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Dear members, friends and supporters,
The new year 2008 began with an “after-New-Year’s-New-Year’s-party” as members celebrated with festive music, happy guests and delicious food. Everyone enjoyed themselves on the dance floor as well as in conversation. One member said, “It feels like a family get-together!” We wish to thank Elena Gorbacheva and Aron Kaplan and their many helpers for an wonderful evening.
Such a positive community experience gave us added strength as we stood up to the necessary challenge of demonstrating against the NPD ( neo-Nazi party), as they campaigned for the State Parlament in Hamelin and BadPyrmont.
Please read WUPJNews # 296 for a report:
CONGREGATIONS IN GERMANY SPEAK OUT FORCEFULLY AGAINST NEO-NAZIS
This anti-democratic, rascist and anti-semitic party held rallies in both towns. Our congregation joined with the political parties and the churches, and the Union organized the demonstration. Our members, friends and hundreds of Hamelin citzens stood up against this dangerous party. In her remarks at the demonstration in Bad Pyrmont , congregational president Rachel Dohme said, “Whenever we resist listening to the voice of our conscience, that voice becomes weaker and quieter and the heart is hardened and becomes more difficult to reach.” A week later at the demonstration in Hamelin, addressing the crowd, “Whenever school classes come to our congregation to learn about Judaism, I end the lesson with a request. I ask these young people to be aware and alert. No one has to be a hero, but everyone can help when another person is in trouble. Don’t look away! When a racist remark is made, speak up! Ask yourself the question-in what kind of a society do I want to live? Say NO to Nazis!”
Rabbi Irit Shillor joined us as we celebrated a New Year of a different kind. On January 21st, we celebrated Tu Bi Shvat- New Year of the Trees with a communal Seder. Once again, the kitchen team outdid themselves preparing traditional foods and baking each and every person a personal sized Challa. The Seder table was laden with fruits, nuts, wines and juices from Israel. Rabbi Shillor explained the religious, historical and mystical origins of the holiday. Together we recited the prayers and sang songs of thanksgiving. Young and old enjoyed the ceremonial meal ( and the four glasses of wine!) in a relaxed atmostphere. Our tradition teaches us that we are responsible for the well-being of the world and all it’s natural wonders. Typically, one plants trees on Tu Bi Shvat and we have supported tree planting in Israel over the years. The evening concluded with everyone planting a primrose in a colorful pot for their home. It was heartwarming to see how many congregants offered to take a plant to members who were ill or housebound. The desire to share this lovely holiday with others shows the social spirit of our members.
Important Dates in February
On February 17th we will celebrate ourselves! We are proud to observe our congregation’s 11th birthday. Everyone is invited to join in the fun at 3:00 p.m.. The kitchen team should be able to enjoy the party too and so we ask everyone to bring a covered dish to share. The congregation will supply beverages. Our congregational choir, “Shalom” will perform a short musical program and “Shalom, Jr.” also has something special prepared. So, mark your calendars and join your friends and neighbors as we look back on our first decade and look ahead to the realization of our dream of our own synagogue.
On February 24th we call all members to attend our annual membership meeting. The meeting begins at 3:00 p.m. in our community center. Invitations were sent out with last month’s newsletter. Please exercise your democratic rights to attend and have your voice heard and your vote counted. After the meeting, our treasurer will be happy to accept dues. See you there!
On February 28th we are invited to attend the annual membership meeting of the Society for Christians and Jews. Individual congregants as well as our congregation are members. The meeting will be held in St. Bonifatius Church at 7:00 p.m. After regular business, our Rabbi will speak about Israel’s 60th Anniversary. This is a good opportunity to learn more about Israel.
