Category Archives: June
DUES AND DON’TS
As we begin to emerge from the devastating effects of the pandemic and plan more face to face gatherings and events, the Great Falls Hebrew Association needs your financial assistance. Money (and love) make the world go round, and we would like you to share a little of yours with us so that we can build and sustain a strong and thriving Jewish community, and perpetuate the legacy left to us by those Jews who came before us and built an oasis of Judaism in a desert land.
Aitz Chaim is the only organized Jewish community in north-Central Montana. We would like to be able to engage a rabbi for services more than once or twice a year, and to organize events which celebrate and share our Jewish culture and heritage with each other and those around us. Without your financial support, none of this is possible. Your financial donation empowers us to continue to bring yiddishkeit to north-central Montana.
We can’t do much without consistent dues paying members, and more of them. The more we do and the more we plan to do, the more Jews will come to celebrate their life cycle events with us, and build and strengthen our community. We ask for annual membership commitments in the amount of $250 per individual and $500 per family. That’s less than $22.00 per month per individual or $42.00 per month per family. If you set up recurring automatic payments with your bank or financial institution, you will have one less thing to worry about, (just set it and forget it), and you probably won’t even miss those monthly withdrawals. Of course, any additional tax-deductible donation is always welcome and appreciated.
You can donate to us by sending your check to the following address:
Great Falls Hebrew Association
525 Central Avenue, Suite L8
Great Falls, MT 59401.
So, as we go forward, keep these things in mind.
- Due pay your dues.
- Don’t hesitate.
- Due get involved.
- Don’t be shy.
- Due put on your thinking caps and help us plan events.
- Don’t bee too tired or too busy.
- Due put on your kippa and come to services.
- Don’t let another day go by without celebrating your special heritage and passing it on to your children and grandchildren.
- Due be constantly looking for ways to practice Tikkun Olam.
- Don’t forget that one of the ways you can do this is to pay your dues.
It all makes a circle that starts and ends with you. We can’t do this without you. Thank you.
COVID 19 ADENDUM TO BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH USE POLICY – UPDATED JUNE 8, 2021
While Bethel has adhered to a policy of beneficial usage of the buildings which we have been blessed to own as a congregation of the ELCA. We must continue to institute some restrictions on its use for the protection of our staff, our congregation, and members of those organizations which have a historical use of Bethel’s buildings.
Usage of our facilities shall continue to be limited to those organizations which are supportive of Bethel’s ongoing mission and to those who have a current contract with Bethel for the use of the church’s facilities. 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.
This addendum will take effect upon passing and stay in effect until removed by a vote of the church council.
Discussed and approved by Bethel Church Council 06/08/2021
YAHRZEITS — JUNE, 2021
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
ELECTRIC CITY HIKING JEW CREW
Let’s try another hike! Aaron, Devorah and I are planning on going to Augusta to do the Devil’s Glen hike on Saturday June 5th! It is a 6 mile hike and rated as easy.
For anyone that wants to go, meet at our house (315 4th Ave North) Saturday morning, June 5th at 7:30 AM. Bring water, lunch and anything else you think you need – a hat, sunscreen, hiking poles, etc. We will be gone most of the day.
For anyone that wants a less strenuous hike, Get Fit Great Falls is doing their National Trails Day that day and have lots of easier guided options (some even paved) for those who wish to partake. Check out http://getfitgreatfalls.com for more details on the hikes they are offering.
What better way to spend Shabbat than in the wilderness – whether it is on a paved hike or a little further out in nature, let’s get out into the fresh air and get some exercise!
Wendy
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS UPCOMING EVENT
This is a reminder regarding the Kabbalat Shabbat lay services led by Devorah Werner the first Friday of the month, June 4, 2021, at 6:00 P.M. at the Bethel. The church requires that you wear masks, social distance, and do not bring food or drink with you in the building.
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.
MONTANA ZOOM MEETING WITH ISRAELI CONSUL GENERAL
Israel Consul General Shlomi Kaufman will give a 20 minute briefing for the Montana Jewish Community on Israel’s new government and annexation plan, followed by a Q&A session. Join us on Tuesday, June 30th at 1:00pm on Zoom. Click here to register (at no cost) and receive the link.
yahrzeits, tamuz 5780
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 |
| Gary Ray Holsclaw | 11 Iyyar, 5780 | Son of Arleen Heintzelman |
| Charlotte Weiss | 30 Kislev, 5780 | Mother of Laura Weiss |
| 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 Merriman |
| 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 |
FIFTY PERCENT OFF DOCUMENTARY ON THE CHANGING RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES OF U.S. MILLENNIALS
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE NOW? Half off for a limited time! Streaming available for remote education & online screenings.
