OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

15 October 2019

Rabbi’s Words of the Spirit
 
Shelter for All
 
As a young Jewish Canadian kid, Thanksgiving was, well, nonexistent. I vaguely knew that it was a Big Thing in the United States, mainly because we had relatives there. And because it often overlapped with Sukkot, which I only celebrated at school or shul, the fall harvest festival season didn’t really have an impact in our home.
 
Particularly after living in the US for 23 years, I learned that Jews there take Thanksgiving seriously. That first fall in Philadelphia, when a new friend invited us to their home for (their November) Thanksgiving Day meal, I thought it was so nice of them to put on Thanksgiving production just for us, for in my mind there was no other reason a Jewish family would observe it!
 
Arriving at their home, it took several minutes for the cognitive dissonance to fade, as I looked at the groaning table laden with all the “typical” dishes – roast turkey, sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallow, pies, pies, pies, and more – surrounded by twenty chairs, and realized that this was their “typical” observance!
 
During my years in Philadelphia and then Baltimore, we would connect with local friends to create Thanksgiving “kin” with whom to enjoy a festive gathering, but Sukkot was really our harvest festival. As the continuation of the long Tishrey festival season from Rosh Hashanah on, Sukkot offered a great antidote to the weightiness of the first half of the month. Out would come the box of decorations and lights, along with the stored lumber. Setting out the wood and the lattice boards invariably attracted our neighbours, who loved to participate in the setting up.  
 
The mandate to build this hut might be based on an ancient sacred narrative, yet it’s highly relevant, in perpetuity, it seems. With its incomplete walls and a see-through roof, the experience of erecting and “dwelling” in a sukkah remind us of the fragility of shelter.  And once sheltered in the sukkah, there is a mandate to welcome visitors, along with the ritual of spiritually inviting in and invoking Ushpizin, Aramaic for guests, traditionally beginning with Abraham.
 
This year, on the day erev Sukkot overlapped with the eve of Thanksgiving Monday, I was listening to the radio, and heard an interviewee elaborate on the myths vs. realities, and the barriers, for those seeking refuge and asylum in Canada. It struck me, as it has many times before, just how much the religion of my ancestors has directly influenced, motivated, informed and shaped what I strive to do for justice in the world. Not only is that inspiration often rooted in the themes of our key festivals, it has what to say to the global zeitgeist.
 
Three years ago, about to sit down to the Passover seder, I learned that the queer couple living a world away – the first newcomers to be welcomed to Canada by a group named Rainbow Haven, launched by OrH member Patti Lenard – had received their travel documents. With every bite of matzah, I was connecting to the notion of tasting freedom, real freedom, soon to become a reality for two souls. Redemption, ge’ulah, was not just a word in the hagaddah and our prayers, but something happening in real life, in real time.
 
Listening to the interview on Sunday, I immediately thought about two more souls awaiting the final details on their travel documents, the fourth sponsorship and the second couple our group eagerly anticipates welcoming in the weeks ahead (kenahora), on the heels of this sheltering festival.
 
We redeem, we shelter, we carve out time in our lives, or, more accurately, integrate into our lives, this sense of commitment and obligation to shelter, to redeem. As a congregation, hard-working members including Patti, the Mendeloff-Weibust and Stein-Lyon households have, through the inter-congregation Shalom Group, also brought to life the work of redemption and shelter as the sponsors of the Al-Sahar family.
 
The “High” holidays may be over for the year, but the holiday cycle will continue to invite, and invoke, themes that can be connected to our lives, and the lives of our neighbours. They can all hold relevance and meaning. Ufros aleynu – ve’al kol yoshvey tevel - sukkat shelomekha. Spread over us – and all who dwell on earth - a shelter of peace.
 
A joyous Sukkot to all.
 
