Doar Shalom: July 30, 2020 / 9 Av, 5780

July 30, 2020 / 9 Av, 5780

Erev Shabbat candle lighting: 8:36 pm

Havdalah: 9:28 p m

ב״ה

Rabbi Hannah's Weekly Reflection

Pride Weekend

On Sunday, we will celebrate Pride with a virtually reimagined celebration. In honour of Pride I wish to call to our attention the beautiful address offered to us by Reb Irwin Keller during his visit earlier this year. In Jewish tradition, the rainbow is a promise after a terrible show of destructive force, with uncountable losses. In the time of Noah, God promises it will never be like that again; the rainbow is God’s signature on that promise.

Would that our own skies were crisscrossed with rainbows and that we could experience a palpable promise that destructive forces in our own world would cease and heal. But it’s not that simple, and our rainbow is unlikely to be inspired by a divine change of heart, rather, aroused by the work we do as God’s agents in maintaining the public health, shifting our thinking about equity in our society, and caring enough about the earth to nurture her.

This week, we concentrate on the wisdom Queer community has to share in helping to shape the world we are creating. Queer community has something to teach about being survivors, about the power of sacrificing for love, and more. Please click here to read or re-read Reb Irwin’s beautiful The Gifts of the Queers. And may we celebrate intersectionality as a reflection of God’s own multifaceted nature.

Shabbat Shalom!

Upcoming Special Events

Connections: Rabbi Hannah’s Invitation to a Community Meeting

Sunday, August 9, 10:30-noon

Please register for the community meeting and dialogue HERE . Please direct your questions to board@orshalom.ca. One of our Co-Chairs will answer ques tions at the Community Meeting.

For the sake of our flourishing, please put this event in your calendar and plan to take part!

Click HERE for Rabbi Hannah’s condensed letter, with information about the Community Meeting.

Saturday, September 12, 8:00 pm

We invite prayers, poetry and stories in all forms of up to 5 minutes in length. Beginners are welcome and we will read drafts if needed. Slam spots are limited. Please apply for a five min ute spot by August 17 orshalom.ca/selichot-story-slam

You'll receive a confirmation for whether you have a spot reserved on August 21.

Join via Zoom

Meeting ID: 878 5578 9173

Passcode: 579611

Weekdays from August 21 to September 17, 12:00 - 12:30 pm

Join Or Shalom teachers every day at noon for a dip into the classic Kabbalah text “ Tomer Devorah ” (The Palm Tree of Deborah) by the great Kabbalist Moshe Cordovero (1522-1570) whose mystical thought was an inspiration for the Hasidic masters.

Tomer Devorah is a guide to embodying divine energies (the sefirot ) and is renowned for its focus on radical compassion and union with the Shechina , among other fascinating teachings.

This text is traditionally studied from beginning to end during the month of Elul . Rabbi Hannah Dresner, Matthew Gindin, and Rabbi Yoni Gordis will study the text with participants on differing days - and more teachers from the Or Shalom community TBA.

Participants will be given a PDF Hebrew-English copy of the text in a modern translation revised by Matthew Gindin. No experience is necessary. We ask that those who want to participate register - attendance at every class is not required, but more will be gained from fuller entry into the daily practice and we encourage you to commit to learning with us as many weekdays as possible.

Friday, August 21, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Back by popular demand! Everyone had such a great time at our July 24 picnic, and we loved seeing everyone so much, that we're having another picnic on Friday, August 21! Please join us for a family friendly Erev Shabbat at 5:30 pm. We are blessed to be able to gather outdoors for an another in-person, socially distanced gathering. Our picnic is an opportunity to see and engage with one another from a 6' distance, while respecting each others' personal and group bubbles.

Register HERE for our second family friendly Erev Shabbat in-person gathering to reserve your spot. Registration is required and we can only accommodate up to 49 people. Covid protocols are shared on the registration page. Feel free to contact Tanya with any questions programs@orshalom.ca. Know that the picnic is subject to change as the Covid status evolves.

Monday, August 10, 4:00 pm

Join us for the screening of film 02, "Blessed" on Monday, August 10, focusing the Mizrachi (eastern) culture in Israel
Film 03, "Cleaning Time", is scheduled for August 24, focusing on the Ethiopian Jewish experience in Israel.

Registration at https://www.tfaforms.com/4837033

Sunday, August 30, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Join our guest teacher Michael Chusid for online shofar blowing training with for up to 18 folks who have shofarot. Michael gets most students tooting in just a few minutes, while stressing fundamentals and the mitzvah of hearing shofar. Read Michael's blog spot for more information and testimonials from Rabbi David A Cooper , z"l , and Rabbi Shefa Gold .

Register HERE to reserve your spot. Registered students will receive the Zoom link with their confirmation email. Students will need to have a Shofar on hand.

Or Shalom Happenings

Friday, July 31 to Thursday, August 6

Men's Torah Study Group

- led by Frank Segal

Friday, July 31, 9:00 am

This week's parasha is

Parashat V'etchanan/ פרשת ואתחנן

Deuteronomy/ Devarim 3:23 - 7:11

Join via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 892 7010 9069

Password: 572724

Prayers for Healing, Tehillim for the Human Family

- led by John Fuerst

Friday, July 31, 1:00 pm

Reciting Tehillim for the sick is a traditional practice.

