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Dear members, friends and supporters,
December has always been a very special month. In December, we all look forward to Hanukkah and everything this wonderful holiday means to us-young and old. People are, in general, just a little bit nicer to one another at this time of year. Everyone is busy buying Hanukkah presents, baking sweet Hanukkah cookies, playing with dreidels, listening to Hanukkah music, decorating their homes with colorful Hanukkah decorations and polishing the nine-armed Hanukkia. One makes a little more family time and simply enjoys life and each other.
This year Hanukkah begins on December 25th and ends on January 1st. Our congregational Hanukkah party will be on December 28th—4th candle—at 4:00 p.m. We hope to see you all there. What would a Hanukkah party be without presents? Each child will receive a gift from the congregation, so get your parents and come!
Speaking of presents—the Benefit Concert, which our congregation hosted on November 5th,
was a gift for the citizens of the city of Hameln. Not only did we share a magical evening of Jewish music with our friends and neighbors, but also we took another step toward our goal of raising the money necessary to build our synagogue. Once again we wish to thank the sponsors and the artists, who all performed for free, allowing us to deposit a four- figure sum in the Foundation's saving's account. A special heartfelt thanks goes out to our very own Uwe Wolandowitsch, who organized the evening. Standing ovations for the musicians who performed for free-our synagogue choir, “Shalom,” rabbinical student Alina Treiger, our cantorial soloist Rebekka Dohme, “Jaboq” and the “Duo Challil.”
Hanukkah
Our congregational Hanukkah service and party will be held on Wednesday, December 28. We will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the lighting of the 4th candle. We will retell the Hanukkah story, sing the blessings and other traditional songs, play dreidel, and enjoy Latkes and Sufginot (jelly doughnuts). Bring your Hanukkia to the service—the more, the merrier! The children will receive a small gift and we expect everyone will have a fun afternoon.
In the News
Our congregation enjoys a very positive relationship with the local media. Check the congregational bulletin board for newspaper articles. The Deister Anzeiger runs a column titled “Frankly Speaking,” penned by local religious leaders. Congregational president Rachel Dohme submitted an article entitled, “Shabbat—Day of Peace,” which appeared in their paper. We were honored to be asked to submit an article!
Library News
Our volunteer librarian, Josef Pelts, invites everyone to take advantage of our congregational library. Members and Friends need only fill out a library card. We have books for children and adults, books on religious subjects, as well as other topics. Books are available in German and Russian. Library hours are Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 until 12.30. Josef will be pleased to help you select a book.
Classes, Groups and Activities
Our members offer so many courses and activity groups that the decision as to what to take part in is sometimes difficult. Volodymr Pesok offers a class on Jewish traditions in Russian, Valerij Friedmann selects interesting videos for viewing pleasure, and Larissa Schapira and Maya Olvovska prepare fascinating lectures about art history. Emma Lebedinska helps us keep healthy with a Yoga class, and Boris Markhaseev teaches classic and modern Israeli dances. Polina Pelts, Dieter Vogelhuber and Mrs. Schlegel assist in learning German. Dieter offers a lecture series on Israel and instructs conversion candidates. Rebecca Brückner and Orly Kenig offer religious education to our youngsters. Orly also teaches a Hebrew class for adults. Our newest class, “Computers for Beginners,” is about to begin. It is wonderful that so many of our members are so willing to offer their time and energy to make community life more interesting. We are grateful for their creative energy and dedication to the congregation.
Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln
The board and advisory committee met on November 17, 2005, for an annual meeting. Foundation president Rachel Dohme gave an annual review, and Mr. Tilch gave the financial report. Fundraising efforts will continue both in the U.S. and in Germany as the foundation strives to raise the funds necessary to build. Major achievements this year were the production of a fundraising instrument (brochure) in German and English and a successful benefit concert.
Family Services
Congregational religious schoolteacher Rebecca Brückner took part in a Family Services seminar in Zürich in November. Golan Ben-Chorin from Haifa led the seminar. We hope to incorporate the newly won information in our service schedule. A ritual committee is being organized, and we hope that many members will be interested in taking part in the monthly meetings.
Winter Camp
Children and youth are invited to join in the fun from December 22 to 29 for a “Hanukkah Camp.” The camp is being organized by our national movement, the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany's Youth department. Camp will take place in Sulz Bergfelden and is open to all 12- to 17-year-olds. Sign up now for eight days of Jewish learning and fun. Registration forms are in the office.
