|
What is
Congregation
House of Israel?
Congregation House of Israel was
founded in 1875 by twenty families, and (according
to some records) the first Jewish settler arrived
from Cracow, Galicia in 1876. At one time
there were two kosher hotels as well as two
synagogues; our congregation as well as Beth
Jacobs, and orthodox synagogue a block down the
street. For further information about Jewish
history in Hot Springs, click the History link at
left.
We are a Reform congregation
affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism.
However, since we are currently the only synagogue
in Hot Springs, our members come from a rich melding
of backgrounds; Orthodox, Conservative, Reform,
unaffiliated, as well as from an array of diverse
religious traditions. Our membership currently
consists of approximately 120 people.
We gather as a community of Jews
who hail from all around the country. Some are
individuals with long roots in this city or in the
state of Arkansas, while many others have newly
relocated to our community. We gather to grow
as Jews and to connect with one another and our
traditions. We support each other through
times of celebration and sorrow. We learn
together and we carry our traditions with pride and
gladness, and share them with our neighbors, friends
and wider community.
Who is our staff?
Our Rabbi is the only trained
Jewish professional on our staff. In addition
to her work with our congregation, she also serves
as Spiritual Care Staff person in Levi Hospitals
Psychiatric and Hospice Wards, as well as the
Service Manager at Levi Towers, a low income Seniors
Housing Facility.
Members have stepped up and serve
in many positions of leadership, on our board,
directing our religious school, and guiding our
youth.
What does it mean to be
a member?
We invite you to make Congregation
House of Israel your spiritual home as you become a
part of the Hot Springs community. By becoming
a member of our congregation, you join us in
supporting the Jewish presence in Hot Springs, and
enable us to continue to develop a rich Southern
Jewish community. We hope you will join us in
creating a meaningful and rich Jewish life, and
entering into a relationship and conversation with
our tradition.
How can we be involved?
Every woman in the congregation is
invited join our Sisterhood, which among a myriad of
other things:
 |
Oversees our holiday celebrations
|
|
|
Organizes dinners and
receptions |
|
|
Shapes and
leads a Sisterhood Service each spring |
|
|
Hosts a
luncheon for the residents of Levi Towers, a
low income senior housing facility |
|
|
Monthly serves
lunches at Jackson House, our local
organization that reaches out to community
individuals who are in need of food |
|
|
Fundraises
through serving at the convention center |
|
|
Contributes to
Camp Jacob scholarships |
|
|
Contributes to
other worthy agencies wo work to aid those
in need |
Religious School
Our Religious School is for
children ages 5 through high school. We
particpate in the new and innovative curriculum
designed by the Institute for Southern Jewish Life
in Jackson, Mississippi. Each Sunday morning
we begin our day with a minyan, and then move into
Hebrew classes and Religious Studies. we end
with a snack and Birchat Hamazon (blessing over our
food).
There are Family Services
throughout the year where our children are involved
with leading parts of prayer. we also have an
annual Religious School Shabbas dinner at one of our
familys homes and the Rabbi hosts a Shabbas dinner
at her home for our oldest youth.
Thanks to the hard work and warm
heart of our Religious School Administrator and
teachers, we've been blessed with a warm family
feeling amongst our children and parents. we
have options for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and confirmation,
and our post bar/bat mitzvah youth are invited to
tutor and assist in our classrooms.
Torah Study
On Friday afternoons at 4:30 -
5:15, we gather to study Torah. Currently we
are studying Torah wit the strata of Midrash Rabbah,
a beautiful early Rabbinic commentary which weaves
ethos and wisdom that heartens the soul. No
knowledge of Hebrew is needed to enjoy and venture
into this delightful terrain of our people.
Ritual
Committee
Should you wish to participate
more fully in the workings of our synagogue, we're
also established a Ritual Committee that meets
periodically with our Rabbi to plan our year and
programs. We have other members who oversee
the maintenance of our two cemeteries, and oversee
the well being of our grounds.
Board of
Directors
Our Board of Directors is
entrusted with the overall guidance of policy and
the workings of our congregation. Each year,
in early summer is our annual congregational
meeting.
|
