Doar Shalom: November 19, 2020 / 3 Kislev, 5781
Candle lighting 4:06 pm
Havdalah: 5:16 pm
Parashat Toldot / פרשת תּוֹלְדוֹת
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Rabbi Hannah's Weekly Reflection |
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Digging the Wells of Ourselves
In our Torah reading this week Isaac re-digs his father’s wells and digs some of his own. As shepherds and shepherdesses, our patriarchs and matriarchs dug and maintained wells. They lived by wells and gathered at wells to greet one another, transact business, and even to meet their beloveds.
And as our Hasidic masters read the Torah, wells are not merely for drawing water but also for drawing forth spiritual nourishment. To dig a well is to tap into the wisdom that wells-up from the depth of our being.
My sense is that our rabbis want us to understand, fundamentally, that we possess spiritual wisdom. Further, that our own personal torah is always there, coursing through us like an underground stream, whether we are aware or not. Ultimately, it’s our task to quiet the buzz of our preoccupations so that we become attuned to the mysteries of our souls.
Our tradition teaches us that on Shabbat we gain a neshama yeteirah, an expanded soul - for just the one day. That means that from just before sundown on Friday till just after sundown on Saturday our souls will be speaking their desires and their torah more clearly. The question is, will we override with the louder noise of all that can distract us, or will we give way to a Sabbath re-ensoulment? Will we pause, and tap in?
My blessing for us all is that we allow ourselves to retire from doing and achieving, so that we might just be for one day in the week – this week. The Yiddish Shabbos song declares: “Zol zayn Yidden Shabes… Shabes oyf der gantser velt” – “[We] Jews need Shabbos, Shabbos for the whole word.” Shabbos is for human flourishing, for sinking into the wells of ourselves with the leisure to bathe in our own living waters, immersed in the ongoing flow of our deeper selves.
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Only a Few Spots Remaining!
Register now to save your spot in this innovative online retreat taught by Rabbi Hannah Dresner and meditation teacher Matthew Gindin. During our time together we will explore meditative avenues to support our resilience. Guided practice of contemplation, mussar, and song will be interspersed with teachings and time for conversation.
The retreat is filling up fast! Register here by 5pm Saturday, November 21.
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Upcoming Programs and Services
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See our new Event Calendar for details and Zoom links for upcoming programs, services, and events.
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Saturday, November 21, 9 am, Torah Study and Abbreviated Davening (Parshat Toldot)
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Saturday, November 28, 10 am (Parshat Vayetzei)
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Happenings:
Friday November 20 to Thursday November 26
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Friday, November 20
9:00 am
Men's Torah Study Group
Parashat Toldot
Sibling rivalry...and the outcome.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 892 7010 9069; Passcode: 572724
1:00 pm
Friday Tehillim
- led by John Fuerst.
How do we praise God? In easy times and difficult times, in joy and in despair? This week we will learn and daven Psalm 145, a pslam so central to our liturgy that it is said three times times a day. Psalms are available in Hebrew and English here.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 873 2214 6883; Password: 200901
6:00 - 6:30 pm
Erev Shabbat Candle Lighting
- led by Rabbi Hannah.
Candle lighting, Kiddush, Motzi. Erev Shabbat blessings are available here.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 826 4524 7744; Passcode: 712461
Saturday, November 21
9:00 - 11:00 am
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Torah - Rabbi Susan Shamash
Shacharit - Rabbi Hannah Dresner
Zoom Shamash - Tyche Smith
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 4690 4137; Passcode: 050826
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Three Doors to Jewish Meditation
Taught by Rabbi Hannah Dresner Matthew Gindin.
Register here by 5pm Saturday, November 21.
Sunday, November 22
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Three Doors to Jewish Meditation - continued
4:00 - 5:30 pm
Or Shalom Annual General Meeting
Join via Zoom. Click here for phone numbers. Meeting ID: 876 6769 7807
Passcode: 303746
7:00 - 7:30 pm
Virtual Evening Minyan
- led by Rabbi Hannah.
For a transliterated and translated weekday evening liturgy, please click here (pg 69 to 125).
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 869 8675 6931; Passcode: 291406
Tuesday, November 24
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Zusia: The Bet Midrash
- Spinoza: Jewish Philosophy In The Time of Covid-19 with Matthew Gindin
- Return to the Place: The Wisdom of Sefer Yetzirah with Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD
Wednesday, November 25
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Board Meeting
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Getting Ready for Chanukah! |
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Come and Join the Or Shalom Virtual Choir |
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Dying to sing…
Don’t be shy, there are many others singing too so you won't be singing alone. The more people, the better the virtual choir sounds! Charles Kaplan prepared gorgeous guide tracks in Hebrew and English, the only thing missing is your beautiful voice!
Email Tanya at programs@orshalom.ca for instructions. Your budding music career will be in good hands! xo
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Chanukah Boxes Coming Your Way |
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We are creating special Chanukah boxes to make this year's Festival of Lights memorable—and fun! Boxes are FREE and will include activities, Arts and Crafts, and ideas for celebrating Chanukah at home. One box per family please. Boxes will be most suitable for children aged three to eight.
Order you box here by Wednesday, November 25 at noon.
Pick up from Or Shalom will be on December 8, 4-7 PM.
