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Congregation Shalom is a Reform Jewish community committed to education, spiritual growth, and Tikkun
Olam (healing the world). We are proud to be an extended family of equals - welcoming, caring, and inclusive.
Together, we engage in religious observance, enjoy social activities, and pursue life-long learning.
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 From our Rabbi
Dear Friends:
One of the really joyous days in our synagogue year is the last Wednesday of Hebrew school when our 7th grade Kitah Hey class students symbolically pass the Torah down to the 6th grade Kitah Dalet students. Although it is not a familial L'dor V'dor experience, it is a powerful expression of how as a synagogue community we ARE extended Jewish family to one another. I think the students and families really look forward to this ritual as one more milestone in their Jewish journeys.
This year, our Kitah Hey class also led the ma'ariv service and they did an amazing job. What was so meaningful, however, was that they chose to write about the theme of kehillah, which means community in Hebrew. They chose this theme because it really became a rallying theme for them all year long. On the first day of school I asked them to write down the three things they loved most about being Jewish and they could not include food! That of course was a given! I asked them to write them down so that they would not be influenced by other students' answers. To a person, everyone wrote that they loved and valued the sense of community they felt within their class and within the synagogue. I taught them the Hebrew word kehillah and as each kid said community again they would fist pump their hands into the air and yell out, "Kehillah!" It was a wonderful, joyous, and fun moment for all of us. So, to end the year, they decided to write poems, acrostics, stories, etc. about Kehillah. I think I was able to save most of them and I have decided to share them with the Congregation Shalom community so you too can get a sense of what our youth think about the power of kehillah! I've included just two students' poems, but you can click here to read the rest of the class's thoughts.
Our Kehilah
We are family
Meeting two days per week
That might sound weird,
But that's normal for us.
We've shared many moments,
Some good and some bad.
We were always there for each other
And that's what Kehilot are for.
Kehilot come in big and small
But our friendship is infinite
And our bond, like platinum
Can never be broken.
Like puzzle pieces
We are individuals.
We come together as one
Even though we think differently.
Kehilah sounds like laughter, friends, and family rejoicing.
It sounds like a Friday night service, everyone joining in prayer.
Kehilah smells like latkes the Brotherhood brings on Channukah, like matzah ball soup on Pesach, and etrog on Sukkot.
Kehilah looks like the congregation running to embrace the bar or bat mitzvah, families lying under the Sukkah gazing at the stars, our kitah hey class in laughter or deep discussions.
Kahilah tastes like apples and honey on the New Year, and challah on Shabbat, it tastes like bitter herbs and salt water as we remember our past.
Kehilah feels like a second family, being able to talk about anything, being open with your thoughts.
But most of all Kehilah is the love and support within a group, it is something no one can live without, Kehilah shows in our class every time we meet, it is almost indescribable, Kehilah is community.
Have a wonderful summer,
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 From our President
Sacred Obligation
Well, first, what is sacred? The first definition of sacred that resonated with me is from the Oxford dictionary online and was "connected with God... or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration." That made me wonder, does that mean if you don't believe in God, nothing is sacred- everything profane? Of course not. Whether you believe in God, don't believe in God, or are wrestling with God, some things in life are awesome and deserve veneration. For me, some go beyond this, to actually be sacred. One of these is Torah.
When my husband and I considered that we needed to have an ethical structure in which to raise our kids... one in which, if neither of us were available, our children would know where to go to find a right answer, we both agreed without hesitation. Judaism was our path. Though we don't both believe in God in equal measure, we venerate the Torah because it provides an ethical structure (and also, indirectly, an ethical community) where we can raise our children to be people with integrity and honor, mensches that we can be proud of.
For some of you, God is a constant presence in your life, a source of blessing and comfort and direction. For others, God and the idea of God may be something you wrestle with, like Jacob, and that's also very much a part of our tradition. For others, God lies outside your beliefs. But I believe that for all Congregation Shalom members, the Torah is venerable, and more often sacred and holy.
So, when I say that I consider being President a sacred obligation, I hope that it resonates with everyone that I mean to carry out the tasks and duties of being President through the lens of our Torah. Exactly what that will mean will likely have as many answers -- when you consider its nuances -- as there are people in our congregation. It is one of the strengths of the Jewish community: there are many right ways to act.
I hope as you consider my interpretation, if you find it differs from yours, that you share your thoughts with me. You can contact me through email at president@congregationshalom.org . Or, during the school year, I plan to be at Congregation Shalom during Religious School from 10 a.m. to noon. Drop by and tell me your views!
