< Previous Newsletter || Next Newsletter>
Back to the Current Newsletter >

January/February 2010

A new year. Fresh snow (occasionally). A fresh start (supposedly). While it may seem a bit arbitrary - there’s not much to distinguish January from December - a new year is as good an occasion as any to turn a new page. It’s an opportunity to look ahead, and to look back. Looking ahead, come the spring we’ll be celebrating our Bar/Bat Mitzvah, with a new board overseeing our continued growth. Looking back, we can see how seeds that were planted years ago have taken root. So this time of year is a timely reminder of who we are and what we believe in: the old and the new blended into a whole.

AGM NEWS: FINAL CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS
JAN 15 DEADLINE

It is time to make nomination suggestions for DJC Board Members. Instructions are below. This year we are looking for four new board members. The Nominating Committee will be reviewing your suggestions soon and making its nominations in a report to DJC members at the end of January 2010.

This is our second request for suggestions for Board nominees. Please forward your suggestions to any member of the Nominating Committee by January 15, 2010:

Nominating Committee:
Tanya Lewis (Board Member and Nominating Committee co-chair) at tanya.lewis163@gmail.com
Alex Lowy (Board Member and Nominating Committee co-chair) at alowy@sympatico.ca
Rosie Beitel (Community Member) at rosiebeitel@sympatico.ca
Galina Vaisman (Community Member) at gvaisman@sympatico.ca
Pierre Gelineau (Community Member) at pgelineau@sernas.com

DJC CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2010-2011
INSTRUCTIONS

The DJC Nominating Committee invites suggestions for nominations for Board members. The positions have a two-year term.

Ideally, nominees should be actively involved as volunteers with the DJC. The Nominating Committee has identified the following skills and qualities as important needs of the Board and the community:

• leadership and principled character
• knowledge of Jewish ritual
• financial and bookkeeping experience
• values diversity, openness and inclusiveness
• works best in a consensus-oriented decision making environment
• is responsive to e-mail and other communications
• is passionate about our community

All nominees must be DJC members. You may suggest yourself or another DJC member to the Board by e-mailing a Nominating Committee member.

We encourage you to consider volunteering your time to the DJC. It is only through member participation that the DJC will continue to play a vital and meaningful role in so many of our lives.

DJC PHOTOS NEEDED

Here's a Photo Opportunity We Don't Want You to Miss!!!!

We're making a slide show for the DJC B’Nei Mitzvah party and we need your help!

So… please dig out your old DJC Photos folks, ‘cause we sure could use 'em! If you have any photos of DJC events from the past, we'd appreciate borrowing them as a part a slide show we're preparing for the DJC Bar Mitzvah party!

Think back...do you have any pics from Chanukah or Purim parties of the past, picnics in Withrow Park, Hebrew School events, skating Havdallah parties, Peace Walks, Retreats, Bar Mitzvah Celebrations, Youth Group gatherings, Sukkot celebrations, etc??

If you have any photos that we can use, please contact Jacob Bali (416.730.0036 or jbali@rogers.com) and he'll be happy to make arrangements o get your photos into our spectacular show!!!
-Simmy Zaret

