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March 2011

AGM ANNOUNCEMENT
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 at 3:00 p.m. at Eastminster Church Hurndale room, 310 Danforth Avenue.

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.

Two calls for recommendations of nominees for the Nominations Committee to consider were sent to the membership on December 14, 2010 and January 25, 2011. You also had the opportunity to nominate DJC members by contacting the Board Chair by February 7, 2011.

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) [bio]
• Morgan MacKinnon [bio]
• Ian Werker (seeking a second two-year term) [bio]

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

DJC members also may be nominated from the floor during the AGM provided that they are present and consent to the nomination.

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

2011 NOMINEES BIOS:

Josie Lalonde
Ten 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.

MARCH NEWS... AT A GLANCE

DATE	TIME	EVENT/Details	LOCATION
Tuesday, March 8	7:30 pm	DJC Reading Circle CITY OF ORANGES By Adam LeBor	Location to Rsvps only *Rsvp: info@djctoronto.com
Friday, March 11	7:00 pm	Bethminster Shabbat Led by Cantor Lisa	Eastminster - Auditorium 310 Danforth Ave **JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE** Kiddush to follow service Child care provided
Friday, March 11	6:15 pm	DJCYG: All grades Eastminster OOTC + Film	See details in news... *Rsvp by Mar 7: Mika Gang, e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com * HOME NEEDED for viewing film*
Sunday, March 20	3:00- 5:00 pm	Adult Learning: Purim With Rabbi Miriam	Eastminster Auditorium 310 Danforth Ave *JACKMAN ST ENTRANCE*
Thursday, March 24	5:30 pm	*PURIM CELEBRATION* With Rabbi Miriam	Ms Miriam's Stay & Play 583 A Danforth Avenue For more info: info@djctoronto.com
Friday, March 25	7:00 pm	In Home Shabbat	Host: Josie Lalonde 45 Epsom Avenue *Rsvp: phone 416.467.5814 or e-mail: josie.djc@gmail.com
Saturday, March 26	7:00 pm	*DJC MOVIE CLUB* A TIME FOR DRUNKEN HORSES	Hosts Daphne Woolf, Rex Hagon 19 Playter Blvd. *Rsvp: Daphne Woolf, 416.461.5600, email: dwoolf@collinbaer.com
Sunday, March 27	4:00 - 7:00 pm	DJCYG: All grades EPIC PURIM!	*Rsvp by Mar 21: Mika Gang, e-mail: mika.gang@gmail.com
Thursday, March 31	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

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

• FRIDAY, APRIL 8: In-Home Shabbat- Host Karen Robbins & Michael Kanter
• *SUNDAY, APRIL 10: DAY OF LEARNING: CREATING A SEDER led by Rabbi Miriam
• THURSDAY, APRIL 21: DJC COMMUNITY SEDER led by Rabbi Miriam & Cantor Lisa
• THURSDAY, APRIL 28: DJC READING CIRCLE: "ABSURDISTAN", for more information look here http://djctoronto.com/explore/education.php
  To Rsvp: info@djctoronto.com

MARCH SHABBAT SERVICES

BETHMINSTER SHABBAT
Led by Cantor Lisa

Eastminster Auditorium - 310 Danforth Avenue
*JACKMAN AVE ENTRANCE*
When: Friday, March 11
Time: 7:00 PM

*Childcare available; Dessert Kiddush following services

IN-HOME SHABBAT
Led by Emil Sher

When: Friday, March 25
Time: 7:00 pm
Location/Host: Josie Lalonde: 45 Epsom Avenue*

Details/What to bring: Please bring a nibblie for after service "nosh"
All are welcome. Rsvp is required

*Rsvp: Josie by phone: 416.467.5814 or e-mail: josie.djc@gmail.com

By car: Epsom Ave is located west of Main & north of Danforth. From Danforth Ave drive north on Chisholm Ave (1 street west of Main) - Epsom is the 6th street north of the Danforth. Turn left to 45 Epsom.
Subway: At Main station, walk west 1 block, turn right and walk north to Epsom Ave (6th street north of the Danforth).

MARCH EVENT DETAILS

DJC READING CIRCLE: MARCH SESSION
To Rsvp: info@djctoronto.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011
CITY OF ORANGES,
BY ADAM LEBOR
FACILITATED BY DEREK PENSLAR

The ancient city of Jaffa was for centuries the main port of the eastern Mediterranean, a city of traders, merchants, teachers and administrators, home to Muslims, Christians and Jews, while the produce of its orange groves was famed throughout the world. Through the stories of 6 families – three Arab and three Jewish – City of Oranges illuminates the underlying complexity of modern Israel, telling the story from the Ashkenazi as well as the Sephardic point of view, and from the Christian Arab as well as from the Muslim perspective. Through the eyes of these families we understand how the founding of the state of Israel was simultaneously a moment of jubilation for the Jews, and a disaster – the Naqba – for the 100,000 Arabs who fled Jaffa in 1948. City of Oranges goes beyond the daily news and political rhetoric to break down the media stereotypes and recount a moving story through the prism of Jaffa and its inhabitants. "It is in [each other's] stories that the future lies. LeBor has magnificently and sympathetically told them."(The Independent) "Read Adam LeBor's excellent and courageous book." [The Guardian]

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).

It's Purim For Adults at the DJC!

with Rabbi Miriam
For those who think Purim is a children's holiday, this session is going to knock your socks off, blow your mind and...
make you blush!
Join us for Purim learning and se'udah (festive eating)

WHERE: Eastminster Auditorium - 310 Danforth Ave *JACKMAN AVE ENTRANCE*
WHEN: Sunday, March 20
TIME: 3:00 - 5:00 pm

PURIM CELEBRATION!

Join us for our annual Purim party as we're trying something new at our school this year, featuring Rabbi Miriam so read on….

MOVIE NIGHT! DJC STYLE...

A TIME FOR DRUNKEN HORSES

"A Time for Drunken Horses is a must-see film not because of its powerful authenticity, but because it's the most emotionally engaging film I've seen all year. I was hooked from the first minute, and despite the awful topic, there are many pleasures in this film."
*Wikipedia link for more info.

DIRECTIONS to 19 Playter Blvd.:
By subway:
  Chester Station: exiting the station turn left and turn left again to go down a lane-way that runs beside the subway building. Turn right onto Jackman Avenue. Turn left onto Playter Crescent. Turn right onto Playter Blvd - we are the 3rd house on the right (beige). The walk from the subway will take 5 minutes.

By car:
Go east on Danforth, past Broadview. Turn left at the first lights - Playter Blvd.
Go to the end of the street (2nd stop street). Turn right onto Playter Crescent.
After about 50 feet, you will reach a fork in the road. Take the left side of the fork - this gets you back onto Playter Blvd. We are the 3rd house on the right (beige). 
416.469.1300 ... in the event you get lost.

DJC CHILDREN'S JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM

The DJC Children's Jewish Studies program offers a program for children to learn not just the "what" but the "why" of Judaism with an emphasis on arts, music, culture and fun.

OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, March 31
Ms Miriam's Stay & Play
583 A Danforth Ave
4:45- 6:00 PM *Rsvp required*
*There will be an opportunity to visit a class in progress, please rsvp to confirm your appointment.
For more Information; Rsvp: Phone: 416.580.1233; e-mail: info@djctoronto.com

DJCYG
*For All grades*

Friday, March 11: Join us at Out of the Cold volunteering to create a comfortable and friendly environment while serving the Danforth's homeless. As always we begin at 6:15pm until 8:30pm and following we'll order ourselves some pizza and sit down to some learning through film about the environment and the impact of waste production internationally!
We're also looking for a home where we can order pizza and watch this film so please contact me if you are available to lend us your living room!
*Please Rsvp if you will be attending this event by March 7^th
Details at a glance...

What: EASTMINSTER: OOTC + Film viewing after
When: Friday, March 11 @ 6:15 pm
Where: Eastminster (Jackman St Entrance) 310 Danforth Ave
Home location: TBD* *HOST/HOUSE NEEDED* for viewing film after OOTC
*RSVP by March 7: mika.gang@gmail.com

Sunday, March 27th: Together we'll be putting together an epic Purim party which will no doubt include incredible costumes, hilarious competitions and silly prizes! This event will begin at 4pm and end at 7pm. Let me know if you have some ideas of how to make this event the craziest and most entertaining one yet!
*Please Rsvp if you will be attending this event by March 21^st* Details at a glance...

What: EPIC PURIM!!
When: Sunday, March 27, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: TBD
What to bring: TBD
*Rsvp by March 21: 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

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.

Study voice and musicianship with Lara Solnicki:
LARA SOLNICKI is a classically trained professional singer, composer and poet. Her extensive and varied training has enabled her to perform everything from classical music and opera, to jazz, improvised and new music. She enjoys a busy performance career, appearing and recording with many of Canada's finest musicians. Lessons may include formal RCM exam preparation, jazz and popular styles as well as music theory and musicianship skills. She holds a performance BA from the Glenn Gould School/ Royal Conservatory of Music, studying voice and piano in both Performance Diploma and Artist Diploma programs. Lara is a member of The Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association.
*Please contact 416.544.8148 / www.larasolnicki.com

Beginning in March
Meditation for Stress Management with Anne Shaddick
*No meditation experience necessary*

"Are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?" Mary Oliver

Meditation is a way to slow down the mind and the body, bringing ourselves deeper into the present moment. When we experience stress, anxiety, fear or just a sense of our life being too hectic, we are often focusing on the future. By practicing meditation even for a few minutes everyday, we start anchoring ourselves in the present. From here we can start to see what is important, what we can change and what we can't.
Anne Shaddick has been teaching meditation for 10 years and has a background in Stress Management and is a Certified Trager® Practitioner.

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." - Author unknown

For more information please contact Anne either by phone at: 416.532.5079 or email at: anne.shaddick@rogers.com
Trager is a registered trade mark of Trager Canada

Yoga for the Immune System

8 week yoga series on health through Kundalini Yoga

As we continue our move out of the dark and cold of winter, the immune system calls for its "tonic" to cleanse and renew as part of the spring rites. Learn these Yoga methods for your tonic!! In this series you will learn various yoga exercises that help remove body toxins and improve glandular function. You will learn relaxation techniques and ways to be energized. "Research shows that the body/mind/spirit dimensions play intimate roles in Immune System Health." Using yoga exercises, learn to listen more deeply to your body/mind/spirit "wisdom", and activate your Inner Healer.

Learn:	Yoga exercises — and how they improve lymph and immune function Breathing methods — and how they support immune function Meditation techniques — that ease worry or sleep difficulty, or depression
Who:	For anyone whose health has been compromised by cancer. This series would also benefit those with autoimmune disorders or those seeking an immune system "tune-up". Yoga exercises accommodated to physical limitations.
When:	Thurs., March 3/11 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. NEW TIME!!
Where:	611 St. Clair Ave. West (At Wychwood and St. Clair Ave. W.) NEW LOCATION!!
Cost:	$160/for series of 8 classes; $25/drop-in class

Teacher: Deborah Stewart Finestone, RSW., M.Ed., RYT, has 20 years experience as a body/mind psychotherapist. Deborah recovered from metastasized cancer in 2003; her daily practice of Kundalini Yoga was an important element in her healing. She became certified as a Kundalini Yoga Teacher in 2006 and has taught yoga to 100s of students.

To inquire or register: call Deborah 416.859.5063 or email deborahstewfine@rogers.com. The class size is small to accommodate individual differences, so call early with inquiries. Advance registration required.

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