December 2015
Chanukah Wonderland Carnival
The thirteenth annual JRCC Chanukah Wonderland Carnival brought a dizzying array of family activities to the CHAT campus in Richmond Hill to the delight of about 1,000 participants. Parents and children enjoyed an afternoon full of different crafts and activities, including sand art of menorahs and other crafts, rides, and carnival games, while live music played throughout the day. The Make Your Own Donut booth was an especially popular actvity, and every hour featured a different show, including Mad Science, Balloon Art, and Steve the Magician.
Public Menorah Lighting
The JRCC’s annual Public Menorah Lighting, one of over 30 JRCC Chanukah events, was held on the first night of Chanukah, Sunday, December 6 at Mel Lastman Square. The event attracted over 300 community members, local residents, as well as a number of passers by who were curious about the festive event, live music, refreshments and the 16-foot tall menorah in front of City Hall. Several dignitaries and public figures were in attendance, including members city council, who honored the celebration and the community with their presence and their warm words.
Community Chanukah Parties
Each JRCC branch and program held its own unique Chanukah party for its participants, complete with a menorah lighting and Chanukah refreshments like doughnuts and latkes.
The JRCC S Richmond Hill & Maple hosted a Bistro Chanukah evening that was billed as “An Adult’s Night Out,” giving parents in the community the opportunity to get together and meet new friends in a relaxed setting while enjoying a dairy buffet, as well as Chanukah Baking and Craft activity for children at Nellie McClung Public School in conjunction with the Hebrew School and the Kiddie Chefs program.
The JRCC West Thornhill held a Wine & Cheese evening for adults that allowed people to mingle and socialize in a warm and friendly environment that featured Chanukah-themed party activities. For children, there was a Chanukah Party featuring activities and crafts focused on “edu-tainment” to teach children about Chanukah in a fun way.
The JRCC East Thornhill hosted a Saturday night Chanukah Cafe evening, where participants were treated to a great atmosphere and inspiring Chanukah insights while enjoying a scrumptious dairy buffet, latkes and donuts and a Menorah lighting. Children were invited to a separate Doughnuts and Chanukah Craft event in conjunction with the Hebrew School and the Kiddie Chefs program. The JRCC South Thornhill hosted a Chanukah D-Lights party for adults, serving illuminating Chanukah inspiration and tasty Chanukah treats to participants of the JRCC’s newest neighborhood branch.
The JRCC@Rockford celebrated with a Melave Malka (post-Shabbat meal) Chanukah Party. The evening was a hit, with program featuring mini trivia, hilarious performances, and table competitions. For kids, JRCC@Rockford hosted a Glow in the Dark Chanukah Party, emphasizing the Chanukah message of bringing light into the darkness, and also featuring a puppet show with a ventriliquist.
In partnership with Chabad of Waterloo, the JRCC’s affiliate for the Waterloo Region, and Chabad of Durham Region, the JRCC’s affiliate in Whitby, there were Chanukah Parties attended by Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman for the Jewish Russian communities there. Special thanks to Rabbi Moshe Goldman and Rabbi Tzali Borensein for coordinating the parties.
There were also special Chanukah programs at the JRCC Daycare, Hebrew School and Kiddie Chefs programs. Thank you to all participants and volunteers! January T h e mon t h in r e v i ew. UPCOM in g e v ents & pro g r a ms . 2016 | Shvat 5776 Our 14 January 2016 / Shvat 5776 416.222.7105 JRCC’s Super Volunteer Receives Provincial Award The JRCC’s longest tenured and most tenacious volunteer, our beloved Katia Lotkina, was recently awarded the Senior Achievement Award from the Government of Ontario. In the photo above she received the award in a special ceremony at LOCATION on DATE, presented by Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mario Sergio, Minister for Senior Affairs. Photo of
