February 2014

A Humanistic Rabbi? Holy Moses! Harold Londer, Madrikh Rabbi Miriam Jerris, from the Society for Humanistic have become quite rigid in their rulings, not accepting, for ex- (SHJ) will be visiting our congregation in April. I have known ample, conversion ceremonies that were done by Conservative Miriam since long before she achieved her rabbinic credentials. or Reform rabbis in the United States. Difficult legal, moral and She has visited our group several times over the years, but I ethical questions are still being fought over how we define a remember most vividly her first visit and presentation at the St. Jew within the Jewish family. Paul JCC over 25 years ago. Years later, Miriam was among the first rabbis ordained by SHJ. The enemies of the Jews for centuries primarily “defined” Juda- ism as a religion. During the Spanish inquisition for example, When Rabbi Jerris first came to the Twin Cities in the late 80’s, Jews could convert or be deported (or burned at the stake). Hit- there was no Or Emet congregation, no school, no holiday cele- ler however, defined Jews as a nation. He did not ask or care if brations. About 8-10 people responded to an advertisement we you practiced Judaism, or Protestantism, or nothing. If you were placed in the Jewish World, after a visit to the First Unitarian born a Jew, you were a Jew, and millions of secular Jews per- Society by Rabbi Sherwin Wine of SHJ. Larry Garfin and his ished along with their believing cohorts during the Holocaust. wonderful wife Norma were present. Larry was a pediatric den- Biblical Ruth, considered by many a heroine of the bible, was tist and Renaissance man who would become a co-founder of born to Arab parents. Non-religious Jews date back to biblical Or Emet. I also, sadly, remember Miriam officiating at Larry’s times. The term aphikorim (based on Epicurus) was used in funeral. At that first meeting, Miriam had each of us stand and Greek times to describe non-believing Jews. Some consider briefly tell our stories. I was just learning that a Jew could be them the first truly Humanistic Jews. humanistic. I had barely learned that a rabbi could be female, yet alone humanistic. I could tell that we were all Jewish since The International Federation of Secular and Humanistic Jews none of those present could tell their tales briefly. (to which Or Emet belongs), in its preamble, states: We welcome all men and women who sincerely desire to Who is a Jew? Who is a rabbi? Who decides? The answer is not share the Jewish experience, regardless of their ancestry. simple. As Rabbi Wine observes, you don’t see Protestants, We challenge the assumption that the Jews are primarily or Muslims or Catholics struggling with this existential question. exclusively a religious community and that religious con- You don’t see adult education seminars on Who is a Lutheran. victions or behavior are essential to full membership in the The classic rabbinic definition is well known. You are Jewish if Jewish people. your mother is Jewish or if you went through an “approved” conversion. But, Reform Judaism in America accepts a Jewish We welcome (again!) Miriam (err..Rabbi Jerris) to our commu- father as adequate. The law of return (the concept that all Jews nity. She is a wonderful resource to help us explore these issues. can become citizens of Israel) is much more inclusive. It says I encourage participation in activities planned for her weekend the individual or his/her spouse need have only one grandparent visit. Invite friends and family. I also recommend the Economist that was Jewish. The primary founders of Israel were secular magazine’s January 11th, 2014 article Who is a Jew? which Jews, however, in order to get support of religious Jews, control stimulated some of the above thoughts. of marriages, divorce and burial were given to the rabbis. They

Rabbi Miriam Jerris Visits! April 12-13, 2014

Or Emet is honored to host Rabbi Miriam Jerris, Ph.D., Rabbi of the Society for Humanistic Judaism and President of the Association of Humanistic Rabbis. Saturday, April 12th at 7:30 - 9 pm -- at the St Paul Jewish Community Center Rabbi Jerris will present a public program: Humanistic Judaism: A Home for Wondering Jews -- and Others. Rabbi Jerris will discuss the implications of the Pew Research Center's 2013 study: A Portrait of Jewish Americans which found a majority of Jews identify as Jewish for cultural rather than religious reasons. Sunday, April 13th at 10 am - 12:30 pm -- at Friends School of Minnesota in St Paul Rabbi Jerris' will lead a discussion about Humanistic Judaism as a Home for Unaffiliated Jews and Other Humanists. The Illuminator President’s Message: What is a Humanist?

