April 2009 News
Passover 2009 Report
Passover Preparations
Passover 2009 began with a slew of activities to help people prepare for the upcoming festival:
Passover 2009 began with a slew of activities to help people prepare for the upcoming festival:
Passover Matzah & Food Packages
Thanks to the assistance of dozens of volunteers, the JRCC distributed over 4,000 packages of hand-made shmurah matzah, the unleavened bread that is a must have for the Passover Seders. The Rebbe specified that even those who use regular matzah later in the holiday should be sure to have shmurah matzah for the Seder. Special shipments arrived from New York, Israel amd Ukraine for the Jewish Russian community – over 2,000 pounds of matzah in total. The JRCC also delivered 600 holiday food packages to needy families from the Former Soviet Union in conjunction with the NCJW, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to share in the joy of the Passover holiday. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made the time to personally deliver the matzahs and food packages.
Thanks to the assistance of dozens of volunteers, the JRCC distributed over 4,000 packages of hand-made shmurah matzah, the unleavened bread that is a must have for the Passover Seders. The Rebbe specified that even those who use regular matzah later in the holiday should be sure to have shmurah matzah for the Seder. Special shipments arrived from New York, Israel amd Ukraine for the Jewish Russian community – over 2,000 pounds of matzah in total. The JRCC also delivered 600 holiday food packages to needy families from the Former Soviet Union in conjunction with the NCJW, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to share in the joy of the Passover holiday. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made the time to personally deliver the matzahs and food packages.
Passover Cooking Workshop
Eager to take a break from the hard work of Passover preparations,
several dozen women joined the JRCC @ Rockford’s monthly women’s gathering. Last month’s event was a special pre-Passover cooking workshop with renowned master chef Leah Lazar, featuring a hands-on culinary lesson, where participants learned how to whip up some truly unique Passover foods. Everyone always leaves this event with some new and delicious recipe to try out at home. A similar event was also organized at the JRCC Thornhill Woods. For information about upcoming women’s programs, please contact the JRCC at 416.222.7105 x221 or visit www.jrcc.org.
Eager to take a break from the hard work of Passover preparations,
several dozen women joined the JRCC @ Rockford’s monthly women’s gathering. Last month’s event was a special pre-Passover cooking workshop with renowned master chef Leah Lazar, featuring a hands-on culinary lesson, where participants learned how to whip up some truly unique Passover foods. Everyone always leaves this event with some new and delicious recipe to try out at home. A similar event was also organized at the JRCC Thornhill Woods. For information about upcoming women’s programs, please contact the JRCC at 416.222.7105 x221 or visit www.jrcc.org.
The Passover Experience
Over 100 people, including students from the JRCC Hebrew school, the
Rockford Kids Club, the Bat Mitzvah Club, as well as other community members, enjoyed an unforgettable Passover experience together at a special exhibition titled Exodus: The Passover Experience. Special recreations, including sound effects, set designs, music and reenactments, took participants back in time to the enslavement in ancient Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, life in the desert, and the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinia. Participants also learned about the process of making shmurah matzah, and got to make their our matzah to take home.
Over 100 people, including students from the JRCC Hebrew school, the
Rockford Kids Club, the Bat Mitzvah Club, as well as other community members, enjoyed an unforgettable Passover experience together at a special exhibition titled Exodus: The Passover Experience. Special recreations, including sound effects, set designs, music and reenactments, took participants back in time to the enslavement in ancient Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, life in the desert, and the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinia. Participants also learned about the process of making shmurah matzah, and got to make their our matzah to take home.
Pizza & Matzah?
Torah for Teens, the JRCC Thornhill Teen Club, had a great pre-Passover get together featuring everyone’s favorite leavened and unleavened bread: pizza and matzah. The event took place at the Bathurst Clark Library, and was lead by Rabbi Levi Jacobson, who spoke about the inner meaning of Passover and its relevance to the modern life of today’s teens. To participate or for more information about this unique program for Jewish teens, contact Rabbi Jacobson at 416.222.7105 x240.
Torah for Teens, the JRCC Thornhill Teen Club, had a great pre-Passover get together featuring everyone’s favorite leavened and unleavened bread: pizza and matzah. The event took place at the Bathurst Clark Library, and was lead by Rabbi Levi Jacobson, who spoke about the inner meaning of Passover and its relevance to the modern life of today’s teens. To participate or for more information about this unique program for Jewish teens, contact Rabbi Jacobson at 416.222.7105 x240.
Pre-Passover Classes and Workshops
A whole slew of preparatory Passover classes were hosted this year by each of the JRCC rabbis in their respective neighbourhoods. In addition to insightful classes highlighting the meaning and inner significance of Passover, several classes placed particular focus on the practical aspects of celebrating Passover. “While many people attend communal Seders at their local JRCC branch, a lot of people have gone on to conduct their own Seders at home with extended family and friends,” explained Rabbi Levi Jacobson of the JRCC Thornhill. “So it is important to be well-versed in how to properly conduct and lead a Seder to ensure that the beauty and value of Passover are experienced by all.”
