Torah study has been going on continuously since Rabbi Carr

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1 OCTOBER 2017 Torah Study Renewal Come Join Us! By Sue Ackland Torah study has been going on continuously since Rabbi Carr joined us 16 years ago. We haven t done the official survey, but that history must make us one of the longest-lived groups currently meeting at Or Ami. Besides our undeniable charisma, we must be offering something of value to bring people out every Saturday morning at 9AM. Just after this New Year, Rabbi Ettman will be shaking up our curriculum to bring more depth and breadth to our studies. Since Rabbi Ettman arrived, we have been studying the Torah portion of the week with him; this is the time-honored practice. Under Rabbi Carr, we had been reading our way (for over 16 years) through all of the sacred books of our tradition. As of May 2016, we were reading about King Solomon with lots of books still ahead. With the beginning of a new year, we and Rabbi Ettman communally decided to embark on a new path that will allow us to continue to explore the sacred literature beyond the first five books and, at the same time, honor the traditional Shabbat and/or holiday texts when that approach is appropriate. One of the benefits of Rabbi Ettman s portion of the week approach has been the discipline of knowing that there is an actual limit on how much time can be spent on any idea or sentence! We think that our new path will give us the best of both worlds a spacious, diverse curriculum and the structure to move us forward. We will begin reading Ecclesiastes ( To everything there is a season ) beginning October 7, because this text is associated with the High Holidays. Rabbi will limit us to six Saturdays, at most, on this book before we move on. In addition, this being a group that loves to read, we ve added book club activity for those who want the additional pleasure of discussing Jewish-themed secular literature. We ll read on our own, outside of Torah study, and get together to discuss. The first book that has been proposed is Michener s The Source. We would love to meet you! Sherry Dainoff Receives Keeper of the Flame Award By Carole Verona Congratulations to Sherry Dainoff, the recipient of this year s Keeper of the Flame Award. This honor is given each year to a congregant who keeps the Or Ami flame burning, whether through philanthropy on behalf of Or Ami, volunteerism to Or Ami, or civic leadership for our larger community. Sherry has been volunteering at Or Ami since September She consistently helps out in the Early Childhood Education Center and in the Religious School office and can usually be found at Or Ami five days a week. Sherry was grief stricken when her husband, George, died in March after a six-month battle with lung cancer. George was a physician and Sherry worked in his office. He retired when he became ill. Their daughter, Jen Segal, and her family husband Doron and children Jordyn and Jason are members of Or Ami. Jen is chair of the Early Childhood Education Center. The Dainoff s son, Harris Dainoff, and his family wife Beth, daughter Hailey and son Blake, who attends Or Ami s pre-school are also members. Jen and Harris became B nei Mitzvah at Or Ami. During her father s illness, Jen stopped teaching and stayed home to help care for her father. After his death, Jen returned to teaching parttime and encouraged her mother to volunteer at the ECEC. The ECEC had lost an administrative assistant and Michelle Ruder, the director, needed help. So Sherry s volunteer work and commitment definitely filled the void. In addition to the support Or Ami received, my mother s volunteer work gave her a reason to get up and out of the house every day. She is really happy at Or Ami. She loves interacting with the children and their families. We ve grown up here so the community aspect of her volunteer work is also very important to her, Jen said.

