A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
07/03/2019 02:38:16 PM
As we head into the long weekend, I hope we can all take a moment to reflect on how blessed we are to live in the United States of America. I know that our membership is composed of many immigrants and descendants of immigrants, who deeply understand the value of living in this great country.
While this is a weekend when many people travel, I hope that if you are in town, you will join us for Shabbat...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
06/20/2019 04:16:53 PM
I'm always grateful for the effort that our OVS Board of Directors, our Sisterhood, and many other volunteers contribute to our synagogue. However, I'm especially aware of this work when we're in the midst of planning for a major event or holiday.
While Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are both several months away, the High Holiday Committee has been busy planning for the mitzvot auction, holiday services, and other activities. Over the...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
06/13/2019 03:13:06 PM
The skies are finally clearing in Atlanta, and it looks like a beautiful weekend ahead; perfect for Father’s Day.
We will be honoring the fathers in our OVS congregation and in our lives, with a special Kiddush after Shabbat services. Father’s Day happens to be well-timed with this week’s Torah portion, which features the Priestly Blessing. This passage is said by the Kohanim to...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
06/06/2019 04:15:31 PM
This weekend brings us not only Shabbat, but the holiday of Shavuot, the commemoration of the giving of the Torah.
As with any Jewish holiday, there are a number of customs associated with Shavuot, including hearing the Ten Commandments, reading Megillat Esther, all-night study sessions, and eating dairy foods. The public reading of the Ten Commandments is central to the holiday, as the Jewish people
symbolically receive...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
05/30/2019 01:12:44 PM
I hope that everyone enjoyed the Memorial Day holiday despite the scorching hot weather, it was a beautiful weekend in Atlanta!
I had the pleasure of meeting the extended family of Rabbi Ichay (z”l) following Shabbat services last week. It was wonderful to meet these warm people, who traveled from Great Britain and Singapore to celebrate a family wedding. You never know who you might meet at services - come join us this...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
05/23/2019 12:26:24 PM
We are excited to welcome Rabbi Ichay's sister Colette, her husband Brian, and the rest of her family to OVS this shabbat as they celebrate the shabbat chattan v' kalah (Auf ruf)\ of their grandson, Alexander Dwek and his bride to be, Kristin Kaplan
Read more...A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
05/16/2019 04:17:58 PM
I hope that everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather; this week; it looks like Shabbat should be a beautiful day as well.
I’m also looking forward to our monthly Congregational Dinner, being held Friday night. I take great joy in seeing our members come together to socialize and share a meal, while reflecting on an always-insightful d’var Torah from Rabbi Kassorla. It looks like...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
04/11/2019 05:00:25 PM
It is such a hectic time of year, with Pesach around the corner. I’m sure that our members are busy with their preparations, whether they will be at home, or away.
As you prepare for the holiday, please consult the OVS 2019 Passover Guide, or ask Rabbi Kassorla directly if you have any questions or concerns. Please also check this e-blast for a list of times for holiday services, as well as information about our second-night...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
04/04/2019 05:00:31 PM
Tomorrow night, we are hosting our monthly Congregational Dinner. I always look forward to these dinners, as I never know which friends, or strangers, will be seated at the table. This is part of what makes coming to OVS so special; I meet so many wonderful people, and get to interact with countless different combinations of members and visitors.
It is my hope every month that our dinners are filled to...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
03/28/2019 05:00:03 PM
The first night of Passover is several weeks away, and I’m sure that many of you already have made plans with family and friends. If you are alone for Passover, and would like to be connected with a family in our community that will be holding a first-night Seder, please contact Rabbi Kassorla or myself: we will do our best to match you with a family in our congregation.
On the second night, OVS will be hosting it’s...Read more...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
03/21/2019 05:00:26 PM
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...
A Message from OVS President Michael Bouhandana
03/14/2019 04:09:50 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
03/07/2019 05:00:50 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
02/28/2019 05:00:19 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
02/21/2019 05:00:22 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
02/14/2019 05:00:54 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
02/07/2019 05:00:52 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
01/31/2019 05:00:32 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
01/24/2019 05:00:52 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
01/17/2019 04:22:54 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
01/10/2019 05:00:15 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
01/03/2019 05:00:45 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
12/27/2018 05:00:24 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
12/20/2018 05:58:41 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
12/13/2018 05:00:23 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
12/06/2018 05:00:13 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
11/29/2018 05:00:23 PM
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...
A message from OVS President Michael Bouhadana
11/22/2018 07:00:45 AM
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...
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14 Tammuz 5779
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