Rabbi’s Column . Many years ago I was on a Sunday morning religious TV program hosted by my father, Rabbi Max Vorspan z”l. There were three or four rabbis on the panel and I remember we got around to discussing prayer. My father asked the rabbis what synagogue they would attend if they didn’t attend their own services. I don’t recall all of the answers, but I was struck by one Conservative rabbi who mentioned that he would go to the Young Israel near his home. To this many Conservative rabbis who viewed this episode took exception. They argued that Conservative rabbis should be creating services not only for their members, but for themselves as well. And yet, I can understand why a rabbi would choose such a radically different service had s/he the choice of attending his or her own or a more demanding service. The perfect service for many Conservative rabbis has been the type presented at Camps Ramah. All Hebrew, no bar/bat mitzvah, no sermon (but a good Torah commentary), surrounded by people knowledgable in the choreography and format of the service. Lots of singing. No cantor or choir. And well-paced. It’s the type of service common in Israel, but hard to find in America, if only because Conservative services have become interminable. For me, I would attend a service just like what we offer. True, it’s more abbreviated than most Conservative services, both in liturgy and Torah reading. But I like the pace, the spirit, and the enthusiastic participation by a knowledgeable group that has been doing this for more than two decades! I don’t remember what my response was on my father’s TV show (I believe I have a video of it and I’ll have to revisit it). But I believe I have managed to create the type of Shabbat morning service attractive, not only to my congregants, but to myself, as well!

Rabbi David Vorspan

Shabbat services at de Toledo High School Saturday, March 7- 10:30 am Birthday Shabbat Saturday, March 21 - 10:30 am Anniversary Shabbat

Around the Rabbi’s Tisch Thursdays, March 5, 12, & 19 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’

Our 5780 season of Rabbi’s weekly discussion continues its 2nd half. Call Rabbi at (818) 888-9817 or see flyer.

Brunch with thr Rabbi Sunday, March 8, 11:00 am at de Toledo High School A lox and bagel and hpmemade additional dishes brunch will be followed by Rabbi Vorspan’s talk/discussion of a topic of current interest. See flyer or call Sherry Dollins at (818) 527-1291. Torah and Shabbat Study Saturday, March 14, 10:30 am Northridge Mobile Home Park Stan Schroeder leads our monthly study and discussion session. See flyer for more information..

Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 18, Number 3, March 2020. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Events of the Month

Visit our website: www.shirami.com

Fast of Esther and Megillah Reading March 9 Purim March 10 Shushan Purim March 11

See my Purim poem on page 8 Stan Schroeder

The Month of Adar Known as a month of celebration and happiness, the late-winter month of Adar contains the joyous holiday of Purim that takes place mid-month. Purim, however, isn’t the only thing that makes Adar special. The Talmud tells us that “when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy” to welcome a season of miracles. Accordingly, the Talmud tells us that this month is fortuitous for the Jewish people.

President’s Report

After a good start on the year, we’re really beginning to roll now. March is a good month to take stock of where we are now before the leap into the major activities that follow.

As in every month, we have our usual schedule of Shabbat Services, Around the Rabbi’s Tisch (and on the Rebbitzen’s Chairs) and our monthly Torah/Shabbat Study Session. These are the foundation of Congregation Shir Ami. As the foundation, we invite all members to come to take advantage of the foundation we have built and join us for Shabbat Services at 10:30 a.m. two Saturdays per month. (And if you come a little earlier, you can help with setting up for the Kiddush!) After that, coming to the Tisch and the Torah/Shabbat Study session will be easy.

This month we will also have a Brunch with the Rabbi. If you are reading this on or before February 28, you still have time to RSVP and enjoy a lox and bagel brunch accompanied by the remarks of Rabbi Vorspan.

March is the month where we prepare to go out into the world and make it a better place. This is the month to register to join the Shir Ami Team for the Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide. And mark your calendars for April 19 for the walk. Congregation Shir Ami does many, many things, but standing idly by is not one of them!

