Shedding New Light on Jewish Traditions

Johanna Moss Story

Johanna Moss Remembers Or Hadash

My family is a former member family of Or Hadash; they were one of the first to join after the original founding families. I grew up attending Sunday and Hebrew School classes when Or Hadash was located at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. I started attending Sunday school when we joined in 1985, when I was just five years old. I was Bat Mitzvahed there in 1993 by Rabbi Vivian and Confirmed by Rabbi Vivian at the new building in 1996. My Mom and I even co-founded a children's choir that lasted for a few years when I was twelve years old. In addition, at about that time, my familyjoined Havurah Gila, a family Havurah at Or Hadash and are still participating to this day.

I don't think I would be the person I am today without the support of the Reconstructionist movement, Or Hadash, my religious school teachers, my parents and peers, Rabbi Vivian, and Rabbi Julie Greenberg. That being said, being a part of the Or Hadash community was a main part of my decision to make Jewish communal service my career. One of my favorite early memories was discovering rooms at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College; to be educated in a mansion, with its nooks and crannies, was incredibly significant to a young person. I will always remember celebrating Shabbat and holidays, choir rehearsals and performances, and Sunday and Hebrew School classes. The Or Hadash family has impacted my life and for that I am very grateful.