On Sunday, June 13, Ohr Kodesh celebrated the conclusion of the Pledge 25 in Honor of Rabbi Lyle Fishman program year. Following the morning minyan where Rosh Chodesh Tammuz was observed, Pledge 25 Program Co-Chair Gary Simms welcomed attendees to the "siyyum." Citing Pirke Avot, Gary noted that the world stands on three things: on Torah, on Prayer, and on acts of loving-kindness. He suggested that these reflect both the Pledge 25 program and the attributes of Rabbi Fishman's leadership of the congregation.
Pledge 25
Committee member Erica Raphael offered thanks and acknowledgment to the facilitators and Pledge 25 participants. More than 30 individuals served as speakers, teachers, and presenters during the course of the year's events. Two representatives spoke on behalf of the facilitators: Phil Schulman, who offered some of his signature humor, and Mickey Feinberg, who spoke of the importance of learning at each and every stage of life.
The Ohr Kodesh singers offered a delightful musical interlude.
Representing the younger generation, Jonathan Israel explained how he fulfilled his Pledge 25 responsibilities by raising more than $200 for Haiti Relief from fellow elementary school students.
Gary Simms then read portions of a letter from NIH congratulating OKC member Gerry Feldman, who donated blood platelets sufficient to help 33 individuals, all in honor of Rabbi Fishman and Pledge 25.
Gary Simms then read portions of a letter from NIH congratulating OKC member Gerry Feldman, who donated blood platelets sufficient to help 33 individuals, all in honor of Rabbi Fishman and Pledge 25.
Rabbi David Kalender of Congregation Olam Tikvah (Fairfax, VA), a chevrutah study partner with Rabbi Fishman, was the surprise guest at the morning's session, leading the congregation in a text study which demonstrated the importance of encouraging everyone to take active roles in the community.
OKC member Barbara Garlock, who also serves as the Interim Executive Director of Interfaith Works, described the support received by her organization from Pledge 25 participants. She announced a Pledge 25-sponsored school supplies drive that will be continuing for the rest of June, and asked people to drop off donations in the lobby of Ohr Kodesh and to publicize this opportunity to their friends and neighbors.Julie Herschthal, co-chair of the morning festivities, offered a commemorative presentation to Rabbi Fishman. In his own remarks, Rabbi Fishman responded with warm thanks to the committee, the participants, and to the congregation. He noted that his colleagues across the country have congratulated him for the concept. He stated that while the concept of Study, Prayer and Chesed is from the Mishna, the idea for the Pledge 25 program came from OKC President Brian Israel, who offered his own thanks to the Rabbi and to the organizing committee.
At the festive brunch which followed the presentation, members and guests enjoyed a delicious spread
Rabbi Fishman, Debra Rosenman, and Rabbi Kalender enjoy the brunch as well.
Sorry we missed it, but we offer Rabbi Fishman and Debbie, and the whole Fishman clan our warmest regards, and heartfelt congratulations on this event. We are so pleased to be part of such a special community like Ohr Kodesh!
ReplyDeleteGary Skulnik, Polina Pinchevsky along with Rachel, Celia, and Irit
Pledge 25 has been a wonderful way to honor Rabbi Fishman's 25 years at Ohr Kodesh and a great way to stimulate the membership. I enjoyed and benefited from the course in European Jewish History that I attended as well as the lecture series given in Rabbi Fishman's honor, and do hope that the activities started for Pledge 25 continue on in the future.
ReplyDeleteThere is something that I am starting, that I would have embarked on anyway, but it has been nice to think of it under the umbrella of Pledge 25. After my husband passed away a little over two years ago, I began to think of developing a social group within Ohr Kodesh for those of us who now live alone. At this time I have a nucleus of six interested people including myself and look forward to the group growing and developing into something special in the months ahead.
I would also like take this opportunity to express my best wishes to Rabbi Fishman for his next 25 years and my deep appreciation to him for all that he does for all of us on a daily basis. He was a tremendous source of support, guidance and comfort to me in my time of need, something I will always be grateful for. His next 25 years as our Rabbi should be as wonderful as the first, with the spirit of Pledge 25 continuing on into the future.
The Washington Jewish Week has run a great article about the Siyyum if you have not seen it. Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=12973&SectionID=4&SubSectionID=&S=1
Kol Hakavod to all who made this such a wonderful yearlong celebration! What a beautiful way to honor the Rabbi!
ReplyDeleteThe planning was superb. The participation was overwhelming. The benfits spread out over the whole community.
