SPIRITUAL LEADER'S MONTHLY MESSAGE

Habonim: A Gem of a Place. Not to be Missed!
Avrum Rosensweig

The programs and services that take place within the walls of Congregation

Habonim are truly world-class. A good example is one Eli co-ordinated for the holiday of Shavuot.

It was magnificent. Yitzchak Buxbaum, an acclaimed storyteller and author, was invited to join us from New York with his wife, Carole. Carole is also a storyteller. Together with Yitzchak, Michael Soberman of the Canada Israel Experience Office was a guest storyteller, and of course Eli and I told a few yarns of our own.

Simply, the lineup that night was an award winning. The guests told stirring, animated and thought provoking stories and moved the listeners to consider the deep and important meaning behind them. If you have never sat through an evening of storytelling, consider it. It cam take you back to your childhood; elicit feelings of love, goodness, and yes, sometimes sadness… but it is awakening and powerful!

Shavuot evening fifty people were in attendance. I looked around the room and noticed there were some new faces, and those members who regularly come out to our programming and services. It was lovely to see those in the room, however I was a bit saddened.

I was because our congregation has over 350 Families/1100 members, many of whom are very accomplished in their own careers, highly committed to Judaism and great lovers of Habonim. I know this because I had the chance to speak to a lot of you during the High Holidays services

Yet, when programs such as our Shavuot program are advertised, the turnout is frequently very small. Therefore, let me humbly pitch you the following: Congregation Habonim is a rockin' shul with colourful and meaningful programming that really should not be missed. It is a place where Judaism is practiced in an unobtrusive way and offers great hospitality and warmth.

Here are some things that we offered membership in the last few months alone: Back in December, Habonim held a fundraiser for victims of the Tsunami and the singers, including Michigan State David Nefesh, a widely reviewed singer/songwriter often compared to James Taylor in his style and skill. David brought down the house.

There have been a plethora of lecturers on such issues of the Holocaust and even a Seeing Eye dog organization in Israel.

Lately we have had guest speakers such as Alex Cywink, an Ojibway Native, who spoke about his interaction with Jews on the Ve'ahavta Homeless Van; and Shai Abraham, an Indian Jew who explained the colourful and tasty traditions of her people. Dance classes are offered during the week and the holiday services, such as Yizkor, are enlightening and accessible, regardless of whether you speak and read Hebrew.

Coming up: The summer is generally quiet at Habonim, but we all know it passes quite quickly, There is, however, a Friday night service the last Friday night in June and we extend an offer to all of you to join us. Our services are stirring and all inclusive in terms of those who receive honours and the chance to speak and/or join in through song and prayer. On July 20th, Habonim is hosting the Rishon Letzion Youth Orchestra - an evening not too be missed.

We are all members of a very special congregation. Habonim has an impressive history and solid leadership. It's programs are co-ordinated and organized as well, if not better than many other Jewish venues - and the greatest part, all these programs and services is that they come with your membership.

It would therefore be wonderful if more members took the opportunity to partake in the gems that decorate our synagogue, by taking time to participate in these and other exquisite events and services.

If you have an idea for a program or you feel you have something to offer let Eli or I know. Congregation Habonim, and its leadership are very open to creative ideas.

Your choice to join Habonim was a good one. Consider the spirit that you might add to your life by making it just a little bit more of your home. No other synagogue has what we have. Consider my pitch. The shul is your's.

Take care, b'shalom (In peace)

Avrum Rosensweig

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