Our new Administrator Susan Holtz introduces herself

I am very happy to be joining the synagogue staff and continue to be grateful that my relationship with this community changes and strengthens. I’ve lived in Victoria for almost thirty years and completed my BA and MA in English at UVic. My interest in theatre follows a background in dance and I’ve been Bēma’s Stage Manager for three years. The move to an administrative role in the arts, together with my experience running my own gardening business, makes this step into the position of an Administrator at the synagogue a natural one.

Many thanks to those who have offered encouragement and good wishes. I’m deeply grateful to this community and treasure the relationships I’ve formed here. I’m very happy to have this opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Emanu-El’s well-being and look forward to meeting those I haven’t yet met.

The Mahler Project

June 1, 2 & 9, 2019, Wood Hall, Victoria Conservatory of Music — Your newsletter online design editor and “diva wanna be”, Frances Rosenberg, is completing an intensive song performance project for singers aged 30+ on the works of Gustav Mahler and Alma Mahler. Please consider attending the final concerts for this project. Program includes Gustav Mahler – Songs of a Wayfarer, Rückert lieder, Songs & Airs from Youth including Songs from Des Knaben Wonderhorn; Alma Mahler – 5 Songs. Admission by Donation.
For more information…

Love Your Neighbour Benefit Concert

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm), Congregation Emanu-El, 1461 Blanshard St. — Enjoy the high energy klezmer band “The Klezbians”, Canada’s first ordained Maggidah (female Jewish storyteller) Shoshana Litman accompanied by Joe Hatherill, and tasty traditional treats. Help Avodah Social Action Group raise funds in support of its work of tikkun olam – “repair of the world”

Tickets $20. May be purchased online at www.eventbrite.ca,  reserved by phone at (250) 896-8069 or take your chances at the door.

 

2019-2020 Jewish Calendar Diaries

The new 2019-2020 (5780) Jewish Calendar Diary will be available to anyone who would like to buy them for $12.  The new diary features Shabbat & holiday listings, candle lighting times and prayers & berakhot.

Please place your order with Barbara Walker at 250-592-2201 or email her at walked@pacificcoast.net.

Stanger-Ross Family Sponsors Kiddush

Saturday, June 1, 2019 —Ilana, Jordan, Eva, Tillie and Avi Stanger-Ross invite the Congregation to a Kiddush following services on Saturday, June 1.

 

Tikkun Leil Shavuot 2019

Saturday June 8 at 7:30 pm in Congregation Emanu-El Sanctuary — See below for program

• Trans Mountain Pipeline
• SNC-Lavalin Affair
• Anti-Muslim and Anti-Refugee Attacks
• Youth for Climate Action

In each of the above situations, individuals or groups of people have spoken out and taken action, at times in defiance of government, large corporations, or simply the status quo. Individuals spoke up in the face of silence, bullying, hatred and greed. The people’s courage, vulnerability, and being true to themselves may have been critiqued by others.

On June 8, please join us for a lively and illuminating evening of study in honour of the revelation of Torah at Mount Sinai. The hope is to explore from a Jewish lens what it means to be an agent of positive change challenging the established order to bring more shalom, more justice, and more holiness to our world. We are privileged to have with us a stellar line-up of educators who will share their truths and insights about how Torah intersects and remains timeless and relevant in our modern world. May the truth and power of this special evening move you!!

• Rabbi Harry Brechner Faith in Action, Personal Growth and Integrity, Social Justice as a form of Practice
• Andrew Gow  Race, Religion and Ethnicity in the Face of Right Wing Populism; How Jews, Moslems, and People of Colour can Counter the Far Right in North America and Europe
•  Julia Herzog The Power and Place of Personal and Family Narratives in our Inner World
• Francis Landy  Reflections on my recent trip to Israel with the New Israel Fund; In search of hope and shalom
• Frances Rosenberg “The wave of the great stream of life swallows the voices of those without property and power – without echo.” Remembering Hedwig Dohm (1831–1919) on the centenary of her death
• Devorah Stone An Artist’s Show and Tell
• Rabbi Louis Sutker A Mystical Interlude
• Michael Tripp  Inter/Intra Generational Equity, Insights from 50 Years on the Front Line

Refreshments aka coffee, snacks and of course, delicious cheesecake will be served. All are very welcome!

Eco-Veggie Potluck Dinner & Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service

May 31, 2019:  5:45 pm – Doors Open; 6:00 pm – Shabbat Dinner; 7:00 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat Service — Bring a vegetarian or dairy dish to our potluck dinner along with your own dishes & utensils for dining (that’s the “eco” part!). We’ll supply the ḥallah and wine for kiddush. The dinners are a great way to get to know each other and all are welcome. Please RSVP for the dinner at info@congregationemanuel.ca.

Services will begin promptly at 7 pm, following dinner – it’s OK to come just for services if you can’t make it to the dinner. Kabbalat Shabbat is a spirited and joyful service with singing and storytelling lead by Rabbi Harry and the Shul’s very own KabbaShabba band!  Services will conclude at 7:45 pm with a tasty oneg dessert.  Fun and meaningful for both kids and adults.