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Dear members, friends and supporters,
We wish all our members, friends and supporters a peaceful and healthy New Year 5769!
Leshana Tovah Tikatevu—May you be inscribed for a good year!
This past summer months offered everyone opportunities to relax and have fun at home or on vacation. We had planned a summer recess in our congregation’s activities but in reality there was a lot going on. Let’s begin a review with our congregational outing to our sister congregation in Hamburg. Besides an informative city tour, we enjoyed a concert in the Liberal Jewish Congregation of Hamburg’s social hall. Special thanks to Faina and Matvey who organized the trip.
Certainly a high point was the Bar Mitzvah of Benyamin Meschede-Krasa, our American exchange student. His family from America, Germany, Israel and Prague gathered for the celebration. Every chair in our synagogue was taken as family, congregants and school friends joined together in joyful observance of Benyamin’s big day. A special thanks goes to Liubow and Elena for once again creating a beautiful and mouth-watering buffet. We will all be thinking of Benyamin when he celebrates his “second” Bar mitzvah with his home congregation on September 13th. Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov, dear Benyamin!
 
We once again took part in the summer series, “Music and Words.” This year we opened the seven-week series entitled “Happiness and Blessings.” Our title was “Mazel Rav v’rov Bracha.” Rachel Dohme read passages from Bible and prayer book, reflecting the theme from a Jewish point of view. Pianist Albert Mamriev performed brilliantly, his virtuosity, a delight to the hundreds in attendance. We thank the Central Council of Jews of Germany for sponsoring this great artist for his debut performance in Hamelin.
Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our Abraham Geiger College rabbinical student, Adrian Schell. Special guests for the evening were Ruth Torode and family from Ireland, relatives of old Hamelin Jewish families, Jonas and Kratzenstein.
Once again, a full synagogue joined in Sabbath prayers and bid Adrian farewell and a few tears fell. Adrian earned a special place within our community and he will be sorely missed. Adrian was presented with gifts from the Board and the religious school class. Adrian himself was a gift to our congregation. We wish him continued success in his studies and hope to see him back in Hamelin soon. Adrian introduced our new student rabbi, Yan Tsipris who will begin his official visits in November. He plans to visit us for Rosh Hashanah and we look forward to having him with us.
The 14th annual conference of the Union of progressive Jews of Germany (UPJG) took place in Berlin. A delegation of members enjoyed the four days of Jewish learning with members of the other 20 Liberal communities in Germany. Interesting and practical workshops were offered, highlighted by beautiful Shabbat services. This year board elections were held. We congratulate the new board. Members are: President: Dr. Jan Mühlstein, Vice-President: Michael Lawton, Lev Schwartzmann (Culture), Benno Simoni (Education), Paul Yuval Adam (Liturgy and para-rabbinical programming) and Rachel Dohme (International Contacts). Mazel Tov!
Five youth from our congregation attended the UPJG’s Summer camping program at the Baltic Sea in Denmark this year. Warm summer days at the beach, field trips to the local museum, Shabbat services, sports and lots of fun filled the more than 60 campers’ days. This year, the camp hosted not only youth from Germany but from other countries as well. The youth had the opportunity to get to know eachother better and at the same time, strengthen their jewish identity. We wish to thank the many sponsors who assisted our campers financially.
We also wish to mention and thank the local media for their interest and coverage of our community’s activities during the summer months. We thank Hamelin’s local radio station, RadioAktiv, our local newspaper, the DWZ and Hamelner Markt and Zeilensprung for their reports. It is important that our non-Jewish neighbors read about our activities and thus become informed about Reform Judaism.
AS WE GREET THE NEW JEWISH YEAR, our regular courses will resume. There’s something for everyone—religious and spiritual issues, culture, language classes and wellness courses. Please check the schedule for days and times.
“Young and Jewish Hameln,” Video Afternoon, Russian Afternoon, Senior’s Café, German class, Yoga class, Israeli dance, and choir practice all resume in September.
 Jewish September
The end of September ushers in the new Jewish year, 5769! On September 29th, we will come together for Rosh Hashanah and 10 days of inner reflection and spiritual inventory. After services and the Mitzvah of hearing the Shofar, we will dunk apples in honey and join Jews all over the world in wishing each other a sweet New Year. These traditions will strengthen us as we approach Yom Kippur, our holiest of all days.
