Category Archives: 2022
MONTANA JEWISH PROJECT COMPLETES PURCHASE OF MONTANA’S OLDEST SYNAGOGUE
Helena, MT— After nearly a year of fundraising, the Montana Jewish Project (MJP) bought back Helena’s Temple Emanu-El and will return it to Jewish use for the first time since 1935.
“We are thrilled to have succeeded in this monumental effort,” said Rebecca Stanfel, president of the Montana Jewish Project’s Board.
Roman Catholic Bishop Austin Vetter played a key role in the sale. With his staff, he met with MJP for months, as MJP renegotiated from buying historic Temple Emanu-El and surrounding properties to buying only the synagogue.
“It’s been my pleasure to work with the Montana Jewish Project through this process. It’s vital for all of us that people of faith focus on the good that we can do together instead of our differences. My prayers are with them and Montana’s Jewish Community for God’s blessing in this new endeavor,” Bishop Vetter said. MJP will also lease the open lawn next door to the historic synagogue for community use.
“We are so grateful for Bishop Austin Vetter for his enthusiasm and support. He worked with us for many months, and extended closing deadlines twice.
“We are also grateful to the more than 2,000 donors from Helena and across Montana and the United States who made this dream a reality. Without their generosity and their gifts that ranged from $5 to $100,000, we know we would not be here today. We’re also thankful for the interfaith support we received from many Montana synagogues and churches, as well as from Montana businesses. This was truly a community-wide effort,” Stanfel said.
The Montana Jewish Project was founded by members of Helena’s Jewish community over a year ago and entered into a landmark purchase agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena on November 10, 2021, for the historic building once known as Temple Emanu-El. The group plans a re-dedication and celebration at the synagogue later in the fall.
“We know our work is only just starting,” said Julie Bir, member of the Montana Jewish Project’s Board of Directors. “We can’t wait to fulfill our mission: to create a statewide center for Jewish life, enhance interfaith opportunities, combat antisemitism in Montana schools, and bring to reality the Jewish value of “repairing the world.”
MJP has big plans. Once funding is secured, MJP will hire a traveling director of programming who will oversee education, speakers, cultural events, and foster a sense of larger community for all of Montana’s Jews. In addition, MJP will create curricula about the history of Jewish Montana and the realities of being Jewish in the Treasure State for schools across the state. Returning to the first home for Jewish life in Montana will anchor future generations to the rich history of Judaism in the state.
“Helena was one of only four state capitals in the nation without a synagogue or Jewish Center,” Bir said. “We’ve just changed that. We’re also excited for Helena’s Jewish community to have a permanent place to meet for religious observance, cultural events, and community-growing.”
“Now that we have the building as our base, we want to pivot and immediately transition to helping Jewish life in Montana thrive,” said Stanfel. “Our all-volunteer-led organization launched programming already, but it’s important we hire a professional who can oversee this and create new cultural pathways for Montana Jews to connect to their traditions. Now that we have this incredible building, it is essential we keep community support.”
In 1891, Helena’s Jewish community-built Temple Emanu-El. The cornerstone is inscribed with 5651, that year in the Hebrew calendar. The synagogue’s first president described the new building as a “gift to ornament the city we love.” But in 1935, during the Great Depression, the congregation gave Temple Emanu-El to the state of Montana for $1, asking only that it be used for a “good and social purpose.” The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena bought it to house administrative offices in 1981. In the past year, the bishop streamlined administrative operations, consolidating three separate office locations into the new Center for Catholic Life in Helena. Temple Emanu-El is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We welcome all our supporters, the Jewish community across Montana and here in Helena, and the broader community to celebrate with us,” said Bir. “We have worked to carry forward the legacy of Montana’s earliest Jewish settlers, who built Temple Emanu-El despite the obstacles they faced.”
A ceremonial signing will take place at 10 AM, August 26 at the former Temple Emanu-El (515 North Ewing) with Bishop Vetter. Members of the media and the public are invited to attend. Weather permitting, this will be outside the building.
FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, THE MONTANA JEWISH PROJECT
From Generation to Generation
August 25, 2022
Dear MJP Supporters,
We did it!
This is the email we have been dreaming of writing to you for a year and a half. Today MJP is closing on Montana’s first synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, and returning it to the Jewish community after 87 years.
We could not have accomplished this milestone without your support. We are grateful beyond words for your donations, your encouragement, your ideas, and your help.
Without the incredible community support we received, MJP would not be reclaiming this building. Every dollar donated, every collection raised from a synagogue or church, every fundraiser held in MJP’s honor, every volunteer hour, and every email sharing hope and ideas helped bring us to this joyful day.
Read on for more details.
- Please join us
- WHEN? Tomorrow, Friday, August 26, at 10 AM
- WHERE? At the synagogue, 515 Ewing, Helena, MT 59601
- WHAT? Ffor a ceremonial signing of the closing paperwork, which we are also inviting media to attend. Weather permitting, we will be outside, right in front of this majestic building. We will be there with bells on!
Our journey—and our work—are just beginning. We are eager to launch more statewide programming including education, Jewish cultural events, interfaith outreach, community programs, and more.
Stay tuned for future emails about ways to get involved in volunteering, participating in programs, and supporting our ongoing work. We would also love to hear from you about what you are looking for in the coming year’s programming. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you.
With gratitude as always,
Rebecca Stanfel
Our new home!
Adapted from today’s press release
Montana Jewish Project completes purchase of Montana’s oldest synagogue
After nearly a year of fundraising, the Montana Jewish Project (MJP) bought back Helena’s Temple Emanu-El and will return it to Jewish use for the first time since 1935.
Roman Catholic Bishop Austin Vetter played a key role in the sale. With his staff, he met with MJP for months, as MJP renegotiated from buying historic Temple Emanu-El and surrounding properties to buying only the synagogue. MJP will also lease the open lawn next door to the historic synagogue for community use
“It’s been my pleasure to work with the Montana Jewish Project through this process. It’s vital for all of us that people of faith focus on the good that we can do together instead of our differences. My prayers are with them and Montana’s Jewish Community for God’s blessing in this new endeavor,” Bishop Vetter said.
We are grateful for Bishop Austin Vetter for his enthusiasm and support. He worked with us for many months, and extended closing deadlines twice. We are also grateful to the more than 2,000 donors from Helena and across Montana and the United States who made this dream a reality. Without their generosity and their gifts that ranged from $5 to $100,000, we know we would not be here today. We’re also thankful for the interfaith support we received from many Montana synagogues and churches, as well as from Montana businesses. This was truly a community-wide effort.
The Montana Jewish Project is an all-volunteer-led organization, founded by members of Helena’s Jewish community over a year ago. After entering into a landmark purchase agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena in November 2021, MJP has been raising funds to reacquire the historic building once known as Temple Emanu-El..
We know our work is only just starting. We can’t wait to fulfill our mission: to create a statewide center for Jewish life, enhance interfaith opportunities, combat antisemitism in Montana schools, and bring to reality the Jewish value of “repairing the world.”
MJP has big plans. Once funding is secured, MJP will hire a traveling director of programming who will oversee education, speakers, cultural events, and foster a sense of larger community for all of Montana’s Jews. In addition, MJP will create curricula about the history of Jewish Montana and the realities of being Jewish in the Treasure State for schools across the state. Returning to the first home for Jewish life in Montana will anchor future generations to the rich history of Judaism in the state.
Helena was one of only four state capitals in the nation without a synagogue or Jewish Center. We’ve just changed that. We’re also excited for Helena’s Jewish community to have a permanent place to meet for religious observance, cultural events, and community-growing.
Now that we have the building as our base, we want to pivot and immediately transition to helping Jewish life in Montana thrive. Our volunteers have launched programming already, but it’s important we hire a professional who can oversee this and create new cultural pathways for Montana Jews to connect to their traditions. Now that we have this incredible building, it is essential we keep community support.
We welcome all our supporters, the Jewish community across Montana and here in Helena, and the broader community to celebrate with us. We have worked to carry forward the legacy of Montana’s earliest Jewish settlers, who built Temple Emanu-El despite the obstacles they faced.
We are planning a rededication and celebration at the synagogue later in the fall. Stay tuned for more details on this.
Follow us across the below social media channels to stay up-to-date on the latest MJP happenings as well as learn interesting historic facts about Jewish people and communities across Montana.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Visit our web site
Copyright © 2021 Montana Jewish Project, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 491, Helena, MT 59624
YAHRZEITS — AUGUST, 2022
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 may we be a comfort to all who are bereaved.
Deceased
Congregant
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS UPCOMING EVENT
This is a reminder of the Kabbalat Shabbat service led by Devorah Werner on the first Friday of the month, August 5, 2022, 8 Av, 5782, at 6:00 P.M. at the Bethel.
As discussed and approved by the church council on June 8, 2021, all organizations that are using the facilities will be required to follow all the current use guidelines or any new guidelines adopted by the church council or as mandated by any federal, state or local government agency.
Current guidelines include but are not limited to:
- Masks will be voluntary and are recommended if persons are or have been ill, or if people are more comfortable wearing them.
- Social Distancing would still be appreciated.
- Food or beverages will be allowed upon request. Council will review requests.
- All contact surfaces must be wiped down with a sanitization product before leaving.
- Any additional expense incurred due to requirements for additional sanitization of the facilities, or part of, shall be paid by the responsible parties involved.
The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
Hope to see as many of you there as possible.
YAHRZEITS — AV, 5782
RAM’S HORN POLICY FOR LISTING YAHRZEIT MEMORIALS:!
Yahrzeit memorials are listed by consecutive Hebrew 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 may we be a comfort to all who are bereaved.
| Name of Deceased | Hebrew Date of Passing | Deceased Relationship to Congregant |
| Don Cherry | 25 KISLEV, 5782 | HUSBAND OF HELEN CHERRY; FATHER OF STEVE, KAREN, AND DOUG CHERRY |
| Rae Lind | 6 Cheshvan, 5782 | Wife of Michael Renne |
| Diane Sherick | 10 Elul, 5782 | Wife of Jack Sherick, Mother of Michael Sherick and Heidi Cech |
| Natalee Holly Kelman | 3 Av, 5773 | Daughter of Evelyn Kelman |
| Miriam Fischer | 8 Av, 5713 | Mother of Robert Fischer |
| Harriet Marion Barrett | 16 Av, 5765 | Mother of Nadyne Weissman |
| Ann Belfert | 20 Av, 5777 | Mother of Gail Belfert |
| Anne Nagel-Harris | 23 Av, 5755 | Aunt of Meriam Nagel |
| Walter Greenspan | 23 Av, 5772 | |
| Sidney Dunaeff | 25 Av, 5736 | Uncle of Meriam Nagel |
READY FOR ANOTHER JEW CREW HIKE ON SATURDAY, JULY 30?
Join us on Saturday, July 30th, for a hike to Our Lake near Bynum! If you have never been, it is spectacular.
If you are from Great Falls and want to either carpool or caravan, meet at the Smiths Parking Lot near the gas stations (and come a few minutes early if you need gas) at 715 AM. It is about a 1 hr 45 minute drive so plan on the hike starting at 9. Bring the usual – water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, etc. From some of the recent reviews there are bugs so maybe bring bug spray.
It is a 7 mile hike and according to all trails it should take about 3 1/2 hours. Some of us are slower than others and there will be stops, so plan on probably 5 hours of hiking.
If you are from Helena, you can either meet us in Great Falls or at the trailhead at about 9 AM. I can get you directions or if you have all trails, look for OUR LAKE and there will be directions on the app. If you are meeting us at the trailhead, let me know ahead of time so we know to wait for people there. If I don’t hear from you we will plan on taking off right around 9.
Hope to see you there!
Submitted by Wendy Weissman
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS UPCOMING EVENT: SEX TRAFFICKING PREVENTION AWARENESS
- WHAT? Presentation by Rev. Al Erickson on Sex trafficking prevention/awareness
- WHEN? Thursday, 07/21/22, 4:00PM
- WHERE? Faith Lutheran Church, 1300 Ferguson Drive
Pastor Al Erickson is coming to Great Falls to talk about predators – both on the internet and in person. This is a secular, non-religious, non-denominational talk on awareness. There is no charge and all faiths are welcome.
We in Montana may think we are immune to such things as sexual predators, but we are not! This presentation is intended to inform children/parents and grandparents of the risks and to equip them with the knowledge of how to recognize the red flags. It will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at 4:00 pm.
There is no charge. Hope to see you there!
Submitted by Wendy Weissman
JEWISH IN MONTANA
Rabbi Sonja from Congregation Beth shalom in Bozeman is coming to Helena! – at Montana Wild
Monday, July 11, 10:30AM-1:00PM:
The Montana Jewish Project IN Helena is offering its first online classes and gatherings for Jews and JewISH people all across Montana! Check out their website and subscribe to their newsletter Here
Congratulations to our members in Butte! The B’nai Israel Cultural Center, an initiative to preserve our wonderful building and to fill it with life, HAS OPENED! For more information, please read this article From the Montana Standard
For more information about Congregation Beth Shalom in Bozeman or to sign up for their newsletter, please visit their web site
For more information about the history of B’nai Israel in Butte and what it is doing today, please read this article.
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM, BY RABBI CHAIM BRUK
This is a guest column for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle for July 2, 2022.Read Full Article
YAHRZEITS — TAMUZ, 5782
RAM’S HORN POLICY FOR LISTING YAHRZEIT MEMORIALS:!
Yahrzeit memorials are listed by consecutive Hebrew 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 may we be a comfort to all who are bereaved.
| Name of Deceased | Hebrew Date of Passing | Deceased Relationship to Congregant |
| Don Cherry | 25 KISLEV, 5782 | HUSBAND OF HELEN CHERRY; FATHER OF STEVE, KAREN, AND DOUG CHERRY |
| Rae Lind | 6 Cheshvan, 5782 | Wife of Michael Renne |
| Diane Sherick | 10 Elul, 5781 | Wife of Jack Sherick, Mother of Michael Sherick and Heidi Cech |
| Lillian Nagel | 2 Tammuz, 5759 | Aunt of Meriam Nagel |
| Morris Goldberg | 5 Tammuz, 5715 | Grandfather of Jerry Weissman and Robert Fineman |
| Blanche Stoll Gulko | 9 Tamuz, 5779 | Mother of Rabbi Ruz Gulko |
| Hilda Schandelson | 15 Tammuz, 5722 | Mother of Arnold Schandelson |
| Rachel Foxman | 20 Tamuz, 5774 | Sister of Marty Foxman |
| Irving Langsam | 21 Tammuz, 5751 | Father of Helen Cherry |
| Alvin Magalnick | 21 Tammuz, 5770 | Brother of Elliot Magalnick |
| Gregory Scott Merriman | 24 Tamuz, 5767 | Father of Laura Boyd |
| Beverly Espelin | 26 Tammuz, 5767 | Mother of Dawn Schandelson |
| Heidi Jan Berger | 26 Tamuz, 5779 | Ex-wife of Tom Berger, Wife of William Franklin Raley, Mother of Polly Lorien and Jake Berger |
| Maurice Jacoby | 29 Tammuz, 5736 |
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