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November 2008
CONTENTS:
- Thanks Update From the Board
- Comments
- Social Events/
Celebrations - Calling All Volunteers
- AGM
- 1st Annual Peace March
- Children's Jewish Studies School
- DJCYG
- A Donation Request
- DJC Rabbi Visits Mark your Calendars
- Your November Calendar
- Your December Calendar
- Letter from Rabbi Lynn
- We Need Dancers
- A Bat Mitzvah Celebration
- A Day to Remember
- DJCYG details Community News
- Hear For A Reason
- Grants for Summer Camp
- Voices Forward
We’d like to thank the many DJC member volunteers in helping to make our High Holy Days such a success. As you know, it’s a team effort and we simply couldn’t do it without you...
Avrum Jacobson, Lisa Kent, David Wyman, Laurie Stein, Diane Wise, Jacob Bali, Harriet & Richard Chartash, Sara Novak, Emil Sher, Noreen & Ralph Rozmovits, Daphne Woolf, Lynne Raskin, Alex Lowy, Josie Lalonde, Jeff Krymalowski, Karen Robbins, Melissa Kluger, Allan Fleming, Eve-Lynn Stein, Ilana Waldston, Christel Kleitsch, Saara Greene, Donna Goldenberg, Isabel Fryszberg, Kathy Miller, Aviva Rajsky, Reid Robins, Michael Morris, Alan Gotlib, Gary Labovitz, Nellie Labovitz, Reuben Labovitz, Michael Goldchain, Mark Zaret, Danny Greenspoon, Danny Bakan, Alan Merovitz, Morgan MacKinnon, Susanna Bali, Carla Flamer, David Goorevitch, Allie Lehmann, Britt Lehmann-Bender, Molly Sher, Michael Kanter, Emma Abramowicz, Martin Heppner, Julia Hagon, Ray Lalonde, Brian Grebow, Claudia Bali, Marlee Novak, Faigie Cooper, Simmy Zaret.
*If we’ve left anyone out - please accept our apologies in advance and write to us info@djctoronto.com and we will include their name in our next newsletter.
And a special thanks to Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb for her leadership, guidance, and teachings.
Update from the Board
Now that the High Holidays—our busiest time of year—are behind us we can take a breath as we look back and look ahead. It was very exciting introducing Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb to our congregation. During and after the High Holidays, the board actively gathered feedback from a wide spectrum of members. The overwhelming response was that people enjoyed the services both religiously and spiritually. We have shared our collective thoughts with Rabbi Lynn, which included:
- There was a bit too much going on. Many consider the informal conversations, the catching up with each other that happens before the services an important part of the day. That was difficult amidst the growing crowds that gathered in the lobby waiting for the sanctuary doors to open.
- The services were a little "sermon-lite" and Rabbi Lynn has assured us that she will provide more intellectual depth in the future
- The music was wonderful, with special thanks to Lisa. Next year, we'll also have our own Klezmer band and Rabbi Lynn said if you liked the music this year ... just you wait!
- The children's services were well-received and we'll make sure to further integrate Danny and Allen into the festivities.
Social Events/Celebrations:
At the DJC - there is a little, ok a lot, of party-animal in each of us, so nu? Come to our Hanukah party on December 21st which promises to be a fabulous event.
Other events we are planning include a talent-show coffee house, a poker/casino night, a women's retreat, a movie club, and more…
Calling all Volunteers!
These events will only happen if volunteers step up and make a commitment to the community we all value. Simply put: we need your help, or they won’t happen. There’s no shortage of ways you can get involved. A few hours of your time can make a difference. We have a wealth of talent and good will in our community, and we want have to tap into it. If you would like to get more involved with the DJC, please get in touch with Kathy Miller (info@djctoronto.com) and a member of the Board will get in touch with you to see how your interests can meet our needs in ways that benefit us all.
AGM
Our Annual General Meeting is being planned for sometime after January. Stay-tuned. Those of you who are thinking of joining the board or have someone to nominate, please bring those names forward for consideration by the Nomination Committee.
1st Annual Peace March*
Our Peace March was a resounding success and we’ll keep you posted about other peace initiatives that are underway. *(see article in this edition)
Children’s Jewish Studies School/Whole Hebrew Language program:
Rabbi Lynn is having a wonderful influence on our children at the Jewish School on Thursday afternoons. Our Monday evening Hebrew classes are going very well with students actually saying to their oh-so-pleased parents: "It's fun learning how to speak Hebrew." Who would have thought?