As always, if you have any questions or want to provide your input, please feel free to email me at JDPistol@aol.com. Thank you,

Jordan Pistol, President

page 2 March 2020

Congregation Shir Ami to Honor Rabbi David Vorspan by Sherry Dollins

Rabbi David Vorspan has been the rabbi of Congregation Shir Ami since its inception in 1998. During that time he has served as not only its spiritual leader, but also has been the main force in attracting new members to the congregation via his meaningful High Holy Days services. The Rabbi’s fully participatory and music-filled Shabbat services are one of the main stays of the congregation and his active support of its well renowned social action programs is exemplary. His well-attended “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” weekly sessions in his home offer congregants a unique and inspiring educational experience.

In 2002, Rabbi Vorspan became the first and founding rabbi of the New Community Jewish High School, now de Toledo High School, in West Hills. He is admired and respected by the staff and students there as well. As a result of the Rabbi’s affiliation with the school, Congregation Shir Ami has found a welcoming location for its High Holy Days services, Shabbat services and varied programs through-out the year. de Toledo High School provides Shir Ami members a spiritual “home” within its vibrant Jewish environment.

To acknowledge and honor Rabbi Vorspan as the Founding Rabbi of de Toledo High School and in recognition of his dual roles in these two Jewish communities, Congregation Shir Ami is engaging in a fundraising campaign to dedicate a permanent plaque in his name. The plaque will be placed in the room at the school in which we hold Shabbat services. The dedication ceremony will be held at de Toledo High School on Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2020.

In a couple of weeks, Shir Ami members will receive an information packet inviting everyone to participate in this very special project. This material will provide full details on donation opportunities and the dedication ceremony. All funds raised will be donated to de Toledo High School from Congregation Shir Ami in honor of Rabbi Vorspan.

By participating, you will not only show your respect for the rabbi and his efforts on behalf of our congregation, you will be part of the legacy of investing in future generations in the greater Jewish community. You will also be supporting the school that continues to offer our members a site for our religious and spiritual needs.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about this opportunity at (818) 527-1291 or cheryldollins3@gmail.com.

Scene from Purim carnival adloyada in Israel

Yahrzeits Ben Bloom for Ethel Bloom Harvey Cohen for Betty Cohen and Bertha Gottesman Jay and Gale Cohen Carol Cramer for Phil Cramer Stanley Falkenstein for Tillie Falkenstein Corinne Geller for Hildegard Geller Stan Goodman for Gloria Goodman Jacquie Gordon for Joseph Gordon and Lee Gordon Ethel Granik for Sarah Golberg, Tena Granik, and Calman Golberg Sheilah Hart for Belle Lipman, Joseph Lipman, and Richard Hart Irwin and Carol Koransky Jack Kutcher for Louis Kutcher Lou and Paula Loomis for Roy Loomis Ed Orens for Laurie Orens and Julius Orens Ann and Seymour Potell for Joseph Potell Elizabeth and David Raider for Naomi Packer, Frank Packer, and Alfred Raider Ed Schackman for Belle Schackman and Harry Schackman Lonny and Nancy Scharf for S. Bricker, R. Haas, L. Scharf, and G. Scharf Ed Schneier for Harvey Schneier and Harry Kritzer Sam Schultz for Ruth Schultz Lea Schwartz for Chuck Bailin Lew and Claire Silverman for Milton Silverman Laura Simon for Al Simon and Allegra Haim Mariana Stark for Aurelie Austin Linda and Harvey Tapper for Nathan Josephy, Gertrude Josephy, and Ruth Tapper Fiona Taylor for Grace Konrad Bonnie and Rabbi David Vorspan for Leonard Meshul and Sime Meshul Rae and Armand Wazana for Fifyne Henderson and Paul Kroop Birthdays Michael Easley (73) Some Modern Equivalences Ratio of igloo’s circumference to its diameter:: Eskimo Pi

1 millionth of a mouthwash: 1 microscope

365.25 days of drinking low-calorie beer: 1 lite-year

Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon

Basic unit of laryngitis: 1 hoarsepower

1 million microphones: 1 megaphone

Congregational News Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: Fran Kobulnick Ellen Fremed Fran Friedman Sheilah Hart Paullette Pistol Ethel Granik Phyllis Schroeder May they be blessed with a complete recovery in body and spirit. .

Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays Carol Cramer................................ Neil Hattem................................... Seymour Potell.............................. Jerry Michaelson........................... Stephen Schuster......................... Anniversaries Paula and Lou Loomis.................. Rae and Armand Wazana............. Fran and Sam Kobulnick..................

Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for sending your cards celebrating simchas and conveying your get- well and condolence messages. She is creative with individualized, artistic cards that include a message and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

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DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to acknowledge the following donations:

3/5 3/9 3/15 3/19 3/26 3/3 47th 3/11 53rd 3/23 51st

$

JWW Walk to End Genocide April 19th in the Conejo Valley by Rae Wazana, Shir Ami Representative for JWW Jewish World Watch is having its annual Walk to End Genocide on Sunday, April 19th in the Conejo Valley. The Walk location is new this year and will be taking place at Temple Adat Elohim. The address is 2420 E. Hillcrest Dr. in Thousand Oaks. This year the Walk is being combined with an Experiential Fair for all ages. There will be new interactive games which offer enhanced learning opportunities, expanded food offerings, a diverse Global marketplace, ways to advocate for survivors of atrocities, and many more meaningful projects. Congregation Shir Ami has a Walk Team registered to participate in this year’s annual event. You can join our Walk Team by registering on-line at cv.walktoendgenocide.org/2020 or jww.org/take-action/events/2020-walk-to-end-genocide. Please consider supporting our Walk Team’s goal of raising $1,000 for JWW’s projects by making a donation on-line or sending a donation to the Jewish World Watch office at 5551 Balboa Blvd. Encino, CA 91316. Their phone number is (818) 501-1836. Be sure to mention your donation is to be credited for Team Congregation Shir Ami. You can also speak to Rae Wazana (818) 881-5549 or Fiona Taylor (818) 903-6381 about joining as a Walker and/or a donor. Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you, Congregation Shir Ami, for your amazing support and participation in JWW since its creation in 2003. Thank you FOR NOT STANDING IDLY BY!

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Social Action Committee We are again collecting Target $10 gift cards for the women and children in the JFS domestic violence shelters we help sponsor. The current drive is for Mother’s Day.The recipients greatly appreciate our generosity as many come into the shelters with only the clothes on their backs as they are rescued from domestic violence. Mail your cards to Fran Kobulnick at 5139 White Oak Ave. #13, Encino, CA 91316 or give them (or money to buy them) to our Committee members. Please continue to be generous with your SOVA food donations. Our barrels are in the lobby of de Toledo High School. You may also bring your donations to the SOVA facility at 16439 Vanowen St.. Van Nuys. Information for their Passover food drive will be available soon.

Looking ahead, our annual Walk Around Lake Balboa Sunday, June 7 will raise funds for Guide Dogs of America, supporting puppy raising volunteers and their training facility in Sylmar; more information and a flyer will be in the April Shir Notes.

Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President

Operation Gratitude by Charlene Kazel Time marches on and so does Operation Gratitude. They were proud to open their new facility at 9409 Owensmouth Ave. in Chatsworth with weekday hours from 9 am to 4 pm. Don’ t hesitate to volunteer and participate as we are one big happy family bringing happiness to our troops, vets, and 1st

2019 Congregation Shir Ami JWW Walk team

responders. And to the families who are missing their loved ones who have been deployed. Let’s start our new adventure with a Hip, Hip, Hooray and get busy and have some fun. You may call me at (818) 701-7679 if you have paperback books, magazines, playing cards, crossword puzzle books, travel size toiletries or other items to donate.

page 5 March 2020 Biography of the Month: Kirk Douglas by Stan Schroeder Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch) December 9, 1916 died February 5 at his home in Beverly Hills at the age of 103. Following is from an Aish Hatorah interview / essay.

