Blog Archives

PESACH AND THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE

Shavuah tov, my friends!

So it looks like best practices, as dictated by the CDC, state regulations, and my children, dictate that I NOT fly there for the Pesach community gathering. 🥺 It’s looking like we have to push our plans back about six weeks.

Let’s turn the lemons into lemonade: we can have an amazing Shavuot celebration! It would be wonderful to learn about and enjoy this holiday together, a first!!
Please let me know what you think about that idea ASAP, so that rather than getting a refund on my ticket I can switch it to that time.

Meanwhile, I beg you to observe the social distancing and hygiene practices that Washington state had to wake up to on our own, thanks to that orange menace!!

Life here is so strange: everywhere is deserted, and grocery stores are barely half stocked. No school, no Shul, no anything.
☹️
My daughter’s partner works for a funeral home, transporting dead people from their homes to the mortuary. He has been, obviously, way too busy. And as my daughter is immunosuppressed with a chronic illness, we are really scared. Dystopia indeed!

Please check on my Facebook page to find some wonderful prayer and healing services that are being broadcast online by some incredible musicians and clergy!

Stay safe and, as everybody keep saying, WASH YOUR HANDS!!

Love, Ruz
Sent from my iPhone March 14, 2020

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.

  • Sunday, 12/22/2019�Monday, 12/30/2019, 25 Kislev — 2 Tevet, 5780: Chanukkah.
  • Tuesday-Wednesday, 12/24-25/2019, 26-27 Kislev, 5780: Christmas at the Mercy Home. Please see separate article in Ram’s Horn.
  • Sunday, 12/22/2019, 25 Kislev, 5780, 5:30 P.M.: Erev Chanukah. We will light the first candle of the Diane Kaplan Memorial Chanukkiah at the Civic Center. If you come at 5:30.30, you’ll probably miss it, especially if it is cold.
  • Monday, 12/23/2019, 26 Kislev, 5780: First day of Chanukah. We will light the second candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Monday, 12/23/2019, 26 Kislev, 5780: 12:00 P.M.: Menorah lighting at the Montana State Capitol rotunda in Helena, followed by a MAJCo meeting at 1:00 P.M. All statewide members are welcome to attend. Please see separate article in Ram’s Horn.
  • Monday, 12/23/2019, 26 Kislev, 5780, 4:30 PM: Chanukiyah lighting at Fort Harrison, led by Rabbi Mark Kula of Beth Shalom, Bozeman. All are welcome to attend. Please see separate article in Ram’s Horn.
  • Tuesday, 12/24/2019, 27 Kislev, 5780: Second day of Chanukah. We will light the third candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Wednesday, 12/25/2019, 28 Kislev, 5780: Third day of Chanukah. We will light the fourth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Thursday, 12/26/2019, 29 Kislev, 5780: Fourth day of Chanukah. We will light the fifth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Friday, 12/27/2019, 30 Kislev, 5780: Fifth day of chanukah. We will light the sixth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M. From there we will gather at the Bethel for our annual community Chanukah party. Please bring a milchig (dairy) dish to share, a warm smile and a happy heart for family and friends, and a hearty appetite for latkes and Sufganiyot.
  • Friday, 12/27/2019, 30 Kislev, 5780: A short Shabbat service led by Wendy Weissman before the party at the Bethel.
  • Saturday, 12/28/2019, 1 Tevet, 5780: Sixth day of Chanukah. We will light the seventh candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Sunday, 12/29/2019, 2 Tevet, 5780: Seventh day of Chanukah. We will light the eighth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.m.
  • Monday, 12/30/2019, 3 Tevet, 5780: Eighth day of Chanukah.

The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.

A MONTANA STATE CAPITOL HANUKKAH

FROM THE HELENA INDEPENDENT RECORD

PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY PESACH SEDER — APRIL 7, 2018, 23 Nisan, 5778

The annual Aitz Chaim community Seder will be held Saturday evening, April 7, at The O’Haire Motor Inn, 17 7th Street South at 5:30pm. That is in just a few short weeks!

Please get your reservations in ASAP! We need to get the count to the caterer by April 4.

Please send your RSVP to Laura Weiss at weissbill@bresnan.net.
Send your payment to:
Congregation Aitz Chaim
C/O Wendy Weissman, CPA
525 Central Avenue, Suite L8
Great Falls, MT 59401-3271

The meal will include all the traditional fixings and a multi course dinner including matzo ball soup, salad, brisket, chicken, potato, vegetable, and dessert. The cost will be $30 per adult member, and $40 per adult non-member. Children under 13 are half price. A vegetarian main course can be made available upon advance request. The Seder will be led by Rabbi Ruz Gulko.

Payment is expected in advance unless other arrangements have been made. Please be aware you will be responsible for the cost if you do not attend and have not canceled prior to April 4.

