Sunday November 6, 2011 – Sunday November 6, 2011
2 Chester Road
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Thank You to Ruth Kaplan and Bea Ernest for bringing new life and shimmer to our Heritage display case. Stop in to see the lovely Judaica we have on display.
Amy Pollack was recognized for her many volunteer roles as board member and newsletter editor, chair and co-chair of fundraising events, the Kadima Capital Campaign, Synaplex, and the Rabbi Transition Committee, and designer of numerous invitations, Kadima Campaign materials, and our new “identity package,” i.e. logo, stationary, and website look. We have benefited tremendously from her devotion to Ohev Shalom and the pro bono services of her firm, about which you can learn more at www.twistnshout.com.
Don’t miss the revival of the Ohev Players as they present
Break A Leg: A Tribute to Broadway! Get the details!
Ohev Shalom had the opportunity to meet Congressman Meehan at SUPER Sunday on January 30, 2011. In this photo: Back Row (L-R) Rachel Cohen, Karen Stesis, Congressman Meehan, Frances Sheehan, and Alex Abramowitz Front Row (L-R) Rachel Weiss, Russell Gelman-Sheehan and Jessica Weiss
Sharing Our Experiences on the American Service Academies Program
By Midshipmen Ryan Yohn and Kenneth Barnes (United States Naval Academy, Class of 2011)
At the conclusion of our American Service Academies Program last summer, we were left with the question, what next? We had studied the Holocaust in museums on two continents, spoken with survivors and partisan fighters in America and Poland, and walked through concentration camps and death camps. I came to understand that with this experience came a new understanding of the Holocaust and that brought a new responsibility. Our group had become responsible for sharing the stories as they were told to us by survivors and seen on our tours.
On the weekend following Veterans Day, four midshipmen from our ASAP class participated in a community event at the Ohev Shalom Synagogue outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through this event, we were able to share the experiences we learned about the Holocaust and the role of ethics in military decision making.
Over the course of the weekend, we dined with Rabbi Gerber of Ohev Shalom, went to Shabbat services both Friday and Saturday, visited members of the community, gave a brief “sermon” on the program on Shabbat, and participated in a question and answer panel about the lessons of the American Service Academies program and the celebration of Veterans Day. We spoke with the congregation now only about our experiences in Poland, but also about the current education of the military about ethical decision making and the cases in which US military members have themselves turned down unlawful orders given in the heat of battle. In the words of Midn. Bobby Nordlund, who gave the sermon:
…The lessons from the program are as personal as they are powerful. It was my honor and my joy—and I think my responsibility, as well—to share some of the truths this experience taught me. I learned about “the gray zone,” and how dehumanization led to a blurring of moral lines within the death camps. I also learned the pitfalls of hasty judgment and am now empowered to say “never again” as a future Naval Officer and military leader.
Participation in this Veterans Day weekend event afforded us the opportunity to not only reflect on the American Service Academies Program, but also help honor the veterans in this community. We were privileged to share this event with Ohev Shalom and thank them for having us.
Many, many thanks to Vicki Levin, Joel Fein, Terry and David Hoffman, for once again coordinating Ohev Shalom’s Thanksgiving food drive, for Chester Eastside Ministries to distribute to families in need. We collected 54 turkeys and fixings — enough for well over 200 meals.
Standing around in the parking lot, chatting with congregants delivering their donations — maybe your feet get cold, but your heart feels very, very warm.
For the latest updates on Social Action at Ohev Shalom , visit our blog.
On behalf of our recipients, we extend our sincerest appreciate to your synagogue and congregation for your participation in the 2010 High Holiday Food Drive and collecting approximately 250 lbs of tuna! Your efforts were an integral part of this year’s successful food drive and will directly benefit the recipients of Federation’s Mitzvah Food Project. With your support, approximately 50 synagogues were able to collect a total of approximately 40,000 lbs of food that will be distributed through our six pantry sites over the next few months and we could not have done this without you.
The Sofer visited us on Wednesday, November 10 to inspect our Torah scrolls. While he was here, Ohev members had the chance to ask questions and learn about the process of creating a Torah.
© 2012 - Congregation Ohev Shalom
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