Category Archives: May
CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM IN BOZEMAN WELCOMES A NEW RABBI
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the Rabbi who led Dawn Schandelson’s funeral service.
Congregation Beth Shalom of Bozeman, Montana is proud to announce that Rabbi Mark Hayim Kula will join the Beth Shalom community as rabbi beginning July 1. Rabbi Kula comes to Congregation Beth Shalom with a wealth of warmth, enthusiasm, and experience, having served as a rabbi and cantor in Miami, Florida for 30 years.
“I am honored and delighted to join the Congregation Beth Shalom family and Bozeman community,” Rabbi Kula wrote in a letter to the community. “These are exciting and challenging times. Let us take care of ourselves and others, nurture our relationships, and tap into profound Jewish wisdom. We will then surely thrive and be blessed.” Amber Ikeman, Beth Shalom’s Program Director and Cantorial Soloist, will work closely with Rabbi Kula to serve the Jewish community in Bozeman and the surrounding area.
Rabbi Kula was ordained as a rabbi by The Rabbinical Academy of New York in 2012, and as a cantor by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1986. He has extensive experience as a spiritual leader and Jewish educator, having served at Bet Shira Congregation in Miami, Florida for 30 years, first as cantor and then as rabbi. Most recently, Rabbi Kula has been enjoying a year living in Missoula with his family.
According to Sara Schwerin, president of the board at Congregation Beth Shalom, “We have seen a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and engagement from our community over the past 18 months, as we searched for the right person to lead Beth Shalom. Our entire community is looking forward to the energy, kindness, leadership and spiritual guidance that Rabbi Kula offers. We could not be happier about the leadership team that we have put in place to guide us into the future.”
In June 2018, Beth Shalom Rabbi Ed Stafman retired after ten years of service. Since then, Beth Shalom has enjoyed monthly visits from Rabbi Michael Lotker, who will continue to serve as Beth Shalom’s part-time interim rabbi until Rabbi Kula’s July 1, 2019 start date. Beth Shalom wishes to thank Rabbi Michael Lotker for providing such wonderful leadership over the past year, and for helping to ensure a smooth transition for the community. Beth Shalom also wishes to thank Rabbi Emeritus Ed Stafman for his continued connection to Beth Shalom and his leadership in the greater Bozeman community.
Please join Congregation Beth Shalom two Fridays each month at 6 p.m. for Shabbat services and each Saturday morning for Torah Study at 9:30 a.m. Rabbi Kula, Rabbi Lotker and Rabbi Emeritus Stafman will be joining us for a special celebration of Shavuot on Saturday, June 8; please check our website for details closer to the date.
All are welcome to join Congregation Beth Shalom in worship, learning and social action. Please contact the Temple office at (406) 556-0528, check us out on Facebook “Congregation Beth Shalom – Bozeman, Montana” or visit our website http://www.bethshalombozeman.org to learn more.
Congregation Beth Shalom is a place where members of all ages come together to be a learning and spiritual community joyfully praying together and celebrating Jewish history and tradition. Founded in 1994, and serving the greater Yellowstone community, Congregation Beth Shalom of Bozeman is the largest Jewish congregation in Montana.
YAHRZEITS — MAY, 2019
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
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS UPCOMING EVENT
This is a reminder about the lay services led by Devorah Werner ON the first Friday of the month, May 3, at 6:00 P.M. at the Bethel, with a milchig (dairy) potluck to follow.
Hope to see you there.
The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.
THE BAR MITZVAH MOVIE
Shalom!
My name is Mark Tachna, a Jewish film producer and my company is called Mitzvah Productions.
I am currently in production of my film, “The Bar Mitzvah”. It is a family friendly comedy about a boy named Robert growing up in the 80’s in a very non-Jewish community. The film deals with topics such as anti-Semitism, non-acceptance and bullying. This story is truly unique.
I am looking for support within the Jewish community to create public awareness of my film. Please check out my Facebook page, and if you like what you see, please share it with your congregation to help build support for the film.
https://www.facebook.com/thebarmitzvahmovie
Here is a link to “The Bar Mitzvah” concept video
Thank you!!!
