Happy May and the month of Iyar as we experience a rather wet Spring and soon a warming of the earth/spirit.
I am writing to bring you up to date on the changes and challenges of the Jewish Congregation of Maui. While there has been a lot of huha in the community in recent months, which has been disturbing and really very sad. I think of something I read that healing comes in the future and not always going back to figure out what happened. In that spirit and the desire to strengthen the Jewish community, I want to point out some of the progress we’ve made as we continue to emerge from the deep hibernation of Covid (cases seem to be less severe, though in Hawai’i they are running about 700/week so care is still necessary).
A few months ago a number of us from Maui took part in an activity of the Weinberg Foundation program called Nitzavim (from the parsha in Deuteronomy) meaning to Stand Together. We have been visiting each other’s communities on different islands to see if there are ways for us to coordinate and work together. One impetus for the Nitzavim grant came from a cry for help after the eruption on the Big Island when many religious organizations showed up to help the communities but there was no representation from the Jewish Community. Since Nitzavim has been happening (and I thank Ellyn Mortimer for asking me to take part along with her to be a JCM representative). I’ve been fascinated to see some of the good work of Jews on other islands in areas of education, farming, mental health, setting up cemeteries (on 2 islands) and of course much religious/spiritual teaching and support of community members.
Two areas stood out for me on the Oahu trip, the beautiful Aloha Jewish Chapel--the only Jewish Chapel in the United States to be built on a military base which provides Friday night services for Jewish military personnel. Also, Temple Emanuel, the major temple on Oahu, which houses the first Torah brought to the islands, brought by a San Francisco businessman in 1886, who would study with King David Kalakaua in addition to sharing their respective chanting.
Here on Maui, we have grown in the number of organizations and on Passover there were 4 different community seders. Two months ago when the Nitzavim group met here, we visited the Chabad House in Wailea, the Jewish Congregation of Maui and the Maui Kosher Farm. In addition, I’m told that there is a new group, the Maui Jewish ‘Ohana. Each group has a different perspective on Judaism and in this age of diversity, all have their adherents, purpose and values. One couple from the East Coast attending Saturday services at the Jewish Congregation had gotten kosher meals at the Maui Kosher Farm so we have a beginning model of cooperation. Temple Emanuel presented a good model for this cooperation, along with the 2 groups that had split off--each seemed to have a clear focus and a respect for each other.
At the Jewish Congregation of Maui, we are growing. The Board has firmed up. In my view, Board President, Dorothy Tolliver is running excellent meetings and the Board is strengthening its focus and purpose and continuing with the projects begun previously. Going ahead is the grant from Homeland Security to be used to shore up our security, windows, doors, perimeter, etc. and from the Nitzavim program which received $60,000 over 2 years we have been able to build the back patio (thanks to Ellyn Mortimer). Should we have need in the future, we now have an open-air space to conduct services and have had recent barbecues and social events.
Rabbi Raanan, who attended Temple Emanuel on Oahu as a child, has been with us for over a year and is adapting to our strange and mysterious community after living in Israel for 20 years. I must reflect that he is the first person hired at JCM who did not already live here and I sure appreciate the challenge of adjusting to Maui and island living. Meanwhile, Rabbi Raanan has developed a number of programs, the children’s school is going well with children’s programs and training. Rebecca Narrowe directed a wonderful play for Purim and excels in teaching acting skills in a sweet, supportive way. Josh and Jessica continue to teach Hebrew and run classes. Also, with inspiration from Nitzavim, we built a garden which the children planted on Tu Bishvat, the “New Year for the Trees” along with some new fruit trees. We just harvested our first crop of vegetables which will be cooked up at our Town Hall meeting.
In addition to services, there is a wonderful Thursday evening group, where Rabbi Raanan brings a wealth of knowledge, adding a valuable part to the Jewish learning in our community. The class has grown and is most inspiring. Please join in person or online at 7:00 pm on Thursdays.
We continue to be challenged by funding, as one funder said that during Covid we lost connection with our base. With that in mind we continue working to clarify our vision and provide the kind of organization the community needs to satisfy spiritual, education and emotional needs. Thank you to Simon Vjodani, Stephanie Vjodani and Rabbi Raanan for putting on the wonderful Gala at Kula Lodge. We all had good food and a stellar time and were able to raise a good amount of money. We welcome others wisdom, work and wealth to strengthen and keep JCM going.
Please bring your thoughts and Ahava to the town meeting on Sunday at 11:00 AM to build a Jewish Community that reflects values of care, love, support and learning.
Thank you, Mahalo, Toda Raba,
Mitch
