Category: General

What an exciting opportunity to have a personal, live, online tour of Israel’s newly renovated Museum of the Diaspora – now called the ANU museum. Our host, Yael Rosen, of the education division led us around the museum on a virtual tour, with us being able to interact live with questions and comments. The tour took place live from Tel Aviv (7pm), and was available to our members at 10:00 am on Sunday, March 21st. Thank-you to those who attended and appreciated this opportunity. The wonders of technology – what will be next.

Thank-you to Dr. David Meola of UBC(O) for his interesting lecture given to OJC on the topic of “Emancipation and Reformation in Germany in the early 1800’s.” Dr. Meola is currently a visiting professor in the Department of Language and World Literatures at UBC(O). His lecture was an example of academic research at a university level in the area of Judaic Studies. This was certainly a “first” for OJC, and particularly exciting since it involved local UBC(O) input.

Thank-you to Barb Pullan for leading OJC in its Tu B’Shvat Seder on Friday evening, January 29th. What a fantastic presentation! Four glasses of wine, snacks, songs, great fellowship, and a good night’s sleep to follow. We had great attendance with 27 computers, both far and near. Honoured to welcome friends and members from Vancouver, Osoyoos, Chicago and Vernon!

We all thoroughly enjoyed the Shabbat morning service on January 23rd, led from Montreal on ZOOM. How fortunate to have had Rabbis Orenstein and Gilbert, along with musician Fran Avni, delight us by putting the Shacharit service into a contemporary mode, with thoughts and music for the week. Thanks to all who attended and to our 3 guests from out East.

What a wonderful Saturday night out. Lively entertainment, great company, coffee, tea and wine. This was a great event that OJC is sure to repeat in the future. Thank-you to all who submitted a great selection of video-songs of a variety of styles. Special thanks to Laura McPheeters for MC’ing the evening and to David Spevakow, alias “the tech nerd” for figuring out how to best share these selections on your screens.

What a great week we had together, lighting the Hanukkah candles as a community on ZOOM! First time we have ever done this, and to boot, each evening the lighting was hosted by a Rabbi that has contributed significantly to OJC’s development over the years. Thanks to David Spevakow for arranging the week of lightings and to all the Rabbis and community members and friends who participated. The week culminated with the full menorah being lit on a cross-Canada event of Israeli entertainment brought to the Canadian small Jewish communities by Canadian Zionist federation. Kol ha’Kavod to all who made it possible!

Conversion/Adult Education classes are continuing on a regular basis every Tuesday night at 6:30 on ZOOM. We are now in our 5th week of a 30 lesson curriculum. Approximately 20 persons are attending the class on a regular basis. Thank-you to Rabbis Bright, Parnes and Cantor Jayne for contributing to the teaching.

OJC members were finally able to get together outside in a COVID-safe environment for a Historical Tour of our “Gates of Peace” cemetery. Over 20 persons braved the unseasonably cold weather to hear Barb Pullan’s presentation including the history of our Community and highlighting several members who are at rest in our Cemetery. Thanks to Barb Pullan for the excellent job and to the members and friends who participated.

We all appreciated seeing the lulav being shaken at our Shabbat/Succot service on Saturday, October 10th. Thanks to Rabbi Orenstein for again leading an inspirational service and especially his guest, Fran Avni, for her musical accompaniment. Looking forward to our next visit together.

How fortunate we are to have Evan Orloff in our Community to lead our High Holiday services for 5781. No easy task, yet done so well, with organization, singing and relevant comments. Services were held on the ZOOM platform and were very well attended – very similar numbers as previous in-person services. Thank-you to Evan and to all who attended and enjoyed the services. Have a Happy and Healthy 5781!