AMERICAN MILLENNIALS • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
GET HALF OFF BEFORE JULY 31 USE CODE: 50%WDYBN*7/31/20
We’re writing to share a special 50% off discount for an educational documentary we hope will be of interest to you and Great Falls Hebrew Association Aitz Chaim. Seventeen years after six diverse American teenagers shared their spiritual struggles and aspirations in a 2002 documentary, they return as adults in WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE NOW? to reveal how their beliefs have changed. Against a backdrop of growing religious polarization and disengagement, these now 33 year old subjects, including a Catholic, Pagan, Jew, Muslim, Lakota and Buddhist, offer their deeply personal faith journeys, life challenges, and evolving ideas about higher powers.
Click for Streaming, DVDs & Screening Pricing Options
“What Do You Believe Now? offers people the chance to hear from real people about how they make sense of life’s big questions. It brings to life a variety of positions and viewpoints, and stimulates students’ own thinking about these issues.”
– Michael E. Nielsen, Ph.D., Professor & Chair of Psychology Department, Former President of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Georgia Southern University
GOOD DOCS, 494 Avenue 64, Pasadena, CA
OUR PAST RABBIS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a list, in no particular order, of some of the student rabbis, a couple of ordained rabbis, a cantorial soloist, and some lay leaders who have led services for our community, and where they are and what they are doing now.
1984-1990 (order and specific year unknown)Dan Fink
Idaho Congregation Gets Its First Full Time Rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, Boise, Idaho, 11/07/1994
Jewish Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel Celebrates 125 Years in Idaho This Year, 02/01/2020
1984-1990 (order and specific year unknown)Nathan Langer
New Freehold Center Jewish Rabbi Prioritizes Attracting Young Members to the Freehold Jewish Center Congregation Agudath Achim, Freehold, NJ, 11/25/2019
Rabbi Nathan Langer is also the manager of the Ruth Hyman Jewish Hospice VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) Health Group in Frehold, NJ, 2018
1984-1990 (order and specific year unknown)Johnathan Katz
King’s Inspired Maladjustment, Opinion, Rabbi Johnathan R. Katz, Guest Columnist, Ceresota Herald Tribune, 01/17/2016
After 8 years, Katz To Leave Temple, Longboat Key News, 04/13/2016
JFCS Appoints Rabbi Katz As Community Chaplain, Ceresota, FL 10/14/2017
1984-1990 (order and specific year unknown)Dan Schwartz
Rabbi Daniel Schwartz, Rabbi For the Future, Jewish News, 03/01/2018
Rabbi Daniel A. Schwartz, Temple Shir Shalom, (Song of Peace), West Bloomfield, MI, since around 2008
Rabbi Daniel Schwartz talks about Religious Virtual services, 04/03/2020
There are also many other videos on YouTube.
1984-1990 (order and specific year unknown)Ron Stern
Rabbi Ron Stern joined the clergy staff at Stephen Wise Temple, L.A. in 1998, 10/31/2019
There are also many other videos on YouTube.
1990-1991 Matt Friedman
Full Biography for Rabbi Matthew L. “Matt” Friedman, 11/04/2008
20 Years Later, Sacramento Synagogue Bombing Still Hurts, 06/14/2019
1991-1993 Mark Bloom (Karen)
Rabbi Mark S. Bloom Returning to Bay Area Roots, 04/13/2001
Rabbi Mark S. Bloom, Temple Beth Abraham, Oakland, CA, since 07/2001
1993-1994 Dan Felder (Sandra) not Found
1994-1995 Joel Mosbacher (Elyssa)
Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, Senior Rabbi, Temple Shaaray Tefila, New York, since 2016
1996 Zachery Shapiro
Rabbi Zackery Shapiro, Temple Akiba, Culver City, CA, since 2006
Inducted into the Board of Governors of HUC, Jewish Institute of Religion, 11/07/2018
1996-1997 Tom Heyn (Barbara and Kal)
Biography of Rabbi Moshe Tom Heyn, now living in Half Moon Bay, CA,
1997-1998Jeffrey Wildstein (Andrea Dine)
About Jeffrey Wilestein, 2015
RABBI JEFFREY WILDSTEIN, AUTHOROF JUDAISM: AN INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH BELIEFS AND HISTORY, PART OF THE IDIOT’S GUIDE SERIES, 06/02/2015
Rabbi Jeffrey Wildstein, Temple Beth David, Westwood, MA
In Pursuit of Knowledge: Walpole Rabbi Studying Long-ago Proposal for Jewish African Homeland, 01/12/2015
1998-1999Wendy Geffen
RABBI WENDI GEFFEN, A NORTH SHORE CONGREGATION Rabbi SINCE 2002, AUTHOR OF ARTICLES FOR THE HUFFINGTON POST
RABBI WENDI GEFFEN, NORTH SHORE CONGREGATION ISRAEL, GLENCO, IL, A SUBURB OF CHICAGO, 2015
Rabbi Wendy Geffen, new rabbi at the helm of North Shore Congregation Israel, 08/04/2015
Rabbi Wendy Geffen in conversation with Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen, 06/05/2020
Rabbi Wendy Geffen, how to shake a Lulav, 08/08/2014
1999-2000 Neal Katz
Senior RABBI NEAL KATZ, Congregation Beth El, Tyler, TX, since 2003
