I want to inform you all that Thursday, Dec. 8 was my last day as Executive Director. It has been my pleasure to serve the JCM membership and my Jewish community; we have made amazing progress in the past few years, and we should all be proud of what we have accomplished together. I will remain available to help you make a minyan, play mahjong, have a chat over coffee, and participate in Jewish life on Maui. I look forward to our continued connections and paths together. With much aloha and gratitude for your friendship, Ellyn Mortimer
Vayishlach: Turning the Struggle into a Blessing
Why do the Jewish people seemingly struggle endlessly? To answer this question, we need to turn to what we call ourselves in prayer and what we call our modern nation-state: Israel. The meaning of the word Israel comes from this week's Torah portion (Genesis 32:29) when a mysterious figure is wrestling and then renaming Jacob:
“And [the mysterious figure said] you will no longer say that your name is Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with people and you have prevailed.”
Were the story of the Jewish people summarized into one verse, this very well could be it. The blessing received by being renamed Israel, or the God Wrestler, is that although Jacob’s descendants would struggle, they would prevail in the end. Although struggle and antagonism are seemingly inevitable, the blessing of the Israelites emerges through creative and inventive approaches in responding to their challenges, followed by acting in such a way as to preserve their culture and religion. Throughout the ages mighty empires have tried to destroy Judaism as a religion and the Jews as a people. Against the Roman Empire, the Jews were able to transform their religion from one of sacrifice, that was tied to a specific location (the Temple Mount), to a religion centered on prayer and a synagogue which could be constructed anywhere Jews happened to live.
You will need to RSVP...how else will know how many people to shop for?! Come to as many parties as you want. We look forward to celebrating together!
Sunday December 18:
JCM Annual Community Chanukah Party 4:30pm - 7:30pm This annual tradition will include latkes, games, live music and dancing...and ends with a beautiful candle lighting and songfest! SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE
Monday December 19
Family Fun Night in Kihei 4:30pm - 6:30pm Families are invited to a night of crafts, latkes, and family fun! You will get the address after you RSVP
Tuesday December 20
Cookie Decorating in Kihei 5:00pm - 7:00pm Cookies and hot chocolate. Perfect for the Talmud Torah age kids and thier families, but everyone is invited.
Wednesday December 21
Chanukah at the Cat Cafe 6:00pm - 8:00pm Ages 12+ Dreidel Tournament. Photo ops with Judah the Maccakitty. Electric candle lighting
After you register, you will be sent a link to fill out a waiver.
Thursday December 22
Latke, (BYO) Vodka, and Empanada; A JCM fundraiser 6:00pm - 8:00pm A fun nght out for adults only (21+) $75 per person It's not so much what you get for your money, but how your money will support paying the bills at JCM. It's Chanukah...help us keep the lights on!
Kabbalat Shabbat and Chanukah; for the community 5:15pm -7:30pm Led by Laura Ahava, Bonnie Newman, & Steve Schecter A peaceful, beautiful environment set up at JCM. Followed by games, hang out, gift share, social sabbath, and our plan for seed planting which happens to be on a new moon.
Saturday December 24
Lahaina Happy Hour; for adults 7:00pm - 9:00pm Wine on the Westside with the Weiners They look forward to meeting new friends and connecting with old ones and celebrate Chanukah together.
Sunday December 25
Festivus at JCM 5:00pm Adults over 18 JCM's celebration of this day will include Chinese food and a movie, of course! Decor will include a plain pole with no decoration :) Click Here for more information on the history of Festivus.
Talmud Torah - open enrollment Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm We have a dozen students from ages 6-13 in three different classes. It's not too late to join the learning and the fun!
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.
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 December 5 - December 12
Jonathan David Golda Mopper Anna Henagow Bartlett Gene Hertzka Golda Jackson Nan Merson Carolyn Weisfeld Bruce Pachino Dr. Ralph Wasserman Murray Tepper Max DuBoff Avraham "Al" Kristel Richard Sandler Kenny Hultquist Malka Pearl David
Join us for services on Friday and Saturday to recite Mourner's Kaddish
You can make an impact while you shop everyday.
Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/99-0294390 and AmazonSmile will donate to the Jewish Congregation of Maui Inc, at no cost to you.
Same amazon, same prices, same everything... and JCM will get a donation from Amazon. Thank you for your support!!!
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.
