Blog Layouts

As I work in my office I often eavesdrop on conversations at the front desk: people new to Victoria being welcomed (Hi, Sharon), old friends whose voices I may recognize, all manner of welcomes that make our home at the JCC feel so right. Latke Madness begins in December so just a heads up – […]

We are in a month of celebrations – this past week Asher Russell was called to Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah and this coming Shabbat, Milo Mateer will be called to Torah as Bat Mitzvah. Not only do our young people lead us in prayer, and read from Torah, they give us […]

As we look forward to celebrating a Bar and a Bat Mitzvah over the coming weeks, we again are reminded of our obligation to be a community of learners. It takes such courage for our young people to learn and sing in front of us. But I have come to appreciate that their fear is […]

Thank you to everyone who sent messages to me over this past week – it has been a while since I was laid quite so flat! This week we open up the book of Vayeira with the teachings of hachnasat orchim – welcoming hospitality. We read of Avraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers with food, […]

Lech Lecha is that section of Torah where we are all invited to stop for a breath, pause, and look within ourselves: where are we headed this year? Where is that place, that makom, where God wants me to be this year? What am I meant to be learning, and what am I meant to be […]

This coming Shabbat is Rosh Chodesh Heshvan – the month of Heshvan is sometimes called Mar Heshvan, sad or bitter Heshvan, as there are no holidays that month. Whew!! When Rosh Chodesh, the new month, coincides with Shabbat there are a few special prayers recited to honour that conjunction. There are also special additions to […]

Please come on Friday evening this week – as we celebrate Simchat Torah and celebrate two individuals who have contributed greatly to Kolot Mayim over their years with us: Morris Bleviss and Neomi Summers. Simchat Torah is an occasion when we honour a kallah (a bride) and a chatan (a groom) with a special Aliyah. We […]

What a wonderful Yom Kippur we had – beautiful singing, Pamela and Yariv playing extraordinary music to open Kol Nidre, Anabel chanting the Kol Nidre for over 90 people in the room, and more on Zoom. So much gratitude for all who came and participated. I have put a special request in for some sunny days […]

When I first spoke last October 10th, I opened with ein milim – no words, there are no words. Of course, words followed, many words, then thousands more have followed since that evening. This evening, I want to highlight just two words: Courage and Hope. What does the concept of courage mean to us? I think […]

This is such an intense time of year, and this year we are also marking the first anniversary of October 7th. I will see many of you at the Gorge Pavilion, where the commemoration is taking place on Monday evening. It is a heart-breaking time as we know 101 hostages are still deeply hidden in […]