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Dear members, friends and supporters,
This year the 70th Yahrzeit of the “Pogromnacht,” the 9th of November, 1938 was observed worldwide. It was the night when synagogues, Jewish homes, businesses and lives were destroyed all over Germany. It was the night the world stood still, watching in horror as Jewish citizens all over Germany were demeaned and abused and the onset of the end of German Jewry began. Our congregation held moving and meaningful commemorative services on this solemn day. We stood with local citizens, political and religious leaders, remembering in pain all that had been lost.
Several hundred people gathered together, Jews and non-Jews, young and old, German and foreign-born, for a memorial services comprised of prayers, music and recitations of Jewish familiy histories from Hamelin, made even more moving by the presence of relatives of those former Jewish families. We were honored to have Eva Brown, her husband Harold Brown and Eva’s brother Peter Cranston with us, grandchildren of the last president of the pre-Shoah Jewish Congregation of Hameln, Dr. Siegmund Kratenstein. They came to us from Sydney, Australia. Also present were Ruth Torode, her son Benjamin and her brother Frank Jones with cousin Ute Siegler, representing the Jonas family. They traveled from their homes in England and Ireland to share this day with us.
Our rabbinical student Yan Tsipris framed the ceremony with bittersweet music. After a reading of psalms by Pastor Martin Hoffmann and words by Mrs. Christa Bruns, president of the Hamelin Society for Christians and Jews, wreaths and stones were laid. The memorial service concluded with the recitation of names of Hamelin’s Jewish community members who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi regime, followed by the chanting of “El Male Rachamim” and Kaddish.
The solemn mood of the memorial service also prefaced the beginning of the Benefit Concert, which followed a few steps away in the city’s theater and attended by more than 500 people.
On a darkened stage, illuminated only by six yellow candles, lit by the grand and great grandchildren, Eva Brown, Harold Brown, Peter Cranston, Ruth and Benjamin Torode and Frank Jonas, Rabbi Gábor Lengyel recited prayers and led a communal reading of Kaddish.
In her opening remarks, our community’s president, Rachel Dohme said, “Our imagination is unable to grasp the extent of loss and suffering caused by the Shoah. We are left with the memory of the persecuted and murdered and this memory is of utmost importance to us all, Jew and non-Jew alike. We remember those we knew and those whose names are lost forever. We remember them on this day and every day.
We, the Jewish citizens of Hamelin, have decided that the most honorable memorial for those who came before us is the memory of the future. Together we will rebuild the Hamelin Synagogue on the very soil upon which it once stood. Your attendance tonight and your contributions will help bring that dream to fruition.”
Once again, our community member Uwe Wolandowitsch organized a magnificent concert and evening of Jewish music. Performing were the renowned “Duo Chalil” from Bremen as well as local Jewish musicians. “Chalil’s” two musicians, Peter Müntel (oboe) and Ralf Winkelmann (guitar) “enchanted the audience with oriental melodies, running the emotional gammit from soulful and heartwrenching to happily rejoicing,” quoting the local newspaper, Deister und Weser Zeitung.
Hameln’s Mayor Mrs. Susanne Lippman also spoke after rounding applause for our congregational choir “Shalom”’s performance. She said, “The city of Hamelin is aware of its’ moral responsibility in helping to build a synagogue and would do their part.” These are strong words upon which we can literally build.
The concert concluded with the group “Mizwa” from Hanover who presented a joyful program of modern Jewish favorites, leaving all in attendance with a hopeful heart.
The solemn atmosphere had evolved into one of rejoicing and all the musicians were thanked with standing ovations. The audience joined in singing the Yiddish song, „Wir lebn ewig“ (“We live on”) as the concert came to a close.
Rachel Dohme reminded the audience, “The memory of the future, means rebuilding and sustaining a active, modern and liberal Jewish community in the heart of Hamelin.”
We thank Uwe Wolandowtisch and all the artists for this wonderful and positive evening and say with all our heart: Thank you! Todah Rabah!
