Whew, we survived another Passover!  How ironic that the holiday that celebrates our freedom from slavery leaves many women so exhausted from all the cleaning, the chametz-finding, the switching of dishes and pots, the shopping, the cooking and the cooking and the cooking that we can barely stay awake to enjoy the Seder and our guests.

The Haggadah tells us that we were all slaves in Egypt and each one of us has been redeemed.  Wandering in the desert, we all did it.  And just like our ancestors who complained as they got tired of the manna, each year we complain about all the effort to create Passover.

Instead, let us prepare ourselves for Shavuoth.  Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the Jewish memories we are creating and will enjoy as long as we can remember.  Let’s remember fondly the friends and family who honored us with their participation at our Seder.  Let’s rejoice with the maturing of the children and grandchildren.  They lasted a bit longer at the table before the (you can depend upon it) melt-down.  Let’s enjoy the opportunity to remind everyone that the charoset dish was grandma’s and retell the story (everyone knows) about how each year she chose one child to help make the charoset and how coveted that job was. 

In modern American Judaism, Torah study and Talmud learning may not be strong enough to hold us together as Jews.  Connection to Israel ebbs and flows.  Family memories are the ties that bind.  Many of us can mark the calendar by the smells from the kitchen and the food on the table.  We are the current link in the endless chain of Jewish history.  We are free to strengthen that chain.  Let us do it with love and pride.  No borching!

Goldie

SISTERHOOD
NOMINATING COMITTEE
The Nominating Committee of Beth Shalom Sisterhood proudly presents our slate for 2008-2010.

President: Eileen Levine
Membership: Mimi Kaufman
Programming: Vera Benjamin
Treasurer: Elinor Snow
Recording Secretary: Rose Schoenfeld

Additional nominations by petition may be made.  The written nomination, signed by five Sisterhood members in good standing, may be submitted to Agnes Bloch, chair of the Nominating Committee no later than May 19.

Mark your Calendar
Florida Sisterhood Conference
May 4-6, 2008
Orland

 

SISTERHOOD WANTS YOU
Connection, commitment and contribution are Sisterhood's goals.  We provide connections to Jewish women across the generations.  We are committed to our Jewish traditions and our synagogue.  We contribute to Beth Shalom and the larger Jewish community.