Newsletter Archives

COOKING WITH THE RABBI

Rabbi Hearshen led a cooking demonstration for the Sisterhood of one of his go-to HHD dishes: Spaghetti Squash, Mushroom, and Carmelized Onion Quajado. Check out the OVS Facebook page for the recording of it.

How do we go about making the best of the situation? We are often told by others to find the silver lining or to make lemonade from lemons. This idea is sage advice but most often it is easier said than done. 5780 has turned out to be a pretty rotten year for the majority of our world. There has been angst and sadness partnered with a real threat to our safety. I am not thankful at all for this plague. There is no good side to it. There is nothing to say “I am so thankful that this happened.” But it is important to find the hidden brachot, blessings, in our horrors. I remember earlier this year that I heard a press conference with Governor Cuomo and he mentioned that COVID-19 had unintentionally gifted him more time with his grown daughter that he never would have had as she is out of the house more than she is ever there. That got me thinking - because of COVID-19 I had the opportunity to spend time with Ayelet who refuses to stop growing up. We have spent a lot of time together that we would never have had without this forced seclusion. I also was gifted the opportunity to be with Galit for so much more time during these first months of her life that again I would never have had the opportunity to have.  In fact, for the four of us, 2020/5780 has not been a disastrous year. In fact, it has been pretty incredible in many ways. We became a family of four when we brought Galit home and we landed the job we so badly wanted. (Thank you to all of you for helping with that part of this) This does not erase the horrors of 5780. It does not make it a great year. It means that we were blessed in all of this darkness to find some light.

It is in that vein that I want to talk about this year’s holidays. Many of us have been grieving the loss of our holidays and services for the better part of the summer. We have had the hard task of coming to terms with the reality on the ground. I have been grieving along with you. I had been looking forward to my first holidays with all of you, and now here we are and they are being taken from us. But the reality is that I do not need to experience them in that fashion. I do not need to experience them as “being taken from us.” There is another side to examine. We have been faced with adversity and we have put together, to the best of our abilities, a way to connect even in this tough situation. It has forced us to get our creative juices going. It has forced us to find ways to make the old new and relevant. It has forced us to work harder to make the most of this experience. I am a firm believer that nothing easy is worth it. I am a firm believer that the harder we work, the more value we find in what we have produced or accomplished. So now is the time to end our grieving for the holidays that are not this year and instead begin to prepare for and celebrate the holidays that are. The Jewish holidays happen every year whether we are prepared or not. Let’s embrace the unknown. Find a way to make the best of the situation and celebrate all that we have together from a distance and thus preserve the opportunity to celebrate together in the near future in person.

​​​​​​Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh Hearshen​​​

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Week Ahead

Shabbat Dinner Under the Stars 
Friday, September 4, 2020
Friday September 4th, 6 PM - 8 PM
Registration includes attending Friday night "drive-in" services.
Theme for September 4th: Moroccan cuisine prepared by Chef Alex

Registration is now closed, but please join on Zoom for services on September 4th.

6 PM Virtual Friday Night Service via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting password:  Bureka1914
Meeting ID:  678 255 278

7:40 PM Candlelighting

Shabbat, September 5th 

(Elul 16) Parshat Ki Tavo

8:46 AM Shabbat in the Lot at

Or VeShalom

Program lasts about an hour and a half (Outside in the OVS Parking Lot).

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.
SEATS ARE LIMITED.

Click here for the full reopening plan.
   Go here to register for this Shabbat September 5th.

SATURDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 5th
9 PM Join us for a Zoom Havdalah service
Please click here to join everyone.
Meeting Password:  Bureka1914

​​​​​​Tuesday, September 8th (Elul 19)
11 AM OVS Virtual Weekly Sisterhood Check-in 
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 440 191 219 
Meeting Password:  Bureka1914

Wednesday Zoom Hebrew Class with Rabbi Hearshen
Paused for the Holidays.
Resumes October 14!

Shabbat, September 12th (Elul 23)
 SHABBAT IN THE LOT for Saturday, September 12th.

Registration will open on Sunday, September 6th.
You can go to our webpage to register.

Registration will close either on Friday at noon

or when we reach capacity, whichever happens first.

Click on the images above or here to download a printable calendar! 
Advanced Registration Required and Limited for all
In-Person Services and Events.

Registration for in-person services and events can be found and will continue to be updated on this page. 

HHD Package Pick-Up will take place Sunday, September 13th, 10 AM - 3 PM

Operation Isaiah
Virtual Food Drive is now taking place. Details can be found here.

Actual food donations can also be dropped off during HHD Package Pick-Up at OVS on Sunday, September 13th, 10 AM - 3 PM. Or drop off food donations on Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th, 9 AM - 5 PM for the Kosher Food Pantry.

Getting to Know You with Rabbi Hearshen

Each month Rabbi Hearshen will interview one OVS congregant family. 

Rabbi's next interview is with the "Rachel & David" trunk of the Maslia family.

Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 PM
  
Join live or catch the recorded version later on Facebook!
Passcode: Bureka1914

NEW DATE!!
Jews, Booze and News: Happy Hour with AIPAC

Join friends from Or VeShalom for a virtual happy hour and discussion with AIPAC about the latest news from Israel, updates on the political front and how we can work together to keep the US-Israel relationship strong. Come with your questions AND one of the suggested drinks below – or your own favorite concoction. This will be a great opportunity to unwind, reconnect and enjoy lively and informative conversation.

For more information, please contact Todd Young at tyoung@aipac.org.

Sukkot Shabbat Dinner Under the Stars
Registration includes attending Friday night
 "drive-in" services.
Save the date: Persian cuisine prepared by Chef Alex

Menu to be Announced!

Yom Huledet 

Sameach
Happy Birthday!

Yom Nisuyeem Sameach
Happy Anniversary!

Meldados
May their memory be a blessing

Community Events

If Anyone Needs Help During Covid-19

If anyone is experiencing difficulty or needs help with getting groceries, medicines, transportation, counseling services, etc., please

contact the office and speak with Rabbi Josh Hearshen

or Executive Director Adam Kofinas.

How To Reach Us