Category: General

OJC hosted its first Adult Education/Conversion class on Tuesday, September 15th. Over 20 students attended the ZOOM event, whether it was for conversion purposes or for Adult Jewish Education. The timely topic of the evening was “Rosh Hashana”, led by Rabbi Alan Bright from Montreal. This was a very informative class for all who attended. Next class is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30 on ZOOM platform. Those wishing to attend the Adult education classes need to register formally in order to receive the ZOOM invite. Registration is best accomplished on the home page of the website, on the right column entitled “events”, and then push on the link to Adult Education for registration and payment.

OJC was delighted to have welcomed back Rabbis Orenstein and Gilbert to lead a “Soulful Shabbat” Saturday morning service on August 29th on ZOOM platform. The service was interactive, meaningful and innovative! It originated in the synagogue in Quebec City! Thank-you for all our local OJC participants and the two congregants who participated from Quebec City and Vancouver. Great event!

OJC’s sponsored a Meet and Greet on Tuesday, August 25th, where our 11 conversion students were able to meet each other and in particular out three clergymen running the program. We thank Rabbi Alan Bright of Montreal, Rabbi Jeremy Parnes of Regina and Cantor Russell Jayne from Calgary for leading our classes. Congratulations to the students for their commitment to the process and to OJC!

OJC was delighted to have back Rabbi Schachar Orenstein and Rabbi Sherril Gilbert to lead our virtual Shabbat morning service on Saturday, July 11th. The service was an inspiration to the 40-50 members and friends who were able to join us on line. Great teaching and great thought-provoking sermon. Thanks from all of us at OJC to the two Rabbis.

OJC was honoured to host the Bar Mitzvah of Alias Mullin on Saturday, June 13th. Witnessed by over 50 virtual guests, many from afar, Israel, US, Costa Rica, Eastern and Western Canada, Alias did a great job in chanting his Parsha of the week, and in particular with his Dvar Torah linking together the reading with current social issues affecting us all. Mazel tov to Alias and family on this great accomplishment.

OJC was pleased to host Guest Rabbi Dara Lithwick from Ottawa, who led our Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday evening, May 22nd. The virtual on-line service was attended by 38 computers, likely carrying the service to approximately 70 members and friends. Thanks to Rabbi Dara for adding in an adult educational session and for her sermon. Truly appreciated. Stay tuned for further virtual services and an upcoming bar mitzvah in June.

Due to the current public health situation, OJC has switched to virtual online services. We have had a total of about 8 services, 1 Passover Seder, 1 Bar Mitzvah, and 1 guest rabbi for a Friday night service. Please come out and enjoy our services on line. Links are posted regularly on our twice weekly emailing.

Join us in congratulating David Blitz and family on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah celebrated May 16th at OJC’s virtual Shabbat service. The event was attended by 85 computers (about 150 guests) online from around Canada and around the world. Mazel tov to David on a great job!

OJC hosted its first (and hopefully last) Passover Seder by ZOOM videoconferencing on April 8. At least 35 families participated in the event – for a total of more than 100 individuals! It was a lovely presentation not only incorporating the traditional passages from the Haggadah but also including 5 video-songs, ranging from the funky Macabeets to a Sephardic version of Had Gadya.

Glad to see that so many were able to join us.

Thanks to Evan Orloff for leading the Seder from the Haggadah and to Steven Finkleman for organizing the technical aspects.

NEXT YEAR AT THE HARVEST!

Please keep safe and strong. Keep OJC active by participating in upcoming ZOOM virtual events!

Ari and Lucie Anderson were the first prize winners for the Costume Contest at this year’s Purim Party. Attended by about 30, this fun event included reading from our ancient Scroll of Esther, reading from a children’s scroll accompanied by a boisterous, gragger-laden audience, costume parade, Jewish trivia quiz, Israeli dancing and plenty of food, especially Hamantashen. A special thanks to Maureen Mansoor for organizing this great, and very fun, event!!!