Category Archives: Events
CONCORDAT WITH MAJCO REAFFIRMED UNANIMOUSLY AT ELCA MONTANA SYNOD CONFERENCE
Adapted from http://www.elca.org
Established in the early 1990s, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations was formed to investigate the history of Jewish-Christian relations, to combat common misinterpretations of Judaism, and to identify areas of potential cooperation and understanding.
The Consultative Panel was responsible for the development of the Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America to the Jewish Community, adopted on April 18, 1994, by the Church Council of the ELCA, in which the Lutheran Church repudiated Luther’s anti-Semitic writings. The text follows.
Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America to the Jewish Community
“In the long history of Christianity there exists no more tragic development than the treatment accorded the Jewish people on the part of Christian believers. Very few Christian communities of faith were able to escape the contagion of anti-Judaism and its modern successor, anti-Semitism. Lutherans belonging to the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America feel a special burden in this regard because of certain elements in the legacy of the reformer Martin Luther and the catastrophes, including the Holocaust of the twentieth century, suffered by Jews in places where the Lutheran churches were strongly represented.
“The Lutheran communion of faith is linked by name and heritage to the memory of Martin Luther, teacher and reformer. Honoring his name in our own, we recall his bold stand for truth, his earthy and sublime words of wisdom, and above all his witness to God’s saving Word. Luther proclaimed a gospel for people as we really are, bidding us to trust a grace sufficient to reach our deepest shames and address the most tragic truths.
“In the spirit of that truth-telling, we who bear his name and heritage must with pain acknowledge also Luther’s anti-Judaic diatribes and the violent recommendations of his later writings against the Jews. As did many of Luther’s own companions in the sixteenth century, we reject this violent invective, and yet more do we express our deep and abiding sorrow over its tragic effects on subsequent generations. In concert with the Lutheran World Federation, we particularly deplore the appropriation of Luther’s words by modern anti-Semites for the teaching of hatred toward Judaism or toward the Jewish people in our day.
“Grieving the complicity of our own tradition within this history of hatred, moreover, we express our urgent desire to live out our faith in Jesus Christ with love and respect for the Jewish people. We recognize in anti-Semitism a contradiction and an affront to the Gospel, a violation of our hope and calling, and we pledge this church to oppose the deadly working of such bigotry, both within our own circles and in the society around us. Finally, we pray for the continued blessing of the Blessed One upon the increasing cooperation and understanding between Lutheran Christians and the Jewish community.”
The Montana Synod Conference of the ELCA was held Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, 2015. Representing MAJCO on Saturday were Jerry Weissman and Arnie Schandelson. On behalf of the Jewish community, Jerry Weissman offered some extemporaneous remarks, after which the Concordat between MAJCO and ELCA was unanimously reaffirmed
The following is taken from an email from Jerry Weissman concerning his remarks on this occasion.
“The original authors of the Concordat were there in recollection of the events of April 1994 to the signing in June of 1995. They spoke of how Martin Luther turned against the Jews when they would not join him in his version of the New Christian religion, afterwards called the Lutheran church. They spoke about more than 1000 years of slaughtering Jews culminating in the Holocaust, and they spoke about the Holocaust itself. Then it was my turn.
“I thanked them for inviting Arnie and myself, and reminded the crowd that Arnie and I were there 20 years ago, and also said that the members present looked strong enough to join the two of us again 20 years in the future when we celebrate 40 years.
“I welcomed the crowd from the representatives of the Grandfather Religion, Judaism.
“I spoke then about what the world was like in 1994 when the idea of this concordat was made. Christians were being rounded up in Concentration camps in Kosovo. That got a lot of head shaking in agreement. I reminded the crowd that 70 years ago Christians and Jews invaded Europe to rid Humanity of the scourge that killed so many Jews, Gypsies, Russians, Christians, homosexuals, and people who were physically and mentally challenged. The Nazi’s were at war with the world and people of faith. Again lots of head shaking in agreement.
