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WA S H I N GTO N
Happy Passover!
May you nd your own freedom this holiday
IN SUPPORT OF PROP. 1 PAGE 6 A STUDY OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 7 BEER! AND SCIENCE! PAGE 11
BAILA LAZARUS
2014
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NISAN
5774
VOLUME
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NO.
WWW.JEWISHSOUND.ORG
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would like to wish the entire Jewish community a Wonderful and Blessed Passover. A PASSOVER MESSAGE FROM THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE O.B.M.
Adapted from a Message for Passover by the Lubavitcher Rebbe OBM, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson from 5744, 30 years ago (5744 & 5774 are both Jewish Leap Years) The Torah relates that on Rosh Chodesh Nissan two weeks before the deliverance from Egyptian enslavement our Jewish people received the rst Mitzvah: KiddushHaChodesh, Sanctication of the New Moon, whereby the rst day of each month is sanctied as Rosh Chodesh, in conjunction with the Molad (rebirth) of the moon as it reappears as a narrow crescent. Together with this came other details of our Jewish Luach (annual calendar), including Ibbur Shonim (proclaiming a Leap Year by inserting an additional month of Adar). Thus our Luach was instituted on the basis of the Lunar year (twelve lunar months), coupled with an adjustment to the Solar year by the intercalation of an additional month after every two or three years, making that year a Jewish Leap Year (consisting of 13 months). In this way, the accumulated deciency of the Lunar year relative to the Solar year is lled in, as required by the Torah that the month of Nissan Chodesh haAviv (Spring Month) be kept in the spring, as at the time of the Exodus; thereafter all our other festivals also occur in their proper season. At the same time, on the same day of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, our Jewish people were instructed by HaShem concerning the Korban-Pesach (Pesach sacrice) and Chag HaPesach, as to how Jews are to celebrate the Festival of Our Liberation, Zman Cheiruseinu, not only as the anniversary of our deliverance from physical slavery, but also and especially as our Festival of Freedom in the spiritual sense, namely liberation not only from enslavement to Mitzrayim of yore, but to all Mitzrayims at all times and in all places. This surely is a basic instruction in Torah (Torah, from the word horaah, meaning instruction), which, like all instructions of the eternal Torah, is eternal and valid at all times and wherever Jews live; certainly instructions that are connected with Pesach, the Season of Our Freedom, which is a preparation for Matan Torah and Kabbalas HaTorah (being given and accepting the Torah at Sinai and ever since). This year being a Leap Year in our Jewish Luach, it focuses attention, in tangible relevant manner, on the signicance of the rst Mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh and Ibbur Shonim, mentioned above. Hence it provides a particularly timely occasion to reect an the signicance of our Jewish Leap Year, which, like all Jewish matters, is, rst of all, relevant to the state of Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvos in our everyday life. Especially as till the rst day of Nissan, the matter of a year being a leap year is not settled, for the Beis-Din (Highest Rabbinical Court) had the prerogative to intercalate a month and make it a Leap Year. Rosh Chodesh of the Month of Geulah (Redemption) thus also brings deliverance from the aforementioned uncertainty, and provides assurance and strength of now being ready to hear about and take up the Mitzvah of Pesach and Korban Pesach, and in two weeks time to come out of Mitzrayim (in all implied meanings); hence also to begin counting the days of the Omer in anticipation of receiving the Torah, etc. Avodas HaShem (serving HaShem) in all days ahead. The signicance of our Leap Year, as mentioned above, is closely associated with the uniqueness of our Luach (Calendar). It is based on the rule that our Jewish people count the days and the months by the moon. This means that our Luach is basically lunar, but takes into account the sun (which determines the seasons of the year), thus assuring that Pesach and all our other festivals occur in their proper season. Now, both the sun and the moon were created to give light upon the earth and to serve mankind; while the task of a human being is, to quote our Sages, I was created to serve my Creator, namely, to serve HaShem. There is an obvious difference between the sun and the moon in the manner of their providing light on the earth: The sun radiates its light in the same constant manner, without perceptible change from day to day. On the other hand, the moon renews itself (which is why the moon is also called chodesh, new)as it reappears, or is reborn (molad) at the beginning of each month, rst as a narrow crescent and then becoming fuller and brighter from day to day, until it attains its complete fullness and brightness on the fourteenth-fteenth day of the month. In other words: The sun and the moon symbolize two different characteristics. The sun represents the element of sameness and constancy; the moon change and renewal. Both these elements are found in Avodas HaShem (Service of G-d). And although at rst glance they appear contradictory, both of them combined together are indispensable to achieve completeness in Avodas HaShem. The explanation is as follows: There are those aspects of Avodas HaShem which are the same from day to day, without change. For instance, a Jew begins every day, immediately upon rising from his sleep, with the declaration of Modeh Ani, acknowledging and thanking HaShem, the Living and Eternal King, for giving him life and fresh powers to serve Him; so is also the Mitzvah of reading the Shema, expressing total commitment to HaShem and to His commandments to the point of self sacrice; so are the blessings and prayers which are recited every day; so also the Mitzvah of learning, and of Ahavas Yisroel, and a host of other Mitzvos which a Jew is obligated to do each and every day. At the same time, a Jew is expected to generate a renewal and resurgence of inspiration and joy in all matters of Yiddishkeit, particularly those that are repeated every day, so that they should be experienced as if they had been just given that day by Hashem for the rst time; And an additional measure of inspiration on special days, Shabbos and Yom-Tov, etc., which are associated with additional prayers and special Mitzvos that have to be fullled only on those special days, such as lighting
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a special fund for the needy has been set up at chabad for passover. if you would like to donate or know someone in need, please contact us.
