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April/May 2010

Just keep in mind, Pete Seeger sings in Be Kind to Your Parents, “Though it seems hard, I know. Most parents were children long ago…incredible!”
And so it is that childhood is something we all have in common: either we’re there now, were once there or, in some cases, behave as if we never left. A community that values children is a community that is valued. We have several upcoming events that put our children front-and-center, capped by a community-wide B’Nei Mitzvah ceremony where a group of our children mark a collective milestone.
If you want to learn more about our Jewish Studies program or B’Nei Mitzvah program, drop in to an Open House. If you want to attend a Shabbat service that gives voice to our children, mark May 7 in your calendar.
If you have a child or once were one, come join us at an open house or service because children are worth singing about…

APRIL/ MAY NEWS…At a glance

date	time	event/details	location
Thursday, April 22	4:45 - 6:00 pm	DJC Children’s Jewish Studies Open House	Ms Miriam’s Stay & Play 583 A Danforth Avenue. RSVP: info@djctoronto.com
Friday, April 30	7:00 pm	Bethminster Shabbat Led by Cantor Lisa	Eastminster - 310 Danforth: Auditorium **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE** Kiddush to follow service Free Child care provided
Sunday, May 2	4:00 pm	DJCYG Activity Toronto walking adventure	Meet at Broadview Station Bring $10 (meal after walk) Rsvp: Mika Gang: mika.gang@gmail.com phone: 647.444.7291
Friday, May 7	6:00 pm	CHILDREN’S LED SHABBAT	Eastminster- 310 Danforth: Sanctuary **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE** Potluck meal to follow in auditorium Rsvp: saaragreene@hotmail.com
Thursday, May 13	7:00-8:00 pm	B’NEI MITZVAH PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE	Riverdale Presbyterian - 662 Pape Ave Rsvp: nadya.burton@ryerson.ca
Thursday, May 13	7:30 pm	DJC BOOK CLUB People of the Book By Geraldine Brooks	Location given to all Rsvps Rsvp: info@djctoronto.com
Saturday, May 15	9:30 am - 12:30 pm	B’NEI MITZVAH CEREMONY with Cantor Lisa	Eastminster- 310 Danforth: Sanctuary **DANFORTH ENTRANCE**
Thursday, May 27	4:30 pm	DJCYG Activity Iron Chef Home location TBD	Meet at Broadview Subway Bring $10 to shop for food Rsvp: Mika Gang: mika.gang@gmail.com phone: 647.444.7291
Friday, May 28	7:00 pm	In-Home Shabbat Host: Vlad Bregman	15 Bayfield Crescent Rsvp: vlad@bregmans.com phone: 416.465.5227

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

* June 11^th In-Home Shabbat, host: Diane Wise & Larry Till

…Details to follow in May/June news

APRIL/MAY SHABBAT SERVICE DETAILS

BETHMINSTER SHABBAT
Led by Cantor Lisa

Eastminster: 310 Danforth Avenue- Auditorium

When: Friday, April 30
Time: 7:00 PM

*Free childcare; Dessert Kiddush following services

**Please use the Jackman St. entrance; Hurndale entrance is closed

2 SPECIAL COMMUNITY INVITATIONS…

The DJC Children’s Jewish Studies (JK-Kita 6) invites you…

DJC CHILDREN’S LED SHABBAT

Where: Eastminster Sanctuary (Jackman St Entrance)
When: Friday, May 7, 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Details: For more information and to Rsvp, contact:
Saaragreene@hotmail.com.
Potluck meal to follow in the auditorium.

DJC B’NEI MITZVAH CEREMONY

You are invited to the Danforth Jewish Circle's B'Nei Mitzvah ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2009 at 9:30 am at Eastminster Sanctuary - 310 Danforth Ave- Danforth St entrance.

The DJC Jewish Studies program is proud to announce its third B'Nei Mitzvah graduating class.

Being honoured:

Katlin Sara Abrahamson
Atara Jordan Bassous
Zachary Micah Rabin Guberman
David Woolf Hagon
Bryden Manning Hathaway
Jacob William Marsellus Morris
Eden Maya Morris
Gabriel Robbins-Kanter
Zachary Eric Hayos Sherman
Maya Shanthi Weinstein

We would welcome the presence and support of the DJC community at our ceremony. For more information, contact Nadya Burton at nadya.burton@ryerson.ca or 416.538.9949.

IN - HOME SHABBAT
Led by Emil Sher

When: Friday, May 28
Time: 7:00 pm

Location/Host: Vlad Bregman: 15 Bayfield Crescent

Details/What to bring: Please bring nibblies for the after service “nosh”. Children are welcome. Rsvps required.

*ATTENTION MEMBERS: Please contact us at info@djctoronto.com if you’d like to host an in-home Shabbat.

