Parshas Tazria-Metzora
  April 25, 2009 - 1Iyar 5769
                 
A SPECIAL SECTION FOR THOSE
WHO PREPARE FOR SHABBOS

                        AN OLD HEBREW EXPRESSION STATES: THOSE
                       WHO PREPARE FOR SHABBOS EAT ON SHABBOS 

                                      Voices From the Ezras Nashim

The morning of Erev Pesach 5769 Jews all over the world gathered for the recitation of Bircas HaChama. We at Daven With Dov were no exception. This once every 28 year opportunity to bless HaShem’s creation of the sun coincided with the first anniversary of Daven With Dov. To celebrate both events we invited the community to join us on Hollywood Beach for a netz minyan, siyum bechorim and Bircas HaChama. There were over 50 men in our tiny sanctuary which meant that the women (close to 20) davened in the area in front of the building. It was an amazing event.

The day dawned slowly and at first did not look promising for the recitation of Bircas HaChama. There was a thick layer of clouds along the horizon. About an hour after the actual time for sunrise the clouds began to break apart and as the sun broke through slits in the clouds the glory of HaShem’s creation was breathtaking. The sunrise on Hollywood Beach was so spectacular that there are photos of it circulating on the internet. As beautiful as those photos are they in no way capture the beauty and ethereal quality of the actual scene. May HaShem continue to bless us with opportunities to recognize and bless His handiwork.

Our Pesach seders were huge and lovely. There were 33 attendees at the first and 32 at the second. Between the first Seder and Neilas Chag we served 330 meals. Everyone was on their own for chol hamoed. Below is a partial list of the supplies for the 330 meals:

18 lbs. Whole wheat Shatzer shmura matzah
25 lbs. Yehuda matzah
2 lbs. Oat shmura matzah
6 shmura matzos from the Bialystok rebbe
3 shmura matzos from Chabad of Queens college
48 bottles Kedem grape juice
24 bottles Kesser grape juice
18 bottles of assorted wines
72 bottles Syfo seltzer
15 lbs. Tilapia
12 lbs. Sea bass
12 lbs. Flounder
12 lbs. Tuna
20 lbs. Salmon
2 lbs. Pickled herring
2 lbs. Matjes herring
190 eggs
18 heads Romaine lettuce
4 lbs. Red leaf lettuce
4 lbs. Fresh Spinach
15 lbs. Carrots
7 lbs. Eggplant
4 lbs. Bodek frozen spinach
25 lbs. Potatoes
20 lbs. Sweet Potatoes
20 lbs. Onions
6 lbs. Apples
6 lbs. Rhubarb
4 lbs. Strawberries
4 lbs. Honey
1 lb. Dates
1 lb. Walnuts
5 Passover cakes
8 lbs. Passover cookies
untold Passover candies
40 lbs. Assorted fruits
20 lbs. Assorted cheeses
10 lbs. Assorted cottage cheeses
15 lb. Tomatoes

At the end of Pesach our wonderful Baal Korei, Chanan Kessler, commented that this was really a Pesach program more than just a place for his family to stay for the chag.

Various members of the Daven With Dov community worked together on two huge jigsaw puzzles. The first was a magnificent reproduction of a tapestry from the 1800’s designed to be hung on the Mizrach and the second was an even larger puzzle of an animal filled snow scene. As Dov has time the photos of the puzzles and other Pesach events will be posted on this website.

Most amazing to me was the quality of mitzvot that grew from the contact of people who did not previously know each other. The women especially developed a bond that found them assisting each other to cope with life events that were unexpected and difficult or to accomplish life tasks that were easier when together. I would be most surprised if the bonds that were formed did not go well beyond the days of this particular chag.

As time goes on I will probably write more about this experience, but for now I am still quietly savoring the events of the chag.

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM

Elk’s Menu Parshas Tazria-Metzorah
April 25, 2009—1 Iyar 5769 

     Whole Wheat Challah 
Baked in the merit of a child for a childless couple. To participate in this mitzvah please call Yehudis Halberstam—718-972-4793 for this week’s names.
Seasonal Fruit Cup
Vegetable Soup
Salmon en Croute with Sauteed Colored Peppers and Onions
Salmon in Barbecue Marinade
Pasta with Vegetarian Sausages
Challah Stuffing
Red Wine and Maple Glazed Carrots
Cucumber Salad
Lettuce Salad with Fine Herbs and Homemade Dressing Coconut Blondies
Blond Brownies

Kiddush

Egg Salad
Tuna Salad
Gefilte Fish
Baked Tilapia
Cholent with Vegetarian Kishke
Herring
Matjes Herring
Chumus
Orzo Salad
Crackers
Cookies

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