From the Rabbi’s Desk

Shavua tov, dear friends,

5785 is virtually here. We pray that the year will be a year of greater peace and security throughout the mid-East and particularly for Israel. We pray for the health of our congregants and family members who are suffering in body and soul. And we pray for our capacity – each of us – to bring greater light and love into our worlds.

Our kehillah, Kolot Mayim, is a voice of connection for many. Last Shabbat as we sat together for a Shabbat meal we could all feel a lively energy in the room. New members meeting Hillel students meeting friends of members. May we continue to be a place of learning, of bringing voices in song together.

Shana tova, g’mar chatima tova, may you each be inscribed in the Book of Life,

Much love,
Rabbi Lynn

I am back home after being out of town all weekend. I had a truly inspiring weekend with the Beth Tikvah community, and their Chevra Kadisha members, and I was able to teach, answer questions, and demonstrate techniques with them.   We are all blessed to be in this Jewish world where denominations can work together for the greater good of us all.

A very special thank you to Marilyn Wolovick, Lis Louwrier, Neomi Summers and Morris Bleviss who covered from the bimah in my absence. Kol hakavod.

Yomtov is around the corner. Please come and join us over the course of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. For many people Kol Nidre is the highlight of the year. The haunting melodies, the words, all clothes in tallitot at night, everything is new and everything is different at once.

But the whole cycle of these coming days from Selichot through Sukkot and Simchat Torah are highlights. Watch our calendar for days, times, and locations of all events.

Shana tova, g’mar chatima tova, may you be inscribed in the Book of Life,

Much love,
Rabbi Lynn

I will be across the pond in Richmond leading a workshop on Chevra Kadisha practices with the Conservative shul, Beth Tikvah, at the invitation of Rabbi Susie Tendler.

It is always my honour to be called upon to teach about this most precious of mitzvot. And it does mean I will not be at services. We have a most capable team at the helm, which is just as it should be. Thank you in advance to Marilyn, Lis, Neomi, Morris and April.

Ki Tavo encourages us to be glad, joyous, with all the goodness God has given us. These are such beautiful words to live by, even as we may encounter all manner of tribulations though our lifetimes.

Shavua tov, everyone. 

I am still filled with the sunshine that poured over us Sunday at the rally for Israel. People spoke with such insight and determination; that the light we were standing in would begin to fill the consciousness of those who would prefer to live in darkness.

Thank you especially to Shelley Evans, a Kolot Mayim member, who led off the speakers, and to Pat Johnson, who worked with Marilyn Wolovick to create Upstanders, a truly important resource in combatting anti Semitism.

I spoke with a number of people at the rally, and many were saying the same thing: you can’t build bridges with one hand. We are proud to be Jews and non-Jews standing up for and with Israel.More

Shavua tov, everyone,

This week we begin the month of Elul – Rosh Chodesh Elul begins Tuesday evening and through Wednesday, bringing us closer to Rosh Hashanah. This is also the week of Shoftim, Deena Vladar’s Bat Mitzvah portion. Not to give away her d’var, but this parasha is meant to be. I hope you can join us and celebrate the first of the coming Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies at Kolot Mayim.

This has been a week of every emotion: gratitude at people stepping up; shared sadness; joy with a young couple getting married this coming Sunday. People we have been saying mishaberach blessings for have gone home, left hospital. I took several people off the list this Shabbat because they have died. Torah is so much about how to thread our way through the challenges life throws at us. I also had three people speak with me about workshops they wanted to develop for us this coming fall. We have a wealth of talent amongst us!

Elul is a time of deep reflection. Of teshuvah, of returning to the soul of our being. Return again, return again, return to the land of your soul…

Much love,

Rabbi Lynn

A week can bring so much joy and sadness, anticipated and surprises abound when living in a community such as ours.  Friday night we celebrated with Gilda Good – she and David have been married 51 years now!  Mazal tov.

This Shabbat, Karen and Doug Davidson will be called to Torah for their first time. It will be a Shabbat of great joy.More

What a wonderful Shabbat service we had this past week. Jessica Havens and Joel Laventure were called to Torah for the first time, which is always a moving and momentous occasion for them – and for us. Again, mazal tov.

At our most recent Religious Services meeting we discussed making a few changes to our Shabbat services to make services (hopefully) more inclusive for our members. Some of these changes will be on a trial basis (September through December) and we invite your ongoing comments and feedback.

Friday nights: Once a month we will have a Kabbalat Shabbat service with a modified Torah service – one Aliyah. One Friday a month we will hold a Kolot Mayim Friday night dinner, where we will be reciting the Blessings together, sharing a meal and some stories. We see these efforts as building community ties.

Torah: Want to read Torah but feel a whole Aliyah (minimum of three verses is too much? We are inviting you to learn one verse and then another reader will complete the remaining verses.

Haftarah: From Bereshit in October we will be including an abbreviated Haftarah (reading from the Prophets). We will be inviting congregation members to learn the Blessings Before and After by singing along with us. If you wish to learn to chant a Haftarah in Hebrew speak to Rabbi Lynn – and if you would like to read the Haftarah in English, we invite you to also speak with Rabbi Lynn.

Welcoming, Buddy system: We are looking for people to offer to be at the door to welcome people as they arrive, and also to act as a ‘buddy’, particularly for those new to services.

D’var: Have you an occasion where you would like to give the d’var? Want to choose a particular Torah reading, perhaps to honour a loved one, and give a d’var that day? Call Rabbi Lynn.

These are a few of our thoughts as we move forward into the coming year. Team Kolot Mayim – we are all learners, all have capacity to share what we are learning.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

This Friday evening we will be holding our final Kabbalat Shabbat service until August. I will be on holiday during the month of July. I will be in town, mostly, and am certainly available in case of emergencies. Hopefully all will be well.

This week in our parasha, B’ha’alotecha, we read about the lighting of the Menorah. As the light from the seven lamps cast light so too are we commanded to cast our light. This morning (Monday) I opened my texts to read a message from a dear friend in England. Avielah told me that a Chevrah Kadisha colleague had died. Melvyn Hartog headed up the United Synagogues Chevra Kadisha for many years – we met at a CK conference. He was a haimishe man, very warm and utterly committed to the work we both loved. Melvyn truly brought light into his work. Apparently, he frequently gave talks entitled, “Talking About Death Won’t Kill You.” May his memory be a blessing.

These days can appear very disheartening, as we read about more and more occasions when Jewish presence is being erased – from Pride parades to faculty associations, from University academic journals to concert settings. Kol hakavod to two of our members, Anita and Sari who have written letters to our local paper highlighting this ongoing and worsening situation. May we all be lights unto our nation, and may we each hold the presence of one other with love and with light.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn