August 1997 - Tamus / Aw 5757
Entering the Year 5758 with Confidence
The friendly atmosphere that characterizes our regularly-attended services underlines
the successful development of our community. A sincere thank you goes to all those - with
or without a Board position - who have contributed their time and commitment in making
Beth Shalom a functioning Jewish community. Beth Shalom is able to offer the community
services on a regular basis, shabath- and holiday
celebrations, religious education for children and adults,
as well as interesting lectures on various Jewish topics.
Our affiliation with the Union of Reform Synagogues of Great Britain
as well as the honor of hosting this year’s European Conference of
the World Union for Progressive Judaism, show our full integration in the liberal
Jewish world. The recent founding of the Union of Progressive Jews
in Germany, Austria and Switzerland which took place in Munich will also further
stimulate our development.
Once again we experienced the positive momentum of the re-awakening of liberal Judaism
in Munich on the last Shabbat in June during the services for
Rabbi
Walter Homolka's ordination and Lea's Bat-Mitzvah on the
last Shabbat in June. The upcoming membership meeting and
especially the High Holidays will give us the opportunity to
take stock of our accomplishments, while inspiring us toward future work. All
are asked to help, also in the financial respect.
In particular, we would like to turn to all of you who are still observing our
development from the outside: Become a member of Beth Shalom! It just takes a call
(Tel. 089/89 80 93 73).
For the last few months our congregation has established and developed ever stronger
links with the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (RSGB). We received visits from their
rabbis, since November we use their liturgy for Shabbat and coming September we will
introduce "Seder haTefillot" in two volumes, the German progressive prayerbook
based on the RSGB's prayerbooks for weekdays, Shabbat and Festivals. On June 8th the
Annual General Meeting of the RSGB followed the recommendation of its Council and voted
Temple Beth Shalom an associate member of the RSGB. Thereby our congregation will not only
stay globally linked with all progressive movements through our membership in the European
Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, but also receive support and guidance
for our further development by a strong partnership of synagogues which follow the path of
tradition with a perspective for the future. While we are on the way toward creating
German national institutions of progressive Judaism, our association with the RSGB will
help us to get a clear focus how to approach the many issues arising from our endeavour.
Through the RSGB we are in touch with the following organizations: Assembly of Rabbis;
RSGB Beth Din and European Beth Din; Association of Reform and Liberal Mohalim; Friends of
Progressive Judaism in Israel and Europe; Progressive Zionism Pro-Zion; Leo Baeck College;
Centre for Jewish Education; Reform Synagogue Youth RSY-Netzer.
Welcome to the RSGB
(A message from the Chief Executive, Rabbi Tony Bayfield)
Reform Judaism is a synthesis of traditional and modern values - of the centrality of
Jewish prayer and spirituality, of learning and education, of ethics and social justice on
the one hand, and of democracy, pluralism, egalitarianism and responsible autonomy on the
other. RSGB is the strongest Reform movement in Europe. Our commitment to the rebuilding
of European Jewry and to the continued development of Leo Baeck College is paramount. The
Reform movement sees itself as an umbrella body with two clear functions: It provides a
wide range of services to strengthen the synagogues with which it is synonymous,
supporting their work in education, training, youth and student work, and many other
programmes which paint a mural of Reform Jewish values. This is why RSGB has always been
at the forefront of articulating the concerns of the entire Jewish community about
assimilation, out-marriage, the decline of the traditional family and other social
phenomena.
Reform Judaism is ideally positioned to be a broad, centre-left block appealing to
those committed both to a renewed interest in Tradition and a positive dialogue with
modernity. We have achieved this by unflinchingly articulating fundamental values,
embracing a broad spectrum of practice in our constituent synagogues, promoting a wide
variety of religious, educational and social programmes, and showing an honest and open
mind, both in internal debates and to the wider community. We are true pluralists.
