April ✡ 2016 Volume Five ✡ Number Three

The Simcha Tree The Newsletter About YOUR Synagogue

President’s Message

WHEN FORESIGHT MEETS HINDSIGHT By Michael Eisenberg, President

Make sure to brush your teeth before you go to bed. Go to sleep earlier so you are not so tired in the morning. Get your homework done before you go out with your friends. These are just some of the many things I’m telling our teenage son during a given day. To those of you who have raised teenagers, you know these reminders go unheeded. I’m sure my parents would say I didn’t listen to them either while under their roof, and the majority of parents reading this will report the same of their experiences as teenagers and with their own teenage children. But why is that? Stubbornness could be a reason; overconfidence in one’s decision making skills could be another; so too a desire to be an independent thinker and blaze one’s own path. It’s a shame, but most of us don’t realize how much easier and fuller life would be if we could allow ourselves to benefit from the hindsight of others. I think about this on a daily basis as I enter the Pervin Chapel weekday mornings. Our Morning Minyannaires have hundreds of years of wisdom and life experiences collectively. They have seen major changes not only in our shul, but in our world which allows them to take day to day changes in their environments in stride. Our shul has undergone tremendous changes over the past 150 plus years and future changes I’m expecting will occur at a more rapid pace. We’ve moved multiple times, expanded our physical space, changed Rabbis, altered some rituals and rites, merged two congregations into one, and focused on different types of programming based on our needs at different times. The plaques, old minutes books, and confirmation pictures on the walls carry forward our “institutional memory,” but the Morning Minyannaires are a living repository of a vast knowledge base about the synagogue’s history. Many have witnessed and participated in over 60 years of past shul activity, and they are a veritable font of hindsight and experience.

So when I, along with the Board and Executive Committees, need to make decisions concerning our future, we should realize the precious asset we have in the congregants like the Minyannaires who have been here longer than we have. This is one of the reasons we have past presidents with their vast storehouses of knowledge and experience as standing members of our Executive Committee. So consider this in your own lives, as I am doing in guiding our synagogue’s future. Yes, kids, there’s a benefit to brushing one’s teeth before going to bed, to getting enough sleep, and to finishing one’s homework in a timely manner. Hindsight tells us this. As we look to the future, learning from the likes of our Morning Minyannaires, past presidents, and members who have been here for the long haul is the wise decision to make. When foresight meets hindsight we can all benefit.

In This ISSUE Executive Director’s Message The Amazon Smile Donation Program Around the Tree Youth and Adult Programs Sisterhood Happenings Birthdays Morning Minyanaires Purim At the Tree Torah Lishmah Community Special Passover Section Funds Yahrzeit List

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Tree of Life | Or L’ Simcha Congregation

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Executive Director’s Message

A COMMUNITY WIDE SPECIAL SERVICE By Joel Don Goldstein, FSA, Executive Director

April showers bring May flowers, so it is that I am hopeful that spring has finally arrived and soon we will have the opportunity to look upon the beauty of Zittrain Gardens, which grace our property along Shady Avenue. As you might imagine, it took more than April showers to establish Zittrain Gardens. Les and Ruth Zittrain approached Tree of Life to share their love of flowers and also their desire to spruce up the appearance of the synagogue grounds. They agreed to provide both the initial funding and establish a garden maintenance fund with the hope others who also enjoyed the beauty of the gardens would help support the ongoing maintenance. Sadly Les passed away all too soon just as Zittrain Gardens were coming to fruition; he knew of the success in beautifying the synagogue and was pleased. In fact, through estate planning, the Zittrains increased their commitment to the gardens, which we all now enjoy. As the Spring Season approaches please consider offering your financial support so that we might continue to enjoy the beauty and elegance that is Zittrain Gardens. Joel Don Goldstein

I would like to engage a family to dedicate the large planter in front of our building. The location is perfect for dramatic plantings, and in fact, a Japanese maple tree is presently planted, which produces a beautiful deep burgundy flower. Please contact me directly if you are interested in establishing the planter as your family’s lasting tribute.

