Announcements

Monday, September 14, 2009

Preschool at TOS Wins Best Preschool in the ‘Burgh!

According to the readers of Parents Connect, and GoCityKids, the Preschool at Temple Ohav Shalom has been voted #1 preschool in Pittsburgh! See the glowing reviews here!

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

New times for Sunday School and Hebrew School!

It’s that time of year again! Sunday School begins this Sunday, September 13, at 9:30 AM, and Hebrew School commences Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5:30 PM. Note that this is a NEW time for Sunday School this year.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is coming to Temple Ohav Shalom!!! Yes, Finally!!!!!

Melton is a two year adult education program devised by a team of scholars and educators at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  It provides the opportunity for adults to achieve basic Jewish literacy in two years.  Learners are introduced to a broad spectrum of Jewish knowledge through an integrated, sequential course of study in a pluralistic and non denominational approach.

1st year classes:

- Purposes of Jewish Living- Essential Jewish concepts and ideas as they unfold in the bible and other sacred texts.

- Rhythms of Jewish Living- Central ideas which mold the traditional patterns of life cycles, holidays and practices which define and shape a Jewish life.

Tuition:

- Ohav Members:  $350 for 30 classes (partially subsidized by Ohav Shalom)
- Non members:  $525

A $125 deposit is necessary to reserve your spot. The remainder can be paid throughout the year.

Class begins Sept. 23rd

To register, Click here to print the Registration Form and send to TOS, or contact Amy Karp at 412.521.1101 or l.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

LLC Members honored

This past Sunday, two member of our Lifelong Learning faculty, Deb Cohen, our Kindergarten (Gan Yeladim) teacher, and our Marci Barnes, Lifelong Learning Director, were honored by the Agency for Jewish Learning in two separate but important communal programs.

Deb was recognized as one of the greater Pittsburgh Jewish community’s “Unsung Heroes” for her tremendous dedication to our youngest religious school students.  Each Sunday during the school year, Deb has offered a welcoming and warm classroom for these students as they continue their Jewish education after attending our pre-school.  Simply, Deb is a magician in the classroom because if you see her students at the beginning of the year and then watch them come the Spring you will be amazed about how confidant and comfortable they already feel about their connection of Judaism and our community.  Thank you Deb for all you do for our temple family and for the Jewish people each Sunday!

Also, last Sunday, Marci Barnes, was honored by the AJL for her efforts to enhance our programming for our Special Needs students.  Marci with the help of our faculty members, especially Cathy Filson, and dedicated parents, has worked during this past year to ensure that all of students have an opportunity to experience a quality Jewish education.  Thank you, Marci for these efforts.  And thank you for all that you began to accomplish this past year. Sadly, because of our difficult financial situation, Marci, as you already have learned, will not be with us next year.  We will miss you and I know, that I speak for our congregation in wishing you only the best in the coming year.

And this week we will also say thank you to Elliot Frank who has served our community as Executive Director for the past year and a half.  Elliot has worn many hats around the temple – treasurer, construction manager, administrator/executive director – and we are grateful for his dedication to the temple.  And we wish him well in his future endeavors.

We like many, many small and medium size congregations around the country are facing very real financial difficulties because of the current state of our nation’s economy and our past deficit budgets.  Our president, Ralph Karsh, and members of the temple’s executive board, are currently preparing a detailed letter explaining our particular situation. This letter will be forthcoming soon, and I urge you to join us for a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 28th at 9:30 AM as we seek to move forward in the coming months towards a more secure fiscal future.

B’shalom,

Rabbi Art Donsky

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Video! Rabbi Art Jams at the Purim Play

Everyone knows Rabbi Art plays a mean guitar. Those who attended this year’s Purim Play, Schmaltz...A Greased Purim were treated to a solo that would have made Chuck Berry smile. Check out the video below.

And did you know the entire night’s event is available on DVD? We are selling the DVDs, complete with high quality video editing on professionally-printed discs, for $18 each as a fundraiser to the temple. For more information, contact Ken Eisner or Mike Daninhirsch.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Introduction to Judaism Class

Pittsburgh Area Introduction to Judaism Class

If you enjoy being a part of our Temple community, but were not born Jewish nor converted, this might be a wonderful opportunity for you to explore your relationship with Judaism. If you have begun studying Judaism thinking that this might be the beginning of a journey towards conversion, this might be a wonderful opportunity for you to explore your relationship with Judaism.

This class is for adult learners interested in exploring Judaism. It may be particularly valuable for interfaith couples and those considering conversion or are in the process of conversion. Introduction to Judaism is a hands-on course that teaches beginners about the basics of Jewish history, thought and practice. The class runs 23 weeks and presents a mix of study, discussion and practical experiences designed for all interested in exploring a Jewish life for themselves--interfaith couples and/or non-Jews considering conversion.

Taught by several Reform Rabbis form the Greater Pittsburgh area, Introduction to Judaism could be right for you. Completion of the course is only one part of the journey to Judaism for those who are considering conversion. Please speak with your Rabbi about registration.

Every participant must be sponsored by a local Rabbi.

Classes are held on Thursdays at 7-9 PM at Rodef Shalom Congregation beginning on May 7, 2009 and continuing through October.

Travel plans should not stop you from registering for the class.

A book fee will enable you to begin building a Jewish library that you will use during the class and beyond.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Start a New Tradition at TOS

From Marci Barnes, our Director of Lifelong Learning

This past Friday night, my husband and I “had Shabbat” with our 3- year-old son.  After he was in bed, we put in a VCR tape of an old favorite movie of ours.  From the first notes of the first act, right up until the very end several hours later, Fiddler on the Roof, is still one of our favorite holiday traditions.  It was hearing the opening number again, “Tradition”, that made me realize that watching this movie to get a break from all of the crass commercialization of the December holidays has actually become a tradition in my family. 

One of the most amazing things that I have discovered since coming to work at Temple Ohav Shalom is how dedicated this congregation is to Judaism and its traditions.  A majority of members here come from families with multiple religious backgrounds where parents have intermarried or converted or both.  And whether or not you also celebrate other religions at home, week after week and year after year, you come to Temple Ohav Shalom to pray, to learn and to celebrate Judaism.

This Sunday, I invite all of you to join the teachers and students in our school as we celebrate Chanukah beginning at 11am in the Social Hall. (See information below for details.) We will say the blessings for the 1st night, sing songs, play games, share presents, and, of course, eat.  Continue a family tradition or start a new one this Chanukah!

Reminder:  There will be no school on Tuesday, December 23rd, Sunday, December 28th or Tuesday, December 30th.  School resumes on Sunday, January 4, 2009.  Our next Family Shabbat Dinner, featuring Kitah Daled, the 4th Grade, is on Friday night, January 9th.  This is a different date than was advertised previously this year.

Marci K. Barnes
Director of Lifelong Learning

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Night At The Races is Back!

EVENT: Saturday April 18, 2009

PLANNING MEETING: Sunday, December 7 at 11:30am in the Multi-Purpose room

TO HELP OUT: Contact Amy Covell

We’ve started planning our spring fundraiser!  “Back By Popular Demand” the Temple will be hosting a ‘Nite at the Races and A Silent Auction’ on Saturday April 18, 2009.  We have a lot to do to ensure this evening is a huge success!  Our goal is to meet and even exceed the high expectations of those who attended in the past.  It’s a hard act to follow!  As a result, we’ll be looking for many volunteers to help pull this off.  Therefore, a planning meeting will be held on Sunday, December 7 at 11:30am in the Multi-Purpose room. 

We have lots of volunteer opportunities available so please consider joining this very important effort. Special thanks to those who have already signed up.  Remember this is our big fundraiser for the year and we need your participation!

The subcommittees needing committee members are listed below:

Start-Up Committee:  Responsibilities include advertising, invitations, RSVPs and selling horses.

Fundraising Committee:  Responsibilities include obtaining and tracking race sponsorships, prizes and donations.

Set Up/Clean Up Committee:  Responsibilities include room set-up, decorations, and clean-up.

Kitchen Committee: Responsibilities include organizing appetizers and the caterers.

If you have any questions, concerns or want to sign up, please contact me at 724-772-8117 or

Thanks in advance for your participation.  TOGETHER LET’S MAKE THIS THE BEST FUNDRAISER EVER!!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Join the Men’s Club Mailing List

JOIN THE MEN’S CLUB MAILING LIST

Our website has a new mailing list feature that allows us to create opt-in mailing lists to which certain people can send messages. We will use this to make announcements or coordinate events.

To get things started, we are announcing the creation of a mailing list for the Temple Men’s Club. If you are an active member of the temple and would like to receive news about upcoming Men’s Club happenings, please sign up. It is free to be on the mailing list, but you must be registered as a user on the website.

To sign up for the list, log into this site and browse to Adult Organizations. Under Men’s Club there’s a link to join the mailing list. Sign yourself up. You should get a confirming email, which you must respond to immediately in order to be activated.

Messages sent to the Men’s Cub list will include an opt-out link if at any time you want yourself removed from the list.

If at any time you experience difficulty with the signup process, please contact our Webmaster. 

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Upcoming Events

Women of Ohav Shalom Tailgate Party!
October 19th 1:00PM at Elaine Bergstrom’s house. Please RSVP to .

