Rabbi’s Column . A 12th grader at my school was sharing a story with his classmates: he had parked next to a car in a parking lot when he saw the owner approaching her car. He realized he had parked too close to her thus making her getting into her car difficult. He got back in his car and began backing out to give her more room. But she apparently didn’t understand what he was doing, and began to yell at him. He got out and tried to explain, but she wasn’t going to listen. She continued to berate him. The student got back in his car and left, confused and distrought by this interaction. As I listened to this student I recalled the times in my life when my explanations fell on deaf ears–when people were apparently enjoying being angry with me too much to allow reasonable excuses to be accepted. It’s a difficult and uncomfortable situation. Nobody likes being misunderstood. And to have legitimate explanations ignored, which could have diffused the situation and lowered the heat in the room, sadly reflects poorly on people who just “aren’t getting it.” With the celebration of Passover this month, we should not only remember when we were slaves in Egypt, but realize that we are still enslaved – to addictions, temptations, vice, and ignorance. And just as we mark our breaking the shackles of slavery and becoming free, we should strive to break the chains that keep us from becoming our better selves. We should include the self that listens patiently, responds respectfully, and allows reasonable discourse to easily convert our hurt into healing. We should be easily mollified, ready to forgive when necessary, and strive for peace over strife. Happy Pesach! Rabbi David Vorspan

Shabbat services at de Toledo High School Saturday, April 13 - 10:30 am Birthday Shabbat ---------------------------------------------- Around the Rabbi’s Tisch Thursday, April 11 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’

Our 5779 season of Rabbi’s weekly discussion concludes its second half. Call Rabbi at (818) 888-9817 or see flyer. ---------------------------------------------- Torah and Shabbat Study Saturday, April 27, 10:30 am Northridge Mobile Home Park Stan Schroeder leads our monthly study and discussion session. Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 or see flyer. ---------------------------------------------- Mickey Katz Spring Celebration Sunday, April 28, 2:00 pm at de Toledo High School Mark Kligman, Professor of Jewish Music at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA, will present a program of the music and humor of legendary Mickey Katz. See article on page 2 and flyer. Call Gladys Sturman at (818) 222-4694.

Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 17, Number 4, April 2019. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Events of the Month

Visit our website: www.shirami.com

Seder for IDF soldiers

Mickey Katz Spring Celebration - Sunday, April 28 by Sima Schuster

We are pleased to present a MICKEY KATZ SPRING CELEBRATION on Sunday April 28th from 2 to 4 pm at de Toledo High School.

Our amazing program will be led by noted Jewish musicologist Mark Kligman. Mark is the Mickey Katz Chair Professor of Jewish Music at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. This position was endowed by Katz's family in 2014. He is a published author of 5 books, a board member of the Association for Jewish Studies and the editor of the Association's journal, Musica Judaica. He authored a chapter in The Oxford Handbook of Religion and the Arts.

Mark will be accompanied by a student choir from the UCLA music department to enhance the afternoon.

We are continuing our 21st Anniversary Celebration offering this program free for all. We invite everyone to join us for this fun-filled afternoon.

See flyer to RSVP for a reservation. Coffee and cookies will be served.

President’s Report Shalom,

With Pesach being this month, our word for the month is Seder or Order. This April is a very orderly month. First, in anticipation of the Passover Seders, we start off with a little walk to build up an appetite. This month the Shir Ami Walking Team joins Jewish World Watch for the Walk to End Genocide. (See article on page 4) If you haven’t already signed up, now is the time. Don’t stand idly by. Second, we have one Shabbat service this month, so don’t miss it. There will be plenty of time for Pesach preparations. As for one of those preparations, that Shabbat service will be perfect time to bring Pesach items for SOVA so that others will be able to celebrate Pesach. Third, comes Pesach. A time when we gather together, each with our own family and friends to tell the same stories, recite the same prayers, eat the same foods and sing the same songs. We celebrate the old as well as the new, now that we can put peanut butter on our matzah! So, I would like to wish the entire Shir Ami family a Happy Pesach. May you never tire of eating matzah (at least until the 6th or 7th day). May your brisket be tender, may your matzah balls be floaters (or sinkers, if that is your family tradition) and may your bitter herbs be bitter enough, but not too bitter. As always, if you have any questions or want to provide your input, please feel free to email me at JDPistol@aol.com. Chag Sameach. Jordan Pistol, President

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Storyteller Karen Golden telling us a Jewish story at de Toledo March 17

Mazel Tov Mazel Tov to Paul and Maralyn Soifer on the marriage of their daughter, Justine, to Matthew Gish on Sunday, March 24. Rabbi David Vorspan officiated.