THE AMAZON SMILE DONATION PROGRAM The AmazonSmile donation program gives the synagogue a donation of 0.5% of all eligible Amazon purchases by our congregants who are signed up for it. Just by shopping at Amazon.com and being signed up for the AmazonSmile program, congregants can support Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha. The link to sign up is http://smile.amazon.com/ch/250979381

April 2016

By using this link, all eligible shopping by congregants will benefit Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha Congregation.

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Around

THE

TREE Mazel TOV! MAZEL TOV to Nancy and Joel Weinstein on the birth of their granddaughter Lila Weinstein Patel. Please toot your own horn! We’d love to hear about awards, promotions, appointments, and any other newsworthy accomplishments you’d like to share with the congregation. E-mail your news to Jennifer Bails at [email protected].

Daily SERVICES

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. Friday Evening: 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:45 a.m.

2016 OMER INSTITUTE Mondays in May (May 2, 9, 16, 23)

B’nai MITZVAH Hannah Rachelle Friedlander will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on April 9, 2016. Hannah is the daughter of Mary Pat and Eric Friedlander, the sister of Liam Friedlander, and the granddaugher of Steven and Linda Friedlander of Philadelphia and Boynton Beach,Florida and Perry and Nancy Schreffler of Oil City, Pennsylvania.

Candle LIGHTING April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29

Hannah Rachelle Friedlander April 9, 2016

..................7:34 p.m. ..................7:41 p.m. ..................7:49 p.m. ..................7:56 p.m.

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PURIM 2016 ― THANK YOU! Youth and Adult Programs By Alex Speck, Program Director

Purim 2016 was a smashing success. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who helped make our festivities fun for all!!

PURIM VOLUNTEERS Alan Hausman Ana Fischer Andy Mor Caleb Evoy Dave Edwards David Lessure David Lilien Duncan Hausman Hannah Friedlander Howard Segal Irwin Harris Isabella Mor Janice Shapiro Joanne Segal Michael Eisenberg Noah Lampl Sammy Nayhouse Sara Fierstein Steve Shapiro Steve Weiss Tyler Shapiro Tyler Sikov Zev Schreiber

PURIM SPONSORS Bob and Sara Fierstein Craig and Sammy Nayhouse Friedlander Family Hilda Diamond Rabbi Chuck Diamond Shapiro Family Weiner Family J. Marcus Co. Sylvia and Martin Snow Charitable Foundation Fund Thank you to the Membership Committee for a great booth and contest!

5% RETURN ON YOUR MONEY TOL*OLS SISTERHOOD It’s all so easy! Please consider purchasing Giant Eagle debit cards (same as cash) available in the synagogue office and help the TOL*OLS Sisterhood earn 5% return Call the office today 4125216788, and the debit cards will be ready!

Sisterhood Happenings

SISTERHOOD SHABBAT AND BOOK CLUB By By Kara Spodek and Stacey Hausman

Stacey and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mickie Diamond for all of her hard work and effort she has put forth through the years. Without her dedication and devotion to the women of our congregation, the Sisterhood would not be where it is today.

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Sisterhoods formed from the ideas of strengthening the Jewish Identity of those who began to stray from the religion. Women have educated our children, celebrated our holidays, and raised valuable funds for their congregations. We are hard at work planning events for the up and coming year. We will embrace the past and welcome the future. As

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with any new venture, the opinions of others will help us maintain and build quality programming appealing to women of all ages. Your thoughts, criticism, and ideas are welcomed. As a reminder, if you haven’t sent in your dues, please do so at your convenience. The book club is alive and well. New members are always welcomed. Have a happy Passover!

