B'nai Jacob Bulletin

Since 1912 ... Celebrating 100+ Years

Congregation B'nai Jacob 7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive

Fort Wayne, IN 46814 Tel: 260-672-8459

Fax: 260-672-8928

Email: office@bnaijacobfw.com Website: www.bnaijacobfw.com

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Rabbi Mitchell Kornspan

President Pamela Friedman

April 2019

Adar II & Nisan 5779

1

Rabbi’s message

2 Rabbi’s message (cont.)

Chevra Kadisha

Sisterhood

3

Life Cycle

4

Donations/Tzedakah

5 Passover

IN Jewish Historical

Society

6 Religious School

Rabbi’s Hours

Board Meeting

7

Events

8

ABC'S of Passover

9 Shtar Harshaah

Maot Hittim

Dear B’nai Jacob family,

Penny and I wish you and your

family a Chag Kosher

V’sameach, a healthy, happy

and Kosher Passover.

When we gather for the seder, we

will open the Haggadah and once

again relive the amazing exodus

from Egypt, when G-d redeemed

us from slavery.

In the Haggadah, we learn:

"Rabban Gamliel said: Whoever

has not made mention of these

three things on Pesach has not

fulfilled his or her obligation [to

remember the Exodus]" (Mishna

Pesachim 10). These three things

Pesach, Matzah, and Maror are so

important that they should be

understood, and not just

mentioned.

For example, let us look at Pesach.

"What is the reason for this Pesach

[offering] which our ancestors ate

when the Beit HaMikdash (the

Temple) was standing? It is

because HaShem passed over

(pasach) our forefathers' houses in

Egypt, as it is written: 'And you

shall answer: This is the Pesach

offering to HaShem Who passed

over the houses of the Children of

Israel in Egypt, when He smote the

Egyptians and saved our

houses'" (The Haggadah).

Everyone understands that the

Pesach lamb commemorates this

“passing over” in Egypt. But if we

dig a little deeper, we will learn an

important lesson about Hashem’s

great love for us!

Indeed, why was it necessary to

mention that the Jewish firstborn

would be saved? Would we even

think that they should have been in

danger? Thus, wasn’t it sufficient

just to let us know that G-d smote

the Egyptian firstborn? After all,

weren’t all the miracles, all the

plagues, meant to save the

Children of Israel?

The answer is indeed enlightening.

For after 210 years of rigorous

servitude in Egypt, the Jews had

sunk into the depths, into 49 gates

of transgression. There was almost

no difference between the Bnei

Yisrael and the Egyptians!

Our Rabbis taught us that had the

Jews stayed in Egypt any longer,

they would not have been able to

be redeemed! Remember the

Midrash that speaks about how the

Angel of Egypt protested before

Hashem, as the Red Sea was split

and the Egyptians were drowning:

(Continued on page 2)

JEWISH LEARNING See page 6 for opportunities for

continuing your Jewish Learning

Lunch & Learn

Mishneh Torah

Torah Study

Ethics Class

“The Egyptians are idolaters and the Jews are idolaters. Why do You, Hashem, save one nation and drown the

other? “

So it is that Pesach, the passing over the houses of the Jews, teaches us an amazing concept! Hashem did not

choose us for our righteousness. G-d chose us out of His tremendous love for us. Passing over the

Jewish homes, distinguishing between the Jewish and Egyptian firstborn, even when they seemed the same,

reflects one of the greatest miracles…… G-d’s deep love for us.

I would add that to me this was so, because of the bond and the covenant G-d had made with our ancestors.

Hashem swore to Abraham that our people would be redeemed. [See Genesis 15:7-21]

The impact of our ancestors has upon us should never be underestimated. Many of us love the Torah and the

Jewish way of life, because we have been inspired by loving grandparents and parents. And many of us have

chosen this love of Judaism because of the teachings by which we have been inspirited. These passed down

lovingly from generation to generation.

No wonder that Rabban Gamliel taught that one who has not made mention of the Pesach has not fulfilled his

obligation. Without this, we would have missed why we were redeemed from Egypt.

Now the question to ponder is will YOU be the person who triggers love for G-d and our fellow, for learning

Torah, and for living a life filled with pursuing goodness? Will you be the inspiration for others to follow? By

your answer, you will come to understand why Hashem saved the Children of Israel long ago!

