OrH Newsletter

Biweekly Newsletter

13 September 2022

Teshuvah Begins

We are nearly there - the next newsletter you read will be nestled in the Days of Awe, our High Holy Days. As we mentioned before, this year’s schedule is brimming with beauty, and how amazing will it be to hold our services in person again?? We can’t wait to greet you in our beautiful sanctuary (and yes, Zoom links will still be provided for those of you joining from home). Forgive the broken record, but you need to renew your membership to attend, so please don’t delay. Once renewed, you can sign up guests if you wish, or there are tickets available for non-members.

Now, this little intro paragraph is usually quite short, because there’s a whole newsletter that follows. Today, we need a little more space. During the worst of the pandemic, we all became very used to staying home and keeping things insular. It was how we all kept safe. This tendency, however, is having a detrimental effect on our volunteer rates. The thing that makes our synagogue unique - we are small, intimate and connected - also means that we have almost no staff, and all our events are run by members of the congregation. We have seen our volunteer participation absolutely tank this year, which is leaving the work to a few very exhausted volunteers. 

Allow me to step through the fourth wall for this last part. Hello, my name is Andrea, and I volunteer to write the newsletter! I do this on my lunch breaks from work, or while I’m trying not to burn dinner for my two young kids. I do it because I adore Or Haneshamah and I want it to continue to exist in the world. We are all legitimately and truly busy, but sometimes we need to make space for things that matter. 

So please - reach out to Caroline, a fellow human being and powerhouse volunteer - and tell her that you would like to lend a hand for the High Holiday services. You can sign up here to help with the service itself (eg, ushering), or here to help out behind the scenes (eg, picking up apples or honey). If you are technically inclined, you can contact the Tech Team to help with Zoom. We can’t do it all ourselves, and the truth is that our events will start getting more sparse if we can’t find more folks to help out. (Additional and final point: when I volunteer at an OrH event, I usually make a new friend, eat my weight in leftover challah, and feel a deep sense of satisfaction within. It’s a genuine pleasure, and I hope you will consider reaching out, if not for the HHD, then for any of our events for the rest of the year.)

Read on for High Holiday excitement - pot lucks, apples and honey, ride sharing, and when it’s all done - help us build a sukkah!

Membership Renewal
 
It’s time for renewal, spiritually and otherwise! Recently, you may have received an email inviting you to renew your membership to Or Haneshamah. Renewal is fast and simple to complete (and you’ll be helping us continue with our excellent programming - just a small bonus). This year will be especially exciting, as we continue to expand in-person programming and diversify some of our event offerings. Picnics, Kabbalat Shabbat, Sukkot, the High Holy Days… We are thrilled to connect with you all again.
 
A reminder that Rosh Hashanah starts the evening of September 25th this year. You must be renewed as a full or student member or registered as a visitor or guest (for associate members and non-members) before then, in order to attend services / receive Zoom links.
 
While we include a suggested rate as part of your renewal, you can opt to contribute more than the standard amount. This system allows us to give rate reductions to those in need. As we are still a small congregation, these top-ups are immensely helpful, and help us remain flexible for members of all income levels. 
 
If you are not currently a member, consider joining our vibrant and inclusive community! We offer services, celebrations, talks and activities all year round. When you become a member, you help us expand our offerings, and you support our ongoing work. (And, if we may say, this coming year will be fantastic.)
 
Every member matters - we thank you for your incredible support.
If you have any difficulty with your renewal, please don’t hesitate to contact membership@orh.ca and we will sort it out as quickly as possible.

High Holy Days –

Do you need a ride? Can you offer a ride?

This year we have the option to attend High Holy Days services in person!  For those who would like to attend but for whom transportation to and from services may be difficult, Hesed would like to offer a way to connect those who need rides with those who can offer them. Please fill out this spreadsheet so that those who need rides and those who can offer them can sign up.  

Please remember that COVID is still among us.  All parties using this service are strongly encouraged to wear masks in any vehicle, but ultimately the terms will need to be negotiated between the passengers and ride providers.  

High Holy Days - Leyners Needed

Calling all leyners for the High Holidays! Would you like to chant a few verses of Torah during Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur? At our multi-access services you can fulfill this mitzvah in person or on Zoom. To volunteer or ask questions: rituals@orh.ca

High Holy Days - Pot Luck

Sign-up sheets for the Rosh Hashanah potluck on Monday, September 26 and Yom Kippur break fast on Wednesday, October 5 are now up.  

Rosh Hashanah potluck lunch spreadsheet link.
Yom Kippur potluck break fast sign up spreadsheet link.

Please make a list of all ingredients in the dish (do not put on the spreadsheet) and bring the list with you to the meal to alert those with allergies. Thank you!

Apple and Honey Day

Want to start your holidays off in the most seasonally-appropriate way possible? Join us for Apple and Honey Day at Gees Bees farm. This is an all-ages event where you can see the hives up close, learn about honey, and soak up the autumn sun. Event details are below.

