AUGUST NEWS

Our upcoming Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Tashlikh events for September have all been finalized and we are accepting reservations now--see details in our calendar section. We are very fortunate to have Rabbi Miriam Jerris coming from Detroit to lead Rosh Hashanah and Tashlikh services; fortunate also that our long-time member Rosalind Leighton will be leading Yom Kippur. The holidays are early this year in September (Rosh Hashanah is the 8th of September), so don't delay-register now and bring your family and friends!

July has been a month of endings and beginnings for Kol Hadash. Our ending was the loss of our long time member and past president Jutta Organek to her five-year battle with cancer. She was remembered lovingly and well at the July 19th funeral service led by Bert Steinberg, with tributes by her husband Rabbi Milton Matz, Lucie Brandon, her two sons Harvey and Steve, and nephew. At our Shabbat the following week, Rosalind Leighton gave a personal tribute to her good friend Jutta. We all owe much to those like Jutta whose leadership and principal has carried us forward through the years.

For both the "beginnings" and "endings" category we send congratulations on the recent bar mitzvah of Jesse Thompson, son of Naomi Hatkin and Chad Thomson, and sister of Solei Thomson. Jesse had been attending Kol Hadash Sunday School before it closed, and finished his mitzvah training with former KH mitzvah teacher Martin Reisberg. Mazel tov, Jesse--we are proud of you! Another "beginning" was the Shabbat our member Harold Lecar led for the first time. His historical commentary on both service and song origins made for a very instructive and enjoyable service, further enriched by the very amusing reading that he and his wife Helene gave of an excerpt from Once Upon a Spacetime, by Wes "Skoop" Nisker. Even the Oneg was enhanced by a big pot of Brazilian fish stew provided by Claudio Bluer and his son Ariel.

This month, there are two events we'd like to highlight: the August Shabbat to be led by Jane Freeman (with help from her friend Miriam Aroner) on the 27th with perhaps another pot of Something Great from Claudio; and the Annual Business Meeting for members on August 15th at 11a.m. where our members will be served a light lunch, and elect a full Board, as the Steering Committee transitions out. There will be a detailed budget committee report including a recommended budget for next year. Special thanks to our treasurer Frank Krakowski who has led the Finance Committee this last year, and who has agreed to continue in that role.

Community Passover Seder Was a Wonderful Event!

Our seder was led this year with soul and humour by members Eylon Caspi, Denise Lai, and their sons Joshua and Ross. Music and songleading was provided by the always entertaining Ben Brussell. Scott Cardel Catering provided us a delicious and warm seder meal which our volunteers served family style at each table; seder attendees also brought something to share at their own table. Eighty-eight attendees comprised of members, their extended families and guests new to Kol Hadash made for a warm and meaningful Passover experience.

Papa Reads the Holy Book, Mama Reads Romance: Jewish Women and Secularization

Our Bagel Brunchon Sunday, March 14th, Kol Hadash member and historian Dr. Marilyn Boxer gave an excellent presentation about Jewish women and their role in secularization of the Jewish people in modern times.

Tu B'Shevat and Haiti

• At our Tu B'shvat Seder on Friday, January 29th, 2010, we celebrated the Jewish environmental holiday, known as the "Birthday of the Trees" with a service and slide show about the organization Trees for the Future, and their efforts to repair the massive deforestation of Haiti. Agroforestry will be the long-term path to self-sufficiency in Haiti. It will help to secure the bare mountainsides from sloughing off in mudslides, and restore the tropical ecosystem.

Earthquake Relief -- Tikkun Olam Now

• Tikkun Olam for the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake. Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy in Haiti. By supporting the efforts of the many relief organizations that are mobilized to assist the people of Haiti and the neighboring region who have been left without adequate food, shelter, health care and basic infrastructure, we demonstrate our tradition of humanitarianism. Click on any of the links below to donate to Jewish organizations with efforts for Haitian relief:

• American Jewish World Service
• Joint Distribution Committee
• American Jewish Committee
• B'nai B'rith International

Additional organizations include:

• Doctors Without Borders (on the ground in Haiti for years)
• Partners in Health (providing healthcare in Haiti for 20 yrs)

Honoring Sherwin’s Memory in the Best Possible Manner

Live what you love fully, and help others access that philosophy too. Help perpetuate Humanistic Judaism beyond the members of your own local community. Know that it’s never too early, and it’s never too late to do so by buying yourself or your loved ones lifetime memberships in the Society for Humanistic Judaism.

Here’s what you get for $1800 your whole life—and afterwards, in the eyes of your children:

• The knowledge that you have been a builder__you have helped build a world-wide movement that gives a voice to Humanistic Judaism and continues to make us all more legitimate in the eyes of the public; after all, size counts.
• That you have helped contribute to the continuity of the Movement so that your children’s children will be able to enjoy the very same Humanistic Jewish option that you do, wherever they are.
• That you have combated the world of narrow minds by increasing the numbers of organized free thinkers in today’s times and those of the future.

Personally, you will enjoy affiliation with an international movement of like-minded people when you take advantage of reduced membership prices and attend seminars, conferences or colloquia presented by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism or the Society for Humanistic Judaism.

You will feel at home vacationing or relocating in areas where you find SHJ communities waiting for you. Your children will know there’s a home awaiting them when they travel out of state to college. For teens and young adults, there are yearly North American conclaves to attend to experience the camaraderie of other Humanistic Jewish soul mates. Children receive holiday gift packs.

For your life, you will receive a subscription to the journal Humanistic Judaism and a subscription to the membership newsletter Humanorah. With a new membership, you will receive a Guide to Humanistic Judaism. But think beyond yourself. What better way to celebrate a grandchild’s bar/bat mitsva than with a Lifetime Membership to SHJ. Your gift will encourage and strengthen a connection for years to come. Most of all, remember Rabbi Sherwin Wine with love as you contribute to the vision of his lifetime.

—Harriet Maza, SHJ Communications Associate

 

 

 

 

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