Cantor Leslie Emery

Finding a Way Forward A Message From

Cantor Leslie Emery

Two Passovers have come and gone since the pandemic began and the world has been changing drastically along with it. Many of us have faced and continue to face challenges we had never envisioned. With war in Ukraine, Climate Change and so many issues confronting us, it can seem daunting at times finding a way forwards. A picture of my Great Grandma, Lily Koven z”l, has been smiling at me in my kitchen this whole time, thoughts of her and the challenges she faced in her own life guiding me along. My Great Grandma was blessed with a long life, and I am grateful for the many memories I have of her. She lived through World War I and the Spanish Flu. She experienced the Great Depression and found herself alone, raising four children during World War II as my Great Grandfather Sam Koven z”l trained soldiers overseas. She made it through the tough times. By the time I arrived on the planet, the world was becoming more stable and I was fortunate to be raised in easier times.

As we navigate the challenges of the present there is much inspiration to be drawn from the past. We are not the first to live in troubled times, or to require courage to face the future. I am fortunate to have many strong women in my family to draw inspiration from, like my Grandma Rhoda, who had a stellar career as a fashion reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press while raising five children. I still marvel at how she managed it all! Having a career and a family was not the norm at the time and I am so grateful for those who forged the path ahead of me so that I might live my life to the fullest. I draw inspiration from my Mother, Lisa Hajer, who has built her life on her own terms and is a supportive and caring person, no matter what life sends her way. Sometimes following the path already travelled works. However sometimes, we need some outside of the box thinkers to forge the way ahead.

The Book of Exodus is the second book in the Torah Scroll. This is the book that contains the story of Passover and the Exodus from Egypt. Though when we think of the Exodus from Egypt we usually think immediately of Moses and Aaron and the conflict with Pharaoh, the book of Exodus is filled with rebel women who stand up against the injustices of the time. Often the word rebel is viewed as negative, however there are times when the world needs rebels, when we need those who are strong enough to speak up against injustice and fight against oppression. The very act of being Jewish and practicing Judaism has been an act of rebellion many times throughout history and still is, as incidences of Antisemitism rise.

Shortly after the book of Exodus opens, we hear the story of the midwives, Shifra and Puah, who rejected Pharaoh’s order to kill all Jewish baby boys born at that time. They directly defied the orders at risk for their own lives. Further along in the narrative we meet Moses’s Mother, Yocheved. Yocheved gives birth to a baby boy and sneaks him down to the river, asking her daughter Miriam to follow the basket containing her baby brother as he floats along. There we encounter another rebel woman, one who’s name is not included in the Torah, Bat Paraoh, Pharaoh’s daughter who saves Moses and raises him as her son. At the conclusion of the Passover story we find the Jewish people, safe from Pharaoh, across the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea), celebrating in song with none other than Miriam who is counted among our

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Prophets and who some consider to be the very first Cantor, as she led everyone in song after making it safely to the other side.

As we gather to recount this ancient chapter in Jewish History, let’s also remember that we are not the first or the last to face troubled times. Let’s remember that we all have a role to play in healing the world. Let’s remember the rebel women of the Exodus, who defied orders that contradicted the basic values of life. Let’s care for each other and find a way through with lovingkindness and courage. Wishing you and those you love a Chag Sameach and joyful moments together.

leslie@szwinnipeg.ca 204 287 5134