[2] Founded in 1987, Or Haneshamah describes itself as a progressive, liberal, egalitarian, inclusive, multi-generational congregation notable for welcoming all Jews, including unaffiliated, intermarried, and LGBTQ individuals and families.

[6]: 213  The Havurah originally formed as a study group at Temple Israel, Ottawa's Reform Synagogue, to explore the differences between Reconstructionism and other branches of Judaism.

As their numbers grew, they began holding regular Shabbat and holiday services and lifecycle events in rented spaces, primarily in The Glebe neighborhood of Ottawa.

[8] At that time, Or Haneshamah also moved to its current location in the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa building.

Or Haneshamah has a number of regular adult education and cultural programs, including: a monthly Jewish Mindfulness Meditation group; “Exploring Judaism: A Course for Inquisitive Jews, their Significant Others, Those Considering Adult B’nei Mitzvah, and Seekers of Jewish Life”; a "Learning After Lunch" Series that included (in 2015-16), "Who Wrote the Bible?," "Prayerbook Hebrew," and "Mapping the Siddur – Becoming a Service Maven"; and book and movie discussion groups.

Or Haneshamah is involved in a number of social action initiatives, including the Multifaith Housing Initiative, the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank[18] and the Shalom Group, a group of Ottawa-area congregations formed in 2015 to support the private sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family.