Summer Junior Congregation led by Dahlia Levy. Synagogue Highlights CELEBRATE SHAVUOT TOT SHABBAT. June 25, August 6 10:30AM.

Transcription

1 Summer 5776 CELEBRATE SHAVUOT Saturday June 11 8PM Mincha 8:30PM Dairy Refreshments & Study Session 10PM Ma ariv Sunday June 12 9:30AM Services Including Yiskor Followed by Dairy Kiddush Junior Congregation led by Dahlia Levy June 25, July 23, August 20 10:30AM Synagogue Highlights June Shavu ot & Yiskor Service 18 - Zoe Zaifman Bat Mitzvah 20 - Annual General Meeting 25 - Conter & Munro Aufruf 25 - Junior Congregation & Tot Shabbat July Connor Silver-Paterson Bar Mitzvah 23 - Junior Congregation August Tot Shabbat 13 - Matz & Taylor Aufruf 14 - Tisha b Av 20 - Junior Congregation 27 - Daniel Kime Bar Mitzvah Ages 5-11 TOT SHABBAT June 25, August 6 10:30AM Ages 0-5 Annual General Meeting Monday, June 20 7:30PM Or Shalom Auditorium The Oracle Editorial Board Editor: Sande Marcus Layout/Graphics: Kira Kohl Proofreader: Fred Ball

2 Words of Wisdom from our Rabbi Catharine Clark Dear Or Shalom Members, As summer begins, I hope that you are looking forward to travel, either seeing new places or returning to favorite locales, in the company of family and friends. Since my husband is from New Jersey, we can t wait to go down the shore this July. Many of you are probably headed to the cottage. These trips are a blessing, giving us time to unwind and to break out of habits that have become too routine. Often these vacations help us connect with distant relatives or to the spouse or children we see every day but don t always take the time to really listen to. We get to try new foods and learn new things. Put this way, what possible need could there be for Tefilat HaDerech, the traditional traveler s prayer? Certainly, this prayer, which seeks God s protection from bandits and evil animals dates from a time when travel was considerably more dangerous than the vacations we are likely to take. Yet, the prayer also asks that God lead us in peace and return us in peace. This request fits perfectly with our modern experience of vacation for two reasons. First, precisely because you are out of your normal routine, meal times get delayed and bed times missed. Hunger and being over-tired can make you and your traveling companions grumpy. Often, a family stays in hotel rooms quite a bit smaller than home, making for too much togetherness perhaps. The prayer s emphasis on shalom, peace, reminds us to take a deep breath, think of how lucky we are to be some place lovely with people we love, and not say the first snappy retort that comes to mind. Second, shalom, is from the same root as the word for complete. We pray that God looks after our complete selves on the trip, in this instance, a self that includes our Jewish identities. As you travel this summer, take a Saturday morning to attend services at another shul or visit a site of Jewish historical interest. You ll learn something and meet some new people. Nesiya tovah! (Hebrew for Bon Voyage!) Rabbi Clark P.S. Tefilat HaDerech, the Traveler s Prayer, is traditionally recited when you begin your trip. The text is included in this issue of The Oracle.

