by Lauren Shaps | Nov 23, 2023 | Lauren Shaps, Vayeitzei, Weekly Parsha
Each one of us is a unique combination of body and soul, intellect and emotion. When we live our lives with awareness of the complex interplay between these aspects of ourselves, we can nourish each part to become a more complete human being. When we deny any part of...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Nov 17, 2023 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Toldos, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, Isaac travels to Gerar (a city in the region known as Gaza) and encountered the Philistines (a no longer extant people, likely of Greek origin, who lived in the area. Not to be confused with another group of people who more recently gave...
by Rabbi Gotlib | Nov 9, 2023 | Chayei Sarah, Rabbi Gotlib, Weekly Parsha
Parshat Chayei Sarah includes the iconic scene of Eliezer, Avraham’s servant, meeting Yitzchak’s future wife, Rivkah. How does Eliezer know that she is the right one for Yitzchak? He asked Hashem for a sign – the woman who is right should not only offer him...
by Rabbi Shaps | Nov 3, 2023 | Vayera, Weekly Parsha
I can’t believe this could ever happen! Most of us have been saying these words again and again over the past few weeks. We couldn’t believe that Hamas could be so depraved as they massacred so many. We can’t believe how people are turning on Israel and defending...
by Lauren Shaps | Oct 26, 2023 | Israel, Lauren Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Our forefather Avraham was the paragon of chesed, kindness. He was the first outreach worker, spreading word of One G-d. His tent was open on all sides. He, together with his wife Sarah, excelled in the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, hosting...
by Rabbi Shaps | Oct 23, 2023 | Uncategorized
As Jews, we find it hard to understand why we are consistently persecuted and vilified. After all, we represent a tiny percentage of the world’s population. Israel is a tiny country and doesn’t even have oil. Why does anyone even care about what we do or say? The end...
by Rabbi Gotlib | Oct 13, 2023 | Breishis, Israel, Rabbi Gotlib, Weekly Parsha
“In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It’s one of the most well known lines of any book, written at any point in history. But why does the Torah specifically start there? The word “Torah” literally means “teaching,” so if the whole point is for us...
by Rabbi Shaps | Oct 5, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Shemini Atzeres, Simchat Torah, Sukkot
Tonight, we begin Shemini Atzeres, the final day of the complete holiday season. We have truly experienced a beautiful and joyous Sukkos holiday. The weather has been amazing and it has been an absolute pleasure being able to sit in the Sukkah to eat, read,...
by Lauren Shaps | Sep 28, 2023 | Lauren Shaps, Sukkot
Rabbi Shaps and I were delighted to make a quick trip to New York to join the Simes and Vinitsky families in celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Nochi Simes. As many of you will recall, Rabbi Yehuda Simes and his wife Shaindel moved to Ottawa to share their love of Torah...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 22, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Haazinu, Weekly Parsha
We just had Rosh Hashanah, complete with apples, honey, and (hopefully) a reality check! On Rosh Hashanah, we crowned G-d king. We reminded ourselves that our health, wealth and success all come from G-d, and we prayed for a sweet year. Interestingly, in this week’s...
