eWeekly: March 11, 2009

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful and joyous Purim we celebrated together – Saturday night’s very successful spoof of Grease, Sunday’s terrific Carnival and Monday’s uplifting Megillah reading.  While it’s easy to give into Purim’s zaniness, and think it’s only for children, the holiday does have a serious side.

Coming half through the year, one of the primary mitzvot (sacred obligations) of the holiday, is to “hear the Megillah.” (Others include giving Tzedaka, gifts to friends and to the poor). We are commanded, therefore, to stop and listen, to pay attention, which isn’t so easy in the midst of the chaos and noise! 

Of course, literally this instruction concerns Megillat Ester, on a symbolic level, however, we may understand this mitzvah to encourage us to ‘stop and pay extra attention’ to those around us who are most important in our lives.  Certainly this is something important and worth doing anytime of the year; half way through would be a significant time to take an accounting of how we are doing with our personal relationships (bein Adam l’haveiro) and our relationship with God (bein Adam l’Makom) since Yom Kippur, last Fall. 

Finally, here’s another reminder that this Erev Shabbat we have a second candidate for our Soloist position for next year. Michele Gray-Schaffer, one of our religious schoolteachers and weekday t’fillah leader will join me on the Bima. Please plan to celebrate Shabbat with us this Friday and let us know what you think of this candidate.

B’shalom,
Rabbi Art

PS Save the date: April 4th – 5 PM at Border’s in Northway Mall – for a special Jewish music concert:  “Tifani Katof and Friends” (See below as well as attached flyer for more details.)

JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL “TIFANI KATOF and FRIENDS”

We received a grant from the UJF of Pittsburgh to have a Jewish Music Festival. Come to Borders in the Northway Mall on Saturday, April 4th @ 5:00PM for a celebration of Jewish music with Tifani and friends. Enjoy Passover songs and Jewish musical theatre!

PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS!
It is hard to believe that summer is around the corner, and we are gearing up for Preschool Summer Camp.  We are open to children from age 2 thru 5.  The first session runs from June 8th -19th.  The second session runs from June 22nd- July 3rd.  You may sign up for one or both sessions.  Each day includes inside and outside play, crafts, stories, snack and “water day”!

If you would like more information, please contact Liz in the preschool office at or 412-369-0621.  Registration Form attached to the eWeekly

BUY YOUR CHILDREN’S ARTWORK!
The Temple Ohav Shalom Art Sale for Lifelong Learning is Sunday, April 5th from 9:00AM to 12 Noon. All proceeds go to our school!

Fundraising Baskets
A special “Thank You” to all the religious school parents who donated items for the fundraising gift baskets.  Enough items were collected from the Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade classes to create three fun-filled baskets of Webkinz, Arts and Crafts and Sports equipment auctioned off at the Purim Carnival on Sunday.  The remainder of the donations will be utilized to create baskets for the “Night at the Races” event on April 18th.  There is still time to make your donation if you haven’t done so.  Below are the recommended items we are looking for from each class; however, any donation would be greatly appreciated.  Marcie Fassler & WOS

1st Grade - Cartoons/Disney
2nd Grade - Pittsburgh
5th Grade - Pamper Me
6th Grade - Gift Cards
7th Grade - Night at the Movies
8th Grade - Italian Dinner
9th - 12th Grade - In the Kitchen

Consultation on Conscience
The Consultation on Conscience is taking place April 19-21, 2009. We have an exciting program of speakers and sessions that address a broad array of international and domestic concerns. You can learn more at http://www.rac.org/conc What do President Clinton, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Senator Russ Feingold, Vice President Al Gore, and Elie Wiesel have in common? They have all been speakers at the Consultation on Conscience, Reform Judaism’s flagship social justice conference. Join us, Reform Jewish leaders, and public policy decision makers to bring social justice insight to your community!

PITTSBURGH RACE FOR THE CURE
Join fellow TOS members and friends on Mother’s Day (May 10th) at the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure! It is a beautiful day of celebration and remembrance for those touched by breast cancer.  Your participation in the 2009 Race and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pledge Program will help provide the necessary funding for education, screening and treatment programs to fight breast cancer in our region.  Join us as we strive to end breast cancer forever. RUNNERS and WALKERS are welcome! Bring your CHILDREN… there is a 1 mile fun run/walk that you can do with your kids!

