OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

11 December 2018

Words of the Spirit
 
Setting The Calendar For Human Rights
 
It’s not the darkest time. Not yet.
 
This year the lights of Hanukkah wane, along with the dimming sunlight, as we approach the winter solstice. Often the secular and religious calendars provide an overlap between the Jewish and Christian holidays that fall on the 25th - of Kislev and December respectively. These two festivals, just happen to involve the lighting of candles. It’s hard not to notice the confluence of dates, and imagine that ancient peoples were doing what they could to light up a bulwark against encroaching darkness.
 
Another overlap that arises at this time of year is a newer date, deeply worthy of commemoration. The Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948 on the part of the newly emerging United Nations, a specific response to the horrors of the Holocaust.
 
The UN Charter itself, adopted in 1945, contained general language reaffirming  fundamental human rights and committing all member states to promote “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all."
 
The key drafter of the Declaration was René Cassin, a French Jew and noted jurist, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1968 for his efforts in developing the Declaration.
 
Jewish values are closely related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and dovetail in important ways:

• Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel teaches in Pirkei Avot that the world is founded on truth, justice, and peace, core universal values.
  
  
• The first chapter of the book of Genesis upholds the inherent value of each human being based on the idea that we are all created in God’s image, betselem elohim. Rabbinic Judaism applied the term kevod habriot to refer to the notion of inherent human dignity and equality.
  
  
• Prophets such as Isaiah remind us that what God wants from us is to feed the hungry and free the oppressed. We have an obligation to create a just and compassionate society, a point emphasized throughout the book of Deuteronomy.
  
  
• Specific values embodied in the Declaration – such as the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal – are echoed in Jewish tradition. Exodus 12:49, for example, mandates that there shall be “one law for the citizen and for the stranger who dwells among you,” while Deuteronomy 16 underscores the need for an impartial judiciary.

 
In a contemporary Hanukkah song by Peter Yarrow, we hear the lyric: “What’s the commitment to those who have died? We cry out – they’ve not died in vain. We have come this far always believing that justice will somehow prevail – this is the burden, this is the promise, this is where we will not fail … Don’t let the lights go out …”
 
What demands do we recognize as ours? In the spirit of Hanukkah, and of the International Day Human Rights, what burdens, what obligations might we take on?
 
Human Rights Day is not a fixed holiday on either the secular or Jewish calendars. Not yet. Perhaps it should be.
 
- Rabbi Liz

Shabbat Kehillah Service – Activities For Every Age, Heart, Body & Soul!
Every third Shabbat morning of the month we hold a special Kehillah service, which features a short musically-driven service and a potpourri of activities led by OrH members and Rabbi Liz, addressing a theme or concept related to the season, or the weekly Torah portion. Following a closing gathering that includes the opportunity to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish, we’ll enjoy a delicious communal pot-luck Kiddush luncheon.
 
This month's Kehillah service takes place this Saturday, December 15, 2018 at   9:45. The theme is "Jews in the land of Goshen – Exploring Anti-Semitism and Assimilation." We live in a time of unprecedented freedoms and varieties in religious and cultural expression, yet also a time in which anti-Semitism and other forms of race-based hatred are proliferating. From a thread in the story from Parshat Vayiggash - as Joseph, his brothers, and his father are reunited - we pull out a connection to our own identity in these multicultural times:
 
Tefilat Shirah – Rabbi Liz and guitarist Howard Kaplan lead opening and closing segments with joyous song and prayer.

Program PART I – We’ll all engage in text study from the Parshah examining concepts of power, family loyalty, and minority identity.
 
Program PART II – choice of activities:

• Joseph and his family are alternately high-ranking and threatened. Globally and locally, the Jewish people experience similar polarities. Explore issues and experiences with anti-Semitism and assimilation in an interactive workshop format. Led by Diana Ralph.

 
OR

• Create identity collages, expressing perspectives on your own minority/majority identities.

Did You Take Photos at the Hanukkah Party?
Please send us your photos and we will make them available to the community in the members' section of the website. We are also planning to submit some of the best ones to the OJB (which must be done quickly!) Please send your photos to communications@orh.ca.

