Dear Friends, Members, and Supporters,
We enjoyed many different activities in May. Noemi Kraigher from the Liberal Congregation in Cologne was our guest and helped us to celebrate Yom Ha Atzmaut. We had a lovely outing to Bodenwerder where we were invited guests as Israeli author, Ephraim Kishom was awarded the “Munchhausen Prize”. We especially thank A. Dreyzer and V. Fridman for the program on the 9th of May. It’s wonderful to have such a “big family” to celebrate with!
News….....Reports…….Information
SUMMER CAMP
What? Jewish Summer Camp. When? July 26–Aug. 5. Where? Harz Mountains. Who? Kids from liberal congregations of the Union between the ages of 9–17. How? Registration forms are in the office. Price? 430,00 DM for 10 days (Price reduction for those in need).
RUMMAGE SALE
The youth of our community want to hold a rummage sale in order to raise funds for our Synagogue Building Fund. They ask for clothing and other items to be donated to the synagogue no later than June 6th. They intend to organize everything else themselves. Support this worthy cause and attend our 1st rummage sale on June 10th! Help make this a huge success!
SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNION OF
PROGRESSIVE JEWS OF GERMANY; AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND
The seventh annual conference of our national movement will take place this year in Halberstadt June 28–July 1. The title is:
“Renewal of Jewish Life — 200 Years of Reform Judaism in Germany”
Participants will be taking part in many informative workshops and seminars. Our Rabbi Jo David and her husband Sofer Neil Yerman, Rabbi Joel Oseran from the WUPJ office in Jerusalem, Rabbi Walter Homolka, and Ellen Rosenberg, president of WRJ, are just some of the prestigious presenters. R. Dohme and P. Pelts will represent our congregation at the membership meeting. Registration forms are available in our office.
|
Even a young child can have the opportunity of writing a letter in the Torah under the guidance of sofer (scribe) Neil Yerman. Neil Yerman will present a special workshop on June 19 at 10:00 A.M.
|
“MEANDER” — 1st HAMELN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
On Saturday, June 23, the city of Hameln will host a cultural festival. Many different social and cultural clubs, galleries. theater groups, musicians, schools and religious organizations will take part. Of course, our congregation will also be represented.
We intend to have and information table which we will share with the Society for Christians and Jews. We’ll be distributing information about our congregation and selling our mousepads, Tzedaka boxes, and note cards. All profits go to our Synagogue Building Fund.
At 4 P.M. our group “Shalom” will perform Jewish songs and a walking tour of “Jewish Hameln” will also be offered.
CHEVRA KADISCHA
Mrs. Genselmann will be moving away soon and with her goes the leader of our Chevra Kadischa for women. We thank Mrs. Genselman for her contribution to the community. She performed this Mitzvah with respect and dignity and we all owe her our gratitude. We need a successor for Mrs. Genselman and ask members to come forward and volunteer.
CEMETERY
As many of you know, our congregation cared for the Jewish cemetery for years. It was our congregation that was responsible for the reopening of the cemetery in 1997. We cared for the grounds as a Mitzvah and never received any money for our work. We did this without making an issue out of it or drawing any attention to ourselves because this is what our Jewish tradition instructs us.
The cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the Landesverband Jüdischen Gemeinden in Niedersachsen and represented by Mr. Michael Fürst. Mr. Fürst awarded a contract to Mr. Bondar and his community effective January 1, 2001 for the landscape and care of the cemetery. The contract states that work will be done 4–6 times a year for a budget of DM 3,826.80 with the possibility of additional costs for additional work.
The work that our congregants, year in and out performed as Mitzvot will now be paid for. We expect that Mr. Bondar will care for the cemetery as tradition regulates. If not, we will be forced to report this to the Cemetery official, Mr. Riethmüller. Each member will receive a copy of the contract and is asked to keep Mr. Riethmüller informed.
TODAH RABAH………….THANK YOU
Thank you —
- to Rabbi Chaim Wender and Temple Sinai, Delray Beach, Florida for their contribution,
- to Feana Engler for a new set of pots and pans for our kitchen,
- Mrs. Plotski for her contribution,
- Mr. Spangenberger and the Catholic Church for a contribution for our religious school.
TREE OF LIFE
New leaves can be seen on our Tree of Life from:
- Rachel Dohme: In honor of the Board, In honor of Rabbi Jo David
- Aron Kaplan: In memory of father Judel Kaplan
- Samuel Arnovitz: In honor of the Arnovitz Family
- Judy Edelstein and Jim Meier: In honor of Carolyn Meier’s 90th birthday
Leaves can be puchased online at this site for “triple Chai” $54. Go to Tree of Life.
MAZEL TOV
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Arnold Zoref for being named “Alumnus of the Year” by the Acadamy of Jewish Religion. We thank Rabbi Zoref for his contributuion to our congregational life and hope to see him and wife Gert here again soon!
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Jo David on her newest book How to find your Jewish Roots!
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to: Sofia Kaspler, Polina Pelts, Olga Kleper, Janina Zelinskaja, Musij Khazanov, Leonid Vaisman, Ilia Krutschkovitsch, and Anna Berditschevska. We’ll honor the birthdays with a Kiddusch on Friday, June 22 led by Rabbi Jo David.
REFUAH SCHLAMA…………GET WELL WISHES
Get well wishes to all not feeling well.
VISIT OF THE FORMER HAMELN JEWS, JUNE 18–23, 2001
The program for this year’s visit is packed full of activities and we are proud that so many are taking place in and with our community. The continuity between the former Jews of Hameln and our members is very important. Our congregation is the religious and spiritual descendant of Hamelns Jewish tradition!
Our members are invited to attend the following events:
Tuesday, June 19 at 10:00 A.M.: TORAH SEMINAR with Sofer Neil Yerman. Learn how a Torah is repaired and take part in this fascinating workshop! At the same time, Rabbi Jo David invites you to roll your own Mezuzah. This workshop was a huge success on Rabbi David’s last trip. We have 25 Mezuzot.
Wednesday, June20 at 6:00 P.M.: Official reception from Hameln Mayor Mr. Arnecke at the local high school.
Thursday, June 21 at 11:00 A.M.: Memorial service at the memorial site of the Hameln Synagogue.
At 4:00 P.M. in our congregation — Podium discussion with the former Jews of Hameln.
8:00 P.M. — Reception at St. Elisabeth Catholic Church.
Friday, June 22 at 7:00 P.M. — Friday night services led by Rabbi Jo David followed by a Kiddusch meal.
Saturday, June 23 at 10:00 A.M. — Saturday morning Torah service.