Wishing you a joyous summer!
B'shalom,
Tamar
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 From Our Education Director
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does. (Margaret Mead)
On the second Thursday of every month, a group of deeply committed and caring parents meet to discuss how we can continue to grow and improve the Congregation Shalom School community. I am speaking of my amazing School Committee. This committee helps me to navigate the day-to-day running of the school, and together we look ahead at strategic planning and decisions that will impact both the school today and where we are headed in the future.
I feel lucky that I have a group of dedicated and thoughtful partners to help me as we brainstorm ways to improve the school each and every day. I am so appreciative of Cayla Maguire and Larry Rodman who have chaired the school committee together for the past three years. They have been available to me very early in the morning when we are deciding whether to cancel school on a snow day and late in the evening when I need to resolve an issue quickly. Larry will be stepping down as the Chair of the committee but Cayla will be with us one more year. Larry and Cayla have been an incredible support system to me and I am so appreciative of their commitment to our children's education.
Along with Cayla and Larry; Danielle Evans-Cole, Pam Gordon, Tina Kempner, Deborah Morrissey, Elana Newman, Adam Scherer, Rabbi Perry, and myself are all a part of the amazing and dedicated School Committee. I appreciate the ability to rely on this committee to always focus on the betterment of the school as a whole and I am deeply appreciative of this small group of committed volunteers that work alongside me and support me every step of the way.
If you are a parent or even just an interested temple member, I encourage you to get involved in our School Committee. I guarantee you a warm and supportive environment and, of course, always good food. If you have any questions or want to get involved, please reach out to me or Cayla Maguire at edchair@congregationshalom.org.
Yael
Please click here to read previous columns on our website. |
Social Action Committee
Mitzvah Day 2015
What a successful Mitzvah Day we had on Sunday, June 7! Taking advantage of perfect weather, more than 70 congregants spent the day working to clean and repair the buildings and grounds at the Paul Center in Chelmsford. Thank you to members of all ages - children through adult - who painted rocks for a rock garden, created bouquets for nursing home residents using recycled flowers, painted and cleaned cabins, cleared brush, and sang at the Atrium. Your efforts improved the lives of so many people in our community: children with developmental disabilities who use the Paul Center, as well as seniors who received flowers and music to brighten their day. Thank you all for continuing a beloved Congregation Shalom tradition, and for embodying our community's commitment to tikkun olam!
Look for photo highlights from Mitzvah Day coming soon to www.congregationshalom.org.
Help care for our Chelmsford Community Garden plot!
Since we planted our plot at the first annual "Sneaker Shabbat" on Friday, May 29, our garden has started to grow. The garden is located on Robin Hill Road in Chelmsford, and we are looking for volunteers to sign up online to help weed and water our crops until they are ready to harvest and donate to those in need. If you sign up for a slot you'll get an email reminder two days in advance. If you have any questions about how to water the garden feel free to contact socialaction@congregationshalom.org .
Please sign up by clicking here.
Monthly Food Donations for Middlesex Transitional Living
 Center
Congregation Shalom is collecting food for the Lowell Transitional Living Center (LTLC). It is easy to help out with this mitzvah. Donations of meatloaf, and/or brownies and/or salad are accepted each month. There will be a cooler chest located by the doors of Congregation Shalom. Simply place your donation in the cooler and know that you have done a good deed! The food will be collected and brought to the Lowell Transitional Living Center in Lowell, where our donations are greatly appreciated each month. You can leave your donations in the cooler beginning on
Wednesday, July 15 through Thursday, June 16. August dates will be Wednesday August 19 and Thursday August 20 - mark your calendar now.
Volunteer at Table of Plenty in Chelmsford
Congregation Shalom is part of a team of volunteers at the Table of Plenty in Chelmsford, an organization that serves a free meal to all, no questions asked, every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Chelmsford Center. Our team serves every other month on the third Tuesday, and will next serve on July 21. If you have time to volunteer during the afternoon on Tuesdays and would like to take part, please send an email to socialaction@congregationshalom.org and put Linda Newhard's name in the subject line.
Questions? Need more information? Please contact socialaction@congregationshalom.org.
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Fundraising Committee
Did you know that when a manufacturer changes the look of a product, or no longer manufactures the product, in most cases, retailers can no longer sell the items? We have been lucky enough to be the recipient of multiple well-known branded hair products. Everything is approximately 75% off Retail Price.
There are so many products, too numerous to list, so we decided to list a few from each manufacturer. Remember, these are Salon Products - not what you find in drugstores, supermarkets, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target or Walmart.
