OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

22 September 2020

Join Us for Yom Kippur 5781

Please join us for Yom Kippur. 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.

Yom Kippur Digital Backpack and Family Service

Morah Jenny has prepared a fantastic “digital backpack” for Yom Kippur: It opens a world of crafts/activities, videos, songs, discussion topics and even baking to help navigate Yom Kippur in our current global health crisis. Inside the digital backpack, you'll be invited to take on challenges that will make your zoom services more meaningful, your home more beautiful and your family ready for the New Year. The backpack is found on the High Holidays events page or here: Yom Kippur Digital Backpack .
 
All members and school-age children are encouraged to join Morah Jenny's Yom Kippur Family program on Monday, September 28, from 1:00-2:00, following the Yom Kippur morning service.

Shabbat Shuvah

This Shabbat Shuvah on Saturday, September 26, we have been invited to attend the service of our sister congregation in Montreal Dorshei Emet. Rabbi Boris writes: “We are excited to welcome you to our Zoom services, and hope that it will be a meaningful experience for all who make it. We have Torah study at 9:00 and then services are at 10:00 and go until about 12:00. We do a shorter Torah service--two aliyot (our way of holding onto the Torah service while also honoring that things are different), and always leave time for discussion. I share most of the siddur on Google Slides throughout the service so everyone can follow along.” If you are not a member of Or Haneshamah and would like to attend the service, please contact admin@dorshei-emet.org by 4:00 pm on Thursday.

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.

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.

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
  
Shabbat Shuva Morning Service
Friday, September 26, 2020
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. To attend contact admin@dorshei-emet.org

Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre
Sunday, September 27, 2020
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Yom Kippur Morning Service
Monday, September 28, 2020
9:45 AM - 11:15 am
 
Yom Kippur Torah Service
Monday, September 28, 2020
11:45 am - 12:30 pm 
 
Yom Kippur Family Program
Monday, September 28, 2020
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
 
Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, October 3, 2020
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Zoom
 
Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, October 4, 2020
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Zoom

Repairing the World Small Group Discussion
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Zoom

Reconstructionist News

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

Emerging Gen Outdoor Get-Together. Sept 29, 5 - 6:30 pm. Chaired by Jonathan Greenberg and Jill Friedman. Young professionals are invited to join us for an outdoor, physically distant but friendly get-together with refreshments. The event is free of charge, but we are collecting kosher food items for the Kosher Food Bank. Pre-registration required by Sept. 28 at 4 pm. (Rain date Sept. 30 or Oct.1). Location TBD. Contact Sarah Beutel at sbeutel@jewishottawa.com or 613-798-4696 x253
 
Let There Be Laughter - Jewish and Israeli Humour Around the World. October 15, 2 - 2:45 pm. On this online tour, we will take a lighthearted look at the origins of Jewish humour and the major contributions of Jews to the rise of a global industry. We will celebrate the diversity and vitality of Jewish humour, and explore how elements of Jewish joking have remained constant regardless of time, place, and language.
Contact Ella Dagan at edagan@jccottawa.com
 
The Grandparents Circle. Six-week facilitated discussion group for grandparents with children in an interfaith marriage. The discussion begins with an exploration of the participants’ Jewish identity and assumptions about intermarriage and then provides ideas and materials for incorporating Judaism into their regular interactions with their grandchildren and creating Jewish stories and memories for them. There is no charge, but you must sign up; this is not a drop-in program. The meetings will be virtual (for now), beginning in October. If you are interested, please contact Maxine Miska, mmiska@jccottawa.com at 613-798-9818 x263. Meeting times will be determined by polling participants. Sponsored by JFO, SJCC, AJA50+

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

September 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.