November 2009 News
Community-Wide JRCC Shabbat Dinners
Over 300 people participate in the most recent Community-Wide Shabbat Dinners evening on Friday, Nove
mber 6. Participants in six locations – the JRCC @ Rockford, Thornhill, Thornhill Woods, Yonge & Clark, Concord and S. Richmond Hill – gathered to celebrate Shabbat together. They shared a traditional Shabbat meal, complete with a warm atmosphere and friendly table talk, along with words of wisdom from the rabbi, and singing. Thanks to Zuchter Berk Catering for co-sponsoring the event. For information on upcoming Shabbat Dinners and other events in your neighborhood, get on the mailing list of you nearest JRCC Branch through our website, www.jrcc.org.
mber 6. Participants in six locations – the JRCC @ Rockford, Thornhill, Thornhill Woods, Yonge & Clark, Concord and S. Richmond Hill – gathered to celebrate Shabbat together. They shared a traditional Shabbat meal, complete with a warm atmosphere and friendly table talk, along with words of wisdom from the rabbi, and singing. Thanks to Zuchter Berk Catering for co-sponsoring the event. For information on upcoming Shabbat Dinners and other events in your neighborhood, get on the mailing list of you nearest JRCC Branch through our website, www.jrcc.org.
Challah Braiders
At the JRCC of Thornhill Woods and the JRCC Yonge & Clark, dozens of children attended recent Challah Braiders events. Participants are treated to a hands on experience that celebrates the beauty and joy Shabbat, and learn how to bring the spirit of Shabbat into their homes. The sessions include the selection of a Shabbat Ima (mother) who lights the Shabbat candles and a Shabbat Aba (father) who
recites kiddush using grape juice. The central activity of these gatherings is the creative preparation of traditional Shabbat Challahs. Children learn the art of braiding different types of Challahs and decorating them in various ways. Other craft activities include making a beautiful Shabbat Colorfoil craft, painted challah covers, wooden challah boards, wooden candlesticks and kiddush cups, and a jewish name picture frame to end session that children took home with a picture of themselves celebrating Shabbat. The children and parents are all looking forward to the spring Challah braiders sessions. For more information, please contact Chanie Hildeshaim (JRCC Thornhill Woods) 416.222.7105 x224 or [email protected] or Chanie Zaltzman (JRCC Yonge & Clark) 416.222.7105 x227 or [email protected].
recites kiddush using grape juice. The central activity of these gatherings is the creative preparation of traditional Shabbat Challahs. Children learn the art of braiding different types of Challahs and decorating them in various ways. Other craft activities include making a beautiful Shabbat Colorfoil craft, painted challah covers, wooden challah boards, wooden candlesticks and kiddush cups, and a jewish name picture frame to end session that children took home with a picture of themselves celebrating Shabbat. The children and parents are all looking forward to the spring Challah braiders sessions. For more information, please contact Chanie Hildeshaim (JRCC Thornhill Woods) 416.222.7105 x224 or [email protected] or Chanie Zaltzman (JRCC Yonge & Clark) 416.222.7105 x227 or [email protected].
Bat Mitzvah Club Session Begins
The JRCC Bat Mitzvah Club began its 2009-2010 session, helping young girls d
iscover the meaning and significance of being a Jewish woman in a friendly and engaging atmosphere. All three branches of the Bat Mitzvah Program, the JRCC @ Rockford, Thornhill Woods, and the JRCC Hebrew School focus on making friends, interesting discussions, and exciting activities to make this a memorable experience that your daughter won't forget. The girls learn not just to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah, but bring the spirit of what it represents into their lives. There are a few spaces available in the program, so it’s not too late to join for this year. To register your daughter, please contact:
iscover the meaning and significance of being a Jewish woman in a friendly and engaging atmosphere. All three branches of the Bat Mitzvah Program, the JRCC @ Rockford, Thornhill Woods, and the JRCC Hebrew School focus on making friends, interesting discussions, and exciting activities to make this a memorable experience that your daughter won't forget. The girls learn not just to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah, but bring the spirit of what it represents into their lives. There are a few spaces available in the program, so it’s not too late to join for this year. To register your daughter, please contact:
Rockford: Henya Karpilovsky at 416.222.7105 x235 or [email protected]
Thornhill Woods: Chanie Hildeshaim at 416.222.7105 x224 or [email protected] .