Chanukah song from Rabbi Neal Katz’s Chanukah CD “Be A Light” 2009
Official music video for Rabbi Neal Katz “Be A Light”
The web site for his music can be found at KatzMusic.com
2000-2001 Lorne Blumber Not Found
2001-2003 Rabbi Laura Rappaport
RABBI LAURA RAPPAPORT, TEMPLE B’NAI SHALOM, FAIRFAX STATION, VA
2003-2005 Jonathan Jaffe
RABBI JONATHAN JAFFE, 2014
Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, Chappaqua’s Temple Beth El, Northern Westchester, N.Y., June, 2014
2005-2006 Amy Morrison
Rabbi Amy Morrison is Diversifying Miami’s Temple Israel, Miami Herald, 09/26/2019
2006-2008 Jake Singer-Beilin
RABBI JAKE SINGER-BEILIN, 2011
RABBI JAKE SINGER-BEILIN, 07/01/2019
2008-2010 Brian Immerman
RABBI BRIAN IMMERMAN
MISHKAN-ISRAEL CELEBRATES THE INSTALLATION OF RABBI BRIAN IMMERMAN, 11/2018
2010-2011 Cantorial Soloist Elliott Magalnick, Denver, CO
On May 16, 2016, Elliott went into the hospital because he had been experiencing eye problems, and what his doctor thought was a blood clot was actually a carotid cavernous fistula – basically an abnormal arterial growth. During surgery, there were complications, which resulted in a series of problems he is experiencing now, including a lack of ability to speak and the need for intubation. Later it was determined that he had had a significant stroke, and he cannot do much with his right side. He eventually began physical therapy. He moved into an assisted living facility in June, 2017. His son Joel posts to a journal on the Caring Bridge web site, http://www.caringbridge.org, from which the following posts are taken.
Journal entry by Joel Magalnick — Sep 25, 2016
I’ve spent the weekend with my dad and it’s been really nice to see the progress he’s made since I came to visit six weeks ago. First is the voice. He’s pretty much able to talk with his (mostly) full voice all of the time. He doesn’t have a singing voice yet, but hopefully that’s on its way back. All in good time, we hope.
He is still not able to use his right side, and we’re hoping that comes back at some point in the near future, but we’re not there yet. Still, the nurses have said that he should get an odometer with all the miles he’s putting on propelling himself in his wheelchair. So he’s certainly mobile.
I got him out of the building quite a bit this weekend, which he appreciated, and he even got his first trip out of the building, with me getting to push him on a walk around the block. Hopefully he can get a few more of those before the weather starts getting cold.
Yesterday a lot of his friends came over from Rodef Shalom to do a musical service. Enjoy the video! Thanks, Joel
ELLIOTT’S MUSICAL SHABBAT SERVICE
Journal entry by Joel Magalnick — Nov 22, 2018, last entry
If you happen to be in Denver, please stop by and give my dad a visit. He will be spending the holiday at his assisted living facility so I know he would love to see that people are thinking about him. If you haven’t been in a while, he’s at Brookdale Lowry, 150 Quebec St, apartment 269.
His phone number has changed—it’s now 720-472-8400. Feel free to call or text, and we will see if he checks his messages or responds. That may be something he has to relearn. Thanks. Joel Magalnick
2012 Rebecca Reice, Not Found
2012 Miriam Farber
2014 Miriam Farber Wajnberg
RABBI MIRIAM FARBER WAJNBERG, Director of Adult Jewish Learning and Interfaith Engagement, Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, New York, N.Y.
RABBI MIRIAM FARBER WAJNBERG, 02/10/2017
URJ Blog: Women of Reform Judaism, shabbat, Rabbi Miriam Farber Wajnberg, 05/04/2020
Many of her sermons are on YouTube.
2013-2014 Bess Wohlner
Associate Rabbi Bess Wohlner, Temple Israel, Memphis, TN, July, 2015
Many of her Shabbat services are on YouTube.
2014 (High Holy days) Rabbi Ruz Gulko
2014-present Rabbi Ruz Gulko
Rabbi Ruz Gulko on Mental Floss
Rabbi Ruz Gulko
She is founder and sole employee of Gan Argaman, a private little Jewish learning academy in her home in Bellevue, WA, where she teaches all ages in all Judaic subjects, and officiates at life cycle ceremonies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruz-gulko-85419810
2016-2017 (High Holy Days) Aitz Chaim Congregants Wendy Weissman and Devorah Werner
Wendy J. Weissman, CPA
2018-present Congregant Devorah Werner, monthly kabbalat shabbat services at The Bethel, on hold until further notice due to COVID-19
Devorah Werner
Devorah R. Werner, Physician’s Assistant, Great falls, MT
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Welcome to Congregation Aitz Chaim, the Great Falls Hebrew Association, the only organized Jewish community in Northcentral Montana. We are a member of the Montana Association of Jewish Communities and the Union for Reform Judaism. We hold regular services and events throughout the year. -