BIRTHDAYS

APRIL 2nd

12th

20th

26th

ANNE KULLER

MAKIM DOLGOSHEEVA FRANK GOTTLIEB NICK ROSENBERG

ALICE KULLER

COLE FRISCHMAN MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN MARCUS GOTTLIEB

3rd CLIFFORD LEVINE RAE GAYLE PAKLER

4th SCOTT KLEIN COLE NEWMAN JAMIE REICH ZEKE ROSENBLOOM MAYA SMITH

5th LAURA PETE NORMA ZISKIND

6th SARA GUTTMAN LORI SMOLAR

7th

13th EUGENE KLEIN REVA ROSSMAN

14th BETSY SHUFLER

15th TALIA RUDKIN ILENE VENIG

16th ARIELLA HANNA MARK SIMON BRIAN TURNER

17th STANLEY LEDERMAN

REBECCA KALLA

8th JEANNINA TORRES LANDA

11th MARLA GUTTMAN

18th

21st BEVERLY SEGAL HILLARY STEIN

22nd BRADLEY GOLDMAN MICHAL SCHACHTER

23rd KIT GIGLIOTTI EMMA SMOLAR REBECCA WEISBERG

27th JIMMY COHEN RICHARD KITAY

28th MEREDITH LEVINE

29th JOBERTA GOLDMAN TYLER SHAPIRO

24th SYDNEY HABER KRIS KEPLER FELICIA MARGOLIS MARCEL SCHACHTER

25th JUSTIN ROGALSKY EVE SKIRBOL

ESTHER GARFINKEL DAVID LIPMAN RONNA PRATT

19th MARCIA SOLOMON BETTY JEAN ZATMAN

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Morning Minyanaires

A PERSONAL PASSOVER STORY By Joe Charny (Yosef ben Avraham Lev), Morning Minyanaires Correspondent

It’s the month of NisanIyar 5776 in the Hebrew calendar and that means Passover is here. Erev Pesah coincides with the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, when a small band of Jewish heroes, outgunned and without access to food and water, fought to the end against an elite German force, armed with Joe Charny tanks and other heavy weapons. The battle lasted more than six weeks, a longer time than it took the Nazis to capture Paris. This conjunction of two major events in our history; together with Yom HaShoah the week after Passover, epitomizes the Jewish attitude to our often tragic history. We remember the slavery in Egypt and our liberation at Passover, and we remember the Holocaust and our survival at Yom HaShoah. The triumph, the miracle if you will, is that we are here to remember and here to celebrate our incredible survival. I have a personal Passover story to tell. In the spring of 1947 I was a medic with the 345th Infantry, stationed in Trieste, Italy, a beautiful port on the Adriatic Sea. I had spent the previous year in Tarvisio, an alpine village on the ItalyAustria border, beautiful but isolated, so the transfer to TRUST (Trieste US Troops) was a welcome event because it signaled the end of my tour of duty and imminent return home. The city was under control of the so called “Four Powers” (France, Great Britain, Soviet Union, and the U.S.). In the U.S. sector there was a 19th century synagogue, a bit the worse for wear, but still a handsome building, and it was to that shul that the Jewish soldiers of the 345th were invited to a Passover Seder (15 Nisan 5707).

April 2016

When we arrived, we met about 50 civilians in the basement room. There were four men seated at a long table, soon joined by a group of women, all speaking Triestino, the local polyglot language, a mix of Italian, Austrian German, and Slovenian; they were the hosts and were quite welcoming to us. There were other Italian families with children scattered around the other tables. And then we noticed another group of adults, disheveled, looking dazed and forlorn, and therein lies the story. As we learned later, this was a group of refugees from central Europe, who had made their way through the Alpine passes to reach a camp on the outskirts of the Trieste. They mostly kept to themselves, although

