Montana Jewish Project welcoming public to community celebration in Helena

HELENA — In August, the Montana Jewish Undertaking completed its acquisition of the historic Temple Emanu-El constructing in Helena, web site of Montana’s oldest synagogue. Now, they’re getting ready for the subsequent steps of their mission to serve the Jewish neighborhood – and the broader neighborhood.

“It has been an extremely busy time; it has been an extremely thrilling time,” mentioned Rebecca Stanfel, who chairs the Montana Jewish Undertaking board and is at present serving as director in a volunteer capability.

The final two weeks included Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish new yr – and Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. Stanfel mentioned the times in between, referred to as the Days of Awe, are a time for reflection.

“We’ve been utilizing that point as a corporation to consider who will we need to be, how are we going to greatest serve our mission, how are we going to greatest use the sources we now have?” she mentioned.

Stanfel mentioned they’re at present making some minor repairs to the constructing’s roof to prepare for winter. They’ve arrange a neighborhood room that shall be used for occasions. They’re additionally beginning a library of Jewish sources and gathering artifacts.

As well as, MJP is engaged on lesson plans to be made obtainable for Montana colleges. Additionally they hope to open the constructing for college teams to tour.

Stanfel mentioned they take their function critically, at a time when antisemitic incidents proceed to happen.

“We’re very aware of our mission which is to foster Jewish connections round Montana, and in addition to construct consciousness, to teach within the objective of fostering extra acceptance,” she mentioned.

Jonathon Ambarian

Stanfel mentioned they’re grateful to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, which owned and maintained the constructing for years earlier than promoting it to MJP. On Wednesday, a development crew eliminated the cross and diocese coat of arms that had been on the entrance of the constructing.

“Very respectfully,” mentioned Stanfel. “We plan to make use of the cross as a part of our historic exhibit concerning the historical past of the neighborhood and the historical past of the constructing, as a result of they have been such good stewards of the constructing the entire approach alongside.”

Now, MJP is able to welcome the general public. On Sunday, they are going to maintain a neighborhood celebration, to formally reopen the constructing.

“It wasn’t a public constructing, so individuals actually need to get inside and see it, and to see what they helped contribute to returning to Jewish use,” Stanfel mentioned.

Jonathon Ambarian

From 4 to five p.m., they’ll give excursions of the constructing. Beginning at 5, they’ll start a celebration of Sukkot, a Jewish harvest competition. It’s marked by development of a sukkah, a brief outside construction, coated with branches.

“It’s purported to remind individuals of the time when the Israelites have been wandering within the desert for 40 years from Egypt to make their method to Israel, however it’s additionally such an amazing vacation for the current day, when we now have a disaster of housing right here in Helena,” mentioned Stanfel. “It connects additionally to us returning the constructing to Jewish use, as a result of it’s actually a vacation about return.”

They will even cling a mezuzah – an ornamental merchandise containing a scroll with Hebrew verses, which marks a constructing as a Jewish residence. Will probably be positioned on the entrance door of the Temple Emanu-El constructing.

Stanfel mentioned everybody – each Jewish and non-Jewish – is invited to the celebration.