Message from Rabbi Kieval

Each Shabbat I have the privilege to stand on the bimah as gabbai  while the weekly portion is read.  Every week as I do so, I am aware that the portion is being read from our new scroll for the first time.  We are actually creating a shehecheyanu moment each week!  

Our community's wonderful Torah Writing campaign will continue to bear fruit in another way as well.  With the addition of our new scroll, Ohav Shalom has been given an opportunity to perform an additional great mitzvah.  With the endorsement of the Religious Life Committee and Board of Trustees, we will be donating one of our older scrolls to a small Israeli congregation in the town of Rishon l'Tziyon.   Kehillat Ohel Avraham and Sarah, a congregation of about 100 member families, is affiliated with the Masorti movement, the Israeli arm of the Conservative movement..  The community is in urgent need of a Torah scroll, information which was conveyed to us by our sofer, Rabbi Surazski.   While the scroll we will donate is in need of some repair in order to become kosher for ritual use, the community has assured us that they have the funds to carry out these repairs. 

In mid-April I will personally carry our scroll overseas to Israel, where I will present it to representatives of the Masorti movement and to the designated congregation.  Our fellow Jews in Rishon L'Tziyon are extremely grateful and excited to accept this gift,  which will add so much kedushah  to their services and their community.   I look forward to sharing a report and photos when I return. 

Please note that on the morning of March 30, Shabbat Chol Ha'Moed Pesach, we will conduct a brief "Hotsa'at HaTorah" ceremony as our congregation bids farewell to our sefer Torah. The ceremony will take place during Shabbat services.   

Yasher koach to our congregation for making it possible for us to perform this important mitzvah for a fellow community in Israel.  

You are warmly invited to an evening of healing chant with Lynna Schaefer. Using language from our liturgy and sacred texts, we'll dive deep into meditative chants in Hebrew and English; healing, refining and uplifting our souls. No musical talent or Hebrew knowledge required.

JOIN Us in this EASY way to support our YOUTH! PLEASE... consider donating to this easy and wonderful Fundraiser from LEV/RUACH USY Funds raised help supports scholarships for USYers to attend summer programs.. as well as going towards worthy tzedakah organizations.... Thanks in advance for your generous donation!! LEV/RUACH TZAFON USY

Though taxes are a part of life, We know they make you cry.

We found a solution to tax season strife, Well, at least we gave it a try. Tally your assets, deductions, and their rate. Calculate how much you owe. This is a tax that no-one can hate, Because to Tikun Olam Charity it willl go. We hope this will be fun for you, And you willl gladly pay our fee Send back this paper with a check,

For this tax on your dearest property.

  

Thank you very much for your donation!! The money we raise will go towards scholarships, programs and international organizations in need through TIKUN OLAM, USY's international Tzedakah organization.

PLEASE SEND DONATIONS, preferably by APRIL 15th TO:

LEV/RUACH TZAFON USY113 New Krumkill Road, Albany, NY 12208

  

  

HAZAK is Ohav's 55+ group that is part of the International HAZAK network of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.  Since being formed in October, our HAZAK chapter has taken on the revitalization of our synagogue library, with the long-range goal of turning it into a thriving center for Jewish education and knowledge. 

Please join us on Sunday, May 5 for a tour of the  Mordecai Kosover Collection of Judaica materials from 1545-1850 in the University at Albany M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives. We will be led by Sharona Wachs, Judaic Studies Bibliographer, at the University libraries.  We will meet at 1:15 in the Ohav parking lot.  Please let Helene know if you can help with carpooling to the university.  The program begins at 2 PM.

  

Project Nehemiah

For many years, some generous Ohav Shalom members have been participating quietly in a fund raising effort for the synagogue called Project Nehemiah.  This program was named for the religious leader who, in the 5^th century B.C.E, rebuilt the moral, spiritual and physical infrastructure of the Jewish community in the land of Israel.

 

Project Nehemiah is a voluntary program of giving beyond standard annual congregational dues.  Since annual dues account for less than 50% of the funds necessary to sustain our synagogue on an annual basis, Project Nehemiah is a way to bridge that gap and ensure that the programs and services we count on continue to be available and of the highest quality.

 

Three levels of one-year pledges are available: 

Supporting member:   $500 above dues

Sustaining member:    $750 above dues

Guardian member:      $1,000 above dues

 

Project Nehemiah is one way to assist in building the moral, spiritual and physical infrastructure of Congregation Ohav Shalom.  If you are interested, please contact President Libby Post at lpost@commservices.net or by phone at 857-6788.