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Hadassah is a volunteer organization that inspires passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and the people of Israel.  All are welcome to join!

In communities around the United States, Hadassah offers educational opportunities, Young Judea summer camps and programs, and health initiatives that empower women. Hadassah members advocate for stem cell research, and for separation of church and state. The organization also engages 30,000+

Hadassah Asssociates, (male affiliates), and provides unique professional networking opportunities.

For more than 10 years, Athens Hadassah has offered stimulating programming and entertaining events.
We continue to fundraise for various charities, including world-class medical care and research at the Hadassah Medical Organizatio and a Jewish National Fund partnership protecting Israel’s natural resources. 

Other ongoing projects are Youth Aliyah villages which provide housing, education and training to thousands of disadvantaged and at-risk children, and Hadassah Academic College.  Locally, hospital comfort dolls are made “from scratch” and donated to the children’s outpatient surgery center at Athens Regional Medical Center.

If you are interested in finding out more about Hadassah, please contact Carol Kurtz at cpkurtz@charter.net

There is no better way to start the new week with the close of Shabbat on Saturday evenings. Rabbi Linder will lead us in a warm, spiritual and truly uplifting Havdalah service. In addition to a lovely spread of desserts and snacks, some unique enrichment programs (listed below) are planned.  These programs are free and all Congregants and their guests are warmly welcome!

SAVE THE DATES

Programs run from 7:00PM – 8:30 PM^a

9/5/15 Hilton Bik, “What the 10  Commandments Meant!”^a (This program in conjunction with Slichot service.  The Slichot Service is at 6:00 PM; the Havdala service and Program is at 7:00 PM.) 

In an effort to discern the meanings of the Ten Commandments, Hilton Bik takes a close look into their wording and historical context. His analysis may surprise you.  

Hilton Bik’s life experiences began in the British colony of Rhodesia, in a traditional Jewish home, and proceeded to his student years at the University of Cape Town, then to Israel, where he studied at a yeshiva, lived in a kibbutz, and herded cattle on the Golan Heights. He came to America in the late 1970s and established a sheep farm in rural Georgia. Since retiring from farming, he has devoted his time to studying, writing, and the founding of an economic empowerment project in Zimbawe.

10/17/15  Paul Kurtz, “Same-Sex Marriage: The Road to Equality”

 

Paul Kurtz will trace the history of litigation and legislation affecting same-sex marriage, from the mid-1970s to the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. He will provide an analysis of the opinions in that divided Court case and of related issues going forward.

 

Dot Sparer lived in Germany with her family on the eve of Kristallnacht. She provides a first-hand look at the event–what led up to it and what followed it. Her narrative reflects the experiences of her family: a Jewish doctor, his wife, and Dot, their six-year-old daughter. 

In 1940, at the age of eight, Dot Sparer crossed the Atlantic with her family She grew up in Manhattan and in the 1960s moved to Athens with her husband and their twins. With a master’s degree in magazine journalism, she has produced numerous publications and has taught writing at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. 

 

 

Barbara Schuster will talk about how Jewish values have been at work in her career in medicine and medical education.

Dr. Schuster is Professor of Medicine at Georgia Regents University and the Founding Campus Dean for the Georgia Regents University/ University of Georgia Medical Partnership. She stepped down as Campus Dean in May 2015 after graduating the first two medical classes to be educated in Athens.

 

 

Marilyn Gootman and Heather Schwartz-Allen will discuss their new parenting book, set to be released in Fall 2016. The book draws on the rich and meaningful customs of Judaism to help parents create habits and routines in their homes that are relevant in today’s world.

Marilyn founded and runs the Athens PJ Library Program. She has beeen working with teachers, parents, and children in both Jewish and general setting for more than 35 years. She has authored several books and appeared on local and national radio and television shows.

Heather works with the Athens PJ Library Program and serves on the board of the Athens Jewish Film Festival. She has worked on economic development with international organizations in South Asia and has consulted for  NGOs in Nepal and Bangladesh.

 

4/2/16  UGA Opera Group  “A Performance for CCI”

 

We can look forward to a musical and theatric treat next spring, when members of the Opera Ensemble from UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music presents an operatic program at CCI.  This student group is supervised by Frederich Burchinal and Kathryn Wright.

Frederich Burchinal, Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professor of the Arts and Director of Opera, came to UGA after a forty-year international career, with twenty years as a Metropolitan Opera leading baritone. The resident Opera Coach, Kathryn Wright, worked in opera for many years in Germany and came to UGA after working professionally as a coach/prompter with Deutsche Oper in Berlin.

