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February 2014 | Shevat - Adar I 5774
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Greetings from Rabbi Shulman Dear Friends, uring my time away, I am re-examining the origins and essence of synagogue prayer with an eye on how we might reclaim something of the past and gain understanding for the future. In doing so, we can effectively respond in our congregation to the challenges of this modern moment in Jewish life. One of the most important achievements in the history of religion is the establishment of daily, communal prayer. In fact, during Second Temple times in Jerusalem, it was personal prayer and individual
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devotion that led to the development of communal synagogue prayer services. Most of us don’t appreciate that the founding of the synagogue in ancient times marks one of the most important steps forward in the development of religion. The earliest synagogue assemblies were the first time in human history that regular communal worship took place outside of a sacred national Temple or shrine. We should value this. Synagogues are sacred because those who attend them make them so by their participation. We certainly feel this at Chizuk Amuno. This month, as I look in from the distance, I celebrate the vibrant variety of our prayer, learning, and activity as well as the energy and engagement of the people who make up our synagogue family.
Grateful for the gift of this Sabbatical time, I thank all of you for your support and on-going involvement. I also express my gratitude to Rabbi Wechsler, Rabbi Schneider, Hazzan Perlman, and our devoted staff and lay leaders for their extra efforts. Finding warmth in the cold of winter, I hope you can also find a little quiet time to renew and refocus. I look forward to returning in mid-March to all that awaits us and all we will celebrate. B’Shalom Rav, Rabbi Ron Shulman
Sharon: An Inner Journey from War to Peace Film Presentation Sunday, February 9, 2 p.m. • Krieger Auditorium The Israel Engagement Committee presents Sharon: An Inner Journey from War to Peace. This documentary by Oscar nominated Israeli filmmaker Dror Moreh, combines interviews, archival footage, and private moments of Ariel Sharon z”l captured in home movies
to create an emotional portrait of the military leader and statesman in the years before the stroke which ultimately claimed his life in January. RSVP to Jenny Baker, jbaker@chizukamuno.org. Donation: $5.
We Honor Judy Meltzer on Her Retirement Sunday, March 30, Noon Please join us at this year’s Phyllis and Louis Friedman Annual Program, when we pay tribute to Judy Meltzer, our illustrious director of the Stulman Center for Adult Learning. Judy has been the director of our adult education program since its inception, over 17 years ago. During her tenure, Judy instituted many well-loved programs, including One Shul, One Title, One Month and the ever-popular Adult Summer Camp. She brought the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning to Chizuk Amuno, as well as
countless nationally and internationally renowned scholars, teachers, and literary stars. We will miss Judy’s leadership and wish her a long and fulfilling retirement filled with hundreds of her favorite books. Dara Horn, author, will speak about her most recent work, A Guide for the Perplexed: A Novel – a spellbinding story of how technology changes memory and how memory shapes the soul. Those who wish will have the opportunity to contribute to a special shelf being created in Judy’s honor in the Munitz Library. Please watch your mail for details. Many thanks to Phyllis and Louis Friedman for their generous sponsorship of this program. 1
Young Families Hosts Painted Palette
Saturday, February 1, 7:30 p.m. Join us for a unique evening of art, music, wine, beer, light fare, and connecting with friends. We will each recreate a colorful painting of poppies – you’ll be amazed at what you can do! $54 per couple, $36 per single. RSVP to jwahlberg@chizukamuno.org.