Today, I cry for those in Bondi, Brown University, the Reiner family, I also cry for Gaza. I light the candles to bring in the light. My Jewish dad taught me to be the light when it is the darkest.

My father died Feb 1st, 2025, at the age of 87. He was a proud Jew, wanted to be a rabbi when he was young, and taught me about Jewish resilience, study, welcoming the stranger, sharing bread in community, and fighting for others’ freedoms. He was a Jew who loved Karl Marx, to the extent that he used Marx as an inspiration for all his passwords; a professor of political science and journalism, a documentary film producer, learned five languages, and loved people and dogs, wanting to hear all the stories. He would weep openly on the streetcar because “only in Toronto could you hear that many different languages in two stops.” He was a Jew who made me learn about McCarthyism, the blacklist, communism and Klimt’s “Kiss,” about opera (which he begged me to sing and he didn’t care that I couldn’t). He taught me that men can cry because the world is beautiful and that men can “always hurt the ones you love, the ones you shouldn’t hurt at all.” He taught me that being brave meant listening to and loving those who have less, are different, or who we are afraid of. He was my first heartbreak and continues to break my heart in his absence. He was the best Jew and planted the seeds of learning, laughing a lot, and loving even when it burns.

What does it mean to be a Jew in this moment? I answer this question from behind my own set of trauma goggles. Today I don’t feel like I can talk about Chanukah – let alone spell it, without aching for so many, and still this new set of tragedies is being used as a political reason to kill more people.

I find myself wary of a new Jewish friend because I’m not sure what “kind of Jew” she is, and after sizing one another up like dogs in the park and many innocuous questions later, we realized that we were both afraid of each other.  The other.

“I’ll have what she’s having.”

Rob Reiner gave his mother what became one of the most famous lines in movie history. Two women,  different ages and classes, but women all the same. Separate but together.

And so it is. Tikkun Olam.

COMMUNITY OFFERINGS:
(you don’t need to be a Witch or have experience in anything)

SUNDAYS The Witches Peace Choir
Emily Shelton, Lisa Brooke and Shoshana Sperling lead us in moving our voices through our bodies, and releasing tension as we connect in community. We will learn some songs, move our bodies and laugh a lot. No singing experience needed.
12 noon $10

SUN Jan 3rd Full Moon Vocal Sound Bath
For centuries women’s bodies have been aligning with the moon and marking this connection with ritual. We gather in circles under the moon to share our journeys, our grief and joys, and to shed what is no longer serving us. It’s just like coming home. You belong here. Sharing circle, Guided Meditation, Intuitive harmonies musical sound bath. $35 (now available – Buy a year’s subscription to this event for $333.)
7pm-9:30pm

SUN Jan 11th RIPEN monthly Radical Conversations to explore our Sensual, Intimate and Sexual Selves
For femme/non binary folk about sex and sexuality, desire, bodies, pleasure, adventure and relationships. Led by Gretel Meyer Odell, a sex educator/sexuality expert, who will facilitate and provide current education and resources as well as sharing practical and personal experiences. There will be laughter and fun as we challenge (or banish) the shame and stigma that has been holding us back and get curious about what could be.
3-6pm

SUN Jan 25th Fem Power Beats Women’s Drumming Circle
Explore rhythms and free-flowing drum beats and have FUN!
Drumming circles introduce a rhythmic flow to empowerment, a pure emotional release for many, and a sense of belonging for all. The freedom to create different beats, tones and rhythms is a powerful feeling made extra special when shared with a group of women. $15
7pm-8:30

SATURDAY Feb 7th Own Your Edges: Somatic & Expressive Arts Boundaries Intensive Part 2
Learn what boundaries are (and aren’t), Develop relational and interpersonal skills, map your nervous system, uncover the reasons for boundary confusion, discover your authentic “yes” and “no”, practice letting in the good, discover healthy boundaries after trauma or adverse events.
Led by Sarah Berneche- nutritionist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Kiki Kennedy- dance theatre artist, doula and ceramicist and Shoshana Sperling, healing healer, shape-shifter, community builder. We are all expressive arts student therapists at The Create Institute under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist.
10am-3pm
$125

Gift cards, Discounted yearly Full Moon subscriptions and T-shirts now available! Check www.communityoutwitch.com or Just reach out.

All events take place at 25 O’Hara Ave and open to all!! If you are femme, woman-identifying &/or non-binary this is an accountable space.
Sliding scale avail/no questions.
Much love, magic and strength. You belong.
Blessed Be!

Love, Shoshana
Executive Witch of Community OutWitch