Keuene: Color Care Shampoos and Conditioners, molding paste and waxes, root volumnizer, several different hairsprays
Redken: All Soft Shampoo, Color Extend Shampoos and Conditioners, hair sprays, finishing sprays, texturizers, smoothing serums, Time Reset Shampoos and Conditioners
Phyto Organics-Nexxus: Colorlock Masques and Treatments,different gels, Chromalife Colorlock Treatment or Shampoos, hair sprays
Black: All sizes of Twice a Week Miracle Hair Shampoos and Conditioners
Brocato: Vibracolor Versa-Fix Fade Prevent Spray Gel, Energizing Treatments, Deep Repair Treatments and Plasticity Foam Polisher
L'Oreal: Expert Force Vector Glycocell, anti-dandruff shampoos, Texture Expert Elasticite
Blow Pro: Weather Girl Anti-Frizz Serum, pomades, blowdry lotions, texturizing mists, shampoos, conditioners, straightening balm, Color Extend Total Recharge
A smattering of products from Kendra, Bio Mega, Rusk, Ice Hair, Michael O'Rourke, Rockaholic and IT Factor
Summer is a time when families try not to make plans and just 'go with the flow' so rather than scheduling a specific time to be at the temple for a big showing of products, just ask for a copy of the spreadsheet listing all items, their retail prices, and what the Fundraising Committee is selling them for. Again, 25% of the retail price is a real bargain and it is helpful if you make out your check to Congregation Shalom. If you wish to buy anything, send your wish list to: fundraising@congregationshalom.org and I will put your order together and let you know when it is available for pick-up or delivery. If you are the kind who likes to touch and feel before buying, let me know and I will meet you at the temple.
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Save the Date
July 16 Adult Ed Committee Meeting
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Quick Links
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Links to Our Website
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Prayer Books - Looking for Donations
Our new High Holiday prayer books are in! This past week we have received a shipment of approximately fifty boxes containing our 800 prayer books. We are now working on plans to store the new books during the "offseason." Equally impressive with the quantity of new prayer books is the amount of money we have raised to pay for the books. Through the immense generosity of our membership, we have been able to raise funds without adding to our underlying operating budget. We are now within $1,000 of our total goal! The High Holidays are quickly approaching (not to rush your summer or anything...) and this is the perfect time to purchase bookplates (or make a directed donation) to help defray the cost of the books. Please contact Laura Rodman at fundraising@congregationshalom.org and help us reach our goal!
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| Help! We need a projector!
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| Come Make a Joyous Noise
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Calendar Requests are Due
Calling all Committee Chairpeople and Acting Chairpeople
Please get your yearly calendar to us as soon as you can. The School Calendar is posted. We will not accept meetings on any Wednesday when Chai School is in session so please adjust your calendars accordingly. We have Sisterhood's calendar - just waiting for yours. Paul and I would like to have the yearly calendar in place by the beginning of July.
Thanks
Paul Hantman and Laura Rodman
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I want to thank everyone for the best wishes, prayers, beautiful cards, donations to the temple, and food on my behalf. My resent brain surgery was very difficult, but I am now on the mend. My doctors think I am making remarkable progress, but I have a long ways to go. Thank you all again for your thoughtfulness.
Pat Schneider
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Good and Welfare
It is with a heavy heart that I write of the passing of Elaine Cutler Becker, the mother of our member Sandy Rose. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sandy, Eric, Olivia, and Aron during their time of loss.
It is with a heavy heart that I also write of the passing of Martin Greenfield, the father of our members Leslie Lathrop and Carole Greenfield. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Leslie, Olin, Ari, Carole, Tom, Rachel, and Emily during their time of loss.
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| July Yahrzeits
7/3/15
Wilma Ruth Carrick, Josephine Dreher, Hilda Edelstein, Hy Frankel, Bernard Hovsha, Mary Rauch, Evelyn Rodman
7/10/15
Ella Antokal, Abraham Danzig, Sam Fagelman, Marianne Fried, Michael Picard, Sam Salmirs
7/17/15
Sidney Berenson, Elaine Capland, Abraham David, Joseph David, Alfred DesLauriers, Adele Friedlander, Dorothy Griffith, Rose Kallus, Nathan Harry Katz, Lawrence Wikander
7/24/15
Melvin Boroshok, Milton Capland, Joseph Davis, Zelman Kamien, Rita Miller, Sherry Rosenberg, Moses Solomon Strock
7/31/15
Barry Berkovitz, Evelyn Derby, Samuel Eisenstein, Ida Friedman, Justin David Goldman, Eleanor Myers, Naomi Perry, Donald Pearlman, Allan Rosenberg, Saul Shurdut, Charlotte Siegel
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| Newsletter Ads and You!
