ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="Microsoft Word 97"> <META NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="Mozilla/4.04 [en] (Win95; I) [Netscape]"> <META NAME="Author" CONTENT="Inés Gutiérrez"> <TITLE>KOLEINU - Newsletter - B nei Israel Congregation - San José, Costa Rica</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY TEXT="#000000" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" LINK="#0000FF" VLINK="#551A8B" ALINK="#FF0000" BACKGROUND="paperINGnew.gif"> <FONT FACE="Arial,Helvetica" SIZE=2> <P><IMG SRC="KOLEINU.gif" ALIGN=LEFT> <P><IMG SRC="OUR_VOICE.gif" ALIGN=RIGHT> <p>&nbsp; <p>&nbsp; <p>&nbsp; <CENTER> <H4> <A NAME="B nei Israel Congregation - San José, Costa"></A>B nei Israel Congregation - San José, Costa Rica</H4> <I>Liberal Synagogue affiliated with <U>World Union for Progressive Judaism </U><br> and with <U>Union of Jewish Congregations of Latin America and the Caribbean </U></I><br> Tel. 231-5243 / Fax 231-5787<br> B nei Israel Online: <A HREF="index.html"> http://www.bnei-israel.org/ </A> <br> B'nei Israel Congregation: <A HREF="mailto:congbnei@racsa.co.cr"> congbnei@racsa.co.cr<br></CENTER> <p>&nbsp;<B> <CENTER> <H1> <A NAME="KOLEINU - Our Voice"></A> <A HREF="BOLpast.html#December_2003">KOLEINU - Our Voice</A></H1></CENTER> <CENTER><H2>DECEMBER 2003</H2></CENTER> <CENTER><H3>Kislev - Tevet 5764</I></H3></CENTER> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <UL> <LI> <A NAME="Board_Directors"></A> <A HREF="#BOARD DIRECTORS"> Board of Directors 2004</A></LI> <LI> <A NAME="Message_Rabbi"></A> <A HREF="#MESSAGE RABBI"> Message from our Rabbi</A> - <I>by Michael Holzman</I></LI> <LI> <A NAME="Former_President"></A> <A HREF="#FORMER PRESIDENT"> Message from our former President</A> - <I>by Eduardo Keibel</I></LI> <LI> <A NAME="Message_President"></A> <A HREF="#MESSAGE PRESIDENT"> Message from our new President</A> - <I>by David Feingold</I></LI> <LI> <A NAME="Hanukkah_Party"></A> <A HREF="#HANUKKAH PARTY"> Hanukkah Party at the Ziegler's</A> <LI> <A NAME="Collecting_Campaign"></A> <A HREF="#COLLECTING CAMPAIGN"> Collecting Campaign for our School</A> <LI> <A NAME="Sisterhood_Corner"></A> <A HREF="#SISTERHOOD CORNER"> Sisterhood Corner</A> - <I>by Flor Keibel</I> <LI> <A NAME="Joint_Meeting"></A> <A HREF="#JOINT MEETING"> About the Joint Meeting</A> - <I>by Marvin Sossin</I> <LI> <A NAME="Tico_Times"></A> <A HREF="#TICO TIMES"> Response to a Tico Times Columnist</A> - <I>by Rabbi Michael Holzman</I> <LI> <A NAME="Building_Peace"></A> <A HREF="#BUILDING PEACE"> Building Peace with Security Bricks</A> - <I>by Julian Schvindlerman</I> <LI> <A NAME="Twisted_Logic"></A> <A HREF="#TWISTED LOGIC"> Twisted Logic of Mothers who abandon Mothering</A> - <I>by Barbara Sumner Burstyn</I> <LI> <A NAME="Youth_Group"></A> <A HREF="#YOUTH GROUP"> Youth Group Corner</A> - <I>by Erika Keibel</I> <LI> <A NAME="Jewish_Humour"></A> <A HREF="#JEWISH HUMOUR"> Jewish Humour:</A></LI> <UL> <LI>Distinctions </UL> <LI> <A NAME="News_Congratulations"></A> <A HREF="#NEWS CONGRATULATIONS"> News - Congratulations</A></LI> <LI> <A NAME="Upcoming_Events"></A> <A HREF="#UPCOMING EVENTS"> Upcoming Events</A></LI> </UL> <P><B>Articles in Spanish without translation: (see: <A HREF="BOLdiciembre2003.html#KOLEINU.bmp"> DICIEMBRE 2003)</A> <UL> <LI>Letters to the Congregation: <UL> <LI>Tzedakah Committee Project - <I>by Gioconda Bulgarelli</I> </UL> </UL> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <HR width="100%"> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <center> <H3> <A NAME="#BOARD DIRECTORS"> <A HREF="#Board_Directors"> BOARD OF DIRECTORS</A></H3> <H4>Period 2004</H4> </center> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <TABLE width=90% align=center> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> President: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">David Feingold</span><br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> First Vice<span lang="es">-</span>President: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <b> <FONT face="arial"><span lang="es">Hilda ten Brink</span></font></b><FONT face="arial, verdana" size="2"><FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Second Vice<span lang="es">-</span>President: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH> <FONT face="arial"><TD valign=top align=left> <b><span lang="es">Jody Bonilla</span></b></font><FONT face="arial, verdana" size="2"><FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Secretary: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Norma de Matheu</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Pro-Secretary: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Anita Kaufman</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Treasurer: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Gordon Finwall</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Pro-Treasurer: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Mitch Bardack</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Trustees: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Paul Ziegler</span> <br> <span lang="es">Roberto Davidovich</span> <br> <span lang="es">Flor Keibel</span> <br> <span lang="es">Abraham Baum</span> <br> <span lang="es">Pilar Elkin</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Fiscals: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Erik Zango</span> <br> <span lang="es">Antonio Carrillo</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Alternates: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Jenny Rodríguez</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Sisterhood President: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> <span lang="es">Natalia Yechivi</span> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TH valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000066 size=3> Past President: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TH><TD valign=top align=left> <FONT face=arial color=#000000 size=3><B> Eduardo Keibel<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD></TR> <TR><TD>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD></TR> </TBODY></TABLE> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#MESSAGE RABBI"> <A HREF="#Message_Rabbi"> MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI</A></H3> <center><H3>Creating Kehillah Kedosha  Holy Community</H3></center> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dear hevreh, <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; During this month we will read parasha Vayishlach, the story of Jacob s return home after fleeing from his brother Esau. Jacob stole Esau s blessing and fears his brother s revenge. But they meet across a field, running to one another and embracing, and in that moment Jacob says,  To see your face is like seeing the face of God. In that moment, the divine presence rested between those brothers. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In synagogue life, we too find the divine presence between two faces, when we meet. Certainly studying Torah, attending services and helping others are the pillars of community, but the meeting between individuals would be the foundation upon which those pillars rest. In meetings, with groups, that is where we build connections and that is where we build our synagogue. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; During the final board meeting of the outgoing board, we decided to develop this foundation of our synagogue. We want to create a better system of including everyone, to help plan, organize, share, laugh, and enjoy the nuts and bolts of Jewish life. For this purpose we are restructuring the way we accomplish our work. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the next month you will hear a lot about three new groups, one each for <i>Torah</i> (study), <i>Avodah</i> (prayer) and <i>G milut Hasadim</i> (acts of kindness). Each of these groups will meet, discuss and plan for each of these three areas. But the groups will be more than that. At each gathering of a group, we will begin with some learning and singing. We will bring a bit of food <i>para picar</i>, and enjoy each other s company. Consider it a mini-oneg. And we will also dedicate ourselves to the holy work of the synagogue. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eventually, as these groups grow, we will begin holding all three meetings on the same night, so that members can meet each other during the singing, study and eating time, strengthening the bonds of our community. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We need each member of B nei Israel to contribute in some way and pick one of these three areas in which to give your time. We all have something to give and expect in the next few months that you will be asked where your interest lies. Where you want to find your spiritual nourishment. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sometimes work on committees can sound dull and uninteresting. Our goal as a congregation is to emphasize the spiritual nature of our gatherings, to make each trip to the synagogue a meaningful encounter with other Jews. Even for a committee meeting. The Kabbalists taught that holy sparks hide in the most mundane places. Our task is to find them. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rabbi Michael Holzman </font> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#FORMER PRESIDENT"> <A HREF="#Former_President"> MESSAGE FROM OUR FORMER PRESIDENT</A></H3> <p>December 2003 <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dear friends, <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I would like to share with you some reflections in my last letter as President of the B nei Israel Congregation. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Throughout these past three years, we have tried to continue along the vision of the founders of this community. The vision of providing the ambiance and the tools necessary for dynamic Judaism in Costa Rica, which would permit and promote the continuity of Jewish life. I hope that the responsibility entrusted to me three years ago, which ends today, has helped strengthen in some way our Mission and our Community. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The goals achieved are the result of the work and dedication of all the volunteers, leaders and non leaders, who by serving conviction and providing the tools for the future, have made this Community a reality. They are the treasure of this Community. To them, my deepest gratitude. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I think that there are a lot of good things in store for B nei Israel. Our presence and founding participation of the UJCL has permitted the growth and flourishment of these small Jewish communities in the Jewish World. Today we participate actively in Leatid programs, Joint seminaries, with organizations such as Keren Kayemet, Keren Hayesot, World Foundation for Shoah Museums, Youth Camps for young adults between 17 and 30 years old, between 7 and 16 years old. Innumerable possibilities are now open for us. I hope we will know how to make the best of these opportunities and continue to grow. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am sure that our new Board, led by David Feingold, will lead us to more growth and strength, and I offer my services for whatever you think is appropriate. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before I say good-bye, I want to thank you for your help, understanding, and tolerance. And above all, I thank all those people who gave me their friendship  that was worthwhile. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thank you. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eduardo Keibel</font> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#MESSAGE PRESIDENT"> <A HREF="#Message_President"> MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT</A></H3> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am honored by the trust you have shown in me by choosing me to be the new president of B nei Israel. It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of such outstanding leaders as Marvin, Jimmy, Hilda, and Eduardo. Through their hard work and that of so many others, we all are able to be part of a congregation that is strong, with a future that is bright. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is a very important time for our Congregation. Over the years, we have built a solid foundation. We are proud of our dedicated membership, a beautiful building, an excellent school, an indispensable cemetery, many active committees, and now, an energetic rabbi. We celebrate all Jewish holidays and lifecycle events. And in the process, we have become an important part of the lives of our members and of Jewish life in Costa Rica. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Precisely because we have achieved so much, our expectations for the future are even higher. For the future, we must continue what we have established, and then we must do more. We must continue to make B nei Israel relevant to the lives of our members and the rest of Costarrican Jewry. We must plan and carry out events and programs that encourage people to take part. Our synagogue must be a place we attend not just to avoid feeling guilty, but because we are motivated by the experience. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Of course, we can look to Rabbi Holzman to play an important role in this process. However, it is we, the members, who must play the most important part. As we participate more in the activities of B nei Israel, B nei Israel becomes a more significant part of our lives. As B nei Israel becomes more significant, our membership will increase. And as our membership increases, we will be more able to achieve our goals. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I believe the new Board is a wonderful group that will lead us into the next era at B nei Israel, and I am proud to be a part of it. However, I hope that every member of B nei Israel feels that it is not necessary to be a member of the Board to make a substantial contribution. We have many members of the Congregation who contribute prominently to B nei Israel s activities without being part of the Board. We have many active committees that are looking for more participants. And we are always looking for new ideas. There is much to do, and I hope every member will participate in the way he or she feels most comfortable. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Please contact me to let me know your comments, questions, ideas, or just to say hi. I look forward to working with each and every member of B'nei Israel, to meet the challenges of our shared future. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; L Shalom, <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; David Feingold</font> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#HANUKKAH PARTY"> <A HREF="#Hanukkah_Party"> HANUKKAH PARTY AT THE ZIEGLER'S</A></H3> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" color="#FF0000" size="6"><b>HANUKKAH PARTY</b></font></p> <table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="84%" id="AutoNumber2"> <tr> <td width="63%"> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" color="#0000FF">C</font></b></span><font face="Arial" color="#0000FF"><b>OME AND CELEBRATE HANUKKAH !!</b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial"><b><u>Date</u>:&nbsp; <font color="#FF0000">Sunday, December 21</font><br><u>Time</u>:&nbsp; <font color="#FF0000">4:00 p.m.</font><br><u>Place</u>:&nbsp; <font color="#FF0000">at the Ziegler's</font></b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Casa Club, Urbanización Villa Real<br> Highway to Santa Ana - tel. 203-3449</font></b> <p>&nbsp;</td> <td width="37%"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="Hanukah_Menorah.gif" width="153" height="200"></td> </tr> </table> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="3"><b>Bring your Hanukkah Menorah and let's kindle<br>the second candle together, as a Community</b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="3"><b>As is traditional, we will have a &quot;latke contest&quot;,<br>so make the best latkes you can<br>and come and share them with us!!</b></font></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><img border="0" src="candles.gif" width="414" height="173"></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#COLLECTING CAMPAIGN"> <A HREF="#Collecting_Campaign"> COLLECTING CAMPAIGN FOR OUR SCHOOL</A></H3> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="3"><b>The Jennifer Sossin School for Jewish Education needs your help ...<br> The need is urgent and immediate!!<br><br> <font size="3">On this Hanukkah, let's all make a DONATION to support our School<br> In the education of our children lies the future of B'nei Israel ...</font></b></font></p> <table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="91%" id="AutoNumber1"> <tr> <td width="100%" colspan="2"> <p align="center"><span lang="es"><u><b><font face="Arial" color="#FF0000">C</font></b></u></span><u><font face="Arial" color="#FF0000"><b>HECKS PAYABLE TO:&nbsp;&nbsp; Congregación B'nei Israel</b></font></u></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%"> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" color="#0000FF"><b><u>To our friends abroad</u>:</b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Please send your contribution<br> for the Jennifer Sossin School to:</b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" color="#FF0000"><b>Box 264, P.O.Box 025216<br>Miami, FL&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 33102 - 5216<br>U.S.A.</b></font></p> <p>&nbsp;</td> <td width="50%"> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" color="#0000FF"><b><u>To our members in Costa Rica</u>:</b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b> Please bring your special donation<br> to the Synagogue by December 19th,<br> or take it with you to our Hanukkah Party<br> at the Ziegler's on the 21st and deliver it<br> to Marvin, Jody or David Feingold.</b></font></p> <p>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" colspan="2"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial"><b>Our thanks from this generation and the next !!!</b></font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#SISTERHOOD CORNER"> <A HREF="#Sisterhood_Corner"> SISTERHOOD CORNER</A></H3> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dear friends, <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Today I leave the presidency of Sisterhood, and I leave very happy for having been able to share these years with so wonderful women, who were always there for me. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When I began I was fearful, I thought I didn t know what I had to do, if I could do it, and worst of all, if I would have the support I needed. But even though I thought it would be beyond me, I am glad I accepted this challenge, because I realized the caliber of the women that we have in B´nei Israel, and that thanks to them we could coordinate, work and accomplish the goals we made. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I leave with my heart full of hope in our future, our community has women that are there when we need them. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Our new president is Natalia Yechivi. I am sure that her role will be very good. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now I say goodbye, thanking everyone that was there for me and our community. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Love, <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Flor Keibel</font> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#JOINT MEETING"> <A HREF="#Joint_Meeting"> ABOUT THE JOINT MEETING</A></H3> <p><I>By Marvin Sossin</I> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The 9th, meeting of the leaders of Jewish Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean was held in the beautiful surroundings of Antigua, Guatemala, from October 29 to November 2. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee was celebrating its 90th anniversary. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There were over 500 delegates from 22 countries present. In addition to the activities programmed by the Joint, there were meetings of B nei Brith , and the U.J.C.L., in which B nei Israel was a founding member. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There were also 90 young people who held a Youth Conference. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The meetings were held at the <i>Casa Santo Domingo</i>, which is a beautiful large hotel built on the ruins of a convent, which was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1645. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Antigua was originally the capital of Guatemala. I couldn t imagine a more appropriate site for the <i>Encuentro</i>. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There were prominent speakers from around the world, speaking on diverse subjects dealing with Jewish Education, Community Development, Jewish Youth Today and the Challenges for Future Generations, The Middle East Conflict and Repercussions in Latin America, among other subjects. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There were plenary sessions, comprising some of the great minds and figures of the Jewish world. Plenary speakers included Shalom Rosenberg (Israel), Michel Ventura (Brazil), Daniel Feinstein (Mexico), Bernardo Kliksberg (USA), Joel Miller (Cuba), Jorge Schulman (Argentina), Marcelo Birmajer (Argentina), Julio Kierzenson (Costa Rica). <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Our UJCL group was led by Martha Lichtenstein, who participated in a very special opening ceremony and presented a gift on behalf of our group. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was a marvelous event. Unforgettable! <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Our own Myriam Lipszyc helped in the programming, and she also sang some rousing songs in the closing party. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was also a wonderfully warm feeling to join with our fellow Jews of the region, to learn together the issues of today, and share our dreams of tomorrow. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#TICO TIMES"> <A HREF="#Tico_Times"> RESPONSE TO A TICO TIMES COLUMNIST</A></H3> <center><p><i>In the September 12, 2003 edition of the <u>Tico Times</u>, regular columnist Oscar Chavarría, known as the "Poet Cornered," wrote a comment that instead of Palestinians living in refugee camps, the Jews should be in the camps. Rabbi Holzman wrote the following column in response, which appeared in the November 28 edition.</i></center><br><br> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Digging for truth in the Holy Land uncovers layers of myth, fact and faith. Interpretation depends upon the preconceptions of the interpreter, a fact exemplified by the recent comments about the Middle East that have appeared in these pages. I am a rabbi, and with the perspective that comes with being a religious Jew, I would like to share my views on some of the issues raised. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bias is unavoidable on this topic, because competing claims rest less upon verifiable facts and more upon beliefs bound up with individual identity. The Land of Israel/Palestine lies at the cross roads of three faiths, and in many ways, holds up a mirror to the moral shortcomings of Christian Europe and social failures of the Islamic world. In tiny Israel, Europeans have the ever present reminder of their complicity in the murder of six million Jews, while Arabs see how a modern democracy thrives in the midst of impoverished autocracies. Competing sides, including Israel, employ history and mythology to justify their claims, enlarging the justice of their cause, while denying the claims of the  other. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The issue of mythology begins, of course, with sacred texts, like the Bible. True, Jews cannot verify that God gave Israel to Abraham any more than Christians can prove Jesus walked the Via Dolorosa or Muslims can substantiate that Muhammad ascended to heaven from the Temple Mount. Parts of our holy books can be proved (archeologists can prove Israelite sovereignty in the Holy Land for most of a millenium), and parts cannot. One may not like the version of events in another people s book  and <u>Tico Times</u> writer, Oscar Chavarría points out his distaste for the Hebrew Bible (TT 11/14/03)  but that does not dismiss them. These are books of faith describing peoples of faith in a land of faith, a Holy Land. Those are forces too powerful to dismiss as Chavarría does so flippantly. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The current situation began when hundreds of thousands of Europe s Jews, over a sixty year period, joined the small Jewish communities that had existed in Israel continuously since the Roman period. They entered a region where British colonialists were fanning the flames of Arab nationalism in order to weaken Ottoman rule. By 1947, the UN entered this volatile mix by creating both a Jewish and Palestinian state. The Palestinians rejected the offer, choosing instead to invite 6 Arab neighbors to attack Israel from lands granted to the new Palestinian state. In the ensuing war, significant numbers of Arabs and Jews fled or were forced from the other s lands, and the Palestinian state was absorbed by Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt, not Israel. The Arabs remaining in Israel do suffer unequal rights from their minority status, but enjoy more human rights, freedom, and democracy than any other Arabs in the Middle East. The Palestinians that fled never agitated for independence from Jordan or Egypt and did not create a nationalist movement. Instead they launched guerilla attacks against Israel, attempting to destroy their neighbor instead of building their own state. Of course, Israel s victory in 1967 led to the current Palestinian nationalism movement and the recent terrorist attacks. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Some simplify the situation into the Palestinian David facing the Israeli Goliath. This is a romantic myth promulgated by old Palestinian leaders pushing 12-year-olds with rocks in front of Israeli soldiers and European journalists, while directing suicide bombers to ride in Red Crescent ambulances and hide their explosives in mosques. And if Israel is Goliath, consider that the non-Palestinian king of Jordan massacred more insurgent Palestinians in September 1970 than have been casualties in the last three years of the Intifada. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nothing is clear in the Middle East, but over-simplifications distort the truth and can damage on their own. Mr. Chavarría also suggests that, instead of Palestinians suffering in refugee camps, it is the Jews  who should be in those camps (TT 9/12/03). The Ramallah where I enjoyed Jazz in 1998 was far from a  camp, as was the Jericho that attracted Israeli gamblers to its casinos. These cities do crumble today, as terrified residents huddle in the crossfire between Palestinian militants and a powerful Israeli army, but the idea of  camps is another myth. <BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In contrast, for Jews, the myth of  camps has been an awful reality. Our  camps had names like Auschwitz and Treblinka. That is why we defend Israel so strongly. While we were in camps, the rest of the world abandoned us. To suggest that Jews, or anyone, should be living in  camps employs a word, an image, and a myth of hatred and evil. Both Mr. Chavarría and the <u>Tico Times</u> ought to be more careful printing such words. <p><i><font size=1>Rabbi Michael Holzman is the rabbi of B nei Israel Congregation, the only synagogue serving English speakers in Costa Rica.</font></i> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#BUILDING PEACE"> <A HREF="#Building_Peace"> BUILDING PEACE WITH SECURITY BRICKS</A></H3> <P><I>By Julian Schvindlerman, <u>The Miami Herald</u>, November 14, 2003</I> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So many misconceptions surround the fence that Israel is building around the West Bank, it is hard to decide where to begin to debunk those myths. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Let us begin with a hopefully persuasive point: It takes less amount of time for a suicide-bomber to walk from the Palestinian town of Kalkiliya to the Israeli city of Kfar Saba than what it will take a reader to go through the editorial page of today's newspaper. In 15 minutes, a terrorist can cover that distance by foot, as some unfortunately did in the past. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; During the first three years of this Palestinian intifada, 127 suicide-bombers crossed into Israel from the West Bank, killing 428 Israelis and wounding scores. Another 573 terrorists attempted to infiltrate during that period. May this information be compelling enough for those who claim that the Israeli government is constructing this fence for political, instead of security, reasons. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What do critics say? <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They say that the fence will not guarantee 100 percent immunity from terror attacks. This may be true, but even if it ''only'' minimizes casualties, it's worth doing. For that matter, there is an illustrating precedent. In 2001 a fortified fence was built in the Gaza Strip, and not even one suicide-bomber has made it through ever since. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They say that Israel is erecting a wall. Some even call it, amazingly enough, a ''Berlin Wall.'' In fact, only five miles out of the 87 miles already constructed, constitute sections of concrete wall. The rest (about 95 percent of the barrier) is a chain-link fence with electronic sensors. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They say that the fence creates hardships for many Palestinian farmers, that it cuts them from their sources of income (olive trees) and that it will keep workers from entering Israel. The West Bank fence already has 42 gates to facilitate access to Israel proper, and Israeli diplomats say that compensation will be assigned when appropriate. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Once again, the fence in the Gaza Strip provides an interesting reference. According to Maj. Gen. Doron Almog, former head of Israel's Southern Command, with responsibility for the fence in Gaza, in December 2000 --just before construction of the fence began -- nearly 3,000 Palestinians worked daily in the Erez Industrial Zone. As a result of the improvement in the security situation, 5,000 Palestinians work there today. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But even if the fence would cancel all benefits for the Palestinians, one may legitimately ask: What ''perpetual right'' do the Palestinian have to work in Israel in the first place? By what moral and logical standard should Palestinian olive trees take precedence over Israeli human lives? <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They say that the fence goes beyond the Green Line, taking ''Palestinian land.'' This is true, but one should note that we are talking about 3 percent to 4 percent of the disputed territories. As political analyst David Makovsky observed, portions of the fence are located inside the West Bank because close to 75 percent of Israel's 226,000 settlers live in 5 percent of West Bank territory adjacent to the Green Line. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Even the maximalists call for annexing at most 10 percent to 15 percent of the disputed areas, which would still leave the Palestinian Authority in control of about 90 percent of the West Bank. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The real issue, however, is not that the fence seizes 3 percent or 4 percent of West Bank land but rather that it is in fact giving up more than 95 percent of it, as academic Barry Rubin aptly pointed out. In other words, the Sharon administration, with vast popular support, is in effect dividing the land of Israel, creating the space for eventual Palestinian self-determination in the disputed areas and putting to rest the false accusation that Israel is an expansionist state. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The late Yitzhak Rabin took office in 1992 vowing ''To take Gaza out of Tel-Aviv,'' as a campaign slogan had it at the time. A decade later, Ariel Sharon is trying to take the West Bank out of Tel-Aviv as well. Will critics abroad let him? <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#TWISTED LOGIC"> <A HREF="#Twisted_Logic"> TWISTED LOGIC OF MOTHERS WHO ABANDON MOTHERING</A></H3> <P><I>By Barbara Sumner Burstyn, <u>New Zealand Herald</u>, October 13, 2003</I> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Today as I write, 19 people have died in Haifa at the hands of yet another suicide terrorist. This time the terrorist was a woman. The pride of her family, she was about to become a lawyer. But instead of grief at the loss of such a promising person, her family is ecstatic. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We are receiving congratulations from people," said her brother. "Why should we cry? It is like her wedding today, the happiest day for her." A year ago, our media were filled with images of Naima el-Abed, a Palestinian mother who sent her son to carry out a suicide terrorist attack. In all the images she is beaming. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I agreed that he become a suicide bomber to encourage other mothers," she said. On the Hamas website she proudly detailed the support and encouragement she gave her son and described how, as a mother, his act was a source of great pride. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There is much I don't understand about the Middle East conflict or the seeds of religious intolerance that drive it. But I do know about mothering. In that area I am an expert. A year ago, as I tried to understand her comments, I was filled with a mother's questions. And now I want to ask them. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I want to know, Naima el-Abed, if you remember when your son was born? Did you look at his perfection with a sense of wonder? <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I remember that time, when even the exquisite design of my daughter's soft pale fingernail was enough to bring me to tears. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But along with that, something else blossomed, as if it were an integral part of the birth process. Fear. Fear that I might not be up to this responsibility and the enormity of the task of protecting her. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And, like all new parents, I knew at that moment the value of human life, the fragility and vulnerability that is concealed beneath new-born perfection. And I knew without a shadow of a doubt that if it came to it, I would lay down my life for this life I had created. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How do you go from that to supporting your child's suicide? I try to imagine the mental steps and I just can't do it. Instead, I wonder at the belief that has wormed its way into your Palestinian motherhood, a belief that seems to have destroyed the fierce and ancient desire to protect your child. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I understand, Naima, that the world I come from is cloistered, secluded from the daily terrors of your war zone. From this perspective I cannot hope to comprehend the complexities of your mothering in the Middle East. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I know, from reading your interview, that you believe your son is now in the company of virgins and that he is happy. I want to believe that you believe this. But then I know how the will to live is the most powerful force in the universe and I think about the money you have been paid, for the life of your son, and I weep for how twisted your mothering has become. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One thing I do know about parenting, Naima, one thing we both know: children want to please their parents. Was your son forfeiting his life to enrich his family and to please you? <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you ever wonder if, deep down inside himself, he nurtured a hope of life, perhaps buried beneath the hatred your society fanned in him, but still a hope, of even a sliver of the years granted to you? <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So what is it, Naima, that drives the mothers of your country to glorify the destruction of their children and of the nation they oppose? <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In my quest for understanding, I have read many articles explaining the conflict in the Middle East and specifically the cult of terrorist suicide bombings. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Almost all rationalize it in terms of the desperation of the Palestinian people. This I understand. Desperation is universal. I see it etched on the faces of your people. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But this same condition also drove those who became the citizens of Israel to find a place of safety from the atrocities committed against them. It drove the grandmothers of my country to give up their sons in World War II. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But after that war, when the flower of an entire generation did not come home, our grandmothers did not rejoice. They did not ululate at the knowledge that their boys had died and possibly killed another mother's son in the process. They wept with sadness, not joy at the decimation of their children. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A year ago, I watched Naima el-Abed carefully, looking for some sign of grief at the loss of her son. Instead I saw something far more chilling. I saw her pleasure. As if the death of this boy was a victory. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At the time, I wanted to reach out to her, across the expanse of our differences and say to her that while we were strangers, a Palestinian and a New Zealander, we had one thing in common. We were both mothers. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But now I understand that this word, this act as natural as breathing, is not a universal one. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In a world where even animals instinctively protect their young, I know I will never understand the mother who encourages her child to suicide, who views her son as a legitimate weapon of war. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As I write this, I am again in tears. For the children yes, but also for the mothers who send them out to die, for the mothers who have abandoned mothering. <p><i><font size=1>Submitted by Armando Flasterstein</font></i> <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#YOUTH GROUP"> <A HREF="#Youth_Group"> YOUTH GROUP CORNER</A></H3> <p><i>By Erika Keibel</i> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I think we always worry about material things; whenever we have an idea we complain about how much it will cost, how long will it take, who will participate. Aspects which do have a great influence in all our projects, but which I don t consider as obstacles for their fulfillment. Sometimes I think that only persistence, willingness, and enthusiasm are needed to go a long way. Money is not needed in all projects, and if we wait to see who is interested in participating, we never achieve anything. I think we have to start by ourselves. Ideas are always good and always helpful. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As teenagers of the Jewish community, I think we should compromise, persist, and strive to achieve our goals. One meeting is not enough. Dialogue is helpful, but not when it does not lead anywhere. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I would like to create a group of young people who act, a group for which there is no obstacle we cannot overcome, a group in which we can express our perseverance and our desire to become a united community, valuing how fortunate we are, and helping those in need of love and the values taught to us by our parents. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We will begin with a Project for the <i>Hospicio de Huérfanos</i> (orphanage) in Desamparados, alongside the Centro Israelita. We have come together as two Jewish communities, not as an Orthodox community and a Reform community but as one, for we are all Jews, and we cherish the same values. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seeing as some members have already donated gifts, we will be in charge of organizing a Christmas party for these 145 kids, on December 22. We want to collaborate with food, sweets, music& whatever is necessary to offer this children a different environment, full of love and happiness. Unfortunately, these children haven't had the same opportunities we have. They don t have loving parents. I don t want to be over dramatic, but many of us aren't aware of this reality and take our blessings for granted. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We are just a few, but we will be calling you in the next few weeks. But please, if we don t get in touch with you, and you learn about this event, we would be very grateful if you could cooperate with something sweet, leaving it at the synagogue with Mayra (our secretary) or Leo, telling them clearly that what you are leaving there is for the orphanage project. From December 17 on we will be receiving your donations, and we will remain very grateful to all of you. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER>*********************</CENTER> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks to the support on the part of various members of our congregation, we have been able to attend different seminaries abroad. The last one was organized by the Joint Distribution Committee in Antigua, Guatemala. As always, it was a wonderful experience. I think that it gets better each time. Personally, this one has been the best. The organization was excellent, the people were all very nice, and we were treated as if we were part of the nobility, always trying to give us the best. But there was a transitional factor: in this Seminary, teenagers and young adults of university age attended the same lectures, which meant we were treated as adults, and had adult discussions. They spoke to us in equal terms, telling us their personal experiences and giving us advise on how to go on as a unified community. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We also spoke about the guettos that we make in our synagogues  we often exclude those who do not share our same ideology. We try to fight against world discrimination, but we are blind to the reality that surrounds us. I do not understand the idea of creating a better world, where there is no racism, if we are not even able to build equality in our own house, our own temple, and in ourselves. There will always be different trends and traditions in Judaism, the need to be a good Jew, but we have to be open to new possibilities, always respecting our traditions and culture, our millenary culture that has grown and flourished until this day. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The participation of Latin American countries in the seminary served to unite us more as a Jewish community. All the people from different backgrounds and cultures, but with the same Jewish essence. We made new friendships, which we hope will last against all odds and distances, and which will also enrich our lives as human beings. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#JEWISH HUMOUR"> <A HREF="#Jewish_Humour"> JEWISH HUMOUR</A></H3> <P><I>Submitted by Armando Flasterstein</I> <center><H3>DISTINCTIONS</H3></center> <ol> <li>Christmas is one day, same day every year: December 25. Jews also love December 25th. It's another paid day off work. We go to movies and out for Chinese food, and Israeli dancing. Chanukah is 8 days. It starts the evening of the 24th of Kislev, whenever that falls. No one is ever sure. Jews never know until a non-Jewish friend asks when Chanukah starts, forcing us to consult a calendar so we don't look like idiots. We all have the same calendar, provided free with a donation from either the World Jewish Congress, the kosher butcher, or the local Sinai Memorial Chapel (especially in Florida) or other Jewish funeral home. <br><br> <li>Christmas is a major holiday. Chanukah is a minor holiday with the same theme as most Jewish holidays. They tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat. <br><br><li>Christians get wonderful presents such as jewelry, perfume, stereos... Jews get practical presents such as underwear, socks, or the collected works of the Rambam, which looks impressive on the bookshelf. <br><br><li>There is only one way to spell Christmas. No one can decide how to spell Chanukah, Chanukah, Chanukka, Channukah, Hanukah, Hannukah. <br><br><li>Christmas is a time of great pressure for husbands and boyfriends. Their partners expect special gifts. Jewish men are relieved of that burden. No one expects a diamond ring on Chanukah. <br><br><li>Christmas brings enormous electric bills. Candles are used for Chanukah. Not only are we spared enormous electric bills, but we get to feel good about not contributing to the energy crisis. <br><br><li>Christmas carols are beautiful. Silent Night, Come O Ye Faithful.... Chanukah songs are about dreidels made from clay or having a party and dancing the horah. Of course, we are secretly pleased that many of the beautiful carols were composed and written by our tribal brethren. And don't Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond sing them beautifully? <br><br><li>A home preparing for Christmas smells wonderful. The sweet smell of cookies and cakes baking. Happy people are gathered around in festive moods. A home preparing for Chanukah smells of oil, potatoes, and onions. The home, as always, is full of loud people all talking at once. <br><br><li>Women have fun baking Christmas cookies. Women burn their eyes and cut their hands grating potatoes and onions for latkes on Chanukah. Another reminder of our suffering through the ages. <br><br><li>Parents deliver to their children during Christmas. Jewish parents have no qualms about withholding a gift on any of the eight nights. <br><br><li>The players in the Christmas story have easy to pronounce names such as Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The players in the Chanukah story are Antiochus, Judah Maccabee, and Matta whatever. No one can spell it or pronounce it. On the plus side, we can tell our friends anything and they believe we are wonderfully versed in our history. <br><br><li>Many Christians believe in the virgin birth. Jews think, "Joseph, Bubela, snap out of it. Your woman is pregnant, you didn't sleep with her, and now you want to blame G-d. Here's the number of my shrink". <br><br><li>In recent years, Christmas has become more and more commercialized. The same holds true for Chanukah, even though it is a minor holiday. It makes sense. How could we market a major holiday such as Yom Kippur? Forget about celebrating. Think observing. Come to synagogue, starve yourself for 27 hours, become one with your dehydrated soul, beat your chest, confess your sins, a guaranteed good time for you and your family. Tickets a mere $200 per person.<br><br> Better stick with Chanukah! </ol> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><img border="0" src="block_hanukkah.gif"></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#NEWS CONGRATULATIONS"> <A HREF="#News_Congratulations"> NEWS - CONGRATULATIONS</A></H3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <table border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber2"> <tr> <td width="100%"> &nbsp;<p align="center"><font color="#FF0000"><b><span lang="es">SHABBAT MORNING CHANGE !!</span></b></font></p> <p align="center"><b><span lang="es"> In order to strengthen our Shabbat morning services, we have reduced the number<br> of Shabbat morning services per month to two.&nbsp; They will be on the <u>first</u> and <u>third</u><br> Saturdays of each month, the same weeks we have early services.&nbsp;<br> Hopefully, this will allow people who cannot make the early Friday service<br> to come pray and learn Torah in the morning on Saturday.</span></b></p> <p align="center"><b><span lang="es"> We also would like participants to read Torah and Haftarah,<br> or present a Torah study.&nbsp; So call the Rabbi if you are interested<br> in helping out, or just show up to be counted in our minyan!!!</span></b></p> <p>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><span lang="es"><font size="4"><b>A</b></font></span><b><span lang="es"><font size="4">NNOUNCING . . .&nbsp; GRUPO TZEDEK</font></span></b></p> <p align="center"><font color="#FF0000"><span lang="es"><font size="2"><b>F</b></font></span><b><span lang="es"><font size="2">irst meeting of Grupo Tzedek:&nbsp; </span> <span lang="es">&nbsp;to be announced ...</span></font></b></font></p> <p align="center"><b><span lang="es"><font size="2"> <br> This will be B'nei Israel's forum for discussion and action regarding community service and helping<br> our neighbors.&nbsp; One topic of this meeting will be to create a program to help bring Holiday gifts<br> to underprivileged children in the area.&nbsp; We will also be discussing future projects for Grupo Tsedek.</font></span></b></p> <p align="center"><span lang="es"><font size="2"><b>Be sure to j</b></font></span><b><span lang="es"><font size="2">oin us!</font></span></b></p> <p>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <table border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber2"> <tr> <td width="100%">&nbsp;<p align="center"><b><font size="4"><span lang="es">Announcing . . . The Wednesday Hebrew Ulpan!</span></font></p> <center> <p class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify; border: medium none; padding: 0cm"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <font size="2"><span lang="EN-US">Beginning this Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 8:00 </span>p.m., we will be holding<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a Hebrew reading and speaking Ulpan.&nbsp; </span> We will split into two tracks:</center> <ol> <LI><span lang="EN-US">the Hebrew Hevrutah (pairs) dedicated to reading skills and understanding of the prayers, and</span><LI><span lang="EN-US">the Conversational Hebrew class, which will be learning to read and speak Hebrew.&nbsp;</span> </ol> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span lang="EN-US">All Hebrew levels are welcome (starting with the letters).&nbsp; </span> <p align="center"> <font color="#FF0000"><u><span lang="es">There is still room for more adults in our Hebrew Conversation class!</span></u></font><p align="center"> <span lang="es"><u>Call the synagogue if you are interested</u></span>.</font> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </td></tr> </table> <table border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber3"> <tr> <td width="100%">&nbsp;<p align="center"><b><span lang="es"> Rabbi Holzman is eager to hear from members of the community.<br> If you have questions or comments, or you would just like to meet<br> with the rabbi, please call the office or send an e-mail.