Dear Members and Friends,
     Summer is here and we’ll be taking a vacation. After all the activities in June, everyone needs a little break!

Our Office Will Be Closed July 9th–23rd.
     In spite of vacation, board officers will be available on Wednesdays between 9:00AM and 12:00 PM and in emergencies please call one of the following:
     Polina Pelts 05151 56259
     Feana Engler 05151 959967
     Valerij Fridman 05151 13204

Sixth graders from a local middle school look over Sofer Neil Yerman's shoulder as he writes.

Visit of the Former Jews of Hameln
     Our congregation, along with the city of Hameln and the Society for Christians and Jews, were hosts to the one week visit of the former Jews of Hameln. As spiritual decendents of the pre-war Hameln congregation, we realize our religious responsibility to re-establish Jewish life in our town. Our congregation is different from the congregation that existed 60 years ago but we feel that that which connects us — Judaism and Tikkun Olam — is more than what separates us. We were honored to host our Jewish guests from Israel, England, and North and South America in our community center. When they visit us again, we hope we will be able to receive them in our new synagogue!
     Highlights of the visit were the Torah seminar led by Scribe Neil Yerman, the Mezuzah Seminar led by Rabbi Jo David, the panel discussion led by Mr. Spangenberger and Mrs. Bruns and, of course, the beautiful Friday night service for members and guests (including the Mayor!) led by Rabbi David. Thank you to all!

First Hameln Cultural Festival
     The first Hameln Cultural Festival took place on Saturday, June 23rd. Our congregation shared an information table with the Society for Christians and Jews. We distributed information about our congregation, our board of congregations in Lower Saxony, the WUPJ and the JAF. In order to raise money for our synagogue, we sold JGH mousepads, Tzedaka boxes and greeting cards. Our music group “Shalom” presented a program and clarinetist Mark Rovner also performed. It did us good to see how well our congregation is received in Hameln.

Debbie Tal-Ruettger, from Gudensberg, and Rabbi David discuss community building in Germany during the annual conference of the German progressive movement in Halberstadt.

Conference of the Union for Progressive Judaism in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
     The 7th annual conference of the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany, Austria and Switzerland took place in the city of Halberstadt June 28th–July 1st. The Union is our national organization connecting our congregation with 13 other Reform and Conservative communities.
     Religious leaders from all over the world led workshops and seminars for over 150 participants. Workshops were offered by our own Rabbi Jo David, her husband, Sofer Neil Yerman, Adina Ben-Chorin from ER/WUPJ, Dr. Leo Hepner from WUPJ, Rabbi Joel Oseran, Rabbi Dr. Guenter Plaut, Prof. Dr. Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich, Rabbi Prof. Dr. Allen Podet, and many others.

Congregational Outing
    We’re planning 2 outings — one to Bad Pyrmont and one to Cologne. In Bad Pyrmont there is an interesting exhibit, and in Cologne we have been invited to celebrate a Shabbat morning service. Contact our office for more details.

Donation for Israel
     The board has acted on a suggestion from Mrs. Slavinska to make a donation to the families who lost loved ones in the recent terror attack in Tel Aviv. We thank Mrs. Slavinska for this suggestion, reminding us to think of others.

Birthright
     Birthright Israel is a program that allows young Jews between the ages of 18 and 26 to visit Israel for 10 days at no cost. Young people who have never participated in an educational program in Israel are eligible. Contact our office for more information.

New Course
     One of our newest members, Mr. Markhassev, would like to offer an adult ballroom dance course. Those interested can contact our office for more information.

Chevra Kaddisha
     We are looking for new members of the Chevra Kaddisha for women. Please contact the office (nurses or doctors?). This is one of the highest Mitzvot a person can perform.

Adina Ben-Chorin to Visit Our Congregation
     Adina Ben-Chorin will visit our congregation on Thursday, the 30th of August, and lead a seminar in preparation for the High Holy Days. She’ll team teach the children of our religious school and lead Friday night services. Adina is the wife of the liberal Rabbi Tovia Ben-Chorin in Zürich, and we’re thrilled to have her as a guest and teacher!

New Members
     We are pleased to welcome 5 new families to our congregation!! Please make them feel welcome! The Mindlin family, the Fesyk/Vilenchik family, the Lokchine family, the Isgandarov/Arnilova family. and the Markhassev/Zaroubkinskaia family. Our congregation is growing!

Friends
     Our “Frendeskreis” (Friends) has also grown and we have now 40 members. Mr. John Smith is our newest member. Our Freundeskreis is open to friends and supporters of our congregation. Members receive our monthly newsletter in exchange for a donation of their choice.

Todah Rabah.............Thank You
    Thanks go out to:

• Inna Golbereg. Inna organized a rummage sale that was so successful a second sale is being planned for the fall! The money goes to our Building Fund.
• Mrs. Irina Grach for a contribution.
• Ellen Rosenberg and the WRJ who sent a large contribution to cover the personnel costs of our Jewish Summer Camp.
• Mrs. Spangenberger for covering the costs of a Russian-Jewish youth so that he can attend the camp.
• Mrs. Plotzski for a donation.
• Ken Teacher and the Friends of Progressive Judaism in Europe for a generous donation.
• The city of Hameln for covering the cost of kosher wine for Friday night services .
• The Society of Christians and Jews for covering the cost of juice and water for Friday night services.
• All our members who made the Friday night service so beautiful with homemade salads and desserts!

Tree of Life
     Our Tree of Life has new leaves! Leaves can be purchased for “triple Chai” — $54 online. Click Tree of Life. The money raised goes to our Building Fund. Ten new leaves have been sponsored by:

• Rabbi David and Neil Yerman
• Katarina Seidler
• Tamara Ovcharenko
• Rabbi Dr. Robert Ash
• Maja Olvovskaia

Baby-naming ceremony in JGH. Baby Pesach helps write in the Torat Nashim (WRJ Torah) with Sofer Neil Yerman.

Mazel Tov
     Mazel Tov to Family Isgandarov/Arnilowa. Rabbi David performed a baby naming for their son. May he be a blessing to family and congregation.
     Mazel Tov to our sister congregation in Gudensberg. They dedicated their community center and their Sefer-Torah in early June. May they grow in Torah’s light.

Condolences
     Our condolences to Family Vaisman on the death of their mother and our member, Mrs. Evgenia Benderskaia. Rabbi Dr. Ash led the funeral services. May her soul be bound in the covenant of eternal life.

Birthdays in July and August
     July:  Milja Golberg, Boris Frid, Natalja Tenenbaum, Tamara Ovcharenko, Emma Kaplan, Elena Dmitrieva, Rimma Kopirovskaja, Valerij Fridman, David Rakhman, Felix Gurevich, Moiseje Bilopolski, Natalja Zaychenko, Michail Timonin, Olga Rovner, Irina Koustanovitsch, Leonid Berditschevskij, Lubow Genselman, Benjamin Berry, Elizaveta Berlikova, Elena Zaroubkinskaia
     August:  Albert Jakoubovitsch, Lev Vinnytski, Vlodimyr Pesok, Marjana Kleper, Selina-Lea Berry, Mark Rovner, Maria Lazer, Rafail Isgandarov

     We’ll celebrate our July and August birthdays with a special Birthday Kiddusch on August 31st.

Refuah Schlama…………Get Well Wishes
     Get well wishes to all those not feeling well.

Shalom!

Your board members