From the Rabbi’s Desk

The Book of Exodus, or Shemot is a saga of survival in a strange land. The Israelites are now firmly established in the land of Egypt, and things are now not going so well. A new Pharaoh, (subsequent to the Pharaoh who had sat rocking on the porch with Yaakov, who had given the Israelites welcome and land and honour), is much less inclined to look on this foreign people with favour.More

The last reading in any of the Five Books that comprise our Written Torah, our Chumash, always gives me pause. It marks both a completion and an opening as the saga of our peoples evolves and continues.

We are a People of the Book, and we are a People of our Land, Israel. The texts we read from the earliest of our times, and continuing through millennia, reference Jerusalem and the land of Israel, now the State of Israel. Often those texts reference borders well beyond present day political borders.

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Hannukah is over, and now we hold sweet memories of eating with friends and families over these days of lighting candles together. Last week in our Torah portion we read how Joseph prepared a table for his brothers; this week he finally shared the news that he was, in fact, their brother. He promised them bread, that they would eat, even in such a time of famine.

It is not insignificant that Joseph prepared a meal to help ready himself to share this truth. There is something profoundly fundamental about sharing our food, even if it is the most simple of meals. Even as Abraham ran forward to welcome the three men he spied whilst sitting in his tent, Joseph knew that to honour guests with food – no matter whom they may be – is in no small way honouring God.

Food, be it bread and salt, or the most sumptuous of feasts, plays such a role in our Torah and in our tradition. Blessings accompany our eating as we acknowledge how eating binds us in sacred relationship with God and with those we love.

All the more do we want to share food together at Kolot Mayim. Each Shabbat morning (first of every month) when we meet in person, we now share food. More and more of us are coming and staying, hungry not so much for edible delicacies, but for nourishment of company. Food is a vehicle of connection to the blessing of company and companionship. Come and join us on January 1^st (that other New Year), as we share prayer, song and food together.

Kol tuv,

Rabbi Lynn

Shavua tov, dear friends. Our province is looking at days, weeks, months and years of recovery from the terrible flooding, mud slides, and loss of property, animals and of lives. Please take notes of ways you can give tzedakah towards relief efforts. I heard one of the Food Bank managers speak about how they have the capacity to turn every dollar given into three, with their capacity for bulk buying. So many people are helping in every way imaginable. Jewish Federation and our own Reform movement are providing avenues of support to those who need our help.

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Shavua tov, dear friends.

So many opportunities for us to learn with each other. This morning I participated in learning from Rabbi Gila Caine, the first of our speakers in the lecture series so ably led by Marilyn Wolovick. Marilyn and her committee have put together a series of speakers, all of whom bring their background and engagement in Jewish community to our doorstep. It will be an exciting year! As you may have noticed above, the speaker series organized by the Victoria Jewish choir is bringing in Rob Menes, a former Victorian, who became a noted cantor – perfect timing for those in the Prayer course. Please join us.More