In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
* "Wrestling Jerusalem" - Screening and conversation with the filmmaker, Dylan Kussman, March 21, 2018, 6:30 pm, Mayfair Theatre. "Wrestling Jerusalem" is a tour-de-force performance by writer-actor Aaron Davidman, who conjures a host of different characters while seeking answers to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Creatively adapting his acclaimed one-man stage show using only simple props and backdrops, Davidman takes a multidimensional journey into the heart of the Middle East, and the intersection of politics, identity and spiritual yearning. He embodies and gives voice to 17 different characters on all sides of the existential divide–deftly moving between male and female, Jewish and Muslim, Israeli and Arab–modeling what it takes truly to bear witness through the eyes of the other. Challenging long-held beliefs with sharp and unblinking observation, Davidman finds both entrenched isolation and shared humanity in the shifting moral compasses and competing narratives of all his characters. Filmmaker Dylan Kussman moves freely and seamlessly among three locations–a live theater audience, the open expanse of a vast desert, and a small dressing room–exploiting the interplay of theatrical spontaneity, cinematic poetry, and spiritual intimacy. The result is a unique hybrid of stage and cinema that reignites hope for the future of this troubled region.
* Lorne Mallin’s monthly Chanting and Chocolate gathering at Temple Israel takes place on Monday, March 26, 7:30-9 pm. 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.
* NAC Pre-Show Chat: "Climate Crisis, Human Cost," with Rabbi Liz Bolton and Dr. Monica Gattinger, Tuesday, March 27, 6:30-7:25 pm (prior to the performance of carried away on the crest of a wave), at the NAC, Susan Glass and Arni Thorsteinson Staircase. NAC English Theatre Artist in Residence Sarah Waisvisz brings together two panelists with distinct but interconnected perspectives about how environmental and political disasters adversely affect our planet's most vulnerable people. During the session, Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton will speak to her work as co-chair of Ottawa's Rainbow Haven, a community organization that supports LGBTQ refugee settlement, and Dr. Monica Gattinger will shed light on the linkages between policy, society, and environmental concerns. Please join us for an enriching and meaningful complement to David Yee's award-winning carried away on the crest of a wave.
* Jewish Federation of Ottawa Yom Hashoah Holocaust remembrance ceremony, April 11 at 7 pm. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Lindsay at lgottheil@jewishottawa.com, 613-798-4696, ext. 355.
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, 2015. 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.
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/.