Or Atid Member Receives Federation Binswanger Award

Congregation Or Atid congregant LeAnne Sporn was presented with the Sam E. & Virginia V. Binswanger Award for Outstanding Young Leadership during the Federation’s annual meeting held in June at Congregation Beth Ahabah. 

The Binswanger Award is a highly respected local honor presented by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. The award’s purpose is to recognize individuals (typically age 40 or younger) who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and effectiveness within the community.

The award is named after Sam E. and Virginia V. Binswanger, longtime local philanthropists. The award highlights the work of volunteers who dedicate significant time and energy to Jewish organizations. Honorees often go on to hold broader community leadership roles.

Sporn serves on many committees and boards throughout the Richmond community, mostly focusing on young adult engagement and programming. The Binswanger Award has not been awarded since 2019. 

The award includes a grant that will used in assisting Sporn to go to Greece on the Federation’s JDC Entwine/ Sisisky Fellows trip coming up in October. Sporn’s achievement will be celebrated during the upcoming Grand Event in November where she will be a guest speaker.

Garden is Thriving

Our Gan Chesed Kindness Garden not only survived the continuing extreme heat (thanks to Kim Baukus, Myra Isaacs and Fran Todras for recent watering), but it is thriving!

We recently harvested 11 lb 12 oz of organic veggies and herbs from the garden. Over half of this weight was beautiful onions, but we also had a few peppers, eggplants and lots of basil. A single small cabbage and zucchini rounded out the harvest.

As in the past, the garden’s organic vegetables and herbs will continue to be delivered to the Jewish Community Center’s Elmer Toth Food Pantry along with similar donations from the JCC’s grocery store partners during the season. Updates will be reported as the season progresses.

If you would like to help with the garden, please contact Sue Geller at: susanrgeller@gmail.com or 804-387-7643.

‘Shabarbeque’ Musical Shabbat with Dinner

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be on the grill during Or Atid’s upcoming “Shabarbeque” musical Shabbat being held on Friday, August 14. Dinner service will include a variety of cold salads,  watermelon and desserts. Vegetarian and gluten free options will also be available. Cost is $15 for adults and no charge for seniors 75 and older (made possible by Beth Shalom). Cost for children between 5 to 12 years old is $8 with no charge for children 4 years old and younger.) Call the office to register at (804) 740-4747.

Young Adults to Celebrate Lunch on the Canal

Join Or Atid’s Beacon for ‘Lunch on the Canal’ on Sunday, August 16 at 2 p.m. Location details will be shared in your registration confirmation. Beacon is the congregation’s young adult community open to young adults throughout Richmond’s wider Jewish community (ages 18 to 40 years old). Beacon’s goal is to bring people together for learning, connection, volunteering and fun meetups that strengthen relationships across Richmond’s Jewish young adult scene.

C0A Pathways to Engagement!

Join Or Atid’s COA Book Club for engaging discussion and community. Meetings take place on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Meetings will be held on August 12, September 23, November 4 and December 16. Location has yet to be determined. Participation is open to the entire Richmond Jewish community. Add the dates to your calendar and read along with us!

Senior Schmooze Group Holds Mah Jong session

Mah Jong is gaining interest among the Or Atid community, especially the synagogue’s seniors who held a Seniors Schmooze event in July hosted by a teacher who explained the basics of the game. 

Or Atid recently conducted a survey showing a strong interest in weekly games at the synagogue. To implement this effort the congregation is seeking a Mah Jong Coordinator to organize the weekly games as well as experienced players to anchor each table and offer light guidance on the rules of the game. 

Game days will be held on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., except the last Tuesday of each month.

This is a wonderful way to support a fun, social and intergenerational program. For more information on joining the team, please contact Shira Ledman at wisesong1@gmail.com

High Holiday Schedule