Blog

On Books of Life and Sustaining Life (Crop Walk)

Posted by Rabbi Thiede on October 3, 2011   |   Comments Off on On Books of Life and Sustaining Life (Crop Walk)

Dear All,

I want to thank you all for the most extraordinary Rosh Hashanah services we ever had.  Congregants and guests are still talking to me about the glow from the music, the song, the prayer, the drashot and the kavannot.  The energy in the room was amazing.  Clearly, we are headed for a year blessed with hope and enthusiasm.  We also thank Hazzan Katya Gohr for her many wonderful contributions!

Most of you have your Books Of Life at home now with the prayers I wrote for you all and many of you have, during Erev Rosh Hashanah, added your first prayer of the year to its pages.  For those so inclined, please take these days before Yom Kippur to do some journaling about your hopes and prayers for our community.  Visit our virtual shtetl!  Please bring the books back with you on Yom Kippur; we will be doing a meditation that may result in some writing possibilities.

Important reminder: Temple Or Olam is going to be participating in this year’s CROP WALK to raise money to feed the hungry.  Linda VanArsdale is leading our team and you can join her and others by clicking on the link below and making contributions and/or walking alongside her on October 16th.  Please join us !

L’shana tova to you all!

Rabbi Barbara Thiede

http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/TR/2011FallCROPHungerWalk/TR-Fall2011?fr_id=13655&pg=teamlist&pr_id=donate

 

Let’s Fight Hunger!

Posted by webmaster on September 27, 2011   |   Comments Off on Let’s Fight Hunger!

We all care about hungry people, but what can one person do?  You can join in the local CROP Hunger Walk to raise your voice against hunger and raise funds to help hungry people around the world and here in our own area.

On Sunday October 16th, Temple Or Olam will participate in the Cabarrus County CROP Hunger Walk at Forest Hill United Methodist in Concord.   Registration for the event starts at 1:00 pm and the CROP Walk begins at 2:00 pm. There is a one mile walk and a 3 mile walk.

If you would like to walk towards ending hunger and have a heap of fun with your fellow congregants, please contact Linda VanArsdale ASAP and let her know that you’re interested!

Welcoming New Members for a New Year…

Posted by webmaster on September 26, 2011   |   Comments Off on Welcoming New Members for a New Year…

Please welcome Sarah Mann and Karen and Joe Carter to Temple Or Olam when you see them next at services; we are honored to have them as our newest members!

Your Book of Life, 5772

Posted by Rabbi Thiede on September 23, 2011   |   Comments Off on Your Book of Life, 5772

Dear Temple Or Olam Members,

Every year, I pick a theme for our Days of Awe.

This year’s theme is Abracadabra, an Aramaic phrase that announces, “What I speak, I create.”

During High Holy Days, we will be listening to special prayers and very special music, taking time for meditation.  We will be creating our own magic.  To that end, I have a small gift for each of our member units.

Each family or couple or individual will receive a Book of Life for 5772.  In it, you will find a personal blessing I have written especially for you (family, couple, or individual).  I will also be adding a few little exercises for the Days of Awe, some of which we will do as meditations during our services. 

Over this next year, on occasional Shabbats and during our festivals, I will be sending additional suggestions and exercises to add to your 5772 Book of Life.  These gifts will be handed out on Erev Rosh Hashanah, next Wednesday evening.  Please look for your book; there will be one with your name on it, I promise!

We have an opportunity this year to make a very particular magic, to know what it is to be truly happy in a sacred community.  I look forward to a very sweet year with you all.

With love and blessings,

Rabbi Barbara

Meeting, Greeting, and Eating: Information for High Holy Days

Posted by webmaster on September 16, 2011   |   Comments Off on Meeting, Greeting, and Eating: Information for High Holy Days

A heads-up on our plans for High Holy Days activities in addition to services (Rosh Hashanah is here in less than two weeks–imagine!).

Since Erev Rosh Hashanah is on a school night this year (Wednesday, September 28), we will not be having an oneg after the service.  

On the other hand, we have a picnic lunch planned for the next day.  On Thursday, after morning services, we will head to Dorton Park, just down Poplar Tent Road from McGill.  We will observe Tashlich by casting our sins into the creek (feel free to a bag of cereal for flinging) and then, weather permitting, everyone can have a picnic lunch at the park.  Please bring brown-bag lunches for you and yours; we can store them in the kitchen at McGill.  If we’re unlucky with the weather, we’ll eat back at the McGill Fellowship Hall.

