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Two hundred thirty thousand people perished in Haiti's earthquake, a staggering statistic. Thousands are homeless, sick and hopeless. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue. Today's headline: "Errant American Rocket Kills 10 People, Including Five Children in Last Taliban Stronghold." Heart-rending, brutal, pathetic, but real.
At home, corruption and greed and violent behavior proceed undiminished: defrocked state senators, adulterous governors, petty thievery and grand larceny so huge as to defy imagination. Chutzpah is completely out of control, off the charts. A city councilman in the Bronx is alleged to have doctored a $7 receipt for a bagel sandwich and diet soda, so that he would be reimbursed $177. An employee of New York University was charged with lifting cash register receipts out of a liquor store trash and using them to be reimbursed $409,000 in phony expenses. And we are looking for Elijah?
Nonetheless, the Seder prods us to continue. We begin with a reminder: "All who are hungry -- come and eat." While we are sating ourselves, we are bidden not to close our eyes to others. We eat Matzoh, the less-is-more bread, to remember those who have less, while we have more. We taste bitter herbs, but the four cups of redemption sweeten our outlook. We hear that "We were slaves," but we finish by saying, "One is our God, in heaven and on earth." All the symbols of Pesach are signs of hope toward deliverance.
"All of us must learn how to create, how to be illumined by a hope despite disaster and dismay." (Elie Wiesel)
Passover is the time for family and community. We look forward to welcoming you to our Congregation Seders. Maybe if we are all there, Elijah will be moved to appear."
This year at Tifereth Israel, next year in Jerusalem.
-- Rabbi Fenster
A Passover Plea: 2010/5770
With the arrival of Passover, we are told to cleanse our homes, examine our goals, and to remember the poor, the hungry, the abandoned. To that end, the New York Board of Rabbis has a special Passover Fund that offers food to those in hospitals, institutions, and shut-ins, who cannot supply themselves.
Checks of any denomination are welcome. Please give them to Rabbi Fenster, made out to the New York Board of Rabbis Passover Fund.
You will enjoy your Seder more knowing you have done a mitzvah. Chag Sameach!
Funds for the Needy
Due to current financial conditions, more people are finding themselves in need and are turning to the synagogue for help. It is a big Mitzvah for the synagogue to be there for them. Rabbi Fenster has asked that we revive the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund and a new Fund has been created; The Financial Assistance Fund. Two congregants will be responsible for the making the distribution. Please send your check to
Congregation Tifereth Israel
POB 659
Greenport, New York 11944
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