OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

3 March 2020

Tomorrow: The Jewish Experience in Canada Today
 
In 2018 a landmark survey produced the first comprehensive picture of Canada’s Jewish population on such issues as identity, practice, values, and experiences. This research is based on the 2013 Pew survey of American Jews, providing the basis for understanding how this country’s Jewish community is similar and different. Join us on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 7:30-9:30 pm at the SJCC, Social Hall A, for a presentation of the research, followed by a panel discussion to consider the significance and implications of the research generally and for the Ottawa community.
 
Event host: Rabbi Liz Bolton
Survey presentation: Keith Neuman, Environics Institute for Survey Research
Discussion panelists:

Rabbi Deborah Zuker, Kehillat Beth Israel
Mira Sucharov, Carleton University
Sarah Caspi, Executive Director, Jewish Family Services of Ottawa
Moderator: Joel Westheimer, University of Ottawa
 
This event is free. For more information contact Maxine Miska (613) 798-9818 or mmiska@jccottawa.com  

Change of Date: Guf Va’Nefesh

Please note that in order to avoid a conflict with tomorrow’s panel discussion at the JCC, Tana will be moving this month’s Guf Va’Nafesh class to Thursday, March 5 at 7:30. RSVP required to tana.saler@icloud.com

Keep Calm and Purim On!

Sunday, March 8, 3:00-5:00 pm.

The Royals are coming – no, not Meghan and Harry. Esther, Achashverosh, Freddie, ABBA, Elvis, Latifah, Bee … ALL the Royalty! Come in your most regal outfit for High Tea at OrH. We’ll make mishloach manot (Purim gift bags) together, royally drown out Haman’s name in a raucous rewritten retelling of the Purim story, parade in our regal best, sing our favorite ditties, and compete in a Mad-Lib Sermon-Off!

Bake a batch of hamentashen to share or bring fancy finger food for our high tea – mini-sandwiches most welcome. Preparations for a royal visit take Many Hands. Kindly request that your butler compose an email to info@orh.ca with an offer of service (orsign up here).

Purim Study And Megillah Reading

It’s Purim – let’s get serious! How did the Jewish community of Shushan get to the point where they were living under the threat of death? And why does God not seem to play any role in coming to their aid? On Monday evening, March 9, erev Purim, before we collectively read the Megillah, we’ll learn about the Apocrypha, a book of ancient Jewish writings with links to both Hanukkah and Purim, including some intriguing addenda to the Book of Esther.

Costumes encouraged, graggers provided. Bring along: a TaNaKH/Hebrew bible for our communal reading of the Megillah; savory dishes and munchies to share; hamentashen or other sweets. Room 5, 6:30-9:30pm, Monday, March 9.

Announcing New Jewish Pastoral Care Training Program in May 2020
 
Jewish Pastoral Care is rooted in Jewish values such as ‘bikkur cholim’ (visiting the sick) and ‘gemilut hasadim’ (deeds of loving-kindness).
 
Temple Israel, Or Haneshamah, and Kehillat Beth Israel are delighted to announce that with the help of a generous financial contribution from the Innovation and Capacity Building Fund from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, a second Jewish Pastoral Care Training Program will be running Monday afternoons starting May 4, 2020 for seven weeks.  Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton, Rabbi Eytan Kenter, and trainers from the Ottawa Pastoral Care Program will deliver this course. 
 
For more information about this program, please visit orh.ca/pastoral-training-2020

High Holiday Machzor Dedication Sale
 
A recent inventory of our book holdings revealed that 31 older High Holiday Machzorim have not been dedicated. We would like to give members and Tishrey visitors an opportunity to dedicate a Machzor at a reduced donation of $36. (Our current donation requested for Machzor dedications is $54.) The dedications can made “in memory of” a loved one; “from the xxxx family”; or “in honour of” or “in celebration of”a person or event. If you would like to make a dedication, you can do so here.

Beware of Email Phishing Scams

A number of congregations across North America have been targeted by email phishing scams. These are primarily in the form of messages from the Rabbi asking you to purchase gift cards or otherwise transfer money. Please be cautious of any unsolicited emails that appear to be from Rabbi Liz or OrH Board members that are asking for you to buy giftcards or send money. Often these messages will be sent from a free email service such as gmail or Outlook, rather than from @orh email accounts. The email address may include OrH or Or Haneshamah in the name, before the @ symbol. If you receive such a message please do not send gift cards or other monies, and do not reply or respond to the message. You should inform the monthly Board Chair (treasurer@orh.ca) if you receive such a message.

KLEZ 13

Or Haneshamah is very happy to once again be sponsoring this year’s KLEZ 13 concert and silent auction for the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank on Sunday, April 5 at 3:00 pm in the SJCC Social Hall. Ottawa’s amazing klezmer band, A Touch of Klez, will again be providing the music. Shaina Lipsey, Cantor Jason Green, and our own Rabbi Liz will sing Yiddish songs, with Miriam Tepper and Seymour Shlien of the Ottawa International Folk Dancers leading the dancing. For more information visit www.orh.ca/event/klez13

Upcoming Services and Events
 
The Jewish Experience in Canada Today
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, JCC, Social Hall A
 
Guf Va'Nefesh: Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Class
Thursday, March 5, 2020
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Location: Kanata. Please RSVP to tana.saler@icloud.com
 
Bar Mitzvah/Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, March 7, 2020
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Worship Hall/Fellowship Hall, Unitarians
  
Purim Celebration
Sunday, March 8, 2020
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Fellowship Hall
 
Purim Adult Study Evening
Monday, March 9, 2020
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Room 5

Reconstructionist News

The latest issue of Reconstructionism Today can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/s4c8fcf. The archive of back issues is available at: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/newsletter-archive

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
Community Events and Announcements
 
International Women's Day Celebration Party, March 7, 7 pm, SJCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. The first annual party bringing together Israeli and Jewish women of the Ottawa community to celebrate International Women’s Day! A fun evening of dancing, delicious Israeli food, drinks and lots of great entertainment. You won’t want to miss this party of the year - Israeli style!  Tickets are $50 each and are limited – for more info or to buy tickets via etransfer contact Israeliwomeninottawa@gmail.com.  

The Gamliel Institute is a center for study, training, and advocacy concerning Jewish end of life practices.  All of their courses for 2020-2021, short and long, can be found at https://www.jewish-funerals.org/  You will also find more detail about the short courses which are listed here: 
History of Chevrah Kadisha, US$36
    Rick Light
    March 11, 2020  Wednesday, 8:00pm Eastern (one 90-minute class)
Prayer as Deepest Desire: Writing Contemporary Liturgy, US$72
    Alden Solovy
    March 25, April 1, 2020  Wednesdays, 8:00pm Eastern (two 90-minute classes)   

OrH members are invited to the CHILD HAVEN FIESTA, to celebrate Child Haven’s 35th Anniversary, on Friday March 13th, 7:00, 1st Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Avenue. Kuljit Sodhi will take the audience on a superb musical journey, combining Indian folk, jazz, and world music, and using his instruments and his voice. Kuljit’s Bollywood style dancing is full of fun and will inspire the audience to join him. Brightly dressed Nepali dancers will perform traditional dances and a Tibetan family will delight you with the Yak dance. Indian snacks will feed your hunger after all that dancing!
Our goal is to raise money for the Ottawa charity CHILD HAVEN INTERNATIONAL (www.childhaven.ca), which operates 9 homes for destitute children in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Food, education, health care, shelter, clothing, emotional and moral support are provided. Child Haven keeps administrative costs to a minimum, so that your donation benefits the children more. Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino have received the Order of Canada for their work. Tickets are $30 adults, children $5 at www.childhaven.ca. For info. call 613.527.2829

