PRE-ROSH HASHANAH KIDS PROGRAMS
In the days and weeks leading up to the High Holidays and the Jewish New Year, the JRCC’s branches hosted several unique events to engage community children in preparation for this important time of year. The JRCC East Thornhill an JRCC Concord each held a Rosh Hashana Kids Fair featuring a variety of interactive activities and workshops designed to both entertain and educate. The JRCC West Thornhill hosted two events – a Make Your Own Shofar workshop and a Children’s Challah Bake.

PRE-ROSH HASHANAH CHALLAH BAKE
A special pre-Rosh Hashana Challah Bake evening was held simultaneously at nine JRCC branches in the days before Rosh Hashana. Baking challah for Shabbat and the holidays is a mitzvah and a unique spiritual experience for women – and also a practical one since the sacred ritual bread is eaten at the holiday meals. Dozens of women joined together across the various locations to bake traditional round challah and offer heartfelt prayers and wished in honour of Rosh Hashanah. The event was also streamed via Zoom for those who could not participate in person.

18 ELUL FARBRENGEN
The JRCC East Thornhill hosted a farbrengen gathering in honour of the 18th of Elul, known as “Chai Elul.” It is a unique day on several fronts. It is the birthday of both the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, and the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad. It is also twelve days before Rosh Hashana, an opportune time to reflect on the previous year, one month per day. During the course of the evening participants shared words of inspiration, songs, and insights into the spiritual pathways of Chassidic thought.

ROCKFORD RE-OPENS!
Just in time for the High Holidays, the JRCC at Rockford branch has reopened after completing renovations following a furnace fire that decimated most of the interior in January. Following the “Rebuild Rockford” campaign and a promise to come back better and brighter then ever, the centre has already reopened its doors. In fact, you’ll notice new glass doors adorning the main entrance, which is intended to make the space more inviting. A vibrant street art mural was also added to the outside wall facing the street, adding some colour and youthful character that reflects its growing demographic of students and young professionals, and ensuring the centre can’t be missed while passing by.