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Dear members, friends and supporters,
Even in the merry month of May we still feel warmed from the community and family Seder celebrations in April. So many helped days before the festival began, making our kitchen and rooms “kosher l'pesach” and removing all Chametz (leavened goods). We sold a record number of boxes of Matzah and wine this year, helping our members to observe Pesach at home. The evening before Pesach, Rabbi Irit Shillor gave a fascinating Shiur (lecture) on the meaning of Pesach. She gave us much to think about which encouraged us to celebrate the holiday more consciously. The congregational Seder was beautiful. More than sixty members squeezed around the festive tables, greeting friends and family, kissing and hugging. The love in the room was real. Rabbi Shillor led the Seder with Volodymr Pesok offering a translation in Russian. The Haggadah was read and age-old traditions and prayers were recited by young and old. Together we sang the familiar melodies and were delighted with the youngest child asked the “Four Questions.”
The tables were laden and the room was perfumed with the smell of homemade Matzah ball soup, gefilte fish and matzah latkes. Everyone agreed that the meal was delicious, and the kitchen team was given a standing ovation.
After the meal the children scurried and scampered through the room looking for the Afikomen. Each child was rewarded and the Seder could continue. The congregation's music group "Shalom" presented a musical dessert of the highest quality, presenting a sample of their new program of liturgical pieces. The music was moving and beautiful and set the right "tone" for the Israeli dance group to beckon everyone into the circle.
Our Abraham Geiger Seminary rabbinical student from last year, Gábor Lengyel, paid us a visit and, in cooperation with the Society of Christians and Jews, held a fascinating lecture on Jewish Identity.
On a serious note, representatives of our congregation, Dieter Vogelhuber, Polina and Josef Pelts, and Emma and Aron Kaplan took part in the memorial ceremonies at the site of the former concentration camp Bergen-Belsen on Yom HaSchoa. They laid a wreath at the main memorial. They were joined by many members of our sister congregations. Our presence on this day showed how we keep the memories of those so brutally murdered.
Toward the end of the month we enjoyed two very special cultural events. Aviva Piniane and Sergei Kolmanovski gave an excellent concert of Israeli
and Jewish music. Contributions were collected for our building project. Mr. Itzchak Ganor and JNF Berlin and Jerusalem visited our community and gave a slide show presentation entitled “A Trip to Israel.” Monies were collected for a “Yaar Hameln” or Hamelin Forest.
Also of mention was a wonderful afternoon of poetry with Mrs. Palvanova organized by Volodymr Pesok.
All told, everything had to do with Pesach, one way or another—the songs of freedom, the trees for the land of our matriarchs and patriarchs—everything a facet of our Jewish identity. As we say at the end of our Seder, “Next year in Jerusalem!”
Holidays in May
 In May our mathematical skills are needed: 49, 33, 50—all play a part in May festivities. On Sunday, May 6th, the congregation will celebrate LagBaOmer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer. In ancient Israel, the Omer, a measurement of grain, was brought as a sacrifice to the Temple in Jerusalem. The sacrifice period was 49 days or seven weeks—the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuoth. On the 33rd day, Lag BaOmer, it has become traditional to go on an outing, enjoy nature and have a picnic. In our congregation, we enjoy this tradition. Once again, we will meet in the garden of our friends, the Reformed Lutheran church, for a picnic. Kosher hot dogs and beverages will be provided, and everyone is asked to bring a salad or desert.
Seven weeks after Pesach, on the 50th day, we join Jews worldwide and celebrate “The Festival of Weeks,” Shavuoth. Shavuoth celebrates our receiving the Law on Mt. Sinai.
The holidays Pesach and Shavuoth should be seen as the two variables of a religious equation. Pesach gave us our freedom, but of what value is freedom alone? Shavuoth gives us the Law, but of what value are rules alone? Together, Pesach and Shavuoth, freedom and the law, rights and responsibilities—this is what formed the foundation of AM Yisrael, the People of Israel.
