docApril 2016
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April 2016
APRIL 2016 Honoring Our Volunteers O n April 8, Or Ami will honor our volunteers and present our Keeper of the Flame award to Amy Seidman. Please join us for a special Erev Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. to acknowledge all the non-staff members who volunteer thousands of hours at Or Ami. Our Volunteer Appreciation event is a yearly reminder of the volunteer time and congregational talent that go into making our congregation strong. Thank you for the role each of you has played in making this a challenging but successful year at Or Ami. When you see any of these people around, please tell them “thank you!” Debby Askow Irv Askow Sue Ackland Joel Azeff Trudi Azeff Simi Kaplan Baer Lorie Balistocky Marvin Balistocky David Banks Eric Banks Lynda Bard Jeanette Bawer Ray Bawer Morgan Bell Matt Bennett Sandy Bennett Jack Berman Leslie Berman Maddie Berman Michele Berman Barbara Berr Steve Berr Lisa Billings Henry Bleier Dene Bloom Stephanie Bock Brooke Borsky Nancy Braitman Irene Braun Sarah Braun Deb Delano Brenner Lenny Brenner Sophie Brenner Randy Brenner Nori Brown Iris Brownstein Jake Brownstein Larry Brownstein Brandi Burton Stu Carpey Hannah Carr Rebecca Carr Lori Coffey Brandon Cohen Chelsea Cohen Doug Cohen Emmie Cohen Marisa Cohen Sam Cohen Suzanne Cohen Pam Cooper Zach Cooper Beth Dainoff Lillian Davis Tamara Davis Maris Delano Brie Derringer Jon Dichter Gail Dichter Levin Dichter Brooke Dunoff Josh Dunoff Lauren Dunoff Raquel Dunoff Veronica Edelman Hannah Erlbaum Paulette Feinberg Andrea Feldheim David Feldheim Jessica Feldman Betsy Filton Dina Fink Arlene Finston Joe Finston Alan Fishman Jocelyn Freed Matthew Freedman Melissa Freedman Heather Fritts Sharon Fuerman Gail Gadol Adam Gelwarg Benji Gelwarg Kim Gelwarg Macey Gelwarg Michelle Glantz Andree Goldberg Randi Goldstein Mila Gorman Emily Greberman Jill Green Karen Green Jonathan Green Matthew Green Joan Griff Danielle Grobman Cindi Grodanz Bunny Grunes Irv Grunes Sandy Grunfeld Mindi Herman Barb Hoffman Josh Hoffman Rachel Hoffman Jackie Hoffman Susan Hoffman Marsha Isdaner Hillary Israeli Michael Israeli Naomi Israeli Lori Israelite Dara Jeck Larry Kahn Jackie Kane Andy Kasmen Lisa Kasmen Elijah King-Tornberg Ruth King-Tornberg Karen Kleiman Carol Klein Helene Klein Bill Koelewyn Lisa Koelewyn Judy Koffler Jackie Konin Michael Konin Kim Kriebel Brian Kroker Suzi Lazarus Traci Lechwar Paula Leder Mike Lefkowitz Brandon Leibowitz Jamie Leibowitz Ken Leibowitz Rachel Leopold Nan Levin Stephanie Levin Laurie Levine Alex Levinson Helene Levinson Alex Lifschutz Sari Lifschutz Dan Loewenstern Lisa Loewenstern Samantha Loewenstern Michelle Lucks Zella Ludwig Carole Lukoff Amy Margulies Denise Marks Lizzy McLellan Gwen Mennen Joe Mennen Jeff Michaels Chloe Michaels Sloane Michaels Susan Michels Marilyn Miller Fred Morganstein Robin Morganstein Dara Nasatir David Nasatir Debbie Gettes Neibauer Sara Neuman Hilary Newman Joselyn Ney Larry Paul Margie Paul Susan Paul Zachary Paul Heidi Petersohn Daria Prusky Cochava Prystowsky Jane Raeder Lowell Raeder Michael Ravich Naomi Reses Allanah Richman Juliette Rice Nancy Ripp Alan Roomberg Daniel Rosen Helene Rosen continued on page 3 Clergy and Staff Rabbi.....................................Kenneth I. Carr [email protected] Cantor...................................Jordan S. Franzel [email protected] Rabbi Emeritus.....................Seymour Prystowsky [email protected] Office Manager.....................Jodye Green 610-828-9066 x200 [email protected] Administrative Assistant.....Lynn Alexander 610-828-9066 x201 [email protected] Early Childhood Education Director..............Michelle Ruder 610-828-1086 x400 [email protected] Administrative Assistant.....Lisa Larney 610-828-1086 x401 [email protected] Director of Education and Lifelong Learning.........Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg 610-828-4443 x301 [email protected] Administrative Support......610-828-4443 x300 [email protected] Synagogue Office.................610-828-9066 610-828-3731 Fax [email protected] Religious School...................610-828-4443 610-828-8689 Fax [email protected] ECE Center...........................610-828-1086 April Worship Schedule Friday, April 1 6:30 a.m.........................Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, April 2 10:30 a.m.......................Shabbat Service Bat Mitzvah of Danielle Grobman Wednesday, April 6 7:30 a.m.........................Morning Minyan Friday, April 8 7:30 a.m.........................Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, April 9 10:30 a.m.......................Shabbat Service Bat Mitzvah of Leah Kaye Wednesday, April 13 7:30 a.m.........................Morning Minyan Friday, April 15 6:30 a.m.........................Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, April 16 10:30 a.m.......................Shabbat Service Bat Mitzvah of Taylor Goodman Wednesday, April 20 7:30 a.m.........................Morning Minyan Officers and Trustees Friday, April 22 Co-President........................................Larry Paul Co-President........................................Terri Wolfheimer Vice President.....................................Simi Baer Vice President.....................................Hillary Israeli Vice President.....................................Danny Schwartz Treasurer...............................................Joshua Dunoff Saturday, April 23 Executive Officers Trustees Leslie Berman Deb Brenner, COATz Co-Chair Tamara Davis Barb Hoffman, Membership Chair Jackie Kane Andrew Kasmen, Immediate Past President Bill Koeleywn Helene Levinson, Spiritual Life Chair David Nasatir Jeff Seidman, House Committee Chair Jen Segal, ECEC Committee Chair Larry Segal Missy Sterling, COATz Co-Chair Larry Stern Curt Toll Jenn Weiner, Religious School Chair Oracle Staff Editor.............................................. Carole Verona [email protected] Assistant Editor.............................. Susan Ackland [email protected] Deadline First of the month before publication of issue. We reserve the discretion to edit for space limitations. Congregation Or Ami is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. 