Many Hands

The teams for Shabbat, Tishrey and Festivals uphold our ritual calendar. Manhigut is for members who, at the time of registration, hold the lead, chair or coordinator positions for recurring initiatives and year-to-year activities, other than our ritual events, that sustain and maintain us as community. The Tech Team provide the necessary technical support needed to engage members in our remote services and other events.

The significance of each team and the set of ritual events for which it’s responsible are described below. For the Shabbat, Tishrey and Festivals teams we also include the dates for the events that the team will host. Detailed how-to instructions and guidelines for events are available on the OrH Resource Hub. The board member for Rituals and the Team coordinator for a specific event will help team members to contribute according to their abilities. 

Once registered, you can access a list of members that have already joined a team by logging in to your account and going to the Teams 2020-21 page.

Before COVID-19, we asked that each member commit to giving 10 hours towards the events for which their team was responsible. When tasks ran out, we asked that members go to the Get Involved to learn about how they can organize other activities. This applies as well now that OrH services and events are virtual, even though fewer members are needed to help out. Regardless, and when we eventually take on a hybrid mode of service delivery (both virtual and in-person), the more faithfully members contribute 10 hours over the course of the year, whether in-person or virtually, whether to recurring or ad hoc events, the more OrH can offer its members individually and as a community.

Learn more about:
The Shabbat Team
The Festivals Team
The Tishrey Team
The Manhigut Team
The Tech Team

Or visit the
Frequently Asked Questions

Celebrating the most joyous dates on the Jewish calendar. By observance as well as custom, the festivals and holidays bring delight to the senses. We pass along the heritage that interweaves thougtful reflection and unbridled joy with concern for the well-being of all.

The Festivals team is responsible for organizing and supporting our main festival events over the course of the year (other than Tishrey), including Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hannukah, Tu Bishvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot.

Nature of the events and tasks:
- great team to join if you’re a young family
- team is divided into smaller groups, one for each event
- each event has its own unique requirements for planning and set-up, including hosting and facilitation
- team members needed for creative planning and preparation in partnership with the rabbi.

Festival dates for 2020-21:

Festivals Team members for 2020-21: click here

With OrH launching virtual services and ad hoc events, members are needed for behind-the-scenes technical support. Primarily this will involve Zoom hosting (though may need people with experience using Facebook Live, You Tube livestreaming, and sound and music production skills.) We will need at least one Tech Team member at each service and event.

Tech Team members for 2020-21: click here

What resources are available to explain how to organize and set up an event?
For in-person events, detailed step-by-step instructions are available in the OrH Resource Hub. For virtual events, the specific event coordinator, the Rituals Coordinator on the Board and the Rabbi will have the information about what is needed to host an event.  

The Shabbat, Tishrey, Festivals and Tech Teams each have coordinators: What’s the coordinator’s role?

The Rituals group (Shabbat, Tishrey, and Festivals) coordinators are part of a Ritual Committee, working with the Ritual Coordinator on the Board. The Tech team coordinator works with the Communications coordinator on the Board. The team coordinator’s role is to ensure that all tasks are allocated to team members. They also create, update, and edit the relevant how-tos for all events. The coordinator is the person you go to with questions or concerns for a specific event.

Who will be on my team?
That depends on who signs up. If you’re interested in having friends join you on a particular team, let them know and invite them to sign up at the same time. Once a team is full, you’ll need to sign up for a different team. You can see a list of current team rosters on the Teams 2020-21 page.

Can I switch teams once I’ve signed up and the teams are full?
Yes you can, as long as there is space available in the other team or you can arrange with somebody from the other team to switch with you. Contact your current Team coordinator or the Ritual Coordinator on the Board to arrange this.

Can I join more than one team?
To register, you must join one team. Afterwards, you can also join another team, depending on community need. The Shabbat, Festivals and Tishrey teams are open to any member. If interested, contact the Rituals coordinator on the board at rituals@orh.ca. The Manhigut and Tech teams are limited but any member of these teams can also participate on the Shabbat, Festivals and Tishrey teams. Contact the Rituals coordinator on the board to discuss your options.

How can I sign up for a position on the Manhigut Team?

Only those members who hold either elected Board positions, Board-appointed positions, or lead  community initiatives at the time of registration can join these teams. Members interested in congregational leadership on the board should contact the nominations committee at nominations@orh.ca. You are more than welcome! Members with a suggestion for a recurring community activity that they can lead should consult with either the Learning or Ritual coordinators on the board at learning@orh.ca or rituals@orh.ca, or contact Rabbi Liz at rabbi@orh.ca.

Can I propose a new member-led initiative instead of signing up for a Team?
If a member has an idea for an activity that they would like to offer the congregation, they need to consult with either the Learning or Ritual coordinators on the board at learning@orh.ca or rituals@orh.ca, or contact Rabbi Liz at rabbi@orh.ca. We welcome your suggestions! In the meantime, please sign up for one of the other Many Hands Teams.

Who will monitor my volunteer hours?
You are responsible for tracking your own hours.

What if the events I contribute to take less than 10 hours?

When the team's events require less than 10 hours of a member's time, they can Get Involved to organize other activities. The Teams are designed to deliver only our core services and events. Want other activities? Make them happen! The more faithfully members contribute 10 hours over the course of the year, the more OrH can offer its members individually and as a community.

What if none of the Teams interest me? Can I volunteer to do something else?
Yes, you are welcome to contribute to something else but signing up to either the Shabbat, Festivals or High Holidays teams is required for membership (unless you’re already in the Manhigut or Tech teams). If you have other activities that you would like to be involved with, please visit the Get Involved! page or contact the Learning or Ritual coordinators on the board at learning@orh.ca or rituals@orh.ca, or contact Rabbi Liz at rabbi@orh.ca.