Introduction to Chanting Torah 2020

New course starts January 7, 2020 — Have you ever thought of learning to chant from the Torah?  Perhaps you have a family event, or the anniversary of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah approaching?  Or, you know how to read from the siddur and follow the prayers on Shabbat, but want to deepen your Jewish practice? If so, this course may be for you!
This beginner course unlocks many of the mysteries surrounding chanting or leyning Torah. It presents both the theoretical foundation plus practical hands-on sessions designed to learn the musical notes (“trop”) essential to singing from our holy book. The course is designed for beginners – or those who’d like a refresher – and who have a basic level of fluency in reading Hebrew and musicality.

Date:  Tuesdays January 7 – May 19, 2020
Time:  7:00 – 8:30 pm
Sessions:  15
Location:  Congregation Emanu-El, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria
Cost:  $118 synagogue members; $149  non-members
Prerequisite:   Hebrew Literacy 1 and 2, or equivalent
Resource (extra):  KINNOR Trope Trainer
http://www.kinnor.com/product-trope-trainer.html
Teacher:  Aaron Severs
For questions or more information:  please email Aaron at seversa@gmail.com or phone him at 250-475-0686.

Celebrating Laurel: help sponsor a Torah scroll

As Simhat Torah approaches, let us remember one of the beloved members of our kehillah who passed away this last year. Laurel Nahshon z”l was a pillar of our community.  She was gracious, empathic, encouraging, passionate and had “Devekut” (clinging to Hashem).   And, she left us far too soon.

By her words and actions, Laurel touched multiple generations among us.  She taught our children for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs for about 15 years. Laurel capably organized shemirah coverage when someone passed away. Call-outs for holiday minyanim were done by her. So, too, was the role of outreach coordinator – be it a warm meal, telephone call, or visit to someone who was elderly or sick.

Who can forget an invitation to Friday night dinner at her and Gidi’s home?  This gift virtually guaranteed an evening of laughter, zemirot, and delicious home-cooked meals.  Laurel embodied being an Eshet Chayil (woman of valour).  To celebrate her memory, our goal is to sponsor a “Sefer Torah” (Torah scroll) for her.  It will be a small, 150+ year old scroll in our Holy Ark. This is the companion scroll to the Torah scroll previously dedicated in memory of her bashert, Gidi z”l.

Please join us in this heartfelt endeavour.  You can donate to the Torah Fund in Laurel’s memory by calling the synagogue office directly. Monies raised – $10,000 is needed in all – will go towards the Torah Fund at Emanu-El. Thank you in advance for your generosity!  May Laurel’s memory be for a blessing. Rabbi Harry & Members of the Religious Services Committee

Sofer Dov Berger dedicates talk to Laurel Nahshon z”l

This past Wednesday sofer Dov Berger, who dedicated his talk to the memory of Laurel Nahshon z”l, captivated the audience with the Sacred Craft of the Sofer. He explained the technical, educational and ethical aspects of the profession. He provided samples of the materials used by a sofer and examples of the problems encountered in the work. He concluded his talk in a ‘gather round an Emanu-El Torah scroll’ show & tell/Q&A wrap-up which the attendees enjoyed immensely.
For more photos by Penny Tennenhouse & Frances Rosenberg…

Judaism, Animals & the Environment

Thursday, October 18 at 7:30 pm — Congregation Emanu-El will project the live stream from Judaism, Animals & the Environment in which Jewish Veg Executive Director Jeffrey Cohan will lead an interactive program and discussion about what our Torah and rabbinic tradition have to say about animals and the environment, and its relevancy for our modern lives and imperiled planet. Read more…

Please come by 7:15 pm so we can get settled as the video starts promptly at 7:30 pm. Enter through the Social Hall doors as there is another group meeting in the Sanctuary. Admission by donation.

Introduction to Torah 2018

Have you ever thought of learning to chant from the Torah?  Perhaps you have a family event, or the anniversary of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah approaching?  Or, you know how to read from the siddur and follow the prayers on Shabbat, but want to deepen your Jewish practice?   If so, this course may be for you!

Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Learning with our scholars

Saturday
– May 23, 2015, 8:30 pm

We are blessed to live in a Jewish community with several members who teach at the university or college level.  Many others have deep resources of Torah and Jewish learning too.  On Shavuot we honour the moment where we all collectively stood at Mt. Sinai to receive Torah.  During the Tikkun Leil night-long session, we will examine the diverse ways in which we relate to the concepts of Torah in its broadest sense, and to the Jewish content infused in our daily lives.

Please join us for a unique experience of creative learning from the scholars in our midst and from one another.  We will share and receive Torah anew.  There will be God wrestling, discovery and exploration. To keep us going through the night, feel free to enjoy the fabulous dairy desserts, coffee and other snacks on hand.  The Tikkun Leil will wrap up with a morning Shaharit service at about 5:00 am. This special nightlong event takes place, but once per year.  It will be held in the sanctuary of Emanu-El.  Stay for as little or as long as you’d like. To give a teaching or for more information, please email Rabbi Harry or Aaron Severs.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Introduction to Torah – 5775

Learning to Chant from our Holy Book

New course starts January 12^th

Have you ever thought of learning to chant from the Torah?  Perhaps you have a family event, or the anniversary of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah approaching?  Or, you know how to read from the siddur and follow the prayers on Shabbat,  but want to deepen your Jewish practice?    If so, this course may be for you!

The beginner course unlocks many of the mysteries surrounding chanting or “leyning” Torah.  It presents both the theoretical foundation plus practical hands-on sessions designed to learn the musical notes (“trop”) essential to singing from our holy book.  The course is designed for beginners – or those who’d like a refresher – and who have a basic level of fluency in reading Hebrew and musicality.

• Date:  Mondays January 12 – May 11, 2015
• Time:  7:00 – 8:30 pm
• Sessions:  15
• Location:  Social Hall, Fisher Educational Centre, Congregation Emanu-El
• Cost:  $118  synagogue members; $149   non-members
• Prerequisite:   Hebrew Literacy l and ll
• Resource (extra):  Chanting the Hebrew Bible (Student Edition) by Joshua R. Jacobson
• Teacher:  Aaron Severs

For questions or more information:  please email Aaron or phone him at 250-475-0686

Torah Scroll Dedication

June 7,  Shabbat Beha’alotkha

Miriam Fisher z”l, bequeathed to our congregation a Torah scroll in memory of Al & Sylvia Fisher.   Please join the Fisher family and the rest of our congregation as we officially welcome this stunning Torah Scroll into our synagogue.

Course: Introduction to Torah (note new dates!)

In October 2013, we welcomed home our two heritage Torah scrolls in an inspiring ceremony. For 2014, how about taking the next step and making it personal. That is, have you ever thought of learning to chant from our holy book? If so, this course may be for you!

The beginner course unlocks many of the mysteries surrounding chanting or “leyning” Torah. It presents both the theoretical foundation, plus practical hands-on sessions designed to learn the musical notes (“trop”) essential to singing from the Torah.

The course is designed for beginners – or those who’d like a refresher – and who have a basic level of fluency in reading Hebrew.

New Dates:  Mondays, January 27 – June 2, 2014

• Time:  7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
• Sessions:  15
• Location:  Social Hall, Fisher Educational Centre, Congregation Emanu-El
• Cost:   $99  synagogue members
• $118 non-members

Resource (extra):  Chanting the Hebrew Bible (Student Edition) by Joshua R. Jacobson

Teacher:  Aaron Severs

For questions or more information:  please email Aaron, or tel. 250-475-0686.