Annual Hanukkah Celebration plus Shabbat

Transcription

1 December 2010/Kislev-Tevet 5771 Volume 6, Number 4 Annual Hanukkah Celebration plus Shabbat Am HaYam will celebrate Shabbat and the third night of Hanukkah on Friday, December 3, 2010 at Chapel in the Pines, Samoset Road in Eastham, at 7:30 PM. Services will be led by Judi and Jay Bloom. Am HaYam will provide the latkes, jelly donuts, challah, wine, and beverages. You are welcome to bring a few of your own favorite recipe latkes. 1

2 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah. I am one of the youngest of the 30 Keller cousins. Needless to say, Hanukkah was quite the celebration in our family. We all congregated at Grandma s house on Sunday afternoon. If you weren t seated at the end of the table by the kitchen you might never get a latke. There was the annual debate about sour cream vs. applesauce, which continues to this day. We ate, we laughed, we sang and we lit the menorah. In the summer of 1968, as I was getting ready to leave for a year of graduate study at Indiana University, my father came home one evening with a small rectangular box for me to pack. Having talked about the school calendar, my parents knew that I would not be home to celebrate Hanukkah with the family that December. I opened the package to find a traveling menorah, one that folded flat, so that I could light candles while I was away at school. I hope that you will be able to join me as Am HaYam celebrates this festival of lights at our Hanukkah-Shabbat service on December 3. We will light our menorah, laugh, sing, and eat latkes. I promise not to get too carried away with the applesauce vs. sour cream debate, but it is a family tradition! Judy Keller DATES TO REMEMBER Hanukkah, First Night Wednesday, December 1 Hanukkah December 2-9 Shabbat/Hanukkah Service Friday, December 3 7:30 PM New England Havurah Retreat December Board of Directors Sunday, December 12 7:00 PM Rosh Chodesh Women Thursday, December 16 7:30 PM Discussion Group Friday, December 17 10:00 AM Torah Study w/rabbi Ullman Sunday, December 26 10:30 AM Women s Torah Study Tuesday, December 28 2:00 PM New Year s Eve Friday, December 31 2

3 ROSH CHODESH The next meeting of Rosh Chodesh will be on Thursday, December 16, 7:30 PM, at the home of Sara Henken, 7 Bittersweet Lane, South Dennis. For directions and to rsvp, contact Sara at or mshenken@comcast.net. The program, facilitated by Sharon Leder, is based on an Anthology, Circuitous Paths: Jewish Women s Spiritual Journeys, which Sharon is now proposing to publishers and agents. She has been working on it since 2004 when the topic first came up at a Rosh Chodesh meeting. The book has most of the journey narratives collected, but she is open to collecting more in order to fill in gaps. Sharon writes: The inspiration for this volume originated in our Rosh Chodesh group. On two occasions, the topic of discussion was: Who have been our Jewish women role models? I was struck at each meeting by the paucity of models the women in the group could identify from their childhood, teens and young adulthood and how that problem may have created the circuitous paths by which many of us reconnected with our Jewish selves only later in life. By then, we found other Jewish women we could admire for their integration of the spiritual and secular, and we wiggled and struggled inventively to reclaim lost Jewish parts of ourselves, being helped in the process by admirable exemplars capable of balancing and integrating the spiritual and secular aspects of their identities. Some sample zig-zag Jewish women s journey narratives will be presented for discussion. Bernice Simon-Wolfson, Chair, Rosh Chodesh WOMEN S TORAH STUDY The Women s Torah Study group meets monthly year round on the fourth Tuesday of each month at members homes. We recently completed Genesis (the first book of the Torah) and are currently reading Exodus. We read and study in English, using various versions of the Jewish Bible and a number of commentaries. No experience necessary and you are welcome to join the group at any time. announcements will be sent a few days before each session with the location and directions. If you would like to be added to that list, please let me know. The December 28th meeting will be 2-4 PM at the home Anne Katz-Jacobson in West Yarmouth. Rebecca B. Holmes 3