Or Emet’s newsletter is Richard Logan published quarterly. To submit an item for the First, a Humanist is much more than a champion of human dignity and individual Illuminator, please contact rights, although those are vitally important. Second, Humanist beliefs are far more Joan Barnett at affirmative than simply non-theistic. [email protected]

Madrikh Humanists believe that human beings are capable of careful reason, and therefore are Harold Londer capable of broad understanding and of creating new knowledge. Think about the [email protected] Humanities in college: They are all about what human beings have created: art, Executive Committee literature, music, philosophy, theatre -- as opposed to the Sciences and much of the Social Sciences, which see human character as the product -- as created. The President, Richard Logan Humanities, however, and therefore Humanists, see the human being as agent, as “I” [email protected] -- in a word, as a creator. This view is of course blasphemous to religionists, since Vice President, there is only one Creator. Arty Dorman Humanism thus stands as an alternative to the ancient view that a Supreme Being Treasurer, Sharon Miller created our essential nature. Persons therefore had only those qualities that God Members At-Large endowed them with. (Religionists disagree as to whether people are endowed with Dave Zukor Free Will. Some say yes; some say no). Liza Finestack

Administrative Assistant Humanism also stands as an alternative to the overriding science-based idea that Mary Gustafson human character is created, either by Nature or Nurture, or by some combination of [email protected] the two. Humanists are not determinists as are (by definition) natural scientists and

Program Committee most social scientists. However, the fact that mere persons rather than only the Jane Katz church and monarchs came to be understood as capable of careful observation and Naomi Rockler-Gladen study of the world also led to the development of the Natural Sciences. Thank you Lynne Steinberg Galileo.

Jewish Cultural School Eva Cohen Free Will is generally a given to Humanists, although persons can choose to go along with someone else’s program and therefore act as if they have no Free Will. Newsletter Similarly, a person can make free decisions at one point in life and then may be Joan Barnett, Editor Naomi Rockler-Gladen, hemmed in later by the consequences of those decisions. (“You made your bed; now Dan Gladen, Publishers sleep in it.”) We can choose to be unfree. Here is a very important point: While Humanists generally take great exception to the idea that humans are simply www.oremet.org determined by Nature and/or Nurture, they do not take exception to the fact that a human being can use his/her ability to reason and observe and be a scientist. Or Emet is affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) and the A powerful testament to Humanism is Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. International Institute for Even when confined by the Nazis to the most “unfree” circumstance imaginable-- a Secular Humanistic tiny, dark, dank cell -- Frankl discovered his essential freedom: that no one could Judaism (IISHJ). take away his thoughts, his spirit, his will. He refused to be unfree. No one could take away that which was most essential to his being. That is the Humanist view of human nature shown in high relief.

Finally, the human Individual, as one who can both reason and, like a scientist, marshal evidence from careful observation, is competent to participate in his/her own governance; in a word to be a citizen in a democracy. Spinoza spoke articulately to this and helped shape the modern world. Prior to the Enlightenment, persons – certainly ordinary folk -- generally were subjects of monarchs and/or church, and not citizens.

So, here we are, a congregation of Citizen Humanists. Let us continue to observe our world and reason together.

2 Jewish Cultural School — Update Submitted by Eva Cohen, JCS Director (with input from Josh Kaplan and Renee Dorman)

November, December, and January at the Jewish Cultural cover why fell so early this year, playing a Jew- School have built on the energy of the fall with a continuing ish months matching game and finding their Jewish calen- round of fun holiday events and great in-classroom activi- dar birthdays. They even drew turkey menorahs for ties. At press time, JCS enrollment has increased to 25 stu- “Thanksgivakah.” December's lesson focused on tradition. dents. These young people and their families are bringing The class screened the Rugrats' Chanukah special, dis- lots of enthusiasm to school programs. cussed how traditions get passed down in the show and in their own families, and made traditionally Jewish . Students and families took During the January session, students learned about Tikkun part with verve in Or Emet Olam. After deciding that taking care of nature is a good Hanukkah and Tu B'Shevat way to help heal the world, they had fun planting seeds for celebrations. (Read about Tu B'Shevat. the Hanukkah party else- where in this issue.) For Tu The Juniors Class with me, Eva, has spent the past few B'Shevat, the school hosted months learning about Jews in late/post-imperial Russia, the the annual Tu B'Shevat se- Holocaust, and Zionism. In November, students watched der on Sunday, January 12. and discussed part of the documentary Ida’s Story, which Nancy Schwartz led the se- explores how Donna Sherlock’s mother survived a 1918 der, and it was great to see Ukrainian pogrom. so many people of all ages—including guests from Minne- Then they prepared to apolis's St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral youth group— perform our Hanuk- gathered in honor of the New Year for the Trees, reflecting kah play, whose story on the importance of trees and sharing red and white grape centers on a Russian- juice and Israeli tree-growing foods. Led by music and He- Jewish family decid- brew teacher Sarah Berman-Young, Or Emet students sang ing to immigrate to “Tree of Life,” “Zum Gali Gali,” “Hatikvah,” and other the U.S. after a pog- songs that beautifully fitted the occasion. A thousand thanks rom. During our De- to the parent volunteers who set up, cleaned up, and donat- cember session, we ed food, as well as to our event photographer, recent Bar learned about struggles to preserve life and hope during the Mitzvah Ben Drucker. Holocaust. The class sang “Zog Nit Keynmol,” the Jewish partisans’ anthem, with Sarah, read about the Warsaw Ghet- In other news, the curriculum committee met in December to Uprising, studied children's artwork from Terezin con- to review the topical curriculum recently developed by the centration camp, and created collages to honor “righteous Society for Humanistic Judaism's education committee and Gentiles” who helped protect Jewish people from the Nazis. make important decisions about how to align it with exist- In January we focused on Zionism and Israel's founding. ing JCS curriculum. Stay tuned for developments! Costumed students performed a play dramatizing Theodor Herzl's vision of a Jewish state and then discussed Herzl's The Littles Class with Josh has spent the fall and early ideas. We sang “Hatikvah,” closing with an Israeli history winter learning about seasonal holidays and Shabbat. In timeline game. November, the class learned about Hanukkah, the menorah, the letters on a , and how to play the dreidel game. As I usually say, sounds cool, right? Tell interested families Students also sang Hanukkah songs to prepare for the party. to email me at [email protected] a week or more before December's session focused on Shabbat; the class discussed any Sunday session to arrange a no-cost visit to the JCS. All how Shabbat is similar to and different from vacations, read are welcome! a Shabbat story, and drew pictures of how they like to spend their rest days. The January lesson was all about Tu B'Shevat and having fun preparing for the seder.

The Middles Class with Renee has spent the past few months expanding their knowledge of winter Jewish holi- days as well as Humanistic Jewish culture and values. Dur- ing the November lesson, the class read Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah and learned a Humanistic holiday bless- ing with Sarah. Students studied the Jewish calendar to dis-

3 Member News

Jane Katz’s watercolor paintings are on display at Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream parlor/coffee shop in Linden Hills, 43rd and Upton Ave in Minneapolis until February 17. In May, Jane will have a solo show including her new work at St Mark’s Ca- thedral.

