Thursd
ay
, February 6, 2020 | 11 Shevat 5780
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“Raise your hand if you are 100% certain you will never be disabled.”
This was a provocative question asked by David Lepofsky, renowned Canadian lawyer and disability advocate, at the “Pushing the Boundaries: Disability Inclusion in the Jewish Community” conference held last April in Ottawa.
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I
n that room in April, not a single hand went up. What makes the bit is that David is blind.
Of course no one is certain they will never become disabled. In fact, 1 in 5 Canadians has a disability; that’s 20% of us. This is why JDAIM (Jewish Disabilities Awareness Acceptance and Inclusion Month) is such an important reminder on our calendar. We all are or will be disabled at some point in our lives – we need to direct our attention (this month and every month) to removing the barriers to access and involvement for ourselves and others to participate fully and meaningfully in our Jewish community.
Visit KBI on any Shabbat and you’ll see right away that the diversity of our community is one of our strengths. We have a profound commitment to inclusion throughout the year, and always recognize that there is more to learn and farther we can go to ensure that anyone who is looking for the learning, community support, and spiritual sustenance we provide is able to share in it. This is why we are proud to be the only synagogue in Ottawa partnering with Tamir and other agencies to bring Bible scholar Dr. Ora Horn Prouser to Ottawa for JDAIM on February 20-22.
I first heard Dr. Horn Prouser speak last summer at a rabbinic learning institute in New York City. I found the Torah she teaches absolutely transformative. She studies the biblical characters we know and love and finds what we know must be true: they are like us, which means they have disabilities. Moses has a speech impediment, Esau had ADHD, Isaac had an intellectual delay. Her insights remind us that every one of us is created in God’s image, and has his or her or their own holy mission in the world. And what’s more, these great ancestors of ours lived in a world and among a community that saw and valued them as they were, and that supported and included them within its important structures (families, tribes) organically and without question.
These are the lessons and values we affirm with JDAIM: every one of us belongs, every one of us entitled to the same access and treatment in our communities, and until we all feel this way, our work is not done.
We will have multiple opportunities to learn with Dr. Horn Prouser while she is in Ottawa; the
community-wide lecture
is taking place Thursday evening, February 20
th
; there will be a KBI &
Tamir Shabbat dinner
on Friday, February 21
st
; and Dr. Prouser will speak during Shabbat morning services on Saturday, February 22
nd
. I encourage you to learn with Dr. Horn Prouser during her visit.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Deborah Zuker
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Recruiting Volunteers to be Shabbat Greeters!
As some of you may already be aware, we are implementing protocols to continue to make our facility and congregation as safe and as welcoming as possible. Security protocols are a necessity for community institutions. Yet we at Kehillat Beth Israel are mindful of the need to balance vigilance and a determination to maintain the open, vital, supportive atmosphere which represents the very purpose of our places of worship.
Following the advice of experts, our
new protocols include instituting a rotation of greeters at KBI. This position fulfills both a welcoming function, so that the first face people see as they enter is a friendly one, and also ensures that, per our new protocol, the door can remain locked at all times.
We are asking for your help first because, as a congregant or program attendee, you know firsthand the important role that greeters play in making our attendees feel welcome and safe while at Kehillat Beth Israel.
Please let
Rena
know if you might be interested in helping out, and we can look at dates. Everyone is responsible for the safety and security of those within our walls. With your help, we can ensure that everyone plays a role in this vitally important function.
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A Message from our Youth Coordinator Dayna Goldfarb
I have decided to move on from KBI and pursue a new opportunity in my field of study. I’m sad to be leaving the amazing community here but I’m looking forward to staying involved – you can’t get rid of me that easily! As someone who didn’t grow up in USY, it has been delightful to learn about and work with ECRUSY. The teenage me who thought she was too “cool” for Jewish youth group would be shocked that I ended up working in a synagogue and to learn how fun USY really is. It’s been an amazing experience to get to know your families and I’m honoured to have contributed to their Jewish upbringing. I want to thank the Youth Committee and tell the JACCUSY Youth Board that I’m so proud of all the work they’re doing. I know that JACCUSY is in good hands with them.
Thanks,
Dayna
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Weekly Kiddush & Special Breakfasts
Would you like to host a Kiddush? Do you have a celebration coming up in the family, or would you like to honour the memory of a loved one? Or do you just feel it is "your turn"? If you would like more information on sponsoring a Kiddush, please contact the KBI office at (613) 728-3501 x225
SPECIAL BREAKFASTS
Monday, February 10
Special Breakfast sponsored by Carol and Laurie Pascoe in observance of the Yahrzeit of Carol's mother, Anita Dubinsky z"l
Thursday, February 13
Special Breakfast sponsored by Anita Rosenfeld in observance of the Yahrzeit of her mother, Florence Rosenfeld z"l
Sunday, February 16
Special Breakfast sponsored by Mitchell Sabloff in observance of the Yahrzeit of his father, Leonard Sabloff z"l
Sunday, February 23
Special Breakfast sponsored by Jack and Carol-Sue Shapiro in observance of the Yahrzeit of Tillie Hanser z"l
Thursday, February 27
Special Breakfast sponsored by Eric Elkin in observance of the Yahrzeit of his mother, Rose Elkin z"l
Friday, February 28
Special breakfast sponsored by Sam Kacew in observance of the Yahrzeit of Zelda Kacew z"l
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Anniversaries
Mazel Tov to Seymour & Joyce Bellman, Chuck & Malca Polowin, Sheldon & Sonia Shaffer, on their wedding anniversary!
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Yahrzeits
February 7 - 14
Parshat Beshallah
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There are many blessings that happen in all of our lives such as the birth of a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild; the engagement or marriage of a loved one; or a promotion at work or a volunteer award. These events lend balance to times of sadness, such as the death or illness of a loved one. We at Kehillat Beth Israel are grateful for the opportunity to share these moments with you - to be a source of community in both times of celebration and times of sorrow. Below you will find some of the events in our community from the last few weeks. Please continue to share with us your happy occasions so that we may share them here in the future.
ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם הטוב והמטיב
Barukh Atah Adonay Eloheynu Melekh Ha-olam
Ha-tov V'hameytiv
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe
Who is good and bestows good
And in the spirit of gratitude, we also take this opportunity to thank the members of our community for their charitable gifts to the synagogue. We could not do the important work that we do at Kehillat Beth Israel without your generous support. We are so thankful for your continued contributions that allow us to grow and thrive. Todah Rabbah!
Please
click
here
to make an online donation, or call the Shul office at 613-728-3501 x225
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BREAKFAST FUND
In honour of Sid & Cally Kardash's move to Toronto
Allan & Alyce Baker
In observance of the Yahrzeit of Ann Aronson z"l
Michael & Rhoda Aronson
GENERAL FUND
In memory of Manny Bernard z"l
Ruth Calof & David Moskovic
Lois, Ellin & Brenda Lieff
In honour of Bill Cleiman's special birthday
Toby & Tedd Nathanson
KIDDUSH FUND
In memory of Stan Greenspoon z"l
Rick & Helen Zipes
Refuah Sheleima to Raezelle Goldmann
Carol-Sue & Jack Shapiro
LESLIE SHINDER CHOIR FUND
I
n memory of Manny Bernard z"l
Linda & Kenneth Mirsky
OTTAWA KOSHER FOOD BANK
In honour of Marion Silver on her birthday
Helen and Dirk Visbach
Mazal tov to Susan & Charles Schwartzman on the birth of their granddaughter, Ashtyn
Beverley & Bryan Glube
I
n honour of Sid & Cally Kardash's move to Toronto
Vera & George Gara
In honour of Bernie Shinder on his birthday
Ann & Mark Dover
In appreciation to Marion Silver
Donna & Howard Strauss
In observance of the Yahrzeit of Bryant Steinberg z"l
Andrea & Michael Malek
TAMIR SHABBAT
Thank you to our the following donors for their gifts supporting KBI’s participation in Tamir Shabbat:
Marcia and Dick Zuker
Rabbi Deborah Zuker
Drs. Madelaine and Joel Werier
Paul and Sharon Finn
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
KBI apologizes for any errors or omissions.
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