The Torah portion this week is aptly named, "when you go out," and is especially relevant as I sit here in the Maui airport about to depart with so much to reflect on for my last sermon to the community. For the past year and a half of service to the Jewish Congregation of Maui, I think about how we have laughed, cried and struggled together.
Our Torah portion is full of commandments that urge us to act righteously. Deuteronomy 22:8 instructs someone building a home to make a guard rail on the roof so that no one will fall down and hurt themselves. Installing fences are important for safety; normally we think about how fences separate, whereas this fence is intended to keep us safe. Ethics of the Fathers 1:1 has the Great Assembly who received the Torah from the prophets saying, "...make a fence round the Torah."
The Torah is our home away from home, even when we are in exile. We can draw comfort from the fact that Jews from all over the world will read from the same text that goes back thousands of years. When we celebrate the fences that define our behavior as the Jewish people it becomes a moral compass that guides us forward.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, the great 19th century German Jewish sage, wrote, "In building a house, a person must be motivated from the outset by consideration for the welfare not only of those people who will dwell in it at present, but also of those who may dwell there in the future. They must therefore not permit anything in their household that might cause injury to someone else." We must think of the needs of others and not put off doing the right thing. We need to not overlook our obligations and pretend that they do not concern us.
The great Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria would not recite the afternoon prayers until he paid his workers their daily wage. He reasoned: "How can I appear before the Eternal in prayer, when I am behaving unjustly and unkindly with my workers." Here we are in the month of Elul when we are called to turn out thoughts to self-improvement and repentance as a congregation.
Overall as a community, the Jewish Congregation of Maui has stepped up to help during the unfolding tragedy that we recently experienced with the fires; whether it is our Community Manager, Kalo who spent endless hours collecting and transporting goods to distribution centers or the Vojdani family who transformed their Kula Lodge into a refuge for those who lost their homes and the hungry emergency workers.
As I depart, I am filled with immense pride of our little community that does the right thing even under the most challenging of circumstances. Those who would like to stay in touch are welcome to email me at rabbi.mallek@gmail.com
Goodbye my friends, blessings to you all and Shabbat Shalom.
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
This is the last service that our Rabbi Raanan will lead services for JCM. Your presence would be much appreciated if you are able to attend to thank him for his dedicated time and service, wish him Shalom as he embarks on a new journey.
Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
There are not enough words to express the immense gratitude we have for the amount of support that we have received from our volunteers, many donors and our community partners - Jewish Community Services and the Jewish Federation of North America to help us provide relief to those who have been greatly affected by the wildfires and assist with us with our day to day at JCM. Thank you so much. We are very grateful.
As part of our relief efforts, JCM has become both a neighborhood donation drop-off and pick up center providing provisions to make it convenient for those in Kihei area.Please visit us at 634 Alulike St Kihei. There is a donation table stationed outside our entrance for those dropping off donated goods (non-perishable foods, bottlled water, clothing, baby items, hygiene items) When dropping off, please clearly write your name on the donation list so that we can acknowledge you on our newsletter and our Facebook page.
For other donations, we've had to slightly change our website Please visit - jcmmauijews.orgDonations can be made at https://mauijews.shulcloud.com/payment.php. From the "Type" drop down menu "Fire Relief Fund" is the first option.
If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please reach out to us at jcmmauijews@gmail.com or call 808-874-5397.
Mahalo nui loa for your kokua. Together we will rebuild and become a better and stronger Maui. Shabbat Shalom!
Elul & Shoftim: Returning & Restraint
Last night we had a beautiful last Torah study with me here at JCM. With it being the first of the Hebrew month of Elul, we took the time to have a deep conversation about repentance and what it means to each of us individually. We read the works of Rabbi Abraham Kook ז"ל, especially Lights of Teshuvah.
The book opens with the poem What is Teshuvah?
"Teshuvah means "return"; It is a return to the Eternal, the return to health, the return to our soul, the return to the universe, the return to a mended planet, the return to happiness, the return to home."
Such a return involves knowing how to practice restraint. We learn this from the weekly Torah portion which predicts that a day will when a new political power will emerge. The People will demand a king, a powerful leader. And not just any king, but “a king…as do all the nations” (Deut. 17:14) - i.e., the person to whom "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The Torah seeks to limit the power of the kind so that such a king will not truly be like those of all the nations - a tyrant, elevated above the people. Our Torah portion demands that the king be subject to laws of morality and justice; that he remember that there is a King of kings above him; that he not take many wives, or accrue horses, and possessions.
We must practice restraint because as human beings we are motivated by deep urges that can get out of control very quickly. To translate the above lessons about the king to our lives, we must learn how to retrain our innate desire for power, our possessiveness, our tendency to exploit people & nature and our urge to control.
A Kabbalistic interpretation teaches us that the proper way to understand Job 26:7 is that the Eternal suspended the earth through restraint instead of the literal meaning of the word בלי-מה: 'nothing'). The Talmud (BT Chulin 89a) references this verse:
Rabbi Ile’a says: The world endures only in the merit of one who restrains themselves during a quarrel, as it is stated: “He hangs the earth upon nothing. Rabbi Abbahu says: The world endures only in the merit of one who renders themselves as if they were non-existent, as it is stated: “And underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), i.e., one who considers themselves to be underneath everything else is the everlasting arm that upholds the world.
The power of a person who can retrain themselves during a quarrel is what keeps our world spinning. When we have the ability to negate our ego, we are actually elevated above ourselves.
Shabbat Shalom and Hodesh Tov (Happy New Month of Elul).
Mahalo nui loa to the members who have renewed their membership for 2023/2024 and those who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Memberships are a large part of what sustains The Jewish Congregation of Maui. Without it we would not be able to provide services especially on High Holidays or continue the Talmud Torah for the next generation.
To help you determine the best membership for you,the following are the different levels, dues and what it include: Single $600 1 vote Family $960 2 votes Associate No vote
In addition to renewing your membership, another great way to contribute is through Give Aloha! by Foodland which starts September. More details to follow as the program nears.
If you have any questions, please contact Kalo at jcmmauijews@gmail.com
Mahalo nui loa to our friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints and Hana Lynn who've been watering our garden. We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Pictured are items that were left behind at the congregation. If any of these items are yours,please contact Kalo. Anything that is not claimed before the high holidays,will be donated to charity. Thank you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, Aug 19th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 20th
Israeli Folk Dance cancelled until further notice
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits Aug. 13-19
Arnold Heiman Arthur Mehl Benjamin F. Mensh Daniel Bloom Edward Yehuda Krupnick Ernestine Brandes Gertrude August Irving Levin Jack M Sklar Justin Alan Nathan Les Barreaux Marilyn Teitelbaum Melvin Deichman Shirley Gordon Simon David Susanne Sydney Sydney Elfand Ted Kraftsow Zipporah Goldstein
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
If you would like to send aloha and your well wishes before he leaves next week for his new jouney, please join us for Torah portion study this evening at 7pm.
Also tomorrow is the last Shabbat service he will lead. It starts at 6:30pm. Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported our Fire Relief efforts to help those who have been greatly affected by the wildfires especially our kaamaina in Lahaina who have lost their homes, businesses or both. We are still continuing our efforts by accepting donations and also providing provisions to those in need at the congregation.
Due to tech issues, our website has temporarily changed. We can now be found at jcmmauijews.orgOur donation page has been updated to provide an option to donate to the fire relief fund.
navigate you to the donation page. From there, in the "Type" drop down menu, select the Fire Relief fund. If you are in the area and would like to donate goods, please feel free to stop by the synagogue - 634 Alulike St in Kihei from 10am-5pm daily. We would like to acknowledge your donations, so please clearly write your name in on the donation list. Should you have any questions, please contact us at 808-874-5397 or email us atjcmmauijews@gmail.com
Mahalo for the kokua that you can provide. May you and yours continue to stay well and safe. Aloha!
We are working to staff and schedule Talmud Torah (our religious school for 5-12 year olds) for the 2023-24 school year. We are facing some staffing challenges. Please let us know if you can help us with teaching, or if you can suggest anyone who might be interested. Contact Happy Lefton : happylefton@gmail.com
Mahalo nui loa to the members who have renewed their membership for 2023/2024 and those who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Memberships are a large part of what sustains The Jewish Congregation of Maui. Without it we would not be able to provide services especially on High Holidays or continue the Talmud Torah for the next generation.
To help you determine the best membership for you,the following are the different levels, dues and what it include: Single $600 1 vote Family $960 2 votes Associate No vote
In addition to renewing your membership, another great way to contribute is through Give Aloha! by Foodland which starts September. More details to follow as the program nears.
If you have any questions, please contact Kalo at kalo@mauijews.org
Mahalo nui loa to our friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints and Hana Lynn who've been watering our garden.
We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Pictured are items that were left behind at the congregation. If any of these items are yours,please contact Kalo. Anything that is not claimed before the high holidays,will be donated to charity. Thank you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, Aug 19th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 20th
Israeli Folk Dance cancelled until further notice
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits Aug. 13-19
Arnold Heiman Arthur Mehl Benjamin F. Mensh Daniel Bloom Edward Yehuda Krupnick Ernestine Brandes Gertrude August Irving Levin Jack M Sklar Justin Alan Nathan Les Barreaux Marilyn Teitelbaum Melvin Deichman Shirley Gordon Simon David Susanne Sydney Sydney Elfand Ted Kraftsow Zipporah Goldstein
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Services this evening! Rabbi Raanan will lead tonight service starting at 6:30pm Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
At JCM, we join the rest of Maui's broken hearted and mourn along those who suffered immense loss as a result of the wildfires especially the devastion in Lahaina.
As part of the Maui Community, it is our kuleana to step up and support those in need and help them rebuild. Through the kindness of gracious donors who have responded to our outreach, we have the resources to provide food, clothing, water, shelter* counseling and funding*. If you or anyone you know have been greatly affected by the fires and need support please contact us at 808-874-5397 or email at admin@mauijews.org
Mahalo to our donors near and far. We can't thank you enough for the support you have provided to help the Maui Community. For anyone that would like to contribute and be a part of our cause, we are still accepting donations at the synagogue. They can be placed on the donation table between the hours of 10am-7pm daily. Other donations can be made through https://www.mauijews.org/payment.php Please make indicate in the notes section that the donation is for the Maui Fire Relief.
Maui, we stand strong with you!
"Our purpose as human being is to be of service to human beings"
Mahalo nui loa for your kokua
Re'eh: Healing by Giving
"If there is a needy person among you, one of your kin in any of your settlements in the land that your Lord the Eternal One is giving you, do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kin. Rather, you must open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need... For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kin in your land" Deut. 15:7-8, 11.
Nachmanides discusses how the last verse (Deut. 15:11) contradicts a previous verse (Deut. 15:4-5) that says: "...there shall be no destitute among you; rather, the Eternal will surely bless you in the Land that the Eternal, your G!d, will give you as an inheritance, to possess it, only if you will hearken to the voice of the Eternal to observe, to perform this entire commandment."
The traditional answer they give to the contradiction is that verse Deut. 15:4-5 applies when Israel does the will of the Eternal. Since the Eternal knew that the people would never fully adhere to all the commandments, then "destitute people will not cease to exist," they will all be present.
Both Nachmanides and our modern ear finds such a theology deeply problematic. Rabbi Harold Kushner addresses this in his book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981). His main question is why, if the universe was created and is governed by a personal God who is of a good and loving nature, there is nonetheless so much suffering and pain in it, in other words the overall problem of evil. After experiencing the loss of his own son, Rabbi Kushner seeks to offer comfort to grieving people by answering problem by saying that the Lord does his best and is with people in their suffering, but is not fully able to prevent it.
But how does that equate with a theology of the Eternal being all powerful? The Eternal purposefully restricts His ability to prevent suffering and in exchange increases His ability to be present with those who suffer. We are therefore entrusted to step up and notice the needy among us. We are to open our hands and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need.
At this time of the devastating fires here on Maui, this is a practice we are currently experiencing on an hourly basis. I am so impressed by how Jews from around the world came together to help raise funds for emergency supplies that we have delivered to the Maui War Memorial distribution center and the Blue Water Rafting company who re-purposed their boats from tourist excursions to do deliveries to Lahaina. By giving we are healing our community.
Shabbat Shalom.
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) a Jewish organization bringing teens together to build relationships through engaging activities, shared religious experiences, and social action is hosting an event. Please see below for more information
Mahalo nui loa to the members who have renewed their membership for 2023/2024 and those who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Memberships are a large part of what sustains The Jewish Congregation of Maui. Without it we would not be able to provide services especially on High Holidays or continue the Talmud Torah for the next generation.
To help you determine the best membership for you,the following are the different levels, dues and what it include: Single $600 1 vote Family $960 2 votes Associate No vote
In addition to renewing your membership, another great way to contribute is through Give Aloha! by Foodland which starts September. More details to follow as the program nears.
If you have any questions, please contact Kalo at kalo@mauijews.org
Mahalo nui loa to our friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints and Hana Lynn who've been watering our garden. We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Pictured are items that were left behind at the congregation. If any of these items are yours,please contact Kalo. Anything that is not claimed before the high holidays,will be donated to charity. Thank you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, Aug 12th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 13th
Israeli Folk Dance cancelled until further notice
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits Aug. 6 - 12
Arthur Pitkoff Betty Chess Carl Balfour Charles Rosoff Col. Laurence H. Goldberg Esther Lieberman Goldie Smilove Herman Holstein Kathryn Solomon Leah Franklin Cole Leland Tolliver Louis Rosenberg Martin Schwab Max Garaway Raymond Leibman Reggi Marder Sasha Licht Solomon Dutka
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Please give our brothers and sisters at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland a Big Mahalo for their very generous donation to JCM's Maui Fire Relief which allowed us to make a sizeable contribution to help Maui County families who are in need due to the devastation of the fires. We really appreciate you!
If you would like to be part of our efforts of providng support to our fellow Maui Community members, please stop by JCM between 10am-4pm tomorrow, August 10th to drop off your donation. Items requested are the following:
We could use helpful drivers to drop off donations to the Maui War Memorial Center from the congregation.
You are also welcome to make a donation of any size to https://www.mauijews.org/payment.php.
Again, many thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland for their wonderful contribution. Thank you in advance for yours. Stay well and safe.
Join us for Torah Study this Thursday at 7:00pm where we will focus on the Torah portion from all four methods of interpretation.
Shabbat Services this Friday! Rabbi Raanan will lead this week's service starting at 6:30pm
This will be one of last two Torah studies and services led by Rabbi Raanan. Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
Mahalo nui loa to the members who have renewed their membership for 2023/2024 and those who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Memberships are a large part of what sustains The Jewish Congregation of Maui. Without it we would not be able to provide services especially on High Holidays or continue the Talmud Torah for the next generation.
To help you determine the best membership for you, the following are the different levels, dues and what it includes: Single $600 1 vote Family $960 2 votes Associate No vote
Please note that voting members must live full time in the state of Hawaii.
In addition to renewing your membership, another great way to contribute is through Give Aloha! by Foodland which starts September. More details to follow as the program nears.
If you have any questions, please contact Kalo at kalo@mauijews.org
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) a Jewish organization bringing teens together to build relationships through engaging activities, shared religious experiences, and social action is hosting an event. Please see below for more information.
Mahalo nui loa to our friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints and Hana Lynn who've been watering our garden. We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 13th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits Aug 6 - Aug 12
Arthur Pitkoff Betty Chess Carl Balfour Charles Rosoff Col. Laurence H. Goldberg Esther Lieberman Goldie Smilove Herman Holstein Kathryn Solomon Kathryn Solomon Leah Franklin Cole Leland Tolliver Louis Rosenberg Martin Schwab Max Garaway Raymond Leibman Reggi Marder Sasha Licht Solomon Dutka
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
We hope you all are well and safe from the devastation of the fires. Thank you to everyone who reached out and asked about our status. We are fortunate that the congregation and its grounds are safe.
As part of the Maui Community, our kueleana, our purpose is to support the community. If you would like to be part of this purpose and are in the Kihei area, we will be accepting donations of the items listed in the image below starting tomorrow from 10am-4pm and taking them to the Maui War Memorial at 5pm. A donation table has already been set up if you prefer to drop off your donation earlier. Other donations may be made through our website at https://www.mauijews.org/donations
Mahalo nui for your kokua. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Kalo @ 808-874-5397 or at kalo@mauijews.org.
E mālama. pono! Please continue to stay safe and well. Aloha
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Services this evening! Rabbi Raanan will lead tonight service starting at 6:30pm Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
A little housekeeping. Out of respect and consideration to our visiting cantors and layman leading services, please allow them to make the announcements before congregating amongst each other. Thank you
"And if you obey these rules and observe them carefully, your G!d, the Eternal will maintain faithfully for you the covenant made on oath with your fathers: [The Eternal] will favor you and bless you and multiply you—blessing your issue from the womb and your produce from the soil… If, however, you do forget your G!d the Eternal … I warn you this day that you shall certainly perish … because you did not heed your G!d the Eternal" (Deut. 7: 12-13, 19-20).
It would be valid to say that the Torah portion of Eikev contradicts the values and beliefs of a modern society. Our modern sensibilities want to confront such verses and say that making such public declarations would go against our morals today and because we do not want to be seen as sinners, we should just not make them by reading them out loud.
There is value in studying the Torah and understanding how the ideas can be relevant for us today. Many verses are challenging and there are even some that are abhorrent, such as the command to destroy the Canaanite nations. But just as the Canaanite nations no longer exist, so too do these Torah concepts belong in an age long past and we must study interpretations that make them valuable for us today. By doing so, we are giving ourselves and our children a great spiritual gift.
Many of us philosophically and spiritually find the conditional structure of this Torah portion challenging, with its “if… then…”, or if you do good, there will be good. If you bring goodness into the world, the world will give you good back. Whereas Buddhists call this “Karma", Jewish scholars would call it the Deuteronomist. [READ MORE BY CLICKING HERE...]
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) a Jewish organization bringing teens together to build relationships through engaging activities, shared religious experiences, and social action is hosting an event. Please see below for more information
Mahalo nui loa to the members who have renewed their membership for 2023/2024 and those who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Memberships are a large part of what sustains The Jewish Congregation of Maui. Without it we would not be able to provide services especially on High Holidays or continue the Talmud Torah for the next generation.
To help you determine the best membership for you,the following are the different levels, dues and what it include: Single $600 1 vote Family $960 2 votes Associate No vote
In addition to renewing your membership, another great way to contribute is through Give Aloha! by Foodland which starts September. More details to follow as the program nears.
If you have any questions, please contact Kalo at kalo@mauijews.org
Mahalo nui loa to our friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints and Hana Lynn who've been watering our garden. We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Pictured are items that were left behind at the congregation. If any of these items are yours,please contact Kalo. Anything that is not claimed before the high holidays,will be donated to charity. Thank you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, Aug 5th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 6th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 30 - Aug 5
Ella Hirschhorn Eva Wolk Lilo Frisch Michael Hodes Mildred Kroog Morris Weisfeld Raye Stevens Pointzman Robert Kaplove Sam Greenman
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As we approach the beginning of our fiscal year, I am reaching out to you as a valued member of our Jewish congregation to personally request the renewal of your membership for the upcoming year.
Congregational membership fees and donations support our religious, educational initiatives, youth programs (Talmud Torah) and philanthropic efforts which enable us to provide essential religious and community services for our community. It also allows us to maintain our building and grounds, providing a nurturing environment for worship, study, and celebration.
Although Rabbi Raanan will be leaving us at the end of August, we will continue to provide rabbinical services, including the planning of our High Holiday Services with the assistance of Cantor Martin Neumann, through a fee-based Spiritual Leaders Council consisting of our local Maui Rabbis, Lay Leaders and the occasional visiting Rabbi. Their commitment to nurture our spiritual well-being warrants our financial support through your membership dues and donations.
Please consider renewing your membership by Friday, July 31st, so that we can adequately plan and prepare for the upcoming year. Our membership renewal form is online and can be accessed with this link: https://www.mauijews.org/join . It details the various membership options available to you including donations. If you require any additional information or assistance in completing the form, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Community Manager, Kalo Yujuico, directly at kalo@mauijews.org or at 808-874-5397.
Your continued involvement and support are integral to ensuring the growth and vitality of our congregation. Thank you for your time, consideration, and ongoing commitment.
