Yom Ha'

Last night the Burlington community came together for a very touching Yom HaShoah / Holocaust Day memorial service. Rabbi Joshua Chasan had some very well-chosen remarks about how even today the world is still condemning Israel, the lastest being at the UN conference in Geneva. Many members of both Temple Sinai and Ohavi Zedek Synagogue read from the Holocaust service in our prayer book, Mishkan T'filah. The Jewish Community Choir sang some beautifully moving songs, "Eili, Eili" and "Ashrei HaGafrur," both poems (set to music) by Hannah Senesh, the freedom fighter from Hungary who died by trying to save Jews in Europe. One of her poems, "Ahsrei HaGafrur" [Happy is the Match], was set to music by our own resident composer, Bruce Chalmer. (What a wonderfully talented guy!) The other song, Ani Ma'amin was an old Vishnietz tune brought to the U.S. by Elie Wiesel and arranged by the head of the Zamir Chorale, Matthew Lazar. All were very moving.

And coming up Friday is part of the local celebrations of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day. DO NOT COME TO TEMPLE SINAI FOR SERVICES FRIDAY NIGHT. There won't be any services here. DO go to Waterman Memorial Lounge at UVM at 6 for a community service led by three congregations: Temple Sinai, OZ, and UVM Hillel. Also featured in the service Jewish Community Choir. A catered Kosher oneg follows the service.