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Dear members, friends and supporters,
The past month and New Year has been one of the coldest in recent memory, yet the warmth within the walls of our congregation has taken the chill off things.
The streets were covered in ice and snow, but people still managed to get to our community center for a festive New Year's party, perfectly organized by Matvej and his team of helpers. The evening was filled with music, dancing, good food and happy conversation. It was so nice to ring in the New Year together.
The month of January offered a broad spectrum of activities. We began with a mother-and-daughter Friday night service. Our young cantor, Rebekka, on semester break from college in the U.S., touched everyone's heart with her voice, adding beauty to the service. Truly a “service of the heart”! It was wonderful to hear everyone singing along. Our congregation has come so far, and our spiritual and religious development is characteristic of that progressive development.
We received an important visit from the Russian consulate, thanks to the organizational talents of Genrietta Bachmatchnikova. We are happy to offer this service to many of our members and non-members alike. Our congregation prides itself on assisting our members with day-to-day concerns. Such informational meetings help our members to feel at ease integrating into their new home without losing all ties to their original homeland.
In a somber and dignified manner, we observed Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th with prayers, psalms and songs in a short religious ceremony. This day commemorates the liberation of the death camp of Auschwitz in 1945 by the Red Army. We expressed our sorrow and also our gratitude to the liberating forces.
The end of the month was joyous as our Rabbi Irit Shillor led Friday night services, welcoming our newest members (aged 12 to 80!) in an acceptance ceremony. After Havdallah on Saturday evening, we rejoiced in another Baby Blessing service, welcoming Baby Marie Rubanov to our community. These Simchot (happy occasions) testify to the future of our congregation and saturate us with hope. Because these two events took place on the last days of January, photos will only be available in next month's newsletter.
Our Internet Presence
Those of you reading this newsletter in English are reading the Internet version. The newsletter is also available in print form in German and Russian for members and supporters here in Germany. Many hours and many hands and heads go into producing this monthly informational newsletter. Keeping us “online” is no small expense for our small community of 90 percent Russian Jewish immigrants. We recognize the importance of this media tool in connecting and informing others to our congregational efforts and developments. This newsletter has been the most efficient and successful outreach tool in our attempts to network internationally. Many new relationships have been established and built as a result of this newsletter and we are grateful to all involved.
If you would care to help insure that we can stay online, please contact Rachel Dohme at racheldohme@jghreform.org. We appreciate any and all support.
 Jewish February
On Monday, February 9th at 5:00 p.m. we will join together to celebrate the holiday of TubiShvat, “New Year of the Trees”. This holiday tradition began in the 16th century. During a symbolic meal of various fruits, nuts, wine and juices, we read biblical texts and recite blessings. This ecological festival celebrates the first fruits and first blossoms of Israel. Anyone who knows what a desert landscape looks like cannot be left untouched by the miracle of Israel's fertility.
This year the children of our religious school have a Mitzvah project. Our youngsters are collecting money for children in Israel who are suffering from the permanent rocket attacks of Hamas. Our children want to help their peers in Israel know they are not alone. They have set up a collection box, which will be available for contributions until Tu biShvat. We encourage everyone to bring something to add to the box on Tu biShvat.
Just as the budding trees, flowers and plants are a testimony to life and hope, we hope and pray for a peaceful solution in Israel, where people of different religions and cultures can live together.
Foundation for a Synagogue in Hamelin
The Foundation’s annual membership meeting took place on January 6th. Annual reports were delivered and discussed. Architect Frank Taylor was on hand to answer any and all questions. The next steps were discussed as the Foundation moves forward with the synagogue project.
 “Young and Jewish”
Our youth group, “Young and Jewish Hameln,” went on a field trip during the winter school holidays. Patrizia, Miriam, Ron, Haakon, Gabriel and Sören traveled with parent chaperones Julia, Peter and Elke by train to Wolfsburg. The group visited the Phaeno Museum there. This science museum had much to offer the young people and the hours flew past with experiments and hands-on exhibits. There was so much to do, much to laugh about, awesome laser shows and even the possibility to create a cloud!
Just being together was fun and the kids enjoyed a picnic lunch at the end of a busy museum visit. Special thanks go out to Julia Berhovski for the idea, organization and financial support.
