Doar Shalom: September 3, 2020 / 14 Elul, 5780

September 3, 2020 / 14 Elul, 5780

Parashat Ki Tavo / פרשת כי־תבוא

Erev Shabbat candle lighting: 7:29 pm

Havdalah: 8:34 pm

ב״ה

Rabbi Hannah’s Weekly Reflection

Ki Tavo

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we are in the process of sorting through the complexity of our lives as we have been living them, straightening the disarray, untangling snarls, categorizing, separating out the dross, and, generally, coming to understand ourselves better as we take a good hard look at our relationships, our behaviours, our successes and our deepest longings.

We heap the blessings over here, the curses over there, as it were, as we weed through ourselves. Ki Tavo exaggerates, for dramatic effect, describing our curses and blessings as mountains, and standing squarely between them, we can see our rights and our wrongs, our achievements and our shortcomings for what they are.

The ancient People say “Amen.” Let us, too, say Amen in acknowledgment, and see ourselves more critically.

In Midrash Raba, Rabbi Judah son of Sima said, “Amen contains three kinds of solemn declaration: oath, consent, and confirmation.”

May we have the courage to engage in self-reflection and may we be blessed on our discernment.

Shabbat Shalom!

Melodies for Elul

During the weeks of Elul I’ll be sharing some music, each week, to bring us into the Yamim Norain - the Days of Awe.

This week, in our exploration of music inspired by Psalm 27, we offer the much loved traditional Achas Shaalti, as sung by the Pirchei boys choir of Agudas Israel of Toronto, conducted by Eli Lipsker in 1966.

Link: Achas Shaalti - אחת שאלתי

Upcoming Shabbat Services

Saturday, September 12, 9-10 AM & 10-11AM

Shabbat morning Torah Study with Rabbi Susan (9-10 AM), followed by an abbreviated davening (10-11AM). See HERE for details.

Saturday, September 19, 10-12:30AM

Zoom Shabbat Rosh Hashanah. See HERE for details.

Saturday, September 26, 10-11:45AM

Zoom Shabbat Shuva Service. See HERE for details.

Saturday, October 3, 10AM-12PM

Shabbat Sukkoth service and Simchat Mitzvah of Ryan Perks. See HERE for details.

Saturday, October 10, 9-10 AM & 10-11AM

Shabbat morning Torah Study with Rabbi Susan (9-10 AM), followed by an abbreviated davening (10-11AM). See HERE for details.

Borrowing Prayerbooks (Siddurim and Machzorim)

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

PLUS

The Velveteen Rabbi's Machzor

for Erev Rosh Hashanah

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).

Preparing for the Days of Awe During Elul

In Preparation for Yizkor Service on Yom Kippur

The names of loved ones we have lost during this past year will be read aloud during the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur. To add the names of your beloveds, email yizkor@orshalom.ca by Sept. 18.

Zoom KOREH SELICHOT: This is Real and We are Totally Unprepared

September 12, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

You are invited to hear Or Shalom writers and friends who will be featuring their prayers, poems, and stories generated by this year’s strange crossing into the new year. Our readers are:

Aren X Tulchinsky
Cecil Hershler
Els Kushner
Katherine Zemliya
Mark Winston
Philippe Tortell
Rhea Tregebov
Tiferet Welch
Val Dolgin
Shelley Stein-Wotten

The program is opening and closing with two Jazz interpretations of Kol Nidre with musicians Martin Gotfrit, Dave Kauffman, Noah Gotfrit, and Wendy Rubin. Anyone is welcome to be in the audience.

See HERE for more information.

Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 878 5578 9173; Password: 579611

High Holiday Events Requiring Registration

Explore the High Holidays calendar to see the schedule of events, to register for in-person events, and to find Zoom links to virtual events.

Email Tracey for a copy of the Harlow Machzor AND The Velveteen Rabbi's Machzor at office@orshalom.ca (please allow around 5 days for volunteer deliveries).

Your opportunity to greet community members in person and hear the Shofar blown.

In person at at Canoe Bridge in Olympic Village, Olympic Village waterfront – self-directed Tashlich followed by Shofar from afar. Pre-registration required for up to 49 persons in each of 3 time slots. Please register HERE by September 16 at 5PM to reserve your spot. Filling up fast!

Rosh Hashanah Day II - "The Birthday of the World"

Sunday September 20, 10:00 - 11:15 am

In-person Family Service for up to 49 parents and children led by Rabbi Hannah with Matthew Gindin. Pre-registration required. Please register HERE by September 11 at 5PM. There are a few more family spots available.

Or Shalom Happenings

Friday September 4 to Thursday September 10

See our new Event Calendar for details of upcoming programs, services, and events.

Tomer Devorah

- led by Rabbi Hannah, Matthew Gindin, Rabbi Yoni Gordis, and Alycia Fridkin

Weekdays, August 21 to September 17, 12:00 pm

Please register via Eventbrite; drop-ins are welcome, however, more will be gained from fuller entry into the daily practice. Tomer Devorah text is available HERE.

Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 821 3648 1430; Passcode: 594533

Prayers for Healing, Tehillim for the Human Family

- led by John Fuerst

Friday, September 4, 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. This Friday we will learn and daven Psalm 81, following the tradition of praying for a person’s full recovery by reciting the psalm that matches his or her age.