</span></b></p> <p align="center"><b> <a href="mailto:congbnei@racsa.co.cr"><span lang="es"> congbnei@racsa.co.cr</span></a></b></p> <p align="center"><b><span lang="es">We look forward to hearing from you!</span></b></p> <p>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul> <li>Mazel Tov to Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik and his wife Ruthy for the arrival of their baby boy, Dan. Rabbi Kraselnik is the rabbi of Kol Shearith Israel, the Reform Congregation in Panama. According to Hilda ten Brink, wonderful people are born on October 29: her daughter Rachel and now baby Dan K.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Congratulations and blessings to the Kraselnik family!! </ul> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <center>********************************</center> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul> <li>In honor of her daughter s wedding, the Marin family would like to dedicate this poem to Hilda ten Brink, who has helped so many people with so much, and asked for so little in return. </ul> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US"><font size="5"> Helpful, humorous, and happy<br><br> Incredibly compassionate, positive, and cheerful<br><br> Laughs a lot !<br><br> Definitely blessed with beauty, elegance and grace<br><br> Always the red dress in a sea of black </font></span></font></b></p> </blockquote> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <center>********************************</center> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul> <li>Congratulations to Jason Marin on being elected President of the Student Council 2003-2004. Also congratulations to Jason for being named the Editor-In-Chief of the High School Newspaper, the Technology Coordinator of the Yearbook, and the Treasurer of the National Honor Society. Jason s party was called The Real Deal. After fierce competition with the party calling itself The New Deal, including over 50 posters, 100 stickers, 200 lollipops, and a public debate, the Real Deal won by a margin of 77 to 55 votes. <li>Congratulations also to Michelle Marin who was elected vice-president of her ninth grade class, and Daniel Marin who was elected President of the Country Day School Junior Student Council. <li>So far, Daniel, running on a campaign pledge to install locks in the boy s bathroom, create a faster slide, and have a talent show for third graders, has installed locks and mirrors in the boy s bathroom. <li>For the first time ever, Jewish children were elected as presidents of the Junior Student Council, the Elementary Student Council, the Middle School Student Council, and the High School Student Council in CDS. Perhaps each will lead with a spark of Jewish light. </ul> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <center>********************************</center> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul> <li>Congratulations to Ismael Baum and Arick Dickerman, for their participation in the National Math Olympics 2003. Ismael and Arick, both in VI grade, got to the finals. We are very proud of them!! </ul> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <center>********************************</center> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul> <li>For the first time in our history, B nei Israel celebrated three weddings in the same month. We hope to continue celebrating as many simchas as we did on November 2003. <br><br>CONGRATULATIONS to all our newly weds!! <ul> <li>Daniel Befeler and Ana Ruiz <li>Eitan Yechivi and Keyla López <li>Rachel ten Brink and Herman Goihman </ul> </ul> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><font face= arial size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rachel was one of our first Bat Mitzvah girls. On October 1987, Rachel, Holly Herckis, and Ronit Dickerman filled us with joy, pride, and expectations. It was on this day that B nei Israel was really consecrated as a Jewish Congregation that would go far, reaching out to all the Jewish population in Costa Rica, giving them a new place where they could practice the traditions, culture, and rituals of their forefathers. <BR><BR> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rachel celebrated her Bat Mitzvah and her wedding with us. Now we hope to celebrate with her husband and her, some day in the future, the Brit Milah or Baby Naming of their child. Although they will live in New York, we hope she will come back to us, to her community, to celebrate her simchas. <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <CENTER><IMG SRC="CORDON_CELESTE.bmp" border=0 width=480 height=12></CENTER> <H3> <A NAME="#UPCOMING EVENTS"> <A HREF="#Upcoming_Events"> UPCOMING EVENTS</A></H3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="2" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="93%" id="AutoNumber1"> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" colspan="3" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><font face="Arial" color="#FF0000"><span lang="es"><B>PARASHAT VAYETZE</b></span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Tuesday, December 2</font></b></span></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#FF0000">GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTIONS</font></b></span></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">7:00 p.m.</font></b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Wednesday, December 3<br><br></span></font></b></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Introduction to Judaism<br>Weekly Hebrew Ulpan</span></b></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">7:30 - 9:30 p.m.<br>8:00 - 9:30 p.m.</span></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Friday, December 5</span></font></b></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Kabbalat Shabbat Children's Service</span></font></b></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">6:30 p.m.</span></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Saturday, December 6</span></font></b></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Services and Torah Study</span></font></b></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">10:00 a.m.</span></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" colspan="3" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" color="#FF0000"><span lang="es">PARASHAT VAYISHLACH</span></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Monday, December 8</font></b></span></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Meeting of the new Board</font></b></span></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">7:00 p.m.</font></b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Wednesday, December 10<br><br></span></font></b></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><span lang="es"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Introduction to Judaism<br>Weekly Hebrew Ulpan</span></b></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">7:30 - 9:30 p.m.<br>8:00 - 9:30 p.m.</span></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Friday, December 12</span></font></b></td> <td width="40%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">Kabbalat Shabbat Service</span></font></b></td> <td width="31%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF"><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="es">8:00 p.m.</span></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" bo