A whole slew of preparatory Passover classes were hosted this year by each of the JRCC rabbis in their respective neighbourhoods. In addition to insightful classes highlighting the meaning and inner significance of Passover, several classes placed particular focus on the practical aspects of celebrating Passover. “While many people attend communal Seders at their local JRCC branch, a lot of people have gone on to conduct their own Seders at home with extended family and friends,” explained Rabbi Levi Jacobson of the JRCC Thornhill. “So it is important to be well-versed in how to properly conduct and lead a Seder to ensure that the beauty and value of Passover are experienced by all.”
Blessing of the Sun
After all the hype made about the Blessing of the Sun – an event that occurs only once in 28 years – Torontonians almost missed out on the
opportunity. Despite the snowy weather, over 200 people came out to participate in this unique phenomenon on the eve of Passover. But when they gathered to recite the blessing, it was so overcast that the sun was not visible – a requirement in order to make the blessings. Nevertheless, those gathered decided to rejoice in the occasion, with festive singing and dancing. Their faith paid off: For a few moments the clouds parted, enabling them to make the blessing and participate in a once in 28 years opportunity. Special thanks to G‑d for keeping the sun shining.
After all the hype made about the Blessing of the Sun – an event that occurs only once in 28 years – Torontonians almost missed out on the
opportunity. Despite the snowy weather, over 200 people came out to participate in this unique phenomenon on the eve of Passover. But when they gathered to recite the blessing, it was so overcast that the sun was not visible – a requirement in order to make the blessings. Nevertheless, those gathered decided to rejoice in the occasion, with festive singing and dancing. Their faith paid off: For a few moments the clouds parted, enabling them to make the blessing and participate in a once in 28 years opportunity. Special thanks to G‑d for keeping the sun shining.
Passover 2009
Over 600 People Attend JRCC Passover Seders
Over 600 people attended 12 Community Passover Seders organized by the Jewish Russian Community Centre in 7 locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area on April 8 and 9. The Seders provided people with the opportunity to experience a traditional Seder 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.
Dozens more families were able to make traditional Seders at home - many for the first time - thanks to the assistance and instruction of JRCC staff and rabbis. Special Seders were also organized by volunteers for youth and seniors.
All Night Learning
Following the custom of remaining awake on the eve of the Seventh of Passover and spending the entire night in Torah study and joyous celebration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea, each JRCC branch held all-night learning and ask the rabbi sessions on Tuesday, April 14 (into Wednesday morning).
Following the custom of remaining awake on the eve of the Seventh of Passover and spending the entire night in Torah study and joyous celebration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea, each JRCC branch held all-night learning and ask the rabbi sessions on Tuesday, April 14 (into Wednesday morning).
The Feast of Moshiach
The last day of Passover is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Haftarah (reading from the Prophets) for this day is from Isaiah 11, which describes the promised future era of universal peace and divine perfection. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, instituted the custom of partaking of a "Moshiach's Feast" on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the matzah eaten at "Moshiach's Feast", the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the Seder held on Passover's first days. Each JRCC branch conducted its own Moshiach Feast toward evening at the conclusion of Passover, where heartfelt songs and words of inspiration focused on the dream of the imminent redemption and the coming of Moshiach. In addition, special Moshiach Feasts for women were hosted by Nechama Dina Jacobson of the JRCC Thornhill and by Chanie Zaltzman of the JRCC Yonge & Clark. For more information about Moshiach, visit www.jrcc.org/moshiach.
The last day of Passover is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Haftarah (reading from the Prophets) for this day is from Isaiah 11, which describes the promised future era of universal peace and divine perfection. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, instituted the custom of partaking of a "Moshiach's Feast" on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the matzah eaten at "Moshiach's Feast", the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the Seder held on Passover's first days. Each JRCC branch conducted its own Moshiach Feast toward evening at the conclusion of Passover, where heartfelt songs and words of inspiration focused on the dream of the imminent redemption and the coming of Moshiach. In addition, special Moshiach Feasts for women were hosted by Nechama Dina Jacobson of the JRCC Thornhill and by Chanie Zaltzman of the JRCC Yonge & Clark. For more information about Moshiach, visit www.jrcc.org/moshiach.
Happy Birthday, Rebbetzin
A two-part seminar for women was held in late March to honor the Rebbetzin's birthday. Guest speaker Mrs. Sara Mendelsohn from New York captivated the audience at the Shabbat afternoon class and Saturday Night Melave Malka. Mrs. Mendelsohn spoke about the Rebbetzin, and how to apply lessons from her life to our daily lives, and the crowd left inspired by the words of wisdom and the uplifting songs that were sung.
A two-part seminar for women was held in late March to honor the Rebbetzin's birthday. Guest speaker Mrs. Sara Mendelsohn from New York captivated the audience at the Shabbat afternoon class and Saturday Night Melave Malka. Mrs. Mendelsohn spoke about the Rebbetzin, and how to apply lessons from her life to our daily lives, and the crowd left inspired by the words of wisdom and the uplifting songs that were sung.
