THIS MONTH HaHodesh
AT CHIZUK AMUNO CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS Engaging Jewish Life & Learning APRIL 2018 | Nisan / Iyar 5778
RABBI’S COLUMN
BOOK CHAT
Sunday April 22, 10 a.m.
Her name is Tali. She is one of the tour guides at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, where Israel’s Declaration of RABBI PAUL SCHNEIDER Independence was signed. I’ve heard her presentation several times, and in my opinion, she is one of the best guides in Israel.
Three Floors Up by Eshkol Nevo Finalist for the Fiction and Book Club categories of the 2017 National Jewish Book Awards Set in a Tel Aviv apartment building, this best-selling Israeli novel examines a society in crisis, through the turmoils, secrets, unreliable confessions, and problematic decisions of the building’s residents.
So, what’s so great about Tali? Every good guide touches your mind. Tali touches your heart. She talks with passion about that Friday afternoon, May 14, 1948, and describes in detail the hall, the flag, the tables, the chairs, the music, the people who gathered and the dignitaries who signed the document. She spoke of the ongoing battles between the Jews and Arabs throughout the land at that moment, and the reason why many of the delegates from Jerusalem could not be there. And then we stood in that same hall, and listened to the original broadcast of Ben Gurion announcing the creation of the State of Israel, and the Chief Rabbi, with his voice trembling, leading those gathered in the Shaheyanu prayer, and the singing of Hatikvah, accompanied by Leonard Bernstein and the Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s a very moving experience. And then Tali speaks to us from her heart, and she says that “You will go back to the States in another week, and you will forget a lot of what you saw and did during your trip to Israel. But you will never forget how you felt .” Between 1990-2012, I had the privilege of leading many Schechter 8th grade trips to Israel. What I remember best Continued on Page 2
Our member Karen Desser will lead this Book Chat. RSVP to dtanhoff@chizukamuno.org
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
Chizuk Amuno Israel Engagement presents In Our Hands The Battle for Jerusalem COMMUNITY WIDE YOM HAATZMA’UT CELEBRATION Wednesday, April 18, 7-9 p.m.* Beth Tfiloh Congregation, Dahan Sanctuary Free admission, open to the community Co-sponsored by Chizuk Amuno Congregation Join synagogues and organizations from across Jewish Baltimore for an incredible celebration of Israel's 70th birthday with Soulfarm in concert, a Kumsitz songfest, activities, food, and fireworks*! *weather permitting
This video was produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network, and receives rave reviews from Rabbi Schneider. It tells the story of the 55th Paratrooper Brigade, and the reunification of Jerusalem. We have selected this film in honor of Israeli Independence Day, and Israel’s 70th Anniversary. $5/person Please call Doris in the Stulman Center office to make your reservation 410-486-6400 x288 or dtanhoff@chizukamuno.org