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March 2006
Now this? Truly is a newsletter
Welcome, welcome one and all! This is the first edition in a new era of sharing information about all that is the DJC. From the better late than never department, this just in: the DJC’s newsletter is now an official resident of cyberspace.
With this March issue, we relaunch not just our newsletter but our web site (www.djctoronto.com). We’ve made the web site easier to navigate, and worked hard to integrate it with the newsletter and make them more relevant and useful parts of your DJC experience.
Among the new features you’ll find on the web site are:
- More interactive features, including a discussion board and a print-and-save calendar
- The Shuk, our very own little corner of the world’s marketplace
- An expanded list of links to other web sites of interest
- A new photo gallery
- Tips and reminders about upcoming Jewish holidays, DJC events and activities and lots more
The web site, much like the newsletter and the DJC itself, is always a work in progress. If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see on the site, send them to ideas@djctoronto.com. And—if there’s something you’d like to see included in an upcoming edition of the newsletter&mdthen that goes to newsletter@djctoronto.com.
We hope you’ll find these new tools useful and practical. If there’s a way we can make them better—let us know. And if you love them just the way they are? That, we’d like to know too. And anything in between.
And now, back to our regularly scheduled newsletter.
Havdallah on . . . nice!
A few brave, hardy souls—under the watchful eye of Rabbi Eliza Kukla—gathered for a chilly but intrinsically Canadian havdallah service on Saturday, February 19. After a few laps of the Withrow Park outdoor rink, the assembled crew lapped up some hot chocolate and nibbled on Timbits, while bidding adieu to Shabbat and shalom to the week to come.
The service has become something of a local tradition, and one that’s likely to grow in popularity in years to come. See for yourself: there are more pictures posted here (djctoronto.com/explore/havdallah-show.php). Next year, at the ice rink.
Come for the whole megillah!
That’s right! Purim is around the corner and no one does a Purim Carnival the way we do at the DJC!
You want a Purim Shpiel? We got one great Babylonian story! You want Carnival games and awesome trade up prizes? We’ve got plenty! You want happy little faces munching on hamentashen and Haman’s “pizza face”. Well you’ve got that too!
Come join us for yet another fun-filled and action packed DJC Purim Carnival!
When: Thurday, March 9, 2006 from 4:30-7:00 (Purim Shpiel—4:30-5:30; Carnival—5:30-7:00)
Where: The DJC Community School located at 583 Danforth Avenue [map] (above Sun Valley, on the premises of Miss Miriam’s Nursery school)
As in previous years, volunteers will be required to make this a fun and safe event for our children. We still need many volunteers specifically to help supervise booths from 6:15-7:00 and also to help with clean-up. Please contact Galina Vaisman at gvaisman@sympatico.ca or call her at: (416) 686-7359 to sign up and help make this another great Purim Carnival event!
To get you in a “Mordechai and Esther” frame of mind, this year’s line-up includes freilach music, a puppet show, carnival games, face painting, great food and much more! So mark it in your calendars!
Your Purim Carnival Committee
Someone old, someone new
The DJC‘s Annual General Meeting took place February 28, 2006. Among other business, three new board members were sworn in:
- Rosie Beitel, a clinical social worker for the past 20 years counselling individuals, couples and families. For the past seven years she has worked for Warren Shepell Consultants doing short-term counseling, as well as conducting a private practice in her home. She has been a very dedicated member of the DJC since its inception and is extremely appreciative of all it has to offer. Rosie has two daughters, ages 19 and 15. In her spare time she loves to hike, read, go to plays and movies, and get together with family and friends.
- Jeff Krymalowski and his family, who have been members of the DJC since 1998. Jeff has been on the Children‘s Education Committee for the past two years, and also played an active role in planning several Hanukah celebrations. He revamped and administered the DJC database for several years, and was part of the team that developed the DJC By-Laws. By day, Jeff designs computer networks at IBM. His wife Mary Beth Leatherdale is the editor of OWL Magazine. They have two kids in the Jewish Studies program: Ben in Grade 6 and Sarah in Grade 3. Jeff also spent 11 (count ‘em) years in parochial school—it has to count for something.
- Alex Lowy, a business strategy advisor and writer with a background in corporate training and development. His most recent books are The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix and Digital Capital. He has worked for the City of Toronto and Shell Canada, and for 10 years helped to form and lead a global research firm focused on the uses and implications of new communications technology. Alex has been an active and very appreciative member of the DJC for many years, and is delighted to contribute to its on-going development and success by serving as a board member. An ex-Montrealer, he lives in Riverdale with his wife Julia and two sons André (21 and studying jazz trumpet) and Benjamin (17 and finishing his last year of high school).
It also meant a sad farewell to departing members Howie Shrier, Susie Waldman and Marlee Novak. Although they will be missed, their contributions—and their commitment to building a better, stronger, more dynamic and successful DJC—are their real legacy.
Alex, Rosie and Jeff join returning board members Gail Dobbs, Avrum Jacobson, Lynne Raskin, Larry Till and Mark Zaret. Welcome to the newbies, welcome back to the returning members, and good luck to all!
Shabbat service
Our regular, home-based Shabbat services continue this Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at the home of Gail Sax and Michel Trocme at 121 Silver Birch Ave.[map] in the Beach, north of Queen Street and four blocks west of Victoria Park Avenue.
If February had you singing the blues, consider singing a Shabbat song or two, with some prayer and thoughtful discussion thrown into the mix. Bring some finger food, and a willingness to participate in what has become a meaningful tradition for many. Rsvp: 416-691-4911
| ELIZA’S NEXT VISIT: |
| MARCH 24-26 (Stay tuned for more details) |
Next newsletter deadline: Friday, March 24, 2006
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