All events are located at the synagogue, 3035 South Russell Street,
unless otherwise indicated.
Please bring non-perishable foods to the synagogue for the Missoula Food Bank
Har Shalom Weekly News: February 16, 2012
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Torah Byte – from Mishpatim: Jewish Tradition and Slavery by Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
TThe laws limiting the rights of a slave owner and expanding the rights of the slave (including the right to emancipation after seven years labor for Hebrew slaves, and automatic releasefor all slaves during a Jubilee year) are described in the parshat Mishpatim.,.. Judaism's ethical impulses are deep and embedded or at least arguably beyond halacha itself. The modern civil-rights movement with its strong Jewish involvement testifies to this ultimate Jewish concern.
In that context, one appreciates the story told on NPR several years ago, which reminds us that the Hebrew Bible can be read in many different ways. The documentary depicted the institution of the plantation church belonging to the land owners. The ministers of these churches were quite expert at locating parshiyot such as Mishpatim and others found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy relating to the Divine sanction for the "peculiar institution" of slavery. Dignified services were held on Sunday mornings in plantation churches. Slaves dutifully attended. But their hearts and souls emerged in the afternoon when they went to a second church, the so-called field churches. There they would, as it were, roll back the Torah scroll and reread the stirring story of the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery through the leadership of Moses and the intervention of God. At such churches, Negro spirituals about freedom were inspired and written.
In contemporary Christian thought, the Hebrew scriptures, in general, and in particular, these sections of the book of Exodus, serve as the cornerstone of liberation theology. Particularly prevalent throughout Latin America and the third world, Catholic priests continue to preach "truth to power" in a struggle for social justice rooted in the Hebrew Bible.
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Calendar
February 17, Friday 6 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Services, musically enhanced during and following the service
February 18, Saturday 10 am – noon
Torah Study, Mishpatim / משפטים Exodus 21:1 - 24:18
March 10, Saturday 6 – 10 pm
Purim Masquerade Party – music, dance and entertainment.
The Elks Club, 112 Pattee, Missoula. Open to the public.
February 19, Sunday 10 am – noon
Atidaynu
February 22, Wednesday 7 pm
Adult Hebrew with Laurie Franklin
February 24, Friday 6 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Services with Laurie Franklin
February 25, Saturday 10 am – noon
Torah Study, Parashat Terumah /תרומה Exodus 25:1 - 27:19
March 10, Saturday 6 – 10 pm
Purim Masquerade Party – music, dance and entertainment.
The Elks Club, 112 Pattee, Missoula
Open to public. Tell all your friends about this event. If you can help in any way – entertainment, food, set-up, clean-up – let us know. Contact Sue Fortner at Har Shalom.
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Purim – Shalakh Mones and Party-Dance
March 4 – 10th
Shalakh Manot bags. Hamantashen, candies and party favors will be distributed to identified Missoula community members and Har Shalom congregants. In order to cover the modest cost we need to raise a little money for this Har Shalom effort. Help sponsor some bags. A committee has been formed and we welcome more participation. The U of M Hillel students will be helping with this effort. Bag creation, finalization, and distribution will be on March 4th at Har Shalom. Call Sue at the office, 406.549.9595
March 10: Purim Party, 6 – 10 pm, The Elks Club, 112 Pattee, Missoula.
This is a public event and a modest fee will be charged to cover venue costs. Music, dancing, and other entertainment. If you or someone you know would like to provide entertainment—comedy, skit, puppet show, etc.—we are looking for ideas and performers. Help make this a memorable community event. We need help with setup and cleanup, etc., too. Contact Sue Fortner at Har Shalom.
Family Promise: Har Shalom joins other faith communities in supporting homeless families
Family Promise of Missoula continues to look forward to a mid-March start date in Missoula. That means our first support-hosting week should take place sometime in March, April, or May. In order to pair us up with a host congregation, it would be helpful to get a firmer idea of volunteer interest within Har Shalom. I know that for many people the date will make a big difference as to whether or not you are available to help. If you are interested in being part of the Family Promise Volunteer Crew (assuming the date works for your schedule), would you please respond to robina@imt.net (Robin Abeshaus) and let me know your specific areas of interest: (1) preparing food (dinner), (2) supplying food families can pack for lunches, (3) supplying breakfast food, (4) serving food and/or being an evening host, (5) helping kids with homework or games, (6) supplying sheets and towels during host week, or (7) other specific ideas. Are there any specific weeks you know you can NOT be available to help? Thank you, and please do not hesitate to contact Robin Abeshaus with questions: robina@imt.net or 542-7535.
Opportunities to help around the shul
Weekly and holiday events need small infusions of volunteer help to make Har Shalom a communal effort. Each week we have Shabbat services, either Friday evening or Saturday morning, and if you could bring a challah and a little nosheray (nibbles) that would be a nice mitzvah. Please contact Sue at the office, 406.549.9595, to help out.
Har Shalom Board of Directors
We have room for board members and would welcome any interest you might have in being a part of creating Har Shalom’s tomorrow. Call Bert Chessin at 406.531.5193.
Har Shalom Administrator: Sue Fortner
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 1 – 4 pm
The Har Shalom board welcomes Sue Fortner to the Har Shalom family. We have established hours for Sue to be available to the congregation and the wider community. Sue will be responsible for the bookkeeping and the office operations, but also will be supporting the board and committees in work that is ongoing and new efforts that are starting up. Please stop by, introduce yourself and share your thoughts and ideas with her.
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