Yahrzeits Ethel Granik for Tena Granik David and Susan Lipman Birthdays Aaron Brenner by Rabbi and Bonnie Vorspan (37) Neil Hattem

Anniversaries Rae and Armand Wazana (52) Fran and Sam Kobulnick (50) Paula and Lou Loomis (46) Other Bette and Owen Delman in honor of Kobulnicks' 50th anniversary Armand and Rae Wazana in honor of Kobulnicks' 50th anniversary Phyllis and Stan Schroeder in honor of Kobulnicks' 50th anniversary

Congregational News Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: Fran Kobuknick Paullette Pistol Charlene Kazel May they be blessed with a complete recovery in body and spirit.

Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays Sylvia Hockmeyer......................... Joan Easley................................... Frank Locascio............................... Lee Dollins..................................... Carol Altshiller............................... Jerry Zatz...................................... Pat Michaelson.............................. Ed Orens........................................ Marcie Spetner.............................. Ellie Zatz........................................

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DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to acknowledge the following donations:

4/5 4/5 4/5 4/16 4/17 4/20 4/22 4/23 4/25 4/28

$

Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for sending your cards celebrating simchas and conveying your get- well and condolence messages. She is creative with individualized, artistic cards that include a message and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

Chag kasher v’sameach A happy and kosher holiday

Social Action Committee This is the time of the year that we need everyone to come together to support our community mitzvah projects.

We are now collecting 5 lb. packages of kosher for Passover 2019 matzah for the SOVA food pantry. You can bring them to our SOVA barrels at all services and events at de Toledo High School. At our other meetings and events our Committee and Board members will accept your bulk donations. You can also drop off your donations at the SOVA food pantry, 16439 Vanowen St., Van Nuys. Please see the Passover 2019 SOVA flyer in this newsletter. You can mail your check to SOVA as well. Please remember to include your name and that you are a member of Congregation Shir Ami.

Mother's Day is Sunday, MAY 12. We are collecting Target $10 gift cards to be given to the mothers and their children in JFS domestic violence shelters for Mother's Day! Remember that the women and children often come into the shelters with only the clothes on their backs, and will use the gifts to buy necessary personal items. Mail your cards to Fran Kobulnick at 5139 White Oak Ave. #13, Encino, CA 91316 or give them to our Committee members.

Our Committee, friends and family will be leading our annual Mother's/Father’s Day Shabbat celebration at West Valley Health Care Center on Friday, May 10 at 1:00 pm. Please join us when Claire Silverman and our Committee bring in the Sabbath with the traditional blessings. The sing-along with the residents is always fun. The one-on-one visits with the residents, sharing of refreshments, and personal gifts are greatly appreciated by the residents

Looking ahead, our annual Walk Around Lake Balboa Sunday, June 2 will raise funds for Ride On, providing therapeutic horsemanship for children and adults with disabilities. See flyer in this issue.

We thank all who honored our 50th anniversary with us March 23. Sam and I have been overwhelmed by all the kindness, thoughtfulness, and happiness the congregation has continually brought into our life! Special thanks to our children Sheri, Robert, Jeffrey, and Belinda and our grandchildren Elliot, Adam, and Sarah for the beautiful kiddush luncheon they sponsored at the service. We are truly blessed and very appreciative to all.

page 4 April 2019 And thanks to Rabbi Vorspan for the extra support and prayers through this very difficult year, and for the kindness and happiness Rabbi and Bonnie have brought into our life for over 30 years! Our Committee and our families wish you a meaningful and blessed Happy Passover.

Shalom, Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President Operation Gratitude and Project MOT by Charlene Kazel As you already know I’ve had some health issues and have been staying at Jodi and Elliott’s for the last month, and I’m still here. Thank God for them and all my grandchildren and all my friends who have been looking out for and taking care of me. All the love and care has been the best medicine.

One day we had a short outing when Jodi had to go to Target, she said we also needed to decide on something to do. When we passed the toy aisle I said what about a jigsaw puzzle since Jodi, Elliott and I are addicted to this pastime.

So Jodi picked up a puzzle and when we got home it was a 1,000 piece puzzle with itsy bitsy pieces. It only took a few days to be completed and then Jodi bought home a 2,000 piece puzzle with the same size pieces and was finished in four days.

Hence this article; aren’t our lives just like a huge jigsaw puzzle? Each and every day we have to do our daily chores, events, children, family needs, bills to pay, meals to cook, etc., etc., and the list is endless.

Every moment of every day has to be accounted for and put into the right time and place. We all have to put our feet into the boots of our armed forces as they make split second decisions that will save their lives and ours.

We are here and recognize and support everything we can and do for them and to let them know that Operation Gratitude is their support team. Our generous gifts are their life line from home and to let them know that we are part of their extended family.

May every bit and piece of this puzzled life fit into place and we are all counting the days for a peaceful end and everyone’s safe return home.

1930 after his marriage, and the couple had no choice but to go to live in Grace's uncle's home. He soon moved back to Cleveland to play with Phil Spitalny again. For several years he had local gigs and played for vacationers as they sailed around Lake Erie on the excursion boat Goodtime. This gig lasted summers from 1935 to 1939. During the off- season, he found what work he could playing various one-night gigs. When the Goodtime went out of business in 1939, he moved on to a position as bandleader and MC at the Ohio Villa gambling palace. In 1946 the national jukebox convention was to be held in Cleveland, and Katz was asked to conduct for it. While there he met Spike Jones, and a week later Jones asked Katz to join him in Hollywood. Katz played with Jones for more than a year, but never felt he was paid enough and he left Jones in 1947.

Katz soon decided to make an English-Yiddish comedy record. Having written the lyrics to Haim afen Range years ago, he had it approved by RCA. He quickly wrote another song for the flip side, Yiddish Square Dance, and had his friend Al Sack sketch out the melody for it and set Haim afen Range to music as well. The original run of 10,000 copies released in New York City sold in three days, and RCA received orders for 25,000 more. Katz then went on to parodize Tico, Tico with Tickle, Tickle, and backed this new record with Chloya, a parody of Chloe. He then hired a manager in Los Angeles, and in 1947 performed in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights, a largely Jewish- and Mexican-American neighborhood. In Katz's words, he was a "double-ethnic smash." He followed it with "Herring Boats Are Coming," modeled loosely on the then- popular "Shrimp Boats Are Coming" (it sold 350,000 records nationwide and 80,000 just in Louisiana, where Katz said he had never even appeared). Then there was "Duvid Crockett," a yarmulke -clad version of the coonskin-capped frontiersman.

In what may prove to be the last of the years when ethnic humor was not only possible but customary, Katz's blend of English and Yiddish made him an ongoing fixture across the land. Booked into Los Angeles' Wilshire Ebell Theatre in 1948 for a one-night stand, he ended up staying six months.

(continued on page 9)

page 5 April 2019 Biography of the Month: Mickey Katz by Stan Schroeder We will have a program April 28 featuring Jewish musicologist Mark Kligman, Mickey Katz Chair Professor of Jewish Music at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA, celebrating Mickey Katz’ music and comedy. Let’s take a look at the life of this Jewish icon. Meyer Myron Katz was born June 15, 1909 in Cleveland, Ohio, to a Jewish family. His mother was Johanna (née Herzberg) and his father Menachem Katz was a tailor. One of five children, money was always tight in the Katz family. As children, Mickey and his siblings contributed to the family finances by entering amateur musical contests in the neighborhood theaters and bringing the prize money home to their parents. Even after graduating from high school, Mickey continued to support his family with the money he earned from his music.