We are pleased to announce that High Holiday services will be led once again by Rabbi Ilana Baird from Israel. We wish to thank Rabbi Joel Oseran and the WUPJ for helping us to secure Rabbi Baird’s services once again. We look forward to beautiful services with her.
On Shabbat Ki Tavo, September 20th, we are honored with a visit from Dr. Leo Hepner, Honorary Board Member of the ER/WUPJ in London. We look forward to Sabbath services and Torah study with him.
Culture in September
We wish to welcome all our members back into the full swing of congregational life with a concert of balalaika music performed by Alexander Paperny on Sunday, September 7th at 3:00 p.m. The concert is free to our members but we hope everyone will give a donation towards our synagogue fund. We thank the Central Council of Jews of Germany for their support.
On Saturday, September 27th, we’ve been invited to take part in the city’s Cultural Festival. This was a difficult decision for us, since the festival falls on Shabbat. We appealed to the organizers to keep this in mind when planning next year’s festival. We have decided to participate in the festival with our synagogue choir, “Shalom,” and our Israeli dance group, “Chag Sameach.” Although the festival will begin at 9:00AM, we will only take part after Sabbath services and Torah study.
For other cultural events, workshops and seminars please check the bulletin board in the office regularly.
New Members
It was bittersweet to have welcomed Mrs. Inge Ruth Diekmann as a new member only weeks before she passed away.
Do you know anyone in Hamelin who is looking for an active Jewish community? Please have them contact us and we will provide them with information about our congregation. Our door is open and we welcome new members.
Contributions
We thank the community members and friends who have so generously supported our communal life and synagogue construction plans with their contributions:
The Meschede family, Mrs. Ursula Niedert, Mrs. Faina Pelts, Mrs. Rachel Dohme. Mrs. Polina Pelts, Mrs. Susanne Kessler, the Jacobsberg family, Chayim and Adrian Schell, Mrs. Anne Armbrecht, the Ovsievitch family, Mr. and Mrs. F. and B. Dories, Mrs. Julia Berhovski, Mr. Peter Blasé, Mrs. Inge Ruth Diekmann, of blessed memory, Salzhemmendorf High School, the Hamelin Lutheran Council of Churches and the Society of Christians and Jews. May you all be blessed for your generosity.
 Tree of Life
Although autumn is in the air, our tree has sprouted 3 new leaves. They have been contributed by:
- Salzhemmendorf High School class grade 8
- “Happy 70th birthday, Dieter,” contributed by R. Dohme
- “Thank you, JGH,” contributed by Chayim and Adrian Schell
Leaves can be ordered through our office or by contacting Rachel Dohme at racheldohme@jghreform.org or on this site. Each leaf costs €54 (triple chai). Contribute a leaf and help us to build our synagogue!
Mazel Tov
- Mazel Tov to Benyamin Meschede-Krasa on his “second” Bar Mitzvah in the US!
- Our congregation is happy to announce our newest additions. Mazel Tov to Dr. Oleg and Anna Rubanov on the birth of their baby daughter. We congratulate grandmother, Rimma Rubanov too!
- We congratulate new mother, Claudia Fischer and her partner on the birth of their twins. Mazel Tov!
- Mazel Tov to Heidi Braun and her husband Thomas on their wedding.
- We wish Andreas Lueddecke and his bride Janine all the best on their wedding.
- Congratulations to the new board of the UPJG.
- Mazel Tov to the newly opened cantorial school of the Abraham Geiger College.
- To our sister community in Bielefeld, our best wishes for the dedication of their new community center.
- Mazel Tov to our sister congregation in Göttingen on their synagogue dedication.
Thank You — Todah Rabah
- We are grateful to the many people who continually support our work. We especially wish to thank those who made contributions for our summer camping program.
- Thanks to Dieter Schulz for lending us his mini van and thanks to Dieter Vogelhuber for driving everyone to the annual UPJG conference.
- Thanks to Mr. Spangenberger for his fascinating Chagall slide presentations.