JANUARY/FEBRUARY NEWS…At a glance

date	time	event/details	location
Friday, January 15	7:00 pm	Shabbat service Led by Cantor Lisa	Eastminster - Auditorium **HURNDALE ENTRANCE** Kiddush to follow service Free Child care provided
Sunday, January 17	2:00 - 4:00 pm	Forensic Scripture Lecture Series: DJC Hosts	Emmanuel College: U of T campus: 75 Queen’s Park Crescent (opposite McLaughlin Planetarium)
Friday, January 22	6:15- 8:30 pm	DJC YG volunteers: Out of the Cold	Eastminster - Hurndale **JACKMAN ENTRANCE** Contact: Facebook group “DJCYG” or e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com
Saturday, January 23	10:00 am- 1:00 pm	Hebrew Marathon (JS grades 5, 6, 7)	Riverdale Presbyterian: 662 Pape Avenue. Banquet room (basement) Contact/register: Nadya Burton 416.538.9949
Tuesday, January 26	7:30 pm	DJC Book Club The Holocaust is over we must rise from its ashes Avraham Berg	Location to Rsvps only Contact: info@djctoronto.com to Rsvp or for more information *A few spaces left for meeting
Thursday, January 28	4:45 pm	Children’s Jewish Studies Guest storyteller: Judy Shier-Weisberg	Ms Miriam’s Stay & Play 583 A Danforth - *ring doorbell at the left of the door for entry Rsvp: info@djctoronto.com
Friday, January 29	7:00 pm	In Home Shabbat Host: Margaret Cygelfarb	27 Athlone Avenue See details in news Rsvp by Jan 27: 416.422.2916
Saturday, January 30	10:00 am- 1:00 pm	Hebrew Marathon (JS grades 5, 6, 7)	Riverdale Presbyterian: 662 Pape Avenue. Banquet room (basement) Contact/register: Nadya Burton 416.538.9949
Saturday, February 6	3:00 pm	DJCYG: Skating at Nathan Phillips Square Skating rink See details here in news...	Contact: Facebook group “DJCYG” or e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com
Friday, February 19	7:00 pm	Shabbat Service Led by Cantor Lisa	Eastminster - Auditorium **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE** Kiddush to follow service Free Child care provided
Friday, February 19	6:15- 8:30 pm	DJC YG volunteers: Out of the Cold	Eastminster - Hurndale **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE** Contact: Facebook group “DJCYG” or e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com
Thursday, February 25	4:30-7:00 pm	PURIM PARTY!	Ms Miriam’s: 538 A Danforth Ave. *ring doorbell at the left of the door for entry
Friday, February 26	7:00 pm	In-Home Shabbat Host: Sheri Cohen	4 Austin Crescent See details in newsletter Rsvp by Feb 24: 416.516.8330
Sunday, February 28	3:00-5:00 pm	DJC Annual General Meeting	Eastminster - Auditorium **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE**

STAY TUNED…

* February launch:
DJC MOVIE CLUB: “Encounter Point”
with moderated discussion following screening...
stay tuned for the details!

Please MARK YOUR CALENDARS

* March 4^th Book Club meeting: Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
More details here

* April 17^th DJC B’Nei Mitzvah Community party

* May 15^th DJC B’Nei Mitzvah program Ceremony (grade 7 graduating class ceremony)

…More details to follow in March/April news

Forensic Scriptures Lecture Series

The Danforth Jewish Circle will be sponsoring one of six lectures examining the scriptural roots of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions.

Led by author and retired United Church Minister, Brian Brown, the sessions explore common themes from the three faiths, how these have been interpreted to date, and alternative explanations.

The series began on Sunday, January 10 and continues each successive Sunday until February 14.

The Danforth Jewish Circle is hosting the next session, January 17^th, which will be held at Emmanuel College on the University of Toronto campus (75 Queens Park Crescent, opposite the McLaughlin Planetarium).

Dr. Brown will lead off with remarks and then we will do text study in small groups.
For more information, call Alex Lowy, 416.919.5144.
Copies of Dr. Brown's book are available for $20 from Kathy Miller, please e-mail: info@djctoronto.com
Or, check out Brian Brown's website @ BrianArthurBrown.com

More information here.

DJCYG UPDATE

The DJCYG has been having a great winter so far! We’ve organized some great events and have many more planned to start off 2010. Back in December, the youth group volunteered at our second Out of the Cold of the season. We had a great turnout and the night went very well, giving everyone a rewarding experience. After that the youth group put together a Hanukah party to celebrate the holiday. With dreidel tournaments, making our own menorah and eating lots of delicious food, everyone enjoyed themselves. Then, when the new year rolled around, we started it off with a potluck dinner, welcoming the grade 8s. The idea of the dinner was to give them a taste of what the DJCYG is like and what to expect when they have the opportunity to join next year! All the food was delicious and the games played afterwards were a huge hit. As well, there was very positive feedback from the grade 8s who attended.

What’s up next for January is another Out of the Cold planned for the 22nd with pizza and a movie at one of the members’ house afterwards. Then for February we have two more events: on the 6th we will be going skating at Nathan Phillips Square (for all those who don’t have skates, you can rent for a super affordable price) followed by Out of the Cold on the 19th. We hope to see all the old faces at our next events as well as any new members who want to see what the DJCYG is all about!
- Sophie Sher

DJCYG ACTIVITIES for January/February

• Friday, January 22, 6:15- 8:30 pm Volunteering “Out of the Cold”, Eastminster (310 Danforth), Jackman St Entrance.
• Saturday, February 6, 3:00 pm Skating at Nathan Phillips Square. If you don’t have skates, fear not! Cheap, rentable skates are available at the location.






• Friday, February 19, 6:15- 8:30 pm Volunteering “Out of the Cold”, Eastminster (310 Danforth), Jackman St Entrance.

**Check out Facebook group “DJCYG” or e-mail mika.gang@gmail.com for more details and if you want to join us!

LEARN TO READ HEBREW IN 6 HOURS!!!

**We still have space in the class and would welcome any members from the community as well as those from our JS program- see registration details below.

As part of the curriculum for the grade 5, 6 and 7 classes this year, we are offering a 6-hour “Hebrew Marathon” taught by Nirit Gruber. This is a great opportunity for you to learn to read Hebrew and to launch any further Hebrew study you may be doing in preparation for Bar/Bat mitzvah - or just for the pleasure of learning the language.

The program is free for all DJC students in the final three years of the program. The program works especially well when kids and parents attend together - and so we encourage students to attend with their parents (who also can participate at no cost).

When: Saturday, January 23 & Saturday, January 30
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (both days)
Cost: Free
Location: Riverdale Presbyterian Church
662 Pape Avenue: Enter via the side door, go down the steps, and turn right- to the large room in the basement

*To register & for any further information please contact Nadya Burton at 416.538.9949 or by e-mail: nadya.burton@ryerson.ca

BOOK CLUB NEWS

A reminder that book club meetings are not reserved exclusively for book club members; sessions are open for all DJC members to Rsvp. There are a few spaces left for the January 26 meeting, please Rsvp to info@djctoronto.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 THE HOLOCAUST IS OVER; WE MUST RISE FROM ITS ASHES, BY AVRAHAM BURG; FACILITATED BY DEREK PENSLAR Modern Israel and the Jewish Community are strongly influenced by the memory of Hitler and the Holocaust. Avraham Burg, who comes from a traditional Zionist background, and is a leading political figure in Israel, argues that the Jewish nation's trauma has disallowed it from trusting itself, its neighbours, and the world around it. And he shows that this has caused the growing nationalism and violence that is plaguing Israeli society and reverberating through Jewish communities world-wide. Thought-provoking, compelling and original, this book is bound to spark a heated argument when it is read. "Burg takes a blunt, loving painful and desperately important look at the state of the Jewish soul today. Anyone who cares about the future of the Middle East and the fate of victimized peoples needs to read this book and think hard." (J.J. Goldberg, author of Jewish Power: Inside the American Jewish Establishment, and Editorial Director of "The Forward"). Derek Penslar is Samuel Zacks Professor of Jewish History and the director of Jewish Studies at the University of Toronto. His publications focus on Jewish political, economic and cultural life in modern Europe, particularly Germany, and on Zionism and the state of Israel. Among his many books are Shylock's Children: Economics and Jewish Identity in Modern Europe (2001), and Israel in History: The Jewish state in Comparative Perspective (2006).

DJC CHILDREN’S JEWISH STUDIES: SPECIAL JANUARY EVENT...

We are looking forward to an amazing new year with some new programs that will continue to engage our children.

On January 28, we are excited to offer a performance by Judy Shier-Weisberg, a charismatic storyteller deeply rooted in Toronto's Jewish storytelling community.  She will lead our students on a magical journey into a world and a time "When Trees Dance...” which will tie in nicely with our programs for Tu B’shvat and Tikkun Olam - repairing the world.

