Community Update November 12, 2014 |
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Dear Friends,
We are very thankful for the support of the more than 130 Jewish clergy and leaders who signed a community unity statement in support for our community and all those who have been suffering since the arrest. As we work to rebuild, words cannot convey how grateful we are for this kind of broad support at this important time. I know that we will draw strength from each other as we all heal and move forward together. In order to most effectively address both the special needs of the community due to recent events, as well as the regular operations of the shul, three public rapid response teams and six standing working groups were established/formalized. One goal of these teams is to help Kesher leadership receive and process information efficiently and to respond to communal needs quickly. A list of the teams and groups is below, with team lead in parentheses, along with their group e-mail addresses. Please do not hesitate to communicate ideas, concerns, and requests directly to the teams. We welcome your input and we hope that these teams are able to serve your needs.
Rapid Response Teams:
Working Groups:
We are working hard to keep the shul functioning as it should and to meet the needs of the community during this difficult time. We have also reached out to the many lay and spiritual leaders in the DC area to share ideas, collaborate when it makes sense, and help expand our reach to maximize the impact of what we can provide.
Please continue reading below for important updates from various teams and organizations. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or to the appropriate team or group lead.
All the best,
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Ritual Affairs
Kashrut of the Rabbi Philip Rabinowitz Memorial Eruv
Rabbi Chaim (Howie) Jachter will serve as the Rav Hamachshir of the Rabbi Philip Rabinowitz Memorial Eruv. He immediately paskened that our eruv is kosher. This decision was based on his experiences of viewing many eruvin created by Rabbi Freundel (finding each one of them to be kosher), the extensive conversation Rabbi Jachter had about the eruv years ago with him (he described in some detail the eruv's design and Sechirat Reshut), and a review of the Field Guide to the Kesher Israel Eruv.
Rabbi Jachter is scheduled to come to Washington, DC, on Thanksgiving Day to begin reviewing the eruv in detail. Dino Feigelstock, lead of the eruv committee, will work with Rabbi Jachter while he is here.
Visiting Scholars
The Ritual Affairs committee has put together an extensive visiting scholars program, starting in mid-December, to keep the community learning and growing together.
Visiting speakers include Rabbi Tuvia Grauman, Shlomo and Chana Zuckier, Rabbi Joel and Aviva Tessler, Nechama Price, Menachem Leibtag, Rabbi Ronnie Schwartzberg, and Dr. David Pelcovitz. Additional names will be added as they become available.
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Conversion Affairs
Kesher Israel wants to reach out to those who are in the process of conversion. The first step is to learn more about the needs, while maintaining the privacy of individuals who speak with them. We will then evaluate how best Kesher can serve those needs moving forward.
To facilitate this, Stephanie Vidikan and David Barak, both of whom have been through the process in the past, will make themselves available to help make the needed connections. Stephanie and David can be reached at [email protected]
Additional details on this and other related activities will be announced soon. Please do not hesitate to send feedback.
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Social Services
Based on the responses collected from the community needs survey a few weeks ago, the Social Services Rapid Response Team organized various support groups and disseminated important information related to victim support services. Visit www.kesher.org/social-services for more details.
There are two support groups still on-going, in which you can participate. These groups are co-sponsored by Kesher Israel, the National Capital Mikvah, JSSA, and JCADA.
- Closed and confidential therapeutic support group for women coping with trauma, harassment, and/or abuse that they have experienced in connection to Mikvah use, the conversion process, or inappropriate rabbinic interactions. Facilitated by Dr. Dahlia Topolosky, Psy.D, on Monday evenings, 11/17, 12/1, and 12/7. RSVP to [email protected] and additional information will be provided.
- A one-time support group for people who have converted or are still in the process of converting, facilitated by JSSA clinicians. The group will provide a safe, confidential space to process any feelings about your experience that have arisen following recent events. Sunday, 11/23, from 1-2:30pm, please RSVP to Paula at [email protected] or (301) 610-8337 and she will respond to you with the location.
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National Capital Mikvah
National Capital Mikvah extends its thanks to all who attended the shuir given by Rabbanit Chana Henkin last Sunday, November 9th and to all who showed their support for the Mikvah over the past few weeks.
Rabbanit Chana Henkin, the founder and dean of NISHMAT, met with members of the community and gave a fascinating, interactive shiur on the development of women's roles in Jewish religious life through history into the present, making connections with how women can participate in making the conversion process more transparent and comfortable. A link to the recording of this shiur will be posted to our website soon.
Join the National Capital Mikvah for a women's Rosh Chodesh stress-busting yoga class, taught by Ayelet Krieger, a certified yoga instructor. Bring in the month of Kislev with mindfulness and a sense of relaxation.
Date/Location: Sunday, November 23 at 11am in the Chastleton ballroom (1701 16th Street, NW). All women at all levels are welcome, no experience necessary! Please email [email protected] to sign up.
The National Capital Mikvah looks forward to providing future programming on a range of topics. For more information on the Mikvah's programs, please visit www.dcmikvah.org.
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Contact Information
Board of Directors - Channah Charlton [email protected]
Shabbat Meal Hospitality - [email protected]
Mikvah - (202) 342-5303 / [email protected]
Please give at least 48 hours notice for appointments.
Children's Programming - Shari Diamond and Lydia Belzer [email protected]
Social Committee - Rachel Hellman [email protected]
Welcome Committee - Stephanie and Mike Vidikan [email protected]
Educational Programming - Matt Peterson [email protected]
Housing - Yehudah Hampel [email protected]
Gabbaim - [email protected]
New Baby Meal Coordinator - [email protected] or call the shul office (202-333-2337)
Kesher Parents e-mail list - Subscribe to this list
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