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A YEAR OF FIRSTS

Pardes Hannah is blessed to start this New Year with six firsts:

• A Torah from Wengerov, Poland that survived the Holocaust!
• The first time this Torah has been read since the Shoah!
• Dedication of the Torah on Simchat Torah
• First & Second Day Rosh Hashanah Services
• Machzorim for the High Holidays
• Our PH Community Newsletter

"NEW" TORAH FOR PARDES HANNAH

Pardes Hannah is truly blessed to welcome into our hearts and lives a newly refurbished Torah from Wengerov (Wegrow) Poland. Our community had been interested in acquiring a "used" Torah, and harbored a special wish to find one that had been rescued from the Holocaust. It seems "bashert" that our search brought us to this particular Sefer Torah. Carried back from Jerusalem by our Reb Elliot Ginsburg this past July, it will be read for the first time since the Shoah on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

The scroll was hidden in a cowbarn during the Holocaust by a fleeing resident of Wengerov, Poland (a small town not far from Warsaw) who miraculously survived and returned for the scroll after the war. The scroll had survived intact, although some columns had been damaged by the harsh conditions. Soon thereafter, the Torah was brought to a synagogue in Israel, but it was never repaired, so it was not able to be read by a congregation. Reb Elliot found the Torah in the care of Machot Ot, Israel's preeminent institute dedicated to repairing and maintaining Torah scrolls. Machon Ot's respected rabbis replaced eight columns in Bereshit, checked the entire Torah using new computer technology, and showed Elliot how to sew the klaf, the scroll, to the atzei chayyim, the wooden rollers, so that he could hand-carry the parchment on the plane and re-assemble the Torah in Ann Arbor.

PH is grateful for the outpouring of generosity from those members of our Ann Arbor community (and beyond) who helped us gather the resources for this most sacred symbol (and text) of our tradition. What a zechut, a remarkable privilege and honor it is for us at PH to continue the lineage of this Torah in another continent and century and to renew the age-old Jewish intention of learning from its "deep story" and teachings. We will have a special service on Simchat Torah, October 4, to formally dedicate our Torah, rejoice with it, and thank the community for their support. Please join us as we usher the Torah through the fall sacred calendar beginning with Rosh ha-Shanah, extending through Yom Kippur and Sukkot, and culminating in the sacred dance of Simchat Torah.

CONCERT FOR THE TORAH

On a balmy evening in late April, Kerrytown Concert House was filled with an enthusiastic audience to hear music and celebrate the upcoming purchase of the sefer torah. The Pardes Hannah community and friends from all segments of Ann Arbor life were treated to both a jazz and classical performance of musical favorites.

Noah Ginsburg, Caleb Curtis and David Froseth opened the program with several jazz pieces. Their energy brought joy to everyone's hearts. They were followed by Ian Cumming and Renee Robbins playing a program of violin and piano that included sonatas by Mozart and Beethoven and music by William Grant Still, William Bolcom and Paul Ben Haim. The audience was able to enjoy each other's company at a reception following the concert and everyone left on a high musical note.

MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

Rosh Hodesh Elul 5767/August 2007

What's in a name? Take the name "Rosh Ha-Shanah" for example, word by word: "Rosh," meaning head or beginning; or more evocatively, an awakened consciousness. And "shanah," from a Hebrew root that tantalizingly means secondness or repetition (sheni), and learning (mishnah), and change or transformation (shinui). In other words, as we spiral back to new beginnings (rosh), we have a chance to shaneh, to more expansively reflect and introspect, to recalibrate, fix and transform inner and outer realms call As one Hasidic master put it, 'tis the season to shake off the dust from our hearts, to call down a new name of God and to embrace anew the gift of life. The Days of Awe form a sanctuary in time: a safe and holy space to slowly reflect on the shape of our lives over the past year, noting what is a-borning in us, and what a-dying, and to come closer to living from our deepest, largest selves. And here's the special gift: to do all this with friends and with music! To individually and collectively gather sparks, to lift up those prayers that didn't rise.

Mammish, I am really so happy to be entering this season with you (old friends and new faces alike). There is much to anticipate and be grateful for: air earth water, our planetary home and the wonders of modern plumbing, the presence of loved ones and community, and the knowledge we are needed; AND the depth of our liturgy and Torah; AND our new-old Sefer Torah, which we will read for the first time on the first day of Rosh ha-Shanah; and our first meditative High HolyDay service (to take place on day two of Rosh ha-Shanah), and our third annual Yom Kippur davvenen, an in-town daylong spiritual retreat. And I haven't even mentioned our Simchat Torah dance with the Torah, and several individual celebrations on the horizon. (So yes, I am juiced.) And I'd like to invite you: to dip in and join our warm, improvisatory community of seekers, as we support each other to "do the (spiritual) work."

Blessings upon all of our heads, hearts, and bodies! May this be a year of health and sustainability, of sweetness and real connection. May this be a year for learning a new skill, for finding an old friend, and helping others transition...a year for discovering our true face in Torah, for seeing and for being seen, for peace within and between, for co-creating Sukkat Shalom, that fragile booth of peace.

