OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

26 March 2019

Words of the Spirit
 
Purim to Passover: The Pantry Project
 
Scarcity and abundance. Need vs. desire. These aren’t the themes we readily associated with Passover, never mind with Purim. Liberation! Triumph over our (Eternal) Enemies! Freedom from Slavery! 
 
And of course: Food! Passover represents the apex of the Jewish calendar’s – and the Jewish people’s – focus on the food-festival connection. Fundamentally, the holiday is as much about Let My People Eat as it is about Let My People Go.
 
A key verse in the book of Exodus declares that “this month” – the month of the Exodus - shall mark the beginning of the year (Ex 12:2). The biblical text is drawing on a tradition in the Ancient Near East that connects the readiness of the barley crop with the readiness to start the year. Elsewhere, that month is called spring, or aviv (Deut 16:1). And eventually, the whole lunisolar Jewish calendar evolves to keep Passover in the springtime Jewish month of Nisan, in perpetuity.
 
At the season of the earliest readiness for grains, we prepare for a holiday when we are commanded to put aside our usual grains. And so it evolves … ancient festivals marking events that may not have occurred exactly as recited in the book of Esther and Exodus become a time when we are commanded to ensure that all have food on their tables.
 
Matanot l’evyonim* and ma’ot chittim* may be far-less known holiday terms than hamentashen and charoset, but they are central precepts of Purim and Passover respectively, and they share a core value. Gifts of food, or the means to procure the necessary foods to celebrate, are to be provided for all.
 
An early memory: we are in the reception room of a modest hotel situated on Decarie Boulevard in Montreal, where the Maple Leaf Lodge of B’nai Brith gathers regularly for Sunday brunch and their charitable activities. I’m munching on a big treat – lox and bagel – while my father joins in with his lodge brothers in preparing large baskets of mishlo’ah manot*, or shlachmones in Yiddish, filled with food that they will then deliver to those in the Jewish community without.
 
Fast forward: for the nth year in a row, my home’s “Pantry Project” is underway. Otherwise dubbed the post-Purim Chow-down, it’s the time to start eating creatively, cooking with the dry goods already in the pantry, eating all the odd cereals, baking imaginative cookies and muffins, and otherwise making use of what we have before storing away the leftover grains prior to the beginning of the Passover week.
 
Cleaning out the fridge and using up the flour is not the same as examining the barley harvest for readiness. But it does help orient me to the fullness of the message we’ll recite from the early passage in the haggadah on seder night: let all who are hungry come and eat.
 
The bottom line is that I’ve got a fully stocked fridge and pantry, a (cozy, well-heated and comfortably furnished) place to live, and no worries about paying for said food and shelter. Food and housing insecurity is a real and present factor in our community. At the recent Klez12 fundraiser for the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank, the young manager of the project reminded the overflowing audience that the people she sees coming in for supplies may have, up to quite recently, never imagined that they would need such support.
 
What we have may exceed – or fall short – of what we need. We may individually be blessed by abundance, or challenged by scarcity. We may, or may not, clear our pantries of hametz* and refrain from eating leavened bread for the Passover week. But we can all take on the commitment, in honour of our festivals, our ancestors, and the celebration of spring, to ensure* that all who are hungry may eat.
 
- Rabbi Liz
 
*Definition and Resources:
Learn how to contribute to the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank here [https://okfb.ca/about/]
To contribute to the Ottawa Food Bank, click here [http://www.ottawafoodbank.ca/donate/].
To donate through Mazon Canada, the Jewish Response to Hunger, click here [http://www.mazoncanada.ca/en/donate-now/].
Matanot l’evyonim – lit. gifts for the poor; a Purim mitzvah
Ma’ot chittim – lit. wheat money; funds collected for Passover food needs
Mishlo’ah manot – lit. sending of portions; Purim baskets of foods given as gifts
Hametz – lit. leaven; foods, especially grains, that can “rise”

OrH Community Seder 2019
 
Or Haneshamah's Community Passover Seder will take place on Saturday, April 20 at 6:00 pm.
 
This year we will again run two parallel seders, both at the Unitarians, 30 Cleary Ave:
 
• A seder geared for families with children of all ages but open to anyone who would like a shorter seder of about an hour. Share the four cups and the four questions, enjoy the lively pace, a delicious meal, and all the familiar songs and customs.
 
• An immersive, leisurely seder led by Rabbi Liz. Dig into the perennial yet relevant questions around freedom, liberation, and identity. Engage the ritual practices and texts, imbued with contemporary resonance.
 
Registration is now open at www.orh.ca/passover-seder.html . As space is limited, we will first open registration to OrH-affiliated households - members, Tishrey Visitors and Machaneh Shabbat households - and their guests. If we have places remaining after Friday, April 5, we will then welcome guests from the broader Ottawa community.

