My parents, Resa and Shelley Ostrove instilled in my brothers, Benji and Zach and myself a love of Judaism. 

I have memories that have stuck with me to this day of being in the Ashkenazi Synagogue with my cousins, the Minuk’s.

I became more spiritual at the age of 25 as something was drawing me to return and I began to go to  Etz Chayim Synagogue where my both my parents went on Saturday. 

When I moved into the south in 2009 I started to attend the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Saturdays and sometimes I went to Shabbat Live  on Friday evenings because  it is important to be part of a community, and I later joined  as a member of Shaarey Zedek.

I also started to attend services at Chabad when Study Buddies was started by Rabbi  Shmuly Altein and I go every Monday and Thursday to study with Rabbi Simmonds at the brand new JLI off Mather’s to learn Chumash. In my class, there are a number of Jewish men who originate form Argentina , along with Hart Peikoff, Seth Morris, Alan Rodkin, Micheal Migie and Adam Sheps. 

Being part of a loving community is something I would never give up—it gives a sense of oneness and unity. Coming to synagogue was a contract we made with G-D from the times of Moshe and this contract can never disappear. Going to synagogue is a time when our hearts and souls connect as one to Hashem.

 

Shabbat Live

I have been to Shabbat Live on Friday evenings at Shaarey Zedek three times with members of my family , and there are not too many people from my generation. The last time I was there around 35 people were in the small sanctuary surrounded by the soft glow of the Shabbat Candles and of pure angelic voices of the young Hazzinim.   Cantor Mass played the keyboard and sang as well with the young singers. Most of the people present came to Winnipeg from Argentina. They come back week after week as in Argentina Shabbat is celebrated more on Friday. It would be nice to see more people, especially young people, come to join in the Shabbat service. Action always speaks louder than words and it  is time for actions. I am proud to be Jewish.

 Judaism teaches us that what is most important is not what we have but what we can GIVE. And it teaches us that we are our brother’s keeper. There are times especially when I have had a difficult week, that going to synagogue, and feeling part of a community gives me peace of mind and an open heart.

G-D shines divine light when we enter the doors of a synagogue and see the Mezuzah.

 I believe that all Jews share and intrinsic connection. To sustain that connection, more of my generation needs to return to synagogue life—otherwise we will loose our Judaism.

Therefore, I decided to use the medium of Facebook as a way of asking others in my generation to come try Shabbat Live at Shaarey Zedek.