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ha odesh y c g d
OCTOB ER 2014 | TI SHREI -HESHVAN 5 7 7 5
Th i s Mo n t h @ C h i z u k A m u n o
Holiday Expectations
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n Montgomery County, officials cancelled a Harvest Festival that draws 4,000 on the first Saturday in October each year after some members of the Rabbi Ron Shulman
Jewish community protested because October 4 is Yom Kippur. Now the larger community of festival participants, including agriculture-related groups and various vendors, are upset. I’ve heard similar concerns this year about Yom Kippur conflicts related to high school and college football games, baseball playoffs, and private corporate events. We appreciate it when others respect our holy days. We’re comfortable when we can honor Jewish observance without disrupting our regular routines. In return, we too offer respect and consideration to our friends and neighbors for their holidays. For our Jewish lives, however, I wonder if such convenience misses the point. One goal of celebrating Shabbat and the Festivals is to change our focus. On our most sacred days we seek to be and to celebrate inside the embrace of the Jewish people, represented by our families, friends, and community members with whom we join to share these occasions. Though accommodation by others is considerate and helpful, we experience the deeper meanings of our holy days because we have to plan and prepare.
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The Rise of Global anti-Semitism and anti-Israel Boycotts ~ A Sukkot Symposium Monday, October 13 • 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: Daniel Goldhagen, author of The Devil That Never Dies: The Rise and Threat of Global Antisemitism and Dr. Steven David, Johns Hopkins University
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onitoring rising episodes of anti-Semitic attacks, both verbal and violent, especially in Europe and in relation to
Israel, we join together to explore what’s happening, to understand it more deeply, and to consider responses to this disturbing trend. Daniel Goldhagen, a widely respected author who has studied and written extensively about anti-Semitism will be our featured speaker. Dr. Steven David, Professor of International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University will respond to Mr. Goldhagen’s remarks after which we’ll engage in a larger discussion and consider questions.
Rejoice in Our Expanded Attman Family Sukkah Thursday, October 9, following services
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oin us as we rededicate the Attman Family Sukkah following our Festival Morning Services at 9:15 a.m. We express sincere pride in and gratitude to the Mildred z”l and Edward Attman and Phyllis and Leonard Attman families for their generous gift and personal interest in expanding and improving our communal courtyard sukkah. We can now rejoice on Sukkot at larger communal holiday meals and 1
gatherings in the expanded sukkah and use the double six-pointed star structure during the year for outdoor receptions, services, and activities. We delight in the beautifully renewed structure and look forward to many years of joy and celebration. Chizuk Amuno Congregation extends our profound thanks to the Attman families for their generosity to our synagogue and dedication to our Jewish heritage.