OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

26 December 2018

OrH Annual Appeal Update
We are happy to report that we have now raised close to $23,000 from more than 35 households. That puts us closer to our goal of $30,000. We need every member and supporter of OrH to contribute whatever they can to support our community. The funds we raise from our annual appeal are absolutely critical to sustaining our programming and activities. This year we have experienced an unexpected decline in our received revenues. After taking into account fee reductions that we offer people in need, it is critical that we reach our fundraising goal.
 
We ask all members to please make a donation this year no matter how small. 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​​​​​​​.

Guf Va’nefesh – Body-Mind-Spirit Integration Class
Explore the connections between body and mind at the next Guf Va’Nefesh class, led by OrH member Tana Saler, on Wednesday, January 2 (and on the first Wednesday of every month) at 7:30 in Room 5.
 
Guf Va’Nefesh means literally Body and Mind (Soul). Simply expressed, your mind (thoughts and emotions) affects your body (i.e. posture, breathing, muscle tension) and your body state affects your state of mind. Experiencing and truly understanding the mind-body continuum has practical life applications, Tana demonstrates, for health, relationships, well-being, creativity and more. The goal of the workshop is for participants to acquire self-awareness and self-regulation skills for more peaceful, fulfilling and effective living.
 
Open to everyone at no cost. For more information, visit www.orh.ca/gufvanafesh. 

Chanting and Chocolate
The monthly Chanting and Chocolate will resume in January on a new schedule on the first Sunday of the month. The next session is on January 6 at 7:30 in Room 5.
 
Chanting & Chocolate is an evening of sacred Jewish chant, followed by delicious chocolate treats! Hebrew chanting is often described as a form of meditation and prayer on the path of the heart. Led by OrH Rabbi Liz Bolton with accompaniment by the Chanting & Chocolate Band, come and experience an evening of uplifting chanting that brings clarity to the mind and expansiveness to the spirit.  No prior knowledge of singing, chanting or the Hebrew language is required. Chant sheets are provided. All are welcome! Donations accepted at the door (suggested $10) with all proceeds supporting the education of orphans from the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda. More information at www.orh.ca/chanting.
 
Come for the chanting, stay for the home-baked triple-chocolate brownies!

Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
The next Jewish mindfulness meditation session takes place Thursday, January 10 – and every second Thursday of the month until June 2019, 6:45-8 pm in Room 5. This learning activity is open to all who want to explore, learn, grow and share a mindfulness experience with a Jewish perspective. No RSVP or registration fee required. We encourage free-will offerings to maintain access to the space and seed the establishment of a fund to subsidize attendance at future Jewish mindfulness retreats. Come to one, some or all of the sessions. For more information visit: www.orh.ca/jmm.html.

JED Talk: Talking About Israel
On Friday, Jan 11, 2019, 8:00-9:00 PM, Room 5 we celebrate our first Kabbalat Shabbat of 2019 with a service, pot-luck meal and important Jewish Education and Dialogue (JED) talk led by OrH member Diana Ralph.
 
A year ago, Reconstructing Judaism formed the Joint Israel Commission (JIC).  One of its goals is to help Reconstructionist communities engage constructively in conversations about Israel.  Diana is one of 11 lay people on the 18-member commission.  She will describe the background, mandate, composition, and initial steps of the Commission, followed by participatory exercises to engage everyone in safely sharing their feelings about Israel and offer feedback to the Commission. 
 
For more on the Commission, see https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/news/joint-israel-commission-meets-convention. 

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
 
Shabbat-Around-the-Table
Friday, December 28, 2018
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, info@orh.ca
 
Guf Va'Nafesh: Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Class
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Room 5
 
Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, January 5, 2019
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Fellowship Hall
 
Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, January 6, 2019
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Room 5
 
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
Thursday, January 10, 2019
6:45 PM - 8:00 PM, Room 5
 
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, January 11, 2019
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Room 5
 
JED Talk: Talking about Israel
Friday, January 11, 2019
8:00-9:00 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

* Learn about “The New Far Right” with Allan Kagedan
OrH member Dr. Allan Kagedan is teaching a course on “The New Far Right” at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (SJCC).  Learn about the origins of the New Far Right, how and why it’s different from conservative, fascist and communist ideologies. Among the many topics discussed: Why are the messages of the New Far Right weaker in Canada than the U.S. and will this remain true?
 
The five-week course runs Thursdays 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm from Jan. 17 to Feb 14, 2019.  Cost is $125 for SJCC members and $145 for non-members.
 
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. 
 
 
Community Opportunities
 
The Thelma Steinman Seniors Support Unit of Jewish Family Services provides several services to Ottawa Jewish Seniors, including friendly visits and Kosher Meals on Wheels. Our Volunteer Recruiter George Sladowski invites you to call him to learn more about our services and programs, and to explore volunteer opportunities. Call 613-722-2225 ext 350. Currently we have an immediate need for a Russian speaking ESL teacher.
 
The Tikvah Unit of Jewish Family Services assists members of our Jewish Community who are struggling with poverty. A member of our community has recently become homeless and is determined to avoid entering the shelter system. He receives Ontario Disability Support Assistance and is able to afford a modest basement apartment or similar private accommodation. We are looking for temporary accommodation through the winter. For more details please call Tikvah caseworker Tal Palgi, 613-722-2225 ext 481.

Get Involved! Opportunities for Community Involvement
Are you looking to get involved with OrH activities? We are always in need of helping hands with event planning and other activities. All are welcome, including High Schoolers who are looking for community volunteer opportunities. Please contact info@orh.ca or visit the OrH home page (look for the Get Involved! banner). 

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
Past President (until May 2019): Monica, past-president@orh.ca
Treasurer: Ari, treasurer@orh.ca
Secretary: Jean, secretary@orh.ca
Communications: David, communications@orh.ca
Learning: Michael, learning@orh.ca
Membership: Barbara, membership@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Tom, member-at-large.tom@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Sharon, member-at-large.sharon@orh.ca
Member-at-Large (until May 2019): Halina, member-at-large.halina@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Sarah, member-at-large-sarah@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.