 Words of a Bar Mitzvah
““Hello! My name is Joshua Wendt. I will become Bar Mitzvah this year. Although my Bar Mitzvah service is still months way, I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings about it. I'm learning Hebrew-at home and in the congregation. It's difficult but important for me to be able to read from the Torah. I also learn about Jewish history. These lessons help me to better understand the current situation in Israel. I also study the prayers and form of the service, about our holidays and customs. I want to really understand the reasons for doing things and not just do them blindly. Rabbi Shillor is very helpful and patient in her explanations. I try to follow services. Of course, I would sometimes rather do something else on Friday nights, but then I remember how important it is to try and follow along and understand the texts and prayers. Attending the Machenot helps intensify my Jewish identity, and I can get to know other Jewish youth from Germany. There's still lots of time until my Bar Mitzvah and with all there is to learn, the time will go by quickly. Wish me luck! Shalom!”
JGH celebrates its 12th birthday
The Jewish Congregation of Hamelin established itself on February 12, 1997 with 17 Jewish men and women. The congregation is a growing community of more than 200 members twelve years later. We stand on the threshold of building the first newly constructed Reform synagogue in post-war Germany. Our rabbinical student, Yan Tsipris, will join us on Friday, February 20th, to celebrate this twelfth birthday, this Bat Mitzvah with us. Join us for this very special service.
Annual Membership Meeting
Our annual membership meeting will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2009. Members received an invitation with last month's newsletter. Elections for board members will be held. Please consider if you'd like to run for office. Please submit your name and any other questions or proposals by February 13th. You may contact the office or any board member. We respectfully remind all members to submit their annual dues for 2009.
New Members
We welcome Mrs. Svetlana Banschukova in our congregation and look forward to another new and active member.
Friends of Jewish Congregation of Hamelin
We welcome Mr. Wolfgang Schultner and hope to see him at congregational activities.
Donations — Tzedaka
- We are grateful to the many people who continually support our work and our plans to build a new synagogue.
- We thank all those individuals, who gave so generously.
- We thank Mrs. R. De Jong, Mrs. G. Grimme, Mrs. E. Pfeiffer, Mr. P. Blasé, Mrs. A. Plumhoff, Mrs. M. Gebhard, Mrs. K. Rosenheim, USA, Mr. W. Böker, Mr. R. Krahl, Mr. W. Schultner and Eva and Harold Brown, Australia.
May all donors be blessed for their generosity.
Tree of Life — Etz Chayim
Who will contribute the next leaf? Each leaf not only adorns our sanctuary but also helps us raise funds for our synagogue. Leaves can be ordered through our office or by contacting Rachel Dohme or on this Web site: Tree of Life. Each leaf costs a minimum of $54 (triple chai). Please contribute a leaf and help us to build our synagogue!
Seven new leaves grace our Tree of Life which now has 215 leaves. Who will donate the 216th leaf?
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
We congratulate our newest members who were welcomed with an Acceptance Ceremony on January 30th.
Mazel Tov to Dr. Oleg and Anna Rubanov and Grandmother Rimma Rubanov on their daughter and granddaughter, Marie Rubanov’s naming ceremony, which was held on January 31st after Havdallah services.
Congratulations to the Jewish community of Hannover, “Etz Chaim” on the dedication of their new community center and synagogue. The dedication ceremony was held on January 25th. We also congratulate our former rabbinical student, Rabbi Gábor Lengyel on being named as their congregational rabbi.
Thank you —Toda Raba
We are grateful to each and every person and every organization, in Germany and America, for their support of our community.
- We thank Matvej Dvortsis and team for organizing our New Year’s party.
- We thank Genrietta Bachmatchnikova for organizing the visit of the Russian consulate. Many people were helped by the visit.
- We thank Polina Pelts, who has donated her late husband’s personal library to the congregation.
- We thank the Rubanov family for contributing a DVD collection of popular films.
- We appreciate and thank all community members who helped in making the holidays special.
- We thank Julian Dohme who helped with the layout of this newsletter.
February Birthdays
We wish all those celebrating a February birthday, the very best of health and happiness. We have a small gift for all our February birthdays after services on February 20th. Join us for coffee and cake after services!
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
We wish all who are confined to their homes or in the hospital a complete recovery. If you would like a home visit please contact the synagogue office.
 December Yahrzeit — We remember:
Anna Raik — February 12, 2000 / 6. Adar I 5760
Vladimir Legkov — February 7, 2003 / 6. Adar I 5763
David Zaks — February 6, 2008 / 30 Shvat 5768
May their memory be for a blessing. Please join family members during Sabbath services as we recite Kaddish. Yahrzeit candles are available in the office.
Shalom,
—Your Synagogue Board
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