2 First Night of Passover 10:30 a.m.......................Shabbat Service Wednesday, April 27 7:30 a.m.........................Morning Minyan Friday, April 29 7:30 a.m.........................Last Day Passover Service 7:30 a.m.........................Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, April 30 10:30 a.m.......................Shabbat Service Bat Mitzvah of Devon Morganstein Israel Needs Your Help Throughout the month of April, COATz is collecting coats and dress wear — items that are expensive in Israel — for needy families. Drop your donations in the cardboard collection boxes near the coat closet and they will be shipped directly to Israel and distributed by Yad Leah, an established charity. If you have any questions, contact Lexie Kaiser at [email protected]. VOLUNTEERS…continued from page 1 Joshua Rosen Ron Rosen Terri Rosen Amy Jo Rosenthal Susan Rubin Barry Ruder Ian Ruder Sophie Ruder Robin Sandberg Freda Savett Deb Schulman Brady Schwartz Dan Schwartz Emma Schwartz Jake Schwartz Jill Schwartz Rachel Schwartz Amy Seidman Doris Seidman Harvey Seidman Jeff Seidman Jen Segal Larry Segal Scott Segal Janice Selig Carly Shaw Michele Shubin Laina Silversmith Doug Simon Steve Simon Stan Sinowitz Joel Sloane Peggy Sloane Deb Snyder Craig Soffin Judy Steier Missy Sterling Rachel Sterling Scott Sterling Larry Stern Marlyn Stern Myra Stern Darren Sudman Phyllis Sudman Curt Toll Jacy Toll Josh Toll Sarah Toll Carole Verona Bob Waks Beth Waks Coby Waks Phyllis Warchaizer Mel Waxman Debi Weidman Peter Weidman Lauren Weinberg Emily Weiner Jamie Weiner Jenn Weiner Joan Weinstein Mandy Weisbruch George Weiss Jackie Weiss Allison Wightman Benjamin Wightman Terri Wolfheimer Mark Wolfheimer Rachel Wolfheimer Fredi Wolgin Melissa Zalcman Mitch Zimmer Randi Zimmer If we inadvertently omitted or misspelled your name, we apologize for the error. Please report omissions to barbhoffman@comcast. net. This list does not include our clergy or staff members, though we appreciate the extra time they donate to benefit our congregation. 3 An Update from the Rabbinic Search Committee Editor’s note: The information in this article may have changed since it was submitted for publication in The Oracle. he Rabbinic Search Committee has been extremely busy since its inception in January. Our application for an interim Rabbi was submitted to the CCAR in February and to date we have received 5 resumes. Two skype interviews were followed by the visit of one Rabbi, who spent two days with us and within a few days thereafter, with Board approval, was offered the position to become our interim Rabbi. Unfortunately, he received another offer with a substantially higher salary and sadly had to decline our offer. We have interviewed two other potential candidates and as of the date of this article are still considering their qualifications and experience in trying to find the best fit for Or Ami. In addition to searching for our interim Rabbi, we are hard at work communicating with our congregation and staff to make sure we give everyone the opportunity to have their thoughts, opinions and concerns voiced and heard. Our online survey resulted in 146 responses, which we are currently reviewing and analyzing. The results of the survey will be shared with everyone once we have completed our analysis and summarization. Our town hall meeting was extremely successful with approximately 80 congregants in T Help Beautify our Synagogue with a Fine Arts Stained Glass Window Gift Card attendance. In addition, we held focus group sessions offering everyone the opportunity to meet in smaller groups of similar demographics, facilitated by members of our committee. The purpose of the survey and meeting sessions is really for us, as a congregation, to reflect on who we are, what our values and priorities are and what are the qualities, characteristics and priorities we are looking for in a new rabbi. As we move forward with our search for a settled rabbi, there will be more opportunities to come together to further discuss all of these things that are so critical to us as a congregation. We recognize that this is a time of uncertainty for our congregation and that we are about to embark on a brand new course for our future. However, we could not be more optimistic that together, we will come through this as a stronger, more cohesive, energetic and vibrant community with so much potential for growth and success. If anyone has any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. L’Shalom, Susan Michels and Dave Nasatir Our Hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays: 9 a.m. to noon Or call Rachel at 610-724-4188 for an appointment . 