One evening when Mickey was eleven, his father took him to a concert at the Talmud Torah. A clarinet solo was on the program. On the way home, he told his father he wanted to play the clarinet. But for his father to pay for an instrument and lessons was out of the question. The next day he asked the bandmaster of the local high school for a school clarinet, and within a few days he received an old and dusty clarinet. The next step was to find a way to pay for clarinet lessons. Mickey went to his Uncle Sam and offered to clean his tailor shop if he would pay for the lessons. His uncle agreed, and soon Mickey was studying under Joseph Narovec. He made excellent progress on the instrument, and quickly learned saxophone as well. Fresh out of high school, Katz landed a gig playing clarinet and sax for Phil Spitalny, a Cleveland musician and composer, and went on a road tour with his band. While waiting at the train station to leave, he met Grace Epstein, his future wife. He was 17 and she14. After the tour he worked with local Cleveland bands for a year. He then decided to try his luck in New York City, Before leaviing he became engaged to Grace, despite their families’ misgivings. One of Mickey’s friends at the engagement party at the Epstein house was fellow clarinetist Artie Shaw. Katz left Cleveland in 1929. He had a hard time finding work at first, and hopped around from one small, unsuccessful job to the next. He finally ran into Ed Fishman, whom he knew from Cleveland and who helped him find a job playing in Howard Phillips' orchestra at the Manger Hotel. But the job ended in

page 6 April 2019 Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide by Rae Wazana Recently Ann Strimov Durban, a Human Rights attorney and the Director of Advocacy and Grantmaking at Jewish World Watch, visited several of the Rohingya Refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. She had the opportunity to visit some of the 50 sturdy bamboo shelters which JWW funded to con construct. Ann was also able to visit with some of the women and children living in these shelters and to get information on what their needs are and how Jewish World Watch can help. As part of this advocacy and raising awareness, our Shir Ami Walk Team is getting ready to participate in the annual JWW Walk to End Genocide on Sunday, April 7th at 12:30 pm in Thousand Oaks. The Walk starts and finishes at Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 E Janss Rd. Thanks to the support of our amazing Team of more than 26 Walkers and our Congregation, we have raised more than $1,100 so far for JWW. For more information, call me at (818) 881-5549, At the Walk site there will be several activities planned preceding the Walk such as: Jump4Justice (for children and adults), a Hate Speech Workshop, a Survivors Panel, Holocaust Exhibit, Advocacy Actions, Red Hand Child Soldiers Advocacy and Art project, Bangladesh: An eyewitness experience, “Because I Care” Photo Booth, and other activities. Also, a big debt of gratitude to Bonnie Vorspan for her hard work and labor of love in creating two beautiful quilts from the decorated squares we designed on Mitzvah Day last November. These quilts will be displayed at the Conejo Walk. They will then be sent to a Refugee camp or school to bring some light and comfort there. Thank you, Congregation Shir Ami, for NOT STANDING IDLY BY!

Ritual Committee Around 50 Shir Ami members and Kobulnick family members and friends attended Anniversary Shabbat services March 23 and celebrated Rae and Armand Wazana’s 52nd, Fran and Sam Kobulnick’s 50th and Paula and Lou Loomis’ 46th anniversaries. The Kobulnick family sponsored a kiddush lunch following the service. Rabbi Vorspan blessed the three couples and I shared events, songs, TV shows, and movies from the years of their marriages. For example, in 1967 when the Wazanas married, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu on Las Vegas. In 1969 when the Kobulnicks the married John Lennon married Yoko Ono and in 1973 when the Loomises married Jane Fonda married Tom Hayden. Mazel Tov to our three wonderful couples! While remembering our Shabbat services our sincere thanks go to Claire Silverman, Shielah Hart, and Jacquie Gordon for their continuing efforts in preparing kiddush after our services. Thanks also to Fran Friedman, our Sunshine Lady, for her weekly calls to members and Phyllis Schroeder for har creative tribute cards for simchas, healing, and condolences. Our 5779 Around the Rabbi’s Tisch season at the Vorspan home concludes April 11. At our session March 21, we were treated to Bonnie’s Purim Hamantaschen and Persian New Year baklava (made for her Persian neighbor). Our 5780 season will start after Sukkot. Chag Pesach Sameach, Stan Schroeder, Ritual Vice President

