The Jackson Kol 
  The Jackson Hole Jewish Community Center 
   Monthly Newsletter          
 
   July
 1,  2014    
    3 Tamuz,
 5774
 Annual BBQ Shabbat 
Friday, July 11
6:30 p.m. @ Owen Bircher Park
     
Special music around the campfire with Ted Wells and Judd Grossman
This is one of the JHJC's best Shabbats! Shabbat services with chazzan Judd Grossman and Josh Kleyman then stick around for our BBQ Dinner and country music with Judd and pedal steel/banjo player Ted Wells. Kosher Hot Dogs (and all the fixins') s'mores, wine/drinks, challah will be provided. POTLUCK: PLEASE BRING A SUMMER SIDE DISH TO SHARE. If you are able to bring any extra folding camp chairs, we could use some extra seating. Also bring a jacket for unpredictable weather. No need to RSVP, see you there! Owen Bircher Park is located in Wilson, Wyoming.
Do you make the best Hummus in Jackson Hole?
Enter the Make Hummus, Not War Hummus tasting on Saturday, July 26.
Details below.
Become involved in 
Jackson Hole's Oldest Jewish Congregation. 

 

 Like us on Facebook

Make a tax deductible contribution to the 
The JHJC Center
Keeping up with Uncle Moishe 
By Al Zuckerman  

Uncle Moishe and I were reminiscing on the phone last week about the good old days. We were talking about Unc's brother Saul's son Benny, who had trouble keeping a girl friend when he was in his early twenties. Unc reminded me of the time Benny was in Shul on Shabbous and Rabbi Levy noticed how sad Benny looked. At the end of the service the Rabbi asked Benny what seems to be wrong and offered to help, whatever it was.  Benny said he didn't know what to do. He explained to the Rabbi that every time he brings a girl home to meet his parents, no matter how wonderful she is, his mother doesn't like her. 

 

Rabbi Levy said to Benny that he'd heard this same story many, many times before and had a tried and tested solution. He tells Benny that the next time he chooses a girl make sure she looks like your mother, talks like your mother, laughs like your mother, cooks and even dresses like your mother. Believe me, the Rabbi told him, if you find such a girl your mother will love her. 

 

Now, I've heard this story many times before. It has become family lore. Unc loves telling it and I never get tired of hearing it. Well, many weeks went by until Rabbi Levy saw Benny in Shul and Benny looked even more sad and dejected than before. After the service Rabbi Levy asked Benny what was wrong, couldn't you find someone like your mother? Benny looked forlornly at Rabbi Levy and told him that miraculously he had found a girl just like his mother. So, said Rabbi slapping Benny's knee, everything should have worked out for you, no? Benny wailed, "No Rabbi, it didn't. My father didn't like her!"

 

  
JHJC Membership materials in the mail soon:
Jewish community more important than ever
by Al Zuckerman, JHJC President

 

An article I read recently said that Jews make up approximately 2.2% of the American population accounting for only an estimated 6.6 million adults and children. Most Jews identify as Jewish by religion, a Jewish parent, or a feeling of being Jewish by culture or ethnicity. According to a new Pew Research Center survey a rising number of Jews say they are not religious and are less likely to raise their children Jewish. Two-thirds of Jews do not belong to a congregation. With a general trend in American society toward secularism and an increasing number of Jews claiming no religious affiliation, it is a wake up call for all Jews to think about the importance and value of Jewish "community" and how we're going to sustain it. 
 
With this in mind it is all the more important that the Jackson Hole Jewish community support this organization so it can continue to provide the religious and cultural experiences that sustain a Jewish presence in our community. 
 
Each year we continue to reach new individuals and families who become members of the JHJC. Last year alone, the JHJC presided over seven local bar and bat mitzvahs. It gave us incredible joy to see our children embracing their Jewishness and to see the pride they have in their heritage. We continue to maintain our four pillar events: High Holidays, Swingin' Sabbath, the Chanukah Party and our community Passover Seder; as well as Shabbat services, B'nai mitzvah training, a vibrant religious school, cultural events and many other community collaborations. 
 
One of the most important ways in which you can assure that the JHJC continues to flourish is to join us as a member. Please renew your membership or become a member for the first time and encourage your friends to become members. We hope that you will choose to support the JHJC through your membership and if you are blessed with the resources to do so, consider an additional contribution or underwrite one of your favorite events.  
Upcoming Events in July
  • July 11, Friday, 6:30 p.m.:  Annual BBQ Shabbat with special musical guest Ted Wells. BBQ hotdogs and music. Please bring a summer side dish to share! See details above. Owen Bircher Park, Wilson, Wyoming.
  • July 26, Saturday, 6 p.m.: Film and Food Event: Make Hummus, Not War. 6 p.m. film screening of Trevor Graham's documentary "Make Hummus, Not War" followed by a hummus tasting by local chefs. Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre and Tent. Stay tuned for official details.

