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After much deliberation, and in response to guidance from the CDC and the State of Georgia, on Tuesday, March 12th, we decided to temporarily close Or VeShalom to the public effective immediately until further notice. This was a very difficult decision but ultimately we think the right one. Issues of Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life) are at stake, and when it comes to Pikuach Nefesh even with a doubt we must act stringently. Unfortunately, we are in the position of joining many synagogues across the country who have made the difficult decision to close in the fight to contain COVID-19.  

Note that our temporary closure will necessitate postponement of our upcoming “Jews of Rhodes” exhibit originally scheduled for Sunday, March 29th (those already registered will be contacted directly).  Above all else, we encourage you to make choices that are in your families' best interests and stay safe. As the essence of Congregation Or VeShalom, you are all our top priority.
 
Even as our “social distancing” increases, our “social caring” should become closer. In such a limiting situation as this one, it is easy to become downtrodden and feel powerless, but there is plenty we can do. We can and should stay in touch with parents, children, friends, and neighbors. With so many of us being cousins (figuratively and literally), it is truly our responsibility and obligation to be our brother, sister, grandparents, and fortunately in many cases, great-grandparents' keepers. Call, say hello, and see how you can help. We are all in this together and we need to draw on the strength of communal solidarity, friendship, and concern. If you have questions about any upcoming lifecycle events (like a bris, saying Kaddish for a Meldado, death in the family, etc.), please reach out to our Executive Director, Adam Kofinas on his cell at 917-494-9688.

To fill the void that is usually filled with Shabbat services, weekday card games and Bureka Tuesdays, please see the virtual events featured in the eblast sent out March 19th and pay attention to our Facebook page as we share additional ways for our community to gather virtually and be spiritually together even though for now we must be physically apart. 

May the almighty bring healing to all who are ill; may all of us be blessed with good health and happiness, for ourselves and our loved ones. Amen.

-Semon Akbashev, Board President
-Adam Kofinas, Executive Director.

As an outcome of the 2017 annual meeting, the OVS board launched a formal initiative to better understand the needs of our Keilah, the results of which were presented at the 2018 annual meeting on Sunday, December 9th, OVS members can see results of the report by logging in to their account on this site and then clicking on this link.

Thank you to those who have answered the call to donate to the OVS Security Fund. If you have not already, please click here to make your pledge. With your help, we will continue to improve our building to ensure the safety of our community.

When Luis  Portero, an attorney licensed to practice in Spain and served as counsel for the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain during the parliamentary process of approval of the Law on granting the Spanish citizenship to Sephardim, presented at OVS last spring, he discussed the process of getting the law enacted, of which he was a major contributor, and presented on the steps involved in applying  for Spanish Citizenship through this program. A copy of his presentation, including a detailed walkthrough of the process, can be found here.

Or VeShalom is proud to be a guide for you through this process. Note that the program ends on October 1, 2019, so get started today. To find out more and begin the process, click here.