Jüdische Gemeinde Hameln
Newsletter

January 2002  •  Tevet/Shevat 5762

Program for January:

Jan. 5   News Year’s Party
Jan. 11  Religious school/Friday night services
Jan. 17  Basic Judaism class in Russian
Jan. 18  Religious school/ Friday night services-Rabbi Jo David
Jan. 19  Torah study group- Rabbi Jo David
Jan. 20  Community Building Seminar- Rabbi Jo David 
Jan. 22  Russian Tea Afternoon
Jan. 25  Religious school/Friday night services- Rabbi Jo David
Jan. 27  National Holocaust Day Meeting to discuss plans for our new synagogue
Jan. 28  Tu B’Schevat Seder
New Office Hours
     In order to work more efficiently we’ve decided to alter the office hours. We urge members to make appointments by telephone before coming to the office.
  • Mon. and Thurs. 8–12 p.m. — Social work outside the office
  • Tues. and Wed. 8–2 p.m. — Social work for congregational members by appointment
  • Friday 8–12 p.m. — Document work for the Board

Saturday morning Torah Study Group

Dear Members and Friends,
     We wish all of you a happy and healthy 2002! A new year brings many changes and so it is with us. At the moment it is not sure that we can stay in our community center. Although we’re discussing possible solutions with our landlord, it is likely that we will have to invest 100% of our budget for rent money. Be advised that a membership dues hike is unavoidable. We ask all of you who are able to give more to do so. As you know, we want to build our own home — our own synagogue. Until built, we are dependent on others for our four walls, and the amount of rent we pay isn’t under our control. We will receive a higher budget as of December 2003, but until then will have to scrimp and save wherever we can. If we work together, we will achieve our goals, no matter how difficult it may be!

News And Information

Rabbi Jo David
     Rabbi Jo David, executive director of the Jewish Appleseed Foundation, New York, will be with us from Jan.17–29, 2002. Anyone desiring an appointment with her should call our office. Besides her clerical duties, she will lead a seminar for community building for the Union and its congregational presidents. Another important meeting will be on Jan. 27 when we meet with Rabbi David and our architect to discuss our plans for the new synagogue.

Tzedaka Boxes
     European Tzedaka boxes must be converted to EURO by the end of February. Please bring the money to our office or deposit in our account at Dresdner Bank, BLZ 254 800 21 account # 0434032202 and then resume saving in Euro! Contributions outside Germany can be made through The Jewish Appleseed Foundation and earmarked for “Juedische Gemeinde Hameln Synagogue”. Contributions can be sent to the Jewish Appleseed Foundation, 17 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Annual Membership Meeting
    Please make a note of our annual meeting in February. An invitation with agenda is included in this month’s congregational letter.

New Jewish Cemetery
     As you know, it was necessary to dedicate a new Jewish cemetery in Hameln. Members of our congregation were being charged an additional 25% for each plot by the parallel state board of Jewish congregations, who administers the old cemetery. After two years of talks all the arrangements were made, and we were honored to have Rabbi Dr. Henry G. Brandt dedicate the new cemetery on November 28. As a gesture of thanks, our congregation has dedicated a leaf on our Tree of Life in his honor.
     The first funeral took place on November 29. We urge all our members and their families to use this new cemetery, administered by the city of Hameln in cooperation with our congregation, where all Hameln Jews, independent of their synagogue affiliation, will be treated democratically.

Condolences
      The Congregation offers condolences to Mrs. Maja Olvovskaja for the loss of her husband, Jan. Condolences also to Mrs. Arnautova for the loss of her mother. May they be comforted with the mourners of Zion.


Rebekka Dohme and Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash

Rebekka’s family celebrates with her
on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah.

Mazel Tov
     Mazel Tov to Rebekka Dohme on her Bat Mitzvah. Congregation, friends and family from America shared her special day. We’re proud of you Rebekka!

Thank You . . . . . . Todah Rabah
     Rebekka Dohme thanks everyone who helped celebrate her Bat Mitzvah by contributing delicious food, drinks, and of course-all the presents. The congregation thanks Rebekka for donating 10% of her money gifts to the Synagogue Building Fund. We also thank our state board of congregation’s president Katarina Seidler for presenting an Info meeting about new laws for Russian-Jewish immigrants.

Tree Of Life
     As of January, leaves for our Tree of Life in Germany will cost 55Euro. As you know, the money collected goes to our building fund. Please contribute a leaf and you’ll be helping to build our synagogue! Leaves purchased outside Europe are still available for "triple Chai" $54. See this Web site for secure server info. New leaves have been contributed by:

  • Mrs. Jacobsberg Juedische Gemeinde Hameln for Rabbi Brandt
  • Mrs. Olvovskaja Khan Family
  • Mr. Vogelhuber Mrs. Plotzski
  • Dohme Family Mrs. Lebedinskaja
  • Mrs. Demuth

New Members,
     We grow and grow! We’re pleased to announce the following new members: Mr. Kogan and wife Mrs. Martinova, Mrs. Micheeva and son, Eugen, Mr. Frid and Mrs. Ovtchinikova and her daughter Irina. Welcome!

Freundeskreis
     We welcome Mr. Adolf Spaeth as the 48th member of our Freundeskreis. We are thankful to our Freundeskreis for all their emotional and financial support. We encourage them to join us at services and other congregational activities.

January Birthdays
     We’ll celebrate a congregational birthday Kiddush on Friday, Jan. 25th. A small gift will be presented to all children that have January birhtdays. Celebrate Shabbat with your friends in the congregation. Shakara Khudadatova, Grigori Ziskand, Inna Goldbereg, Paul Berry, Vladimir Rubanov, Ilona Alexandrina, Elonora Krutschkowitch, Anna Arnautova, Nadija Fesyk, Regina Arnilova, Ali Arnilova, Natalija Shcherback and Natalija Ovtchinikova.

Refuah Schlama . . . . . . Get Well
     Get well wishes to all that are ill.

Shalom!
     — The Board


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