Congregation Or Ami 

Congregation Or Ami

We are comitted to fostering traditional Jewish values as espoused by Conservative Judaism with an emphasis on full egalitarian participation by members of all ages. Congregation Or Ami welcomes you today and invites you to participate with us as we strive to fulfill our vision of a vibrant and dynamic synagogue community.

Our Philosphy About Worship

Congregation Or Ami is committed to a traditional yet fully egalitarian style of worship. All post B'nai Mitzvah aged men and women are encouraged to participate in all aspects of ritual and religious life. This includes wearing Kippot, Tallit, and Tefillin whenever appropriate as well as leading the service, giving a D'var Torah (sermonette), and reading from the Torah.

All services are conducted by Rabbi Osadchey and members of the congregation. The responsibilities of Ba'al/Ba’alat Tefillah (prayer leader) are filled by a small cadre of capable and dedicated congregants. A special class is offered to train congregants to fulfill this mitzvah. The weekly presentation of a D'var Torah is shared by Rabbi Osadchey and, on the third Shabbatot of the month when he conducts the Shabbat Learner’s Minyan, by members of the synagogue. The Torah is read by an enthusiastic and skilled group of congregants, many of whom have learned the Torah trop (cantillation) during a special course offered by Or Ami

Congregation Or Ami worships with the use of Siddur Sim Shalom, the Conservative Movement's official prayerbook. The service is a participatory one with a balance of Hebrew and English to accommodate all in attendance. The bimah (place from which the Ba'al/ Ba’alat Tefillah leads the service and the Torah is read) is centered in the sanctuary so as to create a sense of warmth, intimacy, and personal involvement in prayer. Children are welcome to be in the sanctuary, in the Simchat Shabbat Learner’s Minyan, or in babysitting

Congregation Or Ami’s Vision Statement as adopted in 2004:

“Kindling the Light of learning, spiritual growth, and compassion to nurture creative and innovative Jewish life in the home, in the synagogue and in the community"

March 27-29

Kadima Convention

Congregation Or Ami will be hosting Kadima Convention the weekend of Friday, March 27, 2009 to Sunday, March 29, 2009.  Kadimaniks are 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.  There will be 60 to 80 Kadimaniks attending convention that will need to stay in homes Friday night and Saturday night.  USY/Kadima is asking for a very small commitment of your time and space.
 
The kids need to be picked up at approximately 10:30 PM at Or Ami Friday night, March 27th.   They need to be back at Or Ami Saturday morning around 9:00 AM and picked up Saturday night around 11:30 PM.  On Sunday, March 29, the Kadimaniks need to be back to Or Ami at 8:30 AM.  Each host home must host 2 or more kids of the same sex, provide kosher snacks, and a kosher dairy breakfast at your home Saturday morning.
 
To host Kadimaniks in your home, please contact Ed Rochman or Terry Schlanger.

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Our Vision & Our Future

The genesis of Congregation Or Ami occurred on Sept 1, 2001 when two of Houstons Conservative Synagogues merged. Congragations Beth Am and Or Hadash came together in response to a desire to share Jewish life and practice in a small and intimate setting. On September 9, 2005 before Shabbat Services we moved into our new home, and dedicated the Building.

The founding members, along with Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, set forth a vision of synagogue life which would extend their Jewish commitments and those of the next generation of Jews well into the 21st century. At the core of their vision were the values and priorities which echoed from the traditions of the past but which were embraced with new and contemporary ideas of the present.