Ben Drucker: Or Emet Photographer Please welcome Ben to a newly expanded role as you see him snapping photos to chronicle happenings at Sunday program gatherings! Or Emet is fortunate Ben’s photography skills include documenting the people and events that make Sunday programming great. And, with this issue, it is obvious the Illuminator benefits greatly from Ben’s photos. In addition to being an incredibly busy 8th grader, Ben treated the Or Emet com- munity to his memorable Bar Mitzvah last summer, is deeply involved in advanced academics, violin, com- puters, having fun – and photography. Ben, sister Athena and their parents, Steve and Diane commute to Or Emet from Eau Claire, WI.

Update: Or Emet’s Hospitality Plan

To fairly distribute hospitality and welcoming responsibilities at Or Emet programs, we have instituted a process for all members to contribute. Thanks to those people who have already participated. If you have not yet signed up to help – we need you to pitch in!

How is it going? Look for a Hospitality and Welcoming update in each issue of the Illuminator. This chart shows already- filled positions and those still in need of people to step up. To sign up for an open position, contact [email protected]. Be- fore each program, we will send a reminder to those people who have signed up.

Friday Programs Sunday Programs February 28, 2014 February 9 Oneg refreshments (2 positions) Setup, Welcome, Cleanup (2 positions) Stu Abraham Carrie Dickson + 1 more helper is needed 1 more helper is needed Welcome and cleanup – Arty Dorman Flowers – Michal Moskow March 21, 2014 March 16 Oneg refreshments – Lynne Steinberg, Claire Setup, Welcome, Cleanup (2 positions) Press - 2 helpers are needed Welcome and cleanup – 1 person needed Flowers – 1 person needed April 25, 2014 April 13 Oneg refreshments Setup, Welcome, Cleanup (2 positions) Arty Dorman - 2 helpers are needed Muriel Sterne Welcome and cleanup – 1 person needed Flowers – 1 person needed May 23, 2014 May 18 Oneg refreshments Setup, Welcome, Cleanup (2 positions) Sharon and Alan Miller - 2 helpers are needed + 1 more helper needed Welcome and cleanup – 1 person needed Flowers – 1 person needed

4 Or Emet Hanukkah Party 2013 Eva Cohen

This year, Or Emet's Hanukkah party happened the weekend before Hanukkah began to accommodate the calen- dar's unusual “Thanksgivukkah” mash-up. Nearly 100 members and guests gathered for the evening on Saturday, November 23 at the Wellstone Center at Neighborhood House in St. Paul to jump-start their holiday celebration.

Madrikh Harold Londer emceed an opening program featuring singing from all of the Jewish Cultural School clas- ses, led by music and Hebrew teacher Sarah Berman-Young and accompanied by Sarah's mother and her partner. Listening to Renee Dorman's Middles class perform a Humanistic blessing over the lighted electric menorah was a program highlight. The crowd enjoyed Sarah's reprise of “,” and everyone noshed on lotsa and chatted while kids gathered at the “kids' table” to color and play dreidel. My JCS class, the Juniors, per- formed a play called Hanukka Gelt: A Short Play for Hanukka as the after-dinner entertainment; in spite of a badly -timed mic failure, students' energy and dramatic flair shown through.

As the evening wound down, Margo and David Fox en- deared themselves to all the children at the party by hand- ing out gelt! Like all Or Emet events, the Hanukkah party was a congregational affair depending on much volunteer energy. Thank you for making it a chag sameach, all!

Donations and Contributions

In memory of Sheldon Fine, Seth Finestack's father In memory of Russell Press, Claire Press’s father David and Margo Fox David and Joan Barnett David and Joan Barnett Diane Pecoraro Dave and Joan Barnett for Sharon Miller's special birthday Jack Stuart

5 Esther Abrahams: From Convict to ‘First Lady’ Natalie M. Rosinsky

Last February in Australia, an 1823 portrait in Sydney’s Jewish Museum riveted my attention. Just a few tantalizing facts identified its dark-eyed society matron. I had to know more . . . .