Psalms are available in Hebrew and English HERE .

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

Erev Shabbat Candle Lighting

- led by Rabbi Hannah

Friday, September 4, 6.00 pm

Candle lighting, Kiddush, and Motzi led by Rabbi Hannah.

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

Virtual Evening Minyan

- led by Rabbi Hannah

Sunday, September 6, 7:00 pm

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

Programs Open For Registration

Adult Programs

Come join us for transformative, inclusive, communal learning that opens doorways in both the mind and the heart.

Zusia is serious but playful study and is for all learners who are interested in examining the multi-faceted nature of Torah and Jewish culture.

Each course is taught by an instructor with specialized knowledge and a passion for expressive and deep thought. Our bet midrash, literally “house of learning,” is currently being offered via Zoom.

Fall 2020 Zusia Course Offerings!

This year, the first Zusia courses begin November 2020. See course descriptions below for details and course fees; Special rates for Or Shalom members!

Spinoza: Jewish Philosophy In The Time of Covid-19

Spinoza was among the most fearless of philosophers. He formed his thought both in tension with, and inspired by, his Jewish background. His vision of personal and communal ethics is as countercultural today as it was in the 17th century, and is still provoking revolutionary thought and action.

In this 4 week online class we will look at Spinoza’s potent insights on joy, human flourishing and freedom, democracy, and community and how these can offer us guidance during our current moment of overlapping crises.

Instructor: Matthew Gindin

Prerequisite: None:

Dates: Tuesdays, November 3 – November 24, 2020

Time: 7-9 PM

Investment: Members $60; Non-Members $98

Please find further details and registration HERE.

Return to the Place: The Wisdom of Sefer Yetzirah

Sefer Yetzirah is an ancient and foundational work of Jewish mysticism. This brief and cryptic book imagines letters as the building blocks of the universe, focusing our attention on the components of space, time, and soul and the elements of air, fire, and water. Its goal is to allow adepts to contemplate, and even partake in, the Divine creative process.

In this series, we will explore sections from the book closely as well as use images from the text to meditate and reflect on our own spiritual experience. In the worldview of the Sefer Yetzirah, we and all things are part of the One, and all we need to do is remember and return.

This course will consist of a series of three pre-recorded video lessons with downloadable text, online chevruta work in study assigned groups, and a final (4th) session that is an interactive webinar with Rabbi Hammer.

Instructor: Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD

Prerequisite: None:

Dates: Tuesdays, November 3 – November 24, 2020

Time: 7-9 PM

Investment: Members $60; Non-Members $98

Please find further details and registration HERE.

Exploring Judaism, led by Rabbi Hannah Dresner.

Or Shalom’s yearly program for those on the path to discovering Judaism and for those wishing to deepen basic understandings.

Our new season will begin with online monthly Zoom classes, starting Monday, October 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. Please find further details and registration HERE.

Children and Youth Program

Shabbat Sheli

We will be returning this year with a new teacher- Samantha Fogel! Sammy is coming to us after a year of working with kids in the same age range at

Har-El in North Vancouver. She has years of experience working with kids as well as in positions of service to the community at large and we are lucky to have her. Please find further details and registration HERE.

Bright Lights

Matthew Gindin will again be teaching this program which will include text study, discussion, art, crafts and play. The curriculum will focus on learning the stories of our ancestors in the Tanakh, beginning Hebrew Alphabet studies, and the continued learning of mussar (Jewish values). Matthew is excited to learn with kids old and new after summer break!

Please find further details and registration HERE.

B'Yachad

Going forward Byachad is reimagined as a two year course with the option to stay on after Simchat Mitzvah for another year at no additional cost.

Our revised curriculum delivers a broad knowledge of Jewish culture, religion, history and values, hoping to offer a multitude of portals to Jewish identity. Harriet Frost will teach an expanded Hebrew and Trope curriculum which will give the students a deeper knowledge of Hebrew and allow them to spend more time working on leining in preparation for the Simcha!

Please find further details and registration HERE.

A donation was made by Michal Fox to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in In thankfulness to Fran Goldberg.
A donation was made by David Kauffman to the Tzedakah Fund in Honour of the Or Shalom community for being an amazing spiritual community, sharing in love, learning and in sadness.
Thank you to Linda Peritz for acting as Zoom Shamash during the August 29 Contemplative Shabbos Prayer.
Thank you Linda Peritz for coordinating and training new Zoom Shamash volunteers.
Thank you to Rhoda Thow and Justin Greenberg for their help packing Rosh Hashanah boxes for Or Shalom families with young children, and our Shabbat Sheli and Bright Lights (formerly Little Lights) families.
Thank you to Alex Leslie for co-curating the Selichot program.
Thank you to Martin Gotfrit and Dave Kauffman for original music for our Selichot program, and thank you to Wendy Rubin and Noah Gotfrit for their musicianship.
Thank you to Dave Kauffman and Pat Gill for developing the Keren Or.
Thank you to the Gemilut Chesed Working Group and to our Covid-19 volunteers for their ongoing support.

Preparing High Holiday Torah Readings:

This is how it's done!

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: Avi Dolgin