OrH Newsletter

March Shabbat-Around-the-Table Hosts Needed
If you are interested in welcoming members into your home for Shabbat-Around-the-Table on March 23, please contact Jan at jjottawa@hotmail.com. Shabbat-Around-the-Table, held on the fourth Friday of each month, is a chance for OrH members to host a Friday night shabbat dinner at their home. The hosts set the table and supply the challah, grape juice, and candles, and guests fill the table with their energy and pot-luck contributions to the meal. OrH Members and non-members are welcome to attend. More info at https://www.orh.ca/sat.html. 

Shalom Group Update
In late 2015, Or Haneshamah joined Ottawa congregations Adath Shalom and Kehillat Beth Israel to form the Shalom Group to support the sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family. We are happy to report that the family we are sponsoring had their interviews with Canadian consular officials in Beirut at the end of February and completed their medical exams earlier this month. They are now awaiting the outcome of their security checks, which could take several months. If all goes well, the family could arrive in Ottawa shortly thereafter, or anytime within the next 12 months. The Shalom Group will be meeting March 21 for a planning session. For a more detailed update, and if you are interesting in volunteering or donating, visit: http://www.orh.ca/supporting-syrian-refugees.html. 

OrH Community Passover Seder
Join us for our popular annual OrH community Passover Seder on Saturday, March 31. Registration is now open. Register by March 21 to get the early-bird rate. Prices increase on March 22. This year we will again be running two concurrent Seders, both at the Unitarian building:
 

• A Seder geared for families with children of all ages, but open to anyone who would like a shorter seder of about an hour. Share the four cups and the four questions, enjoy the lively pace, a delicious meal, and all the familiar songs and customs. 
• An immersive, leisurely Seder led by Rabbi Liz. Dig into the perennial yet relevant questions around freedom, liberation, and identity. Engage the ritual practices and texts, imbued with contemporary resonance.

 
For more information and to reserve your spot visit www.orh.ca/passover-seder.html. Our Seder is a community event organized by volunteers. To volunteer, or if you have questions about the Seder, please contact seder@orh.ca.

Pre-Pesach Shabbat Mini-Fair – Preparation for Liberation
Join us for our next "Shabbat Mini-Fair" on Saturday March 17, 9:45-12:15 as we get ready for Passover. Prior to Passover, the emphasis is on preparation. Traditionally, a home is emptied of hametz – food with leavening – as tables are set for seders that celebrate liberation, redemption and renewal. The search for hametz evokes not just the external realm of kitchen corners and ingredients, but interior landscapes of memory, emotion and spirit.
 
Along with a chanting and singing service, this month’s Pre-Pesach mini-fair will involve three elements connected to the theme:
 

• Paula will share her personal reflections on her journey of redemption from cancer treatment to healing, followed by our own responses and reflections.
• Deborah will create an art installation comprised of objects or images you bring that represent renewal or resilience.
• Spend time at the Bedikat Hametz station to assemble a KIT to take home for your own search for hametz ritual the night before Passover.

 
Come ready to sing and chant, listen and learn, craft and contribute, as we prepare for Pesach.
 
**PLEASE PLAN TO BRING WITH YOU AN ITEM OR ITEMS, OR AN IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS RENEWAL OR RESILIENCE**

We Need You on the Board of Directors
Are you looking for an opportunity to get more involved at OrH? Consider joining the OrH Board. The OrH Board is responsible for directing and providing oversight of the congregation. It is particularly important that the Board reflects our diverse membership, including new and long-time members, Machaneh Shabbat and BaMa'Gal families, those who regularly attend services and events or just the occasional holiday or festival gatherings. While some Board members take on certain roles and responsibilities, such as adult learning, education, communications, membership, treasurer, and secretary, others serve as at-large members – ideal for new Board members to learn about what the Board does and where their particular interests may lie. The Board meets monthly at Unitarians or at members' homes. If you are curious or interested in learning more please contact info@orh.ca or reach out to a current Board member (contacts listed at www.orh.ca/board-of-directors).

