A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana

Chag Sameach!

I hope that you are all enjoying the Purim holiday, and are filling up on delicious treats!
 

I was excited to hear about the tremendous turnout for our Wednesday night Megillah reading. Unfortunately, I am away on business and could not attend (don’t worry - I still heard every word of the Megillah!), but my...Read more...

We’re heading into a very busy time on the Jewish calendar, with Purim next week, and Passover beginning several weeks later. We have a number of events scheduled at OVS to mark this festive time, and I encourage you to read through the e-blast to make yourselves aware of all that is planned.

I’m looking forward to a strong showing at the OVS Megillah reading on Wednesday night....Read more...

Last week’s Congregational Dinner, held in honor of Shabbat Across America, was a huge success. Thank you to Rabbi Kassorla for his wisdom, and to Margot Alfie for her creative ethnic dishes.  It is always a joy to gather with friends and family, and I am grateful to everyone who helps to make these evenings a success, both in planning and attending. 

As Rabbi Kassorla recently reminded us, the joyous holiday of Purim...Read more...

This Friday, March 1 marks the 23rd annual Shabbat Across America, organized by the National Jewish Outreach Program. This event allows Jews across North America, regardless of affiliation, to enjoy a “taste of Shabbat.” While so many of us at OVS have well-practiced rituals and traditions that we observe on Shabbat, there are other Jews who have rarely - or perhaps even never - observed Shabbat. Shabbat Across America encourages all Jews...Read more...

This Sunday marks the 51st Sisterhood Donor Luncheon. This event allows us to look back on all that the Sisterhood has done to invigorate and support our congregation over the past year - while looking forward to future Sisterhood contributions.  
 
The OVS Sisterhood raises funds for our synagogue throughout the year, through a variety of fundraising events. This coming year, the Sisterhood is planning to put...Read more...

As many of you know, at the December 2017 General Meeting, the membership of congregation Or Ve’ Shalom voted on a motion to extend Rabbi Kassorla’s contract through June, 2020.  The motion also stipulated that Rabbi Kassorla would begin his sabbatical on January 1, 2020, with a search being conducted for a new rabbi.
 
I understand that many of our members were saddened to learn that Rabbi Kassorla would be...Read more...

We had a great turnout last week for Scout Shabbat; it really warmed my heart to see so much support for Josiah Benator and Troup 73. I hope that services will be just as well attended this week. Although I will not be able to attend, I know that Rabbi Kassorla will be delighted to see everyone.

This week, we are holding our monthly Congregational Dinner. These Friday night dinners offer a tremendous opportunity to learn and socialize...Read more...

As some of you may have heard, I was presented with an award at the Jewish Abilities Alliance “Power of One” event, this past Sunday. While it is a tremendous honor to be recognized, I feel that I should be recognizing others, and drawing attention to the work they do to promote inclusion and acceptance in our OVS community.  

I am regularly in awe of the effort that Rabbi Kassorla makes to help everyone feel included...Read more...

I hope that you will join us this upcoming Shabbat for the installation of the 2019 OVS Board of Directors.  While the slate of the OVS board was already approved at the General Meeting in December, the Installation Shabbat allows for the official recognition and appreciation of new and returning board members.  We are arranging for a kiddush luncheon; please bring your spouses, children and extended family. I am honored to serve as...Read more...

Each individual has within them the power to make an impact
on the lives of others.

We tend to notice this impact when we lose someone who brought light into our world, and into our community in particular. Unfortunately, at OVS, we have recently lost multiple longtime members who gave so much of themselves to help family, friends, and the community at large. While we will miss these individuals tremendously, I hope that their...Read more...

This weekend, we are honoring two longtime members of our Or VeShalom family, in tandem with our annual Israel Bonds Brunch.

I feel so fortunate to have gotten to know the two honorees, David and Pearline Franco, and am so grateful for all that they have done for our community.
 
If you are unable to attend the brunch, I hope that you will still extend your congratulations to David and Pearline, for being selected for...Read more...

Congregation Or Veshalom wishes you a healthy and successful year for you and your entire family. 
 
Please come to our January 13 Israel Bonds Brunch reception and join me in honoring David and Pearline Franco as recipients of the Star of David Award. The congregation will host a special guest speaker, the General Consul of Israel in New York, Ambassador Dani Dayun. 
 
The Israel Bonds brunch is...Read more...

Last Shabbat, many gathered to celebrate the memory of a beloved member of our congregation, Saundra Russo.  Rabbi Kassorla delivered a heartfelt and thought-provoking sermon, reminding us all to be more mindful of the blessings in our midst. 

After we said the kiddush, Rabbi announced that the two newest members of our congregation were joining us for the first time: Ella Akbashev and Miriam Sendel. The juxtaposition of...Read more...

We are so blessed to be a part of a strong, supportive community. 
 
When our loved ones are ill, we have a Rabbi who will visit the sick and join us in prayer.
 
When faced with end of life events, we can count on Congregation Or VeShalom to take care of our family’s needs. Not only does OVS help coordinate shiva both at the synagogue and in private homes, but we also have men and women in our...Read more...

I hope that everyone enjoyed a Happy Hannukah, and had the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. I am sure that you all enjoyed many delicious treats over the course of the 8 nights (perhaps along with all those burekas you purchased at the Bazaar), but if you have not sufficiently met your deliciousness quota, please join us for a one-of-a-kind feast, catered by our own Margot Alfie!
 
Our monthly Congregational...Read more...

