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!!!
Two members of the OJC Community were able to attend Limmud Vancouver. What a great opportunity for learning! My favourite classes included Sephardic Tradition, the Portuguese in Amsterdam, Tales of Israel in the formative years, Many Faces of Jewish Music, Songs that Nona Taught me, and Researching a Holocaust legacy. So many topics in culture, music, history, bible study………….. and so many people to meet.
Thank-you to Rena Marquez for walking on the “Coldest night of the year” – February 22 – to raise over $200 for the homeless of Kelowna. Rena was accompanied and met by other members of OJC to support her for this valuable fundraiser for the needy. Kol hakavod to Rena for her efforts.
OJC was one of 5 Kelowna Sacred Spaces to open its door to the public on Saturday, February 22nd. Sponsored by Kelowna Community Resources, a bus load of members of the public were toured by OJC members around 4 different stations: Sanctuary, Torah, Holidays and Shabbat in order to familiarize the public with our traditions and culture. Thanks to Steve Kushmier, Steven Finkleman, Evan Orloff, David Spevakow and Barb Finkleman for their help welcoming the public.
About 30 members and friends joined together at OJC to celebrate our Annual Tu B’Shvat seder. A fun event, consisting of readings, poems, songs and videos concerning the “New Year of Trees” along with all the special foods (the seven species) were included in the afternoon seder. Thanks to all who attended and especially to Barb Finkleman who created a Challah and several pastries/desserts utilizing the 7 species mentioned in the Torah.
Kudos to the OJC for manning their food booth and for dancing on stage as part of the Annual “Taste of Home” Event, where various ethnic groups promote their diversity to the Kelowna community. Great exposure for OJC. Thanks to our volunteers at our booth, Seymour, Rena, Evan, Shelly and especially to Barb for baking 31 dozen cheese knishes. Thanks to our members for coming out and supporting OJC.
What a nice way to spend a snowy, January Sunday morning by having a Shakshuka Israeli breakfast. Around 30 members and friends attended the event. Great food and great company. The breakfast consisted on Israeli Shakshuka, fresh French bread, hummus, Baba Ganouj, olives, desserts and lots of coffee. Special thanks to Ofri and Maureen Mansoor for organizing the event!