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INDEX

From the RabbiShabbat ChayalUpcoming EventsProfile: Marianne Gorlyn & David Goldberg Beth Aaron Officers Beth Aaron News Weekly ShiurimMen’s Club KiddushTree of LifeMemorial PlaquesNCSYChildren’s Corner by Gavriella HaglerBanim Mitpalelim

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Kol Beth AaronApril 2015 Nisan 5775

From the Rabbi:

Once again, the season is upon us. As we approach the 15th of ניסן, many of us find ourselves running against the clock, gasping for air, hoping we will actually complete the necessary preparations for the חג. Ironically, as we prepare for the “Festival of Freedom,” the last thing that we feel is free as we work tirelessly to ready our homes and our lives for פסח.

I would like to take this (last minute) opportunity to stress the importance of focused reflection throughout our celebration of are generally not essential for כוונה While higher levels of .פסחthe fulfillment of מצות, we should nevertheless strive to gain deeper appreciation and renewed inspiration as we celebrate זמן חרותינו. Our goal and expectation should be to emerge from פסח inspired, motivated and transformed. חז”ל teach us that every ,liturgy as it is written יום טוב has a unique blessing that it offers. This is reflected in our יום טוב One should not assume however, that this blessing is a natural or ”.והשיאנו ה’ אלוקינו את ברכת מועדך“direct consequence of the day. Understandably, one needs to make a deliberate and conscious effort to earn all that the חג has to offer.

and we try חמץ of כזית measurements. We learn about a ,שיעורים is a holiday centered around פסחto identify a כזית of מצה. We meticulously calculate the metric equivalent of a רביעית of wine. At the We .חצות we carefully watch the clock, assuring that we fulfill the necessary requirements before סדרare told when to lean and when not to lean. We are instructed when to wash and when to dip, when to sing and when to talk. Often times we tend to get lost in the many details and consequently fail to appreciate the beauty and relevance of that which we are celebrating. Yes, it is true that to fulfill the one must adhere to the law and consume an exact measurement within the prescribed מצה of מצוהperiod of time. But that is only the entry point. We can choose to go beyond. We can choose to walk away from פסח with something more than just the taste of the מצה in our mouths.

Let us not forget that “חייב אדם לראות את עצמו כאילו הוא יצא ממצרים” – “one is obligated to envision himself as if he has left מצרים.” The nature of this unique obligation, to relive and experience the ,cannot be defined by conventional measurements and universal standards. Rather ,פסח on גאולהthe inherent subjectivity of this obligation necessitates personal consideration and reflection. Proper fulfillment of this מצוה can only be achieved if one is willing to open his heart and mind to the timeless lessons of the הגדה. The פסח experience can offer us an enhanced awareness and a deeper appreciation of ’השגחת ה. Through our recollection of events in the past we can better understand the trying times in which we live and develop a more meaningful connection with our ever unfolding future. Like many things in life, the attainment of this invigorating perspective requires effort on our part. The מגיד and the הלל should become the focus of our סדרים. We should focus upon, contemplate, and connect with the messages of the הגדה. Everyone at the סדר should be encouraged to share in this endeavor, and the ancient words of the הגדה should come to life before our eyes.

May we indeed merit to experience a genuine celebration of זמן חרותינו, the holiday of our freedom. And may we merit to witness the realization of the final גאולה in our day. חג כשר ושמח to all. LR

APRILCALENDAR

APRILYAHRTZEIT LIST

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SHAbbAT CHAYAl, APRIL 25

Beth Aaron, along with several other Teaneck shuls, will be celebrating Shabbat Chayal on April 25, in loving memory of Ilan Tokayer, z”l. Together, we will celebrate our values and honor the children of our community in the IDF whose passion and idealism continue to inspire us. Those of you who knew Ilan Tokayer, z”l, knew of his unyielding dedication to the State of Israel and Tzahal. In 2005-06, Ilan served in a combat unit in the IDF, fulfilling his commitment to the land and people of Israel. In this way, Ilan was not alone. Like other sons and daughters in our community, Ilan realized his sense of obligation and stood up to the challenge, veering from the traditional course to volunteer and enact what he believed.

We who live outside the borders of Israel benefit enormously from the great sacrifice of the soldiers and their families. We travel to Israel at will, send our children there for Torah study, and take for granted the constant and ongoing safety we feel under the protection of the IDF.

In conjunction with programming events planned for this Shabbat, Beth Aaron will be sponsoring a fundraising Kiddush for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Lone Soldiers Program.

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a not-for-profit organization that was created with the mission of providing and supporting educational, social, cultural, and recreational programs and facilities for the brave soldiers who protect the State of Israel. Every year, about 900 determined young men and women from all over the world choose to leave the comfort of their homes and families to travel to Israel and become proud IDF soldiers. FIDF offers the unique opportunity to sponsor one of these incredible young men and women through the Lone Soldiers program, which provides financial, social, and emotional support to these Lone Soldiers, ensuring that they know that they are truly never alone. By sponsoring a Lone Soldier, you are giving the invaluable gift of support through financial grants, holiday gifts, a 24/7 call center, and so much more. Additionally, each Lone Soldier receives a flight home during his or her service, funded solely by the FIDF Lone Soldier Program and your generosity. Most recently, FIDF has sponsored flights home for all Lone Soldiers who participated in this summer’s Operation Protective Edge.

By participating in this effort on any level, you are demonstrating achdut within our community and your support of our children who protect us and Israel daily. We are hoping for 100% participation from the members of all our shuls.

Kiddush sponsorships can be made on-line at www.bethaaron.org/event/shabbat-chayal.html or via check. If paying by check, please mention FIDF Kiddush in the check memo line. Sponsorship categories include Chayal ($18), Tal Aluf ($19-$99), Aluf ($100-$199) and Rav Aluf ($200 & over). Sponsorships will be publicized in the Kol Beth Aaron and on a poster in the lobby on April 24.

By generously donating to the IDF Kiddush, Ilan’s ideals and goals live on, and you are stating clearly and loudly that we are with our young men and women serving in the IDF for our benefit, be-chol makom she-haim.

With much appreciation,Mordechai Ungar and Shifra Shafier

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, April 2Bedikat Chametz, after 8:04 p.m.

Friday, April 3Siyum after each Shacharit minyanMinyanim at 5:50 a.m., 6:25 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 8:45 a.m.

Big Bread Burn, in the parking lot of the Jewish Center of Teaneck, at the corner of Cedar Lane and Prince Street, from 9:30 to 11:40 a.m.

Eat chametz until 10:51 a.m.Burn chametz until 11:55 a.m.

Latest candles: 7:06 p.m.Mincha: 7:10 p.m.

Shabbat, April 4First day of PesachEarliest candles: 8:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 5Second day of PesachHavdalah: 8:18 p.m.

Thursday, April 9Make Eruv Tavshilin

Friday, April 10Seventh day of PesachLatest candles: 7:12 p.m.

Shabbat, April 11YizkorHavdalah: 8:21 p.m.

Thursday, April 16Yom ha-Shoah program at Teaneck High School, 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat, April 18Sisterhood Book Club, at the home of Rachel Frazer, 286 Edgemont Terrace, at 4:15 p.m.

Monday, April 20Women’s Rosh Chodesh shiur, at the home of Aliza Staiman, 103 Edgemont Place, at 8:00 p.m.

Shabbat, April 25FIDF Shabbat

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Profile:

MARIANNE GORLyN & DAVID GOLDBERG

When Beth Aaron started, it was the “other shul, as opposed to Bnai Yeshurun,” noted David Goldberg, who added that by the time he and Marianne Gorlyn married and moved to Teaneck in 1994, Beth Aaron “was ‘established’ and not a fly-by-night alternative.” Growing up in Englewood, Marianne remembers when Beth Aaron was founded.

Teaneck’s proximity to “everything,” including the City, was one reason they chose the community, they said, noting that it wasn’t far from either set of parents. The “good Jewish community” was another plus. Of course, there have been changes in the area over the years they have been here, with Marianne noting that the biggest change has been in the number of shuls in Teaneck.

Marianne and David started in the apartments on Walraven, where they lived in the same building as Beth Aaron members Heather & Marc Benjamin and Judy & Steven Gellerstein. When it came time to choose a house in 1999, Marianne intentionally picked the Beth Aaron area, because it had a broader age range, which they both liked. The range of religious observance also was a plus.

David came from Twin Rivers, NJ – a small community with a smaller shul – and knew that he wanted a bigger community with a more stable shul. “Beth Aaron was a good choice for us,” he said, “because you get what you want out of it. The shul has something for everyone and it is there for the taking…. It just depends on what you want to take. You would not get this elsewhere.” The shul developed and matured over the years, he pointed out, and also began to incorporate social outlets so that it became a place where friends meet. “As the community’s needs matured, Beth Aaron matured,” he said. “And the shul grew with me as my needs evolved.”

David has been involved in many of the changes as Beth Aaron. Working on the risk side of information technology (which means information security, he explained), David first became involved with Beth Aaron as its database administrator. “I was volunteered by then-VP Kalman Seidenfeld,” he recalled, who asked him to get Rakefet, the shul’s original database, up and running. As the point person and the contact for the system, he did all the upgrades, researched and answered various questions about the system, and “got the data in and out of it as best” he could. Years later, under his own Presidency, David was part of the team that helped move out of Rakefet and into ShulCloud.

When the Men’s Club Kiddush began, David was recruited once again, this time to help out with the Multi-Sponsored Kiddushim. He served as the Kiddush Committee Chair for a few years, he noted, until he “handed the project off to Ari Gononsky.” A founding Board member of the Men’s Club, he rose to become Men’s Club President, which, as Men’s Club representative, is when he first served on the shul Board. David served as Beth Aaron’s President from 2011-2013. Now, he gets called in for special projects, “like the Purim issue of the Kol Beth Aaron,” and still remains very active in the Men’s Club, running their trip to Yankee Stadium last summer.

Marianne’s involvement with Beth Aaron hasn’t been as official as David’s. “She is my editor, my rock, my sounding board, and occasional speech writer,” David said. As a clinical psychologist, Marianne “talked him down to earth after each Board meeting,” she added. Marianne also was the spark for the changes to the annual Journal Dinner a few years ago, bringing the buffet back and limiting the speeches to the meal. She was also instrumental in helping set the menu for the weekly Kiddush. “So if you like those Costco cookies every week,” David added, “Thank Marianne!”

Having served in so many capacities over a number of years, what does David see as Beth Aaron’s selling points? “The Rabbi and Chaviva, first and foremost, because there is something about them that goes beyond what any other shul in the area or in all of Teaneck can offer,” he stressed. “All of the other shuls offer minyanim, learning, and programming, but none other than Beth Aaron have the Rabbi and Chaviva Rothwachs.” Once more, he pointed out, the shul offers something for everyone. “If you want to daven and leave, you can do that. If you want to socialize after davening, there’s the Kiddush, which serves as a social outlet and a community center so that you can meet people your own age and also those in other age ranges… people who can help you learn and grow and become part of a community that is there for you, too.” Calling the shul’s different functions an “a la carte choice,” he said that “Beth Aaron meets a lot of needs across the board.”

Beth Aaron Contacts

KiddushAri Gononsky

kiddush@bethaaron.org

LibraryMitch First & Josh Zakheim

mfirstatty@aol.comJZakheim@mosessinger.com

MembershipHillel Hyman

membership@bethaaron.org

Men’s ClubMoishe B. Singer, Presidentmensclub@bethaaron.org

SecurityDavid Fisher & Yakov Eizik

davidfisher100@gmail.comYakoveizik@gmail.com

SisterhoodDeena Fisher & Sari Samuel,

Co-PresidentsSisterhood@bethaaron.org

youthErica & Jason David

youth@bethaaron.org

BETh AARON OFFICERS2014-2015

PresidentYair Mayerfeld

1st Vice PresidentIsaac Hagler

2nd Vice PresidentNeal Yaros

Vice President FinanceJosh Klavan

Vice President ProgrammingMicah Kaufman

TreasurerFeige Leidner

SecretaryMoishe B. Singer

Financial SecretaryDov Zakheim

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mAZAl Tov TO• Lyn & Fred Cohen, on the engagement of their daughter Penina to Chananya Rothner, son of Adina & Yehuda Rothner of Alon Shevut.• Arlene & Arthur Eis, on the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children Talia & David Eis. • Sharon & yuddi Gopin, on the birth of their granddaughter Eliana Bella, born to their children Dr. Chaya & Rabbi Daniel Fridman. • Sandy & Bernie horne, on the engagement of their daughter Michal to Jeff Feldman of Hollywood, Florida. • yehiel Levy, on the marriage of his son Ronnie to Karin Sobere of Petach Tikva. • Rita-Rivka Lewy & Abe Neuman, on the birth of a grandson, born to their children Oriyah & Aharon Nitkin of Yerushalayim.• Talia Sperber, on becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Mazal Tov also to Talia’s parents, Joy & Rob Sperber.• Joyce & Ira Buckman, on the engagement of their son Akiva to Liat Flank of Yerushalayim. • Chana & Alex Weidenfeld, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Chana’s parents, Miriam & Izzy Salomon.• Robin yucht, on being honored at the Ben Porat Yosef Annual Dinner. • Claire & Dov Zakheim, on the marriage of their daughter Aliza to Levi Greenbaum of Beit Shemesh. • Phyllis & Sandy Zlotnick, on the marriage of their son Shimon to Tal Shalom, daughter of Michal & Meir Shalom of Kfar Saba.

CONDOLENCES TO• Chavie Knapp and Zalman Levine, on the passing of their sister, Batya Levine Weiner. • Alicia Wexler, on the passing of her mother, Evelyn Berkowitz.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS• Etta & Isaac Novick, who live on Carroll Place.

WELCOME TO ThE COMMUNITy• Pessie & Emanuel Klein, who live on Carlton Terrace.

BETh AARON NEWS

PARNAS hAyOM DEDICATIONS

Dedicate a day of learning at Beth Aaron on the occasion of a yahrtzeit, in the zechut of a refuah shelaima, or in honor of a simcha, a birthday or any other occasion. Each week’s dedications are prominently displayed in the shul lobby and sent out to the membership via email. For more informa-tion, or to sign up, please go to www.bethaaron.org/parnashayom.

Parnas Hayom dedications in March were made by:• The Fisch and Mellul Families, in memory of Rabbi Stanley Fisch, on his 20th yahrtzeit. • Valerie & Larry Kahn, commemorating the yahrtzeit of Blanche Lazar, Breina bat Mordechai. • Sariva & Jeffrey Sklar, in memory of Avraham Shmuel ben Simcha.• Esther Erps & Rinaldo Toporovsky, commemorating the yahrtzeit of Josef Eizik ben Mayer Kopel.• The Beth Aaron Officers and Board, on behalf of the entire Beth Aaron membership, as a zechut for a refuah sheleima for Eliezer Lipa ben Eta Riva (Rabbi Rothwachs) and Doniel Naftali ben Riva Baila (Donny Hain) and to honor Chaviva & Rabbi Rothwachs for their amazing example of leadership and genuine care of other members of our community.

YAHRTZEIT DONATIONS

• Myra & Sam Aksler, in memory of Sarah bat Menachem Mendel• Bernice & Mishel Greenberg• Rochelle & Victor Megerman, in memory of Miriam Goldstein• Arlene & Michael Sand

yOUTh DEPARTMENT DONATIONS• Lena & Ken Goffstein

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• Nurit & Gary Adler• Razel & Yosef Adler• Myra & Samuel Aksler• Elaine & Howard Alt• Susan & Marvin Ammer• Elana & Yoni Ausubel• Sheila & Danny Baer• Judy Saden-Barach & David Barach• Laurie & Ira Bauman• Esther & Mark Bauman• Heather & Marc Benjamin• Cindy & Marc Bernstein• Michael Bernstein• Patty & Sam Borodach• Renee & Martin Brown• Varda & David Brusowankin• Esther & Myron Chaitovsky• Sherry & David Chasan• Arlene & Isaac Chavel• Rebeccca & Eitan Chen• Barry J. Cohen• Merna & Yussie Davidowitz• Joshua Deutsch• Arlene & Arthur Eis• Rise & Herb Eis• Toby & Jody Eisenman• Toby & Yakov Eizik• Beth Evans• Hannah & Alan Feder• Toby & Larry Feder• Annette & Richard Feldman• Tal & Marc Felsen• Susie & Shaya (Eric) Fenyes• Zina & Mordechai Finkelstein• Sharon & Mitchell First• Mollie Fisch• Susan & Shalom Fisch• Deena & David Fisher• Chaim Frazer• Rachel & Allen Friedman• Rachelle & Howard Friedman• Roz & Ira Friedman• Marsha & Tom Friedman• Rachi & Shneur Garb• Judith & Steven Gellerstein• Ellen & Richard Gertler• Rebecca & Peter Gilbert• Elizabeth & Peter Globus• Lena & Ken Goffstein

• Marianne Gorlyn & David Goldberg• Morton Goldberg• Shannon & Ari Gononsky• Miriam Greenberg• Bernice & Mishel Greenberg• Chaya & Daniel Hager• Heather & Isaac Hagler• Joyce & Azriel Haimowitz• Judah Haimowitz• Renee & Harry Harcsztark• Jeff Heilpern• Alecia & Meir Yehuda Hirsch• Felicia & Steven Hoenig• Andrea Hollander• Aviva & David Horowitz• Menucha & Hillel Hyman• Judah Isaacs• Rachael Zuckerbrot & Jeffrey Kantowitz• Linda & Mark Karasick• Laurie & Jerry Kasdan• Howard Kaufman• Esther & Joshua Klavan• Cindy & Gershon Kravetz• Aviva Leffel• Feige & Abraham Leidner• Evie & Alden Leifer• Ria & Tim Levart• Gila Berkowitz & Arvin Levine• Dalya & Dovid Levy• Michelle & Joseph London• Rani & Paul Lustiger• Rachelle & Chaim Mandelbaum• Talya Goldmintz & Jonathan Mandelstam• Hilary & Shlomo Margelovich• Adeena & Yair Mayerfeld• Mindy Mellul• Fran & Shelly Mermelstein• Sara & Gabriel Metzger• Tova Resnick & Philip Meyer• Jason Mogul• Marilyn Mogul• Leah & Alex Moskovits• CB & Jeffrey Neugroschl• Barbara Nowlin• Michael Pariser• Ilene & Mark Pollack• Miriam Martin Potasnick• Susan & Lenny Presby• Rochi & Louis Rayman

• Phyllis Reich• Esther Lauber & Alvin Reinstein• Judi Resnick• Dena & Nosson Rich• Elissa & Joel Richter• Sharon & Jeffrey Rosen• Yael & Jeremy Rosenbaum• Joy & Robert Rosenblatt• Karen & Ari Rubin• Meryl & David Rubin• Miriam & Izzy Salomon• Irit & Chanani Sandler• Fern Amper & Eli Schaap• Pearl Neuman & David Schachter• Robyn & Uriel Schafer• Judy & Steve Schaffer• Esther & David Schnaidman• Cathy & Steve Schuss• Bonnie & Ronnie Schwartz• Sharon Schwebel• Sharon & Kalman Seidenfeld• Shifra & Larry Shafier• Debby & David Sheffey• Aggie & Mark Siletski• Lynn & Dov Silverberg• Yacha & Moishe Singer• Aliza & Kalman Staiman• Tzippy & Mark Staum• Sandra & Edward Steinberg• Ilene & Gary Stone• Dora & Zalman Suldan• Danielle & Moshe Teitelbaum• Bashi & Howie Tepper• Yaffa & Mordechai Ungar• Ziva & Kovie Wagner• Devora & Pinchas (Paul) Wechter• L’via & Charlie Weisinger• Linda & George Weiss• Barbara & Neal Yaros• Claire & Dov Zakheim• Raizy Strahl-Zakheim & Joshua Zakheim• Hadassa Zeidel• Barbara & Alan Zelenetz• Beth & Ariel Zell• Michaelle & Abraham Zerykier• Morris Zimmerman• Cindy & Saul Zucker

BETh AARON NEWS

DONATIONS TO ThE RABBI’S DISCRETIONARy FUND

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BETh AARON NEWS

DONATIONS TO ThE STANLEy FISCh yOUTh FUND• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Joyce & Ira Buckman, on the engagement of their son Akiva to Liat.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Lyn & Fred Cohen, on the engagement of their daughter Penina to Chananya.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Naomi & Jonathan Fried, on the birth of a son.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Sharon & Yuddi Gopin, on the birth of a granddaughter.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Evie & Alden Leifer, on the birth of a grandson.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Yehiel Levy, on the marriage of his son Ronnie to Karin.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Malka Lewin, on making aliya.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Rita Rivka Lewy & Abe Neuman, on the birth of a grandson.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Adeena & Yair Mayerfeld, on their daughter Dassi becoming a Bat Mitzvah.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Miriam & Izzy Salomon, on the marriage of their daughter Chana to Alex.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Joy and Rob Sperber, on their daughter Talia becoming a Bat Mitzvah.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Claire & Dov Zakheim, on the marriage of their daughter Aliza to Levi.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Phyllis & Sandy Zlotnick, on the marriage of their son Shimon to Tal.• Mollie Fisch, in memory of Evelyn Berkowitz, mother of Alicia Wexler.• Mollie Fisch, in memory of Leonard Kalkstein, brother of Lorraine Vogel.• Mollie Fisch, in memory of Batya Levine Weiner, sister of Chavie Knapp and Zalman Levine. • Mollie Fisch, to commemorate the yahrtzeit of her husband, Rabbi Stanley Fisch, ha-Rav Shmuel Aharon ben Reb Nachum ha-Levi on 12 Nisan.

