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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
WHAT IS MAJCO?
What Is MAJCo?
The Montana Association of Jewish Communities (MAJCo) is an umbrella organization that includes representation from Jewish communities across the length and breadth of the great state of Montana. Membership in MAJCo is open to any Jewish community, whatever the “stream,” within Montana.
(Acceptance by the current communities is required.)
Small Jewish communities in rural areas do not exist in a vacuum. Almost three decades ago, the Jewish communities throughout the state created MAJCo, an association of all the organized Montana Jewish
communities. Through MAJCo, we keep in touch and have created a community throughout this great big beautiful state.
The Jewish communities in the Big Sky currently include:
- Congregation Beth Aaron, Billings
- Chabad Lubavitch of Montana, Bozeman
- Congregation Beth Shalom, Bozeman
- Congregation B’nai Israel, Butte
- Congregation Aitz Chaim, Great Falls
- Helena Jewish Community, Helena
- Glacier Jewish Community/B’nai Shalom, Kalispell-Whitefish
- Chabad Lubavitch of Missoula, Missoula
- Congregation Har Shalom, Missoula
Anyone wishing to be on the MAJCo email list may contact Brian Schnitzer at bschnitzer3@msn.com.
CANDLELIGHTING AT STATE CAPITOL
The Channukah lighting will take place at the State Capitol in Helena tomorrow, December 2 at 12 noon. Candle lighting will take place in the old Supreme Court Room, #303, not in the rotunda. (There was a previously scheduled World Aids Day event that will be setting up in the rotunda.) The governor is scheduled to address us at 12:15. The room is available starting at 11 and I plan to be there at that time.
A board meeting will take place in room 152 following the ceremonies. Please let me know if you plan to be there and if not, whether you want to participate by conference call.
Thank you and see some of you tomorrow.
Bert Chessin
406.531.5193
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Please mark your calendars to remind you of these upcoming events.
- Wednesday, 11/27/2013—Thursday, 12/05/2013: Chanukkah.
- Wednesday evening, 11/27/2013, 5:30 P.M.: Erev Chanukah. Lighting 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. We will light each successive candle on each successive night of Chanukah at precisely 5:30 P.M.
- Thursday, 11/28/2013: Thanksgiving, and the first day of Chanukah. We will light the second candle at precisely 5:30 P.M.
- Sunday, 12/01/2013, 2:30 P.M.: Thanksgivukkah party at the home of Stuart and Hilary Lewin, concluding with the 5:30 lighting of the fifth candle of the Diane Kaplan Memorial Channukiah at the Civic Center.
- Monday, 12/02/2013, 12:00 noon: MAJCO Candle lighting at the State Capitol in Helena.
MAJCO Communities to Light Menorot Together at Capitol, 2 p.m. Thurs, Dec 22
Dear Montana Jews,
- Congregation Beth Aaron, Billings
- Chabad Lubavitch of Montana
- Congregation Beth Shalom, Bozeman
- Congregation Aitz Chaim, Great Falls
- The Jewish Community of Helena
- Congregation B’nei Israel, Butte
- Congregation Har Shalom, Missoula
- Congregation Bet Harim, Kalispell
- Synagogue of the Northern Rockies, Whitefish
Related articles
- Chanukah in Chelena (aitzchaim.com)
- Majco Candle Lighting at the Capitol Thursday, December 22, 2011 (aitzchaim.com)
- Chanukah Schedule (aitzchaim.com)
Chanukah in Chelena
Below, please find an email from Helena Jewish Community organizer Janet Tatz, about the upcoming MAJCO Menorah lighting in the State Capitol building in Helena 
and the Chanukah party being held in Helena on the evening of December 22.
From: Janet TatzSubject: Chanukah in ChelenaDate: November 27, 2011 8:17:31 AM MSTDear Helena Jewish Community,Below you will find a recent posting from our MAJCO president, Josh Burnim. Please plan to attend this special, annual event that will take place at The Capitol on Thursday, December 22nd:Dear MAJCO Communities and Friends,Please mark your calendars for the following MAJCO events on Thursday, December 22, 2011.Candle Lighting at the Capitol in Rotunda with Lt. Governor Bohlinger at
2:00 pmMAJCO Business Meeting in Legislative Room 335 at 3:00 pmHere is how the events will flow:
- 2:00 – 2:30 pm Candle-Lighting at Capitol with Lt. Governor Bohlinger
- 2:30 – 3:00 pm clean-up
- 3:00 – 4:00/4:30 pm MAJCO Business Meeting
I will send out more details as we near the events. Please email or call
with any question/concerns/ideas etc.Shalom!Josh BurnimMAJCO President
In addition, we are fortunate to have Rabbi Ed Stafman, from Beth Shalom, in Bozeman, staying over in Helena the night of the 22nd to help us celebrate Chanukah. We’ll plan to begin at 5:30 pm at Touchmark on Saddle Dr. ( formerly, The Waterford on Saddle Dr.) in The Forum, on the 2nd floor of that facility. We’ll light our menorahs (please bring something to place under your menorah, if you are planning to bring one, in order that wax does not drip on the tables or tablecloths), enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal ( if someone is willing to bring the latkes, please let me know in advance!), sing songs, enjoy a holiday teaching or story from Rabbi Ed, spin the dreidel, and enjoy being in each others’ company at this time of year.
The annual Solstice celebration, hosted by St. Paul’s Methodist church and always in conjunction with the Helena Jewish Community, will take place on Wednesday, December 21st starting at 7pm. This year, for the first time, Rabbi Ed will be presenting the Jewish seasonal teaching. Please plan to attend. This event is open and free to everyone and is a relaxing, enjoyable hour well spent.Looking forward to seeing you at these Festival of Light celebrations.
JanetP.S. Checkout www.menorahmate.com to learn about a wonderful holiday ( and Shabbat) product that I have available to sell right here in Helena. These Menorah and B’rachah mats/”mates” make a great gift or personal home item. The mats are a great way to catch those wax drips and to learn the Chanukah or Shabbat blessings ( printed in Hebrew, English and transliteration). If you are interested in purchasing one or more of these items, please contact me, as these are a fund-raiser for our Montana statewide chapter of Hadassah. Thanks!
Related articles
- Majco Candle Lighting at the Capitol Thursday, December 22, 2011 (aitzchaim.com)
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 