12/8 Hanukkah Party Dinner: $18 Adults $8 5 yrs & up. 12/16 Meet the Author Janet Benton Lilli de Jong. 12/30 No Religious School

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1 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, /2 9 AM Hanukkah Bazaar 12/4 7 pm Board Meeting 12/4 RSVP s need to be in Office for dinner 12/8 Or Shalom Chanukah Dinner and Party 12/9 9 AM CBENT Hanukkah 12/15 4 pm to 7 pm UPCOMING EVENTS Shabbat B 12/16 No Religious School 12/18 Hebrew (3rd & 4th Grades Only) 12/23 No Religious School 12/8 Hanukkah Party Dinner: $18 Adults $8 5 yrs & up 12/16 Meet the Author Janet Benton Lilli de Jong 12/30 No Religious School /6 School 1/13 Jr. Cong &Tot 10:30 am to 12 pm 1/18 MLK Event??? 1/20 No School MLK Holiday 1/27 Religious School CBENT IN THIS ISSUE Host an Oneg. 2 President s Column.. 3 Rabbi s Column.. 4 December Yahrzeits... 5 October Contributions.. 6 Rabbi Letter.. 7 Sisterhood News. 8 Social News.. 11 Gift Shop 12 Game night 13 Aliyah Fair. 14 Internship Program. 15 Kallah-Night of Jewish Learning.. 16 Donations.. 18 Ben Shapiro Mitzvah Project. 19 Classes w/rabbi Jacob.. 20 Donation Form 21 Calendar.. 22 Advertisers. 23 HORIZONS December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

2 Horizons is published monthly. Material submitted for publication may be edited for style, length and content. Please contact the office to report any errors or omissions. Thank you. Editor: Lauren Porter Congregation Or Shalom 835 Darby-Paoli Road Berwyn, PA Phone: Congregation Or Shalom Executive Committee President: Andrew Levin Vice President: Treasurer: Alan Daroff Secretary: Larry Bilker Membership: Scott Markovitz Events/Fundraising: IPP: Alan Messing Auxiliary & Community Groups Sisterhood: Mindy Bernstein Men s Club: Dan Bernick Social Action: Gina Arlen Education Chair: Heidi Lurie/Alice Presley Ritual Committee: Murray Klug Advertising rates Advertising contracts are arranged through the Temple office. All advertising is due the first of the month for next month s edition of Horizons. We accept ads with a check made out to Congregation Or Shalom and the ad copy sent at the same time. Size 11 issues Per issue Full Page $1000 $110 1/2 page $750 $80 1/4 page $500 $60 1/8 page $250 $35 Do you know Unaffiliated Jews in Chester County, Montgomery County and Delaware County? Do you have Jewish friends or acquaintances who live in Chester County, Montgomery County and Delaware County who are not already members of a synagogue? If you do, why not invite them to one of the upcoming events at Or Shalom, for example our next Friday night dinner? They may have a good time and decide to come back. They may have such a good time that they decide to become members themselves. According to a recent survey by the Jewish Federation, there are many, many unaffiliated Jews in Chester county. We d love to contact them, but don t know who they are. You can help. Todah rabah! Celebrate with an Oneg Or Shalom Sisterhood is delighted to announce that you can sponsor an Oneg for any celebration you wish! Friday night and/or Saturday morning. The Sisterhood will be happy to purchase it and set it up, we only want you to join us and celebrate! Call Julie Miller at (267) or Julie at jlmphotomiller@gmail.com HORIZONS 2 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

