April 17, 2020 / 23 Nisan, 5780
Shabbat candle lighting: 7:51 pm
Havdalah: 9:01 pm
|
|
Rabbi Hannah's Weekly Reflections
|
|
Lessons in the Week of Gevurah During Covid-19
|
With the second Seder eve, we began our annual count of 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot. We are taught that Israel was betrothed to God with the Redemption and wed at Sinai; these seven weeks comprise our courtship. Our mystical tradition offers an opportunity to get to know our Divine Beloved, reflecting upon an aspect of God each week. First was Chesed – lovingkindness. Now we have entered the week of Gevurah
–
meaning strength, judgment, structure, and boundaries.
So, what might we consider, regarding judgment or boundaries
this year
?
The first week of the Omer was easy. It’s easy to see Chesed
–
lovingkindness manifest in the neighborliness that has blossomed in the face of shared adversity. But do we also perceive divine Gevurah
–
the strong hand of our Creator setting a limit?
Can we bare to link the spread of the virus to human transgression, our failure to heed boundaries of “need” and greed? Can we tolerate the possibility that the earth has already whispered (with animals dying), and spoken (with glaciers melting), and screamed (with fires and floods and hurricanes) – begging us to set limits? Now, a virus has drawn our unstop-able world to a grinding halt. Is there a
zroah netuyah,
a mighty outstretched hand of redemption to be perceived in this?
Exercising
gevurah
in resolving to say at home within confines that keep humanity safest, we surely experience the blessing of limits, margins and restrictions. Let’s accept the limits that have been imposed upon us as an opportunity to reconsider the boundaries Earth and her species need to regain and maintain health. Perhaps this year’s invitation is to embrace a new pace, a new understanding of productivity, a measure of self-criticality as concerns our Capitalism and consumerism. Perhaps this year’s
gevuradik
challenge is to embrace stricter self-enforcement of structures and boundaries that might protect Earth.
And as we reflect upon the faces of God, over these seven weeks of glorious Springtime, let’s remember that Earth, herself, is a manifestation of Shechina.
|
|
|
Upcoming Or Shalom Virtual Happenings
|
|
Friday April 17 to Thursday April 23
Friday, April 17
Shabbat Sheli Class with Shira
10:00-10:30 a.m.
For registered students (ages 3-5).
Virtual Light: Connect and Express Through Writing
10:00-10:30 a.m.
Prayers for Healing,
Tehillim
for The Human Family
1:00 p.m.
Reciting
Tehillim
for the sick is a traditional practice.
Join Matthew Gindin to chant or sing Psalms, or to sit quietly, sending healing intentions. Psalms available in Hebrew and English
here
.
Join via
Zoom
.
Meeting ID: 910 5179 3319; Password: 528551
Erev Shabbat Candle Lighting
7.00 p.m.
Rabbi Hillel Goelman and Sheryl Sorokin invite you to share a virtual Shabbat candle lighting and blessings via
Zoom
Sunday, April 19
B'yachad: Bar/Bat/Simchat Mitzvah Program
3:00-5:00 p.m.
For registered students.
Virtual Evening Minyan
7:00 p.m.
For a transliterated and translated weekday evening liturgy, please click
here
(pg 69 to 125). Join via
Zoom
.
Monday, April 20
Virtual Light: Connect and Express Through Writing
10:00-10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, April 22
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Geared for children aged 4 - 7 but all children are welcome!
Parents, please email Master Teacher Matthew Gindin at
learning@orshalom.ca
to register your children.
Thursday, April 23
Little Lights
4:00-5:00 p.m.
For registered students (ages 6-9)
|
|
Looking Ahead: Shabbat Morning Services in May
Saturday, May 2
Moshe, A Human Life: On his 70th birthday, Mark Winston reflects on finding his way back to his Hebrew name.
Saturday, May 23
John MacDonald is celebrating h
is adult Bar Mitzvah
.
|
|
Register Now for Zusia: The Bet Midrash
|
|
Spirit Buddies in the Talmud
|
|
Instructor: Rabbi Susan Shamash
Prerequisites: None
Dates: Tuesdays, April 28 to May 19
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Members, $60; Non-members, $98
This course will be hosted online via
Zoom
|
|
The Jewish Book of the Dead
|
|
Instructor: Matthew Gindin
Prerequisites: None
Dates: Tuesdays, April 28 to June 16
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Members, $120; Non-members, $196
This course will be hosted online via
Zoom
|
|
Expressions of Gratitude
- A donation was made by Mark and Tiferet Welch to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund in memory of Ross Andelman's dear sister, Alice, z"l.
- A donation was made by Mark and Tiferet Welch to the Len Ryant Or Shalom Children’s Fund in honour of the birth of Avi Yan and Gladys Zuniga daughter, Ruby Willow.
- A donation was made by Mark and Tiferet Welch to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in honour of Rabbi Hannah who guides us toward the heart in the soul of our song.
- A donation was made by Mark and Tiferet Welch to the Or Shalom Community Fund in honour of Dave Kauffman whose generous heart and IT skill-set enable us to connect.
