Dear Friends,

Shabbat Shalom! I hope that all our friends in America are doing well despite the especially snowy and cold season there! Tomorrow we will read Parashat Trumah, where God asks our ancestors to be a wise and kind people, and to each take part to donate and give, in order to build a sanctuary where God could dwell among them.  Here at Or Hadash we try to make a congregation that is a kehillat kodesh, and a sanctuary where we do God’s work, and hope and pray that God will dwell among us.

This past week was marked with five different missions from America, and the beginning of many Bat Mitzvah groups to come this Spring.  I will share the details with you below.

1. Shir Tikvah Youth Mission at Or Hadash

On February 12th-16th, Or Hadash hosted a wonderful group of 14 teens from our sister congregation, Shir Tikvah, in Wayland, MA.  The group was lead by Rabi Neal Gold, Deena Bloomstone-Director of Congregational Learning, Dave Dossick- Youth Director, and was hosted by Or Hadash families and teens.  It was a great experience to spend 5 days with the youth in Haifa and the North, and to make deeper connections between the children and families of both congregations.  We welcome future youth missions to come spend time with us in Haifa, as Shir Tikvah and Temple Shalom have recently, and as other groups are schedules to in the coming months.

We also had a wonderful time with our many many groups and guests on February 12th, who helped warm up our February with friendship and smiles: A group of 26 congregants from Temple Beth Emeth, Mount Sinai, NY, lead by Rabbi Alan and Jo Kay; 12 Haifa University Overseas Program Students ; Lenny, Helen, and Sara Krulewich; Jessica Lenza and Sharon Graetz; & on Tuesday, February 16th, a group of 15 congregants from North Country Reform Synagogue, in Glen Cove, NY, lead by Rabbi Janet Liss.

We are also excitedly awaiting a visit from dear friend Rabbi Danny Zemel, leading 35 congregants from our sister congregation- Temple Micah, in Washington, D.C., on March 12th and 13th.

2. Visit with Karen Doryoseph of the CJP and Rabbi Neal Janes of Finley Progressive Synagogue

On February 18th, Or Hadash welcomed Karen Doryoseph of the CJP, and Rabbi Neal Janes of Finley Progressive synagogue in England.  Neal has recently moved to Haifa, and plans to study for a doctorate at Haifa University, while becoming a part of the the community.  Karen has helped many anglo immigrants and tourists such as Neal to adjust to life in Israel, and is a great partner in welcoming anglos to Haifa and the beautiful North in Israel.  We wish Neal good luck with his new and exciting endeavors.

3.  Banot Mitzvah Ceremonies

Today, February 19th, I had the pleasure to lead a group Banot Mitzvah ceremony for 22 girls from the Maaganim School in Haifa, where each girl read from the Torah, and were supported by more than 300 people from their families, and the community.  Bat Mitzvah ceremonies are rare yet very important thing in pluralistic Israeli society, and each year they occur more and more through the growing Reform movement. This is reflected in the many group ceremonies like this that will happen at Or Hadash in the coming month, which are listed here:

• A ceremony for a class of girls from the Einstein school on February 26th
• A ceremony for another class of girls from the Einstein School on March 12th &
• A ceremony for the girls of the Zichron Yosef School on March 19th

All together we expect 100 girls to become a Bat Mitzvah at Or Hadash this Spring.Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom, from sunny and peaceful Haifa!

In friendship,

Edgar