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Dear Members, Friends and Supporters,
The new year is thirty days old, and we believe we’re off to a great start. With each congregational activity we grow and develop. It is clear that, although we come from seven nations and speak as many languages,we are a Jewish congregation in Germany. Our congregation is a colorful mixture of different cultures, mentality and language, which results in a typical
Diaspora Jewish community. Our congregation is successful because we accept one another, showing tolerance, respect and patience with each other. As it says in our Siddur (prayer book) “What we have in common is greater than our differences.” We share our religious identity as Reform Jews and the dedication to rebuilding Jewish life in Hameln.
Looking Back
Our community was busy over the past month. We started the new year off with a happy New Year’s party. Thanks to all who helped. We enjoyed a beautiful Tu Bi Schvat Seder (New Year of the Trees) led by Rabbi Shillor. We thank Rabbi Shillor and Rebekka for their part in the city’s memorial ceremony, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the freeing of Auschwitz by the Soviet troops. The 27th of January is a national day of rememberamce in Germany. Rabbinical student Treyger’s visits are also well-received and we are pleased to have her monthly visits. The community’s cultural life is active as always. We thank everyone who volunteer their time and energy making our community a “second home” for our congregants. Thanks to their initiative, we offer classes in art history, yoga and meditation, video, history lectures, integration classes in German (three levels), religious instruction (three groups) and Hebrew and religious class for adults.
New Times
Please note that our social worker’s times have changed. We desperately need support in order to pay our social worker. At the moment, she’s working for $1 an hour! We especially appeal to our English readers to consider sponsoring Faina’s position by earmarking a contribution through this Internet site. See On-llne Donations.
February Holidays
Although we have no Jewish holidays to celebrate in February, we still can celebrate and celebrate we will! Mark your calendars for two specials events: On Friday, February 11, everyone is invited to celebrate Rebecca and David’s wedding. This will be the second wedding in our community. On the 26th we invite everyone to join us for a few relaxing hours as we celebrate our congregation’s 8th birthday. Please remember that our annual membership meeting is the following afternoon.
  Wedding
It is our pleasure to announce and extend an invitation to the Chuppa (wedding) of our members Rudi-David and Rebecca Brückner on Friday, February 11, at 4:00 p.m. Rabbi Shillor will lead the wedding ceremony and the following Friday night service. The bride and groom invite everyone to a festive Kiddush following the service. Mazel Tov!
 Rabbi Shillor
Rabbi Shillor’s February visit is from February 10 to 11. Please check the program for her schedule. Thanks to a grant from the European Region of the WUPJ, Rabbi Shillor serves our community once a month. We thank them for their support.
Rabbinical Student
Abraham Geiger rabbinical student A. Treyger is with us on the weekend of February 25–27. Besides leading services and teaching the children, she will lead a Havdallah service after our birthday party on the 26th.
We’re Eight Years Old
On February 16 our congregation will be eight years old. As the first post-war Jewish community of Hameln, we have, in the past eight years, achieved much. What began in 1997 with 17 Jewish men and women is today a growing congregation of 200 members. We have grown religiously, culturally and socially. We are an integral part of the city of Hameln, and we enjoy a positive and productive working relationship with local political, church and civic leaders.
Our greatest challenge is yet to be accomplished — the building of our own synagogue — on the very same soil where it once stood. As the saying goes, “He who builds, stays”. We believe in our future. With the help and support of our members, members of the Foundation, the city of Hameln and our friends outside the country, we will achieve our dream of the first Reform synagogue in post-war Germany. We think this is reason enough for a party. The party begins at 3 pm., Saturday, February 26. We ask that everyone brings something delicious to share. Join us for a few hours of good conversation,food, drink and song. We’ll close the party with a Havdallah ceremony led by Alina Treyger. See you there!
Membership Meeting
We hope to see you all at our annual membership meeting on Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m.
If you can’t attend, please appoint another member for your voting powers (forms are in the office). At the end of the meeting, we will ask for contributions for the Tsunami victims.
Membership Dues
It’s that time of year again. Please pay your dues. Our treasurer will accept payment at the meeting and every Wednesday between 10:00 and 12:00. Thanks to all who have paid already.
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Rebecca and Inna with the little ones
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Religious Education
Religious education for young and old is of highest priority in our congregation. We offer three classes for our children and youth. The Kinder Kehilla meets twice a month for the youngest ones. Your children and grandchildren can join the group. In February, Rebecca meets with the children on the 7th and the 21st at 3 p.m.
All youth 11 or older are invited to attend B’nei Mitzvah classes. Lessons in Hebrew are taught by Orly, and Jewish studies by Rabbi Shillor and rabbinical student Treyger. Check the program for dates and times.
