Ohr Kodesh Chesed Committee's Lotsa Helping Hands website!
The Pledge 25 Committee is very happy to provide information on a new initiative of the Chesed Committee: Lotsa Helping Hands, which coordinates greetings and assistance for members welcoming a new child, going through an illness, or otherwise needing support. Primarily, this site coordinates dinners and services to help members get on the road to their new fuller life. What a terrific way to honor Rabbi Fishman this year!
Volunteering is simple: Sign up for a short-term commitment, with minimal effort, matching your availability with a congregant’s need. Meals can be home cooked, store bought, or taken-out from a restaurant respecting the kashrut requirements in the request. Coordinators are listed at the site. Do contact them with any questions.
Register at http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/615958/.
You will receive an email confirmation with details about accessing the site, and you will be on your way.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Blood Platelet Donation - An Act of True Chesed
Our member, Marvin Szymkowicz, has decided to participate in platelet donation as an act of chesed for Pledge 25. He has allowed me to share this in the hope that others may also participate.
Blood platelet transfusions are used to treat people with certain serious illnesses (e.g., patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation or patients with leukemia or aplastic anemia). Unlike whole blood, which has a "shelf life" of six weeks, platelets must be used within five days of donation. In other words, the supply has to be constantly and rapidly replenished. Because of advances in treatment, the demand for platelets is growing.
Although some platelets are extracted from whole blood donations, it is vastly more efficient to collect platelets from platelet donors. One can safely donate platelets every two weeks. The process takes about 2 to 2-1/2 hours: 90 minutes for the actual donation, plus time to review the written materials presented to any blood donor and time for a staffer to give the donor a mini-physical and interview the donor. The Red Cross has special centers for donating platelets. The nearest one to OKC is in the White Flint area.
The Red Cross also has a dedicated number for platelet donation: 1-800-272-2123. Call that number for more information or to volunteer or visit http://www.my-redcross.com/
This is -- in my humble opinion -- a good Pledge 25 project because of the time commitment (not trivial but certainly doable over one year) and the immediate benefits for the recipients.
Blood platelet transfusions are used to treat people with certain serious illnesses (e.g., patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation or patients with leukemia or aplastic anemia). Unlike whole blood, which has a "shelf life" of six weeks, platelets must be used within five days of donation. In other words, the supply has to be constantly and rapidly replenished. Because of advances in treatment, the demand for platelets is growing.
Although some platelets are extracted from whole blood donations, it is vastly more efficient to collect platelets from platelet donors. One can safely donate platelets every two weeks. The process takes about 2 to 2-1/2 hours: 90 minutes for the actual donation, plus time to review the written materials presented to any blood donor and time for a staffer to give the donor a mini-physical and interview the donor. The Red Cross has special centers for donating platelets. The nearest one to OKC is in the White Flint area.
The Red Cross also has a dedicated number for platelet donation: 1-800-272-2123. Call that number for more information or to volunteer or visit http://www.my-redcross.com/
This is -- in my humble opinion -- a good Pledge 25 project because of the time commitment (not trivial but certainly doable over one year) and the immediate benefits for the recipients.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Rabbi Fishman's Class for December: Yehuda Amichai
Topical Tuesdays with Rabbi Fishman got off to a great start on December 1. This month's classes will be held on December 8, 15, & 22 at 8:30 PM. The subject: Poetry of Yehuda Amichai. Considered by many as Israel’s greatest modern poet, this class will read (in English translation) and discuss many of Amichai’s illuminations of Israeli & Jewish life.
Please join in!
Please join in!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Jewish Science Fiction - A Hit!
Jerry Kiewe, Ohr Kodesh' executive director and science fiction fan, led off the first of three sessions on Jewish Themes in Science Fiction on Tuesday night with an excited group of attendees. This first session was mostly a backdrop of Jewish SF roots (the Golem) and the portrayal of Jews in early sci fi.
The next two sessions will deal with: Jewish themes in more contemporary SF works; the Jewish future in Star Trek vs. Babylon Five; influences of Jewish writers & actors; and what Star Trek has to teach us about canonization of the Torah!
