Congregation Or Atid Richmond Virginia

2005-05-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Congregation Or Atid
Is teaming up with

The Central Virginia Foodbank
to gather that staple of summer foods:
Peanut Butter

Bring a container with you each time you visit
Congregation Or Atid

Collection bins can be found in both our Sterling Sanctuary and Parham Pavilion Foyers!

Even More News at www.oratid.org

2005-05-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Or Atid's homepage, with a great deal more information is now readily available at www.oratid.org. Visit our Or Atid homepage anytime and leave your comments!

Or Atid Host Feb. 6th Breakfast on Henrico Bond Referendum 2005

2005-01-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

Congregation Or Atid
Invites you to join us for a
Sunday Connection Breakfast
Sunday, February 6th
11:00 a.m. until 12 Noon
to discuss with county officials
Henrico County’s
March 8th
Bond Referendum 2005
To Fund Schools, Recreation and Parks, Libraries, Roads, Fire Stations,
and to add a Meals Tax

All are welcome!
No advance reservations are necessary!
There is no charge.
A light breakfast will be served!

For further information call 740-4747 or check out www.oratid.blogspot.com

The Bond Referendum
Henrico County's Bond Referendum 2005 proposes $220 million for schools, $18.5 million for fire stations, $56.4 million for libraries, $22.4 million for recreation and parks and $32 million for one road project. The proposed projects total $349.3 million spanning a six year period.
The bond proposals described here are important to you and your community. Your vote will decide the issue. Should you need further information to make your decision on any of these topics, call 501-4257 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or fax us any time at 501-5500.

General Obligation Bonds
Debt service on General Obligation Bonds is an expense which comes ahead of all others. Bond issues are like 20-year mortgages except that the interest rates are lower. A bond issue is the most practical and cost effective means of raising funds needed for capital projects of a long term, useful "life." General Obligation Bonds are issued on the full faith and credit of the County. Henrico County enjoys the highest bond rating given by all three bond rating agencies: AAA. This has served the County well when bonds were issued by reducing the debt service cost of the bonds.

Questions on the March 8th ballot:
School Projects
Question: Shall Henrico County, Virginia, be authorized to contract a debt, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $220,000,000 pursuant to the Public Finance Act of 1991, to finance capital school improvement purposes, acquisition of future school sites, and such other school construction and improvements as may be required by the actual educational needs in Henrico County?

Recreation and Parks Projects
Question: Shall Henrico County, Virginia, be authorized to contract a debt, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $22,400,000 pursuant to the Public Finance Act of 1991, to finance the construction, renovation, remodeling, furnishing, and equipping of recreation and parks facilities, and the acquisition of one or more future park sites?

Library Projects
Question: Shall Henrico County, Virginia, be authorized to contract a debt, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $56,400,000 pursuant to the Public Finance Act of 1991, to finance the construction, furnishing, and equipping of library facilities including the acquisition of land necessary for such facilities?

Road Projects
Question: Shall Henrico County, Virginia, be authorized to contract a debt, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $32,000,000 pursuant to the Public Finance Act of 1991, to finance various road projects including the acquisition of land necessary for such projects?

Fire Station and Facilities Projects
Question: Shall Henrico County, Virginia, be authorized to contract a debt, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $18,500,000 pursuant to the Public Finance Act of 1991, to finance the construction, renovation, remodeling, furnishing, and equipping of fire stations and facilities including the acquisition of land necessary for such fire stations and facilities?

Meals Tax
Question: For the purpose of reducing dependence on the real estate tax, shall Henrico County, Virginia, be authorized, pursuant to Section 58.1-3833 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, to levy a tax on prepared food and beverages, otherwise known as a meals tax, in Henrico County equal to four percent (4%) of the amount charged for the prepared food and beverages?

Voter Registration
Voter registration is open through February 23, 2005 and closes at 4:30 p.m. that day. For more information, call the Registrar's Office at 501-4347.

Or Atid Joins Richmond Ensemble Theater, February 12th

2004-12-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Congregation Or Atid
Joins
The Richmond Ensemble Theatre
For a Production of
Underneath The Lintel
An Off-Broadway Production
(and a study in Anti-Semitism)
Saturday evening, February 12th
7:30 p.m.
Pine Camp Theatre
4901 Old Brook Road (near Chamberlayne and Azalea)
Followed by a Discussion Led by
Rabbi Merrill Shapiro
Tickets -- $10-benefits Young Judaea
Call 278-8749 to reserve
your tickets now!

UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL
Glen Berger

“…one of a handful of great plays written in the last five years…it's an astonishingly beautiful piece of writing…”Steve Wiecking, Seattle Weekly
“On an inauspicious morning at a Dutch library, a librarian makes an unexpected find in the overnight return box. ...a much mistreated Baedeker's guidebook 123 years overdue. Even without compound interest, this tardiness merits a tidy fine, and in UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, playwright Glen Berger's latest, our librarian hero determines to track down the miscreant. Berger's monologue, subtitled The Mystery of the Abandoned Trousers, hardly slacks. Mailing a fine to the long-lived scofflaw in question proves difficult, as the borrower listed his name only as `A’. In an effort to run him to earth, the librarian, who has never left his native town of Hoofddorp, zips to China, Australia, Germany, and America. He eats sweets, greases palms, sees Les Miserables in three languages, and fritters away all his accumulated vacation days. He has the time of his life, or perhaps for the first time actually has a life.”Alexis Soloski, The Village Voice
“Berger has shown a penchant for men obsessively investigating truths that blind them to more ordinary pursuits of happiness. This one-man show is no exception. It's a satisfying mix of intelligent writing and quirky humor in a package that isn't neatly wrapped up with pat answers.”Jana J Monji, Los Angeles Times
“Glen Berger's work feels like what an entire generation of playwrights have been struggling to write.”Bret Fetzer, The Stranger (Seattle)

Project Maccabee: Candles for Campers

2004-11-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

Project Maccabee: Candles for Campers

"Creating Happy Hasmoneans in Central Virginia"

The Social Action and Justice Committee at Or Atid and The Young Judea youth group are raising money to send 2 needy children to camp this summer. Camp is a holiday gift that will last a lifetime for a child.

An $18 Hanukah gift will add a candle to our Menorah display at Or Atid as a symbol of your donation. In return for your generosity, we would like you to have a special box of Hanukah candles celebrating our freedom and the freedom of our children.

Look for the Project Maccabee volunteers at Or Atid to arrange for your gift for these children. Please make your check to:

Congregation Or Atid
Memo: SAJC-Camp Fund

You may instead mail your check to:

Ellen Norris
237 Ross Rd.
Richmond, Virginia 23229

Any questions:
Pat Padgett- 739-3364
Ellen Norris -288-7666
Edee Levenson-422-2224

Thank you for considering this important gift.

Temple of Judah Church Hosts Or Atid, November 21st

2004-10-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Congregation Or Atid is working to bridge the gap between two very different Central Virginia communities. Situated in the midst of the relatively affluent West End, Or Atid is but a short distance from a very different inner-city community of which West Enders often know very little.
On Sunday, November 21st at 11:00 a.m., Or Atid members and their guests will gather in the synagogue's parking lot to carpool to the Temple of Judah, 2120 Venable Street, Richmond, VA 23223 for Pastor Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr.'s 11:30 a.m. service. This "get acquainted" visit will be followed by a visit by church members to a service at Or Atid at a soon to be determined date.
All are welcome to join in at this service and accompany Or Atid members to the church service. Rabbi Merrill Shapiro can supply details through the synagogue office.

Biggest Ever Or Atid Blood Drive, Sunday, Nov. 21st

2004-10-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms and the War in Iraq have all taken their toll on blood supplies in Central Virginia. When the call went out from Central Virginia Blood Services to Or Atid, our Social Action and Justice Committee rose to answer: We'll set a record for donations on Sunday, November 21st.
The Bloodmobile will be in Or Atid's parking lot ready for first donations at 9:00 a.m. and will stay through 1 p.m. or beyond, if necessary. Donors are welcome to come at any time or may make a set appointment by calling Blood Drive Coordinator Ellen Norris at 288-7666.
The commandment to Jews is clear. Pikuach Nefesh, the saving of a life, is paramount. The Talmud asks the question "Why does God say to Cain,'The bloodS (plural) of your brother cry out to me from the ground'?" The answer is found in the Tractate Sanhedrin,"When Cain killed Abel, he also killed all of Abel's children, grandchildren and so on until the end of days." The text continues, "Thus, one who takes a life, it is as if an entire world is destroyed. And one who saves a life, it is as if they saved an entire world."
Save the world on November 21st. Plan to donate blood at Or Atid!

