Rabbi Chaim Weiner Named Director of Masorti Europe
We are pleased to announce that Rabbi Chaim Weiner has been named Director of Masorti Europe. In his new position, Rabbi Weiner will coordinate the development of Masorti communities in Europe, working closely with the lay leadership, Masorti Europe Regional Board and Masorti professionals of the region to formulate policies and programs for Europe. He will be the point of contact for new groups seeking Masorti affiliation and will coordinate projects in Europe funded by Masorti Olami and other organizations. Rabbi Weiner will visit the various communities to teach, help with communal programs and guide the community's leadership.
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Rabbi Weiner will continue to serve as Director of the European Masorti Beit Din, a position he has held since January 2005, and is available for rabbinic consultation and to provide advice and rabbinic services to communities without rabbis.
Rabbi Weiner is well qualified for this new position and the World Council of Conservative / Masorti Congregations (Masorti Olami) is fortunate to have such an illustrious religious leader at the forefront of our growing European Masorti community. Rabbi Weiner received his rabbinic ordination from the Schechter Institute of Judaic Studies in Jerusalem in 1989 and served as National Director of NOAM Israel for three years before taking up the pulpit at the Edgware Masorti Synagogue in London from 1991-1998. He is a graduate of the Jerusalem Fellows Program in Jerusalem. As a member of the Va'ad Halacha (Law Committee) of the Masorti Movement in Israel, he published several Teshuvot (legal responses). He followed Dr. Louis Jacobs (z"l) as the rabbi of the New London Synagogue in UK. Rabbi Weiner has played a prominent role in the growth of the Masorti Movement in UK, including developing the youth movement NOAM and in establishing the European Masorti Beit Din.
We wish Rabbi Weiner success in his new position.
Rabbi Weiner can be contacted at: weiner@masorti.org.uk
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Rabbi Ederberg appointed to serve Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue in Berlin
The Berlin Gemeinde (Jewish Community Council) voted in favor of hiring Masorti Rabbi Gesa Ederberg to serve in an official capacity as a rabbi. Ederberg began her work on February 1st and is working in a half-time position with the Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue, an established community in Germany. She will continue to serve as Director of Masorti Germany.
Rabbi Ederberg is the first woman rabbi since the Shoah to be hired by the Gemeinde. The first female rabbi, Regina Jonas, worked as a teacher and pastoral counselor in the Berlin Gemeinde in the 1930's and 1940's before being killed in Auschwitz.
Rabbi Ederberg’s appointment is an historic moment for German Jewry and for Masorti Europe. |
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Regional Board of Masorti Europe Meets in London
By Gill Caplin, Vice President of Masorti Europe
Representatives from Masorti communities in UK, France, Netherlands, and Spain gathered in London on Sunday, January 28 for a meeting of the Regional Board of Masorti Europe. Participants included Michael Burman (Chair of Assembly of Masorti Synagogues, UK), Gill Caplin (Vice-President Masorti Europe) Chazanit Jaclyn Chernett (UK), Bernhard Cohen and Nicky Cohen (Masorti Almere, Netherlands), Michael Gluckman (Director of AMS UK), Joanna Kubar (Maayane Or, Nice), Claude Machline (President of Masorti Europe), Martin Moyer (Bet El Madrid), Wanda Teplitsky (Kehilat Aviv, Valencia), Rabbi Chaim Weiner (Director of Masorti European Beit Din and Masorti Europe) and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg (New North London Synagogue UK). Dr. David Breakstone (Masorti Olami Senior International VP) and Avigail Ben Aryeh (Community Liaison, Masorti Olami) also joined us for the meeting.
We were honoured to have the meeting start with Shacharit led by our newly ordained Chazanit Jaclyn Chernett. Jaclyn then gave a presentation concerning the establishment of a European Masorti Academy for Jewish Liturgy. The overall aim is to inspire leaders of prayer. The method of instruction will include modern technological processes and will reach out to communities across Europe and beyond.
