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Connect with Or Haneshamah, where you will find...

an open door, open hearts, and open minds; traditional services, meditation, Torah study and chanting; discussions about what matters in our lives, our community, our world, and our planet…

Or Haneshamah, Ottawa’s Reconstructionist Community, brings together more than 100 households to explore and experience Jewish life. Through a partnership between our community leaders, rabbi, and educator, we celebrate Shabbat, festivals, and High Holy Days, and experiment with innovative approaches to enhance learning and deepen our sense of belonging.

Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton is our dynamic spiritual leader who was named by Forward in 2016 as one of North America's most inspiring rabbis. Rabbi Liz leads innovative services, offers creative learning opportunities, works with her counterparts in other congregations on community-wide programs, and provides pastoral support to individuals and families.

OrH members also offer their wisdom, skills, and energy to explore topics related to Jewish living, social issues and to provide support to one another. We offer Machaneh Shabbat Camp (ages 4-13 and their families) and BaMa'Gal (ages 11-13 and their families preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah). Our inclusion of siblings, parents, and grandparents in our educational programs gives families the tools, insights, and inspiration to bring Jewish learning into family life, to reinforce what is learned in our programs. It also supports inter-faith families as parents increase their knowledge and comfort to participate in Jewish life.

Every member contributes their unique tile to our community mosaic. So, drop by, show up, connect, or join us. For more information, contact us at info@orh.ca

Are you new to Ottawa? Not currently a member of another Ottawa congregation? Were you a member of OrH or another congregation more than three years ago and wish to join again? OrH is a participating in the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's Jewish Jumpstart program, which will subsidize your membership up to 75% of our regular annual donation rates. This is a substantial savings over our already-reduced new member rates. Learn more here

Learn about Or Haneshamah's weekly Machaneh Shabbat for children (ages 4-13).

Machaneh Shabbat (Shabbat Camp) is an inclusive, family-based weekly Jewish learning adventure providing an in-depth Jewish education for families with children of all ages. Welcoming the participation of parents, grandparents, and younger siblings, our camp model allows us to explore Torah, prayer, Hebrew and the Jewish year through field trips, drama, art, social action, cooking, building and more! We believe that we can ignite the lifelong spark for Jewish living and learning through community connection and taking the time to live Jewishly especially on Shabbat. This spark is the key to raising engaged and informed Jewish young people!

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL 2019!

Visit the Machaneh Shabbat page or contact educator@orh.ca for more information.