OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

8 September 2020

Exploring Judaism Starts November 2020
 
Exploring Judaism (EJ) is a course for inquisitive Jews, their significant others, those considering adult b’nei mitzvah or conversion, and seekers of knowledge of Jewish life. Taught by Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton and featuring contributions from exciting guest teachers and rabbis, Exploring Judaism leads participants through the major value concepts and practices of Judaism. We wrestle with fundamental questions while learning from and studying with each other. If you are seeking to deepen your understanding of your Jewish heritage, or to explore Judaism as a spiritual and religious tradition you wish to embrace, you’ve found the right learning opportunity - as you are, whoever you are, or wherever you are.
 
Classes will meet via Zoom most 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings, November 5 through June 17. The course is open to all members of the community. Full OrH members receive a 50% discount on registration fees. Registration is now open. For more information and to register visit www.orh.ca/exploring-judaism.html. 

JTeen 2020-21
 
This year’s JTeen program is now open for registration. A partnership between OrH, KBI and Ottawa Torah Talmud, JTeen is the Jewish Teen Leadership Program for youth in grades 8-10. The focus will be on inequality and injustice. Teens will explore identity and Judaism, learn about advocacy, activism and allyship, learn from leaders from across diverse communities, take action with like-minded teens. Meets twice a month on Sunday evenings. For more information visit: www.orh.ca/jteen.

Cancelled: Boot Camp 5781/2020 High Holiday Prep
 
Due to unforeseen circumstances this Sunday’s planned discussion of Rabbi Alan Lew’s This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared has been cancelled. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of the self-guided module to continue their study. 

High Holy Days 5781:

Celebrate the Days of Awe with Us!
 
As we do every year, we open our doors, our hearts and our community to visitors to celebrate the High Holy Days. This year, it is through virtual doors that we welcome one and all, as you are, whoever you are, and wherever you are.
 
Join us. Visitors will have access to a full schedule of virtual gatherings in which to participate, all of them embodying the same thoughtfulness and energy, and intending the same spiritual and community uplift as in previous years. Check out the schedule here, including a link to an electronic copy of our High Holy Day machzor.
 
New this year is a sliding donation scale for visitors. With it, we recognize, on the one hand, that what it takes to sustain Or Haneshamah has not changed in any material way since Covid-19, and, on the other hand, that Covid-19 has caused hardship for some individuals and families. We ask visitors to choose a donation level that respects the membership and clergy that uphold our community, and at the same time, corresponds responsibly to personal circumstances.
 
If you are a longstanding Tishrey visitor with Or Haneshamah, welcome back. If you are new to us, you are wholeheartedly invited to join in. And tell your family and friends, near and far, to join you, and us, to celebrate the heart and soul of the Jewish year.
  
For more information and to register to attend, please visit the Or Haneshamah High Holy Days page.

High Holy Day Events
 
Check out our schedule of High Holy Day services and events at www.orh.ca/high-holy-day-events.html. There you will find links to an electronic version of the Reconstructionist Machzor (details of our Machzor lending project are coming soon), suggestions for preparing your own sacred space at home for the High Holy Days, a fantastic Rosh Hashanah seder prepared by Morah Jenny, and information about our High Holy Days Virtual Greeting Photo/Video project: take a photo or record a short video greeting that will be shared with the community. Submit by September 11 in time for Rosh Hashanah, and September 21 for Yom Kippur. All the details are available here.
 
Note that access information for our High Holy Day services will be sent to all currently active members and registered Tishrey guests shortly before Erev Rosh Hashanah on September 18. If you do not receive access information by September 18, please contact tishrey@orh.ca for assistance.

Machaneh Shabbat Registration Now Open!
 
Registration for Or Haneshamah’s innovative Saturday morning Shabbat Camp – Machaneh Shabbat – is now open! Classes start October 17.
 
Machaneh Shabbat is an inclusive, family-based Jewish learning adventure! While meeting remotely, this year’s Machaneh Shabbat will continue its tradition of Shacharit Shabbat-inspired sing-alongs, Hebrew through Movement learning, hands-on activities and exploration of our Torah stories, all maintaining our ‘social camp’ atmosphere.
 
The Machaneh Shabbat program:
·       Empowers families to explore their Judaism and its connection to the wider world together;
·       Explores something new and fun each week using the Shabbat Morning Prayers, Torah cycle and the Jewish calendar to guide our adventures;
·       Is a Jewish, inclusive environment;
·       Uses digital get-together and at-home tools to help families grow (Morah Jenny YouTube tutorials, zoom time together exploring Torah, Prayers, Hebrew and Holidays, DIY activities to create and share)
·       Unpacks Shabbat services along with key Hebrew vocabulary through story, actions and music to develop prayer fluency and comfort;
·       Uses storytelling, art, music, debate, building, social action, cooking and more to celebrate Shabbat;
·       Is fun!
 
Learn more at www.orh.ca/machaneh-shabbat or contact Morah Jenny at educator@orh.ca.

Writing our Way Through
 
Join Sarah Waisvisz on Saturday evenings during the month of Elul, a time of inner exploration and preparation for the month of Tishrey and the Days of Awe. Beginning with a Havdallah ritual, Sarah will then lead a guided creative-writing practice around themes and practices related to Elul. This program is intended to offer us a space to discuss, learn, and reflect as we prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. Come with paper, a pen, and an open heart; all are welcome.
 