Her jailors never imagined how far Esther Abrahams would travel. In 1786 London, pregnant prisoners like this young Jewish woman often died before or soon after giving birth. Yet fifteen year-old Esther and her infant daughter Roseanna survived and made an astounding journey—one that spanned thousands of miles and a vast social gulf. Esther Abrahams arrived in colonial Australia as a convict but became for a time its ‘First Lady’! With determination and sharp sense, she founded a dynasty that included illustrious military and political leaders. Ironically, she also fought—and lost—a bitter legal struggle with one of her own sons.

Esther’s amazing story began officially in the courtroom of London’s “Old Bailey.” On August 26, 1786, shopkeeper Hannah Crockett testified that she had seen the unemployed milliner steal 24 yards of black silk lace. Three character witnesses spoke for law-abiding Esther, but could not sway the jury. She was convicted of shoplifting, punishable then by hanging.

The British government, though, had plans to transport some convicts to its newest, most distant colony—Australia. This would empty Britain’s disease-ridden prisons while establishing its claim to Australia with a permanent settlement. Esther Abrahams—unmarried and recently pregnant—would not hang. Instead, she received the standard sentence: seven years “transportation.” Once this of convicts with its military guards reached Australia, she and others would work as prisoners. In May, 1787, Esther and two month old Roseanna boarded one of the fleet’s six convict-bearing ships, the Lady Penryhn, moving from one harsh prison to another.

The fleet’s 193 women prisoners were kept apart from the 582 convicted men. Aboard the Lady Penryhn, female convicts were housed far below the waterline, in a low-ceilinged area with boarded-up portholes. The guards, fearing possible fires, forbade candles. The lice-ridden, feverish women could smell but not always see dead rats nearby. Dirty bilge water added to the stench. Rations were skimpy. When sailors offered extra food in exchange for sex, older prisoners advised the younger women to accept. Some desperate women stole from each other and fought.

In these bleak conditions, Esther Abrahams met Lt. George Johnson, a well-born, 23 year-old Marine officer. Johnson, battle-hardened in North America, was responsible for keeping order among the Lady Penryhn’s prisoners. Guards might have called him below deck to help settle a fight. Perhaps he first saw Esther then. Possibly Esther went out of her way to catch his eye. The account in Johnson’s diary of their first meeting is lost to us, destroyed by an embarrassed descendent. But ship records show that in October, 1787, when the docked in Cape Town, South Africa for supplies, Lt. Johnson purchased a nanny goat. It provided Esther and her baby with fresh milk. They no longer had to “make do” with convict rations of salt pork, dried biscuit, and pea gruel. Johnson’s protection also saved Esther from the horrors undergone by women convicts during the colony’s first months in Sydney Harbor, after the fleet arrived in January 1788. Rape, lack of shelter, and near-starvation were common. This alliance benefitted George Johnson too, since Esther brought brains as well as beauty to what became a lifelong relationship.

During the next years, Esther (or “Hetty,” as Johnson affectionately called her) gave birth to two sons and miscarried another child. Johnson was then promoted, receiving a land grant of 600 acres that he named “Annandale.” Esther supervised the construction of their home when Johnson was away. Annandale House, one of the first large brick buildings in Australia, became the center of its own village. Johnson and Esther raised wheat, maize, and livestock that they sold to the government. Another son and four daughters expanded the still-unmarried couple’s family. When Johnson was promoted again and spent even more time away, Esther managed their land holdings and thriving cattle business. Disgruntled traders complained to officials about bargains struck by “Johnson’s woman, a Jewess.” One of Esther’s supporters testified, however, that she “accumulated her property by hard struggling, that it was not [Johnson] who got the money” for Annandale’s household. As one grandson later said, Esther was “a strong industrious woman.”

