Those closest to me know that I tend to look forward, but today, I’m taking a glance in the rear-view to my Bar Mitzvah anniversary of Parshat Shemot on December 25 and my secular Bar Mitzvah anniversary date on January 8.
|
|
In contrast to the ceremonies at ages 13 and 83 – the latter being the traditional age for a second B’nai Mitzvah – the 50th anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah had no personal precedent. It was simply defined by a deep awareness: the celebration of Jewish life.
This 50th milestone allowed me to reflect on how I had applied the values I pledged to uphold at age 13, to consider how they have shaped my life, and to appreciate how fortunate I am to be able to celebrate my devotion to both our faith and our community.
Whether it’s at 13, 83 or a 50th anniversary, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony is one of the most meaningful ritual celebrations of our faith. With its focus on the transmission of our values through Torah, prayer and mitzvah, the ceremony enables us to confirm our place as a link in a timeless chain of tradition that connects our past to the future.
|
|
Judaism emphasizes study, history, family and community as much as it does prayer, and in doing so encourages each person’s religious path to be a personal, lifelong journey. |
|
Fifty years ago - January 8, 1972 - on a wintery day in Ottawa, I stepped into my tailored blue suit, picked up my neatly folded tallit, and with my parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and a wonderful circle of friends, many from our Jewish day school, I led the path to my Bar Mitzvah. I had no idea what would follow. Since there was so much pressure at the time not to embarrass myself, I feel that I gave little thought to my future as a Jew notwithstanding the wonderful education that I had received from Hillel Academy (now Ottawa Jewish Community School) as well as an incredible Bar Mitzvah study experience with Mr. Jacob Gordon Z”L.
There is so much I have learned and embraced about Judaism since then. More than pews and prayer books, Judaism is about the compassion we extend to others and the kindness we infuse into the world. I have learned that each of us has a Torah, and the meaning of “what is Jewish” may differ for each person. As the Talmud teaches, "the Torah begins with kindness and ends with kindness."
I love being part of a faith and a community that believes that the work is never done and that if we have breath within us, our job is to do Tikkun Olam – to fix, to heal, to love.
|
|
This past Shabbat, the terrifying hostage-taking in Colleyville, Texas, was the latest reminder that much work remains to fix a troubled world, rife with antisemitism. Since Shabbat, leaders from Federation, community organizations and congregations, with support from our advocacy partner CIJA, and Ottawa Police Services, have been working tirelessly to implement every reasonable security precaution possible. On Thursday, security representatives from all congregations were invited to participate in a special security briefing and a continued and accelerated training program will be implemented. While there is no intelligence to indicate an elevated threat level in Canada, vigilance is required.
Being a Jewish leader is an honour and a responsibility. While our world often appears to be broken, we are in God’s hands, and we have work to do and we can be grateful we are not doing this work alone. This is the essence of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. We have an entire movement walking beside us, climbing the Jewish ladder, elevating each other, and building communities of meaning and spirituality. Little did I know on January 8, 1972, how enriching my Jewish journey would be and the extent to which I would love and embrace living Jewishly and experiencing these past 50 years of blessings.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ian
|
|
We remember: Please join us in the #WeRemember campaign to honour International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, marking the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This global social media campaign invites participants to take photos holding “We Remember” signs, then post their pictures to social media using the hashtag #WeRemember, to spread the message that “never again” must mean never again. Please join us by submitting your photos and sharing them on social media. Download a sign here. Use the hashtags #WeRemember and #JewishOttawa and tag us at @JewishOttawa and @JFedOttawa.
|
|
Creative Kosher Catering: We are delighted to share that Creative Kosher Catering (CKC) has renewed its relationship with the Ottawa Va’ad Hakashrut (OVH), our city’s kosher certification agency. CKC has long been an important part of Jewish Ottawa community life with a tradition of excellent food and charitable endeavours. We look forward to enjoying their scrumptious meals again. To order visit here.
|
|
See you at the J!: The Soloway JCC will reopen on Monday, January 31, operating at 50% capacity. Please visit jccottawa.com for all the details including hours of operation, and vaccine policy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
