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August, 2004

THE HIGH HOLIDAYS ARE NIGH…
True, the leaves have yet to turn but the back-to-school specials are back with a vengeance, which means the High Holidays are just around the corner. Many of us anticipate rounding that corner, knowing what awaits: the opportunity to assemble as a community, to remind ourselves of our connection to Judaism and each other, to take stock of the year gone by as we cast our sights forward to the year ahead. At the Danforth Jewish Circle we strive to make Judaism meaningful, and this year we are offering an opportunity to explore why we do what we do during the High Holidays. On Thursday, September 9th - a week before Rosh Hashanah - you’re invited to join Avrum Rosensweig to learn more about the High Holidays. Come with your questions, your queries, your arguments. See the enclosed flyer for more details.

Yes, we’re delighted that Avrum will be back to lead our services again this year. While many of us felt richer for having Avrum with us last year, the experience affected him as well. He wrote about last year’s services in the Canadian Jewish News in a column that we’ve posted on our new-and-improved website (more website info follows).

Last year saw us take some new steps, and we’ll be doing more of the same this year. Everyone will be required to enter Eastminster United Church using the Danforth Avenue doors. You will be required to show your membership card (or day pass) when you enter the sanctuary. Truth be told, these measures had a profound effect on the “schnorrer syndrome” that had grown out of hand. In the end, we all benefit when we all play by the same rules. Which isn’t to say we’ve turned into a bunch of stuffed shirts. Last year’s “early bird special” was a big success, so we’re pleased to offer it again. And you thought early bird specials were only for alter kackers in Florida. Think again.

If you mail in your membership form by September 2nd (postmarked) you will receive one free pass to a single service (evening or day). A friend, a family member, a fling - a day pass is a great way to introduce someone to the DJC. This offer applies to all memberships except those purchasing single service tickets. We will only begin to process the forms after September 2, so please be patient. Once again, those who do pay at the door will have the opportunity to pay by credit card. And those who are blessed with good fortune are asked to consider making a donation to help cover the membership fees for those who simply don’t have enough.

And what about the children? You think we’ve forsaken our little ones? Our very popular Children’s Rosh Hashanah service will take place on 10:30 on Rosh Hashanah day and will feature the beloved Alan Merovitz and Danny Bakan, who perform a small miracle by converting a church basement into Catskills-on-the-Danforth.

As for the older folk, we’re looking for some volunteers who can help organize a Rosh Hashanah kiddush. We’ll walk you through it, but we need someone to take the first steps. As well, anyone who can read Hebrew and hasn’t yet had the chance to read from the Torah during our High Holiday services is asked to contact Avrum Jacobson if you’re willing to play a part in the proceedings (avrumj@sympatico.ca or 416-469-1559). Avrum has assured us that those who kindly agree to read will not be required to wear one of his colourful - but strictly Kosher - Hawaiian shirts.

As always, we’ll need volunteers to help keep things running smoothly. It’s not long before a series of small tasks can snowball into something all together too big for a few people to handle. Surely there are enough of us out there who can contribute a bit of time at this time of year. The task might be as simple as helping collect wayward prayer books once the service is over or putting away a few chairs in the auditorium. Don’t be a wallflower. Step forward, pick up the phone, call DJC administrator Kathy Miller at 416-825-7431 and say, “Okay, kid. Whaddya want me to do?” Well, maybe not those exact words, but you get the drift.

STEP INTO OUR WEB
For those of you who receive the newsletter via snail mail, you may want to consider pasting this one into your scrapbook to show to your grandchildren one day. If all goes according to plan (and, admittedly, it rarely does), this will be the last general newsletter sent out by mail. The DJC is finally joining the 21st century and will be sending out all information through our website at http://www.djctoronto.com. That’s where you’ll be able to find out everything you need, from the latest newsletter to background information on Jewish holidays so you can avoid blunders from years gone by (“C’mon, kids. It’s time to light the hamantashen!”)

