Becoming a Member of Or Haneshamah

 

To inquire about membership or to arrange to join, please contact our membership coordinator by sending an email to membership@orh.ca or by phoning us at 613-239-4988. Note: an account must be created before you can register. Once you receive instructions on how to create an account, visit the new member registration page here or at the link under the "join us" menu above.

Our Many Hands Membership Model
 

When we offer of ourselves, our time, our hearts, our ideas, to our beloved community, we are participating in acts that are radical and spiritual, classical and contemporary, personal and communal. We are doing what we have always done, ledor vador, from generation to generation, yet with a clear-eyed view from the 21st century. - Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton

As members of Or Haneshamah, we are partners with our Rabbi in the hands-on work of creating a vibrant and engaging experience of Reconstructionist Judaism.

To ensure that the work needed to sustain that experience is balanced among all members, we have adopted a new Many Hands membership model for 2019-20/ 5780: Whether you’re new to OrH or renewing your membership, during the registration process, you’ll decide which of three teams to join, each responsible for a set of ritual events foundational to our community – Shabbat, Tishrey and Festivals.

In joining a team, each member commits to giving 10 hours towards making happen one or more of the ritual events for which their team is responsible. When the team's events require less than 10 hours of a member's time, they can Get Involved to organize other activities. 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. The Team Coordinator will help members to contribute according to their abilities, and there are how-to guides for events on the  OrH Resource Hub to make participating simple and straightforward.

Learn more about the Many Hands Teams here.

 

New Member Donation Rates

 

New Full Membership
One-adult household	$520
Two-adult household	$1,040
New Full Membership - with child registered in Machaneh Shabbat
One-adult household	$355
Two-adult household	$710
Student Membership
One-adult household	$36
Two-adult household	$72
Associate Membership
One-adult household	$105
Two-adult household	$210

 

Membership Categories and Privileges

Full membership is based on family households and includes all children under age 23. We offer new members a discount from our usual membership donation. Privileges include: sharing and participation in all OrH activities and events; High Holy Days services at no additional cost and may include immediate family members at the High Holy Days at significantly reduced fees; spiritual and pastoral support from the Rabbi; Rabbi officiation at all life-cycle events that occur during regularly scheduled services; full voting rights at congregational meetings and may sit on the OrH Board; and access to Jewish Memorial Gardens.    

 

Full Membership - with child registered in Machaneh Shabbat
We offer a discount of 50% off our regular membership donations to households who enroll their children in our Machaneh Shabbat (Shabbat Camp) program. Visit our Machaneh Shabbat page for further information.

 

 

Students attending a secondary or post-secondary education program are eligible for student membership. Student members receive the same privileges as Full Members.

Associate membership is only available to members of other Ottawa congregations or those who live more than 100 km from Ottawa. Associate membership does NOT include high holy day services or any other privileges granted to Full members.