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May 2009
We all enjoyed the DJC Community Passover Seder
with Rabbi Lynn guiding us through a joyful and participatory Haggadah. Some highlights included a hilarious exchange between Pharaoh (Rex Hagon) and Moses (Ray Lalonde), a moving and soulful rendition of “Let My People Go!” by Josie Lalonde and Larry Nussbaum and stirring readings and thoughts by DJC youth Lonya Thompson and Zachary Sherman. Finally, we all “crossed the Red Sea” (brought to life with red fabric) and feasted on a sumptuous potluck Seder when we reached the other side. Good food and food for thought made for a memorable evening.
*A very special thanks to all the volunteers who generously assisted in making this Seder sing - the preparation, set up and clean-up effort…
Thank you one and all!
Bar Mitzvah - A Community Invitation
We would like to invite the Danforth Jewish Circle community to join with our family and friends as our son, David Klein, is called to Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 2, 2009, at 10:00 a. m. at the Eastminster United Church.
The Shabbat morning service will be led by Rabbi Michael Marmur - presently the Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, and Debbie Friedman - the inspirational American Jewish composer and singer.
There will be a Kiddush in the Hurndale room following the service. Please contact paulaklein@sympatico.ca to Rsvp. It would be most meaningful to have our congregation join with us for this momentous occasion in our family's life.
Paula Klein and MaryLou Fassel
May CALENDAR…At a glance
| date | time | event/details | location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, May 2 | 10:00 am (service) | Bar Mitzvah service Kiddush following service *See more details in news |
Eastminster - 310 Danforth Avenue - Sanctuary Kiddush in Hurndale Please Rsvp: paulaklein@sympatico.ca |
| Saturday, May 16 | 10:00 am- 12:00 pm | DJC B’Nei Mitzvah Ceremony *See more details in news |
Eastminster - Sanctuary |
| Friday, May 29 | 7:00- 9:00 pm | Shabbat service:Night of Roses * (description in news) Dessert Kiddush to follow |
Eastminster - 310 Danforth Avenue- Jackman Ave entrance - Auditorium |
| Saturday, May 30 | 10:00 am- 12:30 pm | Torah Study - A Kaleidoscope of Meaning**(description in news) | Eastminster - Jackman Ave entrance- Hurndale Room (follow signs) |
| Weekend June 12-14 | 3:30 pm “check-in” Friday until 3:00 pm Sunday | Canamica 19th Shabbat in the Woods Retreat* - with DJC members *(description in news) |
For more information contact: josielalonde@rogers.com Registration (forms to download): www.canamica.com |
You are invited…
DJC B’NEI MITZVAH CEREMONY
You are invited to the Danforth Jewish Circle's B'Nei Mitzvah ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:00 am at Eastminster United Church.
The DJC Jewish Studies program is proud to announce its (second) B'Nei Mitzvah class.
Being honoured:
Jonah Prussky, Mikayla Katz, Nicola Adilman, Issac Page, Jonah Lefkowitz, Daniel Winer and Hannah Walters-Vida
We would welcome the presence and support of the DJC community at this ceremony. For more information, contact Nadya Burton at nburton@ryerson.ca or 416.538.9949.
May 29 Friday Evening Service:
NIGHT OF ROSES: Stories, teachings and ceremony for the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Dear friends,
In this last Sabbath before the summer, we can come together for yet another holy day. Shavuot is dedicated to stories about the Giving of Torah at Mount Sinai. For our ceremony, we will read from the 13th century mystical text known as the Zohar about the moment of revelation. In addition, we'll enjoy Sabbath music, five minute meditation on giving of the Torah, and a brief discussion about the Ten Commandments which are traditionally studied on this occasion.
PLEASE BRING FLOWERS AND AROMATIC HERBS FROM YOUR GARDEN or woods...
It is a tradition to cover the floor of the synagogue with eucalyptus and flowers. If anyone can make or contribute some cheese blintzes, it's traditional! In fact, it was upon eating blintzes that people received the revelation.
May 30 Torah Study:
A Kaleidoscope of Meaning: Mystical and Post Modernist
Interpretations of Torah.
Exploring one passage of Torah:
"Anochi Adonai Elohekha" - I am YHVH your god, through the lens of ten forms of commentary. Each of the ten forms will be delivered in the classical way: a brief commentary on the Biblical passage, word by word and letter by letter. When we've studied the passage and the commentary, we'll divide in small groups to create our own commentary on the passage.
Blessings,
Rabbi Lynn
WEEKEND RETREAT
Share a dynamic Jewish weekend with a group of DJC members at the Canamica 19th Shabbat in the Woods Retreat.
This community retreat will take place the weekend of June 12 – 14 at the Canterbury Hills Retreat Centre, located in the woods just outside of Hamilton.
The retreat offers a time for study, Jewish experience, and spiritual growth incorporating both tradition and innovation. The retreat is open to all—all ages, all backgrounds, all affiliations, all levels of Jewish knowledge. People are welcome to attend as families, couples, or on their own. Children and teenagers can enjoy exciting programs just for them. No one is too young, none too old. Only your desire to learn and participate is important.
The retreat brochure and registration forms for download are available on the Canamica web site: www.canamica.com. Please indicate on the registration form that you are part of the Danforth Jewish Circle. You also can indicate with whom you would like to ‘bunk’.
Please contact Josie Lalonde (josielalonde@rogers.com) if you have any questions, require carpooling, or are able to carpool others.