It all started in 1991.

I was in a helicopter and we had just lifted 50 feet above the ground. At the same time, a small plane was taking off with an instructor and his student. We collided. Our helicopter crashed to the tarmac. But the plane exploded. Its two passengers were killed.

I woke up in the hospital, tormented by a wave of guilt -- why did those two young people die? Why was I alive? That haunted me. And I tried to find the answer.

Where do you find an answer to a question like that? Where would you go? See a fortune-teller -- have your cards read? An astrologer? Or maybe go to India -- find a guru? An audience with the Dalai Lama?

But I never thought of Judaism for the answer.

See, Judaism and I parted ways a long time ago, when I was a poor kid growing up in Amsterdam, N.Y.

Back then, I was pretty good in cheder, so the Jews of our community thought they would do a wonderful thing and collect enough money to send me to a yeshiva to become a rabbi.

Holy Moses! That scared the hell out of me. I didn't want to be a rabbi. I wanted to be an actor. Believe me, the members of the Sons of Israel were persist-ent. I had nightmares -- wearing long payos and a black hat. I had to work very hard to get out of it.

But it took me a long time to learn that you don't have to be a rabbi to be a Jew.

I got frightened away from Judaism at age 14 after reading the story of Abraham and Isaac: God orders Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

I remember the picture in my Hebrew school book. Abraham with a long beard. In one outstretched hand holding a large knife, in the other -- a frightened little boy. And that kid looked an awful lot like me! A hovering angel was having a hard time restraining Abraham. How could he convince him that this was only a test.

That picture stayed in my mind for a long time as I drifted away from Judaism.

I grew up, went to college, but my Judaism stayed stuck in a 14-year-old boy's Hebrew school book.

It has been pointed out to me that no rational adult would make a business decision based on what they knew when they were 14. You wouldn't decide who to marry based on what you knew about love and relationships when you were 14. But lots of us seem satisfied to dismiss religion based on what we learned at 14, and I was one of those that stupid.

Of course, I always knew I was a Jew. I even auditioned to join a Yiddish Theater in New York. They looked at my blonde hair and blue eyes and said: "If we have a part for a Nazi, we'll call you.”

Although I felt drawn to the drama and the mystery of Judaism, other aspects pushed me away. What did I have in common with those black-hatted, bearded men with their long payos?

But as time went on, I began to see it a little differently.

The catalyst was my son Michael. One day he asked me: "Dad, where did our ancestors come from?"

That startled me. I wasn't sure. I knew my parents came from Russia, someplace called Mogilev.

I suddenly realized that I knew nothing about my background. Anyone who could tell me was now long dead. I had no ancestors.

This thought depressed me. It haunted me. I had no ancestors! Can a man know who he truly is, if he doesn't know his ancestors?

I was lying in my room pondering this question for the umpteenth time, when I happened to look up over my bed. There on the wall hangs my collection of Chagalls -- the lithographs from his Bible series. It hit me. Here were my ancestors!

They were more famous than movie stars!

Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, David, Rebecca, Rachel, Ruth, Esther. There were musicians in my family, warriors, poets, lawgivers.

I started to read about them and the more I read the happier I felt. Why? They all came from dysfunctional families. Like me. They all had problems.

Cain kills Abel. Jacob deceives his father. Joseph gets sold into slavery by his brothers. One sinner after another and despite that they were given a second chance. They all overcame the odds and accomplished great things!

Continued on page 6

Kirk and son Michael

page 6 March 2020

Biography of the Month: Kirk Douglas (continued)

What an inspiration to a sinner like me. And what a load of guilt off my shoulders.

I was very grateful to Chagall for reminding me what an incredible lineage I had come from. Then I found out that Chagall, a Russian Jew, came from a town near my parents' in White Russia. In fact, my father and Chagall both left that region, known as Pale of Settlement, about the same time. Chagall became a famous artist in Paris, and my father became a famous ragman in Amsterdam, New York. Jews have diverse talents.

