Save the Date! Havurah High to lead Community Minyan on November 20th
October 19, 2010
Are you wondering why there was no High Holiday Teen Drash with Emily Simon this year?
Do you miss seeing the Havurah teens in action?
Then plan to attend services on Saturday morning, November 20th at 10:00 am.
Emily is teaching the Havurah High program this fall and during services on November 20, she will be working with the Havurah High Teens to present a Teen Drash and the whole service will be led by our talented teens!
Mark your calendars!
All are welcome! Vegetarian Potluck lunch will follow service. See you there!
Join us for the next Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner on November 12th.
October 11, 2010
Even if you can’t attend the dinner, please join us for the service starting at 7:30 pm!
Perplexed and fed up with Israel/Palestinian Negotiations?
October 6, 2010
Two events to put on your calendar are: Thursday, October 28th, at 7:00 PM – J Street welcomes Bradley Burston, “Pro Middle East in America: Getting Past Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestine”. Rabbi Joey wants you to know that Brad Burston is an incredibly insightful speaker, editorial columnist for Haaretz, not to miss. The event will take place at Bridgeport United Church of Christ, home of Shir Tikvah.
Also, on Friday night, November 5th, at 8:00 PM, Havurah will host a Friday night service, at which Mark Rosenblum, founder of Americans for Peace Now will speak. Mark is currently in the Middle East, and has some interesting observations on this round of negotiations. His topic will be entitled: “Paradigms Lost”.
Havurah Cemetery Consecration Thoughts
September 22, 2010
by David Weil
On September 12th, Rabbi Joey and a group of us met at the cemetery to consecrate our new section. It turned into a wonderful and poignant moment as we told stories and remembered those who are buried there. There was even a Russian couple who was incidentally there and shared the lovely story of their aged grandmother, who emigrated with them and is now buried there. The location reminds them of the hills in their native Ukraine. The following is the history of the cemetery and some of my thoughts about this beautiful plot of land that we call ours.
Thirty years ago, our first rabbi, Alan Berg, told us it was important to have a cemetery. He advised us that without one we would have no permanent presence in the community. We were young and Havurah was small and cash strapped, but with congregant and lawyer, Elden Rosenthal’s and other’s perseverance, we found this lovely spot in Jones Pioneer Cemetery. Using congregant loans, contributions, and sales of plots we purchased the first section.
When we first came up here in 1985 with Rabbi Roy Furman to consecrate our new cemetery it was mostly an empty field. There was only a gravel driveway shared with neighbors that came in from the south. Because of this impediment, the cemetery was rarely used. Through negotiations between Metro and the neighboring church, the new entrance was developed and the cemetery has become vibrant and active once again. Over the years, through sales of grave sites, we have purchased two more sections.
The hedge separates our sacred Jewish cemetery from the non Jewish section. The new section is also separated by a beautiful border, as is halachicly prescribed. As you all know the empty field has unfortunately filled up much faster than I would have ever imagined. But it has also filled up with cherished memories of loved ones, dear friends, and Havurah history. Alan Berg was right. In the future, even if we are no longer here as a congregation, the cemetery will live on as a lasting memorial.
Jacksonville, near Medford, had one of the first Jewish communities in the state. It’s wonderful to go to the Jewish section of that cemetery and be reminded of the Jewish presence there 150 years ago. If you go around Jones Cemetery, you can also find stones from the 1800s. It’s comforting to know that 50 to 100 years from now our descendants and other visitors will also have a place to pay their respects to those who have gone before them.
I want to thank Rabbi Joey and those who joined us on Sunday and shared their memories with us. It was truly a touching and magical moment.
Help Fill the Rain Gauge for El Jocote
August 17, 2010
We’re making the final push to meet our fundraising goal for our Green Empowerment partnership project – we’ve reached 75% of our goal with participation from 1/3 of Havurah families. Let’s put it over the top! If you haven’t yet donated, will you please? If you have donated, can you add a little more?
Click here for more information on the El Jocote project and the Havurah/Green Empowerment partnership.
And… Save the date for our upcoming fundraiser dinner
“Sharing the Bounty: Water for Nicaragua”
Celebrating the Green Empowerment – El Jocote Solar Water Project: Sunday September 26th
To celebrate our collective efforts and close out our fundraising for El Jocote, please join us for a Sukkot dinner celebration on Sunday, September 26: “Sharing the Bounty: Water for Nicaragua.” At this celebration, there will be activities for all ages, great Nicaraguan food and music, and we’ll be honoring the three B’nai mitzvot who raised awareness about, and funds for, this project through their tikkun olam project. We’ll also be honoring Bob Brown for his dedicated work over the past five years as leader of the Social Action Team.
Click here for reservation form and send it back right away! Your help in preparations and cooking are most welcome! To find out how you can help, contact Judy Fiestal or Nancy Weintraub.