Sunday Hebrew School –Rachel Halperin at 416.222.7105 x225 or [email protected]
Teas & Soups Evening
The JRCC Women Circles of Rockford, Thornhill and Yonge & Clark gathered for a R
osh Chodesh gathering dedicated to spiritual and physical health. In addition to the customary words of wisdom and inspiration of our gatherings, participants discovered the health benefits of different teas with nutritionist Jody from the Natural Life Health Market. They enjoyed an open soup bar and learned how to prevent the flu with alternative medicine, and common homeopathic remedies. Visit
www.jrcc.org/womencircle or call 416.222.7105 x221 for more information.
osh Chodesh gathering dedicated to spiritual and physical health. In addition to the customary words of wisdom and inspiration of our gatherings, participants discovered the health benefits of different teas with nutritionist Jody from the Natural Life Health Market. They enjoyed an open soup bar and learned how to prevent the flu with alternative medicine, and common homeopathic remedies. Visit
www.jrcc.org/womencircle or call 416.222.7105 x221 for more information.
Jewish “University” at Rockford
After the winding down of the holiday season, the regular schedule of classes resumed at the JRCC @ 18 Rockford last month with renewd vigor and high attendance. A wide variety of classes and learning opportunities in many different subject areas throughout the week means that you’re sure to find something that interests you and fits into your schedule. For a complete schedule, visit
www.jrcc.org/rockford or call 416.222.7105 x235.
Not Sunday School
The JRCC @ Rockford Kids Club got its new fall/winter session off to a great start,
with an assortment of different classes and activities, including Hebrew, chess, art, sewing, knitting. Session cater to different ages, and includes a pizza lunch. This creative and exciting multidisciplinary program is definitely not your typical Sunday School program. Bring your child this Sunday and see for yourself! The Kids Club program runs every Sunday morning from 10:30am to 12:30pm for boys and girls ages 5 to 10. For more information, call 416.222.7105 x235.
with an assortment of different classes and activities, including Hebrew, chess, art, sewing, knitting. Session cater to different ages, and includes a pizza lunch. This creative and exciting multidisciplinary program is definitely not your typical Sunday School program. Bring your child this Sunday and see for yourself! The Kids Club program runs every Sunday morning from 10:30am to 12:30pm for boys and girls ages 5 to 10. For more information, call 416.222.7105 x235.
What Do You Know?
The season Jewish Trivia Night at the JRCC @ Rockford last month drew its usual boisterous crowd of trivia buffs and curious onlookers. Participants were divided into teams that faced off in the best tradition of Russian competitive trivia. To find out about the next Trivia Night, get on the mailing list by visiting www.jrcc.org/rockford or call 416.222.7105 x 235.
Hebrew School at Yorkhill P.S.
The JRCC Hebrew School branch at Yorkhill Public School is an engaging p
rogram focusing on Jewish History, Judaism, and Hebrew Language in an entertaining and hands-on educational style. For example, this past month students learned about mezuzah, Sefer torah, and tefilin. Their learning was enhanced by a visit by a real local scribe (sofer), Rabbi Shmuel Zirkind. He demonstrated how a these scrolls are written on parchment, using a quill and ink. The students learned about the entire process, and were then given time to ask Rabbi Zirkind all their questions.
rogram focusing on Jewish History, Judaism, and Hebrew Language in an entertaining and hands-on educational style. For example, this past month students learned about mezuzah, Sefer torah, and tefilin. Their learning was enhanced by a visit by a real local scribe (sofer), Rabbi Shmuel Zirkind. He demonstrated how a these scrolls are written on parchment, using a quill and ink. The students learned about the entire process, and were then given time to ask Rabbi Zirkind all their questions.
In addition to the physical process required to produce the mezuzah hanging on their door, the children also now know that the parchement inside the mezuzah is the main thing, and the Shema Yisrarel is written on it. The kids also made their very own Mezuzah cases with sand or paint, which can be used to affix mezuzahs by their bedroom doors.
The JRCC Hebrew School runs programs in six different locations, including Yorkhill Public School. For information on the Yorkhill program, contact Chanie Zaltzman (JRCC Yonge & Clark) 416.222.7105 x227 or
[email protected]. For general information on the JRCC Hebrew School, contact Rachel Halperin at 416.222.7105 x225 or [email protected]