Klez 11 Fundraiser for Ottawa Kosher Food Bank
OrH is once again a proud sponsor of this year's Klez event on Sunday, March 25, 3 - 6 pm. For klezmer lovers of all ages! Enjoy entertainment by Touch of Klez and Musica Ebraica (musical direction by our own Rabbi Liz), Yiddish dancing with International Dancers of Ottawa, and silent auction. Tickets: $10 at the door plus donations for the Kosher Food Bank. SJCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt., Social Hall. Contact Paul Adler at psadler@psadler.com for more information.

Report of the OrH Caring Committee
We at the OrH Caring Committee have been busy!  We’ve changed our name - we are now officially known as Hesed (loving kindness). We’ve been researching how other faith communities go about caring for each other; we’re in the process of defining our own mandate, and we’re coming up with a workable, sustainable way to organize ourselves. Would you like to help? We’d love your input! Bring your ideas, enthusiasm and readiness to participate to our next meeting on Monday, March 26, 7 - 9 pm.  Please call Jean at 613-314-2806 for the location.

June Tri-City Shabbaton
We are planning a Shabbaton for June 15-17 at a camp in the Laurentians
with participants from Reconstructionist communities in Ottawa, Toronto,
and Montreal. It would be a huge help if you could please take a minute to
answer the 3 questions through this link. 
 
If you are interested in being part of the planning committee, willing to
lead a service, facilitate a program, help with the cooking, or any other
kind of logistical support, please email Paula at info@orh.ca.

Upcoming Services and Events
 
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
Thursday, March 15, 2018
7:15 PM - 9:15 PM, Room 5, lower level of Unitarians
A learning activity open to all who want to explore, learn, grow and share a mindfulness experience with a Jewish perspective. Affiliation with a Jewish organization is not required. No RSVP required. No fee. More information at www.orh.ca/jmm.html. 
 
Pre-Pesach Shabbat Mini-Fair
Saturday, March 17, 2018
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Fellowship Hall of Unitarians
A chanting and singing service followed by three member-led interactive activities to get us ready for Passover. Communal pot-luck kiddush lunch to follow.
 
Shabbat-Around-the-Table
Friday, March 23, 2018
Location TBA: If you are interested in hosting, please contact Jan at jjottawa@hotmail.com.
 
BaMa'gal B'nei Mitzvah Group
Friday, March 23, 2018
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, lower level Unitarians
 
Hesed (OrH Caring Committee) Meeting
Monday, March 26, 2018
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
RSVP to Jean at 613-314-2806
 
Passover Seder
Saturday, March 31, 2018
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Register now. Early-bird rates apply until March 21: https://www.orh.ca/passover-seder.html. 

Member News
​Along with members of the Chanting & Chocolate Band, OrH member Lorne Mallin will be presenting two sessions at Limmud Ottawa, a daylong exploration of Jewish learning, Sunday, March 18 ( www.limmudottawa.ca ).
 
The first session at 9:30-10:30 am is "The Joy of Hebrew Chant." Chanting is the repetition of a sacred phrase, transforming words of liturgy and Torah with beautiful melodies and deep spiritual intention to unlock the treasures of the heart and healing. Come experience the joy of this devotional practice.
 
The second session at 10:45-11:45 is "The Music of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda." The music is a tapestry of Jewish prayer and African melodies and rhythms. Experience a multimedia presentation about this unique Jewish community and learn to sing their music in Hebrew and the Luganda tribal language.
 
Also at Limmud, Lorne will have a table of crafts made by the Abayudaya women. All proceeds will go back to the women who made them. If you can volunteer to help him sell them for an hour or two, please let him know: lorne.mallin@gmail.com. 

Reconstructionist News
The latest issue of Reconstructionism Today can be found at: http://bit.ly/2BrXWev. The archive of back issues are available at: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/newsletter-archive. 

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
* Shabbat Dinner. Lorne Mallin hosts a warm and tuneful Shabbat potluck dinner at his Sandy Hill Home this Friday, March 16 at 6:30pm. Lorne hosts these Shabbats on the 3rd Friday of every month. Bring a veggie or dairy dish to share and $5 for the support of Abayudaya Jewish orphans in Uganda. Email lorne.mallin@gmail.com to RSVP and for location details.
 