To register, or to get more information, go to http://www.pittsburghraceforthecure.org. Click on “Join an existing team” to find the Temple Ohav Shalom team.  Elana Kriess (724-452-7043)

12th ANNUAL NORTH HILLS INTERFAITH GATHERING
“Celebrating Our Diversity: Working for Change”

This event will be March 29th at TOS 3:00-5:00PM. We invite representatives from many faiths to give presentations on their traditions including:  Baha’is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews (us!) Mormons, Muslims, Quakers, Unitarian Universalists, and Zoroastrians.  It is a wonderful learning experience bringing together people of all ages who may choose to attend any three of the breakout sessions of 10-12 different religions. This is the second time it has been held at our Temple and is made possible by the addition of the newly created separate spaces for the number of religions involved. Clemmy Brodsky

DO YOUR CHILDREN LIKE TO SING?
The 12th Annual North Hills Interfaith Gathering is having a combined chorus with the youth of Temple Ohav Shalom and other North Hills youth of diverse faiths.  There is a one rehearsal immediately prior to the gathering on Sunday March 29th @ 2:00PM at Temple Ohav Shalom.

BOARD ELECTIONS
The Leadership Development/Elections Committee is in the process of preparing a slate of candidates in advance of the open-nominations period April 1-15. The position that still needs to be filled on the slate is Vice President-Fundraising for a two-year term beginning June 1 and ending May 31, 2011. Several congregants have expressed willingness to serve on the Fundraising Committee but it still needs a chairperson who will serve on the temple board of directors as VP-Fundraising. Kindly contact Elections Committee chairman Bill Lowenberger by Tuesday, March 17, at 412-367-2974 or e-mail at if you are interested in running for this position.

SAVE THE DATE – SAVE THE DATE – SAVE THE DATE – SAVE THE DATE
A Thank You Celebration for Our Cantorial Intern: Tifani Katof

Friday, May 15th at 7:30 PM, we will join together and celebrate our Cantorial Intern, Tifani Katof.  Our special guest on evening to help with the celebration will be Rabbi Mark Mahler, from Temple Emanuel of the South Hills.  Rabbi Mahler was Tifani’s rabbi growing up in Upper St. Clair.  Besides being a talented orator, Rabbi Mahler is an accomplished guitarist.  So save this date on your calendar for what will surely be a joyous Kabbalat Shabbat experience.

COLLEGE STUDENTS: CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION SUMMER PROGRAM
Abraham’s Vision is now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Vision Program from Jewish & Palestinian university students, from the US and abroad, to participate in an experiential educational trip through the former Yugoslavia. You can download the application at:  http://www.abrahamsvision.org

16th ANNUAL PITTSBURGH JEWISH ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL-North Hills
If anyone would like to attend the film in the North Hills (A Secret) on March 17th at 7:30PM at the Caermike Cranberry 8, and would like to buy tickets at the group rate, please contact Joanne Sosniak at or 412-427-3662. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 17th and at other films throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Thanks, Joanne

A Secret: http://www.ujfpittsburgh.org/page.html?ArticleID=194316

AN EVENING AT THE RACES!
Invitations went out and we’ve started selling horses for our fundraiser, “An Evening at the Races” on Tuesday’s and Sunday’s.  Don’t be left out horses are only $10.00 each and are first come, first serve!  Also sponsor a race for only $75 per race.  If anyone would like to donate a product or service for the Silent Auction (ie., golf for 4, weekend getaways, hotel overnights, sports tickets, autographed sports items, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry or any other products or services please contact Amy Covell at or (724) 772-8117.  We are in need of Silent Auction items! 

GIFT SHOP
The Gift Shop is open during Sunday School and by appointment. Contact Elaine Cohen - 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864. We have many beautiful items for all aspects of Jewish life. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill - visit us first!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, March 14th 9:30 AM B’Nai Mitzvah Workshop
Sunday, March 15th 1:00-4:00 PM Mah Jong
Friday, March 20th 6:15 PM Tot Shabbat
Sunday, March 29th 3:00PM-5:00PM 12th Annual Interfaith Gathering - Hosted at TOS-NEW DATE
Tuesday, March 31st 5:30 Pm B’nai Mitzvah Workshop—PARENT’S ONLY!
Saturday, April 4th 9:30 AM B’Nai Mitzvah Workshop
Saturday, April 18th NIGHT AT THE RACES!  TOS Social Hall
Friday, May 15th 7:30Pm Shabbat honoring Tifani Katof Guest Rabbi: Rabbi Mark Mahler

SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES FOR MARCH
Parashat Ki Tissa
Friday, March 13 - 17Adar, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Michelle Gray-Schaffer (audition)

Saturday, March 14 – 18 Adar, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Bill Lowenberger

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei
Friday, March 20 – 24 Adar, 5769
6:15 pm Tot Shabbat
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern

Saturday, March 21 – 25 Adar, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Gibbs
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof

Parashat Vayikra
Friday, March 27 – 2 Nissan, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Bobbie Harley
Saturday, March 28 – 3 Nissan, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Brett Rodgers
Rabbi Donsky & Bill Lowenberger