By Rabbi Mark Glickman

Back when the internet was young – like, in the mid-1990s – I remember discussions that asked questions such as, “Do ten adult Jews participating in an online Jewish worship service constitute a minyan (the quorum of ten people needed for a full service)?

The question seems almost quaint today, and the answer was obviously no. But since then, technology has transformed Jewish life in many ways. Nowadays, the computer and various advances in telecommunications have created a wide variety of tools for Jewish life that were simply unavailable to our ancestors.

Here are a few examples:

Sefaria

It used to cost thousands of dollars to assemble even the most basic library of classical Jewish texts. Now, however, most of those texts have been digitized and are available on line.

My favorite site by far is www.sefaria.org. Calling itself “A Living Library of Jewish Texts,” Sefaria provides visitors not only with the full text of the Jewish bible, but also of the Talmud, various Midrashim, the traditional prayerbook, Jewish legal literature, Chasidic works, a couple of Hebrew dictionaries, and much more. While a few of these texts are available just in Hebrew, many of them – the bible, the Talmud, and others – are also available in English translation. Additionally, there are thousands of study sheets available – resources for text study compiled by rabbis, students, and other users of the site.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Sefaria is in the process of transforming the study of Jewish texts. Visit the site and you’ll be treated to what is perhaps the most wonderful and widely accessible collection of Jewish wisdom ever assembled.

Podcasts

While I’m driving to work,  shvitzing my way through a workout, or doing the dishes, I’ll often listen to podcasts, and there are some wonderful Jewish ones. My favorites include Tablet Magazine’s “Unorthodox” podcast, “a smart, fresh fun weekly take on Jewish news and culture”; Rabbi Brad Artson’s “God, Torah, and Israel”; and Abigail Pogrebin’s “Parsha in Progress.” .

There are many other wonderful Jewish podcasts that provide unprecedented opportunities for Jewish learning and entertainment.

Live Streamed Services

When you can’t get to services on Shabbat or a holiday, the internet provides us with the chance to join communities of worshipping Jews virtually. Check out the live-streams of Central Synagogue in New York (Reform), or that of Park Avenue Synagogue in the same city (Conservative), or even of Temple Sholom in Vancouver. All of these internet broadcasts allow you to connect with Jewish worship from the comfort of your own home.

Of course, none of these hi-tech opportunities can replace the originals. There’s nothing like holding a real book in your hands, study at its best tends to occur while sitting in the physical presence of a real teacher, and worship is far more meaningful when sitting in a sanctuary with other Jews than it is while staring at a screen. Nevertheless, all of these tools do open up vast new vistas of opportunities for Jewish connection, and, at least in moderation, they all can be fantastic.

Check them out yourself. Maybe when you do, your computer or your phone can help you keep some of the age-traditions of the Jewish people. And who knows – you may even have some fun along the way.

Temple President Cynthia Simmons (far left), at Biennial with Susan Klassen, Rabbi Voss-Altman, Rabbi Glickman, Mark Paidra, and Josh Hesslein.

I am writing this as I sit in my hotel room in Chicago, after another busy day of lectures, worship, and friendship building at the URJ Biennial. I know that this article will be published in February and I have to wonder how distant this experience will feel at that time. Still I hope, and expect really, that this experience will be like dropping a stone into a lake - that the ripples will spread and grow across time impacting our enthusiasm and practice of Judaism at B’nai Tikvah now and into the future.

The six of us who attended have all been affected by the experience of the Biennial and bring back to Calgary increased knowledge and enthusiasm about North American Reform Judaism and our place in it. I tended to go to the religious oriented discussions and continue to reflect on one rabbi’s assertion that Judaism is the only major religion to have a foundational book beginning with a question (the Mishnah Berakot 1:1 From what time may people recite the evening Shema?) and what this means as we navigate our relationship with God and with others.

I also bought a Tallit so that I could stand proudly in support of the Women of the Wall. It is a design where the name of each matriarch is stitched into the four corners. Lovely. The ripple from these things will be, I hope, that we continue to function with the knowledge that our questions, our words, and our actions have an impact on those around us and after us.

Susan Klassen was inspired by the music (she wants me to mention that she met Noah Aronson, Eliana Light, and Beth Hamon), as well she attended sessions on engaging seniors and volunteer recruitment. She plans to meet with the rabbi and discuss the development of a new inter-generational program. Her ripple will be the increased knowledge, love, and care that our congregants will feel for each other across all the generational lines.

Jay Palter gave a talk, along with other Canadians, about Jewish practice in their city and in their synagogues across the Country - Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. Jay brought into his talk his “Jewish Story”. It was great, I learned a bit more about Jay, but the story also led to in-depth discussion of approaches to interfaith marriage, conversion, as well as matrilineal and patrilineal decent (not all reform congregations in Canada agree). The ripple effect? We are seriously talking about adding to our Friday Night services a presentation by a congregant of their Jewish story - be it of conversion in Calgary or of the Grandparents who came by ship with no money and little support in the 1800’s.

Josh Hesslein was busy attending sessions on the administrative aspects of running a Temple as he prepares to take over the role as President. His last session was on “Leading the Change - the Congregation of Tomorrow.“ As our future President he will be helping to lead us into tomorrow.

Through the connections and knowledge he gained at this Biennial, we will be more certain that this growth into tomorrow will continue our practice of inclusion and welcoming to new and old members, along with effective business management of Temple. I see this ripple as being one of increased strength and prominence in the Canadian Jewish community.

Mark Paidra... well his ripple of strength into the future has already begun. Mark attended the Biennial last time in Boston. His enjoyment and inspiration were a large part of the increase in the number of individuals from B’nai Tikvah attending. The programs and worship at the Biennial touched both his mind and his soul, and his ability to communicate this has caused all of us to consider our role in the Jewish community in a broader context. Thank you, Mark.

Lastly, I want to touch on that other Mark, our Rabbi. He simply knows everyone - I was a personal witness to numerous hugs - and he freely and warmly introduced us to his expansive Jewish network. We felt a true sense of belonging. He encouraged us to be in Chicago and made sure that the experience was one of growth - in our spirits as well as our waistlines. People from all across North America know Rabbi Glickman and now they know a little more of B’nai Tikvah as well. It is my impression that in getting to know us, they are impressed by what we as a congregation have created here in Calgary. This positive impression is another ripple of strength which will be expanding across North America. I do believe that we are becoming a force.

As I sit in my kitchen writing this column, it is a balmy -25 degrees outside.  I just returned from the YW in Inglewood where I teach yoga classes and 8 dedicated women showed up to support the YW and its programs despite the cold.  So thinking of what to have for lunch today - soup is the obvious and only answer!  The thing about soup is, that like Jewish opinions, there are so many to choose from. Last week, I had lunch with my friend Bonnie Kaplan as we discussed the Life & Legacy program.  While we chatted I noticed a soup recipe on her counter which she said was outstanding and she agreed to share it with us!

Thai Coconut Broccoli Curry Soup

• 1/3 cup green curry paste (not a mistake)
• 13.5 ounce can coconut milk
• 3 cups water
• sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 pound broccoli florets, chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves, plus more to serve
• 2 cups cilantro leaves
• 2 scallions, shredded
• crispy shallots or onions, to serve

Preparation

1.  Place the curry paste in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring for 1 minute or until fragrant.  Add the coconut milk, water, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.  Add the broccoli, cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.  Remove from the heat and add the spinach leaves and half the cilantro.

2.  Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth.  Divide among serving bowls and top with the extra spinach, remaining cilantro, scallions and shallots.

Hopefully this soup will have the desired effect of warming you up and tingling your taste buds. 

Thanks for the recipe Bonnie and Happy 2020 everyone.

—Tracey Rumig