Archive for May, 2011

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Don’t Worry, We’re Not Shooting At You

Monday, May 30th, 2011

“The freeing part is reaching your potential. Anything that holds you back from reaching your potential; is enslaving you.” – Lori Polatnik

Daily steps; 10, 918, Running total; 71, 921
They say people learn more when they are laughing. If that is the case, then we have all become wise beyond measure.
Our lectures this morning were touched on some concepts that we already understood on a cerebral level, but today we were able to incorporate our knowledge into practical day to day  life. Learning about love and romance from a spiritual perspective explains a lot about relationships and how we “be” in them. Often, in relationships, we seem to fall into old patterns of being. In today’s class, we learned the concept of “becoming” in a marriage.
The next lecture was about the inner beauty of Jewish women. The lecturer, Chana Kalsmith, introduced the topic of modesty. Modesty is not just about the way a woman dresses, but about holding herself with dignity- in her appearance, in her speech, and in her actions. Chana suggested that we endeavour to do something nice every day, and not tell anyone about it. As she paraphrased Maimonides- “Every deed we do affects the world spiritually.”
Our afternoon was spent at an army base which trains snipers, counter-terrorism and breaching instructors. As we walked closer to the shooting range, we jumped every time we heard the machine gunfire. The captain of the  troop, Moses (or Moshiko, as he is known amongst his soldiers) assured us that they were not shooting at us! The soldiers were so appreciative of our support and all of our gifts. What struck us the most was how humble they are about their service. To them the army is just a fact of life, an expected reality. It was great to have the opportunity to express to them that outside of Israel, we view it as a duty of the highest honour. What a privilege to be able to share that communication.
Our day ended at a mikvah, but not just any old mikvah. We went to a privatized mikvah, where spa treatments were incorporated into the mikvah immersion experience. The mikvah is one of the oldest traditions of  Judaism and being able to see a modern mikvah helped to demystify it to us.
Tonight we pack our bags and prepare to end the tour. It seems strange that the day has come when this whirlwind adventure will come to an end. We have bonded together in such a deep and meaningful way. We have explored layers of ourselves that we did not know existed. We have learned things about each other that we would normally never see. We have revealed parts of ourselves that we normally keep close to our hearts.
And the journey continues…


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Reaching New Heights

Monday, May 30th, 2011

“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Daily steps; 2,846 Running total; 61,003

Today we found new strength; physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
We started our early morning with a hike on the top of Masada. The heat was scorching and shaded spots to hide from the sun were rare. The trek was physically demanding, but we were banded together in sisterhood supported each other. Our guide, Esti, is one of those rare individuals who are bursting with energy. Her knowledge of the history was extensive. She brought the story of the Herodian fortress and the zealots to life for us.
Our next stop was to the Dead Sea. As Esti suggested, we walked in until we were knee deep and then just let the sea cradle us. We held hands and practiced our synchronized swimming techniques, we did some aqua-aerobics and we splashed about. We let the minerals of the Dead Sea work their magic and we walked out looking ten years younger. We enjoyed meeting Tania’s mother-in-law Chana Dodick and spending some time with her.
Ten years later, we went to a place called Genesis Place to the tent of Abraham. This was an incredible experience, where we pretended to eat in a tent with our host “Abraham” and his Genesis era servants. We were even given the opportunity to ride on camels as part of the experience. We savoured the homemade dishes, with their nicely spiced flavouring and tastes. We had the opportunity to stand up and share our feelings, which can be a very difficult process. Once again, in the company of this very special group of women, we encouraged each other to stretch ourselves and share with each other.
We also wanted to acknowledge one woman who has made every one of us to feel special. Adi (aka Adina) is one of the staff members on this trip who took special effort to connect to each and every one of us on a deep spiritual level. Her compassion and enthusiasm is contagious. She is such in integral part of this trip for each and every one of us.
Tonight we gathered to package all of our presents for the soldiers. Tomorrow we get the opportunity to share our efforts at the army base.
We are stretching ourselves in every way possible. We are growing. We are blossoming. We are women.
And the journey continues…

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Sundown at the Kotel til sundown at the Clayman’s

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

“We are family, I got all my sisters with me…”

Daily steps; 18, 559. Running total; 58, 176

So much to tell, where do we start?
On Friday night we walked to the Aish building where we were entertained by the music of Yom Tov Glazer. He is like a mix between the Beach Boys, Bob Marley and Fiddler on the Roof. He had us all out of our seats, dancing, clapping, singing and enjoying ourselves.
We lit candles together, hundreds of flames flickering in unity.
Then we continued our dancing and singing on the ground level of the Kotel. It was incredible to see all the soldiers, the tourists, the religious, the black hats, the white kippas, the colourful kippas, even the clear kippas bouncing up and down. The energy in the air was electrically charged and exciting.
We then went back to the Aish Hatorah building to enjoy Shabbat dinner. Our tables were beautifully decorated, with the elegant challas that we made earlier in the day. The looked good enough to eat, enough said. We ate like queens, we sang, we prayed and enjoyed each others company.
We were very happy to have Shabbat morning to be able to sleep in. We were equally happy to have so many interesting lectures that stretched our minds and our hearts. Rebecca Shore and Mimi Jankovitz gave talks from their real lives, the Rebbetzins answered some of our most difficult and personal questions (even the ones we were embarrassed to ask) and Rabbi Gavriel Friedman had us laughing until our cheek hurt. All of them imparted pearls of wisdom and had us contemplating the lessons they taught.
For the third meal of Shabbat we were invited to the Clayman’s home. It would be impossible to describe their home and do it justice. The home is a majestic representation of a Jerusalem traditional but very modern abode. More impressive than the home was the couple’s generosity. Every week they invite soldiers, the soldier’s families, and foreigners to their home for Friday night, Saturday lunch and Saturday evening dinner. There must have been at least 200 people in their home and then on their rooftop overlooking the Kotel and the Mount of Olives. The Claymans opened their home and their hearts to unite Jews from all four corners of the Earth. They reminded us of the beauty of our differences, and the unity of our people. Whether we came from Brazil or Breslau, Persia or Paris, Romania or Ra’anana, we are one people. We come from the same roots.
We are family.
And the journey continues…


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Rosh Chodesh Sivan – Shavuot Cheese & Wine

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Date: Sunday June 5, 2011
Time: 8:00 pm
Place: Rhonda Halpern, 239 Bathurst Glen Drive, Thornhill Woods
Charge: $10.00 per person to cover food and refreshments
Newcomers are Free

Join us at the home of Rhonda Halpern for a pre Shavuot Cheese and Wine evening and listen to our guest speaker, Mrs. Adina Ribicoff who will be speaking on “The Woman’s Role in Shavuot”.

Mrs. Ribicoff is an inspiring and talented speaker who lectures to a variety of audiences. She is the principal of the Tiferes Bais Yaakov Girl’s School in Toronto.

I will be attending – please charge my card

I will be attending – newcomer

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Exploring the Tunnels, Rolling and Braiding

Friday, May 27th, 2011

“If women would only realize how much blessing they bring into their homes through the mitzvah of Challah, there would not be a bakery in town that could sell even a single challah!” – quoted from Raizy Guttman’s Challah Baking Class

Daily steps; 9,738 Running total; 39,617
Today we learned about two of Jerusalem’s enigmas. One was the tunnels under the Western Wall, the other was the six-braided Challah.
We awoke early this morning and headed to our tunnel tour with our vivacious guide Esti. She excitedly explained all the significance of the excavations and the archaeological work. She retold the history of the First Temple, through to the time of the Second Temple and the building of the city under King Herod’s rule. As we made our way through the tunnels, history came to life. We could envision our forefathers steps as we walked the whole length of the Western Wall.
We returned to the Aish Hatorah building where we learned the art of Challah making from Raizy Guttman. We watched her easily and effortlessly shape the dough into beautiful flowers, doves, roses and braids. But Raizy taught us much more than that; she taught us the power of prayer, of nurturing, and reminded us of our essence and role as Jewish women. The concept of Challah is taking something physical (bread) and raising it up to a spiritual level. We enjoyed making our own versions of flowers, doves, roses and braids- tonight we will see (and taste) if we succeeded!
We had a free afternoon where we got to shop, or explore on our own.
Tonight we go to the Kotel to dance and then to Aish Hatorah to eat Shabbat Dinner.
Shabbat Shalom to all our families and friends in Canada and around the World, from Israel.
And the journey continues…


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Bamidbar 5771 – Obama’s Weeds

Friday, May 27th, 2011

While I was contemplating my weed problem last week, it seems so was Obama. His big weed is that annoying, aggravating, uncooperative little Jewish state in the heart of the Middle East that just won’t go away! Weed management is a challenging task and Obama decided that the approach would have to be one of restriction, containment and ultimately suffocation.

You might accuse me of coming out a little strong against a so-called ally and I do agree it is more Israel’s neighbours who treat her as the weed to be eradicated. However when Obama’s requirements for “peace” demand an Israeli withdrawal back to the indefensible 1967 borders, that amounts to just another form of weed management. The gardening technique might be different from those who call for our destruction, but the result, intentional or not, is the same.

As for my weeds, I have spent considerable time and thought in planning my attack. In the end after far too much procrastination I decided that I would simply resort to the good old fashioned quick-fix temporary solution of mowing them down! Interestingly my contemplation was not without gain as it forced me to look more at this interesting creation called “the weed”.

I remember last year, my first spring in Toronto, how I admiringly and naively commented on the delicate yellow flowers that speckled the green lawns of Toronto’s parks, gardens and fields. I was horrified when within a few days the flowers had disappeared and in their place stood thick proud weeds. This year I paid closer attention and it was an amazing process to witness. It all begins with that innocent placid yellow flower adding colour to the fresh grass and spice to the Spring. It takes however no more than a rainfall or two for the metamorphosis to begin. First, the disproportionately fleshy leaves burst forth from below ground readying to act as support and anchor for stage two. Next, the yellow flower is projected skywards on a stem which literally shoots up overnight hoisting this once innocent flower to a strategic seed-dispersal height, well above the tallest grass (even by the standards of infrequent mowers, like myself.) And then, in a final triumphant charge, the little yellow flower sheds its colour and its form and turns into a multi-seed bearing dandelion like flower. All that is required next is either a soft breath of wind or an excited puff or kick from my 2 year old and the seeds are dispersed far and wide ready to begin the process again in new territory. Could you have come up with such an ingenious little plant? What can we learn from this wonderful creation?

The weed is certainly and understandably not well liked, nevertheless it displays some very admirable qualities. The weed has a purpose and it will use all of its creative powers, including shedding its pleasant yellow flower, in order to achieve that purpose. The weed displays committed and courageous determination, focused on the end goal and a hard headed resilience to bounce back from all adversity. (It took only two days after mowing the critters down before their fleshy stems were already standing tall and proud ready to do battle with me again!)

Many out there might consider and treat the Jewish People as weeds. Our purpose in this world is not to be the weeds of humanity, G-d forbid. On the contrary we are to be a “light unto the nations.” However the determination, resilience and creativity of the weed are qualities which are very Jewish. Both as a people and as individuals we must never lose sight of our end goal. And furthermore we have to remain courageously true to that goal even when it means shedding our pleasant flower and staring defiantly into the face of enemies and allies!

May we all merit to have the weed-like strength and creativity to stay committed to our goals of growth and spirituality, despite all the challenges and adversity.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Shabbat

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The Gates of the Soul

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Daily steps; 3,646 Running total; 29,879

“Be not ashamed, woman…
You are the gates of the body,
and you are the gates of the soul.” – Walt Whitman

It seems this trip has been planned with something for everyone, and for each of our sensibilities.

From our morning lecture; which appealed to our minds,our lunch in the Jerusalem forest; which appealed to our eyes and ears,our working in the soup kitchen; which appealed to our hearts,and our visit to Yad Vashem; which touched our souls.

Our speaker this morning, Brian, took us through some history, some politics and left us with this concept – everything is bearable, as long as we know the why. It set the tone for the rest of our day’s activities.

In the Chazon Yishaya soup kitchen we learned from Abraham Israel the reason, the why, he started feeding the impoverished. He told us of his childhood promise to himself, after years of needing to rely on charity to eat, he vowed to help feed people when he could. Now many years (and much success) later, he does exactly that.

As we were busy peeling the potatoes (YES, we were peeling potatoes! And cutting cucumbers, and mixing couscous, and more), we shared the duties with a woman named Brenda Magid from Durban. She and her husband Allan sent their regards to the Kukle family, who are part of the Shul. Yet another example of hashgacha, or “chance coincidence”.

We enjoyed our lunch in the beautiful Jerusalem forest, and then continued to Yad Vashem.

It is very hard to find the words to explain Yad Vashem.

It is equally difficult not to honour Yad Vashem with the words it deserves.

Words cannot describe the experience.

Putting words to Yad Vashem is like trying to describe tears. No sooner does one fall before the next is formed. Words, like tears, must be felt to be understood. Words, like tears, are easy to shed, difficult to grasp.

Today we shed tears for the Holocaust, for the past.

It is time to shed words.

Our parents and grandparents never wanted to speak about it.

Look forward, they would say, never back.

We are the daughters and the grand-daughters of the Holocaust.

We are separated from the Shoah by decades, but joined by our faith.

Our faith in the goodness of humanity.

Our faith in hope.

Our faith in G-d.

Whether we had lost it or found it, we were united by it.

By looking back, we can begin to look forward.

And the journey continues…

Blog by Merav Richter



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Coincidences, Character, and the Kotel

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

“Greater than loving someone; is understanding them.” – Lori Palatnik

Daily steps; 11,078  Running total; 26,223

In yesterday’s class, Lori spoke about gossip- or lashon hora, which set the tone for the day. Every free moment (which were few and far between), we would find ourselves engaging in philosophical discussions about the ways in which we communicate.

Today’s class was just as thought provoking, and elicited as much exuberant chatter among the ladies. In today’s lecture, Lori talked about the different “types” of character that we are all born with. These archetypes represent the three forefathers- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Throughout the rest of the day, we were having fun figuring out which of us were Chaims, Brachas, and Tovs. Turns out, often the women in our group already knew one another’s dominant traits better than we knew ourselves!

Then we ventured to the Kotel, which is literally steps away from the downstairs exit of the new Aish Hatorah building. The building was recently finished after years of construction and it is absolutely breathtaking. As beautiful as the inside of the building is, it simply cannot compare to the majesty and serenity of the view of the Western Wall from the roof.

At the Kotel, we went in to say a prayer, and place a note. While we were there, we heard a beautiful birdsong. A dove was gently perched up on one of the high rocks of the wall. This birdsong carried a message; it was a symbol for each one of us women to sing her song, to tell her story, to speak from her heart. We embraced each other, we shed our tears, and we felt the power of our unity.

We took some time to enjoy lunch and free time in Jerusalem before continuing on to our guided tour with our guide Patrick. He took us on an intimate walk through Jerusalem and brought the old city to life through his explanations.

Einstein once said “Coincidence is G-d’s way of remaining anonymous.” Lori Palatnik (the woman behind the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project) explained the significance of instances of hashgacha, divine interventions. Throughout the day we kept finding instances of “coincidences”, chance encounters and fortuitous meetings. We even bumped into Mr. and Mrs. Abrahams, whose family is from our community!

Tired but exhilarated, we returned to our hotel to enjoy a free night reminiscing over our day and sharing with our friends.

And the journey continues…

P.S. Wishing Laura Berk and her husband Marc Rosenfeld,Angela Weil and her husband Marc,and Merav Richter and her husband Daniel a happy wedding anniversary.You are all special men to support your wives in this journey. Please know how much we appreciate and love you.

Blog by Merav Richter

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From Blue Waters to Ancient Cities

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Daily steps; 4932 Running total: 15,145

What a day we have had!!
From the blue waters of the Galil, to the ancient spirit of Tzfat, to the tearful entrance into Jerusalem, it seemed like we covered more of Israel (and more of our souls) than we ever thought we would.
We started our early morning with an adventure in rafting down the rapids of the Galil. Amidst hoops and hollers from all our new friends in the other rafts, we tried to navigate ourselves (mostly unsuccessfully) down the river. Eventually we gave up and just let ourselves coast down the stream like a lazy river ride. Some of the ladies in the rafts even found nice shady spots to relax and recharge.
After our lunch under the canopy of the trees, we made our way to Tzfat. First stop: Sheva Chaya’s glass blowing demonstration, then onto the comfortable blue sofas of the Karo Synagogue, the Rabbi who wrote the Shulchan Aruch (the Set Table). From there we made our way to the Synagogue of the Ari, the Rabbi who gave us the book of the Zohar. We then had the opportunity to shop in the artist market, where we found art, sculptures, intricate candles, beautiful chamsas and mezuza covers.
We all enjoyed walking up the 250 steps to reach the dinner restaurant. It was there that we felt the magic of the air of Tzfat. Earlier, in the bus, our guide Seth told us that there are four holy cities for Judaism, each corresponding to an element.
Tverya represents water,
Jerusalem represents fire,
Hebron represents earth,
and Tzfat represents air.
Sitting there at the Art Cafe having dinner, the element of air was very palpable. There seemed to be an energy that was emanating from all the women.
When the mayor of Tzfat surprised us with his impromptu visit, we were all so honoured.
Exasperated and exhausted we clambered back into the bus.
Tonight we fall asleep in Jerusalem, tomorrow we awaken in Yerushalaim.
And the journey continues…

Blog by Merav Richter

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Follow the JWRP Israel Program Blog

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

The Thornhill Woods Shul have sent 15 women participants and 2 city leaders on the May 2011 JWRP Israel Mission. You can follow their every movement on our very own program blog. View Blog.

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You can also see videos and read updates on the JWRP Facebook page. View JWRP on Facebook.

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