Monthly Interfaith Dinner and Discussion

• Time: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
• Cost: $5 per session**
• Location:  Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 E. Fulton St.

 Participants will dine at round tables of eight comprised of persons from varying faith traditions.  Each evening will include a brief presentation on a theme common to most faith traditions, followed by discussion among the dinner companions as well as a large group Q and A.

• February 21 Forgiveness
• March 20     The Role of Ritual
• April 17       Mystics and Mystical Traditions
• May 15        Origin of Life

With respect to religious dietary customs, only vegetarian meals will be served.  If you have other special dietary needs, please call the Dominican Center at 454-1241 (Option 5 or 0).

Diane Baum is coordinating the Ahavas Israel contingent.  For more information, contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (616) 248-9109.

**A grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation will enable us to give a 50% subsidy of the cost of up to 10 people participating in any one of the dinners or registering for the entire series -- a single program will cost $5 and the whole series is $25.  When registering, please indicate that you are from Congregation Ahavas Israel, and please let Rabbi Krishef know that you are using the subsidy so we can keep account  of how we are using the grant.

Rabbi Krishef will be a panelist for final program on May 15, speaking about the Origin of Life.

At Ahavas Israel it is easy to fulfill one of the mitzvot of Purim – the sending of Mishloach Manot (packages of food to friends). You can download the Mishloach Manot order form here.

Circle the names of the Ahavas Israel families to whom you would like to send a Mishloach Manot bag. The circled families will receive one package with a card listing the names of all the families who wished to send the package. Cost is $10 for the first package sent and $2 for each additional name that you select. If you prefer, you can send a package to ALL congregant for only $118. You may also send to non-congregants and the cost will be $10 per bag, or $5 per bag if more than one family sends to the same non-congregational family.

We will deliver the packages to families in the G.R. area. However, we do NOT ship to out-of-town recipients. (Members living out of town are identified on the form with an asterick *). Bags for snowbirds will be held in the office until they return (or the start of Passover). You must arrange for delivery of any other out of town recipients you may have ordered for.

Your order must be RECEIVED by February 24, 2012. We can use help stuffing the bags on Sunday morning, March 4, at 10 a.m.; and with delivery of bags on Thursday, March 8^th. Contact Jan Lewis at 616-248-0659 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have questions, or if you are able to help.

Come and be a part of our annual Scholar-In-Residence Program.

This year we welcome two scholars to our community.

Two Professors from Michigan State University

Two Opportunities to Learn

Sunday, March 4

Kirsten Fermaglich, Associate Professor of History and Jewish Culture, MSU, will speak on the topic,

“The Name Greenberger Is Not Helpful: American Jews and Name Changing, 1930-1960””

Sunday, March 11

Kenneth Waltzer, Professor of History and the Director of Jewish Studies, MSU, will speak on the topic,

“Are We in a New Era in Jewish History? The New Anti-Semitism”

Bagel Breakfast at 10:00 AM

Presentations at 10:30 AM

RSVP to Temple Emanuel at 459-5976

There is no charge 

Sponsored by Congregation Ahavas Israel and Temple Emanuel

Representative Justin Amash represents Michigan’s Third District in the 112th United States Congress. Justin serves on the Committee on the Budget, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Joint Economic Committee. He was elected to his first term on November 2, 2010.

Justin was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in the city of Kentwood. He received his bachelor’s degree with High Honors in Economics from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Justin worked as a business lawyer and a Michigan state representative before his election to Congress.

Justin has been a leader in the incorporation of Facebook and other social media into his work as a public official. He also set new standards for transparency and accountability in the Michigan state House.

In October 2010, TIME Magazine named Justin one of its "40 under 40 - Rising Stars of U.S. Politics."

Justin lives in Cascade Charter Township with his wife Kara, a graduate of Calvin College and a former elementary school teacher. Justin and Kara have three children, Alexander, Anwen, and Evelyn.

Wednesday, March 7, 6:00 p.m.

Our Sanctuary Shabbat speaker program is entering its sixth year.

In 2012, we are seeking leaders of faith communities in Grand Rapids who would like to share a 15-20 minute address related to "2012: The Year of Interfaith Understanding."  Contact Rabbi David Krishef, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , to talk about scheduling a date.

While we do not have a formal description of the parameters of what constitutes a legitimate speaker, the speakers thus far have been chosen based on the following informal guidelines.

The opportunity to speak at Ahavas Israel is open to any position which does not explicitly contradict a fundamental value of Judaism and the synagogue.  This excludes a speaker on the topic of why we should serve bacon wrapped shrimp at kiddush.  A speaker on an environmental topic, as long as he/she does not advocate wholesale, wanton, purposeless destruction, may agree or disagree with the proposition of human caused global warming and still remain within acceptable boundaries of Jewish values.

Sanctuary Shabbat Speakers for 2012:  The Year of Interfaith Understanding

• January 7, 2012 - Mayor George Heartwell, Grand Rapids, “2012:  The Years of Interfaith Understanding"
• February 4 - Sister Mary Vaccaro, Director, Dominican Center at Marywood, "Inside the Mountain."
• March 3 - Congressman Justin Amash
• April 7 - Larry Hamlet, “Breaking The Cycle Of Prejudice, One Child At A Time”
• May 5 - Douglas Kindschi, Executive Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, housed at Grand Valley State University, "From Tolerance to Holy Envy:  The Interfaith Agenda"
• June 2 - Bishop Michael Robinaugh, Grand Valley Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• July 7 - David Baak, The importance of Interfaith Relationships for a Christian”
• August 4 - Mike Callton, State Representative from Nashville, MI, "Perspective of a lonely Jew in Ionia/Barry Counties"
• September 1 - Ginny Miketa, United Methodist Church, "Blessing of Animals"
• October 6 - Muaz Redzic, Imam, Bosnian Cultural Center
• November 3 - Rev. Chandler Stokes, Westminster Presbyterian Church
• December 1 - Father Nickolas Marcus, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Every Wednesday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Do you draw, paint, whittle, do fiber art (crochet, quilt, appliqué work, weave, etc.), beadwork, jewelry-making, or any other arts and crafts?      We have started an Art Group at Ahavas Israel. Please join others who just like to have fun with art. Come and be inspired by others as you work on your own projects.     We will provide some material for the first few meetings. After that you will need to provide your own – paints, brushes, paper, etc. This will be an unstructured group; each person free to work on whatever pleases him or her.     We are pleased that Sue Remes and Deb Mankoff, artists and teachers, have agreed to come in once a month or so to coach/mentor us. For more information, please contact Leah Sauer (616) 805-3778; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Barb Christiaans.

Torah Study, Zohar Study

For more information, see the Adult Education page.

The Amanei B’nei Beztalel Art Group Is Sponsoring a Jewish Community

FINE ART AND CRAFTS EXHIBIT, Featuring Local Artists

Date: Sunday, May 20 through Sunday, May 27, 2012
Place:  Congregation Ahavas Israel
All forms of Fine Art and Crafts are welcome: Paintings, Photographs, Sculpture, Pottery, Fiber Arts (including crocheting, quilt making, embroidery, beadwork, jewelry making.
Hold the Date: Sunday May 20, 2012 for the Gala Opening
For more information contact Leah Sauer – 616-805-3778, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it