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News items about United Hebrew Congregation Terre Haute.

Patricia and Justin McCammon to complete beit din and mikveh, join UHC as new members

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United Hebrew Congregation will formally welcome its newest members on Friday, Jan. 20, when Patricia and Justin McCammon emerge from the mikveh and complete their conversions to Judaism.

Justin and Patricia, who have been together for 13 years and will celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary in June, entered formal study with Rabbi Jordana Chernow-Reader of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and appeared before a rabbinic court, known as a beit din, on January 5.

We present Patricia’s and Justin’s beit din essays here.

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High Holidays 5783 schedule to begin with Erev Rosh Hashanah services Sunday, September 25

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Rabbi Stanley Miles will officiate High Holidays services in the sanctuary at United Hebrew Congregation and via Zoom for the New Year 5783, beginning with Erev Rosh Hashanah services at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

Yana Weinstein will return as soloist for Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre. This will be her fifth High Holy Days with UHC during the past six years.

We will observe a mask-optional policy that may change depending on local Covid infection rates and CDC recommendations.

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UHC sets Passover ‘Celebration’ for April 23

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Following two years in the wilderness of fully remote Passover seders, United Hebrew Congregation will invite members back to the Vestry Room for an abbreviated hybrid Pesach “Celebration” at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 23.

The date, which falls on the final day of Passover, coincides with Student Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher‘s regular visit. Rabbi Matt will conduct the seder for virtual and in-person audiences.

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For 101 years, Walter Sommers chose optimism over pessimism, hope over fear

By Nancy Sommers
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Walter Sommers lived with gratitude for the life he was given. When asked to look back on his 101 years, he beamed, “I have had a good time in life; it couldn’t have been better.”

He lived each day with optimism and purpose, with a strong sense of duty to bear witness to the history he experienced, and to pass this history forward to future generations.

Asked about his optimism, he would smile and say, “Life turns out better if you start each day seeing the glass half-full, not half-empty.” For 101 years, Walter chose optimism over pessimism, hope over fear.

He lived a long, full life, but to Walter’s family and friends, he didn’t live long enough.

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