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Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln
members at work
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Dear members and friends,
We send our warmest wishes to all our members and friends for a happy and healthy 2005. May the new year see us taking further steps in achieving our dream of a new synagogue for Hameln.
Chanukka 2004
Our congregational Chanukka celebration was a joyous event with over 80 members and guests in attendance. Every household received their own Chanukkiot (9-armed lamp) and dreidel (spinning top). The sanctuary was aglow as everyone lit the first candle and said the blessings together. Many brought home-made latkes (potato pancakes) to share, and the tables were laden with sufganiot (jelly doughnuts). There was “magic in the air” and the children and adults alike delighted as “Ronaldo the Magician” bedazzled them with tricks and illusions. The evening came to an end as smiling members wished one another Chag Chanukka Sameach (Happy Chanukka).
Winter Camp
Adi Weichselbaum and youth leaders (from our community, Inna) from “Young and Jewish” led over 40 youngsters from German Reform congregations in a fun-packed eight-day winter camp from December 23 to 30. The children enjoyed Jewish learning and fun with friends from summer camp.
Special days in January
We’re all looking forward to Tu Bi Schvat — the “new year of the trees”. Join us as our Rabbi Irit Shillor leads us in a Tu Bi Schvat seder on January 26h at 4 p.m. We will eat the first fruits and drink wine as we thank God for the earth’s gifts. We hope to see many members there — feel free to bring a guest and share this lovely holiday with them.
The 27th of January has been named as National Memorial Day. It was on this date in 1945 that Russian troops freed the Auschwitz concentration camp. We will meet at the memorial and observe a short service. Rabbi Shillor will recite Kaddish. The city’s observance will begin at 6 p.m. at the Weserbergland Center.
Rabbi Shillor
Rabbi Shillor is with us from Wednesday, January 26 to Friday the 28th. We look forward to and enjoy her monthly visits. Her schedule is in the program. If you desire a meeting or visit with the rabbi, let us know.
Rabbinical Student
On Friday, January 14, and Saturday, January 15, rabbinical student Alina Treiger will visit our congregation. She’ll teach the B’nei Mitzvah class and lead Friday night services. We’re pleased to have Alina with us again.
Liturgy Seminar
Three members (Faina, Rachel and Rebekka) took part in a liturgy seminar held at the Jewish congregation of Bamberg. The seminar was led by Cantor Josee Wolff, director of student placement at the School of Sacred Music, Hebrew Union College, New York. Our congregation’s spiritual development is enhanced through such opportunities, and we hope that the results will “resound” in our services.
Kinder Kehilla
The Kinder Kehilla meets twice a month. We invite children ages 4–8 years to join in the fun with Rebecca. Give your children and grandchildren their birthright of a Jewish education. The group meets on January 10 and 24.
B’nei Mitzvah Class
All children 11 and older are welcome to join our weekly B’nei Mitzvah class. Class involves learning about Israel, God and Bible and, of course, learning Hebrew in preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Jewish studies are taught by our Rabbi and rabbinical student, and Hebrew by Orly.
Architect Arnold Oppler's rendering of our new synagogue
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Contributions to the Congregation and Synagogue Building Project
Thank you to all who contributed this past month.
Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln
Our congregation officially transferred possession of our land to the Foundation. This was a unanimous decision of the congregation. In January, the Foundation will meet with graphic artists who will design fundraising brochures, flyers and presentation materials.
Moses Mendelsohn Center Yearbook
We are honored that the Moses Mendelsohn Center in Potsdam has selected our architect’s (Arnold Oppler’s) drawing of our new synagogue as the cover of their yearbook. The theme of the yearbook is the Russian-Jewish immigration to Germany. We thank Professors Julius Schoeps and Willi Jaspers, and Mr. Olaf Gloeckner for this honor.
Hebrew Class for adults
Orly offers a beginning class in Hebrew for adults. The class will be held twice a month and is free for our members. Twelve students met for the first time in December. This is just another way to ensure the religious viability of our congregation.
Lecture series “Israel”
Dieter’s lecture series on Israel was so successful that he has agreed to continue in the new year. Join us on January 10 for another fascinating lecture.
Book Fair
Thanks to Josef, over $100 could be contributed to our building fund as a result of the book fair he organized. Russian and German books from Josef’s private library were sold for 50 cents to 1 Euro. His books have found a new home and have helped us get one step closer to ours.
