Jüdische Gemeinde Hameln
Newsletter

March 2001  •  Adar/Nisan 5761


Program for March:

March 2 —
Interviews for prospective members with Rabbi Ash
Religious school
Friday Night services: Rabbi Ash
March 3 — Bat Mitzvah: Inna Golbereg and Rabbi Ash
March 4 — Hebrew intensive course: Rabbi Ash
March 5 — Congregational communal Hamentaschen bake-off
March 7 — International Women’s Day: Viktor Gin, Israel (in Russian)
March 9 — Purim party
March12 — Annual membership meeting of the Society for Christians and Jews
March18 — Congregational Tea afternoon
March 20 — Introduction into Judaism (in Russian)
March22 — Concert: “Music of the Synagogue” with Cantor Francois Lilienfeld, France (vocals, accordian), Rebekka Dohme (vocals) and Margret Heckmann (piano)
March 23 —
Religious school
Friday night services: Cantor Lilienfeld
March 27 — Russian afternoon: Art History (in Russian)
March 28 —"Office Guest": Mr. Fricke, Hameln Social Services office

Program Points of Interest for Hameln and Elsewhere:
March 1 — Speech: Professor Dr. Bade, “Immigration, Experiences Challenges and Fears”
March 6 — Speech: Mr. Ralf Giordano, “The Tradition of the Bundeswehr and Its Lies”
March 14–18 — 30th International Conference of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Washington, DC
March15 — “Let’s Talk ”: “My Life as a Religious Moslem”, presented by the Society for Christians and Jews


Dear Members, Friends, and Supporters,

     Last month, we held our annual membership meeting. Compliments to everyone for the efficient, orderly and successful meeting. The minutes of the meeting are available, along with copies about our financial report, schedule of last year’s events and social services report.
     Among other important topics discussed, we raised the yearly membership dues. Effective immediately, dues are DM 30,- a year for a single person and DM 60,- for a family. This is the minimum, naturally; those able can pay more. We thank those who have volunteered to pay more.
     Our Tu B’Shevat service and Seder was wonderful. A big thank you goes out to Feana Engler! Those not in attendance really missed something! Next year is another chance!

News………..Reports…………..Information

MEETING WITH RABBI DOW MARMUR
     Rabbi Dow Marmur, executive director and president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), Israel, visited Germany last month.

World Union for Progressive Judaism’s president, Rabbi Dow Marmur (Israel), meeting with the leaders of the Union for Progressive Judaism in Germany, Austria and Switzerland recently in Hannover, Germany.
He met with presidents of the liberal congregations (Union of Progressive Jews of Germany, Austria and Switzerland) in Hannover February 23–25. Our congregation was represented at the meeting by R. Dohme and P. Pelts. The group discussed how the WUPJ could serve the needs of the Union congregations.
     Participants went on to Berlin, where they joined a Rabbi’s Mission from the US. Among other points of interest, the group visited the Abraham Geiger College (German liberal rabbinical seminary in Potsdam). Rachel Dohme gave a short report about the development of the German liberal congregations. The rabbis and government officials present at the meeting showed great interest in our work.

TREE OF LIFE
     Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash dedicated our “Tree of Life” at a Kabbalath Shabbat service on 2.2.01. He said, “One will read the history of our congregation on the leaves of this tree. May it be God’s will that our congregation grows as strong as a tree, with roots deeply entrenched in this city.”
     The dedication took place in a synagogue filled with members, friends and supporters of the Jewish Congregation of Hameln. The next “leaves” are being engraved now. Application forms are available in our office. Leaves cost DM 100,-. May our tree, like our congregation, grow.

PESACH
     Dates for Pesach this year are April 7–14. Like last year, we have ordered Matza for our members. One kilogram of Aviv (Jerusalem) Matza costs DM 10,-. Get your order in while the supply lasts. (Actually, the full cost of a Kilo Matza is DM11,- ,but the congregation will cover the deficit.) Mark your calendar: Our community Seder will be held on April 7. More in the April newsletter.


Poster for an upcoming concert of liturgical music featuring guest Cantor Francois Lilienfeld and JGH’s Rebekka Dohme.
HEBREW MADE EASY
     We are offering a one-day intensive Hebrew workshop with Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash on Sunday, March 4th. The workshop will begin at 10:00 A.M. at our synagogue.

FIRST BAT MITZVA IN HAMELN
     Inna Golbereg will celebrate her Bat Mitzva on Saturday, March 3rd — the first of our congregation and of our city under the direction of Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash. We are proud of you Inna!!! Celebrate this special day with Inna and her family. A festive Kiddusch will follow the service.

WUPJ CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
     The 30th International conference of the World Union for Progressive Judaism will take place March 14–18 in Washington, D.C. German congregations will have five representatives at the conference. Rachel Dohme and Lauren Rid (Munich) will be giving a workshop on the developments and challenges of liberal congregations in Germany. An information table is also planned. Information about the Union congregations and the Jewish Congregation of Hameln will be showcased in a beautiful brochure prepared and paid for by the Jewish Appleseed Foundation. More in our April newsletter.

CONCERT
     We are proud to present a concert of Jewish music on March 22nd in our synagogue. The concert is being held under the motto “REFORM 200”. (Reform Judaism was born in Germany 200 years ago.) Performing are Cantor Francois Lilienfeld, vocals and accordian, along with Rebekka Dohme, vocals, and Margret Heckman, piano. Join us for a exciting evening, “Music of the Synagogue, Yiddush songs and Klezmer”. No admission will be charged, but we hope concertgoers will make a contribution.

TODA RABA . . . . . . . . THANK YOU
  • To Rabbi Jo David and Jim Van Abbema for our Web site.
  • To Irving Hamlin for a contribution.
  • To the following for the purchase of leaves: Bernd and Gisela Gelderblom, Polina and Josef Pelts, Rachel Dohme, Ella Slavinskaja, Heinrich and Ursula Kasting, Lubow Genselman, Feana Engler, Suja Varschavska, and Mr. Rohde and friends from Springe and Eldachsen.


Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash and Bat Mitzvah
Inna Golbereg with the Sefer Torah
MAZEL TOV
  • To Inna Golbereg and her family on her Bat Mitzva! Good work! We’re so proud of you!
  • To Yevgenij Yevdokimov on a very successful art exhibit. Your pictures are wonderful!

REFUAH SCHLAMA . . . . . . . . GET WELL WISHES
     Get well wishes to all those who are not feeling well.

BIRTHDAYS IN MARCH
     Rachel Dohme, Emma Kaplan, Anatoli Madaras, Sinaida Madaras, Felix Peres, Salomon Rakhmanov, Petro Schuropov, Irina Grach, Oksana Koslova, Evgenia Drosdova, Boris Koustanovitch, Jan Olvovski und Chaja-Rahel Kruchkovitch.
     Special birthday wishes go out to Rabbi Jo David and Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash!!!
     On Friday, March 23, we will celebrate with a Birthday-Kiddush after services. There will be birthday cake for all and a little gift for the children. See you there!

Archived Newsletters:  FEB.   APR.