Our newest group is “Young and Jewish Hameln,” led by Inna. Inna has proved herself as counselor at many summer and winter Machenot (camps), and we’re thrilled that she’s offering our teens this new group. Join her on the 3rd and the 17th at 3 p.m. On the same days, same times as Inna, Orly offers a class in Hebrew for adults.
We secure our future through the religious education of our youth.
The liturgy
seminar helps
Rebekka as
community cantor-in-
training. |
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Liturgy Seminar
Three members of our congregation — Faina, Rachel and Rebekka — took part in a liturgy seminar led by HUC, NY Cantor Josee Wollf. The Jewish congregation of Bamberg and the Abraham Geiger College sponsored the weekend. We hope that their newly acquired skills will add more beauty to our services.
Chevra Kaddisha Seminar
The men and women of our congregational Chevra Kaddisha met for an afternoon seminar. If you would like to join, please contact Aron or Dieter-Schmuel.
Contributions
Our heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to the congregation and/or the synagogue building fund.
Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln
We are wrapping up details with a graphic artist firm to produce fundraising materials for our synagogue. We will use these materials here and in the U.S. As soon as we receive the brochures, each member will receive a copy. Please remember to bring your Synagogue building project Tzedakah boxes to the community. If you need a new box, let us know. Every little bit helps.
Todah Rabah — Thank you
Thanks go out to:
- Deacon Spangenberger for the contribution of 50 boxes of cookies.
- Dr. Peter Schulze, Professor Dr. Kokkelink and Mr. Knocke for the private tour through an exhibit of the Hannover city archives and the private papers of architect Edwin Oppler. Edwin Oppler built the Hameln synagogue in 1879. His great grandson, Arnold Oppler will build our new synagogue.
- Mrs. Arnautova for arranging the visit by the Russian Consul.
- Dr. G. Snell for the exhibit in the Hameln city Museum in which she has also shown artifacts from our congregation and plans for our new synagogue.
- Inna for her initiative, “Young and Jewish Hameln.”
- Dieter-Schmuel for the exhibit of synagogues in Germany, which can be seen in our community center.
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
- Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Rudi-David Brückner on their wedding. May Torah light their home.
- Mazel Tov to Inna for being selected to represent “Young and Jewish Germany” at an international conference of Netzer Olami in Israel.
Do you have “Naches” (good news)? Share it with us.
February Birthdays
Happy birthday to everyone born in February. Health and happiness for 120 years! Our community center is available (for a nominal fee) for your family celebrations. Ask about it in the office. Birthday Kiddush is on February 25.
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
We wish all who are ill or house bound our prayers for health. Anyone wishing a home visit from a community member or the Rabbi should contact the office.
Yahrzeit in February
We Say Kaddish for:
- Anna Raik:
February 12, 2000/ 6 Adar I 5760
- Vladimir Legkov:
February 7, 2003/ 6 Adar I 5763
Yahrzeit candles are available in the office.
Shalom,
— Your Synagogue Board
Program for February 2005; Shvat–Adar 5765
3 3 p.m. Hebrew class for adults — O. Kenig
“Young and Jewish Hameln” — I. Golbereg
4 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah Hebrew class — O. Kenig
7 3 p.m. Kinder Kehilla — R. Brückner
8 5 p.m. Historian V. Toporik, lecture in Russian
Rabbi Shillor’s Schedule:
10 11 p.m. “Rabbi’s Table”
1–4 p.m. Rabbi’s open office hours
4–5:30 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class
7 p.m. Bible lecture at the Münster Church in Hameln
11 9–12 p.m. Rabbi’s open office hours
2–3 p.m. Gijyur (conversion) class
4 p.m. Chuppa (wedding) Rebecca and David Brückner
5 p.m. Friday night services
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14 4 p.m. Slide show-A. Toth
15 4 p.m. Video evening in Russian-V.Friedman
17 11 a.m. “Israel” lecture — D. Vogelhuber
3 p.m. Hebrew for adults-O.Kenig
“Young and Jewish Hameln” — I.Golbereg
4 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah Hebrew class-O.Kenig
20 2 p.m. Judaism class in Russian-V.Pesok
21 3 p.m. Kinder Kehilla-R.Brückner
22 4 p.m. “Russian Afternoon“ art history lecture in Russian
25 3:30 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class — Rabbincal student A. Treyger
5 p.m. Friday night services
26 10 a.m. Saturday morning services
3 p.m. 8th congregational birthday party
27 3 p.m. Annual membership meeting
Events Outside the Congregation
4 7:30 p.m. Lecture, “Human Rights Abuse in the Arab World”
Regina Spöttl, Schiller High School
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Archived Newsletters:
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