4 Shopping at Or Ami’s Gift Shop is easy and convenient. And all proceeds go to Or Ami. We have a “we trust you” policy. If no one is in the shop, go to the office and Jodye or Lynn will help you. Or leave a note with your name, phone number and a description of what you took and Rachel will contact you for payment. Special for readers of The Oracle: Mention this ad and get $5.00 off your purchase of $25 or more. Donations To Michele Berman In memory of Edmund Lovenwirth.......Helene and Alex Levinson To Cantor Franzel In appreciation............................................The Kroker/Fink/Paul families Bill and Aimee Silverman To Susan Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Bill and Lisa Koelewyn Carole and Joel Lukoff To Craig Soffin In memory of Nathan Soffin....................Violet and Jerome Hoffman Helene and Alex Levinson To Brian Kroker/Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Paula and Dan Leder Stan and Lois Sinowitz To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Lampert In honor of recent marriage.....................Lorie and Marv Balistocky To Rabbi Seymour and Cochava Prystowsky In honor of your granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah..................................................Lorie and Marv Balistocky To Craig Soffin In memory of Nathan Soffin....................Bob and Carol Klein To Curt and Jacy Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................Ted and Joan Borowsky Stan and Lois Sinowitz To Nancy Yaros In memory of Constance Yaros...............Lorie and Marv Balistocky To Randi Zimmer In memory of Richard Levy.....................Stan and Lois Sinowitz To Sherry Dainoff and family In memory of George Dainoff.................Mel and Penny Brodsky To Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Bonnie Linn Bridge the Gap To Susan Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Lori and Craig Israelite Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Clergy Discretionary Fund David and Florence Prystowsky Scholarship Fund To Brian Kroker, Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Arlene and Victor Adlin Early Childhood Education Fund To Michele Berman In memory of Ed Lovenwirth..................Sugar Friedlander To Dainoff and Segal families In memory of George Dainoff.................The Abelman family Ellen Barbash The Bard/Maizel family Leslie and Stuart Berman Deb, Randy, Lenny, Kailey and Sophie Brenner Maris Delano Josh and Lauren Dunoff Heather, Doug, Avery and Chase Fritts Ronnie Haislup Dara, Dan, Ethan and Dylan Jeck Robert and Julie Tornberg Stacey Zickerman To Phyllis Glassman Best wishes for many happy years in your new home.......................................Joel and Carole Lukoff To Susan and Larry Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................The Abelman family The Haislup family To Aimee Silverman In memory of Constance Yaros...............The Haislup family To Linda Weaner In memory of your father.........................The Abelman family Ilene Buchert Ronnie Haislup Stacey Zickerman Education Fund To Susan Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Ellen, Staci, Ashley Pesin To Wendi and Neal Rutman In honor of Jordyn’s Bat Mitzvah ...........Phyllis Glassman Fine Arts Fund In memory of Sylvia Sinowitz...............Stan and Lois Sinowitz To the Dainoff and Segal families In memory of George Dainoff.................Alissa and Ed Blumenthal Stan and Lois Sinowitz To Joe Finston In honor of your special birthday............Lorie and Marv Balistocky General Fund Iris Garden To Brian Kroker and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Carole and Joel Lukoff Jeff Kedson Youth Fund To Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Marlyn, Larry, Lauren and Rachel Stern Joseph Goldblum Library Fund To Diane Bacine and family In memory of your mother......................Barbara and Bob Goldblum To Barbara Goldblum In honor of your special birthday............The Kirschner family Bernard and Harriet Rothman Light of Our People To Michele and Jack Berman In memory of Ed Lovenwirth..................Karen and Jeff Green and family Karen and Alan Fishman Susan and Larry Paul To Brian Kroker/Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Debby and Irv Askow Bonnie and Mitchell Benson Leslie and Stuart Berman Maris Delano Fishman family Marcy and Joe Goldshear Karen, Jeff, Jonathan and Matthew Green Jackie and David Kane Ed and Sherri Koch Hilary and Dan Newman Bill and Aimee Silverman Judy Steier Beth and Bob Waks Haryce and Joe Waks Maxine Weinstein Tamara Davis/Bruce Wightman Terri and Mark Wolfheimer To Rachel and Ron Leopold Mazel Tov on the marriage of Jen and Josh.............................................Karen, Alan, Dani and Lauren Fishman To Cindy and Ed Ravitch Mazel Tov on Michael and Lizzie’s engagement....................................Karen, Alan, Dani and Lauren Fishman To Eddie Ravitch In memory of Toby Ravitch.....................Wednesday Night Tennis Group 5 To Curt and Jacy Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................Debbie and Irv Askow Davis/Wightman family Barb and Jeff Hoffman Jackie and David Kane Lisa and Michael Lefkowitz Brian, Emily, Halie and Jordan Rosenfeld Peggy and Joel Sloane Terri and Mark Wolfheimer To the Segal/Dainoff family In memory of George Dainoff.................Suzanne and Doug Cohen Brian, Emily, Halie and Jordan Rosenfeld To Sherry Dainoff and family In memory of George Dainoff.................Marcy and Gene Aronow To Susan Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Brad and Deborah Feldstein To the family of Fran R. Noble In memory of Arnold Rosenfeld.............Marilyn and Jerry Bard To Michelle Kramer In honor of your becoming a great-grandmother..................................Reba and Robert Salkoff To the Kroker and Paul families In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Lisa, Andrew, Jordan and Lindsay Casel Rita Rubin To Rita Rubin and family In memory of Harold Rubin....................Maddy Winsten Rabbi Tornberg’s Discretionary Fund To Michele Berman and family In memory of Ed Lovenwirth..................Dene Bloom To Joe Finston Happy 90th birthday..................................Dene Bloom To Brian Kroker and Brooke Stolper/Susan and Larry Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Dene Bloom The Stolper and Schaeffer families Debi and Bob Schulman Tammy and Michael Steinberg To Roy Kroker In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Dene Bloom To Rita Rubin and family In memory of Hal Rubin...........................Dene Bloom To Craig Soffin In memory of Nathan Soffin....................Robert Fleisher To Curt and Jacy Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................The Resnick family To Randi Zimmer and family In memory of Richard Levy.....................Dene Bloom Remembrance Fund Michael Salkoff Endowment Fund Mitzvah Fund Nancy Roomberg Memorial Fund To Michele Berman and family In memory of Ed Lovenwirth..................Jonathan and Marcy Lipner Susan Rubin and family To the Dainoff/Segal families In memory of George Dainoff.................Phyllis and Bud Stern Beth and Bob Waks To Brian Kroker and family/Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Michele and Jack Berman Marilyn and Gene Miller Carol and Alan Roomberg Phyllis and Stanley Warchaizer To the Ravitch family In memory of Toby Ravitch.....................Barb and Jeff Hoffman To Susan Rubin With much love on your special birthday Susan and Hal Michels To Curt Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................Carol and Alan Roomberg Phyllis and Stanley Warchaizer Prayerbook Fund To Brian Kroker and Brooke Stolper In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Steve and Betsy Filton 6 Rabbi Carr’s Discretionary Fund To Rabbi Carr In appreciation-In memory of Lorraine I Kendel...................................Marc and Jill Zaid With deep appreciation...........................The Kroker/Fink/Paul families Maddy Winsten To Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Madeline Rice and family To Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg In appreciation............................................Bill and Aimee Silverman Religious School Fund To Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Fran Goldfine To Randi Zimmer In memory of Richard Levy....................Jeff, Debbie and Sam Levine Peggy and Joel Sloane Jill and Marc Zaid To Aimee and Bill Silverman In memory of Constance Yaros...............The Moyer-Rosenberg family To Jacy and Curt Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................Lisa, Jonathan, Daniel and Benjamin Picker Synagogue Operating Fund To Brian Kroker and Susan Paul and family In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Esther and David Nash Ted and Michael Goldman Tzedakah Fund To Edith Goldman In memory of your brother, Jay...............Barbara and Marty Sandler Torah Card Fund To Trudi Azeff In honor of your speedy recovery...........Deb, Randy, Lenny, Kailey and Sophie Brenner To Michele Berman In memory of Ed Lovenwirth..................Rachel, Ron, Jen and Josh, Bryan and Hayley and Scott Leopold Susan and Hal Michels Peggy and Joel Sloane Larry Paul and Terri Wolfheimer To Steve Berr Best wishes for a speedy recovery...........Richard and Sue Ackland To the Dainoff/Segal families In memory of George Dainoff.................Peggy and Joel Sloane Larry Paul and Terri Wolfheimer To Elaine Clair In memory of your son, David................Howard and Sandie Salasin To Joe Finston Mazel Tov on your 90th!...........................Jane and Lowell Raeder To Eileen Gold In memory of Eric Kessler........................Rachel and Kipp Cohen To Bob Klein In memory of your sister...........................Steve and Barbara Berr To the Kligerman family In honor of Aliza’s Bat Mitzvah...............Rachel and Ron Leopold To Brian Kroker/Susan Paul and families In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Sandra and Matthew Bennett Renay and Howard Bernstein Stephen and Barbara Berr To Brian Kroker/Susan Paul and families In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Sandra and Matthew Bennett Deb, Randy, Lenny, Kailey and Sophie Brenner Lori and Tim Coffey and family Andrea and David Feldheim Dina and Mike Fink Sidney and Selma Firth Shirley and Joel Gottlieb Barbara and Larry Kahn Jackie and Michael Konin Helene and Alex Levinson Rachel, Ron, Jen and Josh, Bryan and Hayley and Scott Leopold Susan and Hal Michels Larry Paul and Terri Wolfheimer Jane and Lowell Raeder Susan, Robert, Allie and Austin Rose Ginni and Mark Salaman Sandie and Howard Salasin Michael and Lori Simon Scott, Missy and Rachel Sterling Curt and Jacy Toll Lori Weinstein Stacey and Jay Zickerman Randi and Mitch Zimmer To Ed Ravitch and family In memory of Toby Ravitch.....................Bob and Debi Schulman Howard, Lisa and Allison Weinstock To Helene Rifkin In memory of your sister, Annette..........Sandy and Matthew Bennett Terri, Mark, Rachel and Jordan Wolfheimer To Rita Rubin and family In memory of Hal Rubin...........................Phyllis Polen To the Rutman family In honor of Jordyn’s Bat Mitzvah.............Deb, Randy, Lenny, Kailey and Sophie Brenner Rachel and Ron Leopold To Jerry and Ellen Segal In memory of your brother, Leonard SegalMaxine and Randy Petersohn To Aimee Silverman In memory of Constance Yaros...............Helene and Alex Levinson To Craig Soffin In memory of Nathan Soffin....................Stephen and Barbara Berr Howard and Lisa Weinstock To Curt and Jacy Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................Richard and Sue Ackland Renay and Howard Bernstein and family Stephen and Barbara Berr Barbara and Larry Kahn Jackie and Michael Konin Helene and Alex Levinson Rachel and Ron Leopold Carole and Joel Lukoff Susan and Hal Michels Susan and Larry Paul Jane and Lowell Raeder Beth and Bob Waks Larry Paul and Terri Wolfheimer Howard and Sandie Salasin Randi and Mitch Zimmer To Randi Zimmer In memory of Richard Levy.....................Deb, Randy, Lenny, Kailey and Sophie Brenner Rachel and Ron Leopold Curtis and Jacy Toll Tree of Life To Caroline Kay In honor of your Bat Mitzvah..................Heather and David Kay Tzedakah Fund To the Kroker/Paul families In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Josh and Lauren Dunoff Jodi Heimler Bertha Roth To the Toll family In memory of Anita Toll...........................Josh and Lauren Dunoff Wilma Clauson Adult Education Fund To Susan and Larry Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Sharon and Bob Fuerman To Jacy and Curt Toll In memory of Anita Toll...........................Sharon and Bob Fuerman Yahrzeit Fund In memory of Rae Azeff............................Joel and Trudi Azeff In memory of Harold Blatstein................Lee and Jann Blatstein In memory of Beverly Eisenstadter........Judith Steier In memory of Eleanor Feinberg..............Martin and Paulette Feinberg In memory of Harris Feinberg.................Martin and Paulette Feinberg In memory of Sylvia Fromer....................Joel and Carolyn Fromer In memory of Hal Goodman...................Joan Griff In memory of Jane Gorman.....................Mila and Daniel Gorman In memory of Elizabeth Kasdin..............Leroy and Ruth Loewenstern In memory of Emilie Katz........................Mila and Daniel Gorman In memory of Naomi Kleinman.............Maris Delano In memory of Selma Wiemer Kohn.......Steven and Gail Katz In memory of Reba Lebed........................Joel and Iris Lebed In memory of Bernard Litsky..................Martin and Paulette Feinberg In memory of Freda Litsky.......................Martin and Paulette Feinberg In memory of Julian Loewenstern..........Leroy and Ruth Loewenstern In memory of Stanley Loewenstern.......Leroy and Ruth Loewenstern In memory of Saundria Nager.................Laurence and Debra Berger In memory of John Perrige.......................Curt and Jacy Toll In memory of Irene Rabinowitz..............Marvin and Lorie Balistocky In memory of Nancy Roomberg.............Roberta and Martin Rogoff Alan and Carole Roomberg In memory of Lorna Goldblum Rothman......................Robert and Barbara Goldblum In memory of Gertrude Rubin................Steven and Marsha Rubin In memory of Martha Silverman............Irv and Debby Askow In memory of Sondra Slomine................Larry and Karen Denenberg In memory of Ann Solomon...................Barbara Berr In memory of Max Solomon...................Barbara Berr In memory of Anita Toll...........................Lisa Picker In memory of Esther Weinstein..............Helene and Alex Levinson In memory of Esther Weinstein..............Madeline Winsten In memory of Bertha Wiemer.................Steven and Gail Katz To Susan Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Gwen and Steve Green Youth Fund To Michele and Jack Berman and family In memory of Ed Lovenwirth..................Helene and Ron Rosen To Brian Kroker and Brooke Stolper/Susan and Larry Paul In memory of Ettie Kroker.......................Gail and Joel Cooperman Helene, Ron, Daniel, Joshua and Esther Rosen The Fritts family donated a gift card in honor of their daughter Avery being called to the Bimah as a Shabbat Child. The Michaels family donated a Target gift card in honor of their daughter Paige being called to the Bimah as a Shabbat Child. Barbara and Lee Michaels donated a Target gift card in honor of their granddaughter Paige being called to the Bimah as a Shabbat Child. The Rosenthal family donated a gift card in honor of their son Jagger being called to the Bimah as a Shabbat Child. The Silversmith family donated a root view planting set in honor of their daughter Orli being called to the Bimah as a Shabbat Child. 7 an incident. Emissions from sexual organs, whether from illness, ejaculation, or menstruation, also make a person ritually impure; the purification rituals for these incidents are also described. April 23: First Day Pesach, Exodus 12:21 – 12:51 April 2: Sh’mini, Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 On the eighth day of Aaron’s ordination, in front of the whole community, Aaron sacrifices a sin offering and burnt offering for himself, then a sin offering, burnt offering, and offering of well-being on the people’s behalf. Now that he is High Priest, Aaron blesses the people, and God’s Presence appears to all the people at the Tent of Meeting. The celebration is cut short when Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu make an offering that God had not commanded, and they are struck down by God’s fire. God and then Moses command Aaron and his sons about appropriate conduct at the Tent of Meeting. God instructs Moses and Aaron about which animals are permitted and forbidden for food. God specifies certain animal carcasses as not even to be touched, lest they make someone ritually impure. April 9: Tazri-a, Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 God describes for Moses various causes of ritual impurity: childbirth, skin afflictions, inflammations, burns, and skin discolorations. Fabrics and garments can also become ritually unclean. The rituals of diagnosis and impurity are described. April 16: M’tzora, Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 Continuing