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Feel Free to Do Like the Angels

Posted by Rabbi Thiede on October 2, 2014   |   Comments Off on Feel Free to Do Like the Angels

As we enter the Day of At-One-Ment, feel free to…

  • wear white during Yom Kippur. We dress in the clarity white brings to our spirits as we do the good work of clearing away the dross our souls have collected this past year.
  • bring and wear your tallitot.  Though prayer shawls are mandated for morning services only, Kol Nidre is a single exception to that rule.  We wear our prayer shawls for this service to emphasize Yom Kippur’s special holiness.

I look forward to a deeply meaningful Day of Awe with you all.

Rabbi Barbara

October 2014 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on October 2, 2014   |   Comments Off on October 2014 Shmoozeletter

G’mar chatima tova!  (A good sealing.)  The October 2014 Shmoozeletter is on line (click here).  Highlights:

  • October services: Kol Nidre (Oct. 3), Yom Kippur (Oct. 4), Simchat Torah (Oct. 17)
  • Rabbi Thiede on Yizkor (‘MiLev HaPardes’)
  • Rabbi Thiede to publish in an important series on Jewish spirituality
  • More signups requested for SignupGenius, esp. break-fast food
  • ‘The Gates are Closing’ performed on Yom Kippur
  • Or Olam’s first Sukkot camp-out: Oct. 11-12
  • Kvelling Corner: Tim Funk’s Sep. 20 article on our congregation
  • Know your Aleph-bet: ayin
  • donations, calendar, birthdays, yahrzeit, contact addresses

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on October 1, 2014   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopA Day for At-One-Ment

Our services for Yom Kippur will be, in a word, beautiful. Haunting melodies and sweet ones will accompany our prayer; we’ll find our own words given back to us during Rabbi Barbara’s Shacharit service sermon.  We’ll hear a story about the Dalai Llama and have the opportunity to listen to a reading of Merle Feld’s play “The Gates Are Closing.” We’ll conclude the day with Neilah, havdalah, and breakfast!

You can find the entire schedule for services on our website. Just click here:

Rabbi Barbara’s Work to Appear in Ten-Volume Series on Jewish Spirituality!

Last year, Rabbi Barbara was invited to submit an article for an important project. Contributors to the project include some of the most well-known writers in the world on Judaism, Jewish culture, and Jewish practice.  They include Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Jonathan Sacks, internationally recognized authors like Elliot Dorff, Aviva Zornberg, Sid Schwartz, and many, many more.

Rabbi Barbara learned this week that her article on the Mourners Kaddish was accepted. Editor Rabbi Martin Cohen, himself a prolific writer, wrote that her piece was “lyrical.”  He also wrote that “The essay is beautiful: heartfelt, moving, very interesting. And your use of sources is really very clever and very well done… it’s a wonderful piece of work and I’m very proud to include it in our book.”

Mazeltov, Rabbi Barbara!

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on September 22, 2014   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopHigh Holy Days Begin This Wednesday Evening!

With an especially sweet service that involves finding yourself… on a map.  On several, actually.  For location, dates and time of all our High Holy Day activities and services, just click right here:

http://www.or-olam.org/?page_id=208496

Yitzkor Donations

One of the enduring portions of the Yom Kippur service is Yizkor (“may God remember”) when we honor the memory of those who have died.   A donation is usually made in each deceased’s name by family and friends to commit tzedekah funds and do a deed of chesed.  All Yizkor donations made prior to Kol Nidre will be included in the Book of Remembrance available on Yom Kippur and will go toward the Kingberg Fund and the purchase of “The Gates Are Closing.”

You can make a payment through our Paypal portal on the website or hand a check to our beloved Temple Administrator, Charlotte Miller.

Or Olam Makes a Break for the Great Outdoors

Our first Sukkot campout is October 11-12 in Spencer Park , Concord.  This is a congregational event, not just a religious school happening.  You are welcome to come for the day or stay over until Sunday.  There are cabins available for rental to noncampers.

http://www.cabarruscounty.us/government/departments/active-living-parks/camp-spencer/Pages/default.aspx

We will erect our sukkah, decorate it with crafts, dine, enjoy Havdalah,stories, songs, and take a night walk with the ranger. This is just on Saturday, and we will be finished before the gates close at 8:00 pm. Check your evite for a complete schedule.

WOW! Front-Page Story on TOO Scheduled for Charlotte Observer’s Religion Section

Posted by webmaster on September 19, 2014   |   Comments Off on WOW! Front-Page Story on TOO Scheduled for Charlotte Observer’s Religion Section

This year, Temple Or Olam will be featured in The Charlotte Observer’s coverage of High Holy Days.  It looks like the story will appear on tomorrow’s front-page in the Religion section, so keep your eyes peeled and save your copy!

In the meantime, a version of the story has appeared on-line.  Click…

here New beginnings as Jews usher in the High Holy Days

And don’t forget that we have begun posting stories on our website.  You’ll find all the links in the “TOO in the Press” button under “About.”

Shabbat Shalom, everyone.  We hope to see many of you at S’lichot services this Sunday!

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on September 17, 2014   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopS’lichot: Love Means Saying You Are Sorry

High Holy Days begins officially at Erev Rosh Hashanah. But the High Holy Day season begins much earlier, on the first of Elul.  During Elul, we reflect on the past year.  On S’lichot we come together to open our hearts to repair the hurts we inflicted or the hurts we endured.

S’lichot means “pardons.”  During the S’lichot service, we connect with the process of repentance and return.  This year, we will sing prayers of healing.  We will also write – anonymously – the misdeeds and mis-steps of the past year, the things for which we seek forgiveness.  The things we name will become part of our High Holy Day services on Yom Kippur.

Please join us for our S’lichot service this Sunday. Take the time to prepare for the journey of the High Holy Days.

Date: September 21

Time: 7 pm

Place: Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church, 9704 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte

Book of Remembrance and Offering Donations in Memory of Those You Love

We will begin our High Holidays this Sunday evening. One of the traditions of this month is to make donations in memory or honor of someone meaningful to you and your family—yitzkor donations–that will be listed in our Book of Remembrance available on Yom Kippur.

This year, some of our yitzkor proceeds will fund the very reasonable cost of our play, “The Gates Are Closing” that is to be read on Yom Kippur afternoon.  The remainder will be credited to the Kingberg Education Fund.

You may make a donation through our Paypal button on the website (be sure and give the full text of your memorial for the book) or give a check to the treasurer, Charlotte Miller, with a written memorial.

Camping Out During Sukkot!

The evite just went out to all members for our first campout under the tree and stars. Please let us know if you will be joining us.

 

More Stories! (And website changes, too…)

Posted by webmaster on September 12, 2014   |   Comments Off on More Stories! (And website changes, too…)

If you haven’t seen it, check out the new tab “TOO in the Press” at our website under “About” where you will find links to all the stories that have featured Temple Or Olam this past summer.

And here’s one with a video, too: The UNCC Niner Times covers the Love Song Service.  Enjoy, and Shabbat Shalom!

http://nineronline.com/2014/09/sometimes-love-is-all-you-need/

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on September 10, 2014   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopRoom For Another Cook!

A space has come available for one more participant in “The Way We Cook” class from 2 till 6 on Sunday, September 14, $25 fee.  Email earl@greenwalds.com if you want to be the lucky person.

 

Gleaning this Saturday in Rowan County

Please join us as we gather more tomatoes in Rowan County on Saturday, Sept. 13th, at 9 a.m.  We will glean for about two hours.  Last week we were able to distribute 3,000 pounds to neighbors in 6 counties!  Contact Arlene at afilkoff@gmail.com if you can go and further info.

High Holidays are Filling Up

Our SignUpGenius for HHD assistance is looking well loved.  If you haven’t taken the time to secure your spot, there are a few left.  Here’s the link:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054aabaf2fa20-high

Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

Posted by webmaster on September 3, 2014   |   Comments Off on Or Olam in the Loop – Our Weekly Bulletin on All Things TOO

LoopReligious School Starts this Sunday.

And…a new class for tots!

Our Religious School will meet this Sunday morning for an opening celebration at Dorton Park, down Poplar Tent Road from McGill Baptist.  All students should meet there at the regular school time.  We will end the day with a potluck lunch for all to enjoy.

Our youngest congregants are invited to meet together for Tot Time from 11:30 -12:30 at the park.  Singing, dancing, storytelling with Rabbi Barbara for preschoolers aged 2-5.  Please email Keri Huneycutt if you are attending Tot Time: school@or-olam.org.

All we need is loveLove Song Service at UNCC this Friday

Did you miss our summer Love Song Service?  You’ve got one more chance to catch it, thought this particular service will feature beaucoup Beatles.  There will also be some Seals and Cross and Simon and Garfunkel.  We’ll find out how our secular selections reflect the sentiments of the Barchu  Mi Chamocha, and Adon Olam. So dig out all those headbands, fringes, love beads, and tie-died shirts and join us on  for our UNCC Love Song Service.

Please bring something to share with the students — they’re starving!  🙂

Love Song Service, Friday, 7:00 pm

UNCC Student Union 340D&F

September 2014 Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on September 1, 2014   |   Comments Off on September 2014 Shmoozeletter

gates are closingThe September 2014 Shmoozeletter is on line (please click here).  See the complete High Holy Days listings, read about the Love Song Service at UNC Charlotte, and catch up with news about ourselves and about each other.  Highlights:

  • Love Song Service at UNC Charlotte, Sep. 5
  • Complete High Holy Days schedule
  • Setup- and takedown arrangements, HHD child care
  • Rabbi Thiede on accepting ‘the other’
  • ‘The Gates are Closing’: Play performed on Yom Kippur afternoon (Oct. 4)
  • What I did this summer: The Jacobson and Kanofsky kids share their adventures
  • Kvelling Corner: Keri Huneycutt
  • Know your Aleph-Bet: The Samech (especially suitable for the High Holy Days)
  • Calendar, birthdays, yahrzeits, and contact information