We now have the blessings of warmer weather, the summer green markets are full of abundant local vegetables and berries, and sharing meals outside.
The beauty and bounty of our natural surroundings is often commented upon in our Torah. This week we read again of the people Israel remembering the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic they had left behind in Egypt. Sounds like my basic shopping list!More
This has been a very busy few weeks, involving for me, unaccustomed travel. Two weddings, one in Vancouver, and two funerals in Calgary. Such is the circle of life. My apologies to those I have not seen in my usual regular schedule as three of these events have taken me out of town.
Naso is a parashah some of whose words are often repeated weekly by parents as they bless their children – or as they might have the blessing to receive from their own parents. What we more commonly may know as Birkat haKohanim, the Blessing of the Kohanim, or the Priestly Blessing s also recited on Shabbat. The text to be used for the blessing is specified in Numbers 6:22–27:
“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying: In this way you shall bless the children of Israel; you shall say to them:
“May the LORD bless you, and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
May the LORD lift up His face to you, and give you peace.”
With these words our Kohanim may bless us, our parents may bless us, we continue that chain of blessing.
Gratitude: I am so grateful to the volunteers of the Chevra Kadisha in Calgary for caring for the body and souls of those we have loved. To know this mitzvah is available enables us to all share a different chain of connection, one of deep trust, of kavod, honour and of love.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn
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.More
We are making plans with members of Kolot Mayim to ensure all services and events will run smoothly in my absence during July, when I will be on holiday. Members are stepping up in all manner of ways, and I know everything will run smoothly. If needs be, I can be contacted, but otherwise we have good hands taking care of matters. I will be providing information regarding contacts later in June, if people have questions about membership, services, etc.More
I couldn’t help it, I had to sing: “When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s Emor…”
This parashah continues with the laws of the Kohanim, the laws pertaining to our Festivals, including the Omer, and finally we read a line that is very resonant for many in Kolot Mayim: “There shall be one law for you, it shall be for the ger (the proselyte) and the native alike, for I am God, your God.”More
I was at the Legislature again this past Shabbat afternoon, with a few regulars, including Sharona. Various people dropped by to express their gratitude for our showing up. Cruise ship travellers walking by, some from Israel, some Canadian, an American and an Australian. Iris from Israel, now Halifa, in town for a conference stood with us for awhile. An Iranian man came by to shake our hands and tell us fervently how he is praying for the release of the hostages, and the end of the current regime in Iran, whom he blames for the entire instability in the Middle East, lands he loves, foods he loves, peoples he loves.More
This is a very particular and special week in our calendar. The Yamim – or more colloquially, the Yoms. Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. Days of memory, memorializing and a day of celebration with Israel on Yom HaAtzmaut.
And then this coming Shabbat will also be special as we have two young women coming to spend both Friday evening and Shabbat morning with us – please bring your questions, your thoughtfulness, your gratitude and join with us as we welcome Yuval and Lihi to Victoria.More
Pesach is over, but is it? We have another opportunity in our tradition, Pesach Sheini, for those who could not sit with family and friends at Seder. May this be the year that the hostages are finally home, and can say with their loved ones, Vehi sheamda.
This year Pesach Sheini will be observed on May 12, 14 Iyar. Even if we observed Pesach, we try to eat matzah on this day. This day is our ‘second chance’ – that foundational second chance that teshuvah is built upon, that our relationships with each other depend upon. So please save some of your matzah for May 12. To read more see: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/what-is-second-passover-pesach-sheni/More
Chag Pesach sameach, everyone – we had just a wonderful Seder. Thank you to all the souls who helped set up, put away, sweep the floor, sing, play music, prepare charoset – so much help, but best of all was being together, meeting new people, sharing and renewing friendships, and food.
Marilyn sent me a very funny video – a faith-off, with Jon Stewart. https://youtu.be/VoRmd6lMREE?si=qRZxBcgSBHDUl6C6 It was very funny and also got me thinking. Much of the symbolism throughout our Seder does focus on the travails of being in Mitzrayim, in those places of narrow confinement. Matzah is the bread of affliction as well as the bread of redemption, our freedom.
I want us to each also focus on that aspect of redemption over these coming few days of Pesach. What are we seeking, what are we working towards that will enable us to recognize the open doors, those windows of opportunity? When we meet someone how might we bring them in, include them, even in conversation? Our little kehillah holds a special place in Victoria. I am proud to be part of Kolot Mayim, may all our voices come together in harmony, and in health.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn
Shlach
June 16, 2025 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
I can only hope and pray and take care of myself to the degree necessary, that I will be as robust and active at 83, as I am at 73. Morris, Maurice and Neomi are all examples of elders in our midst, who contribute to the liveliness that is Kolot Mayim. Kol haKavod to each of you, todah rabbah for all you give to us.
A shul exists to serve: we are there to share times of joy and times of grief, times of lonely questioning, and times of celebration, of simcha. A shul is Kohelet in action. We all know unaffiliated Jews, Jews who have chosen to not join a shul – for all manner of reasons.
I hope we see an increase of those Jews – and you – choosing to affiliate with Kolot Mayim and with other shuls, particularly during these days when our very existence is under attack. We need each other, we need to know each other.
It is time to reach out and reach in. If you know someone who has been thinking about joining a shul, I am more than happy to meet with them.
Wishing everyone well, during these eventful days,
Rabbi Lynn
Gratitude: A word or two of gratitude for all those in the background of Kolot Mayim and our larger Jewish community. On Friday I officiated at a levayah for Mr. Ron Aron, z”l. People had come together to arrange for his grave to be prepared, Chevra Kadisha members gathered, our funeral home, Sands, juggled appointment and commitments to allow everything to happen in a timely way. People came to the levayah to ensure we had a minyan, others offered to be a pallbearer – all for a man they didn’t know. As we do. I am so grateful to all of you, as is the family. Thank you all, very much.