Or Haneshamah - Ottawa's Reconstructionist Community

Breaking the Silence

04/17/2018 07:43:59 PM

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

Adopt-a-Shabbat

Would your family like to sign up to adopt a Shabbat for one our Friday evening or Saturday morning services? It would involve picking up a challah, coming half an hour early to help with set-up, and working with other members to put things away afterwards. (We always have someone hired to take care of the kitchen preparation and clean up.) This could be a nice way to honour a special occasion (birthday cakes welcome!). Please contact info@orh.ca.

High School Students Community Involvement Hours

OrH has a number of opportunities for high school students to complete community involvement hours. We need help with set-up for services and programs, decorating for festivals, and making posters for special events. If you are interested, please contact Paula at president@orh.ca

Host Shabbat-Around-the-Table

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. Members and non-members are welcome to attend. If you are interested in hosting, contact Jan at jjottawa@hotmail.com for more information.

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!

REGISTRATION IS ONGOING

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