-
-
Israel's most beautiful Synagogues
Rosh Hashana is over and Yom Kippur is approaching. There is no other day on the Jewish calendar when synagogues are filled with worshippers like on Yom Kippur. But both for those visiting the synagogue three times a day and for those who never pray, there are quite a few prayer halls worth a visit, and not only during the "Kol Nidrei" and closing prayers.
As part of a special and festive project, Ynet asked 10 leading architects to select a synagogue they are particularly fond of. The truth is we didn't believe we could find so many.
We are proud to present the project's first five synagogues, each accompanied by a picture, a description of the structure written by the selecting architect, and an ID including details about the nature of the prayers at each site. Rosh Hashana is over and Yom Kippur is approaching. There is no other day on the Jewish calendar when synagogues are filled with worsh... more -
Oldest Regularly Used Ashkenazi Synagogue Opens to the Public (photos)
Plymouth Synagogue in Plymouth, England is the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in regular use in the English-speaking world. It will soon be open to the public. Check out these photos from Wednesday, September 3, 2008. Plymouth Synagogue in Plymouth, England is the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in regular use in the English-speaking world. It will soon b... more
-
Menominee Tribal School students speak out about protecting Mother Earth
Menominee Tribal School students in Keshena, Wisconsin are learning valuable lessons about protecting the environment and learning their tribe’s heritage including keeping native language alive.
In April 2008 the tribal school’s 180 students participated in “Clean Up the Rez Day" by picking up garbage around the reservation. The many environment projects at the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin were part of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day challenge. During a drum & feast to honor the students, teacher Beth Waukechon and culture teacher Dana Warrington explained the importance of taking care of Mother Earth. During a field trip to Green Bay's Pamprin Park, students climbing a replica of the Planet Earth were reminded of their reservation clean up. The 234,000-acre reservation has thick forests and 24-miles of the pristine Wolf River. Sturgeons spawned in reservation portions of the river until two dams were built blocking annual migration. Fifth grader La-Rie Corn hopes to form an Earth Club at the tribal school. After whitewashing gang graffiti at a popular skateboard park, students replaced negative symbols with American Indian art. Corn, 11, knows about 500 Menominee words thanks to teachers & elders that care about saving their native tongue. Fourth graders Tahekiah Bourdon, Raven Webster, Shae Perez, Naneque Latender, & Sherlinda Nahwahquaw learned the importance of respecting the Earth and how it fits their heritage.
Teacher Beth Waukechon said students will hopefully continue environment friendly practices as they grow older. MITW Restorative Justice Coordinator Claudette Hewson said the Menominee Teen Court Panel picked up litter & removed graffiti from roads signs in the Middle Village housing area. Tribal school students learned about the sturgeon, a vital part of Menominee heritage. Named the “People of the Wild Rice,” Menominee legend calls the sturgeon “the protector” of the grain that grows in water.
Corn said sturgeon hold a high place in Menominee culture because they're one of three gifts the creator gave to the Menominee people. Language arts instructor Joe Awonohopay said Earth Week 2008 classes were devoted to the sturgeon including the effects of pollution on life cycle, habitat, biology and more.
The College of Menominee Nation Implementing Sustainable Development Class collected electronic waste & pharmaceuticals. Students collected 23 pounds of medicines including 100 bottles of pills. The college students won 50 recycling bins in the Coca-Cola National Recycling Coalition Bin Grant. The class participated in the 10-week Recycle Mania project for the second year in a row. College Prof. Dr.William Van Lopik said the class is “actually doing something." Including curbside collections, Menominee reservation residents recycled over four tons of electronics.
Sponsors: Community Resource Center, Menominee Tribal Police, Tribal Clinic, Maehnowesekiyah Wellness Center, Probation & Parole, Recreation Department, Community Recycling Project; Menominee County Sheriff’s Department, Keshena U.S. Post Office.
The Earth Healing Initiative assisted some challenge organizers with interfaith liaisons & encouraged churches/temples to participate in Earth Day events. Videos on 2008 Challenge projects made possible ban US Environmental Protection Agency grant, EPA Region 5 office in Chicago, EPA Great Lakes National Program Office.
The EHI involves American Indian tribes, churches/synagogues, other faith traditions working to heal, protect and defend the environment.