A request for B’Nei Mitzvah students, re: Holocaust Twinning”
I am looking for Holocaust survivors to meet with the B'Nei Mitzvah students from the Danforth Jewish Circle. This is part of a program called "Holocaust Twinning". The idea is that they meet with a survivor one-on-one for an interview (only once). They ask the survivor for a story about a person they knew who died before being able to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and then at the ceremony, the student dedicates their Bar/Bat Mitzvah to that child.
We are having trouble finding survivors to talk to the students, and the Holocaust Centre is unable to help with this. If anyone has any contact with a survivor who might want to share a story, please feel free to contact me directly: alysse.rich@gmail.com. They don't necessarily have to be survivors of camps, etc....anyone who had a personal connection to the Holocaust would be great.
Thanks,
Alysse Rich
COMMUNITY NEWS
Urgent: Grossman Bone Marrow Drive
Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues:
As many of you know, my husband Jonathan Grossman was recently diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disorder called Myelofibrosis that only affects 2 people in a million. This disease destroys the body’s ability to produce blood cells and if left untreated, will mutate into a non-treatable form of leukemia. Jonathan’s only chance of survival and a cure is a bone marrow transplant. To date, we have been unable to find a suitable bone marrow donor, and we are hopeful that you and others will step forward to be tested and perhaps become the donor to save his life. If you are in good health and between the ages of 18 and 60, you can become a donor.
On Sunday April 26, 2009 from 10 am to 5 pm we will be conducting a Bone Marrow Donor Recruitment Drive in Toronto at the Adath Israel Synagogue, 37 Southbourne Ave. near Wilson Ave. and Bathurst St. This drive is being organized through the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, an internationally recognized organization facilitating bone marrow, blood stem cell, and cord blood transplants for children and adults suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Through targeted recruitment efforts focusing on Jewish communities throughout North America, Gift of Life has greatly improved the chances that Jewish patients needing transplants will find genetically matched donors.
The registration process is fast and easy, and we only require a swab of cells from inside your cheek (no blood will be drawn at this time). Our family would appreciate it if you could attend and be tested, and to pass along this request to any of your colleagues, friends and family members who might be interested in attending the Bone Marrow Donor Recruitment Drive.
If you are unable to attend the drive, but would be interested in registering to be on the donor list, visit www.giftoflife.org or the Canadian Blood Services Registry at www.onematch.ca
For more information on our search for a donor; how you can volunteer; how you can donate to defer some of our costs; or how to reach us, please visit our website – www.TheOffice.com.
On behalf of Jonathan, Jessica, Jason and myself, we would be so grateful if you would participate in the primary Jewish value of pikuakh nefesh, “saving a life.”
Thank you so much, and Kindest regards,
Julie Grossman
Sunday, May 2, 3:00 pm
What Makes Theatre Jewish?
Panel Discussion with:
Play wright Hannah Moscovitch, Artistic Director David Eisner, Artistic Director, Director Joel Greenberg, Playwright, Actor, Producer Julie Tepperman, Playwright Emil Sher (moderator)
Where: Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Avenue at Bloor
Fee: Free admission
For more information: 416.924.6211 x 606, esthera@mnjcc.org
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 AT LEAH POSLUNS THEATRE
ACCLAIMED JEWISH STAR & TORONTO AUDIENCE FAVORITE
SVETLANA PORTNYANSKY RETURNS FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
She’s been described as “a Russian Streisand and a Jewish Piaf”. Show One Productions, in collaboration with the Koffler Centre, presents international Russian-born singing sensation Svetlana Portnyansky, for one performance only, Wednesday, May 20, 8 p.m. at the Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St.
Tickets, $45-$55, are available from Show One, 416.737.6785, www.ShowOneProductions.ca.
Joining Portnyansky in Toronto will be violinist Arkady Gips, who has accompanied Madonna on her world tours, and pianist Ernst Shteinberg.
This “superb artist,” as the Los Angeles Times has called her, is first and foremost a cantor, trained in the religious Jewish tradition. A graduate of Moscow’s renowned Gnesin Academy, Portnyansky sings beloved Yiddish and Russian songs, favorites by the likes of Gershwin, Porter and Piaf, and contemporary songs in Hebrew, Russian, Judeo-Spanish and English.
Svetlana Portnyansky knew from a young age that she wanted to sing the music of her people. The music had been suppressed since Stalin’s assassination of the great Yiddish actor and musician Solomon Mikhoels in 1948 and the Jewish Theatre was closed. When Jewish culture was finally allowed into the open in 1988, Portnyansky became part of that new wave – initially drawing hate mail at the same time that she was thrilling Jewish audiences. Although now based in the U.S., she has become a big success in her birth country, and one of the few singers to bring Jewish music, culture and tradition to the international Jewish community.
More information on Svetlana Portnyansky may be found at www.portnyansky.com, and samples are on YouTube.
For further information, contact:
Linda Litwack
416.782.7837
E-mail: lalitwack@rogers.com
Kulanu Toronto/Kolel Movie Night: Tuesday, June 4
You are invited to a special movie night and discussion with Rabbi Elyse Goldstein on Tuesday, June 4th at 7:00 pm.
We are screening "The Secrets” - a wonderful Israeli film (2007, Avi Nesher). We are hosting the event at The Wolfond Centre: 36 Harbord Street - in the basement.
Fee: $5 (pay at the door)
Rsvp required by Monday, June 1st to kulanutoronto@yahoo.ca.
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