Bylined opinion and news columns published by United Hebrew Congregation Terre Haute.
We presently find ourselves in a period where we are literally counting the days until our next holiday.
Jews are always looking ahead, planning for the next occasion where the pulse of our calendar year brings us together in joyous or somber moments.
During these intervening days between Passover and Shavuot, we are commanded to count the omer of 49 days.
I’ve counted my year in monthly visits, trips to the “Enterprise” in Cincinnati and drives across the beautiful Indiana countryside.
On April 7, United Hebrew Congregation welcomed the Terre Haute South Vigo High School STAND club, whose members commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide with a program entitled, Together We Remember.
Rwandan genocide survivor Emmanuel Habimana served as the event’s main speaker. He recounted how as a 9-year-old, after witnessing his father’s murder, he escaped through the jungle with another child of similar age.
The local students who planned this moving program under the direction of THS teacher Peggy Grabowski understand their generation must work toward peace and reconciliation amongst all peoples.
Sisterhood will meet at noon Tuesday, April 16, at Rick’s Smokehouse, 3102 Wabash Ave. in Terre Haute. Please join us!
Last month, we got together at the Fly-IN Cafe at Terre Haute Regional Airport. I think everyone enjoyed watching the planes as we ate some delicious food.
We held a brief meeting after our meal, allowing us to take care of a few tasks and make some decisions.
As we have for many years, Sisterhood will make a donation to CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center. The museum is an important part of the past and the future. We also decided we will help military veterans this year.
I know some of you ladies still considering Sisterhood but have not yet joined. We would love to have all the women at our Temple to be a part of our organization. You can still make a difference as a member of Sisterhood, even if you can’t make it to meetings!
What is the holiday celebrated by most Jews, no matter their observance level? You have three guesses and the first two don’t count.
And the answer is … Passover! The Passover story that we recount every year represents the seminal event in the history of our people. This story sets the stage for our ongoing spiritual development.
Passover is the one holiday that really needs a joyous group in order to have a meaningful celebration. And we will celebrate! Join us for for a Kabbalat Shabbat and seder at 6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Temple.