“I then spoke about what is happening today in Iran, In Iraq, In Syria, in Libya, where Christians, Yazidis and others were being rounded up to be sold into Slavery, to be raped, to be immolated and to be beheaded. I declared that what is happening today to the Sunday people of faith was being done by people declaring their actions to be commanded by their religion, and I described those people as those of no faith. This is a new and at the same time old war on people of faith.
“I ended by recalling that in 1982 we were in Jerusalem and had been to the Western Wall, and that I was with Mike Traub, who was then the Secretary of the guides union. I described the distance from the wall to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Queen Helen was said to have found the remnants of the true cross. I asked Mike what he would say if the Messiah (Moschiach) were to appear and he could ask him a question. He replied that he would ask Him If He had been here before.
“I think for such an unusual event for Jews, it went rather well.”
Jerry
A FLICK AND A NOSH … COME JOIN US!
A Flick & a Nosh! Movie Night and Potluck
May 16, 2015
Bethel Lutheran Church, 1009 18th Ave SW
We are so sorry that health issues are keeping Rabbi Ruz from leading services this weekend as planned. Rather than cancel our Jewish Weekend, we are going to hold a Jewish Movie Night and Milchig (dairy) potluck tomorrow evening at Bethel at 5:30pm. Please make a point to come out and join us!
JEWISH WEEK END
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
- 05/15/2015: Shabbbat services, led by Ruz Gulco, 7:30 P.M. at The Bethel. Oneg to follow.
- 05/16/2015: Torah study, 10:00 a.m. led by Ruz Gulko at the bethel
- 05/16/2015: Milchig (dairy) potluck, 5:30 P.M. at the Bethel. Please bring a dairy dish to share. Adult discussion to follow, led by Ruz Gulko.
The address of the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
We will also need to coordinate moving things out of our closet that same week end.
MAJCO SHABBATON 2015 IN BUTTE (REGISTRATION FORM INCLUDED)
Shalom Chaverim,
As Holocaust Remembrance Day comes to a close, and we remember to never forget, let us now also look forward, with hope in our hearts! Here is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of our Jewish community, and enjoy our bright and fulfilling future. Below is the agenda and registration form for this year’s MAJCO 2015 Shabbaton. We look forward to seeing you in Butte.
MAJCO Shabbaton 2015 in Butte
Honoring Our History and Celebrating Our Community
June 26-28, 2015
Congregation B’nai Israel
327 West Galena Street
Butte, MT 59701
Congregation B’nai Israel Watercolor by Sonia Ehrlich, 1976
Nancy Oyer
Congregation B’nai Israel President
406.490.8989
neogeo@montana.com
MAJCO Agenda and Registration 2015
MAJCO Shabbaton 2015 in Butte
Honoring Our History and Celebrating Our Community
June 26-28, 2015
Congregation B’nai Israel
327 West Galena Street
Butte, MT 59701
Agenda
All Events at the Synagogue
Friday, June 26
- 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. Dinner
- 7:30 p.m. – Shabbat Evening Service led by Rabbi David Fine
Saturday, June 27
- 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. Torah Study led by Rabbi Ed Staffman
- 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service led by Rabbi David Fine
- 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Programming led by Rabbi David Fine
- 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free Time
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. Dinner
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. Programming – Ellen Burke, Area VP, Desert Mountain Region of Hadassah
- 8:30 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Programming – Jewish Music or To Be Determined
- 9:30 p.m. – Havdallah (Sunset is 9:26 p.m.)
- 9:45 p.m. – Hadassah Silent Auction Opens
- 10:15 p.m. – Hadassah Silent Auction Closes
Sunday, June 28
- 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. MAJCO Business Meeting (with breakfast for attendees)
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Butte History/Jewish History Custom Trolley Tour – Group A
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Butte History/Jewish History Custom Trolley Tour – Group B
- 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. – Lunch with Programming – Bruce Barrett, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Regional Director for the Mountain West Region. Lunch sponsored and executed by Montana Hadassah
- 1:00 p.m. MAJCO Adjourns
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Hadassah Business Meeting
MAJCO Shabbaton 2015 in Butte
Honoring Our History and Celebrating Our Community
June 26-28, 2015
Congregation B’nai Israel
327 West Galena Street
Butte, MT 59701
Accommodations
Blocks of rooms are reserved at two hotels in Butte. Mention “MAJCO/Congregation B’nai Israel” to get the following rates:
- UPTOWN: Historic Finlen Hotel, 100 East Broadway, Butte, MT, 59710. 406.723.5461. Rates are $82 for a single and $92 for a double, plus tax. Rooms held until May 26. The location is one-half mile (7 blocks) from the synagogue.
