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Are you interested in exploring Judaism in an inclusive, caring and spiritually-minded community? Whether you are discovering Judaism, returning to Judaism or continuing a lifelong journey in the tradition, Or Haneshamah (Light of the Soul) invites your participation. Formed in 1987, under the name of the Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah, Or Haneshamah welcomes people with all levels of Jewish knowledge and beliefs, mixed marriages, multi-faith families and members of the gay and lesbian communities.
 
In our governance, we encourage members to share responsibilities and activities, based on egalitarian, democratic and participatory values. In our worship, Or Haneshamah, as a member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, believes that Judaism is the product of the collective experience of the Jewish people. We creatively explore our religious, spiritual, and cultural practices in order to revitalize and revalue our Judaism. Liberal in outlook, yet respecting tradition, Reconstructionism is the newest of the four branches of organized Canadian Judaism.
 
We hope to see you at one of our bi-monthly Shabbat services on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, September through June.
 
WHAT'S NEW
 

Adult education is a strong component of programming at OrH. This year, with student rabbi Amy Lowenthal , we will be exploring a myriad of topics on Saturday evenings as well as Sunday mornings. The next adult education sessions will be: 

PRAYER: TRADITIONS OF THE HEART (3 sessions) February 5, March 4, May 6

For all who want to learn more about the structure, meaning, and feeling-tones of the Shabbat morning prayer service. Discussion will include: communal prayer values and preferences; options for approaching cognitively dissonant prayer texts such as classic G-d talk. Students will be exposed to a range of prayer-leading possibilities, perhaps including a quick look at nusach (melodic motifs of Jewish prayer). Although students may become inspired to lead services, they are not required to do so. Please join us! Location to be announced each month.

 

Former OrH Student-Rabbi (and now Rabbi!) Darby Jared Leigh has a wonderful explanation of the Shema in American Sign Language available here: www.ritualwell.org/video/1467  This is not to be missed!

 

In the community:

Mitzvah Day at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre is Sunday, February 12 starting at 9 am. To download the Mitzvah Day brochure and to register, please visit www.jewishottawa.com 


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