Groups
Here is a short list of groups and committees that maintain the important functions of our synagogue. Volunteers are always welcome. Please contact the synagogue office for more information.
Sisterhood
Heska Amuna Sisterhood, affiliated with Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, is delighted to welcome you. Please call President Harriet Glasman at (865) 671-2698 or send email to hmglas@tds.net for details and any questions you might have.
Our focus is getting together for fellowship, learning, spirituality and having fun. This year we’ve hosted a paid-up members event showcasing the artistic talents of our members. As part of our Sisterhood/Torah Fund Shabbat, we’ve welcomed a representative from National Women’s League who helped educated us on the Conservative Movement in Israel, we have a book discussion coming up and a trip to Whitwell, Tennessee to view the holocaust Paperclips exhibit. We participate in monthly Rosh Chodesh programs with our neighboring Sisterhoods from Oak Ridge and Temple Beth El in Knoxville. Rosh Chodesh programs can range from nature programs to plays about Biblical characters to learning sessions about important women within Judaism, and any and everything else that sounds interesting. We’re starting a Jewish Biggest Loser contest with prizes and a walking group. We assist our synagogue by running the Judaica shop and catering Bar and Bat Mitzvah luncheons. We would love to welcome you and your ideas. Please give us a call.
Anshei Heska Amuna
The Anshei Heska Amuna men’s club is now organizing and holds periodic events.
Chevra Kadisha
The men’s and women’s Chevra Kadisha committees perform the holy tasks related to preparing the deceased for Jewish burial. Our tradition considers the body to be a vessel for holiness, and therefore it acquires holiness itself. The human being has been compared to a Torah scroll: the parchment is analogous to a body and the divine names written thereon correspond to the soul. The human being is that tenuous, marvelous unity of the physical and the spiritual, a unity that is woven slowly and deliberately, and unravels with equal deliberateness.
We are honored to continue the work of those before us by serving our community in a loving and personal manner.
Jenifer Ohriner and Martha Iroff, Co-Chairs, Women’s Chevra Kadisha Committee
Jerry Becker, Chair, Men’s Chevra Kadisha Committee
Bikkur Cholim
The Bikkur Cholim committee calls, sends cards, emails and visits sick and aging members of our community. There are approximately 17 members who receive email notifications when current HA members or their families would benefit from get well wishes, prayers or visits. Members are encouraged to do whatever they feel comfortable doing. We don’t have meetings. Anyone interested in joining the committee should send Jane Cohen an email (moc.liamg@zjnehoc) and she’ll put you on the committee email distribution list.
Chesed
The Chesed Committee organizes and serves the traditional meal of condolence in the home of a bereaved family after the funeral service.
Chavurot
Heska Amuna offers the opportunity to join with like-minded people in chavurot. For further information, call Nancy Becker at 588-5294.
Affinity Clubs
Bicycling Club: Susan Silber
Cue Club: (Billiards) Larry Leibowitz
Film Buffs: Harriet Glasman
Teva (Nature): Marc Forman
Tzedek (Social Justice): Harriet Cooper
Yoga: Marion Bayer