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Save the Date for Chanukah! |
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Chanukah planning is well underway. Save the dates in your calendar for these exciting events!
Chanukah, our eight-day festival of light at the darkest time of the year, reminds us that it is our human task to kindle and foster hope and to tend the lights that warm and nurture our world. In the spirit of this holiday and in the spirit of our name, Or Shalom - Light of Peace, we reach out, each year, to honour the work of individuals who inspire, setting examples of resilience, sensitivity, and action as we seek avenues of tikkun - repair. Judaism mandates that a house of worship be built with windows so that we share the joys and sorrows of the greater community, so that we maintain connection and build bridges of cooperation and dialogue. We aspire to keep our window open wide, giving and receiving a flow of the light we all share as one humanity.
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Due to increasing Covid numbers, staff are currently alternating days between working from home and working the office. If you need to come by the Bayit, please email office@orshalom.ca to arrange a time. |
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Or Shalom Zoom Etiquette Suggestions |
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This little light of mine
We’re happy to see you! Put light on your face, rather than on the screen. Also, you look best when the view is head and shoulders (when seated, of course). Looking at the top of your head and the ceiling isn’t so good. Try to have your camera at eye level or a little higher.
I’ll make mine mute
Stay muted during the service unless you are asked to unmute by the leader. Then mute again after. The zoom shamash might help you do that if you forget.
Now you see me, now you don’t
Feel free to turn off your video if you are eating, moving around, or otherwise not totally focused on the service. Come back when you are ready.
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As in past years, Or Shalom is conducting a winter giving project which involves donating $10 gift cards to needy people in our neighbourhoods. These cards are redeemable for food at McDonald's restaurants.
As in the past, OrShniks are invited to participate in this worthwhile tzedaka opportunity. We will purchase the cards and distribute them on your behalf.
Donations received before 01 Jan 2021 will qualify for 2020 CRA tax receipts and be greatly appreciated by the recipients, especially in these challenging times of Covid-19. You can make an online donation to the East Side Fund at Or Shalom's online donation page, either by cheque or by credit card.
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This is an online parent-led group which meets every second Thursday evening at 7:00pm. Sometimes we study together, sometimes we just talk.
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- A donation was made by Kaushansky & Associates to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Memory of Dr. Anton Miller on the loss of his wife, Mary ז’ל.
- A donation was made by Linda Peritz to the Concert & Musical Guests Fund in ָָָָָָָAppreciation of Dave and Martin for their technical and artistic skills that keep our services wonderful.
- A High Holidays Donation was made by Judy Rother.
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Thank you to John Fuerst for leading Friday Tehillim on November 13.
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Thank you to Harley Rothstein for his leadership during the Shabbat Morning Service on November 14, and thank you to Sally Thorne for providing Zoom tech support.
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Thank you to Linda Peritz for providing Zoom tech support during the November 15 Sunday Evening Minyan service.
- Thank you to Michal Fox, Avril Orloff, Marianne Rev, Alexis Kellum-Creer, Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta, and Tammy McCurry for organizing the first book club meeting on November 15, and thank you to Linda Peritz for providing Zoom tech support.
- Thank you to Michal Fox for supporting the preparation of Seth Klein's book talk on December 13.
- Thank you to Dael Adams Segal for leading Women’s Heart Centered Torah Study on November 19.
- Thank you to Charles Kaplan for recording the guide tracks for Oh Chanukah and thank you to Myrna Rabinowitz and Dave Kauffman for supporting the Virtual Choir.
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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.
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Our sincere apologies if your name has inadvertently been missed. We still love you and appreciate all that you do! Please don't hesitate to contact the office office@orshalom.ca about an omission. We promise to acknowledged you in the next Doar.
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Volunteer Request for Calls to Seniors |
Chabad of Richmond’s Program Manager Michelle Rizarri has reached out to request volunteers to call Jewish seniors in that area who may be feeling isolated. She is hoping to find volunteers who would be able to call someone or a few people once or twice a week mainly just to "check in,” but on an ongoing basis.
If you are interested in volunteering or want to find out more, contact Michelle at 604-277-6427 or admin@chabadrichmond.com
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ALEPH Affiliated and Network Communities Programming |
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The ALEPH Network is an alliance of organizations, individuals, shuls, and more at the vibrant cutting edge of Judaism. We value heart-and-soul-centered experience, and we integrate and evolve spiritual technologies to serve the needs of today and tomorrow.
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Becoming a Welcoming Community for Jews of Color, by SooJi Min Maranda
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 12:00 PM ET (noon), 9:00 AM PST
COST: Free to attend as a member of an ALEPH Affiliated or Network Community
Share your experiences in welcoming Jews of Color into your communities. Ask SooJi Min-Maranda, ALEPH’s Executive Director, questions about building a multicultural, multiracial community. Hear about some of the challenges SooJi faced entering Jewish community as a JOC, convert, and the only Jew in her family.
SooJi Min-Maranda is a Korean American Jew by Choice and the executive director of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Whether providing direct services, advocating for policy change, or fundraising for nonprofit organizations, SooJi begins with personal narratives that illustrate the need for programs, policies, and resources that raise the voices of those underserved and underrepresented in mainstream society.
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Just fill in this handy web-form to included your article in future editions of the Doar Shalom, Or Shalom's weekly e-newsletter.
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