Author Archives: Ralf Thiede

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

August 2012 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on August 2, 2012   |   Comments Off on August 2012 Shmoozeletter

The August 2012 Shmoozeletter is on line (please click here).  Points of interest:

  • August 03 service
  • Temple Or Olam receives Lenora Stein grant
  • ‘Love Song’ service August 17
  • Meet the Mishpoche: Yvette Spivock
  • Keri Huneycutt, Terri Malin to direct Religious School
  • Religious School relocated to University City
  • High Holy Days Intensive Seminar with Rabbi Thiede August 11 and 18

July 2012 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on July 3, 2012   |   Comments Off on July 2012 Shmoozeletter

The July 2012 Shmoozeletter is on line (please click here to see it).  Points of interest:

  • July 7: Game Night (6:00 p.m.)
  • July 13: Kabbalat Shabbat service (7:00 p.m.)
  • Rosh Chodesh: July 21 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
  • Aug. 11 and 18 Seminar: The Days of Awe
  • Meet the Mishpoche: Janet Sternbach
  • Implications of our No Jew Left Behind policy
  • In the mail: budget, membership packets

Raising Funds for CVAN, the Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network

Posted by Ralf Thiede on June 6, 2012   |   Comments Off on Raising Funds for CVAN, the Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network

Dear Temple Or Olam Members,

For several years, we have organized a special fundraiser for Men for Change, a program for and by CVAN (Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network).  Statistics tell us that domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States.

CVAN provides shelter and meals to women and their children, accompanies women to court, reaches thousands of people through community speaking engagements and provides individual peer advocacy and counseling.

We are asking you to send a donation into the Temple for Men for Change so that we can again honor our own men of Temple Or Olam and make a public statement: The men of our congregation want to help send the message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.

The men of our congregation will be listed together with other donors in a full-page ad on Father’s Day. Please join us by sending your donation to:

Temple Or Olam, Treasurer PO Box 362 Huntersville, NC 28070-0362

Many thanks for your support,

Tom Jensen, Earl Greenwald, and Ralf Thiede

June 2012 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on May 31, 2012   |   Comments Off on June 2012 Shmoozeletter

Temple Or Olam’s Shmoozeletter for June 2012 is now on line (click here) – highlights:

  • The Love Song Service: Suggest a song!
  • Introducing Administrative Assistant Charlotte Miller
  • Annual Meeting: June 3 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Service: June 15
  • Game Night: July 14
  • Rosh Chodesh: July 21 (tentative)
  • Seminar ‘Days of Awe’: August 11 and 18
  • Meet the Mishpoche: Sergio Chait
  • Looking for a school building to house Religious School

May 2012 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on May 1, 2012   |   Comments Off on May 2012 Shmoozeletter

The May 2012 Shmoozeletter is posted here.  Enjoy!  Highlights:

  • JingJing Jacobson – Bat Mitzvah May 19
  • May 04 Shabbat Service in Dalton Park, Concord
  • Rabbi Thiede on Amendment One
  • Religious School Notes: The 7 Prayer Gates of the Amidah
  • Call for Donations: Or Olam Religious School Scholarships
  • June 03 Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner
  • Religous School’s Violins of Hope Excursion
  • Birthdays and Yahrzeits

April 2012 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on April 1, 2012   |   Comments Off on April 2012 Shmoozeletter

The April 2012 Shmoozeletter of Temple Or Olam is on line (click here).  Highlights:

  • Community Seder April 07 at 5:30
  • April 20 Service
  • Rabbi Thiede on ‘kosher for Passover’
  • Feature: Hillary Fleming
  • Community Commitment
  • Caleb Malin recognized for his art work
  • Religious School donates 136 lbs. of food on Purim

Shmoozeletter March 2012

Posted by Ralf Thiede on March 1, 2012   |   Comments Off on Shmoozeletter March 2012

The March 2012 Shmoozeletter is on line (click here).  Special points of interest:

  • March Services (03-02 and 03-23 at 7:00 p.m.)
  • Rabbi Thiede on Holy Listening
  • Feature on Doris Gordon
  • Purim Party March 10 (3:00-05:00): Bring canned and packaged food for donation
  • Potluck at Dorton Park: May 04
  • Religious School children’s tzedakah project
  • Yahrzeits and Birthdays

Shmoozeletter February 2012

Posted by Ralf Thiede on January 31, 2012   |   Comments Off on Shmoozeletter February 2012

Our February Shmoozeletter is on line (click here).  Points of interest:

  • Feb. 03 Service
  • Rabbi Thiede on Eleanor Joffe
  • Feature on Carole Bombardier
  • Chicken Soup Committee has formed
  • Congregational Dinner Feb. 17
  • Religious School children to perform at the next service