- CHANUKAH MESSAGE
- Message From The Chazan
- Our Chazan
CHANUKAH MESSAGE
Dear Friends,
I once heard that change is one of life's constants!
Look around you and you not only see the change, but can even feel, hear and smell it. Although the scientific world hijacked the word or notion of evolution, Judaism has long recognized the necessity of change and God, too, recognizes the need to embed change into the very fabric of his creation.
Seasons change as we are moving into the dark days of winter. Days are getting shorter while nights are getting longer. However, here at Shaare Zedek, these days could not be any brighter. Along with the fabulous programming and planned events, we are planning physical change ----- enhancement and updating to our Shul. These are such exciting times.
With these changes we are looking forward to expanding programs and activities to a broad age group. These new changes will make us more competitive on a number of fronts. Users will benefit from the modernization of the facilities along with the aesthetic pleasantness they will imbue.
The book of Proverbs recognizes that there is indeed a time for everything. Well now it's our time. And by OUR, I mean you too! Come and use our facilities! It's an open- ended invitation. Come see what you have been missing! There is indeed something for everyone. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
To all the snowbirds, I want to wish you a safe and enjoyable getaway. You will be missed. To those who will enjoy the Montreal winter, remember that change is just around the corner. Soon, you too will be wearing short sleeve shirts, shorts and sandals!
Kol Tuv
Yosi Even-Hen
Chazan
Message From The Chazan
Dear Friends,
There is a famous fable that goes something like this:
A Man had lost his way in a wood one bitter winter's night. As he was roaming about, a Stranger came up to the Man, and finding that he had lost his way, promised to give the Man lodging for the night, and guide him out of the forest in the morning. The Man happily obliged, and as he went along to the Stranger's home in the woods, the Man raised both his hands to his mouth and kept on blowing at them.
"What do you do that for?" said the Stranger.
"My hands are numb with the cold," said the Man, "and my breath warms them."
Shortly after this, both arrived at the Stranger's home, and soon the Stranger put a smoking dish of porridge before the Man. But when the Man raised his spoon to his mouth he began blowing upon it.
"And what do you do that for?" said the Stranger.
"The porridge is too hot, and my breath will cool it."
"Out you go," said the Stranger. "I will have nothing to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath."
There are many messages that can be learned from this fable. Since we are entering the period of Yamim Noramim, the Days of Awe, I would like to impart the following message. How many of us, throughout the year, "talk out of both sides of our mouth?"
We perhaps do not realize it, but how many times do we go back on our word? In Judaism, when we promise something, we must be true to our word. It is so serious, that even before we can ask God for forgiveness, we must annul all vows that we have broken. That is the essence of Kol Nidre, which literally means, All the Vows.
In a broader sense, I believe that many of us commit the same mistakes year in and year out. Much like those making New Year's Resolutions, commonly the same ones are made, and consequently broken. We almost train ourselves to make promises or goals that we know we will not keep or achieve. So why make them?
I charge you to make this year a year of true change. Whatever your promises or goals may be this year, make sure that they are attainable. Ensure that your promises are not only genuine but also realistic. Perhaps take a smaller step, climb a hill and don't tackle the mountain. Pick up some momentum. It is amazing how far momentum can carry you.
A train starts off slow, real slow. But, once it is cruising, it takes a lot, miles even, to stop it. So too with our lives. Start off with a small challenge, and conquer it! Soon, you will be on your way to tackling a larger hill and so forth. On the reverse side, we do not want to "bite off more than we can chew" for we run the danger of gaining "negative momentum", which can have an adverse affect.
It is certainly better to aim at crossing the finish line, no matter how long it might take us to get around the track, than to strive for breaking the world record and never getting out of the starting blocks!
On behalf of Brigitte, Raphael and Nathaniel, I want to wish you and your family a Shana Tova Umetooka, a year in which you will be left with a sweet taste in your mouth - a year of true change and advancements!
Rev. Yosi Even-Hen, Chazan
Chazan
Yosi was born in Bair-Shevah, Montreal’s sister city in Israel and moved to Canada at the tender age of 7. After 2 years in Hamilton Ontario, Yosi’s family moved to Montreal, after his father accepted the post of Hazzan Sheini at Chevra Kadisha B’nai Jacob, a post he still holds.
Yosi completed his High School studies in Ottawa’s OTI Yeshiva, a branch of the Chafetz Chayim. He later attended McGill University, where he attained his B.Comm degree.
Yosi comes from a familial background of teachers and Hazzanim. Studying under the tutelage of his father, since becoming a Bar Mitzvah, Yosi would often find himself leading various services and Torah reading functions at Chevra Kadisha. Yosi continued his Cantorial studies in Montreal with the well respected and renowned Cantor Aryeh Subar.
Yosi joined us in 1992. Over the past 18 years, Yosi has created strong bonds with many of our congregational families. As much as he enjoys serving our congregation, his passion specifically lies with the youth. Creating bonds with the young and young at heart, Yosi’s reputation precedes him.
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