continued on page 7

6 Esther Abrahams, continued -

In 1808, Johnson supported a mutiny by other wealthy settlers and officers against the colony’s new governor, , infamous as captain of H.M S. Bounty. Johnson arrested Bligh and for the next six months was the acting Lieutenant- Governor of Australia. Esther Abrahams by association became its ‘First Lady.’ Yet Esther cannily avoided public attention, knowing that her convict past would weigh against her. Johnson did not move into Sydney’s Government House. Even while Annandale served as the governor’s residence, Esther remained in the background. This shrewdness kept Johnson’s business going and earned Esther a land holding in her own name while Johnson was in Britain, recalled to defend his part in the mutiny. Johnson was cashiered from the army, but was cleared of the worst charges. He returned to Australia a free man four years later.

In 1814, after twenty-five years and seven children, Esther and Johnson officially married. Australia’s governor had insisted that the couple become socially “respectable.” Esther probably gave little thought to marrying outside her faith, since colony officials considered children legitimate only if their parents had wed in a Christian ceremony, and the 30 to 40 Jews in Australia had no rabbi. Esther’s daughter Roseanna also had a Protestant marriage, to emancipated convict , who became Sydney’s first Postmaster. Esther had identified herself willingly as a Jew for First Fleet records, unlike some of the 14 other Jews then. Their religion is officially known only because they took oaths in court on the Hebrew Bible. Yet when Sydney’s first synagogue was built in 1844, none of Esther’s children or grandchildren were members. They had assimilated into Christian society. Ironically, Esther’s “respectable” position as Mrs. Johnson brought grief to her last years. Her wealth divided her family after her husband’s 1823 death. Johnson had left the Annandale estate to Esther for ‘the term of her natural life,’ after which son Robert would inherit it. Robert was not willing to wait. In 1829, he took his mother to court, seeking to have her declared senile. Aging, sometimes eccentric Esther did have short term memory problems, but was shocked when a jury declared her “insane with lucid moments.” Dismaying both Esther and Robert, the court appointed a trustee to manage her property. Mrs. Johnson retreated to the country home of youngest son David, where she lived quietly until her death in 1846.

Yet the amazing saga of convict Esther Abrahams did not end there. Some of her descendants became renowned, influential leaders in Australia. Grandson George Nichols, born to daughter Roseanna, was elected to the New South Wales legislature. He successfully argued for the right of rabbis to receive the same public funding as Christian ministers. When the Sydney Synagogue officially thanked him, it described Nichols as the “grandson of Esther Abrahams.” Nichols also donated 100 pounds to Sydney’s proposed Hebrew Grammar School. He served as the colony’s Auditor-General before his death in 1857.

In 1988, Admiral Sir , chief of Australia’s navy, was appointed Governor of New South Wales. Before he died in 1990, this great-great-great grandson of Esther Abrahams and George Johnson established a foundation to help needy, homeless young people. Perhaps Sir Martin, a proud member of the Fellowship of First Fleeters, thought of teenaged Esther Abrahams’ plight as he began this charity. How that young Jewish woman, whose portrait is now displayed in Sydney’s Jewish Museum, would have marveled at this turn of events!

Or Emet Salon Introduction to Judaism: A Humanist Perspective Faith Oremland

The next session of the Or Emet Salon will be Sunday, February 23. We are discussing Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s DVD lecture series, Introduction To Judaism: A Humanist Perspective. Our February session will focus on the Jewish Enlightenment. In the following months, discussion will be on Jewish Nationalism, the American Jewish Experience and the Humanistic Jewish Movement.

Sessions are held at members’ homes. We begin at 7:00 PM for schmoozing and the program runs from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. If you are interested in attending or have questions about the Salon, please contact Faith Oremland at [email protected]. We’re always looking for more people who love to share their opinions!

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Highlights from Or Emet’s, December 8th Program: Everything I Need to Know I Learned From My Baubie and Zadie - and other older adults This program treated us to a series of engaging personal experiences that Naomi Rockler-Gladen gathered together and incorporated into a digital slideshow. The presentations featured member contributions, which became more fascinating when people presented what they learned from a special older person.

