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Dear members, friends and supporters,
Spring is in the air and one can actually feel it. After a long and hard winter, we yearn for the bluer skies, milder breezes and warmer sunshine. The first flowers stretch their heads out from under the soil and the first cheerful songs are heard from birds returning home. Everything seems so hopeful again. We find new energy as we perceive this transition and delight in the renewal of life.
Reviewing the activities that took place in February, we see another full congregational month.
Last month brought moments of great emotion for us all. We stood with Arkadij, Julia, Patrizia and Lior (Peter) in a moving Acceptance service, welcoming these four new members of the Jewish People. Rabbi Shillor created a beautiful service, supported by rabbinical student, Natascha Lyskovoy. Our sanctuary was filled as we heard the Torah portion read in Russian by Arkadij, in German from Julia and Patrizia, and then in Hebrew from Lior, who read from the scroll. Mazel Tov!
The following day, Shabbat ended with a Havdallah service and another milestone. Dr. Oleg Rubanov and his wife Anna with the proud grandmother, Rimma celebrated the naming of their daughter, Marie Miriam in a joyous service, led by Rabbi Shillor. The service was created by our rabbi and the young mother. After the service the family invited everyone to a catered sumptuous meal and the festivities went on into the night while the guest of honr slept peacefully in her carriage. We all wish her a long and happy life—to 120! The Rubanov family wrote these words of thanks:
Dear Congregants,
We wish to thank all our fellow congregants, friends and family for sharing our joy and helping us to celebrate our daughter’s naming ceremony. Thank you all for all your kind congratulatory words and lovely gifts. We especially wish to thank Rabbi Shillor for her help and support.
Our Tu Bi Shvat Seder was enjoyed by one and all. Liubow and Elena once again outdid themselves in preparing a festive table, decorated with fresh flowers and Seder plates. We read prayers, poems, and psalms and sang songs as we tasted and drank our way through the Seder. Thanks to Wladimir for the Russian translation. Rachel brought a special symbol with her—a “Rose of Jericho.” The amazing little natural wonder turned from a dried up knot into a green, delicate fern before our eyes. Young and old enjoyed the unfolding show. Dieter explained the botanical history of the plant. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon and took a white or blue primrose plant—a gift from Rachel—home, bringing a bit of spring into their homes. The children had decorated clay pots for the plants for members confined to their homes.
As reported in last month’s newsletter, our youth group had asked members and friends to donate what they could for children in Sderot, Israel, traumatized by the constant barrage of rocket attacks from the terrorist organization Hamas. We thank our youth group for this initiative. Nearly 100 Euros will be donated, thanks to this idea—a viable sign of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel.
Recalling our history is the lifeblood of the Jewish people. For us in Hamelin, recalling our beginnings, as the first post-war Jewish community in the city, is of utmost importance. We understand that for our children and youth and new members, it seems perfectly natural that our congregation exists. But everything has a beginning—and so it was that on February 17, 1997, our congregation was established with 17 Jewish men and women. Today, we are a religiously sound and growing community of over 200 members from more than ten nations. In honor of this special birthday—our Bat Mitzvah—we celebrated with our rabbinical student, Yan Tsipris and special guest, former rabbinical student, Adrian Schell. Our prayers and songs filled the well-filled sanctuary. A special element of the service was, of course, the Torah service. The congregation was divided into three groups and called in groups to come forward for each reading. Yan read and Adrian functioned as Gabbai. The congregation took an active part in the service, reciting the Brachot (prayers) before and after the readings. Some members, being called to the Torah for the first time in their lives, were moved to tears of joy. After the service, everyone sat down to a well-laden Kiddush table, and the festive mood continued. Yan’s guitar invited the guests to sing and dance along. Wishing eachother “Mazel Tov” on our Bat Mitzvah and the first twelve years and looking ahead to our thirteenth year and Bar Mitzvah next year, hopefully in our new synagogue! In next month’s newsletter, we’ll have pictures to share.
It has become part of our monthly activities to host interested visitors and groups. We offered weekly tours and educational lectures about Judaism and our community this past month to high school classes, a graduating class of nurses and even a group of Hamelin city tour guides! This shows that our synagogue is truly a center of learning. It pleases us greatly that there is such a constant interest in our community and our religion. Many of our members represent us in a variety of functions. Julia Berhovski gave a lecture for the Hospice Society; Dieter Vogelhuber’s German class visited an exhibit on racism and constitutional protection in a democratic society. These activities all support our desire to become an integral part of our society.
The month came to a close with our annual membership meeting. Elections were held with these results:
President: Rachel Dohme
Vice-President: Polina Pelts
Treasurer: Dieter Vogelhuber
Arts and Culture: Matvey Dvortsis
Social: Aron Kaplan
Board members are available every Wednesday from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. during open office hours.
Our State Board of Jewish Communities also held it’s annual membership meeting and also held elections. The Board was re-elected with Katarina Seidler, President and Rachel Dohme and Harold Jütter as vice-presidents. We congratulate all the re-elected board members and wish them strength for the challenges ahead.
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 e-mail Rachel Dohme. We appreciate any and all support.
Jewish March
The sweet aroma of poppy seeds and jam will waft through our rooms on Monday, March 9th, when Polina’s German class bakes Hamentaschen for the 13th consecutive year. A special thanks to Polina and the ladies.
