11 NISSAN CELEBRATIONS

On April 9, people around the world celebrated 11th of Nissan, the birthday of the Rebbe, who was born in 1902 in the Ukrainian-Russian town of Nikolaev and went on to spark the greatest renaissance in Jewish history that inspired millions. The entire Chabad movement today, including the JRCC, as well as the personal Jewish connection of countless people, are thanks to the Rebbe’s vision and tireless efforts. To mark the occasion, the JRCC held a farbrengen (Chassidic gathering) at the JRCC East Thornhill. Participants enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, infused with inspiring words of wisdom and soulful song. To learn more about the Rebbe visit jrcc.org/therebbe.
 

OVER 500 ATTEND JRCC COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDERS

The Passover Seder is a universal Jewish ritual observed almost identically by Jews around the world, regardless of their affiliation or level or observance. It is the quintessential reliving of the quintessential Jewish experience. Over 500 people attended Community Passover Seders organized by the Jewish Russian Community Centre in 10 locations on April 12 and 13. The Seders provided people with the opportunity to experience a traditional Seder and observe the related mitzvahs and traditions – eating the matzah and recounting the story of the Exodus to our children – in a warm and welcoming environment with family and friends. The insightful guidance and explanations of the presiding rabbis enriched the Seder with added meaning and depth, while the camaraderie and singing enhanced the jubilant holiday atmosphere.
 

THE FEAST OF MOSHIACH

While the first days of Passover commemorate the Exodus from Egypt, the eighth day of Passover is traditionally associated with our hopes for the future redemption with the coming of Moshiach. Towards the end of the day, while fell this year on April 20, according to a custom initiated by the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement, a Feast of Moshiach was held at all JRCC branches, together with thousands of other communities around the world. Participants gathered together, ate matzah, drank wine, sand songs, and shared insights about Moshiach – an idea that may sometimes seem unfathomable. One way to get there is to internalize the idea, to learn about it, talk about it, visualize and make it real. As the Rebbe teaches, when we open our eyes in this way, our awareness itself makes it real. Learn more at jrcc.org/Moshiach.
 

POST-PASSOVER CHALLAH BAKE

The longstanding custom of post-Passover challah baking known as Shlissel Challah, was celebrated simultaneously in eight JRCC Branches following Passover last month. Though communal Challah baking sessions are organized throughout the year, and are a tremendous source communal blessing for those in need, the post-Passover challah baking is known to be especially auspicious for eliciting healing energy and sustenance. The custom usually involved a key - according to some versions the key is baked into the challah, some pierce the challah with a key, and some bake a challah shaped like a key. They “key” connection is that the channel from which heavenly blessings flow is often referred to as a gate - such as, the gates of mercy, the gates of healing, the gates of forgiveness, the gates of wealth, etc. Since we are asking that the gates of blessings be open, we symbolically connect a key to the custom, as if to say that this challah will serve as a key to open the gates of blessings for the Jewish people.
 

JRCC TAX CLINIC

During the tax season, the Jewish Russian Community Centre offers a free program to prepare income tax and benefits returns for members of the community who are unable to afford the services of an income tax professional. All the required paperwork is dropped off at the JRCC office, and the completed return are then picked up when ready. This service is provided by volunteer accountants from the community, and, in order not to take business aware from professional service providers, only those in urgent need due to financial stress are allowed to utilize the free service. For more information contact 416-222-7105 ext. 293.