If you have information that you would like to go in the November Newsletter, please send to: laura@handinhandarts.com


Earth, teach me stillness
as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth, teach me suffering
as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth, teach me caring
as parents who secure their young.

Earth, teach me courage
as the tree which stands all alone.

Earth, teach me limitation
as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth, teach me freedom
as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth, teach me resignation
as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth, teach me regeneration
as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth, teach me to forget myself
as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth, teach me to remember
kindness as dry fields weep with rain.

- Ute meditation

Welcome

Hello, Everyone!

Welcome to the month without any Jewish holidays.  Now that we are already one month into 5767, we can finally take a breath and dwell in a space of quietness.  After welcoming guests into our sukkah, and after dancing joyously on Simchat Torah, we have now arrived at Cheshwan when we can once again think about the questions that we reflected upon one month ago on Yom Kippur.

What goals did I set for the coming year?
Who do I want to be?

I can’t really remember myself.  It has been said that about 3 weeks after a new year, we can hardly remember our New Year’s resolutions! 

So, this is the month to just *be* with ourselves.  No holidays to prepare for, no celebrations to attend; just a time to focus on our inner beings and to really search for what we want and for who we are.  This is scary stuff.  It seems that this kind of searching is a never-ending process no matter where we are in life with our schooling, work, family, etc.  But Cheshwan, a month when we are least likely to be distracted, offers the most ideal time to find a place of stillness to make our lives balanced and whole.

During this month, when we read the story of Noah and the great flood that destroyed the earth and ultimately led to a process of re-creation, we are reminded of the delicate balance between “too little” and “too much.”  Water, our sustaining element on both a physical and spiritual level (the Torah is often compared to living waters) is life-giving in its presence and life-threatening in its absence and its excess.  With too little or too much of anything in our lives, we are not able to survive.  And so, we must work toward achieving *balance.*

At a mini New Moon Gathering on Sunday in Warsaw, we created little boats and I talked about how we need to “keep afloat” and “keep our heads above water” knowing what is just and right in our lives.  This mindfulness helps get us to a place of balance both for ourselves and for our communities at large.

So, this month I wish everyone peaceful inner searching.  Do it while chanting, while praying when you wake, when you walk or shower, while you eat or play with your kids, while you have coffee with your friends.  However you do it, may you find strength in your searching.

Looking forward to seeing ALL of you in Paris for Chanukah!

Peace from Warsaw, PL
Laura

[ newsletter edited by Jordan Namerow ]

 The New Month

From: www.ritualwell.org

Fast Facts

Cheshvan is the eighth of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar.

Cheshvan comes at the same time as the secular months of October/November. Pumpkins, squash, and gourds have arrived, reminding us of the cycle of planting and harvesting. Nature begins to hibernate, and mirroring this process, we too slow down and turn inward.

The mazal (constellation) for Cheshvan is Scorpio, akrav (the scorpion).

Features

Cheshvan is often referred to as mar Cheshvan, "bitter" Cheshvan, because the month contains no holy days, and because it often coincides with the arrival of colder weather. "Mar" can also mean a drop of water. According to a midrash (a story that interprets the Torah), more rain falls in "watery Cheshvan" since it marks the beginning of the great flood during the time of Noah.  We can also think of Cheshvan as a quiet time to reap the benefits of the spiritual growth of the preceding month of Tishrei.

EuroJews News / Events

EuroJews News / Events

NEXT TRIP: EuroJews Chanukah in Paris!

December 15th-18th 2006

Price: 130 euros + 20 euros membership = 150 euros
(includes food, entertainment, travel in Paris and 3 nights hostel accommodation; does not include flights/eurostar which individuals should book for themselves)

The weekend will include progressive Shabbat services, a Chanukah ball, candle-lighting in some of the city’s most romantic and cultural landmarks, a wide-range of fun and educational workshops from belly-dancing and break-dancing, to a film premiere, questions of religion and Jewish identity, a tour of Jewish Paris, a concert, and the chance to meet and interact with young Jewish adults from across Europe and beyond.

Not to be missed - you book the flights, we do the rest!

To reserve your place, contact: beatrice@eurojews.org

Membership

If you would like to be a member of EuroJews please send and e-mail to Beatrice Richman <beatricerichman(at)hotmail.com> You will get this on-line newsletter, discounts on events and other great things!

*If you would like to receive a reminder link to our monthly newsletter, please send an email to the following address, within the brackets: [eurojews-subscribe(at)eurojews.org

Members' Forum (see the link from http://www.eurojews.org/members.html)...a virtual space for our community to gather - room for online discussion, fun, announcements, recipes, learning - something we have been hoping to create for a long time is now finally with us!

If there are any problems viewing the site please contact makopolok(at)rediffmail.com

To ensure a safe space for all of this, we are restricting it to members of EuroJews only. If you haven't paid your 20 euros, you are still welcome to sign up for a month "trial", and we hope that you will join EuroJews within that month. As you know, the money is used to support our activities including to help increase attendance at our events - a small price to pay for a worthy cause! If you would like to join EuroJews please contact beatrice(at)eurojews.org" also see membership below.

- Nathan

News from Community Folks (happenings, questions, etc…)

News from Community Folks (happenings, questions, etc…)

 
*_EuroJews Late Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project _ Have you had a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, or are you one of many EuroJews who, for one reason or another, missed out?  It is never too late. We are planning an intensive learning programme leading, if appropriate, to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.  Please get in touch if you are interested in this, either as a student or as a teacher. Contact: Nathan

* EuroJews _Jewish/Moslem Dialogue Project._ Fed up with negative and stereotypical journalism, from all sides? Anyone interested in participating in a EuroJews/Moslems interfaith project should get in touch.  Let's break down some barriers. Contact: Nathan

tent’ at the liberal jewish synagogue
friday 27 october at 6:45 pm
at 28 st john’s wood road, nw8 7ha
service followed by meal at local restaurant
contact: anna on 07817 207625 or a.gerrard@liberaljudaism.org

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

‘tent’ at the montagu centre
friday 10 november at 7 pm
at the montagu centre, 21 maple street, w1t 4be
service followed by meal at local restaurant
contact: anna on 07817 207625 or a.gerrard@liberaljudaism.org

‘tent’ at finchley progressive synagogue
friday 24 november at 7 pm
at 54 hutton grove, Finchley n12 8dr
contact: anna on 07817 207625 or a.gerrard@liberaljudaism.org
to hear about all our events through email contact:
aaron at a.goldstein@liberaljudaism.org  mobile: 07764 192696
or monique on m.blake@liberaljudaism.org
for full listings of ‘tent’ and other endorsed events, please see our website www.liberaljudaism.org.