Join John to chant or sing Psalms, or to sit quietly, sending healing intentions. Psalms are available in Hebrew and English HERE .

Join via Zoom . Meeting ID: 873 2214 6883; Password: 200901

Erev Shabbat Candle Lighting

- led by Harriet Frost and Robert Al banese

Friday, July 31, 6.00 pm

Candle lighting, Kiddush, and Motzi led by Harriet and Robert.

Join via Zoom . Meeting ID: 826 4524 7744. Password: 712461

Shabbat Morning Virtual Torah Study

- led by Rabbi Susan Shamash

Saturday, August 1, 9 :00 am

This week’s Parsha is Vaetchanan - וָאֶתְחַנַּ֖ן - And I pleaded.

If you are able, please read the Parsha in advance, paying close attention to the Aseret Hadibrot , the Ten Commandments.

Bamidbar/Numbers 3:23-5:18 (linked here )

Join via Zoom

Meeting ID: 857 9579 7794

Passcode: 545515

Virtual Evening Minyan

- led by Harley Rothstein

Sunday, August 2, 7:00 pm

For a transliterated and translated weekday evening liturgy, please click HERE (pg 69 to 125).

Join via Zoom . Meeting ID: 857 2521 7913; Passcode: 481969

NOTE: New Zoom link for this week only.

Women's Heart Centered Torah Study

- led by Dael Adams

Thursday, August 6

12:30 - 2:30 pm

Parashat Eikev / פרשת עקב

Devarim/Deuteronomy

7:12 - 11:25

Email Dael Adams: d.adams@telus.net

Or Shalom Updates

Rabbi Hannah is away from Friday July 31, returning on Tuesday, August 4. Rabbi Dina-Hasida Mercy is on call for rabbinical emergencies during Rabbi Hannah's absence.

Board Meeting Summary: July 22

Or Shalom will mark our first in-person event since Purim with Erev Shabbat Blessings at the Beach on Friday July 24. This event has been planned carefully to meet COVID-19 safety guidelines.

All community members are strongly encouraged to attend the Community Meeting on Sunday August 9, 10:30 am to noon.

Planning is well underway for the High Holidays, with many activities planned between Selichot and Simchat Torah.

Representing both co-chairs, Dave Kauffman reported that the Housing Task Force has chosen architect, Erika Gerson, of Boni Maddison. The Task Force is proceeding with the building renewal as a long-term project, tied to revitalization of the area through City of Vancouver plans for the Broadway corridor.

Sammy Fogel has been hired on contract as the new Shabbat Sheli teacher.

Seeking Submissions for Good Yontif Video Project 2020!

Please submit ONE of these TWO possible formats:

1. A photo of you or your family. This can include you and any "chosen" family members, "fur" babies, plants, or anything/anyone else that provides a feeling of comfort and connection. Along with the photo please include a warm holiday greeting. Neither the photo nor the greeting need be traditional. We welcome creativity!

2. A 10 second video of you/your family's greeting. This greeting can be sweet, funny, traditional...whatever best represents you/your family.

Please upload here by Friday, August 14 before Shabbat, or send it by email here .

Trans Mountain plans to start construction on their pipeline in the Lower Mainland next month. They’re kicking it off in the worst way possible - by drilling right under a cherished local salmon stream.

There is an opportunity for us to participate in a COVID-safe, well-organized, non-violent protest against the TMX pipeline on Saturday August 8th . This will be an important climate/environmental action, as well as standing up for Indigenous rights (remember unceded territory/remember UNDRIP). It is organized by a network of Fist Nations and NGOs many of you support: the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Musqueam, the Qayqayt and Kwikwetlem; the Wilderness Committee; Dogwood BC; Stand.earth.

This is the link for more information and to sign up. (My family and I will be there at 2:30pm)

https://hub.dogwoodbc.ca/stop_tmx_now

Borrowing Prayerbooks ( Siddurim and Machzorim)

Please have your own Siddur in hand for our Shabbat morning services and your own Machzor in hand for our High Holiday services

If you would like to sign out a Siddur and/or a Machzor from Or Shalom for virtual services, email the office at office@orshalom.ca to arrange a pick up time or a delivery time (please allow around 5 days for volunteer deliveries).

A donation was made by Roslyn Kunin to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of all the great canvassers in Or Shalom's record breaking 2020 campaign.
A donation was made by Martin Gotfrit to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of Deborah Ross-Grayman for the gift of the Pilates Chair.
A donation was made by Sally Thorne & Mary Adlersberg to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in recognition of Mark Welch's retirement.
Thank you to the Tisha B'Av Group: Mary Adlersberg, Marianne Rev, Deborah and Henry Ross-Grayman, for their help in preparing for the Tisha B'Av Commemoration and to Lilach Somberg and Rabbi Susan Shamash for preparing sections of Eicha.
Thank you to the readers for reciting the Eicha, lamentations.
Thank you to Abby Fitch for her help with the July 24 picnic.
Thank you to the Gemilut Chesed Working Group and to our Covid-19 volunteers for their ongoing support.

Your tax-deductible donation to Or Shalom can be used to honour an accomplishment or life event, say thank you for a mitzvah or job well-done, or remember a loved ones passing.

The membership committee's Getting to Know You interview series is an opportunity for Or Shalomniks to get to know one another and learn about the fascinating stories and knowledge our community has to offer.

This week, get to know: Bette Thompson