4 BOOK CLUB - new The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 19 th, 10 AM 11:30 AM at the home of Marilyn and Paul Schlansky, Harwich. The book is Heir to the Glimmering World by Cynthia Ozick. Call or or schlansky@netscape.net to rsvp and for directions. Joyce and Dick Bush, Facilitators PLAY READING GROUP (formerly Drama Group) newer Our next meeting will be on Monday, December 13 th, 1:00-4:00 PM. We'll be doing a story reading from Tevye, the Dairyman which, as you all probably know, was the basis for the Broadway musical, "Fiddler on the Roof." The part that we'll be reading deals with the dream sequence as told by Tevye to his wife, Golda. The venue for this reading will be at the home of Nancy Nelson, 292 Wauquanesit Drive, Cobbs Pond. in Brewster. For directions and to rsvp, contact Nancy at or at elnan292@yahoo.com. Bernice Simon-Wolfson and Ruth Shapiro, Co-Chairs FRIDAY MORNING DISCUSSION GROUP newest! The next meeting of the Discussion Group will be on Friday, December 17th at 10 AM at the home of Deborah and Martin Jacobs. Call for directions. The topic is Income Inequality in America. Facilitator will be Jay Bloom who writes: What is the effect of the increasing income inequality on American society? What effect will this have on democracy, educational opportunities for the poor, and on the environment? Martin adds: If the wealthy won't help the poor will the latter take it lying down? Deborah asks: How are you personally affected? Deborah and Martin Jacobs, Facilitators 4

5 ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND HAVURAH RETREAT Friday-Sunday, December 10-12, 2010 Craigville Conference Center, Hyannis, MA NHC's Cape Cod Havurah Retreat: Studying Torah, lighting Shabbat Candles, and celebrating a musical Carlebach-style Kabbalat Shabbat service begin the weekend. Friday evening continues with dinner, singing, and study sessions. On Saturday, take time for spirited prayer, or walk on the beach, study accessible texts, and apply Jewish values to issues of social justice. Learn and sing new songs, stretch your body and your mind. For more information and to download the registration form, go to: Special rates for Am HaYam commuters: $50 for the weekend (includes all classes, services and workshops) and $10 per meal. Keep checking the website for the actual schedule which will be posted soon. For a more personal perspective on the Retreat, call Carol Roth ( , after 12 Noon) or Shira Sands ( ), each of whom have attended more than once. ANTI-BULLYING PLEDGE At the last meeting of the Board of Directors, the members of the Board voted to join Keshet, the Jewish LGBT organization, and dozens of other American synagogues and organizations, in adopting the following anti-bullying pledge: As members of a tradition that sees each person as created in the divine image, we respond with anguish and outrage at the spate of suicides brought on by homophobic bullying and intolerance. We hereby commit to ending homophobic bullying or harassment of any kind in our synagogues, schools, organizations, and communities. As a signatory, I pledge to speak out when I witness anyone being demeaned for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. I commit myself to do whatever I can to ensure that each and every person in my community is treated with dignity and respect. We encourage you to sign the pledge as an individual. Please go to: YIDDISH CLUB After a marvelous season, several of our members are back in Florida and Arizona, back to warmer climes. Therefore the Yiddish club is not meeting officially. But if you are interested in a winter program, in any aspect of the language or the culture, please do call me at and we ll do something Yiddish. Sandy Chernick 5

6 AM HAYAM DIRECTORY Did you know that if you receive the Am HaYam newsletter or have sent in a donation that you are considered a member of Am HaYam? We don't require members to pay dues or buy seats for services. Did you know that the Newsletter Editor only knows your (not your name) and that the donation information you send in is confidential and only kept by the Am HaYam treasurer? That's why we'd very much like you to become part of our Participant Directory. We'd like to know who our members are and we think you'd also like to have their contact information within easy reach. Please consider becoming a part of our Participant Directory. Just send your name, Cape address, off-cape address, telephone number or cell number and address to Jessica Dill, jrdill1@comcast.net for inclusion in the Directory. Only people who are included in the Directory will receive a twice yearly Directory in January and June. Printed copies will be available to participants who do not use . Please, let us know who you are. Note: the Participant Directory will not be used for mass mailings or solicitations or any other commercial purposes. Jessica Dill, Chair, Membership Committee ADULT EDUCATION (Jessica Dill has become the chair of the newly formed Membership Committee. Therefore the Board is now looking for volunteers to serve on the Adult Education Committee and for a Chair or co-chairs of that Committee. Please contact either Jessica or Judy Keller if you are interested.) 6