- A donation was made by Tiferet Welch to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in honour of Mark Welch for his calm and humble contributions to the health and well-being of isolated First Nation's communities during this pandemic.
- A donation was made by Barbara Wezelman to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in memory of Alice Dale Andelman, z"l.
- A donation was made by Mordehai and Hana Wosk to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in memory of Ross Andelman's dear sister, Alice, z"l.
- A donation was made by Mordehai and Hana Wosk to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in honour of Rabbi Hannah's generous spirit and wonderful service to us all.
- A donation was made by Mordehai and Hana Wosk to the Or Shalom Community Fund in honour of Dave Kauffman for the many great services he provides Or Shalom.
- A donation was made by Mordehai and Hana Wosk to the Or Shalom Community Fund in memory of Martin Gotfrit and Patricia Gruben's brother.
- A donation was made by Kathy Brandon to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in honour of Rabbi Hannah's spiritual leadership and generosity.
- A donation was made by Helen Mintz to the Or Shalom Community Fund in honour of Rabbi Hannah, Matthew Gindin, David Kauffman and the many others who are maintaining a spiritual home for us in these challenging times.
- A donation was made by Lorne Prupas to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund in memory of my beloved mother, Sheila Ditkofsky Prupas z"l.
- A donation was made by Lorne Prupas to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in memory of Ron Einblau's beloved sister, Jeanne Evans, z"l.
- A donation was made by Jane Heyman to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in honour of Bette Thompson in recognition of her generosity.
- Thank you to Linda Peritz for her organizational support of the Annual Campaign.
- Thank you to our Annual Campaign canvasers who are beginning to check in with members of the Or Shalom Community.
- Thank you to Avril Orloff and Martin Gotfrit for supporting tech on a Shabbat morning service for close to 100 virtual attendees.
- Thank you to Martin Gotfrit and Dave Kauffman for their work on the Lights in Winter concert.
- Thank you to Miriam Gindin for mailing the Purim thank you cards to our Purim volunteers.
- Thank you to the Gemilut Chesed Working Group and volunteers for their support during Covid-19.
|
|
|
OSSRI is looking for a Twin Bed
if you have or know of a single/twin bed with mattress in good condition that could be donated to one of our families. We will arrange to pick-up - in a properly distanced fashion. Details can be worked out with Sandy.
|
|
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.
|
|
Fostering Community by Providing Tech Support
We are finding that some of our members sheltering alone would be pleased to receive one-on-one tech support to help them gain facility with Zoom so that they can more fully participate in community.
We are looking for a few more volunteers to work with community members one-on-one to trouble-shoot technological difficulty and foster capacity.
|
|
|
Gemilut Chesed Working Group
If you wish to help support folks in need, please complete the volunteer
form
at this link. Your community will be very grateful.
|
|
|
Generosity in the Time of Covid-19
With the need to remain at home for the sake of good health, Or Shalom staff and volunteers are reaching out to connect socially and spiritually, and we are reaching out to provide material goods as well, buying and delivering provisions, as requested, and dong our best to help with other unexpected short-term needs.
Please help us to maintain strong financial resources in the communal funds from which we draw to ensure that members of our community have what is needed during this difficult time.
We rely on your generosity to do this holy work:
The Rabbi's Benevolent Fund
is administered confidentially by Rabbi Hannah and will continue to provide short-term financial assistance where it is needed.
The Gemilut Chesed Fund
will be used to purchase food for the members of our community who cannot shop for various reasons, and to cover expenses incurred by our volunteers.
The Or Shalom donation form can be found
here
. Thank you.
|
|
Spiritual Resources During Covid-19
Here’s what we recommend, this week, for settling and enrichment in a Jewish Renewal mode:
Nava Tehila Online Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, April 17th, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Israel Time, 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. PDT. You
must
register in advance (here is the
link
). Once registered you will be sent a link to the service. This link will also provide a replay so that you can enjoy it on your own (Shabbat) time.
Hadar Learning for the Omer
daily, 8:45 to 9 p.m. Eastern, 5:45 to 6:00 p.m. PDT.
Study sections of Pirkei Avot and count the Omer to demarcate this time with Torah, ritual, and community.
Register here
to receive a Zoom link, or join via Facebook Live on
Hadar's Facebook page
.
Watch Hazzan
Jessi Roemer
’s brilliant video
Walk With You
, based on the words from Isaiah 43:2: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you!
https://vimeo.com/user19990920
.
|
|
|
 |
JFS Emergency Care Hotline
9:00 am – 9:00 pm,
7 days a week.
JFS is here to help! If you or a loved one need support you can contact us in any of the following ways:
604-558-5719
|
|
|
|
Hebrew Free Loan Association of Vancouver
Coronovirus Emergency Loan
Helps support individuals with financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus.
Maximum Loan Amount Available: $2,000
|
|
|
|
Have something to post in the Doar?
Just fill in this
handy web-form
to included
your article
in future editions of the Doar Shalom, Or Shalom's weekly e-newsletter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
