Do You Ever See Something And Just Go, “Damn, That’s Really Neat” For No Discernible Reason?

Lane

Change a single letter and change the word game

I want to play a game with you all.

You have to make a new word by changing only one letter of the last word.

Dirt

Help a Jewish Community Buy Back Its Own Damn Synagogue!

Firsty, thank you for reading this, and I hope you’ll get through it and give us the honor of a donation, firstly, and a reblog, secondly. Maybe even a note to any friends you have outside of tumblr! 

If you don’t care about the history, skip to the bold at the end! 

This is Temple Emanu-El, in Helena, Montana. At the time it was built, it was the only synagogue between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Portland, Oregon. It was built with the hard work of the Jewish community that had come west to seek their fortune and stability, having heard that people were more willing to do business with Jews in the West, a place where social strictures were slightly relaxed. This turned out to be true, and the community thrived. 

This picture resolves small on tumblr, but you can see the love and care they put into it. It’s modeled after the great synagogues of Europe, with heavy stonework, onion domes, and intricate stained glass. The president of the congregation cried at its opening and dedication. 

As the years went on, the West became more settled, and for a series of socio-political reasons of which my History of the American West major ass is well aware but are ultimately unimportant to the issue at hand, Jewish communities left much of the interior west for metropolitan areas. By the 1930s, the Jewish community was so small that they could not justify the large and lavish worship center. 

They sold it to the city for one dollar. 

The promise made to them was that it would be used for the public good. The state readied the former temple for its new function as offices for Social and Rehabilitation Services, sandblasting of the Hebrew inscription, “Gate to the Eternal,” above the entry and removing the star-studded, painted domes.. The copper was stripped from the building and likely reused to re-clad the State Capitol’s dome at about the same time. 

That lasted all of 40 years, when the State of Montana decided to let it sit idle and decay, so they could justify the sale of the building, sold for a pittance to the public good, to the Helena Catholic Diocese for $83,000  (this is an opinion of mine, though it is not an uneducated one, and I do firmly believe it. I do not, however, represent that they allowed it to fall into disrepair to justify the sale as objective fact.) 

This is the building now

In a twist of fate, the diocese can no longer afford to maintain the building. They are selling it, and the Jewish community of Helena is trying to buy it. 

The Montana Jewish Project is being far far far nicer and more politic about this than I would be, but in fairness, they actually how to get Nice Goyim to donate, and I don’t, so. The Diocese is spinning this as selling the building for much less than its worth, which may be true, but if you bought it for $83,000, that would be $280,000 now. 

They are selling it for $925,000. And we have to have 70% of the purchase price by February 28th. Easy terms, right? 

Here’s where you come in! If the idea of Montana’s Jews getting back the building that was sold to the Diocese in spite of the original agreement appeals to you, you can and should donate to their capital campaign. They even have an option for your donation where if we don’t get Emanu-El back, your money will be returned to you instead of being used for other MJP protects and repairs. 

This place won’t just be used for the Jewish community, though I think that would be enough. They want it to be used as a museum and center for the community as well, to teach about Jewish life in Montana, with Jewish cooking classes, and social programs, and teaching non-Jews about Jewish customs and culture. 

I just want to get the cross off the top.

Donate here

I’ve been having a hard time dealing with the news of yesterday.

If you don’t know. The Supreme Court over turned roe vs wade, removing the federal coverage and right of abortion in the United States. This gives the power back to individual states which I believe as of now 13 have added trigger laws that will ban abortion in those states almost immediately.

I live in Canada, and my heart and soul ache for America right now.

My friends and loved ones down there and every citizen capable of bearing children my heart goes to you. This news is tragic.

This blog has never been a political one but human rights are not political and so I ask you kindly that if yesterdays news brought you joy, to unfollow and remove yourself from this blog.

You are not welcome here.

This blog is a safe space for all.

To all that may need it. I am attaching a link that helps you find the closest abortion provider.

And a link to a post of Herbs to avoid during pregnancy

And if anyone needs to chat to vent to just speak their mind I’m here. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out. I’m going to be taking a break from the witch posts and focus a bit on bringing awareness to this. Recourses that may be helpful to some.

I don’t often use this sign off as I find it a bit over used in the witch community but I feel we are in need of it.

With love and light

B-Phae

abortionfinder.org

Where Can I Get an Abortion? | U.S. Abortion Clinic Locator

Where Can I Get an Abortion? | U.S. Abortion Clinic Locator

Welcome To My Grimoire

Herbs to avoid for a viable pregnancy.

With everything going on in the US right now I wanted to offer some resources that may help people in need of them, so, let's talk, penny

Thank you John Oliver for bringing this to my attention.

In light of recent events I am posting this here