Ohav Youth Group Hayride
Our next big event is hayride, bonfire and Havdalah scheduled for Saturday, October 18th 6:30 P.M. at Reilly’s Summer Seat Farm.  During Sunday School, in many of the classes we asked the kids whether they would be interested in attending. The response was an overwhelming yes.  The cost is $5 per child and $10 for adults.  There are only 70 spots.  Therefore, please sign up immediately or you may be “left out in the cold”, literally.  If you have questions, please contact .

UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, October 17th 7:30PM Rock Shabbat!
Saturday, October 18th 6:30Pm Youth Hay Ride-O’Reily’s Farm
Wednesday, Oct. 22th TOS 101 10:00AM & 7:00PM
Sunday, Oct. 26th Blood Drive 8:30-1:30PM
Sunday, Oct. 26th 1:00-4:00PM Mah Jongg
Monday, October 27th TOS Board Meeting 7:00PM Social Hall
Wednesday, Oct. 29th TOS 101 10:00AM & 7:00PM
Wednesday, October 29th Preschool Open House 7:00PM
Saturday, November 8th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat
Saturday, November 8th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Thursday, November 13th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee

2009
Thursday, January 15th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, January 24th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Thursday, March 5th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, April 25th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat


Schedule of Worship Services for October

Parashat Ha’Azinu
Friday, October 10 --- 11 Tishrei, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Sandy Berkowitz
Saturday, October 11 --- 12 Tishrei, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky

Parashat Hol Hamoed Sukkot
Friday, October 17 --- 18 Tishrei, 5769
6:15pm Tot Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern
Saturday, October 18 --- 19 Tishrei, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Karsh
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern

Parashat Bereshit
Friday, October 24---25 Tishrei, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Marshal Auron
Saturday, October 25 --- 26 Tishrei, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Chad Feldman
Rabbi Donsky & Bill Lowenberger

Parashat Noach
Friday, October 31 ---2 Heshvan, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Almost time for the High Holidays!

Though it feels like summer has only just begun, believe it or not the High holidays are almost upon us. As the Days of Awe approach, we will be updating our high Holidays page with a multitude of details including schedules, ticket and parking information, and special events. Before you email Elliot, check the website!

Click here to go to the High Holidays page.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Interested in leading Friday Night Services?

Leading Kabbalat Shabbat Services: An Open Invitation!
Tuesday, June 10th from 7 PM until 8:15 PM

Rabbi Donsky will offer an interactive learning experience for those interested in leading Friday evening services.  Whether you are a potential newcomer or have some past experience, this is a wonderful learning opportunity. We will explore the fundamentals of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. CDs will be available containing the basic melodies that we sing each week at the temple. 

Please RSVP with Alaine Smith in the Lifelong Learning office.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

1st Friday Dinner and Service 6/6

LAST 1st Friday Dinner and Early Service Before the Summer!!!

PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL ALAINE as soon as possible if you are planning on attending!

Friday, June 6th beginning with dinner at 6:15 PM and Kabbalat (Welcoming) Shabbat at 7:00 PM we will gather to enjoying a great meal, wonderful friendships and a rockin’ Shabbat.  Tifani Katof and Rabbi Art along with some of our teens (we have lots of talented young people, don’t we!) promise to engage us in a spirited, uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat celebration.  Because this is an add-on meal, we need to know who is planning on attending so we can order enough food.  Please RSVP to Alaine Smith – Our new website is not yet operational for RSVP’s.  PLEASE BRING A CHECK IF YOU HAVE NOT PRE-PAID. PLEASE BRING A SIDE DISH OR DESSERT for 6 TO PASS.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

1st Friday Shabbat Service Fri 6/6

One More 1st Friday Dinner and Early Service Before the Summer!!!

The response to our 1st Friday Dinners and 7 PM Shabbat services has been overwhelming this year so we are adding 1 more!!!! Friday, June 6th beginning with dinner at 6:15 PM and Kabbalat (Welcoming) Shabbat at 7:00 PM will gather to enjoin a great meal, wonderful friendships and a rockin’ Shabbat.  Tifani Katof and Rabbi Art along with some of our teens (we have lots of talented young people, don’t we!) promise to engage us in a spirited, uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat celebration. 

Please RSVP to .

Our new website is not yet operational for RSVP’s.  PLEASE BRING A CHECK IF YOU HAVE NOT PRE-PAID.

Link to Google Calendar entry

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Temple News RSS Feeds

You can have the latest news and announcements from Temple Ohav Shalom delivered straight to you, rather than having to check the Temple site regularly. Consider using an RSS reader. For an RSS feed of the Temple News, click here or go to the “Syndicate” section on the right side of the news area.. If you have no idea what RSS is or how to use it, check out the video below, which explains RSS in plain English.