Category Archives: Events
FIGHTING THE FIRES OF HATE: AMERICA AND THE NAZI BOOK BURNINGS
An exhibition exploring the front lines in the “war of ideas” between democracy and fascism.
On May 10, 1933, university students across Nazi Germany burned thousands of books in an ominous “cleansing” of the “un-German spirit” from German culture. This exhibit explores how the book burnings became a potent symbol in America’s battle against Nazism and why they continue to resonate with the public today. Information: ushnn.org/bookburning
October 26-December 17, 2014
The University of Montana Mansfield Library
32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT
_____________________________________
DO WORDS KILL? HATE SPEECH, PROPAGANDA, AND INCITEMENT TO GENOCIDE
The root causes of hatred and racism have not changed, but technology has advanced ways to disseminate hate speech and incitement to violence. Learn when hate speech crosses the line to “dangerous speech,” where such speech is a threat today, and what can be done to counter it without restricting freedom of expression. Register: ushmm.org/events/hate-speech-montana
Wednesday, November 5, 7:00 p.m.
University of Montana, University Center Theater
32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT
ISRAELI PEACE ACTIVIST, AUTHOR, JOURNALIST ON TOUR IN MONTANA AND WYOMING
For those who can make it, Israeli peace activist, author, and columnist for the Jerusalem Post, Gershon Baskin, will be in Bozeman on the afternoon and evening of November 8, in Missoula on the afternoon of November 9, and in Jackson Hole on November 10. Gershon is probably best known for negotiating the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, which negotiations became the subject of a well-known book. We were able to bring him here through the partnership of the three communities.
The information about the Bozeman talks (one free and open to the public, one with dinner by RSVP) is at http://www.bethshalombozeman.org. If there are those from other Montana Jewish communities that wish to attend, we can try to assist with housing. The information about the Missoula talk has been put up by Laurie on Har Shalom’s facebook page.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Aitz Chaim Board Meeting Minutes
Sunday, 9/28 at 2pm at Celtic Cowboy
Attending were board members Aaron, Laura, Stephen, and Helen, and Joy, Aitz Chaim coeditor. We thought that the change in venue to a fun restaurant like the Celtic Cowboy was a good idea. However, it turned out that they have live music on Sunday afternoons, which was an impediment to our discussion. We thought another location for future meetings would be preferable.
- TREASURER’S REPORT
- CEMETERY
- HANNUKAH PARTY: We will check with Stuart to find out if he will still host it, and dates that will work.
- SCHEDULE FOR REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR
- EMPTY SLOT ON BOARD: We agreed to keep this slot open while we wait for a member to ask to join the board.
1) Accepted as submitted. However, an additional $650 was still payable to HUC from the rabbi program last year. That check will be sent this week, reducing the income from last year to $200. We noted that the income from the Passover seder was $200, and that profit was almost entirely due to guests and non-members attending the Seder. We decided to continue inviting a smaller group of non-members and guests to the Seder, as long as the majority of attendees are Jewish.
2) BETHEL BUILDING FUND
Bethel Lutheran Church is having a building fund and intends to make significant changes to our space, including moving our storage area in the building to an interior wall that will not be as subject to outside cold. We decided to double our annual rent for the year and send Bethel an additional $350. We did this with the understanding that our total income for last year was only $200.
3) PASSOVER SEDER
We agreed to continue having the Seder at Clark and Lewies. Due to congregational schedules, we decided to have the seder this year on 4/3/15 (First night) to avoid a conflict with the Showdown Mannequin Jump, which Aaron, Steve and Max are committed to attending. If the Thares are unavailable, we thought that Tuesday, 4/7/15 would be an acceptable alternative evening. Hanna, Sarah and Max have been asked to lead the seder this year.
1) We discussed the desire for a fence at the Mt. Olivet cemetery, and what the congregation might do to facilitate it.
2) We discussed upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery, and some possible changes concerning future burials there.
3) What is the correct amount to charge for burials at Eaton Road? We thought that $500.00 was a number which will allow us some funds for ongoing maintenance of the cemetery.
4) Max Weissman’s eagle project will likely be this Spring, and he would like to do fence repairs at the Eaton Road cemetery, as well as graveling in a parking area, and perhaps the road.
1) Rabbi Meriam will come during the weekend of November 21, 2014.
2) We will not schedule a March service this year due to costs and lack of attendance; however, we will try to have a Friday night Purim party and/or movie night in March. We would like this to be on 3/6/15.
3) We would like to have a Shavuos weekend during the weekend of 5/23/15. If Meriam is not available, perhaps we could ask Ruz to return.