3 The President s Column United We Stand and Divided We Fall I hope the following message does not come as a surprise to anybody. Per my November 19th Rabbi Jacob will be leaving Or Shalom at the end of July, As I stated in my letter the rabbi will be greatly missing. The rabbi s depth of knowledge of Torah and Talmud combined with a strong voice will leave big shoes to fill. The rabbi has participated in a lot of life cycle events for the Levin family. The bar and bat mitzvahs of my children and the funeral of my wife just to name a few. All of those events will be forever locked in the family memory. I am sure you will all join me in wishing the rabbi the best of luck and the best wishes related to his next steps. While sad about the rabbi s decision to pursue another path we should also be excited about the opportunities that lay ahead of us at Or Shalom. The world is our Apple Cake (Oysters are not Kosher and I refuse to reference them in this article). Please do not sit back and just watch the events unfold this year. Be a participant. We do not need any Monday morning quarterbacks. We need people to get in the game. There are plenty of places to help from the search committee, to cleaning up the shul, or to making a minyan. I personally plan of on working at the Or Shalom winery. If you are interested in fermenting grape juice with me at Or Shalom ask me if I would like a glass of wine the next time you see me. I have made mead at home and the process in similar. Volunteering and getting involved is such a core part of what made the Jewish communities so vibrant and active. Unfortunately, this is not just an Or Shalom issue but an American issue. I see it at the schools, in the township, and even when I talk to my friends about their churches. People just do not volunteer and get involved like they have in the past. Maybe it is because everybody is busy working or because there are just too many other fun competing activities. I do not know the root case for sure, but I do know that we as a Jewish community need to figure out a solution to this problem or perish. This is not a problem for the Or Shalom President to solve or the Board to solve. This is a problem for the whole Or Shalom community to solve. To start solving the problem YOU need to get involved. Do not wait for somebody else to start solving the problem. We need a congregation VP, Board Members, and committee members. Talk to me or one of the board members to see how you can get involved. Before you ask the answer is YES. If you cannot support the shul because of physical limitations or time constraints we do take donations so the shul can hire people to do the work. I am sure you all have a Honey Do list at home. Now imagine if your house was the size of Or Shalom how big the list would be. Any amount of support it appreciated, but getting involve it preferred. Please ask yourself what you can do to support the transition and help the community thrive. G*d Bless America! Andy HORIZONS 3 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

4 Mitzvah of the Month Rabbi Jacob Rosner It has become stylish to say that Hanukkah is the least important of our festive days. I would argue that, if observed properly, Hanukkah is thematically the most important holiday to American Jews in the 21 st century. As children we learn about Hanukkah as a military victory against the Greeks who tried to deny us our religious freedom. The reality is that Hanukah began as a civil war between pious and assimilated Jews. In the book of Macabbees we are given this example of radical assimilation: At that time, lawless men arose in Israel and seduced many with their plea, come, let us make a covenant with the idolaters around us, because ever since we have kept each other separated from them we have suffered many evils..thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem and underwent operations to disguise their circumcision, rebelling against the sacred covenant. (1 Maccabees 1: 11-15) Even today s most distant Jews, the superstars of assimilation don t quite go that far. The story of Hanukah should be taught as the victory of the Maccabees as defenders of the faith over the forces of assimilation in their time. We all know that the greatest threat to Judaism today is the threat from within. Assimilation and disinterest are plagues that threaten the future of Diaspora Jewry, and Hanukkah is a season tailor made to confront those issues. How ironic that because of its proximity in time to Christmas, instead of becoming a tool to fight assimilation, Hanukkah has devolved into an instrument of assimilation. Gift giving, decorations and parties are not part of the tradition. They are all attempts to make ourselves and our children feel good during the Christmas season. It is a sad commentary of our times that we feel the need to turn Hanukah into the Jewish answer for Christmas. A child who experiences Shabbat every week complete with guests, special meals, decorated tables and blessings, (thanksgiving every week sans football), a family that builds a sukkah in the back yard prettier than any Christmas tree, and eats plays and even sleeps in it, a family that makes the seder child friendly as it is supposed to be, telling the story and giving afikomen gifts, will not have children jealous of their Christian friends. On Hanukkah we should remind our children and ourselves of our uniqueness as Jews and of the importance of waging war on the forces of assimilation in our times. HORIZONS 4 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

5 december YAHRZEITS December 3, Kislev 25, 5779 Arnold Walkow, father of Janet Walkow December 6, Kislev 28, 5779 May Seidenberg, mother of Paula Blaustein December 10, Tevet 2, 5779 Tobias Goldberg, father of Ben Goldberg James Hickey, father of Eva Korolishin Albert Wright, grandfather of Gina Arlen December 11, Tevet 3, 5779 Mitchell Ross Gropper, brother of Marla Gropper December 14, Tevet 6, 5779 Sol Harman, husband of Ruth Harman Simon Markind, father of Dan Markind December 16, Tevet 8, 5779 Sarah Rosen, mother of Lawrence Rosen Martin Stein, father of Mitchell Evan Stein December 21, Tevet 13, 5779 Harry Hughes, father of Anne Burke December 25, Tevet 17, 5779 Mala Klug, mother of Murray Klug December 26, Tevet 18, 5779 Siegbert Kosterich, father of Jeff Kosterrich December 27, Tevet 19, 5779 Michael Goldman, brother of Dede Strumpf Stephen Zatuchni, brother of Beth Zatuchni December 29, Tevet 21, 5779 Leonard Gordon, father of Lisa Leff December 30, Tevet 22, 5779 Moe Blaustein, father of Bernard Blaustein December 31, Tevet 23, 5779 Max Dreiblatt, father of Hedda Shupack Pauline Dreiblatt, mother of Hedda Shupack Morris S. Jenkins, father of Lane Leibman Saul Shupack, husband of Hedda Shupack Jonathan Wolf Lafair, son of Charlotte Lafair, brother of Julie Miller Jacob Mand, grandfather of Jeffrey Mand Mary Mand, grandmother of Jeffrey Mand December 22, Tevet 14, 5779 Alan G. Routman, father of Mindy Markovitz December 24, Tevet 16, 5779 Vivian Rose, mother of Andrea Allon HORIZONS 5 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

6 Contributions Congregation Or Shalom gratefully acknowledges the following generous contributions in the month of October 2018 Hebrew School Andy Stone & Julie Zaidler: Challah 2018 Fundraiser Annual Celebration Leslie Jay & Laurie Katz: October 2018 Concert Yizkor Book Daniel & Elizabeth Bernick Steven & Beth Burak Zev Chonoles Ben & Susan Goldberg Irvin & Janet Hurwitz David & Caryl Keet Jeffrey & Linda Mand Harris & Julie Miller Charlotte Lafair Mitchell Evan Stein & Bari Michele Brandt Joel & Rita Stern Yahrzeit Donations Faye Bakovsky: Memory of parents Walter and Adele Bakovsky David & Florence Hoffritz: Memory of Samuel Kesselman; Walter Hoffritz Leslie Jay & Laurie Katz: Memory of Jerome Kornreich Mrs. Lane Liebman: Memory of Stanley Liebman Florence Messing: Memory of Margo Pierce BettyAnn Monash: memory of Eileen Monash Jean Wesley: Memory of Kurt, Glenn and Jay Wesley Beth Zatuchni & Gerald Satlow: memory of Jacob Zatuchni High Holidays Barry & Annie Friedman: High Holidays Service David M Leight: Attended HH Services w/hurwitz Family Debra & Sean Murphy: High Holy Donation Andy Rosefsky: Enjoyed Yom Kipper Services Reid & Jo Ann Solomon: High Holiday Services General Fund Paul Daniels: Schwab Charitable Grant Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Lisa & Harry Leff: Aaron Lurie Bar Mitzvah Lisa & Harry Leff: memory of Miriam Krieger Lisa Fox mother Lisa & Harry Leff: memory of Tema Satlow Jerry Satlow mother Lisa & Harry Leff: Memory of Ginger Leff; Thankyou to Bernie Krant HORIZONS 6 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

7 CONGREGATION OR SHALOM THE CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE OF THE MAIN LINE 835 Darby Paoli Road (Route 252) * Berwyn, PA Telephone (610) * office@orshalom.com Andrew Levin President November 19, 2018 Re: Farewell and Thank-You to Rabbi Jacob Rosner Dear Member of Congregation Or Shalom: I write with mixed emotions on behalf of the Board of Directors to inform you that Rabbi Jacob Rosner will be leaving us effective July 31, Rabbi Jacob has served as the spiritual leader of our Synagogue since 2010, and when he departs, will have served the second-longest tenure of any rabbi in our Congregation s history. This change was initiated at the Rabbi s express request. Having served here for over eight years, he recently informed the Board that he wished to look for opportunities elsewhere. Rabbi Jacob will be missed. His deep knowledge of Torah and Talmud, the ruach he brings to services each and every Shabbat, his passion for Judaism, and his ability to spread and share those gifts with all of us, will be difficult (if not impossible) to replace. Over the next several months, both Rabbi Jacob and the Board will be engaged in a joint effort to make this as smooth a transition as possible. Rabbi Jacob will be submitting his candidacy to the Rabbinical Assembly, and likewise, the Synagogue has formed a search committee to find the best possible replacement to lead us into the future. We will keep you informed as this process evolves. Thank you for your support of Congregation Or Shalom, and please join me over the next several months in thanking Rabbi Jacob for all he has done for us. While sad, we are also excited about the new opportunities and beginnings that await both the Rabbi and this Congregation. Sincerely, Andrew Levin, President HORIZONS 7 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

8 Sisterhood news Hello and Happy Chanukah! Sisterhood has two big events this month. We have our annual Chanukah Dinner and party on Saturday, December 8 at 6 PM. We re having Kosher Chinese food and donuts. Who can say no to that? On Sunday, December 16, we are having a Bagel Brunch with an author as our guest speaker. You don t have to read the book to enjoy the speaker (and food). Please RSVP to the office if you can make it to either of these events so we will know how much food to prepare. Sisterhood is looking for volunteers to prepare Saturday kiddush luncheons. If we do not get volunteers, we may, sadly, discontinue the weekly lunches. If each person does it just twice a year, that would be a great help. Contact me or Julie Miller if you are willing to help. Do you have a suggestion for an upcoming event? I d love to hear it. Hope to see you at the Chanukah Party! Mindy Bernstein Sisterhood President HORIZONS 8 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

9 Sisterhood news Continued from previous page Or Shalom Chanukah Dinner and Party December 8 th Back by popular demand, it s Kosher Chinese Food! 6:00 Havdalah 6:20 Chanukah Candles Lighting (bring your own menorah) 6:30 Dinner (Vegetarian Chinese food and Latkes) 7:00 Chanukah Bingo for all ages 7:30 Gift Exchange and dessert Bring a White Elephant gift ($5 to $10), wrapped, Dinner is $18 for adults, $8 for kids ages 5-12, under 5 are free if you wish to participate in the gift exchange RSVP by Dec 4 th to the office so we know how much food to order! **** HORIZONS 9 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

10 Meet the Author Janet Benton will speak about her book Lilli de Jong It s about an unwed mother in the 1800s. December 16 th 9-11 AM bagel breakfast $10 includes breakfast Even if you didn t read the book, other Sisterhoods who have heard her speak said it is very enjoyable. Rsvp by Dec 12 HORIZONS 10 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

11 Social news HORIZONS 11 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

12 Gift shop Pop-Up Hanukkah Shop OPEN 9:30AM-12:30PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 Inside the Or Shalom Gift Shop This year support your synagogue by buying your Hanukkah supplies including candles made in Israel from your synagogue Candles are only $3.00 per box Checks, cash, and credit cards accepted. For information, contact Sue Daroff HORIZONS 12 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

13 Game Night at The Lurie s on November 13 Looks like they had a great time. HORIZONS 13 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

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18 Donations We would like to thank those who have donated books and other items to the synagogue. Unfortunately, just like you, we have no space to accept most of the books and other items that have been donated unsolicited. Please contact the synagogue office before you drive over to drop off items. If we can use the items, we will welcome them and provide a tax letter receipt but if we just have no room for the items you want to donate, please consider another worthy cause for your donation. Membership Directory The new simplified membership directory and class list is now posted on our web site. It is password protected and will be updated regularly as members notify the office of changes to their information. Please review it today to make sure information about your family is correct. If not, contact the office with changes HORIZONS 18 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

19 Please Consider Donating My name is Ben Shapiro and my Bar Mitzvah is March 2, For my Mitzvah Project, I am volunteering my time with the Mitzvah Circle Foundation, a local non-profit organization that provides clothing and supplies to families in need, regardless of their religious beliefs. We are collecting: New Toiletries Diapers School supplies Socks & underwear Car Seats Warm hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves Packaged Food Baby accessories, formula Gently Used and New Clothing, coats, shoes, purses Housewares, linens, towels Toys (clean with all pieces) Small kitchen & personal appliances (i.e. Microwave, toaster oven, fan) Cell: (215) BenShapiro2006@gmail.com Drop off in Or Shalom lobby HORIZONS 19 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

20 Classes with Rabbi Jacob (Not So) Basic Judaism Rabbi Jacob offers a Basic Judaism class for adults each Monday evening, from 7:30 to 8:30. The focus will be on learning about the holidays, life cycle events, great Jewish books and more. The Rabbi promises that even the most knowledgeable will find something new and intriguing in this class. Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class Rabbi Jacob invites any adult seeking to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, to schedule private lessons with him. Other One-on-One Classes with Rabbi Jacob Rabbi is offering one-on-one classes at your convenience on many Jewish topics such as: Learning to read or speak Hebrew, synagogue skills, bible, Mishna, etc. You can even name your own class! Please the office at office@orshalom.com to schedule your class with the Rabbi now. HORIZONS 20 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

21 Or Shalom Donation Form I would like to help support Or Shalom. I have specified each donation and I have included one check for the total amount payable to Or Shalom. Please send all donations to: Congregation Or Shalom, 835 Darby Paoli Road, Berwyn PA Name Address Fund # Amount $ Phone # Made in memory of Made in honor of Speedy Recovery Send acknowledgment to (include address) Name Address Fund # Amount $ Phone # Made in memory of Made in honor of Speedy Recovery Send acknowledgment to (include address) Definition of Funds 1. Building Fund: Donations are used for the continuous upkeep of our building. These funds help offset unexpected expenses such as A/C, Heater, roof repair and any emergency repairs to our facility. 2. Beautification Fund: Donations are used for the upkeep of our grounds. Trees, plants, mulch, etc. 3. Biblical Garden Fund: Donations are used to maintain and support our biblical garden. 4. Paul Seres Education Endowment Fund: This fund is maintained to provide interest income for restricted use by the synagogue for Education. 5. General Fund: All monies donated to this fund will supplement the current year s budget. 6. Hebrew School: Funds are used for the needs of the Religious School. Examples: Bulletin boards, books and school supplies, etc. 7. Rabbi s Discretionary Fund: The Rabbi uses these funds for charitable purpose. Donations to this fund can be made directly to the synagogue office. 8. Social Action: Donations will be used for all social action events and programs. Any questions to this fund should be addressed to Gina Arlen at migi4@verizon.net. 9. Tree of Life: A leaf can be purchased to honor or commemorate any important life event. The cost of a leaf is $ which will be displayed in our foyer. For more information please contact office at Yahrzeit Plaque: Two plaques can be purchased for $ The first would be a permanent plaque on the back wall of the sanctuary. The second plaque would be placed during the week of the Yahrzeit on the memorial wall in the front of the sanctuary. Additional information will be requested when purchasing a plaque. Please contact Ellen Gross at Ellenagross@gmail.com for more information. 11. Oneg: Sponsor an Oneg for Friday night and /or Saturday morning for any celebration you with. The cost is $45.00 and the Sisterhood will purchase and set it up. Checks should be made payable to Or Shalom Sisterhood HORIZONS 21 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

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23 advertisements OFFICE HOURS (effective 9/25/18) Monday: 10 to 3:30 Tuesday: 11:30 to 5:30 (when school in session) Wednesday: 10 to 1 Thursday: 10 to 3:30 Friday: 10 to 3 HORIZONS 23 December 2018 Kislev, 5779 Tevet, 5779

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