Voices

Bylined opinion and news columns published by United Hebrew Congregation Terre Haute.

A breath of divine air renews the process of creation as the Torah cycle begins again

By Student Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher
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Each year, the Hebrew month of Tishrei can feel like an absolute whirlwind. We have Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Shuvah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot … and finally we round out the month with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Amid this parade of holidays, we take some time to reflect on the year gone by and begin to look forward to the year that is to come.

Up to the point of Simchat Torah, we have celebrated the New Year, atoned for our sins and eaten/prayed/slept in sukkahs to commemorate our ancestors’ journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

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“Crisis” leads to innovation and connects virtual and in-person congregants

By Betsy Frank
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How many of you have watched the television program, Macgyver? If you have, you know Angus Macgyver can jerry rig anything and get out of a tough situation.

Well, prior to the High Holy Days we experienced a crisis, so to speak, at UHC. How, we wondered, could we provide multi-access services to our congregation?

Just like the sages of Talmudic times who tried to figure out how to practice Judaism without the Temple, we had to figure out how to innovate (with a limited budget) in times of COVID.

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Unstoppable Temple Israel is clean, cool and ready to welcome all for the High Holy Days

By Betsy Frank
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Often before the High Holy Days, I write a column that says, “Welcome Back”.

In thinking about this theme, I realized that “Welcome Back” is totally incorrect. This small but vital congregation never goes away. Like the Eveready Bunny, we keep on going.

Over these past 18 months (or is it 18 years?) of the pandemic we have continued to worship weekly and hold meetings via Zoom.

Shanah Tovah to all!

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Student Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher: Let’s heal relationships with others, and ourselves

By Student Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher
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Hello United Hebrew Congregation of Terre Haute!

My name is Matt Derrenbacher and I am a fourth-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

I am super excited to spend this coming year with you all, praying, learning and creating meaningful Jewish spaces together.

During this month, we listen to the beautiful blasts of the shofar and begin to look inward and evaluate the past year.

Mah nishtanah ha-shanah ha-zeh? How is this year different than other years?

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