Maui Jews News

A message from JCM Board Member

Mitch Berman 

Shaloha and greetings,

What a year this has been! A year of so much - much loss, grief, resilience. We’ve had the ongoing war in the Ukraine, the Maui Wildfires and most recently the Israeli-Palestinian War. None of us know where things are going as we hope for shalom in the world and dignity and respect for all of us.

The Board at JCM had some turmoil in the last year which I saw from a distance, as only later, I was appointed to the Board to provide support and to try to help stabilize our rocking boat. Dorothy Tolliver, who took over as Board President has done an excellent job in stabilizing the Board, with
 good limit setting and much graciousness--improving board relationships and keeping us going. In my view, the Board has settled down and now has a core of caring people. Of course, being Jews there are many opinions and the job goes on.

Over the years, the Jewish Congregation of Maui (JCM) has been blessed with many dedicated people, including founders Joel Richmond (who raised the seed money for our building and has read Parsha Jonah annually), Rabbi David Glickman (our Rabbi and really CEO for many years) and other core people especially Simon Vjodani, whose love over the years for Judaism and generosity in sustaining JCM is profound, Larry Fineberg, former Board President and creator of the annual Foodland Fund Raiser and so many others who have participated, managed, taught our children and have blessed our community with much aloha and sweat.

Two years ago, the Weinberg Foundation, which has provided so much support for mental and physical health programs on Maui and other islands, began a program to strengthen the functioning of our Jewish non-profit organizations. Through a program called Nitzavim, a few of us trained with and joined synagogue members from the other islands to improve and build connections and strengthen our non-profit functioning. The process has continued this year with further training by Rabbi David Freidenreich and others with the Center for Small Town Jewish Life formed at Colby College in Maine. We are getting training to improve financial understanding through the Three Pillars program. The Three Pillars represent Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Hasadim or as some translate: purpose, practice, and concern for people.

JCM is currently involved in some important projects including a grant from Homeland Security to strengthen our structure with new bullet-proof windows and doors and new fencing. We are also working to secure the remnant road behind the synagogue for our parking lot.

Currently, we have a $10,000 matching grant by wonderful supporters that ends December 18, 2023. I hope that you will join me in donating a year-end non-profit contribution to help us secure this grant. If the continuity of Judaism is vital to you, please help us support JCM by giving a donation of, $18, $36, $54, …, $180, $360…, $1,800, etc.

During Covid when I was depressed, I found that doing a mitzvah brought me out of it and it would be a mitzvah to donate to the Synagogue.

To quote brother Leonard Cohen, “…I’m the little Jew who wrote the bible, I’ve seen nations, large and small, I’ve heard their stories, heard them all and love is the only vehicle of survival.”

Mahalo, toda raba, thank you,
Mitch Berman, JCM Board

Happy Chanukah!!! 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to confirm their attendance for tomorrow's party. We are excited to celebrate Chanukah with you
​​​​​​​ Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Havdalah starts at 5:45pm. Party at 6pm (approx)

Mahalo! 

ATTN: IMPORTANT ELECTION NOMINEE BALLOT INFORMATION 

Due to tech issues with the election ballot site, the ballot with the nominees will be available hopefully on Sunday, December 9th. 
Please contact Kalo at jcmmauijews@gmail.com
We apologize for any inconvenience

Israeli Folk Dancing has been cancelled until further notice. Stay tuned for updates.
Until then we wish Paula Wolk a speedy recover from our ankle injury.

Talmud Torah (our religious school) has started! 

Children learn Hebrew, study Jewish history and holidays, learn songs and prayers, sing, dance, do creative crafts, and have a grand time with their Jewish friends. Some highlights of previous years are clay menorah making, planting a garden, presenting several wonderful Purim plays, and Israeli dancing. 

Talmud Torah will meet on Sunday mornings from 10:30-12pm.  
Children ages 5-12 may enroll.
Contact Kalo or Happy Lefton to register!! 

Any changes and additions will be posted on the website calendar.

The link for all JCM ZOOM events and services:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5284619173?pwd=T0p6c3p0WVdySmt0czJOZGhzRnhEUT09
Meeting ID: 528 461 9173
Passcode: 1818

Friday,
December 8
6:00pm

Shabbat Service will be lead 
by Dave Belzer

Saturday,
Dec 9
5:45pm

Chanukah Party!
5:45pm Havadalah. Party to follow 

Yahrzeits
Dec 3 - Dec 9

Bruce Pachino
Gene Hertzka
Golda Jackson
Janice Lasko
Jeffrey Sway
Joseph Pitkoff
Murray Tepper
Myron Miller

Join us for services on Friday 
to recite Mourner's Kaddish

The Jewish Congregation of Maui
Beit Shalom Synagogue
Kihei, HI 96753