With much aloha,
Dorothy Tolliver President The Jewish Congregation of Maui
Happy Tu B'Av - Jewish Valentines Day
"Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said: There were no days as joyous for the Jewish people as the fifteenth of Av and as Yom Kippur, as on them the daughters of Jerusalem would go out in white clothes, which each woman borrowed from another. Why were they borrowed? They did this so as not to embarrass one who did not have her own white garments." Mishnah Ta'anit 4:8
According to the Mishna, Tu B'Av was a joyous holiday in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the grape harvest. On Yom Kippur and Tu B'Av, the unmarried girls of Jerusalem dressed in white garments and went out to dance in the vineyards. The Talmud states that there were no holy days as happy for the Jews as Tu B'Av and Yom Kippur. The holiday celebrated the wood-offering brought in the Temple (see Nehemiah 13:31).
Join us for Torah Study this Thursday at 7:00pm where we will focus on the Torah portion from all four methods of interpretation
Shabbat Services this Friday! Rabbi Raanan will lead this week's service starting at 6:30pm
Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) a Jewish organization bringing teens together to build relationships through engaging activities, shared religious experiences, and social action is hosting an event. Please see below for more information
Mahalo nui loa to our friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints and Hana Lynn who've been watering our garden. We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 6th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 30 - Aug 5
Ella Hirschhorn Eva Wolk Lilo Frisch Michael Hodes Mildred Kroog Morris Weisfeld Raye Stevens Pointzman Robert Kaplove Sam Greenman
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Services this evening! Rabbi Raanan will lead tonight service starting at 6:30pm Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
A little housekeeping. Out of respect and consideration to our visiting cantors and layman leading services, please allow them to make the announcements before congregating amongst each other. Thank you
Thank you to all who attended our meaningful Tisha B'Av services.
After Tisha B'Av comes the Shabbat called “Shabbat Nachamu.” Nachama means comfort or consolation. It is a Shabbat of healing, and picking up the pieces. It is the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av, following three intense weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av.
On the evening of the 9th of Av, we spent time reflecting on the meaning of the day and how many times throughout history we were effected negatively by this difficult day. After such challenges, we need healing and this is what this Shabbat is for.
We all have firsthand feelings of division and feelings of destruction. This year, Shabbat Nachamu comes right when we need it, at the end of a difficult week when we have been shattered into tiny pieces.
Mourning is a healthy way to deal with the experience of death and destruction. We come to a consciousness of Eternity when we meditate on death... and this is a good thing. Life never dies. Life cannot be destroyed, broken, or shattered. Life is eternity, continually donning and shedding guises. [READ MORE BY CLICKING HERE...]
Thank you to the following community members along with Richard Dan's friend Alan, grandchildren Quinley and Relic, who gathered together at JCM for Richard Dan's family Yahrzeit:
Barbara, Mitch and Makaela Cooper Joel Richmond Sam Schnider Gail Schell Marie Ankaoua
Special thanks to Rabbi David Glickman who lead the service.
You all are much appreciated for taking time out of your busy lives to come together for a community member.
A few weeks ago, friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints paid us a visit. After learning that our JCM Community Garden needed help with watering, they volunteered to take on the task along with one of our members Hana Lynn. Mahalo elders James Cook, Ryan Smith and Hana for your kokua! We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Pictured are items that were left behind at the congregation. If any of these items are yours,please contact Kalo. Anything that is not claimed before the high holidays,will be donated to charity. Thank you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, Aug 5th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, Aug 6th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 30 - Aug 5
Ella Hirschhorn Eva Wolk Lilo Frisch Michael Hodes Mildred Kroog Morris Weisfeld Raye Stevens Pointzman Robert Kaplove Sam Greenman
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As we approach the beginning of our fiscal year, I am reaching out to you as a valued member of our Jewish congregation to personally request the renewal of your membership for the upcoming year.
Congregational membership fees and donations support our religious, educational initiatives, youth programs (Talmud Torah) and philanthropic efforts which enable us to provide essential religious and community services for our community. It also allows us to maintain our building and grounds, providing a nurturing environment for worship, study, and celebration.
Although Rabbi Ranaan will be leaving us at the end of August, we will continue to provide rabbinical services, including the planning of our High Holiday Services with the assistance of Cantor Martin Neumann, through a fee-based Spiritual Leaders Council consisting of our local Maui Rabbis, Lay Leaders and the occasional visiting Rabbi. Their commitment to nurture our spiritual well-being warrants our financial support through your membership dues and donations.
Please consider renewing your membership by Friday, July 31st, so that we can adequately plan and prepare for the upcoming year. Our membership renewal form is online and can be accessed with this link: https://www.mauijews.org/join . It details the various membership options available to you including donations. If you require any additional information or assistance in completing the form, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Community Manager, Kalo Yujuico, directly at kalo@mauijews.org or at 808-874-5397.
Your continued involvement and support are integral to ensuring the growth and vitality of our congregation. Thank you for your time, consideration, and ongoing commitment.
With much aloha,
Dorothy Tolliver President The Jewish Congregation of Maui
Shabbat Services this Friday! Rabbi Raanan is back and will lead this week's service starting at 6:30pm Mahalo to Sam Shnider who led a beautiful service last week. Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
JCM Tisha B'Av Events
Wednesday, Jul 26th 7:00pm to 8:00pm - Traditional prayers and a chanting of Lamentations followed by a discussion
Thursday, Jul 27th 6:15pm - Minchah, Tefillin, Maariv and a light Break Fast sponored by the Vojdani family
Thank you to the following community members along with Richard Dan's friend Alan, grandchildren Quinley and Relic, who gathered together at JCM for Richard Dan's family Yahrzeit:
Barbara, Mitch and Makaela Cooper Joel Richmond Sam Schnider Gail Schell Marie Ankaoua
Special thanks to Rabbi David Glickman who lead the service.
You all are much appreciated for taking time out of your busy lives to come together for a community member.
A few weeks ago, friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints paid us a visit. After learning that our JCM Community Garden needed help with watering, they volunteered to take on the task along with one of our members Hana Lynn. Mahalo elders James Cook, Ryan Smith and Hana for your kokua! We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
See if you can find our new listing in the religious page of today's Maui News! First one who does and reaches out at admin@mauijews.org will get 10% off their membership!
Israeli Folk Dancing this Sunday, July 23rd from 3pm-5pm! Bring your friends and family!
Save the Dates!
JCM Tisha B'Av Events Wednesday, Jul 26th 7:00pm to 8:00pm - Traditional prayers and a reading of Lamentations
Thursday, Jul 27th 6:15pm - Minchah, Tefillin, Maariv and a light Break Fast
Wander Wedding Sunday, Aug 6th 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Rosh Hodesh Elul - Last Learning with Rabbi Raanan Thursday, Aug 17th 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Bar Mitzvah of Ari Gorewitz Shabbat, Aug 19th 9:30am to 12:00pm
Any changes and additions will be posted on the website calendar.
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 29th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 30th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 23 - July 29
Abraham Kahn Arnold Miller Avery Aaron Waldman Edward M. Berol Elizabeth Tennen Frank Dan Gloria Dan Hannah Rosenberg Flam Harry Edwards Henry Wikle Jack Scharff Joseph Greenberg Mary Shur Michaels Murray Silverman Opal Tolliver Fout Shirley Siegel Sophie Kettner Susan Schwab
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As we approach the beginning of our fiscal year, I am reaching out to you as a valued member of our Jewish congregation to personally request the renewal of your membership for the upcoming year.
Congregational membership fees and donations support our religious, educational initiatives, youth programs (Talmud Torah) and philanthropic efforts which enable us to provide essential religious and community services for our community. It also allows us to maintain our building and grounds, providing a nurturing environment for worship, study, and celebration.
Although Rabbi Ranaan will be leaving us at the end of August, we will continue to provide rabbinical services, including the planning of our High Holiday Services with the assistance of Cantor Martin Neumann, through a fee-based Spiritual Leaders Council consisting of our local Maui Rabbis, Lay Leaders and the occasional visiting Rabbi. Their commitment to nurture our spiritual well-being warrants our financial support through your membership dues and donations.
Please consider renewing your membership by Friday, July 31st, so that we can adequately plan and prepare for the upcoming year. Our membership renewal form is online and can be accessed with this link: https://www.mauijews.org/join . It details the various membership options available to you including donations. If you require any additional information or assistance in completing the form, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Community Manager, Kalo Yujuico, directly at kalo@mauijews.org or at 808-874-5397.
Your continued involvement and support are integral to ensuring the growth and vitality of our congregation. Thank you for your time, consideration, and ongoing commitment.
With much aloha,
Dorothy Tolliver President The Jewish Congregation of Maui
Shabbat Services this Friday! Mahalo to Sam Shnider who will be leading services starting at 6:30pm. Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
The 9th of Av & Deuteronomy: A Time to Reflect and Rebuild
The Jewish people as a whole have been through a painful and challenging time over the past couple years. And now, in this time of the year we have a built in way to confront the destruction of those institutions whose purpose was to keep us united. This is Tisha B’Av, the day when both the First Temple and the Second Temple were destroyed.
Our hearts yearn for a redemptive formula to bridge our differences, but such a formula is seemingly absent. And if there was one, would we even notice? Would our hearts and our minds hear it?
It is the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av.
Tisha B’Av marks the Nation of Israel’s exceptional, ingrained propensity for destruction. It reminds us of our continued refusal to listen to the gatekeepers - in this case the Prophet Jeremiah - who tried to prevent it. Instead, the people of his time imprisoned and tortured him, and called him a traitor.
The Shabbat before Tisha B’Av is called “Shabbat Chazon” (Shabbat of Vision) and the Torah portion is the first in the Book of Deuteronomy - in which Moses begins his parting words from the Nation. [Click here for more]
JCM Tisha B'Av Events
Wednesday, Jul 26th 7:00pm to 8:00pm - Traditional prayers and a chanting of Lamentations followed by a discussion
Thursday, Jul 27th 6:15pm - Minchah, Tefillin, Maariv and a light Break Fast sponored by the Vojdani family
We kindly ask for your presence on Sunday, July 23 at 7:15pm at JCM to honor the memory of Gloria and Frank Dan.
A few weeks ago,friends from the Church of Latter Day Saints paid us a visit. After learning that our JCM Community Garden needed help with watering, they volunteered to take on the task along with one of our members Hannah. Mahalo elders James Cook, Ryan Smith and Hannah for your kokua! We still need volunteers to give our humble little garden some TLC so that it can really flourish! Also give our volunteers a break. Let us know how you can help Mahalo!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024. Notices will be emailed shortly.