2 Clergy and Staff Rabbi...Glenn Ettman Cantor...Jordan S. Franzel Rabbi Emeritus...Seymour Prystowsky Office Manager...Lori Dafilou x200 Administrative Assistant...Nick Johnson x201 Early Childhood Education Director...Michelle Ruder x400 ECE Center Assistant Director...Carly Shaw x401 Interim Director of Education...Rabbi Glenn Ettman Director of Adult Learning...Cantor Jordan S. Franzel Interim Assistant Principal.. Stefanie Bock Administrative Support x300 Synagogue Office Religious School ECE Center Officers and Trustees Executive Officers President...Larry Paul Vice President...Heather Fritts Vice President...David Nasatir Vice President...Mitch Zimmer Treasurer...Josh Dunoff Immediate Past President...Terri Wolfheimer Trustees Scott Borsky, Trustee Deb Brenner, COAtz Chair David Cohen, Trustee Barb Hoffman, Membership Chair Greg Kapel, Trustee Bill Koelewyn, House Chair Helene Levinson, Religious Observance Chair Jeff Michaels, Trustee Susan Michels, Finance Co-Chair Sara Neuman, Trustee Alan Roomberg, Finance Co-Chair Jason Salus, Trustee Danny Schwartz, Trustee Jen Segal, Early Childhood Education Center Chair Jenn Weiner, Religious School Chair 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 Fax October Worship Schedule Friday, October 6 6:30pm...First Friday Wine and Cheese Pre-Neg 7:00pm...Erev Shabbat Service Celebrating our October Birthdays and Anniversaries Saturday, October 7 9:00am...Torah Study 10:30am...Shabbat Service celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Bryan Banks Thursday, October 12 7:30am...Simchat Torah Yiskor Service Friday, October 13 6:15pm...Simchat Tot and New Member Shabbat Family Simchat Torah Celebration 6:30pm...Wine and Cheese Pre-Neg 7:00pm...Erev Shabbat Service Honoring our New Members Saturday, October 14 9:00am...Torah Study 10:30am...Shabbat Service celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Grant Shubin Friday, October 20 7:00pm...Shabbark Shabbat Blessing the Animals Saturday, October 21 9:00am...Torah Study 5:30am...Shabbat Service celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Jeremy Segal Friday, October 27 7:00pm...Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, October 28 9:00am...Torah Study 10:30am...Shabbat Service celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Sarah Toll Tikun Olam: Repairing the World We are committed to meeting our sacred responsibilities to our community, our nation, and our world through acts of tikun olam, tz dakah (righteous giving) and g milut chasadim (acts of loving kindness). With our actions and advocacy, we pursue social justice at home and around the world.

3 Donor Honor Roll This year, in addition to the Standard and Senior Membership Dues categories, we offered the opportunity to our membership to contribute dues at higher levels. By doing so, they help to offset the costs of our programs, operational costs, staffing and special events. We are so thrilled to see the response this appeal has already brought and would like to ask our members who may not yet have returned their commitment forms, to please consider doing so at one of these higher levels. Members who contribute at these levels will be acknowledged each month in the Oracle, in our weekly and Shabbat programs, and in our High Holy Day booklet. For additional benefits, please refer to your commitment form. Rabbi Ettman, Cantor Franzel, Rabbi Prystowsky, the professional staff, our President, Larry Paul, along with all of the Board of Trustees, would like to thank the following families for their generous support of Congregation Or Ami: Chai Level Marc Baer and Simi Kaplin Baer Randy and Deb Brenner Harvey Brodovsky Lauren and Josh Dunoff Alfred and Mindi Herman Hillary and Michael Israeli Lori and Craig Israelite Rabbi s Circle Level Leslie and Stuart Berman Sara and Jeffrey Erlbaum Helene and Alex Levinson L Dor v Dor Level Stephen and Naomi Reses David and Jacqueline Kane Marc and Esther Kaplin Rhonda and David Kessler Brooke Stolper and Brian Kroker Denise and Greg Marks Bryn and Jeff Michaels Susan and Hal Michaels Larry and Susan Paul Carole and Joel Lukoff Dara and David Nasatir Elizabeth and Jeff Silberman Sandy and Howard Salasin Carol and Alan Roomberg Jennifer and Doran Segal Peggy and Joel Sloane Etta and Gene Waldman Tamara Davis and Bruce Wightman Fredi Wolgin Mitch and Randi Zimmer Debbie and Brian Snyder Jacqueline and Marc Topaz Frank and Kathleen Seidman Mention this ad and get $5.00 off your purchase of $25 or more. 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 someone 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. Our Hours: Monday Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. to noon Or call Rachel at for an appointment 3

