The November 2010 Shmoozeletter is posted for you; enjoy!
Surely God is in this place and I did not know it! (Gen. 28:16)
Anxiety makes us fearful. In our vulnerability, we call on God. It is in such moments that we are forced to admit that we need help, to confess – even to ourselves – that we don’t want to be left alone.
Fleeing from his enraged brother, Esau, Jacob dreams of the divine. God’s own angels traverse the way between heaven and earth before him. God, Jacob decides upon wakening, was “in this place.” He himself had no idea, no clue.
During this service, we will focus on our own questions about God’s presence in our lives. Who and what is God? Why does God seem absent, or uncaring? When does God seem to be involved with the actualities of human existence?
Join us for a lively Tot Shabbat at 10 a.m.; Shabbat Shacharit service follows at 10:30.
Event: Shabbat Morning Family ServiceDate: November 13
Time: Tot Shabbat at 10 am; Shacharit service at 10:30
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord.
Kabbalat Shabbat Service Friday, October 22
Why do we stand for the Amidah but sit during the Shema? How should we handle our Torah, wrap it and hold it?
Our next service is about the Way Things Work at a Jewish service. We’ll take the essential components and explore what we do and why through stories, legends, and even Jewish jokes.
Then we can turn to greet the Sabbath bride knowing why we turned in the first place. Then we can rise for the Barchu together with the wonderfully communal intention that that act deserves.
Join us for our next Shabbat service and learn together with us!
Event: Kabbalat Shabbat Date: Friday, October 22 Time: 7pm Location: McGill Baptist Church, Concord, NCLearn to be a questioner. Find out why.
Judaism is a religion replete with ritual. Why do we touch the mezuzah before we leave or enter a home? Why do we have braided bread on Shabbat?
Our rituals tell us a great deal about who we are and what we are trying to do Jewishly. So why didn’t our own Sunday School teachers talk to us about the how’s and why’s of our Shabbat services?
Why do we stand for the Amidah but sit during the Shema? How should we handle our Torah, wrap it and hold it?
Our next service is about the Way Things Work at a Jewish service. We’ll take the essential components and explore what we do and why through stories, legends, and even Jewish jokes.
Then we can turn to greet the Sabbath bride knowing why we turned in the first place. Then we can rise for the Barchu together with the wonderfully communal intention that that act deserves.
Join us for our next Shabbat service and learn together with us!
Event: Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceDate: October 22
Time: 7 pm
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord.
It is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it. (Deut. 30: 14)
Simchat Torah: Our last celebration until Hanukkah. But what a chag!
Simchat Torah falls this year on Shabbat, so we’ll sing and process with our Torah to lively Shabbat tunes and joyous niggunim. We’ll also hear the ending and the beginning of our Torah scroll chanted.
Our celebration will include a special gift: The names of four congregants will be selected at random. Those lucky four will choose a column in Genesis and Reb Barbara will find the verse that was meant for them in this New Year and interpret it – right on the spot.
Special request: To all that are coming, please bring your prayer shawls! Please join us for the fun – and prepare for joy!
Independent Tribune Article
Independent Tribune Sep. 17, 2010
The Independent Tribune has published an article on ‘Observing Yom Kippur: Temple serves congregation and community’ on Sep. 17, 2010 (Robin L. Gardner). The picture was taken by Seth Holtzman. Enjoy.
Helping Ourselves, Helping Others
Help Yourself, Help Others flyer
Introducing “Helping Ourselves, Helping Others”
Our program is simple: We make a vow in this new year to fulfill a health goal. We will honor our attempts to care for our health by giving tzedakah to help others. Click on the link above for details.
Contact Kristi Reeves or Ruth Kingberg.
September 2010 Shmoozeletter
The September 2010 Shmoozeletter is available here.
Special points of interest:
High Holy Days services 5771
The new calendar is available for $18.
Caring Committee to form: Will you be on it?
Treasurer Arthur Kingberg wants to work with you.
The Days of Awe: A Time for Joy
High Holy Days offer Jews a special time for reflection. Most associate High Holy Days with heartfelt prayer, deep reflection, even mournful melodies. But how can we atone with joy and gratitude, not with anguish and pain? Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg once reminded his congregation that the Day of Atonement is a day of joy. “God’s hand is open,” the rabbi said; “let the tears we shed on this day be tears of joy, for we have merited the approach and the attachment unto the Lord, we who are ‘alive everyone one of us this day.’”
At Temple Or Olam we will approach that task with joy. Please join us!
• September 8: Erev Rosh Hashanah Service, 7 p.m. Central United Methodist Church; Fellowship Hall
• September 9: Rosh Hashanah Morning Services, 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. followed by brunch and Tashlich: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
• September 17: Kol Nidre Service, 7 p.m.: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
• September 18: Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
• September 18: Neilah Service: 6:30 p.m., Havdalah, and break fast: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC
Babysitting provided.
Suggested donations for non-members:
• Families: $180
• Individuals: $90
• Students: gratis
High Holy Day donations can be applied to membership dues if guests join within three months
Please visit www.or-olam.org for more information or call 704-720-7577.
