Category Archives: Elul
LOOKING FOR A RABBI?
My name is Mark Kula and I am a Rabbi in Miami. We are relocating to Missoula in a couple of weeks as my wife begins her job as Director of Choral activities at the University.
I am interested in learning more about Jewish life in Montana and opportunities for me to serve as a Rabbi, Cantor, Jewish educator. My CV is attached.
If people are in need of a Rabbi, Jewish educator, Bnai Mitzvah guide, and other life cycle event facilitator, I would make myself available and am willing to travel.
Interestingly, my wife’s family actually immigrated to Montana exactly 100 years ago in 1918. They eventually migrated to Chicago.
We are excited about this new chapter in our lives. As we are committed to our Jewish lives, and have a 4 and 2 year old, we strive to celebrate Judaism with our new communities.
I look forward to being in contact, talking and meeting in the near future.
Beevracha. With much blessing.
Mark
Rabbi Mark Kula
rabbimarkkula@gmail.com
3058033648 cell
YAHRZEITS — ELUL, 5778
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 comfort to all who are bereaved.
| Name of Deceased |
Hebrew Date of Passing | Deceased Relationship to Congregant |
| Norman Nagel | 11 Elul, 5736 | Father of Meriam Nagel |
| William Meyer | 21 Elul, 5726 | Grandfather of Diane Sherick |
| Harriet Renne | 22 Elul, 5769 | Mother of Michael Renne |
| Joe Barrett | 28 Elul, 5753 | Uncle of Nadyne Weissman |
| Zel Lana Jenings | 28 Elul, 5766 | Niece of Diane Sherick |
YAHRZEITS — AUGUST, 2018
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 |
| Sidney Dunaeff | Aug 7, 1976 | 25 Av, 5736 | Uncle of Meriam Nagel |
| Ann Belfert | Aug 12, 2017 | 20 Av, 5777 | Mother of Gail Belfert |
| Walter Greenspan | Aug 13, 2012 | 23 Av, 5772 | |
| Anne Nagel-Harris | Aug 19, 1995 | 23 Av, 5755 | Aunt of Meriam Nagel |
| Dorothy Meyer | Aug 19, 2017 | 27 Av, 5777 | Stepmother of Diane Sherick |
| Harriet Marion Barrett | Aug 21, 2005 | 16 Av, 5765 | Mother of Nadyne Weissman |
YOM KIPPUR LAST-MINUTE CHANGE
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Rabbi Ruz will not be with us this year for Yom Kippur services. Wendy and Devorah will lead the services, and we will live stream Kol Nidre services with Rabbi Ed Staffman from Bozeman again like we did last year, hopefully with better results this time. If someone can coordinate with Aaron Weissman to lead a mid-afternoon discussion, that would be great. Otherwise, the schedule will be the same. Thank you for your understanding. Please make it a point to attend services at the Bethel if at all possible. We all wish Rabbi Ruz a speedy recovery, and a happy and healthy New Year.
WEEK END HOSPITALITY
Todah Robah to the following congregation members for their hospitality to Rabbi Ruz Gulko over Yom Kippur week end.
- Friday, 09/29/2017, Airport Pickup: Marty Foxman
- Friday Evening, 09/29/2017, Dinner Hosts: Don and Helen Cherry
Please bring a milchig (dairy) dish to share. Please let Helen or Nadyne know what you would like to bring via email, helen@aitzchaim.com nadyne@aitzchaim.com
Appetizers
Breads
Salads
Hot dishes
Fruits
Vegetables
Desserts
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE YIZKOR LIST
This is the usual request to send any corrections to the Yizkor list to me, but with a twist.
I have tried for several years to get an answer to my question regarding who should or should not be on the list, and who stays on the list, and why. If we were to have a discussion on the subject, the number of opinions probably would outnumber the number of participants in the discussion. In my opinion, the best and most satisfactory answer to this question I have ever received was from a Rabbi, who said that this congregation is so mixed and so small that we should just keep doing what we have been doing. so in the tradition of the Jewish faith and of this congregation, I want to include on the list the names of the loved ones who have departed in the way that those who loved them and are still living want them to be remembered and included.