Around the Rabbi’s Tisch March 21

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Passover With My Russian Family by Lou Loomis

I grew up in a nonobservant home. I knew I was Jewish because my parents kept reminding me of that fact, that somehow we were different from our neighbors, but why and how, was not explained. At least while I was very young. My parent’s families were directly affected by the holocaust and the second world war. My dad was born in Russia and my mom’s family was all Polish. My folks were sure it could happen again. They told me that yes, America was a great country but somehow Germany, the most advanced country in the world at one time, was responsible for the worst times the Jews had ever experienced. By the time I was eight years old I couldn’t grasp how just being Jewish meant being so hunted down. I now understand how fearful they may have been, losing so much of their European extended families. That is why my dad changed his name from Nusinov to Loomis (despite his claim that as a youth in show business, Loomis was easier to pronounce). My mother, for her part became a devout atheist, and ironically blamed the god she did not believe in for every evil that happened in her lifetime. But luck and family intervened, happily, I might add. My uncle, with Russian family, kept the Jewish spark alive by deciding to have a family Passover seder. We were invited and so, at the tender age of eight, I was introduced to Judaism. The first seder I remember was a very long affair. It went on forever, or so it seemed. Having my cousins at the table made it fun, but still long. We laughed and sang and ate and…well, it was quite a time. I think it was this seder that affected us all. Because the following year my uncle hosted another seder but with a surprise guest. The stranger at the table was a Russian relative who had just arrived to this country. His English was atrocious but he was able to communicate the unbelievable story of how his family had been placed in a Nazi concentration camp and later felt the oppression of Soviet Russia. He showed us his camp tattoo, the blue numbers on his arm. And we began to learn that being Jewish meant fighting to survive.

It turned out that my uncle was starting to locate lost family in Russia and was attempting to bring them to the States or to Israel. And that night the seder took on another meaning, a deeper and way more personal meaning. We laughed at the plagues and sang Dayenu, we ate and drank because we were free. And our Russian relative vowed to help my uncle find more family and set them free. It was quite a night. I believe that seder also changed my parents’ attitude about their Judaism. Shortly after that they enrolled me in Hebrew school. My dad said that I should know that I was a Jew and find out what that meant. My mother stopped cursing God. At least in front of me. The following year was the last Passover seder we had with my Aunt and Uncle. There must have been over a dozen Russian relatives in the house that night. My aunt explained that there were just too many people to host and her house was too small for all of us. Over the years that followed that last seder, I have met extended family who left Russia and settled in Israel, Argentina, Uruguay, and of course here in the US. Their stories are all awe-inspiring tales of struggle for freedom. No one, it seems, had it easy. But that last year, we read the Haggadah as if it were the daily newspaper. It was happening now and in our world. It was real. My hope is that everyone, this year, can find the meaning inside the Haggadah, the story of struggle and the Jewish yearning for freedom. We have much to be thankful for.

Soviet Jews arrive in Israel In the 1990s nearly one million Russian Jews moved to Israel. Under the law of return (one Jewish grandparent), many were not considered halachically Jewish.

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Passover 5779 by Stan Schroeder