Communities had submitted reports about their activities prior to the meeting, but were informed about the following additional items.
- Rabbi Gesa Ederberg has been appointed to serve in an official capacity as a rabbi by the Berlin Gemeinde (Jewish Community Council). (see article above)
- The community in Valencia has been approached by groups wishing to establish new Masorti communities in Saragossa and Seville and this is being positively followed up.
- Our communities in Valencia, Alicante and Madrid are working towards establishing a Spanish Masorti Movement. A movement comprised of more than three communities could then attract national funding.
- The Assembly of Masorti Synagogues were pleased to announce the launch of the latest community in Elstree & Borehamwood which is to the north of London.
- The inauguration of the new premises of the Nice community was to take place the weekend following this meeting. Rabbi Chaim Weiner will represent the European Bet Din at the dedication.
The meeting welcomed Martin Moyer from Madrid who explained the management structure and practice of his his community, Beit El. The Madrid community was encouraged to hold talks with the community of Valencia to form a Spanish movement.
The structure of the Constitution for Masorti Europe which will be registered in France was discussed at length. President of Masorti Europe, Claude Macline, is working with an expert in French constitutional law and it is hoped that this will be ready by the next Board meeting.
Various funding options were discussed All communities have been looking at their future development and discussed ways that involved the use of matching funds to greatly increase their funding potential.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg’s address over lunch stressed the importance of the European Masorti Movement. He said that a recent report by the Jewish Policy Research Group on the Jewish Future in Europe noted that the Velvet Revolution, the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism had given Jews a greater freedom in Europe and there has been a subsequent resurgence. This was also featured in an article in the Economist which estimated that there are 1,400,000 Jews in Europe. This resurgence is noticeable in many quarters of individuals and communities roots in Judaism.
In the afternoon session of the board meeting, Rabbi Weiner gave a full and illustrated presentation on the European Bet Din and strategies of community development. This was based on the principle that there is a need to know where you intend to go in order to know how to move forward and was based around the various positions of the European Masorti communities at this present time.
The schedule of future meetings of Masorti Europe in 2007 is as follows:
20th - 22nd April in Valencia
29th June – 1st July in Nice
2ndNovember– 4th November Paris - This will be part of a weekend conference which will also include NOAM & Marom activities.
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Reflections on the Caribbean and Central American Conference
By Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler, Regional Director for Masorti Latin America (“AMLAT”)
During the last weekend of January most of the small Jewish communities located in the Caribbean and Central America gathered together under the umbrella of the UJCL (Union of Jewish Communities of the Caribbean and Central America). Some 165 participants attended the conference representing several key international Jewish organizations along with representatives from Costa Rica (the host of this tenth Conference), Panam?, Aruba, Curacao, Jamaica, Cuba, Honduras, Bahamas and Guadalajara (M?xico). I had the opportunity and honor of attending the conference, representing On behalf of the Masorti Movement, I had the opportunity and the honor of attending, participating and sharing the tenth UJCL annual Conference with a special group of people.
From the beginning, the warmth and abundant human sensitivity that characterize Central America and the Caribbean became a wonderful background for everything that preceded this conference and for its inner development.
Leaders and rabbis - with commitment, passion and vision- worked enthusiastically together in order to make this encounter a fitting example of the efforts and involvement of the small Jewish communities that exist and involve each of the countries that they represent. Every shared moment left an unforgettable impression in those of us who were privileged to attend. The conference was made pleasurable by a gentle smile, a tefillah, by concepts emanated from our sources, as well as by an honest longing to deepen, strengthen and nourish a meaningful Jewish life that is able to transcend difficulties and threats to transform them daily into opportunities and challenges.
This was an encounter whose importance in the Jewish world was evidenced by noting the extensive and distinguished list of international Jewish organizations that were represented, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel.
The ceremony that took place during the conference commemorating the International Holocaust Remembrance Day deserves special mention. It was enriched by a panel that dignified each of us in attendance. Of special note was the presence and message of the Second Vice President of Costa Rica, whose words penetrated so deeply in the audience that brought about an endless standing ovation from all of us.
I represented the Masorti Movement at the conference and we feel honored by this opportunity to to join forces with the leaders and Rabbis - respected and valued colleagues - who daily undertake such an important task in this part of our continent. In them I recognize and respect a deep involvement and passion for giving the best and maximum effort to support Jewish life with continuity and with content. We, at the Masorti Movement, take on the commitment of continuing to walk together “building roads as we go”, sowing with hope and harvesting with joy.
The words "Ze hakaton gadol iIhye" (this little one shall be big) taken from the Brit Milah ceremony appropriately describes the value and significance of the UJCL existence. Certainly most of the affiliated communities are small, but therein lies their great strength and what makes them big-- the conviction that the small ones are big, that they do not need to wait to be big, they already are.
People there have done so much beyond their size. Although they face challenges by not having rabbis nor professional people working with them in some of those kehillot, they are sensitive and commited to ensure the continuity of a Jewish life that is vigorous and signifcant with content, tradition, Torah and mitzvot.
This part of our continent is expecting us to work closer with them and at the same time to have the marvelous opportunity to learn and grow together.
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Coordinator of Prague Masorti Community Visits U.S.
By Rabbi Richard Hammerman, Masorti Olami Senior VP for North America
We were fortunate to meet Gafna Foltynova on her recent visit to the United States where she was a guest of KOACH at the KOACH Kallah in Philadelphia. Gafna represents the "resurrection" of Jewish life in the Czech Republic, especially amongst young adults.
Twenty-seven year old Gafna told her amazing story of personal re-discovery of her Jewish roots and her travel to knowledge and observance from a Communist home to serious Jewish learning in Czech Republic, Sweden, UK and Israel and her mission to share her knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for Jewish life and learning with her home community. Gafna is currently the Coordinator of Masorti Czech Republic in Prague, where she works closely with Rabbi Ron Hoffberg, adults and students in the community. She also shares her love of Judaism by teaching at the Lauder Jewish Day School
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left to right: Don and Judy Horowitz, Gafna Foltynova,
Rabbi Richard Hammerman, Sharon Hammerman
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uring her visit to the United States, Gafna shared her story with students at the KOACH Kallah and Jewish Theological Seminary, members of the Men’s Club and Sisterhood in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and at parlor meetings in West Palm Beach and Boyton Beach, Florida. She also met with a number of individuals in New Jersey, New York and Florida.
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left to right: Sue Press, Judy Horowitz, Rabbi Richard Hammerman,
Gafna Foltynova, Sharon Hammerman, Evelyn Rubin |
Thank you to Judy and Don Horowitz and Sandra and Marvin Rosen for opening their homes for meetings with Gafna. We especially thank Gafna for her willingness and enthusiasm to share her inspiring story with us.
To arrange a speaker from Masorti Olami in your community, please contact Rabbi Richard Hammerman at rhammerman@masortiworld.org
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UN International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
By Gloria Landy, NGO representative for World Council of Conservative Synagogues (Masorti Olami) to the United Nations
Monday January 29, 2007 - Program of Outreach on the “Holocaust and the United Nations”
Sponsored by the United Nations Department of Public Information
Excerpt from Resolution 60/7:
Reaffirming that the Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of one third of the Jewish People, along with countless members of other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.
The second annual commemoration day mandated by a resolution of the the GA as International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust took place this year on January 29, 2007 (the official date is January 27, but since this year that date fell on Shabbat the memorial was held on the 29th).
Greetings were extended by video cast by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General United Nations who offered solemn words of support for the survivors and hope for the future generations.