RSGB's continuing preparedness to respond positively and compassionately to the impact
of such change, its understanding of the need for outreach, its willingness to be open to
all Jews and would-be Jews, all of this uniquely fits Reform Judaism to meet the needs of
a Jewish population living through challenging and ever-changing times. And through the
1995 MTSVA Project we are committed to further the development of contemporary and
meaningful Judaism all over Europe. I am, therefore, very grateful to welcome Beth Shalom
into this partnership of progressive synagogues working for Judaism with a future.
Eleven key dates in the history of the RSGB
1810 - Inauguration of the first Reform Synagogue in Seesen, Germany, by
Israel Jacobssohn
1840 - Foundation of West London Synagogue of British Jews, London
1856 - Establishment of the Manchester Reform Association
1926 - Formation of the World Union for Progressive Judaism
1942 - Six independent Reform Synagogues form the Associated British
Synagogues which become RSGB in 1958
1956 - Founding of the Leo Baeck College as an inheritor of the
Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums in Berlin
1981 - Formation of the Manor House Trust and acquisition of the
Finchley Manor House
(later the Sternberg Centre for Judaism as home for many institutions of
the Reform movement
1982 - Creation of the youth movement RSY-Netzer
1986 - Creation of the Centre for Jewish Education
1994 - Restructuring of RSGB into a movement which has grown to 41
synagogues and 42 000 members
1997 - Accepting Temple Beth Shalom as first associate member in
continental Europe, 187 years after the Seesen Temple was established in Germany.
World Union European Conference
"The New Jewish Europe" is the title of this year's annual conference of the
European Region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism which Beth Shalom will be
hosting from October 30 to November 2, 1997 in Munich. Whoever would like to participate
in the conference should register in London and wire the registration fee of £ 175 no later than August 22 (registration forms: Tel. 089/89
80 93 73).
As hosts of the conference we must attend to about 200 guests. Therefore we need lots
of helpers for the preparation and execution; in addition we need private accomodations
for the guests who are not able to afford a hotel. Please contact telephone 089/89 80 93
73.
The conference will begin with a memorial service in Dachau (details in next
newsletter).
The musical framework for the Sabbath services during the conference can be created by
Prof. Dr. Herrmann Berlinski. Prof. Berlinski is 88 years old and lives in New York; he is
a famous composer, an expert on Jewish religious music and musical advisor of Beth Shalom.
We are fortunate in that Prof. Berlinski plans to beqeath us a part of his valuable
personal library of Jewish religious music. In order to enable him to play his music, once
again, in German Jewish communities and impart his knowledge, in the form of lectures, we
must contribute to raising funds for his travel costs. Please support us in our effort to
make Hermann Berlinski's trip possible: all contributions, large and small, are welcome.
Please see page 8 regarding transfers and tax receipts. Many thanks.
As announced in the April newsletter, the Union of Progressive Jews in Germany, Austria
and Switzerland was founded as an association of non-orthodox Jewish communities and
groups on June 27th in Munich. So far members include Beth Shalom Munich, Gesher
LaMassoret Cologne, Jewish Community Hameln, Jewish Community Hidesheim, Jewish Community
Seesen, Kehila Chadascha Frankfurt/Main, Liberal Jewish Group Kassel, New Jewish Community
Hannover and Or Chadasch Vienna. Professor Michal Brumlik (Frankfurt) was elected as
chairperson, his deputies are lawyer Katarina Seidler (Hannover) and Rabbi Walter Homolka
(Munich).
WUFJnews as eMail
The World Union for Progressive Judaism's electronic newsletter, the WUPJnews, can be
received via eMail. If you would like to order, send the message
"subscribe WUPJnews <your name>"
to: listproc@ tshamash.org.
To cancel your subscription send the message "unsubscribe WUPJnews <your
name>"
to the same eMail address.
