THE LIBRARY COMES TO YOU
The JRCC East Thornhill runs Shmloimele’s Library, a very popular lending library that also hosts creative programs. What happens when regulation don’t permit visiting the library to check out your favorite books? They bring the library to you! Dozens of families have already use the system where you can choose from hundreds of Jewish books online and have them brought to your home for a reasonable delivery fee. Check it out at JrccEastThornhill.org/ShloimelesLibrary.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
The JRCC hosted a “Virtual Farbrengen” via Zoom in honor of Pesach Sheni, aka “The Second Pesach.” The festival was institute during the times of Moses for those who were unable to visit the Temple to perform the Passover rituals. Rabbi Mendel Blau, Principle of Central Chabad Yeshiva in New York, spoke on the theme of “Opportunity strikes once - again,” extending the lesson of Pesach Sheni to our personal lives. The feeling was that no matter what area of life we think we might have missed opportunities, the truth is that when we live with the moment we’re in right now, it really is never too late to grow, to learn, to connect, to change, to try something new.
LAG BA’OMER PROGRAMS
Due to the social isolation restrictions currently in place, the JRCC was not able to hold its annual Lag B’Omer family carnival. Instead, the JRCC organized an online program and a “reverse” parade. The online program featured a variety of education and entertaining programs, shows, and live music – the type of attractions usually found at the annual carnival. A parade was organized where the JRCC on Wheels, the RV that serves as the JRCC’s mobile outreach community center, traveled a preplanned route around the city, allowing for children and families to join in by dancing in their driveways and holding up signs as the procession passed by. “This was definitely a different kind of Lab Ba’Omer celebration than we’re used to,” says JRCC CEO Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman, “Nevertheless the spirit of Lag Ba’Omer was strongly felt – community togetherness, love of one’s fellow, Jewish pride, Jewish education, with a focus on children. I am proud that as a community we found a creative way to make it work even under the current challenges, and this makes it even more memorable.”
JRCC.HELP LENDS A HAND TO SENIORS
The JRCC continues to assist seniors in our community, who are especially vulnerable during the outbreak and must remain in isolation. The JRCC,help program is essentially a situation “task force” that combines the efforts of JRCC staff and volunteers. The complex operation involves an outgoing call center to check in on people and receive incoming calls, using the JRCC’s database software to keep track of those in need, coordinating the services they need, scheduling shopping, delivery and home visits, arranging payment for goods purchased for each person, and other details. To date, over six hundred Russian-speaking seniors aged 70 and over have received assistance. If you know anyone who needs assistance, or if you would like to volunteer, visit jrcc.help or call our hotline at 416.222.7105 x999. The JRCC is also in need of funds to help cover the costs of this operation, and in some cases pay for the basic needs of those who cannot afford food and medicine. To make a donation, visit www.jrcc.help or call 416-222-7105.
