We are now in Elul – a month away from Rosh Hashanah, a time of looking into new beginnings, and a time of shedding past hurts and misunderstandings. A time to blow the shofar every morning (beginning Monday, except Shabbat), the plaintive wail of the shofar opening our hearts.
This Shabbat we welcome Katie Marr and Joshua Torontow to be called to Torah for the first time, an occasion of great spiritual joy and communal significance. Every time someone steps forward to stand with us, to join the people of Israel, it is also a time for each of us to re-assess our own standing. Katie and Joshua, we are very moved by your decision to join us.
Shoftim, our parashah this week, opens – “Judges and officers shall you appoint in all your cities…” Historically, in every Jewish community there was an autonomous self-governing court of judges, a Beit Din, that would sit and assess various cases, from misdemeanors to divorces. This week we had two judges, dayanim, who sat with me for a Beit Din for conversion for our two candidates.
But the judges must be worthy to sit on such a court, (as they most certainly are); “… you shall not show favouritism, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe will blind the eyes of the wise and it will corrupt words that are just.”
Torah is teaching us in all our dealings, whether we sit on a Beit Din, or conduct our everyday business, we should be acting with righteousness. Tzedek, tzedek tirdof. Righteousness, righteousness, you shall pursue. Our rabbis teach us that as we approach hashamayim – Jewish heaven! – we will be asked an unusual question. Were you fair in all your business dealings?” In many ways virtually all of life is transactional. Our life is our business. This is a very high standard to uphold – thank goodness for Elul.
I wish all of us good health and meaningful reflections during this month as we come up to Rosh Hashanah.
Kein yihe ratzon,
Rabbi Lynn
Lech Lecha
October 12, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
Shavua tov, everyone. Covid has brought us a number of Back to the Future moments. The Board of Kolot Mayim decided this past week to primarily return to Zoom for delivery of our Shabbat services. The Hybrid model – providing a Zoom of in-person services as/is complicated and our in-person numbers were just too low – to the point where justifying the expenditure of effort was not possible. We will be holding an in-person service once a month for everyone who feels able to attend – followed by a light lunch. Meanwhile let’s think of other ways that we can encourage our members to gather in small bubbles – here are some ideas generated from last week’s Shabbat service.
Ideas for getting together
Shabbat – On Friday nights and Saturday mornings, invite a few people to join you for a Shabbat meal and enjoy singing together while following the Zoom service.
On Shabbat afternoons – arrange to have tea and a visit – maybe every other week.
Arrange for Zoom or phone visits Friday morning/early afternoons to check in with friends – and maybe people you don’t know so well yet.
Let’s make our Zoom services as interactive as possible.
Help with services:
Want to learn to sing one of the prayers for Friday evening or Shabbat morning? Call Rabbi Lynn.
Love music? Help the rabbi locate Jewish music videos to play on Zoom.
Give a d’var on the weekly parashah – contact Rabbi Lynn for ideas.
Want to help with our once monthly in person service?
We need a volunteer to organize a rota of people to bring the following: Bring paper bowls, a crockpot of vegetarian soup, bread (Challah/Pita) and dessert.
We have an opportunity to build Shabbat connections and well beyond. I am looking forward to hearing from you about your ideas and how you might like to participate as we continue to build our kehillah.
Kol tuv,
Rabbi Lynn