Eva Cohen presented this story about her zadie: My grandpa Julius "Julie" Yudel Cohen was a house painter, union organizer, artist, soldier, and poet. He was born in NYC in 1907, quit school after eighth grade to work and help support his family, and lived a life filled with adventure and incident. He rode the rails cross-country during the great Depression and helping to organize the nation's first sit-down strike at the Hormel plant in Austin, MN. He stood up against anti-Semitism and injustice to people of all backgrounds. He rescued a fellow soldier from drowning, swimming him to safety under fire during an amphibious landing in the infamous WWII Battle of Peleliu. He was a husband and father to four sons--three biological, one adopted. He was a Yiddishist who, in retirement, translated books between Yiddish and English and wrote stories for his grandchildren that he illustrated with watercolor paintings. He was courageous, passionate, radical, and creative, a hard worker who never stopped learning even though his formal education ended early. He wrote the following poem that resonates with me and my Dad read aloud at his funeral: Erect no rough hewn granite memorial for me! For in structures beside parkway, along the sea; Where myriad motors throb and hum their song of flight, Stands my monument – a thousand windows painted white. To each departing ship those panes blink a fond farewell’ Then wink a pleasant welcome, to those on the homeward swell. All about, the seasons’ elements – the heat, the storm, the rain Hover, play – go their way, and then return again. Elements that torture wooden strips, now weather soiled, Winds flitting capriciously over structure, where once I toiled And added the salt of my sweat, my life’s blood strength To the paint veneer of my monument. With scaffold and rope roughly swinging, straining, High ladder – woodenly, stiffly swaying Against hard red brick walls that enhanced the light . . . Suddenly day is gone . . . my monument is swallowed by the night! Though I only saw my grandpa on yearly visits to Brooklyn, and he died when I was in second grade, his memory has always loomed large for me. I memorized this poem by him when I was in elementary school, and I've never forgotten it. My grandpa's memory inspires me to be bold, principled, and to work to make the world better and more beautiful.

Caring Circle Joan Barnett and Faith Oremland Or Emet’s spirit of caring offers practical help to members during stressful periods. Participating in our circle of compassion is both an honor and a privilege whether giving or receiving. Do not fear asking for help – assistance is available simply by reaching out.

We invite family, friends and persons in need to contact Faith Oremland [email protected] or Joan Barnett [email protected].

8 Or Emet Programs and Events February 2014 - June 2014 PROGRAMS Sunday, February 9, 2014, 10 am – 12:30 at Friends Sunday, April 13, 2014, 10 am – 12:30 at Friends School School of MN, St. Paul of MN, St. Paul Jewish Cultural School meets during the adult program Jewish Cultural School meets during the adult program Program: Meeting the Needs of Aging Family Members Program: Humanistic Judaism as a Home for Unaffiliated Presenter: Michael Aguirre, MSW, LGSW Jews and Other Humanists Discussion leader:Rabbi Miriam Jerris, Ph.D. Friday, February 28, 2014, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Community Center, St. Louis Park Friday, April 25, 2014, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Humanistic Shabbat Service precedes the program Community Center, St. Louis Park Program: African American-Jewish Relations: Shared Humanistic Shabbat Service precedes the program Dreams Program: Rabbi Wine to the Rescue: Book discussion of Presenters: Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of Jewish Staying Sane in a Crazy World by Rabbi Sherwin Wine Community Relations Council of MN / Dakotas and Presenter and discussion leader: David Fox, Or Emet mem- Roxanne Givens, Founder of the Minnesota African ber American Museum (MAAM) Sunday, May 18, 2014, 10 am – 12:30 at Friends School Sunday, March 16, 2014, 10 am – 12:30 at Friends School of MN, St. Paul of MN, St. Paul Jewish Cultural School meets during the adult program Jewish Cultural School and Purim Carnival occurs during the Program: adult program Presenter: Program: Jewish Humanistic Humor Day Presenter: Richard Logan Friday, May 23, 2014, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Community Center, St. Louis Park Friday, March 21, 2014, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Humanistic Shabbat Service precedes the program Community Center, St. Louis Park Program: How the Minnesota Jewish Theater Works: Enter- Humanistic Shabbat Service precedes the program taining and Educating with Provocative Productions Program: Wild Things and Maurice Sendak: The Society for Presenter: Barbara Brooks, Founder and Director of the Min- Humanistic Judaism’s 2013-2014 Humanistic Jewish Role nesota Jewish Theater Model of the year. Special note: Or Emet members receive discounted tickets! Presenter: Allan Malkis, Or Emet member and Adult Educa- Enjoy a Minnesota Jewish Theater performance! tion chair

