Har Mishpacha
P.O. Box 776108
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 457-4270
Mountain Family
Steamboat Springs' Jewish Congregation
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Our next selection for Book Club is titled “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, by Nathan Englander. A pot-luck and discussion will take place on Wednesday, June 26th at 5:30 p.m. at Jerry and Renee Meyer’s house, 1143 Manitou Ave. Please RSVP to them at geraldm651@yahoo.com to let them know you will be coming and whether you will bring a side dish or dessert. The following is a review of the book and its author by amazon.com: These eight new stories from the celebrated novelist and short-story writer Nathan Englander display a gifted young author grappling with the great questions of modern life, with a command of language and the imagination that place Englander at the very forefront of contemporary American fiction.
The title story, inspired by Raymond Carver’s masterpiece, is a
provocative portrait of two marriages in which the Holocaust is played
out as a devastating parlor game. In the outlandishly dark “Camp
Sundown” vigilante justice is undertaken by a group of geriatric campers
in a bucolic summer enclave. “Free Fruit for Young Widows” is a small,
sharp study in evil, lovingly told by a father to a son. “Sister Hills”
chronicles the history of Israel’s settlements from the eve of the Yom
Kippur War through the present, a political fable constructed around the
tale of two mothers who strike a terrible bargain to save a child.
Marking a return to two of Englander’s classic themes, “Peep Show” and
“How We Avenged the Blums” wrestle with sexual longing and ingenuity in
the face of adversity and peril. And “Everything I Know About My Family
on My Mother’s Side” is suffused with an intimacy and tenderness that
break new ground for a writer who seems constantly to be expanding the
parameters of what he can achieve in the short form. We hope to see you there!
Wanted! Please contact: KarenS@harmishpacha.org
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SPECIAL HAR MISHPACHA RABBI WEEKEND MAY 3-5 Shalom Chaverim/Dear Friends, Please join with us in celebration, community, prayer and learning. As we transition from winter to spring here in Colorado, we will be transitioning from the end of the Book of Leviticus to the beginning of the Book of Numbers in our cycle of Torah readings. Completing one stage of community and sacred space building, our ancestors moved on to the journey ahead together in the desert. We will consider and honor the small and larger transitions in our lives on this special weekend together. FRIDAY MAY 3: - Kabbalat Shabbat/Friday Night Service of song and contemplation as we honor the transition into the “Holy Space in Time” that is the Jewish Sabbath. 7:15 p.m. at the Methodist Church. SATURDAY MAY 4: - Shabbat Morning Contemplative Walk and Moving Service, followed by optional brunch together. (Details to follow). SPECIAL WHOLE COMMUNITY EVENT: SABBATH MINCHA (afternoon) service beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church. Join us in a special short service on Shabbat afternoon as we welcome a new book of Torah and enter the story of B’Midbar/In the Wilderness, or more commonly, the Book of Numbers. Much of the “service leading team” will be the children from our religious school as part of their B’Nai Mitzvah studies and as a celebration of their graduation. Our special Sefer Torah will be brought out and chanted from. And we will have an opportunity to wrestle with the Torah text a bit together in discussion as well. COME SUPPORT OUR KIDS AND TORAH LEINERS… ALL OF WHOM HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO PREPARE FOR THIS SPECIAL DAY! The service will be followed by a pot-luck dinner. Please sign up using www.PerfectPotluck.com. The group meal is for harmishpacha to occur on Saturday, May 4 at 4 p.m. L’Shalom Rabbi Steve |
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Future Rabbi Weekends*
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2012-2013 Membership Renewals
now available
*Available for new or former members who have been away for over 3 years.
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My Har Mishpacha
From the beginning when I first moved here more than 15 years ago I somehow found my way to the "Jewish" group in Steamboat. I remember my first Har Mish event - it was a get together in someone's back yard and very casual. It was nice to know that there were in fact Jews in Steamboat and that when, over the years, I couldn't be with my own family for the holidays there was this "mountain family" to rely on. There have been several instances when members of Har Mish have stepped up and really been a great support to me and my family. That's what this congregation is about - supporting and encouraging each other and being there in good times and bad - just like a real family. I am very glad to be a part of this organization and to have the opportunity to raise my children in a loving and supportive Jewish environment that gives true meaning to their being Jewish. J.W.
We bought our condo in Steamboat because we enjoyed hiking and beautiful scenery. But then we learned of a Jewish commnity here! Who knew? Who could imagine, in this small mountain town, a group of dedicated people, working hard to promote yiddishkit ! Who care about keeping Judaism alive for themselves, their children, and grandchildren? Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs abound. It is an constant inspiration for us, and one bonus is that is allows us to stay in Steamboat over the holidays and see the change of seasons, the beautiful trees, the cooler weather. And the big bonus is the people, the friends we have made through Har Mishpacha! We treasure and value this wonderful connection and hope to enjoy and be inspired for many years to come. W.R.
Har Mishpacha has become my congregation. I have shared high holidays, Purim and Hanukkah celebrations, and simple Friday night services with members of the community for almost 20 years. When I moved to Steamboat, the first high holiday service I attended was held at a member's home. There were 15 of us present. We passed a book around the circle and took turns leading and participating in the service. Though we have grown in number, the same sense of a small and compassionate community still exists. Every member of Har Mishpacha chooses to participate in some way in Jewish life. In a bigger city, it would be easy to pay dues at a temple and simply arrive for services. Here, one does not just arrive, one plans, bakes, sets up, and takes down. It takes effort and a strong sense of spirit to be Jewish in Steamboat. I feel honored to be in congregation with such a willing and dedicated group of families. C.R.
I see Har Mishpacha as a grass root community held together by the work of those who wish to see a Jewish community thrive in Steamboat. The reward has been an organization that supports religious, cultural and social needs of Jews in Steamboat. Because we are small and we are what we put into it, we have been able to have anyone who wants to succeed, do so. We have seen talent in teaching, singing, meditation, cooking and more from members past, present and part time residents. It has been an accepting, caring organization. I have felt a part of a group of people willing to make a difference. It has been a place our family has been able to come together for our spiritual needs on an individual, family and group level. R.I.
Har is the gift that keeps on giving. First, Har has created a spiritual Jewish connection within me that never existed. Growing up as a conservative Jew I always felt the connection traditionally to my Jewish roots but never had a spiritual connection to Judaism. Second it has brought me the love, support and friendship of the most amazing women/soul sisters in my life. Thirdly, Har has been the bridge to teaching and sharing the gifts of Judaism with my daughter. In such a small unique town so far removed from the 'real world' and my own family having the Har Jewish community gives me a sense of place. S. M.
Just the fact that our congregation exists allowed me to move my family to this wonderful town and live life to the fullest. I do not feel that I am on an island and do know that a support system of spirituality is available to us all. My family's spiritual journey and Jewish identity is always developing and will continue under your guidance. D.Z.
Har Mishpacha
P.O. Box 776108
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 457-4270