Dates: Saturdays August 22; August 29; September 5; September 12.
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm - Havdallah
7:15 pm – 8:15 pm - Creative-writing practice

Pastoral Care Training Program
 
We are happy to announce that the new Pastoral Care Training Program will start on October 15 via Zoom. The program takes place over eight consecutive Thursday mornings, 9:30-11:30 am.
 
The program will be delivered by trainers from the Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program, with support from Rabbi Mikelberg, Rabbi Kenter, and Rabbi Liz, who will provide the Jewish content. The training will include modules on Active Listening, Grief, Supporting the Dying, the Transitioning Years and Care for the Caregiver. This course will be of interest to those in Ottawa’s Jewish community who provide support in their everyday lives. As well, completion of the course will meet the necessary prerequisites for joining the Jewish Spiritual Care Volunteer teams at the hospitals. For more information visit www.orh.ca./pastoral-training-2020.
 Also see the recent article about the program in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin here.

Upcoming Services and Events
  
Writing Our Way Through Elul
Saturday, September 12
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Zoom 

Selihot
Saturday, September 12
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM, Zoom

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 18
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Zoom  
 
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Saturday, September 19
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Zoom  
 
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Sunday, September 20
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Zoom  

Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, September 20
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Zoom   

Reconstructionist News

The next discussion in the Recon Evolve series, “Noticing the Jews of Colour in our Communities,” takes place Wednesday, September 9, 1:00 - 2:15pm. Everyone is invited to join the discussion between Carmen Corrales, the incoming chair of Reconstructing Judaism’s newly formed “Jews of Color and Allies Advisory Group” and Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations editor Rabbi Jacob Staub, about increasing awareness of the presence of Jews of Color within our communities and ways in which we can collaborate in anti-racist efforts. Register to join on Zoom: http://bit.ly/Evolve2021

Reconstructing Judaism offers us a Virtual Shabbat Box: https://tinyurl.com/qqdr4l9

The archive of back issues of Reconstructionism Today is available at: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/newsletter-archive

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
Community Events and Announcements

* Global Justice Working group of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa invite OrH members to attend a panel discussion: “Home Grown Racism and Indefinite Detention," a discussion with: Barbara Jackman, Lawyer for Mohamed Harkat, Matthew Behrens, Refugee and Indigenous Rights Organizer, Tim McSorley, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, and Azeezah Kanji, legal academic and journalist. 
Tuesday September 15 at 7 PM
Meeting ID: 880 0349 4309 Passcode: 320286
 Join us for a Zoom evening dedicated to exploring security certificate legislation (including C-51, C-59, and more) that has plagued refugee, Mohamed (Moe) Harkat, and others. It will also explore the broader issue of how refugees, Indigenous people, and Black people are increasingly subjected to arbitrary and indefinite detention in Canada based on racial profiling and over-policing.

The Canadian Society for Jewish Studies is pleased to announce its third online “conference session” taking place Wednesday September 9, 7:30 pm Eastern Time (Toronto/Montreal). Silent Voices: Histories of Jewish Women.  Panelists: Esti Mayer: “Unnamed, Unheard, Unseen: Women in Mishnah Yoma and in Yosse ben Yosse’s Liturgy” and Peggy J. Kleinplatz: “‘Why Didn’t Anyone Ever Ask?’: Women’s Infertility after the Shoah.”
To receive the ZOOM link email michaelabaxleaney@outlook.com. Please include the name or username that displays when signing into a ZOOM meeting. Please email before 12 noon (Eastern) on September 9
 
“Antisemitism Since the Holocaust: America, Israel and Europe” Seminar Series. The series, “Antisemitism Since the Holocaust: Israel, America, and Europe,” brings together distinguished scholars of Israeli, American, and European history to reflect broadly on antisemitism over the past seventy-five years. Inspired by our current moment, this series of conversations, sponsored by American University’s Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program, brings needed perspective and context to recent events.
After you sign up for the series, we will send you a link to the first webinar. You will be re-sent a reminder, session description and link for viewing the webinar a week before each session. We look forward to having you join us! Links for viewing past webinars after the fact will also be provided in your reminder email. Click here to view the entire schedule with individual session descriptions and panelists: https://tinyurl.com/AUAntisemitismSeries. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/antisemitism-since-the-holocaust-america-israel-europe-series-tickets-116065554197

The Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES) invites you to
sign a Parliamentary petition supported by CHES and the Zelikovitz
Centre for Jewish Studies at Carleton University that was initiated by
CHES member Dr Arthur Leader.
The petition asks the House of Commons to invest in and strengthen
Holocaust education, research, and remembrance.
You can encourage the Canadian government to fight antisemitism and
racism by signing the petition and by sharing it with family and
friends. Please follow the link listed below to support this worthwhile
cause.
To sign the petition please click on the following link:
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2740

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. 

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

August Board Chair: Shira, rituals@orh.ca ​​​​​​​

Treasurer: Ari, treasurer@orh.ca
Acting Secretary: Joanie, secretary@orh.ca
Communications: David, communications@orh.ca
Membership: Barbara, membership@orh.ca
Learning: Diana, learning@orh.ca
Ritual/Many Hands: Shira, rituals@orh.ca ​​​​​​​
 Interim Member-at-Large: Elijah, elijah@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.