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some of the women responded to overtures from our hostesses. It was noticeable that they kept their distance from the GI’s who were all in uniform. The Seder was conducted from the head table. There were few Haggadahs; they were in Sephardic Hebrew and wellworn, and the chanting was a bit hard to follow, but all the Pesach symbols were set in place and the rituals easy to identify. We dipped into winefor the plagues, we drank the four cups, we welcomed Elijah, and we sang Chad Gad Yah. The meal was tasty and kosher, but quite different from the shtetlbased cuisine of my childhood. And the melodies, also quite different, sung in Sephardic, were lovely and heartwarming. Meanwhile, throughout the Seder, three young men, dressed in dark, quiet clothing, roamed the room, carefully stopping to engage each of the soldiers in conversation, speaking English without a discernable accent. They wanted to know one thing: were we drivers, or mechanics, did we work in the motor pool or with ambulances, did we have access to petrol (gasoline), did we know others who had access, etc., etc. Afterwards, when we got back to the barracks, we talked about it among ourselves, but hadn’t a clue. It wasn’t till several years later that I was able to figure it all out, especially after reading “Exodus,” Leon Uris’s book about the historic escape of the refugees from the camps and slaughterhouses of Europe to freedom and the founding of the State of Israel. Of course! Those men were looking for fuel to power the small boats they were using to move the survivors of the Holocaust through the British blockade to the beaches of our homeland. There I was, at a historic moment of Jewish history, and I missed it completely! Oh, I know there wasn’t much I could have done to help; they got their fuel and powered their small craft through treacherous seas, and maybe some of those forlorn and frightened people I saw at that Seder were rescued and lived happily in our beloved Jewish Homeland. But it’s a memory I cherish and wanted to share as we join together to celebrate the season.

m i r Puat the

Tree

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Torah Lishmah Community

OUR COMMUNITY

By Karen Morris, Principal

As I write my article for this month, we are getting ready to celebrate Purim. On a lighter note, for our young children we learn the joy and fun of Purim. Our students made masks, sang Purim songs, created special centerpieces, baked hamentashen, made mishloach manot gift baskets for family and friends, and had a Karen Morris wonderful time at our Purim carnival! I’m excited to see the creative Purim costumes for the Megillah reading, and we welcome back MagicMan TJ Hill for a show following the Megillah reading. On a heavier note, I ask myself about the struggles and evils in our world today. We defeated Hamen and the persecution of the Jews in the Scroll of Esther. How do our leaders and government face the threat of terrorism that we face not only in Israel, but around the globe? How do we react, what do we teach our children? I look at the world our children are growing up in and I feel for this generation. Every generation has faced challenges, but my generation hoped our world would be a more peaceful place than it is now.

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As I have always believed, and teach my own children is that we must promote a climate of tolerance and understanding. We must fight the evils of racism, and fear. We must know that our enemies are not any one group of people, but of criminals or terrorist groups who want to take away our freedoms and way of life. These are lessons we teach our students during Purim, and then again at the Passover Seder.

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At this point of my article, you are probably thinking, “Morah Karen has certainly gotten wrapped up in the climate of the current political election.” That is indeed true, but my focus now is to express how special our community is at TOL*OLS. Recently, we invited our young Toddler & Me families to join us for Shul is Cool. What a warm and joyful Shabbat morning we had together. Our building was used with the main service in the Sisterhood room, our TLC children in the Pavilion, and our Toddler families in our special toddler space upstairs. Toward the end of services, our community joined together for Adon Olam, Hatikvah, and Kiddush. We then enjoyed a lovely kiddush lunch. Dor Hadash members concluded at the same time, and joined us for lunch as well. I could feel our special community. In age we ranged from 1years old to people in their mid90s. We come from all parts of Pittsburgh, not just Squirrel Hill. We are people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions. There was laughter, smiles, and joy in being together on Shabbat. We are truly a unique and special community. I am grateful to be part of such a special place! Thank you for always being so welcoming to me and my family in our community. If you would like more information about Torah Lishmah Community, I would love to hear from you. I can be reached at [email protected]

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SPECIAL PASSOVER SECTION

Dear Friends, Pesach will be here before we know it. With its arrival, of course, comes the hard work and the financial investment necessary to observe the festival properly. Passover is traditionally a very costly holiday for those who wish to follow its laws and customs. Our tradition teaches us that while it is always a mitzvah to perform acts of tzedakah, it is even more important to give to others at this time of year. We would hate to see anyone go hungry on Passover. Further, it would be a shame if someone who wanted to have a Seder was unable to do so because of financial constraints. So it has become the tradition among our people to collect Ma’ot Hittim—wheat money—at this time of year. The funds collected are either given to members of our congregation who are in need, or they are transferred to the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry to purchase food for members of the Jewish community at large who are unable to provide enough food for their families.

