Our sages tell us that people should not part ways amid chatter, nor on a note of laughter, lightheadedness or idle words. Saying good-bye is a key moment and the parting talk should be the language of Halacha [Jewish Law] – Babylonian Talmud Berachot 31a

Why do our Sages teach that our parting words to each other should be words of halacha? The Hebrew word “halacha” literally means the ‘way that we walk’ it refers to the practical details of Jewish law that make up the fabric of a traditional way of life. The easiest answer to the question of why we say good-bye to each other with these words is that these regular reminders will help us to keep track of the complex intricacies of Jewish tradition: all the various ways to celebrate Shabbat and holidays, the exact percentage of our income that we should be donating to those in need, the prohibitions on eating meat without mindfulness… the list goes on and on!
However, a friend of mine recently taught me a different way to understand this text. These religious details made up the daily lives of our Sages. Maybe the point they were making when they asked us to part each other’s company with these actions on our lips, was not just so that we will remember to perform these sacred obligations. Instead maybe the point is that we should say good-bye by discussing these actions, so that when we do these acts of everyday holiness, they will remind us of the person who is leaving! For example, if you kiss me good-bye and tell me to remember to light Shabbat candles, then maybe every week when I kindle those lights your face will come to mind in their glow.
This is my last newsletter article in my current role at the DJC and I am struck by how many sacred activities you have all reminded me to do over the last two years and how many of your faces will always come to my mind as I go on to serve different communities. Every time I have the honor to name a baby I will think about the chubby cheeks of the babies whose names I got to announce to you all here, every time I help to lead High Holy Day services I will think about the open faces of so many of you who brought so much of your creativity and personality to these services, every time I help organize a community for social justice I will think about the eyes of some many of you as we looked at each other and discussed your passions and interests as part of the listening campaign… the list could go on! I can’t begin to say how meaningful these moments were to me and how much they have become a part of the fabric of my Jewish life.
Over the next few weeks we have quite a few events together. These events will be an opportunity to celebrate the exciting new directions that the DJC is taking, as well as an opportunity for me to let you know in person how many sacred activities you have “reminded” me to do and to let you know how much you have taught me over the past two years. - Eli

May/June at a glance*

*Editor’s note: I’m reversing the order this month and placing our calendar at the beginning, followed by details of many of these events and other important news-- please mark your calendars and read on!

URGENT - VOICES Needed
Request from Lisa Kent

Do you know any semi-professional, male or female singers who might be interested in joining our High Holiday choir? We need to find one or two people who can read music, are able to work with a tape/CD to learn the material, and have a flexible schedule come August and September in order to rehearse. Anyone interested will need to audition. If you know someone who you think may fit this description, please pass on my email address: kentspoon@sympatico.ca

Thanks!

LISTENING CAMPAIGN - HOUSE MEETINGS

House Meeting -Diversity

When: Tuesday, May 29th
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: 1030 Logan Avenue -1 block north of the Danforth, 2 blocks east of Chester Subway [map] -home of Julia Mustard and Alex Lowy.

As you may have heard, The DJC listening campaign is in the process of organizing several 'house meetings' this month on themes and issues that impact the lives of DJC members.  A house meeting is a "relational conversation" between 8-12 people who sit down together to share their stories, concerns, and dreams.  The goal of these meetings is to help build and strengthen a vibrant, caring community with the capacity to act on the needs and values of its members.
On Tuesday, May 1st, a house meeting on Diversity within the DJC took place. With the positive energy of dialogue and connection that came out of this get-together, we want to launch forward into a second meeting in the interest of sharing more stories around Diversity issues that impact our community.

The theme of diversity is a huge one and one that we know affects the DJC community, as diversity certainly defines us. Come and join in the dialogue on diversity as you see it.

If you are interested in coming, please RSVP to Tanya Lewis t7lewis@gwemail.ryerson.ca by May 25th to assist us in the planning.

GO GREEN! House meeting on Thursday May 31st

If the environment is important to you and you want to do something to make things better, consider joining us at the first DJC House Meeting about the environment on Thursday May 31! How we treat our natural resources, in effect steward our planet Earth, is fundamentally a spiritual concern with real implications. Many congregations of all stripes across North America are getting together to 'green' Tikun Olam. We want to bring this energy to the Danforth and the DJC. We'll be sharing stories about the environment and finding common threads linking us within a Jewish context to go forward. We're giving a special shout-out to teens as well as adults to gather and listen to each other's stories, hopes and concerns so that we blend our energies to make a difference in an area of our choosing.
For further information, or to say you want to be there on May 31st, please email sheila@leadership-gold.com, to get further details. Attendance is limited due to space.

House meeting- Issues of Aging

On May 7, ten DJC members met at Susan Friedman's home to discuss issues about aging.  It was an evening of sharing and support. Two themes emerged.  Most shared concerns and difficulties in caring for aging parents.  Others expressed personal concerns over their own aging process.
 
We are going to meet again on Thursday, June 21 (venue TBA in upcoming e-mail news blast) and are hoping to reach out to you in the larger DJC community.  Both themes will be discussed and where we want to go from here. All members are welcome.
 
If you are interested, let me know at this email address dinach@allstream.net or simply attend the session.

What:  Our next in-home Shabbat, at the home of Emil Sher and Kathy Miller.
Where:  940 Carlaw Avenue [map] - first street west of Pape Ave, north of the Danforth, south of Mortimer Ave.
When:  Friday, June 22, 7:00pm
Rsvp:  416.423.1668
Finger food contributions are most welcome.

DJC BOOK CLUB - Another successful season!

The DJC book club held its fabulous final session of the season on May 9th, at the beautiful home of Anne Amitay. Andrea Most, professor of literature and Jewish Studies at U. of T., led an illuminating gab fest about the extraordinary graphic novels, Maus I and II, by Art Spiegelman.

The organizing committee of your book club is at this very moment planning the 2007-2008 season. Look for the new roster of exciting books and facilitators at the High Holiday services this fall!

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

TORONTO JEWISH FOLK CHOIR’S 81^ST SPRING CONCERT JUNE 3 CELEBRATES MILTON BARNES AND HOLOCAUST HEROINE
With Special Guests Marilyn Lerner and David Wall

The Toronto Jewish Choir, Canada’s oldest continuing Jewish choral group, celebrates its 81st annual spring concert Sunday, June 3, 2007, 7:30 p.m. at the Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St. Alexander Veprinsky conducts the 30-voice Choir. Tenor David Wall and pianist Marilyn Lerner join the choir as special guests, in a set of their original klezmer compositions.

Tickets are $23; seniors and students, $19; children 12 and under, free. For information and ticket reservations, e-mail tjfolkchoir@sympatico.ca or call 416-636-0936 (evenings, weekends) or: 416-665-7766, ext. 224 (business hours).  Information is also available at www.winchevskycentre.org/institutions/choir.html.

…and a one-woman show (DJC member):

On Thursday, July 19^th, Ilana Waldston will premiere her one-woman show "It's Only Me", showcasing some wonderful jazz and cabaret tunes as well as some quirky comedic observations and anecdotes.  The venue, The Trane Studio, at 964 Bathurst, is a gorgeous little restaurant on Bathurst, south of Dupont with great food and a warm, cozy ambiance.  Cover is $10 with dinner and show package available.  For more information, contact Ilana at jazznlaughs@yahoo.ca or call the Trane for reservations 416-913-8197.

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