- ON THE FLATS: Best Western Plus Butte Plaza Inn, 2900 Harrison Avenue, Butte, MT, 59701. 406.494.3500 Flat Rate: $99 plus tax for 1-4 people, specify 1 king or 2 queens. Rooms held until June 5. Includes full breakfast and shuttle. To see amenities, visit the Best Western website.
Additional Information
- Trolley Tours: Tour designed by Congregation B’nai Israel, led by Ellen Crane, Director, Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot ASAP by sending in your MAJCO registration. The tour starts and ends at the synagogue. You will be notified which tour you are on upon receipt of registration.
- Donations to Safe Space: It is a Montana Hadassah tradition that when meeting for a Shabbaton, our members bring donations for the local women’s shelter. This year we ask all MAJCO participants to bring hotel or full size toiletry items. Items will be donated to Safe Space, the Butte women’s shelter.
Meals Included in the Registration Fee:
Friday Dinner: Organized by the Hettingers:
- Chicken
- potato salad
- green and other salads
- challah
- gluten-free bread (to be available throughout the weekend)
- desserts
- coffee, tea, water
Saturday Lunch: Catered by Nancy’s Pasties:
- Butte famous cocktail pasties
- Butte famous sweet potato salad
- cole slaw
- brownies, lemon bars – desserts will be marked “contain dairy.”
Saturday Dinner: Catered by the Uptown Café:
- Baked sole
- tarragon chicken
- artichoke curry rice salad
- green beans almondine
- pasta with marinara
- poppy seed cake, –cake will be marked “contains dairy,”
- fruit
- coffee, tea, water
- If you enjoy wine, please bring a bottle to share!
Sunday Breakfast for Business Meeting Attendees:
- Bagels, shmear
- hard-boiled eggs
- smoked salmon
- lox
- onions, capers
- coffee, tea, water
- Any leftovers will be available to all.
MAJCO Shabbaton 2015 in Butte
Honoring Our History and Celebrating Our Community
June 26-28, 2015
Congregation B’nai Israel
327 West Galena Street
Butte, MT 59701
Registration Form
Name __________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________
Phone __________________________________________________________________________
Email __________________________________________________________________________
I am enclosing the following registration fee (please check appropriate box):
- $54
- I am a presenter and my fee is waived.
- $__________ Amount other than $54
- I cannot afford the full price, so I will pay what I can (and MAJCO will cover the rest)
- I am able and willing to donate extra to defray costs, which also helps those who can’t afford the full price to attend
- I am a presenter and my fee is waived, but I wish to donate.
The registration fee covers attendance to all services and programming; Friday dinner; Saturday lunch, dinner and entertainment; Sunday trolley tour and lunch.
I would like to reserve a seat on the trolley. My first choice is:
$_
- Group A: 9:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
- Group B: 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Please make your check payable to Congregation B’nai Israel and send it with this form to:
Nancy Oyer
527 Edison Street
Butte, MT 59701
Any questions, call Nancy at 406.490.8989, or email her at neogeo@montana.com
PLEASE MAKE YOUR PASSSOVER RESERVATIONS NOW
Traditional arrangement of symbolic foods on a Passover Seder Plate (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Our community Passover seder is coming up in about three weeks! The seder will be held on Friday, April 10, 2015, at 5:30 P.M. at the meeting room at Clark and Lewie’s restaurant, 7th Street and 1st Avenue South.
Please RSVP as soon as possible! You can make your reservation on our website by visiting https://aitzchaim.com/pesach-seder-reservations/, by sending Laura Weiss an email at president@aitzchaim.com or by calling her at 452-8621.
