In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
Community Events and Announcements
* “Portland rabbis to federal agents: Leave our community” – As listed in last week’s newsletter, Rabbi Benjamin Barnett of Havurah Shalom in Portland, who participated in an Evolve web conversation today on the topic, “Acknowledging the Truth is the First Step on the Path to Healing Racial Injustice,” based on his Evolve essay, “ Hineinu: Being Here With Truth,” was featured in this recent article in Forward this recent article in Forward. Of the anti-Black racism protests in Portland, the article notes, "[Rabbi Barnett] spared no criticism for his own community. He said white Jews need to learn more about their racial privilege and how they benefit from systemic white supremacy even if they’re also victimized by it.
“There are many Jews of color, and for them of course the question of how racism and anti-Semitism are connected is quite different than for Jews who are white,” Barnett said. “It is essential that in whatever ways we are combating racism out in the world, we are first and foremost acknowledging that we have a lot of work to do within our own house, so to speak, to create Jewish communities in which Jews of color feel more fully at home.”
Eric Ward, the executive director of the Portland-based civil rights organization, the Western State Center, agrees with Barnett about the link between anti-Semitism and racism.
“On the very day that it was announced that this unorganized federal force was entering the city of Portland, Oregon, I also received a message from someone that told me about anti-Semitic flyers that had been distributed in a neighborhood in Portland,” Ward said."
Upcoming Courses from Gamliel Institute.
Jewish Sacred Aging, Wednesdays, August 5 and 12, 2020; Rabbi Richard Address; 8:00pm EDT, 5:00pm PDT; 90 minutes per class. $72. Register here. The longevity revolution has produced major changes in our Jewish community. We are older, more active and more eager to engage the tradition. We will examine some of the texts that form a spiritual foundation for positive aging in this new frontier and then examine some of the more powerful new rituals and prayers that are being created to respond to the new life stages that have emerged as a result of our longevity.
Course 1: Chevrah Kadisha: Origins and Evolution, September 1 through November 17, 2020 Tuesdays, 8:00pm EDT, 90 minutes per class. Register here. This course traces the evolution of Chevrah Kadisha practice and the chevrah’s role in the community from early times, through the standard of practice in Medieval Europe, and into the changes that took place in the transition to the Western Hemisphere and modern times. Each topic in this course is enhanced by text study related to the specific time period being discussed.
Free Offering from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality: Jewish tradition offers rich, accessible, and time-tested resources to cope with moments like these. The Institute for Jewish Spirituality, which has pioneered the development and teaching of Jewish mindfulness practices for over 20 years, is here for you now. We are offering the following resources to our community:
https://www.jewishspirituality.org/get-started/resources-for-challenging-times/
(note: Rabbi Liz has been enriched by these programs, retreats, and resources for the past 18 years!)
The Yiddish Center in Amherst, MA, hosts a series of presentations, plays, and discussions available at this link: https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/language-literature-culture/recordings-yiddish-book-centers-virtual-public-programs. To see all upcoming events, visit: https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/visit/calendar-events
In addition to our own Hesed Caring Committee support, we want to bring to your attention other services provided in the Ottawa Jewish Community for those in need: - If you need help placing an online grocery store order, call Tanya at 613-798-4696, ext. 241, or email tpoirier@jewishottawa.com. Federation volunteers are available to do the pick-up and delivery for you and/or help those less familiar with computers to navigate online systems.
- A highly skilled and trained Jewish Family Services team is ready and able to help those who are suffering from food insecurity, mental health challenges, abuse, loss of income, confusion around government supports and eligibility, challenges in supporting unwell or senior family members, or those who are disconnected from family and community because of social isolation and distancing. All inquiries are kept fully confidential – please call 613-722-2225, ext. 300, and leave a message or email info@jfsottawa.com.
- The Ottawa Kosher Food Bank remains at your service for those who are struggling to put food on the table. Please call 613-728-3501, ext. 235.
- Finally, visit Federation’s Facebook group Jewish Ottawa Helps to connect with community volunteers for general help, and visit Federation’s resources pages to keep up to date on virtual offerings.
|
|