As luck would have it, the one and only sabbatical I will ever receive (won it in a university wide competition -- GMU has no sabbaticals as of right) coincided with Rabbi Fishman's 25th anniversary. It's been my loss and I've tried to compensate by going to daven with folks in 25 different shuls in the various places my travels have taken me. I haven't made my 25, but I've done a LOT more than I would ever have done without the pledge. I worshiped with Masorti and Reform congregations in Haifa four times, with Conservative New Jersey congregations five times during my Princeton stay, and will be another five times at Masorti congregations here in Paris, France. I've not been as good a shul-goer as I should be, and this has taken an effort for me that I know would come naturally to many other congregants at OK. But Rabbi Fishman, I am slowly becoming more self-sufficient, just as you hoped!
ReplyDeleteBest regards (back in July),
Michael Krauss
From Sarah Krulwich:
ReplyDeleteI took Tom Klein's Jewish European History course last fall. It was a demanding course, since the reading started out as extensive (over 100 pages the first assignment) and grew longer each week. Although we did not have to do the reading, it was pretty clear that the more we did, the more we'd get from the class...so I did the best I could.
Although the class was billed as a European History course, the geographic spread was far greater, due to the repeated expulsions experienced by European Jews. We followed their paths east and west, including settlements in what is now Central and South America and their determination to emigrate to New Amsterdam (New York), despite the objections of then-Governor Peter Stuyvesant.
When the class ended, I confess that I was glad to be relieved of the need to spend hours and hours preparing for each class. But within a few months, I was rewarded for my efforts (and grateful for Tom's hard work) when I attended a class meant to dazzle me with how much there was to learn about 16th century Jewish life in Europe and the New World (so I'd sign up for more of that organization's classes) - and realized that Tom had already taught most of the material presented that night.
While I recognize fully that there is much, much more for me to learn about Judaism and Jewish history, I think that the quality of this course is emblematic of what Ohr Kodesh's members have to offer, as well as a perfect tribute to Lyle's 25 years with us. Thank you, Tom, for teaching this class - and thank you, Lyle, for 25 years of enriching leadership.
Sarah Krulwich
I thought I would post the remarks I made at the beginning of the siyyum: Gary
ReplyDeleteGood morning. I’m Gary Simms, and I’ve had the honor of chairing the Pledge 25 in Honor of Rabbi Fishman program this year.
In Pirke Avot, Chapter 1 verse 2, Shimon Ha Tzadik is quoted:
Al shlosha d’varim ha’olam omed: al ha-torah, al-ha’avodah, v’al gimilut chasadim
The world stands on three things: Torah, worship, and acts of loving-kindness.
In one sentence, this Sage from more than 2,300 years ago describes the three aspects of the program we are celebrating today, Pledge 25 in Honor of Rabbi Fishman. Study, prayer, and acts of loving-kindness are not only three things upon which the world stands; they are also the three major aspects of Rabbi Fishman’s leadership of our congregation during the past 25 years.
In the past year, in recognition and in honor of his leadership, hundreds of members engaged in study, in prayer, and in acts of loving-kindness, over and above what they would have ordinarily done. As a result, and through Rabbi Fishman’s care and encouragement, we have become better learners, we have gained new understanding and skills in t’fillah, and our members and the wider community in which we live have benefited from our volunteer efforts in countless ways.
This morning, we model the Pledge 25 program as we celebrate our achievements. We prayed together this morning, we have participated in a drive to help the needy among us, and we will have the opportunity for study together.
The greatest impact of Pledge 25 in Honor of Rabbi Fishman has not been found in its programs and activities. Rather, the success of this effort is found in the meaningful new relationships which have been forged, in the recognition of the strength of our communal efforts, and in the striking reminder that we have, within the Ohr Kodesh family, a wealth of knowledge and skills which our members are well-disposed to share.
This morning, we’ll be hearing from some of our facilitators and participants, we’ll enjoy some music, we’ll have the opportunity of studying with our special guest, Rabbi David Kalender, and of course, we’ll be hearing from Rabbi Fishman – just before we head off to the social hall for brunch.
Before the program gets under way, I’d like to take just one moment to thank all of the members of the committee who have worked so hard during the past year, including my co-chair (and wife) Abby; Erica Raphael, Brian Israel, Shira and Trudy Jacobson, as well as Jerry Kiewe, Marc Israel and the office staff for all of their invaluable help. I’d also like to thank Julie Herschthal and who ably helped organize this morning’s festivities.