Beth Ami
Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism
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Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism
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November 2005 Newsletter
Beth Ami - Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism
THIS NEWSLETTER IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE DENVER/BOULDER AREA SECULAR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM COMMUNITY!
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Jon Budoff
Since taking over as President at the end of August, I have been excited to oversee three months worth of excellent programs. These have included a Shabbat service in September, the fantastic Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in October, and our family Havdalah service in November. Right now, we are putting together the details for our Hanukkah party on December 18, and it's shaping up to be an event that should not be missed!
The Program committee, under the leadership of Barry Levene and Bennett and Ellen Inkeles, is currently working to lay out the program schedule for 2006. Next year, we plan to mix it up a little more to have programs that appeal to different demographics of our membership. This means we will have some Friday night Shabbats down in SE Denver, and some Saturday early evening Havdalah services in NW Denver. This will be in addition to our major holiday celebrations of Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah, and our annual picnic and birthday party. We are also considering doing a movie series and restarting a book club. We also are going to try to make social action (Mitzvah) an ongoing theme that is part of all of our events. Overall, I think there will something for everyone.
Our September membership drive was very successful. Nearly all of our members from last year renewed, and we have a number of new members as well. I would like to welcome all returning members back, and also formally acknowledge and welcome our new members: James Ross Jon Franklin, and his children Paris and Noah Bennett and Ellen Inkeles, and their children Daniel, Zachary, Jesse, and Joshua Vic and Debra Goldberg, and their children Barry and Janelle Michael and Marti Hirsch, and their children Rachel and Katya Irving and Suzanne Franke Stuart and Roslynn Budoff
The Fall semester for Sunday school is going great. We have eight children enrolled from five families, and I think that everyone is having a great time. I look forward to seeing the Sunday school continue to grow and evolve. Many thanks to our teachers and Education committee members for their continued hard work.
I am excited about the future of Beth Ami. We continue to revitalize our committees, offer quality programs, and expand our outreach efforts. Thank you to all of you who have contributed to our success! I look forward to seeing you at our next event.
Regards, Jon
TREASURER'S REPORT Barry Levene
End of Year Tax Note Yes, Beth Ami is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. What does this mean? In IRS lingo, for individuals this means that contributions, gifts, and donations are tax deductible to the extent that nothing of specific value, such as merchandise or services, is received in return. For Beth Ami, it means that we do not have to pay income taxes. Also, for any single contribution of $250 to be deducted, the taxpayer must have a written acknowledgement. Beth Ami will be sending out these acknowledgements before the end of the calendar year.
Beth Ami Donates $470 to the Katrina Relief Fund Many thanks to those of you who contributed to the Katrina Relief Fund either individually or through the Beth Ami fundraising effort. Our gift of $470 to the Allied Jewish Federation went to feed, clothe, house, and provide medicine to those along the Gulf Coast devastated by the storm. Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) is alive and well in our community. Contributions were received from Elaine Bloch Joyce Kohn Jon and Toni Budoff Kathy Kane Robert Fleisher Julie Lapides Michael and Estelle Handler Sheila Malcolm Ely Karasik Len and Gerrie Karasik
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar events will be updated on the website, www.bethami.com. For Jewish events in Boulder, link to www.boulderjcc.org. For Jewish events in Denver, link to www.jccdenver.org
CHANUKAH CELEBRATION 2005
December 18, 2005, 11:00am - 2:00pm Mark your calendars!! Westminster Recreation Center at 104th and Sheridan, in the Sunday School location.
WHAT TO BRING:
PROGRAM:
COST: No cost. Donations will be accepted. Flyers and emails will provide additional information.
BETH AMI JEWISH SCHOOL Suzanne Zarnow, co-teacher
On November 6, we went to the Mizel Museum in Denver for a program about different cultures and diversity. There were six display panels, each with artifacts from different cultures, including Native American, African, Asian, Jewish, Latin, and Muslim. The presenter explained that culture is composed of dress, language, life cycle events and rituals, celebrations, beliefs or religion, music, and geographic area. Students dressed in the clothing from the different groups while she explained aspects of culture. To follow up at our November 20 class, we reviewed what the students learned at the museum and discussed culture, the importance of diversity, and the particular importance of tolerance and respect for Jews, as well as what to do when others display intolerant behaviors.
