January 25th, 2018  |  9 Sh'vat 5778
  From Rabbi Kipnes' Blog

Disability Inclusion Hero Awards

As the new calendar year begins, we are entertained by those Year in Review lists and Person of the Year awards, both inside and outside of the Jewish communities... This time of year led me to wonder whether the Jewish community might create lists to shine light into important contributions to the inclusion world...

 
 Speaker Series 2018
 Social Action
So many of you have asked for ways to engage in one of Or Ami's most prized
values: "Tikkun Olam." Well here's your chance! One of our fantastic program needs
another co-chair and committee members:

Our Purim Social Action event will take place following Purim services on
Wed., Feb. 28.  We will gather into assembly lines, producing sandwiches
and survival kits for those living locally but without shelter. We need you to
make this undertaking a success.

Questions? Contact Laurie Tragen-Boykoff, Social Action Coordinator

The SOVA Food Pantry once again needs our help! 35 volunteers ages 10 and up are needed to sort and prepare donated food for delivery to the SOVA Food Bank. Feel free to invite friends and help us care for families experiencing food insecurity.  Community Service letters will be provided by SOVA.

Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 10:00 am - 12:30 pm at SOVA Warehouse (6605 Odessa Ave., Van Nuys) 

Questions? Please contact Estee Diamond-Morris (818-380-1521 or ediamond@sbcglobal.net)

 $1000 Scholarships for Jewish Sci-Tech-Robotics Summer Academy
Or Ami is excited to offer $1000 scholarships for new campers to the URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy West, where scientific inquiry meets fun! Campers entering grades 5-10 spend 12 days exploring robotics, video game design, environmental science, digital media, and a host of other fun activities in a friendly setting with campers who share similar interests.

Throughout their experience, campers explore what Judaism means to them-and how this complements their interests in science and technology, while gaining an understanding of their place in the long history of the Jewish people's contributions to sci-tech and building a strong connection to Israel as an incubator of innovation.   For more info, visit the 6 Points Sci-Tech website .   To apply for the scholarship, email Rabbi Kipnes directly. 

  Your Purchase of Cemetery Property Helps Or Ami

Questions? Contact  Doreen Kayne  to learn more.

  Upcoming Events
(For more information or to RSVP, click the image)
Save the date!

 In Our Community
  Chai-lights
Congratulations to our Adult B'nai Mitzvah!

Our "Future Coaches" created a sports days for and with at risk youth
In This Issue

Shabbat Schedule
Friday Jan 26th
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Tot Shabbat
Come hear a story, have a snack, sing songs, and celebrate Shabbat with new friends, all in one fun-filled hour! Please  RSVP.

Friday Jan 26th
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Torah Study Shabbat (Rabbi Kipnes/Cantor Cotler)
In Torah portion Beshallach, "God leads the Israelites, taking the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night." We read and explore commentaries illuminating what the Holy One's Presence was and might be for us.
[Torah Portion: Beshallach Ex 13:17 - 17:16]

Saturday Jan 27th
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Bat Mitzvah of Ryan Brooks  (Rabbi Kipnes/Cantor Cotler) Ryan participated in Dribble for a Cure at UCLA. She volunteered at the event, formed a team and raised funds.  Dribble for a Cure benefits Pediatric Cancer.
[Torah Portion: Beshallach  Ex 13:17 - 17:16]

Friday Feb 2nd
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Inclusion Shabbat (Rabbi Kipnes/Cantor Cotler/Rabbinic Intern Julie Bressler) Mezuzah: Eric Gediman
[Torah Portion: Yitro Ex 18:1 - 20:23]

Saturday Feb 10th
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Bar Mitzvah of Eric Gediman (Rabbi Kipnes/Cantor Cotler)
Eric's project was to to act as a liaison between Heal the Bay's "Coastal Clean-up Project" on Saturday September 16, 2017 and Topanga Elementary School's "We Give Back" community project.  Eric worked to help advertise the clean-up event, organize tables for registration at the beach for students and adults and supervised the clean-up.  He also did educational outreach programs for the students at Topanga Elementary to install environmental responsibility with students and families who live and work in the Topanga watershed area.
[Torah Portion: Mishpatim Ex 21:1 - 24:18]

Friday Feb 16th
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Tot Shabbat @ My Gym (Rabbi Weisz, Cantor Cotler)  Come celebrate Shabbat by tumbling, singing, hanging with the clergy and connecting with new friends. This is a special event for families with children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 8 years. Space is limited for safety purposes. Registration will close when spaces are filled so RSVP today!

Friday Feb 16th
7:30 - 8:30 pm
"Think Globally, Act Locally" and Scout Shabbat (Rabbi Weisz/Cantor Cotler)  As we explore the Jewish imperative repair the world, Mike Brand, Executive Director of Jewish World Watch, and others will speak.
[Torah Portion: Terumah  Ex 25:1 - 27:19]

Event Schedule
Wednesday Jan 31st
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Social Action Brainstorm
Congregants coming together to brainstorm ideas for social action event revolving around disability inclusion and challenges faced by individuals living with certain impairments.  For more info/RSVP.

Friday Feb 2nd
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Celebrate Inclusion Shabbat Dinner
Celebrate an evening of Community Inclusion beginning with a home cooked Shabbat dinner. For more info/RSVP.

Sunday Feb 4th
11:45 am - 1:15 pm
Family Mitzvah Club Food Forward Harvest
Join the Family Mitzvah Club as we team with Food Forward in our effort to end hunger! We will be harvesting naval oranges at a home in Agoura Hills. For more info/RSVP.

Friday Feb 9th - Sunday Feb 11th
Triple T Retreat
7th - 12th Graders hop on the bus and head to Alonim for a fun weekend outdoors; a weekend of camp! Register Here.

Tuesday Feb 13th
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Speaker Series: 50 Years Since Israel's Six Day War
Join Dr. Rachel Korazim as she  redirects us l'chaim (back to life) through the spirit and the authentic values of 1967 and their lingering impacts on our lives today. For more info/RSVP.

Saturday Feb 17th
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Cafe LoMPTY
Walk down the red carpet and join LoMPTY for our fourth annual night of coffee, friends, programming, and talent! For more info/RSVP.

2017-2018
Executive Board
Officers
Fred Gruber - President
Kevin Palm - VP
Sharon Weiss - VP
Karin Pofsky - VP
Richard Rutkin - VP
Linda Blumenthal - Secretary
Alan Kazden - CFO

Ex Officio
Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Cantor Doug Cotler
Rabbi Julia Weisz
Gary Kaplan - Immediate Past President
Craig Steinhauer - Advisor to the President
Maya Weiss - President of LOMPTY

Board of Directors
Michelle Finkelstein
Dianne Gubin
Sid Goldberg
Rachel Dashevsky
Kerri Graver
Ilana Springer
Randy Levine
Susan Lotwin
David Melnick
Steven Harrison
Steve Rifkin
Lesli Kraut
Rachel Paul

Executive Board Link
26115 Mureau Rd., Suite B   Calabasas, CA 91302   818.880.4880