09yearend

RABBINIC DIRECTOR'S 2009 YEAR END REPORT

Dear Friends of Jewish Renewal,
Reb Zalman teaches that we are passing through a Paradigm Shift as humanity learns to absorb the implications of space travel, instantaneous world-wide communication, and the strain on the planet’s resources created by the technologies and consumption patterns of growing material abundance and population. This past year has witnessed the difficulties in shifting paradigm, as we search for the humane and ethical ways to exit the economic downturn.
These difficulties have also affected ALEPH and ALEPH Canada. As most of you know by now, attendance at Kallah was significantly lower than it has been in over a decade due to the economic situation. In addition, some of our larger donors have had to reduce their gifts. It has been, and still is, a challenge to make ends meet and keep our program healthy. It is a tribute to ALEPH Executive Director Deb Kolodny and our Kallah director Sally Plone that the Kallah actually managed to contribute to our operating expenses and so far our program continues to grow.
We Canadians are playing an important role in keeping ALEPH healthy and a creative influence in our paradigm shifting. We more than doubled our giving this past year. The ALEPH Bet Midrash added two new educational programs which have met with wonderful responses. We’ve added the first stage in the development of a new kind of machzor / High Holyday prayerbook, and we have begun helping new programs develop in three parts of our country.
As we light our Hanukkah candles, take a moment to review this letter and the extended descriptions on our website. Take pride in the role we are playing in strengthening and growing Jewish Renewal. And please, if you are not already, please consider becoming a chai/month donor.
With prayers that our new year be one of hope, of progress in redirecting our world toward peace and environmental responsibility, and one of joy and fulfillment for each of you.
Rabbi Daniel Siegel

ALEPH SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN A LETTER FROM DR. MELVIN PASTERNACK (OF CALGARY); VICE CHAIR OF THE ALEPH BOARD	ALEPH CANADA IN CANADA	ALEPH CANADA & THE ALEPH BET MIDRASH
Psalm 92 says "Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart." May this Chanukah be one where you feel the fullness of light and know great joy in your heart. I want to tell you from close up that it was largely through Deb Kolodny's inspired effort that ALEPH resolved a very serious financial crisis last summer. You heard from her in October about how she and the ALEPH Board partnered to bring ALEPH back to sound financial ground. For now. But what about the future? Let me tell you about a vision of mine. In this vision, emergency appeals were a thing of the past. The Jewish Renewal movement had achieved permanent financial sustainability, liberated from the economic ups and downs that can thwart its mission and the success of its signature retreats – Kallah and Ru'ach Ha'Aretz. How, you ask? Simple. There are nearly 4,000 members on the ALEPH member list. Without being noodged or nagged – entreated or exhorted – 2,000 ALEPH members realized that if they donated CHAI per month ($18) or $216 a year, ALEPH would raise $432,000! Every year. These Chai Donors or "ChaiNiks," had created financial sustainability! Won't you join me now in making this dream a reality? You can personally assure that ALEPH survives and thrives with just this one act! Don't assume others will do it! We are counting on you! I would not ask you to do anything that I am not already doing myself. All ALEPH Board members give or raise $1,000 per year. A few have joined with other lamed vavniks and give $5,000 or more a year.	•ALEPH has been recognized as a religious body under the marriage act in Newfoundland and Labrador, thus allowing our own ALEPH board member and Rabbinic Pastor Sherril Gilbert to officiate at weddings in that province. In addition, Jewish clergy wishing to obtain a temporary license in that province will have to be approved by ALEPH. •ALEPH Canada continues to be the sponsor of the Jewish section of the interfaith chaplaincy at the University of Calgary. The board recently approved a small, one time contribution to the chaplaincy to assist in its programming and to signal our encouragement to the local Jewish community to fully support this worthwhile project. •The fourth "Hassidic Rebbes Come to Hornby Island" retreat was a success. About seventeen people gathered in late August to study a Hassidic text on the ten sefirot in mind and body and to apply our learning to preparation for the High Holydays.	ALEPH launched a MECHINAH / PREPARATORY program of study for those who •have initiated a serious inquiry into an ALEPH Ordination Program; •might be thinking of initiating a serious inquiry into an ALEPH Ordination Program; and/or •are looking for a higher level of the study of Torah Lishma, Torah for its own sake. Three courses have already met out of a total of seven to be offered on a two year cycle. For a full description of the program, please click here. ALEPH launched a program in Continuing Education for Klei Kodesh, the Holy Vessels who are the rabbis, rabbinic pastors, cantors, and others serving spiritual needs. The first course, taught by San Francisco Bay Area psychotherapist and Jewish teacher Estelle Frankel was called "The Wisdom of Not Knowing." Fourteen students participated in this pilot course. ALEPH began the Machzor Kol Koreh project, a new kind of High Holyday prayerbook. A full description of this project and how to participate can be found on the digital downloads page of this website.
Today I am inviting a paradigm shift from you in support of the paradigm shift in the Judaism you care so deeply about! Be the first person to make this Chai Partner campaign a success and bring us one person closer to our goal of 2000 Chai Donors. Ensure that the Kallah and Ruach HaAretz continue to be there for you and that amazing rabbis, cantors and rabbinic pastors continue to be trained and ordained. Rest easy knowing that world-class consultation services continue to be provided to community leaders, so Jewish Renewal communities continue to grow and thrive and the media continues to cover Jewish Renewal. Breathe into the remarkable truth that Jewish Renewal is represented at national Jewish events and decision-making tables and will continue to be there because of you! Remember, I am not asking for your life savings. I am asking you to become a Chai Donor, giving $18 a month to ALEPH. Eighteen dollars? The cost of a few lattes? Please join me in ensuring that ALEPH is here for our children and grandchildren. Click on the link below and leave a healthy Jewish Renewal movement as part of YOUR personal legacy! THANK YOU! To donate, click on this link and then follow the simple steps: CanadaHelps.	"I wanted to write you and Hanna to thank you deeply for the weekend in your home and the prayer and teachings.…The teaching was timely. And appreciated!" "Been meaning to write since the retreat. To say thank you. I really enjoyed it.…I felt I learned and for a while I was thinking of Netzah and Hod – concepts I had not related to before. And helped by Hanna's body work…which is grounding."	ALEPH Canada Home Page

ALEPH SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN A LETTER FROM DR. MELVIN PASTERNACK (OF CALGARY); VICE CHAIR OF THE ALEPH BOARD

ALEPH CANADA IN CANADA

ALEPH CANADA & THE ALEPH BET MIDRASH

Psalm 92 says "Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart." May this Chanukah be one where you feel the fullness of light and know great joy in your heart.

I want to tell you from close up that it was largely through Deb Kolodny's inspired effort that ALEPH resolved a very serious financial crisis last summer. You heard from her in October about how she and the ALEPH Board partnered to bring ALEPH back to sound financial ground.

For now.

But what about the future?

Let me tell you about a vision of mine. In this vision, emergency appeals were a thing of the past. The Jewish Renewal movement had achieved permanent financial sustainability, liberated from the economic ups and downs that can thwart its mission and the success of its signature retreats – Kallah and Ru'ach Ha'Aretz.

How, you ask? Simple. There are nearly 4,000 members on the ALEPH member list. Without being noodged or nagged – entreated or exhorted – 2,000 ALEPH members realized that if they donated CHAI per month ($18) or $216 a year, ALEPH would raise $432,000! Every year.

These Chai Donors or "ChaiNiks," had created financial sustainability!

Won't you join me now in making this dream a reality? You can personally assure that ALEPH survives and thrives with just this one act! Don't assume others will do it! We are counting on you!

I would not ask you to do anything that I am not already doing myself. All ALEPH Board members give or raise $1,000 per year. A few have joined with other lamed vavniks and give $5,000 or more a year.

•ALEPH has been recognized as a religious body under the marriage act in Newfoundland and Labrador, thus allowing our own ALEPH board member and Rabbinic Pastor Sherril Gilbert to officiate at weddings in that province. In addition, Jewish clergy wishing to obtain a temporary license in that province will have to be approved by ALEPH.

•ALEPH Canada continues to be the sponsor of the Jewish section of the interfaith chaplaincy at the University of Calgary. The board recently approved a small, one time contribution to the chaplaincy to assist in its programming and to signal our encouragement to the local Jewish community to fully support this worthwhile project.

•The fourth "Hassidic Rebbes Come to Hornby Island" retreat was a success. About seventeen people gathered in late August to study a Hassidic text on the ten sefirot in mind and body and to apply our learning to preparation for the High Holydays.

ALEPH launched a MECHINAH / PREPARATORY program of study for those who

•have initiated a serious inquiry into an ALEPH Ordination Program;
•might be thinking of initiating a serious inquiry into an ALEPH Ordination Program; and/or
•are looking for a higher level of the study of Torah Lishma, Torah for its own sake.

Three courses have already met out of a total of seven to be offered on a two year cycle. For a full description of the program, please click here.

ALEPH launched a program in Continuing Education for Klei Kodesh, the Holy Vessels who are the rabbis, rabbinic pastors, cantors, and others serving spiritual needs.

The first course, taught by San Francisco Bay Area psychotherapist and Jewish teacher Estelle Frankel was called "The Wisdom of Not Knowing." Fourteen students participated in this pilot course.

ALEPH began the Machzor Kol Koreh project, a new kind of High Holyday prayerbook. A full description of this project and how to participate can be found on the digital downloads page of this website.

Today I am inviting a paradigm shift from you in support of the paradigm shift in the Judaism you care so deeply about! Be the first person to make this Chai Partner campaign a success and bring us one person closer to our goal of 2000 Chai Donors.

Ensure that the Kallah and Ruach HaAretz continue to be there for you and that amazing rabbis, cantors and rabbinic pastors continue to be trained and ordained. Rest easy knowing that world-class consultation services continue to be provided to community leaders, so Jewish Renewal communities continue to grow and thrive and the media continues to cover Jewish Renewal. Breathe into the remarkable truth that Jewish Renewal is represented at national Jewish events and decision-making tables and will continue to be there because of you!

Remember, I am not asking for your life savings. I am asking you to become a Chai Donor, giving $18 a month to ALEPH.

Eighteen dollars? The cost of a few lattes?

Please join me in ensuring that ALEPH is here for our children and grandchildren. Click on the link below and leave a healthy Jewish Renewal movement as part of YOUR personal legacy!

THANK YOU!

To donate, click on this link and then follow the simple steps: CanadaHelps.

"I wanted to write you and Hanna to thank you deeply for the weekend in your home and the prayer and teachings.…The teaching was timely. And appreciated!"

"Been meaning to write since the retreat. To say thank you. I really enjoyed it.…I felt I learned and for a while I was thinking of Netzah and Hod – concepts I had not related to before. And helped by Hanna's body work…which is grounding."

ALEPH Canada Home Page