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CONGREGATION AM HAYAM

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

Website: www.AmHayam.com

HAMIGDALOR

From The Rabbi’s Study—April 2020

Taming Tigers in the (Plague of) Darkness: Pesach and COVID-19

A number of years ago, a television circus show developed a Bengal tiger act. Like the rest of the show, it was done “live” before a large audience. One evening, the tiger trainer went into the cage with several tigers to do a routine performance. The door was locked behind him. The spotlights highlighted the cage; the audience watched in suspense as the trainer put the tigers through their paces.

In the middle of the performance, the worst possible fate befell the act: the lights went out! For twenty or thirty long seconds, the trainer was locked in with the tigers. In the darkness, they could see him, but he could not see them.

A whip and a small kitchen chair seemed meager protection under the circumstances. Yet he survived--and when the lights came on, he calmly finished the performance. In an interview afterward, he was asked how he felt knowing that the tigers could see him, but he could not see them. He first admitted the chilling fear of the situation; but, he pointed out that the tigers did not know that he could not see them.

The trainer remarked, “I just cracked my whip and talked to them until the lights came on. And they never knew I could not see them as well as they could see me.”

For many of us, the coronavirus is such a time. It may feel as if we are in a cage with the door locked behind us, with the lights gone out. It seems as if the virus can see us, but we cannot see it. It feels as if we have meager protections under the circumstances. Going shopping while physical distancing feels apocalyptic. Virtually all of us, like the trainer, have--at least briefly--felt the chilling fear of this situation.

While such thoughts are human, we can realize that, like our Israelite ancestors in Egypt, we are not alone during this plague of darkness. We know that health care professionals have been working inde-fatigably during this time. We know that our Governor and local officials have been responding with leadership, vigor, and consistent messaging, while enacting appropriate measures to ensure that we, like the tiger trainer, can keep ourselves safe. We also have each other--a warm, caring Am HaYam family, along with our tradition of survival through character, prayer, and action.

And I know that in our lives we have all faced tigers in the dark before. I certainly have. Some of these tigers have been internal pressures, conflicts, guilt, diagnoses, and other sources of constant stress and a depressing outlook. Tzurris--problems--have found us before, and we have found our way through them.

continued

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That’s where Passover arrives--at just the right moment. Passover reminds us of what we can achieve for ourselves as we remind ourselves of what our ancestors achieved.

We’re reminded of what counts: bread for example, does not need to be puffy: mat-zah will do. Similarly, we are discovering that connection does not mean proximity: we can love and be loved without needing to hug or be hugged.

The bitterness of the maror gets sweetened by the charoset. Likewise, we can sweeten the bitterness of this moment in so many ways; for example, a phone call to a friend or fellow Am HaYam’er or joining us in Zoom for services and other activ-ities.

At the end of the day and at the end of the current COVID-19 situation, the parsley (or whatever green vegetable is your tradition), even though it is dipped in salt wa-ter, comes out once again as parsley: life. And it remains crisp and delicious. Our lives at some point will be in a post-coronavirus reality. The tiger trainer in the cage will emerge from that cage. We, too, will emerge from the confinement of this mo-ment. And it will be vital and wonderful again.

This is our hope, and this is our challenge. To live with hope, which is to live so that there will be vital living beyond, to live to find ways to make life vital now. Passover gives us the hope to confront our current collective “tiger in the dark”--and all the personal ones we face--and, in the words of the Haggadah, “to move from darkness to light,” from the slavery of inaction, fear, isolation, and all the detracts from our own vitality, to freedom, to taking up our journey again, to love, to connection, and to the qualities which enhance the sanctity of our world, and of life itself.

Hag kasher v’samei-ach! May this be a Pesach that is joyful and kosher, in no small part because we have relocated within our souls the wherewithal to live and pro-mote what really matters: love, connection, community. This Pesach: L’chayim, to life.

Rabbi J.B. Sacks

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Greetings:

These are very unusual times. Difficult for everyone. The normalcy in our lives has

disappeared. But each and everyone must hold fast to the believe that this way of life

will disappear. All of us must follow

the guidelines of keeping safe. We don’t have to believe in them. We just have to do

them. Keep 6’apart, wash your hands, use disinfectants, STAY AT HOME, and take

care of yourselves and all your loved ones.

The bright light in our lives is our faith. Our Am HaYam family is here for you. Our faith

in the future must survive. The Jewish people have been through so much and have

survived and we shall survive this along with the rest of the world.

You must not lose your connection with your Am HaYam family. The day of electronics

is here to keep us together. Zoom is here. Rabbi Sacks has already been using this to

bring our services into our homes.