- Special thanks to our Rabbi Irit Shillor for our new Shacharit prayer books. Thanks to dieter Vogelhuber and Volodymr Pesok for their editing work.
- We thank photographers Christoph Huppert from Zeilensprung and Hans-Ulrich Kilian from Pyrmonter Nachrichten and Willfried Gebauer from the DWZ for their work.
- We thank Andreas Lueddecke for his voluntary work on our newsletter layout,
www.it-service-house.de.
- Thank you to Patrizia for the beautiful posters she created, documenting “Young and Jewish Hameln’s” trip to Berlin. The posters are on display in the synagogue.
- Our library has new books thanks to Leonid Kaplan and the Yeger family.
- Last but not least, thanks to Rudi for painting the walls of our sanctuary.
Birthdays in September
For all those celebrating a September birthday, the very best wishes for health and happiness. We have a small gift for all our September Birthdays after services on September 19th. Join us for coffee and cake!
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 visit please contact the synagogue office.
 Yahrzeit in September — We remember:
Simon Avrus — September 3, 1999 / 22 Elul 5759
May his memory be a blessing. Please join us at services as we recite Kaddish with family members. Yahrzeit candles are available through the synagogue office.
Condolences
Our heartfelt condolences to the Yevdokimov family on the death of their beloved son, Sergei. The funeral took place at the Jewish Cemetery Scharnhorststrasse.
Our condolences to the Diekmann and Herz families on the death of their beloved mother, Inge Ruth Diekmann. The funeral took place at the Jewish Cemetery Am Wehl.
Shalom,
—Your Synagogue Board
Program for September 2008 • Av–Elul 5768–5769
Office hours: Mon., Wed & Fri., 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and Tues. & Thurs., 9.00 a.m.–4.00 p.m. |
Monday, September 1
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12:00 p.m.
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“Judaism in Russian.” V. Pesok |
| Tuesday, September 2 |
9:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m. |
Monthly board meeting
Video Afternoon, M. Dvortsis |
| Friday, September 5 |
3:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. |
Religious school
Friday night services, R. Dohme Guests: Children’s Radio and Deutsche-Welle Radio |
| Saturday, September 6 |
10:00 a.m. |
Saturday morning service and Torah study, R. Dohme |
| Sunday, September 7 |
3:00 p.m. |
“Sunday-Café” Concert: Alexander Paperny Sponsored by the Central Council of Germany We ask for contributions for our synagogue |
| Wednesday, September 10 |
3:00 p.m. |
Walking tour: “Jewish Hameln,” H-G Spangenberger |
| Friday, September 12 |
11:00 a.m. |
Information meeting: Integration courses for immigrants, Guest speaker: Mr. Gorkow |
| Friday, September 19 |
5:00 p.m. |
Friday night services, R. Dohme |
| Saturday, September 20 |
10:00 a.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study Guest: Dr. Leo Hepner, Honorary Board Member ER/WUPJ |
| Monday, September 22 |
11:00 a.m. |
Information Meeting: Funeral costs,
Guest speaker: Mr. Faehnrich |
| Tuesday, September 23 |
4:00 pm. |
“Russian Afternoon,” Art history class, M. Olvovskaja |
| Thursday, September 25 |
3:30 p.m. |
Religious school |
| Saturday, September 27 |
10:00a.m. |
Saturday morning services and Torah study, R. Dohme |
| Monday, September 29 |
10:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m. |
Rabbi Ilana Baird’s Visit
Congregational cemetery visits
Erev Rosh Hashanah services |
| Tuesday, September 30 |
10:00 a.m. |
Rosh Hashana services |
Activities outside the community |
| Tuesday, September 23 |
4:00 p.m. |
Society for Christians and Jews: “Jews and Christians—What I always wanted to know,” Social Hall, St. Augustinus Church |
| Wednesday, September 24 |
8:00 p.m. |
Hameln Forum, Lecture: “Neonazis” Guest speakers: Andreas Speit and Andrea Röpke |
| Saturday, September 27 |
2:00 p.m. |
“Festival of Cultures,” Elisabeth Selbert School “Schalom” Dance group “Chag Sameach” Info booth |
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