"Future" sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays, Dec. 8 & 15 at 7:15 PM.
The next two sessions will deal with: Jewish themes in more contemporary SF works; the Jewish future in Star Trek vs. Babylon Five; influences of Jewish writers & actors; and what Star Trek has to teach us about canonization of the Torah!
"Future" sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays, Dec. 8 & 15 at 7:15 PM.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Learning to Chant Torah
Cantor Ed Gerber has let us know that several adult members of Ohr Kodesh have begin learning to chant Torah under his careful instruction. What a wonderful skill to learn, and what a terrific way to honor Rabbi Fishman as part of Pledge 25!
Cantor Gerber has let us know that he'd be happy to teach others who have an interest. You can reach him at Cantor@ohrkodesh.org
Cantor Gerber has let us know that he'd be happy to teach others who have an interest. You can reach him at Cantor@ohrkodesh.org
Bethesda REALLY Cares
Our member Andy Shoyer has been organizing a group of volunteers at Bethesda Cares, helping to feed the hungry by preparing sandwiches. Volunteers purchase ingredients, prepare lunches (thirty each of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, pieces of fruit, cookies) and deliver them each Sunday for distribution by Bethesda Cares. Volunteers (individuals and families) sign up for two Sundays a year. You can contact Andy Shoyer at ashoyer@sidley.com
In part because of our Pledge 25 effort, Andy reports a record number of families have decided to participate in this effort.
Kol Hakavod to Andy and those who are participating.
In part because of our Pledge 25 effort, Andy reports a record number of families have decided to participate in this effort.
Kol Hakavod to Andy and those who are participating.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Paula is the Best!
The smell of baking challah was only outdone by the aroma of chocolate babka at Paula Shoyer's class on Jewish baking. We all knew that she was a wonderful baker, but we didn't all know what a wonderful teacher she is! Her enthusiasm was wonderful, and we all enjoyed our "hands-on" participation. We are all eagerly awaiting the publication of her forthcoming book. What a great addition to Pledge 25.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Dvar Torah Shabbat Vayera: Hachnasat Orchim Begins at Home
The following is an excerpt of a d'var Torah presented by Ohr Kodesh Board member Ellen Elow-Mintz. Consider fulfilling some of your Pledge 25 hours by extending hospitality to fellow congregants and guests.
Long before Sinai and the handing down of the commandments, Parshat Vayera lays out two fundamental mitzvot that help define g’milut hasidim, acts of lovingkindness, and God’s day-in-day out expectations of the Jewish people. God appears as Avraham is recovering from his circumcision, modeling for us the importance of bikkur holim, visiting the sick. In the midst of this visit, Avraham notices the approach of three men and redirects his attention from God to welcome and attend to these visitors. Rather than taking Avraham to task for looking away from God, the rabbis teach that hospitality to others, hachnasat orchim, is greater than welcoming the Divine Presence. In welcoming strangers we are doing God’s will and if we were to focus solely on God we would be ignoring those in need. In the context of a synagogue community, hachnasat orchim should mean more than recognizing and welcoming those who are visiting from the outside. Despite sitting in the same “Shabbat neighborhood” each week, we often have forgotten or never learned the names of our neighbors. Please take a moment and look around your neighborhood and identify one or two people whose names you may have forgotten. During kiddush, please make a point to go up and ask his or her name and provide yours.
Long before Sinai and the handing down of the commandments, Parshat Vayera lays out two fundamental mitzvot that help define g’milut hasidim, acts of lovingkindness, and God’s day-in-day out expectations of the Jewish people. God appears as Avraham is recovering from his circumcision, modeling for us the importance of bikkur holim, visiting the sick. In the midst of this visit, Avraham notices the approach of three men and redirects his attention from God to welcome and attend to these visitors. Rather than taking Avraham to task for looking away from God, the rabbis teach that hospitality to others, hachnasat orchim, is greater than welcoming the Divine Presence. In welcoming strangers we are doing God’s will and if we were to focus solely on God we would be ignoring those in need. In the context of a synagogue community, hachnasat orchim should mean more than recognizing and welcoming those who are visiting from the outside. Despite sitting in the same “Shabbat neighborhood” each week, we often have forgotten or never learned the names of our neighbors. Please take a moment and look around your neighborhood and identify one or two people whose names you may have forgotten. During kiddush, please make a point to go up and ask his or her name and provide yours.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Food Drive a great success!
Last week’s food drive at Whole Foods to support the Neighbors In Need Montgomery Fund resulted in a donation of $18,317 to the Fund, which is being matched, dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor. Additionally, shoppers donated over 2,600 pounds of food to the Manna Food Center and Shepherd’s Table that day. And furthermore, thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm, many shoppers went home and made online donations to support the cause, totaling almost $800.
Mazal tov to the Ohr Kodesh volunteers who participated in the activity.
Mazal tov to the Ohr Kodesh volunteers who participated in the activity.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
300 Families Already Participating - Are You Next?
We're pleased to report that almost 300 families handed in the Pledge 25 cards at High Holiday Services, and that more have indicated that they will be joining the effort to honor Rabbi Fishman this year.
If you plan on participating in any events or activities, please let us know at pledge25@ohrkodesh.org
Here is information about upcoming events:
"Mini Courses"
The Sh'ma
Every Tuesday evening in October with Rabbi Fishman after the evening minyan.
Why Practice Judaism?
Thought from the Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval and Modern Ages. In this course, we will address some of the central questions that each of us faces as a Jew in the modern world: What are our motivations
for participating in Jewish observance and Jewish life? What beliefs underlie our actions? How have these ideas evolved over time? We will explore texts from the ancient period through today, including founding thinkers from several modern denominations, and use them as a basis for discussing our own viewpoints.
Leader: Michael Kay
Sessions: Two one-hour sessions Thursdays, immediately after
minyan
Dates: October 15 & 22
You Can Write and Deliver a D’var Torah
Dates: Tuesdays, October 20 and 27
Two one-hour sessions immediately after 8 pm minyan
Leader: Gary Simms
Writing a d’var torah is really not difficult once you learn some of the basic research tools. In addition to some suggestions about sources and methods, the class will be doing some text study which will be lots of fun. Participants will be encouraged (but not required!) to share their work with other members of the congregation through blog postings or in person. Teenagers are welcome.
“Social Action Opportunities”
Wednesday, October 21: Shop for food, give to your Montgomery County neighbors in need. On Wednesday, October 21 between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Whole Foods (Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville and Kentlands) will donate 5% of all purchases to the Neighbors in Need Montgomery Fund, which helps nonprofits deliver critical emergency services. Your 5% donation will be matched $1 for $1. We are also encouraging all shoppers to purchase recommended food items to be donated to Manna and Shepherd’s Table to feed hungry families. Volunteers will be on-site to help you with purchases! If you would like to volunteer to help at one of the stores, please contact Gary Simms at garydsimms@comcast.net immediately.
Sunday, October 25 - Community Service Day The Montgomery County Volunteer Center has invited the community to participate in this very important event. How can you help? Join other Ohr Kodesh members who will be participating. This year, the Community Service Day is part of President Obama’s “United We Serve” national campaign. To participate with Ohr Kodesh, contact Gary Simms, at garydsimms@comcast.net.
JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) seeks Volunteers for its Thrift Shop, Bombé Chest, in Northwest DC.
Bombé Chest is a totally volunteer-run shop located across from the Woodley Park Metro station at 2629 Connecticut Avenue, NW. The shop sells donated items including: paintings, crystal, glassware, china, silver, mirrors and other collectibles. People with an interest in antiques, as well as those who would like to learn, are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. The shop is looking for extra help, preferably but not limited to Fridays. New volunteers are asked to make a weekly time commitment. The proceeds from Bombé Chest go directly to subsidize JSSA’s services for individuals and families in greatest need. For further information or to volunteer, call Diane Hays-Earp, 301-816-2639.