Press Work
Our local newspapers report about our community’s life very often and very positively. We are very grateful that our work is met with such respect. In the past weeks our congregation has been the subject of many such reports on several local radio programs. We thank the radio stations and our community’s members who took part in this programming. CDs of the programs are available in our community’s library.
Baby Blessing
During our Kabbalat Shabbat service on November 21, 2008, we were overjoyed to celebrate the baby blessing of our youngest community members Florencia and Anamaría Fiebich. The twins were born on May 17, 2008. Rabbi Irit Shillor recited the blessings for the baby girls in the presence of their proud parents Claudia Fischer and Frank Fiebich, their siblings Marysol and Ron and their families and friends. What a joyous celebration it was!
Holidays in December
“O Hanukkah, O Hanukkah, come light the menorah . . .” These are the first sweet words of a popular children’s song. This festival, which is loved by children and adults alike, begins at sundown on Sunday, December 21st, 2008. Each night we put another candle in our Hanukkia (the Hanukka candelabra). Putting them in from right to left, we light them from left to right. We remember the rededication of the Temple in 165 bce after it had been defiled. The candles remind us of the miracle of a small vial of pure oil found in the Temple lasting for eight days and keeping the Temple menorah alight.
In December our living rooms are lit and warmed by those beautiful lights. Children make Hanukka decorations, bake and decorate Hanukka cookies amidst the smell of latkes (potato pancakes) wafting from the kitchen. Presents are bought, wrapped and exchanged in love.
Join us as we light the first candle of Hanukka on December 21st at 4 p.m. Our Hanukka party promises to be an enjoyable afternoon for young and old. Our youth group, “Young and Jewish”, have prepared a short Hanukka play sprinkled with several well-known Hanukka songs. “Shalom” will treat us to a Hanukka concert and we will enjoy latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and play dreidel. Thanks to donations from Temple Sinai in Denver Colorado, there’s a dreidel for everyone to take home plus games and prizes galore.
Together we will celebrate the miracle of Hanukka, the triumph of religious freedom, against all odds. For our community, a holiday we can identify with. Eleven years ago, we established the first post-Shoah congregation in Hamelin with 18 men and women. Today we look to the future with 200 members and the dream of our own synagogue. Please join us for this special and joyous holiday.
Foundation for a Synagogue in Hamelin
Thanks to the Benefit Concert on November 9th, we were able to raise over €2,000 in donations for the building of our new synagogue and community center. We deeply appreciate and thank the Hamelin citizens and the representatives of our city who gave so generously. The large numbers attending both to the memorial services and the evening concert were a heartwarming show of support for the building of the synagogue and the importance of our community for our city. We received so many kind words of appreciation and recognition of the work we have done in re-establishing Judaism in our city. We thank everyone for their generous donations. We can be assured that our plans are of utmost importance to our fellow Hamelin citizens.
The foundation will continue to pursue fundraising efforts. Our president Rachel Dohme will also try to raise awareness and seek further supporters in the USA. For this reason she accepted an invitation to speak to members of Temple Brith Kodesh in Rochester, New York in November. A separate article about this visit will appear on our Website soon.
Netzer Day
Greta Golbereg and Shlicha Sivan Gaides have prepared a “Netzer Day” in our community on December 7th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This will be a first so we hope that all “Young and Jewish” members will attend. All activities will take place in our community rooms. Greta and Sivan await all our youth for a fun-filled day! Mark your calendars now!
Winter Machene
The Union of Progressive Jews of Germany once again offers our youth an annual Winter Machene from December 22-29, which will take place in picturesque city of Gersfeld. Congregational youth from the ages of 12 to 17 can take part in this Jewish winter camping program. It will be eight days of Jewish learning and fun with friends from other liberal congregations nationwide. Don’t miss it!
