Blogroll | Congregation Darchei Noam

 

Shomrei Adamah offers their condolences to Sheryl Smoken and our chair, Joel Troster on the loss of their brother and brother-in-law, Ira Alan Smolkin

As the world leaders head to Dubai for COP to discuss climate change commitments and attention has shifted from Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, in Ottawa we “Rally for the Jewish People,” for release of the remaining hostages and against hatred on December 4.   Let it be a rally for justice and peace for all, reflecting Jewish values expressed in Psalm 85:10, “Truth and Justice have embraced, Kindness and Peace have kissed.” 

Headwinds for PM Justin Trudeau are strong on all fronts. He and Minister Steven Guilbeault face Conservative Leaders strongly opposing climate pricing.  The PM and Minister Mélanie Jolie in avoiding pressure to take a side in the Israeli-Hamas conflict, basically say Canada stands for peace, humanitarian aide and the end of conflict. .

Climate change and the current violence and conflict are deeply connected.  Unlike “past” environmental problems silently threatening our health and sustainability, climate change has both silent and very visible effects on health, safety and ecology. Severe weather events of a chaotic climate have led to crop failures, loss of life and homelessness. The resulting effects of a faltering economy and discontent differ between democratic and authoritarian governments. 

In liberal democracies like Canada, we see citizens voting for a strong leader with authoritarian tendencies. 

Discontent and restless populations threaten to topple oppressive governments. In response, leaders trying to hold onto power in countries like Iran, Russia, and China become more oppressive.  They try to regain glory and past empires by invading neigbouring countries.

In both cases, scapegoating, demonization and hatred ensure. In the West, would-be leaders take advantage of the desire for government change. They use Hitler’s propaganda play book to promise a better life, and stir strong hatred by singling out the sitting leader as the cause of their misery. 

Those seeking peace and social and environmental equity point to the same solutions of justice for all, listening to the other to understand them, and building trusting relationships through acts of genuine kindness.

Imagination and possibilities.

Marcia Falk in her Book of Blessings ends her interpretation of the sh’mah with the psalm 85:10  “Truth and Justice have embraced, Kindness and Peace have kissed and are one.

The following are reminiscent of Psalm 85:10

In CBC’s Tapestry’s latest episode, Malcolm Doney adds another element, imagination. “Writer, artist and priest Malcolm Doney has been tackling life's biggest questions about love, loss, meaning and purpose. Together with co-author Martin Wroe, Doney wrote a guide to living in harmony with the unknown called Hold On, Let Go: How to Find Your Life.”

Many of Malcolm Doney’s thoughts and ideas align with Reconstructionist values.  The Bible is sacred for him not because it was given on high but because it is the story of humans seeking answers to those big questions.  He says religion is too big for religious institutions. Dogma stifles thoughts, questions, imagination, possibilities and ultimately change in a changing society.  Doney says he is not religious enough and doesn’t have the “constitution” to lead a congregation but ministers to the vulnerable.

Malcolm Doney and his wife have moved from London to the countryside. Here, with goat herding and writing in a barn he is more in touch with the earth.  He notes that urbanites and fellow religionists tend to form communities of like-minded people.  Out of necessity, country folks form neigbhourhood communities of diversity.  He notes that interactions in these communities can create a better understanding of the other and more harmonious relationships. 

One final comment, his co-author Martin Wroe has ministered in war-torn countries.  There people take every opportunity to celebrate life events with singing, dancing, and eating together. 

Hear the podcast at,

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-59-tapestry/clip/16025616-asking-big-questions

Rabbi Nachman suffered from bouts of depression. He would walk in the fields to pray to God and advised people to sing and dance every day and at every opportunity.

So keep celebrating with Darchei Noam  even in painful times!

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton in her new song, World’s on Fire, sings for peace and kindness in a liveable world. Her solutions are found in the song’s ending.  Complete Lyrics are  found at

lyrics for world on fire by dolly parton - Search (bing.com)

 Let's lend a hand 

Let's heal the hurt

Let kindness work 

Let's be a friend 

Let hatred end 

Parton was interviewed by Tom Power on CBC’s Q,  “listen to it on our podcast, for more of what she had to say…”

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand sang HaTikvah on the 35^th anniversary concert of the First Yom Kippur War.  The recording opens on her conversation with Golda Meir. After singing HaTikvah, she closes with these words, “…let us light candles on both sides of the world...In the hope that people everywhere will be inspired to work for peace and love, and the betterment of all men.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uPHaioopKM

May we see everyone and every being we encounter as a spark of the Divine.

The Healing Power of Nature, Music, and Community

Nature

Humans are biophilic as shown by the attachment to our pets and the positive effects they have on our mood and health.  They relieve loneliness for isolated seniors. Resident cats and visiting dogs have been used to comfort patients and to help those with dementia.  Studies have shown that patient rooms with views of trees or pictures of nature help patients heal faster.  Of course, Nature has its pesky creatures like squirrels, and raccoons, ground hogs and bunnies who enjoy feasting on your vegetable gardens and flowers! 

 Music

We first hear of the healing power of music on the soul in the Torah,

“And so it was, whenever the [disquieting] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.”  1 Samuel 16:23, New King James Bible, a modern translation.

