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Dear members, friends, and supporters,
The new month of April brings the promise of spring and many special days in the Jewish calendar. We wish everyone a kosher Pesach and our Christian friends, a happy Easter!
The conference of the European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism held it’s biennial in the Hague from March 18 until the 21st. Our congregational president, Rachel Dohme took part in the conference along with eleven other representatives of the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany. Over 180 international participants spent four days of intense discussion and learning in Holland.
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Build us a synagogue, Mr. Oppler!
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Of particular importance was the resolution signed by WUPJ President, Ruth Cohen to the German government, addressing the discriminatory practice in Germany in which the Central Council of Jews of Germany receive annual funding of 3 million Euros and the UPJ receives none. The resolution was sent to Chancellor Schroeder through the German embassy in the Hague. We must keep the pressure on the government to include the UPJ in the fair distribution of public monies for the re-establishment of Jewish life in Germany. For more information as to how you can help, contact R. Dohme at racheldohme@cvmx.de
Our social worker, F. Pelts takes a well-deserved vacation from March 23to April 4. The office will be open for business as usual during that time.
Membership meeting
We were very pleased with the attendence at our annual congregational membership meeting. The meeting was disciplined and democratic. The minutes are available in German and Russian in the office. We were impressed with ourselves as we listened to the list of activities our congregation held last year. Treasurer Matvey Dvortsis reminds those who still haven’t paid their membership dues for 2004 to do so!
Jewish Cemetery
Members of the local Orthodox congregation have spread rumors that members of our congregation may not be buried in the old Hameln Jewish cemetery. This is not true! Both cemeteries are open to all members.
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Rabbi Shillor and the children say the blessing.
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“Rabbi’s Table”
Rabbi Shillor’s monthly “Rabbi’s Table” wins more interest every month. Not only congregants but members of the community at large join us in this lively conversation about Judaism. Don’t miss the next “Table” on April 7 at 11:00 a.m.
Building Committee
Congregational president, Rachel Dohme met with architect Arnold Oppler recently in Washington, D.C. We look forward to working with Mr. Oppler and seeing his plans soon. Rabbi Jo David of the Jewish Appleseed Foundation is working diligently to find philanthropists in America interested in our historic project. Our foundation will be established soon. Everything is moving forward!
Passover and Seder
The community Seder will be held on Friday, April 9 at 5:00 p.m. Rabbi Shillor will lead us in celebration of this beautiful holiday. Please sign up so we can plan the meal. There is no cost for members. Guests are asked to make a donation. We still have Matza. 3. 50 Euros for a 1 kilo package while the supply lasts.
Benefit Concert
On Saturday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m. our congregational music group, “Shalom” will give a benefit concert in the auditorium of the Kurie Jerusalem in Hameln. The money raised will go toward the building of our synagogue and celebrate their 5th anniversary as a group. We hope to see everyone there. It’s sure to be a musical delight.
Students show thier models for our new synagogue.
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Exhibit: A Synagogue
for Hameln
The Stadtsparkasse Hameln will house the exhibit of local high school student’s projects: “A Synagogue for Hameln”. (See “Six Designs” on our “In the News” link on this Web site.) The models, blueprints and presentation logs will be on exhibit for two weeks at the bank. The opening is on April 19 at 3:30 p.m. Join us, pick your favorite and be amazed at what these teens have produced!
Yom Ha Shoah
Yom Ha Shoah is Sunday, April 18. We will gather at our land and in front of the Memorial for a reading of the names and short memorial service. We remember the Jews of Hameln and all others who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis. Never again!
Yom Ha Sikaron and Yom Ha Atzmaut
These two special days are relatively new to our Jewish calendar. We remember all those who served and died for the establishment of the state of Israel. We remember them and their families and are in their debt. The 56th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel falls on Monday, April 26. Our member, Dieter Vogelhuber, will show his film, My Israel at 6:30 p.m. Join us for this very special evening!
Miriam enjoys the children’s group.
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Activities in our congregation
Although our congregation already offers an amazing variety of classes and activities, thanks to dedicated members (German class, yoga class, dance class, art history class, video club, Judaism class, Torah study group, religious class for children and youth) here’s something new! Ms. Prochorova is interested in setting up a theater group. She met with interested members last month . If interested, contact the office.
Todah Rabah — Thank You
Thanks go out to all who joined together to make our Purim festival and International Women’s Day such a fantastic success!
Mazel Tov
The congregants send wishes of Mazel Tov to our Rebekka Dohme, who enjoyed a lead in her American high school’s production of “The Music Man”. Her proud mother and our congregational president enjoyed every minute in the first row.
Contributions for Our Congregation and Our Synagogue
We thank the following members of our “Friends” for contributions for our communal life: Ms. Blasko, Ms. Gibas, Ms. Formell, Mr. Wolandowitsch and Dr. Kasting. The following made contributions to our building fund and we are grateful for their generosity: Schneider family, Mr. Rostmann, Mr. Evers, Mr. Vogelhuber, Mr. Schwartz and Ms. Dittrich.
Tree of Life
Remember someone or something special with a leaf on our Tree of Life. Each leaf costs a minimum of $50. The money goes toward our building fund. Help us build our schul and beautify our sanctuary too. Leaves have been ordered by: Mark Schwartz in memory of Frank Humpert and from Heinrich Rostmann.
April Birthdays
We wish everyone who has an April birthday, health, happiness and long life! Our congregational birthday kiddush will be after Friday night services on April 23.
Refuah Schlama — Get well wishes
We send prayers for complete recovery to all those who are ill at home or in the hospital.
April Yahrzeit
We remember Anna Potozkaja — April 11, 2000/ 6. Nisan 5760. May her memory be for a blessing.
Shalom!
— Your board
Program for April 2004; Nisan–Iyar 5764
4-2-04 Friday night services led by Rabbi Shillor
4-6-04 Russian video afternoon, led by V. Fridman
4-7-04 Rabbi’s Table led by Rabbi Shillor
4-9-04 Children’s religious class
Community Seder led by Rabbi Shillor
4-11-04 Basic Judaism led by V. Pesok in Russian
4-17-04 Benefit concert for our Synagogue with group, “Shalom”
4-18-04 Yom Ha-Shoah memorial service
4-20-04 Eleventh grade class of local high school,
lecture:”Jewish Congregation of Hameln”
4-23-04 Children’s religious class
Friday night services led by R. Dohme
4-24-04 Torah study group led by R.Dohme
4-26-04 Yom Ha-Atzmaut, Film: “My Israel”, D. Vogelhuber
4-27-04 “Russian Afternoon” lecture, art history led by M. Olvovska
4-19-04 through 4-30-04:
Exhibit of synagogue models created by local high school students
4-20-04 “Hameln Forum” lecture: “My wounded heart”, M. Doerry
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Archived Newsletters:
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