תברר תקוה

Chevrei Tikva

The Cleveland Regious and Socie

tation for Gay and Lesbian Jews This space has been donated to Chevrei Tikva by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

L'Shana Tova Tikasevu: "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life", is the traditional greeting Jews extend to each other during the observance of Rosh Hashana. This holiday, beginning this year on the evening of September 19, is

THE GOOD NEWS

This space has been donated to MCC by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

Good News

Hello to the lesbian and gay community!

This is my first column as the new writer for the Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church. What could I possibly write? There's so much to write about!

On Saturday, August 11, we hosted the North Area meeting for the surrounding northern branches of the UFMCC. Some very important things happened that day. A member from Cleveland was voted clerk of the entire North Area Churches. Congratulations to him on his appointment. We appointed two members of our Board of Directors to serve as Pastoral Leaders to help with your needs. Our prayers are with them both. We also appointed our newest EMCC board member. If her hard work on Saturday as hostess for our visiting churches is any indication of what to expect, we've gotten a dynamic and hardworking person helping us to lead the church. A very fine choice indeed!

Dykes to Watch Out For

PreNuptial DISAGREE MENT

YOU KNOW, MO, UNDERNEATH THAT HARD-LINE ATTITUDE

I THINK YOU'RE BEING JUST PLAIN HETEROSEXIST!

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commonly known as the Jewish New Year. However, it is also called "Day of Remembrance", "Day of Judgment", and "Day of Sounding the Shofar (ram's horn)."

The sounding of the Shofar is meant to remind us to repent for the sins of the past year. The Day of Judgment is the day that God will judge each person. The Book of Life is the book that tells who will live, who will die, who will gain riches, and who will not. The listing of the "who will's", naming all of the good and bad things that could happen (some you never thought about) takes several pages

Another treat was an enthusiastic, resounding rendition of "Rough Side of the Mountain", sung by our choir. A very appreciative audience enjoyed the singing. Did you know that EMCC is the only Christian gay and lesbian church in Cleveland boasting a choir at all? And a very talented one it is. Bravo, Cleveland!

A very dedicated committee put in a lot of behind the scenes work in order to host this event. They did an outstanding job.

Due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict, the date for our "Sunday Sundae" had to be changed to September 2, immediately following the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. All are welcome to attend this benefit, sponsored by the choir, to help purchase new robes and to maintain the excellent music program instituted by our very dedicated choir director. He has taken a group of voices, and through hard work and dedication on both parts, has produced a cohesive unit that chuch and community members alike look forward to hearing.

Hopefully, our director knows how much he is appreciated, for his managing of the music during weekly services as well as extra-curricular activities; and for his devotion to his choir members. We all love you. We can't wait for the choir's fall concert on September 30, to enjoy the results of their hard work.

Something else the choir is excited about is the official "Name the Choir Contest" beginning on September 2. If you have an idea for a name, contact any choir member before Sunday, September 22. The new name and the winner will

WHAT I DON'T GET IS, PROMISING SOMEONE YOU'LL NEVER SLEEP WITH ANYBODY ELSE, FOREVER. TALK ABOUT TERMINAL TEDIUM! I'D GO STIR CRAZY!

WHAT, ME HETEROSEXIST?

I DUNNO, LOIS. I ENVY CLARICE AND TONI. MAKING A COMMITMENT TO MONOGAMY SOUNDS KINDA EXCITING.

Twe

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YOU'RE RESPONDING JUST

LIKE YOU'VE BEEN PROGRAMMED TO! TWO WOMEN LOVE EACH OTHER AND WANT TO AFFIRM THAT LOVE PUBLICLY, So You TRASH THEM FOR IT!

BUT... BUT...

WHOA! LOOK OUT, LOIS! JEZANNA'S BEEN POSSESSED BY JUNE CLEANER!

September, 1990

of the Rosh Hashana prayer book.

It is customary to wear bright or new clothes and to eat sweet foods on this day. We eat honey to help us have a sweet life, and a round Challah (bread) to symbolize our hope for a smooth life.

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Page 11

The Ten Days of Repentance begin with Rosh Hashana and end with Yom Kippur. It is never too late to repent for one's sins. Between these two events is the time to do that in order to be inscribed on the good pages of the Book of Life.

-a

During this time a Tashlich ceremony takes place. During the Tashlich, group of people goes to a body of water lake, stream, or pond-to cast away sins upon the water. Another seldom-p -performed tradition is swinging a live chicken over one's head and chanting phrases to cast out sins. (A more modern interpretation of this uses money instead of a chicken. The money is then given to charity).