7 BOOKPLATE DONATION Many of our prayer books are still available for dedicatory bookplates and virtually your entire donation supports the wonderful programs and services provided by Am HaYam. Please don't overlook this opportunity for performing a true mitzvah. To mark a celebratory event, honor or remember a loved one or friend with a bookplate in a prayer book, please send a check for $18 payable to Am HaYam to: Gene Saklad, 51 Pochet Road, Orleans, MA Please include name(s) of contributor(s), event being celebrated or memorialized, individual(s) being honored or memorialized, relationship of each honoree to contributor, name, address and telephone number of contact in case any questions arise. Thanks. In memory of My parents, Ida and Frank Brooks Nancy Nelson My parents, Nathaniel F. and Elsie Y. Nelson Elliot Nelson MEMBERSHIP A member is anyone who participates in Am HaYam religious services, programs, and events or who wishes to be on the mailing list. There are no membership dues. Am HaYam is solely dependent on the generous donations of those who attend our events or who make donations to mark special occasions or to remember loved ones. Mail donations to: Am HaYam, Box 1235, Brewster, MA If you wish to have a card sent announcing your donation, please include the name and address of the person for whom you are making the donation. Thank you. DONATIONS In memory of Sam & Esther Friedman and Sam & Jeanette Harris Marvin & Bette Friedman Audrey Yasher Arlene Cohen Elliot G. Macht Nancy Macht In appreciation of Am HaYam s Services Kevin Soyt & Richard Aronowitz Barbara & Marc Stahl Nancy & Elliot Nelson Robert Stutman Joseph Pushkin-Rood & Gerald Rood Lotti Morris 7

8 TORAH STUDY AND POTLUCK DINNER Thanks to all who helped make our "Pot-Luck" Torah Study such a success! Special thanks to Myron Taylor, Sherrie Douglas, Harriet Korim, Paul Schlansky, and Stephen Roth who came early and stayed late, to help set-up and clean-up for this great evening. There was delicious food (to nourish the body), a candle-lit Havdalah (to up lift the spirit), and a challenging Torah Study (to stimulate the brain). What more could anyone desire in the space of one evening? Another thank-you to all 45 of our enthusiastic participants! Todah rabah to Rabbi Alan Ullman who led us in a stimulating and interesting Torah Study and who has already agreed to a return engagement on November 12, Judy Taylor and Carol Roth Co-Chairs JEWISH BOOK PROGRAM OPENS TO CAPE FAMILIES (from the Cape Cod Times) The Jewish Federation of Cape Cod, with the support of The Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Wendy s of Cape Cod, is making available to local Jewish families with young children (6 months 8 years) the PJ Library (PJ as in pajamas). This reading program which provides free Jewish books and CDs is available to parents and grandparents of young children. Each enrolled child receives a monthly gift of age appropriate Jewish books or CDs and a reading guide to enhance the family experience. This could be a great Hanukkah gift. To register, tsmily@comcast.net. Links: w&id=21887&itemid=111. 8

