I want to continue the conversation I began last week and acknowledge some deeply important teachings that we as Jews share with the many Indigenous Canadian communities around us. As the process of speaking Truth and beginning Reconciliation is a process that will continue over time, so too must we all pay attention to speaking our own truth about our own history – of exile and survival, of re-building, of moving on yet again, and of recognizing our capacity for tenacity and joy along those many ways.
Many of us participated in programmes here in Victoria last Thursday – either in person, on-line of watching special programming on CBC. There is clearly much to wrestle with and also much to celebrate. How good it is that as a nation we are beginning to shine light into our darkest corners. We need to continue to bring light forward into our own corners, so that those around us know that we have a long and significant history of contributing to communities around the world. From the gift of Torah onwards we have tried to find that balance between living in and with the universal and the particular.
Today especially when over 54% of Americans interviewed had no idea of the numbers of Jews murdered during the Shoah, and over 10% of that 54% believed it was Jews who caused the Holocaust – we must speak our own particular truth – including what happened in the 20th century but certainly not limited to those years.
Speaking truth begins with each one of us knowing who we are as Jews. Justice Sinclair voices 4 questions when he is addressing Indigenous youth especially: Where have I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? And Who am I?
Please take time to listen to Justice Murray Sinclair in conversation: So thoughtful and perceptive. How can each of us answer these 4 questions.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1952581699556
May the coming year, 5782, hold blessings and long life for each of you,
Rabbi Lynn
Noach
October 4, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk Tags: cbc, murray sinclair, noach •
I want to continue the conversation I began last week and acknowledge some deeply important teachings that we as Jews share with the many Indigenous Canadian communities around us. As the process of speaking Truth and beginning Reconciliation is a process that will continue over time, so too must we all pay attention to speaking our own truth about our own history – of exile and survival, of re-building, of moving on yet again, and of recognizing our capacity for tenacity and joy along those many ways.
Many of us participated in programmes here in Victoria last Thursday – either in person, on-line of watching special programming on CBC. There is clearly much to wrestle with and also much to celebrate. How good it is that as a nation we are beginning to shine light into our darkest corners. We need to continue to bring light forward into our own corners, so that those around us know that we have a long and significant history of contributing to communities around the world. From the gift of Torah onwards we have tried to find that balance between living in and with the universal and the particular.
Today especially when over 54% of Americans interviewed had no idea of the numbers of Jews murdered during the Shoah, and over 10% of that 54% believed it was Jews who caused the Holocaust – we must speak our own particular truth – including what happened in the 20th century but certainly not limited to those years.
Speaking truth begins with each one of us knowing who we are as Jews. Justice Sinclair voices 4 questions when he is addressing Indigenous youth especially: Where have I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? And Who am I?
Please take time to listen to Justice Murray Sinclair in conversation: So thoughtful and perceptive. How can each of us answer these 4 questions.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1952581699556
May the coming year, 5782, hold blessings and long life for each of you,
Rabbi Lynn