April 2016

Further, it is the custom among our people to completely rid ourselves of hametz (leaven) during the seven days of Passover. After a thorough cleaning of our homes, though, there may still be some hametz in our possession. The rabbinic

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mechanism for eliminating this hametz is Mechirat Hametz—“selling” it to a non-Jew for the seven days of Passover. You may appoint Rabbi Diamond to serve as your agent for this transaction by printing out the form below and returning it to the synagogue office. Whether you sell your hametz through the synagogue or not, please remember to support those members of our community who will not be able to celebrate Passover without our assistance. Please mail your contribution to the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Philanthropic Fund and submit your Mechirat Hametz form (below) to the synagogue office. Best wishes for a wonderful Passover holiday. B’Shalom, Joel Don Goldstein, FSA Executive Director

Rabbi Chuck Diamond Rabbi

✂

MECHIRAT HAMETZ DELEGATION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR SALE OF HAMETZ

I (We)____________________hereby empower and permit Rabbi Chuck Diamond to act on my (our) behalf to sell all hametz—as defined by Rabbinic Law—in my (our) possession either knowingly or unknowingly. This includes all hametz in my (our) home, place of business or anywhere else. I (we) also give Rabbi Diamond full authority to appoint a substitute in his stead with full power to sell my (our) hametz. This power is in conformity with all Torah laws, Rabbinic Regulations and also in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And to this I hereby affix my signature. Signed:______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address(es) at which hametz is located: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Preparing for

PASSOVER Note: Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz prepared this guide for the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law Standards. The Committee accepted it on December 12, 1984. It has been amended to reflect more recent decisions of the Committee affecting the status of certain products. The Torah prohibits the ownership of hametz (leaven) during Pesah. Therefore, we arrange for the sale of hametz to a non-Jew. The transfer, mechirat hametz, is accomplished by appointing an agent, usually the rabbi, to handle the sale. It is a valid reversion of ownership. At the end of the holiday, the agent arranges for the reversion of the now permitted hametz. If ownership of the hametz was not transferred before the holiday, the use of this hametz is prohibited after the holiday as well (all halmetz shevar alav hapesah). Since the Torah prohibits the eating of hametz during Pesah, and since many common foods contain some admixture of hametz, guidance is necessary when shopping and preparing for Pesah. During the seven days of Pesah, hametz cannot lose its identity in an admixture. Therefore, the minutest amount of hametz renders the whole admixture hametz and its use on Pesah is prohibited. However, during the rest of the year, hametz follows the normal rules of admixture, i.e. it loses its identity in an admixture of one part hametz and 60 parts of non-hametz (batel beshishim), this affords us the opportunity to differentiate between foods purchased before and during Pesah. What follows is a general guideline. However, your rabbi should be consulted when any doubts arise. Kasher-la Pesah labels that do not bear the name of a rabbi or one of the recognized symbols of rabbinic supervision, or which are not integral to the package, should not be used without consulting your rabbi. Prohibited foods included the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffee with cereal derivatives in them, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol.

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Most Ashkenazic authorities have added the following foods to the above list: rice, corn, millet, legumes (beans, and peas; however string beans are permitted). The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unanimously that peanuts and peanut oils are permissible. Some Ashkenazic authorities permit, while others forbid, the use of legumes in a form other than their natural state, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, soy oil. Sephardic authorities permit the use of all of the above. Consult your rabbi for guidance in the use of these products.

