June 2009 News
Ten Commandments & Ice Cream
With a special reading of the Ten Commandments followed by 
Ice Cream Parties for the kids as the main attraction, over 800 people attended JRCC programs celebrating Shavuot, the holiday that relives receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The energy was amazing as children were gathered at each of the JRCC branches – seven locations in all – to hear the Ten Commandments, imprinting on them the message that they are the guarantors of the Torah and a bright Jewish future.
While the daytime festivities placed a special emphasis on the children, dozens of men and women participated in all-nigh learning sessions the previous evening (i.e., morning). This age-old Jewish custom expresses the preciousness of the Torah and our anticipation as we approach the moment of the original giving of the Torah, which occurred at dawn.
Women’s Pre-Shavuot Events
In preparation for Shavuot, two women’s events featured gatherings that discussed the significance of the experience at Mt. Sinai. And since it is traditional to eat dairy foods on Shavuot, the events also featured recipes for cheesecakes and other treats.
On May 24, The JRCC @ Rockford monthly women’s gathering featured a special talk on “The Ten Commandments of a Happy Marriage” with Mrs. Ahava Spillman, which was followed by cheesecake and a discussion.
On May 27, the JRCC Thornhill Women’s Circle hosted a special challah baking session with Mrs. Nechama Dina Jacobson in honor of Shavuot.
For more information on JRCC women’s programs, please call 416.222.7105 x221.
The three branches of the JRCC Bat Mitzvah Club joined together to celebrate their achievements at a special event for t
he participants, their families, and their teachers. Bat Mitzvah students from the JRCC @ Rockford and JRCC Thornhill Woods enjoyed an elegant celebratory brunch, with uplifting congratulatory blessings from the rabbis and club leaders. Each Bat Mitzvah girl also made a short speech. The memorable afternoon concluded with a touching candle-lighting ceremony to symbolize the Jewish woman’s role in lighting up the world, and lively celebratory dancing.
To register your daughter in for next year’s Bat Miztvah Club, please contact:
Henya Karpilovksy, JRCC@Rockford: [email protected]
Chanie Hildeshaim, JRCC of Thornhill Woods: [email protected]
Rachel Halperin: JRCC Hebrew School: [email protected]
Hebrew School Graduation
To classrooms full of proud parents, the JRCC’s Hebrew School students celebrated their accomplishments in special graduation ceremonies at each location. The school events recognized the scholastic achievements of the students in
Hebrew language and comprehension, reading, and the basics of Jewish life and culture, including Shabbat, holidays and Jewish song. Several students received their Aleph Champ Awards for completing an intensive Hebrew Studies curriculum. The theme of the event emphasized that graduating from Hebrew School is not the end of one’s Jewish education – it’s a new beginning. The students now enter life with the skills and knowledge needed to carry the pride and joy of Jewishness into their adolescent lives – a pride and joy that was palpable in the charged atmosphere at the graduations and the shining faces of both students and parents.
Many of the students will be continuing their Hebrew studies by enrolling in more advanced sessions of the JRCC Hebrew School or by full-time in Jewish day schools. The sessions take place on Sundays and weekdays after school in six locations. For information and registration, please visit www.jrcc.org/hebrewschool
The JRCC Thornhill welcomed a new Torah scroll into its
community with a celebration that included singing, dancing and a luncheon. Special thanks to Dr. Vlad and Esther Karlin, who generously donated the new Torah.
For more information on the JRCC Thornhill shul and the other programs of the JRCC Thornhill, including its acclaimed weekly classes and special courses by Rabbi Levi Jacobson, visit www.jrccthornhill.org
High School students recently completed a successful year at the Torah 4 Teens program offered by the JRCC Thornhill and JRCC Thornhill Woods. This unique program offers Jewish students the opportunity to learn about their heritage while earning High School credits approved by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The 2009/2010 session concluded with a grand celebration that brought together Torah 4 Teens participants from across Ontario. To find our about signing up for 2010/2011, visit www.jewishyouth.ca.
Following the sudden, tragic loss of their son, Rabbi Mendel and Chanie Zaltzman established an interest-free loan fund in his memory. The Gmach Meir Shlomo was launched at the shloshim, where cards were distributed asking people to contribute to this important fund. See page 16 for more details, or visit www.jrcc.org/gmach
