Blog

Or Olam in the Loop

Posted by webmaster on April 5, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop

LoopRenewing, Restoring, Reflecting: Kabbalat Shabbat April 8

Spring has arrived and we are slightly over half a year away from Yom Kippur.   This Kabbalat Shabbat service will focus on recalling and renewing our sense of new beginnings.  As Yom Kippur offered a time for reflection and rededication, so will we, in this time of springtime renewal, reflect on how we might renew ourselves.  We’ll sing, pray, and hear just the right story for this time of our year.

That goal in mind, and recalling the lovely practice of the mystics if Safed, we suggest wearing Shabbat white and arriving with a beautiful dish to share at our oneg!  Help us bring Queen Shabbat in with joy! dressing in white

Date: April 8
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
 

Demonstrating the Worth of Each Person

Rabbi Jonathan Freirich of Temple Beth El has put out a call to North Carolina’s Jewish clergy and congregants to join together to oppose House Bill 2.  The petition reads, in part:

The Torah teaches that all human beings are created in the image of God and imbued with infinite value. In that spirit, we declare that our state should, under no circumstance, desecrate the holiness and dignity of any citizen.

We, therefore, demand that H.B. 2 be repealed.

If you are interested in signing this petition, you will find the link below:

https://www.change.org/p/patrick-mccrory-jewish-clergy-and-congregants-call-for-the-repeal-of-nc-h-b-2

ShalomFest! In Greenville (yes, that is home to TOO congregants…)

Sherry and Lyle Champion are issuing an invitation to come down to their neck of the woods for ShalomFest on Sunday, April 17th for ShalomFest 2016 in Greenville, S.C.  Check out the link below!

http://www.templeofisrael.org/shalomfest

Or Olam in the Loop

Posted by webmaster on March 22, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop

Loop

Purim Celebration — Crafts, Costumes, Megillah, and More

PLEASE RSVP!

Party like it’s 5776! Come join our Temple Or Olam Purim celebration on Saturday March 26th from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Feel free to dress in costume — a silly hat is acceptable and costumes can be Purim-related or not.

Join us for crafts, pot luck dinner, Waddya Know About Purim trivia quiz and jokes (bring your own!), Havdalah and a reading of the whole megillah.
Hamentaschen

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 24 to Steve Smith and include the dish you plan to bring for pot luck (entrée, side or salad, dessert).Prim costume 2

RSVP: stephensmithnc@bellsouth.net
Date: March 24
Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Wynfield Forest Clubhouse
15722 Wynfield Creek Parkway
Huntersville, NC 28078

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program

Still time to join in!

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session explored the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling.  The next session will be held in early April.   There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT If you are interested in joining the conversation, please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.

Or Olam in the Loop

Posted by webmaster on March 18, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop

Loop

Purim Celebration — Crafts, Costumes, Megillah, and More

Party like it’s 5776! Come join our Temple Or Olam Purim celebration on Saturday March 26th from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Feel free to dress in costume — a silly hat is acceptable and costumes can be Purim-related or not.

Join us for crafts, pot luck dinner, Waddya Know About Purim trivia quiz and jokes (bring your own!), Havdalah and a reading of the whole megillah.
Hamentaschen

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 24 to Steve Smith and include the dish you plan to bring for pot luck (entrée, side or salad, dessert).Prim costume 2

RSVP: stephensmithnc@bellsouth.net
Date: March 24
Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Wynfield Forest Clubhouse
15722 Wynfield Creek Parkway
Huntersville, NC 28078

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program – Starts this Sunday!

Still time to join in!

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session explored the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling.  The next session will be held in early April.   There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT If you are interested in joining the conversation, please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.

 

Or Olam in the Loop — Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things Too

Posted by webmaster on March 8, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop — Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things Too

Loop

Torah Service and Kabbalat Shabbat March 11

For over the Tabernacle a cloud of YHVH rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night.

We have just reached the very end of the book of Exodus, giving us all a wonderful opportunity to chant the words that go with such an accomplishment: Hazak, hazak, v’nitchazeyk!