DONATIONS TO ThE PhILLIPS AND hARRIS EDUCATIONAL FUND• Estelle and Batya M. Harris, in honor of Chaviva & Rabbi Rothwachs, for all of the chesed that they constantly to do for Beth Aaron and the Teaneck community. • Estelle and Batya M. Harris, in honor of Azadeh & Rabbi Ezra Frazer, on the birth of a daughter. • Estelle and Batya M. Harris, in memory of Howard Kalkstein, brother of Lorraine Vogel. • Estelle and Batya M. Harris, in memory of Jack Wimpfheimer, a past president of Beth Aaron. • Estelle and Batya M. Harris, in memory of Eli Schaap’s brother, Menachem Meir Shachaf.• Tikva & Larry Yudkowitz, in memory of Jack Wimpfheimer.

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BETh AARON MEN’S CLUB KIDDUSH

As part of our ongoing effort to further the friendliness of Beth Aaron, we are happy to provide our weekly kiddushim. Kiddushim are held weekly, except when there are private events or rentals in the Social Hall. The Men’s Club is pleased to offer four options for kiddushim, both single-sponsored as well as multi-sponsored. Our standard weekly kiddush is the “Weekly Cold Kiddush.” WEEKLY KIDDUSHIM: Weekly dairy cold kiddushim with chips, cookies, and soda. Become a Mezonot sponsor for only $54 or a L’Chaim sponsor for $72. MULTI-SPONSORED KIDDUSH: Hot fleishik Kiddush with chulent, kugel, cakes and more. Multi-sponsored kiddushim are held approximately every six weeks. Sponsorships are only $200.

If you are celebrating a simcha, commemorating a yahrtzeit, or simply want to say “thank you,” consider sponsoring an upcoming kiddush. Visit our website to sponsor. If you have any questions, contact Ari Gononsky, kiddush@bethaaron.org.

Hashkama minyan Kiddush “Society” To support the Hashkama minyan’s monthly hot Kiddush on Shabbat mevorchim for a second year, join the Hashkama Minyan Kiddush “Society.” The membership of $54 can be made online; please note in the “comments” section that the contribution is for the Hashkama Minyan Kiddush. Contact Ari Gononsky, kiddush@bethaaron.org, with any questions.

TREE OF LIFE

The Tree of Life commemorates the birth of a child or grandchild, honors someone, or celebrates a marriage or other family simcha. Leaves on the Tree of Life are $100 each. For further information, please contact Aviva Leffel, springspoon@hotmail.com.

NCSy

For information about NCSY events, or if you have questions, comments, or ideas, please mail Spence Weitzen, weitzens@ncsy.org.

Join us on Facebook or email us, teens@bethaaron.org.

MEMORIAL PLAQUES

Memorial plaques commemorate the passing of a loved one and perpetuate his or her memory. Plaques are $350 each. For further information, contact Aviva Leffel, springspoon@hotmail.com, or Larry Kahn, kahnclan01@gmail.com.

WEEKLy SHIURIm

• Daf Yomi in Teaneck: For Daf Yomi shiurim and resources in Teaneck, go to www.teaneckshuls.org/daf/.• Daf Yomi shiur by Rabbi Rothwachs / Rabbi Daniel Feldman / Rabbi Mark Staum / Rabbi Daniel Herrmann: Monday-Thursday evenings, at 9:45 p.m.• Rabbi Rothwachs’ bava Kama shiur: Wednesday evenings at 8:30 p.m. • Morning mishna Chabura: Monday, Thursday: 6:55 a.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 a.m.

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READy OR NOT, hERE IT COMES

bv Gavriella hagler

“Ugh,” Baila sighs, tossing her bag on the floor to make more room in the seat. “Pesach is so soon.”

Chani looks at her with a quizzical look. “And yet you say it like it’s a bad thing...”

“Yes, yes, it is a very bad thing,” Baila answers, getting all worked up. “I hate coming home after a hard, long day of school and having to clean and do work for Pesach,” she says slumping further down in her seat.