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
See if you can find our new listing in the religious page of today's Maui News! First one who does and reaches out at admin@mauijews.org will get 10% off their membership!
Israeli Folk Dancing this Sunday, July 23rd from 3pm-5pm! Bring your friends and family!
Save the Dates!
Yahrzeit for the Dan Family Sunday, Jul 23rd 7:15pm to 8:00pm
JCM Tisha B'Av Events Wednesday, Jul 26th 7:00pm to 8:00pm - Traditional prayers and a reading of Lamentations Thursday, Jul 27th 6:15pm - Minchah, Tefillin, Maariv and a light Break Fast
Wander Wedding Sunday, Aug 6th 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Rosh Hodesh Elul - Last Learning with Rabbi Raanan Thursday, Aug 17th 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Bar Mitzvah of Ari Gorewitz Shabbat, Aug 19th 9:30am to 12:00pm
Any changes and additions will be posted on the website calendar.
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Sam Schnider starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 22nd
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 23rd
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 16 - July 22
Allen Eric Urssing Auntie Mona Pressner Harry Bienstock Jerome David Sokolow Nahan Chess Phyllis Glantz Neustadter Shirley Feinberg Steven Edelhertz Sylvia Kirey
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Services this Friday! Mahalo to Sam Shnider who will be leading services starting at 6:30pm. Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom We look forward to seeing you!
Israeli Folk Dancing! Sundays 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
We continue our dances this Sunday, all are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
We kindly ask for your presence on Sunday, July 23 at 7:15pm at JCM to honor the memory of Gloria and Frank Dan.
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
See if you can find our new listing in the religious page of Friday's Maui News! First one who does, reaches out at admin@mauijews.org and shows us the ad will get 10% off their membership!
Save the Dates:
Yahrzeit for the Dan Family Sunday, Jul 23rd 7:15p to 8:00p
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Sam Shnider starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 22nd
Morning Shabbat Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 23rd
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00 - 5:00pm Live at JCM
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits July 16-July 22
Allen Eric Urssing Auntie Mona Pressner Harry Bienstock Jerome David Sokolow Nahan Chess Phyllis Glantz Neustadter Shirley Feinberg Steven Edelhertz Sylvia Kirey
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Service tonight! Rabbi Raanan is back and will be leading this evening's service.
Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom!
Matot-Masa’ei: A Journey that calls for us to go from Strength to Strength
The second Torah portion that we read this Shabbat begins with, "These were the treks of the Israelites who started out from the land of Egypt, troop by troop, in the charge of Moses and Aaron" (Numbers 33:2).
We are a nation on a continual trek. We started out as a family in the Holy Land and left to Egypt to become a nation. We then trekked into the Wilderness to receive the Torah and struggle to transform our slave mentality into a nation building mentality. Then we trekked back into the Holy Land and from there into Babylon, Persia, Rome and the rest of the world. We were tasked to be a light unto the Nations, to be universally designated as mentors for spiritual and moral guidance for the whole planet (Isaiah 49:6). If we are going to have this capability, we have to have the wisdom that comes along with it.
This wisdom is obtained through experiencing a journey and realizing that it is more important than the goal. As long as the journey continues, there is excitement, anticipation, hope.
This week Rabbi Raanan, Board Member- Gail Schell and JCM Community Manager, Kalo Yujuico had the honor to attend a reception at the Govenor's Mansion on Oahu hosted by Gov. Josh Green and First Lady Jaimie Kanani Green with the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to welcome their new board member - Margery Bronster. We had a lovely time meeting leaders of the Hawaiian Jewish Community and the esteemed members of the foundation.
We kindly ask for your presence on Sunday, July 23 at 7:15pm at JCM to honor the memory of Gloria and Frank Dan.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024. Notices will be emailed shortly.
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
We join in the mourning of Bernice Goldberg ז"ל (Batyah b. Faygaleh v' Menashe), mother of Jacquie Bayley who has passed away
See if you can find our new listing in the religious page of today's Maui News! First one who does and reaches out at admin@mauijews.org will get 10% off their membership!
Save the Dates!
Yahrzeit for the Dan Family Sunday, Jul 23rd 7:15p to 8:00p
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 15th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 16th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 9 - July 15
Aaron Chinn Anna Rosenberg Arthur Rose Bernice Goldberg Betty Hertz David Leiter Eli Louis Hirschhorn Esther Capp Ida Jaffe Jack Isaac Jack Mlotok Lou Gottlieb Mary Been Max Cohen Milton Climan Miriam Aniel Phoebe Rochen Sophie Dern Sophie Eisenberg Sylvia Herling Tom Wassner William Rose
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Service tonight! Rabbi Raanan is back and will be leading this evening's service.
Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom!
Toda Rabah to Cap’n Dave Belzer who lead a beautiful service last week. Also thank you to everyone who attended in person and on zoom. Special thanks to Sarah Aronin who brought delicious fruit and vegetable platters to enjoy after the service
Pinchas: Preparing for the Next Leader
Yesterday during our Torah study class we learned Mishnah Taanit 4:6 which explains why we fast on the 17th of Tammuz which this year fell on Thursday this week.
Five calamitous matters occurred to our forefathers on the seventeenth of Tammuz... On the seventeenth of Tammuz:
the tablets were broken by Moses when he saw that the Jews had made the golden calf;
the daily offering was nullified by the Roman authorities and was never sacrificed again;
the city walls of Jerusalem were breached;
the general Apostemos publicly burned a Torah scroll;
Manasseh placed an idol in the Sanctuary.
The incident that stands out here is the tablets being broken by Moses when he saw that the Jews made the golden calf. He was zealous for the Lord just like Pinchas from our Torah portion this week.
Let us remember the story: After the failed attempt by the wizard Bilam and the king Balak to curse Israel, they developed a new tactic and sent the beautiful Moabite women to seduce the powerful men among the Israelites. The women then invited them to sacrifice to their gods which the elites gladly agreed to do. And once again the Lord was angered and told Moses to execute the leaders who were participating in the idolatry. Moses told the people to do this and just at that moment one of the Israelite princes brought a Midianite princess before the people to continue performing the rituals. It was at that moment that the zeal of Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron the Priest, saw this, took a spear and killed the prince and the princess.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
The Jewish Congregation of Maui joins in the mourning of the Holz Family in remembering Franklin Holz who passed away last week surrounded by his loving family. May his memory serve as a blessing to all that knew and loved him.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024.
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
See if you can find our new listing in the religious page of today's Maui News! First one who does and reaches out at admin@mauijews.org will get 10% off their membership!
Save the Dates!
Yahrzeit for the Dan Family Sunday, Jul 23rd 7:15p to 8:00p
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 8th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 9th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Shabbat on the Beach A Jewish Social Gathering and Potluck - It's Casual Held on the 1st Friday of each month July 7, August 4th, September 1st, October 6th, November 3rd, & December 1st 2023 at Kanaha Beach Park, Kahului, FIRST ENTRANCE 4:30pm Gathering; 5:00 pm Challah Blessing, 5:15 pm Eat, 6:45pm Clean-Up We provide Challah, grape juice, candles, plates/utensils. You bring potluck dish to share, chair and swimsuit/towel if you want to swim. Text RSVP 808-283-9921 Dania
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Regarding our Cemetery Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 2 - July 8
Anne Clara Mostow Clara Zimmerman David Backstrom Dr. Harry David Pass Fred Horowitz Gloria Bittner Ilene Rotstein Kevin Richter Matilda Beranbaum Samuel Herman William Adler
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
JCM Torah Study with Rabbi Raanan will continue tomorrow, Thursday, July 6 at 7pm
Rabbi Raanan and Ayah are returning to Maui tomorrow. To honor the fast of the 17th of Tammuz tomorrow, we will discuss topics having to do with the holiness of place and its spiritual significance for us today.
Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom!
The Jewish Congregation of Maui joins in the mourning of the Holz Family in remembering Franklin Holz who passed away last week surrounded by his loving family. May his memory serve as a blessing to all that knew and loved him.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
It is time to renew your membership for 5784: 2023-2024.
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
All have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Rabbi Raanan starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 8th
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 9th
Israeli Folk Dance at 3pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits July 2 - July 8
Anne Clara Mostow Clara Zimmerman David Backstrom Dr. Harry David Pass Fred Horowitz Gloria Bittner Ilene Rotstein Kevin Richter Matilda Beranbaum Samuel Herman William Adler
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shabbat Service tonight! This evening's service will be lead by one of our community members David Belzer
We are blessed to have Cap’n Dave Belzer, a pilot by trade, has sung and davened with numerous Jewish communities across America. He believes prayer is a unity of music and meaning - both of which we are all hungering for in this world. Originally from Los Angeles, he splits time with his family there and his home and `ohana here on Maui.
Toda Raba David for leading this evening's Shabbat Service. We truly appreciate you!
Please join us in person at JCM or on Zoom!
Our Torah portion this week places us in the fortieth year of the Israelite journey in the wilderness. Before they can enter the Promised Land, the leaders and siblings of Moses will die. Moses is also told that after he struck the rock instead of speaking to it that he will not be entering the Promised Land either, and that he will also soon die.
If you listen carefully, you will hear the flutter of the wings of history, as the changing of guards occurs and the generation of giants dies. Death is scary. It is one of the most basic human anxieties. Fear of death is unique to humans, because only we know that death exists. Animals have a survival instinct that protects them, but they don’t know that one day they will die.
Knowing in general, and knowledge of death in particular, are the result of our tremendous desire to know, both in terms of knowing information or data, and in terms of consciousness or awareness. In the third chapter of Genesis, we are told about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The story is a shockingly accurate description of the human desire to know. At the end of the previous chapter, we read that “The two of them were naked, Adam and his wife, yet they felt no shame” - just like animals. By the end of the third chapter, they know they are naked, they are ashamed, and they cover themselves. But they know something else as well. They know that they are mortal. Just as the Eternal had warned.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Due to the July 4th holiday, there will be no Israeli Folk Dancing this Sunday, July 2nd. Please join us next week - Sunday, July 9th!