Speakers included:
Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the Sixty First Session of the U N General Assembly, whose words echoed recognition of the need to learn from the Shoah in order to stop the genocide now happening and prevent further genocide in the world.
Shashi Tharoor, UN under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information:
Mr. Tharoor has been a champion for human rights, for the rights of all peoples and a stalwart supporter of the rights of the Jewish People to be heard, and the right of the State of Israel to exist in a free society among nations. In addition to his beautiful opening remarks, he, throughout the morning program, emphasized to the audience, many of whom were survivors or families of victims of the Shoah, that they were safe, and that the State of Israel will be supported by the UN. Mr. Tharoor took direct aim at the Holocaust deniers and the danger that they present. He emphasized that the voice of reason and peace must be heard.
Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Representative of Israel to the United Nations:
Mr. Gillerman gave an inspiring, emotional and direct statement about the horrors of the Shoah, pointed directly to the Holocaust deniers as a danger to all peoples. He emphasized that a member state has not only denied the Holocaust but advocates the elimination of a member State - the State of Israel - in order to complete the work of the Nazi regime: the systematic eliminations of an entire people. He specifically addressed the survivors and their families that were present, and promised that as long as there is a United Nations, Israel is not alone. They are not alone. We are not alone. His intense support and empathy for the survivors, his pain for the victims, was visible and felt throughout the hall; his words were honest and as always true to the point; His emphasis that the very existence of Israel is a place of security was beautifully and emotionally stated. His words were meant to motivate the entire audience to believe in the future.
Mr. Schindlarmayr of the UN Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:
Mr. Schindlarmayr’s address emphasized the horror that was inflicted upon anyone having shown any sign of disability during the Nazi regime; they were deemed useless, not worthy of life and subsequently exterminated. His words were poignant, deeply meaningful and gave a clear understanding of the treatment and the total disregard for human life during the Nazi era.
Ms. Marie No?l, student at the College of St Elizabeth had the opportunity to participate in the March of Remembrance and Hope. She spoke about her experiences while visiting the extermination camps in Poland, of having witnessed first hand the horrors that were endured by the inmates, of the Nazi complete disregard for humanity. Many of her remarks were addressed directly to those that would deny the Holocaust and the danger they present.
“Remembrance and Beyond” a lecture by Madame Simone Veil, President, foundation pour La Memoire de La Shoah
Madame Veil was deported from France in 1944 and is a survivor of both Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen. Madame Veil described her first hand and personal experiences while in the camps, of being separated from her family – some never to survive. It was only upon returning to France after the liberation of the camps that she learned her sister had survived and had been a member of the resistance. She rejected going back to the same life she led before the war but wert on to become, among other major positions, the first president of the “European Parliament”. She emphasized that no matter how often the truth has been told and retold, when asking questions of the majority of the population throughout Europe of what really happened or asking how could it have happened, much of the population that lived during those times does not deny because their answer is “I do not remember”, “I did not hear anything” and “I did not know of anything”.
There was a performance by HaZamir, the International Jewish High School Chamber Choir, which was moving and inspirational. Cantor Netanel Hershtik, cantor at the New York Synagogue chanted Kaddish.
Conclusion
It was a moving and emotional day. A day that must be commemorated throughout the world--in schools, in churches, in synagogues and in every walk of life. The Holocaust was the systematic, well thought out, organized, detail by detail, plan by Nazi Germany to annihilate the Jewish people. The Holocaust affected all humanity; genocide affects all humanity. We must not allow it to keep happening. We must never forget.
But, as the years go on, people will forget. What is memory today becomes only history.
Something only to be read about without feeling the impact the Shoah had on the world.
We, our generation, must bear the responsibility to be the link to future generations. We must teach the dangers of intolerance, we must promote better relations among people of diverse cultures; we must condemn all religious intolerance, violence against any and all persons based on ethnic origin or religious belief. The world must never forget what happened to humanity.
To read more about the commemoration, go to:http://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance/2007/
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