We are always looking for advertisers for the Temple newsletter. Ads can be placed at any time with special pricing for members. Ads need not be for a year so if you want to try us, we take ads for 3 months as well as six months. If you decide to continue your ad for a full year, we do pro-rate the price. As the saying goes, "Try us, you'll like us!"
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Youth Scholarships
Throughout the year, there are many enriching Jewish experiences available to our youth through our synagogue or the community. These include, but aren't limited to, summer camps and trips to Washington, New York, and Israel. Fortunately, there is some scholarship money available through the temple to those families in need of financial assistance for these opportunities. Please contact Margie Berenson at scholarship@concgregationahalom.org with any questions and/or for an application form. |
| Changed Your Address?
Notify us at emailchange@congregationshalom.org and we'll make sure all the right organizations at the Temple are informed. Please include your full name in your request.
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Sisterhood News
We concluded our busy and fun year of events with dinner at John Ryan's Pub. Twenty-two cheerful members dined and shared updates and family news. Everyone is excited for summer weather, gardening, trips near and far, time with grandchildren, and transitioning children to camp, college or grad school.
Debbie Arthur will be hosting our summer pool party on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. Plan to relax, swim and enjoy a potluck dinner in Debbie's backyard oasis. Watch for an evite with more details soon.
We have our Sisterhood board all set for 2015-2016!President ~ Donna Upson Correia Corresponding Secretary ~ Liz Denly Recording Secretary ~ Toby Sedgwick Treasurer ~ Carol Frampton Programming ~ Alyssa Himelfarb Fundraising ~ Patti Green Membership ~ Debbie McBride Trustees ~ Tamara Sorell and Pat Schneider Immediate Past Presidents ~ Sue Miller and Katie Ebersman
We have drafted our event calendar and are looking forward to our usual favorites and some new activities. If you have any ideas, please let us know. Museum trip, educational speaker, outdoor activity, local hidden gem....let's see if we can add it to our schedule and enjoy together with Sisterhood gals! We do not have a meeting in July, so our next meeting is August 4 at 7:00 p.m. Toby Sedgwick, Sisterhood Board sisterhood@congregationshalom.org
Click here to view the Sisterhood calendar at our Congregation Shalom website.
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Brotherhood News
In the coming month, we are offering some new events. There is a volunteer day at the Habitat for Humanity at a site in Nashua on July 19th. There will also be a hike at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, MA on July 25th. This hike is open to families with school aged children. Guys night out will be offered this month, watch for the e-vite from Jon Boroshok.
At our last Brotherhood Board Meeting, the team reflected on how we did last year (2014-2015). There were so many memorable events: Cooking with Mel (Russian), Speaker Rabbi Bazer (clergyman in a war zone), Guys Night Out at David Penn's (band practice and fried turkey), Brotherhood / Sisterhood night out (John Ryan's Pub in a snowstorm), and the Annual Brotherhood Retreat weekend! These were really cool events!! And there were many more...
For the 2015-2016 year it is time to talk about objectives. Brotherhood consistently brings interesting and fun events. So, an objective for this year is to have more dads with kids in our Congregation Shalom School attend Brotherhood events. We have a new board with talented, dedicated, and thoughtful people. The team is in the process of developing a new calendar and refreshing the Brotherhood website page. We are also revamping our distribution lists, as there are people who need to be on distribution and are not.
If you are interested in learning more about our offerings or have suggestions for the 2015-2016 calendar or approach, please send communicate via email or in person.
David Ebersman
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Shalomites
This year has been a very exciting one for the Shalomites! From shul-ins and hangouts, to hosting NFTY Northeast's Spring Conclavette, we had our hands full with many fun events. This past Friday night, the new members of the Shalomites board were installed at Installation Shabbat. I look forward to working with them all to create a year full of fun and meaningful events. Speaking of events, NFTY-NE's first event of the year is coming up in August! Summer Institute, a 5 day overnight at Crane Lake camp in West Stockbridge, MA is happening August 19-23. It is sure to be a lot of fun and is the perfect way to get involved in NFTY! I am very excited for the upcoming year and look forward to meeting the incoming 8th graders. Have a great summer!
Julia Segal
Shalomites President 5775-5776
Click here to view the Shalomites calendar at our Congregation Shalom website.
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Pick Your Oneg!! Yes, You Choose the Date!