The end of our scroll speaks to the presence of YHVH in the holy space the Israelites have created.  During this service we will explore the imagery of this text and explore its meaning for our own practice.

Please remember to bring something to share at our oneg!

Date: March 11
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Housing the Wild… Our  Tikkun Olam Project Continues on March 12 birdhouses

On February 21 we completed a total of 12 birdhouses, and there are 14 more in the works!  Now for the next step….

On March 12 we will take the birdhouses to a local island for placement.  The island is located on Lake Norman (just south of the Hwy 150 bridge).  It is only accessible by boat, and is completely uninhabited by humans.  If you plan to come along for this part of the project keep in mind that it will involve riding on a boat as well as hiking through mud and thick foliage.  Please dress accordingly and also keep in mind that there will be about a 10-15 degree wind chill on the water.  There are no facilities on the island, other than trees of course, but there will be at least some at the boat launch area.

The plan for the day is to meet at the McCrary Creek Access Area which is next to Queen’s Landing on Hwy 150 at 10am.  We will be returning homeward at about 4pm.  For meeting onsite, Queen’s Landing address is below, since Will King, who is organizing this project, could not find a listed address for McCrary Creek Access Area.

Will can also have a group meet and leave from Concord at 9am.  If you are interested, contact Will at the email address below.

Will be bringing drinks and snacks, but please pack a lunch for the day, though I will have plenty of drinks and snacks available.  If you are only able to make it for part of the day please let Will know in advance so I can go ahead and plan to have shuttles at certain times during the day.

Email Will at: vicepresident@or-olam.org

If you want to meet us there, here is the location: Queen’s Landing, 1459 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117

Or Olam in the Loop — Our Weekly Bulletin On All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on March 4, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop — Our Weekly Bulletin On All Things TOO

Loop

Torah Service and Kabbalat Shabbat March 11

For over the Tabernacle a cloud of YHVH rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night.

We have just reached the very end of the book of Exodus, giving us all a wonderful opportunity to chant the words that go with such an accomplishment: Hazak, hazak, v’nitchazeyk!

The end of our scroll speaks to the presence of YHVH in the holy space the Israelites have created.  During this service we will explore the imagery of this text and explore its meaning for our own practice.

Please remember to bring something to share at our oneg!

Date: March 11
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program – Starts this Sunday!

Still time to join in!

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session will explore the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling and will be held via conference call on Sunday, March 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Other sessions may be held in people’s homes or in restaurants. There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT Please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.

Housing the Wild… Our  Tikkun Olam Project Continues on March 12 birdhouses

On February 21 we completed a total of 12 birdhouses, and there are 14 more in the works!  Now for the next step….

On March 12 we will take the birdhouses to a local island for placement.  The island is located on Lake Norman (just south of the Hwy 150 bridge).  It is only accessible by boat, and is completely uninhabited by humans.  If you plan to come along for this part of the project keep in mind that it will involve riding on a boat as well as hiking through mud and thick foliage.  Please dress accordingly and also keep in mind that there will be about a 10-15 degree wind chill on the water.  There are no facilities on the island, other than trees of course, but there will be at least some at the boat launch area.

The plan for the day is to meet at the McCrary Creek Access Area which is next to Queen’s Landing on Hwy 150 at 10am.  We will be returning homeward at about 4pm.  For meeting onsite, Queen’s Landing address is below, since Will King, who is organizing this project, could not find a listed address for McCrary Creek Access Area.

Will can also have a group meet and leave from Concord at 9am.  If you are interested, contact Will at the email address below.

Will be bringing drinks and snacks, but please pack a lunch for the day, though I will have plenty of drinks and snacks available.  If you are only able to make it for part of the day please let Will know in advance so I can go ahead and plan to have shuttles at certain times during the day.

Email Will at: vicepresident@or-olam.org

If you want to meet us there, here is the location: Queen’s Landing, 1459 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117

Or Olam in the Loop — Our Weekly Bulletin On All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on February 23, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop — Our Weekly Bulletin On All Things TOO

Loop

Lay-Led Creative Kabbalat Shabbat Service – February 26

This lay-led service promises a range of spiritual experience!