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New Groups in the Congregation
Our congregation hosted an exciting new group on January 22nd. The first meeting of three meetings for women interested in inter-religious dialogue was opened by our Rabbi Irit Shillor Thirty women representing the Jewish, Christian or Moslem faith shared cake and coffee and exchanged ideas about what religious values we share and where we differ. Rabbi Shillor opened with a prayer for inter-religious dialogue and a short introduction about inter-religious dialogue among women. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and look forward to the next gathering. Direct contact and communication is the best insurance for international understanding and we are happy to do our part. Our member, Josef Pelts’ second poetry afternoon was also well attended and much appreciated. Readings were accompanied by musical pieces. Afterwards Faina Pelts led the group in Friday night prayers. Everyone looks forward to the next afternoon program.
Bibliologue with Iris Weiss, Berlin
On February 7th our congregation and the Society of Christians and Jews will offer a “bibliologue” led by Iris Weiss in our community center. Ms. Weiss has offered bibliologues throughout Germany. Her theme will be “Naomi and her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpa.” Bibliologue is a special pedagogical method in which participants personally identify with biblical characters and their stories. Participants are encouraged to actively take part in the discussions. This method is especially suited for inter-religious groups and we hope to welcome many guests joining us for the evening. We are especially pleased that Ms. Angelika Jaeckel will join us with her hand-made quilt “Ruth.” She will display it and explain her thoughts concerning the conception of the piece. The quilt is part of a travelling exhibition, “Patterns of Life.” Join us for a fascinating evening.
Tallit-Workshop with our Rabbi Irit Shillor
Wouldn’t you love the idea of sewing your own tallit? Rabbi Shillor has offered to lead a workshop in which everyone can design and sew their own prayer shawl. Who is interested? Let us know by registering in the synagogue office. We will provide the Tzizit sets. All you need to bring is needle, thread and material of your choice, measuring your arms length. Sign up now and a spring workshop can be planned.
Torah Study
We are proud to offer Shabbat morning services almost every Saturday morning. When Rabbi Shillor or our rabbinical student cannot be with us, the services are lay led. Afterward a Kiddush meal, we study the Torah portion of the week. The texts are available in Hebrew, German and Russian. Lively discussions are the result- the more, the merrier! No prior knowledge is required, just a love of Torah. We hope you’ll join us next Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.!
Contributions
We wish to thank all those who contributed to our congregational life and/or synagogue building fund this past month.
Family Meschede-Krasa, Family Stapp and daughter Merve Arnold, Mrs. Dietrich, Mrs. Niedert, Mr. D. Vogelhuber, Family Pelts and Golbereg, Mr. Grimme, Family Schlagmann, Family Taube, Mrs. T. Meschede, Mrs. R. Dohme, Mrs. Lango, Youth group of St Augustinus Catholic Church, Pastor Küchenmeister and the Lutheran Church of Afferde. May all be blessed for their generosity.
 Tree of Life
Two new leaves have sprouted on our tree:
- “Mazel Tov Miriam on your 10th birthday,” contributed from Dieter Vogelhuber.
- “In honor of our grandson and great-grandson Elias’ birth,” contributed by the Golbereg and Pelts families.
“Leaves” can be ordered on this secure server or by calling the synagogue office. Each leaf cost $54 and is a fund-raising project for our building project.
Mazel Tov
We congratulate Inna Golbereg and Afrim Quorri on the birth of their son, Elias on December 26, 2007. Congratulations to the proud grandparents Faina Pelts and Felix Golbereg and great-grandparents, Josef and Polina Pelts. We share in their joy. Elias’ birth shows that the children of our community have grown up and the first new generation is taking their place in our future.
Thank You —Todah Rabah
We wish to thank all those who keep us “online.” We receive many compliments and contacts on and through our Web site, and we wish to acknowledge all those who support this important outreach tool.
Thanks go out to Rabbi Jo David who has sponsored our Web site domain. We thank our Webmaster, Jim Van Abbema, who reduced his monthly fee, and to Andreas Liehr, IT-Service-House.de, Hamelin, who assists us with the layout free of charge.