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PERMITTED FOODS A. The following foods require no kasher-la-Pesah label if purchased prior to Pesah: unopened packages or containers of natural coffee without cereal additives (however, be aware that coffees produced by General Foods are not kosher for Passover unless marked KP), sugar, pure tea (not herbal tea), salt (not iodized), pepper, natural spices, frozen fruit juices with additives, frozen (uncooked) vegetables (for legumes see above), milk, butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ripened cheeses, such as cheddar (hard), muenster (semi-soft) and Camembert (soft), tuna in water (no oil added), frozen (uncooked) fruit (with no additives), baking soda. B. The following foods require no kasher-la-Pesah label if purchased before or during Pesah; fresh fruits and vegetables (for legumes see above), eggs, fresh fish and meat. C. The following foods require a kasher-la Pesah label if purchased before or during Pesah: all baked products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal, and any products containing matzah), canned or bottled fruit juices (these juices are often clarified with kitniyot which are not listed among the ingredients-however, if one knows there are no such agents, the juice may be purchased prior to Pesah without a kasher-la Pesah label), canned tuna (since tuna, even when packed water, has often been process in vegetable broth and/or hydrolyzed protein—however, if it is known that the tuna is packed exclusively in water, without any additional ingredients or additives, it may be purchased without a kasher-la-Pesah label), wine vinegar, liquor, oils, dried fruits, candy, chocolate flavored milk, ice cream, yogurt and soda. D. The following processed foods (canned, frozen or bottled) require a kasher-la-Pesah label if purchasing during Pesah: milk, butter, juices, vegetables, fruit, milk products, spices, coffee, tea, and fish, as well as all foods listed in Category C. DETERGENTS If permitted during the year, powdered and liquid detergents do not require a kasher-la Pesah label. MEDICINE Since hametz hinders are used in many pills, the following guidelines should be followed: If the medicine is required for life-sustaining therapy, it may be used on Pesah. If it is not for life-sustaining therapy, some authorities permit, while others prohibit. Consult your rabbi. In all cases, capsules are preferable.

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KASHERING OF UTENSILS The process of kashering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to halakah, leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil (kevoleokakh poleto). Therefore, utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling, those used in broiling are kashered by fire and heat, and those used only for cold food are kashered by rinsing. A. Earthenware – (china, pottery, etc.) may be kashered. However, fine translucent chinaware that has not been used for over a year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water. B. Metal – (wholly made of metal) used in (spit or broiler) must first be thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed and then made as hot as possible. Those used for cooking or eating (silverware, pots) must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned and completely immersed in boiling water. Pots should have water boiled in them, which will over flow the rim. The utensils should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between the cleaning and the immersion in boiling water. Metal baking utensils cannot be kashered. C. Ovens and Ranges – Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Then, the oven and range should be heated as hot as possible for half an hour. If there is a broil setting, use it. Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle. Continuous cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens. D. Glassware – Authorities disagree as to the method for kashering drinking utensils. One opinion requires soaking in water for three days, change the water every 24 hours. The other opinions require only a thorough scrubbing before Pesah, or putting it through a dishwasher.

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E. Dishwasher – After not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, a full cycle with detergent should be run. F. Electrical Appliances – If the parts that come in contact with hametz are removable, they can be kashered in the appropriate way (if metal, follow the rules for metal utensils). If the parts are not removable, the appliance cannot be koshered (all exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned). G. Tables, closets, and counter – If used with hametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered, and then they may be used. H. Kitchen Sink – A metal sink can be kashered by thoroughly cleaning and by pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used. I. Hametz and Non-Passover Utensils – Non-Passover dishes, pots, and hametz whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked so as to prevent accidental use. BEDIKAT HAMETZ (Search for Leaven) At Passover, we are commanded by God to remember our deliverance from Egypt each year by eating matzah and avoiding all hametz, or leave—the substance that makes dough rise. This is because when the Hebrew slaves heard that Pharaoh would permit them to leave Egypt, they packed hurriedly, lest he change his mind. Without time to let their bread rise, they carried it on their backs and let it bake in the desert sun. A tradition evolved that adds drama and excitement to the prohibition of hametz. On the night before the Seder, the family dims the lights and conducts Bedikat hametz, a “search for leaven.” Armed with a candle, a feather, a paper bag, and a wooden spoon, if desired, the family searches the house for those last remaining crumbs of bread. Because by this late hour most people have already finished their Passover cleaning, it became traditional to hide several pieces of hametz around the house prior to the search. Remember where you hid them, because you have to find every piece.

