Doar Shalom: September 24, 2020 / 6 Tishrei, 5781
Parashat Ha'Azinu / פרשת הַאֲזִינוּ
Erev Shabbat candle lighting 6:44pm
Havdalah: 7:47 pm
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A Message from Rabbi Hannah |
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Shabbat Shuva – The Sabbath of Return |
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Dear Friends,
It was wonderful to see so many of you on the huge monitor in the Bayit during our zoom davening over the days of Rosh Hashanah and to see almost 150 of you at our Tashlich / Shofar gatherings in Olympic Village. I especially enjoyed the hour I spent with our young families creating our own little worlds on the Birthday of the World.
And now we move on to the day of At One-ment. Highlights of our services will be beautiful davening led by Harriet Frost, Reb Daniel Siegel, Tiferet Welch, Reb Laura Duhan Kaplan and Charles Kaplan, Wendy Rubin and Harley Rothstein, and a Dvar Torah by Yoni Gordis. I’ll fill in around the edges 😊
Again, I want to stress the importance of zooming in from your own Mishkan Me-at – the little sanctuary you create at home for your davening comfort and inspiration. This time, do include a candle to light for loved ones lost, and perhaps some family photos.
It is our tradition to wear white for Yom Kippur and it will be beautiful to look across our screens to see our hiddur mitzvah – our attention to and beautification of that tradition. Erev Yom Kippur is the one evening service during the year when we wear our Talitot.
It is also our tradition to give tzedakah at this season. You will find our “Empty Your Pockets” project on the front page of our website. There, you can give to the organizations chosen by our Tikkun Olam Working Group this year. And you will find instructions on how to donate pantry items to replenish the JFS Jewish Food Bank through Project Isaiah.
God moves from the Throne of Judgment to the Throne of Mercy at Yom Kippur. Our liturgy quotes from Exodus, describing God’s attributes of mercy – Adonai, a God who is loving and gracious, patient, and kind, forgiving us and purifying us. Then, we daven: “Vayomer Adonai, salachti k’dvarecha” - "And God said, I have forgiven you, as I have promised." All this, before the sun has barely set on the eve of Yom Kippur! We are already forgiven! Perhaps what the Shabbat-of-Sabbaths is about is forgiving ourselves, taking the next 25 hours to immerse deeply in our truest and best selves, till we feel that forgiveness in our bones.
May you each be sealed in the Book of Life.
Rabbi Hannah
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If you would like to read my Rosh Hashanah message about alchemizing our fear to love, you will find it here.
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Preparing for the Days of Awe |
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High Holidays Tzedakah Project |
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Do a big mitzvah!
Donate to the high holy day tzedakah fund online
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The Tikkun Olam Commitee chose the following four organizations for the 5781 High Holy Days’ Tzedakah Fund.
A donation to Or Shalom is a wonderful way to fulfill the mitzvah of tzedekah. Donations can be to the Or Shalom Tzedakah Fund here. We will divide the tzedakah collected equally among each of these four worthy organizations.
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Erev Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 27, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
KOL NIDRE, zoomed from the Bayit with Rabbi Hannah Dresner, Rabbi Daniel Siegel, Harriet Frost, and Myrna Rabinowitz.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 1335 7409; Passcode: 302164
Yom Kippur Service
Monday, September 28, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Zoomed from the Bayit with Rabbi Hannah Dresner, Rabbi Yoni Gordis, Reb Laura Duhan-Kaplan and Charles Kaplan, Tifferet Welch, Wendy Rubin, Avi Yan, Lilach Somberg, and Dalia Margalit-Faircloth.
Join via Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 872 9590 5252; Passcode: 878996
Meditation
Monday, September 28, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Meditation via Zoom with Matthew Gindin
Join here. Meeting ID: 823 3903 4476; Passcode: 454060
Yizkor and Neilah
Monday, September 28, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Zoomed from the Bayit with Rabbi Hannah Dresner, Harley Rothstein, and Reva Malkin, and a pre-taped message Rabbi Hillel Goelman. Yizkor music by Martin Gotfrit, Dave Kauffman, Myrna Rabinowitz, and Wendy Rubin.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 845 8684 4078; Passcode: 163245
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Other Happenings this Week |
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See our new Event Calendar for details and Zoom links for upcoming programs, services, and events.