Wishing you and your family a Chag Kosher V’Sameach,

L’shalom,

Rabbi Mitchell Kornspan

(Continued from page 1)

Fort Wayne’s Chevra Kadisha is looking for

volunteers to assist with the mitzvah of the ritual

preparation of bodies for burial according to Jewish

tradition. For more information on serving the

Jewish community in this way, please contact Mike

Adams (smadams49@yahoo.com or 260-444-9373)

or Eileen Goltz (eztolg@gmail.com or 260-602-

5544). Men are especially needed at this time. Thank

you.

PLEASE HELP:

We are seeking volunteers who will choose to cover one Kiddush at a time. Simple menus can be prepared on Shabbat at the synagogue and can be as easy as cream cheese and bagels served with a tossed salad or a bowl of fruit. Ingredients, however, must be delivered to the synagogue kitchen prior to the beginning of Shabbat. Reimbursement of $40 or less is available from Sisterhood if requested with a receipt. To volunteer, call the office at 260-672-8459. The Sisterhood is grateful to those who volunteered to coordinate and/or sponsor Kiddushim in the past.

Registration is open for Camp Joe Levine! Camp

Joe Levine is a Jewish day camp for children ages 4

-13. Camp will be held at Fox Island County Park

during the weeks of July 8, 15 and 22. The

application packet can be obtained from the CBJ or

the Jewish Federation office.

Yahrzeits

Adar II/April 25 31-1 Phyllis Adele Agrue

28 3-4 Edith Horwitz

28 3-4 Nathan Weinstein

29 4-5 Sam Berebitsky

Nisan/April

1 5-6 Samuel Babich

1 5-6 Calvin Prady

2 6-7 Goldie DuBow

2 6-7 Mordecai Rifkin

5 9-10 Izidor Schachter

5 9-10 Etta G. Sheray

5 9-10 Diane Wolf

6 10-11 Herman Davis

6 10-11 Sarah Mildred Jacobson

6 10-11 David Levin

6 10-11 Shirley Ruth Marer-

Brateman

7 11-12 Ronald Miller

7 11-12 Ida Price

9 13-14 Herbert Brateman

April Birthdays

1 Bruce Merritt

6 Karmiya Farber

6 Dr. Jere Leib

12 Zackary Zemmol

14 Joshua Bradley

14 Cassie Martinez

14 Brandon Roberts

14 Jay Zemmol

14 Beth Zweig

18 Sharon Eisbart

18 Theresa Farber

18 Debbie Sheray

18 Scott Trauner

20 Sheryl Merritt

21 Marci Trentacosti

22 Donna Tourkow

23 Michael P. Adams

27 Dan Droegmyer

29 Melissa Schneider

Published by

Congregation B'nai Jacob

OFFICERS President...............Pamela Friedman 1st Vice President.........Jay Zemmol 2nd Vice President..Mark Schneider Recording Secretary...Mort Schaffer Treasurer ............Melissa Schneider Financial Secretary.......Mike Adams BOARD MEMBERS

Janet Finkel Marc Nusholtz

Jeff Herman Debby Roberts

Jerry Jarvis Josh Tourkow

Past President ...........Ron Friedman

Congregation B'nai Jacob extends sincere condolences

to Rabbi Kornspan and Penny on the recent passing

of the Rabbi’s brother, Donald Kornspan.

Shiva minyanim will take place Sunday, March 31 -

Friday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Synagogue.

May his memory ever be a blessing.

9 13-14 Ryan Zimmerman

10 14-15 Mushke Golder

10 14-15 David Ochstein

11 15-16 Libby Babich

11 15-16 Sharon Subeck

12 16-17 Rae Dorman

12 16-17 Sidney Hutner

13 17-18 Samuel Appel

13 17-18 Jerry Morgenstein

13 17-18 Ann Peltz

13 17-18 Barney Sterling

15 19-20 Chaim Norkin

16 20-21 Isser Goldin

16 20-21 Mary Levy

16 20-21 Dorothy Maier

17 21-22 Steve Abrams

17 21-22 Harry S. Dale

17 21-22 Ida Schneider

18 22-23 Ruth Mark

18 22-23 Harriet Mirman

18 22-23 Harry Sheray

19 23-24 Louis Hirsch

19 23-24 Irving Luskin

19 23-24 Frederick Milz

19 23-24 Samuel Ochstein

19 23-24 Tillie Ochstein

20 24-25 Etta Gepsman

20 24-25 Samuel Kornspan

20 24-25 Anna Trauner

20 24-25 Philip Trivus

20 24-25 Samuel Weinberg

21 25-26 Ronald Brateman

21 25-26 Tina Wilcox

22 26-27 Jacob Bruch

22 26-27 Jean Rehm

23 27-28 Sonia Finkelstein

23 27-28 Anna Lee

Schefman

23 27-28 Erna Shulkin

23 27-28 Rosetta R. Siegle

23 27-28 Morton Trauner

24 28-29 June Saul

Himelstein

25 29-30 Leah Edelman

25 29-30 Zelda Punsky

25 29-30 Arthur Albert

Sapirie

26 30-1 Rebecca (Brocha)

Kaplan

A.J. Ochstein Fund

In memory of Herb Rynearson

-Mical Rynearson

David Siegel Memorial Fund

General Fund

In memory of Arlene Leib

-Nancy Gerow

In appreciation

-Victoria D’Angelo & Chris

Young

In memory of Abe Dubin

-Josh & Donna Tourkow

In memory of Molly Cohen

-Hugo & Lis Kahn

TZEDAKAH

Kiddush Fund

In memory of Elaine Shine

-Keith Groman

In honor of the anniversaries of

Daniel & Vicky D’Angelo and Marc

Nusholtz & Mary Wilger

-Keith Groman

In appreciation of the Sisterhood

-Keith Groman

Levy/Levin Endowment Fund

Library Fund

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In memory of Helen Rath

-Irene & Bob Walters

Seth Horwitz Education Fund Simon/Hannah Crell Education Fund

In memory of Margot Krel

-Rossya & Howard Klebanow

Sisterhood Nursery Fund

Torah Maintenance Fund

Winnick Memorial Garden Fund

Yahrzeit Fund

If you would like to make a donation in honor/memory of someone,

please fill out the form and submit it with your check to:

Congregation B’nai Jacob

7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive

Fort Wayne, IN 46814-4543

I have enclosed $_________________

In honor/memory of: _

Fund Preference: Please indicate which fund you prefer to donate to:

A.J. Ochstein Fund Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

David Siegel Memorial Fund Simon/Hannah Crell Education Fund

General Fund Sisterhood Nursery Fund

Kiddush Fund Torah Maintenance Fund

Levy/Levin Endowment Fund Winnick Memorial Garden Fund

Library Fund Yahrzeit Fund

Seth Horwitz Education Fund

From: _

The Indiana Jewish Historical Society invites you to submit nominations for the 2019 Hoosier Jewish Legend Award! Kindly nominate Hoosiers who have created a significant and lasting impact to their profession, faith-based and/or secular community, and the legacy of the role of the Jewish community in Indiana’s continuing story. Nominations are due by May 1. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at noon in Carmel, Indiana. Find more information or download an application form from www.ijhs.org

Passover 2019 will be celebrated from April 19 - April 27.

Thursday, April 18 after nightfall – Bedikat Chametz*

After the house has been thoroughly cleaned, a ceremonial search is performed for whatever

"chametz" may remain. All chametz should have already been put away in cabinets, the garage

or in some place where it can be marked and not be used, even by accident.

*Selling of Chametz form available by calling the synagogue office at 260-672-8459. Return

to office or Rabbi by Friday, April 11.

Friday, April 19 – Eve of Pesach One may eat a chametz meal until 10:55 a.m. No matzah is to be eaten until the Seder that night.

First Seder - Candle lighting: 8:06 p.m.

Saturday, April 20, 9:15 a.m. –Pesach Services

Second Seder - Candle lighting: 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 25, Candle lighting 8:13 p.m.

Friday, April 26, Candle lighting 8:13 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, 9:15 a.m. – Eighth Day Pesach Services

Yizkor approximately 10:45 a.m.

Havdalah 9:23 p.m.

The gift shop is fully stocked for your Judaic needs! Come browse after Services and during office hours. Office hours for April will be most Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Rabbi's Hours in APRIL

Rabbi Kornspan will be conducting services and classes as well as available for appointments

from April 6th to the 13th.

Please call the office to make an appointment.

MISHNEH TORAH Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. TORAH CLASS Saturdays, April 6 & 13 at 12:45 p.m.

TALLIT AND TEFILLIN Sunday, April 7 (off site - please RSVP) at 10:30 a.m. ETHICS CLASS Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m.

April Class Schedule

Hebrew School 4th 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Shabbat School 6th 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Adult Education Workshop

at the home of Drs. Mary Wilger and Marc Nusholtz on Sunday, April 7, 2019.

