 Greetings!
Shalom. With this Illuminating News, we say goodbye to Marsha Rothpan, our Director of Program and Marketing, and to Michelle Westmiller, our LoMPTY youth group advisor.
Marsha Rothpan, a dear friend, brought to Or Ami a wealth of ideas, a facility with PR, and a rolodex (or iPhone) filled with connections which enhanced our adult learning and Center for Jewish Parenting. She partnered exceptionally well with Rabbi Julia and others to recreate our Seder in the Wilderness retreat, and to bring structure to our electronic communications. Marsha returns to her first love, consulting and coaching organizations to achieve excellence, and has accepted a position with her previous employer the Herring Consulting Network. Rabbis Kipnes and Weisz have divided up the responsibilities to ensure that we continue Or Ami's high level of programming. You may share your thanks with Marsha at marsha@orami.org.
Michelle Westmiller breathed new life into LoMPTY youth group, creating events which regularly bring 25-30 teens together, nurturing new generations of leaders, and placing a record 3 youth groupers on the NFTY-SoCal regional board. Michelle has been an amazing partner in the transformation of our youth program and the development of our retreats. Michelle now enters Hebrew Union College' School of Jewish Nonprofit Management to further prepare herself for significant leadership roles in the Jewish community. We welcome Stefanie Phillips, a longtime Temple Teen Night faculty member, as our new LoMPTY advisor. You may share your thanks with Michelle at youth@orami.org. Or Ami has always been blessed with the most creative staff members who have partnered with our clergy and our leadership to bring excellence and excitement to our community. May Marsha and Michelle be blessed in what most assuredly will be fantastic future work for our Jewish community. |
Henaynu: Simchas (Joy) and Sadness
| We celebrate with:
Larry and Susanne Klein on the birth on May 6, 2012 of their first granddaughter, Imogen Paige Booth, daughter of Katie Klein Booth and Neil Booth of Bicester, England.
Or Ami's incoming president Helayne Sharon and the new officers and board. View Michael Kaplan's video of the Chorale and installation.
We offer prayers of healing for:
Elyse Goldberg
Bill Harris and Eric Harris
Mike Moxness
Bert Pittler, father to Kenny Pittler
We mourn with the family of:
Barry Suddleson, brother to Debi Young
Matt Suddleson, father to Debi Young
Lynn Mondschein, aunt to Stefanie Mondschein, niece to Joyce Barkin
Marlyn Sackman, mother to David Sackman
In this newsletter, Or Ami lists this past week's simchas, illnesses or deaths affecting our community. If we have missed a simcha or sorrow, or to receive regular updates through the Henaynu emails, contact Susie Stark. |
| Membership/Education Renewal Begins | Have you turned in your membership renewal forms yet? By doing so early, you show rachamim (compassion) to our dedicated office staff. Also, some education classes will fill up, so register early.
Please Note: Variance Form Submission Deadline is July 1, 2012.
|
| 8-12 Grades Head to Knott's Berry Farm |
 | | Some Graduating Seniors |
LoMPTYs Last Event of the Year!! This Saturday, June 9th, LoMPTY will head out to a day of fun at Knott's Berry Farm. We will be meeting at 9:30 am at Or Ami and will be taking a bus to Knotts. We will return at 6:00 pm. 8th graders are welcome to join us for the fun :) The price is $45 and does not include lunch. RSVP to Michelle Westmiller at youth@orami.org!
See Jessa Cameron's LoMPTY Seniors Facebook video. |
| Kvelling about the Chorale |  The Or Ami Chorale hails from the earliest days of the Congregation. Founded and led by the late Judith Berman, and now conducted by the talented Bettie Ross Blumer, the Chorale is as far removed from the 1950's Temple Choir as today's approachable clergy are from the rabbis from days of old. Said differently, this Chorale invites us in, makes us want to sing/pray along, and rocks to a melody and beat that might make the early Reformers turn in their graves, but brings us to a place of spiritual wholeness. At one moment they are drawing us close into... More (including links for pictures and video) |
| Events Upcoming |
Fri., June 8 Or Ami Book Club, 9:30 am, at the home of Haviva Maroko in Reseda. RSVP to Janis Karbelnig
Sun., June 10 Walk to End Alzheimer's, Contact Dina Bloch
Sun., June 10 ARZA Bike Ride, ARZA: The Reform Israel Fund is riding with the LA River Bike Ride. Come peddle for pluralism; all proceeds benefit Jewish pluralism in Israel. Rides vary in length so all levels can participate. Visit www.arza.org
Wed., June 12 Board Meeting, 7:00 pm (Possible change to Wednesday. Watch your email.)
Thurs., June 14 Or Ami Business Builders, 7:30 am
Wed., June 20 Chaverim Educational Program, 6:00 pm. Contact Gerry Dicker
Sunday, June 24 Feed the Hungry. There are many ways to be involved: sponsor a meal, prepare or serve the meals, use this as your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project or come with a group of your friends. At St Patrick's Church in Thousand Oaks, 6:00-7:30 pm. Contact Frieda Swedelson
Hikes with Or Ami: Friday mornings at 8:00 am in Cheeseboro Canyon in Agoura. Email Donald Goldsobel to be added to the email group for dates, locations, and any weather delays
|
|
May your week ahead be filled with kvelling (praising) not kvetching (complaining), and simchas (joy) not sorrow. Know that Congregation Or Ami is here for you with open arms.
L'shalom,
Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Congregation Or Ami |
|
|
| Featured Picture |  | |
|
| This Shabbat | |
Friday, June 8: Family Shabbat Service, 7:30 pm
Join Rabbi Kipnes and Cantor Cotler as we c
elebrate Shabbat through song and prayer. We thank and say goodbye to LoMPTY Youth advisor Michelle Westmiller. Chaverim-hosted dinner for families with members who have special needs at 6:00 pm.
|
| Who to Contact | |
Rabbinical Questions
Cantorial Questions
President
eNewsletter
Kesher Youth Learning
|
|
|
