Shalom
Shalom |
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San Miguel de Allende |
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Purim Party
Wednesday, March 7
Los Milagros Restaurant
Members, 140 pesos |
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Forever Activists: Stories from the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade
This Oscar nominated film will be introduced by filmmaker Bonnie Burt, who will also answer questions after the screening. In the late 1930's Spain was embroiled in a civil that presaged the conflicts of World War II. A significant number of idealistic young Americans were appalled by the involvement of fascists and Nazis in that war and rushed to join the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, a special unit fighting on the Republican side. At that time, public-spirited people of all political persuasions actively supported these actions. Later, in the McCarthy era of the late 1940s and early 1950s, the brigade was condemned because communists fought in its ranks and those who fought in the brigade were blacklisted and even imprisoned.
Thursday, Feb. 23 Quinta Loreto TV Salon 50 pesos includes refreshments Email Bonnie Burt for more information: bb {at} bonnieburt.com |
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Seventh Annual Shalom San Miguel Literary Reading on Jewish Themes
Tuesday, February 28, 4 PM Sharon Leder is back at her San Miguel desk and has once more organized a stellar group of readers for the Seventh Annual Shalom San Miguel Literary Reading on Jewish Themes.
One tiny price |
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Chinese Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner
National Tortilla Chip Day
Be honest--have you EVER celebrated National Tortilla Chip Day? About time. Especially since this year's festivities fall on Shabbat, and we can get together for something all Jewish folk appreciate: Chinese food.
Reserve below to join us at the Palacio Chino Restaurant on Reloj and Mesones,
When:
Members, 120 pesos
Reserve Now! |
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Tu B'Shvat,
the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, is called the New Year of the Trees in the Talmud ... this year on Wednesday, February 8th. ...
In the Diaspora, Jews would try to obtain some of the seven fruits mentioned in the Bible as Israel's best: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. The tale is told of a Hassidic rabbi who told his students that if only they lived in the Land of Israel, they would not have to eat these fruits - they would just go outside and drink in the beauty of the land in order to celebrate Tu B'Shvat - or Chamishasar [fifteen] as it was called yearningly, for short. |
| In Israel, it is a time when the tree's sap begins to flow, the blossoms of the almond tree appear, and even though winter is still bringing wind and rain, spring flowers like the red poppies [kalaniot] begin dotting the hills with color. |
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The past century's "return to Zion" gave rise to the custom of planting trees on the holiday, with the early pioneers setting an example of "making the desert bloom" for future generations in song as well as action. The Bnai Akiva religious Zionist youth group has 15,000 youngsters, including one hundred with special needs, going out to plant trees all over the country this year. |
| In Hassidic philosophy, the day also represents the renewal of Hashem's blessing for the land of Israel, and it is said that those who were "righteous men in word and deed" would wear holiday clothes on the day in order to remember the verse in Deuteronomy "Man is as a tree of the field" - although this is not the meaning of the verse in context. |
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Michelle Baruch, the photographer who sends these photos yearly to Arutz Sheva has tried to capture some of the diversity and abundance in Israel by visiting the Mahane Yehuda marketplace, travelling to some of the Jewish National Fund parks and kibbutzim in the center of the country and by going to the Judean desert. see complete article at www.israelnationalnews.com |
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History of a conversion: Story of a new Jew It all starts when one morning when I checked my e-mail and found with surprise that Rabbi Daniel Mehlman was to visit the city of Mexicali. Quickly and without hesitation, I called Naomi, president of the Jewish community in the city and asked if I could attend the event. It had been several years since I saw my teacher, friend and rabbi. We had a very nice Sabbath, and he told me that in just over a month he would visit San Miguel de Allende for conversions. He invited me to present myself to the Bet-Din. I contacted Daniel Lessner, a leader of the San Miguel community, who gave me a warm welcome even though we had never met. He was so warm that I dared to express my concern about the accommodations. (Earlier, I had been asked about my level of observance in Judaism; I had said kosher and Shomer Shabbat, and that I attend a Chabad synagogue.) He said, "no problem" Gary Corn would host me, and Dan reassured me about kashrut: Gary kept Shomer Kashrut and Shabbat, like me. The day came that I had awaited for many years. On the eve of Shabbat, I arrived in San Miguel, since Lessner invited me to celebrate with them. I reached Calle Organos, where Gary's house was, found the number, but hesitated. Then I saw the mezuzah on the doorpost, which immediately