 

 

IRabbi Linder will present a slideshow of pictures taken in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and various parts of Italy. He will use these images to talk about Ancient Israel, Modern Judaism, and links between them.

Rabbi Linder came to Athens to lead our congregation in 2012. Raised in Plantation, Florida, he developed a love for Judaism in the context of community when his parents bribed him with $20 to go to a youth group conclave. He is guided by a belief that Torah can be a vehicle for personal growth as it calls each of us to Lech L’cha–to venture courageously forward in our lives.

 

Abraham Tesser: atesser1@gmail.com

The following Workshops are scheduled for 2015-2016.

Israeli Folk Dance Workshop
October 18, 2015, 3:00 PM

CCI

Dance to the rhythmic beats of Israeli folk songs infused with the
spirited and mesmerizing melodies of Hasidic and Yemenite traditions.
This workshop will focus on learning the basic steps and styles of
classic Israeli circle dances inspired by elements of Hora, Hasidic,
and Yemenite forms. Timeless and enduring dance favorites, these
dances remain popular at Israeli dance groups and dance festivals
world-wide. The workshop is free. No prior experience is necessary.

An Appreciation of Modern (and not so modern) ART quilts
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, 6:45-8:00 PM

CCI

The workshop will expose the participants to quilts with vibrant colors and patterns that “bounce” off of the background fabrics.  There will be modern quilts and art quilts, and an opportunity to appreciate the finer skills of many experienced quilters.  Think: “The Quilts of Gees Bend” and the old, stunningly vibrant Amish quilts.  In addition you will be introduced  to the world of Japanese quilts and their use of an old technique called SASHIKO that they incorporate in their beautifully modern designs of garden and mountain scenes.  The workshop will NOT be a “How to Quilt” although several of Angela’s quilts will be discussed

Angela Meltzer, a forever-retiring forensic CPA, has returned to a long-ago interest in quilting. In between visits to and from her 2 adult children in Rochester & Nicaragua and her 4 precious grandsons, she serves on CCI SPC and other local boards and committees. In addition to quilting, she loves any opportunity/excuse for pastry baking. She and her husband, Richard, spend lots of time in the Asheville area, where they both have studios to relax, do pottery, quilt and follow Richard around the mountains birding. 

Play, Sing, Create – Jam!

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, 7:00-8:30 PM

 Rabbi’s Home.

Rabbi Linder has a deep love for music. Since starting on the saxophone in the sixth grade, he has dabbled in guitar, blues harmonica, piano, and the ukulele. He has an assortment of electronic software and studio equipment to enhance the music-making experience.  If you play an instrument, or are interested in studio gadgetry, come on down to the basement studio and let’s make some tunes!

The ukulele and you

Sunday, January 10, 2016, 1:30-3:30 PM

CCI

This workshop will focus on a brief history, structural description, and basic playing of the ukulele.  No prior musical experience is required although a ukulele and tuner are necessary for the workshop. Students will learn how to tune, strum and play basic chords on the ukulele. At the end, students should be able to play several two and three chords songs. I will focus on function i.e., teaching you how to play successfully, rather than form.   (Children must be accompanied by a parent.)

I, Gary Grossman, am a professor of animal ecology at UGA and I’ve been playing the ukulele for 4 years.  I love to play Appalachian folk songs and write songs about nature and life. My youtube channel is www.youtube.com/user/garydg29

Ashkenazic Cooking Traditions–from Borscht to Schmaltz
Sunday, January 24, 2016, 3:00-5:00 PM

Phillis’ home (kosher) kitchen.

We will talk about how traditional “Jewish foods” arrived in the US. There will be demonstrations and hands on cooking as well as tasting our attempts at these dishes. (Nu–you have to eat something)
Biography

Georgia Football Beyond The Hedges

Sunday, Feb. 21 2016, 3:00-4:30 PM

CCI

Hunker Down for a discussion on why University of Georgia football is much more than six or seven Saturdays in the fall in Athens. It’s a year-round obsession. From recruiting season to spring practice to summer workouts and the actual game. Sure, Herschel is an icon but so are Uga, Larry Munson and Vince Dooley.

Marc Weiszer has covered Georgia athletics for the Athens Banner-Herald since 2003. He primarily covers football and men’s basketball. He is a native of Potomac, Md., and a graduate of the University of Maryland and Columbia University. The Associated Press Sports Editors has four times recognized him with awards, including for beat writing in two of the last three years. He is married to Dr. Tara Weiszer. They have two kids, Jacob and Alyssa.

Conflicting News about Health and Disease: What’s Wrong with Medical Research?

