COMMUNITY BBQS

Community barbecues are a popular seasonal tradition for Torontonians
looking to socialize while enjoying the summer weather. This year’s first JRCC
Community BBQ to start the season took place at JRCC Willowdale.
Throughout the summer, each JRCC branch will host its own event, providing
a casual setting for community residents to meet, connect, interact and enjoy
an informal family experience. These types of events are a great way to get
to know one another, and a great opportunity and the perfect environment in
which to feel a sense of community. The barbecues generally feature music, activities for kids, and, of course,
cold beer and great marinated food on the grill. Some neighborhoods have local connoisseurs that have
become legends on the grill, providing unique culinary treats that draw a crowd around the barbecue. For a list
of upcoming barbecues visit jrcc.org/bbq or get in touch with your local JRCC branch.

TRIP TO THE REBBE

The annual Trip to the Rebbe in honor of “Gimmel Tammuz” took place on
June 21-22. Several hundred people from our community, including a few
dozen on an organized JRCC trip, joined tens of thousands of people from all
walks of life and from around the world visited the Rebbe’s synagogue and
Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York,
and the Ohel, the Rebbe’s holy resting place in Queens. The participants of the
trip also spent some time exploring the Crown Heights neighborhood, enjoying
a brunch meal together, and took in words of inspiration and personal stories highlighting the living legacy of
the Rebbe – all while traveling on a new, state-of-the-art coach bus. Thank you to all the organizers and hosts
for making it a rewarding a meaningful experience.

UKRAINE KHERSON RELIEF FUND

Earlier this month, the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine was destroyed, causing
devastating flooding in the city of Kherson. Rescue operations are still ongoing
as many areas of the Kherson region remain submerged under water, with
many people, especially older pensioners, unable to leave their residences
without help. Humanitarian aid is needed from around the world to stave off
a major catastrophe, and even Israel stepped up to provide assistance in the
form of drinking water and food to be distributed to local residents. Hundreds of
thousands of people have lost their homes and are in desperate need of rescue
and immediate shelter. The JRCC established a fund to support the remaining 1,500 Jews in the region, many
of whom are elderly and disabled. Your contribution can truly make a difference! Donate at jrcc.org/kherson

JRCC HEBREW SCHOOL END OF YEAR CELEBRATION

After the successful completion of another great year, over 100 students and
teachers from the JRCC Hebrew Schools around the city 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. The Hebrew School continues to grow and
build on its reputation of excellence with a newly redeveloped comprehensive curriculum. 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 2023, and a limited number
of scholarships are available.