WUPJ's web page has the address:
http://rj.org/wupj
It is still too early to speak of the return of German Judaism. However the liberal
Jewish tradition, for which Israel Jacobsohn, Leopold Zunz, Abraham Geiger, Zacharias
Frankel, Hermann Cohen, Benno Jacob, Leo Baeck, Regina Jonas and the Munich Rabbi Leo
Baerwld stand, and which greatly influenced German Judaism until the annihilation of the
Holocaust, is alive again in its land of origin. The two occasions which Beth Shalom
celebrated with special services on June 27 are a sign for the rebirth of liberal Judaism
in Germany: the founding of the Union of Progressive Jews (see page 4) and the ordination
of Rabbi Dr. Walter Homolka. Approximately 300 guests attended in the totally over filled
Beth Shalom Synagoge - members and friends of Beth Shalom, representatives from the
communities of the new union as well as numerous Jewish and non-Jewish guests. The
participation of the representatives from Civil Service, the Church and the Diplomatic
Choir answered the long-awaited hopes of many German Jews to resume an equal place in the
middle of German society.
The moving service, with its warm atmosphere and straightforward ceremony, was lead by
Professor Dr. Walter Jacob (Rodef Shalom in Pittsburg and Beth Shalom in Munich),Rabbi
Professor Dr. Allen Howard Podet (New York), Rabbi Harry Jacobi (London) and Cantor Barry
Mehler (Amsterdam).
Walter Homolka will practice his rabbinical position on a voluntary basis in addition
to his "civil" career. He is reviving an old tradition, where a rabbi was
independent of community employment. He is available for the care of members of Beth
Shalom and can be reached under the telephone number 089/ 26 02 32 39. In addition, he
will be helping us with services and education. As member of the European Beth Din of the
World Union, Rabbi Homolka will be working for the interests of liberal Judaism in all of
Germany in cooperation with all of the communities and groups. Consequently his
appointment to Rabbi reaches beyond community. Moreover, the Rabbis who signed his Smicha,
the rabbinical certificate, stand for the three wells from which the new progressive
Jewish community in Germany drinks: Senior Rabbi Walter Jacob represents the continuation
of the German origins, Rabbi Allen Podet the American present and Rabbi Moshe Zemer the
Israeli roots. A beautiful symbol for the continuity of liberal Judaism in Germany is the
rabbinical tallit which Walter Homolka wears. It once belonged to Rabbi Ernst Jacob, a
friend of the Munich Rabbi Dr. Leo Baerwald, who officiated before the war as Rabbi in
Augsburg.
Excerpt from the guest list:
City Councilman Siegfried Benker (The Greens), European Chairperson of the World Union
Ruth Cohen, Harvey Cohen of Leo Baeck College, Consul Jeffrey Cox of the British Consulat,
European President of B'nai B'rith Joseph Domberger, Professor Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich of
Basel, Reverand Rupert Frania of the Soceity for Christian-Jewish Cooperation, Evelyn
Friedlander of the Hidden Legacy Foundation, Richard Grimm of the Jewish Museum Munich,
former Secretary of State Dr. Hildegard Hamm-Brücher, City Councilman Hans Dieter Kaplan
(SPD) representing Mayor Christian Ude, Dr. Hans Kerner of the Evangelic-Lutheren Church
in Bavaria, Joel Levy of the Lauder Foundation Berlin, President of the Jewish Community
Straubing Israel Offman, President of the Jewish Community in Bamberg Heinrich Olmer, Dr.
Rachel Salamander of Literaturhandlung in Munich, Berlin and Vienna, Consul Gregory
Sandford of the US Consulat, Professor Julius Schoeps of the Moses Medelsohn Center in
Potsdam, Vice President of the Munich B'nai B'rith Marlene Sternbaum, Dr. Werner Vollmeyer
of the Archdioses Munich-Freising and Abbott Dr. Notker Wolf OSB of St. Ottilien.
Greetings were sent by: Ignaz Bubis (Central Council of Jews in Germany), Dr.
Simon Snopkowski (State Union of Jewish Communities in Bavaria), Charlotte Knobloch, Simon
Shenavski and Dr. Abi Pitum (Jewish Community Munich), Andreas Nachama (Jewish Community
Berlin), Rabbi Tovia Ben Chorin of Zurich, Rabbi Dr. Henry Brand, Rabbi Edward van Voolen,
Rabbi Bea Wyler, Rabbi Anothony Bayfield (RSGB), Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, Professor Eveline
Goodman-Tau of the University Halle, Publicist Raphael Seligmann and Professor Hans Küng.
