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March 2007
CONTENTS:
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
In the spring of 2005, the Danforth Jewish Circle charted new waters and hired our first rabbi: Eli Kukla. Over the last two years, Rabbi Eli has been a force and inspiration to the DJC. Her leadership has resulted in the expansion of our community, our greater connection with each other and an overall broadening of the services we offer our members.
Unfortunately and after much thought and deliberation, Rabbi Eli has decided to leave the DJC at the end of her contract on June 30, 2007. She has chosen to pursue her education in areas that will complement her rabbinical training. Although we are sorry that she is leaving the DJC, we give her our full support as she pursues these new challenges.
Our experience of having a rabbi has been hugely positive for the DJC. Initially, we wondered: Do we need a rabbi? Would we use one? How would it change us? Based on the results from our High Holidays questionnaire and subsequent discussions with our members, we now know that a rabbi is an integral part of the DJC community. So our experiment in hiring a part-time rabbi two years ago has been a resounding success.
Rabbi Eli is sharing her perspective of what it has been like working with the DJC. Her insights as well as those from the surveys that were completed by many members last year are helping us focus in our search to find an interim rabbi who can support our community over the High Holidays. At the same time, we are searching for a more permanent rabbi.
Our experience in having Rabbi Eli as part of the DJC has been exceptional and rewarding for both Eli and us. We are going to work together between now and the end of June to assist Eli in her transition and she will be helping us in our search for her replacement.
We will continue to keep you informed. If you have any questions please e-mail us at info@djctoronto.com or give us a call at 416.580.6303.
Daphne Woolf (Co-Chair)
Rabbi Eli’s letter to the DJC
Dear DJC,
Being involved with the DJC over the past two years has truly been one of the most meaningful and formative experiences of my life. I have been inspired and enriched by this community both spiritually and professionally. However after an extremely challenging and soul searching decision making process I have decided that, for personal reasons, this is not the right moment for me to continue with this position after my current contract expires in June 2007. I will be spending next year in San Francisco as a resident in the spiritual care department of the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center developing my skills in pastoral care and working towards chaplaincy certification.
I know that the DJC will continue to find dynamic spiritual leadership in the coming years. Over the next few months there will be opportunities, both through public events and private conversations, for us to discuss how this change will impact you personally and the community as a whole. I have learned so much from all of you I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for this opportunity and for welcoming me into your lives. I am excited to see the directions that the DJC takes as it continues to grow and deepen and I hope for opportunities to be involved in the future.
B’Shalom u’vracha (with peace and blessings) - Eli
Shabbat Shalom!
What: Our next in-home Shabbat, at the home of Warren Morris and Laurie Weinberg
Where: 51 Playter Boulevard [map]
By Car: Driving east or west along Mortimer Ave., go south on Jackman to the third street- Butternut- turn right and left on Playter Blvd--#51 is located on the corner of Butternut and Playter Blvd.
Subway: Chester subway, walk north along Jackman (just west of Chester) and turn left on Butternut to Playter Blvd.
When: Friday, March 23, 7:00pm
RSVP: 416.465.0591
Finger food contributions are most welcome.
If you would like to volunteer your home for a Friday evening service, please contact Diana Chastain at dianach@allstream.net or 416.465.0635.
PESACH
Leaving Egypt
By Rabbi Eli Kukla
Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim, a narrow place of contraction and oppression. Wherever we are right now it is probably Mitzrayim. The Hebrew word for oppression used over and over again in the Pesach story is lachatz, which literally means to tighten or to squeeze. We have all known what it means to feel our lives compressed. We have been squeezed by the pressures of external ideas of beauty and financial success. Our growth has been stunted by living with racism, economic injustice and sexism. We have felt the contraction of all the obstacles that restrict our lives and encourage us to be less fully unique and powerful beings. We know what oppression looks like but this year can we imagine freedom?
Michael Waltzer draws three conclusions from the story of the Exodus: “1) Wherever you live it is probably Mitzrayim. 2) There is a better place, a Promised Land. 3) The only way to get there is by joining together and marching.” (From “Exodus and Revolution”) This year, join together with your DJC community and begin to march! On April 10 we will host a community Seder that will give us an opportunity to tell the story of the Exodus, ask questions, sing, eat and find new ways to “Leave Egypt” together.
As the Pesach seder comes to a close we chant Hallel, the group of psalms that are sung on all major holidays. We sing: “Min HaMetzar Karati Yah, Anani Ba'merchav Yah!” From narrowness I called out to God, and God answered me with expansive opening. This Pesach may we break free from whatever has been stunting our growth and see that we have the capacity to tell our own stories, join together and change the world. After all, that is the way that every revolution has begun.
DJC Community Seder
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 6:30pm
Riverdale Presbyterian Church, 662 Pape Avenue
(Side door, follow steps down the basement)
Come join the DJC community for a lively, participatory, edgy retelling of the Passover liberation story, led by Rabbi Eli Kukla. This Second Seder will include both family participation and adult discussion – and we may even have a couple of songs, rituals, a slide show and questions/answers to throw in as well!
Free Childcare provided**
This is a potluck event and RSVPs are required**
As a volunteer-run event—your assistance would be much appreciated
Please RSVP by email by April 1, 2007 to Dina Waik at dwaik@rogers.com
Please consider welcoming a guest at your Seder table
Please consider inviting an individual or a family to sit at your Seder table this Passover. If you can accommodate someone (or a family), or you need a place to celebrate the First Seder, please e-mail Kathy at info@djctoronto.com and I will match you up.
WEEKEND OF SHARED LEARNING
Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto - MCCT - will be partnering with the DJC for a weekend of shared learning. MCCT is a thriving congregation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and heterosexual allies from all walks of life; (if you want more information about MCC please visit their website: mcctoronto.com)
On Friday, April 13, members of MCCT will be joining us for our Friday Night Services. Senior pastor Reverend Brent Hawkes will be offering the sermon on the theme of diversity. Rev Hawkes is a renowned, award-winning speaker who has been honoured by the United Nations and the city of Toronto.
DJC is invited…
On Sunday, April 15, members of the DJC are invited to join MCCT for their services. Rabbi Eli will be offering a sermon to the community on Jewish liberation theology and running a workshop after services.
What: Sermon exchange with the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
When: Sunday April 15, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Avenue—at the corner of Logan Avenue and Simpson, one block east of Broadview. [map]
Calling all Parents and youths (ages 13 and up)!
DJC YOUTH GROUP
Over the years, we have created so many wonderful programs, a great school, and many opportunities to get together for families, kids, and adults. It is now time to think about our youth! We are looking for any adults or youth, who might be interested in shaping our very own DJC youth program. It’s an exciting opportunity to get involved and put your ideas into action. We are not sure yet what the focus will be as we need to hear from you and what you might be looking for. If you would be interested - or know others who would be - in helping to shape this youth program, please contact Eve-Lynn Stein at eveal@interlog.com.
DJC EVENTS: MARCH AND APRIL AT A GLANCE…
Friday, March 23 - In-home Shabbat, 7:00pm, 51 Playter Blvd. (see location details above).
Tuesday, April 10 - DJC Communal Seder, 6:30pm Riverdale Presbyterian, 662 Pape Avenue [map], (side door, follow steps down to the basement). **Rsvp required—contact Dina Waik: dwaik@rogers.com
*Free childcare provided.
Friday, April 13 - Shabbat service, DJC hosting MCCT, 6:30pm, at Eastminster Church, 310 Danforth Avenue [map]- Location: Eastminster Sanctuary- please use the Jackman entrance. Guest speaker Reverend Brent Hawkes delivering a sermon on diversity. *Free childcare provided.
Saturday, April 14 - Torah Study with Rabbi Eli Kukla, 10:30am at Riverdale Presbyterian, 662 Pape Avenue [map] (side door, follow steps down to the basement).
Sunday, April 15 - Sermon exchange with the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, 11:00am, Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Avenue [map] (at the corner of Logan Avenue and Simpson, one block east of Broadview). Rabbi Eli will be offering a sermon on Jewish liberation theology and running a workshop after services.
And a Jewish Community event:
Please mark you calendars
2007 UJA WALK—Sunday, May 27, 10:30am.
The fabulous Kick-Off Party takes place from 9:30 - 10:30 at Coronation Park, and the Walk itself begins at 10:30 sharp. We will wind our way through the beautiful streets of downtown Toronto and end with our amazing carnival at the Automotive Building at Exhibition Place.
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