April 30, 2020 / 6 Iyyar, 5780
Shabbat candle lighting: 8:12 pm
Havdalah: 9:22 pm
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Rabbi Hannah Weekly Reflections
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Acharei Mot / Kedoshim
This week’s double parsha brings us to the center of Torah, where God tells us, “
Kedoshim tihiyu” – “
Be holy,” “
ki ani kadosh
” – “for I am holy.”
And Torah then elaborates with a dozen mitzvot for cultivating personal sanctity, from the mitzvah of charity to the principle of equality in the sight of the law, to observance of Shabbat, sexual morality, honesty in business, honour for parents, and consistent awareness that all life is sacred. It’s a list of boundaries suggesting that the path to holiness is not a cultivation of a rarified internal state, but, rather, scrupulously attentive to personal ethics and transpersonal responsibility.
The
Slonimer Rebbe
teaching on this verse, amplifies a causality between the two clauses.
If
we are fair, generous, respectful, honest, etc. (“Be holy”),
then
God will notice our effort and reach out to meet us where we are, ushering us into a more complete holiness that emulates godliness (“for I am holy”). God notices our effort, and our readiness to receive. When we support the boundaries of an ethical social structure, we create a container for holiness, a sanctuary for godliness, and
then
a higher level of holiness comes to dwell within us and within our community.
The great mitzvah of our moment is our social distancing. Every day we consciously choose to consider the welfare of all with whom we are interconnected, and we restrain ourselves for their sake. Are we not, as the
Slonimer
suggests, elevated by this practice? Over time, we see that our adherence to boundaries makes a difference in mitigating the virus and we feel good about our contribution. We are lifted by doing good. Living within the restrictions of our moment raises us to gratitude and to wonder; we are more appreciative of the holiness of life itself and aware of our personal holiness more of the time.
The lesson I hope we can bring forward, even after many freedoms are regained, is that holiness comes through living with profound respect for our responsibility to one another, other creatures, and Creation.
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Virtual Shabbat Morning Services
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Saturday, May 2
10:00 am
Join via
Zoom
.
Meeting ID: 893 7022 8046
Parashat
Achrei Mot-Kedoshim
/
פרשת
אחרי מות־קדשים
Pesukei D'Zimra - Wendy Rubin
Shacharit - Rabbi Hannah
Teaching - Mark Winston
Moshe, A Human Life.
On his 70th birthday, Mark Winston reflects on finding his way back to his Hebrew name.
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Photo Credit: Belle Ancell
Mazel Tov!
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Saturday, May 23
10:00 am
John MacDonald is celebrating h
is adult Simchat Mitzvah
.
Saturday, May 30 Shabbat Yom Tov Shavuot with Yizkor
10:00 am
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Upcoming Or Shalom Virtual Happenings
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Friday May 1 to May 7
Friday, May 1
Virtual Light: Connect and Express Through Writing
with Aren X. Tulchinsky
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
6.00 p.m.
Rabbi Hannah invites you to share a virtual Intergenerational Shabbat candle lighting and blessings.
Come for candle lighting and stay for Shalom Aleichem, Kiddush, hand washing, and Motzi.
Join
via
Zoom
.
Meeting ID: 896 0107 2419
Saturday, May 2
Shabbat Sheli Class with Shira
10:00-10:30 a.m.
For registered students (ages 3-5).
Virtual Shabbat Morning Service
10:00 am
Join via
Zoom
.
Meeting ID: 893 7022 8046
Sunday,
May 3
B'yachad
3 – 5pm
For registered students (ages 11-13).
Virtual Evening Minyan led by
Harley Rothstein and Rabbi Hannah
7:00 p.m.
For a transliterated and translated weekday evening liturgy, please click
here
(pg 69 to 125). Join via
Zoom
.
Meeting ID: 247 846 717
Monday, May 4
Virtual Light: Connect and Express Through Writing
with Aren X. Tulchinsky
10:00-10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 5
New Virtual Light Offering!
Seeing the Omer: Art Exploration for Children and Youth ages 6-11
with Wendy Oberlander
2:00 pm
ages 6-11
This week is all about endurance (Netzach). How far can you see? Do you sometimes feel you could run forever?
See here for
details
.
To register your children, email Master Teacher Matthew Gindin:
learning@orshalom.ca
.
Z
usia the Bet Midrash: The Jewish Book of the Dead
with Matthew Gindin
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
For registered students.