I know this is not just a list of names, but a sacred list, a list of people we honor and remember, people we knew and loved who shared their lives with us and, in many cases, taught us how to be Jews, a people set apart, a family of God. This is a special and beautiful legacy that we could have received from no one else, one to wear proudly and with dignity, one that is before our eyes and in our hearts daily to guide, encourage, sustain, and comfort us through the calms and storms of this present life, one to share with each other and to pass on to our children and their children into the future. So in this list we have an unbreakable chain that binds us together as individual links, as families, and as a community, to both our past and our future. I want to preserve it as intact as possible for the benefit of present and future congregants. Doing so is a labor of love from me to you.
Joy Breslauer, Aitz Chaim Editor
DEAR CHAIM
EDITOR’S NOTE: If God wrote you a letter wishing you a happy new year, what do you think it might say?
Dear Chaim…
By Rabbi Chaim
On Wednesday evening, we will usher in a New Year with Rosh Hashana 5778. During the holiday service, we read the Haftorah about the infertility of Chana and Elkanah. Chana – childless and troubled by her super-fertile sister Peninah – travels to G-d’s Tabernacle in Shiloh and breaks down in prayer, beseeching G-d for a child. She is then blessed with baby Samuel, who grows to be a prominent prophet of the Jewish people. When she returns with Shmuel to Shiloh, she thanks G-d. In her words “ For this child did I pray, and the Lord granted me my request, which I asked of Him.”
How often do we pause to simply say “thank you” to Hashem before submitting our next request? How often do we see the gifts given to us by G-d and just relish in them? How often do we recognize that Indeed Hashem has answered our prayers?
I want to publicly express my thanks to the Almighty for all that He has done for my family and me, and to apologize for not being grateful enough.
Last night, I envisioned receiving this note from G-d:
Dearest Chaim,
Thanks again for dedicating your life to sharing my Torah with Montana. I appreciate all that you do, but I need to knock some sense into you and put you in your place, so please bear with me.
I know that you, like all my creations, have “moments” but please get a grip. Next time you are struggling, next time you think your world is imploding, next time you question what I’m smoking, please remember Chana’s words “El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray.”. These heartbreaking moments of life always pass, and at the end you will see that I’ve answered your prayers in spades.
When your children are misbehaving, Chaim, giving you heartache, remind yourself:
El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray. You wanted a family so badly and look, I’ve provided you and Chavie with just that.
When your child is struggling with a tough medical quandary, remind yourself Chaim:
El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray. Yes, they have health challenges, but I’ve also gifted you and Chavie with inner strength and amazing doctors to get you through the darkness.
When you drive 400 miles just to visit one young Jew in desperate need of love, remind yourself Chaim:
El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray. How fortunate are you to spend your day on the road, in order to uplift one of My children.
When a Jew increases their Mitzva observance and you’re frustrated that it isn’t more, remind yourself Chaim:
El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray. Yes, it may be a bit frustrating, but in My eyes, Chaim, their small step upwards has shaken the heavens and is so precious.
When you think that someone else has it easier or better than you, remind yourself Chaim,
El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray. The life I have given you is a perfect fit, tailor made for you, so cut the you-know-what and be grateful.
Do you feel me Chaim? I don’t mean to shut you up, but please take a moment, daily, to see how much you’re loved and blessed.
I bless you with a rokin New Year and wish you continued success in making Montana a place that makes Me feel at home. Please thank Chavie on My behalf, not only for putting up with you, but for being an amazing mother to her five Kinderlach and a spiritual leader of Big Sky Country.
Sincerely,
G-d
There’s nothing about my life I’d want to swap out, and neither should you. Look at your life and sing “El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti – For this child I did pray”. G-d please continue to give me what I need to be the best I can be in service of You!
Please take a moment before Rosh Hashana to enjoy this beautiful rendition of El Hanaar Hazeh Hispalalti, composed by Reb Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz of Los Angeles. The kids and I love it, I think you will too!
Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom & Shana Tova!
Your friends @ Chabad Lubavitch,
Rabbi Chaim, Chavie, Shoshana, Chaya, Zeesy, Menny & Chana Laya
TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY GALA … CELEBRATING A DECADE OF LIGHT
Ten Year Anniversary Gala
Celebrating a Decade of Light
WHEN: Sunday, October 22, 2017, 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES, 600 W. Kagy Blvd., Bozeman, MT 59717
FEATURING THE MACCABEATS
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 