At the Passover seder we ask Ma Nishtanah … why is this night differ- ent from all others? Our hagaddah answers: “This night is different from all other nights: because we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. Because we were brought forth from there by God with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Because we are thankful and because it is our duty to keep the commitment to freedom ever present in our memories and in our lives. So that we will always remember and never forget.” We then go on to explain the matzah, the bitter herbs, and the other laws and customs of this holiday celebrated by Jews around the world. We tell the story of the exodus from Egypt (mitzrayim, the narrow place) as if we were there, because we are told that we were all liberated, we all experienced the wilderness and the journey to the Promised Land. This year let us also ask why this year is different from all others. This year is different because we will soon cele- brate the 71st birthday of the State of Israel. The State of Israel is the Promised Land of our day. Seventy four years ago, April 19, 1943, the Warsaw ghetto uprising began after German troops and police entered the ghetto to deport its surviving inhabitants. Mordecai Anielewicz and his small band of barely armed Jews fought over 2000 well armed Nazi troops until May 16. Anielewicz and most of his remaining fighters died in the final days. A kibbutz near the border with Gaza was renamed Yad Mordecai (hand of Mordecai) in his honor. On May 14, 1948 David Ben Gurion proclaimed the State in accordance with the United Nations partition plan adopted November 1947. The date on the Hebrew calendar was the 5th of Iyar, and Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Independence Day) is celebrated that date unless it falls on a Friday (advanced to the 3rd), Saturday (advanced to the 4th), or Monday (delayed to the 6th). This year it falls on Thursday, May 9.

Over the next few days following the proclamation of the State over 20,000 troops from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt invaded the newly formed Jewish State. The War of Independence was fought in three phases, separated by periods of truce. The third phase

ended July 20, 1949. During 1949 Israel signed separate armistice agreements with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria (the four countries bordering Israel). From the ashes of the ghettos and concentration and death camps of World War II, and the courage of the pioneers of the State, arose the modern thriving State of Israel today. The promises of the Biblical God of Israel and the British following the World War I League of Nations Mandate were kept in our time. While it is true Israel still has enemies bent upon her destruction, we pray this Passover for a resolution of the conflicts, L’shana ha’ba-ah b’Yerushalayim, next year in Jerusalem with Shalom l’kol, peace for all! This Year we also celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem at the conclusion of the Six Day War June 10, 1967, the 28th of Iyar on the Hebrew calendar. That day the Old City of Jerusalem, ruled by the Jordanians since the War of Indepen-dence, was captured by the Israel Defense Force. The day is called Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) and this year falls on Sunday, June 2. Let us also pray that as we were liberated from slavery some 3500 years ago, that we enter an era of peace and prosperity for Israel and its neighbors. See my poem Exodus: My Journey from “Egypt” on page 9.

Warsaw Ghetto May, 1943

Israel Declaration of Independence May, 1948

IDF paratroopers at Western Wall June, 1967

page 9 April 2019

Biography of the Month: Mickey Katz (continued)

His "Borscht Capades" played in rooms ranging from small clubs in Chicago and Miami to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (where he spoofed television in "The Man From Yankel") and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. He drew crowds at Disneyland and was a perennial favorite among young Israelis.

From 1951 to 1956 Katz operated as a disc jockey for the Los Angeles radio station KABC while going on occasional road tours and playing engagements at the Bandbox nightclub. In 1952 he also did some shows for the United Jewish Appeal. In the same year he joined the California Friars Club and proceeded to conduct at their major functions for the next 25 years. In 1953 he decided to play Las Vegas, and after a successful start at the Frontier, he returned to to perform in Las Vegas during the next four years.

In 1955 Katz played a brief engagement at Harrah's, in Lake Tahoe. The following year he became a Continental Kitten and played in Europe

In Egypt the Pharaohs reigned supreme Where earlier Joseph interpreted a Pharaoh’s dream. A famine was avoided by storing grain So food was available in years without rain. But Joseph was forgotten, as is often the case, In the years after a significant event takes place. Israelites in Egypt were forced to be slaves, Oppressed with hard labor until laid in their graves. Pharaoh then orders his kingdom’s midwives, “Newborn Israelite boys, take their lives!” Moses is saved and raised as though royal, And to his ancestral people he is loyal. In the wilderness he is tending his flock. And sees this bush burning next to a rock. The bush isn’t consumed and that seems odd; But you never know what to expect from God.

