The third Saturday morning of the month features a service with an alternative approach. Each Kehillah Service features a short musically-driven service and a potpourri of activities led by OrH members and Rabbi Liz, addressing a theme or concept related to the season, or the weekly Torah portion. Following a closing gathering that include the opportunity to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish, we’ll enjoy a delicious communal pot-luck Kiddush luncheon.

This month's theme:

Jews in the land of Goshen – Exploring Anti-Semitism and Assimilation

We live in a time of unprecedented freedoms and varieties in religious and cultural expression, yet also a time in which anti-Semitism and other forms of race-based hatred are proliferating. From a thread in the story from Parshat Vayiggash - as Joseph, his brothers, and his father are reunited - we pull out a connection to our own identity in these multicultural times:

Tefilat Shirah – Rabbi Liz and guitarist Howard Kaplan lead opening and closing segments with joyous song and prayer.

Program:

PART I - We’ll all engage in text study from the Parshah examining concepts of power, family loyalty, and minority identity.

Program PART II – choice of activities:

- Joseph and his family are alternately high-ranking and threatened. Globally and locally, the Jewish people experience similar polarities. Explore issues and experiences with anti-Semitism and assimilation in an interactive workshop format. Led by Diana Ralph.

OR

- Create identity collages, expressing perspectives on your own minority/majority identities.