August 2016

High Holidays Coming Soon

High Holidays are right around the corner and are approaching fast. Rosh Hashanah falls on October 2-4, 2016, and Yom Kippur falls on October 11-12, 2016. Services will be held at nine locations in the GTA. This year the JRCC is introducing completely redesigned High Holiday tickets that feature a detailed schedule for the entire month of Tishrei, covering all the holidays from Rosh Hashana to Simhat Torah – all in one place. Everyone is welcome to join the programs and services at any time, but seating for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is limited, so please reserve your seats as soon as possible. To reserve your seats, call 416.222.7105, visit jrcc.org/highholidays, or drop by the JRCC office (the office is open M-F 9am-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm).

Annual JRCC Membership Drive

Though we are all members of the community and of the Jewish people, purchasing a voluntary JRCC Membership makes you an active partner in our community, helping support the programs and services that sustain us as a community and as a people. You help the JRCC operate in a stable and fiscally responsible manner. You help bring programs and services to the underprivileged. Becoming a voluntary JRCC Member also entitles you to complimentary High Holiday seats. To become a member and reserve your seats visit jrcc.org/membership or call 416.222.7105.

You’ve Got (a Lot of) Mail!

Your Exodus package is a little thicker than usual this month due to the mailing of the JRCC’s annual Calendar and Program Guide, which contains a wealth of information on Jewish holidays, as well as lectures, classes, special events, and community programs throughout the year. Also included is a handy magnet that lists the candle lighting times for Shabbat and Festivals throughout the year. We try to match the items you receive to your interests and preferences. To update your information, or let us know about a friend or family member who would appreciate receiving these items, please contact the JRCC office at 416-222- 7105 or [email protected].

Torah Dedication in East Thornhill

The JRCC East Thornhill community celebrated the dedication of a new Torah Scroll to its synagogue on Yonge Street in Old Thornhill. The new Torah Scroll was dedicated by the Khazanski family in memory of Tevel ben David, of blessed memory. The festivities began with the writing of the final letters at the Khazanski residence, followed by dancing and a parade progression to escort the freshly completed Torah to its new home in the synagogues holy ark. The afternoon was capped off with more celebratory dancing at the synagogue and a desert reception. Many thanks to all who attended and helped make it a meaningful and memorable event.

20 Av Farbrengen

The 20th of Av (August 23-24, 2016) marked the yahrtzeit of the Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, a kabbalist and activist who devoted his life, and ultimately gave up his life, to preserving Judaism in the FSU. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was Chief Rabbi of Yekaterinoslav (currently Dnepropetrovsk), and was arrested and exiled to Kazakhstan by the Stalinist regime as a result of his work to preserve Jewish life in the Soviet Union. The day was celebrated with a farbrengen, a Chassidic gathering for a special occasion, at the JRCC West Thornhill. The gathering was led by Rabbi Levi Jacobson, director of the JRCC West Thornhill, making it even more auspicious since Rabbi Jacobson is named after the Rebbe’s father and his birthday falls on the 20th of Av.