It was great to see so many members of our congregation and the greater community at the Bazaar this past Sunday. I found some real gems at the OVS book sale, and hope everyone else enjoyed their purchases, and event overall, while helping our Sisterhood meet their fund raising goals. Hanukah is a festive time for everyone, and I hope that you are all able to celebrate
with family and friends. 

Please know that you and your...Read more...

This coming weekend is one of the most wonderful times of the year; it's the annual OVS Bazaar. As many of you know, we have activities for the whole family and lots of opportunities for shopping - and my favorite, eating. I also always enjoy finding interesting books in the book sale. Our Sisterhood has been working very hard to plan the event, while also baking Sephardic pastries
and other treats to sell.

Perhaps some of you...Read more...

Thanksgiving is commonly associated with family gatherings, and I am sure that many of our members are planning to share a wonderful meal with family and friends over the holiday. I encourage you to bring that family spirit with you into the weekend, as you spend time with your OVS family. We have an amazing group of interesting people, and a warm and welcoming spirit. What a perfect time to come and spend with those you love, as well as...Read more...

Our congregation will be holding the 2018 Annual General Membership meeting on Sunday, December 9th, at 10:00 a.m. 

Please save the date on your calendars and make the effort to attend with your spouses, adult children and extended families. This meeting is critical for all members, as we present our plans and direction for the future. 

The Future of OVS committee will present its findings from the interviews...Read more...

It’s impossible to understand the reasons for such killings at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. We want to act and make things better, but we’re not sure how. I want to highlight below the Jewish Federation email (10/29, 5:00PM) to the Atlanta Jewish Community to “Rise up in ATL to Stand with Pittsburgh.” https://jewishatlanta.org/unitedwestand/
 
"…In the face of terror, we cannot hide. Two days ago there...Read more...

While I always look forward to Shabbat, I’m especially excited this week for the opportunity to welcome the Shabbat with the congregation at our
monthly Congregational Dinner.  

These dinners offer terrific food, great company and interesting conversation-
and of course, thoughtful insights from Rabbi Kassorla.  Last month, I learned some new-to-me information about Sukkot, and I can’t wait to hear what...Read more...

I am always so encouraged when I see children attending, participating in- and enjoying - Shabbat services. I am not alone; many people have commented on how wonderful it is to see children so welcomed in our sanctuary. Children are the future of our community, and we need to make sure that they feel at home
in our congregation.
 
Please continue to bring your children to Shabbat services and community events. Rabbi always...Read more...

Our 2018/5778 board has made tremendous progress this year on multiple initiatives including education, promotion, high holidays and congregational survey.

Our nominating committee is reviewing the slate of Or VeShalom board members for 2019/5779. The committee consists of Richard Maslia, Diane Benatar, Scott Galanti, Guy Harari, Bryan Lavine,  and Zina Aaron. Please call the office before October 28 if you would like...Read more...

I am looking forward to joining with all those who made a reservation for our Friday night dinner and conversation with Rabbi Kassorla under the sukkah tomorrow night. I encourage everyone to join us for future Shabbat dinners and please do bring your children.
 
We are a family and have so much to offer each other.  However, our community cannot be sustained by the Rabbi alone, or the board or any one of us...Read more...

Thank you to Rabbi Kassorla for leading us through an inspirational High Holiday service; our visiting chazzan Rabbi Sultan for increasing our Kavanah (intention and concentration) through melodies in prayer; our high holiday committee led by David Franco and all our ushers; our sisterhood led by Sisterhood President Elise Meyer; the synagogue board; and to our office staff led by our Executive Director Adam Kofinas; Publications...Read more...

Thank you to Rabbi Kassorla, Rabbi Sultan, the High HolyDay Committee led by David Franco, our ushers, our volunteers and the OVS office for bringing everyone together for such a spiritual Rosh Hashana service. Please read all our announcements for Yom Kippur service times and details.
Yom Kippur starts Tuesday evening, September 18.
 
Our hopes and prayers are with those in the path of Hurricane Florence. If anyone in the...Read more...

We had more than 20 people join our Friday night Shabbat congregational dinner. Thank you to Rabbi Kassorla for a spiritual evening and to Margot Alfie for preparing a beautiful dinner. Our next Shabbat dinner is Sept. 28th.
 
I hope everyone benefitted from attending the town hall meetings last Sunday and Monday. We had positive and focused discussions about how we increase participation of our members and...Read more...

 We will be holding another Friday Night Dinner, “Conversations with Rabbi Kassorla,” tomorrow night, Friday, August 24, 2018.  Based on the current RSVP count, we're expecting another really well attended event.
 
As you may be aware, the Future of OVS Committee has distributed the OVS Community Survey. Please make sure to complete and return the survey as soon as possible: we want to ensure that we have a clear...Read more...

Why do we label unwanted emails as “SPAM”? I recently checked my SPAM folder and filtered through useless emails about how to invest in gold, earn credit towards my power bill, and obtain a free quote for home solar financing. 
 
A couple of months ago, I wrote that our congregation’s leadership has launched a formal initiative to better understand the needs of our Kehila - the “Future of OVS Committee.” It is our...Read more...

We’re grateful to host the scouts of Troop 73 at Congregation Or VeShalom. Thank you again to Nathan Holden of Troop 73 for including our congregation in your Eagle Scout project. Nathan set up two benches with landscaping, creating another natural setting where our community can sit and socialize.  I bet you’ll find me, and many others resting there during the break on Yom Kippur.  We appreciate the entire troop and their...Read more...