Henrico Superintendent Morton at Or Atid, October 10th

2004-09-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

You’re invited to join us for a Congregation Or Atid
Yad B’Yad Breakfast
on Sunday, October 10th at 9:30 a.m.
to meet, greet and hear from
The New Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools Fred Morton
Formerly Supt. Montgomery Co. Schools and currently a program associate for the Institute for Development of Educational Activities
Breakfast in the Parham Pavilion
of Congregation Or Atid
501 North Parham Road
(Between the Willey Bridge and Paterson Ave.) Richmond, Virginia 23229
Cost at the door: $5 for Yad B’Yad Member
$8 for non-Members
$18 individual/$36 family memberships available at the door.RSVP by October 5th & Info at 740-4747
www.oratid.blogspot.com
All are welcome! Bring a friend!

Fredrick S. "Fred" Morton became Henrico County's Superintendant of Schools on September 1st. He is leaving his post as suprintendent of Montgomery County Schools in Christiansburg, VA where he has served as superintendent for seven years. Mr. Morton began his teaching career in Albemarle County, VA and served as principal both at Covington High School and at Western Albemarle High School. He was also a program associate for the Institute for Development of Educational Activities and served as assistant superintendent for curriculum development in New York.

Mr. Morton receive his bachelor of science in education and his masters in educational leadership from the University of Virginia. he will complete his PhD. requirements at Virginia Tech.

"Anything I've got to say I'll say in front of anybody!" says Morton, a 57 year-old sixth degree black belt in karate who is known for his candor. One of five children he spent his childhood in Charlottesville. His father taught at the University of Virginia's graduate business school and helped integrate local public schools in the 1960s.

Morton has made more than 300 trips underwater as a scuba diver. He loves science fiction novels, Robert Ludlum and weighty tomes on education and leadership. He loves japanese samurai films especially those of Akira Kurosawa.

His car radio preset buttons are zeroed in on classic rock stations--he grooves to Fleetwood Mac; Santana; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and is big on the blues. Morton is the grandson of a Georgia car salesman whom he credits with teaching him the value of diversity. He spent his youth bagging groceries, stocking shelves in a bookstore, delivering flowers and working in a hospital lab before heading to college, then enlisting in the Army at theheight of the Vietnam War. He volunteered for service in Vietnam, returned after his tour and began to lobby congress to either "fight the war right or get out!"

The Or Atid Yad B'Yad program is open to the public with advance reservations. All are welcome to attend.

Richmond Jewish Foundation's Leibowitz to Speak at July 2nd Service

2004-06-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

You are welcome to join us at Friday evening services July 2nd at 8:00 p.m. as Congregation Or Atid hears from Roger Leibowitz, CPA Executive Director, Richmond Jewish Foundation
Oneg Shabbat Refreshments follow services!
All are welcome!! No advance reservations necessary!

Roger F. Leibowitz, CPA has over 20 years of experience managing the financial affairs of companies representing diverse industries. His expertise includes accounting, financial reporting, direction and leadership for control and strategic planning.

In September 2001 Roger became Executive Director of the Richmond Jewish Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to enable donors to create ongoing resources to meet current and future charitable, religious, educational and scientific needs of the Jewish people and others throughout the world.

Since his arrival at the Foundation, total assets have grown to over $34 million from $26 million in 2001. The Foundation is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, and is making plans for its next 25 years.

Prior to accepting the position of Executive Director of the Foundation, Roger held a number of volunteer positions in the community, from Treasurer of the Jewish Community Center to Vice President of the Richmond Jaycees. He has been a resident of Richmond for almost 25 years.

Roger has an exceptional track record of problem identification, analysis and solution. He served as Vice President/Financial Officer for Compulife, Inc. a member of the ING U.S. Retail Group, in Richmond, Virginia. For nearly a decade, Roger furnished the company’s senior management team with critical decision making information and participated in policy-making decisions. He was also instrumental in streamlining the company’s accounting processes and procedures.

As Audit Manager for Ernst & Young in Richmond, Virginia, Roger gained valuable public accounting experience and facilitated client business plan development and venture capital relationships. He also worked as Senior Accountant for Cherry Bekaert & Holland, P.C. in Richmond, Virginia, as Financial Analyst for Coburn Optical Industries, a member of the Revlon Vision Care Group in Colonial Heights, Virginia and as Cost Control Analyst for Sperry Marine Systems in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Roger earned a BS in Accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

He is married to Kimberly, and has 2 sons, Matthew (8) and Evan (6). His parents, Phillip and Barbara Leibowitz, were members of Congregation Or Atid when they were residents of Richmond in the early 1990s.

