Word Mavens. November 11 3 PM. Social Hall. Sponsored by Law Firm of Rosenthal Lurie & Broudy. 11/22 & 23 Office Closed Happy Thanksgiving

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1 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, /4 Daylight Saving Time Ends 11/4 Religious School is at OS UPCOMING EVENTS Word Mavens November 11 3 PM Social Hall Sponsored by Law Firm of Rosenthal Lurie & Broudy 11/22 & 23 Office Closed Happy Thanksgiving IN THIS ISSUE Host an Oneg. 2 President s Column.. 3 Rabbi s Column.. 5 November Yahrzeits... 6 September Contributions. 7 Memorial Plaques Gershman Y 8 Sisterhood News. 9 Social News.. 12 Gift Shop 13 Donations.. 14 Ben Shapiro Mitzvah Project. 15 Classes w/rabbi Jacob.. 16 Donation Form 17 Calendar..18 Advertisers /11 9:30 Board Meeting 11/11 Word Mavens (comedy) 3 PM 11/13 7:30 pm Game Night at Stuart Lurie s home 11/20 No Hebrew School (Tue) 11/25 No Hebrew School (Sun.) 11/27 Follow-Up / USCJ Mtg 11/28 Office Closed 12/4 RSVP s need to be in Office for dinner 12/8 Or Shalom Chanukah Dinner and Party HORIZONS November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 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 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

3 The President s Column What are we going to do now? I had planned to write this month s article about volunteering and why it is so difficult to get volunteers. This is not a synagogue issue, but a whole community issue. The same small group of people volunteer for everything. Unfortunately, I am going to put that article on hold to discuss my thoughts about the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. I do not believe there is any excuse for the cowardice act of Robert Bowers in Pittsburgh on 27-Oct-18. The Attorney General is promising a swift and harsh punishments and because it is a hate crime Mr. Bowers is eligible for the death penalty. I hope the punishment is handed out to the fullest extent of the law in an expedient manor. So what are we going to do now? I have spent about a day and a half thinking of options and how they would impact me and my family. Below are my thoughts. Feel free to reach out to me if there is something I may have missed. The options below are not in priority order: Stop going to Shul: This is an option, but allows Hate to win. For me and my family I think we need to double down. We should be going to shul more often to show the anti-semites that they cannot intimidate us. Get more security at Or Shalom: This is a great option and if you want to fund or help fund additional security like cameras, locks, and guards that would be greatly appreciated. We are a small shul and we do not have deep pockets or large benefactors. Getting the money to beef up security in the near future is not likely. I was talking to my aunt this weekend who is a member of a 700 family synagogue. They charge $50 a year for a security fee. We would need to change about $400 to get the same amount. Would you be willing to spend an additional $50 or $400 for increased security that may deter, but may not prevent an attack? The bad news is that we are a small shul, but the good news is that we are a small shul and fly under the radar. There is some safety in not being well known and being in a good neighborhood. Bring a gun to Shul: I am not aware of any rules at Or Shalom that prevents you from bringing a firearm into the building. I would expect that you would have a PA concealed carry permit and training to use the firearm. You should also have the common sense to keep it concealed and not to tell anybody about it. If it is going to make you feel safer and encourage you to come to shul more often than carry. Also, before you send me hate mail I want let you know that people already carry firearms to shul. You do not know about it and you should not know about it. Lock the doors: Every year or so we talk about looking the doors during services. This lasts for about a week or a month and then we go back to leaving the doors unlocked. We can try this again, but if history is any indicator of future performance we need to look into other options. Install proton torpedoes on the roof: In case you read my article this month let me know your thoughts on installing proton torpedoes on the roof. I believe about three sets will cover the property. Give me a thumbs up (pro torpedoes) or a thumbs down (against torpedoes) the next time you see me at Or Shalom. Continued next page HORIZONS 3 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

4 The President s Column Continued from previous page Only allow members into the building: This is an option, but not good for increasing membership. Synagogues in other countries you have to be a member in order to get into the building. If you want to bring a friend you have call in advance. Stand up to Hate: In my mind the only option is the hardest option. We need to stick together and stand up to hate. We need to continue to come to shul, bring our kids, and our friends to shul. These haters pray on the weak, but together we are strong. These are some of the options I have been thinking about the last couple of days. This shooting is not going to keep me from going to synagogue just as a school shooting does not stop me from sending my kids to school. If you have thoughts or something to share with the congregation please consider submitting an article to the monthly Horizon. Be safe and stay positive. Bad things happen to good people, but we are still living in the greatest nation on earth and together we can make it better. G*d Bless America! Andy Please join the Kehillah of Chester County on Thursday evening, November 1, 2018 at 6:30 pm on the steps of the Historic Courthouse Building 2 North High Street in West Chester when we will gather to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to building a more respectful, supportive, and caring community in Chester County - while mourning the 11 people who were murdered, and praying for the complete and speedy recoveries of the other shooting victims at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. HORIZONS 4 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