God tells Moses He expects him to lead, Relate to the Pharaoh God’s people must be freed. Pharaoh consented on plague number ten; The Israelites left in haste, 600,000 men. Pharaoh sent soldiers soon to give chase; It looked as if the Israelites would lose the race. But God parted the waters of the Sea of Reeds, Then drowned the Egyptians upon their steeds. Forty years of wandering to accept God’s Laws; The Israelites overcame their many flaws. It took the birth of a new generation, To enter the Promised Land and become a nation. That journey to freedom included me too, And each of you who is proud being a Jew. We must shape this journey in our day and age, And learn what God wrote on our unique page.

Exodus: My Journey from “Egypt” by Stan Schroeder

and Australia. In 1958 he finally played the Catskills, an area where most of his peers made their start. Unfortunately for Katz, the booking office that hired him was determined to make as much money off of him as possible, and he ended up with a packed schedule, playing "anything north of Atlantic City." In 1961 he went on a tour through South Africa, playing in cities that included Cape Town, Johannesburg, Benoni, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria. Finally, at the end of his career, he began playing the Florida condominium circuit, often playing two shows a night. Mickey and Grace had two children, Joel [David Katz] Grey (born in 1932) and Ronald (Ron) Katz (born in 1936). Joel is the well known singer/actor and performed with Mickey as a youngster. Ron worked at Bendix Corp. and with inventor Robert Goldman developed the first automated check verification system, Telecredit, Inc. Mickey Katz died of kidney faulure in Los Angeles at the age of 75. From an 11 year-old-kid with a borrowed clarinet to the glamor of Hollywood, he left a legacy of Jewish music and English-Yiddish comedy for generations to come.

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami by Maralyn Soifer Here is an easy way to earn money for our Temple. We are now officially a Ralphs’ community agency. All you have to do is follow these simple instructions to help earn money for Congregation Shir Ami. 1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card already,

go to the store or go to website www.ralphs.com and select Order a Ralphs reward card.

2. Once you have your card, go to the website: www.ralphs.com and select Create an account

3. If you have an account, your email address is your account ID. If you forgot your password, select Forgot your password? and you will receive an email with instructions to reset it. Follow the instructions to enter your email address and create a new password.

4. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and an account, you will see Account Summary when you login. You can change to our Temple by clicking on Edit within Community Rewards.

Congregation Shir Ami P.O. Box 6353 Woodland Hills, CA 91365

page 10 April 2019

You can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by putting in the number 92785. Our congrega-tion will pop up and click on the button next to the name. Click on the button that saves the changes.

5. You should also check the bottom of your receipt when you shop. It should say “At your request, Ralph’s is donating to CONGREGATION SHIR AMI”.

6. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

7. Start Shopping! Make sure that the clerk swipes your card each time you shop. Verify that your receipt shows a contribution to Congregation Shir Ami at the bottom. Important Note: All participants must confirm their selection annually starting in September. On or after September 1, sign into your account and reconfirm Community Rewards selection.

Mickey Katz Spring Celebration Sunday, April 28 at 2:00 pm

de Toledo High School - Rita’s Room 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills

We are pleased to present a MICKEY KATZ SPRING CELEBRATION. Our amazing program will be led by noted Jewish musicologist Mark Kligman. Mark is the Mickey Katz Chair Professor of Jewish Music at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. This position was endowed by Katz's family in 2014. He is a published author of 5 books, a board member of the Association for Jewish Studies and the editor of the Association's journal, Musica Judaica. Mark will be accompanied by a student choir from the UCLA music department to enhance the afternoon.

Mickey Katz delighted audiences, viewers, and record buyers from the 1930s through the 1960s with his Jewish music, humor, and parodies. He had his own band most of that time. He moved to Los Angeles in 1946, playing everywhere from Disneyland to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Light refreshments will be served following the performance.