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
Girls, Boys, LBGTQ+ have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services will lead by Dave Belzer starting at 6:30pm
Saturday, July 1st
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until further notice
Sunday, July 2nd
Israeli Folk Dance on break until next week
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits June 25- July 1
Abraham Bromberg Anne Barry Del Lander Eugene Allen Jeannette Rosen Joshua Goldberg Lawrence Boxer Linda Goldstein Martin Capp Rae Brown Rav Pinchas Aryeh Goodblatt Samuel J. Bartlett Sheldon Evan Berman Steve Alexander Sylvia Tuckman Viola Bellach
Join us for services on Friday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors. Please meet your JCM Board member of the week... Simon Vojdani
Simon Vojdani has served as a regular donor, past president of the JCM board of directors and as the treasurer for many years. He helped found JCM in its grassroots stage and has been a backbone of its operations ever since. For almost 30 years he owned the 5 Palms Restaurant on Keawakapu Beach and is now the current owner of the Kula Lodge & Restaurant as well as the Kula Marketplace on Maui. Originally from Iran, Simon immigrated to the United States in 1969 where he completed his Master’s Degree in Engineering from UC Berkeley and became the President of the Specialty Restaurants Corporation, where he built and operated 92 fine dining restaurants nationwide. He moved to Maui in 1995 with his wife, Victoria, and children Stephanie and Zack who have been a large part of the Jewish community on Maui and have been supporting JCM along with their father since day one. Simon’s commitment, generosity and support of our synagogue and local community has been a major blessing over the years. He has been notorious for funding synagogue events such as Pesach, our annual Yom Kippur break fast, many Shabbat dinners and other lavish spreads as well as helped fund our sanctuary expansion and donated many needed items and funding to our Shul. We are highly appreciative of his dedication to JCM’s history and longevity.
If you see Simon at services or any of our JCM events, please say Hello!
Kalo is back in the office. Services have been suspended until July 7th. Please call 808-874-5397 for office hours and information
Look out for Rabbi's sermon when he returns from his holiday in Israel! Until then he wishes all of you...
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, June 25 , from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances. It's a great way to get movin!
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
Girls, Boys, LBGTQ+ have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services are suspended until Rabbi's return on July 7th.
Saturday, June 24
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until Rabbi's return on July 7th
Sunday, June 25
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits June 18- June 24
Anna Lipszyc Fischer Charles Shafer Leslie A. Granat Mendel Aniel Miriam Shafer Pauline Green Pearl Harris Sam Glass Samuel D. Mann Shimon Pearlman Sophie Survetnick
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors. Please meet your JCM Board member of the week... Simon Vojdani
Simon Vojdani has served as a regular donor, past president of the JCM board of directors and as the treasurer for many years. He helped found JCM in its grassroots stage and has been a backbone of its operations ever since. For almost 30 years he owned the 5 Palms Restaurant on Keawakapu Beach and is now the current owner of the Kula Lodge & Restaurant as well as the Kula Marketplace on Maui. Originally from Iran, Simon immigrated to the United States in 1969 where he completed his Master’s Degree in Engineering from UC Berkeley and became the President of the Specialty Restaurants Corporation, where he built and operated 92 fine dining restaurants nationwide. He moved to Maui in 1995 with his wife, Victoria, and children Stephanie and Zack who have been a large part of the Jewish community on Maui and have been supporting JCM along with their father since day one. Simon’s commitment, generosity and support of our synagogue and local community has been a major blessing over the years. He has been notorious for funding synagogue events such as Pesach, our annual Yom Kippur break fast, many Shabbat dinners and other lavish spreads as well as helped fund our sanctuary expansion and donated many needed items and funding to our Shul. We are highly appreciative of his dedication to JCM’s history and longevity.
If you see Simon at services or any of our JCM events, please say Hello!
Kalo is back in the office. Services have been suspended until July 7th. Please call 808-874-5397 for office hours and information
Look out for Rabbi's sermon when he returns from his holiday in Israel! Until then he wishes all of you...
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, June 25 , from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances. It's a great way to get movin!
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
Girls, Boys, LBGTQ+ have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat Services are suspended until Rabbi's return on July 7th.
Saturday, June 24
Shabbat Morning Services are suspended until Rabbi's return on July 7th
Sunday, June 25
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Important Information Due to recent incidents, we have received news from the staff at the Jewish Cemetery that for safety reasons, the stones or tz'rors placed on the headstones will be removed once a week during cleaning. We understand any concerns you may have. If you would like more information, please email admin@mauijews.com or call 808-874-5397. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yahrzeits June 18- June 24
Anna Lipszyc Fischer Charles Shafer Leslie A. Granat Mendel Aniel Miriam Shafer Pauline Green Pearl Harris Sam Glass Samuel D. Mann Shimon Pearlman Sophie Survetnick
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors. Please meet your JCM Board member of the week...Gail Schell!
I've been a board member for several years and have planned many events for JCM for holidays for the community. I attended services on a regular basis and feel that the members are a part of our JCM family and my extended family. It's time to give back what G_d has done for us through pray. "L'Dor V'Dor". From generation to generation, we must have a synagogue for the next generation. Please do your part and continue to participate and help us grow.
Please note that Kalo will be out of the office from tomorrow, June 6th to the 20th. She will be contactable via email: kalo@mauijews.org
Please note that JCM will be closed with no Shabbat services or office hours from Tuesday, June 13th until June 20th.
Please stay tuned for future events.
Shelach Lecha: Look on the Bright Side of Life
Greetings from Jerusalem! So good to be back in the city that I spent so many years learning and growing. It is quite meaningful for me that this week's Torah portion coincides with my trip here. Shelach Lecha is the portion where Moses sends spies to inform him about the Land. Sadly, many of the spies report back that the challenges were too great to overcome. Many look at the modern state of Israel in the same way with all of its political, social and religious challenges.
As Blake Perwin so eloquently explained in his sermon during his Bar Mitzvah this week: "Joshua and Caleb saw the same things, but they were positive about it. In the Haftarah, Joshua was now the leader of the Israelites and had to send out spies again. This time, he did so understanding that whatever he hears should not be interpreted as being negative. So, he has a second chance here to fix the error from before. Sometimes new beginnings are what we need to make things right."
Sometimes we need to see the bright side of life even when it looks like the clouds are overwhelming. Although Israel is struggling with a complex reality, being here in Jerusalem with my daughter Ayah as we welcome in the Shabbat brings such beautiful light.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, June 18 , from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances. It's a great way to get movin!
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
Girls, Boys, LBGTQ+ have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Kabbalat Shabbat There are no services this weekend. They will commence upon the return of Rabbi Raanan from his holiday. Please stay tuned for more information
Saturday, June 17
Shabbat Morning Services are on hold until further notice
Sunday, June 18
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
The Jewish Congregation of Maui joins in the mourning of the Scholes family as we remember David Scholes ז"ל who passed away this week with his family by his side. May his memory be for a blessing.
Yahrzeits June 11 - June 17
Allen Howard Urssing Harry Parrell Dr. Hannan Ezekiel Dr. Harold Berman Helen Louise Pass Helen Pass Herman Sands Irving Meyer Sachs Janice Frank Judge Robert Wahl Madeline B. Miller Mildred Geller Morris Zimmerman Myron Schloss Pat Levinsky Rose Lamm Sally Levy Sandra Kirsch Sarah Gerber Sherry Ann Dern Warren Miller
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors.
Please meet your JCM Board member of the week, Simon Vojdani
Simon Vojdani has served as a regular donor, past president of the JCM board of directors and as the treasurer for many years. He helped found JCM in its grassroots stage and has been a backbone of its operations ever since.
For almost 30 years he owned the 5 Palms Restaurant on Keawakapu Beach and is now the current owner of the Kula Lodge & Restaurant as well as the Kula Marketplace on Maui.
Originally from Iran, Simon immigrated to the United States in 1969 where he completed his Master’s Degree in Engineering from UC Berkeley and became the President of the Specialty Restaurants Corporation, where he built and operated 92 fine dining restaurants nationwide.
He moved to Maui in 1995 with his wife, Victoria, and children Stephanie and Zack who have been a large part of the Jewish community on Maui and have been supporting JCM along with their father since day one. Simon’s commitment, generosity and support of our synagogue and local community has been a major blessing over the years. He has been notorious for funding synagogue events such as Pesach, our annual Yom Kippur break fast, many Shabbat dinners and other lavish spreads as well as helped fund our sanctuary expansion and donated many needed items and funding to our Shul. We are highly appreciative of his dedication to JCM’s history and longevity.
Special Shabbat Morning Service tomorrow: Saturday, June 10 from 9:30-11:30am
We will be welcomming Stephanie Vojdani with a Torah reading after her conversion this week. Please help us make a minyan. Followed by a Kiddush
Weekly Torah Portion - Behaalotecha Knowing When to Ask for Help
And Moses said to the Eternal, “Why have You ... laid the burden of all this people upon me? Did I produce all these people, did I engender them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a caregiver carries an infant,’ to the land that You have promised on oath to their fathers? I cannot carry all this people by myself, for it is too much for me. If You would deal thus with me, kill me rather, I beg You, and let me see no more of my wretchedness!” (Numbers 11:11-15).
Moses has a breakdown as the leader of the people. He complains to the Eternal that he can no longer carry the burden of the people any longer. He idealizes dying as he feels that he is psychologically at his wits end. What ends up helping him is the Eternal appointing seventy elders to spread the responsibility to that Moses will not feel so weighed down. Lay leadership is vital for the success of both the leader and the congregation itself.
We all have been at that moment in our lives when we do not think we can carry on. We reach a breaking point after putting in too much effort which encourages others to step back and think that someone else will do the work.
It is imperative that we ask ourselves the following: Where do we take on too much responsibility for others and not let them stand on their own two feet? Do we have a responsibility to ask others to step up and help?
I would affirm this with all my strength. We have to wake up and see the people in our lives who have taken responsiblity for the community and ask how we can be of help; so that they do not burn out, or worse.
This requires that we be aware of how others are doing. Feel the pulse of the leaders in your life. Ask how they are doing and what you can do to take on a bit. The leader must also accept that others will take responsibility. Instead of responding with anger when Joshua tells Moses of Eldad and Medad joining the Prophetic Corps, Moses responds, "Would that all the Eternal's people were prophets, that the Eternal put the divine spirit upon them!”
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Important Notice regarding the JCM Office & Services Kalo will be out of the office from June 6th to the 20th She is contactable via email: kalo@mauijews.org
JCM will be closed with no Shabbat services or office hours from Tuesday, June 13th until Tuesday, June 20th.