EVENTS include: Livable wage, homelessness, health care roll-out, Or Emet Adult Education Opportunity at St. Paul JCC: gun control A History of the Jewish Bible from a Humanist Perspective Or Emet’s Social Justice Committee has arranged this Sunday, February 2, 2014, 1 – 2:30, The Bible in its Near program exclusively for Or Emet members Eastern Context Sunday, February 16, 2014, 1 – 2:30, What's All the Fuss Saturday April 12 and Sunday April 13, 2014 – Rabbi about the Bible? Miriam Jerris, Society for Humanistic Judaism is our Presenter: Allan Malkis, Or Emet member and Adult weekend guest. Education Chair, Ramsey County Senior Program Evaluator Rabbi Jerris will present programs for Or Emet and also a public lecture on April 12: Humanistic Judaism: A Home for Wondering Saturday, February 22, 2014, 12:15 – 2:15 pm at St. Paul Jews -- and Others. JCC Family Shabbat – A fun, family-friendly Humanistic Saturday, April 19, 2014, 5 – 8 pm Passover Seder at Shabbat and Havdalah service with hands-on Shabbat First Unitarian Society 900 Mt. Curve Ave, Mpls 55404 activities. All ages welcome. Stay tuned for further information. Reservations are required. Saturdays, March 8, 2014, May 10, July 12, 7 - 8:30 pm at St Stephens Human Services Emergency Shelter Sunday, June 8, 2014, 10 am – 12:00 noon at Lake In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, join Or Emet volunteers to Nokomis Community Center, Minneapolis provide and serve dinner for shelter guests. Or Emet’s Annual Meeting and Election of Executive Committee Sunday, March 9, 2014, 1 – 3 pm at St. Paul Jewish Community Center Sunday, June 8, 2014, 12 noon – 2:00 pm at Lake Facilitated by: Jewish Community Action Nokomis Picnic Pavilion, Minneapolis Program: A training session for community action to Annual Potluck Picnic - rain or shine 9 Or Emet’s Seder Celebrates Passover in the Humanistic Tradition April 19, 2014 at 5 – 8 pm First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Our joyful community Seder celebrates Passover through a Humanistic Jewish service led by Harold Londer, Or Emet’s Madrikh. We read from a Humanist Haggadah, which includes both the legendary tale of the exodus from Egypt and modern Jewish exodus stories. Children from the Jewish Cultural School, adult members of the congregation, friends and families all share in the festivities. Join us for a great meal of roast turkey and traditional Passover foods. Everyone contributes to the potluck. Of course, the children get to search for the afikoman!

Reservations start April 1st and end April 14th (or until we reach capacity). Watch your inbox for more information about signing up. Volunteers are needed and essential to the Seder’s success! Questions? Contact Joan Barnett [email protected]

Cost: No cost for members; small fee for visitors. We welcome additional donations.

We look forward to celebrating Passover with you!

55427 MN Valley, Golden

N. Ave. Island Rhode 1711

Emet Or

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