Home Page  The Synagogue   From The Rabbi's Desk    Sermons    Cantor's Notes    Join Us for Services    About Us    Building Progress    Jewish Resources    B'nei Mitzvah  Groups & Activities   Volunteer Opportunities    Or Chadash Happenings    Congregational Photos    Sisterhood News    Brotherhood News    Social Action    Membership    Administrator       Community News  Education   Religious School   Kidz Newz Newsletter   Youth Program   Tot Program   Adult Ed Program  Contact Us  Information Request Form  Rabbi        Thomas A. Louchheim  Cantor Janece Cohen  Rina Liebeskind        Education Director  Artemis Hanusiak        Administrator/Acct. Mgr.  Skye Gentry        Executive Assistant  Mark Ross        Cong. President    Synagogue Staff    Lay Leadership    (2009-10)    President's Message Congregation Or Chadash 3939 N. Alvernon Tucson, AZ 85718  Office E-Mail Tel: (520)-512-8500 Fax: (520)-512-8600

Community Happenings ... MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY: THE HOMER DAVIS PROJECT    Join the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Homer Davis Elementary School for Make a Difference Every Day: The Homer Davis Project. Or Chadash and JFCS, together, will team up to improve the learning environment, the educational opportunities and health of their students. Come and help the JCRC revitalize the Homer Davis campus and outdoor habitat through landscaping and restoring murals and benches. Not a landscaper? Join us in providing weekly homework help after school, or even have the opportunity to help out through our child nutrition program or school supply and backpack drive! WE NEED YOUR HELP!    This month we’re kicking off our Homer Davis After School Homework Support Program. We need committed weekly volunteers to provide homework support after school at Homer Davis. WILL YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE? Together we can truly improve the quality of life and education of the students and families of Homer Davis Elementary School. To volunteer or for more information contact Jane Scott at 577-9393 x 114 or e-mail Jane at jscott@jfsa.org by clicking here. DEDICATE YOURSELF TO CHEVRA KADISHAH ... Our Caring Community is offering the opportunity to serve on the Chevra Kadishah group. These dedicated members of Or Chadash volunteer to ritually wash the deceased before burial. If you are interested, contact Rabbi Louchheim, 512-8500. . INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES   creates connections between faith communities and volunteers to serve seniors, disabled persons and individuals in financial crisis. Food Drive: The Food Bank at ICS is still in need of non-perishable food items. Congregation Or Chadash, along with other local synagogues, is helping with this special food drive. If you would like to contribute food, please bring it by the office or to ICS. Your help will be appreciated by many people.    Interfaith Community Services creates connections between faith communities and volunteers to serve seniors, disabled persons, and individuals in financial crisis.     CONCERT TO BENEFIT ICS: On January 3rd at 2:00 p.m., Dove of Peace Lutheran Church (665 W. Roller Coaster Road) is hosting a benefit concert for Interfaith Community Services. The free concert, “A Baroque Wedding,” will feature popular pieces from the Baroque period, performed by musicians with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Tucson Chamber Artists. A free-will offering for ICS will be taken during the intermission.    SPANISH SPEAKERS: If you are bilingual in Spanish and English and are looking for a volunteer opportunity, ICS is looking for Spanish speakers who can transport seniors and disabled people for doctor’s appointments and shopping in Pima County. Call Sandi Brickley at 297-2738 ext. 217.    MOBILE MEALS AVAILABLE: If you or someone you know needs fresh, nutritious meals delivered, call about our Mobile Meals program, 297-6049. Friendly volunteers can bring meals each weekday if you can’t cook for yourself.    VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA): Training for volunteer tax preparers is going on now for the 2010 tax season. Call Terri Patt-Smith at 297-6049 if you are interested in volunteering for this United Way program.    VOLUNTEER DRIVERS: Do you like to drive and would like to make a difference for homebound seniors in our community? Drivers are needed who are willing to deliver Mobile Meals to ICS recipients living south of Ina, north of River, west of Swan, and E of I-10, especially in zip 85718. ICS offers mileage reimbursement for transportation volunteers. Training provided.    