Friday evening Shabbat services will resume on Friday, July 7 at 6:30pm Stay tuned for when Saturday morning services will be held.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, May 28, from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) has ended. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, June 10
Shabbat Morning Service A special service to welcome Stephanie Vojdani after her affirmation ceremony this week. Services will be followed by a tasty Kiddush. 9:30am Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, June 11
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits June 4 - June 10
Aida Ebbers Etta Janis George Isaac Hannah Isaac Henry Kotkins Jean (Singer) Needle Jerry Botknecht Joseph Sussman Katrina Bellak Lillian Judd Mitchell Andrew Climan Morton Solondz Murray I., M.D. Neustadter Murray Lefton Nettie Wasserman Rachel Edelhertz Samuel Kirey Sheldon Joseph Miller Wilson P. Rappoport
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Please excuse us as we did not include the text and picture of Gabe that was intended. You can find the corrected version below.
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors. Please meet your JCM Board member of the week, Gabe Crane
Hi, I'm Gabe Crane, one of your JCM board members. I'm relatively new to Maui and JCM. I live in Kula with my wife and son. Before moving here, I lived in Oakland, California, close-by to where I was raised in Berkeley. My family also has roots on Maui.
In my professional life, I am a mediator, facilitator, and coach with a bent toward spiritual development and holistic growth. Through my business Woven Wings, I help organizations and individual clients to find resonance --- within themselves and between one another ---- in order to solve problems and move forward. I hold degrees in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Columbia University) and East-West Psychology (California Institute of Integral Studies). And, I am a Ren Xue teacher and practitioner, drawing on Eastern health and wisdom practices in the services I provide.
I have been involved in Jewish life since my upbringing and bar mitzvah at a large and vibrant reform synagogue in Berkeley, CA. In addition to JCM, I currently sit on the board of Jewish Studio Project, an arts-based creativity and health organization with a growing national reach. I previously participated in the ADAMAH Fellowship at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT, as well as worked contractually for Eden Village Camp, Wilderness Torah, and other eco-Jewish organizations. Thanks to a grant from the San Francisco Jewish Federation, I spent a year living and studying in Israel in 2011-2012. I still maintain contacts and friends there, and feel a particular kinship to Jerusalem and the land there.
As a JCM Board member, I am excited to be a part of renewing vibrant life within our community. I chair our Why Committee, and most recently helped facilitate our Town Hall Meeting. As a newer member, I was struck at this meeting by the depth of history this community holds, as well as the passion its members have for this community and place. The level of participation was through the roof! And the energy was palpable. I am excited to support the evolution and growth of our community in ways that honor all our members, and the needs of all our generations, while bringing us together in ways that genuinely nourish. I welcome you to reach out and share your interests and desires for our community. Thank you.
Join us for a special morning Minyan at JCM tomorrow, Wednesday, June 7, from 7:45am - 8:30am We will serve bagels and cream cheese after
Special Shabbat Morning Service this Saturday, June 10 from 9:30-11:30am We will be welcomming Stephanie Vojdani with a Torah reading after her conversion this week. Please help us make a minyan. Followed by a Kiddush
Please note that Kalo will be out of the office from June 6th to the 20th She will be contactable via email: kalo@mauijews.org
Please note that JCM will be closed with no Shabbat services or office hours from Tuesday, June 13th until June 20th.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, June 4 , from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances. It's a great way to get movin!
Talmud Torah has ended. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Torah Study 7pm Last Torah Study for a while! Live at JCM & on Zoom
Friday, June 9
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, June 10
Special Shabbat Morning Service We will be welcoming Stephanie Vojdani with a Torah reading after finishing her conversion this week 9:30am Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, June 11
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits June 4 - June 10
Aida Ebbers Etta Janis George Isaac Hannah Isaac Henry Kotkins Jean (Singer) Needle Jerry Botknecht Joseph Sussman Katrina Bellak Lillian Judd Mitchell Andrew Climan Morton Solondz Murray I., M.D. Neustadter Murray Lefton Nettie Wasserman Rachel Edelhertz Samuel Kirey Sheldon Joseph Miller Wilson P. Rappoport Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors. Please meet your JCM Board member of the week, Gabe Crane
Gabe Crane has backpacked in India, Nepal, Guatemala, Thailand, and Japan, founded the transformational event collective “Olam Haba” in Israel/Palestine, traversed the Arctic, paddled a canoe down the Mississippi River, and helped develop a shamanic retreat center in Peru.
As a healing professional, he has studied and worked extensively in the Process Work paradigm developed by Arnold and Amy Mindell. He also is a fully qualified Ren Xue teacher, as well as Yuan Qigong master and Yuan Ming Medicine therapist, from Ren Xue International.
Gabe is a co-founder of the Paradox Society and Paradox Salon Series, and, in addition to being a published poet, playwright, and former slam poetry champion, has published numerous articles in both popular and academic journals, including the Huffington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Tikkun Magazine, Immanence, and the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies. He has presented his work at conferences around the world, and helped to guide and train students at the graduate level in embodied, process-based tools for self-inquiry. He is deeply connected and committed to his family, including his parents, younger and older brother, nephew, niece, many aunties, uncles, and cousins, and in loving memory, his four grandparents. He is a homeowner and property manager to a number of apartments in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gabe has a unique ability to share the wisdom and knowledge he has gained in a way that is approachable and easy to understand. He has spent the last several years as a “go to” facilitator for organizational change at SEEDS Community Resolution Center. He is routinely asked back and specially requested by all types of clients. At the same time, he has served as a spiritual coach and shamanic guide to dozens of individuals and couples on their pathways toward true fulfillment and awakening.
Join us for a special morning Minyan at JCM Wednesday, June 7, from 7:45am - 8:30am We will serve bagels and cream cheese after
Please note that Kalo will be out of the office from tomorrow, June 6th to the 20th She will be contactable via email: kalo@mauijews.org
Please note that JCM will be closed with no Shabbat services or office hours from Tuesday, June 13th until June 20th.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, June 4 , from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances. It's a great way to get movin!
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Torah Study 7pm Last Torah Study for a while! Live at JCM & on Zoom
Friday, June 9
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, June 10
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30am Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, June 11
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits June 4 - June 10
Aida Ebbers Etta Janis George Isaac Hannah Isaac Henry Kotkins Jean (Singer) Needle Jerry Botknecht Joseph Sussman Katrina Bellak Lillian Judd Mitchell Andrew Climan Morton Solondz Murray I., M.D. Neustadter Murray Lefton Nettie Wasserman Rachel Edelhertz Samuel Kirey Sheldon Joseph Miller Wilson P. Rappoport Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
We are thankful to all who contributed to the $10,000 for the matching challenge by Bob and Marla Weiner Among the Contributors: Diane & Elliot Feuerstein Fund Mitch & Joan Berman Sherry Halstead Marc Tolliver Meera Kamegai Barbara Singer
Please give today for JCM's tomorrow
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors.
Please meet your JCM Board member of the week, Happy Lefton
I am excited and delighted to have the opportunity to once again be a candidate for the Board of Directors of The Jewish Congregation of Maui. My husband and I were married in the sanctuary at JCM 19 years ago. I feel devoted and emotionally attached to this congregation.
I have previously served on the board and have been energized by the work we have done to create a clear sense of vision and purpose. I have worked to contribute to efforts to increase membership and revenue.
As a retired elementary school principal and former Director of a Federal poverty program, I am experienced with program development. I am skilled at building relationships and creating a sense of belonging. I grew up in an orthodox congregation, and have since been a longtime member of both conservative and reform congregations. I can identify with the needs and interests of each denomination.
As former chairperson of the Education Committee and Director of this year’s Kulanu program at JCM, I am proud of our successful efforts to create both the Talmud Torah program (our previous traditional program) and Kulanu (this year’s innovative program). I bring 50 years of experience in leading and developing educational and early childhood programs to this mission.
I see my continuing board membership as an opportunity to offer my skills, enthusiasm and support to the Jewish community of Maui!
Parshat Naso: The Power of a Blessing
The Eternal spoke to Moses: Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them: "The Eternal bless you and protect you! The Eternal deal kindly and graciously with you! The Eternal bestow divine favor upon you and grant you Shalom!" Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them. (Numbers 6:22-27).
The Torah portion this week includes the Priestly Blessing. The Priests are commanded to bless the people, serving as the conduits for the Eternal's blessings. The third line of the blessing states: "May the Eternal bestow divine favor upon you and grant you Shalom." Shalom, usually translated as peace, has the connotation of wholeness. The blessing is recited in the singular (לך - lekha, not לכם - lakhem), meaning that it is aimed at each particular person, not at the people at large. The blessing is for each individual to feel a sense of completeness within him/herself, to feel secure and unafraid. The blessing is to understand that the value of our lives is dependent on ourselves, not on the opinions of others. When the Eternal shines His countenance upon an individual, that person comes to understand that life is ultimately defined by the relationship of one’s self with the Eternal. The Eternal's light eliminates the shadows and doubts. Read more here.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, May 28, from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, June 3
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30am Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, June 4
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 27 - June 3
Caroline Wurzweiler Dr. Irving L. Fried Dr. Leo Madow Dr. Milton Yolles Edward Brashem George Katz Irving Peltz Jacob Pomerantz Jason Zisken Harmon Karl Volkert Leslie L. Rappoport Lily Meyer Mark Borison Mary Savitt Max Tolin Milton Wurzweiler Rose Lamm Shepard Litt
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Today Rabbi Raanan Mallek represented the Jewish Congregation of Maui at the Veteran's Cemetary in Makawao.
O Sovereign of the Universe, bless the United States of America. Safeguard it and its ideals of freedom and liberty. Bless our Veterans, our Defenders of Liberty, who braved danger. Grant healing and recovery to those who have been wounded. And let us say Amen.
Thank you to those who volunteered and donated towards Shavuot by the Fire at JCM. It was a delicious and wonderful celebration. Big Mahalo to Jeffrey Pinchuk who donated fantastic cheesecakses for the occasion.
We are pleased to announce that we have raised the $10,000 for the matching challenge! Please give today for JCM's tomorrow
Please meet our Board Member of the week....
Aloha JCM Members. I am Barbara Cooper, a lifelong learner and educator. My first introduction to JCM was as single adult in 2005, at a time when I had a different focus on life. More recently in 2014, I moved back to Maui with my family of four. As a mother of two teenage children, recently B’not Mitzvah at JCM, I feel the need for Pluralistic opportunities for our older youth.
Growing up in the Reform Movement and NFTY, I spent evenings at my synagogue and summer at camp building relationships with my Jewish peers and forging my Jewish identity. As a board member, I would like be part of our synagogue’s emphasis on bringing together our next generation and their families. JCM should be more than a house of worship; it should be a house of community. I am ready to be part of the change.
