June 2011 News
Women’s Rosh Chodesh Parties
In anticipation of Shavuot, the JRCC hosted Rosh Chodesh Parties for women featuring activities that reflect holiday customs. The JRCC @ Rockford, West Thornhill and East Thornhill hosted a “Flowers & Cheesecake” evening, commemorating the fauna that appeared on Mount Sinai when the Torah was given, as well as the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuot. Participants enjoyed a selection of cheesecakes while learning to make impressive floral arrangements with the guidance of expert Lily Rahel from Flowers by Lily. All women took home lots of holiday inspiration, and flowers with which to decorate their homes for Shavuot.
At the JRCC S Richmond Hill, participants sampled an array of dairy desserts, and learned the inspiring and unique role that women played at Mount Sinai. A scrapbooking workshop, led by Mrs Tamar Shuchat, taught women the art of turning everyday photos into preserved memories.
Shavuot
Hundreds of children and adults attended the annual reading of the Ten Commandments on Shavuot at the various JRCC community synagogues on Wednesday, June 8. The children were treated to the now famous Shavuot Ice Cream Party, while the adults enjoyed words of wisdom while celebrating the receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai over 3,000 years ago, along with a light buffet. On Tuesday night, mass insomnia hit as several dozen people turned up for the traditional all night learning sessions, joining Ask the Rabbi sessions and delving into Jewish teachings until the break of dawn.
2011-2012 Hebrew School Registration Open
The JRCC Hebrew Schools provide a Jewish environment within the child’s own neighborhood, with his/her own friends, and is a convenient after-school activity for the parents. The JRCC Hebrew School currently operates at various times and days of the week in six locations in Thornhill, Thornhill Woods and North York.
The opportunity to learn what it means to be Jewish through engaging in Jewish history, Hebrew language, and becoming familiar with Jewish holidays and other observances, solidifies the Jewish identity in the child’s mind. The acclaimed Aleph Champ program creates an individualized program of study that enables each student to progress in his/her Hebrew Reading skills by graduating to different levels using various colored “belt” levels like in Karate. The program is focused on education through hands-on experience and fun, where Judaism comes to life with a variety of creative art projects, educational games and interactive seminars. The children become a conduit of Jewish information for their families, and a source of Jewish pride for their parents and grandparents.
To give your child the gift of Jewish education, and to give yourself the gift of Jewish naches, contact the JRCC Hebrew School at 416.222.7105 x225 or visit www.jrcc.org/hebrewschool. Registration is now open for September 2011, and a limited number of scholarships are available.
JRCC Daycare Summer Day Camp
The acclaimed JRCC Daycare, headed by the respected Montessori-certified supervisor Mrs. Anya Kupinsky, will be holding a Summer Day Camp. In addition to the diverse ECE learning program offered all year, the Summer Day Camp will also feature extensive field trips and outdoor summer activities. For more information, please call Anya at 416.736.0781 or visit www.jrccdaycare.org.