YOM KIPPUR HOSPITALITY
Todah Robah to the following Congregation members who have offered their hospitality to Morah Ruz Gulko for Yom Kippur:
- Friday, 10/03/2014: Airport pickup for Ruz Gulko: Marty Foxman
- Friday evening, 10/03/2014: Dinner hosts for Ruz Gulko: Aaron and Wendy Weissman
MAJCO – L’SHANAH TOVAH
A Rocky Mountain Tekiah Gedolah
_______________________________________
Rosh HaShanah: One Consideration
The origins of Rosh HaShanah are found in the Bible. The Book of Leviticus (23:24-25) declares: “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of rest, a memorial proclaimed with the blowing of the shofar, a holy convocation.” Although this day eventually became Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, it was not originally known as such.
In ancient times, there were four “new years” in the Jewish calendar. Each had a distinct significance:
The first of the Hebrew month of Nisan, the New Year of Kings, was the date used to calculate the number of years a given king had reigned.
-The first of the Hebrew month of Elul was the new year for tithing of cattle, a time when one of
every 10 cattle was marked and offered as a sacrifice to God.
-The first of the Hebrew month of Tishrei was the agricultural new year, or the New Year of the Years.
-The 15th of the Hebrew month of Sh’vat, known as Tu BiSh’vat, was the New Year of the Trees.
-Although the Torah refers to Nisan as the first month of the Jewish year, the first day of the month of Tishrei
emerged as what we now know as Rosh HaShanah.
The Babylonians, among whom the Jews lived, marked a “Day of Judgment” each year. They believed that, on that day, a convocation of their deities assembled in the temple of the god Marduk. These gods, they held, renewed the world and judged each human being, inscribing the fate of every individual on the tablet of destiny. The legend was a powerful one, and Jews most likely borrowed elements from it in shaping Rosh HaShanah. The meeting of many deities evolved into a belief that the one God judged every Jew on that day, immediately inscribing the completely righteous in the Book of Life and consigning the completely wicked to a sad fate. Those “in between,” however, had ten days, concluding on Yom Kippur, in which to repent before the Book of Life was sealed for the New Year.
In addition to the biblical “holy convocation” and the transformed Babylonian “Day of Judgment,” the first of Tishrei also was associated with the anniversary of the creation of the world, Yom Harat Olam. For these three compelling reasons, the first day of the seventh month ultimately became the “official” Jewish New Year.
It was not until about the second century C.E. that the holiday acquired the name Rosh HaShanah, which first appeared in the Mishnah [glossary?]. Before then, however, the day had many other designations. The oldest name, found in the Torah (Numbers 29:1) is Yom T’ruah (Day of Sounding the Shofar). Two other names, undoubtedly reflecting Babylonian influence, were Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom HaDin (Day of Judgment). While those terms are still preserved in the liturgy and rabbinic literature, Jews all over the world today usually refer to Rosh HaShanah as the Jewish New Year.
Source:
The Jewish Home (Revised Edition) by Daniel B. Syme
5775 CALENDAR
9/24-26 Rosh HaShanah
10/3-4 Yom Kippur
10/8-15 Sukkot
10/15-16 Sh’mini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
ROSH HASHANAH HOSPITALITY
Todah Robah to the following Congregation members who have offered their hospitality to Cantor Ruz Gulko and to provide the oneg:
- Wednesday, 09/24/2014: Airport pickup for Ruz Gulko: Aaron Weissman
- Wednesday evening, 09/24/2014: Dinner hosts for Ruz Gulko: Don and Helen Cherry
- Wednesday evening, 09/24/2014: Oneg, hosted by Ann Grobosky. Meriam Nagel will bring round Challah.
YOM KIPPUR SCHEDULE 2014
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
Yom Kippur day schedule:
- Saturday, 10/04/2014, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.: Yom Kippur Morning services led by Morah Ruz Gulko at the Bethel.
- Saturday afternoon, 10/04/2014, 12:00-3:00 P.M.: Break
- Saturday afternoon, 10/04/2014, 3:00-4:00 P.M.: Discussion.
- Saturday afternoon, 10/04/2014, 4:30-5:30 P.M.: Yizkor
- Saturday afternoon, 10/04/2014, 5:30-6:15 P.M.: Neilah
- Saturday evening, 10/04/2014, 6:30 P.M.: Break the Fast Potluck, traditionally dairy (milchig.)
The address of the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
ROSH HASHANAH SCHEDULE 2014
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
- Wednesday evening, 09/24/2014, 7:00 P.M.: Arev Rosh Hashanah Services, led by Morah Ruz Gulko, at The Bethel. Oneg to follow.
- Thursday morning, 09/25/2014, 10:00 A.M.: Rosh Hashanah Morning Services, led by Morah Ruz Gulko, at The Bethel.
- Tashlich at Giant Springs to follow.
- Congregation no-host lunch to follow, at Maple Gardens, 5401 9th Ave. S.
The address of the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 