Category Archives: December
JEWISH READING GROUP STARTING IN MISSOULA
We are starting a book club! We will be reading and discussing fiction by and about Jews, and possibly some non-fiction as well. We will meet once a month on Wednesday evenings. You are welcome to attend when you have time and have read the book; no need to commit to participating every month. It’s not all that far from Great Falls to Missoula . . . so I thought I’d let you know.
The address where we will meet is:
Har Shalom
3035 S. Russell Street
Missoula
The first meeting will be Wednesday, January 23rd, and the first book will be Allegra Goodman’s Kaaterskill Falls.
On Wednesday, February 20th we will discuss Leslie Fiedler’s The Last Jew in America, which takes place in a fictional town modeled on Missoula.
If you are interested, write to us at readingjewsmissoula@gmail.com
Thank you, and happy Hanukkah!
– Mona Bachmann
VIEWING REMINDER
THERE ARE JEWS HERE
presented as part of the award winning PBS World Channel series
AMERICA REFRAMED
TUNE IN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 8PM ET (7PM CT / 9PM PT)
THE WORLD CHANNEL.
VERY IMPORTANT!!! CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS HERE!!!
Some states may broadcast at a different time. If the times are not convenient, you can stream it anytime here beginning at the same time as the national premiere and remaining available for 3 years.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS UPCOMING EVENT: CHANUKIOT LIGHTING AT THE CAPITOL IN HELENA AND MAJCO MEETING
2018 MAJCo State Capitol Chanukiot Lighting Event & Meeting
*** Thursday, December 6 ***
Lighting of community chanukiot and address by the Governor, or his representative – noon
(MAJCo meeting to follow in capital conference room to be announced)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Although having to accept the trickiness of Montana’s weather and shorter days in December, it is hoped that many will be able to attend. It is 683 miles by road from Libby to Wibaux. Lewistown is the geographic center of our state, but the early pioneers did not see it fit to establish the capital there. It certainly would have made driving from Billings, and equally Whitefish, more convenient!
The lighting of the chanukiot (all are invited to bring their own and the five candles needed for the 4th day) will be followed by an address by Governor Bullock or his representative. Afterwards MAJCo spiritual leaders are each welcome to add some brief, hopefully nonpartisan and nonsectarian, remarks.
The one hour MAJCo meeting scheduled for 1:00 PM historically was a winter telephone conference. The yearly physical meeting was instead held at the Shabbaton in the spring/summer/fall. It still seems important to get together at least occasionally in order to maintain a sense of family. One of the major topics we need to discuss is our plans as to future meetings.
But, the most important issue for discussion is our vision as to the future of MAJCo. It was created when we had only six very similar communities with only rare resident rabbi’s and no other statewide organizations. Our congregations were small with few available resources. Communicating with each other, and the outside Jewish world, was more difficult and infrequent then. We were very particular to, within broad bounds, not suggest to others how to think or vote, and certainly not how to pray.
Is there a need any longer for a secular organization like MAJCo, and can it even fulfill its stated purposes?
Please try your best to be there. You are encouraged to bring any MAJCo related items that may have accumulated in your closets for exchanging. All are hoped to be back on the roads heading home around 2:00 PM.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS UPCOMING EVENT: KABBALAT SERVICE AND COMMUNITY HANUKKAH PARTY
Here are some details about the service and Hanukkah party Friday night.
Friday, December 7th, will not only BE the 6th night of Hanukkah, but ALSO the first of our monthly services (first Friday of each month starting this month) to be led by Devorah Werner, AND our annual Hanukkah party! Join us for menorah lighting in front of the civic center at 5:30 (come early because it is also the Christmas Stroll downtown so parking may be difficult). From there, caravan over to the Bethel Lutheran Church for a Kabbalat Service followed by a Hanukkah party! Several congregants are bringing Latkes (already made) so please bring a side dish or dessert to share (or more pre-made latkes). Should be a great evening for all!
The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
Wendy
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY … MARCH OF THE LIVING: NEXT GENERATION
(Another new MOTL opportunity has just presented itself.
The Next Gen program, geared towards those living in small rural Jewish communities, is offering a MOTL trip for the 22-35 year old age group. This is a great opportunity for young adults who may have missed out on the teen program and are now wanting to explore more of their heritage. Please contact Monise Neumann: monise@motlmail.org if you or someone you know might be interested in this trip of a life time. Non-Jewish spouses and/or significant others are welcome to attend as well.)
By way of introduction, my name is Monise Neumann and I serve as a National Consultant with March of the Living. A new initiative is being offered by the International March of the Living specifically geared to the NextGen living in smaller Jewish communities across the country.
This new initiative is geared towards first-time NextGen participants (ages 22-35) from small Jewish communities across the country who would like to explore their Jewish heritage. We are hoping that they can travel to Poland and Israel to join thousands of people from all across the world on the 2019 March of the Living. The cost (all-inclusive) from New York is $2500 per person for a ten-day journey.