On Tuesday, March 10th, we will be able to enjoy their handiwork. We are pleased to have our Rabbi Irit Shillor with us for this holiday. We will read and hear the “Megilla Esther,” the Purim story. As is our tradition, the Book of Esther will be read in three languages—Hebrew, German and Russian-allowing all present to understand. We thank Rabbi Shillor for creating this tri-lingual service and allowing us all to satisfy the Mitzvah of reading and hearing the Purim story.
Our holiday recalls the story from 357 b.c.e. when the evil Haman plotted to destroy the Persian Jews. Queen Esther, using brains, beauty and a strong faith in God, succeeded in saving our people from annihilation. There have been many “Hamans” in our history and we have and will survive because of our unyielding faith in God.
Purim is a colorful and noisy holiday. Hopefully many people will come to the service in costume and help recount our history, drowning out the name of Haman with noisemakers, graggers.
For those members confined to hospital or home, Schlachmones baskets will be delivered. These lovingly prepared baskets of food will bring a little bit of Purim to those who are ill.
Our Purim festivities will end, gathered around festively decorated tables, sharing Hamentaschen, fruits, sweets, wine and juice and remembering with gratitude how Esther saved our people in days of old.
International Women’s Day and Interreligious Women’s Group
These two events fit well with our Purim celebrations. One day prior to Purim, we will celebrate International Women’s Day with a fantastic program, put together by Matvey Dvortsis and his committee. Our synagogue choir will sing, providing an entertaining afternoon with music and poetry. Champagne, chocolates and flowers will sweeten the day, honoring all women. Thanks to everyone involved for preparing this afternoon.
The day after Purim, we will host the interreligious women’s group in our congregation for the first of three sessions again this year. Jewish, Muslim and Christian women will come together to discover their similarities and differences. Rabbi Irit Shillor will offer a short lecture on Esther, heroine of the Purim story. We look forward to engaging conversations with each other. Refreshments will be served. This is a small but important step in our effort to promote peace and understanding between the religions.
Second Netzer Day
Our youth movement in Hameln and nationally is a member of the Israeli youth movement, Netzer Olami. Schlicha Sivan Gaides and Madricha Greta Golbereg planned a successful first Netzer Day in our community in December. The second Netzer Day will take place on Sunday, March 15th, from 2:00-4:30 PM. We hope all our younger members will take part in a day of Jewish learning and fun.
Friday Night Services with “Young and Jewish”
We are pleased to announce a very special Friday night service everyone is sure to want to attend. On Friday, March 27th, we will celebrate Shabbat Dorotenu, Shabbat of the Generations. The service will be led by Faina Pelts and Lior Blase and will pair our youth and older members. We hope for a big turnout for this joyous evening.
Pesach
Pesach is just around the corner. The holiday begins on April 8th at sundown. We will once again be offering Matzah and wine for sale at cost. Beginning mid-March, Matzah will be on sale for 4 Euros a kilo package and Maneschewitz wine for 6 Euros a bottle.
Foundation for a Synagogue in Hamelin
We have been blessed with many donations, both monetary and donation in kind. Every gift helps. The chair factory Wilkhahn has pledged one hundred chairs, Besmer Carpet Factory has pledged wall to wall carpeting for the second floor and Junker Roofers, the entry way roof, to name a few. Each of theses gifts helps reduce the loan we will have to take. If you have contacts with companies who might be willing to help us, please let us know.
New Members
We welcome Mrs. Elena Grabowska in our congregation and look forward to another new and active member.
Friends of Jewish Congregation of Hamelin
We welcome Mrs. Borchert-Jankowski and hope to see her at congregational activities.
Wanted
Our synagogue choir, “Shalom,” needs a pianist. If you know anyone or are interested in the position, please contact the office. Thank you!
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. Dorries, the Pesok family, Gerd and Ingrid Scheunpflug, Mrs. Gerda Spangenberg, Mr. Manfred Lücking and the Catholic Seniors of Emmerthal,Mr. Ottmar Heise, Mr. Lior Blase, Mrs. Genrietta Bachmachnikova and group, the Brosius family, Mrs. Anne Armbrecht, Mrs. Sabine Demuth, Mr. Werner Taube, Mrs. Ursula Niedert, Mr. Gerhard Otto, Mr. Uwe Wolandowitsch and Dr. Anja Schmidt and her students, class 11A of the Business High School of Hameln.
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 $100 (quadruple chai plus expenses). Please contribute a leaf and help us to build our synagogue!
Our Tree of Life now has 215 leaves. Who will donate the 216th leaf?
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
- We congratulate our newest members, Arkadij Zyranov, Julia and Patrizia Berhovski and Lior (Peter) Blase who were welcomed with an Acceptance Ceremony.
- Mazel Tov to Dr. Oleg and Anna Rubanov and Grandmother Rimma Rubanov on their daughter and granddaughter, Marie Rubanov’s naming ceremony.
- Congratulations to Andreas Luedecke and his wife Janina on the birth of their son.
- Mazel Tov to us on our congregational 12th birthday and Bat Mitzvah!
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 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.
March Yahrzeit — We remember:
Riva Slavinska — March 18, 2005 / 18 Adar II 5765
May her 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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