Also, be sure to mark your calendars for Lorne’s monthly Chanting and Chocolate gathering at Temple Israel on Monday, March 26, 7:30-9pm. Join in sacred Hebrew chanting with beautiful melodies and spiritual intention to open the heart and connect with the Divine. Lorne Mallin is joined by Ottawa musical friends. Hebrew knowledge is not required – chant sheets are provided. After the chanting, enjoy tea and home-baked, triple-chocolate brownies. $10 suggested donation to help Ugandan orphans to go to school. Contact Lorne at lorne.mallin@gmail.com or 604-222-3379.
 
* Part-time librarian for The Greenberg Families Library at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Knowledge of cataloguing practices and maintaining an automated database is essential. Familiarity with Jewish texts and practices required. You will be responsible for acquisitions, program planning and budget preparation. You must be personable and enjoy working with the public. For more information about hours and venue, please call Maxine Miska, Director of Programming, Soloway Jewish Community Centre (613)798-9818 ext 263, or send your resume to mmiska@jccottawa.com.
 
The Greenberg Families Library is also looking for a student or other person to fill in during the month of April until the half-time position is filled. If you know of anyone who can get to the SJCC and would like some temporary work, please have them contact Maxine Miska, Assistant Executive Director at 613-798-9818 ext. 263, or by email: mmiska@jccottawa.com. 
 
* The Beth Tzedec Congregation Men’s Club in Toronto is pleased to sponsor our long standing scholarship program to assist young men and women who are pursuing programs of higher Jewish education. Applicants need not be a member of Beth Tzedec. Awards are available for a wide range of Jewish studies including education, arts, social work, cantorial and rabbinic studies. Deadline for submitting applications is April 14, 2018. More information available at: https://www.beth-tzedec.org/page/scholarships or contacting (416) 781-3511 or hershr@rogers.com.
 
Raise money for Hillel Lodge simply by subscribing to the Lodge's YouTube Channel. Have A Minute? The Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge is home to 121 residents. It is the only Jewish Long Term Care home in Ottawa. 'The Lodge', as it is affectionately known, knows that your time is precious. Every minute counts and we hope that you have a minute to spare for The Lodge. Click here to watch The Lodge's one minute video. After watching, please subscribe to the Lodge's YouTube channel - its the red button under the video. A caring supporter of the Lodge has generously offered to donate $1 for every subscriber in March 2018 (up to $1000)
 
Register now for the Soloway JCC 5th Annual Biathlon, Sunday, March 25. The SJCC's Annual Biathlon Fundraiser is a fun day of fitness where teams of 18 spin and swim to raise funds for the Soloway JCC. Proceeds from this event will go towards funding scholarships for Soloway JCC Ganon Preschool, JCC of Ottawa Summer Camps, and SJCC Membership. Sponsor a team or make a donation at: https://tinyurl.com/yd6vlyuh. To register individually or as a team, contact Carla Gencher at cgencher@jccottawa.com or call 613-798-9818 x278.
 
2018 G.J. Cooper Scholarship Award. The scholarship, valued at approximately $15,000, is granted each year to support the studies of a member of the Ottawa Jewish community who is between the ages of 18 and 30, has displayed leadership qualities, academic excellence and has an interest in the Jewish community. Deadline April 13, 2018. More info at https://tinyurl.com/yalfvh4l. 
 
The Norman Lesh Philanthropy Award. Valued at about $3,500, the award honours the legacy of philanthropist, Norman Lesh. This award aims at encouraging other innovative thinkers to develop their own philanthropic legacy. Deadline: April 13, 2018. More info at https://tinyurl.com/y8bmjfeu. 
 
Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation Scholarship available! The Ilana and Steven Rubin Scholarship is valued at $1,800 and is aimed to help students who wish to attend a Canadian or Israeli post-secondary institution. Students applying for the scholarship must be graduating from high school this year with at least a B average. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need through qualification for the Ontario Student Assistance Program or equivalent. The application deadline is April 13. More information at http://bit.ly/2FiLj5B, foundation@jewishottawa.com, or 613-798-4696 x270.
 
