By Amy Unger
Upcoming Programs
Calling all Jewish “Older” Adults in the Richmond community looking for a fun afternoon once a month? We have something just for you!
Congregation Or Atid welcomes older adults in the West End of Richmond to participate in the newly formed “Seniors Schmooze and Nosh Moadon” at COA.
“Moadon” in Hebrew means “Club,” reflecting the Synagogue’s aim to spend quality time together. Moadon will meet once a month, generally on the last Tuesday of each month from 2-4 p.m. at Congregation Or Atid.
These social programs are an opportunity for casual conversations and stimulating activities in a friendly environment. Activities will include music, dance, performances, lectures, socialization, and of course delicious desserts. All of the programs are FREE thanks to a generous grant from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.
The inaugural program will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2-4 p.m. Need a ride? Just let our Synagogue office know, and we’ll arrange a ride with our volunteer drivers.
We encourage you to bring your friends and make the most of this delightful time together!
For additional information and/or to register, please contact the office at (804) 740-4747.
Calling All Jewish Middle Schoolers…..(and parents- see below)!
Are you in middle school? Ever wondered, “Man, being a Jewish kid is awesome! I kind of wish I could share it with others and show how special it is. How would I do that?
JMC is your answer, my friends!
The Jewish Middle School Community (JMC) is here as an exciting, new community-wide group to bring the middle school fun!
We’re talking about great experiences, delicious food, some learning and growing, and community volunteering (but fun)! Get ready, because we’re bringing the term “Jewish kid fun” to Or Atid! Be on the lookout for upcoming events.
Please share with others. We’re always happy to know people enjoy this new and bright idea.
For details – dates, times, and more so you can make room in your social calendar, join our WhatsApp group and drop a line to Ira Korshin by emailing ira.korshin@gmail.com or call/text at (804) 317-1323 with questions.
Are you the parent of a middle school student? JMC’s purpose is to bring Jewish middle schoolers throughout Richmond together 1-2 times per month for social gatherings, plus some learning and leadership opportunities.
We will explore what it means to be Jewish in conversations throughout the school year as we get to know each other – sharing our role models, rich history, Jewish identity and culture, holidays, and traditions are at the heart of it all to really just let it all blossom!
We want all the Jewish kids to make friendships together! Plus, don’t the adults just want some time to themselves? More to come with the first get-togethers being scheduled soon.
For more details and to sign up, contact Ira Korshin.
JMC is a new initiative, supported, in part, by generous contributions from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, and is sponsored and supported by Or Atid. JMC’s goal is to build an RVA-wide Jewish middle school community that is student-guided, with the support of parent/family ambassadors and Rabbi Sherry Grinsteiner.
Join Or Atid for Our History/Our Stories Series
Or Atid is excited to announce a four-part series of presentations by four community members whose Jewish background and experiences lie outside the more familiar Ashkenazi history.
The series is open to the Richmond Jewish community.
It will take place at Or Atid at 6:30 p.m. on the following Sunday’s over the next four months: Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. All dates are Sundays, and all talks will take place at 6:30 p.m.
For additional information and/or to register, please contact the synagogue office at (804) 740-4747 or visit
https://www.oratid.org/event/Our-History-Our-Stories
It Been a Busy Summer at Congregation Or Atid
A Memorable Musical Shabbat/Shabbarbque:
On Friday, July 19, Or Atid welcomed about 100 people, including members and visitors from our community, to the first Musical Shabbat- “Shabbarbque” of the summer. The Shabbat service began with a beautiful candlelighting ceremony followed by an inspirational Shabbat service with musical accompaniment.
After the service, everyone enjoyed the delicious chicken dinner prepared by a cadre of volunteers.
The children especially enjoyed a fun learning experience with Lisa Plotkin from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond (JCFR), who shared a variety of books from the JCFR PJ Library program. The PJ Library sends free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month. These stories spark conversations that inspire the whole family to explore and celebrate what they love about Jewish life.
A huge thank you goes out to Rabbi Sherry Grinsteiner and all the volunteers who were involved in all the preparations, music, and cooking in order to make this Shabbat experience so very special.
It Was a Fun Filled (and wet) Family Event for Young Jewish Families:
On the morning of July 14, the Young Jewish Family Group (YGF) of Congregation Or Atid hosted a splash pad event at Twin Hickory.
Around 30 adults and children from Or Atid as well as from the broader Jewish community enjoyed a fun-filled morning enjoying popsicles, splashing in the water, playing on the playground, and “schmoozing” together.
Look for more exciting programs and events sponsored by the YJF group in the near future. Events are generally posted on the Jewish Community Federation Calendar as well as on the Congregation Or Atid Calendar.
Or Atid’s Gan Chesed Garden Continues to Thrive:
Despite some very hot days this summer, the Gan Chesed Garden at Or Atid is producing organically grown produce for the Elmer Toth Food Pantry at the Weinstein JCC. A recent harvest produced 16 pounds of cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, and strawberries. There will be a lot more donations to come too!
A huge thank you goes out to the dedicated “watering” crew and, particularly those volunteers who watered in extreme heat to keep the plants growing and looking healthy. We are grateful to be able to help those in need in our community by providing an array of fresh produce.