If you plan on participating in any events or activities, please let us know at pledge25@ohrkodesh.org
Here is information about upcoming events:
"Mini Courses"
The Sh'ma
Every Tuesday evening in October with Rabbi Fishman after the evening minyan.
Why Practice Judaism?
Thought from the Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval and Modern Ages. In this course, we will address some of the central questions that each of us faces as a Jew in the modern world: What are our motivations
for participating in Jewish observance and Jewish life? What beliefs underlie our actions? How have these ideas evolved over time? We will explore texts from the ancient period through today, including founding thinkers from several modern denominations, and use them as a basis for discussing our own viewpoints.
Leader: Michael Kay
Sessions: Two one-hour sessions Thursdays, immediately after
minyan
Dates: October 15 & 22
You Can Write and Deliver a D’var Torah
Dates: Tuesdays, October 20 and 27
Two one-hour sessions immediately after 8 pm minyan
Leader: Gary Simms
Writing a d’var torah is really not difficult once you learn some of the basic research tools. In addition to some suggestions about sources and methods, the class will be doing some text study which will be lots of fun. Participants will be encouraged (but not required!) to share their work with other members of the congregation through blog postings or in person. Teenagers are welcome.
“Social Action Opportunities”
Wednesday, October 21: Shop for food, give to your Montgomery County neighbors in need. On Wednesday, October 21 between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Whole Foods (Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville and Kentlands) will donate 5% of all purchases to the Neighbors in Need Montgomery Fund, which helps nonprofits deliver critical emergency services. Your 5% donation will be matched $1 for $1. We are also encouraging all shoppers to purchase recommended food items to be donated to Manna and Shepherd’s Table to feed hungry families. Volunteers will be on-site to help you with purchases! If you would like to volunteer to help at one of the stores, please contact Gary Simms at garydsimms@comcast.net immediately.
Sunday, October 25 - Community Service Day The Montgomery County Volunteer Center has invited the community to participate in this very important event. How can you help? Join other Ohr Kodesh members who will be participating. This year, the Community Service Day is part of President Obama’s “United We Serve” national campaign. To participate with Ohr Kodesh, contact Gary Simms, at garydsimms@comcast.net.
JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) seeks Volunteers for its Thrift Shop, Bombé Chest, in Northwest DC.
Bombé Chest is a totally volunteer-run shop located across from the Woodley Park Metro station at 2629 Connecticut Avenue, NW. The shop sells donated items including: paintings, crystal, glassware, china, silver, mirrors and other collectibles. People with an interest in antiques, as well as those who would like to learn, are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. The shop is looking for extra help, preferably but not limited to Fridays. New volunteers are asked to make a weekly time commitment. The proceeds from Bombé Chest go directly to subsidize JSSA’s services for individuals and families in greatest need. For further information or to volunteer, call Diane Hays-Earp, 301-816-2639.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pledge 25 Off to a Fast Start
Below are remarks about Pledge 25 that were delivered at this year's Rosh Hashanah services by Brian Israel.
Rosh Hashanah 5770 Brian D. Israel In the ancient text Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers, the High Priests of the Second Temple period share with us short sayings that express important views about Jewish living and life in general. These proverbs provide a rich collection of delicious philosophical nuggets which can guide us through so many aspects of our lives. Today I wish to focus on a famous saying from the first chapter of Perkei Avot. In this section, we learn from Shimon the Righteous that the world rests on three things: on Torah, Service to God and Acts of Loving-kindness. It is commonly understood that Torah refers to study, service to God refers to prayer, and acts of loving-kindness refers to the perfection of creation through generosity and loving acts extended to others. Thus we have, from Rabbi Shimon, a three legged stool. Sitting atop this stool will not solve the mysteries of the universe, but it provides a stable perch from which we can approach God and peer further over the horizon of daily life. And this three-legged stool also forms the foundation of our community. Our Ohr Kodesh mission statement explicitly references, as the objective of our institution, to pray, to study and perform acts of kindness together as a Jewish community. In so many ways Ohr Kodesh achieves its mission. We are a community of warmth and caring, service to others, where all are welcome, and where love of Torah is embraced, encouraged and enabled. We are a place where the ladder of Jewish learning and prayer extends infinitely. There is no limit to how high you can climb. And yet, it does not matter where you are on that ladder. Ohr Kodesh is not a place of judgment. Where-ever you may be on that ladder, you belong here. Whether you have been a member for 6 days or 6 decades, the goal of this synagogue is to provide a place where each of us can develop and grow our own expression of Judaism, our own unique blend of learning, of prayer and acts of loving-kindness.
Rosh Hashanah 5770 Brian D. Israel In the ancient text Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers, the High Priests of the Second Temple period share with us short sayings that express important views about Jewish living and life in general. These proverbs provide a rich collection of delicious philosophical nuggets which can guide us through so many aspects of our lives. Today I wish to focus on a famous saying from the first chapter of Perkei Avot. In this section, we learn from Shimon the Righteous that the world rests on three things: on Torah, Service to God and Acts of Loving-kindness. It is commonly understood that Torah refers to study, service to God refers to prayer, and acts of loving-kindness refers to the perfection of creation through generosity and loving acts extended to others. Thus we have, from Rabbi Shimon, a three legged stool. Sitting atop this stool will not solve the mysteries of the universe, but it provides a stable perch from which we can approach God and peer further over the horizon of daily life. And this three-legged stool also forms the foundation of our community. Our Ohr Kodesh mission statement explicitly references, as the objective of our institution, to pray, to study and perform acts of kindness together as a Jewish community. In so many ways Ohr Kodesh achieves its mission. We are a community of warmth and caring, service to others, where all are welcome, and where love of Torah is embraced, encouraged and enabled. We are a place where the ladder of Jewish learning and prayer extends infinitely. There is no limit to how high you can climb. And yet, it does not matter where you are on that ladder. Ohr Kodesh is not a place of judgment. Where-ever you may be on that ladder, you belong here. Whether you have been a member for 6 days or 6 decades, the goal of this synagogue is to provide a place where each of us can develop and grow our own expression of Judaism, our own unique blend of learning, of prayer and acts of loving-kindness.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Welcome to the Pledge 25 Ohr Kodesh Blog
We want to give you a hearty Shalom to the Pledge 25 Ohr Kodesh Blog. if you managed to find us, you probably have some notion what it's all about. But to clarify:
Pledge 25 is an effort of Ohr Kodesh Congregation (Chevy Chase, MD) to honor our spiritual leader, teacher and friend, Rabbi Lyle Fishman, upon the celebration of his 25 years of service to our congregation.
While some suggested that we celebrate in a traditional manner (a fund drive, a gala celebratory dinner, etc.), we've instead decided on a different kind of tribute - one which challenges each and every individual in the Ohr Kodesh Community to undertake their own efforts to mirror the attributes which Rabbi Fishman has brought to us: Prayer, Study, and Acts of Lovingkindess.
We've asked each member - men, women, old and young - to pledge that over the next year, they will engage in 25 hours of activity among these three areas to honor Rabbi Fishman's 25 years of service. We are looking for 25 ADDITIONAL hours of activity beyond what you would otherwise do.
In coming weeks, we'll be putting together a list of activities within each category which will be of interest to all. The big kick-off for the program will be during the High Holy Days.
The purpose of this blog is to provide everyone with information - but also to ask members to share through this blog activities in which they are already engaged, and which might be of interest to others. For example, if your family makes sandwiches for a local institution one Sunday a month, use this blog to let others know about it - perhaps they'll join you! If you'd like to organize a neighborhood Shabbat dinner or lunch, perhaps you can get ideas from others in this blog. Or if you are looking for information about our new upcoming "mini-courses," this is the spot to learn more.
Abby and Gary Simms are chairing this effort, and could use all of the help you might be able to offer. You can contact them (off-blog) at garydsimms@comcast.net or abbypsimms@comcast.net.
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