Bulletin THE BETH TFILOH
Navigating the Road from Purim to Pesach By Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe, Beth Tfiloh Community Educator
There is a well-loved Jewish saying: “Have a freilichen (happy) Purim and a kosher Pesach!” I grew up in Boston and I well remember the Bostoner Rebbetizin z”l who said it this way: “Have a kosher Purim and a frelichen (cheerful) Pesach!” The Rebbetzin had a wonderful message: Do not get so caught up in the frivolity of Purim that you lose focus on keeping the special Purim mitzvot. And more importantly: do not get so caught up in the preparations for Pesach that you would celebrate this holiday without cheer! You may ask: There is so much work and preparation. How can we make our Pesach experience freilich? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks notes that there are two Hebrew words to describe freedom: chofesh and cherut. Pesach represents these two concepts. Chofesh is “freedom from,” in our case from being enslaved by the Egyptians. This, however, is not enough! We still need cherut, which is the “freedom to” make our own choices. As a nation, we choose to maintain and deepen our unique, intimate relationship with God. We choose our Torah which is based on the twin concepts of tzedek u’mishpat – justice and compassion. As free people, we have the option to choose how we look at our lives and what to make of them. We can choose what to focus on and where to let go. This Pesach season ask yourself these Four Questions: 1. How do I want to feel in the weeks and days leading up to Pesach? 2. What do I need to do in order to appreciate and look forward to the Pesach holiday? Continued on page 3
Celebrating the Joy of Judaism, Embracing all Jews. ADAR-NISAN 5778 MARCH 2018
BT CELEBRATES ISRAEL AT 70 SAVE THE DATES!
Commemoration, Contemplation & Celebration YOM HAZIKARON COMMEMORATION
Tuesday, April 17 • 6:30 pm | Beth Tfiloh Mintzes Theater Co-sponsors: Baltimore Zionist District, Beth El Congregation, Beth Tfiloh Congregation, Friends of the IDF (FIDF), ScienceAbroad, CJE
5TH ANNUAL DAHAN LECTURE
Tuesday, April 17 • 7:30 pm Beth Tfiloh Dahan Sanctuary Israel at 70: Beyond The Headlines With Jeffrey Goldberg And Bret Stephens Moderated by Senator Ben Cardin
COMMUNITY-WIDE YOM HAATZMA’UT CELEBRATION Wednesday, April 18 • 6:15 pm Featuring kids’ activities, live SoulFarm concert and kumsitz (sing-along), IDF Solider Recognition ceremony, a 3D Israel cake, BBQ dinner for purchase, and fireworks!
Notice of Annual Meeting of Beth Tfiloh Congregation The following Congregation Officers and Board Members will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Beth Tfiloh Congregation on Thursday, April 19 at 7:15 pm in the Epstein Chapel. NOMINATIONS FOR 2018-2019 Congregation Officers: President – Louis Baer Honorary President – Lowell Herman 1st Vice President – Ron Davis 2nd Vice President – Gary Eidelman Secretary – Yoni Bedine New Board Members: Larraine Bernstein Eric Black Roberta Katz Shelley Kaye Emily Levin Ricka Neuman Louis Schwartz Jamie Silverman Neil Sweren
Nominating Committee: Fran Pruce – Chair Ricka Neuman – Chair of the Board Louis Schwartz – Executive Vice Chair of the Board Louis Baer – President Joel Cohn – President, Board of Trustees of the School At Large: Rebecca Freedman Zachary Garber Marcie Lehnhoff Alisa Rank The Annual Meeting will include a Memorial Service and an election of officers and Board Members. All members in good standing of Beth Tfiloh Congregation are invited to attend.