Category Archives: Events
MAJCO SHABBATON; WHAT IS A SHABBATON?
Shabbaton is a Hebrew term which may loosely be translated into English to mean Sabbatical. In recent times, a sabbatical has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual. Sometimes a Shabbaton has come to mean a program of education and celebration focused on the Shabbat.
Every year, the Jewish Communities of Montana set aside one weekend to meet, pray, sing, eat and recreate together. This year BET HARIM is proud to be hosting this event at the Sanctuary Retreat Center in Kila, Montana, the week end of July 15-17. Please make plans to join us in beautiful Glacier Park for a gathering of all of Montana’s Jewish communities.
ACCOMODATIONS: Stay in Montana-style cottages, bunk houses, tents on platforms, or teepees, or bring your own tent.
Motels in Kalispell available.
MEALS: Gourmet vegetarian food to accomodate Kosher and other dietary preferences.
PROGRAM:
1) Shabbat evening service and meal at the Sanctuary
2) Saturday in Glacier Park – catered lunch, hiking
3) Havdallah at the Sanctuary followed by a bonfire and music;
4) Sunday MAJCO meeting and speakers.
Guest Speaker: Rabbi David Saperstein (Voted #3 Most Influential Rabbi in US)
Torah Portion: Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)
Registration information is available here!
Please contact Josh Burnim joshburnim@gmail.com or phone 406.579.8050 with any questions.
WEEK END HOSPITALITY
From Our President
By Laura Weiss
It’s a busy Jewish month for the Great Falls Hebrew Association. Our Jewish weekend is May 20 to 22. Since the weekend falls on Lag B’omer, we will be having a bonfire at the home of Wendy and Aaron Weissman on Saturday evening to mark the occasion. May 25 there will be a Soul Train event. Dr. Dror Eydar, Ph.D., a lecturer in Literature, Jewish thought and History, will be in Great Falls to give a lecture and musical performance. And on Sunday May 22, there will be a GFHA board meeting at 3pm at the old Washington school, 1015 1st Avenue North.
This upcoming board meeting is an important one. As many of you know, because of the shrinking size of our community, we will need to change the way we schedule events through the year. We can no longer afford to bring a service leader to Great Falls on a monthly basis. We will need to be creative in our scheduling and in how we stay engaged and cohesive as a community. As always, the board needs to hear from the rest of the community so we can be responsive to your needs and make choices that shape our future guided by your input. If you cannot attend the meeting, talk to a board member to make sure your voice is heard.
MOTHER’S DAY WAS ALSO DIAPER SUNDAY
By Helen Cherry
Each year several churches collect diapers on Mother’s Day, diaper Sunday, to distribute to St. Vincent de Paul. For many years, Aitz Chaim has supported this most worthwhile endeavor. Please bring contributions of diapers or funds to purchase diapers to either services Friday May 20 or the Lag B’Omer celebration at the Weissman’s Saturday May 21. Either Helen Cherry or Meriam Nagel will make sure the funds or diapers are collected and distributed to the intended recipients. Your donations will be much appreciated, even if they are 2 weeks late.
Soultrain Visit by Dror Eydar
Details are still a bit sketchy, but the Israeli outreach group Soultrain will be sending us another cultural gem from Israel! Dr. Dror Eydar will BE here on May 25 for a lecture and musical performance.
The event will take place at the Great Falls Public Library on the evening of May 25. More details to follow …
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 