– Rabbi Liz

Upcoming Services and Events

Guf Va'Nefesh: Mind-Body-Spirit Integration Class
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
7:30 - 9:00pm, Room 5

Shabbat Sukkot
Saturday, October 19, 2019 
9:30 - 12:30, Room 5 and outside at the Sukkah

Simchat Torah
Sunday, October 20, 2019
6:30pm - 8:00, Fellowship Hall

Please bring a dessert to share

Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9:45- 12:15, Fellowship Hall

Roots and Reflections
Sunday, November 3, 2019
9:30am - 11:30, Member's home, RSVP required

Chanting and Chocolate
Sunday, November 3, 2019
7:30pm - 9:00, Room 5

Reconstructionist News

The latest issue of Reconstructionism Today can be found at: tinyurl.com/yyuz9qop . The archive of back issues is available at: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/newsletter-archive

Learn to Read Hebrew in Two Weeks. Tamar Kamionkowski, professor of Bible at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, is offering a FREE online Hebrew course: you will learn how to pronounce every Hebrew letter and vowel. By the end of the course you will be reading from the prayer book and the Bible in Hebrew! Devote 10 minutes three days a week and you'll be able to sound out any Hebrew word in two weeks. Visit https://kamionkowski-bet-midrash.teachable.com/p/the-hebrew-alphabet-and-how-to-read

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
Community Events and Announcements

Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation presents an event for women that encourages taking on leadership roles: Sisters on Board! This fun evening features keynote speaker Erica Ehm, who will talk about courageous leadership. We hope to inspire busy Jewish women, who balance home and work well, yet want a little something more just for them, as well as those who are struggling with balance and looking for insight into how to shift their lens. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Volunteer Centre will be available to help match your passions with leadership opportunities in our community. On top of the inspiration, there will be drinks, dessert and door prizes. Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 7:15 PM, Orange Art Gallery, 290 City Centre Ave. Tickets $36.  For more information, please contact Solange at sashe@jewishottawa.com, or call 613-798-4696, ext. 252. Tickets at: https://www.picatic.com/event15652690635575.

*Election Issues concerning the Jewish community: The Jewish Federation of Ottawa and its advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and representatives from various Jewish community agencies, including Grade 8 students from the Ottawa Jewish Community School, recently took part in roundtable meetings held over four days, with Ottawa-area candidates running in the October 21 federal election. Candidates were asked to respond to the same five questions of concern to the Jewish community from CIJA’s 2019 Federal Election Issues Guide. The meetings were conducted with each party separately to allow clear dialogue and to provide each a chance to present their platforms. Please view their replies here.
 
*Learn more about your voting options: The election takes place October 21, which coincides with the Jewish High Holy Day of Shemini Atzeret. Please visit here to learn about advance polls and community voting kiosks.
 
*Registration is now open for the 2020 March of the Living trip. Join other Jewish high school students, April 18 - May 3, 2020, for this incredible experience. Visit here for details. Please note deadline for online registration is Nov. 1 For more info, contact Anne at aread@jewishottawa.com, or call 613-798-4696, ext. 355
 
*Canadian launch of Dr. Tammy Bottner’s Among the Reeds: The True Story of How a Family Survived the Holocaust. Dr Bottner recounts the moving story of her own family’s travails in war-torn Europe. Words of welcome by H. E. Johan Verkamen, Ambassador of Belgium to Canada. Bagel breakfast followed by conversation and book signing. Free event. Donation to cover the cost of breakfast would be appreciated. RSVP required HEMrsvp2019@gmail.com by October 22.  Presented by CHES, in cooperation with Temple Israel, the Azrieli Foundation, and the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies at Carleton University. Temple Israel, 1301 Prince of Wales Dr.
 
*Renowned Art Photographer Yuri Dojc, “Last Folio, Cultural Memories of Jewish Life in Slovakia” November 3, 7 - 9 pm, Kehillat Beth Israel, 1400 Coldrey Avenue. Since the late 1990s, Yuri Dojc has been documenting Slovakia’s last living Holocaust survivors, the country’s abandoned synagogues, schools, and cemeteries. His journey was the inspiration for this multidisciplinary project of photographs, a book, and a video. The evening will include a documentary film by Katya Krausova and an illustrated talk by Yuri Dojc. Free and open to the public. Reception sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovakia. RSVP to HEMrsvp2019@gmail.com by October 25. Presented by CHES, in cooperation with the Slovak Embassy, the Azrieli Foundation, Kehillat Beth Israel Congregation, and the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies at Carleton University.
 