3 Tefillat HaDerech Tefillat HaDerech The Traveller s Prayer The Traveller s Prayer י ה י ר צוֹן מ ל פ נ י$ י -י א - 7 ה ינוּ ו א- 7 ה י א בוֹת ינוּ. שׁ תּוֹל יכ נוּ ל שׁ לוֹם. ו ת צ ע יד נוּ ל שׁ לוֹם. ו ת ד ר יכ נוּ ל שׁ לוֹם. ו ת ס מ כ נוּ ל שׁ לוֹם. ו ת גּ יע נוּ ל מ חוֹז ח פ צ נוּ ל ח יּ ים וּל שׂ מ ח ה וּל שׁ לוֹם. (ואם דעתו לחזור מיד אומר: ו ת ח ז יר נוּ ל שׁ לוֹם). ו ת צ יל נוּ מ כּ ף כּ ל-אוֹי ב ו אוֹר ב ו ל ס ט ים ו ח יּוֹת ר עוֹת בּ דּ ר ך. וּמ כּ ל פּ ר ע נ יּוֹת ה מּ ת ר גּ שׁוֹת וּב אוֹת ל עוֹל ם. ו ת שׁ ל ח בּ ר כ ה בּ כ ל מ ע שׂ ה י ד ינוּ. ו ת תּ נ נ יּ (בל' יחיד) ל ח ן וּל ח ס ד וּל ר ח מ ים בּ ע ינ י$ וּב ע ינ י כ ל רוֹא ינוּ. ו ת ג מ ל נוּ ח ס ד ים טוֹב ים. ו ת שׁ מ ע קוֹל תּ פ לּ ת ינוּ. כּ י א תּ ה שׁוֹמ ע תּ פ ל ת כּ ל פּ ה: בּ רוּY א תּ ה י -י שׁוֹמ ע תּ פ ל ה High Holy Day University Terry Marcus Yehi ratzon milefanecha Adonai Eloheinu veilohei avoteinu shetolicheinu leshalom vetatzideinu leshalom vetadricheinu leshalom vetismecheinu leshalom vetagi einu limechoz cheftzeinu lechaim ulesimchah uleshalom (If returning immediately, add: vetachazireinu leshalom) vetatzileinu mikaf kol oyeiv ve oreiv velistim vechayot ra ot baderech umikol puraniyot hamitragshot uva ot le olam vetishlach berachah bechol ma aseh yadeinu vetitneini lechein ulechesed ulerachamim be einecha uveinei chol ro einu vetigmeleinu chasadim tovim vetishma kol tefilateinu ki Atah shomei ah tefilat kol peh. Baruch Atah Adonai shomei ah tefilah. May it be Your will, God, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You should lead us in peace and direct our steps in peace, and guide us in peace, and support us in peace, and cause us to reach our destination in life, joy, and peace (If returning immediately, add: and return us in peace). Save us from every enemy and ambush, from robbers and wild beasts on the trip, and from all kinds of punishments that rage and come to the world. May You confer blessing upon the work of our hands and grant me grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us, and bestow upon us abundant kindness and hearken to the voice of our prayer, for You hear the prayers of all. Blessed are You God, who hearkens to prayer. It is traditional to spend the month of Elul preparing for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Join fellow Or Shalom members on Sundays, September 11, 18 and 25 from 10:15 to 11:45 to prepare your soul, your kitchen and your machzor for the season of repentance. Topics will include making apple cake (taught by Gloria Gilbert), home rituals for Rosh Hashanah (taught by Bill Klein), the afflictions of Yom Kippur (taught by Rabbi Catharine Clark), spiritual preparation for teshuvah, and the prayers of the High Holy Days. Stay tuned for further information on registration and the schedule.