In memory of Shmuel ben Nisan O.B.M. Samuel Stroum Yartzeit March 9, 2001/14 Adar 5761 Sponsored by a friend of Samuel Stroum and Chabad. For more information on any of these events and/or service times in all Washington State locations, please contact Chabad House at 206-527-1411, info@chabadofseattle.org or visit our website at www.chabadofseattle.org
INSIDE
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JTNews publisher and editor Joel Magalnick urges voters to maintain bus service throughout King County.
A demographic study has just launched to help organizations that serve our Jewish community much better understand what makes us tick.
REMEMBEr WHEN
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If there are two things that go together wonderfully, its science and beer, and an Israeli institute is holding an event featuring both.
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After 40 years, a scholar will return to Seattle to talk about the musical recordings she made of Seattles rst Sephardic generation.
Celebrate Passover!
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From pages 1536, weve got recipes, Haggadot, seder tips, and even a little ction to prepare you for the holiday.
From The Jewish Transcript, April 19, 1948. Members of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at the University of Washington celebrated the opening of their multi-thousand dollar home just north of campus. A highlight of the grand opening included the presentation of a bronze World War II memorial plaque.
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JTNews is the Voice of Jewish Washington. Our mission is to meet the interests of our Jewish community through fair and accurate coverage of local, national and international news, opinion and information. We seek to expose our readers to diverse viewpoints and vibrant debate on many fronts, including the news and events in Israel. We strive to contribute to the continued growth of our local Jewish community as we carry out our mission.
2041 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 206-441-4553 editor@jtnews.net www.jewishsound.org JTNews (ISSN0021-678X) is published biweekly by The Seattle Jewish Transcript, a nonprot corporation owned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, 2041 3rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98121. Subscriptions are $56.50 for one year, $96.50 for two years. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, WA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to JTNews, 2041 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121.
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Reach us directly at 206-441-4553 + ext. Publisher & Editor *Joel Magalnick 233 Associate Editor Emily K. Alhadeff 240 Online Editor Dikla Tuchman 240 Sales Manager Lynn Feldhammer 264 Account Executive Cheryl Puterman 269 Account Executive David Stahl Classifieds Manager Rebecca Minsky 238 Art Director Susan Beardsley 239
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After he retired, Phil Gerson spent a lot of his time working with people to talk through the difculties of aging. Now hes starting a group exclusively for men.
MORE Community Calendar 4 Crossword 8 M.O.T.: Blood drives and showtime 10 The Arts 12 Where to Worship 36 Lifecycles 43 The Shouk Classieds 42
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nancy Greer, Chair* Jerry Anches; Lisa Brashem; Cynthia Flash Hemphill*; Ron Leibsohn; Stan Mark; Cantor David Serkin-Poole* Keith Dvorchik, CEO and President, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Celie Brown, Federation Board Chair
Ex-Officio
Coming up April 25
Travel
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THE CALENDAR
to Jewish Washington
For a complete listing of events, or to add your event to the JTNews calendar, visit jewishsound.org/ calendar. Calendar events must be submitted no later than 10 days before publication.
@jewishcal
8 p.m. Family-Style Seder An inspiring, family-style seder that will nourish your body and soul. At Chabad at the University of Washington, 4541 19th Ave. NE, Seattle. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Passover Seder at CSTL
info@chabadofseattle.org $20 for adults, $8 for children, seniors and students. No one will be turned away. At Congregation Shaarei Telah Lubavitch, 6250 43rd Ave NE, Seattle. your body and soul. At Chabad UW, 4541 19th Ave. NE, Seattle.
MONDAY
Candlelighting times April 11..................................7:35 p.m. April 18..................................7:45 p.m. April 25..................................7:54 p.m. May 2.....................................8:04 p.m. SATURDAY
Elizabeth Fagin at Elizabeth@betalef.org Led by Rabbi Olivier BenHaim, explore new ways to move from places of stuck-ness into deeper meaning and greater joy in your life.Free. At Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle. 7:45-11 p.m. Russian Community Seder
rabbi@shalomseattle.org or 206-387-3919
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THURsDAY
Andrea Selix at andreas@sjcc.org Put on your hula skirts and surfer gear and enjoy a staycation with Hawaiian music, tropical pool toys, and shaved ice. Dinner included. SJCC members $8, kids $5, guests $12. At the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
12 APRIL
TUEsDAY
8 p.m. The Story of the Jews Five-part PBS series featuring British historian Simon Schama traveling the globe from New York to Odessa Berlin to Jerusalem. Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. On KCTS 9. 9 p.m. Pesach Around the World
Rabbi Elie Estrin at rabbi.estrin@gmail.com An inspiring, family-style seder that will nourish
15 APRIL
Shayna at shaynar@jewishinseattle.org Cardozo Society members meet at The Summit at First Hills private library a kosher-for-Passover lunch. An opportunity to connect with your legal colleagues and enjoy a meal. Space is limited to 25. $18. At The Summit at First Hill, 1200 University St., Seattle. 5:30 p.m. Passport to Passover
Dana at danaw@sjcc.org Dinner program for families with children 6 and under. Rabbi Kate Speizer will take you on a journey through the desert and the plagues. Make a seder plate. Passover-friendly vegetarian food served. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
17 APRIL
SATURDAY
MERCER ISLAND
10:30-12:00pm STROUM JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER MERCER ISLAND
Candle Lighting and Memorial Service with Rabbi Jim Mirel and Rivy Poupko Kletenik. Special performance by students from the Seattle Hebrew Academy
Elizabeth at Elizabeth@betalef.org A kid-friendly seder experience for the entire family interactive, musical, fun and engaging, led by Rabbi Olivier BenHaim. All are welcome. $25 per family. At Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle. 7:30-9 p.m. Seattle Jewish Theater Companys Production of From Door to Door
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/581076 James Shermans From Door to Door a warm, bittersweet comedy about three generations of Jewish women. Directed by Art Feinglass. $15 general, $10 senior/student. At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle.
19 APRIL
SEATTLE
KANE HALL
SUNDAY
2-3:30 p.m. Seattle Jewish Theater Companys Production of From Door to Door
20 APRIL
Holocaust survivor Josh Gortler, author David Laskin, and Dr. Daniel Chirot explore themes of family and memory.
THURsDAY
Marcie Wirth at 206-388-1998 Ninth annual Circle of Friends fundraiser luncheon. $180 suggested minimum donation. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island. 7 p.m. Seattle Jewish Theater Companys production of From Door to Door
24 APRIL
OPINION
I am writing this letter to the editor, as I believe Eli Wiesels 1975 article on Zionism as racism is relevant as to how the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel is a link in the continuity of anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of the Jewish people. As translated by Marian Wiesel from the French and published in The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, Volume Ten, p. 691; it follows:
Reproaches, condemnations, indictments by other nations the plot is clear. It leads to the public humiliation, the forced isolation of a people whose suffering is the oldest in the world. Arrests, decrees, Nuremberg laws do you remember? That was how it all began. The victims were designated, then legally expelled from so-called civilized society, forcing them into helplessness, then resignation, and finally death. To prepare solutions to the Jewish problem, the first step was to divorce the Jew from mankind. The process is not new; it has endured for some two thousand years. We hear again and again, in explanation of outrages rife in many places, that there are the Jews and there
are the others. Although the Jews are never entirely innocent, nor are the others ever entirely guilty; yet what do we hear throughout history? The Jews are guilty and the others are the Jews innocent victims. Object and non-subject of history, the Jew has been at the mercy of a society in which persecuting him first and murdering him later has at times led to sainthood or power. That is why the United Nations infamous resolution comparing Zionism to a form of racism is shocking and revolting. It must be viewed in context of chilling horror. To weaken us they tried to make us feel guilty. To condition us they attempted to distort our self-image. No, the process is not new. We are told that this is not about Jews, this is about Zionists. That, too, is hardly new. They try to divide us, to pit us one against the other after having pitted us against the world.. It was all a lie, and now we know it. They meant all of us, everywhere and always. Jewish history is here to prove it. Whosoever attacks Israel is attacking the entire Jewish people. The resolution on Zionism offends us all.
Stuart A. Garrie, M.D. Bellevue
Theres a substantial proportion of the population for whom Judaism is not at all a religion. Its their background, its their heritage, but they dont practice it as a religion. Matthew Boxer of the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, on the community demographic study his center has launched in the Seattle area. Read the story on page 7.
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JOeL MAGALnIcK
mention the additional pollution so many more cars would cause in a region thats just not as clean as we believe it to be. This proposition has been put before you not as a bailout for Metro, which has been running more or less efficiently for many years, but as a rescue due to the failure of our states legislature to act on a transportation bill. When members of our
states Jewish legislative caucus reflected on the just-ended session last month, nearly all of the representatives expressed frustration that the Senate majority leader would not bring the bill, which would provide funding statewide for transit and road maintenance, to a vote. Ive seen arguments against the measure that use a stick it to Seattle theme
Again!
Join us for pastrami, pickles les and lots of laughs with comedian, Dan Naturman.
On May 23, JTNews will dedicate our entire issue to our 90th anniversary with reprints of articles from throughout our history. Be a part of it! If your birth, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding or other simcha was included in the Jewish Transcript, run it again with a tribute ad!
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