How did we survive? Lost in different parts of the world, among strange cultures -- constantly persecuted. Yet, our tormentors rose and fell, and we still hung on. The Babylonians, the Persians, Greeks, Romans, all are long gone but we remain.

That is when I realized that we should thank those pious, black-hatted, bearded Jews -- for keeping Judaism alive for so long.

They understood something very deep that we more secular types never learned. God gave us the Torah -- and that made us the conscience of the world.

The ideas of love, compassion, kindness to strangers and the poor, the ideas of holiness of human purpose, a reverence for life and self-discipline all -- ALL come from the Torah.

Even if we Jews sometimes forget that, our persecutors remember.

Here is what Adolf Hitler said:

"It is true we Germans are barbarians; that is an honored title to us. I free humanity from the shackles of the soul: from the degrading suffering caused by the false vision called conscience and ethics. The Jews have inflicted two wounds on mankind: circumcision on its body and conscience on its soul. They are Jewish inventions. The war for the domination of the world is waged only between these two camps alone, the Germans and the Jews. Everything else is but deception."

Hitler was right. It's all about the battle between good and evil. I'm just beginning to realize what that means for us Jews, and it scares me. It carries such an enormous responsibility.

No wonder that so many Jews have tried to escape into the safety of assimilation. But that safety always turns out to be a trap.

Amazing isn't it -- before the Nazis came to power, Germany was the country where Jews had assimilated to a staggering degree. Judaism was dying out. And then the German people, who had absorbed the Jews with such open-arms, turned on them with such hatred.

It has happened over and over again.

How odd that, with all the persecutions we have been subjected to, the worst comes when we've moved away from Judaism. Is God telling us something? I'm beginning to think so.

Throughout my life, when I was moving farther and farther from Judaism, I always clung to a single thread -- Yom Kippur. On that one day I fasted. I might be shooting it out with Burt Lancaster or John Wayne but I always fasted.

You see, there was something frightening to me about that book in which it is written -- who shall live and who shall die -- who will survive a helicopter crash, like me, and who will be killed.

My helicopter crash brought to my consciousness what had been roiling under the surface for all those years.

I made a visit to Israel after a 12-year absence. I had filmed four movies there. I had been there many times but I stayed away too long. I was excited.

We drove up to the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. Everyone seemed so glad to see me again. They ushered me and my wife into our room. I walked to the window and stared out at the magnificent view of the Old City, the Ottoman Empire walls surrounded by grass and flowers.

The first time I looked out of that same window more than 40 years ago, I saw Arab soldiers, pacing back and forth, keeping me out of the Old City, making sure I couldn't get to the Kotel, the Holy Wall.

How Israel had changed since then. So many new things. But more important, so many OLD things.

The OLD is what brought me back. I didn't wait to change my clothes. I rushed out of the hotel. The sun was just setting.

The Wall was crowded with worshippers. The energy emanating from all the praying Jews, davening at a wild pace, was overwhelming. I moved through the crowd. It was difficult to find a place to touch the wall.

Continued on page 9

page 7 March 2020

Another March Election by Lou Loomis

I’m afraid of becoming a grumpy old man. But my senses are getting assaulted daily by negativity, some from friends and family, and a lot by TV news and the daily newspaper. More and more I’m I find myself drawn to the classical music stations on radio and the internet as a stress reliever. It’s cheaper than scotch —but Shabbas scotch is still pretty wonderful.

Since retiring from a full-time job two years ago, I occasionally find myself wanting to yell at the kids walking by my house to “get off my lawn,” even though they are not on my lawn. Okay, I don’t yell, but you should see the cartoon bubble over my head.

