Thursday, January 14, 2021 | 1 Sh'vat 5781
Friday Night Candle Lighting 4:25 PM
Saturday Night Havdallah 5:25 PM
Next Week
Friday Night Candle Lighting 4:35 PM
Saturday Night Havdallah 5:35 PM
Rabbi Kenter's Dvar

In the beginning of this week’s portion, we are told why the Israelites were unable to listen to Moses’ message of redemption. While it is translated in our Humash as being because their “spirits were crushed by cruel bondage,” the Hebrew literally says, Kotzer Ruach, which means due to “a shortness (or stunting) of spirit.” The people had assumed that once the promised saviour arrived, they would be freed. And yet, Moses came to Egypt to save them, and they remained enslaved. The process would take longer than they had hoped.

For many of us, we have designated moments in time that we anticipate will end our problems. Thank goodness 2020 is behind us, 2021 won’t be anything like that…. Once Joe Biden is inaugurated on the 20th, things will be better…. If only we select the following leader, all our problems will go away. We all have a Kotzer Ruach, anticipating (hoping?) that our problems will vanish at the time that we would like. But just like with Moses, changing the world, changing society, changing our way of life, always takes longer than we’d like. We need to remain diligent and work hard to make it happen and it still won’t come to pass as quickly as might like. 
 
I can’t tell you when we will be able to move past this lockdown phase. I can’t tell you when our world will better represent the values we hold most dear. What I can tell you is that it will take longer than we want and also, that I believe, it will happen in time. Let’s not be defined by our Kotzer Ruach but by our continued dedication to the creation of a better and healthier world. We can get there as our ancestors did. It just will take longer than we would like.

Shabbat Shalom
KBI ANNOUNCEMENTS
KBI ONLINE SERVICES
While Ontario has instituted new protocols beginning today, none of them preclude our ability to offer Shabbat services as we have for the last few weeks, exclusively virtually with the clergy rotating into the sanctuary. For the next couple of weeks, there will only be one clergy in the room at any given time. Therefore, for this week, Friday night services will be led by Cantor Green, the first part of Saturday morning (Hachannah L'Shabbat and Shacharit) will be led by Rabbi Zuker, and the Torah Reading, Haftarah, and Musaf will be led by Rabbi Kenter.

As always, you can find Friday Night Services at 5:30 pm and Saturday Morning Services beginning at 9:30 am at www.kehillatbethisrael.com/livestream.

As part of Rabbi Kenter's Torah Study this week, he will be exploring the texts on this source sheet (click here). If you plan to join us for services on Saturday morning, please bring that source sheet with you.

2020 TAX RECEIPTS
Kehillat Beth Israel is preparing tax receipts for 2020. These receipts will be sent out at the end of February. To ensure you receive your receipt, please make sure all of your information is up to date in our ShulCloud system. If it has been a while since you have logged in, or you have not yet created an account in ShulCloud, please see our log-in and user instructions (click here).

KBI OFFICE CLOSURE
Our clergy and staff will continue to work throughout the current lockdown, though they will be doing so from home, therefore the shul office will be closed. The best way to reach any of our office staff, clergy, or lay leadership is via email and all of the relevant synagogue email addresses are listed below. The phones will not be answered; however, messages will be checked at least daily to assure that the office is able to respond, though it may take a little bit longer than usual. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Judah Silverman [email protected]
Elisheva Brantz [email protected]
Rabbi Eytan Kenter [email protected]
Rabbi Deborah Zuker [email protected]
Cantor Jason Green [email protected]
Ilana Goldfarb [email protected]
Dahlia Millech [email protected]
John Denomme [email protected]
Laura Dimitroff [email protected]
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
French Language Jewish Children's Books
We would like to extend a very special thank you to Kate Solomon & Raphael Solomon for their donation of French Language Jewish children's books. If you would like more information and to borrow one of these books please connect with Rabbi Deborah Zuker.
Please visit our KBI Virtual page for a listing of all our virtual programming!
ONLINE SERVICES SCHEDULE
Morning Services
Weekdays - 7:30 AM (Zoom)
Sundays - 8:30 AM (Zoom)
Anyone can join on ZOOM at https://zoom.us/j/886548503 or dial-in by phone at 647-374-4685 then input the meeting ID (886 548 503). Press *6 to mute and un-mute yourself when calling in.

Evening Services
Mondays & Wednesdays - 5:45 PM (Zoom)
Anyone can join on ZOOM at https://zoom.us/j/886548503 or dial-in by phone at 647-374-4685 then input the meeting ID (886 548 503). Press *6 to mute and un-mute yourself when calling in.