- Want a Sunset Oneg?
- Want to host the same night as your father's Yarzheit?
- How 'bout hosting the same night as your child's class dinner?
- Away all winter?
Just let us know, and we'll make it happen. Every member is expected to host two Onegs. However, if you volunteer to be the coordinator, one Oneg will fulfill your obligation.
There is always a need for those of you willing to host some special services for Erev Rosh Hashana, Rosh Hashana children's service, and Simchat Torah service.
Please send an email to oneg@congregationshalom.org with requests, as well as stating whether you are willing to be a Coordinator or not. Requests may contain any/all of the following:
Service type: Tot, Family, Adult, MOCA, Adult Sunset, or any 8 p.m.
Event: Holiday or Special Shabbat (e.g., Brotherhood, Grade 3 Shabbat Dinner, or a friend's Bar/t Mitzvah weekend)
Unavailable dates, such as vacation or snowbird schedule: "we're in Florida from December 1 - May 31" or "not during tax season", so we'll schedule you for a better time.
Specific date: such as December Family Service or November 6 at 8 p.m.
The final schedule for services/special Shabbats is not available until August. Assignments are made during August and published in the September newsletter. Therefore, requests can be made during July and early August.
If you do not request specific dates, you will be assigned to ones that we hope are appropriate; however, the best way to ensure that the assignment is correct is to let us know your preferences before being assigned. Once the assignment has been made, you are responsible for swapping your date, if necessary, with another member.
Thank you for your part in making our congregational Oneg program successful; it's yet another part of Congregation Shalom's tradition that we feel is special and unique.
The Oneg Committee - Caren Boroshok, scheduler
- Pat & Rick Karpeles, letter senders
oneg@congregationshalom.org
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Thank You For a Great Grocery Card Year  I would like to thank to all the families who are sustaining monthly regulars and all the people who bought grocery cards during Sunday school. Together, we've raised more than $3400 for the temple for this fiscal year. This money is essential to the temple budget and helps keep our programs strong. Thank you for taking the one extra step before you shop. As we head into the next fiscal year starting July 1, please consider joining the monthly program. If you shop at Hannaford, Stop & Shop, or Donelan's, I can send you a card once a month and you will be helping the temple every month, with no out-of-pocket money from you! The stores have these programs to help support non-profits and we get 7% back for every purchase. Just email Judy Beningson at giftcards@congregationshalom.org and I will get you a card in whatever denomination you need: $25-$500! Thank you.
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iGive for Congregation Shalom
Have you ever thought how great it would be to be able to shop online at 783 different well-known stores and still donate money to Congregation Shalom? Well, you can do that! It's free and easy so join those of us who have been sending donations to the synagogue for years simply by shopping by first going to the iGive website once you have established the link. Click here to register for Congregation Shalom to automatically be the recipient cause. If you make a purchase through iGive within 45 days of signing up, an extra $5.00 will go to Congregation Shalom. If you have any questions, please contact Laura at fundraising@congregationshalom.org. |
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Extended Community
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Table of Plenty in Chelmsford
Free Dinner Served
Every Tuesday from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Chelmsford Center
All are welcome. No questions asked.
Also, if you know of someone who cannot get out,
but would benefit from a dinner being delivered to them, please contact us.
For more information contact:
tableofplentyinchelmsford@gmail.com
www.tableofplentyinchelmsford.org
978-710-8328
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From the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston & Affiliates... VNA Hospice Care needs volunteers! Hospice volunteers play a key role in helping to provide caring and compassion to patients and families facing life-limiting illness and loss. A volunteer may provide patients with company and emotional support, give the spouse, partner or other caregiver a needed break from care giving, and/or help caregivers run errands or get to and from appointments. A strong need exists for volunteers who can visit on weekdays. We also seek: musicians who would like to sing or play music quietly at the bedside of nursing home residents; Reiki practitioners who would like to offer Reiki to patients and/or caregivers; and people interested in visiting with their therapy dog. Volunteers who speak both English and a second language are also helpful. We provide volunteer training and ongoing support. Call 781-569-2888 and ask to speak to a Volunteer Coordinator for more information. Or email LPalais@vnab.org.
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Spiritual Poetry Journal
"Soul-Lit" is a new on-line spiritual poetry journal. A number of entries have been from Jews and have Jewish content. Writers are encouraged to submit their own poems which have a level of spiritual content to them. Two volumes have already been published.
To check out the website, please click here.
Please spread the word to members of the community who are writers / poets, and who may wish to submit their own writings.
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