Websites:
http://www.menominee-nsn.gov
http://mtsbia.edu
http://www.menominee.edu
http://www.earthhealinginitiative.org/keshenahtml
http://www.earthhealinginitiative.org
http://www.menominee-nsn.gov/healthFamily/maehnowesekiy...
http://www.menominee-nsn.gov/healthFamily/youthDevel/yo...
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain/Interfaith Resources/Special Ideas:
http://www.interfaithresources.com Menominee Tribal School students in Keshena, Wisconsin are learning valuable lessons about protecting the environment and learning the... more -
Muslim builds Jewish Temple for free!
A Palestinian-American Muslim Fadil Bayyari will build the first permanent temple for the Reform Jewish congregation in Fayetteville for free!
It is likely without his genrosity the congregation may not of been to afford to build it, reports the NY times and according to ABC news its saved Temple Shalom at least $250,000.
Fadil Bayyari said:
“To me, it’s a place of worship,” said Mr. Bayyari, 55. “In my mind and in my religion, I believe in Judaism as part of Islam. We believe in Abraham. We believe in Moses. In the Koran, there’s lots of talk about Isaac and Joseph. I am always fascinated by this, and I always feel I have a relationship with this faith. And knowing what’s happened in the Middle East, what better way to build bridges?”
"Abraham is our forefather," Bayyari said. "We're first cousins. How we got to hate each other is beyond me."
The Jewish Temple is being named Temple Shalom (Hebrew for preace), for more info please visit:
www.atempleofpeace.com A Palestinian-American Muslim Fadil Bayyari will build the first permanent temple for the Reform Jewish congregation in Fayetteville f... more -
Jewish guy says Iranian Islamic revolution a good thing!
A Jewish man says the Islamic revolution is a good thing that happened to Iran as people living in a religious environment become more religious.
Despite Iran's presidents views of Israel and the Holocaust (which was opposed by many Iranian politicians), Iran has the largest Jewish community outside of Israel who live peacefully side by side with Muslims who are free to practise Judaism. Despite what most people in the west think in Iran there are verticially no cases of Anti-semitic violence cases like the kind that are heard about in some parts of Europe.
Iran has its own Jewish member of its parliament. Iran even has one of the worlds 4 Jewish charity hospitals where Jews and Muslims both work together, which even the government has donated towards!
While everything may not be perfect in Iran... this documentary certainly shows a beacon of hope. A Jewish man says the Islamic revolution is a good thing that happened to Iran as people living in a religious environment become more... more -
Jews of Iran are not celebrating Israel's anniversary
Iranian Jews are not celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary. Why?...
because as a Iranian Jewish leader Morsadegh put it, it was in protest of Israel's responsibility for the "murder of totally innocent Palestinian civilians." and also said Israel's policies toward Palestinians, particularly Gazans, demonstrated "anti-human behavior ... they kill innocent people."
Iran has the largest Jewish community in the M.E. outside of Israel where relations between Muslims and Jews is generally peaceful despite what most in the West think and it even has a Jewish member in the Iranian parliament! Iran even has its own Jewish charity hospital where Muslims and Jews work together.
The Jewish leader then went on to say that Jews enjoy freedom of religion in Iran as demonstrated in Austraila's SBS current affairs show "Dateline" on 'The Jews of Iran' Iranian Jews are not celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary. Why?... ... more -
The Jewish Synagogue, Cochin
In Fort Cochin, there is also the famous Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, and preserved till today. The population of the Jews has dropped drastically with the establishing of the Jewish State of Israel, many Jewish settlers in Cochin and other parts of Kerala left the country for Israel. There are only about 17 Jews left, and that the number of adult males does not come up to the required number for a Priest, the Community is without one. The Jewish Synagogue will be probably be taken over by a Trust, and because of it's historical importance to the history of Cochin ( Kochi ), will be preserved. There were supposedly Jews also in Quilon, but apparently they are no longer there. In Fort Cochin, there is also the famous Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, and preserved till today. The population of the Jews has drop... more
-
Germany's Largest Synagogue Reopens
The Ryke Street synagogue in Berlin was damaged on Kristallnacht - the night in 1938 that Hitler's followers torched Jewish homes, businesses and temples - but it was not burnt down, apparently out of fear of damage to neighboring buildings. Now, 69 years later, it has been refurbished and reopened. The repairs happened over the course of a year and cost $7 million. The Ryke Street synagogue in Berlin was damaged on Kristallnacht - the night in 1938 that Hitler's followers torched Jewish homes... more
-
related topics
Synagogue
Contributors (10)
Synagogue
