Voices

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

Bitter Cheshvan’s dearth of holidays allows return to comforting routine

By Student Rabbi Jonathan Falco
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We have just completed Cheshvan, the month between Tishrei and Kislev, also known as Mar Cheshvan.

There is a quaint tradition that holds Cheshvan as the “bitter” month, deriving from the Hebrew word mar, meaning “bitter”, because of the lack of holidays that fall within its span.

While not all Jewish holidays are joyous occasions (think Yom Kippur or Tisha B’av) the lack of any holiday during this time deprives us of a fixed opportunity for self-reflection and introspection, contributing to the aforementioned moniker.

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Sisterhood sets final meeting until March, opens Hanukkah gift shop

By Patty Lewis
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November is a changing of the time, a changing of the leaves and definitely a turn to cold weather. It’s also a time for turkeys, pumpkin pie and family gatherings. But everyone doesn’t have a big family that gathers for the holidays, as you see on the Hallmark Channel.

So, if you have a few empty chairs around your table for Thanksgiving and you know someone who will otherwise be alone for the holiday, now is a good time to think about them.

Speaking of holidays, Hanukkah will begin the evening of Sunday, Dec. 2, and Sisterhood has set up the gift shop in the Vestry Room. Contact me or Norma at the Temple and stop by any weekday to shop!

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In wake of Tree of Life Synagogue attack, UHC benefits from outpouring of love

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The massacre on October 27 at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh has struck much fear into the entire American Jewish community, including ours in Terre Haute.

In the face of such tragedy, many communities around the nation have expressed support for their Jewish friends and neighbors.

Last Friday night, our own United Hebrew Congregation in Terre Haute experienced an outpouring of love from members of the Wabash Valley Christian and Muslim communities, when some 100 people joined us for our weekly Shabbat service.

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A thriving Jewish community requires more than religious ritual — it needs you!

By Betsy Frank
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Isaiah, in Chapter 58, verses 1-14, cautions us that ritual without action is not enough.

We can attend our yearly services, but we need more. We must change and help others make their life journeys in our own Jewish and larger communities.

Jack Wertheimer, professor of American Jewish History at Jewish Theological Seminary, wrote in a recent Wall Street Journal column that many of us come once a year to renew connections with family and friends within the Jewish community.

We renew our personal connection to prayer during the holidays, Wertheimer said, engaging as a “community of seekers” who realize the importance of connecting our daily lives to a higher purpose.

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