But seriously, there is something about the news I do notice, however, both in the newspaper and on TV that is unmistakable, and that is the greater acceptability of anti-semitism. The ADL and other human rights groups are reporting a rise in anti-Jewish/anti-Israel hate. So this is not just my opinion and is verified by the above-mentioned organizations. And of course that does make me mad and a bit more prone to grumpiness. Grrr…

A numbers of years ago my wife and I visited Israel, and it was a real eye-opener. I could see that Israel was not getting good press, and what I read in the US media versus what I saw was very different. On the day before we flew home, we read a report that a UN ambulance had been bombed by the Israel Defense Forces. Israel claimed that it had been stolen by a terrorist group in Lebanon (Hamas) and was used to ferry arms and terrorists under the guise of a humanitarian mission. As we read in the international newspapers, Israel and the IDF were right, and the UN reported they were “looking into this situation.”

When we arrived back home, our local newspaper reported the incident as an attack by Israel on a UN ambulance. Of course I was furious, so I wrote a letter to the editor. It was printed and the editor commented that there was a “controversy” regarding the “situation” and the possibility of a terror group hijacking a UN vehicle. In the following years, after reading more anti-Israel stories, I wrote several more letters to the editors, none of which were printed. Eventually I stopped my letter-writing, since it seemed a futile task to try to set the record straight.

So what can we do, besides becoming grumpy, kvetchy and making others avoid us because we are so neg-ative? Maybe not much, besides working at being more positive, happier (it takes work), making and keeping friends, finding joy and humor in the moment, etc.

All good suggestions. But, as for anti-semitism, is there anything else we can do?

Yes. We can vote in the upcoming World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections in March. The WZC was founded by Theodore Herzl in 1897. Today, the WZC elects leadership of major Jewish institutions that will allocate $5 billion around the world over the next five years (per Wikipedia).

In the March edition of Commentary Magazine, Seth Mandel writes: “There is no future for Jewry without a strong and striving Israel. Indeed, for the modern Diaspora, no idea has more successfully preserved the notion of an egalitarian Jewish peoplehood —one that crosses languages and religious boundaries—than Zionism. Long before the reestablishment of the State of Israel, Zionists were the Jews dedicated to arguing compellingly for a coherent Jewish identify and thus for Jews as a minority deserving of the rights and recognition afforded others. If American Judaism is to have a chance at survival, it must first realize that that is what it is fighting for.

The delegates to the WZC select the leadership and influence the policies of some of the most essential Zionist organizations world- wide. They include the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (JNF), and Keren Hayesod—which together allocate nearly $1 billion annually in funding in support of Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

The elections will be held on March 11. There is not much time to register and vote, but the slates of the different parties cover all opinions, from Laborite to Hassidic, from the Reform to the Conservative (Mercaz) movements, and the secular Zionists. The different slates are given on the website. We can have a voice, despite the newspaper editors who couldn’t give a rip about Jews or giving Israel a fair shake, and despite the media’s near-complicit propagation of anti-semitic propaganda. Anyone can vote. You may not agree with my take; you may have a completely different opinion about worldwide Jewry (how dare you?). But the upcoming WZC elections give all of us a voice.

You can register at: AZM.org. The cost to register is $15.00 and covers the overhead in gathering and tabulating the votes.

page 8 March 2020

Purim 5780 (March 10, 2020) Don’t think of the Purim story as history. Who wrote it remains a mystery. Tradition says it was our hero Mordechai; For various reasons, that doesn’t fly. Think of the story as more of a fable With wisdom for us here who are able. Let’s look at the characters in turn, Then decipher the lessons we can learn. Ahasuerus is King of the vast Persian empire, With Queen Vashti dressed in royal attire. She refuses to appear at his huge celebration Replete with unlimited supply of libation. We don’t know why she refused to be seen at the bash; Some say she might have had a rash. What ever the reason, a new Queen was needed, And Esther, Mordechai’s niece/cousin succeeded. Haman, a minister in the Court, and a Jew-hater, Prepared a decree a few years later. All Jews in the Empire would be killed that year; Mordechai and his people had reason to fear. He turned to Queen Esther to appeal to the King. She replied that would not be an easy thing. After three days of fasting she devised a plan How she could expose that villain Haman. In her chamber at a feast on the second night To the King and Haman she declared the Jews’ plight. In a flurry of intrigues, Ahasuerus finally saw the light. He hung Haman, promoted Mordechai, and did what was right! The Jews were saved and the Purim holiday created. And during the month of Adar our joy is elevated. Queen Esther’s actions in her time of duress Set an example for us when we’re under stress. We never know when events occur in our life, In these days when we encounter trouble or strife. Each one may be called upon to choose, Living the values we’ve learned as Jews. Stan Schroeder

