FEATURE
IN SEARCH OF KOL KEHILA BY KELLY NEWMAN
KOSHER. ORGANIC. LOCAL. TO ME, THAT’S AS GOOD AS IT GETS. IT IS THE GOLD SEAL OF QUALITY, NOURISHING SOUL, BODY, AND MIND. Our relationship with food is both complex and simple. We simply need it to survive. But it also touches upon our lives in so many different ways, both subtly and otherwise at times. Food is interwoven into our human experience on so many levels. We are what we eat... and we are as we eat as well. Our well-being is intricately linked to food, poor diet being a major cause/factor in many ailments. It is concerning to see how quickly our society has become removed from knowing food and where it comes from. Few from our most recent generations have memories and experiences of time spent growing food or wildcrafting. My experiences with both, and observations from living on a small-scale farm, show me that these connections are very important, on very deep levels, for people to have. Over 90% of Maritime food is imported. We are very disconnected. There are some things that are simply not available in our region (yet!) and must be brought in if to be had at all.
But much can be sourced closer to home. And there is more than food to be gained by establishing food security through a food buyer’s group. The network of people, communities, skills, and resources that come together bring ideas and opportunities that benefit all. Food quality and security will not be a priority to everyone, but it matters none the less. A warning relevant for today can be found in Kissinger’s famous observation “If you control the food, you control the people...” We cannot eat money. The closer we are to our sustenance, knowing the farms and gardens (farmers/gardeners) that feed us, the more we are empowered. Within this week’s parashah (Parashat Shmini), some kosher laws are discussed. Rabbis may differ on what makes this observance significant (to HaShem and to us), and how best to observe it, but all agree it is significant. I quite agree, which leaves me searching for kol kehila. S Ms. Newman resides in Southwestern NB, enjoying the rural ways and pace of life. She can be reached at: knewman5737@outlook.com
The Abraham Leventhal Memorial Scholarships The Atlantic Jewish Council invites applications from residents of Atlantic Canada for Abraham Leventhal Memorial Scholarships towards tuition fees for future post-secondary studies in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The award will normally be to a maximum of $5000.00 for each application. The biannual application deadlines are May 31st (for studies beginning the following September, or later) and September 30th (for studies beginning the following January, or later). Applicants can apply once in any 12-month period. Abraham Leventhal Memorial Scholarships may be used towards either part-time or full-time studies. Starting in January of 2021, in order to receive this scholarship, all successful applicants must agree to volunteer a minimum of 18 hours to a/several qualifying Jewish organization(s) in Atlantic Canada in the 12 months following receipt of this scholarship. Up to 8 of these hours may be spent attending Hillel Atlantic Canada events for post-secondary students. Successful applicants will be provided more details about this volunteering commitment. Applications available at: theajc.ca/scholarships
theAJC .ca
SPR ING 2021
Shalom
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