May we find new ways to stretch to hold some of the brokenness of our world so that we might respond to it with more compassion and love, lifting up the shattered light. May we envision, plan, implement, and laugh in the face of absurdity (I promise: there will be even more than you can envision). May we learn to find spiritual adventures in the commonplace (as Heschel taught), and to serve with Joy. May we feel energized (resilient not defeated) by the improbable dream of social justice for it is justice, tsedakah, the prophets say, that is to roll like a mighty stream. May its waters cover the low places, the thirsty places. This year may the healing be at least equal to the devastation and neglect. To you, to your loved ones, and to all those we cannot easily love: Shanah tovah umetukah, a good and sweet 5768!! Rabbi Elliot Ginsburg

SELICHOT, ROSH HASHANAH and YOM KIPPUR SERVICES

Pardes Hannah will be offering Selichot services on Saturday evening September 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 pm led by Reb. Elliot Ginsburg at his home on 2924 Baylis Drive. Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and 2, September 13 and 14, services will take place at the Jewish Community Center at 2935 Birch Hollow Road. On Thursday, the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Reb Elliot will be leading a Jewish Renewal service using our new High Holiday prayer books from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. On Friday, Day 2, Reb Elliot will lead a

Meditative Service with the support from other service leaders in the community from 10 am to 1 pm. A vegetarian potluck lunch at the JCC follows. Taschlich is scheduled at 2:45 pm at Brown Park, off Packard near the library. There will be childcare available on both days for toddlers and older children and a Children's Program each day from 11:00 to 11:30 am.

Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service and Yom Kippur Day Service will be held at the Friends Meeting House at 1420 Hill Street led by Reb Elliot Ginsburg. The gathering and preparation for Kol Nidre on Friday evening September 21 will start at 6:45 pm with Kol Nidre beginning at 7:00 pm. Yom Kippur Day services will begin at 9:30 am. A restorative yoga offering will be available to congregants at services at 2:45 pm following by meditation and chanting at 4:00 pm. Yizkor will be at 5:45 pm and Neilah at 7 pm. There will be childcare and a Children's Program to be announced.

HIGH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Saturday Sept. 8: Shabbat Morning Services. 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. 2010 Washtenaw

Saturday Sept. 8: Selichot Service and Reflection. 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. 2924 Baylis, 973-1112

Thursday Sept. 13: Rosh Hashanah Day One. 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Children's Program: 11 to 11:30 AM. Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive

Friday Sept. 14: Rosh Hashanah Day Two - Meditative Service. 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Children's Program: 11:00 to 11:30 AM. Vegetarian Potluck to follow. Jewish Community Center. 2935 Birch Hollow Drive.

Taschlich 2:45 pm at Brown Park (off Packard near the library)

Friday Sept. 21: Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service. Friend's Meeting House 1420 Hill St. 6:45 PM Gathering & Preparation. 7:00 PM Kol Nidre

Saturday Sept. 22: Yom Kippur. Friend's Meeting House 1420 Hill St. Children's Program: TBA. 9:30 AM Shacharit . 2:45 PM Restorative Yoga. 4 PM Meditation & Chanting. 4:30 PM Minchah. 5:45 PM Yizkor . 7:00 PM Neilah. 8:14 PM Shofar Blowing .

SUCCOT, SIMCHAT TORAH and OCTOBER SCHEDULE

Friday Sept. 28: Kabbalat Shabbat Succot Service. 7:30 PM. Place: TBA

Thursday Oct. 4: Simchat Torah Service. Dedication of PH Torah. 7:30 PM . Service Leader: Reb. Elliot Ginsburg. Friend's Meeting House 1420 Hill

Saturday Oct. 13: Shabbat Morning Services. 10 AM to 12:30 PM. 2010 Washtenaw .

Saturday Oct. 27 Shabbat Morning Services. 10 AM to 12:30 PM Service Leader: Reb. Elliot Ginsburg. 2010 Washtenaw

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pardes Hannah would like to announce your simchas, news, passages, yarzeits or whatever you would like to share with our community. Besides spreading the offerings and news about Pardes Hannah, we hope our newsletter would have material that would spiritually enrich our community. Please send your announcements to Miriam Brysk: mmbrysk@comcast.net.

Isaac Ahuvia will become a bar mitzvah on Shabbat, Nov. 3, 2007. The service, led by Rabbi Nathan Martin (with some music led by Aura), will take place at the JCC at 10:00 AM Consider this an open invitation to members of Pardes Hannah to attend both the service, and to celebrate with Aaron, Aura, and brother Jonah at a luncheon afterwards. Please RSVP to Aura Ahuvia for the luncheon, 975-9045.

NAME THE NEWSLETTER!

We need a name for our newsletter. Any suggestions? Send your suggestions to Ekass18@aol.com or lucindakurtz@comcast.net. Please send it by the end of September.

JOIN AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Pardes Hannah needs your support in two ways to flourish as a community. First, we need you to join us in our chanting, meditation, and prayer. Secondly, we need your financial support by becoming a member. Your support will enable us to grow and deepen as a spiritually viable community. The dues for this year, 5768, are $375 per household. Our intention is to be inclusive. We do not want anyone to feel that they cannot participate due to financial considerations. Pardes Hannah is part of the larger ALEPH Jewish Renewal international network. We are very proud to be part of such a dynamic national presence that supports the deepening of our spiritual community and connects us to a vibrant social network. From our dues, we contribute $36 for each full membership to ALEPH. Please join us and contribute what you can. Other contributions are, of course, welcome. We appreciate your contribution to building a strong Jewish Renewal community in Ann Arbor.

Please print this page, fill it out and mail to Pardes Hannah. 350 Rock Creek Drive, Ann Arbor 48104. For information about dues and contributions please contact Lucinda Kurtz at 635-9441 or lucindakurtz@comcast.net

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© 2007 Pardes Hannah