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SPRING PASSOVER2020/5780

TABLE OF CONTENTSPRESIDENT'S MESSAGE3RABBI YOSSI ON PESACH4CANTOR BEN ON PESACH5-6HEBREWS'COOL MESSAGE7-8RECIPE: CHEESE DUMPLING WITH BROCCOLI SAUCEPASSOVER SCHEDULE10 PLAGUES OF MODERN LIFE91011-13POEM: THE PASSOVER STORY - ABRIDGED14CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES15POEM: MATZAH BRIE16WHY PRESIDENT JOKOWI SHOULD WISH ALL JEWS A HAPPY PASSOVERRECIPE: SPICED SALMON WITH ASPARAGUSMAZAL TOV17-181920CONDOLENCES21RECIPE: PASSOVER CHEESECAKE22TREE OF LIFE23

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEThis is a unique and unusual time to be writing my firstmessage to the Beth Torah Congregation as President of theBoard of Trustees. I had expected to be making the usualcomments about the coming spring and good wishes –instead, we are all doing our best to cope in these incrediblytrying times. Where we would normally be preparing for ourseders and thinking about who should sit in which seat, weare instead thinking about holding remote seders withoutfamily and friends around our tables.At this time, I am particularly grateful to Rabbi Yossi for his strong leadership, as well asthe support of each of the members of the Executive Committee. There have been manydifficult decisions that have been made over the past several weeks affecting our Shul,often in a climate of limited and fast changing information. These decisions are being madeto best ensure that we are able to support our members, both in day-to-day matters and insignificant life cycle events, with our staff and clergy exhibiting great dedication and care.I am exceptionally thankful to the generous support of Martin and Shirley Glick, who haveallowed us to move our Shabbat services to an on-line livestream. This has been very wellreceived and attended over the initial Shabbats, and will expand with a Passover Sederon-line as well. The forward-thinking of Rabbi Yossi, combined with the generosity of ourmembers, is certainly one of the great strengths of our congregation, which will allow usto emerge from the Covid-19 crisis and continue to be strong and vibrant.As we sit around our (much smaller) Passover tables this year, the discussions will likelybe very different than in past years, and I am sure we will find different meanings inmany of the Haggadah passages. As is often quoted, “this too shall pass” and it is mostimportant to focus on keeping our families safe and healthy, and remember to helpothers who are in need.From my family to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy,safe and kosher Passover, and a speedy end tothis current crisis.Chag Sameach,David, Gayle, Noah, Samara and Joshua-3-

RABBI YOSSI ON PESACHDear Friends, Members and Community,I write to you from the edge of a precipice, the abyss of socialdisconnection. I am grateful that in my own life I have lovingfamily and friends to support me, and I have many loving familyand friends to whom I can offer support. Terribly, there aremany who are not blessed with a strong social network. Thereare many who are suffering horribly from the financial strainof this crisis, and also those who suffer deeply from unendinganxiety. It is they who are foremost in the thoughts of so many.Our seder opens with the call to “let those who are hungry come and eat,” and eventhat is not possible this year. We cannot have anyone at our table, other than those withwhom we are isolated, and thinking about the limitations of our compassion reminds usthat this is a Passover unlike any other in memory.In these difficult times, it is our moment to shine, as individuals, as families, and as acommunity - to be greater than, and not lesser than. It is our call to dispel the darknessof human discomfort with a brightness of the warmth of caring and compassion. It isour moment to embark on a journey to freedom, one which we never imagined wouldbe withheld from us. And it is our duty to make sure that each and everyone of usexperiences the freedoms yet to come, once this terrible circumstance has passed.Very much like the first seder, we are behind closed doors, avoidinga plague. Let us join together in the fervent hope that we go tothe Promised Land, throw off the shackles of fear, uplift thedowntrodden, and proclaim liberty throughout the land.I remain with my family and I hope you are safe at this time.Wishing you a meaningful Passover despite thecircumstances.With love,Rabbi Yossi, Michol and Allegra-4-

CANTOR BEN ON PESACHDear Friends,Passover is normally a time to come together in thesynagogue and to be with family to rejoice and sing.As I write this, so much is uncertain. Music is nota cure, but it can be effective medicine in times ofuncertainty, trial, and isolation. In my High Holidaymessage for 2019, I wrote about the power of unifiedsound: when multiple voices come together, thereis an undeniable and palpable energy created. As Iwrite to you this Pesach, we are not likely to be ableto stand side by side and sing together. The power of music is such that it can helpuplift us, even when we are alone.A close look at the liturgy from Hallel (sung during the Passover services), revealsprayers and music which do just that.At Beth Torah, we debuted a stirring arrangement of the prayer Min Hameytsarat the 2019 High Holidays; its liturgy is also in the Hallel for Passover. It speaks ofcalling for help in times of distress, and receiving help. Musically, this arrangementby Mesivta of Waterbury is both brilliant and applicable for our times. Noticehow the song alternates between one voice singing solo and a duet. Boththe solo line and duet line are beautiful and stirring each in their ownway. You can find this beautiful rendition of Min Hameytsar onYoutube.We are used to being able tosing with others whenever wewant, however singing a melodyalone does not detract from thepower nor beauty of the songor its intended message.-5-