He has brought two Friday night services and a sing along into our homes. You re-

ceived notification by email that this was going to happen.

The connection process is simple. You are sent an email with a link to click on. You

click on what is

highlighted, follow the simple directions, and “voila” you’re there. And you will see the

faces of everyone who joins. You will be with your Am HaYam family.

Take advantage of this process. If I can do it, anyone can. And Mort Resnick will also

be using this method to bring Mondays with Mort into your home.

Please pay attention to the emails you will be receiving. A lot of work has gone into the

effort to bring this to you. Fran Lande also has been spending her time to provide

transliteration of prayers so you do not need a Siddur. You do need a computer, lap

top, or Ipad, with sound to benefit.

On Thursday, April 2, from 7-7:45 p.m., you will receive an email to join a session on

Migdot: Using Our Character Strengths Through Tough Times.

You will receive an email to join us for a Shabbat Service on Saturday, April 4 th . You

will be receiving an email to join us for a Seder on Thursday, April 9 th . There are

more sessions being planned. No one needs to be alone. We are here for you.

Keep your faith. Stay healthy. Stay connected. This too shall pass.

Shalom

Brenda

Message from Brenda Rich

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UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, ALL SESSIONS OF MONDAYS WITH MORT WILL BE ON ZOOM TELECONFERENCE DUE TO THE GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION ABOUT COVID-19. PLEASE GO TO THE CAH WEB SITE FOR DETAILS.

Question of the Month: What requirement is applicable to all types of sacrifices?

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

http://www.mondayswithmort.com

and the CAH web site at

www.amhayam.com .

Mort

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DURING THESE TIMES – LET’S ZOOM

Dear Am HaYam and Beth Shalom spiritual families.

I hope and pray that this Email finds everyone safe, well, and finding meaning in Pass-

over this year--and also joy. It is important that you all find ways to celebrate the possi-

bilities not just of Passover, but of life itself--even in this time of COVID-19--and despite

it.

Wednesday morning marks the crossing of the Yam Suf, often translated as the Sea of

Reeds. Many try to associate this Yam Suf with the Red Sea. The itinerary of the Israel-

ites, however, makes this quite unlikely. To me, it seems more realistic to suppose

that our biblical text does not have a specific place in mind. Instead, I think that we are

seeing a mythological (in the best sense) and cosmological conclusion to the battle

between our G!d, HaShem, and the Egyptian god Pharaoh and the rest of the Egyptian

pantheon of gods. Therefore, I suggest we read the word "suf" as a very definite form

of the word, "sof," meaning "end, conclusion." Thus, the Israelites crossed the "Sea of

Conclusion" or even the "Sea of Oblivion." Such a powerful crossing was not meant for

G!d's sake, but for ours. We needed to have finality, conclusion to our Egyptian sojourn

and put any negativity behind us. When we left Egypt, we did not only leave physically--

it was also important to leave behind our "Egyptian mentality"--and to do so complete-

ly.

As we get to the peak point of the coronavirus (please G!d, soon), we need to be pre-

pared to cross to the other side. We need to march definitively and defiantly--as well

as joyfully. The crossing that we read about on Wednesday is one that we actually cele-

brate at every morning and evening service with the Mi Chamocha prayer. It is not co-

incidental that this was chosen: it was to remind us that no matter what kind of Yam

Suf's we face, we can wade through the deep waters and get to the other side. And,

the text teaches, we will do so more quickly, efficiently, soulfully and joyfully, if we do it

together.

In this vein, we are offering for our combined sister communities, many options for us

to join together so that we can start marching emotionally and spiritually together in

advance of the time when we can do so physically. What a glorious day that will be.

Meanwhile, here are the upcoming events for the remainder of this week and next

week

April 16 (Thursday), 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Eighth day of Passover morning service, in-

cluding Yizkor, with Rabbi Sacks. Here is a link or click: https://us02web.zoom.us/

j/85603914737 .Tomorrow, we'll send out a reminder with the lists of our members

we'll be remembering. We hope you'll print the pages you'll need for Thursday morning

or write the names you want to make sure to recall at Yizkor on a separate sheet of

paper.

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April 17 (Friday), 6-7:15 p.m. Early Shabbat Services with Rabbi Sacks. Here is a

link or click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/708511097 .

April 19 (Sunday), 5-5:30 p.m. Singalong with Andrea. Here is a link or

click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81209052512

April 20 (Monday), 10:30-11:15 Mondays with Mort.