*Canadian Friends of Peace Now presents THE OSLO DIARIES, Wednesday, March 18, 7:30 pm at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt., Ottawa. Admission free, donations welcome. This outstanding documentary by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan goes behind the scenes of the 1990s Oslo Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It reveals the hopes, the potential, the tragic collapse and offers perspective on today's situation. Based partially on the diaries of the main negotiators, the film features interviews with key players (including Shimon Peres, his last interview before his death), riveting historical footage and dramatic re-enactments. RVSP to goliger@rogers.com or Canadian Friends ofPeace Now presents: The Oslo Diaries

Soloway JCC Winter Israeli Film Series
Film series with short talk by Orly Erlich, Consul at the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa and Ohad Kaynar, Charge d’affaires, Deputy Head of Mission.
January 16: Turn left at the end of the world
February 19: Zero Motivation
March 19: Peace after Marriage
Doors open at 6:40
Sponsor: Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program, SJCC, The Embassy of Israel, CICF
Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.

Risen Leaves: A Rare Books Workshop from the Collection of the Jewish Public Library. The JPL has a number of special collections but one of the most valued ones are the Rare Books. The earliest of the 1,500 books is an incunabulum printed in 1481 (about 20 years after Gutenberg),  and while the array of books ranges from early Hebrew grammars, Talmuds, kabbalistic works, liturgical texts, history, and early antisemitic tracts, there are also unusual tracts dealing with religious vestments, architecture, and travel. Three of the JPL’s librarians will discuss these books, the history of printing (as well as Hebrew printing), and share some of the strange stories and scandals that underscored the production of these works. Tuesday, March 24, 1:30-3:30 pm, First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, Fellowship Hall, 30 Cleary Avenue, FREE ADMISSION. To register: Email: adultlearning@firstunitarianottawa.ca Phone: 613-725-1066.
 
Ottawa Choral Society performs Annelies - a profound and contemporary work based on the Diary of Anne Frank by British composer James Whitbourn scored for soloists, chamber musicians and chorus, Sunday, March 29 at 3 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Wellington Street in Ottawa. Tickets available at http://ottawachoralsociety.com/annelies

Community Service Awards. Do you know an awesome volunteer? Please nominate them for special recognition! The Jewish Federation has four awards to recognize our community’s outstanding volunteers. Members of the Jewish community are invited to nominate worthy individuals. Visit https://jewishottawa.com/volunteering/community-service-awards for nomination forms, instructions and info about these awards: Freiman Family Young Leadership Award, Shem Tov and Student Leadership award. Nominations will be accepted until March 31, 2020.

The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation accepting applications for four awards. Deadline for all applications is, 2020: GJ Cooper Scholarship Award, Norman Lesh Philanthropy Award, Women’s Collective Philanthropy (WCPP) Grant, Ilana and Steven Rubin Scholarship Award. More info at https://ojcf.ca/programs_awards

Ottawa Tour to Israel: Celebrating Women’s Voices, May 17-27, 2020. Join an exceptional group of women on this educational and thought-provoking tour to Israel. Tour covers inspirational speakers on topics such as Ethiopian Jewry, civil rights, and Israeli health innovation. It also includes events with Palestinian Member of Knesset, Aida Touman-Sleeman, and a panel of experts discussing Palestinian and Jewish/Israeli perspectives on political and social issues. We will celebrate Rosh Chodesh with Women of the Wall and among other activities visit a Bedouin Weaving Centre and Dead Sea spa. Eight spaces remain to share in this exciting tour. For the itinerary, please contact: Yaffa Greenbaum at yaffa.greenbaum@gmail.com (613-266-6677) or Paula Agulnik at agulnikpaula@gmail.com (613-298-7520).


