Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat
Deadline by April 15
Passover night is a time when nobody should be without a place at the seder table. As the Haggadah says, "Let all who are hungry come and eat." If you have extra places at your seder, please open your home to one or more members of the Beth El family or Triangle community. If you need a place for a seder, please don't be shy! Give our community the privilege of sharing a seder with you. The seder hospitality initiative is headed by the Synagogue Life Committee, and we will be pleased to arrange for hosts and guests to enjoy the seders together.
To invite someone, or to request a place, please contact Sheri at Beth El (919-682-1238).
Passover Food Drive
Due by April 15
Regarding the Passover meal marking the journey from slavery to freedom, God tells Moses that "The entire community of Israel is to do it." (Exodus 12:47)

But what of our fellow Jews who may not be economically able to provide any traditional foods for their families?

Jewish Family Services of Durham-Chapel Hill is collecting specific Passover items for distribution to Jewish families in need:
*matzah
*grape juice
*gefilte fish
*horse radish
*matzah ball soup mix

Please consider donating 2016-dated packages or jars of any of these items, and help all Jews in our community to be able to observe Passover. There is
a large plastic tub in the Beth El lobby -- fill it to overflowing by April 15!

Questions? Ask Bob Wechsler (919-937-9542) or Sally Hicks (919-667-1405)
 --your Social Action Committee
How to Kasher for Pesach
Click here for the packet by the Rabbinical Assembly with a full description on
how to kasher for Pesach 2016.  Included in the packet is information about two responsa passed by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards permitting the consumption of kitniyot on on Passover, both of which have Rabbi Greyber's support for members of the Beth El community to use in our homes.  Beth El's kitchen, however, will continue to refrain from serving kitniyot at kiddush.   
Message from the Beth El President
A few weeks ago, our President, Rachel Galanter, notified the Beth El board that Rabbi Greyber will spend Passover from Wednesday, April 20 through Sunday, May 1, at Ramah Darom. Here is an excerpt from her letter:

"This year the rabbi has done a phenomenal job meeting the congregation's needs while meeting his family's needs during Jen's cancer treatment. Up until now, he has not taken any formal leave, but has just scaled back, focusing on top priorities...[We] have agreed it makes sense for him to take some time away from Beth El to devote to his family...He will be reaching out to the gabbaim who are coordinating Passover services to help them with identifying lay leaders during his absence. I am very appreciative of how attentive the rabbi has been to our congregational needs during this stressful time for his family. I am proud to be part of a congregation where lay leaders can and do step forward so that things can run smoothly even when the rabbi is not available."

Who has stepped forward? So far, David Reed will lead the siyyum for the fast of the first born on Friday morning, April 22. Rabbi Frank Fischer will oversee the sale of the community's chametz and will deliver a Dvar Torah and lead Yizkor on Shabbat, April 30, the 8th day of Passover. Our incoming President, Noah Pickus, will offer a Dvar Torah on Shabbat, April 23, first day of Passover.  A list of our Gabbaim during Passover is below. As always, they are available to answer questions about our upcoming services.  Many thanks to all these folks and so many others who will help us celebrate Passover with joy!

Gabbaim during Pesach:
1st day- Roger Perilstein (Shabbat) April 23
2nd day - David Rubin (Sunday) April 24
7th day - Matt Diamond (Friday) April 29
8th day - Elise Goldwasser (Saturday) April 30
For Wednesday Chol Hamoed, April 27th - Alan Mandel
Beth El wishes our entire community a 
chag kasher v'sameach, 
a happy and kosher Passover holiday!

Beth El Synagogue
1004 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919)682-1238 | Email Us
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