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Dignitaries visit the Synagogue renovation of the synagogue - "Best" family honored "Sophie - Samson Hall" Mr. Samson Samuel honored All India Inter Faith Conference Hebrew Learning - Ms. Betty Shore from Canada Pesach Seder- 2000
Dignitaries visit the Synagogue Over the last many
years there have been many visitors to the synagogue. The Ambassador of Israel
to India H. E. Mr. Yehoyada Haim and Mrs. Shoshana Haim visited the synagogue
during their trip to Gujarat.
renovation of the synagogue - Best family honored The Magen Abraham
Synagogue was renovated over a period of 6 to 8 months with the kind
and generous help of the Best family. Mr. Ralph Best and Mrs. Queenie Best run
the Best Higher Secondary School at Maninagar Ahmedabad.
The synagogue was renovated and
many changes have been made without removing the original outlook Mrs. Queenie
Best being presented with a memento by Mrs. Norah Reuben on the honoring
ceremony of the Best family by the Jewish community of Ahmedabad
"Sophie - Samson Hall" Mr. Samson Samuel honored Mr. Samson Samuel is the Principal of one of the five leading Jewish owned schools 'Little Flower High School'. He too has been very generous by building the 'Sophie-Samson Hall' in loving memory of his late wife Sophie. The room can be used during festivals marriages and other functions. Recently an the room was fitted with an air conditioner to add to the facilities.
All India Inter Faith Conference
Hebrew Learning - Ms. Betty Shore from Canada
Ms. Betty Shore regularly conducted Hebrew language and Prayer classes for the children and adults. In the children's class, the teaching of songs, dance, skit and adapted T-rah discussions and concepts, generated a lot of interactions between the teacher, taught and made the class very lively. The discussions she led on T-rah for adults very ably and successfully brought out the importance of Jewish creed and deed. The classes proved to be very interesting, thought provoking and illuminating. On the left Ms. Betty Shore can be seen interacting with young Jewish children learning Hebrew.
Jewish Children dressed up in different attires for the fancy dress competition during celebrations for one of the festivals
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H.E. Dr. Yehoyada Haim
(center) Ambassador of the state of Israel to India addressing a gathering at
the synagogue during his visit to Gujarat state alongwith his wife Shoshana. Dr.
Haim also met officials from the Government of Gujarat and other industrialists
in a move to further trade relations between Israel and the state of Gujarat. He
said that Gujarat was one of the favorites states in Israel so far as investment
is was concerned. He assured the Jews of Ahmedabad the full support from the
Embassy in New Delhi so far as cultural, bilateral and other matters were
concerned. Dr. Haim and his wife Shoshana were overwhelmed by the hospitality
they received from the Jewish Community of Ahmedabad. Dr. and Mrs. Haim also
attended Friday evening Prayers at the Best family's home where they came to
know the traditions followed by the Jews here. They were impressed by way the
evening service was conducted.
There
are a total of five Jewish owned schools in Ahmedabad.
Mr. Ralph Best being presented with a memento by Mr. Benjamin Reuben, Hon.
President of the synagogue as Mrs. Quennie Best (right) and Mr. Bension
Agarwarkar, Hon. Vice President of the synagogue (left) look on during a
function organized at the synagogue on June 14, 1999 to honor the Best
family for their generous help in renovating the synagogue.
They have always come forward to
help the synagogue in every possible manner. 
Mr. Samson Samuel (center) being honored during a honoring ceremony by Dr. E. M.
Best from Israel who was present during the ceremony. Dr. E. M. Best (right) was the
Dean of the Civil Hospital at Ahmedabad in the year -------- 
An
all India Inter Faith Conference was organized by the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris
at their headquarters in Mount Abu. Representatives from all religions were
present at the conference which had an attendance of about 3000 persons. Seen in
the picture (from left to right) are Mr. Ralph Best, 
Ms.
Betty Shore who was here at Ahmedabad and working with CHETNA for a period of
one year volunteered to teach Hebrew to the members of the community who did not
know the language. He enthusiasm of teaching the language encouraged a number of
member to learn hebrew. In the picture on the right Ms. Betty Shore can be seen
interacting with community members. Shelanu
Jewish Circle wishes Good By to Ms. Betty Shore from Canada. Shelanu Jewish
Circle sincerely thanks and appreciates the dedicated and devoted voluntary
community service rendered by Ms. Betty Shore to the Jewish Community of
Ahmedabad, from October 1999 to February 2000. 
The Shelanu Jewish Circle
organized a community seder on the first night of Pesach within the synagogue
premises.The preparations began a few days
in advance with volunteers Kashering the utensils and making purchases. Lady
volunteers assembled to prepare the items required on the seder table like
preparing Charoset, Matzoth, Shank bone, grape juice, cleaning vegetables etc. Aliza Hakimian, Volunteer from
AJDC Mumbai and Rizpah Corley, Editor of KOL India attended the function. The
seder was full of Pesach songs in English and Hebrew, explanations, four
questions and their answers. The seder concluded at 10:30 PM. The Jewish
Community of Ahmedabad has been having regular Pesach Seder which is attended by
majority of the
community
members. The former President of the Synagogue Mr. Romiel Daniel and his wife
Noreen Daniel took active interest during the Pesach Seder. Now they are active
members of the Bene Israel Jewish community of New York. 
