Social Action Israel Info
Israel CommitteeThe Israel Committee was established in 2004 in recognition of Congregation Sinai's value of supporting Israel as the Jewish Homeland. A relationship with Israel connects us to our history, religion, and culture. Knowledge of current Israeli politics and culture are important to the formation and sustenance of Jewish identity. The Israel Committee continuously explores ways to form connections, build relationships, and raise awareness of our connectedness with Israel.
Greetings from Congregation Emet veShalomAffiliated with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism Kehillat Emet VeShalom Nahariya hopes that you and your community had a Happy Hanukah. As I write this message it is pouring and we are thrilled to have some of the rainy weather that Israel so desperately needs. We watched and prayed as the fires recently raged in the nearby Carmel Mountains with harrowing devastation. We will help through our programs to do what we can to provide assistance and rehabilitation in the area. We celebrated the Festival of lights in the congregation for seven of the eight nights of Hanukah, a lot of light in a small corner of Israel. Participants in our Bible Class, in Russian, lit candles the first night. Student Rabbi Nico Socolovsky led a class. on ‘Kabbalat Shabbat’. and lit candles on the second night. The third night of Hanukah was celebrated at Kabbalat Shabbat services. and as is our tradition, all in attendance were invited to bring their Hanukkiot and light them together. Hanukah candles were lit at all Emet VeShalom programs and activities during the holiday at 108 Weizman Street which we hope we can continue to maintain so that we have a home for running our programs and activities which fill many needs in the community. Our Festive Chanukah Celebration was Enjoyed by All! During Hanukah, after Shabbat, we had a special joyous celebration at 108 Weizman Street for members and friends of Emet Veshalom - of all ages. We began our Saturday night event with Havdalah, followed by lighting the Hanukkiah, songs, a mini lecture on the story of Chanukah and then storytelling in groups in English, Spanish and Hebrew. In this surprise activity each group told its story in costume through pantomime so it could be understood by all. Our New Women in Reform Judaism Group is off to a Great Start! During Hanukah we had the official launch of our new Women in Reform Judaism Group. We are excited about our group’s enhancing Emet VeShalom’s rich community life and especially as a new vehicle to try to bring the different cultural groups our congregation together. We had a lovely evening with a wonderful turnout of women from all of Emet VeShalom’s different cultural and speaking groups (Hebrew, English, Spanish and Russian). We lit candles, socialized with wine and cheese, heard an explanation of Women in Reform Judaism and our chapter’s goals and intended programs. We also heard the personal story of one member’s choice to change her name as an 8 year old to Yehudit in line with her appreciation of the Hanukah story. We welcome the opportunity to form Sisterhood to Sisterhood connections with groups abroad and thank Natalie Barbanel of Temple Sinai of Bergen County New Jersey's Sisterhood, and others in her group, for their interest, encouragement and assistance as our group takes off. Through sharing our experiences and news we can help our congregations to further our shared goals of strengthening Jewish identity and enriching our congregations. Youth Lead Services! We Love to Continue Learning More about Our Holidays and Traditions! English Adult Education Lecture Series is appreciated by Anglos throughout the Western Galilee We thank the UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey for its support of our Adult Activities Program which assists and benefits immigrants and seniors in the community. We invite you and your congregation to learn with us and be part of our overseas family. Contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information or, you can join or renew your Overseas Membership directly, and make a tax deductible donation, via Kehillot B’yachad at http://www.kbyonline.org/emet_vshalom/. We Love Sharing the Warmth and Spirit of our Friday Night (Kabbalat) Shabbat Services and Other Programs with Visitors from Abroad! In November we hosted a group of university students and two professors visiting Israel from Germany for Kabbalat Shabbat. The organizer of the trip wrote us the following: "….I want to thank … the Kehilla for the warm reception and deeply moving/enjoyable experience we had when we joined you for kabbalat Shabbat. The entire group of students from Germany enjoyed the discussion with Ilan [Dr. Ilan Crohn, Chairman of Emet VeShalom spoke to them in German about our congregation and Reform Judaism in Israel], the kabbalat Shabbat service filled with song and the kehilla. I personally value your hosting us and the opportunity to form a connection with such a nice Kehilla. From my heart thank you, " Lori Abramson of Oranim College, Israel. We Wish Rabbi Horowitz Well on his Shabbaton (Sabbatical) With all of Israel and the Jewish people, Kehillat Emet VeShalom prays and works toward Gilad Shalit’s release We the leadership and members of Kehillat Emet veShalom wish you peace and health. Sharon Mann |