Kibbutz Hannaton (this Sunday)

James and Debbie Jacobson-Maisels write in:

Kibbutz Hannaton is a renewed community and educational center, in a beautiful setting in the Galilee, where diverse, committed young Jews are working to claim Israel's future by living and teaching the ideals of Pluralism, Spirituality, Social Justice, Environmentalism, and Peace and Reconciliation, all in the context of rigorous text study. Our programs will include full time beit midrash study, spiritual retreats, seminars, and internships which engage our core values. Along with a group of passionate rabbis and educators from multiple denominations, our goal is to engage contemporary Jews with a meaningful, open, ethical and transformative Judaism. 

We would love to share our vision for new center with you and invite you all to partner with us in making this dream a reality. We are seeking your support – both financial and in any other way you can - to be part of our endeavor to strengthen the spiritual future of Israel.

Please join us for a light brunch this Sunday August 23rd , at 10am at the home of Shalom Flank and Deborah Hittleman Flank (write to Hannaton@ZooMinyan.org for address or directions), where we will share more extensively the vision and reality of Hannaton and engage together in the kind of meaningful Jewish learning which is our mission. Please feel free to pass this invitation onto friends and colleagues who are interested in supporting pluralistic Judaism, Jewish learning, Jewish spirituality or Israel and looking for new ways to get involved.

Please RSVP to James at jamesmoshejm@gmail.com. We are looking forward to seeing you all and updating you on our new project. 

Brachot, 

James and Debbie

 
Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels

Debbie Jacobson-Maisels

Mazel Tov! (this Sunday)

Mike Wenthe writes in:

I am very happy to announce that on Monday, July 27, Rebecca Boggs gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Mother and daughter are both doing well. (Dad is okay, too.) As of yet, the child has not officially been named, though she has heretofore been known as "the critter" and Juniorina...

But a formal naming ceremony will be held this Sunday, August 2, starting at 2:30 P.M. at Adas Israel Congregation, 2850 Quebec Street NW, Washington, DC (just around the corner from the Cleveland Park Metro, Red Line).

You are most welcome to join us for the event, at which we will reveal our daughter's names and some of the thinking behind the choices thereof. Also, it being a Jewish event, we will eat: probably a buffet of pastries, bagels, fish, fruit, and vegetables, with coffee and tea available, and some bourbon to honor the child's Kentucky heritage.

Best wishes to all,
--Mike

P.S.  Welcome to the world, Shira Rose Boggs Wenthe!

Pre-Inauguration Havdalah event

This election season resulted in an historic shift of power- but our work is far from over. 

How can we realize our vision for justice in the coming years? 

On Saturday, January 17, 2009, join HIAS Young Leaders, Jews United for Justice and the AVODAH-AJWS Partnership for an evening of havdalah, discussion, and celebration preceeding the inauguration of President-Elect Obama. The event will feature a Havdallah service following a panel with: 

• Ronit Avni, founder of Just Vision, which supports Israeli and Palestinian non-violent civic peace builders through media and education. 
  
• Ben Brandzel, formerly of MoveOn.org and now an online organizing consultant for progressive organizations such as SEIU and Avaaz.org. 
  
• Saul Garlick, founder of Student Movement for Real Change, supporting young people in their work for sustainable international development. 
  

DATE: Saturday, January 17th, 2009 
TIME: Snacks at 5:45pm, Havdalah at 6:15 sharp 
WHERE: The Theatre at Mt. Vernon Methodist Church (900 Mass. Ave NW) 
Click here to RSVP!

In light of our economic tzuris, and the schanda of Bernard Madoff (the goneff), the mitzva of tzedakah is even more important than usual.

Here is a note from Rabbi Ken Cohen, the Director of AU Hillel.  In addition to the wonderful community-building programming at the Hillel, they also generously provide a sefer torah for Zoo Minyan's shabbos morning davenning.

****************************************

December 19, 2008

Oy!

These are tough times, but the mission of American University Hillel to serve the needs of our students continues. 

But to be honest, I am very concerned. We are making cutbacks, but that may not be enough.

During the darkest part of winter, we Jews kindle a flame of hope by lighting menorahs. We chase away gloom, cold and fear with song and celebration. In a nutshell, stubborn hope has always been the key to our survival. 

You are our hope.

Please support AU Hillel and make your 2008 tax-deductible gift now. December 31st is only days away. You can make your donation online through our website (www.auhillel.com/donate.htm) or send a check to the address listed there. 

AU Hillel receives no funding from American University and needs to raise approximately 80% of our own budget. Your gift, big or small, will help us continue to promote an extensive social, political and religious program benefiting all of AU’s 2100 Jewish students.  

Warmly,

Ken


Rabbi Kenneth L. Cohen, Director 

Chanukah Seder (4th annual, already!)

From Zoo Minyannaire extraordinaire, David Smolar --


Monday, December 22nd
7pm at the historic 6th & I shul, downtown

The Chanukah season always brings the same questions. What really went down 2,170 years ago? Where can I go to learn more? And will there be food? On the second night of Chanukah, we will answer all your questions when writer/producer Dave Smolar presents the fourth annual "Chanukah Seder," a full-length musical adaptation of the story with food, friends, and fun along the way. If you know everything or nothing about the holiday, if you just want to meet and greet in the city, if you want a Chanukah party where you actually celebrate Chanukah-- then come early, stay late, eat your weight in latkes, and be ready to sing along!

Click here to register through the Jewish Study Center, for the flyer, or for videos from two years ago.