Kabbalat Shabbat
5:30 PM (Live-Stream, www.kehillatbethisrael.com/livestream)

Hachanah L'Shabbat
9:30 AM (Live-Stream, www.kehillatbethisrael.com/livestream)

Shabbat Morning Services
10:00 AM (Live-Stream, www.kehillatbethisrael.com/livestream)

Havdallah
5:25 PM (Facebook Live, www.facebook.com/kehillatbethisrael)
OUR LEADERSHIP
Senior Rabbi ■ Rabbi Eytan Kenter
Associate Rabbi ■ Rabbi Deborah Zuker
Cantor ■ Cantor Jason Green
President ■ Judah Silverman
Gabbai Rishon ■ Norm Ferkin
Ba'al Koreh ■ Kalman Estrin
Interim Executive Director ■ Elisheva Brantz
LET US KNOW
Please notify the Shul office of any congregant and/or family member who is ill or hospitalized; or, if you know of an individual who has moved or entered a residential placement. Additionally, please let us know if you or someone you know may require some additional support in this challenging time. Your call will ensure that our Clergy can follow up with visits, calls, and healing prayers 613-728-3501 Ext. 221
ANNIVERSARY
Mazal Tov to Gil & Janet Brunette, Victor & Laraine Kaminsky, Eva Fried & Ralph Paroli, on their wedding anniversary!


YAHRZEITS
January 16-22

Laya Abramowitz
Moses Amdursky
Esther Aronson
Willie Berger
Bernard Blumenthal
Stuart Borovay
David Cohen
Samuel Benjamin Dworkin
Fania Ehrlich
Morrie Eisen
Lil Elkin
Rosa Ettenberg
Charles Joseph Gardner
Lawrence Gradus
Irving Greenberg
Joe Hart
Benjamin Held
Jack Hymes
Stanley Katz
Guenter Krebs
Rhona Lazar
Ruth Leikin
Esther Levin
Maurice May
Hyman Mayberger
Mervyn McCarthy
Minnie Nadelle
Anne Pancer
Mary Potechin
Freda Radnoff
Albert Robins
Louis Slack
Shanna Spring
Charles Tavel
Chaim Tzur C
Isidor Weltman
Albert Yasskin


Ha Makom Yenachem
DONATION LISTING
Please note that only email donation cards will be sent until the KBI office is back up and running full time. When making a donation please include the recipient's email address.

Please click here to make an online donation, or call the Shul office at 613-728-3501 x221
or email Ilana Goldfarb:

There are many blessings that happen in all of our lives such as the birth of a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild; the engagement or marriage of a loved one; or a promotion at work or a volunteer award.  These events lend balance to times of sadness, such as the death or illness of a loved one. We at Kehillat Beth Israel are grateful for the opportunity to share these moments with you - to be a source of community in both times of celebration and times of sorrow.  Below you will find some of the events in our community from the last few weeks. Please continue to share with us your happy occasions so that we may share them here in the future.  

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם הטוב והמטיב
 Barukh Atah Adonay Eloheynu Melekh Ha-olam 
Ha-tov V'hameytiv
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe
Who is good and bestows good
z"l
And in the spirit of gratitude, we also take this opportunity to thank the members of our community for their charitable gifts to the synagogue. We could not do the important work that we do at Kehillat Beth Israel without your generous support. We are so thankful for your continued contributions that allow us to grow and thrive. Todah Rabbah!
CANTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In appreciation of Cantor Green
Paula & Emanuel Agulnik

In memory of Merida Sachs z"l
Joel Sachs


GENERAL FUND
Thank you for your generous donation
Joel Sachs


OTTAWA KOSHER FOOD BANK
Thank you for your generous donation
Saul Davidson
Steve & Linda Kerzner & Family
Roslyn Bryan Bryan-Walker

In memory of Shirley Goldsmith z"l
Paula & Emanuel Agulnik

In memory of Laurence Kaminsky z"l
Judith Hoffman

In honour of Sylvia Klein on her special birthday
Vera & George Gara

In honour of Julia Van Drie and Isaac Bushewsky's wedding
Hannah Srour

Refuah Shlema to Rabbi Bulka
Steve Bookman
Rosalind & Stanley Labow

Mazal Tov and our very best wishes to Elaine Wolfish on your special birthday
Anna & Samuel Wex

In memory of Irving Aaron z"l
Anna & Samuel Wex

In memory of Jerry Silverman z"l
Anna & Samuel Wex

Refuah Shlema to Malcolm Glube
Betty & Ed Rose

Mazal Tov to Bram Potechin on becoming the 2020 recipient of the OBA Award of Excellence in Real Estate
Judy & Jeff Fishman


RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Thank you for your generous donation
Joel Sachs

In appreciation of Rabbi Kenter
Paula & Emanuel Agulnik

In appreciation of Rabbi Kenter
Sandy Bregman


YOUTH & FAMILY FUND
Thank you for your generous donation
Joel Sachs

In appreciation of Rabbi Zuker
Paula & Emanuel Agulnik



KBI apologizes for any errors or omissions.
COMMUNITY NEWS
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