Hello everyone, the hinges of the gates are being oiled as we speak, so that they should open with ease. Rosh Hashanah approaches and we speak a little more cautiously, step a little more carefully perhaps, as we approach the Days of Awe. May the doors of our hearts open as well.
As we welcome new members to Kolot Mayim, as we have said goodbye to others in their time, we acknowledge the blessing of having a Jewish home to share our stories, our friendships, our meals, and our learning – in good times and bad. Each of us brings our sacred doorways, windows, and pathways with us as we figure out how to do this thing called Judaism – it differs from one to the other and we cherish us all. Maurice Yacowar just sent me a commentary about being Jewish by Harold Jacobson, a garrulous writer whom we both adore: https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/all/some-of-us-look-like-einstein-others-like-barbie-go-figure-3Xi5rlHsYf4GXP1sQSwBm9
One of the joys of my work is that every day is so different; I never know what the next e-mail or next phone call might bring. I never know what response might be needed of me. Some situations require my immediate attention, some allow for a more longitudinal response. I am aware that sometimes my need to delay a response or visit might be interpreted as a lack of interest or welcome, for which I am sorry. As I think about these intervals of need and reply, I wonder about my own, our own response to the voice of God.More
This is a difficult and sad week for two former members of Kolot Mayim. On Shabbat afternoon Dana Ruth Baecker died; Dana was Jenny Laing’s mother. There will be a shiva at the Bild-Enkins house at 7 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, at 1324 George Street (corner of Olive). Jenny was the heart and soul of Kolot Mayim for years, and I know she will appreciate seeing you at shiva.
On this past Sunday morning, Mr. Lawrence Bookman died, Reesa Vermeulen’s father. His levayah, his funeral will be held at Hatley Jewish Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. May their memories be a blessing for their families and for all who knew these souls.More
Usually I stay within the realm of providing whatever leadership I can for religious services, life cycle events, etc. The Board makes all governance and fiscal decisions.
However, during these few weeks before Rosh Hashanah, we have a time for all manner of renewals. I suggest our spiritual and religious renewals also include renewal of membership in Kolot Mayim. I wanted to add my perspective to the whole idea of ‘belonging’ to a synagogue.
There are two issues for me.
One is we need your physical presence in the room. We need a minyan. We need ten Jews in the room to proceed with certain prayers, to read Torah publicly. And, more importantly, I think, we need your presence to spend time with you, to talk with you, to get to know you. Most of you are aware of this need, and it is very important.
But I also want to discuss another reason for renewing your membership – even if you don’t particularly like coming to services. With your membership you are helping to support the presence of Reform Judaism in Victoria and on Vancouver Island. You are helping to support my efforts as rabbi to be available to everyone, including the many unaffiliated Jews I see over the course of any year: People who are ill, and may be dying, and their families; people I meet to plan funerals and burials; people I meet to plan their weddings; people who might join Kolot Mayim to allow their children to become Bar and Bat Mitzvah. I meet many interfaith families who have not felt welcomed elsewhere – with your membership you are directly helping me help their return to Jewish community. Could there be a greater mitzvah?
I – we – can only be available to those who call if we have this actual presence. And that presence requires your financial support. This week in Shoftim we read tzedek tzedek tirdof – righteousness, righteousness you shall pursue. We often interpret this phrase – and quite rightly – as running towards a mitzvah. And one of our central mitzvot is giving tzedakah.
So this is my plea as your rabbi, tzedek tzedek tirdof – help Kolot Mayim stand firmly within the larger Jewish community here in Victoria. Allow all of us to reach out and reach in with welcome.
Many thanks, and with great love to all,Rabbi Lynn
Re’eh is one of those parshiot that commands us to open our eyes. We can be so overwhelmed with keeping up (remember that rabbit I mentioned last week?) that we can often not see the miracles around us. We can also miss those opportunities in front of us where we can step up and step in.
What am I not seeing, not understanding this week, this month? How can I better see where I can step forward, in or around to make things a little better for myself and for others I love?More
Dear friends, I am always surprised (not sure why) at how apt the Torah reading of the week is for any particular occasion. This week we return to weekly services and the Torah reading is from Vaetchanan, where again we hear Moses review the Aseret Dibrot, the Ten Commandments given at Sinai. Just as Moses needed to remind the people of Israel of their obligations before entering the Land, we too need regular reminders of our obligations to each other and to God.More
Again I want to thank all of you for all the love and support you have given both Aaron and me over these past few months. Most of you know I will be on leave over July. I very much need this time to have quiet. Please know that even as you don’t see me, know I am probably connecting with you, just in a different dimension from the physical.More
Have you ever wanted to bring home good news – and then hesitated, only seeing all the pitfalls that might preclude reporting the good?
The leaders of each tribe of Israel did exactly that. Commanded by God, asked by Moses, chosen by their tribe members, each leader ventured into the Land to see what it was like. This Land, this eternal gift was abundant with fruits, and yet even as they came home carrying staves laden with enormous grapes, they came home abundant with fear.
What enables us to trust a future we cannot yet imagine? We marry, we have children – we make all manner of choices based on trust and on love. We imagine a future – and then we live it. It took the Israelites 40 years to learn to “do and then understand” and in doing so, bring their promise to fruition. This is our promise we continue to make as Jews with our own life decisions every day.
Shelach teaches us to trust in God, trust in our tradition even when the walls seem too fortified, and the land seems full of stones. In doing so we learn to trust each other, to trust beyond our own reckoning. Every day.
With love,Rabbi Lynn
Attack on Israel
October 10, 2023 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
This Shabbat, Hamas terrorized all of Israel with a premeditated and deadly attack on Israel. Civilians, soldiers have been murdered, and kidnapped; countless hundreds of citizens have been wounded in body and in heart.
Even as the Gaza border is under constant and extensive surveillance, this attack happened as Jews were celebrating Simchat Torah and Shabbat, echoing for many the Yom Kippur war. Hamas has never considered brokering a peace with Israel; their very Charter speaks against the very existence of the Israeli state. Yet, for decades monies have poured into Gaza from Europe, from the US, and from Canada. Whilst those monies were ostensibly provided for the Palestinian people living in Gaza, we know that far too many of those millions went to the military and to building the infrastructures of terrorism – the use of which we saw over these past days.
I think it is difficult for us, as Canadians, to imagine living next door to such lethal enemies. Imagine tunnels being constructed so Americans could enter Canadian soil and kidnap and murder Canadians – for being Canadian. One does not want to ever imagine such a circumstance. Israeli citizens have no choice.
Israel is continually under the periscope of the nations of the world, examined for every supposed mis-step, encouraged if not strong-armed by those same nations to utilize caution in military response, even as Israeli citizens are being bombed. Military response from Israel is universally seen as aggression. The crimes that Hamas has and is committing are unspeakable; this is not a government with which Israel can negotiate.
We are not Israel, but we are Jews. We stand with Israel. We pray with Jews everywhere, and we pray with those Palestinian peoples sick and sickened of war, for a mutual and firmly held commitment to peace.
With love, wishing you long life.
Rabbi Lynn