Or Emet to host online program on golem literature

On Sunday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m.-noon, Or Emet members Michal Moskow and Scott Chazdon will present an online program on the Jewish mythological golem story, its connection with Jewish mystical mathematics, the appearance of golems in literature, as well as more recent interpretations of the golem myth by female Jewish authors. 

Due to concerns about the Omicron variant, this program will be via Zoom only. Please register in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Prague golem reproduction

Reproduction of Prague golem (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Golem stories originated in the rabbinic literature and became part of the Jewish folktale tradition. The most famous golem is that of Rabbi Judah Loew, the Maharal of 16th-century Prague, featuring the golem as a large, powerful, humanoid created from clay to save the Jewish people from outward danger.

Moskow is a professor at Metropolitan State University and is still rostered at the University of Gothenburg. Her major areas include social linguistics and human rights. 

Chazdon knew nothing about golems before the Or Emet Book Club started reading novels about them. He is a sociologist and program evaluator for University of Minnesota Extension, and former president of Or Emet.

The Sunday adult programs are free and open to the public, and meet concurrently with Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural Sunday School. 

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For information about Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural Sunday School, contact JCS director Arty Dorman at school-1@oremet.org. 

For information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.

Or Emet’s 2021 Hanukkah party was a hit!

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On Dec. 5, the final night of Hanukkah, Or Emet celebrated at the Cedarholm Golf Course community room in Roseville.

More than 40 people danced, sang, played dreidel, ate latkes and lit the menorah in solidarity against the darkness, and despite missing our friends through the pandemic.

A definite highlight was dancing the “Banu Chosech Legaresh,” an Israeli dance whose title means, “We came to get rid of the dark!” Dancing outside was a fun way to keep warm.

Enjoy photos from the Hanukkah party below!

Sarah and Leta teaching the “Banu Chosech Legaresh” dance.

Mini-menorah created by the Finestack children.

Dickson family

Dickson family

Jeff lighting the menorah.

Potato latkes, of course!

Eva Cohen

 

The group enjoyed dancing the "Banu Chosech Legaresh" outside.

The group enjoyed dancing the “Banu Chosech Legaresh” outside.

A visiting family lighting candles.

A visiting family lighting candles.

Seth Fine and family

Seth Fine and family

Howard, Lenny and Gwyn

Howard, Lenny and Gwyn

Binder-Housenecht family

Binder-Housenecht family

The Handley family menorah burning brightly with real candles.

The Handley family menorah burning brightly with real candles.

Or Emet to Host Program on Understanding Between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims

On Sunday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m.-noon, Or Emet will host a presentation by Fred Schlomka, CEO of the Green Olive Collective, a social enterprise and collective of Israelis and Palestinians working together for a just peace. The organization advocates for progressive change through tours and special events, both on the ground and online.

The program will be at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul, 768 Hamline Ave. South in St. Paul. Those who cannot attend in person may join over Zoom. Register in advance here.

Schlomka, whose family originated in Palestine, has had a career in the business world and nonprofit organizations on both sides of the Atlantic. He established Green Olive Tours in 2007 and became CEO of the Green Olive Collective in 2013. 

After growing up in Scotland and living in the U.S. for many years, Schlomka’s passion for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine led him to move there in 2000 with his family. For his complete bio, please see his online profile.

The Sunday adult programs are free and open to the public and meet concurrently with the Jewish Cultural School. Everyone is required to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the previous 72 hours. 

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For information about Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural School, contact JCS director Arty Dorman at school-1@oremet.org. 

For information about Or Emet, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.

Or Emet to Host Shabbat Service, Program on Tibetan Medicine and Wellbeing

Or Emet, the Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, continues its 2021 programming on Friday, Nov. 5, with a Humanistic Sabbath service, followed by a program on Tibetan medicine and wellbeing. The service, led by Eva Cohen, Or Emet’s ritual leader and a Humanistic rabbi-in-training, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 South Cedar Lake Rd., St. Louis Park.

Dr. Miriam Cameron

Dr. Miriam Cameron

Following the service, Miriam Cameron, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., RN, an expert in Tibetan medicine, yoga and nursing, will present “Tibetan Medicine and You: A Path to Wellbeing, Better Health, and Joy.” A member of the graduate faculty and a faculty lead at the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota, Cameron will explain the healing power of Tibetan medicine and describe how to use it for self-care and integrative care.

Dr. Cameron, who created the Bakken Center’s Yoga and Tibetan Medicine Program, has done scholarly work on Tibetan medicine, yoga, nursing, and bioethics for 30 years. She is the author of dozens of scholarly works and four books. After her presentation, she will sign and sell (at cost) her latest book, “Tibetan Medicine and You: A Path to Wellbeing, Better Health, and Joy.”

Please note: All attendees must wear a mask and will be asked for proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. Please bring written verification with you. Plans are subject to change based on CDC and state guidelines. Those who cannot attend in person may join over Zoom. Please register in advance. (The slides from the Nov. 5 presentation can be accessed here.)

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history, and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For more information about Or Emet, email welcome@oremet.org or visit oremet.org. 

Making High Holidays 2020/5781 Feel Special

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Like everything this year, High Holidays with Or Emet will look a bit different. While services will be online, we are working hard to make them into a meaningful and uplifting opportunity to reflect on our lives and connect with each other. The High Holidays and Ritual Committees have revised each service, shortening them to combat Zoom fatigue and planning for fun new components while retaining the beautiful music, inspiring liturgy, and thought-provoking commentaries that are the hallmarks of Or Emet’s High Holidays. We have a few suggestions to enhance your experience.

Tips to make High Holidays with Or Emet feel special—

  •  Make the space where you will be joining services from your computer, tablet, or other device feel calm and pleasant. We all need a break from our busy lives, especially in this moment. So please, turn your phone off if you’re joining from a computer.
  • Dress up (well, at least from the waist up)! No judgement, no guilt trip if you just put on your regular Zoom shirt, but consider something special to wear to make these services feel special and to get into the holiday mindset.
  • Prepare or buy special holiday foods for your household, and enjoy them as you visit with Or Emet friends after our services. For Rosh Hashanah, slice up apples and dip them in honey for a sweet new year. We have some recipes and ideas for ordering holiday food on our blog.

Here are more details about each service—

  • Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur services will include live music as well as video debuts by Or Emet singers.
  •  Rosh Hashanah evening service— After the service and a short pause to stretch and get refreshments, we’ll gather again for our oneg, enjoying conversation and celebration together in breakout rooms.
  • Tashlich service— This short service will include some fun, beginner-friendly movement exercises to cast off last year’s baggage. Either yoga therapist Emily Kaspari or Feldenkrais instructor Beth Hartman will lead. After the service, you can walk or drive to a lake, stream, or river and use our DIY Tashlich guide (coming in an email next week) for inspiration as you symbolically cast off the past year’s regrets and errors into the water. Consider taking a selfie or other photos as you do Tashlich, and share photos on social media with the hashtag #OrEmetMNTashlich. Tag Or Emet’s Facebook page, Twitter account, or Instagram account in your post.
  • Kol Nidre service— No breakout rooms after this service to give more time for rest and personal reflection.
  • Yom Kippur afternoon service— After the service and a short break, we’ll reconvene for a festive break-fast; enjoy your at-home spread and conversation in breakout rooms.

 We are looking forward to a unique High Holidays experience with all of you!

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