APRIL/MAY EVENT DETAILS

DJC Children’s Jewish Studies Program
JK through Grade 6 and B’Nei Mitzvah program

Open House
Thursday, April 22, 2010

We offer a program for children to learn not just the “what” but the “why” of Judaism with an emphasis on arts, music, culture and fun.

Location: Ms Miriam’s Stay & Play
583 A Danforth Ave
Time: 4:45- 6:00 PM
*Rsvps required
*There will be an opportunity to visit a class in progress, please Rsvp to confirm your appointment.
For more Information and to Rsvp:
Phone: 416. 580.1233; e-mail: info@djctoronto.com

DJCYG

The DJCYG had its most recent event earlier this month after a short break over March Break - a city wide scavenger hunt where participants would go around the city and collect information or purchase items that were either culturally significant or just for fun. The group was split into two teams that raced against each other. The destinations were all around Spadina, south of Bloor. They included Jewish destinations such as a trip to the JCC as well as some more unorthodox destinations as a trip to China Town to buy the cheapest funniest DVD we could find. There were also various bonus items which the teams could compete for, anything from a simply doing a handstand, to teaching a stranger some Hebrew. The winner received prizes...
The teams were divided up on the day of (we had a turnout of 8), we decided on our routes and quickly jumped on the subway. We met the other group twice in our hunt but they beat us (Sam, Michael and Simon) by quite a bit, winning the prize. The event was a success; everyone had fun and enjoyed the activity. It also gave us an opportunity to think about the DJC Bar/Bat Mitzvah party coming up this weekend and we decided on doing a song parody which should be very funny.

-Sam Wilks

This coming month the DJCYG is planning two spectacular events!

On Sunday May 2^nd we'll be going on a Toronto walking adventure around the beautiful and unknown parts of the Danforth together and after our walk we'll sit down together for a good dinner. Grade 8’s are more than welcome to join us and we urge everyone to come out and enjoy the outdoors they've never seen right outside their homes! We'll be meeting at 4pm outside Broadview station; everyone should bring $10 for their dinner after the walk!

Our second event of May is on Thursday the 27^th, a final kick off for the summer is an 'Iron Chef' competition, Jewish food themed where we'll divide into two teams, choosing Jewish themed foods, go grocery shopping and cook ourselves away! After the teams have met up again to eat and compare dishes we'll enjoy the hilarious DVD's groups bought in Kensington market during the scavenger hunt while we enjoy our hard earned meal. We're really excited to end off the year with a bang so everyone come out and enjoy the activities with us! We'll be meeting at 4:30 pm in front of Broadview station. 
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!

-The DJCYG

DJCYG MAY ACTIVITIES ... at a glance:

Sunday, May 2: Toronto walking adventure - Grade 8’s welcome! Meet at Broadview Station at 4:00 pm. Bring $10 for a meal (after the walk).
Thursday, May 27: Iron Chef-home location TBD. Meet at Broadview Subway at 4:30 pm. Bring $10 to shop for food

** For more details or to Rsvp, contact Mika Gang 647.444.7291 or by e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com

DJC B’NEI MITZVAH PROGRAM
OPEN HOUSE

When: Thursday, May 13
Time: 7:00- 8:00 PM
Location: Riverdale Presbyterian (Board room- 3rd floor) - 662 Pape Avenue (enter at side door).

B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM

The Danforth Jewish Circle is offering a one-year program culminating in a group B’Nei Mitzvah ceremony held in the spring (May 2011). This program is open to all boys and girls wanting to participate in a group Bar or Bat Mitzvah. In keeping with the philosophy and approach of the DJC’s Jewish Studies program, the B’Nei Mitzvah class will address issues of Jewish identity, tikun olam and social justice, and will foster connection to Jewish peers and community. The B’Nei students will each prepare a D’var Torah (which involves researching and writing a short speech on a topic related to Judaism) and a Torah Portion/Parasha will be shared among the group.

Please join us at the Open House for any questions and to get more information about next year’s program.

Contact: Nadya Burton at nburton@ryerson.ca for more information.

BOOK CLUB NEWS: LAST MEETING

This year, for our 5^th evening in May, we will once again, depart from the usual format where book club members will enjoy an open “leader-less” discussion. The book chosen is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It promises to be a free-flowing and exciting discussion!

Location details will be sent to those who Rsvp. Email: info@djctoronto.com to Rsvp.

Thursday, May 13, 7:30 pm People of the Book By Geraldine Brooks People of the Book is a 2008 historical fiction novel by Geraldine Brooks. The novel tells the fictional story of Hanna Heath, an Australian book conservator who is responsible for restoring the Haggadah. The story alternates between sections set in the present day with Heath and other sections showing the history of the Haggadah. Told in reverse chronological order, the story follows the Haggadah backward in time as it travels across Europe, from war-torn Sarajevo to the book's origins. It also explains such clues as missing silver clasps, preserved butterfly remnants, and various stains and spots, which are all eventually explained as part of the manuscript's long history.

