Panim Weekly Newsletter: Dec 14, 2005
New Faces of Judaism: Weekly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, December 14, 2005-Tuesday Dec. 20, 2005
13-20 Kislev 5766. ______________________________________________________________________
A Word from Rabbi Dov Gartenberg: Support the Innovative Work of Panim Hadashot

Panim Hadashot-New Faces of Judaism-was formed a little over a year ago to change Jewish life in the Pacific Northwest. Our efforts can be summarized by an explanation of our name, New Faces-Panim Hadashot. In the Talmud the term is used to refer to a new face, a new person who must be invited to a the feast of a bride and groom. The presence of that new face, who was not present at the original huppah (the wedding ceremony), makes it possible to hold the party and to bring joy to the couple.

In Jewish life today we must invite new faces to share in the joy of Judaism. But our Jewish community has often failed in this holy task. The Jewish community is weakened by an astounding rate of disaffiliation and an even greater rate of disengagement. The Jewish community is perceived by disconnected Jews (and many people on the inside) as insular, unresponsive and uninspired.

Panim Hadashot was created to offer an alternative by restoring the role of hospitality, Shabbat in the home, and the love of learning Torah back to the center of Jewish life. Hospitality, in Hebrew-Hachnasat Orchim- is regard for the other and the sharing of the bounty of life with them. Shabbat in the home is the capacity to bring rest and sanctity to our personal lives buffeted by overwork and stress. The love of learning Torah is the capacity to find meaning and spirituality through the great Jewish texts and insights that have inspired Jews for generations.

These three values are reflected in our various programs. Recently I received this letter from a host who participated in our Shabbat around Seattle program:

"Our family struggled for years while the children were growing up to have the kind of Shabbat experience we had the evening you brought Panim Hadashot to our home. Gone were the stress and fights we remember from those years. They were replaced by a sense of joy and peace, singing, laughter, and involvement. You helped create the most beautiful Shabbat experience my family has even known in our home.

I am inspired to recreate the experience on Friday nights in the future. You gave us the roadmap and the tools so that I feel confident that we can achieve that goal.
We are also grateful to you for introducing us to the new faces who joined us at our table that night. It is remarkable how much richness it adds to the experience to also make new friends with people whose background and life experiences are so different from our own. "

I hear this kind of feedback from so many who participate in our programs and outreach. We have also received acclamation from the community through many awards and endorsements including the honor of being the first recipient of the Levitan Innovation award. Our pluralistic approach to Judaism is reflected by the endorsement of the Reform and Conservative movement organizations.

I am writing to all of you to ask you to give a year end donation to help Panim Hadashot continue and expand its work. You may easily and securely do so online at this LINK to our website. Our you may send a donation to Panim Hadashot/ PO Box 15151, Seattle, WA 98115.

We hope you will share our vision and assist us in bringing a 'new face' to Jewish life in Seattle.

Shalom,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Panim Hadashot Activities This Week:
Sat. 12/17 1:15pm Havruta: Interpersonal Jewish Learning: The Non Jew in Jewish Tradition LINK

Sat. 12/17 4:00pm Discussion: Jewish Boundaries with non-Jewish relatives. LINK

Some Upcoming Panim Hadashot Activities
Celebration: Dec. 24th: An Evening of Jewish Song LINK

Celebration: Jan 1st: Shaarei Tikvah- Gates of Hope Hanukkah Celebration for Developmentally Disabled persons and the community. LINK

Study: Jan. 19-22nd Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, Bierman Scholar-in-Residence on Jewish Spirituality in Contemporary Judaism. LINK

Rabbiblog: Thought Provoking Pieces from Rabbi Dov Gartenberg
This week: The Big Alef and A Wrestling Community.

Support the Groundbreaking Work of Panim Hadashot. Become a Haver-Friend LINK
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Panim Hadashot, New Faces of Judaism, is a new endeavor of Jewish learning, celebration, and outreach. Our website is at http://www.panimhadashot.com/. Panim Hadashot is the winner of the Levitan Innovation Award and is endorsed by the Union of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Panim Hadashot is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Founder and Rabbi, Dov Gartenberg: rabbidov@panimhadashot.com or 206 525-0648
To contact us: Call 206 280-3715 or email dorothy@panimhadashot.com. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send request to dorothy@panimhadashot.com.