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Comforting the Bereaved: A Study Session

Posted by webmaster on July 23, 2013   |   Comments Off on Comforting the Bereaved: A Study Session

Yom Hashoah candleWhat does it mean to “sit shiva”?  What rituals and comfort does Judaism offer those who grieve?

This Shabbat morning we will spend some time studying the shiva minyan service.  We’ll also look at the way Talmud speaks to Jewish funeral practices and discuss attendant rituals that help those who mourn acknowledge and honor their grief.  Feel free to join in on a session of study and understanding with Rabbi Barbara.

We’ll meet at 10 a.m.  Those who would like to stay for lunch with one another are asked to bring something tasty to share after our study time.

Please RSVP to templeadmin@or-olam.org if you would like to join us.  We’ll need your RSVP by Friday, July 26 at noon.  Thanks!

Time: 10 a.m. Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord

Kabbalat Shabbat Love Song Service Tomorrow: All We Need Is Love!

Posted by webmaster on June 13, 2013   |   Comments Off on Kabbalat Shabbat Love Song Service Tomorrow: All We Need Is Love!

All we need is loveGo hunting for your love beads, your headbands, and  your tie-dye.  We’re pretty sure that there’s groovy in your closet somewhere.

Then, please join us for our Second Annual Summer Love Song Service.  We’ll be singing everything from the Doobie Brothers to Louis Armstrong, from the Beatles to Cat Stevens, from Elvis Presley to the Eagles.  This one is not to be missed.

It’s all going down tomorrow, June 14th, at McGill Baptist Church.  Bring something to share at the oneg and remember: All we need is love!

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord.

June 2013 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on May 27, 2013   |   Comments Off on June 2013 Shmoozeletter

The June 2013 Shmoozeletter is on line (please click here).  Highlights:

  • The Love Song Service!  June 14, 7:00 p.m., McGill Baptist Church
  • MiLev HaPardes: ‘Going with Grace’
  • Annual Meeting – June 9, 7:00 p.m., McGill Baptist Church.  Important issues are on the agenda – please attend.
  • Recipe for gluten-free pumpkin corn bread (Charlotte Miller)
  • Know your Aleph-Bet: The letter Hey.
  • Yahrzeits and birthdays; thanks for donations.

Kabbalat Service Tonight – The First Sight of Our New Torah

Posted by webmaster on May 17, 2013   |   Comments Off on Kabbalat Service Tonight – The First Sight of Our New Torah

Tonight, Rabbi Barbara will tell us what she saw of our new Torah the very first moments she saw a picture of the scroll.  We will also read from that very section of Torah this evening.   In addition,  two of our b’nai mitzvah students will help lead portions of our service as they get ready for their own ceremonies.

Please bring something to share at oneg!

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: McGill Baptist Church – 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord

May 2013 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on April 29, 2013   |   Comments Off on May 2013 Shmoozeletter

The May 2013 Shmoozeletter is available on line (please click here).  Among the highlights:

  • Services May 04 and 17, Hebrew School Party May 12, Shavuot Picnic May 19
  • Rabbi Thiede: What is sacred to you in your Jewish community?
  • Our congregation turns 10: Interesting things to know about us…
  • Communication within the congregation and with the rabbi
  • Men for Change 2013: Call for donations
  • Recipe: Robbin Smith’s Broiled Tilapia Parmesan (you have got to try this)
  • The letter dalet
  • Annual Meeting June 09
  • Birthdays and yahrzeits, donations received, and our Kvell Korner

Kabbalat Shabbat Services Tonight!

Posted by webmaster on April 19, 2013   |   Comments Off on Kabbalat Shabbat Services Tonight!

Just a reminder that we will be holding Kabbalat Shabbat services tonight at our usual time and location.  Though we are reading from the Holiness Code in Vayikra, the Beagleook of Numbers, a beautiful text from Exodus will also be part of tonight’s Torah study.

“I will lift you up on eagle wings; I have brought you back to me” (Ex. 19:4).

Join us for a loving and, we hope, transformative service.  Please bring something to share at our oneg!

Time: 7 p.m. Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord

April 2013 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on April 10, 2013   |   Comments Off on April 2013 Shmoozeletter

The April 2013 Shmoozeletter is on line – please click here.

Some members have already received the Shmoozeletter via e-mail because WordPress (the service we use to post content to our website) was having some technical issues with their servers.  If you already had the newsletter e-mailed to you, please forgive this duplication.

Highlights of the April 2013 Shmoozeletter:

  • April 19 service announcement
  • MiLev HaPardes: ‘Praying Among the Ruins’
  • On Being a Small Congregation
  • Men for Change: Donations for CVAN
  • Board News (new school curriculum, nominating committee formed, …)
  • Rabbi Barbara’s chocolate mousse recipe (!)
  • guest editor column on the letter gimel (Know your Aleph-bet)
  • Annual Meeting June 09 at 2:00 (McGill Baptist Church)
  • April Birthdays and Yahrzeits

 

Kabbalat Shabbat March 08, 7:00 p.m.

Posted by Ralf Thiede on March 7, 2013   |   Comments Off on Kabbalat Shabbat March 08, 7:00 p.m.

We read in our Torah about the joy and the commitment the whole community demonstrated when it came to building the desert sanctuary, the tabernacle.  Our parshiot, Vayakhel and P’kudei, describe the materials, the offerings, the skills, and the foresight Moses and the people needed to complete the work.  How did those ancient Israelites manage such a task?  By sharing it, of course!

Join us for our trademark First-Friday Kabbalat Shabbat service – musical, joyous, and sweet.  Please bring a smile and, if possible, something to share at our oneg.  We look forward to seeing you there!

March 2013 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on March 5, 2013   |   Comments Off on March 2013 Shmoozeletter

Our March 2013 Shmoozeletter is now on line: please click here.  Highlights:

  • March 08 Kabbalat Shabbat service
  • March 30 Community Seder
  • Rabbi Thiede on wearing tallitot
  • Preparations for Yom HaShoah (April 07)
  • Report on our new Religious School location
  • Men for Change / CVAN
  • Board News (Nominating Committee, Annual Meeting,…)
  • Earl Greenwald’s crumbcake recipe!
  • History of the letter beit
  • birthdays, yahrzeits, donations, and achievements

Purim, TOO Style

Posted by webmaster on February 17, 2013   |   Comments Off on Purim, TOO Style

We’ll make groggers and masks, nosh hamentaschen, and hear the whole megillah (while stomping feet and making noise when the dreaded name “Haman” is read, of course).  Then we’ll see who paid attention to the story in  a Family-Feud style game show.

So brush up your Esther, find yourself a costume, and bake some hamentaschen or bring a snack to share. It’s Purim, folks: You must be in costume to be allowed entrance… 🙂