OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

18 March 2020

Words of the Spirit

What If?
 
I am finding delight in the craziest little things. Or, more accurately, I’m allowing myself to seek, find, and relish such delight.
 
Here’s one. The plastic bottle with the dish washing soap was almost empty, so I went downstairs to pull out the large jug for a refill. As I was spinning the top back on to the large jug, it popped out of my hand and spun out behind the laundry machines. Oof, that’s an awkward spot, I thought, mindful of my back. So as I went to the far side of the machines to look, I was utterly tickled to find the lonesome cap practically at my feet; it had rolled all the way to a perfectly reachable spot. Utterly unremarkable, utterly delightful.
 
What if? What if, at any given moment, in these times, we were to allow ourselves to discover in this utterly remarkable time something utterly … different? By different, I mean different for you. A different approach to experiencing what we are facing, which includes so much that is mundane, as well as challenging.
 
What if?
 
What if every time you sit down to eat you said a motzi, or a blessing that expressed appreciation for what you are about to eat, or thought something like a blessing, or remembered after you started to eat that you feel grateful? What if gratitude found its way into your day, even in the midst of the upheaval, uncertainty, and fears?
 
What if you tried something hard, or complicated, or that takes having some time to set up, or that you have been putting off, or that you always thought you were not “good enough” to do? Like, um, learning to offer services, classes and programs online for your beloved community? Or, ah, sight reading the continuous part of a chamber music trio? [#truestoriesfromtherabbislife]
 
What if – amidst the barrage of information, heavy messaging, regulations, restrictions and limits -- something newly nourishing emerges in your life, in these times?
 
We know all about the nos. We can’t predict when we will regain the yesses. Let’s go for the What ifs.
 
- Rabbi Liz

An Update from the Board
 
Over the past week, Rabbi Liz, members of the OrH Board and a handful of members have been working to plan our community’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. As you are all no doubt aware, the OrH Board has responded to calls by public health authorities to practice social/physical distancing by suspending all our in-person services, festival celebrations, and ongoing activities, including Machaneh Shabbat classes, Exploring Judaism classes, BaMa’gal B’nei Mitzvah Group gatherings, Chanting and Chocolate, Roots and Reflections, and Guf Vanefesh.
 
But this does not mean we are shutting down! We have been exploring alternative modalities for delivering our programming in virtual space. This will kick off on Saturday morning when we offer our Ruach Shabbat service online for everyone to experience from the comfort of their own home! We are still working out the details but will let you know very soon how to connect.
 
In addition, our Hesed committee is working on plans to provide support for our community as we hunker down for the foreseeable future. We envision that support is needed (wellness checks, grocery shopping, etc.) for those who are isolated, those with small children who must work from home, those who might be facing financial hardship, and those who are ill. If you are able to assist with our Hesed efforts, please contact info@orh.ca. In the meantime, Federation has created a new Facebook Group “Jewish Ottawa Helps” for anyone who needs or wants to provide help to the community. You can visit the page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/580981715838422/?ref=group_header

Ruach Shabbat/Human Right Shabbat

Join us this Saturday, March 21 for the inaugural OrH live streaming Shabbat service. Rabbi Liz will be joined by Howard Kaplan for a service featuring prayer and song followed by reflections inspired by National Refugee Shabbat, being observed in communities all over North America this Shabbat. Exact details on how to connect will be sent later in the week.

Do you have a camera or microphone?

As we move to live streaming our services, we will need regular access to a camera and good quality microphone. We are looking for someone who has equipment that we can use. If you do, please get in touch at info@orh.ca, ideally before our April 4 service.

Message from our Educator

Shalom Chanichim,

In our current health climate, Machaneh Shabbat will not be able to gather together in person in our Room 5 home at 30 Cleary Ave. That having been said, our Shabbat Camp is by no means cancelled. Starting Saturday, March 28th, please join me online for a playlist of stories, songs, hands-on activities and more all with yours truly, to be posted Saturday mornings on our OrH YouTube channel. I will also be in touch weekly with updates on any changes or evolutions to our new incarnation, whether it be a Zoom hangout or (weather dependent) an outdoor in-person, gathering. See you soon!

-       Mora Jennifer

KLEZ 13 Rescheduled

In response to the current public health emergency, this year’s KLEZ 13 concert and silent auction for the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank that was originally planned for Sunday, April 5 has been rescheduled to October. For more information visit www.orh.ca/event/klez13

Upcoming Services and Events
  
Ruach Shabbat /  Refugee Shabbat
Saturday, March 21, 2020
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, streaming online. Details TBA.
  
Guf Va'Nefesh: Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Class
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, streaming online. Details TBA.
 
Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, April 4, 2020
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, streaming online. Details TBA.

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


Virtual Shabbat Box from Reconstructing Judaism
 
In this time of mounting uncertainty, in which the COVID-19 coronavirus is disrupting normal life and bringing it to a near-standstill, we offer you a Virtual Shabbat Box. This Shabbat Box doesn’t contain challah or candles, but rather essays, meditations and other resources for your senses that you can download and digest for Shabbat.
 
Jews are no strangers to epidemics. Throughout our history, we have grappled with them and other seismic events, as have all peoples. For millennia, Shabbat has served as a vital source of resilience for Jewish individuals and communities — and it still can, even if our communities aren’t meeting in person.
 
While this Virtual Shabbat Box can’t replace being with Jewish community in person on Shabbat, we do hope it helps you experience the joys and sensations of Shabbat and provides you a measure of spiritual sustenance. If you’re able to connect with your community via technology, we hope the Shabbat Box is a helpful supplement.
 
May those directly impacted experience refuah shleimah: a healing of body, mind and spirit. And may we all do our part to save lives. In Judaism, the obligation of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) supersedes all.
 
Shabbat shalom,
Reconstructing Judaism

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
Community Events and Announcements
 
* Message from Ottawa Chevra Kadisha and Jewish Memorial Gardens. Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, and until further notice, we will only be conducting graveside funeral services. By limiting funerals to small graveside ceremonies, we are keeping our community protected while honouring and caring for families experiencing loss. We are also minimizing the exposure to our Chevra Kadisha volunteers and our dedicated cemetery team who play such a vital role in serving us in our time of need. As the COVID-19 crisis plays out, we will continue to monitor the situation, and will revert back to our usual practices as soon as it is deemed appropriate. Should a death occur in your family during this time, please contact Jewish Memorial Gardens at 613-688-3530 and select 'Option 1'. As always, both organizations are committed to working together to provide the best possible service to our community during this difficult period.
 
Respectfully,  
Tammy Torontow
Executive Director
Jewish Memorial Gardens

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, April 17, 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

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.