*Kol Miriam Choir New Season, October 29, 7 - 8:30 pm weekly until June 9, 2020 at Hillel Lodge, 10 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. Kol Miriam begins its new season under the musical direction of Aura Giles, MMus. We are a diverse group of women united by our love of music, singing together and being Jewish. We perform a variety of music from traditional to contemporary. The ability to read music is not essential. A willingness to learn and participate in a shared choral and social experience is. We look forward to greeting new friends. Contact katherine.moss@sympatico.ca or 613-276-6289
 
*Two Elections Later: An Israel Update with Dr. Michael Koplow. October 23
7:30 - 9:30 pm, SJCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. Israel Policy Forum is dedicated to advancing the goal of a two-state solution in order to preserve Israel’s future as Jewish, democratic, and secure. Michael Koplow is Israel Policy Forum's Policy Director,. A regular contributor to Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy magazines, Michael writes the weekly “Koplow Column” and edits Israel Policy Exchange. He holds a BA in history from Brandeis, a JD from NYU, a masters in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard, and a Ph.D. in political science from Georgetown. Sponsors: Soloway JCC, Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program, CIJA. Contact Ella at edagan@jccottawa.com
 
*Shirley Berman z"l Lecture Series #3, Jewish Legal Minds. October 24, 7:30 - 10:30 pm. Please contact Ross Baylin at 613-218-5436 or rbaylin1661@rogers.com for information. Donations appreciated. Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.
 
*Polish - Yiddish Cinema Yesterday and Today, October 27, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. This talk presents two Yiddish films; Classic 1937 avant-garde Dybbuk and the 2015 drama Demon and discusses the uses of the Jewish supernatural before and after the Holocaust. Contact Roslyn Wollock at 613-798-9818 x254 or rwollock@jccottawa.com 
 
*Tamir Fashion Show - Stepping Out in Style 2.0. November 4, 6:30 - 10 pm. Join us for Tamir’s one-of-a-kind fashion show – together, let’s be fiercely fabulous for inclusion!  A fashion show featuring diversely-abled models with over 400 guests in the Grand Hall. Visit steppingoutinstyle.ca for more info and to purchase tickets: VIP $120 or regular $60. Contact Francesca at fdavila@tamir.ca or 613-725-3519 x104
Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau.

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.

Wearing of Scented Products
Out of concern for our fellow members and guests who have chemical sensitivities, and out of respect for the commitment of the First Unitarian Congregation to ensure that the space we share be fragrance-free, the Board respectfully requests that OrH members and visitors refrain as much as possible from wearing scented products, such as perfume, cologne, and hair or body sprays, at OrH services, events and activities. We appreciate your attention to this issue and for supporting our commitment to be an inclusive and welcoming community.

Rides to Services and Events
Will you need a ride to services and OrH events? Are you able to offer a ride to services OrH events? We encourage members to be generous with their offers of rides. Please contact  info@orh.ca  with your name and area of the city you are coming from.

Visiting or Studying in Toronto or Montreal?
If you or your children will be in Toronto or Montreal, they are very welcome at our sibling congregations. We have reciprocal memberships with both Darchei Noam (Toronto) and Dorshei Emet (Montreal). Likewise, we welcome their members to our services, programs, and High Holy Day services. For security reasons we ask to call ahead to make arrangements for the High Holy Days.

A Caring Community
Members are encouraged to contact the rabbi or any board member to let us know about your pastoral care needs, or the needs of another member, whether related to a new or an ongoing circumstance. These may include such situations as a pending hospitalization, a change in health, relationship, or employment status, other life transitions, or the death of a loved one. Through knowing what is happening in each other’s lives, we give each other, including our rabbi, the opportunity to perform acts of gemilut hasadim/loving kindness, the hallmark of a caring community.

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

October Board Chair: Michael, learning@orh.ca
​​​​​​​
Treasurer: Ari, treasurer@orh.ca
Communications: David, communications@orh.ca
Learning: Michael, learning@orh.ca
Membership: Barbara, membership@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Sharon, member-at-large.sharon@orh.ca
 Member-at-Large: Timna, member.at.large-timna@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.