Website logo
  301-589-3880
November 15, 2018
7 Kislev 5779
Parashat Vayeitzei
Candle lighting 4:35 pm
Please note that morning minyan on Thanksgiving, Nov. 22 is at 8:45 AM. The office is closed on Friday, Nov. 23, morning minyan is at 6:45 AM.
In this Issue
This Shabbat at Ohr Kodesh
Parashat Vayeitzei
Kabbalat Shabbat  - 4:30 PM  in the Cohen Chapel.
Kabbalat Shabbat and Arvit will be led by Cantor Hinda Labovitz.

Shabbat  Morning - 8:45 AM 
Shacharit will be led by Rachel Braunand Musaf will be led by Cantor Hinda Labovitz.  

Please feel free to take advantage of our coffee, tea, and comfy chairs in the conference room "Shabbat Break Room," which is open during Shabbat services to everyone, including parents with small children.

Mini-Minyan - 10:30 to 11:30 AM in Room 5. Led by Raviv Brooks. 

Kehilat Tefilah
A Youth-Led  Shabbat Service for Children in Gr. 3-7
10:30-11:30 AM in Room 2; Led by  Shabbat  Crew teens and service leader, Leah Miller.
 
Torah Tots  Families with Children up to 5 years of Age
10:30-11:30 AM in the Salzberg Family Library. Led by Rachel Lang.

Kiddush 
The Special Simcha Kiddush will be sponsored by family and friends of Joel & Mimi Silbert, in honor of  Joel's 70th birthday, Mimi's 70th birthday, and Joel and Mimi's 10th anniversary.

Jews for Exegesis -  will meet during the Kiddush at a table in the corner of the Social Hall. We'll study Rashbam's commentary on the beginning of Parashat Vayeitzei, about Ya'akov's leaving home and his vision of the angels on the ladder.

Minchah   4:30  PM

OK Salzberg Family Library Sixth Annual Lewis-Rushefsky Yiddish Film Series:  God, Man and Devil (Got, Mentsch un Taybl) USA 1949
Saturday, November 17, 7:30 PM in the Cohen Chapel
A wager between God and Satan has dire consequences in this allegory based on the play by Jacob Gordin about the material world's false promises. Beware when money sounds sweeter than music, it cautions; those who win lotteries stand to lose all, including their spiritual treasures, families, communities and religion. Free. Film has subtitles. Popcorn and soda served. Questions? Contact Brenda Bergstein (301-910-3520 or brenda.bergstein@gmail.com).
This Coming Week at Ohr Kodesh
ECC Prospective Family Talk and Tour
Tomorrow, Friday, November 16, 8:30 AM; RSVP to Ruthie Cohen, Assistant Director,  rcohen@ohrkodesh.org.

Ongoing Classes This Coming Week
Sunday - Talmud Class will not meet.
Tuesday, 10:00 AM - Issues in Jewish Political Tradition
Tuesday,  8:30 PM - Talmud class, Tractate Shabbat with Richard Friedman 
Wednesday classes will not meet.  

Alvin Browdy Religious School Open House
Sunday, Nov. 18, 9:00-10:30 AM
All Pre-K through 7 th grade prospective families are welcome to join us for an open house where you will take a tour of the school, meet other families, and join us for a fantastic  tefilah experience with the rest of the school. Contact Rachel Evenson at  revenson@ohrkodesh.org to RSVP, or for more information.

Thinking Outside the Rokeach Box
The OKECC is inviting the entirety of the OKC to join in on this year's 'Make your own Chanukkiah Challenge'.  Your creation does not need to be a working or Kosher Chanukkiah .   All symbolic creations are welcome.   For inspiration, be on the lookout for a display board with sample photos in the upstairs lobby.  Bring your creation to Gail Goodman in the ECC office. Thanks for playing!  Chag Sameach .

Plan Ahead
Next Shabbat, November 23/24

We will celebrate Brooke Silver becoming a bat mitzvah.

Mini-Minyan  (Gr. K-2) - 10:30 to 11:30 AM in Room 5. Led by Raviv Brooks.

OKC Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 28, 7:30 PM in the Salzberg Family Library
Everyone is welcome.
ECC Prospective Family Talk and Tour
Friday, November 30, 10:00 AM; RSVP to Ruthie Cohen, Assistant Director, rcohen@ohrkodesh.org.


The Mossad
(2018 Documentary)
December 20, 7:30 PM at Bethesda Row Cinema
Join our Israeli Sh'lichah Hagar to watch a fascinating film about the most famous Israeli intelligence agency, followed by coffee or a drink nearby.  If you are interested in participating,  contact Hagar for tickets at hnetser@ohrkodesh.org.  For more details, visit https://www.wjff.org/film/mossad. Tickets cost $10 and are limited.



Hadar Winter Learning Program - Who We Are and Why it Matters
December 23-25 at  Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School
Hadar Institute of New York has opened a Washington office.  Rabbi Fishman and Cantor Labovitz have participated in Hadar programs in New York.  For those unfamiliar with  the organization: " Hadar empowers Jews to create and sustain vibrant, practicing, egalitarian communities of  Torah Avodah , and  Hesed ."  Ohr Kodesh is a cosponsor.  Click here  for more information and to register.

Sacred Balance, OKC's First Women's Shabbat Retreat

February 1-3, 2019   at the Capital Camps Retreat Center 
Registration is now open for Sacred Balance, OKC's first women's Shabbat retreat. The weekend's events will help guide us as we explore our spirituality and ourselves through reflection and sharing. We will build friendships while deepening the connections among the OKC female community while we relax, sing, pray, discuss and enjoy our time together. We will reflect on all of the different roles we play as women, and take time to explore creating a sacred balance within our lives. Register by December 21. Click   here to register.  Space is limited. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
RSVP for L'Chayim Concert and Dinner and Submit Ads by November 18

Bereisheet / Let's Take it From the Beginning
Bereisheet / Let's take it from the Beginning

Online course facilitated by Cantor Hinda Eisen Labovitz

Let's read the biblical book of Genesis together. This is a fully-online course, whose modules will take place asynchronously (work at whatever time is convenient for you!) with periodic online conference calls. This course is "Torah LiSh'maH" - no credits, no fees, just the joy of studying together. Join us wherever we are - each unit will stand alone, and your presence will enrich our conversation! Contact Cantor Labovitz at CantorLabovitz@ohrkodesh.org to receive the access code and instructions to sign up for the course. Begins Monday, November 19.
Would you like to be a Substitute Educator in the ECC?

OKECC is looking for dependable, caring, trustworthy, reliable, helpful, patient, warm, positive, energetic and friendly SUBSTITUTES. Recommendations from the community are highly regarded, and often bring in the most successful candidates!  OKC members age 18 or older and OKECC parents or caregivers are all welcomed substitutes. 

If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about the opportunity to walk a day in the shoes of an OKECC Educator as an OKECC Substitute, contact Joanie Smeltz, Director, at jsmeltz@ohrkodesh.org or 240-450-3488.
Elsewhere in the Community
We are so proud of our vibrant Jewish community and want to make you aware of what is going on in our wider neighborhood; however, Ohr Kodesh does not necessarily endorse these programs. 

Help Needed For First National Study of Jewish Grandparents
You are invited to participate in a groundbreaking study that will explore the interests and family demographics of Jewish grandparents, ages 55-80. Your responses will provide vital information that will help The Jewish Grandparents Network (JGN), a newly-formed nonprofit organization, and the local community better understand how to best reach, engage and serve grandparents and their families.  Please click   here  to take the survey.  Questions? Email david@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org .

Sunflower Bakery Orders for Thanksgiving
Order by November 16 and pick up at Ohr Kodesh. See flyer. Click here to place your order.

Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital (formerly JPDS)
Open Houses  Wed., Nov. 28 at 7:00 pm, Fri., Jan. 4 at 9:00 AM. 
RSVP  for any of these open houses. Milton also gives tours daily, if an open house date does not work for your schedule, contact Sindy Udell to schedule a personal tour. 
Ramah Day Camp Open House 
Sunday, Dec. 2,  1:30-3:30 PM at the summer camp site, the Wellspring Conference Center ( 11411 Neelsville Church Road, Germantown, MD 20876).  Ramah Day Camp is open to current Pre-K through 4 th grade students.  A formal welcome by Rabbi Rami Schwartzer, Camp Director, will take place at 2:15 p.m. RSVP's to Sharon Rosenberg Safra, Assistant Director, are appreciated ( sharons@campramahne.org , 301-658-6627). For more information, go to  www.ramahdcdaycamp.org .

Hanukkah Re-Dedication Honoring Rabbi Joshua O. Haberman, z'l
Sunday, Dec. 9, 4:00-5:30 PM at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb St. NW, DC
Lecture:  The Cultural and Historical Context of Jewish Life in Early 20th Century Vienna  with Marsha Rozenblit, Harvey M. Meyerhoff Professor of Modern Jewish History at the Univ. of MD. Free.  More info  here . RSVP  here  or call 301-770-4787

The Biblical Archaeology Forum (BAF) Presents  When the Greeks Ruled the Seas  Wednesday, December 12, 8:00 PM in the Bender JCC Social Hall 
Presented by Professor Diane Cline of George Washington University.

Foundation for Jewish Studies
Click  here  for upcoming programs.
Washington Jewish Film Festival
Click here for upcoming films.

AU Center for Israel Studies
Click here for upcoming programs.
Condolences

We are saddened by the passing of Judith Himmelfarb, z'l, mother of Anne Himmelfarb, on Sunday night, November 11.  The funeral was held in Princeton, New Jersey, on November 13, followed by burial in Hawthorne, New York. 
Visitors are welcome today, Thursday, November 15,  at the home of Anne's brother Ed Himmelfarb, 1915 Sunrise Drive, Rockville, with evening minyan at 7:30 pm.
Friday, November 16, visitors are welcome from 11:00 am- 3:00 pm, at the home of Anne Himmelfarb and Joel Schwartz, 8801 Maywood Ave. Silver Spring.
Sunday, November 18, visitors are welcome from 11:00 am at the home of Anne Himmelfarb and Joel Schwartz, with evening  minyan  at 7:30 pm.
May God comfort all who mourn for Judith Himmelfarb and may her memory always be for a blessing.
Get Well
Ohr Kodesh extends get well wishes to: Miriam Bobrow, Willie Bobrow, Selma Eisenstadt, Arnie Kuzmack, Saradona Lefkowitz, Katie Loewy, Adam Pilarski, Leo Rennert, Shoshana Urquhart, and Bruce Volat.

Please do not hesitate to contact these individuals. They would be pleased to receive a call, a card, or a  visit. If you need contact information for any of the members listed above, please contact Tami Lautman at 240-450-3489. We would also appreciate it if you would make us aware of others who are in need of well wishes and support. If you are able to help a congregant in need of assistance with a meal or a run to the store contact Elisabeth Boas, ekb7@cornell.edu or Joan Levy, joanglevy@gmail.com 

Minyanim
Ohr Kodesh maintains a daily minyan in both the morning and evening.
Next week's minyan times:
Sunday, Thursday (Thanksgiving): 8:45 am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:45 am
Sunday: 8:00 pm
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 pm
Friday: 4:30 pm 
Evening and morning minyanim are an integral feature of our community. Please make every effort to participate whenever possible, especially on your assigned dates.
Quick Links
Monthly Funeral Coordinators
Real Estate
"Mah tovu ohalekha, Ya'akov, mishkenotekha, Yisrael" . . . How lovely are your dwellings, Jacob, your sanctuaries, Israel.  During 5779 let us enrich our homes, shul and schools with Jewish learning, living, and loving.
Like Us on Facebook