Sponsor a family's Passover seder. The Ottawa Kosher Food Bank is seeking donations of $72 to sponsor a family's Pesach bag. To donate contact the food bank at 613-728-3501 ext 235, or email michelle@kehillatbethisrael.com. 
 
Limmud Ottawa offers another outstanding day of Jewish learning and culture on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the SJCC. Limmud is truly a magical recipe of art, tradition, religion, spirituality and Jewish life, sprinkled with creativity and served to participants from all backgrounds, religious affiliations and age groups. Choose from multiple sessions every hour run by educators, artists, academics, performers, experts, and enthusiasts. We offer hands-on workshops, panel discussions, cooking demonstrations and this year a very special Leonard Cohen musical tribute. Registration (Early Bird $25.00; Regular $36.00) covers all sessions, performances, refreshments, and lunch. Specials for family and children. Go to limmudottawa.ca for information, registration, and programs.
 
Seeing Israel Through A Feminist Lens: Ottawa Women's Tour to Israel. Trip date: April 22- May 2, 2018. Deadline to register: April 1. Limited space remains to join 20 women on an exciting and unique tour of Israel sharing fun, knowledge and adventures. Speakers include Eetta Prince-Gibson, internationally award winning journalist, former editor of the Jerusalem Report, present Israel editor of Moment Magazine; Aida Tuma Sliman, one of only two female Arab members of the Knesset who will discuss equality under the law with Estee Rieder-Indursky, CEO of Nivcharot, Haredi Feminist organization, at the Knesset. Experts will also join group from Haifa University relating to the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder effects on female soldiers, refugees and others living in Israel. Other speakers include members of Women Wage Peace and Women of the Wall. Fun activities will include: jeep tour of the Golan; a visit to Yad Be Yad, a bilingual school dedicated to bringing together Jewish and Arab children; group will also prepare and share dinner with a Druze/ Arab family, tour areas such as the Tel Dan Nature Reserve and a bio-bee centre to learn how Israelis are tackling environmental issues. And more! For a full itinerary, please email agulnikpaula@gmail.com or Yaffa at yaffa.greenbaum@gmail.com.
 
Journey to Remember: Educational adult trip to Berlin, Poland, Israel with Holocaust survivor, guides. Join a "Journey to Remember" - a "March-of-the-Living" style trip for adults. Organized by Jewish community members, Sharon & David Appotive, Randi & Ian Sherman, Bonnie & Bruce Engel, and Cybele & Lyon Hamburg, you are invited to share a moving experience and a stimulating itinerary in the company of a Holocaust survivor, engaging guides and Ottawa's Rabbi Idan Scher - while enjoying delicious local cuisine and lovely boutique hotel accommodations.  The Journey begins in Berlin, proceeds to Poland and ends in Israel. It is a 17-day trip, taking place this October 2018, with very limited space available. If you are interested, please contact Shari Silverstein at 416-315-4049 or shari@thetravelnetwork.com or Cindy Berg at 416-436-7632 or cindy@thetravelnetwork.com. 
 
Maccabi International Youth Games. Apply Today! Do you have a child who plays soccer? Register now to take part in the Maccabi International Youth Games this summer! Join 1,500 athletes, ages 14-16, from around the world for a 10-day unforgettable Israel experience, which includes sports competitions, sports clinics, Tikkun Olam (volunteering), exciting festivities and a lifetime of memories! From July 22 - August 1, 2018. More information at https://www.maccabicanada.com/the-games/maccabi-international-youth-games/. 

Get Involved! Opportunities for Community Involvement
Are you looking to get involved with OrH activities? We are always in need of helping hands with event planning and other activities. All are welcome, including High Schoolers who are looking for community volunteer opportunities. Please contact info@orh.ca or visit the OrH home page (look for the Get Involved! banner). 