CANTOR BEN ON PESACHThe liturgy in the Passover Haggadah has a prayer Vehi Sheamda, which is alsopoignant for where we are today. It speaks of how in every generation, somethingwill try to destroy us, but with faith we will ultimately survive. In this version of VehiShe,amda, Yaakov Shwekey shares the stage with Shlomi Shabat to create a movingpiece, once again displaying that music can be powerfully emoted as a duet or solo.You can see this musical piece on YouTube as well, by searching for “vehi sheamdayaakov shwekey.”One of my favorite arias from the world of opera is Nessun Dorma, made popularby the late Luciano Pavarotti, and available for viewing on YouTube. During thelockdown in Florence Italy, tenor Maurizio Marchini sings this aria from his balcony.As he picks up his son, the aria ends with the words “Vincero! Vincero!” I will survive!As Maurizio picked up his son, it signalled to me, and perhaps all those who watched,that we need relief now and for tomorrow.Allow me to take license and pluralize the lyrics and say WE WILL SURVIVE!From my family to yours, wishing you a safe and healthy Passover.Sincerely,Cantor Ben, Karen, Emily and Ryan-6-

HEBREWS’COOL MESSAGEPassover has traditionally been viewed as a time for personalreflection and also a time for learning. Over the years, Passovereducation has taken on several methods of instruction, includingtraditional classroom, family learning, interactive methods, andstorytelling. As Passover fast approaches and with our everchanging definition of societal norm, we can look to children toremind us of the joys of the holidays.Below, you can read about some amazing activities we offer at Beth Torah Hebrew Schooland how they can be adapted at home:A favourite event is our group Passover Jeopardy contest. This is something that can beplayed as a family at home. Turn your kitchen or living room wall into a giant Jeopardygame and play together! (For example, "His cup of wine awaits his arrival at every seder."Answer: "Who is Elijah?")Pesach Trivia Scavenger Hunt, another favourite, can be played by having parents create a list ofquestions. Cut out the questions and hide them all over the house. Have your kids search for thequestions and see how many they can answer. It becomes a fun game and learning opportunity!(For example, “What are the names given to the four types of sons in the Haggadah?," “Whatdoes the word seder mean?" and “What are the items on the seder plate?")Beth Torah Hebrew School's older students participate in multiple activities which arecreated to induce investigative thinking. For example, Idea Line-Up is an activity wherestudents choose a question like “What does Jewish identity mean in Exile?” or “Pharaohvs. Moses: What are the important elements for being a great leader”. Thesequestions have a variety and a range of responses. We ask students wherethey stand on the topics relative to other respondents. You can use thisconcept or these questions to have an interesting family discussion andcompare family member's responses.Another Passover activity some of our younger student’s loveis Passover Mystery Match. Parents can do this activity athome by creating a list of quotes or song lyrics and a listof where they are from in the Haggadah, and havestudents match individuals. (For example, "What isthe meaning of this service to you?" - from theContrary Son, or "Then came the water andquenched the fire." - from Chad Gad-Yo).-7-

These activities are designed to get children excited about learning and activelyparticipating in collaborative and fun ways.Baking together is also always fun! If you would like to makesome fun Passover Pop-Tarts at home please follow the recipebelow! Recipe from "Friends, Family, Food".Ingredients1. 100g ground almonds2. 75g potato flour3. 55g margarine4. Half a medium banana5. 100g fruit jam6. Optional – Sprinkles and icingInstructions Put the almonds and potato flour into a food processor and pulse a few times to givea fine powder. Mash the banana and add to the almond mixture with the margarine.Blend in the food processor for a few seconds until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in cling film, and freeze for 10-15 minutes. Roll out the dough between two sheets of baking parchment, to a thickness of around4mm. Aim to roll into a large rectangle shape to minimise offcuts. Cut the rolled-outdough into eight rectangles of roughly equal size. Return to the freezer for a further 10minutes. Preheat the oven to 175C. Place around 1.5 tbsp of jam on each of four of the rectangles. Carefully cover with theother four rectangles and press the edges together to seal with the tines of a fork. Makeholes in the top of each pop tart to allow steam to escape. Bake at 175C for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool before eating. Top with any icing or sprinkles (if desired)Kayla HendriksDirector of Education-8-