Kol Beth El A DA R - S I VA N 5 7 8 1
MARCH/APRIL/MAY 2021
The Sacred Seder: A Touchstone of Meaning By Rabbi Michael Schwab
INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Corner................................. .2 Shabbat & Holiday Schedule............. .3 Notes from Hazzan............................... .4 Informal Education................................ .5 Formal Education................................... .5 Cultural & Learning Center................ .6 Ritually Speaking.................................... 6 Development .......................................... .7 Pre-School................................................ .7 Youth Community................................. .8 Security and Building Updates.......... .9 Sisterhood................................................. 10 Sisterhood Gift Shop............................ 10 Men’s Club................................................ 11 Israel Week............................................... 11 Pesach Service Times........................... 12
Form to Sell Hametz......................... 12 Pesach Programs................................... 13 Passover Supplement........................... 14 Membership............................................. 16 Season of Mitzvah................................. 16 All in the Beth El Family....................... 17
Todah Rabbah..................................... 18 Environment........................................ 23 HAZAK.................................................. 24 Love Your Neighbor.......................... 24 B’nai Mitzvah Students.................... 25 A Day with Sofer................................. 25 March/April/May Events................. 26 Chef Laura on Maror........................ 28 North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 N. Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 432-8900 | www.nssbethel.org
Everyone waxes nostalgic at times. Some of us do it quite often. We look into our past and we relive a powerful experience, a meaningful event, or a cherished time. Such reflection often brings us comfort and it can reconnect us with what is most important to us in our lives. Many kinds of occasions can become the subject of nostalgia but, more often than not, most represent times when we were surrounded by people we love, at moments of significance, especially during times of joy. For me, the Passover seder unfailingly sends me into the world of nostalgia. Years of past Sedarim cycle through my head. Precious memories of times spent with family members, some of whom who are no longer alive and some of whom who are no longer able to be part of my seder, suddenly become tangible and vivid. I can smell the food, hear the laughter and feel the warmth. Through the experience of these memories I reconnect with my own past, with my treasured relationships, with my personal family history and with my Jewish heritage, all at once, in an emotionally compelling way. While many of us complain about the lack of bread and the poor taste of matzah, the reality is that this is one of the most meaningful and most celebrated holidays on the Jewish calendar. Much of that, I believe, stems from the powerful entwinement of our personal memories with the collective memory of our people. This is a holiday, which, perhaps like no other, actively builds Jewish identity and connects us as individuals to the on-going story of the Jewish people. “I” becomes “We”. Our family customs become intertwined with the ancient customs of our ancestors. Our present intermingles with our past – creating a new and powerful
future. The Passover seder, in many ways, acts as our Jewish compass helping us to better understand who we are and, therefore, serves to guide us to where we need to go. Every year I tell anyone who will listen that the more one puts into the preparations for the seder night, the more one will get out if it in return. Making the content of the Seder interesting, interactive, meaningful and fun allows the Seder experience to go even beyond a wonderful meal with family and friends (already a great foundation). With some forethought, participants can come away with a deeper appreciation for their freedoms, a greater understanding of the Jewish past, a deeper connection to their family history and a greater affinity for their Jewish identity. Any time we have the opportunity to engage in Jewish identity building and family bonding, we should seize it! And the seder night might be the greatest opportunity for many of us each year. Jewish education is crucial, Jewish camping is wonderful, and synagogue life is essential. However, a vibrant and meaningful Jewish home life is also vital to the continuation of the Jewish people. So please, wax nostalgic in advance of the Passover holiday, remember what made your sedarim of the past so meaningful and help create memories that will sustain you and the participants at your table well into the future. And if you don’t have nostalgia for past Passovers, there is no time like the present to create an experience worthy of such memories! Feel free to consult with me or Rabbi Freedman on wonderful resources to enhance your seder, especially in a year when we still may need to conduct our sederim virtually. Whatever you do, I wish you a meaningful Passover filled with memorable moments, which can help each person connect in a lasting way with our beautiful tradition.f Hag Sameah – Have a Happy Passover holiday! MARCH/APRIL/MAY 2021 | KOL BETH EL | 1