Wednesday, May 6
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.
New Virtual Light Offering!
Wild Garde
n: Jewish Wisdom on the Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Parenting
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Thursday, May 7
Women's Heart Centered Torah Study
12:30 – 2:30pm
Parashat Emor / פרשת אמור
Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23
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Wild Garden: Jewish Wisdom on the Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Parenting
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Zusia Presents: Inside the Black Box - The Mystery of Tefillin
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Instructor: Rabbi Hillel Goelman
Prerequisites: None
Dates: Tuesdays, May 26 to June 16
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Members, $60; Non-members, $98
This course will be hosted online via
Zoom
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Annual Campaign Amidst COVID-19
Each year from Pesach through Shavuot, volunteer canvassers contact Or Shalom members to strengthen relationships, listen to stories, and request consideration of a financial gift for the shul. Connection and community are what will help us get through this global crisis together.
Gifts in these strange times reflect the character of Or Shalom’s membership. Already, members have pledged over $72,000—a very good start toward our goal of $150,000. As our membership and community continue to grow, and our appetite for Jewish renewal grows, so too our spiritual, programming, and physical needs all grow.
We hope you will talk, listen, and add your support when your campaign canvasser calls.
- Roslyn Kunin, Campaign Chair
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- A donation was made by Dr. Jack B. Sniderman to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of the Gemilut Chesed Working Group: Binky, Pat, Harriet, Fran & Ann for their dedication & compassion.
- A donation was made by Dr. Jack B. Sniderman to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of Bette Thompson for her innovative ways & unassuming generosity.
- A donation was made by Lorne Prupas to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Brina Peritz, z"l, beloved mother of Linda Peritz. May her memory be for a blessing.
- A donation was made by Wendy Oberlander to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Ross Andelman's sister, Alice z"l.
- A donation was made by Wendy Oberlander to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Linda Peritz's mother, Brina z"l.
- A donation was made by Wendy Oberlander to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Patricia Gruben's brother, William z"l.
- A donation was made by Wendy Oberlander to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Honour of Gloria Levy.
- A donation was made by Dalia Margalit-Faircloth to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Memory of Brina Peritz z"l, mother of Linda Peritz of our community.
- A donation was made by Chava Monastersky to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Honour of Rabbi Hannah Dresner for her creative spiritual leaderhsip.
- A donation was made by Miriam Eguchi to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund in Memory of Linda Peritz's mother Brina z"l.
- A donation was made by Miriam Eguchi to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of Gloria Levy's return home.
- A donation was made by Miriam Eguchi to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Memory of Brina Peritz z"l.
- A donation was made by Linda Peritz to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund in Honour of the wonderful work of the Gemilut Chesed Working Group.
- A donation was made by Deborah Ross-Grayman and Henry Grayman to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Linda Peritz's mother Brina z"l.
- A donation was made by Deborah Ross-Grayman and Henry Grayman to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Ross Andelman's sister Alice z"l.
- A donation was made by Deborah Ross-Grayman and Henry Grayman to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund in Memory of Patricia Gruben brother William z"l.
- A donation was made by Deborah Ross-Grayman and Henry Grayman to the Rabbi's Benevolent Fund wishing Karen Lewis a speedy recovery.
- A donation was made by Marianne Rev to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund in Memory of the yahrzeit of my father, Yochanan z"l and in Memory of Linda’s mother, Brina z"l.
- A donation was made by Abby Fitch to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund.
- A donation was made by Hillel Goelman to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Honour of Michael Corber.
- A donation was made by Adele Ritch to the Or Shalom Community Fund.
- A donation was made by Dale Adams and Zelik Segal to the Shiva and Gemilut Chesed Fund in Memory of Ron Einblau's beloved sister, Jeanne Evans z"l.
- A donation was made by Dale Adams and Zelik Segal to the Or Shalom Community Fund in Memory of Linda Peritz in memory of her beloved mother, Brina Peritz z"l.
- Thank you to Rabbi Susan Shamash for volunteering to teach the More Talmud class.
- Thank you to Wendy Oberlander for volunteering to teach the Seeing the Omer Art Exploration Class for children and youth.
- Thank you to Aren X. Tulchinsky for volunteering to teach the Connect and Express Through Writing course.
- Thank you to the Gemilut Chesed Working Group and volunteers for their support during Covid-19.
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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.
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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.
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If you wish to help support folks in need, please complete the volunteer
form
at this link. Your community will be very grateful.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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