Thursday, April 16, 2009
eWeekly April 16, 2009
Dear Friends,
As Pesakh comes to a joyful conclusion (yes, I’m ready for some good Challah) we prepare for a more somber observance, that of Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year our community’s gathering will take on Sunday evening, April 19th at 7:00 PM. Shara Taylor will join me on the bima for a brief program including the chanting of the memorial prayer, El Malei Rahamim and the lighting of six Yellow Yom HaShoah Memorial Candles.
Rabbi Danny Schiff, the Agency for Jewish Learning’s Community Scholar, will be our featured speaker. Rabbi Schiff will share his thoughts about “What Would the Jewish World be like had the Holocaust not Happened?” Members of our Spiritual Enrichment Committee suggested this challenging topic. Please plan to join us for this very unique memorial program.
I also want to share with you the words of a letter that I received yesterday from the local Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills. Pat McGlone, President of their Board of Trustees wrote:
“Dear Rabbi Donsky,
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills congregation deplores the defilement of your Holocaust Memorial Garden. It is an act of hatred and prejudice, which sadly still exists despite all of our efforts to build a peaceful and just world.
UUCNH strives to impress upon our children and youth, respect for the world’s religions and the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We strive to build a church community, which addresses social injustice when it occurs. As a congregation, we value Temple Ohav Shalom as a neighbor and support your efforts to assure these acts of hatred do not go unnoticed.
Sincerely,
Pat McGlone
President
UUCNH Board of Trustees”
These friends also sent an envelope with cards and drawings from their children expressing their sadness and hurt about the Nazi swastika that was painted in our garden. (Elliot has included them below)
We should be very grateful to have such good neighbors who support us and all peoples that seek to repair our world from the hatred and prejudice that still exists.
Rabbi Art
AN EVENING AT THE RACES! Saturday, April 18th!
We are coming down the final stretch and headed for the finish line!
Win, Place or Show- Everyone is a winner when you come to our annual fundraiser!
If you find yourself with nothing to do Saturday night you can still attend “An Evening at the Races.” Just pay the same great price of $20 per person and $40 per couple at the door. Join the festivities- horse race wagering, silent auction, 50/50 drawing and the daily double. In keeping with derby tradition wear a hat. Most creative wins a Prize! All you can drink and eat appetizers, desserts, beer and wine! If anyone would like to still donate a product or service for the Silent Auction please contact Amy Covell at or (724) 772-8117. Let’s work together to make this event the best EVER!!!! See you all Saturday night at 7pm in the Social Hall.
Don’t be late - Racing starts at 8!
YOM Hashoah
This year we are observing Holocaust Memorial Day on Sunday, April 19th at 7 PM when Rabbi Danny Schiff will be our guest speaker. We are observing it a day early so that members of our community, who wish, may attend the community wide observance in the city on the following evening. Rabbi Schiff will present “What Would the Jewish World be like had the Holocaust Not Happened?” Rabbi Schiff is the Pittsburgh Community Scholar with the Agency for Jewish Learning. He is an exciting and challenging speaker! Yellow Candle Memorial Lighting and El Malei Rahamim will be included.
FROM THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
From the children in response to the swastika incident in the Memorial Gardens:
Dear Ohav Shalom Temple,
We are truly sorry about what happened in your garden. We just want you to know that we are supporting and thinking of you.
We are very sorry about the incident in your garden. We sympathize with you and just want you to know that we care and are thinking of you.
From the Church at large:
Friends at Ohav Shalom Temple,
There may be those who are against you, but we stand with you. With love, With Sympathy, In strength,
Your friends at UUCNH
TEACHER APPRECIATION & ONEG
On Friday, May 1st, your teachers and volunteers will be among the staff members being honored at Shabbat Services. Please come and bring your family to help us say “THANK YOU!” to your teachers for a job well done!!
GOOD & WELFARE
Rob Sapinkopf, new member and board member, has been appointed by the Township of Pine Board of Supervisors to the Northern Tier Regional Library Board of Trustees.
MEMBERSHIP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The Rabbi is offering a series of classes called TOS 201 – What do Jews Believe?
Classes will be held on Tuesdays, May 12, 19, and 26. Lunch-n-Learn will take place at 12 noon (bring a bag lunch) and evening classes at 7 PM. Classes are free to members and prospective members.
Tuesday, May 12th – What do Jews Believe about God?
Tuesday, May 19th – What do Jews Believe about the After Life?
Tuesday, May 26th – What do Jews Believe about being a ‘Good’ Jew?
Come to one or all three and bring your questions. Handouts will be provided. Please RSVP to Laura Flieder at or 724-449-2779.
Have a Healthy and Happy Passover.
Thanks,
Laura Flieder
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)
SUPERHEROS NEEDED!
Have you ever wanted to be a Superhero? I am sure secretly everyone in their lifetime has had this dream. Now is your chance to make it reality. Every child needs a hero, but abused children need Superheroes. Why not have that Superhero be you?! All you need to do is participate in the Superhero 5K Run/Walk
April 18, 2009 North Park: Oregon Pavillion
Registration*:8am Start time:9am
Cost:$20 prior to event or$25 event day
Proceeds benefit Parental Stress Center
*Attached is the registration form, you can also register online at
https://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1693954
Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero but not required. There will be prizes for best costumes.
Want to help, but can’t make it? Have no fear, Facebook is here! You can paste the link below and donate
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=117625&fundraiser_id=17948790&m=d1da8f61
I am one of the main organizers of this event and I appreciate your support
Erica Burg
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
Friday, April 17th 7:30 Shabbat Services
Saturday, April 18th 7:30 PM NIGHT AT THE RACES! TOS Social Hall
Sunday, April 19th 11:30AM-1:00PM Talent Show Auditions
Sunday, April 19th 7:00PM Yom Ha Shoah Observance Guest: Rabbi Danny Schiff
Friday, April 24th 6:15PM Tot Shabbat (4th Friday this month)
Sunday, April 26th 1:00PM-4:00PM Mah Jongg Social Hall
Monday, April 27th 7:30PM Board meeting Social Hall
Wednesday, April 29th Preschool Field Trip-Beechwood Farms
Friday, May 1st 6:00PM First Friday Dinner
Friday, May 1st 7:00PM First Friday Services –Teacher Appreciation Shabbat & Oneg
Friday, May 1st Talent Show right after services
Friday, May 8th 11:30Am Pre-School Mother’s Tea
Tuesday, May 12th 7:00PM What Do Jews Believe (about God?) TOS 201
Friday, May 15th 7:30PM Shabbat honoring Tifani Katof Guest Rabbi: Rabbi Mark Mahler
Tuesday, May 19th 7:00PM What Do Jews Believe (about the After Life?) TOS 201
Friday May 15th 6:15 Tot Shabbat
Thursday, May 21st Last Day of Pre-School!
Tuesday, May 26th 7:00PM What Do Jews Believe (about being a ‘Good’ Jew?) TOS 201
Friday, July 3rd All American Pre-Shabbat Barbeque
Friday, August 28th Shabbat In The Park
SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES FOR APRIL
Parashat Shemini
Friday, April 17 23 Nissan, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Gerri Greenberg
Saturday, April 18 24 Nissan, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky
Parashat Tazria-Metzora
Friday, April 24 30 Nissan, 5769
6:15pm Tot Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Pre-Teens
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Bobbie Harley
Saturday, April 25 – 1 lyar, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning
Bar Mitzvah of Caleb Kramer
Rabbi Donsky & Bill Lowenberger