Biography of the Month: Kirk Douglas (continued)

I looked around for a crevice where I could put the tiny piece of paper with my prayer. I found one. As I reached deep, my fingers touched other pieces placed there before me. Had those prayers been answered?

I think so. Because God answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is "no."

I took a walk through the tunnel along the foundations of the Temple. That tunnel takes you deep along what once was the most sacred place to all Jews.

As I slowly walked along following my guide, I let my fingers caress the huge blocks of stone that enclose the mountain where the Temple once stood.

And then we stopped at the point where we could touch bedrock. My guide, a young girl from Pittsburgh who had moved to Israel, spoke softly: "This is the rock of Mount Moriah."

I looked at this rough, black stone. "Mount Moriah?" I asked. "You mean..."

She finished for me. "Yes, this is where Abraham took his son Isaac to be sacrificed."

The picture from my Hebrew school book flashed into my mind. But it no longer frightened me. Now I knew that Abraham lived at a time when sacrificing your son to idols was a common practice. The lesson of Mount Moriah was precisely that God does not want human sacrifice -- that God is not Someone to be afraid of.

It was very quiet in the tunnel, dimly lit, cool.

My guide's voice was barely above a whisper: "This is where it all started."

I couldn't speak. She was right

This place represented the beginning of my doubts. And, at long last, the end of them.

Here in the dark tunnel, touching the rock of Mount Moriah, I grew up.

That night I had Shabbat at a home in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. We sang songs, happy songs. I felt good. Through the open window I could hear the same songs echoing in the night, and see other houses lit by the warm light of candles.

I closed my eyes and I could see the face of my mother through the candlelight, saying the Shabbat prayers.

That night I felt that I had come home.

And yet I know that my journey is not over. I still have a long way to go.

When I first picked up the Torah, I was encouraged. It has only 350 pages. But when I began to study seriously, I realized why they say that Judaism is a lifetime of learning. It took me more than two months just to get out of the Garden of Eden.

Before I could finish my back gave out and I had an operation. Two weeks later I had a stroke.

After that my life was consumed by having to learn to speak again.

Now I am not as cocky as I used to be. I no longer take speech for granted. I see it as a miracle. When I had no trouble with it, it seemed so natural. You think a thought and then you express it vocally. You don't realize that there are thousands of nerve endings in your cheek, your tongue, your lips. You never think of the movement of your tongue against your teeth -- all coordinated with your vocal chords. It's a miracle.

Miracles come only from God. And they are all around us. I remember being suddenly awakened by an earthquake. I was almost thrown out of my bed. Such power -- where did it come from? Have you ever watched a hurricane and seen large trees uprooted like toothpicks. It is awesome.

Have you ever looked up at the sky on a dark night? There are a hundred billion stars in our galaxy alone and there are billions of other galaxies. Billions of light years away!

Such a HUGE miracle staggers the mind.

But I am hoping for a small miracle.

I am hoping it's not too late for me.

page 9 March 2020

Kirk with Kotel tunnel tour guide Tova Saul 2012

Kirk praying at Kotel

He dedicated 2 playgrounds that he donated on that trip.

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami by Maralyn Soifer Here is an easy way to earn money for our Temple. We are now officially a Ralphs’ community agency. All you have to do is follow these simple instructions to help earn money for Congregation Shir Ami. 1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card already,

go to the store or go to website www.ralphs.com and select Order a Ralphs reward card.