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Friday September 25 to Thursday October 1 |
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Friday, September 25
9:00 am
Men's Torah Study Group
Parashat Ha'Azinu / פרשת הַאֲזִינוּ
Deuteronomy/Devarim Chapter 32
"their God bad, our God good".
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 892 7010 9069; Password: 572724
1:00 pm
Prayers for Healing
Tehillim for the Human Family led by John Fuerst.
We will learn and daven Psalms 51 and 130 in preparation for Yom Kippur. Psalm 51 is said by Sephardim on Yom Kippur evening and is included in Mahzor Lev Shalom as the psalm of the day for Yom Kippur. Psalm 130 is read daily during the ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
Psalms are available in Hebrew and English here.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 873 2214 6883; Password: 200901
6:00 pm
Erev Shabbat Candle Lighting
- led by Michal Fox
Shofar, Candle lighting, Kiddush, Motzi, and Blessings over Apples. Please have a plate of sliced apples and honey ready. Erev Shabbat blessings are available here.
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 858 3061 6420; Passcode: 366613
Saturday, September 26
10:00 - 11:45 am
Shabbat Shuva Service via Zoom
Home-zoomed Shabbat service.
Morning blessings and kavanah - Rabbi Hannah
Shacharit - Myrna Rabinowitz
Torah - Rabbi Hannah
Zoom Shamash - Sally Thorne
Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 834 8249 9485; Passcode: 706312
Tuesday, September 29
The Bayit will be closed.
Wednesday, September 30
6pm
Board Meeting
Thursday, October 1
12:30 pm
Women’s Heart Centered Torah Study
- led by Dael Adams Segal
Here are the chapters for our next gleaning on October 1 for Sukkot:
Vayikra/Leviticus 22:26-23:44, and B'Midbar/ Numbers 29:12-16
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Come and build the Or Shalom Sukkah and
Connect with Friends
We are looking for enthusiastic, able bodied, robust individuals to assist in building our Sukkah. If this job description describes you to a ‘T’, please complete the form. We need to collect these details for contact tracing and to know how many folks to expect.
You are welcome to bring a young protégé, however we do ask that you provide direct supervision for safety reasons.
Todah Rabba and Yashar Koach!
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Bring Your Own Picnic: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, or Dessert; and Bring a Decoration or Two to Beautify the Sukkah!
The Sukkah will be open by reservation for 2 hour visits between 11:30 am to 7:30 pm. You are invited to have a meal or a snack in the Sukkah during Sukkot with those in your bubble (up to six people per bubble). Bring your own food, drinks, eating utensils, ritual objects (Kiddush cup? Challah cover?), a decoration or two, and all else you need or desire.
Pack out what you bring in! A sanitizing station will be set up inside the Sukkah. Keep in mind that the Bayit remains closed to visitors due to Covid. Reserve your 2 hour spot here.
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Or Shalom Members’
Good Yontif Video 5781
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Watch the complete updated version of the " Gut Yontif" Project, Greetings To and From the Or Shalom Community video on YouTube here. |
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Keren Or, Fall 2020 Edition |
Read the latest edition of the Keren Or here, including contributions from Rabbi Hannah Dresner; Or Shalom Co-Chairs Martin Gotfrit & David Kauffman; Strategic Financial Planning Committee Chair Ros Kunin ; Dael Adams Segal, Alexis Kellum - Creer; Membership Committee Chair Hana Wosk ; Alex Leslie; Housing Taskforce Chair John Fuerst ; Sandra Cohen; and Covid Advisory Group Chair Sally Thorne .
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Borrowing Prayerbooks (Siddurim)
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Please have your own Siddur Eit Ratzon in hand for Shabbat morning services.
If you would like to sign out a Siddur from Or Shalom, 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).
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Programs Open For Registration |
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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!
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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.
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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
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD, is the Director of Spiritual Education at the Academy for Jewish Religion, and the co-founder of the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute.
For a list of Rabbi Hammer's publications, further details, and registration, see here.
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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.
