Author Archives: Joy Breslauer
2017 MACCABIAH GAMES, ISRAEL: DAILY UPDATES
July 6 –
July 7/8 –
July 9 –
July 10 –
July 11 –
July 12 –
Submitted by Brian Schnitzer
20TH MACCABIAH GAMES
The World Maccabiah Games
Hebrew: משחקי המכביה or Hebrew: משחקי המכביה העולמית; plural Maccabiot)
First held in 1932, the Maccabiah Games are an international Jewish multi-sport event now held quadrennially in Israel. It is the third-largest sporting event in the world, with 10,000 athletes competing on behalf of 80 countries. The Maccabiah, which is organized by the Maccabi World Union, was declared a “Regional Sport Event” by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations in 1960. The Maccabiah is often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics”.
Contributed by Brian Schnitzer
BILLINGS FILM PRESENTATION JULY 31, 2017
THERE ARE JEWS HERE
TRAILER
There are Jews Here is the story of America’s disappearing Jewish communities. Over 1 million American Jews live in once thriving small towns that have seen better days. Exploring themes of faith and community, the film is an intimate look into what Jews are doing to keep their communities alive, or TO ensure their legacies are not lost. The film takes you to Laredo Texas, Butte Montana, Latrobe Pennsylvania, and Dothan Alabama, where you are sure to be surprised by the people you meet who are doing their part to keep the Jewish spirit alive.
The film is both a celebration of tenacity and a cautionary tale; a warning that synagogues, cemeteries and sacred possessions could vanish. This film transcends religion, and is a deeply human exploration of age-old universal questions of faith and identity.
Congregation Beth Aaron will be showing this film on Monday, July 31, at the Art House Cinema and Pub, 109 North 30th. The theater will open at 6:00 PM for socialization and no-host beverages, with screening of the film at 6:30 PM, and discussion after the film at 8:00 PM. We are most fortunate that Nancy Oyer, of Butte, Montana, who is featured in the film, will be joining us.
The film is open to the community without charge, but donations ARE greatly appreciated.
Additional information about the film can be found HERE
For other questions, contact Diane Kersten at mtdiane@bresnan.net or 406-697-7992.
CEMETERY CLEANUP
Another thing we should plan to do before the start of the new year is to clean up the cemetery. If anyone wants to take point on organizing this effort, please contact editor@aitzchaim.com, and I will let the community know when to show up and what to bring. Thanks.
Submitted by Joy Breslauer
HOLOCAUST POSTERS IN THE TIMES SQUARE BUILDING NEED SERIOUS ATTENTION
From: Jerry West
Subject: Posters
Date: May 9, 2016
Hi Wendy, we have the Holocaust posters in the store on the main level in unit M-6. We have looked them over and they need some attention. Can you please see if you can organize the Jewish community to come by to help with cleaning and repairing them. We are hoping to have them set up for display later this week. They will also need to have some work done on the crates to repair damage. Also there was no plaques or any of the paperwork with them. No guest registers or anything besides the crates. Maybe you can come by and take a look tomorrow to see what you think. Please let me know if you need anything. Thank you so much.
Jerry West, Vision Matters
As you can tell from this email excerpt, these posters have been needing attention for a long time. They cannot go out into circulation and tell their stories in their present condition. There are forty large posters, which is more than one person can repair alone; this project will take a concerted effort by many people to get them back into shape, and to reverse the damage that time, shipping, storing, and mishandling have done to them and the crates they have been shipped and stored in. Many hands make light work.
As we plan our summer vacations and other activities, could we also consider setting aside some time to restore these posters to a presentable condition? Let’s plan as a community to take this project on, to ensure that the upcoming generations of schoolchildren and educators never forget. If we do not want them to forget, then we must not forget our obligations to those who can no longer speak for themselves, to make sure their stories continue to be told by the ways they lived and the sacrifices they made. Perhaps we could set aside some time during the first two weeks of August, or late August/early September, to get this project done before the new year. I know we are all busy, but if this is important enough, we will come together and get it done. If not us, who? If not now, when?
Joy Breslauer, Editor editor@aitzchaim.com
ITALIAN CHARMS OR LINKS WANTED
Meriam Nagel is wanting to make an ankle bracelet to go around Dawn Schandelson’s boot. She would like anyone who has some Italian charm links, charms they are not using, or charm bracelets they no longer want, to donate them to this project. If you have any of these items to donate, please contact me by email at breslauerj@gmail.com, and I will let her know. Thanks.
Submitted by Joy Breslauer
REFORM JUDAISM IN ISRAEL:LATEST UPDATES
Dear friends,
As we enter the new week, we continue in our struggle for equality at the Kotel and in conversion services. We began this week on motzei Shabbat, Saturday night, with a Havdallah service and rally by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem. We, together with our partners from the Conservative Movement, were joined by around 2,000 people who came to say – enough is enough! The rally was also joined by leading figures in Israeli society, including Sali Maridor, former embassador to the United States, General (Res.) Noam Tibon, author Yokhi Brandes, Tehilla Nachson and others, who came to speak out in favor of religious freedom and against the government’s disrespect of hundreds of thousands of Jews who refuse to be led by the ultra-Orthodox authority.
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, President and CEO of the IMPJ, was the concluding speaker. In his remarks, he stated: “We, together with our many partners in Israel and around the world, entered into this embarrassing and dangerous lack of governmental leadership – our voices loud and varied, yet announcing in one chorus: no more! No more blind hatred! No more hypocrisy! No more redundancy! No more signing of agreements, only to then turn them into empty promises! No more being rewarded for despicable acts! No more speaking about unity on the one hand and acting divisively on the other! No more making one statement in English in Washington and a completely opposite one in the government offices in Jerusalem. No more!”
We invite you to continue following us on Facebook and on our website, where you will find a detailed explanation of this past week’s events, a prayer for unity in Israel, by Rabbi Yehoyada Amir, chairperson of MARAM – Reform Rabbinic Council in Israel, the full text of the speech made by Rabbi Gilad Kariv at the rally, a video from the rally, and more.
We will keep you posted over the coming week as developments unfold. We want to take this opportunity to thank you again for your continued support during these trying times. Even as we face backlash in Israel, your support helps remind us that indeed, kol Yisrael arevim zeh l’zeh, all the people of Israel are responsible for one another.
Reform Judaism in Israel
13 King David Street
Jerusalem,
Jerusalem 9410125 Israel
YAHRZEITS — JULY, 2017, TAMMUZ–AV, 5777
RAM’S HORN POLICY FOR LISTING YAHRZEIT MEMORIALS:!
Yahrzeit memorials are listed by consecutive Gregorian month, date, and year, if known, or at the beginning of the list for one calendar year following the date of passing.
Compiled by Aitz Chaim over many years, this list is maintained by the Ram’s Horn. Please send any corrections or additions to editor@aitzchaim.com
May the source of peace send peace to all who mourn, and comfort to all who are bereaved.
| Name of Deceased |
English Date of Passing | Hebrew Date of Passing | Deceased Relationship to Congregant |
| Lydia (Leah) Bailey | Mar 31, 2017 | 3 Nissan, 5777 | Mother of Karen (Chaya) Semple |
| Irving Langsam | Jul 3, 1991 | 21 Tammuz, 5751 | Father of Helen Cherry |
| Alvin Magalnick | Jul 3, 2010 | 21 Tammuz, 5770 | Brother of Elliot Magalnick |
| Gregory Scott Merriman | Jul 10, 2007 | 24 Tamuz, 5767 | Father of Laura Merriman |
| Natalee Holly Kelman | Jul 10, 2013 | 3 Av, 5773 | Daughter of Evelyn Kelman |
| Beverly Espelin | Jul 12, 2007 | 26 Tammuz, 5767 | Mother of Dawn Schandelson |
| Hilda Schandelson | Jul 17, 1962 | 15 Tammuz, 5722 | Mother of Arnold Schandelson |
| Rachel Foxman | July 18, 2014 | 20 Tamuz, 5774 | Sister of Marty Foxman |
| Miriam Fischer | Jul 20, 1953 | 8 Av, 5713 | Mother of Robert Fischer |
| Maurice Jacoby | Jul 27, 1976 | 29 Tammuz, 5736 |
ONE WALL, ONE PEOPLE: PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND RALLY REMINDER FROM THE ISRAEL MOVEMENT FOR REFORM AND PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM (IMPJ)
Dear friends,
This past Sunday, the Israeli government turned their backs against liberal and progressive Jews in Israel and world-wide by annulling the Kotel agreement and passing an initial ultra-Orthodox Conversion bill.
This Motzei Shabbat, we will all meet in front of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem to say
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
NO LONGER will we stand to be treated as second-class Jews in our national homeland!
NO LONGER will we let the government drag its feet and play around with our right to pray at the holiest site for the Jewish people!
NO LONGER will we allow a small group of extreme ultra-Orthodox rabbis to decide who is and who is not a Jew!
Join us, together with the Masorti (Conservative) Movement, speak up and make your voices heard!
We will meet this Saturday night, July 1, at 9:30 PM (1:30 PM MDT) at 1 Balfour Street in Jerusalem
For those who cannot join us in person, the Havdallah service and rally will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.
As we prepare to welcome Shabbat, we wanted to share with you a prayer by Rabbi Yehoyada Amir, Chair of MARAM – Israel Reform Rabbinic Council, in light of recent days’ events.
We also take this opportunity to remind you that we will be meeting this coming Saturday night, July 1 at 9:30 PM (1:30 P.M. MdT) by the Prime Minister’s residence to conduct Havdallah and rally against the government’s recent actions.
Protector, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, which marks the dawning of hope for our redemption. Shield it beneath Your steadfast love and spread over it the shelter of Your peace. May a spark of Your spirit inspire the actions of its President, Prime Minister, officials, judges and advisors that they may follow the path of righteousness, liberty and freedom.
Return wisdom into the hearts of the leaders of Israel, so they will strengthen the bonds of the Jewish people in all of its dwellings, and increase equality, open-heartedness and wisdom in our land. Give us the strength to rid ourselves of injustice which weaken the walls of Jerusalem and keep women and men away from praying in its midst. Release the fetters of wickedness and open a passageway for those wishing to bring into the house of Israel converts coveting goodness and calling upon God in all of their hearts. And may the words of our Prophets be fulfilled in our time: “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56; 7).
Strengthen the hands of those who build and protect our Holy Land and grant them salvation and life. Grant peace to this land and everlasting joy to its inhabitants.
Be near to all the people of Israel throughout the lands of their dispersion. Plant within their hearts the love of Zion, and may those of our people who are so inspired, come to Jerusalem, Your city, which bears Your name. Spread Your spirit over all the inhabitants of our land. Uproot hatred, jealousy, and evil. Plant in our hearts love and peoplehood, peace and friendship. And speedily fulfill the vision of Your prophet: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2; 4).
For Hebrew and transliteration, go to our web site.
Shabbat Shalom!
The Israel Movement for Reform AND Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) is the umbrella organization of all the Reform communities and institutions in Israel.
We seek to integrate Jewish tradition with the realities of modern life, and believe in the right of each individual to shape their own Jewish way of life through a process of study and reflection. The Reform movement emphasizes the commandments concerning relations between humans, religious tolerance, and full equality between women and men in the synagogue and in all walks of life.
-
Welcome to Congregation Aitz Chaim, the Great Falls Hebrew Association, the only organized Jewish community in Northcentral Montana. We are a member of the Montana Association of Jewish Communities and the Union for Reform Judaism. We hold regular services and events throughout the year. -