With Best Regards,
Mark Tachna
Owner
Mitzvah Productions
MitzvahProductions.com
719-233:2267
PRESIDENT OF JEWISH SEMINARY KILLED IN PLANE CRASH IN HUDSON VALLEY
From the New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/06/nyregion/seminary-president-plane-crash.html
YAHRZEITS — may, 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 comfort to all who are bereaved.
| Name of Deceased |
English Date of Passing | Hebrew Date of Passing | Deceased Relationship to Congregant |
| Dorothy Meyer | Aug 19, 2017 | 27 Av, 5777 | Stepmother of Diane Sherick |
| Ann Belfert | Aug 12, 2017 | 20 Av, 5777 | Mother of Gail Belfert |
| Ada Handler | May 1, 1980 | 15 Iyyar, 5740 | Grandmother of Wendy Weissman |
| Marion Kelman | May 19, 2016 | 11 Iyyar, 5776 | Sister-in-law of Evelyn Kelman |
| Sheldon Maznek | May 20, 2016 | 12 Iyar, 5776 | Brother of Evelyn Kelman |
| Bessie Stiegler | May 23, 1998 | 27 Iyyar, 5758 | Aunt of Nadyne Weissman |
| Bette Weissman | May 27, 2010 | 16 Sivan, 5770 | Grandmother of David Weissman, mother of Jeff Weissman, Patricia Philipps, Ted Weissman, Sally Weissman and Gale Rietmann. |
GFIA MINUTES FOR MAY, 2017
GFIA Minutes 5-25-17 from Stephen.pdf
Great Falls Inter-Faith Association
May 25th, 2017
Those present:
Pastor Ray Larson, Benefis Healthcare
Stephen Boyd, GF Hebrew Association
Udo Wozney, Bethel Lutheran Church
Jim McCormick, Rescue Mission
Cherrie Kelly, Opportunities Inc.
Sharon Odden, Family Promise
Bobby King, Crossroads Memorial
Beth McKinney, GF Community Food Bank
Reed Bassett, LDS
Jennifer Fines, Habitat for Humanity
Billy Ross, Corpus Christi
Marla Wilckens, 1st Presbyterian
Pastor Ken Waag, Faith Lutheran
Travis Powers, Faith Lutheran
Tarilyn Lawson, 1st Presbyterian
Bobby King, Crossroads Memorial
Mike Whitney, Calvary Chapel
Renee Phillips, Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
Mike Ammons, Crossroads Memorial
Lynne Spencer-Smith, First Congregational
Sandi Filipowicz, YWCA
Sandy Morss, A-Plus Health Care
Phil Wells, Saint Vincent DePaul
Kahdesha Chiles, Saint Vincent DePaul
Marianne Brands, Salvation Army
Focus: Two Churches in Total Ministry and Service
Pastor ray opened with a reading from “The Question that Never Goes Away” and a prayer.
Marla -Early Risers raised just over $3,000 for Eagle Mount!
Pastor Mike – Crossroads Memorial Church – They are in their third year of partnership with Roosevelt Elementary School. Crossroads has had volunteers helping meet the staff’s and student’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic needs. Relationship building with kids, whether it be coming to read
with them, counseling, helping with homework, the volunteers have made a huge impact on student’s lives. They work with either small groups or individuals, taking a load off of the teachers as well. Volunteers have also done small and large things for the staff and teachers, from bringing coffee and energy
bars, or just stopping in to say thank you, to full breakfasts and luncheons on teacher’s appreciation week.
PTAs used to have a huge impact in schools, but most of the schools don’t have the parents who have time to commit to coming in and helping students. This is where the churches are a great resource. There are many retired folks in these churches that have time to give and would love to help.
One of their community outreach events is the annual Easter egg hunt. They Don’t do it to compete with the city, they just do it to provide a family friendly event. They are in their seventh year now. Spent over $6,000 on prizes and 65,000 eggs, filled with candy. The biggest complaint they get is from parents, that other parents are looking for the eggs!
The schools that have not been adopted by a church include Meadowlark, Sunnyside, Sacajawea, and Loy Elementary.