5 Mitzvah of the Month Rabbi Jacob Rosner The present Hebrew month is often referred to as MarHeshvan, or the bitterness (of the month of) Heshvan. It is so called because after the holy season that began on Rosh Hashana and concluded on Simhat Torah, Heshvan is a month bereft of holy days. But each of us has the capacity to make the bitter, sweet. For while it is true that we are commanded to "rejoice in your festivals" (imagine! one of the 613 mitzvot is to be happy), we are also commanded to call the Shabbat "a delight". (the Hebrew word is oneg which does NOT mean food, although I can think of few things as delightful as a good Shabbos meal). A teaching I have often shared with the regulars, to so many on the outside Shabbat observance seems to be a chore with so many "thou shalt nots". Yet one can understand these restrictions as guard rails directing us to a true life of joy and delight. If I can t drive on Shabbat, and I can t go to work, I am forced to remain at home perhaps to take a walk and enjoy nature or perhaps to read a good book (or study Torah). The restriction against spending money pushes me to spend time with those we love and a special meal with candles, wine, songs and guests gives us an opportunity to enjoy the company of those important to us. Finally the candles, and wine add a touch of romanticism to "mitzvah night". So each of us has the opportunity to turn hashvan into "sweet hashvan" by calling Shabbat an oneg. HORIZONS 5 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

6 November YAHRZEITS November 1, Heshvan 23, 5779 Sidney Aronoff, father of Marjorie Leonard November 7, Heshvan 29, 5779 Paula Alexander, mother of Howard Alexander November 9, Kislev 1, 5779 Diane Jenkins Cooper, sister of Lane Liebman November 10, Kislev 2, 5779 David Brown, father of Charles Brown November 14, Kislev 6, 5779 Sadie Scher, mother of Marjorie Schneider November 15, Kislev 7, 5779 Ethel Sparber, mother of Sara Alexander November 18, Kislev 10, 5779 David Barg, father of Irl Barg November 19, Kislev 11, 5779 Samuel Glaser, grandfather of Brett Furman Michael Katz, brother of Jay Katz Victor Korensky, grandfather of BettyAnn Monash November 21, Kislev 13, 5779 Morris Miller, father of Harris Miller November 23, Kislev 15, 5779 Irene Milberg, grandmother of Helaine Leibowitz and David Milberg November 25, Kislev 17, 5779 Rose Goldman, mother of Dede Strumpf November 29, Kislev 21, 5779 Samuel Schmukler, grandfather of Michael Arlen HORIZONS 6 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

7 Contributions Congregation Or Shalom gratefully acknowledges the following generous contributions in the month of September 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 7 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

8 From: Alan Rothenberg Sent: Tuesday, October 23, :41 PM Subject: Memorial Plaques at the Gershman Y Friends: I am asking your assistance in helping us reunite families with memorial plaques for their relatives. As you may have heard, Minyan Sulam Yaakov, formerly the Gershman Y Congregation, is are being forced out of the Gershman Y. As part of this effort, we are taking down the approximately 630 memorial plaques that were installed in the Chapel of the Gershman Y. Recognizing the significance of the information on these plaques, and the emotional connections they represent, we have decided on the following course of action. Rather than immediately scrapping the plaques, we are going to keep them in storage until December 2019, to allow people time to reclaim any plaques memorializing their relatives. Given the past significance of the Gershman Y, and the congregation, to the history of many families in the wider Philadelphia-area Jewish community, it is possible that there are members of your congregation whose parents, grandparents, or other relatives, were members of the Y Congregation, and had memorial plaques made for family members. Any person who would like the plaque(s) memorializing a past relative should contact us before December Images of the plaques, and a searchable/sortable spreadsheet with all the plaque information, can be found on our website, Any questions on this matter should be directed our voic line, (267) , or by us at info@minyansulamyaakov.org. Thank you for your assistance. Alan Rothenberg President, Minyan Sulam Yaakov HORIZONS 8 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

9 Sisterhood news Please join us at our next event on Nov 11 at 3:00 PM The Word Mavens Comedy Event. This event is open to the entire community. Bring a friend! HORIZONS 9 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev, 5779

10 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, if you wish to participate in the gift exchange Dinner is $18 for adults, $8 for kids ages 5 and under RSVP by Dec 4 th to the office so we know how much food to order! **** December 16 th 9-11 AM bagel breakfast and Meet the Author speaker Janet Benton will speak about her book Lilli de Jong It s about an unwed mother in the 1800s. Even if you don t read the book, other Sisterhoods who have heard her speak said it is very enjoyable. $10 includes breakfast Rsvp by Dec 12 HORIZONS 10 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

11 Sisterhood news Continued from previous page Please write these upcoming events on your calendar before you forget! Thanks to everyone who came to the S mores and Wine event on October 28th. My son Ari made a nice fire and we all enjoyed roasting marshmallows and chatting by the fire pit. We also said a prayer for the victims who were murdered at the synagogue in Pittsburgh. That horrible tragedy was on all our minds, as many of our members have family in that area and even attended that synagogue. I hope to see you at the Word Mavens on Nov 11! Mindy Bernstein, Sisterhood President HORIZONS 11 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

12 Social news HORIZONS 12 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

13 Gift shop Pop-Up Hanukkah Shop OPEN 9:30AM-12:30PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 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 13 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

14 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. ARLENE MARKIND Mother of Dan Markind Passed away on October 6 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 14 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

15 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 15 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

16 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 16 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

17 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 17 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

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19 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 19 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,

20 HORIZONS 20 November 2018 Heshvan, 5779 Kislev,