Feel free to say Aloha to Barbara if you ever see her at JCM or throughout town!
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Those who have not yet purchased their auction items, please contact Kalo in the office to arrange a pick up time and to pay
Kalo@mauijews.org Thank you to everyone who purchased an auction item
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, June 4 , from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances. It's a great way to get movin!
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Last Talmud Torah of 2022-2023 5-6pm Join us for a celebration of games and prizes.
Thursday, June 1
Torah Study 7pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Friday, June 2
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, June 3
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30am Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, June 4
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 28 - June 3
Caroline Wurzweiler Dr. Irving L. Fried Dr. Leo Madow Dr. Milton Yolles Edward Brashem George Katz Irving Peltz Jacob Pomerantz Jason Zisken Harmon Karl Volkert Leslie L. Rappoport Lily Meyer Mark Borison Mary Savitt Max Tolin Milton Wurzweiler Rose Lamm Shepard Litt
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shavuot Celebration by the Fire at JCM This evening, May 25 / 6:30 - 8pm
We will begin with a short evening service and then continue with a dairy dinner / desert with cheesecake that will have vegan options. Want to share some Torah or a teaching? Please email: rabbi@mauijews.org
Suggested donation: $20
We are pleased to announce that we have raised the $10,000 for the matching challenge! Please give today for JCM's tomorrow
As part of continuing to build our community, we thought we take the time to introduce our Board of Directors. Please meet your JCM Board member of the week. Dorothy Tolliver, President... I am a mother of two sons(Marc and Craig/Chana) and a grandmother (Adina Rose). I am originally from New York City and have lived in California, Ohio, Colorado, Indiana and Illinois. I am the retired Director of the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Library and of the Kahului Public Library. I am currently a UHMC Emeritus Professor.
I volunteer at the Maui Friends of the Library Bookstore and I lead three book clubs. I am a member of the Inter-Faith Talk Story group and I am currently serving on three Boards - JCM; AAUW; MFOL; as the MFOL liaison to the Edwards Trust/Kihei Public Library.. and I am a Kupuna MAPA Thespian.
I have been a Jewish Congregation of Maui (JCM) member for 35 years. I was a previous JCM Board member when we met at Seabury Hall before we had the current JCM Synagogue Building. I have served as president of Congregation Gan Eden, Maui; Congregation Israel in Danville, Illinois and the Katz Jewish Library. I have been president and I am a board member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Maui Branch; Maui Friends of the Library (MFOL); Maui County Library Association and the University of Hawaii Library Council. I was vice-president/vice-chair of PFLAG and the Hui Malama Learning Center. I was a County Commissioner and served as the vice-chair for the Maui County Commission for Persons with Disabilities; the Maui County Committee on the Status of Women and the Chair of the Maui County Womens' Conference. I was appointed, as the Maui representative, to the Hawaii State Legislative Task Force for Libraries and I was the former College and University Board Representative for the Hawaii Library Association. I am the Parliamentarian for AAUW, Maui Branch. I have received the following awards: "Maui County Outstanding Older Woman" - Office of the Mayor; "People Who Made a Difference" - Maui News; "Hawaii State award for Leadership in Promoting Positive Societal Change" - AAUW; Inclusion in Who's Who of American Women.
In this period of transition, I hope to be able to utilize my experience to bring unity to our Congregation so that we can move forward together in harmony with all of our fellow Jewish congregations on our island of Maui and within the State of Hawaii.
If you ever happen to see Dorothy about town at the local library, book store at the Congregation, please do say Aloha!
Seven, Shavuot and Abundance
And you shall observe the feast of weeks, even of the first-fruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the turn of the year. (Exodus 34:22)
The root of the name Shavu’ot is ש.ב.ע., which is also the root of two other related words, שֹׂובַע (“sova”) which means fullness, and “שבע”, the number seven. Shavu’ot means seven times seven, so the festival starting tonight is a holiday of abundance, seven times over. According to the method of interpretation of Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch, who was among the founders of Orthodoxy in the 19th century, there is a direct connection between the words for abundance, “shefa” (שפע), and the number seven, "sheva" (שבע). Not only do they share two root letters “ש” and “ע”, but the middle letters, “פ” and soft “ב” are also very similar and often interchanged.
We read the story of Ruth on Shavu’ot which opens with a description of scarcity and suffering, and ends with abundance and joy. The first words of the story are ”In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land.” Naomi, her husband, and her two sons leave Beth Lechem, because of that hunger and scarcity. But the cruel fate pursues them in their new home in Mo’av. Naomi’s husband and sons die one after the other, and she is left alone and penniless. At this point, “she heard that the Eternal had taken note of His people and given them food,” and she decides to return home.
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Those who have not yet purchased their auction items, please contact Kalo in the office to arrange a pick up time and to pay
Kalo@mauijews.org Thank you to everyone who purchased an auction item
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, May 28, from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Shavuot Celebration 6:30 - 8pm Join us for services and dinner followed by cheesecake & vegan cheesecake while studying Torah by the fire.
Friday, May 26
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, May 27
Children's Morning Shabbat Service 10:00am For those interested, Yizkor will take place around 11:00am while the children will be engaged in an outdoor activity. There are bagels and lox afterwards! Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, May 28
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
JCM Executive Board Meeting For board members only 6:00pm-7:30pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 21 - May 27
Bernard Parnes Edith Winograd Ethel Heller Frank Kersh Gale Weschler Harlan Saeks Herman Paul Greenman Mary Suzanne Becker Max Brandes Miriam Katz Morris David Frieder Naomi Leiter Nathan (Nissan) Richman Sherwood B. Fein Shirley Norsen
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Shavuot Celebration by the Fire at JCM This Thursday, May 25 / 6:30 - 8pm
We will begin with a short evening service and then continue with a dairy dinner / desert with cheesecake that will have vegan options. Want to share some Torah or a teaching? Please email: rabbi@mauijews.org
Suggested donation: $20
There is a $10,000 matching challenge Please give today for JCM's tomorrow
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Those who have not yet purchased their auction items, please contact Kalo in the office to arrange a pick up time and to pay
Kalo@mauijews.org Thank you to everyone who purchased an auction item
Israeli Folk Dancing Sunday, May 28, from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
All are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Shavuot Celebration by the Fire 6:30 - 8pm Join us for cheesecake & vegan cheesecake while studying Torah by the fire.
Friday, May 26
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Prayers will be led by Rabbi David Glickman Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, May 27
Children's Morning Shabbat Service 10:00am For those interested, Yizkor will take place around 11:00am while the children will be engaged in an outdoor activity. Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, May 28
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
JCM Executive Board Meeting For board members only 6:00pm-7:30pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 21 - May 27
Bernard Parnes Edith Winograd Ethel Heller Frank Kersh Gale Weschler Harlan Saeks Herman Paul Greenman Mary Suzanne Becker Max Brandes Miriam Katz Morris David Frieder Naomi Leiter Nathan (Nissan) Richman Sherwood B. Fein Shirley Norsen
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Israeli Folk Dancing continues this Sunday, May 21 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+ Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
Come celebrate Shavuot at JCM with cheesecake & fireside Torah learning Thursday, May 25 at 6:30pm
We will begin with a short evening service and then continue with a dairy dinner / desert with cheesecake that will have vegan options. Suggested donation: $20
Rabbi Ranaan will be out of office from May 18th - May 23rd. He returns to the office on May 24th.
Rabbi David Glickman will be leading Shabbat Services on May 19 Thank you Rabbi David!
Thank you to everyone who has picked up their auction items. For those who have not yet done so, please contact Kalo in the office to arrange a pick up time and to pay
Kalo@mauijews.org Thank you to everyone who purchased an auction item
שַׁאֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ͏ִם יִשְׁלָיוּ אֹהֲבָיִךְ׃ Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem "May those who love you be at peace" (Psalm 122:6)
This Friday is Jerusalem Day, the 28th of Iyar. This day marks the reunification of East Jerusalem with West Jerusalem under the State of Israel; the first time the whole city came under Jewish rule since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE during the Jewish–Roman wars. This took place following the Six-Day War of 1967, when the Israel Defense Forces were able to unify the city. This was a historic event that returned the ancient holy sites of the Old City to Israeli sovereignty.
Why is Jerusalem so holy to the Jewish people? It has been the ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people since King David proclaimed it his capital in the 10th century BCE. Jerusalem appears in the Hebrew Bible 669 times. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem was the site of Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple. It is considered the holiest site in Judaism and the place Jews turn towards during prayer. Today the only remnant of our holy places is the Western Wall which we were not able to access from 1948-1967 while Israel was occupied by the Jordanians.
For Christians, Jerusalem is central. Jerusalem is revered by Christians for its Hebrew Testament history as well as for its significance in the life of Jesus. According to the Christian Testament, Jesus was brought to Jerusalem soon after his birth and later in his life cleansed the Second Temple. The Cenacle, is held to be the site of Jesus' Last Supper and is located on Mount Zion in the same building that houses the Tomb of King David. It was on the roof of this location that I coordinated the Praying Together in Jerusalem program from 2015-2018.
Jerusalem is also the third-holiest city in Islam. Islamic tradition holds that for approximately a year, before it was permanently switched to the Kaaba in Mecca, the direction of prayer for Muslims (qibla) was Jerusalem. One of the primary reasons for its holiness in Islam is due to Muhammad's Night Journey (c. 620 CE). Muslims believe that Muhammad was miraculously transported one night from the Great Mosque of Mecca to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, whereupon he ascended to Heaven to meet previous prophets of Islam.
What if Jerusalem can be a bridge for all three religions to come together? What if instead of Jerusalem Day separating the adherents of all three religions it became a day that brought us together. May future Jerusalem Days be ones that foster Shalom for all.
There is a $10,000 matching challenge Please give today for JCM's tomorrow
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
Girls, Boys, LBGTQ+ have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Thursday, May 25 6pm-8pm - Shavuot: Fireside Torah Chat with Cheesecake - Vegan options will be available
Saturday, May 27 10am - Shavuot Children's Service with Yizkor - the children will have an activity while the congregation recites Yizkor
THIS SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023 12:00 PM TO 2:00PM at BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS KAHULUI, MAUI Diana Saltoon presents My Sister Meda, A Memoir of Old Singapore
My Sister Meda, A Memoir of Old Singapore by Diana Saltoon describes her family growing up in Singapore within a Sephardic Jewish Community during pre-war and post-WW2.