April 21 (Tuesday), 7:00-8:15 p.m. Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance Day

Commemoration, with Rabbi Sacks. Here is a link or click: https://

us02web.zoom.us/j/83377238737

April 22 (Wednesday), 7:00-8:00 Significant Jewish Book Club with Fran. Here is

a link or click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84001267225

April 23 (Thursday), 7-7:45 p.m. Middot: Using Our Character Strengths through

Tough Times, with Fran. Here is a link or click: https://us04web.zoom.us/

j/922121832

April 25 (Saturday), 10-11:45 a.m. Shabbat Morning Services, with Rabbi

Sacks. Here is a link or click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87544791474

We hope you will join us for as many of these gatherings that fit your needs

and schedule. We love being together.

Meanwhile, please let us know how we can help you.

At some point next week, we will send the schedule for the next several

weeks.

th blessings for the remainder of the Passover holiday, including our joyful

crossing of the Yam Suf on Wednesday!

Mo'adim l'simchah!

Love and blessings to you and yours,

Rabbi Sacks

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It Was A Happy Purim

They say timing is everything. So glad we were able to enjoy Purim services with

Rabbi Sacks and our temple family at the shul. I am also grateful we still could de-

liver mishloach manot to those unable to attend services. Hope you enjoyed your

mishloach manot as much as we did buying, assembling and delivering them.

I want to give a shout out to Donna Gustafson, Roz Resnick and Janice Aharon-Ezer,

Brenda and I, who assembled the bags and to Mark Rich and Fil Barton who helped

Brenda and I deliver the bags. A special thanks to Fran Lande who designed and

created the letters for the bags.

This is a fun holiday but it is also a fundraiser. On behalf of our Ways and Means

Vice President, Marc Goldman and our committee, Fran Lande, Brenda Rich and

myself I want to extend a special thank you to all those who participated to help

make this a success:

Janice and Amnon Aharon Ezer Donna Gustafson

Fil Barton Lois Lebman

Alma Boronkay Miriam and Darryl Mack

Sydell and Bernie Bubman Judye and Rick Newberger

Toba Burg Roz and Mort Resnic

Sue Cohen Ruth Resnick

Arlene and Jerry Davis Brenda and Arnie Rich

Stephen Goch Rabbi J B Sacks and Steven Karash

Marc Goldman Freya and Allan Teplinsky

Ruth Resnick

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From the Rabbi’s Kitchen

EASY SEPHARDIC HAROSET RECIPES

RHODIAN HAROSET

4 apples, peeled, cored 2 c. ground almonds

and quartered ¼ c. wine vinegar

1 lb. pitted dates ½ c. sweet wine

½ c. water 1 t. ground cinnamon

1. Cook apples and dates in water until tender, about 15 minutes. [Add additional water dur-ing

cooking, if necessary.]

2. Mash apples and dates. Mix with ground almonds, vinegar, and wine.

3. Stir in cinnamon.

4. Cover and refrigerate until 1 hour before serving.

Makes 4 cups.

MOROCCAN HAROSET from TETOUAN

1 pear ½ lb. blanched almonds

3 apples 2 T. ground cinnamon

3 bananas 1 c. sweet wine

1 lb. pitted dates

1. Peel and core pear and apples. Peel bananas.

2. Puree fruits and nuts.

3. Mix in the cinnamon and wine.

4. Place mixture in saucepan and simmer 20 minutes. Cool.

5. Cover and refrigerate until 1 hour before serving.

Makes 4 cups.

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CARIBBEAN TOMATO-ORANGE SOUP

1 T. butter/margarine 1 t. sugar

1 medium onion, chopped 2 vegetable stock base cubes, or

2 lbs. crushed tomatoes, canned or 2 t. Instant vegetable stock granules

fresh, cored and chopped 1 c. orange juice

1 medium-large carrot, chopped salt and pepper, to taste

1 t. basil 1 whole orange, thinly sliced (optional)

1. Melt butter in a 3-qt. Pan over medium heat.

2. Add onion and cook until soft.

3. Stir in tomatoes, carrot, basil, sugar, and stock base cubes.

4. Bring to a boil over high heat.

5. Then cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring often, until carrot is tender (15-20 minutes).

6. In a blender or food processor, whirl soup, one portion at a time, until smooth.

7. Return the puree to the pan and add orange juice.

8. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soup is steaming.

9. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

10. Serve with orange slices on top, if desired.

Makes about 5 cups.

VEGETARIAN ROAST

¼ c. margarine 2 t. soup granules

1 large onion, chopped 4 c. small-curd cottage cheese

3 large eggs, well-beaten, or 1 c. toasted walnuts, finely chopped

1 ¼ c. egg substitute 3 c. Passover farfel

1. Preheat the over to 350.

2. In a large skillet, melt the margarine over medium heat.

3. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until wilted.

