Dear Chaverim,


As I sat in shul on Yom Kippur, I found myself reading and rereading the Al Chet prayer during which we lament and repent for all our actual and potential transgressions. As you likely know, the prayer includes an exceptionally long list and many of the items seem irrelevant, archaic, or even silly. However, many are quite relevant, and others cause one to pause and think. One that stood out for me this year was “...we have sinned against you by succumbing to confusion.” I paused and even giggled at first. Then I applied some deeper thinking. My ultimate takeaway was that claiming ignorance or abstaining from seeking clarity is not an excuse for doing, or not doing something. If we choose to judge someone or something without seeking knowledge, or if we stand idly by while a transgression occurs and say that we did not understand or identify its ramifications, ignorance cannot be claimed as fair reason. It is incumbent upon us as humans, as caring community members, to elevate our thinking and to seek answers and consider diverse perspectives. Initiating and maintaining this practice will better enable us to embrace the differences we see in others as strengths and will ensure Jewish Ottawa continues to move forward and upward! 


As we approach Sukkot – one of my favourite chagim (holidays) – we look to the metaphor of the four species: the date palm (lulav), myrtle bough (hadass), willow branch (aravah), and the citron (etrog) that combine to make one of Judaism’s most recognizable symbols. Each component, on its own, is certainly valuable and interesting, but when bound together, the four items create something iconic. So, too, is Jewish Ottawa built through combining families and individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varied religious and cultural observances, resulting in our amazing and resilient community. The lulav and etrog are not complete if even one of the species is missing, and Jewish Ottawa is only complete through its breadth of inclusion and diversity. 


In the coming year, I wish for us all to come together like the lulav and etrog, adding value and combining to be so much more than our individual parts. Only then can we truly be the amazing community that is my – and our – Jewish Ottawa. As one, we achieve more. As one, we are caring and compassionate. As one, we have infinite potential! 


Wishing you and yours a Chag Sukkot Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,


Adam

CEO, Jewish Federation

P.S. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa invites you to the unveiling of a new memorial monument on Oct. 27 at 3 pm. This monument is dedicated to those killed on Oct. 7, 2023. We are privileged to have Jacqui Rivers Vital join us to share words with our community. For more details and registration, please visit here.