|
Dear members, friends and supporters,
As we promised in last month’s newsletter, we’d like to report on two important activities that took place at the end of March. First, our congregation celebrated its 8th birthday. What is so special about our community celebrating its 8th birthday, you may ask? After 1939/1940 there was virtually no Jewish life in the city of Hameln. With the destruction of the Hameln synagogue on November 9, 1938, the community ceased to exist. But 59 years later, in February 1997, with the first post-war Jewish congregation —Juedische Gemeinde Hameln — Jewish life returned to the city.
The celebration begun with vice president, Polina Pelts, giving a retrospective look at our short history, reminding us all of sweet memories and shared moments,
 |
Our congregational music group “Shalom”
|
|
and of founding members, some of whom are no longer with us and the difficult but rewarding grass roots effort that has made us the active Jewish community we are today.
Rabbinical student A. Trejger led the community in a rousing round of Hatikvah. Our congregational music group “Shalom” treated us to a short program. The tables were laden, as usual, with homemade goodies, and the afternoon and evening was enjoyed by one and all. Before parting we joined together for Havdallah, and wishes of “Shavua Tov—Have a good week” echoed throughout the sanctuary.
The next day we met for the annual membership meeting. Although there were no elections this year, we were pleased to see a good turnout. Congregational president R. Dohme delivered the 2004 annual report. Members were awed by the annual report, which was 4 pages. Religious, social, and integrative activities, classes, seminars and lectures have comprised our community life. Additional reports were delivered concerning our new “Foundation Liberal Synagogue Hameln”, our State Board of Jewish Congregations in Lower Saxony, our national organization, the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany, and our international organization, the World Union of Progressive Judaism. Congregational treasurer M. Dvortsis presented the annual financial report. His work was lauded by congregational auditors, and the community voted unanimously to accept all reports. The protocol of the meeting is available in German and Russian in the office.
International Women’s Day
We thank our members A. Drejzer, J. Vainberg and V. Fridman for the excellent program in honor of International Women’s Day. Many hours of hard word went into this afternoon and we thank everyone involved.
Purim
The Purim festival was incredible and so much fun! Thanks to Rebecca and Inna and the children and teens of our religious school, we were treated to a very special Purim Spiel. It is so important that we offer our youngsters a Jewish education. Rabbinical student A. Trejger led the reading of the Megillah Esther. Thanks to our rabbi, Irit Shillor, we read the Megillah in Hebrew, German and Russian. Everyone enjoyed the homemade hamentaschen, baked, as in every year, by the students of Polina Pelts’ German class for Seniors.
|
Polina Pelts and Rabbi Irit Shillor
|
Membership Dues
We thank all who have paid their annual dues. Our dues are very affordable and we ask everyone to pay as soon as possible.
Holidays in April
This year we celebrate Pesach from April 23 until May 1. Our congregational Seder will be held on Saturday afternoon, April 23. R. Dohme and V. Pesok will lead our Seder. Join us!
Matzah Sale
We’re offering Israeli matzah for 4 Euros a kilogram as long as the supply lasts. Members may purchase matzah Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
Rabbi Irit Shillor
As always, we look forward to our rabbi’s visit. In April, Rabbi Shillor will join us on the 5th and 6th days of Pesach.
Rabbinical Student A. Trejger
Alina will be with us on the weekend of April 15. Starting this month, Alina will teach our B’nei Mitzvah children after Schacharit services.
Anti-Semitism
Rudi Brueckner is our congregational representative on issues of anti-Semitism. He takes part in meetings and seminars and reports to the board. Feel free to speak to Rudi and let us know if you’d care to join him at these unfortunately important meetings.
UPJ Brochure
We’re pleased to offer our German and Russian readers a copy of the new Union of Progressive Jews of Germany brochure. An English version is being worked on. The brochure was funded in part by the Ministry of the Interior. Thanks go out to Irith Raub-Michelsohn for the concept and hard work. We were thrilled to see that the brochure shows a photo of our Rabbi and Bar Mitzvah Julian Dohme.
Rabbi Shillor and Bar Mitzvah Julian Dohme
|
|
UPJ Summer Camp
This year’s summer camp will be held in Straelen, near the Dutch border. Camp runs from July 28 to August 7. Camp is open to youngsters between the ages of 8 and 17. The cost is 350 Euros. Registration forms are available in the office. Youngsters from Netzer Olami Holland will join our group.
UPJ 11th Annual Conference
This year’s annual conference of the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany will be held in Berlin July 17–17. The conference is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other members and leaders from sister congregations in Germany for four days of Jewish learning. Not only can one exchange ideas and experiences but also take part in beautiful Sabbath services. Registration forms will be available in the office.