4. Add the remaining ingredients and cook 2-3 minutes more, stirring well.

5. Place the mixture into a greased/sprayed 9” x 13” baking pan. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

6. Let cool. Then remove from the pan. Slice and serve with a mushroom or fresh tomato sauce, if desired.

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GLAZED SWEET POTATOES

6 med. sweet potatoes ½ t. nutmeg

1 c. granulated sugar 4 T. butter/margarine

½ c. brown sugar 2 t. lemon juice

1 T. potato starch 1 t. vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Grease/spray a large baking dish.

3. Wash potatoes and place in a 3-quart saucepan with 1 c. water.

4. Bring to a boil. Cover, turn heat to simmer, and cook 25-30 minutes or until soft when pierced

with the tip of a knife.

5. Drain. Remove skins and slice the potatoes lengthwise. Place in baking dish.

6. Combine the sugars, potato starch, nutmeg, butter, lemon juice, and vanilla with ½ cup water

in a small saucepan.

7. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

8. Pour over the potatoes and bake for 45 minutes.

DRIED APRICOT MOUSSE

½ lb. dried apricots ½-¾ c. sugar, or to taste

1 c. dry white wine 3 large egg whites

2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced 2 T. toasted almonds

Juice of ½ lemon

1. In a saucepan, simmer the apricots in the wine with the apples, lemon juice and sugar,

covered, until soft, 15-20 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat. Cool and puree in a food processor.

3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.

4. Using a whisk, fold them into the apricot puree.

5. Spoon the mousse into wine glasses or individual bowls. Chill for 1-2 hours.

6. Just before serving, sprinkle with the almonds.

Make 4-6 servings.

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MUSTACHUDOS (Rhodian Spicy Nut Balls)

2 eggs, lightly beaten ½ t. ground cloves

1 c. sugar 1 ½ c. ground walnuts

1 t. Ground cinnamon 2 ½ c. ground almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Lightly grease/spray 2 medium cookie sheets.

3. Combine eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.

4. Mix in ground nuts to make workable dough.

5. Roll between palms into 1” balls and place on prepared cookie sheets.

6. Bake in preheated oven 10-12 minutes, or until bottoms of cookies are golden.

7. Cool on sheets for 10 minutes. Remove to racks and cool completely.

Makes 4½ dozen.

DESSERT CARROT SQUARES

¼ c. concentrated frozen apple juice 1 ½ t. cinnamon

¼ c. water 1 t. baking soda

½ c. honey 1 c. cake meal

1 T. oil 1 ½ c. grated carrots

4 egg whites ½ c. black raisins

1 t. Vanilla ½ c. chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds,

1 ½ t. nutmeg hazelnuts--whatever you prefer!)

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Whisk the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Mix together the cake meal, and baking soda.

4. Add the dry ingredients, all at once, to the mixture, whisking until just smooth.

5. Fold in carrots, raisins and nuts (if using).

6. Bake in a non-stick baking pan for 45 minutes. This cake should be moist. DO NOT OVERBAKE.

7. Cool and cut into squares.

Serves 6 to 9.

NOTE: The recipe can be double and baked in a 9” x 11” non-stick baking pan for approxi-mately 55-60 minutes or just until a cake tester comes out clean.

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FROM ADULT EDUCATION

NEW DATE FOR SIGNIFICANT BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION

I hope that this article finds you healthy and safe during this time.

CAH is using this time to offer various classes and services over the won-

derful technologica app called ZOOM. If you have not had an opportunity

to join any of these, please look for the schedule that is delivered in an

email to you. It is easy to use but if you need help please let us know and

we will walk you through it.

So the Significant Book Club will be joining the ZOOM schedule. On

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 7 PM we will be discussing Modern Con-

servative Judaism: Evolving Thought and Practice by Dr. Elliot Dorff. It is

an important book on Conservative Judaism that every Conservative Jew

needs to read and understand. That being said, please look for the email

with the ZOOM link and join us. You do not need to have read the book to

participate in this very important discussion.

Looking forward to learning with you!

Fran Lande

Adult Education Vice President

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Get Well

Jody Jaffe

Bob Packer

Sheila Myles

Irv Jacobs

Arnie Rich

Nancy Stein

Donna Gustafson

Isaac Javier Masnicoff

Judye Newberger

Steven Karash

Eva Lowe

Karla Michaels

Fran Lande

Norma Van Riper

Mort Resnick

Dianne Ruthman

Herb Stein

Lee Rothschild

Beth Morales

Betty Abramson

Lois Lebman

Fil Barton

Margaret Martinez

Janice Aharon-Ezer

Les Hanig

Peter Mah

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*Inscribed on Memorial Wall

TRIBUTES

Happy Birthday

To Rabbi & Steven, Hoping Evan recovers quickly from

his recent surgery.

