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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

 

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

Loop

Tu B’Shevat Seder  January 24

This year, as we come out of the depths of winter the trees must begin again. To celebrate the new year for trees Temple Or Olam is holding a Tu B’Shvat seder. We will drink wine, eat fruit, and hear excerpts from Talmud and Midrash.

Join us as we explore the mystical meanings behind the seder’s offerings, consider Tu Beshavat Seder Platequestions of sustainability, and discuss the ways in which our community can help protect the world. Please feel free to bring your favorite songs, poems, and stories about trees. The seder will take place at the Leders’ house at 7pm on January 24. Please come out and celebrate with us.

Mah Jongg – An Adult Education Event!  (January 31)

Have you ever wanted to learn Mah Jongg? Join us in a fun and entertaining adult education activity. Learn this great game on Sunday, 01/31/16, from 2-4 pm, at Linda VanArsdale’s home in Concord. Sure to be an afternoon of fun. Ma Jongg

RSVP by 1/24/15 to….

TOO Director of Adult Education, Marilyn Atlas at adult-education@or-olam.org or lindavanarsdale@gmail.com.  You can also call Linda for directions at 980-621-8822.

Date: January 31
Time: 2-4 p.m..
Location: 5537 Lemley Road, Concord, NC 28027.

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

LoopKabbalat Shabbat and Torah Service This Friday, January 15

This is the Sabbath of Parshat Bo, when the final and terrible plagues of darkness and the death of the firstborn force Pharaoh to relent and release the Israelites, who he names as a people for the first time.  We’ll explore the complicated relationships and challenging questions of this parsha at our service, which will also include prayerful reflection on how we win — and maintain — our freedom.

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

Date: January 15
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Tu B’Shevat Seder  January 24Tu Beshavat Seder Plate

This year, as we come out of the depths of winter the trees must begin again. To celebrate the new year for trees Temple Or Olam is holding a Tu B’Shvat seder. We will drink wine, eat fruit, and hear excerpts from Talmud and Midrash. Join us as we explore the mystical meanings behind the seder’s offerings, consider questions of sustainability, and discuss the ways in which our community can help protect the world. Please feel free to bring your favorite songs, poems, and stories about trees. The seder will take place at the Leders’ house at 7pm on January 24. Please come out and celebrate with us.

Mah Jongg – An Adult Education Event!  (January 31)

Have you ever wanted to learn Mah Jongg? Join us in a fun and entertaining adult education activity. Learn this great game on Sunday, 01/31/16, from 2-4 pm, at Linda VanArsdale’s home in Concord. Sure to be an afternoon of fun. Ma Jongg

RSVP by 1/24/15 to….

TOO Director of Adult Education, Marilyn Atlas at adult-education@or-olam.org or lindavanarsdale@gmail.com.  You can also call Linda for directions at 980-621-8822.

Date: January 31
Time: 2-4 p.m..
Location: 5537 Lemley Road, Concord, NC 28027.

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

LoopKabbalat Shabbat and Torah Service January 15

This is the Sabbath of Parshat Bo, when the final and terrible plagues of darkness and the death of the firstborn force Pharaoh to relent and release the Israelites, who he names as a people for the first time.  We’ll explore the complicated relationships and challenging questions of this parsha at our service, which will also include prayerful reflection on how we win — and maintain — our freedom.

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

Date: January 15
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Tu B’Shevat Seder  January 24Tu Beshavat Seder Plate

This year, as we come out of the depths of winter the trees must begin again. To celebrate the new year for trees Temple Or Olam is holding a Tu B’Shvat seder. We will drink wine, eat fruit, and hear excerpts from Talmud and Midrash. Join us as we explore the mystical meanings behind the seder’s offerings, consider questions of sustainability, and discuss the ways in which our community can help protect the world. Please feel free to bring your favorite songs, poems, and stories about trees. The seder will take place at the Leders’ house at 7pm on January 24. Please come out and celebrate with us.

Mah Jongg – An Adult Education Event!  (January 31)

Have you ever wanted to learn Mah Jongg? Join us in a fun and entertaining adult education activity. Learn this great game on Sunday, 01/31/16, from 2-4 pm, at Linda VanArsdale’s home in Concord. Sure to be an afternoon of fun. Ma Jongg

RSVP by 1/24/15 to….

TOO Director of Adult Education, Marilyn Atlas at adult-education@or-olam.org or lindavanarsdale@gmail.com.  You can also call Linda for directions at 980-621-8822.

Date: January 31
Time: 2-4 p.m..
Location: 5537 Lemley Road, Concord, NC 28027.

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

LoopIn the Rabbi’s Library: Praying with Direction, Focus, and Feeling: A Workshop for Lay Leaders

And yes, there is still time to let us know you are joining us….

During this workshop, we will learn the basic architecture of a Shabbat service, explore the trajectory and purpose of our prayers, and brainstorm different ways lay leaders can offer a prayerful experience to others.

We’ll begin by learning about the seven essential stages of the Shabbat service. Once we’ve understood both kevah (order) and kavanah (intention), we’ll workshop in small groups, using a set of different service models. These will include chant services, services structured around meditation and journaling, services structured according to text and story, and services centered on prayerful acts of study.  library

This workshop is open to our members – even those who might not want to actively lead a service, but hope to learn how services are led.

After the class and workshop, potluck brunch.

And then, an Hour of Jewish Rhythms — An Introduction for Beginners

Our long-awaited drum class with TOO’s percussionist Ralf Thiede will follow our morning activities and lunch.  Tuition: $15 for members and $25 for non-members.  Please be sure to bring a darbouka drum with you!