DJCYG*
Finally, our Youth Group continues to thrive, fostering a sense of a community through a variety of activities -- bowling, movies, hiking --- and being actively involved in community outreach by participating in such programs as Out of the Cold. *(see article in this edition)
The Board is here to serve you. We welcome your feedback and your thoughts. Above all, we encourage you to get involved with the Danforth Jewish Circle and continue to make it your own.
Until our next update…
The DJC Board
A donation request...
We fly Rabbi Lynn in from California every month and we’ve seen air travel costs soar ever upwards - it costs about 30% more now to book seats. Thinking of creative ways to save money while providing travel for the good rabbi, we wondered if anyone would donate air miles to the DJC. Or would you consider “sponsoring” a seat for a weekend of travel?
Please write to Kathy at info@djctoronto.com if you could help us out with any of these initiatives.
DJC RABBI VISIT DATES - OVERVIEW- 2008/9
| 2008 November 13-16 December 18- 22 (Hanukah) |
2009 January 29- February 1 February: TBA March 5- 8 (Purim) April 10-14 (Passover) May 28-31 June: TBA |
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS…
Please read the following letter from Rabbi Lynn with some highlights of the various programs listed above…
Dear DJC friends and family,
Many blessings on the events and projects we have initiated this new year.
Here is a description of the seeds planted that have already started to sprout.
Exploring Judaism: A community of 18 or so individuals gathers once a month on Sunday mornings to share bagels, conversation and the spiritual meaning of Jewish tradition. During November we will explore a core value in Jewish tradition: hospitality and welcoming guests. Kabalat or-khim, welcoming guests has a long history of ritual and narrative as it is one of those general principles around which the entire religion is organized. From the open tent policy of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar to the mysterious guest Elijah, to the details of ritualized greeting, we will reflect upon the ways in which openness and welcome are at the heart of peaceful living.
December's focus is the spiritual meaning of 'consecration' found within the symbols and rituals of the menorah and the miracle of the oil. We will reflect upon the meaning of Jewish identity through the lens of Hanukah.
*If you would like to attend this class, please RSVP to info@djctoronto.com as the class will be closed to further attendance after the November session.
Torah Study: You are invited to join me Saturday morning to get to know the Torah.
November: is Va-yareh. We will look at the way the text juxtaposes Abraham and Lot and reflect on Sarah's laughter.
December: Dreams in Torah (Pharaoh, Joseph and Asnat's nighttime visions.)
Sabbath Meditation: Half hour period of inner reflection based on kabbalistic concepts of prayer. If you would like to lead part of this session, please let me know!
Sabbath Services: Sharing services with Lisa is one of the many blessings of being part of the DJC community. I would like to take this opportunity to invite those of you who write and read poetry, tell stories, sing songs, play instruments, work with puppets, chant Hebrew, lead meditations or any other manner of ritualizing to feel free to share your gifts! Email me at let me know what you would like to do (rabbilynn@earthlink.net).
Friday, November 14th: Theme-Welcoming Guests
December 19: After our Shabbat service, please stay for a brief presentation & slide show on my Peace Journey to Iran.
From November 25th through December 7th, I will have the privilege of leading an interfaith delegation to Iran with Ibrahim Ramey. The delegation is composed of three rabbis and a rabbinic student, five young Jewish activists and four other Jewish participants as well as three members of the Muslim community and five from the Christian community. Our delegation is multi-racial, multi-faith and intergenerational. I look forward to sharing this historic journey with you.
DJC is a welcoming circle. I am grateful to be part of your community and to share the tradition which I love in all of its many, many expressions.
L'shalom,
Rabbi Lynn
WE NEED DANCERS!
DJKlez Dancers…
Seven musicians (DJKlez) have come together to provide our community with live Klezmer music for Hanukah! They are practicing as a dance band so that we can kick up our heels to traditional Jewish music. This is a request to all of you who can walk or wheel and want to help with Klezmer dancing which is SO EASY... Really!! On Sunday afternoon, November 16th Rabbi Lynn is hoping at least five individuals will join with the band to learn the Romanian Hora, the Hasidl and the Freylekh. This takes no dance experience.
Bring a scarf and non-scuff shoes that are comfortable to dance in.
Please write to info@djctoronto.com to RSVP.
A Bat Mitzvah celebration
Alyse Rosenberg and Michael Teversham are celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Sophie Teversham this Saturday, November 8 at Eastminster (310 Danforth Avenue) in the Sanctuary at 10:30 am.
There will be a Kiddush following the service in the Hurndale room. All are welcome.
If you’re planning to attend, please RSVP to Alyse at: alyse@bellnet.ca
A day to remember...
Sunday, October 5th, 2008 - 1st annual
Danforth Multifaith Peace Walk.
Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (and following Ramadan), five Danforth faith communities, totalling over 200 people, joined together to express their mutual desire for peace and respect by going on an historic spiritual "pilgrimage". The three kilometre route saw members from the DJC, the Pakistani Community Centre, Eastminster and Glen Rhodes United Churches and the Madinah Masjid (mosque) walking together on foot from church to mosque to synagogue to share in peace prayers, music and conversation.
And thanks to DJC member Barbara Silverstein, the Canadian Jewish News was there to cover the story (read more).
DJC Board co-chair Lynne Raskin described the significance of this event: "It was extraordinary to have gotten together... it was a way to build community -- ultimately creating a safer, more connected, more conscious community. It was (also) an act of non-judgement, acceptance and empowerment that will inspire many of us to follow up on our learning about other religions."
Many people were on hand to help out but special thanks for volunteer efforts go to: Avrum Jacobsen, Karen Bernstein, Sheri Cohen, Lynne Raskin, Eve-Lynn Stein, Janna Flaming, Kaitlyn Axelrod, Alex Lowy, Janet Sanderson and Jacob & Nathan Werker. We'd also like to thank Naomi Resnick of the Jane Goodall Institute, "Roots & Shoots" Program for lending us their beautiful peace doves that adorned the walking procession.
At the end in Eastminster's Sanctuary the guiding principles of the Peace Walk were read by the youth from all our traditions and our Cantor Lisa Kent sang an extremely moving "Avinu Malkeinu" and "Oseh Shalom". Group dancing led us around the room and then downstairs to the Hurndale Room for bagels, samosas and other treats.
Plus there was "jazzy" musical accompaniment from DJC members Ilana Waldston, Mark Zaret and Ian Werker to add to the festivity and camaraderie.
Tasleem Riaz and Farukh Qazi, co-chairs of the Pakistani Community Centre, commented on the positive nature of our joint event... "it was a very good message from all three of the interfaith groups to other faith groups -- the message that reconciliation between interfaith groups is possible!"
It was an event people will not soon forget and planning for next year's walk is already underway. If you're interested in getting involved, contact Karen Robbins, the main peace walk organizer, at karenmrobbins@aol.com. Also stay tuned in the new year for a joint Torah/Koran study session with our Muslim friends.
- We honour the special kinship of the Children of Abraham – Jews, Muslims and Christians.
- We yearn for more respect and shared learning amongst all the world’s faith communities.
- We uphold the value of peace and peace action as expressed through the teachings of our respective faiths, the principles of non-violence, and the pursuit of restorative justice and reconciliation.
- We are committed to lifting up the voices of women and nurturing the cultural diversity of our community.
- We recognize the interdependence of life on earth and our obligation to live in harmony with our environment.
- We practice the rite of pilgrimage as an act of peacemaking. Only together will we build a culture of peaceful co-existence.
(Based on principles of the "Muslim-Jewish PeaceWalk for Interfaith Solidarity" drafted by co-founders, Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb and Abdul Rauf Campos Marquetti (c. 2008). The Muslim-Jewish PeaceWalk was founded in 2002 and has occurred in over 17 American & Canadian cities).
DJCYG
The DJC Youth Group is up and running for the new year (the Jewish one of course)!!!
After a short break, the DJCYG has started running regular activities up until June. This week, we kicked off the new year with some bowling and some laughs at O’Connor Bowl. We also plan on attending a movie for Holocaust Education week called “The Last Fighters,” a documentary about Jewish resistance in the ghettoes. Later on in the month, we will begin our Out of the Cold activities, which has become a regular staple of the youth group. For more information or to get involved, email djcyouthgroup@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Greetings, my friends (no, this is not a message from John McCain!),
Please join me (Ilana Waldston) on Sunday afternoon, November 23rd for Here For a Reason; a benefit for the Daisy Eye Cancer Fund: www.daisyseyecancerfund.ca/index.php.
This show honours the late beloved Toronto musician Jeff Healey who lost his sight at 8 months old because of Retinoblastoma, an early childhood cancer. I will perform as well as emcee the event which will feature a great band and a myriad of talented local jazz singers (listed below).
What a terrific opportunity to familiarize yourself with some of our local talent, be entertained and do a good deed all in one fell swoop! Tickets are just $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Here are the details:
Here For a Reason - a Benefit for Daisy Eye Cancer Fund
When: Sunday, November 23rd
Time: From 2:00 pm onward (drop in for a drink and a set!)
Location: Rock and Roll Heaven 1660 O'Connor Drive. (south of Eglinton)
Cost: Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door;
Order online using PayPal at: www.myspace.com/hereforareason2008 OR contact me as I have a block of tickets for my friends.
I hope to hear from you about purchasing tickets and I look forward to seeing you there and showing you a good time!
All the best,
Ilana Waldston
P.S.: Here are just a few of the talented people you will hear:
- Rita diGhent, "Some of the most stylish jazz I've heard in a long time."
- Ross Porter, host of CBC Afterhours
- Ori Dagan, "From the top of his hat to the bottom of his multi-coloured shoes, Dagan as a performer commands attention. Fortunately, he has a voice to match."
- Joyce Corbett, The Live Music Report
- Bonnie Brett, Montreal Bistro, Top of the Senator headliner
- Michelle Lawrence, lead singer for the Uptown Swing Band
- Lisa Particelli, founder of the Girls Night Out vocal jam
- plus singers Peter Bertozzi, Rita Keon, Darlene Stimson
- AND ME!!!
$1250 Grants for Summer Camp Available:
Dear Parents:
The UJA is offering an incentive grant in order to promote Jewish overnight camps in the GTA area.
The criteria are:
- First time campers (never before having attended a Jewish overnight camp for more than two consecutive weeks)
- Currently not attending a Hebrew day school
- Campers need to be from the GTA area
- Campers need to attend camp for at least three weeks
- Campers need to be in grades 2-7
Camp Shomria has only 15 spots available and we predict that they will disappear very quickly. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you may know that is interested in joining our community for the first time.
The 3rd Annual VOICES FORWARD is Expanding!
Innovative event celebrates artistic collaboration and cooperation
between Israelis & Palestinians
in Toronto from Wed, Nov 12th to Sun, Nov 16th
Voices Forward: Film & Culture About People from Israel and Palestine is proud to announce that this year’s festival is expanding to include inspiring music performances, compelling multi-media installations and thought-provoking lectures, conversations and readings.
Voices Forward began as a film festival and this year we will also show 10 incisive films from both Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers – all focused on intimate human stories that open minds as well as hearts.
Voices Forward was formed in 2005 by like-minded colleagues including respected film programmer Stacey Donen and Israeli doc producer Amit Breuer recently moved to Toronto. They realized that there was a hunger for information and discussion from the region not readily available to Canadians and believed Toronto’s relative openness provided a unique place to foster a festival dedicated to building bridges between the Israeli and Palestinian communities.
“If Palestinians and Israelis can’t talk with each other honestly and openly here in a place as open as Toronto – how will progress be possible anywhere else in the world? Now in its third year, the growth of the festival is proof that Toronto is indeed fertile ground for an event like Voices Forward,” states Amit Breuer, Executive Director.
“I come to this space of bridge building motivated by the great Gibran Khalil Gibran who brilliantly observes, “Your neighbour is your other self dwelling behind a wall. In understanding all walls shall fall down.” The voices we bring forward to Toronto, both Palestinian and Israeli, are all dedicated to the falling of the wall both figuratively and factually,” states Hanadi Loubani, Associate Artistic Director of Voices Forward.
The spotlight of this year’s festival is Hebron – the West Bank’s second largest city and the only such city with Israeli settlements at its heart. In order to protect the 600 Israeli settlers, crippling military restrictions have been imposed on the Arab population of 35,000 who reside in “sector H2”. Palestinians are forbidden from walking on the main street or driving a car; their shops and markets have been closed down and frequent military checkpoints and searches have made the city’s once commercial centre – a ghost town.
Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, playwrights, activists and artists depict personal stories and bring surprising and courageous joint projects that give insight into Hebron’s tragic past and its intolerable present.
Check our website! Exciting guests and several free events, opening night and most films require tickets.
Tickets are available at the door of all events or can be reserved in advance at voicesforwardtickets@gmail.com
For the full program visit www.voicesforward.org
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