Last Shabbat we read Parashat Vaera, the second portion of the Book of Exodus. In the portion God reveales his divine name to Moses. As human beings, we always long to feel God’s presence in our lives. I hope our newsletter conveys to you some of the sparks we have experienced in the past couple of weeks.
The year opened with the welcome of many overseas friends.
1. On the very first day of 2012, Jan. 1st, we welcomed Barbara Kavadias, ARZA Director of Development and David Leichman. We sat in my office for a lovely, interesting and educating/enlightening conversation.
2. For Shabbat services on Jan. 6th, we hosted John Mosheim from Temple Micah of Washington and Martin and Susan Weinberg from Temple Beth David of Gladwyn, PA. All three wonderful friends were invited for Shabbat dinner at my home with my wife Deborah and my kids. It was a pleasure having a Shabbat table filled with family and friends.
3. On Sunday, Jan. 8th I taught the 6th grade gifted program at the David Yelin Elementary School as part of a yearly program. All the girls of the gifted program will celebrate their Bat Mitzvah in a group ceremony at Or Hadash on March 1st, 2012.
David Yelin Elementary School is twinned with our sister congregation Temple Shalom of Newton, MA. Not long ago Rabbi Gurvis and I visited the school together.
4. On Monday, Jan 9th we celebrated our volunteer soloist cantorial, Vered Ivtzan’s 50th birthday. Happy Birthday Vered!! We at Or Hadash would like to thank Vered for her beautiful singing and we appreciate her warm, generous and charming personality.
5. We are thrilled to know our friend Cantor Hollis Schachner from Temple Shir Tikvah, MA, and her family is on a sabbatical in Haifa for a few months. I had the pleasure of speaking with Hollis last week and extended an open invitation to her and her family to join us. We would like to take the opportunity and send our warm regards to Rabbi Neal Gold and all our friends at Shir Tikvah. Please don`t worry, we`ll take good care of Hollis and her family J
In the photo: Vered Ivtsan, volunteer soloist cantorial
6. On Wed. Jan. 14th, we had the honor and pleasure of gathering for a study session at the home of Brurya and Yoram Bar-Gal. Yoram is Or Hadash’s president.
That afternoon we gathered for our monthly interfaith study group with the Focolare. A joyous celebration marked five years of joined study with the Focolare group and then in the evening we hosted a lecture to benefit Children in Distress at our synagogue.
7. On Thursday, Jan. 12th I had the pleasure of participating in an interfaith activity with a group of rabbis and pastors who came to Israel on a family trip together. I was invited to speak to the group at the Druze village of Osafia. Among the participants were Rabbi Michael Weinberg and Rabbi Debbie Printz. Our dear friend Uri Feinberg was the group’s tour guide along with our good friend Sebastian Van Den Huevel from Da’at, Rabbi Neal Katz and Rabbi Bruce Kadden were also among the participants. Each of the rabbis arrived with a Protestant Minister from his/her city, for a religious journey of exploring Israel. I spoke to the group about the great significance of interfaith dialogue in the city of Haifa. Needless to say, the famous Druze hospitality and culinary treats improved my audience’s ability to listen tremendously. I have no idea if clapping at the end of the visit was in my honor or thanks of the very tasty food J. For dessert we enjoyed the wonderful Druze Baklava.
8. On Shabbat, Jan. 13th and 14th I had the honor and pleasure of hosting my friends Fred and Stephnie Cohen from our sister congregation Temple Shalom of Newton, MA, who came to Israel with the Unity Mission. Fred and Stephanie spent the weekend with my family and participated in Shabbat services on Friday and Saturday. We then visited the Druze village and enjoyed some of the food the Druze people are well known for. On our way back we participated in services at Moriah conservative synagogue. I would like to thank Rabbi Dubi Hayon who honored me with an Aliya L’Torah and Stephanie with dressing the Torah scroll.
I would also like to thank Dr. Jesse Lachter and Shulamit Shahaf who kindly hosted Unity Mission visitors from Reform congregations in the Boston area in their homes.
9. On Motzaei Shabbat (the end of Shabbat), Jan. 14th we marked the end of another B’nai and B’not Mitzvah workshop. The final class was celebrated with a learning Havdala ceremony in a festive atmosphere which included lots of cakes and cookies with around 40 participants. We have these Bar/Bat Mitzvah courses four times a year. Each course meets weekly and has about 25 participants.
10. We would like to wish our dear friends and Or Hadash members, Ilan and Anat Freund a huge Mazal Tov on their son’s wedding. The newlyweds, Tomer and Anat, were married on Monday, Jan. 16th with many friends and family members participating in the beautiful and joyous wedding celebration.
All this wonderful and hectic activity is happening on top of our usual Beit Midrash which includes no less than 14 various classes. Dozens of friends, visitors and students take part in this blessed activity.
It is indeed very cold and rainy in Haifa these days and we are grateful for such a vibrant, cheerful, warm and wonderful congregation, studying, praying and doing good deeds.
Wishing you a peaceful month of Shvat, with delicious fruits and veggies from Israel J
In Friendship,
Edgar