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May 2006
Chair's Report: Looking ahead
Lots of good things to tell you about: first the board is happy to report that our Rabbi, Eliza Kukla, will officially be ordained on May 14! We will celebrate Eliza’s Smicha (Hebrew for ordination) on her next visit here. See details below.
Eliza has also agreed to be with us for the coming year, still on a part-time basis but with more time devoted to DJC activities. So there will be additional events along with the weekend gatherings and more time available for private meetings.
While other commitments will not give Eliza the required time to officiate at bar/bat mitzvahs for next year, she will be available to do naming ceremonies as part of Friday night services. So whether it is a baby naming, conversion, anniversary or any other important event that you would like to have our community recognize, please contact us well in advance and we will do our best to include them.
As well, Eliza would like to meet and get to know all b’nei mitzvah students and include them in the Friday night service prior to their b’nei mitzvah.
Please contact Kathy at info@djctoronto.com to set up appointments with Eliza. You can also contact Eliza directly at rabbi@djctoronto.com to discuss other issues.
By now you have all heard about a very important DJC visioning meeting being held on June 4. In case you missed it, it is included at the end of this newsletter. Just a word or two of background into what led up to this meeting: at our board discussions it became abundantly clear that in order to make the right decisions we need to be in touch with you, and know how you feel about where we have come and where we are going. We are at an important crossroads and both need and want your valued opinions. I sincerely hope that as many of you come as possible.
A word of thanks to all who planned and participated in the retreat. It sounds like it was quite an incredible experience!
Lastly, Kathy became our full time administrator as of April, and we simply don't know how we managed without her. Thank you, Kathy!
Mark Zaret, Chair
Shabbat Service with Eliza
When? Friday, May 26, at 6:30, kiddush to follow
Where? Ms. Miriam’s – 583A Danforth Ave [map]
(next to Sun Valley—buzz the doorbell to the left of the entrance)
Instead of our usual Saturday morning Torah learning, we will hold a special Meet-Greet-Torah-and-Eat at 6:30 pm on Thursday night, May 25 (also at Ms. Miriam’s). The subject is Welcoming the Stranger. This is a perfect time to bring any of your friends or family who are curious about the DJC. There will be an hour of learning followed by a dessert feast. It’s a great way for prospective members to meet Rabbi Eliza and to taste the DJC. All welcome.
A reminder
. . . That our next home-based shabbat service will take place Friday, May 12 and will be hosted by Sharon Singer and Pierre Gelineau, two warm and welcoming souls. As always, services begin at 7 p.m., and finger food is most appreciated.
Sharon and Pierre live at 31 Lauder Avenue (south of St. Clair, two blocks east of Dufferin) [map].
Rsvp 416.651.1077
Feeding the need
The DJC School is wrapping up the year with a bang. The b’nai mitzvah class launched a food drive our food drive on behalf of the Daily Bread Food Bank, with a goal of collecting 100 pounds of food and $100. With the support of parents, they surpassed both—raising $125 and more than 200 pounds of food. The DJC would like to thank all the parents and children for participating in this important act of giving.
The children also conducted their own Oneg Shabbat services with the younger children being paired-up with the older ones. One class went on a special trip to the Beaches Synagogue. There has been lots of learning about tzedakah, mitzvah, Jewish history, Hebrew and more.
Now we are sad that our last class is on May 11—but are starting already to gear up for next year. Application forms for the 2006/2007 year are available now and there is an early bird discount if you submit your application with payment before June 30.
Weaving Our Stories
On Friday, April 28, a group of 19 people (DJC members and friends) took off for the idyllic surroundings of the Hockley Valley. For two days, we celebrated Shabbat, shared our stories, engaged in Torah study, chanted, performed havdallah, did yoga, hiking, drumming, eating and singing around a campfire. It was phenomenal! This was our first attempt at a retreat and for all of us it exceeded our expectations.
The weather was wonderful, the breezes were warm and soothing and the conversations were filled with a lovely mixture of intellect, laughter and searching. In addition, music wove its way throughout the weekend, embracing and connecting us all. Eliza Kukla, our Rabbi, was part of the planning and, along with others, led the workshops and study groups.
Our challenge will be to continue to create events that feed our mind, body and spirit, while building relationship and community. This is, after all, the essence of the DJC.
—The Planning Committee
Book your time!
The planning committee of the DJC Book Club urgently needs new members! Our outstanding season of books, expert facilitators, discussion and yummy noshes, shared in the warmth of DJC members’ homes, has come to an end.
Now we are ready to organize the 2006-2007 season. Whether a member of the Book Club or not, if you would like to contribute to the planning of this next year, please call Jill Solnicki, 416.463.0806, by May 20. The committee’s first planning meeting will be held in the last week of May.
Step up . . . and step in
The DJC is looking for a new co-ordinator for this year’s Sukkoth celebration. It’s not a huge job, but it does involve a fair bit of advance planning. Work starts with acquiring the necessary permits over the summer so that everything’s in place for the fall. Ilana Waldston, who’s been doing it for several years, is more than willing to provide the necessary pointers and support to make things easy. Interested? Contact us at info@djctoronto.com.
Deadline for the next issue: June 2, 2006.
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