10June

RABBINIC DIRECTOR'S REPORT: June 2010

Dear Friends of Jewish Renewal,

As we move into our precious Canadian summer and I prepare to leave for a week of teaching and sharing with our wonderful ordination students, I wanted to let you know about important changes to ALEPH Canada as we move toward greater maturity and clearer focus.

First, I want to thank our board members for their involvement and caring. Moving from West to East, Rabbi Louis Sutker in Victoria, Jan Fishman and Susan Shamash in Vancouver, Betsy Jameson in Calgrary, Rabbi Neal Rose in Winnipeg, Rabbinical Student Anna Maranta in Ottawa, and Shifrah-Leah (Sherril) Gilbert in Paradise all give generously of their time and wisdom in helping us to chart a way for our part of Jewish Renewal.

Second, I again want to encourage you to read Melvin Pasternak's letter about becoming a chai/month donor to ALEPH. This is an investment in ALEPH's infrastructure and, especially in Canada, in its many educational programs. Response has been gratifying to date and it would be wonderful if a few more of you would commit to this easy and painless way of giving to ALEPH and helping further the work of Jewish Renewal, both in Canada and world-wide.

Third, I want to remind you of the High Holyday retreat on Hornby Island, where I live. We already have a few paid registrants as well as expressions of interest. Please feel free to drop me a note saying that you want to come, even if you're not prepared to pay quite yet. We have a firm deadline of 19 August for registrations.

Finally, last month I mentioned that some changes were in the works and they are now moving toward formal approval. The board of ALEPH Canada has approved a simple budget for next year, which includes a predictable salary for me, split between administration (20%) and program (80%). We have agreed to adopt the Jewish year for budgeting purposes. And, our sponsorship of the Bet Midrash is now moving into a new partnership with the ALEPH Ordination Programs, in which I serve as the Associate Dean.

I pray that the summer goes well for us all and that we all receive a respite from our difficulties. May those trying to stop the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico succeed, may the war in which we are involved begin to come to a peaceful resolution, and may we learn to be happy with what we have.

Rabbi Daniel Siegel

ALEPH SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN A LETTER FROM DR. MELVIN PASTERNACK (OF CALGARY); VICE CHAIR OF THE ALEPH BOARD	ALEPH CANADA IN CANADA ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR RETREAT	ALEPH CANADA: THE ALEPH BET MIDRASH ALEPH ORDINATION PROGRAMS
Psalm 92 says "Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in 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. If, 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. 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.	Wednesday-Sunday 8-12 September 2010 Friday-Sunday 17-19 September 2010 Hornby Island, BC Led by Rabbi Daniel Siegel and Noam Dolgin Join us for an intimate High Holyday experience as we combine traditional liturgy, creativity, and study to create a unique connection among the deep meaning of these special days, our people’s traditions, and our contemporary commitment to a Judaism which embodies the universal as well as the particular. Beginning with a Rosh HaShanah dinner, we will meet to share in the familiar sounds and form of the evening service. The next day, we will davven together with an emphasis on adjusting the order of the service to focus on the major themes of Rosh HaShanah, the blowing of the shofar and the three unique sections of the Musaf (additional) service, usually recited so late in the morning that many of us have already left for home. The second day of Rosh HaShanah will, G!d willing, be spent outdoors, as we take the beautiful Helliwell Part walk, stopping for prayer, for the shofar to sound, for a picnic lunch, and tashlich. On Yom Kippur, we will again begin with a shared meal, followed by a traditional Kol Nidre service. During the day, we will once again structure the service so that it guides through the process which brings us to the Holy of Holies and the feeling of having been forgiven by a loving and compassionate universe and its Creator. There will be opportunities for study, for outdoor mikveh, hikes, and bicycle rides, as well as a Shabbat program for the day after Rosh HaShanah. For those coming for Yom Kippur, there will be the added treat of the annual Hornby Island Fall Fair, which has been moved to Sunday for the very first time! For the full schedule and fees, please click here. Click here to register.	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. This Fall (2010), we begin the second cycle of Mechinah courses with Biblical Hebrew. A compete review of the curricula in the ordination programs has been completed. This, in turn, leads to greater clarity for the existing course structure of the Mechinah program and guidance for the emerging program in Continuing Education. The Machzor Kol Koreh project, a new kind of High Holyday prayerbook, is now in the midst of its first upgrade, which should be available in time for this year's holydays. This upgrade includes the addition of acknowledgements pages and a fuller n'ilah service. A description of this project and how to participate can be found on the digital downloads page of this website. Finally, we have added a shopping cart to the electronic downloads store. Please watch for more offerings to be added to those already available. Return to the 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

ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR RETREAT

ALEPH CANADA:

THE ALEPH BET MIDRASH

ALEPH ORDINATION PROGRAMS

Psalm 92 says "Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in 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. If, 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.

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.

Wednesday-Sunday 8-12 September 2010

Friday-Sunday 17-19 September 2010
Hornby Island, BC
Led by Rabbi Daniel Siegel and Noam Dolgin

Join us for an intimate High Holyday experience as we combine traditional liturgy, creativity, and study to create a unique connection among the deep meaning of these special days, our people’s traditions, and our contemporary commitment to a Judaism which embodies the universal as well as the particular.
Beginning with a Rosh HaShanah dinner, we will meet to share in the familiar sounds and form of the evening service. The next day, we will davven together with an emphasis on adjusting the order of the service to focus on the major themes of Rosh HaShanah, the blowing of the shofar and the three unique sections of the Musaf (additional) service, usually recited so late in the morning that many of us have already left for home.
The second day of Rosh HaShanah will, G!d willing, be spent outdoors, as we take the beautiful Helliwell Part walk, stopping for prayer, for the shofar to sound, for a picnic lunch, and tashlich.
On Yom Kippur, we will again begin with a shared meal, followed by a traditional Kol Nidre service. During the day, we will once again structure the service so that it guides through the process which brings us to the Holy of Holies and the feeling of having been forgiven by a loving and compassionate universe and its Creator.
There will be opportunities for study, for outdoor mikveh, hikes, and bicycle rides, as well as a Shabbat program for the day after Rosh HaShanah.
For those coming for Yom Kippur, there will be the added treat of the annual Hornby Island Fall Fair, which has been moved to Sunday for the very first time!

For the full schedule and fees, please click here. Click here to register.

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.

This Fall (2010), we begin the second cycle of Mechinah courses with Biblical Hebrew.

A compete review of the curricula in the ordination programs has been completed. This, in turn, leads to greater clarity for the existing course structure of the Mechinah program and guidance for the emerging program in Continuing Education.

The Machzor Kol Koreh project, a new kind of High Holyday prayerbook, is now in the midst of its first upgrade, which should be available in time for this year's holydays. This upgrade includes the addition of acknowledgements pages and a fuller n'ilah service. A description of this project and how to participate can be found on the digital downloads page of this website.

Finally, we have added a shopping cart to the electronic downloads store. Please watch for more offerings to be added to those already available.

Return to the ALEPH Canada Home Page