From my home in Jerusalem to your home in Ottawa

By Ned Steinman

How does it feel living in a country under attack? In one word, surreal. On Monday I was walking to the corner pizza shop (a glorious hole in the wall that is quite well known in our neighbourhood, run by a young guy and his brothers from France where we speak a mix of Frenc…

A report from Jerusalem: A complex and challenging situation

By Maureen Molot

5781 has been a challenging year for Israel, which until recently, had been dominated by lockdowns and shutdowns because of COVID-19. With the virus now only a minor irritant as a result of a well-planned and executed vaccination program, and with restaurants, shops, gyms, …

Students report being bullied in relationship to conflict in Israel, Gaza

CIJA, alongside community colleagues at Calgary Jewish Federation and Federation CJA in Montreal, facilitated a student support group last week in the wake of escalating violence and conflict in Israel and Gaza. On less than 24-hours notice, this group convened 120 high school and university…

Meet Rabbi Aryeh Kravetz, of Congregation Beit Tikvah

“I want people to live with an elevated sense of purpose … to share our energy and passion living as Jews and loving it.”

The last few years for English-teacher-turned-rabbi, Aryeh Kravetz, have been a bit of a whirlwind.

In 2017, Kravetz was living in Baltimore and teaching English …

A how-to: Backyard gardening in Ottawa

If you have ever felt a little envious when a neighbour dropped off cherry tomatoes from their backyard garden, maybe this year is the year to grow your own.

“But I can’t keep a houseplant alive,” you say. “I’ve killed cactuses!” I’m with you, but Ottawa Jewish community membe…