I hope that we can be in contact to help spread the word to make this a reality for deserving participants. My sincere appreciation in advance for your help.
Warmest regards,
Monise
The International March of the Living is excited to announce a new initiative to bring young leadership from smaller Jewish communities across the United States on this life-changing journey. This world-wide program takes participants to Poland and Israel to commemorate two very important dates in the Jewish calendar to “remember the past, in the present, to ensure the future.” This highly-subsidized new initiative allows participants to spend Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) in Poland and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) in Israel alongside thousands of participants from countries all around the world. They will study the history of the Holocaust, examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and hatred and learn about Jewish heritage and the history of the State of Israel. This unforgettable experience priced at the highly subsidized cost of $2500 for a 10 day all-inclusive experience is open to first time participants ages 22-35. More details and registration information can be found at http://www.motl.org/next-gen
Monise Neumann
International March of the Living
National Consultant
818.621.0278
YAHRZEITS — DECEMBER, 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 may we be a comfort to all who are bereaved.
| Name of Deceased |
English Date of Passing | Hebrew Date of Passing | Deceased Relationship to Congregant |
| Dawn Schandelson | Sep 3, 2018 | 23 Elul, 5778 | Wife of Arny Schandelson, Mother of Brett and Scott Schandelson |
| Donald Goldman | May 14, 2018 | 29 Iyyar, 5778 | Father of Abby Drew, Grandfather of Cece Drew |
| FRANCES WALTMAN | Apr 1, 2018 | 16 Nisan, 5778 | Mother of Marjorie Feldman |
| Henry Espelin | Dec 1, 1984 | 7 Kislev, 5745 | Father of Dawn Schandelson |
| Diane Kaplan | Dec 3, 2009 | 16 Kislev, 5770 | Mother of Kai Nealis |
| Beverly Tatz | Dec 8, 2015 | 26 Kislev, 5776 | Mother of Janet Tatz |
| Carl Weissman | Dec 9, 1960 | 20 Kislev, 5721 | Grandfather of Jerry Weissman |
| Irving Tatz | Dec 9, 2008 | 12 Kislev, 5769 | Father of Janet Tatz |
| Joseph Magalnick | Dec 12, 1970 | 13 Kislev, 5731 | father of Elliot Magalnick |
| Richard Weiss | Dec 12, 2000 | 15 Kislev, 5761 | Father of Laura Weiss |
| Jules Cherry | Dec 13, 1972 | 8 Tevet, 5733 | Father of Don Cherry |
| Louis Eisenberg | Dec 17, 1985 | 5 Tevet, 5746 | Father of Sharon Eisenberg |
| Michael Thorne | Dec 17, 2016 | 17 Kislev, 5777 | Brother of Alan Thorne |
| Molly Dunaeff | Dec 20, 1985 | 8 Tevet, 5746 | Aunt of Meriam Nagel |
| James Levie | Dec 22, 2010 | 15 Tevet, 5771 | Uncle of Wendy Weissman |
| Theodore Eichner | Dec 30, 1970 | 2 Tevet, 5731 | Father of Jerry Eichner |
| Joe Lavin |
AITZ CHAIM ANNUAL CHANUKAH PARTY DECEMBER 7, 2018, 29 KISLEV, 5779
Please join the Aitz Chaim community for our Chanukah celebration at The Bethel Friday, December 7, 2018, at 6:00 P.M. We will gather after the Diane Kaplan Memorial Chanukkia lighting at the Civic Center. Our Chanukah celebration will follow our first gathering for a Kabbalat Shabbat beginning the first Friday of each month.
The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
CHANUKAH SCHEDULE 2018, 5779
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
- Sunday, 12/02/2018–Sunday, 12/10/2018, 24 Kislev, 5779–2 Tevet, 5779: Chanukah
- Sunday, 12/02/2018, 24 Kislev, 5779, Erev Chanukah, First Candle.
- Monday, 12/03/2018, 25 Kislev, 5779: First Day of Chanukah, Second Candle.
- Tuesday, 12/04/2018, 26 Kislev, 5779, Second Day of Chanukah, Third Candle.
- Wednesday, 12/05/2018, 27 Kislev, 5779, Third day of Chanukah, Fourth Candle.
- Thursday, 12/06/2018, 28 Kislev, 5779, Fourth Day of Chanukah, Fifth Candle.
- Friday, 12/07/2018, 29 Kislev, 5779, Fifth Day of Chanukah, Sixth Candle. Chanukah party at the Bethel. **
- Saturday, 12/08/2018, 30 Kislev, 5779, Sixth Day of Chanukah, Seventh Candle.
- Sunday, 12/09/2018, 1 Tevet, 5779, Seventh Day of Chanukah, Eighth Candle.
- Monday, 12/10/2018, 2 Tevet, 5779, Eighth Day of Chanukkah.
The Aitz Chaim Community will light each night’s candle of the Diane Kaplan Memorial Chanukkiah at 5:30 P.M. at the Civic Center. If you come at 5:30.30, you may miss it, especially if it is cold.
** The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
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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. -
