I once wanted to become an atheist --

but I had to give it up.

I found they have no holidays.

Henry Youngman

The Havurat Olam Shmoozeletter

September 02, 2005 - 28 Av 5765

Volume II, Issue 12

[Friday Night Services] [S'lichot with Rabbi Andrew Ettin] [High Holy Days] [Yizkor Memorial Fund] [High Holy Day Prayerbooks] [A Note from the President] [Announcements] [Adult Education]

Friday Night Service

Children's Service at 6:40

September 16, 2005

Our last service of the year will introduce something completely different based on something centuries old. From now on, we’ll prove a short, one-page note, a “map” of Shabbat services to help you navigate through Friday evening prayers. Our map will help you familiarize yourself with the beautiful rhyme and reason that underpins Erev Shabbat services. Why does the Barchu precede the Shema? Why do we chant the Amidah before reading from Torah? The map will help explain.  Our little note will also highlight features of the week’s Torah reading.

We also plan to create a new page for our web site. The religious services page will include the map and other salient information on services, from how to chant the aliya blessings to explaining essential Shabbat terms. (What does Kabbalat Shabbat mean? What is a Misheberach?) We’ll let you know when the page is up and running.

Please join us for this month’s service at our now usual locale for Friday night services, MgGill Baptist Church, and bring a noshable for the oneg following services. Non-members will be asked to contribute to our rental costs with a $10 per adult donation.

S'lichot with Rabbi Andrew Ettin

September 24, 2005

 Rabbi Andrew Ettin, spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Salisbury, is returning to Concord for our second S’lichot program. Those who have experienced Rabbi Ettin’s  thoughtful, meditative, and gentle approach to Jewish tradition know how valuable every opportunity to meet with him is, whether you are interested in learning or praying (or both!). Rabbi Ettin writes:

 As Yom Kippur ends, we envision that our prayers and actions have repaired our relationships with one another and with Holy One-ness. We are welcome at the open gates of forgiveness. On S'lichot we begin that journey to the gateway.  We find our place in life on the map of Jewish teachings, recognize where we are and where we need to be, actively and spiritually, and begin the process that will lead us to atonement, "at-one-ment."

 We hope you will join us for our afternoon S’lichot program. Please consider staying for a potluck dinner (that means bringing some edible item) and a beautiful, loving celebration of Havdala, the end of Shabbat.

High Holy Days Services

A Full Complement for the Very First Time in Cabarrus County

Have you heard anything that sounds suspiciously like the sound of a Shofar floating by?  There’s a reason.

 This is it: Havurat Olam has planned a full complement of High Holy Day services this year.  Please join us in preparing for and celebrating the new year together with friends and friends-to-be in Cabarrus County.

Yizkor Memorial Fund and High Holy Day Prayerbooks

Shirley Phillipson is collecting names of those individuals our member families would like remembered at our Yom Kippur Yizkor (remembrance) service.  Please send Shirley the name of your loved one, and please consider making a small donation in memory of your loved ones to Havurat Olam’s general fund at this time.  Names will be printed in a special Yom Kippur yizkor publication, and all contributors to the fund will be included in its pages.  Any contribution is welcome and should be made out to “Havurat Olam”.

A very few copies of Machzor Hadash (our High Holy Day prayerbooks) are still available for purchase.  If you are interested, please send $32 to our treasurer, CPA Samuel Leder, at the address below. 

A Note from the President, Dr. Brian Cutler

Havurat Olam's Rabbinic Intern

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Barbara Thiede, who recently began formal studies to become a rabbi -- a rather uncommon profession in Concord, NC.  Barbara, our Rabbinic Intern, will be leading our High Holy Day and Shabbat services and is also in charge of our religious school.  You can congratulate Barbara and wish her success in this important endeavor by sending a note to her directly, at  Barbara.Thiede@earthlink.net

Announcements

Havurato Olam Religious School Opens September 18

The Havurat Olam Education Committee has designed the curricula, selected the books, and chosen this year’s class dates.  Descriptions of class content, lists of assigned texts, and the school calendar are available in the Havurat Olam Parent Handbook.

 The school will run year-round, include 26 Sunday sessions, and provide classes for grades K-5.  Each class will enroll a minimum of three students and a maximum of ten.  Members will receive priority.

 Please respond to this email if you would like a schedule of classes, a look at our Parent Handbook, and a registration form.  Tuition is $285 for members and $435 for non-members, payable to Havurat Olam.  Tuition includes all classroom materials required for the year.  Students must register before September 2 to assure that their materials will be available on the first day of class.  Feel free to send any questions our way by replying to this address.

Havurat Olam Adult Education Program

Have you always wanted to know what “Sim Shalom” actually means?  If you know the Hebrew Aleph Bet and feel ready to tackle the words of the prayer book, we have a way to get you started on the path of Hebraic enlightenment.  Havurat Olam is offering its first beginning course in prayerbook Hebrew this fall.

 Dr. Barbara Thiede, Havurat Olam’s Rabbinical Intern and Director of Religious Services, will meet with students once each week (with time off for High Holy Days).  If you are interested in taking this class, please respond to this email so that you may order your textbook.  Classes begin on September 19 at 6:30.  The course includes 12 sessions.  Class fees depend on enrollment.  Five or less students will result in a $150 fee for the course; over five will determine a course fee of $125.  Tuition will be payable to Havurat Olam.  Let us know if you are interested, and you’ll receive a registration form.

Membership information and form.