Adult Study
Books n’ Bagels
Third Annual Book Discussion Series
Sunday November 22, 2009 at 9:30 am
- My Father's Paradise: a Son's Search for his Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar
- Reviewed by Deborah Saginur, frequent reviewer and dedicated volunteer
Sunday March 21, 2010 at 9:30 am
- Joy Comes in the Morningby Jonathan Rosen
- Reviewed by Linda Rossman, Associate University Librarian, Carleton University
Sunday April 11, 2010 at 9:30 am
- The Coffee Trader by David Liss
- Reviewed by Mary Jane Maffini, author of three mystery series
This year’s series features two novels and two non-fiction books guaranteed to stimulate discussion. Everyone is invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast beginning at 9:30 am, followed by a presentation and discussion at 10:00am.
All books are available through the Ottawa Public Library. The Temple Israel Library, Malca Pass Library and Greenberg Families Library (JCC) carry some of these titles as well. Please contact Shayla Mindell with any questions or comments.
Adult Reform Kollel
Whether you carry it… 
or it carries you… 
You will have an uplifting experience with the ARK - Adult Reform Kollel
A Kollel is a gathering of adults for the serious study of Jewish sacred texts and rabbinic literature. The Adult Reform Kollel (ARK) is a component of the Temple Israel Adult Education Program. All courses are free of charge. ARK offerings for 5770 will include the following three already well-established adult–ed courses:
Torah Study
Rabbi Garten takes a look at the weekly Torah portion using commentaries as diverse as Sforno and Women of Reform Judaism’s The Torah: A Women’s Commentary; Shabbat mornings at 9 am, September to June,
Tanach
Inch by inch, line by line, become familiar with the Bible. The discussion is in English, with facilitator Shlomo Feldberg ensuring an accurate understanding of the original Hebrew. Wednesday evenings at 7:30, year round.
Talmud Study
Rabbi Garten leads us through a reading of the Talmud that makes us feel as if we were sitting around the table with the Rabbis whose discussions we are studying. Key concepts and terms are reviewed on a regular basis. Wednesdays at noon, September through June.
“Information on new courses in the ARK will be publicized during the High Holiday season. To learn more about studying in the ARK, please contact ark@templeisraelottawa.ca.
Music Matters September 2009
Barbara Okun
Cantorial Soloist
Learning and Music
Our congregation demonstrates its love of learning in many ways throughout the year. Congregants attend study with the Rabbi on Wednesdays and Shabbat mornings, study with each other, and attend lectures and presentations whose purpose is to enlighten, deepen our understanding, and help us to become our better selves. Jewish learning is not only intellectual, but also focuses on changing one’s nature. The saying ‘we are what we eat’ perhaps could be expanded to include what we learn as well!
There are times when we also learn incidentally, especially when it comes to the music in services. All of us love the familiar melodies that evoke warm memories. At the same time, expanding our collective repertoire helps us to appreciate the rich and varied music in our heritage.
Since January, congregants have heard new music introduced at Shabbat Morning services and also during the Chagim. Some of the melodies really are new, such as the new R’tzei which my friend, Sarah Joelson, composed at my request. The other new R’tzei, commissioned from Bryan Bessner, continues to be sung in its choral arrangement for Chagim. There have also been new/different melodies for Mi Chamocha, Psalm 150 (Hallelujah) and most recently, a Chabad version of Mah Tovu.
I hope that you will join me, and all the Ba’lei T’filah, in the effort to learn new music that will enrich our prayer experience.
Ba’alei T’filah - This dedicated group continues to provide musical leadership throughout the year. Some sing in the Temple Choir, others also demonstrate their versatility and skill in leading the service when the Rabbi is away, and chanting Torah. We welcome Serena Williamson, who has already led the singing at a service over the summer, and hope that others who have expressed an interest will become active in the coming year.
Torah Trope/Cantillation Class – Please contact me if you would like to learn Torah trope and chant a Torah portion. The class will meet once a week, and the material can be covered in about 8 classes. ‘Graduates’ will chant a Torah portion later in the year. A minimum of 4 people is needed and there is no fee for the class. For details see Wednesdays in the Program Calendar.
Shabbat Shirah – At the end of January, 2010, there will once again be an evening of Jewish music with the involvement of Temple youth. Some people have already been contacted about participating. If you are interested in preparing a vocal or instrumental piece that has a Jewish connection, please contact me.
