Community Involvement
TBH Goes to URJ Biennial. Eleven members went to Toronto, Canada for the URJ Bienniel. We had much fun, bonded and came back ready to go.
The 2010 Shema Tour. Temple Beth Hillel of South Windsor CT and Beth Hillel Synagogue visited three organizations that help the needy. It was the 6th annual Shema Tour. Shema means listen. We must listen before we can aid in repairing the world. 55 participants, Children and adults attended, visiting the East Hartford Community Health Care, The Jewish Communal Living in West Hartford, CT , Food Share and the Open Hearth in Hartford, CT. All participants thought the day was very worthwhile. To see slide show, click here
Temple Beth Hillel visits the Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford for slide show click here
As part of our annual Temple Beth Hillel's Shema Tour of 2009, on Martin Luther King Day, we had visited the Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford. Greeted warmly and with great hospitality, we were so impressed with each other’s kindnesses that we were invited to get together again to share a meal and dialogue. On February 22, 2009, fourteen congregants from my synagogue, Temple Beth Hillel, went to visit, discussed commonalities of both Abrahamic faiths. Cleanness was emphasized in both religions. When Stella and I visited Israel last year, I was impressed with the fact that Hebrew prayers said in South Windsor sounded the same and in fact were the same in Israel. The same is true of Islamic prayers. The Imam gave us an Islamic Center tour and an overview of Islam. I was quite surprised to learn that many of our forefathers were the same. Another Islamic Center member spoke about the history of Islam in America. The Rabbi spoke a bit about Judaism and the floor was opened for questions. Participants asked about similarities of belief in afterlife, praying and good and evil.
We concluded with a presentation of gifts with Rabbi Jeffrey Glickman giving the text of the Torah to Imam Kashif Abdul-Karim of the Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford. The Imam reciprocated by giving the Rabbi a copy of the Qur’an. The congregants of the Islamic center will be traveling to South Windsor, CT to continue sharing ideas and comradery on March 22, 2009. Click here for pictures, for movie
Each year Temple Beth Hillel visits various charitable associations. The purpose is to Listen and be an active member in our community as we try to “Repair the World”-“Tikum Olam”. This year 41 people attended ranging in ages from 6 to 83 years old. We visited South Park Inn, a shelter in Hartford, Muhammad Islamic Mosque of Greater Hartford, and the United Way of Central and Northeastern CT. As a result of this “listening”, our synogogue has reached out to the community with a linen drive bringing, bath sized towels, wash cloths, face towels, twin size fitted or flat sheets, pillow cases, and blankets. South Park Inn serves 1,500 homeless clients each year. They can accommodate up to 85 homeless men, woman and children for short stays before relocating them either to housing or to a longer-term program. These linens are very much needed for their survival.To see a slide show of this visit, click here.
Interval House for Battered Woman & Children are in need of many items. TBH is collecting hygiene products - shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, hairbrushes, conditioner, soap mouthwash, etc. Comfort items for the children: NEW Teddy Bears, NEW Pajamas for Mothers & Children.
Marty and I just returned from an enlightening meeting hosted by East Hartford Mayor Melody A. Curry at the new Riverfront Campus of Goodwin College. Joining Mayor Curry was the staff of the Community Economic Development Fund and the Small Business Assistance Center of Connecticut. It certainly was an interesting meeting that talked about small businesses like Stelcar Photography in East Hartford. They shared information about how to survive financially in this economic downturn. It was eye opening and gave Marty and I a wonderful networking opportunity. It also gave us a chance to see old friends from Goodwin College like President Mark Scheinberg and Todd Andrews. We then took a tour of the new facility which showcases many beautiful views of the Riverfront. The new facility is modern and up-to-date with newest of classrooms, labs, etc. We were duly impressed.CDEF Meeting at Goodwin College.
TBH Shema Tour 2008
Temple Beth Hillel is a Reform Jewish synagogue in South Windsor, Connecticut. Under the leadership of Rabbi Jeffrey Glickman, a tour of various facilities that serve the needy in the Hartford area are visited. Each year, different charities are chosen. We visited the Mandell Center of the Jewish Community Center in West Hartford, the MACC Samaritan Center in Manchester, and the Connectikids in Hartford.
This is a design album with write ups about where we went and what these places stand for. Once the collection is open, click on the first image and then use the navagation arrows to view each image in sequence. To see the images click here.
Comments
bishar commented on March 12th, 2009
that was very cool day it was fun for all the people
Rabbi Jeffrey Glickman commented on March 12th, 2009
When I first reached out to Imam Kashif at the Muhammad Islamic Center, it was for our group of about forty Temple Beth Hillel members to visit for an hour on January 19, 2009, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It was our tradition to rent a bus on that day and to see spiritual sites in the greater Hartford area. Almost none of my congregants had ever been to a mosque. Imam Kashif was most hospitable. My people were taken aback by the simplicity of the mosque, and by its cleanliness. We sat on the floor as the Imam addressed us. He went over the basics of Islamic worship and belief. Because I mentioned that my people might ask about Gaza, Imam Kashif invited Haida Abushagra, who, together with another like-minded man, spoke to us about Palestinian issues. The members of my synagogue had never heard such praise, in person, for Hamas. He answered questions in great length, but with much repetition. Because we were there to listen, I didn’t challenge the inflammatory statements he made. He told us that Hamas is reasonable, that Hamas wants a Jewish state of Israel, that the Gaza Strip was the most important concern of all Muslims world-wide and that all Muslims would rather see the destruction of the Kiblah than the death of a single Palestinian. Even though I thought differently about all those “facts,” I held my words. Later, I was praised for what I didn’t say. Imam Kashif let us know that those views were not held by all of his followers. Though the visit was brief, about one hour, as we boarded the busses, Imam Kashif followed us with some parting words. He invited us back for a shared meal with his community. People were so impressed with the Imam, and touched by his warm invitation, that we looked to find a day when we could get together. A member of my congregation, Ann Hughes, coordinated the date and the meal. We were to bring the desserts. On February 22, about thirty of us came for an extended visit of three hours. We witnessed a prayer session; we toured the facility; we heard gracious words of welcome and lessons from the Imam and other learned members of the mosque; and we enjoyed a sumptuous repast. The events were thoughtfully recorded by Jason Wasserman and photographed by Marty Seefer. There was a lively debriefing session at my house that evening. All were moved by the warmth of the members of the mosque. All were touched by the personalities of the people they met. All were aglow from the satisfaction of a home-cooked meal of such delicacies. Some of their impressions were that these people didn’t know much about Islam. However, they were very involved in the mosque. We concluded that community and discipline were much more important to them than theology. We were also surprised to see how segregated the community was -- brothers up front and the sisters in the back. This was true not only for the worship, but also for the meal. We were directed to a table that matched our sex. We decided the importance of inviting them for a meal. So, they are coming for a pot-luck on March 22nd. I hope that this is the beginning of a relationship which spans the decades. Our dialogue has exceeded our most optimistic goals.
Imam Kashif commented on March 12th, 2009
Peace be with you. This was absolutely wonderful. well worth the wait. We can't wait to visit your synogue. see you soon. Imam Kashif
Cantor Emily Sleeper commented on March 12th, 2009
Wonderful slide show! Great pics, Marty! Beautiful message. Thank you for sharing. Cantor
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