Author Archives: webmaster

And God called to Moses

Posted by webmaster on March 16, 2010   |   Comments Off on And God called to Moses

This Friday, March 19, marks our entry into Vayikra, Leviticus. Over the next few months, we will travel through a text that reminds the Israelites again and again that they are one community, one kahal (community).

What does it mean for a community to be united by a common destiny, by a holy way of life?

Join us for a joyous Kabbalat Shabbat service. We’ll see if we can discover answers to these questions… as a community, of course.

Date: March 19
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord

“For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the LORD rested by day and fire would appear in it by night….

Posted by webmaster on March 9, 2010   |   Comments Off on “For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the LORD rested by day and fire would appear in it by night….

This Shabbat marks the last parsha of Exodus. The Tabernacle is now complete, Aaron and his sons have been invested as High Priests, and the congregation has created all they need to travel towards the land promised them.

What did these new Jews learn from the making of the Tabernacle? We’ll explore this intriguing question at our Shabbat morning service this March 13th. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tot Shabbat will begin at 10 am; Shabbat services begin at 10:45.
Oneg following.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord.

March 2010 Schmoozeletter

Posted by webmaster on March 8, 2010   |   Comments Off on March 2010 Schmoozeletter

The March 2010 Shmoozeletter is available here.

Reminder: Bring Canned Goods to Purim Party!

Posted by webmaster on March 5, 2010   |   Comments Off on Reminder: Bring Canned Goods to Purim Party!

In addition to your baked goods to share, please also remember to  bring canned goods (at least one per person attending) to our Purim celebration tomorrow — we are collecting for Second Harvest Food Bank!

Jewish Film Festival

Posted by webmaster on February 8, 2010   |   Comments Off on Jewish Film Festival

The annual Jewish Film Festival runs from March 4th through 14th. The films will be shown in various venues around the Charlotte area. A full list of films can be found on the Jewish Film Festival website.

Two members of Or Olam are arranging trips to see films. If you’d like to go, please buy tickets and RSVP to the organizer (details below) so she will know who to look for.

Monday, March 8th, 7PM, at JCC, “Arranged.” Tickets are free. RSVP to Jody if you’re interested.

Wednesday, March 10, 7PM, at Charles Mack Center in Mooresville, “A Matter of Size.” Tickets are $10. Email Jill if you’re interested. Also, Jill will be making reservations at Soiree beforehand.

Arranged
A beautiful story that illustrates that friendship has no religion. This heartwarming film portrays the friendship between an Orthodox Jewish woman and a Muslim woman who meet as first-year teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. As their friendship grows, they learn that they share much in common – not least of which is they are both going through the process of arranged marriages. Sweetly funny moments combined with distinct narrative make this an insightful viewing experience. Winner, Audience Awards at the Washington and Palm Beach Jewish Film Festivals, 2007. To be followed by an interfaith panel discussion.

A Matter of Size
A run-away hit in Israel and at Jewish film festivals across the United States, this heartwarming film will keep audiences smiling and wanting more! Part sports drama, part love story, this is the sweet and absurdly funny tale of four overweight guys- with low self-esteem – who decide to abandon their weight-loss group and start a Sumo wrestling club in Israel. While training, they discover the soul of sumo, realizing that love and success will only come from being true to themselves. A smart, funny and honest comedy reminiscent of other feel-good crowd-pleasers such as The Full Monty.Winner of Jury Prize for Best Comedy, Traverse City Film Festival and nominated for 13 Israeli Academy Awards (winner of Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress).

February 2010 Shmoozeletter

Posted by webmaster on February 7, 2010   |   Comments Off on February 2010 Shmoozeletter

The February 2010 Shmoozeletter is available here.  Happy shmoozing!

Shabbat Services February 5th

Posted by webmaster on February 2, 2010   |   Comments Off on Shabbat Services February 5th

Update: There was a confusing error in the last message that went out. Please refer to this one instead.

Shabbat Services will be held Friday, February 5th at 7PM. This is a change from the originally scheduled date of February 12th. Babysitting will be provided.

If the weather prohibits us from holding services on February 5th, then the raindate will be February 19th. Please check the front page of the website before driving to services. If the February 5th service has to be cancelled, we will update the website.

Shabbat Service This Saturday (Complete With Tot Shabbat, Too)

Posted by webmaster on January 19, 2010   |   Comments Off on Shabbat Service This Saturday (Complete With Tot Shabbat, Too)

“And God hardened Pharaoh’s heart…”

It seems in these past two weeks of Torah readings that God is acting strangely, even cruelly. Apparently, God is willing to force Pharaoh into a harder stance than he might have taken. The Israelites’ pain is prolonged and additional and terrifying plagues are visited on the land of Egypt. Innocents suffer on both sides.

What is God up to? Can we make sense of these passages? Why does God harden Pharaoh’s heart? What does that enigmatic phrase mean?

This Saturday’s service will include a look at this thorny theological question. Feel free to join us in our ruminations, and please don’t forget: Temple Or Olam’s Second Tot Shabbat is this Saturday, too! We look forward to seeing our little ones chanting, dancing, and singing their way through a lively children’s service. (Older children are welcome to come, but please keep in mind that this service is being designed for ages 1-3.)

Date: January 23
Time: 10 am for Tot Shabbat; 10:40 for Adult Service p.m.
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord

Important: Holiday Helper List 2010

Posted by webmaster on January 12, 2010   |   Comments Off on Important: Holiday Helper List 2010

Please read the Holiday Helper List to see which holiday you are assigned to help with. You may want to save the file to your own computer. If you need to trade holiday responsibilities with another member, please consult the member directory.

January Shmoozeletter

Posted by webmaster on January 6, 2010   |   Comments Off on January Shmoozeletter

The January 2010 Shmoozeletter is available here.