  • July 28, Monday, 9 a.m.: Spirit of the Mountains Summer Camp first day. Old Wilson Schoolhouse, Wilson.
  • August 1, 6 p.m.: Swingin Sabbath with the Richard Brown Orchestra. Short soulful musical Shabbat with chazzan Judd Grossman followed by dancing and drinks with the Richard Brown Orchestra. At the Finkelstein-Domsky residence, email for directions.

Annual AIPAC Meetings with Wyoming elected officials:

  • August 4, Monday, TBA: AIPAC meeting with Senator Mike Enzi. Senator Enzi's office above Caf� Boheme on Maple Way.
  • August 4, Monday, 3 p.m.: AIPAC meeting with Rep. Cynthia Lummis. JHJC Center, 150 Scott Lane. 
  • August 5, Tuesday, 3 p.m.: AIPAC meeting with Senator John Barrasso. JHJC Center, 150 Scott Lane. 

Save the Date:

August 22, 6:30 p.m.: Shabbat Services with Rabbi Mike Comins and chazzan Judd Grossman. Owen Bircher Park, Wilson.

If you'd like to enter the great Hummus War on July 26 at the Center for the Arts please read below and email HERE.
Scenes From June 2014

Israel Travel Stories

Sharon Sleeper, representative of Volunteers for Israel, quick 
changes in to her VFI uniform. 


June Shabbat




New JHJC sponsored Adopt-A-Highway 
section of the Teton Village Rd


$2,400 donated towards JHJC Center Improvements in 2013!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the remodeling of the Scott Lane JHJC Center. In 2013, the JHJC expanded programming located in the center to include Thursday Bet Sefer Hebrew school, Sunday J-Play preschool classes, Shabbat services and dinners, and more. Please consider contributing to the building fund. 
  • Furniture $4,000
  • Window treatments $1,000
  • JHJCC sign  $450
  • Bathroom remodel  $375
  • Moving expenses $1,000
  • Lighting $1,000
  • Kitchen $1,000    

         Total $8,825

Acknowledgements

 

Mazel Tov!

  • Steve Zelikovitz for being  awarded the JHJC "Volunteer of the Year" and for also finishing second place in his age group in the Jackson Hole Half Marathon (what age group was that?)

  • Georgia Eidemiller and Isaac Grossman (Team Eid-da-Man) for finishing second place in their age group in the Race for the Cure Run N Ride. 
Many Thanks
A BIG thank you to 
Christine Schuller
for serving on the JHJC board for two terms. Thank you for your incredible energy, thoughtfulness and beloved challah. 
Stay close. 
  • Carl and Judith Levenson for sharing Shabbat services with us in Jackson Hole. 
  • Susie Blasko, Josh Kleyman, Sharon Sleeper, Kevin Mogul, Shannon and Larry Thal and the Novaks  for setting up and cleaning up Shabbat services at the Center for the Arts in June. 
  • Michael Herman, Anne Reiniger, Lisa Finkelstein, Judy Amiram-Lurie, Ravid Lurie, Sharon Sleeper and Isaac Grossman for sharing their wonderful Israel stories at our first Israel Travel Stories. 
  • Isaac Grossman for making hummus for Israel Travel Stories.
 

Get Well Soon

  • Keep David Goldfarb and Larry Reiser in your thoughts.
  • Lia Kass is on the mend from surgery.
Condolences
  • Judd Grossman
    for the loss of his uncle and renowned poet, Allen Grossman.
  • Carl, Judith, Joshua and Adam Levenson for the loss of their beloved Kitty. 
Please send us your Mazel Tovs, Condolences, Kol HaKavods, Get Wells and photos of your 

 

2014 Board of Directors

Al Zuckerman, President

Josh Kleyman, Vice Pres.

Andy King, Treasurer

Andrea Mazer

Mike Scher

Christine Schuller

Mary Grossman, Exec. Dir.

The Jackson Hole Jewish Community is committed to creating a diverse Jewish presence that unites us, celebrates our faith, and promotes tolerance in the greater Jackson community.  We strive to engage all families and individuals in spirituality, education, tzadakah, and the joys of Jewish life.

עליכם  השלום     

Jackson Hole Jewish Community