Date and Location: January 3, In the Rabbi’s Library (please email Rabbi Barbara for directions at Rabbi.Thiede@or-olam.org)
Time:
10 am – 12 p.m. for class and workshop; 12-1 pm potluck lunch and 1-2 p.m. for drum class.

What’s Ahead in January….

Kabbalat Shabbat and Torah Service January 15

This is the Sabbath of Parshat Bo, when the final and terrible plagues of darkness and the death of the firstborn force Pharaoh to relent and release the Israelites, who he names as a people for the first time.  We’ll explore the complicated relationships and challenging questions of this parsha at our service, which will also include prayerful reflection on how we win — and maintain — our freedom.

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

Date: January 15
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC

Mah Jongg – An Adult Education Event!  (January 31)

Have you ever wanted to learn Mah Jongg? Join us in a fun and entertaining adult education activity. Learn this great game on Sunday, 01/31/16, from 2-4 pm, at Linda Van Arnsdale’s home in Concord. Sure to be an afternoon of fun. Ma Jongg

RSVP by 1/24/15 to….

TOO Director of Adult Education, Marilyn Atlas at adult-education@or-olam.org or lindavanarsdale@gmail.com.  You can also call Linda for directions at 980-621-8822.

Date: January 31
Time: 2-4 p.m..
Location: 5537 Lemley Road, Concord, NC 28027.

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

Loop

In the Rabbi’s Library: Praying with Direction, Focus, and Feeling: A Workshop for Lay Leaders

To be followed by the long awaited drum class with TOO’s percussionist, Ralf Thiede… see below.

During this workshop, we will learn the basic architecture of a Shabbat service, explore the trajectory and purpose of our prayers, and brainstorm different ways lay leaders can offer a prayerful experience to others.

We’ll begin by learning about the seven essential stages of the Shabbat service. Once we’ve understood both kevah (order) and kavanah (intention), we’ll workshop in small groups, using a set of different service models. These will include chant services, services structured around meditation and journaling, services structured according to text and story, and services centered on prayerful acts of study.  library

This workshop is open to our members – even those who might not want to actively lead a service, but hope to learn how services are led.

After the class and workshop, potluck brunch.

And then, an Hour of Jewish Rhythms — An Introduction for Beginners

Our long-awaited drum class with TOO’s percussionist Ralf Thiede will follow our morning activities and lunch.  Tuition: $15 for members and $25 for non-members.  Please be sure to bring a darbouka drum with you!

Date and Location: January 3, In the Rabbi’s Library (please email Rabbi Barbara for directions at Rabbi.Thiede@or-olam.org)
Time:
10 am – 12 p.m. for class and workshop; 12-1 pm potluck lunch and 1-2 p.m. for drum class.

 

Hanukkah-gram, Day 8 – From Rabbi Barbara (Featuring TOO’s Hannukah Waddya Know)

HanukkiahsLast night’s Hanukkah party featured, along with songs, jokes, and a community craft, some truly awesome food. And then, a game of Hanukkah Waddya Know.

Tables competed with each other for the best answers to a minyan of questions.

When asked to name a popular Hanukkah song, one table invented one, using the melody of Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.” Their version: “All about the nes, ‘bout the nes, no oy…’ll.” (Nes is the Hebrew word for “miracle.”)  Of course, we should have expected it: Our percussionist drily accused this group of being nes-sayers.

You may want to read the winning table’s answers, though, because they are downright hilarious.  You can find them here at “Hanukka Waddya Know at TOO: adrenalinedrash.org

Folks, if you missed this event, don’t miss Purim.  One can only begin to imagine what kinds of answers we’ll get then…!

Hag sameach, and blessings of light to you all,

Rabbi Barbara

Hanukkah-gram, Day 7 – From Rabbi Barbara

Day 7 Hanukkah betterAccording to Jewish law (halakha), it is obligatory to light candles, and one should even borrow money to fulfill this mitzvah. If a poor person needs money for Hanukkah candles the community is obligated to provide for him.

We might, this year, spend some time during Hanukkah consider who among us needs candles.  Can we help to pay an electric bill, provide a meal, support a homeless shelter, fund an organization that helps refugees?  In what way can each of us “light a candle” in answer to real human needs?

Hag sameach,

Rabbi Barbara

P.S After Shabbat, recite Havdalah, then light the Hanukkah candles and make the light last!

Hanukkah-gram, Day 6 – From Rabbi Barbara

Day 5 Hanukkah Even BetterThe Rambam had something to say about priorities. (The Rambam is the same dude who goes by the challenging name of Maimonides.)  Maimonides was a 12th century Jewish philosopher and physician who wrote, among many other things, The Guide for the Perplexed. And who isn’t?

So what did he have to say?  If you must choose between spending money on Kiddush wine and lights for Hanukkia, the latter wins.  Those tender, tiny flames are important to our celebration.

They remind us of our own fragility of course.  They remind us of the fragility of all things.

May you all experience the sweetness of Shabbat joined by the tenderness of Hanukkah; may their be rest, light, and comfort.

Hag sameach!

Rabbi Barbara

P.S. Hanukah candles should be lit before the Shabbat candle-lighting time so that we are not working, as it were, after Shabbat begins….  🙂

Hanukkah-gram, Day 5 – From Rabbi Barbara

Day 5 Hanukkah betterWhat’s in a word?
חנה  to settle oneself, to rest
Assiya: Body, making, settling the candles in the Hanukiah

חֲנֻכָּה  dedication, consecration
Yetzira: Heart, forming.  Recite the blessings, light the candles.

חנך   to learn, to make experienced
Briyah: Mind, knowing.  What do you see, recall, know, experience in the flickering of the flames?

חֵן   grace
Atzilut: Emanation, being.  What is the revelation from your consecration of light and love?

Hag sameach!

Rabbi Barbara