September 11th, 2009

 

Dear Friends,

 

Shabbat Shalom! Tomorrow we will read Parashat Nitzavim and Parashat Vayelech from the Torah. Parashat Nitzavim takes us into the past when the Jewish people as one holy nation enter into a covenant with G-d, while Parashat Vayelech (“and he will go”) starts with the going of Moses. As has been pointed out by many rabbis and scholars, Nitzavim and Vayelech are two dynamic forces of the Jewish tradition. These portions point out that while on one hand while we have roots and stability in the past, we also want to continually work towards a better future for us all. I hope that our updates below will be examples of both these Jewish principles.

 

On Sunday, August 30^th, we were very happy to lead the wedding service of a Canadian couple who flew to Israel to have their wedding with us in Haifa. It is events like these that show the true solidarity between Jews in Israel and abroad, and warm the hearts of those in the community. We always welcome with love others couples who can make the journey, to follow in their footsteps- as it was such a special and happy occasion for us all.

 

On Tuesday, August 1^st, my daughter Yael finished her bootcamp training, with a completion ceremony in Sde Boker and Sderot Ben Gurion (Founding Prime Minister Ben Gurion’s memorial site in the desert). Also at the ceremony were Shai and Vered Ivtsan (board members), whose daughter Shiri completed the course as well. Additionally it was very touching to find out that out of 80 girls from all over Israel, 4 had their Bat Mitzvah ceremonies with us at Or Hadash. We are very proud of our youth and wish them the best of luck in their service!

 

On Saturday, September 5^th, we were very happy to have Dolev Freund as a Bar Mitzvah at Or Hadash. Dolev is the son of Or Hadash accountant of 25 years, Elan Freund, and his wife Anat, and is the fourth child of his family to become a Bar Mitzvah at Or Hadash.

 

Also, we were excited to celebrate the Ufruf (Shabbat Hatan/Kalah) of Amit Shkury- Grandson of one of our founding members, Leah Levy, on Friday September 4^th at Or Hadash. We wish Amit and his new bride a happy and long life together.

 

 On Thursday, September 3^rd, I was invited by Radio Haifa CEO, Danny Nishlis- who is also chairperson of the Boston-Haifa Partnership- to record a blessing and message for the New Year. Since the turn of September, reminders of Rosh HaShana are all around us, on signs, in the supermarkets, and in nature. I look forward to hearing the announcement on the radio here in Haifa, and hope that it will bring joy to her residents in the coming weeks.

 

On Wednesday, September 2^nd, there was a Beit Din of the MARAM (Progressive Rabbinical Council), to approve the conversion candidacy of 12 new students who are all from our synagogue. This is a process that can only take place when there are more than 8 candidates for conversion from the same temple. Not only was this a special occasion due to the number of participants, but also because it was held in Haifa, and not in Tel Aviv, as is the norm. This is because all participants are currently taking conversion classes here at Or Hadash, therefore bringing more light to our synagogue here in the North, while welcoming new dedicated people in their joining of the Jewish faith.

In the picture below are some of our new candidates next to our coordinator Natasha.

 

 

After a short two week break, the Or Hadash Preschools, (as well as all preschools in Israel), Or Hadash classes and weekly workshops, are all up and running again for the year. With children of all ages back in school, we are all adjusting to a fall schedule, and are preparing for the upcoming holidays. We wish all those returning to school this year a successful year ahead!

 

With the start of the fall classes, weekly group Talmud classes with myself began on Monday, September 7^th. Among this ambitious group are men and women of different ages, all of whom have a thirst for more knowledge on Jewish liturgy. The group is open to anyone who would like to join, and will happily accept new members as the weeks go on.

 

In addition to preparing for the upcoming holidays, our children have returned to school for a new year, and a new start. This New Year also allows a rekindling of faith for all Jews. Therefore, today, September 11^th, second graders from the Reali Ahuza Elementary School participated in a very special Kabbalat Sefer Torah ceremony at Or Hadash. The ceremony signified the importance of the Torah to the Jewish people, and to all of our daily lives.

 

Below is a picture of a pomegranate from the Or Hadash- Don and Sandy Perrin - Biblical Gardens, which are now in bloom for Rosh HaShana. Pomegranates have long been a symbol of the New Year in Israel and around the world, and we are very lucky to have our own pomegranates right in front of our building to enjoy and admire.