You can register with an email to sima@sprynet.com or phone Sima at (818) 774-1951 or Gladys at (818) 222- 4694 or mail the tearoff below to Sima Schuster, 6300 Newcastle Ave., Encino, CA 91316. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mickey Katz Celebration Members _____ free, Guests _____ free Please reserve by April 22 so we can accomodate everyone. Name: ___________________________ Phone: ___________

Congregation Shir Ami Contract for the Sale of Hametz

Know ye that I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi David Vorspan to act in my place and stead, and in my behalf to sell all Hametz possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly) as defined by The Torah and Rabbinic Law (e.g. Hametz, doubt of Hametz, and all kinds of Hametz mixtures). Also Hametz that tends to harden and to adhere to a surface of inside of pans, pots or cooking and usable utensils, and all kinds of animals that have been eating Hametz or mixtures thereof. And to lease all places wherein the Hametz owned by me may be found. Rabbi David Vorspan has the full right to sell and to lease by transactions, as he deems fit and proper and for such time which he believes necessary in accordance with all detailed terms and detailed forms, as explained in the general authorization contract which have been given this year to Rabbi David Vorspan to sell the Hametz. This general authorization is made a part of this agreement. Also do I hereby give the said Rabbi David Vorspan full power and authority to appoint a substitute in his stead with full power to sell and to lease as provided herein. The above given power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinical regulations and laws, and also in accordance with the laws of the State of California and of the United States. And to this I hereby affix my signature on this _______ day of __________, 2019.

Signature _____________________________

Address ____________________________________ City ___________________ Please note additional locations (summer home, cottage, work place) where Hametz might be located: You may deliver in person or mail to: Congregation Shir Ami P O Box 6353 Woodland Hills, CA 91365

Thursday April 11, 7:30 - 8:30 pm “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” at the Vorspans’

This popular Shir Ami educational series concludes the second half of its 5779 season. Come join us for our weekly discussion of Rabbi Vorspan’s selected topics of Jewish interest. We discuss Jewish texts and current events as they relate to Jewish values and our lives as Jews. This is a unique opportunity to learn and share in an informal format around the Vorspans’ dining room table. The Vorspans’ home is located at 22320 Philiprimm St. in Woodland Hills. Call Rabbi Vorspan at (818) 888-9817 for more information.

Saturday April 27, 10:30 am: Torah/Shabbat Study at Northridge Mobile Home Park rec room Stan Schroeder leads a Shabbat study session one Saturday morning a month at Northridge Mobile Home Park (19120 Nordhoff St.). We discuss the weekly Torah portion, the Shabbat prayers that are included in our Contemporary service, and various subjects relevant to Conservative Judaism. The Torah reading will be the eighth day of Passover section (Deuteronomy 15:19 - 16:17) that catalogs the annual cycle of festivals and the offerings brought to the Temple on these occasions. We will also say the traditional Yizkor prayers that are part of the last day of Pesach service. And we will discuss the upcoming Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) holiday. We are commanded “la asok b’divrei torah” (to engage in the study of Torah). Join us and fulfill the mitzvah. Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 for more information.

Minimum donation: $10 per person, NO MAXIMUM! Following the walk, a brunch will be provided by our Social Action Committee near the lake. Please bring vegetarian salad, side dish, or dessert to share, and remember to wear your Mitzvah Patrol shirt.

Also please bring non-perishable and non-breakable food for SOVA.

Ride On was founded in 1994 and has given over 100,000 lessons to over 225 individuals with disabilities. They are located in Chatsworth and Newbury Park. 100 % of our donations will go to this worthy organization.

Let’s go for a walk around Lake Balboa!

Join Congregation Shir Ami’s Social Action Committee on Sunday, June 2nd at 9:00 am. Registration required starting at 8:30 am

All proceeds go to Ride On therapeutic horsemanship

Sit-down activities are available for those who don’t walk. Call Charlene Kazel at (818) 701-7679 or her cell at (818) 231-6490. Sign up by returning this tear-off with your check for $10 (or more) per person to Congregation Shir Ami, P.O. Box 6353, Woodland Hills, CA 91365. Make check payable to Congregation Shir Ami. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Donation $_________ Walker Names: Brunch (y/n) 1. ______________________ 2. ______________________ 3. ______________________ 4. ______________________

Donation Amount: $10 [ ] $18 [ ] $36 [ ] $72 [ ] Other [ ] Phone no. ______________ Number of participants _______ I will bring: Salad [ ] Dessert [ ] Side dish [ ]