High Holiday Appeal

September 11, 2019

Dear Fellow Ohev Congregants,

Ohev Sholom changed our lives. About seven years ago, we walked into Kabbalat Shabbat at the shul on a random summer afternoon. That evening was completely different than anything we had ever experienced and beyond anything that we even knew existed. Approached by strangers who welcomed us with open arms, we experienced the beauty of Shabbat and have never looked back.

Our lives are a lot different now: we are now married with a daughter and those strangers became some of our closest friends. But Ohev Sholom continues to inspire us week after week. Ohev Sholom is more than a place to daven. It is the center of our community and a place where the term "community" is not simply paid lip service. From making sure everyone has a place to go for the chagim to helping each other through difficult times to bringing meals after simchot, people are always there for each other.

In this spirit, we are writing to ask you to consider giving to a community that gives us so much. It is not mystery that it is not cheap to raise a Jewish family in the DC area. We all have mortgage or rental payments and many of us had, have or soon will have the cost of sending our children to Jewish schools. So why give (or give more) to Ohev Sholom? Because, at least in our experience, you will receive far more than you give. The synagogue continues to grow and expand its programming, offering us a secure place where we and our children can go to learn, grow, pray, and celebrate. Most recently, Ohev has completed, or is working on, improving the acoustics in the social hall, making repairs to the cemetery, and increasing security during a time of increased risks. But all of it costs money, and so we ask that you please consider a gift to the High Holiday Appeal in order for the congregation to reach its full potential.

L’Shana Tova Tikatevu,
Joseph and Claudia Saka

Donate to the 5780 Appeal