Ruthy Resnick

Lee Rothschild

Evan Karash 7

Lois Lebman 8

Betty Abramson 21

April Anniversaries

No anniversaries

Rabbi Sacks, the Board of Directors and the membership of Congregations extend our

deepest sympathy to Bob Packer and family on the passing of Gail Packer, loving wife,

mother and grandmother. Gail spent a lot of her time and energy in shopping for and

preparing for extended Kiddushim along with Elaine Hanig. She also worked on and

planned many Ways and Means events. She always did it with a happy smile and a great

sense of humor. May her memory be for a blessing.

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YAHRZEIT

This month’s Yahrzeit list is not complete as the old Yahrzeit program that was being used

crashed and our new program which will take care of all the discrepancies is not updated.

Brenda

Friday, April 3 Esther Becker, Mother-In-Law of Renee Becker

Ruth Goch, Mother of Stephen Goch

Max Jacobs, Father of Irv Jacobs

*George Kunstadt, Father of Donald Kunstadt

Leonard Rothschild, Son of Lee Rothschild

Sol Sabath, Father-In-Law of Bob Packer

David Wiener, Father of Norma Van Riper

Friday, April 17

Douglas Klein, Father of Lee Rothschild

*Sam Hanig, Father-In-Law of Elaine Hanig

Celia Jacobs, Mother of Irv Jacobs

Douglas Klein, Father of Lee Rothschild

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APRIL2020 NISAN/IYAR 5780

5th day of Passover

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednes-

day Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Session with

Fran Lande

7:00pm

on line

2

3

Light Candles

7:02

4

Shabbat

HaGadol

service

10AM

on line

Shabbat Ends

7:58pm

5 6

Mondays

with Mort

via

zoom

10:30am

7

Happy

Birthday

Evan

Karash

8

Happy

Birthday

Lois

Lebman

1st night of

Passover

9

Community

Seder 5pm

on line

1st day of

Passover

10

2nd day of

Passover

Light

Candles

7:07PM

11

3rd day of

Passover

Shabbat Ends

8:04pm

12

4th day of

Passover

13

5th day of

Passover

Mondays

with Mort

via

zoom

14

6th day of

Passover

15

7th day of

Passover

16

8th day of

Passover

Morning

(Yiskor))

Services

@ 10 AM on

Line

Holiday

ends

8:08 p.m

17

Light

Candles

7:12PM

Services

6 p.m. via

ZOOM

18

Shabbat Ends

8:10pm

19

Sing Along

with Andrea

Massion

5 p.m. via

ZOOM

20

Mondays

with Mort

via

zoom

21

Happy

Birthday

Betty

Abramson

Yom

HaShoah

Rabbi lead-

ing 7 p.m.

on ZOOM

22

Significant

Book Club

Discussion 7

p.m. led by

Fran Lande

via ZOOM

23

7 pm

Character

Strengths

Fran Lande

leading on

ZOOM

24

Light

Candles

7:18PM

25 Shabbat

Service

10 a.m. on

ZOOM Shabbat Ends

8:16pm

26 Sing

Along

with

Andrea

Massion

5 p.m.

via zoom

27

Mondays

with Mort

via

zoom

28 29

Yom

HaAtzmaut

30

Character

Strengths

7 p.m. led by

Fran Lande-

via zoom

7 p.m.

Rabbi Study via Zoom Yom HaZikaron

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Rabbi J. B. Sacks

jsacks@dths.org———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

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Ruth Resnick

WAYS & MEANS VP - Marc Goldman

MEMBERSHIP VP - Miriam Mack

RITUAL VP - Roz Resnick

HOUSING VP - Neal Abramson

IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich

ADULT EDUCATION VP - Fran Lande

DIRECTORS—Betty Abramson,

Andrea Massion

PAST PRESIDENTS

Mort Resnick

Arnie Fingerhut z’l

Jerry Ruthman z'l

Peter Shack z'l

Brenda Rich

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Kiddushim - Brenda Rich

Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton

Librarian -- Donna Gustafson

Programming

Tributes — Lois Lebman

Telephone

Purchasing — Ruth Resnick

Yahrzeits — Bev Rosen

Migdalor— Bev Rosen

Sunshine

Webmaster—Mort Resnick

Publicity