Recently, we continued learning the Hebrew letters in the Memory Game. A fun lesson on immigration and Jews was called "The Ellis Island Experience". The students dressed in scarves and hats like immigrants from the old world, while we discussed why they wanted to come to America. We showed pictures of immigrants, ship rides, and Ellis Island. We set up the classroom like the hull of a ship and had the students present a passport and their ship fare. They ate rationed snacks. We played a reading of "The New Colossus" and explained the life of Emma Lazarus. Joanna, our student assistant, and I then interviewed each passenger, who answered questions about name, age, place of origin, purpose in coming to the U.S., if they had a trade or job ready for work in the U.S., if they had family in the U.S., and if they had any money. If they answered correctly they were given stamps in their passports and sent to a mock physical exam by (Dr.) Adam Schonberg. After the lesson we gave out family trees as homework. In January, students will complete poster versions of the family trees.
On December 4th, we will work on Hannukah and Hebrew. Younger students will conduct a sing a long and read the story of Hannukah. Adam will work with the older students discussing historical meaning and ethical questions of Hannukah. We will eat sufganyot as our snack, and work on our readers' theatre play of "Hershel and the Hannukah Goblins."
Suzanne would like to thank Joanna for her wonderful energy, creativity, and rapport with the students. She has been an invaluable addition to the teaching staff.
COMMITTEE NEWS
Activation of Caring Committee Maida Deborah has volunteered to be the contact person for expressions of joys or concerns to be passed on to our members. If you have, or know of, a personal joy or concern and would like members to know, tell Maida. She will determine whether the involved party wants to share the news, needs help, would appreciate cards, calls and/or visits, and will then let members know what is needed or would otherwise be appropriate.
LOCAL EVENTS
Tribute to Ely Karasik! On November 16 at their national convention in Denver, Ely Karasik was recognized by the Classical Mandolin Society of America for a lifetime of contribution to the music of the mandolin. In addition to receiving an inscribed plaque and the effusive praise of his fellow musicians, a quartet played a musical tribute from pieces Ely had composed, and Ely, himself, played one piece. It was obvious from the audience reaction that Ely is respected and appreciated by his friends and peers in the Society. Many told anecdotes of their interactions with him over the years. Congratulations, Ely!
Volunteers needed for Christmas Mitzvah Project The Christmas Mitzvah Project, sponsored by the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver, sends Jewish volunteers to several Denver hospitals and Shalom Park to assist staff, patients and residents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Many regular volunteers spend time with family at this time, and assistance from our community is always greatly appreciated. No special skills are required, only a few hours to give in the spirit of interfaith cooperation.
To register as a volunteer, or if you have any questions, please send an email to XmasMitzvah@yahoo.com(preferred) or leave a message (and your email address) at 303-759-8485.
NEWS FROM NATIONAL
International Institute Ordains Two
More Rabbis, Graduates 12
Madrikhim
Rabbi Goldfinger, who has been serving Toronto’s Oraynu Congregation as Life Cycle director, will now serve Adat Chaverim, the Valley Congregation for Humanistic Judaism in Southern California. Rabbi Epstein has been appointed the Humanist chaplain at Harvard University, succeeding Tom Ferrick, their first Humanist chaplain. The ordination brings the number of rabbis ordained by the IISHJ to eight, seven from North America and one from Israel.
The Institute also graduated three
North American and nine Israeli madrikhim (leaders). The Israeli graduates will
complete their rabbinic training in Jerusalem and will be ordained in July,
2006, in Tel Aviv, during the biennial conference of the International
Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews. Graduated as North American madrikhim are Betty Pelletz of Sarasota, Florida, Jack Silver of Phoenix, Arizona, and Sue Feder of Baltimore, Maryland (in memoriam).
SHJ Conference 2006 THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Building, Growing and Inspiring Humanistic Jewish Communities Friday-Sunday, April 28-30, 2006 Join in a weekend of Friendship, Learning, Creativity Programs for adults, young adults and teens!!!! Post conference tour April 30-May 1 Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts Hosted by Kahal B’raira Congregation $235 for a Teen/Young adult $445/$345, Chaperone (single/double) Registration deadline 3-1-06 For further information, contact the SHJ office at 248-478-7610 or info@shj.org
LINKS
NPR sponsors an ongoing series of essays called "This I Believe." To read the humanist essay of Albert Einstein, and any others in the series, please link to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4670423
A LITTLE SMILE…
New Jewish words:
CLASSIFIED – goods and services
This newsletter will be published at least four times/year with the goal of communicating events and information to inform our members and those interested in celebrating "Jewish culture and identity consistent with a humanistic philosophy of life." Kindly send submissions by email to sheilamalcolm@earthlink.net.
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Last modified: 11/05/06 |