OrH Annual Appeal
It is that time of year again when we ask all OrH members, High Holiday visitors, and friends to please support our community with an annual donation. The funds we raise from our annual appeal are absolutely critical to sustaining our programming and activities. We have not raised membership dues or High Holiday fees in many years. We strive to keep our fees low, and to keep Or Haneshamah accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation. This year we have experienced an unexpected decline in our received revenues. After taking into account fee reductions that we offer people in need, our fees would have to increase significantly without our fundraising efforts.
 
We have set a fundraising target of $30,000 this year. To meet that goal, we need everyone to contribute what they can. For those who are able, we ask that you consider a donation significantly above the $300 average household donation that we need in order to meet our funding target. We also ask you to consider making a longer-term commitment by agreeing to an annual donation for the same amount or more for at least five years. 
 
You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation. That receipt will earn you a 40% tax credit, regardless of your personal income level, if you have already donated at least $200 to charities in this income tax year.
 
To donate please visit: www.orh.ca/annual-fundraising-drive.html.

Calling All Musicians! Make A Joyful Noise For Shabbat Shirah!
On January 19, when the Song of the Sea is read from the Torah, congregations mark Shabbat Shirah – Sabbath of Song. Let’s make a traditional, contemporary and joyful noise together. Singers and instrumentalists let’s put together another one of our famous Instant Choirs along with an Instant Band. Bring your voices, instruments and spirits – and let Rabbi Liz know you plan to come – after Shabbat Kiddush on Saturday January 5, to sing, play and plan!

Upcoming Services and Events
 
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
Thursday, December 13, 2018
6:45 PM - 8:00 PM, Room 5
 
Shabbat Morning Kehillah Service
Saturday, December 15, 2018
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, NOW Room

Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, December 23, 2018
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Room 5

Reconstructionist News

Reconstructionism Today
The latest issue of Reconstructionism Today can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/ydce3wxy. The archive of back issues are available at: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/newsletter-archive.

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
Community Events and Announcements
 
Jewish Bereavement Support Group. Second Wednesday of each month, beginning December 12, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, at Kehillat Beth Israel, 1400 Coldrey Ave. Free and open to everyone. More information at info@kehillatbethisrael.com.
 
Book launch: The Canadian Jewish Experience. Dec. 16, 2 - 4 pm at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. During 2017, Canada's 150th anniversary year, an inspired team of Jewish Canadians set out to celebrate the country and the many contributions of its Jewish citizens. They created a panel exhibition entitled "The Canadian Jewish Experience (CJE): A Tribute to Canada" that traveled from coast to coast, alongside many outreach activities and a website that enables ongoing discovery and research. The exhibition was also shown at Canadian diplomatic venues in the United States and Israel. This book is a record of the exhibition and of the activities associated with its journey. RSVP: https://event.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Events/Register/84, or contact Nadia at Nadia.haddad@canada.ca.
 
Community Opportunities
 
Job Opportunity: Human Resource Manager. Accountable for the development and delivery of HR programs and services for the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa in the areas of recruitment, on-boarding, retention, classification, performance management, change management, training and development, employee relations, attendance management, workforce planning, health and safety and policy development. Full job description at https://jewishottawa.com/careers/human-resource-manager.

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.

Potluck Protocol
Our community’s long time practice is to welcome egg, dairy and fish on the potluck table. Please label your meal contributions with all ingredients to help people with food allergies or sensitivities; also advise kitchen staff whether dish is to be served hot or cold.

We Are Listening
How do you feel things are going in our community? Do you have ideas about programs or events that we should pursue? What aspects of Or Haneshamah do you feel are working well, and what do you think can be improved?  In the interest of making OrH the best community that it can be, the board and rabbi invite you to submit comments and feedback at any time. Please send your thoughts to feedback@orh.ca or directly to any member of the board (email addresses below).

Board of Directors
Interim President (until Dec 2018): Monica, president@orh.ca
Treasurer: Jacob, treasurer@orh.ca
Interim Secretary (until Dec 2018): Martine, secretary@orh.ca
Communications: David, communications@orh.ca
Learning: Michael, learning@orh.ca
Membership: Barbara, membership@orh.ca
Member-at-Large (Hesed/Caring Committeee): Jean, member-at-large.jean@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Sharon, member-at-large.sharon@orh.ca
Interim Member-at-Large (until Dec 2018): Halina, member-at-large.halina@orh.ca
Interim Member-at-Large (until Dec 2018): Sarah, member-at-large-sarah@orh.ca
Past President: Paula, past-president@orh.ca

 
Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton: rabbi@orh.ca
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.