November 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

 

It has been a long time since I have written, due to our congregational trip abroad, and other changes around the synagogue, I have been very busy! For this I would like to offer my sincere apologies.  Of course, I are never too busy to share with you the wonderful things that have happened and are going to happen at Or Hadash during the month of November.  Therefore we have once again taken the time to send you a newsletter, detailing this month's highlights.

 

I hope that this month and seasonal change finds all of you healthy.  While the staff here and my family have not escaped the horrible winter viruses going around, I hope that you have, and that we can all enjoy the start of a brand new winter season.

 

B'Yedidut,

Edgar  

 

1) The Big Autumn Trip to the States

 

This past October 11th-25th, a group of Or Hadash members journeyed to America and went on an intense, yet amazing tour of 14 synagogues in 5 different states!  In Massachusetts, we visited; Temple Shalom of Newton; Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, Temple Israel in Boston; Beth El Temple Center, in Belmont; The Rashi School; Temple Isaiah in Lexington,; and Temple Sinai in Sharon.  In New York City we visited Temple Emanuel, Temple Shaarey Tefila, and Temple Beth Shalom.

 

Near Philadelphia, we spent our time at Temple Beth David in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and in Maryland, we stopped in on congregation Owings Mills, and the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.  And finally in Virginia, we visited at Temple Beth Ahabah in Richmond.  

 

The trip included many highlights; here are some that we will cherish for many years to come: We will remember celebrating the holiday of Sukkot in Boston through activities that let us experience an actual harvest (pumpkins and apples!). We will also fondly remember what it felt like to sit in the beautifully decorated succah in New York's historic Temple Emanu-El;

 

We will remember touring historical sites in Philadelphia with our kind friends from Temple Beth David and participating in the temple's extraordinary youth group's activities; and we will certainly remember our time spent in Baltimore, and Washington, D.C, where we strengthened ties with many congregations, and learned about the heart of American politics and culture from a Jewish perspective.

 

I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart those who hosted us so hospitably in their own homes: Don and Sandy Perrin from Temple Israel in Boston, Cantor Robin Joseph from Temple Beth Shalom in Hastings on Hudson, New York, Margie and Neil Peskin of Temple Beth David in Galdwyne, Pennsylvania, and Louise and Rabbi Daniel Zemel, of Temple Micah in Washington D.C. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to our great friend and benefactor, Neil Exter for taking the time to meet with me at Temple Isaiah. 

 

2) A Visit from the Mayor

 

On Friday, October 31st, the Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, joined us for Kabbalat Shabbat services, during which he had the distinct honor of addressing the entire congregation. His insight, along with other leaders of the Haifa community, is always a welcome change of pace for us, and we enjoyed hearing him speak openly.

 

3) Kabbalat Sefer Torah

 

On November 4th   the joy of the Maagan Kibbutz School children's singing could be heard for many blocks as they were led in a lively sing along in the sanctuary.  This beautiful music was in honor of Kabbalat Torah, and made it hard for all of us present not to chime in.  Needless to say, it was a lovely addition to our mid-week schedule.

 

On the 19th, we once again heard singing from the children of the Reali school in a lively and colorful performance.

 

4) Rabbi Evan L. Goodman visits

 

On November 5th we welcomed Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel of New Rochelle, Rabbi Evan L. Goodman for a visit to Or Hadash.  Hailing from New Rochelle, New York, Rabbi Goodman has helped us, as all of our guests from this area have, to stay connected to Progressive Jewry in America.  We hope to welcome him back into our community in the near future.

 

5)  Havruta Group Meeting

 

On November 11th the Havruta group met to study Talmud.  As always this group, makes up the heart of our community, as it creates common bonds within our congregation.  We hope that they will have many more successful gatherings in the future.

 

6) Visitors, Visitors, and More Visitors!

 

The month of November has already brought a great spirit to Or Hadash through the many visitors that have already come to see us, as well as those who are scheduled to arrive in the coming days and weeks. 

 

 7) Visitors from Temple Beth David

 

On November 7th, 8th, and 9th, Steve Rosard and David Edman arrived from Temple Beth David in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania to spend a lovely weekend with us.  We enjoyed a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat with them, and then had a good long chat over a Shabbat chicken and rice meal upstairs. 

 

 The members of Beth David have been our great friends over the past seven years, hosting us in the States, and helping us to build an air fortification unit for our unique bomb shelter.  Steve and David's visit allowed us strengthen this connection even further, and for this we are so very grateful that they came.

 

8) Boston-Haifa Connection, CJP Visit

 

More guests arrived on November 14th, as the Haifa-Boston connection was also strengthened.  Guests were Rut Kaplan, and Rabbi Jim Morgan of the CJP, and Vered Yisraeli of Haifa.  We look forward to seeing more smiling faces in our synagogue, and hope that the entire congregation and staff will help us to welcome them with open arms.

 

9) Chicago Area Christian Visit

 

Yesterday, November 20th we spent time with 4 Christian clergy members and organization heads from the Chicago area, in an interfaith exchange.  Among the reverends was: Reverend Clyde H. Brooks of the Illionois Commission on Diversity & Human Relations; Pastor Mary Wanalo of the Jubilee Family Christian Center, Waltrina Middleton founder of Walk on Water Global Ministries; Sharon Tolliver founder of Haven of Rest Missionary Baptist Church.  We enjoyed hearing their perspective on religion and life, and building up interfaith bonds with our American Christian friends.

 

10) Bente and Daniel Lyons Visit

 

This weekend, November 21st and 22nd, we have the distinct pleasure of welcoming "home" our greatest benefactors, and long time close friends, Bente and Daniel Lyons.  They have given us so much over the years, including our lovely building, without which we could not have such a developed community center and synagogue.  We look forward to spending some quality time with them in the coming weekend.  Please see the bulletin board next to the front door for photos and other memorabilia of the Lyons over the years here at Or Hadash.