On behalf of the parents and students, education committee and teaching staff, I would like to extend an invitation to community members ages 4-12 to join us for Judy's presentation.
Michelle Brown

When: January 28, 4:45 pm
Where: Ms Miriam’s Stay & Play, 583 A Danforth Avenue
*ring the doorbell at the left of the door to enter
Details: Invitation extended to children ages 4-12 (as well) not currently enrolled* in the JS program.
* Must accompanied by parents or caregivers
Rsvp: info@djctoronto.com if you’re planning to attend

PURIM PARTY!

The DJC Purim Carnival is coming up and we’re planning another exciting Carnival to celebrate. Everyone is welcome!

When: Thursday February 25
Where: Ms Miriam’s, 583A Danforth Avenue
Time: 4:30-7:00pm

We invite you to get creative and dress up as your favourite Purim character!

This year’s lineup includes our Purim shpiel, music, games, prizes, food and much, much more!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Torah Queeries

Four Discussions on Queering the Text

Tuesdays,
7:30 - 9:30 PM
What does it mean to “queer” sacred text?
What are the moments in the Torah that speak to building more inclusive communities?

Feb 2 Sibling Rivalries: Various views on Esau and Jacob
Feb 9 Fabulous Dreamings: The many aspects of the Joseph narrative
Feb 16 Suspicious Sexualities: Sexual prohibitions within Leviticus
Feb 23 Identity Mosaics: Gender politics in selected Torah texts

Instructor: Dr. Aviva Goldberg, PhD
Spiritual Leader of Congregation Shir Libeynu
Miles Nadal JCC - 750 Spadina Avenue
$50/$35 students and seniors (plus $40 book/materials fee)

To Register: 416.638.1881

New Israel Fund event:

Prof Yifat Bitton on: Challenges Facing the Sephardic Community in Israel today

Thursday February 4, 7:30 pm
Adath Israel Congregation, 37 Southbourne Avenue, Toronto

For more information, visit the website link: http://www.nif.org/about/nif-offices/canada/nifc-events.html

A CABARET EVENING IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, RUSSIAN & YIDDISH
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT THE WINCHEVSKY CENTRE

Singers Miriam Eskin & Stella Walker Perform in Benefit For Toronto Jewish Folk Choir

Soprano Miriam Eskin, vivacious star of Russian and Israeli musical theatre, and mezzo-soprano Stella Walker serve up a stunning cabaret night in English, French, Russian and Yiddish, Saturday, February 6, 8 p.m. at the Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Avenue (five blocks north of Lawrence, just east of Bathurst St.; near TTC; parking available).

Accompanied by the effervescent and versatile pianist Nina Shapilsky, the two singers entertain with solos and duets in folk and jazz numbers and other songs in the folk and jazz styles.

The evening is a benefit for the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, in which Eskin is soprano soloist.  Admission includes coffee, tea and an array of desserts.  A cash bar will also be available.

Tickets are $25, and $15 for children under 16.  They are available at the door, or may be reserved through the Winchevsky Centre, 416.789.5502.
Doors open 7:30 p.m.

This is the second year that Miriam Eskin has performed a benefit for the choir.  Last year, the hall was packed, with an enthusiastic audience.  People are advised to get their tickets early this year.

Wedding Celebrant: Catherine Kentridge

Catherine creates and conducts custom wedding ceremonies, specializing in interfaith and same-sex weddings. Catherine has a deep respect for and openness to different personal beliefs, traditions, and orientation. She honours both Jewish and Christian traditions in her home and work, reinforced by her partnership in a Judeo-Christian interfaith marriage. As an experienced actor, and a professional writer and storyteller, Catherine can handcraft your ceremony into a unique, joyful and deeply meaningful celebration. She is delighted to use her creativity to turn your dream ceremony into a reality. She has a sparkling presence and is able to put people completely at ease. Catherine has a wonderful way with words and a beautiful, clear, expressive voice.

For more information, please contact Catherine at: 416.530.2942 or ckentridge@rogers.com

Download a PDF file of the Newsletter [815Kb]

Download a WORD file of the Newsletter [893Kb]

< Previous Newsletter || Back to the Current Newsletter >

Privacy