9 LOCAL (Lower Cape Lunch) This organization s goal is to help satisfy the physical, social and spiritual hunger of our neighbors in need on the Lower Cape. It is one of the organizations to which Am Ha- Yam donates some of its funds through its Social Action Committee. LOCAL is a relatively new outreach organization functioning under the auspices of the Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Lower Cape Cod. Its purpose is to meet the needs of those in the greater Orleans area who are hungry, whether for food, fellowship or both. LOCAL serves lunches on Tuesdays and suppers on Thursdays at St. Joan of Arc Parish Center, averaging guests at each meal. Judi and Jay Bloom are the liaisons to LOCAL for Am HaYam. Am HaYam has committed to providing volunteers to assist each month on the 2nd Tuesday for lunch and 4 th Thursday for supper. Judi and Jay need more volunteers for the program. Volunteers help at 9:30AM to set up and/or 11:30AM to serve lunch and 3:30PM to set up and/or 5:30 PM to serve supper. Please call the Blooms at to volunteer for this mitzvah. HOMELESS PREVENTION COUNCIL Am HaYam helps the interfaith Homeless Prevention Council by selling Shaw s and Stop & Shop gift cards; the HPC earns 5% of the face value of the cards we sell and you use. Last year HPC rescued over 500 families, including more than 850 children, from the threat of homelessness. HPC serves hot meals to all who come to the LOCAL, the Lower Cape Lunch program (see article above). Through its Backpacks to School program, HPC provided over 100 children with required school supplies this Fall. HPC runs the Provincetown Soup Kitchen. Because of recent state budget cuts, HPC lost major funding. We can help. Buy the supermarket gift cards. Buy them for yourself. Buy them as Hanukkah and Christmas presents. Use them like cash at the supermarket and get full face value. It does not cost you anything, but HPC earns 5% of that value. Please help. Bring your checkbook to the following events where Sandy Chernick will have cards to sell: December 10, Discussion Group December 12, Board Meeting Or call and she ll deliver! 9

10 SHABBAT DINNERS The very successful Am HaYam Shabbat Dinner Program is resuming during the Winter, Sorry snowbirds. Participants sign up to attend a Shabbat dinner on the third Friday of the month and/or host four to six additional people at a Shabbat dinner in their home. The idea is to provide small, hamish get-togethers so that people can celebrate Shabbat on a night with no Am HaYam services and get to know each other better. To sign up, use the form below and to jrdill1@comcast.net by December Shabbat Dinner Program Registration Form Name(s): Address: Home Phone Address Did you participate in the Shabbat Dinner Program in 2010? Yes No "X" one or both: I am interested in hosting (no. of guests?) I am interested in participating? Mark any date(s) you would be available to Host or Participate: January 21 February 18 March 18 Please indicate any food allergies, special dietary needs or restrictions. Let us know if you eat kosher style, are a vegetarian or vegan. We look forward to celebrating Shabbat with you. You may also cut out this form, fill in the information and mail it to Jessica Dill at 35 Sands Road, Eastham, MA

11 EDITOR S NOTE: Since I will be on vacation for two weeks at the end of January and beginning of February, I am going to combine a January/February newsletter. Please submit all information for both months no later than December 20 for distribution no later than December 27. Thank you for your cooperation. Jessica Dill will be my backup during my vacation to send out weekend updates and special notices to the Am HaYam mailing list. Rebecca B. Holmes THE AM HAYAM "SHMOOZE LIST" The Shmooze List is an informal group of people who wish to share information, via , not necessarily related to Am HaYam. To join, send an to shmoozer@ahycc.org. Include your name, address, phone and address. LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY: New Year s Day, January 1 Shabbat Service, January 7 Book Club, January 19 Tu B Shevat, January 20 Rosh Chodesh Women, January 20 Shabbat Dinners, January 21 Board of Directors, January 23 Women s Torah Study, January 25 Torah Study w/rabbi Ullman, January 30 11

12 THE YELLOW PAGES OF AM HAYAM ADULT Jessica Dill EDUCATION BEREAVEMENT Paul Biegelsen FOOD PANTRY Carol/Stephen DRIVE Roth HH LOGISTICS Steve Berrick HINENI Ruth Shapiro Judy Keller HOLOCAUST Sharon Leder MEMORIAL PROGRAM JEWISH Office FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP Jessica Dill NEWSLETTER Rebecca Holmes PRESIDENT Judy Keller RITUAL Paul Biegelsen ROSH CHODESH Bernice Simon Wolfson SOCIAL ACTION Judy Keller SOCIAL Richard Dill PROGRAMMING SUPERMARKET Sandy Chernick No COUPONS TORAH STUDY Alice Weiss Joyce/Dick Bush TREASURER Martin Jacobs WEBSITE Marc Weiss WOMEN S Rebecca Holmes rebeccabholmes@comcast.net TORAH STUDY ZAMAREI HAYAM (CHOIR) Shira Sands shira77@comcast.net This newsletter is distributed electronically only and is also available on line at the Am HaYam website: Check website for last minute information and changes in programs and dates. 12