Chevra Kaddisha Workshop
Our member Dieter offers a workshop for the men and women of our synagogue’s Chevra Kaddisha (holy burial society). Dieter attended a four-day seminar and wants to share his newly acquired information. Please attend if you are a member or would like to become one.
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Beauty Day in
the Community Center
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Todah Rabah — Thank You
We wish to thank everyone who helped make the New Year’s party a success.
- Thank you Claudia for the “Beauty Day” — the ladies enjoyed themselves.
- Thanks go out to Josef for the idea and successful book fair.
- Thank you to Mr. Spangenberger for the guided tour through the exhibit.
- We thank Zorah Lasga-Koehler for the beautiful Shabbat tablecloth.
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
- Mazel tov to Greta, who won fourth place at the state ping pong championships.
- Mazal Tow to Rabbi Walter Jacob, President of Abraham Geiger College in Potsdam, on his 75th birthday and the Golden Jubilee of his rabbinical ordination. In honor of his dedication to the rebirth of Reform Judaism in Germany, a 55-cent stamp has been issued with his picture and the caption: “Abraham Geiger College-rabbis for Europe”.
- We welcome the Jewish congregation of Bielefeld to the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany. The congregation in Bielefeld is the first Central Council community to join our movement.
New Members
Our membership list grew again this month. We welcome four new families.
Tree of Life
Even in winter our “tree” has grown four new “leaves”. Leaves cost a minimum of $54 each and can be ordered online. Just click Tree of Life. Money raised goes to our building fund.
January Birthdays
Happy birthday to all our December “children”. A Birthday Kiddush will take place after services on January 28. Join us for coffee and birthday cake.
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
Ours prayers for a complete and speedy recovery for all those in hospital and at home.
Yahrzeit in January
We will include their names in our prayers. May their memory be for a blessing.
Rahel-Chaja Kruchkovitch: January 29, 2003/26 Schvat 5763
Shalom!
— Your board
Progress Is Made in Integration
Dr. Jan Mühlstein, President of the Union of Progressive Jews in Germany
Positive gestures and the hope of plurality were the messages at the November 28th meeting of the board of the Central Council of Jews in Germany / Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland (ZR) in Düsseldorf. Due to legal technicalities, World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and Union of Progressive Jews in Germany (UPJG) members, the state associations of Jewish congregations of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, were not yet accepted as members of the Central Council. Representatives of the UPJG took part at the November ZR meeting as invited guests.
At the meeting and specifically addressing the ZR Board, ZR President Paul Spiegel underscored his desire to integrate the German liberal congregations. Good will efforts from the ZR towards the UPJG have taken the form of opening all the social and service programs to UPJG communities. In addition, UPJG communities may apply for project monies from the ZR. The UPJG’s youth program received some financial support as well as the Abraham Geiger College.
The ZR Board emphasized its change of policy toward the UPJG—a change from confrontation to co-operation. This “about-face” began last summer and has continued. UPJG representatives sense a growing interest in liberal Judaism from the many unofficial conversations that have taken place in the past months. Still, the proof will be in the pudding and true integration needs yet to be seen. The ZR needs to convey a positive image of the liberal congregations within their organization in order to assure that ZR communities are open to a pluralistic Jewish landscape in Germany. National and State government officials must assist by awarding the necessary legal status to the UPJG congregations which are a pre-requisite for ZR membership. Permanent governmental financial support for the Abraham Geiger College must also be secured.
It is possible to break down rigid barriers. This was proven with the application and approval of the Jewish Congregation of Bielefeld as a full member in the UPJG. In doing so, the Bielefeld congregation is the first ZR community that has joined UPJG.
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Program for January 2005; Tevet–Shvat 5765
5 4:00 New Year’s Party
6 3:00 Hebrew for adults
4:00 B’nei Mitzvah class
10 3:00 Kinder Kehilla
11 4:00 Video club
14 3:30 B’nei Mitzvah class
5:00 Friday night services
15 10:00 Saturday morning services
16 2:00 Judaism class in Russian
18 4:00 Chevra Kaddisha seminar
20 11:00 Lecture series „Israel“
3:00 Hebrew for adults
4:00 B’nei Mitzvah class
24 3:00 Kinder Kehilla
25 4:00 “Russian Afternoon” art history class (in Russian)
26 4:00 Tu Bi Schvat Seder
27 11:00 “Rabbi’s Table”
2:00 Giyur class
4:00 Memorial service
28 9–12 Rabbi’s office hours
3:00 B’nei Mitzvah class
5:00 Friday night services
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Archived Newsletters:
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