Music therapy is long established for relief of pain, acute and chronic.  Often it eliminates the need for drug treatment. McMaster’s has been studying the effect of music on patients for relieving stress, anxiety, and physical pain.  They took music therapy to University student campus centre to help students cope early in COVID.  https://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/articles/music-therapy-improves-student-mental-health-study-shows/

Community and Connection

a concept so basic, it underpins our society – the inherent human need for community and connection… the humble community center remains an extremely effective vehicle for forging community and social connection upon which a robust recovery journey can develop… in his book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, former surgeon general Dr. Vivek H. Murphy writes, “Medicine for my parents was all about relationships… built by listening…. it is those natural supports, such as friendships, that best promote resilient recovery.  https://behavioralhealthnews.org/connection-as-treatment-the-healing-power-of-the-community-center/

Religious Community and Spirituality

Strong scientific evidence suggests that individuals who regularly participate in spiritual worship services or related activities and who feel strongly that spirituality or the presence of a higher being or power are sources of strength and comfort to them are healthier and possess greater healing capabilities. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1323417/

…spirituality is “the way individuals seek ultimate meaning, purpose, connection, value, or transcendence.” This could include organized religion but extends well beyond to include ways of finding ultimate meaning by connecting, for example, to family, community, or nature….According to the researchers, the simple act of asking about a patient’s spirituality can and should be part of patient-centered, value-sensitive care. 

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/spirituality-better-health-outcomes-patient-care/

 

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Save Our Planet

Introduction to Heat Pumps

Should I change to a heat pump?

Here are a few things to consider.

Ensure you have good insulation, Energy star certified windows, and gaps are sealed.

With a high efficiency gas furnace, wait until it’s nearing its expected lifetime to investigate.

If you have a large yard, an ground source heat pump insulted by the earth is the more efficient option.

For temperatures below -25C and especially at and below -30C, a backup gas furnace is needed.

Here are some websites to learn more about heat pumps and whether to switch.

In  A new report and online calculator from the Canadian Climate Institute,  researchers calculated that replacing a gas furnace and an air conditioner with an air-source heat pump (which does both heating and cooling) would typically save money in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/16021009-how-decide-heat-pump-right-choice-you-making  November 6, The Current

Not many Canadians have a heat pump installed at home, but experts say making the switch could both save you money and reduce emissions. Guest host Duncan McCue digs into how the devices work, what they cost, and what government incentives are available for making the switch.

Hear What on Earth’s  podcast on Heat Pumps at https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-429-what-on-earth/clip/16022495-heat-pumps-hot-right

Do you have any tips for Saving Our Planet or recipes to share?  Send them to Joel Troster, jtroster@icloud.com

or Gloria Boxen, gboxen@rogers.com

Seasonal and local foods

The Ontario Food Calendar includes a seasonal chart for fruit and vegetables.  With root vegetables in season here is a vegetable dish using squash..

Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls

Yield

Serves 9, Serving size 1 lasagna roll

Ingredients

1. Butternut Squash

* 1 pound peeled butternut squash, diced

* kosher salt

2. Lasagna Rolls

* 1 teaspoon olive oil

* 1/4 cup minced shallots

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan cheese

* 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, cooked according to package directions, cooled, and squeezed dry

* 1 3/4 cups (15 ounces) fat-free ricotta cheese

* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

* 1 large egg

* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

* Freshly cracked black pepper

* 9 lasagna noodles, wheat or gluten-free, cooked

* 9 tablespoons shredded part skim mozzarella cheese (about 3 ounces)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

For the butternut squash

1. Place squash in a large pot with enough water to cover the squash by 2 inches. Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until soft, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove butternut squash with a slotted spoon and place in a blender with 1/4 cup of the liquid it was cooked in. Reserve an additional 1 cup of liquid and set aside.

3. For the lasanga rolls

1. In a medium nonstick skillet, add the oil and saut¿he shallots and garlic over medium-low heat until soft and golden, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add pureed butternut squash, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of fresh cracked pepper adding about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of the reserved liquid to thin out the sauce until smooth. Stir in the parmesan cheese and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan, egg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper.

3. Ladle about 1/2 cup of the butternut sauce into the bottom of a 9 ¿13-inch baking dish.

4. Put a piece of wax paper on a work surface and lay the cooked lasagna noodles out on it. Make sure the noodles are dry. Spread 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture over each noodle. Carefully roll them up and put them seam side down in the baking dish. Ladle the remaining sauce over the lasagna rolls and top each with 1 tablespoon mozzarella. Tightly cover the dish with foil.

5. Bake until the inside is heated through and the cheese is melted, about 40 minutes.

Skinnyscoop

For best freezing results, freeze the lasagna rolls after you bake them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. To reheat put the frozen lasagna rolls in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 45 to 50 minutes.

Reprinted from The Skinnytaste Cookbook, by Gina Homolka, with Heather K. Jones, R.D., Copyright © 2014, published by Clarkson Potter.

Joel Troster

jtroster@icloud.com

Continue to be well and practice loving kindness however you can.  Shomrei Adamah