Historically, Canada’s Reform movement has been most prominent in Toronto and Montreal. Head east of Quebec, for example, and all you’d find are Orthodox and Conservative shuls.

But that history isn’t stopping Rabbi N. Siritsky from challenging the status quo. After working in Kentucky and holding virtual services for congregants in Florida, the Canadian-born rabbi has joined the thousands of home-seekers who flocked to Nova Scotia during the pandemic. Once there, they discovered many local Jews outside the traditional framework who were looking for ways to connect, including Russian newcomers, interfaith couples, LGBTQ Jews and those who simply don’t identify with the Conservative or Orthodox movements.

That led them to spearhead a historic project to establish the first Reform congregation east of Montreal. Their kickoff event is a virtual seder, happening this Friday and open to Jews in Atlantic Canada and beyond. So far, 25 families have asked to participate. Rabbi Siritsky joins to share why they are taking Reform Judaism out to where the people are, instead of starting with a bricks-and-mortar model.

What we talked about:

• Click here to register for the rabbi’s virtual seder
• Learn about Seder Night in Canada at sedernightincanada.com

Credits

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