Visit www.icstucson.org by clicking here for more information, or call 297-6049 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. GOT CHILDREN - 6 MONTHS to 6 YEARS? If you do, The PJ Library® is for YOU!... What is it? It’s a free program with free stuff brought to you through the Coalition for Jewish Education of the JFSA. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! What do you get? Free books! What’s the catch? There is no catch! Visit www.PJLibrary.org by clicking here and sign up for free Jewish content books for your children who are between the ages of six months and six years who reside in southern Arizona. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Loebl, PJ Library Coordinator, 577- 9393 or e-mail her at pjlibrary@jfsa.org by clicking here. JEWISH REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA    Jewish Refugee Resettlement of Southern Arizona helps resettle refugees of all ages, races, religions, and ethnic origins. JRRSA assists individuals and families legally admitted into the United States who are fleeing persecution in their home countries. The refugees that are currently being helped to resettle in Tucson are from Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq. These clients have a variety of English skills. All of these refugees do have a desire to work and become part of our culture.    E-mail Bryan Kaplan, Employment Coordinator, at bkaplanjrrsa@live.com by clicking here, if you have questions about this program or you are willing to lend a hand with employment. HELP THE JEWISH COMMUNITY HELP OTHERS–MAKE A DIFFERENCE!   Not ready to join a synagogue or organization, but want to get connected to your Jewish Community? Or maybe you are already affiliated with a synagogue and just need more to do. Then here’s your chance to volunteer.    Do you like to work with children, do historical research, be a docent, do office work? Whatever your interest there is something for you. Contribute as much time as you want. Local non-profit organizations need your help. Contact Brenda Landau at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona if you’re interested, 577-9393 ext. 134 or blandau@jfsa.org by clicking here. GIVE THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME   Attention parents and grandparents: Give the gift of a lifetime. Sign up your 18–26-year-old for a free, fun and adventure-filled Israel experience. The Union for Reform Judaism, an official Taglit-Birthright Israel program sponsor, offers a free ten-day trip to Israel for all Jewish 18–26-year-olds.     The Taglit-Birthright Israel: Kesher Trip provides young adults with the opportunity to explore the cobblestone alleyways of ancient Jerusalem, camp in a Bedouin tent, experience modern Israel’s vibrant nightlife, travel with new friends and connect with Israel.    To apply for the free Kesher 10-Day Birthright experience, visit www.kesherbirthright.org, by clicking here. Preference can only be given if you sign up for the Kesher trip.    Registration for Spring/Summer 2009 programs opens February. Join our pre-trip e-mail list to stay updated. Sign up at www.kesherbirthright.org. Cook's Corner     Welcome to our first installment of the new Cook’s Corner! This is our “food-for-thought” section that will hopefully intrigue you to expand your ideas in the kitchen.     If you have any recipes you would like to share with the congregation, please call Skye at 512-8500 or email them to office@orchadash-tucson.org by clicking here     Each month we will add a recipe from one of the winning Cook-Off recipes from the 2009 Jewish Food Festival. Take your chance at 1st place in the next 2010 Jewish Food Festival Cook-Off! Look for details in future editions of The New Light.      Select A Cook's Corner Recipe From this Pull-down list Passover dishes (all 9 recipes listed below) posted April, 2010. Passover Blueberry Muffins posted April, 2010. Maria Alvarez's Passover Biscuits posted April, 2010. Matzah Popovers posted April, 2010. Grandma Pearlie's Passover Apple Kugel posted April, 2010. Jane's Sephardic Charoset for Passover posted April, 2010. Diego Diaz Nielo's Haroset Balls for Passover posted April, 2010. Sephardic Haroseth for Passover posted April, 2010. Chocolate Passover Matzah posted April, 2010. Chocolate Almond Torte for Passover posted April, 2010. Sephardic Dish posted January, 2010. Fruit filled dairy hamantaschen posted March, 2009. Mama Levy's Lentil Soup posted Feb., 2009. Potato latke (for Chanukah) posted Nov., 2008. Cranberry Chicken posted Oct., 2008. Apricot Chicken posted Oct., 2008. Apple Crisp - Appropriate For Rosh Hashannah posted Sept., 2008. Tomatoes Vinaigrette posted Aug., 2008. Grandma Shirley's Gazpacho posted Aug., 2008. For more information about these and other Congregation Or Chadash activities, call the office, 512-8500.

Member of the Union for Reform Judaism (formerly, Union of American Hebrew Congregations)