February 2009 News
One Shabbat One World
As part of the annual international “One Shabbat, One World” event, all five JRCC Branches held Friday night dinners on February 13. In all, over 350 people attended the engaging events to enjoy hot food, a warm atmosphere and fascinating discussions about the Messianic era and its significance in Jewish life.
On Saturday night, at least 150 people came together at the Bernard Bettel Centre for a community-wide Melaveh Malka celebration, featuring guest speaker Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, who gave an inspiring talk on how to find joy in our lives.
In addition to these main events, the JRCC’s Yorkhill Hebrew School prepared for the event by learning about Shabbat through games, stories and art, while the JRCC Yonge & Clark kids program participants helped prepare challahs for the Friday night meal and made special Shabbat sand art to take home.
>>> Photos of Yonge & Clark
>>> Photos of Hebrew School
Subscribe to your local JRCC branch’s newsletter to be informed about upcoming Shabbat events in your neighbourhood. Write to [email protected] to subscribe.
Tu Bishvat
Our community was especially active in this year’s new year for the trees, with several events taking place across the city to celebrate this important but often overlooked holiday.
The monthly Women’s Rosh Chodesh Party at the JRCC @ Rockford featured a workshop on fruit decorations and
preparing stunning fruit platters, and a food carving demonstration with a professional chef. Participants were able to then hone their skills by practicing on their own fruit, and everyone looked forward to impressing their guests with amazing fruit platters at their next house party. The Women’s Rosh Chodesh event is a monthly gathering. You can find out about future events by checking the JRCC calendar, Exodus Magazine, www.jrcc.org or by calling 416.222.7105 x221. We look forward to greeting you next time.
The JRCC Thornhill hosted a unique program at the Bathurst Clark Public Library that focused on the beauty of knowing your family tree, featuring a multimedia presentation on how you can build your own family tree, with Mr. Henry Wellisch of the Jewish Genealogical Society.
At the JRCC of Thornhill Woods, participants enjoyed a sampling of exotic fruits and an equally satisfying talk on the spiritually of fruits by Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim.
At the JRCC at Yonge & Clark, women celebrated Tu Bishvat by making smoothies from a selection of fresh fruit, and learned the art of smoothies decorating, while enjoying a few words of wisdom about the contemporary relevance of the birthday of trees from Mrs. Chiena Zaltzman.
Coming Soon: Purim
The JRCC is planning a variety of fantastic events, including parties, carnivals, senior’s events, mishloach manot distribution, 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. Go to www.jrcc.org/purim2009 to register for the banquet, find megillah reading times in your neighbourhood, or to learn more about this joyous holiday.
