Dear members, friends and supporters,
     Last month our congregation was a busy place offering many different activities. We were honored with visits from two different rabbis, led our city in honoring the dead on the 9th of November and celebrated Shabbat together-just to name a few. As winter approaches, things slow down a bit. December's program offers everyone something and we hope to see you at in your congregation! May the Hanukka lights glow in every Jewish home in Hameln!

News and Information

Memorial services on the 9th of November
     Our memorial service was very moving. Rebekka Dohme sang El Male Rachenim beautifully, followed by Professor Dr. Henry Friedlander, who led us in reciting Kaddisch. The service was well attended by local citizens, civic, church and political representatives. After the service, wreaths were laid as well as flowers and stones.

Chief Rabbi Dr. Henry G. Brandt's Visit
     We thank Chief Rabbi Dr. Henry G. Brandt for visiting our community. Rabbi Brandt spoke to interested members in an informal setting in our community center. His topic was "Our Congregation". He spoke from the heart ,making the point that many members expect the congregation to do solve their problems. He threw out the question of who the congregation is. We all are the congregation-every one of us-not just those on the board. We are all responsible for one another. The congregation's success is directly related to the amount of effort each member invests. Later that evening, Rabbi Brandt spoke to a full house in cooperation with the Christian-Jewish Society. His lecture was entitled, "Judaism-the Source of it's Strength". A lively discussion followed his speech. We thank Rabbi Brandt for his visit!

Membership Meeting of the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany
     Representatives of the UPJ's congregations met in Hannover on the 3rd of November for a day-long meeting. Secretary General Shmuel Bahagon reported on his various activities. Many different topics were on the agenda including the plans for this year's annual conference in Berlin. The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the WUPJ (in Berlin) was also discussed.

Winter Youth Camp
     The Winter Machene will be held from December 26-31 in the Harz Mountain retreat center of Bredenbeck. Registration for the few remaining openings must be received as soon as possible. The price is 100 Euros . The get-away is sure to be a great time of Jewish learning and fun for 12 to 18 year-olds.

New Board Elected
     The State Board of Synagogues of Lower Saxony met in Hannover on November 18. Among other agenga topics, the new board was elected. Board President is Katarina Seidler from Hannover, 1st Vice-President is Rachel Dohme from Hameln and 2nd Vice-President is Yuriy Lyvshyts from Goettingen. Mazel Tov!

Information Meeting
     State Board President Katarina Seidler and State Board Socialworker Margarite Souslovitch will hold an information meeting in our community center on December 3rd at 10:00 A.M. They will explain the new laws as they apply to our members and be available for questions.

Shabbat Services
     We enjoyed Shabbat morning services and the following Shiur about the parasha of the week, Vayetze ( Gen.10-32:3with Rabbi Irit Shillor. We were a minyan but hope next time more members will take the opportunity and attend. We left with a happy heart and thank Rabbi Shillor.

Synagogue Ms. Brigitte Schulte, member of the German Parlament and Hamelner asked us to make an appointment with her to discuss ways in which the government can assist us with our project.

Contributions

• Tree of Life: Aron Kaplan dedicated a leaf in honor of his beloved father. Our "Tree" can be a miracle tree and grow "leaves" even in winter-all it takes is your contribution of 50 Euros! Forms available online!
• Hanukka: Saloman Rachmanov made a contribution in honor of Hanukka. Thank you!
• Synagogue Building Fund: We thank Dr. Maria Grote-Schmidt for her very generous gift of 1,000 Euros. Look for the newspaper article soon!

Birthdays in December
     Evgenia Borischanskaya, Gita Mendeleva, Julia Schurupova, Vitaliy Vorona, Irina Jevdokimova, Soja Varschavskaja, Claudia Fischer, Rebekka Dohme, Polina Bartelbaum, Marija Tretyachenko and Eugen Micheev. Happy Birthday! We'll celebrate on December 20th with a birthday Kiddush . Don't miss it!

Yahrzeit
     We remember Rosa Kirica, Dec. 1, 2000 (4th Kislev 5761) and Frida Dachkevitch, Dec. 3, 2001 (18th Kislev 5762).

Condolences
     Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family of Riva Voronova. May her soul be bound up in the covenant of life.

Refuah Shlama — Get Well Wishes
     We send get well wishes for a speedy recovery to all our members who are ill at home or in the hospital. Members! Call the office and ask who you can visit. Remember, visiting the sick is a Mitzvah!

Last but not least,
     We wish to wish our non-Jewish friends and supporters a Merry Christmas and a healthy new year. We thank you all for your continued interest and support.

Shalom!