Contributions
We thank all those who so generously made contributions to our congregation last month.
Mark Schwartz made his contribution with wishes of Refuah Schlama for his aunt, Eva Wiener.
Contributions for the Synagogue Project
We thank these generous contributors:
Netzwerk Buende; Mrs. M. Deutelmoser; Women’s group, Martin Luther Church; Women’s group, Lutheran Church of Bueckeberg; Bible group of Meinsen;
Evelina Borischanska, 12 years old; Mrs. N. Pesok; Mr. D.Vogelhuber; Mrs.U. Bomnueter; and Mr. P. Linnemann.
Tree of Life
Every “leaf” on our Tree of Life brings the dream of our own synagogue one step closer. We now have 132 leaves. Each leaf costs a minimum of $54 and can be ordered online. Spring has sprung and soon all the trees will have new leaves… won’t you help our tree sprout new leaves?
Leaves donated last month:
- Dohme family: Arthur Arnovitz 1923–2005
Mazel Tov on your Chuppah Rudi and Rebecca
- Dieter Vogelhuber: Mazel Tov David and Rebecca from Shmuel and H. Fischer: In memory of the victims of fascism
Todah Rabah — Thank You
- We thank Rebekka Dohme for her music program of liturgical pieces at the annual membership meeting of the Society of Christians and Jews.
- Thank you to A. Drejzer, J. Vainberg and V. Fridman for the wonderful program in honor of International Women’s Day.
- Thank you, Rabbi Shillor for the fascinating lecture on Liberal Judaism.
- Thank you Rebecca, Inna and the children of our religious school for the Purim Spiel. It was a delight!
- We thank the members of the Synagogue Task Force for their help in preparing the fundraising brochure.
- Thanks to our local media, the Dewezet newspaper and Radioaktiv for their support in reporting the activities of our congregation.
- It was a pleasure to greet Police Commisioner Schneider and his wife at our 8th year birthday party.
|
UPJ Youth Leaders: Adi Weichselbaum, youth leader; Rebecca Brüchner, congregation teacher; and
Orly Kenig, instructor from Netzer Olami
|
Mazel Tov — Congratulations
Mazel Tov to Evgenia Osika on her conversion. May Torah guide you.
April Birthdays
We wish all our members who share an April birthday all the best. Join us after Friday night services on April 29 for a birthday Kiddush.
Refuah Schlama — Get Well Wishes
Get well wishes to all who are ill at home or in the hospital. Give us a call at the office if you’d enjoy a visit. Our Bikur Cholim committee will be happy to stop by.
Condolences
We express our condolences to the family of Riva Slavinska. May her soul be bound up in the covenant of Life.
April Yahrzeits
- Anna Potozkaja — April 11, 2000/6, Nisan 5760
- Evgenia Boroschanskaja — April 26, 2004/5, Iyar 5764
May their memories be for a blessing.
Shalom,
— Your Synagogue Board
Program for April 2005; Adar II–Nisan 5765
April 4 3 p.m. Children’s group R. Brueckner
April 5 5 p.m. Lecture (in Russian), Vladimir Toporik
April 12 4 p.m. Russian Afternoon: Art History (in Russian), I. Lipovitsch
April 14 11 a.m. Lecture: "Israel", D. Vogelhuber
3 p.m. “Young and Jewish Jr. Hameln”, I. Golbereg
April 15 5 p.m. Friday night services, Rabbinical student A. Trejger
April 16 10 a.m. Saturday morning services, A. Trejger
4:30 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class, A. Trejger
April 18 3 p.m. Children"s group, R. Brueckner
April 19 4 p.m. Video Afternoon (in Russian), V. Fridman
April 21 3 p.m. Hebrew for adults, O. Kenig
“Young and Jewish Jr. Hameln”, I. Golbereg
4 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class, O. Kenig
April 23 4 p.m. Congregational Seder, R. Dohme & V. Pesok
April 24 2 p.m. Introduction into Judaism (in Russian), V. Pesok
April 26 4 p.m. Russian Afternoon: Art History (in Russian),
M. Olvovska & L. Chapiro
April 28 11 a.m. “Rabbi"s Table”
1–4 p.m. Rabbi"s office hours
4:30 p.m. B’nei Mitzvah class
April 29 9–12 a.m. Rabbi’s office hours
2–4 p.m. Giyur class
5 p.m. Friday night services
Outside the Congregation
April 5 8 p.m. Lecture: “Hameln 1945”, B. Gelderblom, Tickets: 6/5 Euros
|
|
|
Archived Newsletters:
|
|
|