Tallit and Tefillin will be at 10:30 a.m. A Lunch & Learn will follow at 11:30 a.m.

RSVP’s required by Thursday, April 4. Contact the office to make your reservation at 260-672-

8459 or office@bnaijacobfw.com

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, April 4 7:00 p.m.

Mah Jongg

The Temple has weekly mah jongg open play in

the Madge Rothschild Resource Center on

Sunday mornings, Thursday afternoon, and

Monday evenings. Enjoy the beautiful space,

friendly conversation, and a chance to play this

centuries-old Chinese game. They also have mah

jongg resources in the Rabbi Richard B. Safran

Library.

Save the Date!

The annual meeting of members of

Congregation B’nai Jacob, Inc. will be

held on Sunday, May 19, 2019.

Time to be determined.

JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS

The Story of the Curious George Authors Hans and Margret Rey were German Jewish refugees who escaped

Nazi-occupied Europe on makeshift bicycles carrying the original Curious

George manuscript. The book "The Journey That Saved Curious George:

The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey" will be read from

and discussed on Friday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, April 11 at

7:00 p.m. at the downtown Allen County Public Library in the Teens

Living Room. The events are for grades 4 through adult.

The movie "Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's

Creators" will be shown on Sunday, April 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the

downtown Allen County Public Library theatre for free. There will be a

live Q & A session via Skype with the film's director immediately after the movie.

Ma'ase Learn about how the Israeli NGO Ma'ase is making a difference in the lives of Arab, Druze

and Jewish youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and making Israel a better place on

Monday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. at The History Center at 302 E. Berry St.

Thoughtful Thursdays

The Jewish community’s Thoughtful Thursdays team will meet to

assemble bags for the 70 Brightpoint Head Start families on Wednesday,

April 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Rifkin Campus

Thank you to the volunteers from Congregation Achduth Vesholom,

Congregation B'nai Jacob, and the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne.

The final bag assembly for the school year will be on Wednesday, May

1 at 11 a.m., followed by a volunteer luncheon and meeting in the

Goldstine Chapel.

Forbidden Sounds, Music of the Holocaust

The Ball State University Honors College Concert: Forbidden Sounds, Music of the

Holocaust will be performed on Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. in Hahn Hall in Muncie. A

concert honoring the music of composers who were murdered or whose music was banned

during 1933-1945, and remembering the historical events of the Holocaust.

People of the Book Lecture with author Chris Bohjalian

The New York Times best selling author of 20 books, Chris Bohjalian, will be speaking

and signing books at the Rifkin Campus on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Critically

acclaimed novelist Chris Bohjalian uses his gripping fiction to explore contemporary

social issues and how they play out in the lives of ordinary people, as well as to shed light

on some of the most important moments in history. Three of his books have become

movies. A reception will follow as well. This event is free and open to the public.

ABC'S OF PASSOVER

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Passover is brimming with symbols of

slavery and freedom.

Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is known

as the "holiday of freedom,"

commemorating the Jewish Exodus

from Egypt following 210 years of

slavery. Passover is regarded as the

"birth" of the Jewish nation, and its

lessons of struggle and identity continue

to form the basis of Jewish

consciousness 3,300 years after the

event.

Passover is an 8-day holiday (in Israel,

seven days). The name derives from the

fact that during the final plague – the

slaying of the first born – G-d “passed

over" the Jewish homes.

SEDER NIGHT – The holiday is

marked by the celebration of an

elaborate Seder on the first two nights

(in Israel, on the first night only). The

Seder is designed to give each Jew the

experience of "going from slavery unto

freedom." As recorded in the Haggadah,

we tell the Exodus story and recount the

Ten Plagues. We eat symbols of slavery

and freedom, and the festive meal

includes many delicious recipes for

foods that people look forward to all

year (think matzah balls!). We recite the

Hallel prayer of praise, and end the

Seder with the hope of “Next year in

Jerusalem!”

The Seder is a special tie of family

bonding and children are a particular

focus of the night. They enjoy a variety

of Passover songs like the Four

Questions (Ma Nishatana), tell of the

Four Sons, sing the “Dayenu” song, try

to "steal" the Afikoman, and open the

door for Elijah the Prophet.

