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Dear members, friends and supporters,
November brings with it rainy and cool weather. As we huddle together, we look back fondly at the meaningful services and celebrations we observed together for the High Holidays, Sukkoth and Simchat Torah.
The High Holy Days were ushered in with a beautiful Havdallah service and concert at the “House of Religion.” The many members and visitors enjoyed this very special evening.
Like those Hameln Jews who came before us and with Jews around the world, we joyously celebrated Rosh Hashanah. This year, our services were completely lay-led and the hours of study and preparation were evident. Our sanctuary was filled and every seat was taken as over ninety congregants joined together to welcome 5766. The call of the shofar urged us to attain Teschuva (spiritual return), Tefilla (prayer) and Tzedakah (acts of charity and loving kindness).
After services concluded, our youngest ones sang a short program of Hebrew songs, and our congregational group “Shalom” presented three pieces from their new program. The religious school students led us in the blessings for the New Year, apples and honey, bread and wine. We feasted together on all the homemade dishes that our members brought to share. The vegetarian buffet was delicious and we thank everyone for sharing. On a more serious note, we remembered that Rosh Hashanah initiates the period of inner reflection, which is culminated with Yom Kippur.
On Erev Yom Kippur we were moved by the haunting melody and meaning of Kol Nidre, so beautifully sung by Faina Pelts and Rebekka Dohme. On Yom Kippur morning we joined together and heard the Torah reading, led by Susanne Kessler. We fasted and prayed together Yiskor, Ne’ila and Havdallah before breaking the Fast together with warm tea and Challa.
We met to celebrate Sukkoth on our land and built, for the fourth time, a Sukka on the historical earth that once housed the Hameln Synagogue. Aron Kaplan led the men in constructing, Rebecca and the women’s group baked Challot, and the children delighted in decorating the Sukkah—each year more beautiful than the last. Services were enjoyed not only by our members but also by the local citizenry. Beautiful Sukkoth services were led by Volodymr Pesok, Dieter Shmuel Vogelhuber and Susanne Kessler, and we thank all involved.
The crowning glory was Simchat Torah. What a pleasure it was to see the children marching through the sanctuary with flags and rejoicing with us as we heard the last and first reading from the Torah.
How good it is to see living, liberal Judaism in our city once again. Our children and grandchildren will carry on our traditions. Having an active and living Jewish congregation is vital not only for us but for our non-Jewish neighbors. We are encouraged by their interest and their support.
We are honored to take up the awesome responsibility of rebuilding the Hameln Synagogue. Our congregation needs a synagogue and our city needs a synagogue. We can’t do it alone, and we call out to all to join us in big and small ways.
We hope that all our readers will purchase a ticket to our Benefit Concert on November 5th. Mr. Uwe Wolandowitsch has invested endless hours preparing this concert and we are indebted to him. All proceeds will go toward the building fund. We thank all the sponsors, Bach 20, Easy Site, Europe Displays.com, Hameln Lion’s Club,
Dr. Paul Lohmann, Schaumburger Printers, City of Hameln, Stadtsparkasse Hameln and the Stadtwerke Hameln. Of course, we cannot thank the artists enough who have all forgone their wages and are performing for free. We thank our young cantor, Rebekka Dohme, Duo Chalil, Jabboq, Dup KaWIA, our congregational group Shalom, and rabbinical student Alina Treiger. Tickets are available through the newspaper’s ticket shop, the radio station and our office. Even if you can’t attend and would like to contribute, please do so. Stadtsparkasse Hameln, “Stiftung Liberale Synagoge Hameln” Account number 83360, Bank routing number 254 500 01, or contribute online with our safe server by clicking on the link “Donate.”
Memorial Service on November 9th
We remember the destruction of Germany’s synagogues at the brutal hands of the Nazis as we join together on November 9th at 4:00 p.m. on our land and hold a memorial service. The Jewish community, the City of Hameln, and the society of Christians and Jews will observe the day with a commemorative service. Everyone is invited to attend and bring a stone or a flower.
We’re in the Newspaper
The new “Jewish Newspaper” has printed an excellent article about our community. We have posted it online and welcome you to read it. We thank reporter Olaf Glöckner and publisher Lutz Lorenz. A free six-month subscription for this new, independent voice of Jewish Germany is available. We encourage our readers to e-mail jz@wernermedia.de
We’re in the History Books
We’re thrilled that the German schoolbook-publishing house Westermann has put out a new history book for all 9th and 10th grade classes in our state of Lower Saxony; it features the first Jewish wedding in Hameln. The photo and caption show Rabbi Arnold Zoref officiating at the wedding of Faina Pelts and Felix Golbereg—all under the Chuppa. Rabbi Zoref was sent to us by Rabbi Jo David’s Jewish Appleseed Foundation. How gratifying to know that school students will learn about modern Judaism and that our congregation is helping.
