SHAVUOT AT THE JRCC
On Sunday, June 5, hundreds of children and adults attended the annual reading of the Ten Commandments on Shavuot at nine JRCC locations in the GTA. The children were treated to the now famous Shavuot Ice Cream Party, as they joined. thousands of Jewish communities around the world in celebrating the receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago. The readings were followed by a light dairy brunch buffet, including delicious homemade cheesecakes. The event was held simultaneously at all JRCC branches, with some branches holding multiple readings and parties throughout the day to accommodate everyone’s schedules. On the previous evening, dozens of people joined the traditional all-night learning sessions and the reading of the Kabbalistic “Tikun Leil Shavuot” on the night of Shavuot, expressing our love for the Torah and anticipating receiving it anew as we do at this time each year.
JRCC TABLE AT COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE AT PROMENADE MALL
On May 31, the JRCC joined UJA, JF&CS, and JIAS Toronto in holding a community marketplace for Ukrainian refugees. The pop-up event, which was hosted at the Family Resource Centre at Promenade Mall in Thornhill, enabled some of our newest community members to get access essential services, basic needs and community information, including applying for SIN cards and receive clothing and essential items. At the JRCC table, people were greeted warmly and welcomed to the community, received a copy of the JRCC Calendar, religious articles, and information about JRCC programs and services.
FAMILY PURITY COURSE FOR MEN
The traditions and laws of family purity are central to Jewish married life, breathing life into the deeper dimension of marriage and its spiritual, emotional and biological rhythms. The JRCC South Thornhill hosted a three-part family purity crash course for men, taught by Rabbi Levi Blau, and each class was accompanied by choice refreshments of sushi and whiskey. For beginners, it was a comprehensive introduction to the basic concepts and practices, while for the initiated it was a good refresher, which is important to do from time to time given the details and complexities that can sometimes be forgotten or overlooked. This is the first of hopefully many courses to be hosted at the JRCC South Thornhill’s new permanent location.
JRCC HEBREW SCHOOL END OF YEAR CELEBRATION
After the successful completion of a great year, over 100 students and teachers from the JRCC Hebrew School celebrated with a graduation evening, and each Hebrew School branch also held its own end-of-year party. The main graduation event featured a presentation that highlighted the material covered in the past year, an art gallery of student’s works, and a ceremony awarding Aleph Champ medals to the students for completing their new Hebrew proficiency levels. An engaging and entertaining game show pitted students agains parents, and while the students won the parents put up a good fight. An Israel-themed musical presentation also provided a cultural entertainment component. The JRCC Hebrew School currently operates at a total of six locations in Richmond Hill, Maple, Concord, Thornhill, and North York. Sessions are available at various times and days of the week. To give your child the gift of Jewish education, and to give yourself the gift of Jewish naches, contact the JRCC Hebrew School at 416.222.7105 x225 or visit jrccschools.ca. Registration is now open for September 2022, and a limited number of scholarships are available.