“I agree,” I chime in. “First you have to schlep all the Pesach dishes and pots and pans from the attic, which takes hours since there’s a ton and they’re heavy. Then you have to clean and pack away things and line the shelves with paper. Worst of all, your Mom just adds in stuff for spring cleaning. So you end up dusting and cleaning the whole house; you never get a break.”

Baila nods to everything in agreement. “Yeah, and don’t get me started on the menu.” “Right!” I scream excitedly. “You have to flip through tons of Pesach cookbooks guessing what will taste good for Pesach. Mom gets stressed out and overwhelmed from all the work she does, and when Mom’s stressed out, well, then, the whole house feels the tension.”

“Ok,” Chani interrupts. “We get it, negative Nellies. You can think of a lot of bad things about Pesach. But how about all the good things? Like a long vacation? Spending time with family. No phones, computers or electronics, just time to relax and rejuvenate. Creative foods we wouldn’t normally try. No work.”

“Yeah, the work.” Baila cuts in. “Sure, we don’t have work on Pesach because teachers just squeezed in everything beforehand so we have time to help out in our home. They give us no excuses and our parents know that.”

I nod. “And don’t get me started on the food. Pesach food is bad enough on Pesach, but before Pesach? We can’t open anything new and we can’t buy anything new for like months before Pesach. ‘Just in case we don’t finish it,” Mom and Dad say, it will be baal tashchit, so we end up with nothing in the fridge for months before. I was trying to make a salad yesterday for dinner -- no salad dressing. And I couldn’t even make my own dressing because we didn’t even have mayo. And Pesach isn’t for like a month! Ugh!” The engine roars to life, and suddenly the bus is pulling out of the school parking lot, finally heading home.

“Wow.” Chani shakes her head. “Just wow.”

“Wow, what?” We both say in unison, suddenly becoming defensive.

“Do you guys even hear yourselves? Pesach is wonderful. Think of all the heritage behind it and how we can appreciate how lucky we are today. We wake up every day following the laws of Judaism and never even consider what it was like to be slaves just for practicing our religion. Pesach will be amazing this year. Sure, there’s a lot of prep going into it, but doesn’t that make it all the more special when it finally comes? Things are more special when you work hard for them, and not just sit down and watch everyone else do the work. Look, Pesach is coming whether you’re ready or not. So you can either be mad and whiny about it, or you can help your Mom with a smile and enjoy every moment of it. You can’t enjoy the good with out putting in any effort.”

Baila and I both just stare at each other, as the realization begins to sink in.

“This year, the weather is going to be really nice,” I say after a couple of seconds. “It’s finally getting warmer out!”

“After snowing on Purim, I thought we would have freezing weather forever.”

Chani and I tilt our heads and shake it, as if to say “tsk, tsk.”

Baila produces a fake cough, attempting to cover what she just said. “Ehem. What I meant to say is, ‘what an interesting Purim we had, but, my, look how beautiful the weather has become.’”

We all laugh, and, this time, finally anticipate the holiday, and everything that comes with it.

ChILDREN’S CORNER

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PASSOVER DESSERTS

bv Gavriella hagler

Finding yummy Kosher for Passover desserts can be very hard. Here’s a few to help top off your Passover.

1. Hervé This’ Chocolate Mousse (2 ingredients)

http://food52.com/recipes/16044-herve-this-chocolate-mousse

2. Matzo Toffee

http://www.marthastewart.com/333841/matzo-toffee

3. Eton Mess

http://bakedbree.com/eton-mess#axzz1JnFI1eTE

4. Ganache Filled Pecan Cookies

http://www.couldntbeparve.com/2012/04/ganache-filled-pecan-cookies/

ChILDREN’S CORNER

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ChILDREN’S CORNER

PESACH WORD SEARChby Gavriella hagler

T N V H L H C E F B A C D X S

C W K F A H S V J N E H T H L

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CHAMETZCHAROSET

HAGGADAHMAGGID

MAHNISHTANA

MARORMATZAHPESACHSEDER

SEDERPLATE

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ChILDREN’S CORNER

PESACH WORD SCRAMBLEby Gavriella hagler

1. Pasverso _________________________________________________________________

2. Wthea _________________________________________________________________

3. ESder _________________________________________________________________

4. yFmial _________________________________________________________________

5. ellHal _________________________________________________________________

6. gnnigiS _________________________________________________________________

7. okoCgin _________________________________________________________________

8. lnCaeing _________________________________________________________________

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