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Dear members and friends,
Certainly the most memorable moment for the community last month was our beautiful community Seder. Rabbinical student Gábor Lengyel led the reading of the Passover Haggadah with over 80 members in attendance. At each holiday, we recognize the immense religious and spiritual strides our community has taken. Our community is perhaps unique in that we have never charged for our Seder. The festive meal was prepared by many loving hands, and everything was delicious. Our annual tradition of honoring those members who offer voluntary services to the congregation was also observed as over 30 members were recognized with a small gift and hearty applause. The evening ended with rousing music from our congregation's own “Shalom” and everyone danced into the evening hours. The feeling of “family” was evident.
Last month at the annual membership meeting of the Society of Christians and Jews, elections were held. Christa Bruns, Hans-Georg Spangenberger and Rachel Dohme were re-elected to the board as well as Mr. Engelhard as treasurer. Advisory board members are Polina Pelts, Pastor Martin Hoffmann and Pastor Snell. Mazel Tov to all! We look forward to working together.
Twenty members made the trip to Fischbeck and enjoyed a brilliant concert performed by
the Klezmer duo “Chalil.” We were thrilled to learn that Chalil will once again perform at our November Benefit concert. Our member Uwe Wolandowitsch is busy with the preparations.
May will shower us with many opportunities to celebrate. We wish to remind all our members that everyone is expected to join in and help after our celebrations. When we do things together, the work is cut in half. Every group, class or workshop is also reminded to leave the community rooms as clean and orderly as they found them.
Holidays in May
We observe three holidays in May. Yom Ha Atzma'ut, Israel Independence Day, is on May 3. We always feel a strong connection to Israel and especially now at this time in Israel's history. May 16 is Lag Ba Omer, and we will celebrate with a community picnic. We ask that everyone bring a dish to share. Kosher hot dogs will be provided. We will celebrate Yom Jerusalem on May 26, remembering the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.
Claims Conference
Our congregational social worker, Mrs. Faina Pelts, held an informational meeting for recipients of assistance through the Claims Conference. It is hoped that many of our elderly congregants will be helped through this program. Mrs. Pelts' office hours are Mondays 2:00–5:00 p.m. Members can make appointments and receive assistance in filling out necessary paperwork. We are pleased to be able to help our members in this way.
New Courses
Dieter Vogelhuber's new class, “Citizenship,” has openings, and we hope many will take advantage of this monthly class. Boris Markhaseev has room for dancers in his class. Boris will attend a seminar offered by the Central Council of Jews of Germany and will bring back many new Israeli dances for members to learn. Our community offers a myraid of classes—there's something for everyone to be sure. Check the bulletin board and join in the fun!
Rabbi Shillor's Visit in May
As always, we are pleased to have our rabbi with us again. Take advantage of all she offers us. She'll host “Rabbi's Table”—an open question-and-answer session and teach our youngest ones while Rebecca takes a “baby break.” Unfortunately, Rabbi Shillor won't be able to join us for Shavuoth this year. She has offered a Study Night in preparation for Shavuoth on Thursday, May 25th. We will study texts and discuss and learn together. Join us from 8:00 p.m. until midnight for four hours of Jewish learning. Everyone is welcome!
The next day, we will celebrate Yom Jerusalem with Rabbi Shillor and enjoy Friday night services crowned with a baby-naming ceremony for the Brückner family's newest member. It will be a community event to remember! Our “newest” member represents Jewish Congregation Hameln's next generation. We ask members to bring something sweet for our festive Kiddush table as a gesture of our shared happiness with Rebecca, Rudi, Miriam and Gabriel.
Scholarships for Jewish Students
We have learned of a scholarship program for Jewish students. Information is available in the office and at www.starck.stiftung.de.
In the News
We are honored to have been asked to write another column for the Hannover newspaper. The column is usually reserved for Christian clergy and we are pleased to represent a Jewish voice. An article related to Pesach appeared this month.
Union of Progressive Jews of Germany (UPJG)
The UPJG's Youth department will offer a fantastic summer camp in Tyrolia, Italy, this year. The camp is open to youth between the ages of 8 and 17 and runs from July 25 to August 6. Information and registration forms are available in the office.
The UPJG's 12th annual conference will be held in Spandau from July 13 to 16. Conference registration brochures will be sent out in the next few weeks.