Beth Shalom Annual Members Meeting
This year's Beth Shalom membership meeting will include the voting of new members for
open board positions and take place on Monday, September 22, 1997 at
7:30 pm at Restaurant Maon, Theresienstr. 31 (rear bldg.), Munich. An invitation will be
sent to all members at the beginning of September. Suggestions for the agenda or motions -
in particular motions for changes in the by-laws - should be sent to the board no later
than August 20, 1997.
Jour fixe
After the summer holidays, Jour fixe will take place on
Thursday, September 25
and on Thursday, October 23 at 7pm in Restaurant Maon, Theresienstr. 31 (rear
bldg.).
Opportunity for Mitzvot
Beth Shalom is financed, as most of us know, soley from membership dues and donations.
In order to make the most of growing tasks we rely on generous support. In order that you
may decide where your donations are applied, the following funds have been set up:
- Welfare/Benefit Fund
To finance reduced membership fees and entrance fees for those needing financial
assistance and to support the community development fund of the German speaking Union of
Progressive Jews.
- Rabbi Fund
To build a reserve so that we may employ a congregational rabbi as soon as possible.
In addition we should raise funds, in cooperation with the German speaking Union for
Progressive Jews, for scholarships for the education of Rabbis. Already this year there
are two candidates from Germany who will begin their rabbinical studies at the Leo Baeck
College in London and are in need of financial support.
- Musik/Prof. Berlinski
Please see page 4 for more information about this "temporary" fund.
To make a donation to one of these funds, please use the
Beth
Shalom support sheet.
Shabbat Services
Friday, August 1, 1997, 7:30 pm , Beth Shalom Synagogue
Friday, September 5, 1997, 7:30 pm, Beth Shalom Synagogue
Please bring drinks and dairy dishes for the Oneg.
Avi Primor visits Beth Shalom
The Israeli Ambassador to Germany,
Avi Primor, visited Beth Shalom on July 9 as he was not able to attend the service for
Rabbi Homolka's ordination due to other engagements. In the discussion with members of our
community, Ambassador Primor was very interested in the development of liberal Judaism in
Germany. He promised us the best possible support from the Embassy. He assured us that the
State of Israel recognizes the Halachic decisions of the Beth Din of the World Union.
Conversions made by this Beth Din would be respected in relation to the laws concerning
Aliyah and Israeli citizenship.
We plan on welcoming Ambassador
Primor at Beth Shalom more often. He has already accepted of our invitation to open the
World Union Conference in Munich.
Tacheles, the young Jewish magazine, is broadcast on Radio Lora Munich
92.4 MHz every second and fifth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm. The next broadcast on
August 13 will be in memory of the terrorist attack which took place 25 years ago in
Munich during the Olympics.
Religion Instruction 1997/98
We want to express our thanks to all the teachers and parents who made
this past Sunday School year "work". Laura, Gal, Ariela, Gesa and Petra did a
wonderful job with the children. All parents were positive and supportive; a special
thanks goes to Miguel for extra help and support.
As many of you know, Sunday School as we know it is ending now, thanks
to the fact that we have found an experienced, professional teacher, who lives in the area
and who is willing, able, and glad to be able to begin working with us. Dina is Israeli
and has taught Bible, Hebrew, and related subjects in Israel as well as in Germany. She
has two children of her own, and has visited our Sunday School several times to start
getting to know the children. She will also be responsible for setting up a curriculum,
something which we very much need as a growing community committed to the religious
education of our children. The most important change in the coming year is this: classes
will be held weekly, during the week, in the Beth Shalom Synagogue rooms. The planned
schedule is:
Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.:
Kindergarten and 1st graders
Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.: 4th grade on up
Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.:2nd and 3rd graders
This schedule is flexible enough that if many more children come than
expected, we have room to grow and expand. To help with our planning, please get in touch
with Beth by the end of July to let us know that your child(ren) will be attending (tel.