A New Face in the Community
Our community now has a custodian. Mr. Heinrich Moos will be at our community every day. Mr. Moos will care for our congregational rooms and grounds in Bürenstraße together with our board member Aron Kaplan. We thank the employment office for the grant which makes this position possible.
New Members
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.
Donations — Tzedaka
- We are grateful to the many people who continually support our work and our plans to build a new synagogue. We would like to thank everyone who donated money, especially for Rosh Hashanah.
- We thank all those who filled our baskets so generously at our Benefit Concert, especially Mayor Susanne Lippmann, County Commissioner Rudiger Butte and the Hamelin-Pyrmont Green Party.
- In addition, we thank Mr. Späth, Mrs. Niedert, Mrs. P. Pelts, Mrs. Kessler, Family Yevdokymov, Mr. Vogelhuber, Mrs. R. Dohme, Rabbi Rheins, Denver Colorado USA, Hospice Bad Pyrmont, Mr. and Mrs. Schnell, Dr. Peter Neumann und Rabbi Gábor and Anikó Lengyel.
May all donors be blessed for their generosity.
Tree of Life — Etz Chayim
Who will contribute the next leaf? Each leaf not only adorns our sanctuary but also helps us raise funds for our synagogue. Leaves can be ordered through our office or by contacting Rachel Dohme or on this Web site: Tree of Life. Each leaf costs a minimum of $54 (triple chai). Please contribute a leaf and help us to build our synagogue! The 208th leaf was contributed by the Yevdokymov family:
“In memory of our son Sergij”
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
- We congratulate our newest members, the Fischer twins, who have celebrated their baby blessing together with their parents and Rabbi Shillor on November 21st.
- We congratulate Arkadij Zyranow on successfully completing his giyur course. We will celebrate with Arkadij on January 30th as he is called to the Torah for the first time during special welcoming services led by Rabbi Shillor.
- Mazel Tov to Alina Treiger und Jona Simon on their Chuppa (marriage) on November 22nd in Bielefeld. We wish both our former rabbinical students all the best!
- Congratulations to the Jewish community of Göttingen on the dedication of their synagogue on November 9th.
- All these simchot make us very happy!
Thank you — Toda Raba
- We are grateful to every person and every organization which supports our community.
- We thank the European Region of the World Union of Progressive Judaism for their support and assistance for Rabbi Irit Shillor’s visits. This financial support helps us secure her services.
- We thank our rabbinical student Yan Tsipris, for lending his voice to our November 9th commemorative services. His voice warmed many hearts on such a cold and sad day.
- Our sincere thanks to Uwe Wolandowtisch for organizing the third Benefit Concert on November 9th. We thank all donors, the media, members and relatives of the Jewish families Kratzenstein and Jonas, Rabbi Lengyel, Mr. Jungnitz and the great musicians, who helped making this concert so successful.
- We appreciate all community members who helped in making the holidays special.
- We thank Julian Dohme who helped with the layout of this newsletter.
December Birthdays
We wish all those celebrating a December birthday, the very best of health and happiness. We have a small gift for all our December Birthdays after services on December 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.
Condolences
With deep grief and mourning we sadly acknowledge the sudden and unexpected death of our beloved founding member Josef Pelts on Thursday, November 20, 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are especially with his wife Polina, his daughter Faina Pelts and husband Felix Golbereg, their children, Greta and Ina Golbereg with great-grandson, Elias. Rabbi Shillor led funeral services on Monday, November 24th.
December Yahrzeit — We remember:
- Rosa Kirica — December 1, 2000 / 4 Kislev 5761
- Frieda Dachkevich — December 3, 2001 / 18 Kislev 5762
- Grigori Drabkine — December 7, 2005 / 6 Kislev 5766
- Igor Fuksa — December 6, 2006 / 15 Kislev 5767
- Genrich Leimunskis — December 29, 2006 / 8 Tevet 5767
May their memory be for a blessing. Please join family members during Sabbath services as we recite Kaddish. Yahrzeit candles are available in the office.
Shalom,
—Your Synagogue Board
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