The Persistence of Hope

Transcription

1 September/October 2014 Volume # 28 Issue # 1 Elul 5774/Tishrei/Chesvan 5775 From the Rabbi s Keyboard The Persistence of Hope It was just a tiny, concrete room; no windows, of course, and with one large steel door, and an empty light socket in the ceiling where a bulb should be. It contained a rusty children s bike, a broken table, and a few dusty boxes. For years, this small concrete room had sat at the bottom of the apartment building in Tel Aviv, unused except as storage for things forgotten. But this summer, this little concrete room, this bomb shelter, or miklat in Hebrew, was used, time and time again. Each time the siren sounded, my niece and her children would immediately stop whatever they were doing, grab the baby from his crib, put on shoes, and hurry down the two flights of stairs to the shelter all under one minute. I, my niece s family, and her neighbors would all squeeze into that tiny space, with the adults spilling out unto the hallway. We would all stand together and listen for the tell-tale booms, the sound of the rockets being destroyed by the Iron Dome, counting each one in unison. People would take turns distracting the baby, and short conversations would begin, about the current attack, the latest news about the war, our various amusing outfits grabbed at the last second about anything. Then, after just a few minutes, someone would check the safety alert on their cell phone, and announce that it was all over. Everyone would then part with phrases such as see you next time or see you in a few hours" and return up the stairs to their apartments and life resumed. It was, of course, an unsettling experience. But it was also an enlightening experience as well, an experience that included many touching moments, despite the terrible circumstances that kept bringing us all down to that tiny concrete room three, four, sometimes five times a day. I was touched by the way the neighbors, who normally do not socialize together, found ways to lift each other s spirits, to crack a good joke just when the noises outside were the loudest. I was touched by the way the teenagers would hold and play with the baby. I was touched by the way one woman, herself a former refugee who fled Iraq as a young child, would gather and guide the children into the small space first, making the adults wait or stand closer to the door. I was touched by the everyday bravery of the people around me, people who have experienced war and loss and sorrow. And I was touched by their determination to live their lives as normally as possible, to not let the terrorists and their rockets set the agenda for their lives. For we were the lucky ones: when the sirens ended, when the thuds of exploding rockets ceased, we all got to leave that concrete room. Life in Tel Aviv continued. But for the people living in the southern cities and towns and villages, life has stopped. For over two months now, mothers, fathers, babies, children, the sick, the elderly - all have to remain in their shelters without relief. Crops have died in the field and on the trees, forests have burned from the rockets, wildlife and livestock have panicked and fled, and businesses and other sources of livelihood have stayed closed. Yet still, even in those larger, southern shelters, there are classes, and music, and volunteers who entertain the children, and neighbors who work together to make the most out of a terrible situation. There are businessmen who funded and created camps, located further north, for the children; youth groups who extended their visits in order to help in the shelters; volunteers who continue to collect and drive trucks of diapers, baby food, blankets, pillows, and clothes. Like the neighbors who gathered together in my niece s apartment, the residents of the south have never lost their determination, or their will, or their dream to one day live their lives uninterrupted by bombs and rockets. They have never lost their hope. And this was the most touching element of all. During one of my trips down to the shelter, I asked one of the teenagers if she thought that perhaps we should put a light bulb in the ceiling. She looked up at the empty socket for a few moments, and then said, No, that makes things too permanent. We have to hope that things will get better soon. Truer words could not have been spoken. As we begin our New Year, with so much war and sorrow and destruction in our world, with unexpected turmoil in many of our own lives, and with the heavy burdens that many of us carry in our hearts, let us remember those teenager s words. Let us fill our High Holiday prayers with the hope that things will get better soon, for Israel, for the world, and for everyone in need of help and healing. 1 September/October 2014