SAVE THE DATE
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
- Wednesday, 04/04-05/2015: Purim
- Friday, 04/10/2015, 5:30 P.M.: Aitz Chaim Community Seder at the O’Haire. More details TBA.
- Friday, 05/15-17/2015: Jewish week end with Ruz Gulko. More details TBA.
COMMUNITY CHANUKKAH PARTY
Please join us for the annual Chanukkah party at Stuart and Hillary’s house, 615 3rd Ave North, on Sunday, December 21. The party officially begins at 3:00, but come early with your latke mix and start frying so we are ready to eat at 3:00. If you want to help decorate Stuart’s house (they can use some help), please contact Stuart to arrange a time to come over earlier that day. His number is 868-8936.
Applesauce and sour cream will be provided, so bring a beverage, dessert, salad, and/or latke mix to share!
The party will conclude at the civic center at 5:30 for the daily menorah lighting at the civic center.
If you have any questions, please contact Stuart at 868-8936.
See you there!
Wendy
A GREAT AND MEMORABLE DAY
On a Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27, 1947, I was in the 6th Grade at the Emerson School (12th Street and 3rd Avenue South) in Great Falls, Montana. My Grandparents, Carl and Sophia Weissman, lived a long two blocks North from the school, so Irving Weissman and I would walk to their house for lunch. My poor grandmother had forgotten what to feed young kids, so we always had pancakes. It was Thanksgiving week and we had the days off from school.
On Monday, the chinook had broken and the temperature dropped from over 50 to around 20 degrees; but we were used to the weather and we walked back to school so at lunch we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and Grandma Sophia was in a very good mood. She had written in her calendar for November 27 “PALESTINE GIVEN TO THE JEWS.” A great message then and a message of memory now.
Jerry Weissman
Forum | UN vs ISRAEL
November 29, 2014
67 years ago today
U.N. Resolution 181 – The Partition Plan for Palestine.
On November 29, 1947, the U.N. voted to partition what was British Palestine into two states: a Jewish state and an Arab state (BTW, the term “Palestinians” did not refer to Arabs then.)
* * *
The vote results:
In favor of the plan: 33 countries
- Australia
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Byelorussian S.S.R.
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Czechoslovakia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- France
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Iceland
- Liberia
- Luxemburg
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Sweden
- Ukrainian S.S.R.
- Union of South Africa
- U.S.A.
- U.S.S.R.
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Against: 13
- Afghanistan
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Greece
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- Turkey
- Yemen
Abstained: 10
- Argentina
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Honduras
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
- Yugoslavia
* * *
The resolution was accepted by the Jews in Palestine, yet rejected by the Arabs in Palestine, under the leadership of Nazi Haj Amin al-Husseini, and by the Arab states. Arab violence in the Holy Land broke out almost immediately.
Had the Arabs accepted the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan, today they’d be celebrating 67 years of independence, next to Israel, without war, without occupation, without refugees.
The Arabs started a war of annihilation against the young, little Jewish state. They failed and are still failing.
Watch: Israel – the Jewish State
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming events.
- Friday evening, 11/21/2014: Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg, 7:30 P.M. at The Bethel. Oneg to follow.
- Saturday morning, 11/22/2014, 10:00 A.M.: Torah Study led by Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg at The Bethel.
- Saturday afternoon, 11/22/2014, 5:30 P.M.: Milchig (dairy) potluck and adult discussion, led by Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg at the Bethel. Please bring a dairy dish to share.
The address of the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
WEEK END HOSPITALITY
Todah Robah to the following Congregation members who have offered their hospitality to Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg and to provide the oneg:
- Friday, 11/21/2014: Airport Pickup: Marty Foxman
- Friday evening, 11/21/2014: Dinner with Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg: Stuart Lewin
- Oneg: Wendy Weissman and Laura Weiss
- Saturday, 11/22/2014, after Torah study, Lunch with Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg: Terry Thal
by the way, Miriam is now a vegetarian, so dairy is ok, but no fish.
She is also asking about the use of a car. Does anyone have something available for her to drive?
Contact Helen at 520-638-6180 asap.
Let Rabbi Miriam know we are glad to have her back.
Thanks.
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 