OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

31 March 2020

An Update from the Board

Dear Friends,
 
We hope this message continues to find you all healthy and coping well.
 
We would like to thank Shira for leading a beautiful Zoom service last Saturday morning, and we are looking forward to reconnecting again this coming Saturday, as Rabbi Liz leads our first virtual Torah service, streaming live on the OrH YouTube channel. We are also very happy to report that April’s Guf Va’Nefesh, Chanting and Chocolate, and Roots and Reflections are all being transformed into Zoom meetings! Take a look at the website for links and information.
 
The Hesed team has been organizing and making calls to our members. Should you need any assistance please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@orh.ca. 
 
Your Board of Directors

Words of the Spirit

Passover 5780/2020 Essentials, COVID-19 Edition: Holy Newness
 
First of all, humour:
Passover for Social Distancers
(The author is the spouse of Reconstructionist Rabbi Rachel Gartner, Director for Jewish Life at Georgetown University. NB – heavy on the wine jokes.)
 
Next, music! Enjoy these contemporary and traditional songs for the seder (all found in the Reconstructionist Hagaddah A Night of Questions):
Shabbat Unplugged - "A Night of Questions" Haggadah Recordings
 
Watch the fabulous videos, and check out the list of wonderful resources, prepared by our educator Morah Jenny – on our web site:
Family Passover Resources from Morah Jenny
 

And now. Breathe. Think of one sign of spring you have seen out your window, or on a walk, run, or bike ride. Breathe a blessing of appreciation for newness, growth and possibility.
 
Then. Allow that the next breath may cause that appreciation to dissolve into (choose one or more) the fear/sadness/worry/longing/overwhelm/fatigue/_____________ that grips and attaches itself to you in this our second full week of mandated physical distancing.
 
This is also the start of the second week of Nisan, the Jewish month with seders at its very light-filled, full moon center. For some, Passover and seders are an absolutely central access point of connection – to Jewishness, to family of origin or family of choice, to essential values, to inspiration for the future.
 
So so much about our seders, and the world, are deeply different this year. When the section of the seder called maggid is launched with the question: Ma nishtanah ha laylah hazeh mikol haleylot - why is this night different from all other nights, there will surely be an existential krekhts, a cosmic oy-vey, like a world-wide stadium wave of existential shrugged shoulders and upturned hands.
 
Rav A. Y. Kook, who said many wise things, said this: hayashan yit-chadesh v’ha-chadash yit-kadesh – the old shall be made new, and the new shall be made holy. So concise and poetic, even visually, in the Hebrew: הישן יתחדש והחדש יתקדש.
 
Many many old things, traditions we adore and that nourish us, may be absent from our Passover observances this year. V’ – AND. This year, everything we do that is new is filled with the holiness of our intention to keep our beloved holiday sacred while keeping each other safe. There is no more holy newness than this.
 
- Rabbi Liz
 
Note: See our Passover Resources page, including a downloadable version of A Night of Questions, to make this year’s Passover extra special.

Message from the Hesed Team

The practice of social and physical distancing in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is obviously for the greater good – and it creates special challenges for those in need.   

Hesed is here to help, within the boundaries of safe practice.  For example, we can help with grocery shopping, picking up medication or other items from the drug store, delivering a meal if need be, or calling you to stay connected. We will do what we can to support each other!

A Hesed volunteer is going to be reaching out by phone to each OrH member very soon.  Please be sure to call back if we miss you! In the meantime, if you are in need, please email info@orh.ca and your message will be sent to Hesed. 

We are also seeking members who wish to volunteer during this health crisis. Please email info@orh.ca

Other information 

• Hesed operates the Hesed Support Network, comprised of OrH volunteers who support other members in times of need; 
• Time spent volunteering on the Hesed Support Network counts toward volunteer hours under the Many Hands initiative; 
• Check out Jewish Ottawa Helps at https://jewishottawa.com/jewish-ottawa-helps for information about how to receive or offer help in the broader Jewish community.

A Guide to Grocery Delivery 

One of our members has kindly prepared a useful information sheet on how to arrange for local grocery delivery to your home. You can download/view the document here, or on the Hesed page on the OrH website (account login required).

Guf Va’Nefesh Online

Guf Va’Nefesh moves online this month! During these trying times the Guf Va'Nefesh Body-Mind sessions will respond to our increased need to overcome anxiety and stay calm, build health and resilience, and stay connected with each other as a community. Each session will bring activities for nervous system regulation, exercises for strengthening the body's resilience, and community sharing. Led by Tana Saler.

Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 1 (and the first Wednesday of every month) at 7:30 pm, via Zoom at: zoom.us/j/876337205.

RJ/Havaya Zoom Family Seder

Havaya Second Night Family Seder, Thursday, April 9, 7 pm ET.
 
For many of us, sitting around the table with family and friends is one of the best parts of Passover. And, needless to say, that's not so easy (or advisable) this year. But we have a solution ... our first-ever Havaya Seder!
 
We'll come together for a one-hour, family friendly gathering via Zoom. No experience necessary. No haggadah required. All you need is yourself and, if you want, some Passover-related foods (matzah, charoset, bitter herbs ... and whatever else you want to eat or snack on). Feel free to sit at your table, recline on your couch, or sit in bed -- there's no right or wrong way to do this. And you don't have to worry about someone spilling wine on the tablecloth!
 
Register here.
 
This gathering is free and open to the community -- whether you're already a Havaya family, you're considering it for this summer, or you're just excited to connect. So feel free to invite your friends! And if you're not able to join us live, keep your eyes out for the recording on our Facebook pages. Either way, we hope to see you!

Upcoming Services and Events
   
Guf Va'Nefesh: Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Class
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, via Zoom: zoom.us/j/876337205

Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, April 4, 2020
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, streaming online on our YouTube channel
 
BaMa'gal B'nei Mitzvah Group Havdallah
Saturday, April 4, 2020
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM, via Zoom.
 
Roots and Reflections
Sunday, April 5, 2020
9:45 AM - 11:30 AM, via Zoom. RSVP required to mindfulness@orh.ca
 
Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, April 5, 2020
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, via Zoom: zoom.us/j/934897290

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

SAJ, the "flagship"/original/Kaplan's congregation is making these offerings open to smaller RJ communities like ours:
Monday – Friday 
8:00AM - Ma Tovu Wake Up Prayers, led by Rabbi Lauren - 20 minutes of reflection and meditation to start your day every weekday (Zoom ID: 555-616-175)

Tuesdays (every week) 
2:00PM - Text Exploration with Rabbi Lauren or Guest Teachers TBD  (Zoom ID: 790-811-981)
 
Wednesday, March 25
2:00PM -  "Moments Musicaux": Notes on Music  (Zoom ID: 790-811-981)
"Moments Musicaux": Notes on Music  45 minute lectures with SAJ member-concert pianist, Dr. Claudia Knafo, who will present and perform (sometimes) anything and everything you wanted to know about classical music, the lives of composers, and the gossip of the greats. See Claudia’s bio here: https://www.claudiaknafo.com/
 
Thursdays
2:00PM - Philosophy of Prayer, with student Rabbi Sarah Brammar-Shlay (Zoom ID: 790-811-981) 
Sarah will teach her biweekly Shabbat class now on a weekly basis. Even if you have not participated yet, you are welcome to join the learning!

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

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.

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.