2 CONGREGATION OR ATID PO Box Concord Road - Wayland, MA Tel Fax A Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi & Education Director (o) Rabbi Sally Finestone rabbisrf@aol.com (c) President Mark Krasnow markkrasnow@comcast.net Immediate Past-President Howard Gold hgold@goldlawfirm.net Vice President, Finance and Administration Jeff Ganz jganz@reimerlaw.com Vice President, Membership Beth Winograd bawinograd12@gmail.com Vice President, Programming Rachael Barabell barabell@alumni.upenn.edu Vice President, Special Projects Ian Rubin ianrubin@outlook.com Treasurer Lauren Kaplan laurenkaplan@gmail.com Clerk Nancy Marks nancymarks@yahoo.com Director of Congregational Learning Me ir Sherer Meir.Sherer@congregationoratid.org Office Administrator Linda Rosenburg Adult Ed Annual Fund Adult Social Joel Rosen Marjorie Solomon linda.rosenburg@congregati onoratid.org Committee Chairs joelbrosen@gmail.com mwsolomon@comcast.net Mark Krasnow markkrasnow@comcast.net Lori Kreidberg drlori.mwmv@comcast.net Lee Picard picard@binah.cc.brandeis.edu Jill Sharon Jill.Sharon@fmr.com Brotherhood Mark Thirman mthirman@gmail.com Education Debra Yavner dlyav@aol.com Robin Wolk rawdak@aol.com Family Table Izzy Rubin maggiezrubin@gmail.com Ian Rubin ianrubin@outlook.com Finance Neill Silverman NeillS4749@aol.com Michael Bernstein mbernstein@highfieldscapital.com Israel Action Lorraine Herzog Scott Herzog puupie@comcast.net herzog@comcast.net Kitchen Sara Abramovitz saralarry@verizon.net Marca Katz katz.brian@comcast.net Marketing Carol Goldman cbgoldman@comcast.net Membership Beth Winograd bawinograd@gmail.com Newsletter Merril Leferman merrilb@charter.net Ritual Comm Ross Scribner ross.scribner@verizon.net Sisterhood Linda Cohen Phyllis Halpern amclaw1@verizon.net halfix@gmail.com Social Ann Greenawalt ann.greenawalt@gmail.com Action Debbie Clain Cindy Fenichel debbieclain@gmail.com cf@asktheoracle.com Maggie Rubin maggiezrubin@gmail.com Yad Lorraine Gotlib lbgotfam@rcn.com Chesed Barbra Sher barbrasher@verizon.net Webmaster Steven Shoyer steve@shoyer.com Weekly Jamie Gossels jamie@systemexperts.com PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Building on Momentum... My take is that in many ways, Or Atid remains similar to the initial vision of those who founded Or Atid more than 20 years ago and oversaw the building of our synagogue almost 12 years ago. We are a progressive and modern, yet traditional Conservative synagogue for individuals and families in Metrowest, where living a Jewish life is important. And, we have the same caring, outstanding Rabbi who will continue to be our spiritual leader for years to come. Still, while having the same mission and values as instilled by our founders, in the past two years under Howard Gold s leadership, Or Atid has taken several important evolutionary steps: Updating our bylaws to better reflect our values of being an inclusive, diverse congregation. Shifting our religious school to a Wednesday/Sunday schedule. Viewing Sunday mornings as an opportunity for extensive community programming. It is now common to find Or Atid bustling on Sundays with a wide variety of events. Creating the position of Director of Congregational Learning, with Me ir Sherer bringing tremendous energy and ideas to our religious school. (Me ir is currently working to strengthen our 8 th -12 th grade offerings for the many children in these grades.) Shifting from a traditional dues structure to a contemporary sustaining pledge model. Focusing on building relationships and community. Howard, thank you for your leadership for all of these things, and the millions of other little things you did (and continue to do). These changes have been made with the view that they are more appropriate for our community and will be an attractant to others. I fully support them. Looking ahead, I see us focusing on: Implementing these changes. Revisiting our social action activities to see if there may be different or additional opportunities for our congregation to come together to engage in social action. (More to come.) Working to make the Metrowest Jewish community aware of Or Atid and of these changes. Once again we offering the Be Our Guest program where we are providing complimentary High Holiday tickets to anyone new to the area, anyone who wants to learn more about Or Atid, or anyone interested in learning more about traditional yet modern synagogues in Metrowest. (Continued on the next page) 2 September/October 2014

3 Two follow up points regarding Be Our Guest: 1. We are extending Be Our Guest beyond just the High Holidays to include inviting individuals interested to experience all that Or Atid has to offer. So, in addition to being our guest for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we want to invite individuals to be our guest for educational, social, and cultural events. 2. As current members, we are the best ambassadors and spokespeople for Or Atid. Everyone is encouraged to invite others who might be interested in being part of a Jewish community to Be Our Guest at High Holiday services and for other upcoming activities. I hope everyone has had a good summer. I look forward to seeing everyone as we get back into the swing of things after Labor Day with resumption of Hebrew School, a full slate of activities, and the High Holidays. B NAI MITZVAH Please join us as our daughter Miriam B shalom, Mark Krasnow is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Saturday, August 30, 2014 Kiddush to follow Naomi and David Halpern ADULT EDUCATION The Blessing of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Trope 101 for Adults Come learn the basics of Trope, the special melodies used for the reading of the Torah. We will learn the main sequences, and the meaning of the Trope system itself. A three-week class by Rabbi Finestone for all students becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah during the fall and their parents. We will focus on the parents' role, the deeper meaning of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah for the parent and child, and the spiritual aspects of this important life cycle event. Sundays, Sept. 7, 14 & 21 10:30 am - Noon All musically inclined and those who are tone deaf are equally welcome! First Session: Sunday, Oct. 26 9:30 11:00 am (Other sessions meet Nov. 2, 16 & 23) Please join in our Simcha as our daughter, Abby is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Saturday, September 13, 2014 Kiddush luncheon to follow Amy and David Resnic Please join us as our son Noah is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah Saturday, September 20, 2014 Kiddush Luncheon to follow Lauren Kaplan & Russ Green The Lands of our Ancestors: A Personal Exploration Join us as we explore the history and culture of the lands of our ancestors, those countries from which our grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-greatgrandparents came. Each month, we'll delve deeply into the history and culture of one country or area. Class participants will also share their family stories and treasures passed on through the generations. First Country to Explore: Poland Thursday, October 23 7:30-9:00 pm (Other sessions to meet Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 8, and May 14) 3 September/October 2014

4 High Holidays Schedule Erev Rosh Hashanah Wed. Sept. 24 8:00 pm Rosh Hashanah Thurs. Sept. 25 9:00 am Rosh Hashanah Fri. Sept. 26 9:00 am Spread the Word Once again Or Atid is offering complimentary High Holiday tickets as part of our Be Our Guest program. If you know anyone new to the area or someone who is considering possible synagogues, please invite them to Be Our Guest for the High Holidays. And, we would also love to have individuals be our guest for upcoming social, educational, and cultural events. Just direct anyone you know who has interest to Or Atid s website or have them call the office. Kol Nidre Fri. Oct. 3 6:00 pm Yom Kippur Sat. Oct. 4 9:00 am Afternoon Neilah 4:30 pm to approx 7:00 pm Sukkot Yizkor Wed. Oct. 15 7:30 pm TASHLICH On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, immediately following Kiddush at approximately2 pm, Or Atid will hold its Tashlich (T) service at Hop Brook in Sudbury (shown below). We will assemble as a group in the Sudbury Valley Trustees parking area (A) at southwest corner of Hudson and Old Lancaster Roads at approximately 2 pm. If that parking area is full, additional parking is on Twillingate Road (B), just across Hudson Road. We will then walk as a group to Hop Brook, which will take about 10 minutes. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. ISRAEL SHABBAT Join us as Our Students and Families who were in Israel this summer share their experiences and insights during the service and at a special Kiddish Saturday, September 6, 9:30 am An alternative for anyone arriving late or who prefers a much shorter walk (about 2 minutes) is to park at the end of Saxony (C) and walk along a wooden fence to the brook. Vattikim Luncheon and Program Vattikim are the respected elders of Or Atid, those members age 60 and older. Sunday, September 7 Sunday, October 5 Noon- 1:30 pm Come join us as we reunite, enjoy fellowship, and plan our programs for the year. 4 September/October 2014

5 SUKKAH BUILDERS WANTED! If you build it they will come! Sukkah Builders wanted! Come lend a hand and share in the Mitzvah of building our congregational Sukkah. Sunday morning, October 5th at 9:30 am ADULT BARBECUE Save the Date! Adult Social Barbecue at Or Atid Sunday, September 14, 5-7:00 pm For questions or to RSVP contact Ross Scribner at Ross.Scribner@verizon.net. Sukkah Decoration and Celebration Wednesday, October 8, 4:00-7:00 pm Come join the students of our Hebrew school as we make our Sukkah beautiful with the works of our hands, and celebrate the onset of the holiday with a special outside dinner and service. Join us for great food, beer, wine and a chance to re-connect with Or Atid friends after the summer break. All Adults Welcome! Bring your friends! $20 per person RSVP by September 5 th to Lori Kreidberg at adultsocial@congregationoratid.org New Program Congregation Or Atid College Connection Simchat Torah Service and Celebration Thursday evening, October 16, 7:00 pm Come celebrate with dancing and singing as we once again begin our yearly cycle of the Torah. The service will feature the students of our Kindergarten/Kitah Alef Class. PURPOSE To actively maintain a connection between Congregation Or Atid and its college students. Periodic communication and packages from the synagogue let students know they are being thought of and reminds them Congregation Or Atid provides a place for them to turn to and return to. Scroll down to page 10 for more details and how to become involved with this new program! 5 September/October 2014

6 KABBALAT SHABBAT SERVICES UNDER THE STARS CAMP-STYLE Also Needed Dry pasta, dry & canned soup, canned vegetables & fruit, macaroni & cheese, jelly, peanut butter, canned spaghettio s, side dishes, cereal, lunchbox snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, deodorant, soap & brushes, shaving products, feminine hygiene products and diapers. Before we bring in the New Year and completely transition from summer to fall, join us for a special Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday, September 12, at 7:30, Jewish Overnight Camp-Style. We will pray under the stars to our favorite camp melodies led by Or Atid youth who attended Jewish Overnight Camps this summer. If you spent summers at a Jewish Overnight Camp or want to experience a Kabbalat Shabbat services Camp Style, this is a service you won t want to miss. SOCIAL ACTION Congregation Or Atid High Holiday Food Drive Kol Nidre Service is Friday, October 3 at 6:30 pm. The Social Action Committee will be collecting food items and toiletries for A Place To Turn in Natick (a food pantry). Need continues to be high; shelves at food pantries deplete quickly. Please bring to temple, before Kol Nidre service starts, cans and boxes of nonperishable food and new, unopened toiletries. There will be an area in the back of the sanctuary for people to drop off donations. **Please do not bring in donations after Kol Nidre has begun or during Yom Kippur. ***Please note: A Place To Turn cannot accept items past their expiration date or open items. Immediate Needs Canned beans, tuna, baking mixes, canned chicken and rice and beef stew. FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING FOR 2 WEEKS: Sunday October 26 through Sunday November 9 NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!! It's your chance to participate in our next Family Promise 2-week hosting. The LOTSA HELPING HANDS WEBSITE will be open soon to sign up for whatever task suits you and your family. We will notify the congregation when the site is ready, but in the meantime you can also check it out: FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING continued: You can participate in any number of ways, from big to tiny: Make a dinner and drop it off. Make a grocery store trip for breakfast or lunch items. Serve a meal (requires a two hour training session) Be an overnight host (requires a two hour training session) Help set up the bedrooms at Peace Lutheran, or help take them down at the end of hosting. Thank you so much in advance. This is a unique opportunity to join hands with our Peace Lutheran neighbors and help those in need of temporary housing. If you have any questions or have any trouble getting to the Lotsa Helping Hands website, please contact Debbie Clain, Cindy Fenichel, Ann Greenawalt or Maggie Rubin. The Big Schmooze Facilitated by Larry Sternberg begins on Sunday, September 28 from 9:45 10:45 am Join in our conversation as we consider: American's Reactions to the Conflict in Gaza 6 September/October 2014