Call-out for Sukkah Builders!
 
Do you have experience putting up a sukkah (such as OrH’s)? Or, are you handy with building things? Lesley, the Festivals Volunteer Coordinator, is seeking volunteers to help put up OrH’s sukkah this year. All are welcome, whether experienced or not, though especially seeking those with some know-how. Please get in touch here. 

Ottawa’s Junior Youth Group

Morah Jenny (of Machaneh Shabbat and BMG fame) is now Ottawa’s Junior Youth Group Coordinator. This is programming geared at preteens (grades 5-8), full of board game nights, watch parties, Dungeons & Dragons and Pride Club - all with a Jewish twist. Stay tuned for dates and details of upcoming awesomeness. This is a joint endeavor between Temple Israel and Or Haneshamah. Contact jyg@templeisraelottawa.com for more information.

Upcoming Services and Events

Ruach Music Circle
Every Tuesday from 7:00 - 8:30pm
Room 5 at 30 Cleary (vaxxed, masked and with a Hepa air filter); or if the weather is good, outside.

Expanding the Reconstructionist Conversation on Israel/Palestine
Wednesday, September 14, 8:00 - 9:00pm
Zoom  

Saturday night Selichot program
Saturday, September 17, 8:00 - 10:00pm
Worship Hall and Zoom  
Join with five other Reconstructionist communities and poet and liturgist Arlin as we reflect on holiday themes of forgiveness and apology. Following havdallah and workshop, Reconstructionist clergy from the participating congregations will lead a Selichot service. As the service begins, we will change our torah and ark covers to their white high holy day garb, and at its conclusion, hear the shofar calls. Whether via Zoom or in person, all who participate are invited to have writing materials on hand. If you join from home, you may also wish to make use of your own Havdalah items.
Register in advance here.

Shabbat Limmud
September 24, 10:30am - noon  
On the last Shabbat of the Jewish year 5782, we study passages from Parshat Nitzavim that invite us to reflect on endings and beginnings, choices and obligations. Join with Rabbi Liz for a soulful, musical ritual, and heart-plus-mind-centered conversation.
Zoom 
 
Apple and Honey Day
September 24, 10:30am - noon
Gees Bees, 538 River Road
Free event for all ages - learn about bees!
Contact educator@orh.ca for more info.

Erev Rosh Hashanah 
September 25, 6 - 7pm
Worship Hall and Zoom  
Open to members and to all who have registered for the High Holy Days
 
Rosh Hashanah 
September 26, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Worship Hall and Zoom  
Open to members and to all who have registered for the High Holy Days
 
Tashlich 
September 26, 5pm - 6pm
Brantwood Park
 
Rosh Hashanah Limmud / Text Study 
September 27, 10am - noon
Room 5, 30 Cleary Ave.
Open to members and to all who have registered for the High Holy Days
Forgiveness. Atonement. Reconciliation. Repair. Confession. Apology.
What a swirl of concepts and experiences arise when we consider teshuvah – repentance. In her brand-new book, On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg brings to bear ancient Jewish wisdom with keen insight. Together, we will examine and consider what we mean when we talk about teshuvah, looking at some passages from the book along with traditional and contemporary texts.
 
Shabbat Shuva
October 1, 10:00 am - noon 
Worship Hall and Zoom  
For this Shabbat that falls with the Ten Days of Awe, we continue to engage in our personal and collective teshuvah, have the opportunity to be called up to the Torah, and – rejoice! – share in a classic OrH potluck kiddush luncheon following the service.
 
Kol Nidre / Erev Yom Kippur 
October 4, 6pm
Worship Hall and Zoom  
Open to members and to all who have registered for the High Holy Days
 
Yom Kippur 
October 5 
Morning Service 9:30am
Afternoon Service 4:30pm
Breaking Fast 7:30pm
Worship Hall and Zoom  
Open to members and to all who have registered for the High Holy Days
 
Shabbat Sukkot
October 15, 9:30am-12:30 pm 
Room 5 and in the Sukkah
We join with the Machanah Shabbat families and Morah Jenny in a hands-on Sukkah celebration for the whole community! Bring (nut-free) sweet or savory goodies to share as we add our decorations, welcome the ancient as well as personal “guests” to the sukkah, and practice the beautiful ritual choreography of waving the lulav.
 
Please remember to renew your membership in order to attend HHD services.

Community Events and Announcements
* Indicates new this week

Reparations & Indigenous Land Back Teshuvah
Healing Visions for 5783
This is a three-week mini-series facilitated by Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb in the year of her rabbinic jubilee. We will meet September 5, 12, and 19 from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm PDT (7:30 pm to 8:45 pm EDT)
Register 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: Ben, treasurer@orh.ca
Secretary: Nicola, secretary@orh.ca
Communications: Andrea, communications@orh.ca
Membership: Myrna, membership@orh.ca
Many Hands Coordinator: Caroline, caroline@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.