Sha'arei Orah Announcements
Shavuot & Shabbat - 6-7 Sivan 5783 - May 25 - 27, 2023
Shavuot & Shabbat Schedule
Shavuot I
Candle Lighting - 8:00 PM
Shacharit - *9:30 AM* Please note the later start time!
Latest Shema (Magen Avraham) - 8:27 AM
Latest Shema (Gra & Baal HaTanya) - 9:17 AM
Youth Programming - 10:00-11:15
The D'var Torah will be given by Dr. Ethan Schwartz.
Shavuot II - Shabbat
Candle Lighting - 8:00 PM
Shacharit - 9:00 AM
Latest Shema (Magen Avraham) - 8:26 AM
Latest Shema (Gra & Baal HaTanya) - 9:17 AM
Youth Programming - 10:00-11:15
The D'var Torah will be given by Rabbi Noah Gradofsky.
Yizkor - Not before 10:15 AM
Bring your own cheesecake Kiddush!
Shabbat & Yom Tov Ends - 9:02 PM
Kiddush this weekend is sponsored by an anonymous donor, by the Dayanim family in honor of Dan & Alisa's anniversary, and by the Charlestein family in honor of Sarah and Ari's anniversary.
Chag Sameach & Shabbat Shalom!
In the news...
Shavuot Programming
Rabbi Dr. Joel Hecker: Enslaved by the Halakhah? A Kabbalistic Perspective on How Torah Oppresses or Redeems
Dr. Shraga Bick: The Tyranny of the Law?
Rabbanit Leah Sarna: Learning Democracy in the Kosher Kitchen: The Laws of Nullification and Question of Who Matters
Dr. Ethan Schwartz: "God Save the King" vs. "God, the King, Save": Two Models of Monarchy in Tehillim
Have a guest be a guest!
This is the moment you've been waiting for! After a long pandemic-induced hiatus, we're bringing back Have a Guest, Be a Guest Shabbos on June 10.
This is an opportunity for everyone in the shul to either have guests or be guests and get to know people in the community we don't usually hang out with.
Please fill out this form at your earliest convenience: https://forms.gle/MJ8wPJquM4JN5hEK6
Deadline to submit is May 31, 2023.
Graduation Kiddush!
Membership!
We now accept Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from Fidelity Charitable and Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. If you prefer to use this payment method, contact Isaac Binkovitz (treasurer@shaareiorah.org).
Double your impact! If your employer offers a matching gift program, consider asking if your donation to Sha'arei Orah can be matched. Matching gift programs are a form of corporate philanthropy, where businesses match the donations their employees make to charitable organizations.
Thank you!
Kiddush and Sponsorships
Kiddush sponsorships are strongly encouraged!
Basic - $60
Enhanced - $100
Simcha - TBD
If you are interested in sponsoring Kiddush, please contact kiddush@shaareiorah.org.
Leining and Divrei Torah
The next available date for leining is 6/17/23 (Sh'lach) - Google Sheet
For questions about Leining, please contact Matt Hamermesh.
The next available date to give the D'var Torah is 7/01/23 (Chukat)- Google Sheet
For questions about Divrei Torah, please contact Moriah SimonHazani (divreitorah@shaareiorah.org).
Access to Adath Israel
Adath Israel has begun construction, and the Tulin Family Entrance (facing Old Lancaster Rd.) will be closed until further notice. On Shabbat morning, please use the Harrison Lobby (facing the parking lot) or the School Entrance (across from the entrance to Kohelet). Please note that the School Entrance is handicap accessible.
If you need to enter the building at another time, please use the school entrance Sunday through Friday afternoon. Friday evening please enter through the Harrison Lobby. If you require handicap-accessible entrance on Friday evening, please call the synagogue office in advance by 2:30 PM Friday (610-934-1919).
UPDATED COVID POLICY (as of 3/4/2022)
In accordance with current conditions and trends, updated guidance from the CDC, and newly relaxed protocols at Adath, the Board has decided to drop the mask requirement for attendance at Sha'arei Orah, beginning this Shabbat (see exceptions below). We know that some members of our community may feel more comfortable by continuing to wear a mask, and we encourage those individuals to continue doing so. We also continue to ask everyone to respect the sensitivities of others and to accommodate masked individuals who prefer to sit next to other masked individuals. We certainly hope that the pandemic conditions continue to improve, however, the Board may reinstate a mask requirement or other measures in the future as circumstances and guidance warrant.
As before, the following policies remain in place:
- All individuals who are eligible for the Covid vaccine must be fully vaccinated.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, or tested positive for Covid within the prior 5 days, you should not attend.
- If you tested positive for Covid between 5 and 10 days ago, you may attend but must wear a mask.
- If you had direct contact with someone else who tested positive for Covid during the prior 10 days, you may attend but must wear a mask.
Misheberach List
Discretionary Fund
We are pleased to let you know that Sha'arei Orah, as a result of the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, now has a modest emergency fund to help relieve financial distress caused by COVID-19. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is leading many Emergency Response efforts for our community. They generously created a grant to our shul's Discretionary Fund to support those of us in need. Additional information about the Fund can be found here.
These funds are intended to help those in need of food, medical assistance, rent/mortgage payments and/or medical expenses. If you are in need of assistance, or have any questions, please reach out to Daniel Rabin and we will work to help as much as we are able. Your conversations will remain in the strictest of confidence.
May we all have a year of health, happiness, and prosperity.