The Charlotte Jewish News - April 2007 - Page 24
SyNA GOGUE^f!ONGREGATIONS
Havurat Tikvah Begins Search for New Student Rabbi
By Sharon Wilson
For those who are not familiar
with Havurat Tikvah, we are pri
marily a “lay-lead” community.
Our membership is comprised of
* learned and dedicated individuals
who lead parts of services, read
trope, present d’varim torah, etc.
at our community services.
However, for the past three years,
we have also been fortunate to
have Student Rabbi Me’irah
Illinsky join us four or five times a
year to teach and learn with us,
presenting programs during
Shabbatons, teaching classes,
leading discussion and providing
insight into traditions, holidays
and more.
Me’irah was raised very assim
ilated, the daughter of a Jewish
mother with a strong Jewish soul,
4
hope
but without a Jewish educa
tion. During her senior year
of High School, an observant
Jewish friend gave her name
to the Conservative Rabbi in
her community. The Rabbi
called Me’irah and some of
her less observant friends to asked
if they would like to meet regular
ly during their senior year of high
school. “What a difference one
person can make. Rabbi Gelbart
encouraged us to talk about what
was on our minds, and then would
take the end of the hour to let us
know the Jewish point of view -
about parents, dating, etc. I still
remember some of the lessons he
taught us.” Once in college,
Me’irah found that Judaism
seemed strange, and complicated
and inaccessible. Much later in
life, after beginning a family,
Me’irah had a neighbor very
involved with a havurah, and
Me’irah eventually went to a Rosh
Hashanah Service. “I was very
inspired by the rabbi, Roy
Fuhrman. I joined the havurah,
and spent years learning under the
tutelage of Rabbi Joey Wolf. After
my adult bat mitzvah, I thought,
“What next?” It was another seven
years from the initial desire to
apply to rabbinical school, until I
finally did. I have had to spend
Jewish
Reconstructionist
Federation
many years becoming more and
more proficient in Hebrew in
order to pursue my studies.” Prior
to beginning formal study at the
Reconstructionist College in
Pennsylvania, Me’irah went to
Israel to study Hebrew and pre
pare for the education to come.
Me’irah will graduate this
spring after eight years of study
toward becoming a Rabbi and will
pursue her dream of working full
time. “What has most affected me
is seeing the brilliance of the way
we study our holy texts, how they
have guided us, how the Jewish
people have adapted throughout
history, always emphasizing life,
joy, ethics, while also acknowl
edging losses.”
So now Havurah Tikvah begins
a search for a new student rabbi to
learn from and to teach.
Up Coming Events:
* Adult Programs throughout the
Spring (TBA). Please check our
website for further information.
* April 21 — Community Service
(10 AM).
* May 26 — Community Service
for Shavuot (10 AM).
* June 23 — Community Service
(10 AM).
* July 23 — Tisha b’Av Evening
Service (7 PM).
* July 28 — Zach Roth’s Bar
Mitzvah.
Havurat Tikvah, an affiliate of
the Jewish Reconstructionist
Federation, offers monthly servic
es, adult study, holiday celebra
tions and more. All services and
many events are at the Fellowship
Hall of St. Andrews Presbyterian
Church, 2201 Springdale Ave (at
Magnolia) in Dilworth.
For an updated calendar of
events, locations and other infor
mation, visit the HT website
(www.HavuratTikvah.org).
Fourth Annual
JOINT CONCERT
Featuring the combined choirs of Temple Israel
and Temple Beth El and Cantor Andrew Bernard
and Cantor Elias Roochvarg.
Sunday, April 29, 7 PM at Temple Israel.
Free and open to the public.
Because the concert is just a few days after Israel
Independence Day, the theme will be The Spirit of
Israel in Song. The program will include a wide variety
of beautiful and exciting music, and a sing-along of
favorite Israeli songs.
Business Card
Directory
To advertise in the Business Card
Directory, contact one of our sales
representatives:
Rita Mond, 704-366-6632,
Pam Grossman, 704-841-1544 or
Jodi Valenstein, 704-841-4040
SouthBark
Laurie Smith
704.604.1650
ncls@alltd.net
Your Dog. Your Home. First Class Grooming
AFFORDABLE Merchant Services
n RBSIynk
There’s a reason we stand out!
Great rates - Great local service
Call for a complimentary analysis!
Shari Goldberg
704-578-6527
%
JEFFREY A. SCHWARTZ
REALTOr
(704) 541-6100 BUSINESS
(800) 537-3638 TOLL FREE
(704) 543-7382 FAX .
(704) 770-5335 CELL
j»chwartz^cbuniied.com
COLDUieU,
BANKeRB
UNITED, RFALTORS^
7907 Prrividcncc Road. Sie 200
Charlotte. NC 28277
t=J
WWW.cbunited.com/JeffreySchwartz.com
Design By Hart, LLC
Jenna Hart-Hadar
Small Jobs Welcome
Insured & Bonded
Total Electrical Service
Residential & Commercial
PEASLEY ELECTRIC
25 Years Experience
"We pride ourselves in quality electric service"
Our Workmanship is Guaranteed
“Stand-by" Generators - Sales & Installation
Phone: 704-442-2872
Fax: 704-362-4401
INSPIRING PIANO LESSONS
for ADULTS (including beginners)
& ADVANCED TEENS
Highly Experienced &
Friendly Teacher
Dr. JUDITH ETZION
(Ph.D. Columbia Un.)
Phone: 704-362-3737; Cell: 704-488-1818