From the Rabbi’s Desk

This coming Shabbat is the first of June, and our Torah reading, Bechukotai, seems to reflect the optimism I feel when I say the word June.

We read in the opening of this parashah a section of blessings that hold deep reassurance for us, particularly in what may feel like such perilous times. We spoke at services last week about holding hope, about holding a sense of family with our people in Israel, and surely this hope is also found throughout our Torah.

On Sunday Joshua Torontow and his bride Marika Rathfelder were married; this coming Sunday, Ohad Rafeli and his bride Katja Chorna will be married. May their joy increase our own, may their joy increase our own joy. Here is a clip of such hope and blessing from David Zelller,z”l, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUZoGKitZDA

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

I hope everyone had meaningful and joyous Sedarim – we all enjoyed our Seder here at the JCC. Many thanks again to everyone who helped. My kitchen will be back to usual on Wednesday – I always miss the bright green tablecloth that says Pesach to me every year when I unpack it from its box.

This year putting boxes in the attic was a little easier for two reasons. I had some help from a younger member, and we were also able to pass on several carpets that we had inherited from a dear friend who died years ago. Pets have precluded their use in our home, and recently two dear and much younger friends bought a new home – and hence with acquired more space for some of our treasures~

Letting go and acquiring treasured paintings, furniture and dishes may seem materialistic – but those treasure are full of memories. How meaningful to pass on those memories and stories to the next generation. So too, our Torah is full of memories and stories, our Haggadah commanding us to tell our story to our children and children’s children. Our stories come in many shapes, many sizes. We make these stories our own Torah to add to those of our ancestors.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

I am writing this on the day of our Seder, anticipating gathering with so many this evening. We are full to overflowing, and I know we will have a very freilich, joyous, and meaningful evening together.

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped with setting up (and cleaning up), with bringing tasty charoset for us to share, for bringing flowers for our tables, and mostly for coming and sharing this precious time of Seder together.

I am also so very aware of how challenging it can be to celebrate in the face of absence, be that absence personal or the larger absence of the hostages. And yet our tradition mandates we celebrate – we remember, and we look forward at the same time. In one of our readings from Torah through the days of Pesach we go back to Ki Tissa in Exodus. We read near the very end how radiant Moses’ face became after his encounter with God. May each of us experience the shared radiance of renewing relationships with friends and with family over these coming days.

With love, Chag Pesach sameach,
Rabbi Lynn

We had a very casual Friday night last week. Rabbi Lynn and Aaron Devor purchased and have donated a beautiful hand written Megillat Esther to Kolot Mayim. We unrolled much of it and then entered into a lively discussion about all things scribal. May this Megillah be read for years to come.

Then we had a conversation about preparations for Pesach – the whys and wherefores of preparing for this very special time. Finally, we recited Kaddish, in memory of the souls that have departed us, some far too suddenly and others in their time. At these times of years their loss seems especially difficult. Wishing love to all who are struggling with grief and loss. Please be in touch with me as you may need.

Chag Pesach sameach everyone.

Wishing everyone much happiness and strength as we prepare ourselves for Pesach.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

As Pesach approaches one of the more than 4 questions we must wrestle with is how are we cleaning our inner chometz (otherwise known as shmutz) as well as cleaning the chometz from our homes? Washing down baseboards, and vacuuming out the stove drawer provides ample opportunity to think about what I have left undone, what corners I have not yet) examined.

There is much to think about every year and, Mah Nishtana, this year brings its own questions, joys and sadnesses. Perhaps thinking about the symbolism that matzah frames for us – a symbol of our oppression, living in Mitzrayim, and a symbol of freedom, that food that nourished us as we left Mitzrayim – will help us revisit where we have been and where we hope to head towards this coming year.

Wishing everyone much happiness and strength as we prepare ourselves for Pesach.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

Today I read a notice announcing Pesach and Seder was three weeks away. How can this be, I thought, there is so much to do to get ready!! As always, we find ourselves catching up with our calendar, our Jewish calendars and our secular calendars sometimes colliding with differing demands.

I started to rearrange and tidy my study weeks ago, but now the serious cleaning begins, as I tackle the chametz, working my way into the kitchen those days before Pesach. If anyone wants to talk about details regarding preparing for Pesach, please get in touch with me. This is also just a reminder that you can be in touch about any question you may have. We had a discussion this past Shabbat service regarding the Megillah Esther, a question that emerged after the reading. I am more than happy to meet with you, as I and my schedule can allow.

Wishing everyone happiness and strength as we prepare ourselves for Pesach.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

I have had the honour of officiating at a number of funerals in these past weeks. In town, up-Island, on Salt Spring Island, the need has been unusual in number. But the emotional need is always present. I am always so grateful for our tradition that consistently provides a bulwark of support through ritual and presence to grieving families.

This week there is another funeral – a notice will be going out once we have established day and time. It is a tremendous mitzvah for us to attend, Nihum avelim, to comfort the mourners, and help make a minyan so we can recite El Malei and the Mourners Kaddish.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn