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February 2011

Dear Fellow DJC members,
It's been a quiet month at the DJC; but we were thrilled to see so many of you at the recent Tu B'shvat-themed Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Miriam and Cantor Lisa. We hope to see you again at our next Shabbat service, which Cantor Lisa will lead on February 11 at Bethminster.

Your Board has been working hard to prepare for the upcoming Annual General Meeting, to be held on February 27. At the meeting, we will be filling three vacant positions on the Board. We also will report to the members on our finances and highlights from the past year.

Recently, we held a special Board meeting to generate ideas for addressing our projected operating budget deficit. We will be exploring these ideas further in the coming months, and developing a plan to eliminate the DJC's deficit over the next three years. As always, we welcome your input, questions, and ideas for helping us keep the DJC running smoothly.

Looking ahead to the spring, please mark your calendars for some exciting events we have coming up. Rabbi Miriam will lead a Purim study session on March 20 and a Passover day of learning on April 10. Our annual Purim party on March 24 promises to be a fun-filled event planned by our Children's Jewish Studies teaching staff & Rabbi Miriam. And this year's DJC community Seder will be led by Rabbi Miriam and Cantor Lisa on April 21.

To volunteer at these events, please e-mail Kathy Miller at info@djctoronto.com.

Warmly,
Josie Lalonde
Chair, Danforth Jewish Circle

FEBRUARY NEWS... AT A GLANCE

DATE	TIME	EVENT/Details	LOCATION
Friday, February 4	6:00 - 9:00 pm	DJCYG: Grades 8 & 9 Shabbat dinner board game night	See details in news... Rsvp: Mika Gang, e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com *HOST/HOME NEEDED*
Friday, February 11	7:00 pm	Bethminster Shabbat Led by Cantor Lisa	Eastminster - Auditorium **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE** Kiddush to follow service Child care provided
Friday, February 18	6:15 - 11:00 pm	DJCYG: All grades Eastminster OOTC + Film	See details in news... Rsvp: Mika Gang, e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com *HOST/HOME NEEDED for viewing film*
Friday, February 25	7:00 pm	In Home Shabbat	TBD *Rsvp to Kathy if you can host: info@djctoronto.com
Sunday, February 27	3:00 pm	AGM- Annual General Meeting	Eastminster - Hurndale room **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE**

STAY TUNED… MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
(More details in March News edition online February 23^rd)

• TUESDAY, MARCH 8: DJC Reading Circle: CITY OF ORANGES by Adam LeBor; for more information, go here.
• FRIDAY, MARCH 11: BETHMINSTER Shabbat LED BY CANTOR LISA
• SUNDAY, MARCH 20: ADULT LEARNING SESSION on Purim led by Rabbi Miriam
• THURSDAY, MARCH 24: DJC PURIM PARTY with Rabbi Miriam
• FRIDAY, MARCH 25: In-Home Shabbat- Host Josie Lalonde

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

*LIFE CYCLE EVENTS STEERING COMMITTEE

The DJC is looking for a few members to research and compile information that can support young families wishing to include Jewish rites and rituals into Life Cycle events.

We would like to offer information on events such as marriage, birth rituals, and Jewish educational resources in the community. Given that many of our families are interfaith, identifying people and institutions that will accept a liberal interpretation of Jewish rituals is critical.

Two examples of the information needs of young families in our community are:

1. Couples looking to the DJC for referrals to people that will marry them with sensitivity to their understanding of Jewish ritual, including incorporating non-Jewish rites.
2. Interfaith families asking the DJC about resources to have a child circumcised. We would like to provide new parents with information about birth rituals and officiates that have experience with interfaith couples.

The volunteers will:

• identify the relevant life cycle events
• identify the required information and supports
• research the information and resources
• determine the best way to make them available to DJC members.

If you have time to support this initiative, we would like to hear from you.  We need people that can understand the needs, research the resources, and present their findings in a meaningful way.

Please email info@djctoronto.com or call 416.580.6303 if you'd like to volunteer.

*

*CHESED

The Chesed committee is looking for volunteers, as we are developing a task force to support our initiatives.  Some of our initiatives include the following:

• Representing the DJC at a funeral or shiva
• Making a meal on occasion for a DJC member, or family, when a member is seriously ill
• Driving a DJC member to an appointment
• Going grocery shopping for a DJC member, or family, when a member is seriously ill
• Visit a DJC member at the hospital

If you can volunteer for any of these tasks, please contact Janine Cutler at 416.225.8032 (home), 416.780.1791 ext. 233 (work), © 416.697.8061 or by email at cutlerj@rogers.com.   We welcome you and your involvement on this committee.

*IN HOME SHABBAT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

It's a relaxed & informal way to get to know community members in a home setting. *If you would like to host an in-home Shabbat please contact Kathy by e-mail: info@djctoronto.com

Announcement of the Danforth Jewish Circle Annual General Meeting

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will be held on Sunday, February 27, 3:00 p.m. at Eastminster Church, 310 Danforth Avenue, Hurndale room (basement).

The AGM is an opportunity to hear an update on the DJC and elect members to the Board.

We hope that you will consider coming to the AGM to learn, give your input and show your support of the DJC.

Nominating Committee Report to the Membership

The Nominating Committee consists of two Board representatives and three community members who responded to a broad call for members. We were asked to reach out to the membership for recommendations, consider potential candidates, and present at the AGM a list of nominees to fill the vacant positions for a two year term.

There are three vacancies on the Board this year.

A call for recommendations of nominees for the Nominations Committee to consider was sent to the membership on December 14, 2010.

The Nominations Committee considered the recommendations and is pleased to present a strong list of nominees:

Josie Lalonde (seeking a one-year extension to her second term)
Morgan MacKinnon
Ian Werker (seeking a second two-year term)

We have attached an introductory paragraph for each of the nominees.

You also have the opportunity to nominate DJC members by contacting the Board Chair by February 7, 2011:

Josie Lalonde josie.djc@gmail.com

We encourage all DJC members to come out to the February 27 AGM in support of members who have generously volunteered their time to serve our community by participating on the Board of Directors.

Your Nominations Committee,

Warren Morris
Ian Werker
Susan Friedman
Lisa Kessler
Emil Sher

NOMINEES BIOS:

Josie Lalonde
Eight years ago, Josie sought a Jewish community that would be a welcoming spiritual home for her interfaith family. She is grateful to have found the DJC and its Jewish Studies program, which her daughter has attended since Sr. Kindergarten. This community has been a gift to her family, and serving on the adult events committee, the Visioning Day planning committee, a rabbi search committee and the Board of Directors has been a rewarding and fun way to give back. As a Board member, Josie is committed to listening to our members and acting on our collective ideas to help the DJC thrive. Her current roles include Chair of the Board of Directors, Rabbi Liaison, Human Resources and Adult Events/Programming.

Morgan MacKinnon
I have been a member of the Danforth Jewish Circle for 3 years and was a visitor before that. You can often find me washing dishes in the kitchen or stacking chairs after services. I gave a kavannah on Yom Kippur last year, participated in the peace walks, the Hebrew marathons and most recently organized the Kiddush for Rosh Hashanah this year. Outside of the DJC I work as a registered early childhood educator at Jackman Community Daycare. Most of my volunteer work has been in the social service field such as Change Now youth shelter, SOY (Supporting our Youth) and founding the Social Justice Committee at George Brown College.

As a young adult who was not raised Jewish I hope to bring a new perspective to the board. As a child my maternal grandfather told me stories of running away at the age of 13, having to change his last name and jumping off trains. Although I didn't understand these things then I came to study Judaism as an adult and feel a strong connection to both Judaism and my grandfather who passed away. I chose the DJC because of our diversity, support and the level of acceptance while maintaining some traditional aspects. I consider the DJC to be family and am honoured to be considered for a position on the board.

Ian Werker
Janet and I have been members of the DJC since its very early years. Our four children have all attended the Jewish Studies programs over the years. We have enjoyed the inclusive and welcoming philosophy of the DJC - which has been crucial to our initial interest and ongoing involvement. It will be my pleasure to continue to serve on the Board and support the continued vitality of the community we very much appreciate.

In my professional life, I have been an employment and labour lawyer for 20 years, and have run my own practice for the last 15 of those. For fun, apart from family activities, I enjoy playing classical and jazz music.

FEBRUARY SHABBAT SERVICE

BETHMINSTER SHABBAT

Led by Cantor Lisa

Eastminster: 310 Danforth Avenue - Auditorium
When: Friday, February 11
Time: 7:00 PM

*Free childcare; Dessert Kiddush following services
*Please use Jackman St. Entrance; Hurndale entrance is closed *

FEBRUARY EVENT DETAILS

DJCYG

*For grades 8 & 9*

Friday. February 4^th: Join us for Shabbat dinner board game night! We'll start the evening at 6pm with braiding the challah and cooking our dinner. We'll create our own blessings we feel represent who we are and what our challenges are today, and following dinner we'll let ourselves go to board game playing! The evening will end at 9pm. *We need a house to be volunteered for this event- one where we would be able to use (and clean up after) the kitchen. Please let me know if you will be able to volunteer yours!

Please Rsvp for this event by Jan. 30^th to Mika Gang by e-mail: Mika.Gang@gmail.com

Details at a glance...

*For All Grades *

Friday, February 18^th: Join us to volunteer at OOTC from 6:15pm to 8:30pm. Afterwards we'll be watching the documentary "The Human Footprint" to help us understand the rates of North American consumption and the international impact. For this screening we are looking for a living room to be volunteered, please contact Mika if you are available to volunteer yours! After the film we'll discuss what we watched, the event will finish by 11pm.
*Please Rsvp to Mika Gang by Feb. 14th, e-mail: Mika.Gang@gmail.com

Details at a glance...