74 66 57 72). What's also new and different about this instruction is that we want
children to attend regularly. We want to get away from the "optional" character
which has characterized Sunday School the past years.
We will follow the German School System Calendar, starting with the
first week of classes in the week of September 22 (the second week of German School, to
give everyone a chance to get used to their new schedules).
Tell your Jewish friends about it, too, if they might be interested in
it for their children. The classes are free for Beth Shalom members, a monthly fee will be
charged for non-members (which we will work out in the next few weeks).
Current Exhibitions
Mappot, the Band of Jewish Tradition since Late Antiquity - in
the Prähistorischen Staatssamlung München until September 14. The "Jeckes"
in Israel, in Gasteig, München, until July 31.
Seminar on the Book of the Psalms
During Winter Semester Karl Neuwirth offers a two-hour seminar for
general and comparative literature on the Forms of ancient hebrew poetry - the Book of
Psalms - Thursdays from 3 pm to 5 pm. For information call 089/3085100.
Farewell and thanks to the Maoz family
We wish the Maoz family all the best for the next chapter of their
lives, this time in Westport, Connecticut. Michael has accepted a position with the
Gartner Group, which takes the family back to the USA. The Maozes were original members of
the Munich Jewish Support Group in the early 1990s. Our community began as an
Jewish-American Chavurah in which Carol and Michael played leadership roles in religious
services and education. More recently, in Beth Shlom as we know it today, Michael led the
Torah-study group and Carol was involved in special projects at Sunday school. Ilana Maoz
was our congregation's first Bat-Mitzvah. Thank you to the Maozes for all the time and
energy they brought to our community. They will be missed.
High Holidays 5758
We invite you to join us in celebrating the High Holidays and are
pleased to announce that Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, Dean of Leo Baeck College in London, will
be leading our services.
Order of Services
October 1, 7:30 pm, Erev Rosh Hashanah
October 2, 10:00 am, Rosh Hashanah
October 10, 7:30 pm, Kol Nidre
October 11, 10:00 am, Yom Kippur
For the Oneg on Erev Rosh Hashanah we kindly ask you to bring a drink
and a dairy dish.
For Break the Fast following Yom Kippur afternoon services, please
bring something to drink and a dairy dish (enough for your family + 2 guests) according to
the first letter of your last name: A to I - main dish, J to R - dessert, S to Z side dish
or salad.
Reservations (089/89809373)
Please note that due to limited seating in our synagogue,
reservations are necessary for members as well as non-members.
Members: Tickets are free and you are guaranteed a place, however,
you are kindly asked to call and confirm that you will be using your seat(s) before
Wednesday, September 10. After we have received confirmation, your ticket(s) will be
sent to you per post.
Non-Members: Tickets for all holiday services: Family DM 200,
Single DM 100. Tickets only for Rosh Hashanah or only for Yom Kippur services: Family DM
100, Single DM 50. (In substantiated cases a reduction is possible). Tickets are required
for all services and reservations can be made until Monday, September 29 (depending on
availability). Please contact the number above.
Prayer book: Reserve a new prayerbook (see insert) at the special
price of DM 100 (valid for members!) Prayer books can also be donated for the benefit of
the community!
Yiskor Book
Yom Kippur is traditionally a time to make a donation in memory of a
loved one. In order to make this memorial possible, Beth Shalom will be making a Yiskor
Book again this year. If you wish to make an entry, please contact Gigi by Wednesday,
September 24 (Tel. as of 18.8.97 is 089/6886598). You may choose to have your donations go
to one of our new funds (see p. 8).
Festival Organisation
High Holiday Organisational Meeting, Tuesday, July 29 at Maon.
Interested members are welcome to participate. If you are not able to attend this meeting,
but would be able to help out with the holiday preparations, please call Gigi
(089/881127). What a positive way to start off the new year - get involved!
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