 
Russian Torah Commentary
“The Torah, A Modern Commentary,” by Rabbi Dr. Günther Plaut, is now available online in Russian, thanks to the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Click on www.reform.org.ru for the weekly Parascha.
Todah Rabah — Thank You
The Jüdische Gemeinde Hameln wishes to express our thanks to Mr. Uwe Wolandowitsch for his creative vision and endless hours of hard work in organizing the benefit concert on November 5th. We honor not only the hours of dedicated work but also his vision and belief that the citizens of Hameln would support our project and come out for the concert. Uwe secured sponsors and musicians and found, organized, scheduled excellent helpers within the congregation. It seemed that almost every member helped in one way or another and the months of hard work paid off. Kol ha-Kavod, Uwe!
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
On October 25, 2005, our State Board of Jewish Congregations was awarded the state charter necessary for acceptance into the Central Council of Jews of Germany. The Central Council will meet and decide on our application to integrate our seven liberal congregations into the national German-Jewish political representation. We will report the results.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Dr. Henry G. Brandt, who was awarded the Muhammad-Nafi-Tschelebi Prize, in recognition of his lifetime achievements in Jewish.-Moslem relations. Rabbi Dr. Brandt is the first Jewish recipient of this award.
Friends
Once again, we wish to thank the members of “Friends” for their continual support, which allows us many “extras.” We want to reiterate that “Friends” are always welcome guests at all of our congregational activities.
Tree of Life
Our tree loves to grow new leaves—even in winter. One hundred forty-one golden leaves adorn our Tree—four new leaves were ordered this month.
“For our Congregation” was sponsored by a congregational collection (thanks to Rimma Kapirovskaja for organizing it). Heidi Braun purchased three leaves for her family members: “In memory of grandfather, Johann Braun,” “In memory of grandmother Elisabeth Braun,” “In memory of father, Heinz Braun.” Leaves can be ordered on our safe server by going to our homepage at www.jghreform.org and then clicking “Tree of Life.” Leaves cost $54, and the money raised brings us one step closer to our dream of our own synagogue.
Contributions for the Congregation or the Synagogue Building Fund
First and foremost, we wish to thank everyone who supported our benefit concert. We were able to transfer a four-figure sum to the Foundation's account as a result of the evening.
Thanks also to Mrs. Christine Whitelaw and her school club “Netzwerk Bünde” for once again raising money and awareness for our project. Mr. Arkadij Zyrynov and Mrs. Heidi Braun also generously contributed for the building fund.
Thanks go out to Mr. And Mrs. Leo Bloomberg, USA, and Mrs. Edith Hövelmann, who contributed to the congregation's general fund. We thank them.
December Birthdays
Happy birthday wishes go out to all who share a December birthday. A special birthday Kiddush will be held on December 23rd after Friday night services.
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
We wish all who are ill at home or in the hospital a speedy and complete recovery. If you wish a visit from the “Bikur Cholim” group, please contact Mrs. Berta Friedmann at 5151 13204.
December Yahrzeit — We remember:
Rosa Kirica — December 1, 2000/ 4 Kislew 5761
Frida Dachkevitch — December 12, 2001/ 18 Kislew 5762
May their memory be for a blessing. Kaddish will be spoken during monthly services. Yahrzeit candles are available in the office.
Shalom,
—Your Synagogue Board
Program for December 2005 • Heshvan–Kislev 5766
Dec. 1 3:00 B'nei Mitzvah class
4:00 “Young and Jewish Hameln”
5:00 Hebrew class for adults
Dec. 4 10:00 Gijur instruction
Dec. 5 3:00 Kinder Kehilla
Dec. 8 11:00 Lecture: „Israel“
Dec. 9 5:00 Friday night services
Dec. 15 3:00 B'nei Mitzvah class
4:00 “Young and Jewish Hameln”
5:00 Hebrew class for adults
Dec. 18 10:00 Gijur instruction
Dec. 19 3:00 Kinder Kehilla
Dec. 22 11:00 Lecture: „Israel“
Dec. 23 5:00 Friday night services
Dec. 25 2:00 Basic Judaism (in Russian)
Dec. 28 4:00 HANUKKAH PARTY
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