During the 16th century, a lovely, symbolic Shavuoth tradition was initiated. In an effort to recapture the feeling of “standing at Sinai,” Jews studied Torah and other texts all through the night: Tikkun Leyl Shavuoth. Our congregation has observed this tradition for many years. We are thrilled to have Rabbi Shillor with us again this year for a night of learning. As always, there will be cheesecake and a midnight soup to give us energy. We hope many will join in—for part or for the entire night through.
Our Next Bat Mitzvah
On Shabbat Korach, June 16th, Malin Chaja Wendt will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. Rabbi Irit Shillor will lead the service. The ceremony is a joyous occasion for Malin, her family and the entire congregation. Becoming Bat Mitzvah shows Malin's conscious choice to become a religiously adult Jewish woman. Everyone is cordially invited to celebrate Malin on her special day.
Claims Conference
Thanks to the dedicated work of our social worker Faina Pelts, the Claims Conference paperwork has been completed and submitted. The Berlin office has reviewed the claims and made the transfers. Members who submitted claims are to give Faina their bank information so payment can be completed. New claims will be accepted until mid-May. Claims Conference office hours are Mondays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. by appointment.
Itamar Baum's Visit
Itamar Baum will give a lecture about the life of Leo Baeck at the House of Religion in Steinbergen on Saturday, May 5th, following his seminar workshop in our community center. Please note the seminar time change (12:00 noon).
Planning Committee Meets on May 4th
Although our congregation celebrated our 10th anniversary in February, we continue to celebrate all year through. The concert with Ms. Piniane and Mr. Kolmanovski as well as the lecture with JNF's Mr. Ganor are part of our annual program. On June 10th we will add the Jewish Children's Festival to the roster of anniversary events. What better way to reach the future generations than to invite them to spend the day with us and learn “hands on” about Judaism? The religious classes of the city's churches and mosques will be invited to join us for a special day of inter-religious fun. Interested members are asked to stay after Friday night services on May 4th to plan the event.
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Rabbi Alexander Dukhovny
We wish to thank Rabbi Nelly Shulmann, who has provided our Russian-speaking members with a monthly article dealing with a religious theme for more than a year. We wish her all the best. Beginning this month, Rabbi Alex Dukhovny will continue sending us articles. We are grateful for this support. This is a viable sign of the international cooperation between congregations within the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Contributions
We wish to thank all the members and friends who, through their contributions, help support our congregational life and our building project.
- We thank Julian Dohme who made a contribution in honor of his mother's birthday, Ute Gibas, Ursula Niedert, Pastor Peter Neumann, Rachel Dohme and Susanne Kessler.
- We thank the many who contributed in memory and in honor of the life of Arthur Lind, of blessed memory: Mr. and Mrs. Sabath, Ms. Rosenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Herz, Mr. Elliot, Ms. Ertischek, Ms. Schaffer, Mr. Isaacson and Ms. Stekloff, Mr. and Mrs. Kalnitz, Ms. Fried and Mr. Herz, Mr. And Mrs. Pasternack, Mr. And Mrs. Anderson, Mr. And Mrs. Gurell, Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson, Mr. and Mrs. Schollnick, Ms. Orenstein und Mr. Present, Mr. Cherini, r. and Mrs. Schwarz, Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman, Dr. and Mrs. Kanthor, Mr. and Mrs. Shapiro, Mr. and Mrs. Rappaport and B.J. Granite.
- Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Bachrach for a contribution in honor of Cantor Bernie Lowe.
- Thank you to Rabbi Jo David and the Jewish Appleseed Foundation and the ZIV Foundation.
May they all be blessed for their generosity.