What:	EASTMINSTER: OOTC + Film viewing: The Human Footprint
When:	Friday, February 18 @ 6:15 pm - 11:00 pm
Where:	Eastminster (Jackman St Entrance) 310 Danforth Ave
Home Location:	TBD* *HOST/HOUSE NEEDED* for viewing film after OOTC
*Rsvp by Feb 14: mika.gang@gmail.com

HONOURING FAMILIES & FRIENDS

In response to a suggestion from one of our members, the DJC Board and Chesed Committee are formally establishing a process for paying tribute to friends and families. We invite you to honour those who have passed away by making a donation in their names to the DJC. The honouree's family members will be sent a tribute note on your behalf. All donations are tax-deductable.

Please mail your donations to:

Danforth Jewish Circle
283 Danforth Avenue, Ste 125
Toronto, ON M4K 1N2

COMMUNITY NEWS

JEWISH PATHS INTO UNDERSTANDING ILLNESS AND HEALING
*Taught by Rabbi Miriam Margles*
At the Miles Nadal JCC

Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9:30 PM, February 2011
(4 sessions), Feb 2, 9, 16 & 23

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 – a dynamic method of learning that combines movement, writing and storytelling exercises with the study of traditional Jewish texts and images. Join us as we bring the texts to life and bring our lives and experiences into vibrant conversation with the texts.

For more information contact Kolel @ 416.638.1881 www.kolel.org

Happy 2011!
I'm delighted to announce that I'm starting off the new year with a reprise of one of my favourite cabaret shows, back by popular demand.

Let's Get Away From It All:  Songs to escape winter"

Ilana Waldston (& trio)

So, save the date: Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. and join me and my trio at The Dominion On Queen (the club, not the grocery store!) for an evening of jazz and laughs... I would recommend making your reservations as soon as possible by calling 416.368.6893. Also, if you are a fan of The Satin Dolls, the female vocal jazz quartet in which I sing, you'll find a new video montage from our June 2010 show at Hugh's Room. Just visit www.thesatindolls.ca or go directly to the YouTube link.

Ilana Waldston
www.jazznlaughs.ca

Let Your Yoga Dance

A joyful, rejuvenating and fun workout for everyBODY!

First Class Is Free!

Let Your Yoga Dance, is a playful blend of yoga and dance all done to FABULOUS music encompassing a wide range of genres and cultures. It facilitates the Body, Mind, Spirit connection, reduces stress, and builds flexibility and fitness. It will leave you feeling GREAT! No previous yoga or dance experience necessary and it works for everyBODY... all ages...fitness levels... men and women alike! First class is Free, $10.00 drop in, discount packages available and sliding scale too!

So, Come Check it Out!

Class Locations and Times:
Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. - Gym. Enter on Jackman Ave.
Tuesday's: 9:30 – 10:30 am and 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Community of Christ Church, 1443 Bathurst St., South of St. Clair side door
Wednesday's: 9:15 – 10:15 am

Please dress for comfort and ease...bare feet are recommended or non marking indoor shoes...bring water, a towel or yoga mat.

Instructor: Lesley White was certified in "Let Your Yoga Dance" at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lennox Massachusetts.

Kindly let me know which class you can attend so I can plan accordingly... I look forward to dancing our way to health and wellbeing in 2011!

For more info, contact Lesley at 416.466.7238 / lcw@rogers.com

Itanu TORONTO

UJA Federation's Inclusion Initiative Community Inclusion Awards of Excellence

*Call for Nominations*

Do you know of an outstanding individual, program or organization that has made an impact on how the Jewish community welcomes and accepts people with disabilities?

Itanu Toronto, UJA Federation's Inclusion Initiative is hosting its fourth annual Community Inclusion Awards of Excellence. These Awards recognize outstanding initiative that results in a more inclusive Toronto Jewish community. Individuals, unique projects/partnerships and organizations may be nominated or may self-nominate. Award recipients will be recognized at the Inclusion Awards event on April 14, 2011.

The deadline for nominations is February 14, 2011. For more information and nomination forms please email inclusionuja@mnjcc.org or call 416.924.6211 x 255.

Itanu Toronto Vision

A more inclusive Jewish community where people with special needs are able to fully participate in educational, spiritual, communal, social and recreational activities.

itanutoronto.com

Now Opening a Second Senior Kindergarten Class in 2011!  Enrol Now!

Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, located in the Miles Nadal JCC at Bloor and Spadina, is working hard to open this second SK class in September 2011. There has been increasing interest in the school since it opened 13 years ago, and the decision was recently made to open a second SK class to accommodate this rising demand. Right now, the school is very close to achieving its goal, but there is a need for a few more families to enroll to ensure the class can open.

Families with a child entering Senior Kindergarten in 2011 – or future years - are invited to call for a tour! Please contact Sheri Rapp at 416.928.3537 ext. 136 or sheri@djds.ca.

For additional information about Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, families are invited to come to one of our next open houses on March 2nd or April 12 at 10:00am. Please Rsvp to Cheryl Fine at 416.928.3537 ext. 135 or officeadmin@djds.ca.

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