4 Clark s Court Dear Rabbi, I normally eat dinner at 6:00 pm, but during the summer, the time for Shabbat candle-lighting is 8:00 pm or even later. By then, I m too hungry for Shabbat to be at all spiritual. Short of moving somewhere farther east in the time zone, what are my options for observing Shabbat and not eating so late? Sincerely, Hangry for Shabbat Dear Hangry, Ideally, one should not bring in Shabbat before plag ha-minchah on Friday afternoon. (See the postscript for an explanation of plag ha-minchah.) This year June 24th is the latest Shabbat of the year. In London, candle-lighting is at 8:50 pm, and plag ha-minchah is at 7:37 pm. Since you should light candles, pray the evening service, make Kiddush and HaMotzi and only then eat, I can see why you would be hungry + angry for Shabbat! In the fifteenth-century, Rabbi Yisrael Isserlin received a question similar to yours. On the basis of minchag (custom), he ruled that it is acceptable to begin Shabbat even two or three hours early in the summer in order to avoid a very late evening. In fact, he notes that he heard from one of the great scholars of his yeshiva about a community that would begin Shabbat so early on the long days of summer that they had time to pray the evening service, eat, and stroll along the river, all before returning home while it was still light out. It is on the basis of this ruling that the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, in October of 2012, passed a teshuvah (halachic ruling) authored by Rabbi Barry Leff permitting congregations to light candles and pray together on Friday evenings before plag ha-minchah. In their decision, they noted that once Shabbat has been brought in (no matter how early) through candle-lighting and prayer, it is appropriate to make Kiddush and eat Shabbat dinner. So you could eat at 6:00 pm even in the summer. They also noted that one could eat before plag ha-minchah, light candles and pray the evening service after plag ha-minchah, and then make Kiddush and HaMotzi and eat a bit of bread. This option is not preferred, however, because it fulfills only the letter of the law regarding a festive meal on Shabbat. To solve this problem, one rabbi I know also serves dessert with Kiddush and the bit of bread after services. He makes sure it is an especially delicious dessert so as to be festive for Shabbat. In a decision made on the same day (that incidentally also garnered considerably more votes), the CJLS also ruled that the option for long summer days most in keeping with Jewish law is to accept Shabbat promptly at plag haminchah, chant Kiddush, eat dinner and then pray the evening service together as a congregation. The author of this teshuvah, Rabbi Aaron Alexander, calls this practice the reverse Kiddush. Unfortunately, this practice still means dinner could not be served until at least 7:37 pm on June 24 in London. Gut shabbes! Rabbi Clark P.S. - Plag ha-minchah is a technical term referring to one-and-a-quarter halachic hours before sunset. There are twelve halachic hours between sunrise and sunset. In the summer, there are more than twelve 60-minute hours between sunrise and sunset, so a halachic hour is longer than 60 minutes. Thus, plag ha-minchah is not simply one hour and fifteen minutes before sunset and can be as long as an hour and a half before sunset in the summer. P.P.S. - By the way, I don t think it is a coincidence that Rabbi Leff, the author of the more permissive teshuvah, lives in Toledo, Ohio, a city that, like London, is far to the west in its time zone. Neither is it a coincidence that Rabbi Alexander lived in California at the time his teshuvah was passed; plag ha-minchah in Los Angeles on June 24 this year is at 6:43 pm, almost a full hour earlier than it is here!

5 Or Shalom Hebrew School Since the last Oracle, the students in our Hebrew School have celebrated Tu B shvat, the New Year for the trees and led the Havdalah service on Saturday night, February 20th. We baked very yummy hamentashen Thank you so much Cindy Barron - and had an arts n crafts fair for Purim. We had a special model Seder for Passover and we led the Musaf service on May 28th, Shabbat, Parshat BiChukotai. The children demonstrated singing talents and showed everyone how nicely they could share the spotlight. Many thanks to Morah Devorah (a.k.a. Darlene), who helped the children stay in tune with our lovely, familiar melodies and one or two new ones. Our students succeeded wonderfully at Jewish History, Laws and Customs, the study of Israel and reading and understanding prayers. We had a great group of 9 students this year, and anticipate the addition of 1 or 2 new students in the coming year. Maia, who graduated last year, came back for one more year of individualized instruction in Jewish Philosophy and advanced Hebrew. We will really miss her; she was an integral part of our little family. It is such a pleasure teaching these children. What can be better than teaching Hebrew and yiddishkeit to wonderful children who enjoy learning? Well, that s all folks. Please look for news from us in the next Oracle. Morah Linda Quality Kitchenware Is Our Passion ADVERTISE HERE Advertising available for the next issue: 1/8 page - $25 1/6 page - $30 1/4 page - $40 Contact: sandemarcus@gmail.com by August 1st, Appliances Bakeware Cookware Classes 551 Richmond (519)

6 What an amazing time was had by all at Or Shalom s 50th anniversary celebration on June 5th! We had well over 240 people attending the celebration including a number of members who came in from Toronto to be part of this wonderful event! It was a treat to see everyone. The celebration began with greetings from Mayor Matt Brown, a memorable speech from our President Terry Marcus and a spiritual message from Rabbi Clark. The concert, directed by Marque Andre Smith and Barry Tepperman, was one of the highlights of this special occasion. Many attendees seemed reluctant to leave, commenting that the event was wonderful, elegant and perfect way to celebrate this important milestone. Thanks to all those who helped make this a success!

7 Bar & Bat Mitzvah Zoe Zaifman Hello My name is Zoe Zaifman. My friends call me Zo or Boe. My hobbies include jumping on my trampoline, swimming in our family pool, listening to music and having fun with my friends.i also love playing/watching sports including hockey, snow boarding, soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis, running and gymnastics. I attended LCHDS from JK to grade 4 and on June 17,2016 I will complete my second year of studies at Matthews Hall School. With love, support and lots of giggles from my parents Irwin, Ann, my siblings Cindy, Larry, Jacob, all my aunts, uncles, cousins and friends I am looking forward to my Bat Mitzvah on June 18, FUN FACT, I am the youngest grandchild on Mom and Dad s families so my Bat Mitzvah is the last of this generation! Connor Silver-Paterson Hi my name is Connor Silver-Paterson. I m looking forward to my Bar Mitzvah on July 2, I am in the eighth grade at Aberdeen Public School. My interests include soccer, chess, and other board games. I am working with a Rabbi Berman and with Rabbi Clark on my D var Torah. My Tikun Olam project is the London Food Bank where I will go to help put the food together for the needy. Daniel Kime Hi, my name is Daniel Kime and I am celebrating my Bar Mitzvah on August 27th. I am in the 7th grade at Ryerson Public School. I attended the London Community Hebrew Day School from Kindergarten through 6th grade. I love participating in school sports such as basketball, softball, cross country and many more. My favourite subjects are Geography and Math. I love hockey and it is my favourite thing to do outside of school. This past year I was the Captain of my hockey team, the London Junior Mustangs. We went to the Ontario Championships and made it all the way to the finals. I also enjoy snowboarding, playing video games and travelling with my family. I love outtripping and canoe trips at my camp, B nai Brith Jewish Community Camp. I also love spending time with my family at our cottage. I am excited to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah with all my friends and family.

8 Contributions to our Congregational Funds DALE BIDERMAN MEMORIAL FUND Richard & Jill Kohn, honouring Mr. & Mrs. Shiner on their 50th wedding anniversary Zittrer & Cohen families, wishing Howard Spinner a refuah shlemah LILLIAN BURDEN LECTURE FUND Fran & Larry Scolnik, honouring Lawrence Burden on the marriage of his daughter Adina Fran & Larry Scolnik, honouring Janice & Fabian Gorodzinsky on the marriage of her daughter Adina CANTOR & EVA FREIMAN TRIBUTE FUND Al & Louise Levy, in memory of Jack Yashinsky NOMI FEIN CHODIRKER FUND Rachelle & Bill Chodirker, honouring Donna & Gerry Kleiman on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Jake Rachelle & Bill Chodkirker, honouring Lawrence Burden on the marriage of his daughter Adina Rachelle & Bill Chodirker, honouring Janice & Fabian Gorodzinsky on the marriage of her daughter Adina CHOIR FUND Shelley & Syd Sukerman, acknowledging Anna Pollock & family in memory of Sola Epelbaum Shelley & Syd Sukerman, honouring Henry Krichker on his 75th birthday GENERAL PURPOSE FUND Barry & Fern Tepperman, acknowledging Stella Leff & family in memory of Murray Leff Gloria & Joe Gilbert, acknowledging Stella Leff & family in memory of Murray Leff Fran & Larry Scolnik, acknowledging Howard Granville in memory of his mother Pearl Granville Fran & Larry Scolnik, honouring Ferne Kochberg on the marriage of her daughter Josh & Kay Dubitsky, acknowledging Howard Granville in memory of his mother Pearl Granville Bernice Penciner, thanking Ronnee Alter for being a wonderful friend Terry & Carol Marcus, acknowledging Stella Leff in memory of her husband Murray Leff Terry & Carol Marcus, in appreciation of Rose Klein Ellen & Jack Rosen, honouring Stewart Harris on being inducted as an Order of Canada AARON GOLDFARB MEMORIAL FUND Eric Robinson, in appreciation of Lori Goldfarb JEM Ian & Judy Silver, honouring Gerson & Sandra Safran on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Ian & Judy Silver, honouring Alan & Alice Nagus on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter JOEL MASON MEMORIAL FUND Jessica Lee, acknowledging Roz Mason in memory of Joel Mason John & Liz Mackey, acknowledging Dan Pestana & family in memory of Sara Pestana John & Liz Mackey, honouring Stephen Mason on his 50th birthday John & Liz Mackey, honouring Ayal Gisnberg & Andrea Gobbs MINYAN FUND Rabbi Clark & Eric Robinson, in appreciation to Barry & Fern Tepperman Syd & Jeanne Greenberg, honouring Lawrence Burden on the marriage of his daughter Adina Sue & John Dean, honouring Barry & Fern Tepperman on the marriage of their son Ariel RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Donald & Joey Grossman, honouring Donna & Gerry Kleiman on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Jake Donald & Joey Grossman, honouring Tammy & Rob Ashton on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Jake Donald & Joey Grossman, honouring Evan Schreier on his Bar Mitzvah John & Liz Mackey, honouring Patricia Lawrence on her conversion Shelley & Syd Sukerman, acknowledging Mr. & Mrs. Alan Ungerman & extended family in memory of Larry Ungerman Shelley & Syd Sukerman, honouring Harold Merskey on receiving an honourary degree Beryl & Noam Chernick, honouring Harold Merskey on receiving an honourary degree Rosette Rutman & family, in appreciation of Rabbi Clark MARGARITA SONSINO ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Dora & Milton Moses, honouring Rachelle & Bill Chodirker on the B nai Mitzvah of grandsons Zev & Ziv Dora & Milton Moses, acknowledging Stella Leff in memory of her husband Murray Leff Gloria & Joe Gilbert, acknowledging Dora Moses in memory of her brother Maurice Fran & Larry Scolnik, acknowledging Dora Moses in memory of her brother Maurice Dora & Milton Moses, In appreciation of Gloria Brock SPECIAL EVENTS Rabbi Catharine Clark & Eric Robinson, honouring Bill Klein on his speaking on the interfaith panel TALMUD TORAH Michael & Linda Bernstein, honouring Donna & Gerry Kleiman on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Jake Eleanor Keating, honouring Sherwin Leff on his birthday Susan Hall & Alvin Shapiro, honouring Barry & Fern Tepperman on the marriage of their son Ariel SISTERHOOD KIDDUSH FUND Syd & Jeanne Greenberg, honouring Janice & Fabian Gorodzinsky on the marriage of her daughter Adina MISC. To the Tom & Edith Valo Memorial Fund - Rosette Rutman & family, in memory of Aunt Edith Valo To the 50th Anniversary Gala - Shelley & Syd Sukerman, honouring Ellen Rosen for her work on the gala YOUTH FUND Elaine & Sherwin Leff, acknowledging Howard Granviile in memory of his mother Pearl Granville Elaine & Sherwin Leff, in appreciation to Rose Harris for the Purim basket PRESIDENT S DISCRETIONARY FUND Rabbi Catharine Clark, Eric Robinson, Naomi & Miriam, in appreciation to Terry Marcus Rabbi Catharine Clark, Eric Robinson, Naomi & Miriam, in appreciation of Irwin & Ann Zaifman Elaine & Sherwin Leff, wishing Michael Kurtz a refuah shlemah MAZEL TOV ANNOUNCEMENTS Ian Silver on celebrating his 70th birthday Lawrence Burden & Janice Gorodzinsky on the marriage of their daughter Harold Merskey on receiving an honourary degree Dora & Milton Moses on the B not Mitzvah of their twin granddaughters Alan & Alice Nagus on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Stella Leff on her daughter being voted Pharmacist of the Year from Shopper s Drug Mart Barry & Fern Tepperman on the marriage of their son Heather & Robert Kaplan on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Jill & Richard Kohn on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Danny Rich & Deb Laskin-Rich on the marriage of their son CONDOLENCES David Sverginsky on the loss of his grandmother Howard Granville on the loss of his mother The family of Edith Valo NEW MEMBERS Patricia Lawrence & Adela Gordozinksy Jacob Matz & Elyse Taylor Simon Conter & Sarah Munro