Holiday primers aren’t up just yet, but we anticipate adding that and more as the website evolves in the months – and years – ahead. The possibilities are endless, and we hope you share our enthusiasm at taking this important step forward. Think of it as one-stop shopping without an overbearing saleslady named Rivka noodging you at every turn. For now, you’ll find the basics on the site, which has taken months to create and finetune. Hats off to Harley Jacoubsen for his masterful work in putting it all together. His patience, professionalism and perseverance are truly inspiring, and we owe a collective debt of gratitude for the commitment he brought to the task. The ever-cheerful Karen Robbins was also instrumental in making it happen. Emil Sher contributed to the cause but still thinks megabytes are a new, high-protein snack. After the High Holidays all newsletters will be posted on our website. You’ll receive an e-mail message letting you know when it’s been posted. We will no longer be sending out the newsletter by snail mail, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the membership form. If you don’t have access to e-mail, exceptions will be made and a hard copy version of the newsletter will be mailed to you. For all others, please bear in mind that going online substantially reduces our mailing costs.

Owing to privacy issues (and in order to avoid getting truckloads of spam), newsletters will only be accessible with a password. The temporary User ID/password (until we begin the Jewish new year) is as follows:

DJC JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM 2004-2005: ENRICHING AND ENGAGING
Established by parents in 1998, our children’s Jewish studies program (Grades 1-6) is designed and dedicated to providing our children with a positive Jewish experience, an understanding of their heritage and history, and a sense of belonging to a diverse community with a unique culture. Our objective is to ensure our students learn not just the “what” but the “why” with an emphasis on arts, music, culture and fun.

The DJC Kindergarten program is for children in JK/SK (ages 4 and 5). We aim to instill in our children a love of being Jewish and a general understanding of our Jewish traditions through storytelling, songs, crafts and fun. The classes are small and are conducted by a mesmerizing teacher whom the children adore. There is also a full-time assistant in the class, so we have a very low student-teacher ratio. Our kindergarten program lays the foundation for our children to love learning and love being Jewish.

Both programs meet Thursdays after school. For more information telephone our school at (416) 831-7301 or e-mail Debbie Plested at debbie@oxfordcomputer.ca or Daphne Woolf, JK/SK coordinator, at (416) 469-1300 or by e-mail at daphne.woolf@sympatico.ca .

HEBREW LESSONS, ONE ALEPH AT A TIME
Interested in learning Hebrew in a program designed for beginners? A few DJC members are starting up classes for those who want to slowly wade into the waters of a new language. Classes would include studying passages pertaining to the High Holidays, placing the text within a Biblical and historical perspective. The 90-minute classes will take place on Saturday mornings at 11:30 in the St. Clair/Oakwood area, beginning on September ll. For more information, call DJC stalwart Pierre Gelineau at 416-651-1077.

SUKKOT PARTY: BRANCHING OUT
The tireless Ilana Waldston has once again agreed to head up this year’s Sukkot party at Withrow Park, following on the heels of last year’s wonderful get together. But as tireless as Ilana is, she’s not the Energizer bunny. Please consider helping out at this year’s festivities. Ilana can be reached by phone (after August 23) at 416-462-9952 or by e-mail any old time at eyew@rogers.com .

BAR/BAT MITZVAH STUDY GROUP
Parents of children celebrating a Bat or Bar Mitzvah in 2005 are invited to contact Barbara Silverstein, who’s interested in forming a group, knowing strength (not to mention less stress) comes in numbers. Barbara can be reached at 416-413-9784 or by e-mail at bsilve0476@rogers.com .

DO YOU HAVE A YEN FOR YIDDISH?
If you thought “yen” was a young yenta, you might be ready for a course in Yiddish. The Miles Nadal JCC is offering three courses:

For more information, call 416-924-6211.

AND BEAR IN MIND…
Free outdoor Israeli festival - A unique marketplace experience. See, hear, taste, smell, and feel the Spirit of Israel in the third annual Shuk In The Park, a free, outdoor Israeli festival on Sunday August 29, 12-6 pm, Suydam Park (Spadina Road and Strathearn Road), rain or shine or anything else in between. Visit http://www.shukinthepark.com for more info.

And don’t forget that the Ashkenaz Festival is back this year on Labour Day weekend. Ashkenaz is the largest festival of Yiddish culture in the world, and it’s right at our doorstep at the Harbourfront Centre. Learn more about this year’s festival, including Ashke-Kids, at http://www.ashkenazfestival.org .

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