m

The family of Kate Tannenbaum, ob‖m

February

The family of Mrs. Naomi Feder, ob‖m, on her passing

Leah Almo on the passing of her father, Joel Fink, ob‖m

Amy Spivak on the passing of her mother, Uschi Kugelman, ob‖m

MB Cohen on the passing of her mother, Evelyn Sternberg, ob‖m Dr. Shalom Mehler on the passing of his brother, Dr. David Mehler

Diane Strobel on the passing of her mother, Mrs. Irene Buchman, ob‖m

March

Melissa Bane on the passing of her father, David Berman

Mrs. Debbie Moed and Dr. Cheryl Kramer on the passing of their mother, Mrs. Gloria Zeisel ob"m

Mrs. Cheryl Borenstein on the passing of her father, Mr.Michael Reinhard ob"m

Rabbi Shlomo Hyman on the passing of his father, Rabbi Chaim Hyman, ob"m

LIFECYCLE EVENTS

14

Celebrate your simcha at Ahavath Torah!

Contact Robyn Safier to book your event:

201-568-1315 ext 2020

Catering@AhavathTorah.org

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