On Saturday, October 8, at the close of Yom Kippur Ne’ilah services, we will break the fast together.  There will be a basic breakfast-y oneg provided but we encourage everyone to contribute a special dish to share with others. 

We hope everyone can join us in the park and for break-fast.

An early l’shanah tovah,

Ginger Jensen
Director of Religious Services

Yard Sale — Bring your items to the September 16th service!

Posted by webmaster on September 13, 2011   |   Comments Off on Yard Sale — Bring your items to the September 16th service!

Just a reminder that on September 17, Temple Or Olam will participate in a neighborhood yard sale.  All proceeds from our share in that yard sale will go to our Religious School.

Please save any items you think are sellable and bring them to services on Sept. 16, preferably half an hour before service begins. We will load them for transport to the Leder’s afterwards.  Please attach price tags to your items; for help with appropriate pricing, you may want to consult http://www.garagesalestracker.com/garage-sales-guide-pricing.asp

September Shmoozeletter

Posted by Ralf Thiede on September 8, 2011   |   Comments Off on September Shmoozeletter

The September 2011 Shmoozeletter is available on line (click here).  Points of interest:

  • Sep. 16 Service
  • Jewish National weekend exploring the DREAM Act, Sep. 16-17
  • High Holy Days—The Power of Words
  • Sep. 17 Yard Sale
  • Torah Study Group
  • Greetings from the new vice president

 

More Music, More Voices, More Joy

Posted by webmaster on September 2, 2011   |   Comments Off on More Music, More Voices, More Joy

Temple Or Olam is thrilled to announce that singer-songwriter Katya Gohr will be joining us for Rosh Hashanah this year.  Katya has produced two cds, has worked with and accompanied such Reform luminaries as Danny Maseng, Rabbi Joel Black, Greg Taubman and many more.  She is a professional guitarist and a cantorial student with ALEPH – the Alliance for Jewish Renewal.  She is currently serving Temple Ohr Hadash in Flemington, New Jersey.  With her wonderful presence and amazing musicianship, we know that she will help us bring in the new year with special joy.

More Learning Opportunities — Especially For Busy Moms and Dads

Posted by Rabbi Thiede on August 28, 2011   |   Comments Off on More Learning Opportunities — Especially For Busy Moms and Dads

Come this January or February, I would like to offer an introductory course on Shabbat and the Jewish festivals.  This course will be fun and friendly and designed with those in mind who may not be Jewish themselves, but raising Jewish children.  This course will be eye opening no matter your Jewish experience!

The venue will be particularly convenient for parents of young children; each session will take place on a free conference call line.  Participants need only pick up their phone and enter our virtual classroom.  This method has worked very well for our Torah study group; we all dial in once each week to talk and learn together (we’ll be sending out a refresher about how to join that group soon).

Our Shabbat and Jewish Festivals course will consist of 8 hour-long sessions with handouts rather than long reading assignments.  This should not feel like a burden, but like a refreshing and joyful hour together.  Tuition is $7 per class.

Anyone interested?  Please let me know!  Just send an email to Rabbi.Thiede@or-olam.org

It’s Never Too Late: Announcing TOO’s First Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class!

Posted by Rabbi Thiede on August 28, 2011   |   Comments Off on It’s Never Too Late: Announcing TOO’s First Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class!

Recently, about half a dozen women have been expressing interest in taking an adult bat mitzvah class.  I am making it so, starting sometime late this fall.

Since most women I know are overburdened, overworked, and possess a lot less free time than they deserve, the adult b’nai mitzvah class will not be organized in weekly classes, but in six Shabbat morning study sessions about once every month.  Our last study session will be a weekend retreat at the beach hosted by Temple Or Olam’s own Janet Sternbach.

Students will enjoy having chevruta (partners).   Our learning will include spiritual journaling, partner check-ins, and creative activities or two to try out in between meetings.  Our study plan includes four sessions on the structure of our prayer services, one session on home rituals and the liturgical year, and one session on mitzvot and tikkun olam.

So if you are one of those women who did not have a bat mitzvah, and always wanted one, here is your chance.  And think out of the box –you don’t have to love singing to love this learning or help lead a creative and joyful service, I promise!

Let me know if you are interested by sending an email to Rabbi.Thiede@or-olam.org