Donations to OrH

Donations are a significant part of the funding for activities and rabbinic support in our community. You can direct your contribution to different areas of Or Haneshamah’s activity, including: general donations to fund programming, rabbinic leadership, donations in honor or in memory of a person or event, or dedication of ritual objects. We also welcome donations to the Gita (Tova) & Zvi Memorial Fund, the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund,  the Or Haneshamah Endowment Fund. Federal employees or retirees can also give to OrH through the Annual Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign. Information on all these programs and how to give can be found at this link, or by clicking on the "Donate" tab on the main menu of the OrH website.

Potluck Protocol
Our community’s long time practice is to welcome egg, dairy and fish on the potluck table. Please label your meal contributions with all ingredients to help people with food allergies or sensitivities; also advise kitchen staff whether dish is to be served hot or cold.

Rides to Services and Events
Will you need a ride to services and OrH events? Are you able to offer a ride to services OrH events? We encourage members to be generous with their offers of rides. Please contact  info@orh.ca  with your name and area of the city you are coming from.

Visiting or Studying in Toronto or Montreal?
If you or your children will be in Toronto or Montreal, they are very welcome at our sibling congregations. We have reciprocal memberships with both Darchei Noam (Toronto) and Dorshei Emet (Montreal). Likewise, we welcome their members to our services, programs, and High Holy Day services. For security reasons we ask to call ahead to make arrangements for the High Holy Days.

A Caring Community
Members are encouraged to contact the rabbi or any board member to let us know about your pastoral care needs, or the needs of another member, whether related to a new or an ongoing circumstance. These may include such situations as a pending hospitalization, a change in health, relationship, or employment status, other life transitions, or the death of a loved one. Through knowing what is happening in each other’s lives, we give each other, including our rabbi, the opportunity to perform acts of gemilut hasadim/loving kindness, the hallmark of a caring community.

We Are Listening
How do you feel things are going in our community? Do you have ideas about programs or events that we should pursue? What aspects of Or Haneshamah do you feel are working well, and what do you think can be improved?  In the interest of making OrH the best community that it can be, the board and rabbi invite you to submit comments and feedback at any time. Please send your thoughts to  feedback@orh.ca  or directly to any member of the board (email addresses below).

Board of Directors
President: Paula,  president@orh.ca
Treasurer: Jacob,  treasurer@orh.ca
Education: Heni,  learning@orh.ca
Communications: David M.,  communications@orh.ca
Secretary: David L.,  secretary@orh.ca
Membership: Janet,  membership@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Jean,  member-at-large.jean@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Jan,  member-at-large.jan@orh.ca
Past President: Mark,  past-president@orh.ca
 
Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton:  rabbi@orh.ca ​​​​​​​
Members are welcome to contact Rabbi Liz, or any member of the board, regarding pastoral needs.

Or Haneshamah
30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa, ON, K2A 4A1
613-239-4988
www.orh.ca
info@orh.ca

** Disclaimer Regarding Community Event Postings **

Or Haneshamah frequently receives requests to post notices of upcoming events in the community at-large.  These events run the range from cultural, educational, and in some cases explorations of topical political issues.  In the interest of providing information to our congregation about the diversity of interesting events in the Ottawa community we will post notices of these events in our regular newsletter.

We recognize also that from time to time we are requested to post notices of events which are highly controversial in nature and reflect a wide range of opinions among our congregation on particular issues.  We are, however, of the opinion that it is appropriate for us to post events taking place in the community which may challenge us, which may cause discomfort, and which may cause us to reflect on some of our beliefs.  Our openness to post notices for a wide range of community events, however, does not mean that we have abdicated our responsibility to show discernment and to distinguish between those events which demonstrate an open-minded and thoughtful approach to specific issues and those which do not appear to reflect such values.  So, we will make judgments about what notices we believe are appropriate to post and those which we believe will not contribute to a thoughtful and balanced exploration of ideas and issues.

Will we make mistakes along the way?  Probably.  But the possibility of errors of judgment does not mean that we can excuse ourselves from the responsibility to show judgment in posting notices about events in the community and we promise to do so with openness tempered by a sense of responsibility.

In agreeing to post any notice of an event in the community, Or Haneshamah does not endorse, support or promote any perspectives, positions or ideas expressed in the events which are posted in our newsletter.