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Children and Youth Programs |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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- A donation was made by Rowena & Josh Kleinman to the Len Ryant Or Shalom Childrens Fund in Honour of the birth of Mira Oreck & Stephan Vdovine's baby.
- A donation was made by Audrey Mehler to the Tzedakah Fund in Honour of Ruth Mehler.
- A donation was made by Miriam Caplan to the Tzedakah Fund in Honour of Sheryl Sorokin and Hillel Goelman.
- High Holidays donations were made by John MacDonald and by Cindy Hanna.
- A donation was made by Roslyn Kunin to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of Rabbi Hannah, Matthew Gindin, Rabbi Yoni Gordis, and Alycia Fridkin for the Tomer Devorah learning.
- A donation was made by Alex Leslie to the Tzedakah Fund in Memory of my grandmother Yetta Apter's yahrzeit, ז’’לֹ.
- Additional donations to the Tzedakah Fund were made by Kyla Epstein; Ellen Hamer; Fran Goldberg; John Fuerst and Pat Gill.
- Thank you to Fran Ritch for organizing flowers to beautify the Bayit for Rosh Hashanah services.
- Thank you to Mary Aldersberg for decorating the Bayit in preparation for the High Holidays and for her coordination support during the services.
- Thank you to Sally Thorne for providing technical Zoom support during the Erev Rosh Hashanah Kabbalat Chag service.
- Thank you to Harriet Frost, Nomi Fenson, Sally Thorne, Wendy Rubin, Alycia Fridkin, Dave Kauffman, Avril Orloff, Tyche Smith, Carol Ann Fried, Bat Ami Segal, Harley Rothstein and Reva Malkin for their leadership during the Rosh Hashanah Day I Yom Tov service, and thank you to Linda Peritz for providing technical Zoom support during the service.
- Thank you to Tilly Schalkwyk for planning and organizing the Tashlich and Shofar programs at Canoe Bridge on Rosh Hashanah Day I, thank you to our Shofar blowers, Daniel Wosk and Charles Cohen, and thank you to our volunteers Fran Goldberg, Karen Marie, Andrina Perry, Julie Martz, Malka Oberlander and Jacqueline Levitin for their help and support.
- Thank you to our Charles Cohen for blowing the Shofar during the Rosh Hashanah Day II Shofar service, and thank you to John Fuerst for providing technical Zoom support.
- Thank you to Casey Collins, Heidi Mannis, Robin Friedlander, and Malcolm Steinberg for their leadership during the Rosh Hashanah Day II Torah service and to Rabbi Susan Shamash, Harley Rothstein, and Reva Malkin for their leadership during the Musaf service. And thank you to to Linda Peritz for providing technical Zoom support during the Torah and Musaf service.
- Thank you to Avi Dolgin for presenting the Isaac in a Bind theatrical presentation, to Avril Orloff for facilitating the online discussion, and to Tyche Smith for providing technical Zoom support.
- Thank you to Dave Kauffman and Martin Gotfrit for their technical and logistical support during the High Holidays.
- Thank you to the Gemilut Chesed Working Group and to our Covid-19 volunteers for their ongoing support.
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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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Corona Confession, Yom Kippur 5781 - The Comedy of Joel Chasnoff
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A timely litany of confessions during Covid-19. Enjoy a bit of humour before Yom Kippur!
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Drive-Thru Drop Off Event
Date: September 29
Time: 6-9pm
Location: Beth Israel and VTT Parking Lot, 989 W 28th Avenue
Kosher/ hecschered Food Pantry Essentials
- cooking oil
- canned fish (tuna, salmon)
- alternative milks (ie nut, almond)
- vegetarian soup
- healthy cereal, grains, legumes,
- toiletries (ie. shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
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Donate
Unable to shop this year? Make a donation and we can take care of that for you.
During this unprecedented time, it is now more important than ever to support those who are dealing with food insecurity. During COVID-19 the number of monthly visits to the Food Bank have doubled from 560 to 1200 and the needs are continuing to grow.
Your gift today will stock the JFS FoodBank for the next 4-6 months with nutritious and healthy pantry items for the most vulnerable members of the community.
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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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