Diana depicts the history of an enclave of Sephardic Jews that arrived and settled on the island, calling their community the Mahalla. This memoir revolves around the author’s family, love, relationships, and particularly her sister Meda. The author brings to light a Singapore that few in today’s world know and the phenomenal harmony that existed between the country’s diverse, multicultural population under the umbrella of colonial rule. She then shows a darker side of Singapore – the Japanese occupation of the island during WW2, and in particular, her family’s internment at Sime Road Camp. But it is her sister Meda who changes their lives and ultimately provides a way for the family’s exodus from the East to the West.
“…this rich mosaic – combining a historical and cultural portrait with an interesting and curious family saga – is both touching, educational, and entertaining. The way that old Singapore opened its doors to foreigners fleeing persecution is an inspiring story.” -Ilene Moskowitz, Israel
Information on Location of the Event & Author: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Maui 270 Dairy Road Kahului, HI 96732 / (808) 214-6807 or contact Diana Saltoon-Briggs / (808) 463-5886 / dsaltoonbriggs@gmail.com
Any changes and additions will be posted on the website calendar.
Kabbalat Shabbat Led by Rabbi David Glickman 6:30pm Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, May 20
No Morning Shabbat Service
Sunday, May 21
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00-5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 14 - May 20
Annamae Snyder Dorothy Herman Izzy Gordon Jay Martin Cohen Mae Stern Minnie Silverstein Silver Miriam Eisman Morris Horwitz Ruth W. Gordon Sylvia Kogel
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Our Mission: Our school seeks to inspire children to develop a rich Jewish life through a love of pluralistic learning and developing friendships in a diverse community.
Thursday, May 25 6pm-8pm - Shavuot: Fireside Torah Chat with Cheesecake - Vegan options will be available
Saturday, May 27 10am - Shavuot Children's Service with Yizkor - the children will have an activity while the congregation recites Yizkor
RESERVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023, 12:00 PM TO 2:00PM at BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS KAHULUI, MAUI Diana Saltoon presents My Sister Meda, A Memoir of Old Singapore
My Sister Meda, A Memoir of Old Singapore by Diana Saltoon describes her family growing up in Singapore within a Sephardic Jewish Community during pre-war and post-WW2.
Diana depicts the history of an enclave of Sephardic Jews that arrived and settled on the island, calling their community the Mahalla. This memoir revolves around the author’s family, love, relationships, and particularly her sister Meda. The author brings to light a Singapore that few in today’s world know and the phenomenal harmony that existed between the country’s diverse, multicultural population under the umbrella of colonial rule. She then shows a darker side of Singapore – the Japanese occupation of the island during WW2, and in particular, her family’s internment at Sime Road Camp. But it is her sister Meda who changes their lives and ultimately provides a way for the family’s exodus from the East to the West.
“…this rich mosaic – combining a historical and cultural portrait with an interesting and curious family saga – is both touching, educational, and entertaining. The way that old Singapore opened its doors to foreigners fleeing persecution is an inspiring story.” -Ilene Moskowitz, Israel
Information on Location of the Event & Author: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Maui 270 Dairy Road Kahului, HI 96732 / (808) 214-6807 or contact Diana Saltoon-Briggs / (808) 463-5886 / dsaltoonbriggs@gmail.comgoes here!
Any changes and additions will be posted on the website calendar.
Torah Study with Rabbi Raanan is on a break until next week
Friday, May 19
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30pm Prayers will be led by Rabbi David Glickman Live at JCM & on Zoom
Saturday, May 20
Morning Shabbat Service 9:30am Prayers will be led by Rabbi David Glickman Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, May 21
Israeli Folk Dance 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 14 - May 20
Annamae Snyder Dorothy Herman Izzy Gordon Jay Martin Cohen Mae Stern Minnie Silverstein Silver Miriam Eisman Morris Horwitz Ruth W. Gordon Sylvia Kogel
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
Israeli Folk Dancing will be on break for Mother's Day and will resume Sunday, May 21 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm Led by Paula Wolk at JCM Ages 16+
We continue our dances on Sunday, May 7, all are welcome to join us. Come learn some Israeli Folk dances.
Happy Mother's Day
A very happy mother's day this Sunday! Kabbalistically, this week is the week of Yesod or bonding / foundation. Bonding is the foundation of life. Every person needs bonding to flourish and grow. The bonding between mother and child is one of affirmation and gives one the sense of belonging in a universe o' so vast. Blessed be the nurturers - Happy Mother's Day
Come celebrate Shavuot at JCM with cheesecake & fireside Torah learning Thursday, May 25 at 6:30pm
We will begin with a short evening service and then continue with a dairy dinner / desert with cheesecake that will have vegan options. Suggested donation: $20
Thank you to everyone who has picked up their auction items. For those who have not yet done so, please contact Kalo in the office to arrange a pick up time and to pay
Kalo@mauijews.org Thank you to everyone who purchased an auction item
In this week's Torah portion, we read: "and you shall not wrong one another" (Leviticus 25:17).
The Hassidic Rebbe Simcha Bunim Bonhardt of Peshischa (1765 – 1827), offered an insightful interpretation of this verse by changing the first letter of the Hebrew word "amito" from an "ע - ayin" to an "א - aleph". According to his reading, the verse means: "and you shall not do injustice to your own truthfulness." A person needs to participate in honest self-evaluation, and should not compromise their integrity by compromising their truthfulness and trustworthiness.
Our modern society is one that is driven by competition and a desire for power and prestige. People want to advance no matter what the cost and in the process they forget who they are. They inflate themselves into something untruthful; they insist that others accept their false self-evaluation; they do injustice to their own truthfulness and trustworthiness. They fool some of the people some of the time. In the long run, though, they do not fool anyone - least of all themselves.
It is through accepting who we are that we can strive to be better and to grow. The idea of Shmita (the 7th year of rest) is also in this Torah portion and many of our Sages suggest that this was the time that we would focus on our spiritual self and determine what we can do to improve. If we lack honesty and truthfulness, we lack vital ingredients of a good, happy life.
To grow as truthful human beings, we must avoid trying to pass ourselves off for something we are not. Occupation "inflation" does not make us greater, but lesser. Puffed up egos do not make us more important, but less worthy.
"It has been told to you, O human being, what is good, and what the Lord does require of you: only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your G!d" (Micah 6:8).
There is a $10,000 matching challenge Please give today for JCM's tomorrow
If you don't give today, how can we be here tomorrow?
You may not need us every day, or even every week. But when you want us, you need us to be here.
Please give a gift to JCM. We rely solely on donations/memberships to pay our bills, our salaries, and programming. Your gift now will ensure that our dynamic leadership team has the resources we need to be here for you and your Maui Jewish community.
Give with joy, give with pride, give today.
P.S. We're not spending money and using resources to send out letters, this is this our ask and our reminder to you that we do not exist without you.
Talmud Torah 5783 (2022-2023) will be ending on Wednesday, May 31. Thank you to all the teachers, parents and children who have participated this year. Stay tuned for details about Talmud Torah 5784 (2023-2024)
Are you still not a member?! Now's the time!!!
Please take a moment to reflect on the value of having a pluralistic, inclusive, community-centered synagogue on our little, remote island.
What does that even mean?
Support of the Jewish life of your choosing- without judgment
We don’t talk about levels of observance
No one is “more Jewish” than anyone else
Girls, Boys, LBGTQ+ have equal access to the Torah and lifecycle events
Welcoming to all with a flexible dues plan
Preserving meaningful traditions and open to creating new ones
A voice in the direction your community is heading
Thursday, May 25 6-8pm - Shavuot: Fireside Torah Chat with Cheesecake - Vegan options will be available
Saturday, May 27 9:30am - Shavuot & Shabbat morning services with Yizkor
RESERVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023, 12:00 PM TO 2:00PM at BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS KAHULUI, MAUI Diana Saltoon presents My Sister Meda, A Memoir of Old Singapore
My Sister Meda, A Memoir of Old Singapore by Diana Saltoon describes her family growing up in Singapore within a Sephardic Jewish Community during pre-war and post-WW2.
Diana depicts the history of an enclave of Sephardic Jews that arrived and settled on the island, calling their community the Mahalla. This memoir revolves around the author’s family, love, relationships, and particularly her sister Meda. The author brings to light a Singapore that few in today’s world know and the phenomenal harmony that existed between the country’s diverse, multicultural population under the umbrella of colonial rule. She then shows a darker side of Singapore – the Japanese occupation of the island during WW2, and in particular, her family’s internment at Sime Road Camp. But it is her sister Meda who changes their lives and ultimately provides a way for the family’s exodus from the East to the West.
“…this rich mosaic – combining a historical and cultural portrait with an interesting and curious family saga – is both touching, educational, and entertaining. The way that old Singapore opened its doors to foreigners fleeing persecution is an inspiring story.” -Ilene Moskowitz, Israel
Information on Location of the Event & Author: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Maui 270 Dairy Road Kahului, HI 96732 / (808) 214-6807 or contact Diana Saltoon-Briggs / (808) 463-5886 / dsaltoonbriggs@gmail.com
Any changes and additions will be posted on the website calendar.
Morning Shabbat Service 9:30am Live at JCM & on Zoom
Sunday, May 14
No Israeli Folk Dance Happy Mother's Day
A Prayer for Israel
Refuah Schleima- Prayer For Healing
Click Hereif you or a loved one would like to be added for a prayer for healing each week. No names will be read aloud without permission... names can be said privately by the rabbi.
JCM is here to support you and your loved ones, please let us know how we can help.
Yahrzeits May 7 - May 13
Aaron Tick Bess Browde Brandon Gribin Bruce Gerald Levin Carl Weiss Cyril Treister David A. Green David Rosenberg Edward Allen Mervis Emanuel O'Shea Silver, M.D. Honey Anne Shapiro Shaines Jacob Tenny Lorraine Petrucci Mariln Kaufman Maury Farber Max Kroog Millicent Tatiner Richard Sato Richard Sexton Samuel Menevitch Taube Bauman Lipszyc
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
The Jewish Congregation of Maui Beit Shalom Synagogue Kihei, HI 96753
The mission of the Jewish Congregation of Maui is to support and inspire Jewish religious and cultural practices for Maui residents and visitors, provide and encourage Jewish education and life cycle services, and engage the Jewish community with religious services, classes, and events.
