Or Haneshamah
30 Cleary Ave. K2A 4A1 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Join us on tonight at 7pm for a presentation on the controversy over the IHRA definition of Antisemitism. This should be a really interesting talk! Details on our website.

In Honour of Yom Ha'atzma'ut, join us for a showing and discussion of the moving 2013 film, Within the Eye of the Storm." The film tells the story of Bassam and Rami, former soldiers on opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, who embark on a joint mission to humanize the conflict’s opposing sides. Register for the showing and the chat via our website.

Passover is coming to an end, but we have plenty to keep you busy! Join us for Chanting and Chocolate from 7:30 - 9pm. Details on our website.

Enjoy this moving read about racial justice work within our wider community. https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/a-beat-to-which-we-all-can/

JTeen 2020-21 This year’s JTeen program is now open for registration. A partnership between OrH, KBI and Ottawa Torah Talmud, JTeen is the Jewish Teen Leadership Program for youth in grades 8-10. The focus will be on inequality and injustice. Teens will explore identity and Judaism, learn about advocacy, activism and allyship, learn from leaders from across diverse communities, take action with like-minded teens. Meets twice a month on Sunday evenings. For more information visit: www.orh.ca/jteen .

Rabbi Liz Bolton's inspiring Yom Kippur message.

Exploring Judaism Exploring Judaism (EJ) is a course for inquisitive Jews, their significant others, those considering adult b’nei mitzvah or conversion, and seekers of knowledge of Jewish life. Taught by Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton and featuring contributions from exciting guest teachers and rabbis, Exploring Judaism leads participants through the major value concepts and practices of Judaism. We wrestle with fundamental questions while learning from and studying with each other.... If you are seeking to deepen your understanding of your Jewish heritage, or to explore Judaism as a spiritual and religious tradition you wish to embrace, you’ve found the right learning opportunity - as you are, whoever you are, or wherever you are. Classes will meet via Zoom most 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings, November 5 through June 17. The course is open to all members of the community. Full OrH members receive a 50% discount on registration fees. Registration is now open. For more information and to register visit www.orh.ca/exploring-judaism.html.

Rosh Hashanah is so close, you can taste it! Join me, Sunday, Sept. 13th @3pm to bake a Honey Cake together via zoom! All are welcome. Comment or email [email protected] to get your recipe, zoom link and High Holidays digital handbook!

It’s that time! Rosh Hashanah baking prep! Join Morah Jenny to learn how you can make your own challah with filling. https://youtu.be/IGlT0BvIu54

High Holy Days 5781: Guest Registration Now Open! We are happy to announce the opening of registration for immediate family of Or Haneshamah members who will be celebrating the High Holidays with us. Immediate family is those who are not included in a household membership (children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and their partners). Non-immediate relatives and friends of OrH members who wish to attend services must register as Tishrey Visitors at the link found on the Or H...aneshamah High Holy Days page. New this year is a sliding scale donation scale for guests. With it, we recognize, on the one hand, that what it takes to sustain Or Haneshamah has not changed in any material way since Covid-19, and, on the other hand, that Covid-19 has caused hardship for some individuals and families. We ask guests to choose a donation level that respects the membership and clergy that uphold our community, and at the same time, corresponds responsibly to personal circumstances. Suggested donations begin at $36 per household for all our High Holy Day services. Payment is made through the member's account. You can access the Tishrey Guest registration form by logging in to your account at orh.ca

Words of the Spirit Grounding Ourselves in Teshuvah As I write this on the Friday that is the first day of Elul, the month before the new year begins, I am stepping into my annual process of teshuvah. At the same time, it feels like my spiritual heels are dragging along the ground, unsure of my steps in this unstable time....Continue reading

Thank you for joining me all summer break for songs and stories. It has been an absolute pleasure :) If you enjoyed these Storytimes and songs, please consider exploring the other Jewish Family programming we offer at Or Haneshaah (https://www.orh.ca/machaneh-shabbat ). You can see other Morah Jenny content on our YouTube channel Or Haneshamah, or any of our Instagram accounts @orhaneshamah and @machaneh_shabbat Our word of the day was Shalom ((, which can mean three t...hings Hello/Goodbye/Peace. Why do you think the word we use for being peaceful is the same for welcoming people or saying goodbye? What does it feel like to be peaceful? What are ways you can be a peaceful or calm person today? Today’s stories were The Knight Who Wouldn’t Fight by Helen Docherty and I am Peace by Peter Reynolds (which teaches mindfulness to kids!). Another fantastic story about Shalom that you should explore is The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf. Thank you so much for joining me today and all summer Until next time, L’hitraot

From Temple Israel's Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, a Pride devar torah for Parshat Shoftim (from last week's Torah reading). Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fierte Capital Pride Weekend!

Rabbi Deborah Zuker of Ottawa's Kehillat Beth Israel offers a Pride Week Devar Torah with the core message: Love is love!

An important conversation during this period of "heshbon hanefesh" / accounting for our behaviour spiritually and in the ways we shape and speak about Jewish community.

Join me Saturday @9:30am for our LAST Storytime Circle of the Summer! The word of the day will be Shalom (which means Hello/Goodbye/Peace), what a perfect way to say farewell <3 See you soon!

Today's Pride Week message, from Rabbi Eytan Kenter of Kehillat Beth Israel, brings together this week's Torah portion with some queer Canadian history.