Beth Sholom's Mark Finkel To Speak at Friday, July 16th Services

2004-06-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

You Are Welcome To Join Us at Friday evening services July 16th at 8:00 p.m as Congregation Or Atid hears from Executive Vice President/ CEO, Beth Sholom Continuing Care Campus Mark W. Finkel B.A., Ohio State University; M.P.A., New York University Virginia Health Information Board Member;
Virginia Health Quality Center Board, Treasurer;
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Oneg Shabbat Refreshments follow services!
All are welcome!! No advance reservations necessary!

JFS' CEO Jackson to Speak at Or Atid July 23rd

2004-06-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Larry D. Jackson, the CEO of Richmond Jewish Family Services will be a guest speaker at Or Atid's regular Friday evening services, slated to begin at 8 p.m. on July 23rd. All are welcome to come and gain a better understanding of the crucial importance of Jewish Family Services to our community. Yad B'Yad Oneg Shabbat refreshments will be served following the completion of the hour-long services.

Larry became the CEO of Jewish Family Services in July of 2002. With that appointment, he has now led human service agencies in the non-profit, government and private sectors. In the private sector he was CEO and President of a management and automation consulting firm. In public life he was Deputy Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Human Services from where he was appointed by Governor Baliles and reappointed by Governor Wilder to be Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services.

As Virginia’s Commissioner of Social Services he was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Services Act and was the first Chairman of the State Executive Council responsible for governance of the CSA. He also served as the Chairman of the National Council of Human Service Administrators and led the American Public Human Services Association national task force on welfare reform. He was a member of the National Commission on Child Welfare and Family Preservation that crafted legislation for the federal Family Preservation Act of 1995. He is a founding member of the Human Services Information Technology Assistance Group, a private coalition of major vendors working to meet the human service technology needs of state and local governments.

Larry is a past president of Congregation Beth Ahabah. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives and is a Trustee for the Hebrew Fund for the Aged.

His wife, Babs, is CEO and President of the Hospital Hospitality House providing lodging and support for patients and their families in medical crisis while receiving treatment at one of Richmond’s hospitals.

Babs and Larry have five grown children, six grandchildren and no dogs or cats.

More Than 100 Gather at Chai Gala Celebrating Or Atid's 18th Year

2004-06-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Or Atid celebrated its 18th year at a Chai Gala Black Tie event in the congregation's Parham Pavilion Social Hall on Saturday evening, June 5th. The event was created and planned by Susan Brown and the Gala Committee and recognized Or Atid's Founding Families, Past Presidents and Trustees. Mark Resnick acted as Master of Ceremonies, recognizing Brown and her committee and introducing keynote speaker, Or Atid's first president and past president of B'nai Brith International Tommy Baer. A special presentation was made to Deirdre Arnowitz a teacher in the congregation's Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School since the beginning of the congregation and, with her husband Stuart, a founding family of Or Atid.

Following Havdallah and dinner, Mark Pinsky presented a Chuck Berson created multi-media presentation of the history of Henrico County, Virginia's oldest and largest congregation. The evening included music and dancing and ample opportunity for nostalgia and reminiscing.

Torah Tots 5765 Schedule Announced

2004-06-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Dan Robbins, Director of Education proudly announces the Torah Tots 5765 schedule. Torah Tots is a popular program of the Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School for parents and their pre-school children.

Torah Tots will meet on Sunday mornings from 10:30 until Noon on September 12th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 12th, January 9th, February 6th, March 6th, April 10th and May 8th.

The preschool years are critical ages for the spiritual development of children. Torah Tots helps children and their parents establish a religious identity at a stage of development that youngsters encounter but once in their lives! Torah Tots is designed to strengthen Jewish identity and enhance the bonds between young children and their Jewish Heritage.

Operation Apple Strudel Supported by Corn Family Donation

2004-06-03T05:03:00.000-07:00

Or Atid pillars, Stan and Mickey Corn, have generously donated postage to send dozens of packages to the Iron Rangers stationed at Ar Ramadi in Iraq. Now, donations of baked goods are sought in packages capable of fitting into United States Postal Service Priority Mail Boxes (available at Post Offices or at Or Atid).

