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Dear members and friends,
November is thought of as the darkest month of the year but we will brighten the days with many different activities in our community center. Please join us.
9th of November
We thank all those who helped make this year’s memorial service so meaningful. Over 150 congregants, local citizens, church and political representatives were in attendance and were moved by the music and prayers. After the service we convened to our community
 
center to hear a lecture about the former Hameln physician, Dr. Sigmund Kratzenstein. We hope to soon have as a guest, Mr. Josef Speckmann, who helped bury Dr. Kratzenstein in 1938. This will add another vital piece to history of the congregation who came before us.
December Holidays
We light the 1st candle on December 7. The holiday lasts 8 days. Chanukka means “dedication”. This beautiful holiday begins on the 25th day of Kislev. We celebrate the re-dedication of the Temple and the triumph of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek army in 165 B.C.E. Every evening we light an additional candle on our Chanukkia (Chanukka menorah). We retell the legend of the miracle of the oil. We play with the Sevivon (Chanukka top) upon whose sides the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hej and shin can be read. They stand for the Hebrew sentence: Nes gadol haja sham… A great miracle happened here.
Chanukka Party
We’re all looking forward to Chanukka! We’ll celebrate the 1st night together on December 7. Each household will receive a Chanukkia and a Sevivon as a gift from the congregation. Join us as we recite the age-old prayers, sing songs, eat jelly dougnuts and latkes and generally have a good time. The children will delight us with their Chanukka-Spiel, and everyone’s sure to go home with a smile on their face! Chag Chanukka Sameach! Happy Chanukka!
Rabbinical Student
Rabbinical student Tom Kucera will visit our congregation one last time on Friday, December 3rd. He’ll teach the B’nei Mitzvah class and lead Friday night services. It’s been wonderful having him in our congregation and we wish him all the best with his further studies.
Rabbi Shillor
Our rabbi’s December visit is on Thursday, the 16th and Friday the 17th. Her schedule is in the program. If you desire a meeting/visit with/from the rabbi, let us know.
The children enjoy making holiday decorations.
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Kinder Kehilla
The Kinder Kehilla meets twice a month. We invite children from 4 to 8 years to join in the fun with Rebecca. Give your children and grandchildren their birthright of a Jewish education. Questions? Call us in the office.
Welcome Orly
We welcome Orly to our congregation. Orly is sent to the UPJ by the Jewish Agency and is assisting in our youth organization. Thanks to Maoz Haviv and Netzer Olami Israel, Orly will be in Germany for a year. She teaches the B’nei Mitzvah children Hebrew and starting this month offers adults a Hebrew class too. We’re thrilled to have her helping us, adding another dimension to our congregation’s spirituality.
B’nei Mitzvah Class
All children, 11 and older are welcome to join our weekly B’nei Mitzvah class. Class involves learning about Israel, God and Bible and of course, learning Hebrew in preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Jewish studies are taught by our Rabbi and rabbinical student and Hebrew by Orly Kenig.
Hebrew Class for Adults
Beginning December 9th at 3 PM, Orly offers a beginning class in Hebrew for adults. The class will be held twice a month and is free for our members.
Tours
We see our “open-door” policy as essential to positive relations with our non-Jewish neighbors. In the last few weeks, two school classes, an adult church group, an international conference of educators and an American tourist group visited our congregation. R. Dohme lectured about Judaism at the local hospital. We’re pleased to make this effort because every visitor leaves our congregation better informed about Judaism and this serves us all.
Winter Camp
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are invited to join UPJ Youth leader Adi Weichselbaum for a winter camp in Mühlenberg. Dates are December 23–30. Join in for a week of Jewish learning and fun, and see all your friends from summer camp again. Registration forms are in the office.
Todah Rabah — Thank You
Thank you Rebekka for singing so beautifully at our 9th of November meorial service. Thank you Dieter for the 5 part lecture series on Israel.
Contributions to the Congregation and Synagogue Building Project
Thank you to all who contributed this past month.
Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln
Our president R. Dohme met with our architect Arnold Oppler and partner, Rabbi Jo David from the Jewish Appleseed Foundation, Mr. Phil Michaels,
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At a recent meeting, architect Arnold Oppler displays his design for the proposed synaogue for Hamlen. From left to right are Robert Weinstein, Arnold Oppler, Warren Wechsler, Rachel Dohme, and Rabbi Jo David.
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Mr. Warren Wechsler, and our Webmaster Jim van Abbema in New York City on October 18. Plans for the synagogue were presented and a fundraising strategy was discussed. Back home, Rachel met with foundation members with the same order of business. Our synagogue project develops, step by step.
Book Fair
Join us on December 12th from 10 AM till 4 PM for this year’s book fair. All proceeds go to the synagogue project. Drop by-perhaps you’ll find the perfect Chanukka gift.
Beauty Day
Claudia Fischer welcomes the ladies of the community to a morning dedicated to beauty. Treat yourself to a relaxing morning in the community center.
New Members
Our membership list grew again this month. We welcome our newest members.
Tree of Life
Even in winter our “tree” has grown 4 new “leaves”. Leaves cost a minimum of $54 and can be ordered online. Just click “Tree of Life” on our Homepage. Money raised goes to our building fund.
December Birthdays
Happy birthday to all our December “children”. A Birthday Kiddush will take place after services on December 17. Join us for coffee and birthday cake.
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
Ours prayers for a complete and speedy recovery for all those in hospital and at home.
Yahrzeit in December
We will include their names in our prayers. May their memory be for a blessing.
Rosa Kirica — 1.12.00/ 4 Kislev 5761
Frida Dachkevitch — 3.12.01/18 Kislev 5762
Please note: Our office is closed between December 27 and January 7. Please leave messages on the answering machine. In emergencies, call a board member.
Shalom!
— Your board
Program for December 2004; Kislev–Tevet 5765
3 3:30 pm B’nei Mitzvah class
5 pm Friday night services
6 3 pm Kinder Kehilla
7 4 pm Congregational Chanukka Party
9 3 pm Hebrew for adults
4 pm B’nei Mitzvah class
12 10 am–4 pm Book sale to benefit Synagogue Project
14 10 am “Beauty Day”, C.Fischer
16 11 am Lecture series: “Israel”, D. Vogelhuber
1:30–4 pm Rabbi’s open office hours
4–5:30 pm B’nei Mitzvah class
17 9–12 pm Rabbi’s office hours
2–4 pm Giyur class
5 pm Friday night services
18 2 pm Judaism class in Russian, V. Pesok
20 3 pm Kinder Kehilla
21 4 pm Video Afternoon, V. Fridman
28 4 pm “Russian Afternoon” art history class (in Russian)
30 11 am Lecture Series: “Israel”, D. Vogelhuber
Outside the Community
10 5:30 pm Chanukka Party for kids, Liberal Congregation Hannover
Mark Your Calendars!!
New Year’s Party, Wednesday, January 5, 2005
4:00-? Musical entertainment provided by “Mitzvah”
6 Euros per person
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Archived Newsletters:
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