Community Opportunities

A message from Reconstructing Judaism’s Thriving Communities office: We have learned about an upcoming Taglit-Birthright Israel trip co-sponsored by two longstanding Israeli progressive organizations, Hashomer Hatzair and Habonim Dror. The title of the trip is “Exploring Israel as a Shared Society,” and the dates are June 7 – June 18, 2020. Jewish-Americans and Jewish-Canadians between the ages of 18 to 26, who have not gone on a previous Israel trip, are eligible to apply to participate. Like other Birthright trips, this is essentially a free trip for those whose applications are accepted. For more information, please visit https://www.israeloutdoors.com/choose-your-trip/specialty-groups/sharedsociety/. Or, you can contact the Habonim Dror North America office at mazkir@habonimdror.org to get more information.

Donations to OrH

Donations are a significant part of the funding for activities and rabbinic support in our community. You can direct your contribution to different areas of Or Haneshamah’s activity, including: general donations to fund programming, rabbinic leadership, donations in honor or in memory of a person or event, or dedication of ritual objects. We also welcome donations to the Gita (Tova) & Zvi Taub Memorial Fund, the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, the Or Haneshamah Endowment Fund. Federal employees or retirees can also give to OrH through the Annual Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign. Information on all these programs and how to give can be found at this link, or by clicking on the "Donate" tab on the main menu of the OrH website.

Wearing of Scented Products
Out of concern for our fellow members and guests who have chemical sensitivities, and out of respect for the commitment of the First Unitarian Congregation to ensure that the space we share be fragrance-free, the Board respectfully requests that OrH members and visitors refrain as much as possible from wearing scented products, such as perfume, cologne, and hair or body sprays, at OrH services, events and activities. We appreciate your attention to this issue and for supporting our commitment to be an inclusive and welcoming community.

Potluck Protocol
Our community’s long time practice is to welcome egg, dairy and fish on the potluck table. Please label your meal contributions with all ingredients to help people with food allergies or sensitivities; also advise kitchen staff whether dish is to be served hot or cold.

Board of Directors

March Board Chair: Ari, treasurer@orh.ca

Treasurer: Ari, treasurer@orh.ca
Secretary: Joanie, secretary@orh.ca
Communications: David, communications@orh.ca
Membership: Barbara, membership@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Sharon, member-at-large.sharon@orh.ca
 Member-at-Large: Timna, member.at.large-timna@orh.ca

Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton: rabbi@orh.ca
OrH Members are welcome to contact Rabbi Liz, or any member of the board, regarding pastoral needs.

Or Haneshamah
30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa, ON, K2A 4A1
613-239-4988
www.orh.ca
info@orh.ca

** Disclaimer Regarding Community Event Postings **

Or Haneshamah frequently receives requests to post notices of upcoming events in the community at-large.  These events run the range from cultural, educational, and in some cases explorations of topical political issues.  In the interest of providing information to our congregation about the diversity of interesting events in the Ottawa community we will post notices of these events in our regular newsletter.

We recognize also that from time to time we are requested to post notices of events which are highly controversial in nature and reflect a wide range of opinions among our congregation on particular issues.  We are, however, of the opinion that it is appropriate for us to post events taking place in the community which may challenge us, which may cause discomfort, and which may cause us to reflect on some of our beliefs.  Our openness to post notices for a wide range of community events, however, does not mean that we have abdicated our responsibility to show discernment and to distinguish between those events which demonstrate an open-minded and thoughtful approach to specific issues and those which do not appear to reflect such values.  So, we will make judgments about what notices we believe are appropriate to post and those which we believe will not contribute to a thoughtful and balanced exploration of ideas and issues.

Will we make mistakes along the way?  Probably.  But the possibility of errors of judgment does not mean that we can excuse ourselves from the responsibility to show judgment in posting notices about events in the community and we promise to do so with openness tempered by a sense of responsibility.

In agreeing to post any notice of an event in the community, Or Haneshamah does not endorse, support or promote any perspectives, positions or ideas expressed in the events which are posted in our newsletter.