Men’s Discussion Group Sunday, July 18, 9:15-11:30 AM

The Men’s Discussion Group meets one Sunday a month from 9:30-11:30 AM at Panera’s at 3401 Boulevard of the Allies on the ground level of the Quality Inn University Center motel, near Magee Women’s Hospital. Please refer to the calendar for exact dates. The meeting, which is open to all men of Temple Sinai, consists of informal conversation, led by David Hirsch, about the weekly Torah portion, as well as topics related to contemporary social or political concerns. To put yourself on the e-mail list for receiving a summary of the Torah portion and related questions, as well as newspaper and magazine articles a few days before each discussion, contact David Hirsch, dhirsch@kwbhlaw.com

A Lively Discussion Group

Brotherhood members attending a recent Men’s Discussion Group session are (left to right) Front Row: Walter Boninger, Tom Morton, David Hirsch, Harvey Meieran and Dave Duggins; Middle Row: Toby Chapman, Mel Siegel, Marv Adelson, Ram Kossowsky, Todd Miller, Steve Holstein, Fritz Ottenheimer, Joe Manich, Harvey Nathanson and Sil Moritz; and Back Row: Jon Minden, Rich Rubin, Sandy Ochs, Julian Eligator and Joe Wein. The Discussion Group meets on the third Sunday of each month at Panera Bread on Boulevard of the Allies in Oakland.

Rabbi Ende Suggests “Ride4Reform” Bike Ride as an Annual Event

At the April 25 Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series sponsored by Brotherhood, Rabbi Ende spoke of his experiences from the Ride4Reform 2010 bicycle trip that he took through Israel over five days in March to promote Reform Judaism in the Holy Land. More than 20 rabbis and other supporters of Progressive Judaism from Israel and North America participated in the ride.

Rabbi Ende, who raised more than $3,000 locally to help fund Progressive Judaism activities in Israel, joined cyclists from North America and Israel to peddle from the Israel-Lebanon border to the Golan Heights, Galilee, Jezreel Valley, Ramat Menashe and the Mediterranean Sea.

“Progressive Judaism is still a minority in Israeli society,” said Rabbi Ende. “With 20-25 congregations, it’s struggling to establish itself. Sending a participant on the ride each year would be a great opportunity for Temple Sinai to connect with Progressive Judaism in Israel. Even in Israel, Jews need to feel they belong to a community, and they are increasingly finding that the synagogue gives them that feeling of community.”