October 25th, 2009

Dear Friends,

 

Shavua Tov! Yesterday we read Parshat Noah. Noah was a man who walked before G-d in justice and humility. As we approach a new week, let’s hope that we can all follow in Noah’s example and walk the path of righteousness. As many of your already know, I will be away for the next two weeks, leading a youth delegation in America (For more information please see below). However, I am looking forward to a wonderful trip, and to hearing from you all when we return on November 5^th!

 

The Fall 2009 Or Hadash Youth Mission, a delegation of 4 children, 1 chaperone-Shai Ivtsan, and myself, departed for the United States last night), October 24^th!  (Jessica my assistant is sending this to you now in my absence.) Everyone is very excited, and we are looking forward to having a great 10^th such trip to the States to visit our friends and sister congregations on the East Coast. 

The office at Or Hadash will still be up and running while the group is traveling, so please feel free to write as usual, and Jessica my assistant and Overseas Coordinator, will gladly respond to your questions and comments. I will also be available on my Israel cellphone in the States. Please do not hesitate to call, if you need to reach me when I am away: 972-52-361-3983.

 

Or Hadash is continuing this year with offering a variety of adult education classes in the community. We have already had a wonderful four-year cycle of studying the Ethics of the Fathers – which consisted of one hour on each per lesson of Mishna, co-led by the Rabbi Nof and myself- past president, Dr Yishai (Jesse) Lachter. This included in-depth discussion, reading many different interpretations of the texts, and then developing our own for the many beautiful ideas of the most popular practices found in the Talmud.

 

 This year we have re-started the cycle. This time we have three co-teachers- each presenting for 15 minutes at each session, with the last 15 minutes of the hour set aside for group participation and discussion. The text has not changed for 2000 years, but we ourselves have been changing, and look forward to new insights.

 

 If there are any sister congregations who would like to share their own study of the Ethics of the Fathers ( Pirkei Avot)- we'd be happy to include your study materials in our learning and develop a shared experience.

 

On Friday, October 22^nd, I was very happy to meet with a group of 8 visitors from all over the United States and Canada in my office. The group of loyal Zionist Reform Jews, was comprised of : Michael Vanvekoven of Wilmington, N.C; Ray Eury of Comcord, N.C; Mike Herman of Glen Ellyn, IL; Tom and Yael Balazs & John Kennedy and Myriam Buchbineler who are now residents of Haifa for the past 8 years; Monique Bennett of Wilmington, N.C. The group visited along with Gershom Lichtenberg, who made aliyah from Chicago, and became an Or Hadash member in recent years.

 

Most everyone in the group had a very strong connection to Israel, and was either considering aliyah, or had already made aliyah. This was very refreshing and delightful to hear, and I enjoyed my time with them thoroughly. 

Also on Friday, October 22^nd, was the Kabbalat Sefer Torah ceremony for the children of

the Reali Hadar Elementary school in Haifa. The children of the school, along with their

parents, all came to Or Hadash to receive their first Torah, and to celebrate their Jewish

education. The children answered my questions, sang songs, and played Torah games.

Overall, it was a beautiful celebration filled with many smiling faces.