Pastor Ken – Faith Lutheran Church – They are in the middle of a massive building project; as a congregation they have been a presence in the city for 65 years. They have been going through a bible study called “Simple Church”. It is focused on Disciple building. A big part of this is reaching out and helping human need. They have adopted Whittier Elementary School and help in the school with food, books, mittens, and clothing as well as providing meals over the summer in the local park. Part of their
new building will be a workshop where people can learn a trade. Learning how to use tools helps boost self-esteem and build skill for the “real world”. They will have a State-of-the-Art sound system in a huge sanctuary that will be available for Christian music groups. They will also have a large senior’s
program. Some of the many community outreach programs they do include “Cookie Hour”, where homemade cookies are delivered to the Emergency services in the City, “Impact” a summer program for youth of all ages, and “Ignite” is a youth program geared for youth between 8 and 18.
Crossroads is also beginning to reach out to create a relationship with Sacajawea Elementary as well.
They will be launching a new website at the end of the month. Www.faithlutherangtf.com
A note was made about annual voluntary contribution to the GFIA, the money raised goes toward things that tend to get missed, typically to schools or food banks. Last month the GFIA donated $100 each to the GFHS and CMR High School’s “Project Graduation”.
Next month we will be meeting at Benefis East on June 22nd, Classroom 5a-b.
Pastor Ray adjourned the meeting.
Submitted by Stephen Boyd
YOM YERUSHALAYIM FILM PRESENTATION MAY 23
The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America has partnered with the Christian Broadcasting Network to bring to theaters for one special night —Tuesday, May 23 — the film IN OUR HANDS: The Battle for Jerusalem. The movie shares the story of Israel’s extraordinary battle for survival in early June 1967. Get your tickets today and experience IN OUR HANDS in select theaters across the U.S. on May 23 only.
http://inourhands1967.com/theaters/state/MT/
Christian Broadcasting Network Celebrates Israel’s 1967 Victory in New Film
by Dexter Van Zile May 7, 2017
Israeli reconnaissance forces from the Shaked unit in the Sinai region during the 1967 Six-Day War. Photo: Matanya via Wikimedia Commons.
The Christian Broadcasting Network has produced a movie that celebrates Israel’s victory in Jerusalem in 1967. The film, In Our Hands, includes commentary from Michael Oren, the former Israeli Ambassador to the United States and the author of Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East.
The movie also includes testimony from IDF soldiers who took part in the battles to capture the city. To flesh out the narrative, the film provides reenactments of the fighting, the hateful speeches from Arab leaders prior to the Six Day War, and the debates between Israeli politicians and soldiers as they struggled with the decisions they faced before, during and after the capture of Jerusalem.
For people who are unfamiliar with the history, In Our Hands does an outstanding job of highlighting the challenges faced by the Jewish state two decades after the Holocaust. The Israeli people and their leaders were faced with foes who had promised to destroy their country before it reached its 20th birthday. By dint of a pre-preemptive attack on Egyptian airfields, and profoundly courageous acts on the ground, sovereign and free Jews were able to secure their future and live to fight another day, as they have successfully done in the decades since.
One compelling reenactment included in the movie is Moshe Dayan instructing battlefield commanders to take the Israeli flag down from the Temple Mount — out of respect for Muslim sensibilities, and for fear of provoking a region-wide war in the Middle East.
The movie’s strength is not merely in providing a historical summary of the events that led to the liberation of Jerusalem, but in conveying the emotional impact that it had on Jews, both religious and secular. This was especially true of the soldiers who celebrated at the Western Wall after the Old City was secured.
The movie does not shy away from the horrors of the fighting, providing testimony from an IDF soldier who was almost left for dead and covered with a sheet after the battle for Ammunition Hill — but was saved when one of his comrades saw his hand moving. The movie also documents the Israeli decision to honor the Jordanian soldiers who died at Ammunition Hill with a sign recording their courage in battle. The Israelis’ goal was to defeat the Jordanians, not to dishonor or humiliate them. “We are not Sparta,” one of the interviewees declares. It’s a very compelling moment.
In Our Hands does more than celebrate the restoration of Jerusalem, but celebrates Israeli toughness in the face of danger and threatened destruction. The movie offers an implicit rebuke to films such as With God on Our Side and Little Town of Bethlehem, two anti-Israel movies produced in the last decade that tell viewers that peace between Israel and the Palestinians is achievable if only the Jews would come to their senses, and abandon their aggression.
Yet In Our Hands shows that there are some threats that won’t go away, and that some battles must be won if justice is to prevail and civilization is to be protected. It’s not a message that everyone wants to hear, but it’s one that can’t be ignored by the people who watch In Our Hands.