Also needed are individuals willing to pack those baked goods, complete customs forms and take to the post office from Or Atid. If you can help, call the synagogue office at 740-4747 and leave a message for the Rabbi. Let's support our troops overseas at this trying time!

Help! Operation Apple Strudel A Success!

2004-06-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

The following email has just arrived here at Or Atid. Clearly, Operation Apple Strudel has been a success. We will, with your help, regularly send packages off to Iraq in support of our troops! Read on:

L”HU

Rabbi Shapiro:

Greetings from Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

Thank you for the Entenmanns’s cakes. I passed them on to the boys. These and anything you send in the future are/will be greatly appreciated by the Iron Rangers.

Tragically, the Iron Rangers have lost 9 of our brethren killed in action. Yet the Iron Rangers continue relentlessly to pursue and kill/capture the enemy. Equally, we continue to assist the Iraqi people to build their country (e.g. schools, water projects, clinics).

We should be here until SEPT04 so you can send items to us until the end of AUG04.

Once again, thank you for your support.

Please continue to pray and say Tehillim for our soldiers here and in other distant places.

“Remember what Amalek did…” (Deut. 25:17)

CPT Moses Scheinfeld

P.S. Please send me Rabbi Epstein’s prayer in an e-mail. Please paste it on the e-mail as we cannot open attachments with our computer system.

Thank you.

Operation Apple Strudel Underway!!

2004-06-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Or Atid’s Operation Apple Strudel is now underway! See the letter below from Forward Operating Base Ar Ramadi (formerly Camp Junction City), the western edge of the "Sunni Triangle" in Iraq. At noon on Thursday, May 6, Or Atid mailed a priority mail package to Captain Moses Scheinfeld with two Entemanns Apple Strudels and a letter saying “We support you! Let us know that you have gotten this package and we’ll send more—a great deal more!” Carol Sprankle completed the necessary customs form and the box was given to Barbara at the 23229 Post Office along with the $5.30 postage. Also included is the prayer we recite on Shabbat asking for Divine Protection for our soldiers. You’ll be kept up to date when we hear again from Captain Scheinfeld, so that we can all get together and let those serving in the Iraqi Theatre that we are with them!

Dear Members of the American Jewish Community:

Greetings from Forward Operating Base Ar Ramadi (formerly Camp Junction City), the western edge of the "Sunni Triangle" in Iraq.

Today (20APR04), our unit, TF 1-16 IN (Iron Rangers), attended a memorial ceremony for our brother, SGT Christopher Ramirez, who was killed in action while attacking an enemy dug in position during our unit's largest
operation on 14APR04.

At the end of the ceremony, the 1st Sergeant (1SG) from SGT Ramirez's company, B Company (Bushmaster), conducted a heart-rendering ceremony called "Last Roll Call." The company of about 100 soldiers stood at attention and the 1SG called out the name of a soldier and the soldier
answered, "Here 1SG!" Then the 1SG called out the name of a different
soldier and he answered, "here 1SG!" Then the 1SG called out the name of
"SGT Ramirez" and there was no answer. He called out again, "SGT Christopher Ramirez," and no one answered. Just bone-chilling silence that was broken by a 21 gun salute in honor of this "Fallen Hero."

I mention this story to illustrate the great sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice which SGT Ramirez and 7 other Iron Rangers have made in the War on Terrorism, a war to protect us all.

Now, I request from each of you that you make a sacrifice on behalf of the soldiers of the Iron Ranger Battalion and the other soldiers of the Devil Brigade. I request that each of you prepare a package of food and other items for our soldiers at the front of the War on Terrorism. Every single day, we face enemy direct fire outside the "wire" and enemy indirect fire inside the wire (we are mortared and rocketed on a regular basis inside the base). Your packages will be a phenomenal morale boost.

When our soldiers receive your packages, it's a little bit of home 7,000 miles from U.S. soil. The positive impact of your packages will be immeasurable. Your package will not only express your care and concern for our soldiers, but also represent a much, much needed break in the monotony we face each day. We eat the same foods on a 3 week cycle, day in and day out. We see the same things day in and day out in our small post exchange.