We wish to thank all the citizens of Hamelin and Bad Pyrmont who showed solidarity with us as we stood up against the NPD in our cities. We would like to acknowledge our rabbinical student, Adrian Schell who stood with us and also addressed those in attendance.
We wish to thank our State Board of Jewish Communities and especially, president of the Board, Mrs. Katarina Seidler, for her tireless and successful efforts in achieving a historic separate state contract for our liberal communities. This is a precedent in Germany and helps our congregations to serve their members.
We wish to thank the ZIV Foundation for collecting contributions for us in the United States.
Birthdays in February
We wish all those celebrating a February birthday the very best wishes for health and happiness. After Friday night services on February 29th, we will celebrate our February birthdays together. Join the party!
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
We wish all who are confined to their homes or in the hospital a complete recovery. If anyone wishes a home visit, please call Mrs. Berta Friedmann or the synagogue office.
Condolences
Our deepest condolences to the family of Ingrid Wettberg on the recent death of her beloved mother, Irma Schwuléra, of blessed memory.
 Yahrzeits in February — We remember:
Anna Raik — February 12, 2000 / 6. Adar I 5760
Vladimir Legkov — February 7, 2003 / 6. Adar I 5763
May their memory be a blessing. Please join us at services as we recite Kaddish with family members. Yahrzeit candles are available through the synagogue office.
Shalom,
—Your synagogue board
Program for February 2008 • Shevat–Adar I 5768
Office hours: Mon., Wed.& Fri., 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and Tues. & Thurs., 9.00 a.m.–4.00 p.m.
Claims Conference appointments: Mon. 2:00–3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, February 2 |
10:00 a.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study with R. Dohme |
| Monday, February 4 |
12:00 noon |
Introduction to Judaism in Russian with V. Pesok |
| Tuesday, February 5 |
9:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m. |
Monthly Board Meeting
Video Afternoon |
| Thursday, February 7 |
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. |
Young and Jewish, Jr. Hameln with S. Gaides
B’nei Mitzvah class with S. Gaides
“Schalom, Jr.” with F. Pelts
Hebrew for adults with S. Gaides
Bibliologue: “Noemi,Ruth and Orpa” with Iris Weiss, Berlin and Angelika Jaeckel, Hameln |
| Friday, February 8 |
3:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. |
B’nei Mitzvah class
Kabbalath Schabbat with Rabbinical Student A. Schell |
| Saturday, February 9 |
10:00 a.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study with Rabbinical student A. Schell |
| Saturday, February 16 |
10:00 a.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study with R. Dohme |
| Sunday, February 17 |
3:00 p.m. |
Happy 11th Birthday Party Jewish Community of Hamelin Please bring a covered dish to share Music program: Schalom and Schalom, Jr. |
| Tuesday, February 19 |
10:00 a.m. |
Class 11, Business High School with R. Dohme |
| Thursday, February 21 |
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. |
Young and Jewish, Jr. Hameln with S. Gaides
B’nei Mitzvah class with S. Gaides
“Schalom, Jr.” with F. Pelts
Hebrew for adults with S. Gaides |
| Friday, February 22 |
11:45 p.m. |
Class 11, Business High School with R. Dohme |
| Saturday, February 23 |
10:00 a.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study with R. Dohme |
| Sunday, February 24 |
3:00 p.m. |
Annual Membership Meeting |
| Tuesday, February 26 |
11:00 a.m.
4:00p.m. |
Class 11, Business High School with R. Dohme “Russian Afternoon” with M. Olvovskaja |
| Friday, February 29 |
3:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. |
B’nei Mitzvah class with Rabbi Shillor Friday night services with Rabbi Shillor |
| Saturday, March 1 |
10:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study with Rabbi Shillor Giyur class with Rabbi Shillor |
| Events outside the congregation |
| Thursday, February 28 |
7:00 p.m. |
Society of Christians and Jews Annual Membership Meeting St. Bonifatius Church. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Irit Shillor: “Israel’s 60th Birthday”
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