In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
Community Events and Announcements
The Exodus – Myth or History? A lecture by Shawna Dolansky, College of the Humanities, Carleton University. The Bible commands its readers to tell their children the story of the Exodus; but biblical scholarship and archaeology of the 20th and 21st centuries have increasingly cast doubt on the fact that the Exodus actually happened historically. This lecture reviews the biblical story in light of the archaeological evidence – or lack thereof – reflecting on how to answer the question of whether these foundational events of Israel actually occurred. Glebe Community Centre, Thursday, January 30, 7:00 pm, Scotton Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. More info at: https://carleton.ca/chum/2020/free-public-lecture-the-exodus-myth-or-history/
Disability Rights 101 - A Workshop, January 30, 7 - 9 pm, at Jewish Family Services, 300-2255 Carling Ave. Human rights are created to protect and empower people. The ins and outs may seem elusive, but they are public, important, and for everyone. Join us for an informative evening of learning and discussion with Harvey Goldberg, human rights advocate and expert.
Contact Deborah Zuker at deborahzuker@gmail.com
Mitzvah Day 2020, February 2, 8:30 - 12 pm. Join your community Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Soloway JCC for a morning of fun-filled and educational activities. Free breakfast begins at 9 am, Mitzvah Day promises something for people of all ages. Visit www.mitzvahdayottawa.com for the list of activities that highlight the theme of "Better Together" and explore the mitzvot of helping the sick and hungry, passing on Jewish traditions, Jewish learning, and more. Register via the website for your preferred activity! We look forward to seeing you! Contact Tanya for more info at Tpoirier@jewishottawa.com.
"El Lissitsky": Artist, Architect, Revolutionary, February 9, 10:30 am - 12 pm at the SJCC. Ian Ferguson will explore the life and extraordinarily varied oeuvre, of the Russian avant garde artist El Lissitsky. In addition to official work alongside such artists as Chagall, he served as an important bridge between Soviet artists and their counterparts at the Bauhaus and the West.
Contact: Roslyn at rwollock@jccottawa.com
Music of the Heart, February 10, 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm, at the SJCC. Join classical guitarist and vocalist Andrew Mah and violinist Anna Baksheeva as they present a program of music of the heart. Included are pieces composed by John Dowland, Edward Elgar, Giacomo Puccini and Jerome Kern, all in the spirit of romance. $15 Contact: Roslyn at rwollock@jccottawa.com
Soloway JCC Winter Israeli Film Series
Film series with short talk by Orly Erlich, Consul at the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa and Ohad Kaynar, Charge d’affaires, Deputy Head of Mission.
January 16: Turn left at the end of the world
February 19: Zero Motivation
March 19: Peace after Marriage
Doors open at 6:40
Sponsor: Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program, SJCC, The Embassy of Israel, CICF
Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.
“More than Just Mosaics: The Ancient Synagogue at Huqoq in Israel’s Galilee.” A lecture by Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism, Department of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Sunday, February 23, 19h00 (7:00pm), SJCC – Social Hall, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.
International Women's Day Celebration Party, March 7, 7 pm, SJCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt. The first annual party bringing together Israeli and Jewish women of the Ottawa community to celebrate International Women’s Day! A fun evening of dancing, delicious Israeli food, drinks and lots of great entertainment. You won’t want to miss this party of the year - Israeli style! Tickets are $50 each and are limited – for more info or to buy tickets via etransfer contact Israeliwomeninottawa@gmail.com.
* Risen Leaves: A Rare Books Workshop from the Collection of the Jewish Public Library. The JPL has a number of special collections but one of the most valued ones are the Rare Books. The earliest of the 1,500 books is an incunabulum printed in 1481 (about 20 years after Gutenberg), and while the array of books ranges from early Hebrew grammars, Talmuds, kabbalistic works, liturgical texts, history, and early antisemitic tracts, there are also unusual tracts dealing with religious vestments, architecture, and travel. Three of the JPL’s librarians will discuss these books, the history of printing (as well as Hebrew printing), and share some of the strange stories and scandals that underscored the production of these works. Tuesday, March 24, 1:30-3:30 pm, First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, Fellowship Hall, 30 Cleary Avenue, FREE ADMISSION. To register: Email: adultlearning@firstunitarianottawa.ca Phone: 613-725-1066.
Ottawa Tour to Israel: Celebrating Women’s Voices, May 17-27, 2020. Join an exceptional group of women on this educational and thought-provoking tour to Israel. Tour covers inspirational speakers on topics such as Ethiopian Jewry, civil rights, and Israeli health innovation. It also includes events with Palestinian Member of Knesset, Aida Touman-Sleeman, and a panel of experts discussing Palestinian and Jewish/Israeli perspectives on political and social issues. We will celebrate Rosh Chodesh with Women of the Wall and among other activities visit a Bedouin Weaving Centre and Dead Sea spa. Eight spaces remain to share in this exciting tour. For the itinerary, please contact: Yaffa Greenbaum at yaffa.greenbaum@gmail.com (613-266-6677) or Paula Agulnik at agulnikpaula@gmail.com (613-298-7520).
Community Opportunities
*Are you off to warmer climes this winter? No? Good! Jewish Family Services needs your help to fill in for our Snowbird Volunteer Drivers. An elderly women requires a short ride to and from her home in Craig Henry to Loblaws College Square. You would pick her up around 4:00 PM, drop her off at the store, and return two hours later to help her bring the groceries into her home. This woman needs our help on the following Thursdays: February 6 & 20; March 5 & 19. If you can help on one, some, or all of these days, please contact George Sladowski, Volunteer Coordinator, at 613-722-2225, ext. 350, or email gsladowski@jfsottawa.com.
*Calling all artists! Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation is looking for new card designs! The Jewish calendar is filled with a rich variety of holidays. From upcoming Tu Bishvat, on Feb. 10, which marks the new year for trees, to Purim in March and Passover in April, there are always occasions to send a Tribute card. Please send us a high resolution image of your original artwork - suitable to be printed on 5" x 7" cards. Consider images suitable for celebrations, sympathy, encouragement, wishes for good health, as well as Jewish holidays. All chosen designs will carry the artist's name and will be featured on our website, on social media, and in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin. For more details visit our website. To submit your design, email Nathaniel at nfinestone@jewishottawa.com.
