OrH Newsletter

Biweekly Newsletter

14 June 2022

Reflection

This has been an extremely tumultuous few weeks for our community. We hosted joyful celebrations for Shavuot. We held a funeral and joined together in heartbreak. We held a baby naming, united again by hope. Regardless of where you fall on this pendulum of emotion, we are here for you. Onto the newsletter, and details for our AGM, which is fast approaching.

Update on Covid-19 Protocols
 
With the lifting of many public health measures in Ontario, we would like to clarify our current approach to attendance and activities in person at 30 Cleary Ave. Unless otherwise indicated, we will be following the guidelines set by the Unitarians for the use of their space. Please email info@orh.ca with any questions.

Jewish Mourning Practices:

What is shmirah? What is tahara?
 
Sadly, most of us, by the time we’re adults, know Jewish mourning practices: shiva (3 days, 7 days); shloshim (30 days); the first year; Yahrzeit. Far fewer of us are familiar with aninut, the period between the death and the funeral/burial (interment). In the recent and immediate past, our community has been called to perform some of these sacred and meaningful rituals. This session will explain the traditional practices of tahara and shmirah, and how they are relevant to members of OrH. Kohenet Judith Maeryam Wouk, Neviah Metophephet: Oracle of Rhythms/Re-Framer of Stories, is an ordained Hebrew Priestess and a long-time member of OrH. She has been involved with the Green Burial movement for many years, and has personal experience with these issues. You can find the details of this talk below in the events section under our next Schmooze ’N Learn.

St. Michael's Residential School: Book Signing 
 
On the evening of National Indigenous Day, 21 June 2022, OrH members Dan and Nancy will be signing copies of their book, St. Michael's Residential School: Lament & Legacy, at the Chapters store on Ogilvie Road. They are donating all royalties and honorariums to Indigenous organizations supporting Survivors and promoting Reconciliation.

Repairing the World Survey
 
The Repairing the World group has been working on a survey to help determine our next steps towards action. If you are a member of the group or have attended any of our learning sessions, be on the lookout for a survey link in your email in the coming weeks. Your participation and input are greatly appreciated.
 
If you aren't a RTW member or on our mailing list but want to connect, please contact us at: tikkunolam@orh.ca 
 
Learn more about RTW at: https://www.orh.ca/anti-racism-resources

Upcoming Services and Events

Bar Mitzvah / Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday, June 18, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Multi-Access via Cleary and Zoom
Shaharit service of morning blessings and songs, including Torah service. This Shabbat will be a Bar Mitzvah.
Zoom  

Annual General Meeting 2022
Sunday, June 19, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Zoom
Full members: please register in advance and check out our AGM documents on the website. We look forward to seeing you!
 
Schmooze ’N Learn: What is shmirah?  What is tahara?
Sunday, July 10, 10:30-Noon
With Kohenet Judith Maeryam Wouk
Zoom  

Community News and Events
* denotes new this week

* NIF Canada
An Israel at Peace with Itself - a program about racism and inequality in Israel
June 16, 7pm - 8:30pm
Join us in person to hear from two NIFC-funded experts: Dr. Gadi Gvaryahu of Tag Meir, a coalition of 48 organizations combating hate crimes and terrorism in Israel; and Dafna Saporta of Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights, which fights for equal public services for Bedouin villages.

More info here .

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

Chair: Carolyn, president@orh.ca 
Treasurer: Elijah, treasurer@orh.ca
Secretary: Nicola, secretary@orh.ca
Communications: Andrea, communications@orh.ca
Membership: Myrna, membership@orh.ca
Learning: Diana, learning@orh.ca
Ritual: Shira, rituals@orh.ca
Interim Many Hands Coordinator: Caroline, caroline@orh.ca
Interim Member-at-Large: Ben, ben@orh.ca


Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton: rabbi@orh.ca
OrH Members are welcome to contact Rabbi Liz, the Hesed team (hesed@orh.ca),
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.