7 SISTERHOOD Sisterhood welcomes all women of Or Atid! We have a new exciting calendar and hope you will join our programs and events as we begin the New Year. We are a diverse group of women who come together with a vision of spiritual, social and intellectual growth. Our goals are to enrich our Or Atid family and the greater community. To that end, we are no longer requiring dues for membership. Instead, we are asking for a suggested donation of $25 for the year which will help us to continue offering many interesting programs throughout the year. On Sunday, September 21 st, at 10:00 a.m. we will host our initial event of the year. Alice Finn will hold a Powerhouse Women to Women Educational Discussion about Investing. Alice s mission is to help women, at all asset levels, understand investments and achieve financial success. This will be a fun casual morning. Come with questions and be prepared to take home an interesting packet of information. Look for the attached flyer. On Sunday, October 19 th, we are planning a trip into Boston for a private tour of the Vilna Shul. The docent will talk about the history of the shul, the neighborhood of Beacon Hill as a Jewish area, the Jews of Boston, and the architecture of the building. It is still in the process of being renovated, and we can walk around both inside and out. Afterwards, those who wish will have the chance to go out for coffee or lunch. Stay tuned for more information about this trip. We will continue to hold Knitting/Crafts nights, the first Wednesday of each month, from 7:00 9:00 pm. Upcoming dates are September 3, October 1, November 5, & December 3. Come join this friendly group with whatever crafts project you may have, or just sit in and chat. (If you are a novice, there are expert knitters & crocheters who can help you.) Other plans for the year include Sisterhood Shabbat (11/8), Israeli Dancing, Cooking for Family Promise, Movie Night (12/7), and more. Please contact sisterhood@congregationoratid.org if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon! BROTHERHOOD The Brotherhood is looking forward to kicking off another season. Last year, activities included a Father-Son Paintball day, Brotherhood Shabbat, our Boy s Night Out and Annual Poker Night. I would like to invite all the men who are not currently active with the Brotherhood to join and participate in whatever you can do. We all have busy jobs and family lives and other obligations. But, if more of our men are able to participate, even a little bit, we can have more meaningful events. This past year, as many of you will recall, we honored Howard Gold as our first Man of the Year for all his efforts these past few years as President of the Congregation as part of Brotherhood Shabbat. I expect that both this award and the annual Shabbat will continue in future years. CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING September/October 2014 I met with a Jewish educator friend of mine the other day. She told me about the time she spent in NYC this summer studying at the Hebrew Union College: Institute of Religion. She shared with me a piece of text she studied there. I haven t been able to stop thinking about it. As we enter into this reflective time of the year and prepare for the new one ahead, I want to share it with you. The text is from Isaiah 43:12, You are My witnesses, says the Lord, I am God. Midrash Psalms on Ps. 123:1 provides commentary to this text. The Midrash states, When you are my witnesses, then I am the Lord. But if you are not my witnesses, I am not the Lord. We are in a relationship, a relationship with God. God only exists in our world when we bear witness. The question for us, then, is how do we bear witness? I believe we bear witness by learning, learning about our religion, our culture, and our history. Another friend of mine is always challenging me to answer the question, Why should Judaism matter to us, today? I believe I finally have one answer for him. It should matter because through it we have the opportunity to bring holiness, God, into our lives. We can only do this when we are in a relationship with God. And, to be in a relationship with God, we need some understanding of who and what we are. I encourage all of us to explore Judaism in the coming year, to take advantage of the many educational opportunities here at Or Atid and in the greater Boston Jewish community. May the year ahead bring us Shalom! Shana Tovah, Me ir HEBREW SCHOOL On Sunday, September 7 we begin our Hebrew School Year 5775! Join your children for Shacharit services that day at 9:30, and an opportunity to meet their teachers. This will be followed by a Q&A with our Director of Congregational Learning. You can find a complete calendar for the year on Or Atid's website at You can also find pictures of and information on our faculty there. Spread the Word Once again Or Atid is offering complimentary High Holiday tickets as part of our Be Our Guest program. If you know anyone new to the area or someone who is considering possible synagogues, please invite them to Be Our Guest for the High Holidays. Just direct anyone you know who has interest to Or Atid s website or have them call the office. 7 September/October 2014

8 YOUTH COMMUNITY We have an established Youth Community at Or Atid, which offers many exciting opportunities and different points of entry for teens to engage in Judaism: NOAR... An exciting and fun youth group for grades 7 through 12 under the direction of our Youth Advisor Eli Katzoff CALENDAR OF NOAR EVENTS September 28 Sunday Afternoon October 19 - SundayAfternoon Event with youth from area synagogues January 31, Saturday Night March 15, Sunday Afternoon Event with youth from area synagogues May 17, Sunday Laser Tag and Barbecue Through NOAR, our teens are able to join New England Region USY and participate in Regional events. Membership is $22. B'NAI NOAR... An exciting and fun youth group for grades 5 through 6 under the direction of our Youth Advisor Eli Katzoff CALENDAR OF B'NAI NOAR EVENTS September 14, Sunday October 5, Sunday November 2, Sunday December 2, Sunday January 10, Saturday Night February 1, Sunday March 8, Sunday April 12, Sunday May 17, Sunday Laser Tag and BBQ We also have a wonderful Youth Lounge, used by both our teen groups and other youth activities, with sofas, games and a large screen TV! MADRICHIM (student teacher) PROGRAM for 8th - 12th Graders We encourage our teens to participate in this program where they serve as teachers' aides in the classroom, as well as Hebrew aides in various grades. Madrichim includes an application process and four training sessions during the year. MACHON - 8th GRADE INSTITUTE MACHON is a program that provides a relaxing, social setting where eighth graders can continue to develop the friendships with their classmates from Hebrew School, and continue to strengthen the bonds they have with their Rabbi and Educator. MACHON sets out to engage eighth graders in further learning about the Holocaust and confronting Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism today. It features guest speakers, films and award winning programs developed by Facing History and Ourselves and the ADL. We gather each Monday evening from 6:00-7:45pm; first there is socializing and dinner, which is then followed by our program (movie, special speaker or guest, etc.). A guided discussion that touches upon the issues and values raised and the relation of those values to our lives today as Jews follows. MACHON includes a trip to NYC over Martin Luther King Jr weekend. TELEM 9th - 12th Grade Mondays 3-5 pm or 6-8 pm TELEM is a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) for all high school students that brings together the youth of a synagogue and a local social service agency. The idea is to create a partnership that provides needed help and assistance for those in need in our community. This year, we are running TELEM with Shir Tikva and offering two tracks: Literacy (3:00-5:00pm) and Adults with Disabilities (6:00-8:00pm). TELEM meets the social action requirement of all area High Schools. AISH... is Temple Shir Tikva s post-b nai Mitzvah program designed for teens. Beginning this year, AISH will be open to teens from Or Atid! Me ir Sherer, Or Atid Director of Congregational Learning, will join the AISH faculty. In future years, as more Or Atid teens participate in AISH, Rabbi Finestone will also join the faculty. AISH is open to all Or Atid ninth through twelfth graders. The program meets once a week on Wednesday nights from 6:00-8:00pm at Shir Tikva. 6:00-6:30pm is dinner. 6:30-8:00pm is class. There are three trimesters of course offerings. Classes are 90 minutes in length. HiBuR... Project HiBuR is a friendship and exchange program between Beth El and Or Atid's 10th Grade teens and a public school - Hugim - in Haifa, Boston's sister city. One of the only exchange programs with a congregational school in North America, HiBuR brings Israeli youth to Boston at Sukkot/Simchat Torah. In February, Beth El and Or Atid teens will travel to Haifa for a 10 day visit and tour. PROZDOR Or Atid teens are encouraged to continue their Jewish education after 7th Grade. Prozdor: The High School of Hebrew College is one option for our teens. Prozdor, which meets Sundays, 9:30am - 1:30pm at Hebrew College in Newton, offers hundreds of Jewish teens a rigorous and meaningful program of Jewish Studies with a strong commitment to Hebrew language. Teens explore all facets of Judaism through many modes - from Jewish visual and Performing Arts to intensive text study to travel programs around the world and US. 8 September/October 2014

9 High Holidays Schedule Erev Rosh Hashanah Wed. Sept. 24 8:00 pm Rosh Hashanah Thurs. Sept. 25 9:00 am Rosh Hashanah Fri. Sept. 26 9:00 am Kol Nidre Fri. Oct. 3 6:00 pm Yom Kippur Sat. Oct. 4 9:00 am Afternoon Neilah 4:30 pm to approx 7:00 pm Sukkot Yizkor Wed. Oct. 15 7:30 pm OR ATID DONATIONS Light of the Future In loving memory of Louis Meltzer, father of Neil Meltzer David and Barbara Winer In memory of Saralee Avery, mother of Cantor Lisa Avery-Peck David and Barbara Winer In honor of Mark Krasnow running the Boston Marathon The Scribner Family In loving memory of Saralee Avery, mother of Cantor Lisa Avery-Peck The Solomon Family Karen and Michael Tichnor In honor of Abigail Marks becoming a Bat Mitzvah Myrna and Alan Kaplan In loving memory of Jeanette Metzger, mother of Diane Metzger The Solomon Family Bonnie Berg and Andrew Keehn In honor of Jane Blicher s graduation from high school In honor of Michael Bader s graduation from high school In honor of Suzi Weisberg s graduation from high school In honor of Abigail Silverman s graduation from college In honor of Alison Pastor s graduation from college In honor of Evan Rubin s graduation from college In honor of Benjamin Gossels s graduation from law school In honor of Alyssa Fishbein s graduation from Prozdor In honor of Mark Krasnow becoming president of Congregation Or Atid Carol and Michael Krasnow Rabbi s Discretionary Fund With thanks to Rabbi Finestone for making Abigail s Bat Mitzvah such a special occasion Nancy, Mike, Julia and Abigail Marks Mary Jane Flower Jacqueline and Benjamin Cohn In honor of Stephanie and Abe s wedding Linda Rosenburg Bookplate In loving memory of Saralee Avery, mother of Cantor Lisa Avery-Peck The Gossels Family In loving memory of Jeanette Metzger, mother of Diane Metzger Bonnie Gossels George Perla Library Fund In loving memory of George Perla Carole Perla In loving memory of my father, Robert Muller Carole Perla Keep scrolling for flyers 9 September/October 2014

10 Congregation Or Atid College Connection PURPOSE To actively maintain a connection between Congregation Or Atid and its college students. Periodic communication and packages from the synagogue let students know they are being thought of and reminds them Congregation Or Atid provides a place for them to turn to and return to. To establish a community of Congregation Or Atid parents of college-age children. Gathering together to assemble packages and share our children's college-age experiences and concerns will provide support and inform programming. To maintain an up-to-date Or Atid College Connection Directory. WHAT WE DO During the course of the year: Holiday packages with a message from the Rabbi will be sent to our students. Items may include synagogue news, novelties, timely articles, Jewish humor, and special treats at Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah and Passover. A fun, relaxed gathering will be planned during a typical college vacation break, most likely early January: specific date to be determined. High School Graduates will be celebrated in May with a service and/or recognition reception: date to be determined. Contact information from current college students will be organized in a College Connection Directory for use by all congregant families. Great conversations with congregant college parents will be enjoyed as we meet to assemble packages, share information, and create a special community. HOW TO SIGN UP Parents should submit their children s college addresses and s by filling out the form found using this link: collegeconnection@congregationoratid.org Parents will be asked to reconfirm their child s address and annually and to note if/when the student is studying abroad. (Students who are studying abroad will receive s but not packages). A $36 contribution per student is greatly appreciated to help defray the cost of materials and shipping. Additional donations are always welcome. Donations should be sent to the synagogue office, checks payable to Congregation Or Atid memo line: College Connection. Please note that ALL college age students will receive packages. HOW TO GET INVOLVED & CONTACT INFO: Amy Rose, halfdozenroses@comcast.net (978) September/October 2014

11 Engage with a Hamas Spy and his Shin Bet Handler Advance Screening and Q&A Wednesday, September 10, :30PM-9:00PM There s a unique, limited seating opportunity to get an inside glimpse of how the Israeli Shin Bet turned a Hamas spy. This event will provide insights of past conflicts and the current situation by meeting the players engaged in life and death espionage and is organized to raise funds for victims of terror in Israel. The book Son of Hamas, A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices is now a documentary which recently won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award. Here s the trailer: On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 6:30PM, Steve and Ellen Segal and OneFamily Israel are sponsoring an advance screening of The Green Prince at Legacy Place Showcase Cinema Deluxe in Dedham followed by a Q&A with Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of the founder of Hamas, and his Shin Bet handler Gonen Ben Itzhak. Tickets are $250 per person. To reserve your seat, please access the following link: and click on the Events tab. 100% of all funds raised will go directly to OneFamily, an organization based in Jerusalem that supports victims of terror and their families. The need for such support has only increased in recent weeks, including, therapy, legal help and other financial support needed that goes beyond what the Israeli government can provide May/June 2014

12 12 May/June 2014