Congregation Ahavath Shalom had a wonderful year, filled with members reaching out to our own members as well as the Four Seasons community.  The following are some of the highlights. 

First Presbyterian Church
In the Spring of First Presbyterian Church invited our congregation to a fabulous presentation of one of their congregants.  The professionally-done lecture focused on the Jewish music of the Holocaust.  In March of 2007, our youth group met with the youth of their church to present a discussion regarding Judaism.  A great time was had by all which included a gun game of dreydel.

Deb Weiner
In the Fall of 2007, Deb Weiner, of the Baltimore Jewish Museum, gave a wonderful talk regarding her award winning book, Jews of the Coalfields. We had several non-member visitors attending who really enjoyed the talk as well as the service.   In addition, that evening we had several members of the Beckley Jewish community, who are Deb Weiner fans, join us for services and Deb’s presentation.   The Beckley folks enjoyed Elana’s services so much that they came for services one more time before Elana left for the school year.

Bluefield College Holocaust Symposium
In April 2008, two of our congregants were asked to participate in the Bluefield College  Holocaust Symposium. Our wonderful Daniel Kereth was a guest speaker and chose to focus on some of the positive things that came out of the horrors of the Holocaust.  He was well-received and represented our Jewish community in such a professional and honorable manner. The line was long after the presentation because so many folks had interesting questions for Dan.  He graciously answered them all.

As many of you know, our own Max Kammer participated in the liberation of concentration camps during WWII. His detailed recollections make your hair stand on end, but Max’s incredible photos are heart wrenching.  Many of them were professionally framed by Bluefield College and hung in the College’s Administration Building.  The reception for Max on the opening night of the exhibition was standing room only, and Max was so kind and gracious to all who had questions for him.

Our congregation sponsored Dr. Gary Zola who was extraordinary in his multi-media presentation. He also led services that Friday night following his lecture so many non-Jewish folks came to hear him and stayed quite late to chat during the Oneg.  Rabbi Zola represented our Jewish community so well and is a professor at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.  Our student rabbis who have attended that school adore him and have encouraged us to invited him here for our own learning.  This is his second visit to Bluefield, and we look forward to many more. 

The college did an amazing job for every event during the month they dedicated to the Holocaust – teaching attendees that it is crucial for everyone to learn about the horrors of the sad time in human history so it will never happen again.

Holocaust Memorial Event at West Virginia University

Harry Finkelman has been very active in WV Holocaust Education for the schools throughout West Virginia as well as locally.  He and Estelle were responsible for bringing exhibits to our temple so that the local community would learn more about the Holocaust.  Some of the money that had been collected for Holocaust Education in WV was donated to WVU this year to help conduct a 24 hour memorial.  Over 200 people came and read names of murdered Holocaust victims including those that we read each year in our temple who are our friends and relatives of our members.

Harry and Estelle Finkelman are Moving

It is difficult to imagine that Harry and Estelle will not be leading services, serving delicious and beautiful served Onegs, or taking care of our memorial booklet this High Holiday season.  We will deeply miss them but understand that it is now time their children spoil them in their new home town of Columbus, Ohio and shower them with the hands-on love they truly deserve.

Chaverim

Several of our chaverim have written to us this year so we have posted their letters on our bulletin board.  We are still suffering from Fineberg-Gilbert withdrawal and look forward to the day when the family will return for a visit.   The Lenett family surprised us with a fabulous visit during Yom Kippur services and promised they will return each year.  We look forward to many more of our chaverim visits from folks both far and near.

Our Student Rabbi

We hope that each of you were able to get to really know Elana Sondel.  She is truly a gift that the URJ bestowed on us this year.  Her diligence with our youth of all ages helped to lay a wonderful foundation for their lifetime values. Her comforting visit to the homes of our infirmed and bereaved meant much to our congregants. Elana’s interactions with our greater Bluefield –Princeton communities was warm and hospitable to all who worked with her.  We wish her a fabulous summer and a happy and inspiring year in the UK.

B’not Mitzvah of Sophie and Olivia Greenberg

Elana Sondel completed her phenomenal year with us by conducting a meaningful B’not Mitzvah service with Sophie and Olivia Greenberg.  Their family came from New York and Maryland/ Washington DC area and were so impressed with how well the girls worked with Elana to make it such a memorable Shabbat for all who attended.  Sophie and Olivia were diligent in their Jewish studies and mitzvah projects.  Their shining example will serve as inspiration to future bar and bat mitzvah youth in our temple just as Megan Garrett and Kat Kammer were to Sophie and Olivia.   May their love for learning continue throughout their lives and their strong moral and ethical values spread to all whose lives they touch.

A Special Thanks