LECTURE WITH PROFESSOR JANICE STEIN

The Danforth Jewish Circle partnering with Congregation Darchei Noam is thrilled to present a stimulating lecture from world class speaker and expert on Israeli history and politics, Professor Janice Stein of the Munk School for Global Affairs

LECTURE TOPIC:
PEACE TALKS FROM OSLO TO OBAMA: WHAT WENT WRONG?

DATE: Wednesday, May 19th, 7:00-8:30 pm
LOCATION: Congregation Darchei Noam, 864 Sheppard Avenue West
COST: Admission is free.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Congregation Darchei Noam is offering two more stimulating lectures and exciting speakers on Israeli politics and history. Admission is free and welcome to all...For more information call: 416.781.4322.

LECTURE:

"THE ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT: A SHORT HISTORY"
Presented by Professor Derek Penslar who is the Samuel Zacks Professor of Jewish History, and Director of the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Toronto

DATE: Sunday, April 25th 7:00-8:30 pm
LOCATION: Congregation Darchei Noam, 864 Sheppard Avenue West

Plus...

LECTURE:

"ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES OF ISRAEL'S DEMOCRACY"
Presented by Professor Naomi Chazan who is President of the New Israel Fund and former Israeli Knesset Deputy Speaker and Professor Emerita at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

DATE: Sunday, May 9th 7:30-9:00 pm
LOCATION: Congregation Darchei Noam, 864 Sheppard Avenue West
Session co-sponsored by New Israel Fund, Canada

Kolel is offering a course on:

JEWISH PATHS TO UNDERSTANDING ILLNESS AND HEALING
*Taught by Rabbi Miriam Margles*

DATE: TUESDAYS, MAY 4 - JUNE 1 (no class May 18th) 7:30 - 9:30 pm
LOCATION: PROSSERMAN JCC (4588 Bathurst Street)
COST: $90/$50 Students & seniors

DESCRIPTION: the experience of illness and the process of healing touch us all, body and soul, and Jewish tradition has a rich store of responses to physical suffering. Explore Biblical and Talmudic teachings about pain, comfort and resilience through creative, embodied text study. Call Kolel (416-638-1881) for more information or visit them online at: www.kolel.org

Share a dynamic Jewish weekend—a time for study, Jewish experience, and spiritual growth incorporating both tradition and innovation – at the Canamica 20th Shabbat in the Woods Retreat.  This community retreat will take place the weekend of June 11 – 13 at the Canterbury Hills Retreat Centre, located in the woods just outside of Hamilton.
The retreat is open to all—all ages, all backgrounds, all affiliations, all levels of Jewish knowledge. All are welcome – attend on your own, with a partner or with children.  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.  If you are interested in attending with other DJC members, please let us know!
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 who you would like to ‘bunk’ with.
Please contact Josie Lalonde josielalonde@rogers.com if you have any questions, require carpooling, or are able to carpool others.

Harriet’s House
A play by Tara Goldstein

A meditation on mothering and daughtering, Harriet’s House examines how a Jewish mother and her three daughters negotiate the challenges and politics of international adoption in a same-sex family.
Why the play might be of interest to the Danforth Jewish Circle
Harriet’s House is a story about a contemporary Jewish family that is seldom, if ever, represented on the stage.  It would give me great pleasure to engage a Jewish as well as a non-Jewish audience in the story of a Jewish same-sex family.

A Gailey Road Production: June 24, 25 and 26, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle
Tickets: $18.00
U of T Box Office: 416.978.8849 or uoftix.ca

Nana’s Getting Married (Children’s book ages 4-7 years)

By (DJC member) Heather Hartt-Sussman

Life in the household with Nana is perfect: freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, wonderful bedtime stories, brand-new mittens and socks and turtleneck sweaters. Perfect, that is, until she meets Bob and spends her time talking on the phone, giggling, having long bubble baths, singing love songs, and putting on makeup! Whatever can a little boy do to get Nana back just the way she was?

Complemented by the playful, quirky, chalk-pastel art of Georgia Graham, Nana’s Getting Married will resonate with every child who has ever had to share the attention of a beloved adult.

For more info about Heather’s book/bio: www.heatherhartt.com

Learn Ivrit an Israeli, homely environment.

Ravit David still has 3 available spots for the Spring/Summer session of Hebrew studies. Whether you are an absolute beginner or you are looking to deepen your command of the Hebrew language—one-on-one lessons will enable you to progress according to your own phase, and to focus on your specific interests, i.e. Bat/Bar Mitzvah preparation, expanding vocabulary, improving  conversation skills and others.

Ms. David (PhD) hailed from Israel where she has taught new comers from the previously Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Ravit’s teaching methods make use of books, DVDs and games in the Hebrew language to introduce both, young and adult students to also the Israeli culture of Hebrew.

Location:  Prime Riverdale 5 minute walk from Broadview subway station.

Registration/details: call 647.830.0304 or email Ravit at davidravit@rogers.com

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