Tuesday, March 15, 2016, 7:00-8:30 PM

CCI

A week doesn’t go by without news about new medical research findings or at least new guidelines for screening or treatment. These come from professional societies (American Medical Association), national organizations (American Cancer Society) or government agencies (CDC). The news often contradicts current screening and treatment protocols and is unfortunately not unanimous among the various societies or agencies. This workshop will focus on “how we know what we know” using a few examples currently under debate to demonstrate the above chaos. There will be ample time for discussion and finally some ideas about how to deal with this frustrating state of affairs.

Bass Fishing Small Waters

Sunday, April 3, 2016, 5:00 PM – Sunset

Al and Heidi’s pond

This workshop will focus on the basics of fishing for largemouth bass in small ponds.   Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment but a limited selection of rods and reels will be available.  

Artificial baits will be provided – live bait will not be used.

Youngsters (12 years old and up) are welcome but please be advised that they must bring their own rods and reels as Al only owns large, custom-made, very expensive rods that are not suitable for youngsters.   Fly rods are discouraged except by special permission for very experienced anglers only.

The workshop will take place at a private pond within Clarke County owned by Al and Heidi Davison.

Beginners and first-time anglers are welcome!  

Drone Photography: A View from Above

Sunday, April 17, 2016, 3:00-4:30

CCI

In this Workshop Bruce will demonstrate some of the things that can be done by the amateur photographer using (relatively) affordable drone mounted cameras.  He will discuss equipment, technical problems, FAA regulations, and the aesthetics of aerial photography/videography.  If you are curious about drone photography, are thinking about getting this type of equipment, or if you have experience in this realm that you would like to share you are most welcome to this workshop.

Let the Sweet things Roll! Making a Roulage au Chocolat (flourless, chocolate roll cake)

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 7:30 PM

CCI

In our family each birthday is celebrated with a Chocolate Roll. This is a cake made with only eggs, sugar and chocolate, and filled with fresh-whipped flavored cream. Made without flour, it is also perfect for Passover.

In this workshop, I will demonstrate how to make and roll this delicacy. All secrets to making this simple, but tricky confection will be shared.

Afterwards, tea, and chocolate roll will be served.

I, Lauren Zeichner, come from a large, extended family that loves to COOK! That’s what we do when we are together. We talk food, we share recipes, we prepare dishes, and sometimes we also eat. Since my Aunt, the matriarch, is a Registered Dietitian, all selections veer toward local, fresh, and healthy.

As a Landscape Architect and Potter, it has often been about growing fresh vegetables and herbs for cooking, or making vessels to hold and present food.

Surprising New Discoveries in an Ancient Synagogue

Presented by Professor Jodi Magness

Three unique and surprising artifacts
that have never before been
explained were discovered when a
team of archaeologists led by
Professor Jodi Magness excavated a
1,600 year old synagogue near the
sea of Galilee in Israel. They found a
beautiful mosaic with pictures of
people that are rarely found in
synagogues and of animals that have
never been seen in the area.

The question is, How and why did they get there?

Don’t miss this beautifully illustrated presentation by Professor Magness.
She will describe the excavation and attempt to explain what these
surprising findings might mean.

  A popular speaker, Professor Magness has  published 10 books, numerous articles, and  made countless presentations.  She is the Keenan  Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in  early Judaism at the University of North Carolina  at Chapel Hill. Professor Magness has done extensive research on 19 other ancient synagogues in Israel and Egypt.

This program is sponsored by the

Sanford and Florence Schwartz Symposium Fund
It is free and open to the public

…

The Special Programs Committee’s goal is to provide programming that enriches the congregation intellectually, spiritually and socially.   We currently sponsor three types of programming: Public programs of general interest to congregants and the wider community; Workshops in which Congregants informally share their interests and expertise with other congregants; and Havdala programs where cultural/spiritual programs are combined with Havdala worship.

UGA

We have a wonderful relationship with the UGA Hillel House. We invite any college students to visit us, and we are thrilled to host UGA students at our High Holiday services (free of charge). Many of our Religious School teachers are UGA students, and many of our congregants are affiliated with the university in various ways.

Ma’ayan Re’ut

A warm, welcoming conservative egalitarian minyan led by CCI Congregant Marilyn Gootman. Ma’ayan Re’ut has been meeting once a month on Saturdays from 10 to 12:00PM at Hillel for the past nine years. Following the Conservative-styled service, the group enjoys a vegetarian Kiddush provide by those who attend. Many CCI congregants attend Ma’ayan Re’ut in addition to the Reform services at CCI. For information on future services, contact gootman@bellsouth.net.