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APRIL

FUNDS

(DONATIONS RECEIVED FEB 13 – MAR15)

CAPITAL FUND In Memory of: Martin Simon Sylvan & Bernice Simon

CONGREGATION FUND In Memory of: Otto Abraham Barry Lhormer Barbara Tabachnick Claire Ross Marlene Haus Sara Silver Robert Wasserman

RABBI DIAMOND DISCRETIONARY FUND In honor of last year’s Israel trip Gerald & Carol Bass In appreciation of your help & guidance Irving Segal

TORAH REPAIR FUND Marlene Haus

YOUTH ACTIVITIES FUND In Memory of: Saralee Braun Ina Sable

ENDOWMENT FUND In honor of the engagement of Richard Mitre to Julie Brillman Marlene Haus

HIGH HOLIDAY APPEALS (KOL NIDRE & PHILANTHROPIC)

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Mr. Fuller Michael Kitio Hope Solow Ina Sable

Wendy Kaplan

YAHRZEIT FUND SHOSHANA & HANNAH LILIEN MEMORIAL FUND Don & Miriam Krieger

MORNING MINYANAIRES Yan Dolgocheev In Memory of: Saralee Braun Ina Sable Claire Ross Joanne & Ben Simon Tony Ross Buddy Sable Ina Sable Ella Tanack Elliott Tanack

April 2016

PURIM BOOTH SPONSORS Rabbi Chuck Diamond Hilda Diamond Bob & Sara Fierstein Friedlander Family J. Marcus Co. Craig & Sammy Nayhouse Shapiro Family Sylvia & Martin Snow Charitable Foundation Fund Weiner Family

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Arlene Apter Twyla & Bob Sable Samuel Bernstein Shirley M. Bernstein Sharyn Corona Mona Deleonardis Edgar Danovitz Sanford Danovitz Lena D. Eisner Ruth Ann & Eugene Klein Murray Grossinger Bunni & Howard Grossinger Celia Perlut Guggenheim Gail Ryave Harry M. Kamin Claire & Joseph Calig Mollye Kitay Richard & Ellen Kitay Jerry Kitman Judy Berkman Irene Klein Bunni & Howard Grossinger Joseph Lebovitz Ellen Marks Samuel Lebovitz Dr. Ruth Lebovitz David Levine Dorothy Levine

Robert Levine Barbara Levine Ruth Levine Lillian Lindenberg Annette Kilian Ida Linder Arnold Silverman Isabelle Loevner Mark Loevner Susan Makoroff Kalla Family Stanley Makoroff Jack Mallinger Adrienne & John Fleming Morris Mallinger Rose Mallinger Ronald & Andrea Wedner Celia Meltzer Philip Meltzer Robert Meltzer Barbara Levine Ruth Levine Abe Mervis Betty Jean Mervis Sol Rudkin Steve Rudkin Victor Rudkin Goldie Simon Dr. Ruth Lebovitz Florence Rose Suchman Hope Lieberman Ella Tanack Elliott & Geraldine Tanack Faye Tanack Terri Weiss Edward Weisberg Sharon Weisberg

YAHRZEIT LIST April 1, 2016 to April 9, 2016 II Adar 22, 5776 to Nisan 1, 5776 GERALDINE BROWARSKY HYMAN GINSBERG HELEN GLICK LEVINE IDA LINDER MARTIN LIVINGSTON MAURICE MARCUS NETTIE RIPP MEYER ROSENBERG LOUIS SCHREIBER LEE SCHWARTZ LEONARD SHAPIRO NORMAN STEWART JED ZIDELL April 10, 2016 to April 16, 2016 Nisan 2, 5776 to Nisan 8, 5776 ELIZABETH ALTERMAN ENOCH BAILEY ELMER BUSHKOFF JANET DRIBEN FREDA FOREMAN HERMAN L FOREMAN SELMA GOLDBERG MORRIS HELLER ROSE HOFFMAN ETHEL KOCHIN SAM MALVIN ZALMAN JOSEPH MAMOLEN SADIE MEYERS MEYER MILLER RUBEN MILLER LOUIS NUSBAUM ELEANOR PERSKY LESTER ROSENBLOOM SAMUEL ROSSMAN

