The roses are blooming, weddings are being planned, Shavuot is here! What a wonderful time of year. I am flower-sitting pots of flowers for a few weeks, and every time I walk by their colourful cheerfulness, I am warmed by their beauty. I am also grateful for Carolyn Canny entrusting them to my not-so-green thumb. By the time you read this note, Carolyn will be settled into her new home in Calgary. We are also grateful for FaceTime, which will enable us to stay in touch.
We all count in our presence and in our absence. Bamidbar, our portion this week, opens with a lengthy census. This reading reminds us of how much each soul counts, then and today. We all have unique tasks and capacities, but we must be counted and included. Shavuot reminds us every year that as we received Torah, these words of instruction, at Sinai, we mattered to God, and were counted by and accountable to God, as we are today.
When I stand with a young couple under the Chuppah, their faces alive with love and joy, in anticipation of their lives together, I am always reminded of Sinai, that time we collectively said yes to God. Our Sages have taught us that Torah is our ketubah, our marriage contract with God. I have always loved this image, and always think of the sacred emanations of that profound “yes” articulated those millennia ago coming forward into our lives today.
If you are able, come and join us Monday morning for minyan and blintzes, our celebration on Shavuot and the power of “yes”.
Gratitude:
I am very grateful this week (and well beyond) to Ariel Louwrier, who has given us four years of service to our Kolot Mayim Board. Ariel has much to juggle between family life, a business to run and his service with us, and we wish him well as he steps down. Yasher koach.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn
Shavuot
May 26, 2025 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
The roses are blooming, weddings are being planned, Shavuot is here! What a wonderful time of year. I am flower-sitting pots of flowers for a few weeks, and every time I walk by their colourful cheerfulness, I am warmed by their beauty. I am also grateful for Carolyn Canny entrusting them to my not-so-green thumb. By the time you read this note, Carolyn will be settled into her new home in Calgary. We are also grateful for FaceTime, which will enable us to stay in touch.
We all count in our presence and in our absence. Bamidbar, our portion this week, opens with a lengthy census. This reading reminds us of how much each soul counts, then and today. We all have unique tasks and capacities, but we must be counted and included. Shavuot reminds us every year that as we received Torah, these words of instruction, at Sinai, we mattered to God, and were counted by and accountable to God, as we are today.
When I stand with a young couple under the Chuppah, their faces alive with love and joy, in anticipation of their lives together, I am always reminded of Sinai, that time we collectively said yes to God. Our Sages have taught us that Torah is our ketubah, our marriage contract with God. I have always loved this image, and always think of the sacred emanations of that profound “yes” articulated those millennia ago coming forward into our lives today.
If you are able, come and join us Monday morning for minyan and blintzes, our celebration on Shavuot and the power of “yes”.
Gratitude:
I am very grateful this week (and well beyond) to Ariel Louwrier, who has given us four years of service to our Kolot Mayim Board. Ariel has much to juggle between family life, a business to run and his service with us, and we wish him well as he steps down. Yasher koach.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn