Thousands attend High Holiday Services
Continuing in the tradition of past years, this year’s High Holiday services were exceptionally well-attended, with over 3,000 in attendance at several services in nine locations in the Toronto area, including Concord, Maple, four locations in Thornhill, and three in Toronto. Thank you to all those who purchased tickets, which helps with the organizing of the services and to offset the costs. And special thanks to all the JRCC staff and volunteers who helped make the experience meaningful and enjoyable for so many.

Prepare your dancing shoes
As this issue goes to print, Sukkot and Simchat Torah are just around the corner. The JRCC will be hosting dozens of events throughout the week of Sukkot, culminating in one of the highlight sof the year – the Simchat Torah celebrations at all JRCC branches. “Sukkot and Simchat Torah is a time of total joy and celebration,” explains Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman, JRCC Senior Rabbi. “There is very little observance involved other than coming to dance and party together, so it’s a great time to get connected to your local community if you haven’t already, and a great time to celebrate with your friends if you have.”

Hebrew School off to a Great Start
The JRCC Hebrew School is off to a great start this year thanks to the preparation and hard work of its staff. Students have already learned about the significance of the holidays through interactive activities and art projects, and began using the acclaimed Aleph Champ system to learn to ready Hebrew. The JRCC Hebrew School offers a friendly and stimulating Sunday and/or after-school program at eight locations throughout the GTA. Visit www.jrcc.org/hebrewschool for a list of times and locations.

Exodus archive now online
Exodus Magazine issues are now available online, with the Russian editions going back to 1982, and the English editions going back to 2002, when the English version was launched. Exodus has come a long way over the years, and it is interesting to see the changes in content and design. You can see for yourself at exodusmagazine.org. Special thank to the volunteers who helped gather the files, scan the old paper issues from our physical archives, and upload them to the site. We are still missing a few issues, so if you have any lying around, please contact us at 416.222.7105 x222 or [email protected].

A Sweet New Year, at Your Door

With the help of several volunteers, the JRCC East Thornhill was able to spread the sweetness and joy of the Jewish new year to 700 households in the neighbourhood. The packages, containing apples and honey and a card wishing a Happy New Year from the community, were well received and a fitting expression of the oneness of our people, a central theme of Rosh Hashana. Special thanks to the volunteers who distributed the packages, and to Yummy Market for generously donating the apples. 

Kiddie Chefs, Rosh Hashana Edition

The JRCC’s Kiddie Chefs events are seasonal, holiday-themed programs that combine learning about the upcoming holiday while preparing a holiday-related food and working on a holiday-related art project. Last month, as part of the program, children at the JRCC S Richmond Hill and East Thornhill Hebrew School made honey cookies and crafted their own honey dishes in preparation for a sweet New Year.

Prayer Course for Women

A six-week Prayer Course for Women, led by Mrs. Chanie Zaltzman of the JRCC East Thornhill branch at her home, was well attended by women from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. Together, they learned about the power of prayer, the meaning behind various prayers and rituals, and became more comfortable with the Siddur (prayerbook) and in synagogue services. “I wanted to pray, but I would always feel lost when I would open a prayerbook or go to shul,” expressed one participant, a non-observant woman in her later thirties. “Now I feel I can approach a meaningful, spiritual experience with confidence.”