Questions? Call Laura at 406-799-9578.

Looking forward to seeing you there

Submitted by GFHA Congregation President Laura Weiss

PESACH IS COMING SOON … PLEASE SAVE THE DATE

The annual Aitz Chaim community Seder will be held Saturday evening, April 7, at The O’Haire Motor Inn, 17 7th Street South at 5:30pm. The Seder will be led by Rabbi Ruz Gulko.

Details about the menu, cost and the date by which to RSVP will be posted shortly.
Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Submitted by GFHA Congregation President Laura Weiss

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS: CHANUKAH AT THE CAPITOL

We have firmed up plans for our annual Chanukah candle lighting for Monday, December 18th, 30 Kislev, beginning at noon in the Capitol rotunda in Helena. Governor Steve Bullock is scheduled to join us.

I will schedule a room for a meeting of the MAJCo representatives. More information will follow soon about agenda.
Bert Chessin
406.531.5193
Missoula, Montana

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS: December 12-25, 2017, 24 Kislev — 7 Tevet, 5778

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.

  • Wednesday, 12/13/2017—Wednesday, 12/20/2017, 25 Kislev — 2 Tevet, 5778: Chanukkah.
  • Tuesday, 12/12/2017, 24 Kislev, 5778, 5:30 P.M.: Erev Chanukah. We will light the first candle of the Diane Kaplan Memorial Chanukkiah at the Civic Center. If you come at 5:30.30, you’ll probably miss it, especially if it is cold.
  • Wednesday, 12/13/2017, 25 Kislev, 5778: First day of Chanukah. We will light the second candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Thursday, 12/14/2016, 26 Kislev, 5778: Second day of Chanukah. We will light the third candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Friday, 12/15/2017, 27 Kislev, 5778: Third day of Chanukah. We will light the fourth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Saturday, 12/16/2017, 28 Kislev, 5778: Fourth day of chanukah. We will light the fifth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M. From there we will go to the YWCA, 220 2nd Street North, for the annual community Chanukah party. Please bring a milchig (dairy) dish to share, and a hearty appetite for latkes and Sufganiyot.
  • Sunday, 12/17/2017, 29 Kislev, 5778: Fifth day of Chanukah. We will light the sixth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.M.
  • Monday, 12/18/2017, 30 Kislev, 5778: 12:00 P.M.: Menorah lighting at the Montana State Capitol in Helena, followed by a MAJCo meeting at 1:00 P.M.
  • Monday, 12/18/2017, 30 Kislev, 5778: Sixtht day of Chanukah. We will light the seventh candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.m.
  • Tuesday, 12/19/2017, 1 Tevet, 5778: Seventh day of Chanukah. We will light the eighth candle at the Civic Center at precisely 5:30 P.m.
  • Wednesday, 12/20/2017, 2 Tevet, 5778: Eighth day of Chanukah.
  • Sunday-Monday, 12/24-25/2017, 6-7 Tevet, 5778: Christmas at the Mercy Home. Please see separate article in Ram’s Horn.

YOM KIPPUR LAST-MINUTE CHANGE

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Rabbi Ruz will not be with us this year for Yom Kippur services. Wendy and Devorah will lead the services, and we will live stream Kol Nidre services with Rabbi Ed Staffman from Bozeman again like we did last year, hopefully with better results this time. If someone can coordinate with Aaron Weissman to lead a mid-afternoon discussion, that would be great. Otherwise, the schedule will be the same. Thank you for your understanding. Please make it a point to attend services at the Bethel if at all possible. We all wish Rabbi Ruz a speedy recovery, and a happy and healthy New Year.

WEEK END HOSPITALITY

Todah Robah to the following congregation members for their hospitality to Rabbi Ruz Gulko over Yom Kippur week end.

  • Friday, 09/29/2017, Airport Pickup: Marty Foxman
  • Friday Evening, 09/29/2017, Dinner Hosts: Don and Helen Cherry

Please bring a milchig (dairy) dish to share. Please let Helen or Nadyne know what you would like to bring via email, helen@aitzchaim.com nadyne@aitzchaim.com

Appetizers
Breads
Salads
Hot dishes
Fruits
Vegetables
Desserts

ROSH HASHANNAH HOSPITALITY

Todah Robah to the following Congregation members who have offered their hospitality to Rabbi Ruz Gulko and to provide the oneg:

  • Wednesday, 09/20/2017: Airport pickup for Rabbi Ruz Gulko: Meriam Nagel
  • Wednesday, 09/20/2017: Dinner hosts for Rabbi Ruz Gulko: Jerry and Nadyne Weissman
  • Wednesday evening, 09/20/2015: Oneg: Nadyne and Wendy weissman, Meriam Nagel

The address for the Bethel is 1009 18th Avenue Southwest. click here for map and directions.