Rebekkah Grossman, Jacob Groves, Marilyn Atlas, William King and Lyle Champion will be leading this creative collaboration. There will be dancing, guided imagery, breathing exercises, singing and a discussion group. Questions will be posed like: “With only being out of slavery for a few weeks, your leader being gone and with your leader’s brother being a part of building the Golden Calf, what would be the likelihood of you joining in the worshiping of the Golden Calf?” We are looking forward to you joining us for a evening of fun and thought provoking discussions.

Please join us, and if you do, please also bring something to our oneg to share with others.

Date: February 26
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session will explore the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling and will be held via conference call on Sunday, March 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Other sessions may be held in people’s homes or in restaurants. There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT Please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.

Housing the Wild… Our February 21 Tikkun Olam Project Results Are In…

Our hard-working crew created TWELVE birdhouses to put up in a local island habitat on March 12.  Please stay tuned for more details on the second part of our project.

Many thanks to our President Steve Smith,  Vice President Will King,  Robbin Smith,  Sherry and Lyle Champion, Jack Stein, and Yeshecah Jackson for their hard work.  Much appreciated.

 

On Healthy Habitats…. From Rabbi Barbara

Posted by Rabbi Thiede on February 18, 2016   |   Comments Off on On Healthy Habitats…. From Rabbi Barbara

birdhousesHousing the Wild… Our February 21 Tikkun Olam Project

Dear all,

TOO has a very special tikkun olam habitat program which begins this weekend, from 10am – 4pm.

Part 1: Building bird houses as part of the NC Wildlife Federation’s Island Habitat Program.  We will be building these in the warehouse of Sun Drop Bottling Co. of Concord.

Part 2: In March we’ll be putting up those birdhouses on a small island space in our area.

As a community, we’ve spoken many times about the need to connect and reconnect with the world around us; please consider setting aside some time to get together with V.P. Will King and other volunteers this Sunday to build safe havens for North Carolina’s avian wildlife.  We’d love to see you there!

The warehouse is heated but can still be fairly cool, though nowhere near as cold as it may be outside, so dress in layers! There are tools and materials available for this project.  If you have a favorite hammer or pair of gloves feel free to bring them.  Do please come dressed in work attire, example being; jeans, t-shirt, sweat shirt, work shoes/boots.  Snack items and food for lunch will be provided, but feel free to bring something to eat if you like.  Please let Will King know if you are planning to attend at vicepresident@or-olam.org

Date: February 21
Time: 10 am- 4 pm
Location: Sun Drop Bottling Co warehouse: 360 Old Salisbury-Concord Rd. Concord, NC 28025.  Located on the corner of Hwy 3 and Old Salisbury-Concord Rd., not too far from Historic Downtown Concord.

Best to all,

Rabbi Barbara

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on February 16, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopHousing the Wild… Our February 21 Tikkun Olam Project

This weekend on February 21, from 10am – 4pm, we will be building bird houses as part of the NC Wildlife Federation’s Island Habitat Program.  We will be building these in the warehouse of Sun Drop Bottling Co. of Concord.

The warehouse is heated but can still be fairly cool, though nowhere near as cold as it may be outside, so dress in layers!

There are tools and materials available for this project.  If you have a favorite hammer or pair of gloves feel free to bring them.  Do please come dressed in work attire, example being; jeans, t-shirt, sweat shirt, work shoes/boots.  Snack items and food for lunch will be provided, but feel free to bring something to eat if you like.  Please let Will King know if you are planning to attend at vicepresident@or-olam.org

Date: February 21
Time: 10 am- 4 pm
Location: Sun Drop Bottling Co warehouse: 360 Old Salisbury-Concord Rd. Concord, NC 28025.  Located on the corner of Hwy 3 and Old Salisbury-Concord Rd., not too far from Historic Downtown Concord.

Lay-Led Creative Kabbalat Shabbat Service – February 26

This lay-led service promises a range of spiritual experience!