New Members
We welcome new members Marina and Viktoria Anfalova, Iljina Judelsone and Mikhail Pesin. We continue to grow with new, young members.
Mazel Tov
Mazel Tov to our Rabbi Irit Shillor on her induction as rabbi of the Jewish Congregation of Harlow, England. Fortunately, she will continue to serve our congregation too.
 Tree of Life
As our congregants and readers know, our Tree of Life is an important fundraiser for our synagogue project. We encourage you to use this Web site's safe server to order a “leaf” and perform a double Mitzvah. Honor a loved one or special event with a leaf dedication and at the same time help us raise money to put up the walls of our Beit Knesset. Leaves can be ordered online for triple Chai—$54. Please do it now.
The newest leaf to grace our tree was contributed by Felix and Faina Golbereg and reads: Mazel Tov to our daughter, Greta on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah.
A new leaf has been ordered from three 11th grade classes of a local high school.
Contributions
The following people have made generous contributions to our synagogue and/or general fund and we thank them: Mrs. H. Mackensen, Mrs. U. Niedert, Mr. John Smith, Mrs. C. Kreshtool and Pastor Dr. P. Neumann. Special thanks to our future neighbors, the Reformed Lutheran Church for their $500.00 collection in honor of their 100th anniversary. We also thank Rachel and Ferdinand Dohme who celebrated their 54th birthday by asking guests for a contribution to the synagogue-building fund in lieu of gifts. May you all be blessed for your generosity.
Todah Rabah — Thank You
We wish to extend a special thank you to Rabbi Nelly Shumann. Rabbi Shumann provides us with monthly religious articles in Russian, which we share with our Russian-speaking members. We share these articles with our sister communities in Germany. The articles are appreciated, and it pleases us to work with our Reform colleagues in Russia in this way.
May Birthdays
Happy birthday wishes to all those celebrating a birthday in May. A special birthday Kiddush will be held on Friday, May 26. Join the party.
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
We wish all who are ill at home or in the hospital a speedy and complete recovery. Mrs. Berta Friedmann can be reached at 05151 13204 if a home visit is desired.
 May Yahrzeit — We remember:
Evgenia Benderskaja — 24.05.2001/ 2. Sivan 5761
Vladimir Rubanov — 14.05.2002/ 3. Sivan 5762
May their memory be for a blessing. The congregation invites the families to join them in saying Kaddish at Sabbath services. Yahrzeit candles are available in our office.
Shalom,
—Your synagogue board
Program for May 2006 • Iyar–Sivan 5766
Monday, May 1 12:00 Judaism, a course in Russian, V. Pesok
3:00 Religious school for children, R. Brückner
Tuesday, April 2 4:00 Podium discussion: “Christians Ask—Jews Answer”
In cooperation with the Society of Christians
and Jews
Thursday, May 4 3:30–5:00 “Young and Jewish Hameln, Jr.”
5:00–6:00 Hebrew for adults, O. Kenig
Saturday, May 6 10:00 Schacharit services, I. Baum
6:00 Shiur: The Meaning of Prayer
Sundown Havdallah
Sunday, May 7 11:30 100th anniversary of the ev.-ref. Church
We plant a tree in their biblical garden
Tuesday, May 9 4:00 Memorial Day 5 Euros per person
We remember and honor the allied forces
Thursday, May 11 11:00 Lecture: Israel, D. Vogelhuber
4:00 Podium Discussion: “Jews Ask—Christians Answer”
In cooperation with the Society of Christians
and Jews
Friday, May 12 5:00 Friday night services with guest rabbis
Prinz and Hurvitz
Tuesday, May 16 5:00 Lag Ba Omer Picnic
Thursday, May 18 2:30 Citizenship class, D. Vogelhuber
3:30–5:00 “Young and Jewish Hameln, Jr.”
5:00–6:00 Hebrew for adults, O. Kenig
Rabbi Irit Shillor's Visit
Thursday, May 25 11:00 “Rabbi's Table”
4:00 Religious school for children
8:00–midnight Study night in preparation for Shavuoth
Friday, May 26 9–11:00 Rabbi's office hours
3:00 Conversion class
5:00 Friday night services and baby-naming ceremony!!!
Tuesday, May 30 4:00 “Russian Afternoon” art history class,
M. Olvovska
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