last week’s discussion of ritual impurity, the procedures for purification are detailed. God tells Moses and Aaron that houses can become ritually impure, and God teaches them how to treat such The regular cycle of readings is interrupted by a special section for when the first day of Pesach falls on Shabbat. This portion picks up toward the end of the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt. After nine plagues have occurred, Moses relays to the Israelites God’s command that each family should slaughter a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts. He tells them to observe the Passover sacrifice for all time, to commemorate how God saved the people. The Israelites obey, and then the tenth plague comes, striking down all the Egyptian first-born. Pharaoh summons Moses and tells him to take the people out. Taking their bread before it had finished rising, the Israelites hurry out, some 600,000 men and their families, along with a mixed multitude. This culmination of the liberation story explains its selection as the special holy day reading. April 30: Acharei Mot, Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30 The regular cycle of readings resumes with God commanding Moses to instruct Aaron about the ritual for Yom Kippur. Aaron needs to sacrifice a sin-offering to make atonement for himself and for his family before making atonement for the rest of the people. He sacrifices one goat as the people’s sin offering, and then sends a different goat out into the wilderness, symbolically carrying off all of the people’s sins. Yom Kippur is established as a day of atonement and self-denial. Sacrificial practices are centralized at the Tabernacle. The Israelites must pour out the blood of any animal they kill for food; the blood is not to be eaten. God details which sexual relationships are forbidden. Why and How Judaism Must Change A Two-Part Exploration with Rabbi Seymour Prystowsky, PhD, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Or Ami Our ancestors went from sacrificing animals to communal worship. It is time to take the next step… Long ago, our forebears believed that sacrificing animals was a way to experience the Divine presence. Later, our people believed that communal prayer should stand in place of animal sacrifice. Today we face the challenge of the next stage: How do we attract our people to participate in our historic journey in our age of reason? How do we experience the Divine Presence and still maintain a Judaism that is rational? Join us for an engaging discussion April 4 and 11 / 7:31 - 9:00 pm Oneg Room - Congregation Or Ami All members of the community are welcome RSVP’s are appreciated: [email protected] 8 Purim Carnival 2016 By Amy Seidman O n Sunday, March 13 we held our annual Purim Carnival, which was well attended by children, parents, and grandparents. Non-member families came to join us as well, from as far as Bucks County, stating, “Your synagogue knows how to celebrate Purim!” Fellow congregants… doesn’t that warm your heart? You could not resist having a smile on your face at the event; children were running around with joy from one game or craft to the next, cotton candy in one hand, a balloon animal in the other, and a painted face! Parents followed closely with tickets under their armpits, the remainder of a cotton candy in one hand and a hotdog they were trying to enjoy in the other. A favorite moment of mine was our children making beautiful and meaningful cards to be sent to our troops -- so sweet! Raffles…Raffles…Raffles! “Mommy, Daddy, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop…. We need MONEY!” was heard all day from children wanting to get a chance to win one of many amazing raffle baskets, created by children in the Early Learning Center and religious school classes and donated by some wonderful businesses. This celebration has gotten bigger and better over the years; thank you for joining in our celebration. This event could not have happened without the dedication of our members who worked on planning and hosting the event: Gail Dichter (RSPO), Suzanne Cohen (RSPO), Doug Cohen, Hillary Israeli (RSPO), Michael Israeli, Jeff Seidman, Irene Braun (RSPO), Lisa Loewenstern (RSPO), Tamara Davis, Jon Dichter, Lauren Dunoff, Josh Dunoff, Michele Lucks, Denise Marks, Brandi Burton, Doris Seidman, Harvey Seidman, Jenn Weiner, Brooke Borsky (ECEC), Andree Goldberg (ECEC), Beth Dainoff (ECEC), Mandy Weisbruch (ECEC), Michelle Ruder (ECEC), Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg (RS), Steve Horwitz (4th grade RS teacher), Allanah Richman, Danielle Grobman, Allison Wightman, Jessica Feldman, Naomi Israeli, Juliette Rice, Samantha Loewenstern, Emily Weiner, Emily Greberman, Brooke Dunoff, Jocelyn Freed, Jake Brownstein, Sara Braun, Chelsea Cohen, Sydney Borislow and Emmie Cohen. Thank You! And thank you to our wonderful sponsors: Let’s Party with Valerie, East Coast Mortgage, Burns and Kasmen, R World Energy Solutions, Camp Green Lane, Lori and Craig Israelite, My Kids Korner, Sesame Camp / Rockwood Adventures, IView Designs, Luxury VIP Suites, Vanguard Reality (Rima Kapel) and Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel, LLP Attorneys at Law. Thank You! And to our fellow Or Ami members, on behalf of RSPO and the ECEC PTO, I thank you for helping us raise some much needed money for our schools. It brings me so much joy to see our community come together and celebrate! Scenes from our recent Shabbat Dinner 9 Oasis Is Back Join OASIS (Or Ami Sisterhood) for a night of fun at Busy Bees, where we will be painting a floral canvas. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Women 18 years of age and older are invited to attend. Here are the details: Date and Time: Thursday, May 19, from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Cost: $36 Place: Busy Bees, 1950 Main Avenue (off Ridge Pike, behind Franzone’s Pizza), Conshohocken, PA 19428 Make your reservation here: https://congregationorami.wufoo.com/forms/zu0hpuc13wtjru/ Space is limited so make your reservation now. Payment must accompany your reservation and there will be no refunds. OASIS chairs: Jackie Kane, Beth Waks, Naomi Reses, Terri Rosen, Janice Selig and Stefanie Bock Questions? Contact Jackie Kane at [email protected] or Stefanie Bock at [email protected]. A Fresh Look at Our Spring Holidays R abbi Shoshanah Tornberg will speak about the spring Jewish holidays at the next meeting of New Horizons on April 13 at 7:30 p.m. A business meeting will be held at 7 p.m. New Horizons is a social group that meets every month. They have presented musicians, authors, comedians, historians, and other interesting guests. There is a nominal fee of $20 to join New Horizons, payable at the beginning of the program year. Programs are advertised in the Oracle and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. For more information about New Horizons, contact David Grunfeld at 610-828-1480. 10 Leah Kaye Taylor Goodman Playing soccer has been a passion of mine since I was 7 years old. I have been fortunate that my parents have been able to buy me the necessary equipment, like cleats and shin guards, as I have grown each year. I realize that not all young athletes are able to afford these necessities to play soccer. For my mitzvah project, I have chosen to collect cleats, shin guards and goalie equipment, as well as monetary donations to benefit Starfinder, a local organization that enhances “the personal growth of underserved youth through soccer and learning experiences that engage, inspire and motivate.” For my mitzvah project, I partnered with the Philadelphia 76ers and Cradles to Crayons. I helped collect items ranging from clothing to toys to “help children from birth to age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations to provide them with the essential items they need to thrive-at home, at school and at play.” In addition to the items I have collected through the generosity of friends and family, there will be an annual Metroplex May Day Collection on May 20-21st in the parking lot of the Metroplex Shopping Center. This project has given me a better appreciation of all that I have and how so many others don’t have the bare essentials on a daily basis. Daughter of Jodi and Adam Kaye April 9, 2016 Daughter of Ami and Brian Goodman April 16, 2016 Or Ami’s Gan class with the Coats of Many Colors that they made Devon Morganstein Daughter of Fred and Robin Morganstein April 30, 2016 After years and years of begging for a dog, I finally got one in 2014. In the quest to find the perfect dog for our family, we visited many shelters. I saw the sad faces on the dogs and I could see that they don’t receive any special treats. I realized that the dogs there needed extra love and attention. So, for my mitzvah project, I decided to make dog treats for the dogs living at the SPCA in Philadelphia. I gathered a group of friends and together we made delicious and healthy dog treats from scratch using pet friendly ingredients. After the treats were made I visited the shelter and delivered the treats to the dogs. It was an uplifting experience for me as well as the dogs and of course they loved the treats. It’s important to help those in need, even of the four-legged variety, to help lift their spirits and let them know someone cares about them. Fourth graders made dioramas of places to see in Israel 11 Or Ami Social Action Committee (COATz) Invites You to Sunday, April 10, from 1-3 p.m. Ï Pack food for low-income families Ï Transplant vegetable seedlings at an urban farm Ï Learn how you can help reduce hunger This is a family-friendly event that is close to home and brings us closerto being part of the solution to the growing challenge of hunger. The details — Travel in your own car (or carpool), arriving at SHARE by 1:00 p.m. sharp. SHARE Food Warehouse and Nice Roots Farm 2901 W. Hunting Park Avenue, just east of Henry Avenue Dress comfortably for an unheated, warehouse environment, or ready to dig in the dirt. Wear closed shoes. RSVP (suggested but not required) to [email protected] indicating the number of adults and children. Children must be accompanied by an adult; suitable for children age 4 and up. For questions, contact Or Ami member Nori Brown via email at [email protected] 12 Please Join Us For A Women’s Seder Led By Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg Thursday, April 14 7:00 p.m. All Women 13 and Over Are Invited $36 Includes Dinner, Dessert, and Wine Please RSVP by April 7 to [email protected] Click HERE to register Or send payment to Or Ami 708 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 13 Forming a Sacred Partnership: W e are grateful that you have chosen to be a part of the Or Ami family community. We hope that you will contribute to the community in many ways, to become partners with us to create an organization that is truly a storehouse of the Jewish spirit for your family and for our community. Each member, stakeholder, or partner is seen as imperative to Or Ami’s health and vibrancy. In our busy lives, we sometimes forget that synagogues and their programs are only as Covenant of Membership One way in which we strengthen our Jewish community is through synagogue membership. We offer this Covenant of Membership as a reminder of what Or Ami commits to its members, and as a guide to determine your own level of participation. Your involvement in any or all of these mitzvot is deeply appreciated to strengthen our community. 