Rebekkah Grossman, Jacob Groves, Marilyn Atlas, William King and Lyle Champion will be leading this creative collaboration. There will be dancing, guided imagery, breathing exercises, singing and a discussion group. Questions will be posed like: “With only being out of slavery for a few weeks, your leader being gone and with your leader’s brother being a part of building the Golden Calf, what would be the likelihood of you joining in the worshiping of the Golden Calf?” We are looking forward to you joining us for a evening of fun and thought provoking discussions.

Please join us, and if you do, please also bring something to our oneg to share with others.

Date: February 26
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

 

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session will explore the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling and will be held via conference call on Sunday, March 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Other sessions may be held in people’s homes or in restaurants. There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT Please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.

 

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on February 9, 2016   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopTOO’s Annual Love Song Service

Just in time for Valentine’s Day….

Why has this service become such a beloved part of Temple Or Olam’s own liturgical year?

It’s fun, for one thing. We sing everything from Cat Stevens to the Beatles, from Elvis Presley to Leonard Cohen.

We confess: At TOO we enjoy discovering creative and innovative ways to express our spiritual life. This is one event that has had proven success in doing just that.

Fun and lightheartedness – these things are at a premium in a world that so often presents us with grief and sorrows. But it’s not just all serendipity. There is depth to this service.

That depth comes from the kavannah that grounds what we are doing. Each song we choose is sung according to the cycle of Hebrew prayers that we chant each Friday night.All we need is love

Example: How do we begin a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service? With songs about the delight we find in being together, in enjoying the world. Shabbat Shalom, we sing. Hiney ma tov: behold, how good it is to be brothers and sisters! We might be Feelin’ Groovy in just the same way.

The passionate prayer Yedid Nefesh includes this gorgeous line: “You light up the universe, my soul is faint with love and longing for you.” It’s another, older way to say I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.

We choose love songs we can imagine singing to God. They are songs of thanks and songs of praise. They offer us a chance to put our innermost spiritual longings into words.

The V’ahavta commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. I need your love… eight days a week might be sung, with the right kavannah, as a variation on that command.

Day and NightWe look forward to this service every year because it gives us a new way to pray ancient prayers. Through the Love Song service we learn, again, that there are songs that encompass the varied yearnings we might offer during the Amidah. We reinvest in the hope of Aleynu by singing John Lennon’s Imagine. We acknowledge that to understand the sheer power of God’s oneness what the world needs (now) is love, sweet love.

Our Love Song service is a learning opportunity. We can rediscover the beauty of our liturgy through words of modern songwriters. After all, they are expressing the same longings, the same hopes, the same desires of the heart as the author of Adon Olam.

Please join us!  After all, Love is all you need.

Date: February 12
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session will explore the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling and will be held via conference call on Sunday, March 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Other sessions may be held in people’s homes or in restaurants. There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT Please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.

Out to the (Jewish) Movies…. This Year’s Jewish Film Festival movies

The Charlotte Jewish Film Festival begins this year on February 20 and runs through March 13. All of the movies take place on Wednesdays, Sat. nights, and Sundays. For more information, head to the following url….

http://charlottejewishfilm.com/

Loop…. P.S.!

Posted by webmaster on February 3, 2016   |   Comments Off on Loop…. P.S.!

Jewish With FeelingJewish With Feeling — A Temple Or Olam Adult Education Program

Rabbi Zalman opens up your heart and soul space in his well-known introduction to the Jewish Renewal movement in Jewish With Feeling. Here you will find an accessible, delightful explanation of “open-sky” Judaism; here you will learn how Jewish Renewal seeks to find ways to pray, ways to live, and ways to learn how delightful it is to be Jewish with feeling.

Read with us, meet with us, and explore. Rabbi Barbara will provide a set of guiding questions for each chapter. Our first session will explore the first two chapters of Jewish With Feeling and will be held via conference call on Sunday, March 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM. Other sessions may be held in people’s homes or in restaurants. There is no charge except for the purchase of the book which is not at all expensive and can be purchased online (see urls below…)

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Jewish+With+Feeling

http://www.jewishlights.com/page/product/978-1-58023-691-1

IMPORTANT Please RSVP to Marilyn Atlas, our Director of Adult Education at adult-education@or-olam.org by 2/28/16.