RHEA STEIN MINNIE WERNER SOLOMON ZATMAN April 17, 2016 to April 23, 2016 Nisan 9, 5776 to Nisan 15, 5776 ISADORE BECKER ABRAHAM L BENDER ALBERT BERKOWITZ MORRIS BLEIBERG JEANNE BARBARA BRODSKY NORMAN COUSIN PHYLLIS DANENBERG EVA DIAMOND DARLENE DOBRUSHIN JOSEPH P EDWARDS EDITH FOSTER ROBERT M GLASSNER KARL KITAY FRANCES GOLDBERG KRASIK DR ROBERT LEVINE EVELYN LEVY H RAYMOND LITMAN SHEILA MARKOWITZ PHILIP MELTZER ROSE MYERS LILLIAN ROE PAULINE ROSEN SERETTA SEGAL ESTHER SIEGEL MONROE SILVERSTEIN SYLVIA SNOW GEORGE SPANOVER LEON SPIEGEL HELEN HIRSH ZWIBEL

April 24, 2016 to April 30, 2016 Nisan 16, 5776 to Nisan 22, 5776 ROSE ACKERMAN ANNA MIRIAM FLITMAN A MORRIS GINSBURG HERBERT KAPLAN CHARLES KIRSCHNER HERMAN KLEYMAN SAMUEL KRAUSS MILTON LOPATIN ABE MANDEL CELIA RUBEN ANNA F SMITH MORRIS STEIN HARRY SURVIS STEVEN B WHITMAN

CONDOLENCES Our sincere condolences to Robert (Bobby) Wasserman on the loss of his father, Morton Wasserman.

www.tolols.org Tree of Life | Or L’ Simcha Congregation

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Tree of Life | Or L’Simcha

CONGREGATION STANDING AND AD HOC COMMITTEES: Have you got time to make a difference? Sign up for one of the committees listed below.

ADULT EDUCATION

LAURIE ZITTRAIN EISENBERG

[email protected]

CEMETERY

BERNIE PINSKER

[email protected]

ENDOWMENT

TERRY LERMAN

[email protected]

FINANCE

DAVID LILIEN

[email protected]

INTERFAITH OUTREACH COMMITTEE

IRWIN HARRIS

[email protected]

MEMBERSHIP

SUSIE COHEN–CHAIR SARAH PFEFFER–CO-CHAIR

[email protected] SARAH.A. [email protected]

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

SAM SCHACHNER JANICE SHAPIRO

[email protected]

RITUAL

DANIEL WEINER

[email protected]

STRATEGIC PLANNING

MICHAEL EISENBERG PAULA GARRET

[email protected]

SOCIAL ACTION

MARY DAWN EDWARDS

[email protected]

YOUTH COMMISSION

ALAN HAUSMAN

Administration Rabbi Chuck Diamond Rabbi, [email protected] Alvin K. Berkun D.D., Rabbi Emeritus; [email protected] Joel Don Goldstein, FSA, Executive Director; [email protected] Karen Morris Principal; [email protected] Alex Speck Program Director; [email protected]

2015-2016 Officers Board of Trustees President Michael Eisenberg

April 2016

Vice Presidents Fred Davis Craig Frischman Ben Simon Daniel Weiner

Jennifer Bails Marisa Boevers Greg Engel Audrey Glickman Sara Guttman Marlene Haus Alan Hausman Harold Lessure Andrew Mor Sarah Pfeffer Ina Sable Sam Schachner Janice Shapiro Austin Shifrin Ellen Sikov Kara Spodek Marcia Stewart

Business Office Hours Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Closed

Contact Us By Phone: 412.521.6788 By Email: [email protected] On the Web: www.tolols.org By Mail: Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha Congregation 5898 Wilkins Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1299 A founding member of the Jewish Theological Seminary and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Members at Large Adam Berger Robin Friedman Carol Sikov Gross

Morning Minyanaires Moe Lebow

Secretary Irwin Harris

Sisterhood Presidents Kara Spodek and Stacey Hausman

Treasurer David Lilien

Men’s Club David Edwards

Immediate Past President Paula Garret

The Simcha Tree

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES