| Or Haneshamah – Ottawa's Reconstructionist Community | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reconstructionist Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton |
| Year consecrated | 1987 |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 4A1 |
  Location in Ottawa | |
| Geographic coordinates | 45°22′56″N 75°46′21″W / 45.3822°N 75.7724°W |
| Website | |
| www | |
Or Haneshamah, officially, Or Haneshamah – Ottawa's Reconstructionist Community, is a Jewish Reconstructionist synagogue located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The congregation is one of only three affiliated Reconstructionist congregations in Canada,[1] and the only Reconstructionist congregation in Ottawa.[2] Founded in 1987, Or Haneshamah describes itself as a progressive, liberal, egalitarian, inclusive, multi-generational congregation notable for welcoming all Jews, including unaffiliated, intermarried, and LGBTQ individuals and families.[3] As of 2016, the congregation's membership constituted approximately 90–100 households.[4][5][6]: 214
Originally a lay- and student-led Havurah, in 2013 Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton[7] became Or Haneshamah's first permanent rabbi. She is Ottawa's first female congregational rabbi and the city's first openly gay rabbi.[4][8] In 2016 Rabbi Bolton was named one of "America's Most Inspiring Rabbis" by The Forward.[9]
- ^ "Directory of Reconstructionist Congregations and Havurot". Jewish Reconstructionist Communities.
- ^ "Our community: organisations". Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
- ^ "OrH + Reconstructionism". Or Haneshamah - Ottawa's Reconstructionist Community.
- ^ a b Fenton, Drake (August 24, 2013). "New rabbi a progressive choice; A small Jewish congregation has chosen a rabbi who is both female and gay". Ottawa Citizen. p. E1.
Membership reported as 75 households in 2013
- ^ Aarenau, Michael (June 14, 2016). "Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton on Forward's list of most inspiring rabbis". Ottawa Jewish Bulletin.
By June 2016, membership was reported to have "increased by 20 per cent."
- ^ Bilsky, Anna; Ottawa Jewish Historical Society (2009). A Common Thread: A History of the Jews of Ottawa. Renfrew, Ontario: General Store Publishing House.
- ^ "Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton". Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
- ^ Regenstreif, Michael (April 8, 2013). "Or Haneshamah Hires its First Permanent Rabbi" (PDF). Ottawa Jewish Bulletin.
- ^ "America's Most Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most". The Forward. 2016.