4 Seventy Years and Counting: Save the Weekend of November for Or Ami s Birthday Celebration According to the website My Jewish Learning, the number 70 has special significance for the Jewish people: This number symbolizes the world. There are 70 nations in the world, 70 languages, and 70 princely angels. The Greek translation of the Bible, the first to make it available to the gentiles, was done by 70 Jewish scholars, who, though working separately, produced 70 identical translations. The number also has special meaning for Congregation Or Ami, as we are in the process of planning our 70th birthday! Rabbi Ettman, Cantor Franzel, Terri Wolfheimer, Lori Dafilou, Andy Kasmen and Dave Nasatir are already at work doing the initial planning for the weekend of November 17th to the 19th. In addition, committee chairs will be appointed soon to take charge of each of the events that will be happening. Although plans and details are not yet finalized, the committee has sketched out some of their initial thinking. On Friday evening, November 17, Rabbi Ettman will be honored and officially welcomed to Congregation Or Ami. The Erev Shabbat Service will be followed by a special festive oneg. There will also be a Tot Shabbat, during which Michelle Ruder, director of the Early Childhood Education Center, will be honored. There will be a wine and cheese reception between the Tot Shabbat and the adult service. On Saturday morning, Rabbi Emeritus Seymour Prystowsky will be honored at Shabbat Service. Before the service, there will be a special breakfast served at our weekly Torah Study. Congregants will be encouraged to attend Torah Study and then stay for the service and Kiddush. On Saturday evening, there will be a concert featuring Cantor Franzel. There will be a cocktail hour in the lobby prior to the concert and a special dessert reception afterwards. There will be a charge for attendance at this event. On Sunday, we will celebrate by hosting a party with a birthday cake, of course! Students will be let out of school early so that families can attend. Invitations will go out on October 15. 4

5 I m on my way to Congregation Or Ami For Shabbark Shabbat Friday, October 20 7:00pm (Note: Service will be held outside, weather permitting) Join us for a special Shabbat service on Friday evening, October 20. It has become traditional in many congregations on Shabbat Noah, to invite our pets to join us at the service where they will receive a special blessing and treats at the oneg! Please keep your pets on a leash and remember to pick up after them! The service takes place outside, at the old lobby entrance. Space heaters will be provided. Scenes from last year s Shabbark Shabbat Our Mission Congregation Or Ami strives to be a warm and welcoming center of Jewish life built on the foundation of Torah (Jewish Text and Tradition), Avodah (Spiritual Fulfillment), and G milut Chasadim (Acts of Lovingkindness). We embrace the varied needs and rich diversity of our congregants, our community, and the Jewish people. We endeavor to create an inviting and inclusive community that promotes spiritual fulfillment for our congregants and supports their search for God. We take pride in the strong partnership among our clergy, professional staff, lay leaders, and congregants. Guided by Jewish values, we are strengthened by our active volunteerism and informed decision-making. We uphold the principles and ideals of the Reform movement and are a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. Y Like us on Facebook and check in often to keep up-to-date on what s going on at Or Ami! 5

6 Join us Sunday, October 8 from 4-5:30 to celebrate Jewish contributions to the soundtrack of our lives. 6

7 Congregation Or Ami is Do you have a new or gently used coat or other warm clothes that you can donate to someone in need? If so, please be kind and put it in the drop-off bin in the lobby that is labeled Warming Philly. Donations will be accepted until December 1. Warming Philly is a charitable, non-profit organization that conducts annual clothing drives during the fall that benefit those in need in our immediate community (the Plymouth-Whitemarsh-Conshohocken area) as well as in the Greater Philadelphia area community as a whole. Warming Philly is run by current and recently graduated Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School student volunteers and has been in operation since the fall of Warming Philly is looking to collect new or gently used clothing. Warming Philly would like to stress that we are not only collecting winter clothing items this year and are accepting ALL types of clothing. If it is gently used and someone in need will be able to wear it, Warming Philly will accept it! 7

8 Bryan Banks October Son of David and Genevieve Banks For his mitzvah project, Bryan will be raising money for victims of Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Jeremy Segal October 21, 2017 Son of Marla and Larry Segal For his bar mitzvah project, Jeremy was a great help to his Grammie, who is a social worker in Philadelphia. He was an important part of her program working with grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. At several events, he instructed and played with children of various ages. His friendliness and warmth helped everyone feel comfortable and his humor endeared him to both adults and children. Grant Shubin October 14, 2017 Son of Eric and Michele Shubin Grant is going to be helping an organization that sends therapy dogs to areas and locations that have some sort of crisis or distress, such as natural disaster, personal issues, or some sort of trauma. He will be aiding this foundation by donating supplies such as blankets, pillows, and towels, for the dogs. Sarah Toll October 28, 2017 Daughter of Curtis and Jacinta Toll Sarah has always had a passion for animals. She has a particular interest in riding and caring for horses. For her bat mitzvah project, Sarah is raising money for The Last Chance Ranch, an animal rescue that takes in many types of animals, including horses. In addition, Sarah had an opportunity to participate in a service learning project with Heifer International this past summer. Celebrate Simchat Torah! Welcome new members! Join us for a warm, special Shabbat on Friday, October 13. 6:15pm: Tot Shabbat and Simchat Torah service 6:30pm: Wine and cheese pre-neg 7:00pm: Erev Shabbat service honoring our new members 8

9 Fine Arts Fund To Larry and Susan Paul In honor of Zach and Nicole s wedding...randi and Mitch Zimmer Jeff Kedson Youth Fund To Larry and Susan Paul Mazel Tov on the marriage of your son Zach...Helene, Ron, Daniel, Joshua and Esther Rosen To Jack and Michelle Berman Mazel Tov on Melissa s marriage...helene, Ron, Daniel, Joshua and Esther Rosen To Peter Weidman Thank you for your support...helene, Ron, Daniel, Joshua and Esther Rosen Michael Salkoff Endowment Fund To Jack and Michelle Berman In honor of Melissa and Jimmy s wedding...rita Rubin To Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Feigenberg Best of luck in your new home...rita Rubin Mitzvah Fund To Susan and Larry Paul Mazel Tov on the wedding of Zach and Nicole...Deb Brenner Torah Card Fund To Jack and Michelle Berman In honor of Melissa and Jimmy s wedding...maris Delano New Horizons Save these dates! Sunday, October 15 at 10 am Wednesday, November 15 at 7 pm Sunday, December 17 at 10 am Sunday, March 25 at 10 am Wednesday, April 18 at 7 pm Sunday, May 20 at 10 am 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 newsletter. For more information about New Horizons, contact David Grunfeld at To Larry and Susan Paul In honor of Zach and Nicole s wedding...reba and Bob Salkoff Debby and Irv Askow Maris Delano To Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Feigenberg Mazel Tov on your new house...reba and Bob Salkoff To the Spitzer Family In honor of Julia s Bat Mitzvah...Susan Rubin To Elaine Brenner In Honor of Julia s Bat Mitzvah...Susan Rubin To Joan and Ted Borowsky In honor of Lisa and Bryan s marriage...susan Rubin To Beth and Bob Waks In memory of Richard Heimler...Susan Paul To Alan Roomberg In honor of the birth of your granddaughter...susan and Hal Michaels Yahrzeit Fund In Memory of Rebecca Lehrman...Dr. Carol and Dr. Robert Klein In Memory of Jeanette Kantrow...Craig and Lori Israelite In Memory of Carl Israelite...Craig and Lori Israelite In Memory of Phillip D. Fink...Larry and Susan Paul In Memory of Harvey Davis...Bruce Wightman and Tamara Davis In Memory of Sally Katz...Daniel and Mila Gorman In Memory of Hermine Rosenthal...Daniel and Mila Gorman In Memory of Eileen E Thornton...Frank and Kathleen Seidman In Memory of Aaron Seiden...Bunny and Irv Grunes In Memory of Martin Slomine...Karen and Larry Denenberg In Memory of Jules Pokaloff...Jill and Rich Connolly In Memory of Edith Schattner...Rich and Sue Ackland In Memory of Mary Strongin...Lori and Rick Simon In Memory of Solomon Polen...Phyllis Polen Help Beautify our Synagogue with a Fine Arts Stained Glass Window Gift Card For a $10 minimum contribution, the Fine Arts Committee will send a beautiful card for you, In Honor or In Memory The card depicts one of the large stained glass windows (designed by Benoit Gilsoul) on either side of the Beit K nesset Just call the office at Card will be inscribed with your personal message. Proceeds go toward beautification of our synagogue 9

10 Your Connections Build Our Future DO YOU have family or friends in our area who might consider joining Or Ami? DO YOU know former members who would consider returning? The Membership Committee would love to hear from YOU! Your personal connections are important to our growth. When you refer friends and family, we'll roll out the Welcome Wagon and will deliver a gift bag with a fresh challah and an invitation to join Or Ami. You'll get a $100 gift shop certificate as a thank you if your referral becomes a member! Please contact Barb Hoffman today at or barbhoffman@comcast.net We are always eager to grow our community and to share what makes Or Ami such a special place. 10

11 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 , or order online at: 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. 11

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13 Burns & Kasmen Andrew S. Kasmen ATTORNEY AT LAW Two Bala Plaza Suite 718 Bala Cynwyd, PA office direct cell fax Like us on Facebook and check in often to keep up-todate on what s going on. Please patronize our advertisers! 13

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16 October 2017 Su n d a y Mo n d a y Tu e s d a y We d n e s d a y Th u r s d a y Fr i d a y Sa t u r d a y 1 (11 Tishrei) 2 (12 Tishrei) 3 (13 Tishrei) 4 (14 Tishrei) 5 (15 Tishrei) 6 (16 Tishrei) 7 (17 Tishrei) Sukkah Building 9:00a Family Sukkah Decorating 2:00p No Religious School Classes Omdim 6:30p Confirmation 6:30p 2018 B'nei Mitzva. 7:00p Erev Sukkot RSC Meeting 7:00p Sukkot Sukkot ~ ECE Center Open Full Time Students Only Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot Candle Lighting 6:18p Wine&Cheese PreNeg 6:30p Erev Shabbat Serv. 7:00p Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot Torah Study 9:00a Shabbat Service 10:30a 8 (18 Tishrei) Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot Or Ami Happening 4:00p 9 (19 Tishrei) Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot Executive Committ. 7:00p 10 (20 Tishrei) Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot Omdim 6:30p Confirmation 6:30p 11 (21 Tishrei) Hoshana Rabbah Candle Lighting 6:10p 12 (22 Tishrei) Sh'mini Atzeret Yizkor Simchat Torah ~ ECE Center Open Full Time Students Only Synagogue Office Closed Yiskor Service 7:30a 13 (23 Tishrei) Candle Lighting 6:07p Simchat Tot Shabb. 6:15p Wine and Cheese P. 6:30p Erev Shabbat Serv. 7:00p 14 (24 Tishrei) B'reishit Torah Study 9:00a Shabbat Service 10:30a 15 (25 Tishrei) 16 (26 Tishrei) 17 (27 Tishrei) 18 (28 Tishrei) 19 (29 Tishrei) 20 (30 Tishrei) 21 (1 Cheshvan) Noach New Horizons Mtg. 10:00a Omdim. 6:30p Confirmation 6:30p,6:30p Board of Trustees. 7:00p ECE PTO-Mom's Nig. 7:00p Candle Lighting 5:56p Shabbark Shabbat 7:00p Torah Study 9:00a Shabbat Afternoon. 5:30p 22 (2 Cheshvan) 23 (3 Cheshvan) 24 (4 Cheshvan) Omdim 6:30p Confirmation 6:30p 25 (5 Cheshvan) 26 (6 Cheshvan) 27 (7 Cheshvan) Candle Lighting 5:47p Erev Shabbat Serv. 7:00p 28 (8 Cheshvan) Lech L'cha Torah Study 9:00a Shabbat Morning. 10:30a Havdallah in the Park 6:30p 29 (9 Cheshvan) 6th Grade Family Program 10:00a 30 (10 Cheshvan) 31 (11 Cheshvan) Omdim 6:30p Confirmation 6:30p