This is a unique and extraordinary opportunity for the Jewish community of the United States, every temple, synagogue, congregation, and JCC and for each Jew to support the soldiers who are over here. Most Iron Rangers will be deployed to Iraq for up to a year away from family, friends, and home.
Can you imagine being away from your wife, your husband, your children, your parents for a year? It's a tremendous and noble sacrifice.

A principle Jewish value is hakart h'tov (recognition of good, gratitude). Sending packages here to Iraq is a unique opportunity to fulfill this mitzvah, this good deed.

Our soldiers would appreciate the following items: dried fruit, popcorn, candy (hard, soft), Pez and Pez dispensers, gum, cakes, cookies, power bars (EAS, Met-RX), nuts, chocolate (all types of M & M's), coffee (ground coffee, Starbucks would be greatly appreciated, soldiers love and live on coffee!!!), white exercise socks, Gold Bond powder, magazines, newspapers, soft cover books, and anything else you can think of to surprise our soldiers.

Success, victory for this avodah (this labor) will be twofold. One is that this e-mail makes the rounds to every Jew in the U.S. and two is that each member of the American Jewish community responds with a package. If thousands of packages come rolling in, this will be a magnificent kidush h'shem (a sanctification of the name of G-D).

You can send your package to the following address:

Iron Ranger Battalion and Devil Brigade
C/O
CPT Moses Scheinfeld
HHC/1-16 IN
1 BCT, 1 ID (M)
FOB Ar Ramadi/Camp Junction City
APO AE 09394

Please send your packages by priority mail. It will get here faster.

Finally, please continue to pray and say Tehillim (Psalms) for the successful mission and safe return of our troops here in Iraq and in other distant places.

"Rangers Lead The Way, But G-D Is The Way"

CPT Moses Scheinfeld

P.S. The walls of our headquarters are covered with patriotic drawings and expressions of appreciation and thanks from children all over the U.S..
Such drawings from kids from Gan Shalom in Chicago, Ramaz in New York, the Beren Academy in Houston, and all the other Jewish schools in the U.S. would mean much. There's still plenty of space on our walls for these.

Or Atid's Forehand and Gershman Prominent Among This Year's Melton Graduates

2004-05-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

Mary Ellen Forehand and Cissy Gershman represented Congregation Or Atid among this year's graduates of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. Melton students graduate after the completion of two years of classes, held Tuesday evenings from 7 until 9:15 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center for 30 weeks each year.

Forehand and Gershman represent the cutting edge of Jewish Education in the 21st century as the focus of Jewish learning, in the past so heavily tilted towards those 8 to 18 years of age, now becomes an endeavor for adults. In a Jewish world filled with 50 year old Jews who hold a 13 year old's notions of their Jewish heritage, Forehand, Gershman and the Melton graduates represent a breathe of fresh air and a renaissance of Jewish learning, right here in Richmond, Virginia!

Or Atid Chicken Kabobs a Hit at JCC Rededication

2004-05-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a lot of hard work by 20 or so Or Atid volunteers, Or Atid chicken kabobs and couscous were a hit at the JCC Rededication on Sunday, May 23rd. A large crowd was gathered under the food service tent and Or Atid volunteers were at the ready with healthy chicken and vegetables fresh from the grills, and lots of cold drinks.

Or Atid's Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School Awards and Tzedakah Program

2004-05-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 23rd saw 150 gather in the Or Atid Sanctuary for the closing exercises of the Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School, the Tzedakah Program and Awards Assembly.

Students began the day in their classrooms readying them for summer. Zayin Class seventh graders made their final genealogy reports in the presence of their parents. Parents gathered in the sanctuary to explore "The News from the Middle East and What It Means for our Kids" with Rabbi Shapiro.

Breakfast was served in the gymnasium for parents and students from 10 until 10:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. all gathered in the Or Atid Sanctuary as Education Director Dan Robbins led the classes through the decision making process of how to allocate their Tzedakah monies, the contributions they have been making each Sunday and Tuesday, to worthy organizations such as Henrico Doctors Hospital Children's Wing, Ronald McDonald House or CARITAS, Congregations Around Richmond To Assure Shelter for those in need.

Following the decision making process, awards were distributed. Rachel Simon was recognized for her many years with perfect attendance in the Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School and Joshua and Libby Arthur were honored with the first Rachel Simon Award granted for a year of perfect attendance.

Students and parents were dismissed at 11:30 to attend the Jewish Community Center Dedication with the blessings of the Staff of the school and prayers for a happy, healthy and safe summer!