 Tree of Life
New leaves continue to grow even in the winter. One new leaf has been ordered:
“In honor of the 25th Anniversary of Rabbi Jo David
and Sofer Neil Yerman, from Dr. Jill Rabin”
Leaves are available for a minimum of “Triple Chai” ($54) and can be purchased online with our safe server. Every leaf helps to bring our dream of our own synagogue a little closer. May you be blessed for your generosity.
Todah Rabah
We thank all the helping hands that helped with our many activities, programs, and festivals in April.
- Thanks go out to Rudi Brückner and Aron Kaplan who built new shelves in our library to hold the more than 140 videos given to us by Genrikh Leimunskis', of blessed memory, sister, Ira.
- We also thank Mrs. Bellgardt, Mr. Judelsons and Mrs. Anfalova for books for our community library. Librarian Josef Pelts looks forward to seeing you all in the library where everything can be borrowed.
Birthdays in May
Happy birthday to all who have a May birthday. Join us on Friday, May 18th, for a special birthday Kiddush after services.
Refuah Schlamah — Get well wishes
We wish all who are ill a speedy and complete recovery. Anyone wishing a home visit should call Mrs Berta Friedmann.
 Yahrzeit — We remember:
Betja Kholmer — May 8, 1997 / 1. Iyar 5757
Evgenia Benderskaja — May 25, 2001 / 2. Sivan 5761
Vladimir Rubanov — May 14, 2002 / 3. Sivan 5762
Please join the congregation and family to say Kaddish at services for them.
Condolences
We extend our deepest condolences to Sofer Neil Yerman and Rabbi Jo David on the loss of their beloved mother and mother-in-law, Mrs. Sylvia Yerman.
We extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Gertrud Lind on the loss of her beloved husband, Mr. Arthur Lind.
May their memories be for a blessing.
Shalom,
—Your synagogue board
May 2007 • Iyar–Sivan 5767
Friday, May 4 5:00 p.m. Friday night services
Saturday, May 5 12:00 a.m. Seminar: Prayer in Judaism with I. Baum
5:00 p.m. Lecture: Leo Baeck, House of Religion
Sunday, May 6 12:00 noon City Children's Festival of Religion
Program: Young and Jewish group
2:00 p.m. Community Lag BaOmer Picnic
Wednesday, May 9 4:00 p.m. Memorial Day program: We honor and remember
the Allied Forces
Thursday, May 10 3:30 p.m. “Young and Jewish Hamelin Jr.” with Michal Tal
4:30 p.m. B'nei Mitzvah class
5:30 p.m. Hebrew class for adults
Saturday, May 12 10:00 a.m. Shabbat morning services/Torah study
Guest: Dr. Jeremy Wasser, USA
Friday, May 18 5:00 p.m. Friday night services
Saturday, May 19 10:00 a.m. Schabbat morning services/Torah study
Tuesday, May 22 8:00 p.m. Shavuoth and Tikkun Leyl Shavuoth
Sunrise Shacharit service with
Rabbi Irit Shillor
Thursday, May 24 3:30 p.m. “Young and Jewish Hamelin Jr.” with Michal Tal
4:30 p.m. B'nei Mitzvah class
5:30 p.m. Hebrew class or adults
7:30 p.m. Lecture:The Role of Women in Judaism”
Rabbi Shillor
Saturday, May 26 10:00 a.m. Shabbat morning services/Torah study
Tuesday, May 29 4:00 p.m. “Russian Afternoon” with M. Olvovska
& I. Lipovitsch
Wednesday, May 30 11:00 a.m. Informational meeting: “Changes in the
National Health Insurance”
Activities outside our congregation
Saturday, May 5 5:00 p.m. Itamar Baum, Lecture: “Leo Baeck”,
House of Religion, Steinbergen
Sunday, May 6 12 noon City Children's Festival of Religion;
Program: Young and Jewish Group
in the Hamlin City Park
Thursday, May 24 7:30 p.m. Society of Christians and Jews,
Lecture: “The Role of Women in Judaism”,
Rabbi Irit Shillor, Reformed Lutheran Church
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