Upcoming Services and Events

Guf Va'Nafesh: Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Class
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Room 5

Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, April 6, 2019
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Fellowship Hall
 
BaMa'gal B'nei Mitzvah Group
Sunday, April 7, 2019
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Room 5
 
Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, April 7, 2019
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Room 5

Reconstructionist News

Reconstructing Judaism Statement on the New Zealand Mosque Attacks 
We have posted an official statement of the movement in response to the New Zealand mosque attacks on the OrH homepage. You can also access the statement at https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/news/statement-new-zealand-mosque-attacks

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

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
Community Events and Announcements
 
Multifaith Housing Initiative 2019 AGM takes place on Sun., Mar. 31 at the Ismaili Muslim Community of Ottawa, 3225 Conroy Rd. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. OrH is a member of MHI, so OrH members are welcome at the AGM. The Annual Report is also now available at: http://www.multifaithhousing.ca/annual-reports--financial-statements.html

Limmud: Celebrating Jewish Learning, March 31, 9 - 5:30 pm, at SJCC 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. A day celebrating of Jewish life and Jewish learning in all of its diversity by bringing together Jews of all backgrounds and all ages! Visit http://limmudottawa.ca for more information. Contact Jenny Roberge at 613-608-6872 or jenny.roberge@gmail.com

*Ottawa Klezmer Band, March 31, 7:30 - 10:15 pm. Come join the Ottawa Klezmer Band for "Music of Life and Celebration", featuring solos by Orkidstra youth; Claudia Salguero; xylophone, accordion, clarinet, vocals, flute solos; and Israeli songs and horas. Visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/20113. Cost $30
National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage, 53 Elgin St.

Pushing the Boundaries Conference: Disability, Inclusion in the Jewish Community, April 2, 7-9 pm at KBI, 1400 Coldrey Ave. April 3, 9 am - 3:30 pm at SJCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. The conference will educate diverse constituencies about the barriers faced by people with disabilities, present best practices that foster inclusion, and help to inspire innovation in the Jewish community. Join the discussion about how to remove the many social, economic and physical barriers faced by Jews with disabilities wanting to engage in Jewish life. The Opening Event on April 2 features author Daniel Tammet and inclusion expert Sheryl Christensen.

Presented in partnership by: Tamir, Jewish Family Services, Jewish Federation of Ottawa, and Jewish Ottawa Inclusion Network (JOIN). All are welcome. Deadline March 25. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/yy7rjwo3.  More information at https://jewishottawa.com/our-community/pushing-the-boundaries-conference  or contact Sarah Beutel at 613-798-9818 x243 or sbeutel@jewishottawa.com 

*Join Library and Archives Canada on April 3, 7 - 9 pm, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Bomberg Talmud, the first complete print edition of the Talmud. Featuring a keynote lecture by University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Bruce Nielsen, an internationally recognized expert as well as a round table discussion with other experts. A volume of the Bomberg Talmud will be on display. Refreshments. Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. Contact Michael Kent rabbimkent@gmail.com
 
*Classic Israeli Film Series. April 11, 6:40 - 9 pm. Refreshments will be served. 7pm - a short talk by Israeli Cultural Attache to Canada, Itay Tavor, followed by the film. SJCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.

Community Opportunities
 
Friends of English Theatre of the National Arts Centre are organizing a trip to Montreal's Segal Centre for the Performing Arts for a performance of the award-winning play, Indecent by Paula Vogel on May 5, 2019. Indecent recounts the history of the controversial 1906 Yiddish play, Der Got Fun Nekome (The God of Vengeance) by Shalom Asch. Registration is $175. The package includes coach transportation from the Soloway Jewish Community Centre or Downtown, a buffet lunch, a ticket to the matinee performance and post-performance refreshment. Food served will be kosher. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/y69a6uu6 or contact Fran at 613-726-9330 or fetnac@gmail.com or visit fetnac.org. Registration is April 1.

Community Service Awards - Nominate someone today!
Federation has four awards: Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award, Freiman Family Young Leadership Award, Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award and Student Leadership Award. Deadline for nominations is March 29. New this year - easier online nomination process with ability to upload supporting documentation. More info here: https://jewishottawa.com/volunteering/community-service-awards

Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation Scholarships and Grants
We are proud to offer scholarships and grants with the shared purpose of benefiting our community. The 2019 application process opens today for each of the following awards. GJ Cooper Scholarship Award, Ilana and Steven Rubin Scholarship Award, Norman Lesh Philanthropy Award, Women’s Collective Philanthropy (WCCP) Grant. For more info, contact foundation@jewishottawa.com, 613-798-4696 x252, or visit: https://ojcf.ca/programs_awards

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

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
Ritual and Volunteer Co-Coordinator: Sarah, member-at-large-sarah@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
Past President (until May 2019): Monica, 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.