14 strong as their members’ commitments to the organization. Synagogues bear certain responsibilities to each and every member just as each individual member bears certain responsibilities to the larger synagogue community. Joining a congregation is therefore like entering into a covenant; both parties have responsibilities to ensure that the synagogue functions at its best. We want our synagogue to be a place where we give thanks to G-d, explore the richness of our heritage, and be reminded that we are Or Ami Commits: To provide a warm and caring atmosphere, with opportunities for active participation in our Jewish community To provide an opportunity for meaningful deeds of tikun olam, repair of our world, and a forum to express and act upon broad social action concerns. To provide a continuum of Jewish education for our children including youth group programsthat offer an opportunity to build Jewish community. To provide religious services and observances that meet the spiritual, emotional and lifecycle needs of each congregant. To provide programs to advance adult Jewish studies, education, social interaction, and effectively communicate such programming to the congregation. To provide a financially sound and efficiently managed organization. A Covenant of Membership part of a people whose mission is to perfect the world. We want our synagogue to be an extended family in which people are there for each other. Or Ami should be a place where we find comfort in times of trouble, courage and hope when in doubt or difficulty, and joy during times of celebration and happiness. We want Or Ami to be a place where lasting and meaningful Jewish memories are made, where our rich and abiding heritage is passed from generation to generation. We want our synagogue to be a place where we create positive memories for our children, memories so powerful that they will seek to pass them on to their children and their children’s children. We want Or Ami to be a place where social justice is upheld for all people. It is in this spirit that we present this Covenant of Membership, which provides you with information about ways for you to engage with the community at Or Ami. We hope you will use this Covenant as a guide to help you determine how you want to get involved with Or Ami’s family of friends. Hebrew Membership Opportunities Mishpachah and K’hilah To help celebrate the accomplishments of fellow members and provide emotional support to those in crisis. Help make our synagogue a caring community by reaching out to others. Tikun Olam To do mitzvot and support the members of the congregation. Translate words of prayer into deeds of justice and thereby make a difference in our community and our world. Limud To support and encourage the educational staff in their efforts to teach Jewish religion, culture and values. Share in your child’s religious education and reinforce it at home. Ruchaniyut To observe Jewish customs and holidays, to attend services and participate when honored. To think about and act upon the role of spirituality in your life. Chavayah To be aware of and to make every effort to attend programs. To seek ways to participate in synagogue life by volunteering or joining a committee. Ayn Kemach, ayn Torah To meet financial obligations to the synagogue in a timely manner and help support fund raising efforts. Attend annual meetings. and maintain fiscal awareness. Family and Community Repair of our world Learning Spiritual Life Experience Without bread there is no Torah 15 Commemorate, Celebrate, Honor Your Loved Ones Forever With an Engraved Copper Leaf on the Tree of Life The Or Ami Tree of Life is a tree of simchas, celebration and honor that continues to flourish with the names, events and dates of our milestones, achievements and acknowledgements. What a wonderful way to commemorate a birth, an adoption, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, wedding, anniversary, conversion, accomplishment or award, while contributing to our synagogue’s beautification and sustainability. For only $118 per leaf, you can give a beautiful, meaningful gift that will last a lifetime. To order, please use the form below or call the Or Ami office at 610-828-9066, or order online at: www.or-ami.org and click through the Tree of Life Order Form . Place your order now! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tree of Life Order Form (Please print) In Honor of: ___________________________ Date of Event: ________________ Event (i.e., Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, etc.) Greeting (Love, From, etc.) ____________________________________ _____________________ Purchased by: Name________________________________ Address_____________________________ City___________________State_____ Number of leaves*______ Amount enclosed ($118/leaf )____________ * For additional leaves, please fill out the above information on the reverse side of this form. 16 17 Attorneys at Law s Complex Litigation on a Contingent Basis s Shareholder Litigation in Jurisdictions Around the Globe s Corporate Governance s Recovering Assets s Portfolio Monitoring Services Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is one of the largest law firms in the world specializing in complex litigation on a contingent basis. 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Toll in Philadelphia at 215.988.7800. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. 22971 25 26 27 Sunday Monday APRIL 2016 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