New Class Offered
Our dance teacher, Boris Markhaseev, is offering a new dance class. Class begins on Wednesday evening, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. Boris will offer Israeli dances as well as standard ballroom. Put on your dancing shoes and join in the fun!
Todah Rabah — Thank You
At this time we would like to thank, once again, all those who helped make our holiday celebrations and services so beautiful. We especially wish to thank rabbinical student Gabor Lengyel for his lecture, “Remembrance from a Jewish Perspective.” The lecture was fascinating as was the discussion afterwards. We thank Uwe Wolandowitsch for the endless hours of work he put into the organization of the November 5th Benefit Concert.
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
Mazel Tov, Evelina! The congregation welcomes you with open arms and is happy to have yet another young person in the congregation. We all look forward to helping with your choice to live a Jewish life. Evelina was formally welcomed into the congregation during a Friday night service, led by our Rabbi Irit Shillor. Congregational president, Rachel Dohme presented Evelina with a beautiful sterling silver Magen David necklace. Thanks go out to the Brückner Family who accompanied Evelina and her parents to the Beit Din.
New Member
We welcome Evelina Borischanska, who became a member of our congregation on October 14th.
Friends
We thank our growing number of “Friends of the Jewish Congregation Hameln,” who support our programs with their contributions. They are always welcomed guests at all our congregational events.
We are especially pleased to welcome Mrs. Christina Whitelaw into our “Friends” group. Mrs. Whitelaw has been a regular and welcome guest in our congregation. She has often brought visitors with her, among them, former Jewish residents of the city of Bünde and her students, members of “Netzwerk Bünde.” a school group dedicated to researching the history of the Jews of Bünde.
Tree Of Life
Our tree of Life is very special-it even grows leaves in the fall! A new leaf was dedicated “In honor of the life of Heinz Schmidt.”
There’s always an opportunity to honor a loved one, a special date or celebration by ordering a leaf for our “Tree of Life.” Order forms are available in the office, or online on this site. Click on “Tree of Life.” Leaves are available for a contribution of $54, and the money raised goes to our building fund.
Contributions for the Synagogue Building Fund and/or the Congregation
We wish to thank our member Dr. Oleg Rubanov for his generous contribution to the synagogue building fund. We are sorry that this thank-you comes late, but it is all the more heartfelt.
We thank our “Friends” member Mrs. Sabine Demuth for waiving birthday presents and asking for contributions to our building fund instead. Mrs. Demuth’s guests contributed 900 Euros and we are extremely grateful.
We thank Rabbi Arnold Zoref for his contribution in memory of Mrs. Agusta Gogel. The money will go toward paying our social worker next year.
Other contributors were: Rachel Dohme, Dieter Shmuel Vogelhuber, Felix Golbereg and Volodymr and Nadiya Pesok. May all be blessed for their generosity.
November Birthdays
Happy and healthy birthday wishes to all our members and friends who have a November birthday. A birthday Kiddush will be held on November 25th. Celebrate with your friends!
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
Get well wishes to all who are ill at home or in the hospital. If you wish a visit from the Bikur Cholim group, contact Mrs. Berta Friedmann at 05151 13204.
Yahrzeit in November
We remember:
- Revold Banschukov — November 11, 1999/ 19 Kislev 5760
- Jan Olvovski — November 25, 2001/ 10 Kislev 5762
- Riva Voronova — November 16, 2002/ 11 Kislev 5763
May their memory be for a blessing. Yahrzeit candles are available in the synagogue office.
Shalom,
—Your Synagogue Board
Program for November 2005; Tischrei–Heschvan 5766
Nov. 3 3:00 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class
4:00 p.m. “Young and Jewish Hameln”
5:00 p.m. Hebrew class for adults
Saturday, November 5, 2005, 7:30 p.m.: Benefit Concert
Weserberglandhalle, Hameln, Tickets 12 Euros
Nov. 6 10:00 a.m. Giyur class
Nov. 8 4:00 p.m. Video afternoon
Nov. 9 4:00 p.m. Memorial Service 9th of November
Nov. 11 5:00 p.m. Friday night services
Nov. 14 3:00 p.m. Kinder Kehilla—Religious school for children
Nov. 17 11:00 a.m. Lecture: “Israel”
3:00 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class
4:00 p.m. “Young and Jewish Hameln”
5:00 p.m. Hebrew class for adults
Nov. 20 10:00 a.m. Giyur class
Nov. 25 5:00 p.m. Friday night services
Nov. 27 2:00 p.m. Judaism (in Russian)
Nov. 28 3:00 p.m. Kinder Kehilla
Nov. 29 4:00 p.m. “Russian Afternoon” art history lecture
Outside the congregation
Nov. 24 7:00 p.m. Lecture: “Racially motivated attacks in Germany”
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