The culmination of this holy time is Yom Kippur. This is a day of fasting, beginning at sundown (this year on Friday, September 28th), and ending with a festive "Break-the Fast" at sundown the following evening. In the synagogues all the vestments, including the robes worn by rabbis and cantors, will be changed to white. Orthodox Jews will wear cotton clothing and tennis shoes or canvas, symbolizing that nothing is to be worn that has breathed life.

The evening service begins with the famous Kol Nidre chant, "All vows are

be announced on September 30 at the concert.

All of the community is welcome for this and every event at EMCC. Isn't that what it's all about? Spreading God's love among all men, women and children?

All are welcome here, regardless of age, sex or color. Each is treated as an individual, not with a label. The church is open to all in the community. Emmanuel serves open communion to any person who wishes to partake. Our diverse and many members, who stem from all religions and beliefs, make for many interesting and thoughtful topics of conversation. The only thing missing from these conversations is you.

If you wish to meet with God, and one of God's congregations, come to 10034 Lorain (where Lorain and Denison

WELL I'M SERIOUS. I THINK PROMISING TO BE EXCLUSIVE OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF POSSIBILITY AND ADVENTURE AND INTIMACY.

OH NOOD! THE 'I' WORD!

broken." Although this has been misused by anti-semitics to intimate that a the word of a Jew is worthless, the Kol Nidre actually originated with Spanish Jews during the Inquisition. This prayer allowed them absolution for having been forced to live as Catholics.

Prayers the following day begin early in the morning and continue until sundown. These are the important prayers that are heard during the day:

Shema Kolenu "Hear our cry", asking God to have mercy on us and accept our prayers.

Al Chet "For the sin", asking God's forgiveness for a lengthy list of sins that we have or could have committed during the year.

Alenu Leshabeach "It is our duty to praise". This is recited three times during the day. The cantor prostrates himself or herself on the floor and proclaims the Almighty as the King of Kings, the Holy One Blessed be the Eternal.

Kee Anu Amecha "For we are your people" asking the Almighty to forgive our sins, for we are the Eternal's people.

Neliah is the closing ceremony at the end of the day. This is recited standing throughout the entire service. Jews pray that the good lot, which they hope has been assigned to them, will receive the final seal of approval at the ceremony.

The Shofar is once again sounded with a long blast and the Book is now inscribed for another year.

meet), where a group of good people are ready to welcome you to God's house, to hear God's words, and feel the Spirit. For those of you looking for friendly gettogethers, with alcohol-free environments, don't forget our Sunday Sundae, Fall Concert, and as always, the Sunday worship service starting at 10:45 a.m. You will be welcome and glad you came. Many new and exciting things are coming up. Please watch the Chronicle, and our own monthly newsletter Good News, being distributed to your local establishments.

And always remember, keep our phone number handy: 651-0129. Feel free to call anytime, if you feel we may be of any help to you.

Until next month, Peace and God Bless.

WELL I THINK THEY'RE CLINGING TO AN OBSOLETE HETEROPATRIARCHAL CONSTRUCT... MARRIAGE IS ABOUT OWNERSHIP AND DOWRIES AND STUFF! I MEAN, GROSS!

CAN YOU IMAGINE? THE SAME LOVER...FOR ETERNITY!

THEY'RE EVEN EXCHANGING RINGS, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

$25

A REALLY POLITICALLY CORRECT PERSON WOULD SUPPORT THEIR COMMITMENT WHOLEHEARTEDLY

SO WHAT ARE YA GIVING THEM, JEZ?

A COMBINATION WATER-SAVING SHOWER HEAD AND CAPPUCCINO INAKER. HOW 'BOUT YOU?

I'M GIVING THEM A COPY OF MY PERSONALLY RESEARCHED CATALOG OF FEASIBLE LESBIAN SEXUAL POSITIONS. GODDESS KNOWS THEY'LL NEED IT. WHAT ABOUT YOU, MO?

I DUNNO. I CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN THE COMPLETE BONA PRED SHOW VIDEOCASSETTES AND THE T-SHIRTS THAT SAY "HERS" AND HERS TOO."

THE MONTH

from

WALEUS PRESS

CARTOONERTAINMENT

(Caricature Entertainment

For Parties and Promotion)

Cartoons

Signs Illustration

(216) 741-2325

Coming October 20th, 1990 to J.S. Knight Auditorium, Leigh Hall, University of Akron

THE GAY/LESBIAN STUDENT RESOURCE presents in concert

LYNN LAVNER

doors open at 8 pm

Advance tickets available by mail. Forward check or money order payable to: GLSR, P.O. Box 4778, Akron, Ohio 44310 $6.00 students $8.00 general admission

GLSR is a registered student organizat of the University of Abron. Registralen dess

approves, or opensers the organization, is publications, programs, or activities.