calmed me. A tall man with a long white beard opened the door, and greeted me a warm "shalom". I could see that he did not speak Spanish, and I do not speak much English, but he was so hospitable and friendly, I felt at home. We were to have Shabbat dinner at the home of a friend. Soon, an American woman arrived, who spoke more Spanish, and was equally warm and friendly. All this amazed me, since these people did not know who I was, where I came from, or anything about me, and yet, they opened the doors of their houses and offered friendship. Even more impressive was the welcome in the house we then visited. The host was outside the house waiting for us, and greeting us with a beautiful "Shabbat Shalom." We entered the house and lit the Shabbat candles. Then, our hostess served the special food she had prepared before Shabbat. She baked a very good challah--the best I've tasted--even better than I could make (LOL). The night was filled with songs, food and much happiness, perhaps the best Shabbat of my life. Nor will I ever forget those new friends I met that day--Gary Corn, Carole Stone and Joanne Yakerson Charm. Saturday morning, we got up early to go to shul. We walked, which I do not mind in the least because I am used to walking to shul on Sabbath. Gary had prepared a plate of fruit for me to stave off hunger until we finished our prayers. Dan Lessner greeted us at the shul and welcomed me back with the warmth that characterizes San Miguel. The hall filled and prayers were conducted in a different but beautiful way. A Kaddish was sung by a woman--something I had never experienced. In the most important moment, we took out the Sefer Torah and read it, increasing the joy of the wide variety of people present (Halebis, Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Lubavitch, Orthodox, Conservative) all with different levels of compliance but with common goals, a sincere love of Hashem, the Torah, Am Israel and Judaism. After the services, the group divided into two groups to study the parasha of the week-one in English, one in Spanish. On Sunday day, my appointment with the Bet Din was at 7:30 pm. I slept only three hours the night before, full of nerves and emotion. I walked around San Miguel de Allende to ease my tension. The landscapes are beautiful. Many foreigners live there. It is a magical place--the birthplace of Mexico's independence; every building has a story to tell. I walked so long I worried about getting to my appointment, but I arrived almost two hours early, with my heart beating fast and my excitement growing. "Uriel, come quick," someone said. I wondered what was happening, then Dan Lessner said they had been trying to find me. The sun was almost down, and we need to perform the Brit Dam Hatafat (drawing of a ritual drop of blood in cases where circumcision is not possible) before it set. I was nervous, but surprised that it was not as painful as I anticipated. Next, I am invited to the Bet Din. One of the rabbis asks me to introduce myself. I said, "Uriel", then tears overwhelmed me, and for two minutes, I could say nothing more.v After the rabbi's questions end, I am asked to leave the room for five minutes-the longest five minutes of my life. Then the door opened, and one of the rabbis smiled at me and said, "Welcome." I was so joyful that I hugged him and again dissolved into tears. Shortly after, the Arazi family served us a meal. Over the table, I relaxed, and found I could sing merrily with the rest. The next day was the Mikveh at 6:30 am. The day dawned very, very cold, but that did not stop us. Reynaldo, who had put up a shelter over the water, awaited us there. The men went first, then the women and finally, the children accompanied by their parents. I was the first to be called. I immersed myself three times, listening to the rabbis call out, "kosher, kosher, kosher." I sang along with the rabbis--now I was Jewish. One by one, we emerged from the mikvah, posed for a souvenir photo, then began to sing and dance happily. All warm and joyous, we set off for a meal at the home of Carole Stone. In the afternoon, there was a party for the entire community. Many familiar faces I saw there as well as some not familiar. We recited our profession of faith and were introduced as the new children of Israel. It was a unique moment, to see whole families come to the people of Israel, and again I could not hold back my tears. I wanted to escape to wipe my tears, but at every step, a new person hugged me, saying, "Mazel Tov." "Thank you," I said to each one, meaning also, "thank you for reminding me what it means to be Jewish." Two weddings between the newly Jewish couples were performed, and we all sang to the novios. These were the first Jewish weddings I witnessed, and after the ceremony, more food, music and photos. I thank Hashem for allowing me to reach this point; the rabbis Daniel Mehlman, Juan Mejia and Gideon Estes; also Daniel Lessner, Carole Stone, Gary Corn, Reynaldo, Nechama market and family and all members of the Jewish community in San Miguel de Allende, May Hashem always show His face to each and every one of you and give you peace. And hoping soon I get back over there. hahaha.
Sincerely, |
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Location We meet at Hotel Quinto Loreto, TV Salon at 15 Loreto (street/calle). Enter through the gate to the Artisan' Market and once inside ask at the manager's office on your left or follow the path to your right to find us. |
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Contact mexicanpat {at} gmail.com |