2. Once you have your card, go to the website: www.ralphs.com and select Create an account

3. If you have an account, your email address is your account ID. If you forgot your password, select Forgot your password? and you will receive an email with instructions to reset it. Follow the instructions to enter your email address and create a new password.

4. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and an account, you will see Account Summary when you login. You can change to our Temple by clicking on Edit within Community Rewards.

Congregation Shir Ami P.O. Box 6353 Woodland Hills, CA 91365

page 10 March 2020

You can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by putting in the number 92785. Our congrega-tion will pop up and click on the button next to the name. Click on the button that saves the changes.

5. You should also check the bottom of your receipt when you shop. It should say “At your request, Ralph’s is donating to CONGREGATION SHIR AMI”.

6. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

7. Start Shopping! Make sure that the clerk swipes your card each time you shop. Verify that your receipt shows a contribution to Congregation Shir Ami at the bottom. Important Note: All participants must confirm their selection annually starting in September. On or after September 1, sign into your account and reconfirm Community Rewards selection.

Thursdays March 5, 12, & 19, 7:30 - 8:30 pm “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” at the Vorspans’

This popular Shir Ami educational series continues its 5780 season. Come join us for our weekly discussion of Rabbi Vorspan’s selected topics of Jewish interest. We discuss Jewish texts and current events as they relate to Jewish values and our lives as Jews. This is a unique opportunity to learn and share in an informal format around the Vorspans’ dining room table. The Vorspans’ home is located at 22320 Philiprimm St. in Woodland Hills. Call Rabbi Vorspan at (818) 888-9817 for more information.

Saturday March 14, 10:30 am: Torah/Shabbat Study at Northridge Mobile Home Park Stan Schroeder leads a Shabbat study session one Saturday morning a month at 10:30 at the Northridge Mobile Home Park Rec Room, 19120 Nordhoff St. We discuss the weekly Torah portion, the Shabbat prayers that are included in our Contemporary service, and various subjects relevant to Conservative Judaism. Our next session will be March 14. The Torah reading will be parsha Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11 - 34:35). This includes includes the story of the Golden Calf, Moses breaking the two tablets, and the second set. We will also discuss Purim that we celebrated earlier that week. We are commanded “la asok b’divrei torah” (to engage in the study of Torah). Join us and fulfill the mitzvah. Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 for more information.

Congregation Shir Ami Invites you to a BRUNCH WITH THE RABBI

On Sunday, March 8 at 11:00 AM at de Toledo High School

22622 Vanowen St., West Hills

Join us for a delicious lox and bagel brunch after which Rabbi Vorspan will present a topic of current interest for discussion.

Attendees: $18 per person Sponsors: $25

Please RSVP by February 28 so we can determine how much food to prepare. Please note that NO reservations can be accepted after the RSVP date. Call Sherry at (818) 527-1291 or email cheryldollins3@gmail.com for more information.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Mail this section with your check payable to Congregation Shir Ami by February 28 to:

Sherry Dollins 18729 Romar St.

Northridge, CA 91324

Name ______________________ Phone # __________________

# attending @ $18 _______ #sponsors @ $25 _______

Congregation Shir Ami Schedule of Shabbat Services 2020 Conducted by Rabbi David Vorspan at

de Toledo High School, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills Services held in classroom/chapel near the front entrance

Saturday 10:30 am (unless otherwise noted)

January 2020 Saturday, January 4 - Birthday, Consecration of officers Saturday, January 18 - Anniversary, Linen Shabbat

February 2020 Saturday, February 1 - Birthday Saturday, February 22 - Anniversary

March 2020 Saturday, March 7 - Birthday Saturday, March 21 - Anniversary April 2020 Saturday, April 4 - Birthday Saturday, April 25 - Anniversary

May 2020 Saturday, May 9 - Birthday Saturday, May 23 - Anniversary

June 2020 Saturday, June 6 - Birthday Saturday, June 20 - Anniversary

If you would like more information about our congregation please visit our website at www.shirami.com

David Vorspan Rabbi

Jordan Pistol President