MATZAH – At the Seder, it is a special

mitzvah to eat matzah, the Seder’s main

symbol. Everyone should try to eat 2/3

of a square matzah (or 1/2 of a round

matzah) within 4 minutes, while leaning

to the left. The most common reason for

eating matzah is that on the morning of

the Exodus, the Jews were so rushed in

getting out of Egypt that the bread

didn’t have time to rise. At the end of

the festive meal, the special “dessert” is

another piece of matzah, called the

Afikoman.

FOUR CUPS – At the Seder, we drink

four cups of wine – corresponding to the

four expressions of freedom mentioned

in the Torah (Exodus 6:6-7). Everyone

should have their own cup, which holds

minimally 98cc (3.3 oz). Try to drink

the entire cup for each of the Four Cups

(or at least drink a majority) within 4

minutes. And as an expression of

freedom, we lean to the left and back

while drinking the Four Cups.

KARPAS – Toward the beginning of

the Seder, we eat karpas – a vegetable

(e.g. celery, parsley, potato) dipped in

saltwater, to commemorate the tears of

hard labor.

BITTER HERBS – Later in the Seder,

we eat Marror, the bitter herbs. Though

many have the custom of using

horseradish, Romaine lettuce is also

used. (“Red horseradish” in jars bought

from the stores should not be used, since

it’s a mixture of mostly beets with some

horseradish.) The Marror is dipped into

Charoset, a bricks-and-mortar mixture

of dates, wine, nuts and apples.

SEDER CHECKLIST – Seder means

"order" because there are so many

details to remember. Your Seder table

should include:

a Seder plate with:

Celery, parsley or potato

(Karpas)

Lettuce (Marror)

Horseradish (Chazeret)

Charoset

Roasted chicken wing

(Zero'ah)

Hard-boiled egg (Beitzah)

Matzah cover with 3 matzot (and

extra matzah)

Wine and grape juice

Haggadahs

Cup for Elijah

Saltwater

Kiddush cups

Pillows for reclining

Afikomen prizes

CHAMETZ-FREE ZONE – During

the week of Passover, Jews are

forbidden to eat or possess any chametz

(leavened grain). For this reason, we

dispose of (or sell) all bread, cookies,

pasta, beer, etc. – and purchase only

products labeled "Kosher for

Passover." (Ashkenazi Jews also refrain

from eating kitniyot – rice, beans, etc.)

To avoid any problems of residual

chametz, we also have special sets of

dishes and pots for Passover. As a

practical consideration, many people

begin cleaning for Passover weeks

before the holiday begins.

SEARCH-AND-BURN – On the

evening before Passover, we conduct a

careful search of the home for chametz.

It is done by candlelight and is a

memorable experience for the whole

family. Any remaining chametz is either

burned the next morning (in a ceremony

called Sray'fat Chametz), or is sold to a

non-Jew for the week of Passover. The

sale must be serious and legally binding;

it should be done only through the

assistance of a qualified rabbi. Any food

that is sold must be put in a cabinet and

taped shut.

The full article with hyperlinks can be

read at: https://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/

g/48959286.html

SHTAR HARSHAAH (Selling of Chametz) 5779

PLEASE READ, COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE SHUL OFFICE

Chametz (leavened products), which were impossible to finish or give away before Passover, may be

stored in such a way that we are sure not to use it during the holiday, and its actual ownership is transferred

to a non-Jew until the holiday ends. Please complete the form below and return it no later than April 11.

Mail the completed form to: Rabbi Kornspan or email this completed form to

Congregation B'nai Jacob office@bnaijacobfw.com

7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive

Fort Wayne, IN 46814

mkornspan@gmail.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

I, _____________________ fully empower and permit Rabbi Kornspan to act in my behalf

to sell all Chametz possessed by me - knowingly or unknowingly - as defined by Torah and

Rabbinic law, and to lease all places wherein Chametz owned may be found. This

transaction will be in effect for the duration of Pesach.

_____________________________ __________________

(Signature) (Date)

_____________________________ __________________

(Print your name) (Home telephone #)

_____________________________ __________________

(Home address) (Business address)

_____________________________ __________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maot Hittim

It has been a tradition to collect "money for wheat" (donations for the poor for Passover.) If

you would like to make a contribution to aid the needy, please make out a check to the

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, earmarking it for Maot Hittim or Passover charity.

Please send it to Congregation B'nai Jacob, 7227 Bittersweet Moors, Fort Wayne, Indiana

46814.

I, _____________________, am donating __________________ for Maot Hittim, to be

used to aid the needy.