January 2009 News
Chanukah Comes to Life - Part 2
At press time last month, several JRCC Chanukah programs will still ongoing, so we weren’t able to report the details in the January issue.
The JR
CC @ Rockford Melave Malka drew a huge crowd for
an enjoyable and entertaining evening. Participants snacked on delicious home made latkes and treats while being entertained by the humorous game “Annuka Malchikee,” which implores volunteers from the audience to compete in a variety of different contests – from cooking to acting to singing.
The JRCC of Thornhill hosted two well-attended Chanukah
events. Its annual Family Chanukah Party, held once again this year at Mess for Fun, featured a menorah lighting and an evening of ceramic painting for the whole family. And new this yea was an opportunity for the adults to get together without the kids for an evening out at D-Lite's Restaurant in Thornhill.
On Monday, December 22, the second night of Chanukah, the JRCC of Thornhill Woods hosted its Chanukah Café, an elegant evening out for the community. Upon walking in to the
Chanukah Café environment, guests were wowed by the elegant atmosphere, and the wafting aroma of freshly brewed coffees. After getting their choice of flavored coffee and a selection of delectable pastries and hot latkes, they sat around beautiful, candlelit tables to shmooze and relax. The informal component of the evening was complimented by a menorah lighting, a Chanukah story narrated by Rabbi Chaim, a video presentation of Chanukah moments with the Rebbe, and an exciting latke bingo game featuring prizes like delicious wine and elegant dishes. The crowd of over 60 adults thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and people were already discussing next year’s Chanukah Café.
The JRCC of Yonge & Clark hosted a Saturday Night Chanukah
Melave Malka
, with a full dinner including hot latkes. Participants enjoyed live music and a bingo game, as well as an intriguing video of menorah lightings around the world. Children has their own program of Chanukah games, and made their own original edible dreidels.
On the first night of Chanukah, the JRCC Thornhill Woods Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim organized a busload of yeshiva students from Yeshivah Lubavitch Toronto at Bathurst St. and Lawrence Ave. to brave the cold and the snow to help spread the holiday spirit in Thornhill Woods. The young rabbis in training canvassed the neighbourhood with holiday literature and menorahs, and lit menorahs with families in their homes, bringing information about upcoming Chanukah programs as well as light, happiness and warmth to many families. “Thank you Rabbi Chaim for sending us those yeshiva boys,” expressed L. Zerenitsky of Thornhill Woods. “They made our Chanukah!”
What do Chanukah and bowling have in common? Not much,
but they’re both fun so why not combine the together? Over 40 members of the JRCC of Thornhill Woods gathered for a Saturday night bowling session at Woodbridge Bowl. Both children and adults enjoyed bowling, sufganiyot, latkes and other snacks. The evening culminated with the lighting of a grand menorah made of bowling pins.
Bat Mitzva Clu b Chanukah Party took on a special meaning this year. In addition to a fun-filled evening of Chanukah-related activities, including dreidel spinning and doughnut filling, students wrapped gifts and wrote cards for the children who were orphaned in the horrific Mumbai massacre. The girls collected funds to purchase a selection of toys and clothing to Moshe Holtzberg in Afula, the Teitelbaum family in Jerusalem, and the Kruman family in B’nai Brak. Special thanks to Marina Amurjuev of Thornhill Woods for transporting the gifts on her trip to Israel, and to Chabad in Israel, specifically Rebetzin Sara Rivka Lipsh, who took the responsiblity of having the gifts delivered to their intened recipients. For more information about the BMC of Thornhill Woods, please call Chanie at 905.326.9258.
Insightful Courses Inform and Inspire
Community members of all different backgrounds and learning levels have been asking their local JRCC branches for more courses. “The response to our recent courses has been really encouraging,” explains Rabbi Levi Jacobson of the JRCC Thornhill. “So the demand for a wider range of courses keeps increasing.”
In the past few weeks, the JRCC has responded to this demand in a big way, with an incredible selection of intriguing and inf
ormative courses to suit all interests. Recent courses included: “The Kabbalah of Dreams” with Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim at Thornhill Woods; A fascinating and practical parenting seminar with acclaimed psychologist and author Sara Chana Radcliffe titled “Raising Your Children Without Raising Your Voice”; a new ongoing Talmud study group for both beginner and intermediate students at the Hildeshaim residence in Thornhill Woods attracted a dozen men and women, many of whom studied Talmud hands-on for the first time; a far-reaching, down-to-earth class called “Living a Meaningful” with Rabbi Levi Jacobson of the JRCC Thornhill explored the Jewish perspective on various areas of life, including relationships, career and planning for the future; and the JRCC @ Rockford’s Rabbi Yisroel Karpilovsky’s course titled “Has My Life Already Been Written” delved into issues of Divine Providence versus free choice.
The featured courses described above are, of course, in addition to our expansive roster of ongoing classes. For more information regarding ongoing classes and upcoming featured courses that might interest you, please visit www.jrcc.org/ijs or call 416.222.7105 x240.
Experience a Global Shabbat
Along with hundreds of other Chabad centres across the globe, all JRCC braches will be participating in the annual international “One Shabbat, One World” Shabbaton. This event is the perfect marriage of our traditions and our future: In addition to a complete traditional Shabbat experience, complete with meals, classes and discussions, the theme of “One Shabbat, One Word” focuses on the future – what Judaism’s view of the future Messianic era is like, what we can do to hasten it, and how we can bring these ideals into our personal lives.
This year’s One Shabbat One World program features five communal Friday night Shabbat dinners (Rockford; Thornhill; Thornhill Woods; Yonge & Clark; and Concord), as well as a large, community-wide Saturday Night Melave Malka event at the Bernard Bettel Centre. Registration is already open through the JRCC office or www.jrcc.org/shabbaton.
Coming Soon: Purim
The JRCC is planning it usual fantastic Purim experience. Expect to see a variety of local neighbourhood events, parties and carnivals, as well as around the clock megillah readings and a gala banquet that includes the famous Purim Spiel performance. Purim 2009 will feature a fill range of programs for all ages and the entire family. Visit www.jrcc.org/purim2009 for more information.
