The deadline for the May 26 issue is May 16. Please note that because of Victoria Day, May 23, the deadline for the June 2 issue will be May 18. Phone 416-391-1836, ext. 235; fax 416-391-0829 or e-mail [email protected].
MYSTICAL ALPHABET
Rabbi Michael Skobac offers a 4-week seminar on The Mystical Meaning of the Hebrew Alphabet. 9-10:30 p.m. Shaarei Tefillah Congregation. No charge. Call 416-789-0020.
PRESCHOOL SHABBAT
Beth Tzedec Cantor Simon Spiro leads a special preschool musical Kabalat service, 5:45 p.m., followed by dinner, a magic show and a presentation by guest speaker Deborah Zuker, visiting rabbinical intern from the Jewish Theological Seminary. For kids 3-6, and their siblings, parents and grandparents. Adults $29; youth (6-14) $18; children (1-5) $6. Contact Jennifer Turack, 416-781-3514, ext. 231, or [email protected].
SHABBAT PARSHAH
Morley Goldberg discusses Parshat Behar. Beth Tikvah, 9:30 a.m.
HALTON-PEEL SHABBAT
B’nai Shalom Congregation of Halton-Peel, Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington, a Conservative egalitarian congregation, holds its monthly Shabbat service. 10 a.m. For details and location, www.bnaishalom.ca, e-mail [email protected], or call 905-901-9889.
HALACHAH & SPECIAL NEEDS
DANI, an organization for multiply challenged young adults, together with Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash holds a panel presentation “Special Needs: What Halachah Expects from the Community.” Beth Avraham Yoseph Congregation, 9:30-11:45 a.m. Free admission. Speakers Rabbi Asher Vale, Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner and Rabbi Marc Penner, father of Matis, a 15-year-old with autism.
SECULAR OPEN HOUSE
Toronto’s Secular Jewish Community School holds its first open house, The 918 Bathurst Centre, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Features the new Grade 1-6 modular program, the Secular B’nai Mitzvah program and Kinder Kapers preschool program. Also a mini concert with David Wall, David Buchbinder and Josh Engel. 416-789-5502 or www.tsjcs.com.
LUCIANO PAVAROTTI
Temple Emanu-El’s spring lecture series continues with Iain Scott speaking on “Luciano Pavarotti: The Last Great Tenor.” 2-4 p.m. $10. 416-449-3880.
FARIBORZ SAHBA
The Canadian Committee for the Haifa Foundation presents architect Fariborz Sahba, Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue , 7:30 p.m. No charge. 647-430-7743 or [email protected].
TRIUMPH OF SPIRIT
Rebbetzen Chaya Malka Abramson walked through fire to rescue her children and elderly grandmother, receiving burns to 85% to her body. She tells her story at Shaarei Tefillah Congregation, 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $18 at the door. Register 416-787-1631.
SHORESH FORUM
“Taking Root: Shoresh and the Jewish Food Movement” is Shoresh’s first annual forum exploring the relationship between food, Jewish practice and contemporary life. Beth Tzedec, 7:30-9:30 p.m. No charge. Call 416-805-8382, or www.shoresh.ca or [email protected].
Tuesday, May 17
JOB FOR A NICE JEWISH KID?
Temple Har Zion’s daytime program committee presents Rabbi Cory Weiss asking, “Why Would a Nice Jewish Boy or Girl Want To Be a Rabbi?” Bring lunch. Coffee, tea and cookies provided. 12:30 p.m. Call 905-889-2252.
Also Temple Har Zion’s Adult Education Committee presents Rabbi Emeritus Michael Stroh’s continuing series, What I Believe: Thoughts from 46 Years of Being a Rabbi. 7:30 p.m. Members $3, guests $5. Contact 905-889-2252.
CHUG HATANACH
Rabbi Pinchas Brummer introduces the Book of Micah, and teaches chapters 1-3. 8 p.m., Beth David Synagogue Library.
SINAI SOIREE
Future Sinai hosts Sinai Soirée, part of Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary’s Grand Slam Gala. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 9 p.m., $90. Funds raised for women’s health. 416-586-4800, ext. 4681.
POMEGRANATE GUILD
Lezlie Winemaker demonstrates fantasy glass and mixed media sculpture, for the meeting of the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Textiles, Shaarei Shomayim, 8 p.m. Guests $5.
MEIN KAMPF TO MOSSAD
Shaarei Shomayim’s entertainment and cultural and Israel action committees presents a documentary film of the life of Arie Lewin, from Germany to Palestine and experiences with Haganah, the British Army, IDF Intelligence, Mossad and more. Members free, guests $2. 7:45 p.m.
ATTENTION MOMS
Carly Cooper, certified life coach for moms, talks about time management and mother-life balance in “How to Balance the Mother Load.” Sponsored by Club Rimon of Na’amat Canada Toronto. Borochov Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 416-636-5425.
CAMILLA GIBB
Temple Har Zion Sisterhood presents author Camilla Gibb, discussing her experiences and her latest novel The Beauty of Humanity Movement. Refreshments. Members $10, guests $15. 8 p.m.Call 905-889-2252.
Other News
THE PROPHET NACHUM
Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner offers a text-based study of the Book of Nachum, sponsored by Mekorot, Yeshiva University Torah m’Tzion Kollel and Shaarei Shomayim. Tuesdays, May 24-June 7, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Call 416-877-2050.
FAMILY IN ISRAEL
Emunah Women of Toronto annual Family in Israel Dinner honours the late Hannah Schusheim-Beigel and family, Evelyn and Murray Hoffman and family, the late Belle Rosenfield and Bea and Jerry Rosenfield. May 26, 6:30 p.m., Shaarei Shomayim. Keynote speaker Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch. Contact [email protected].
BEREAVEMENT SEMINARS
Temple Har Zion hosts a 3- part series of bereavement seminars beginning June 9. Led by professionals, the seminars will be open to all temple members and community guests, regardless of when the loss was suffered. The program is offered as a public service, and there is no charge. June 9 speaker is Dr. Mary Vachon. For more information, call Paulette Volgyesi, 416-222-7033, or [email protected].
MITZVAH DAY
Bayview Corridor Of Synagogues, Beit Rayim, Beth Tikvah, Kehillat Shaarei Torah, Shaar Shalom, Temple Emanu-El and Or Hadash, host Mitzvah Day, Sunday, May 15. A community event open to people of all faiths, the day includes the following.
A Spring Cleaning Donation Drive for: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, new men’s underwear, socks for recipients of Ve’ahavta’s Mobile Response Van; books to be sent to Africa; kosher, non-perishable food items for Pride of Israel Kosher Food Bank; gently used Purim costumes for Aleh (Israeli adults and children with severe disabilities); hockey equipment, tools and camping equipment for remote First Nations communities
For ages 4-12, 10:30 a.m-12:30 p.m., decorating recycled materials to make Judaica for First Nation’s communities as a sign of friendship. Shaar Shalom.
Eco-film, the documentary Tapped, 7:30 p.m.
Knit hats for IDF soldiers at Kehillat Shaarei Torah.
Shoresh Gardens: help prepare gardens for the growing season. Rain or Shine. Lebovic campus.
Eco-friendly car wash by youth at Temple Emanu-el, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Make sandwiches for the homeless, at Temple Emanu-el, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Mitzvah Day discovery walk, led by Helen Mills. 10:45. Meet in Temple Emanu-el parking lot.
For more information, visit www.bayviewcorridor.org.
Bernard Betel Centre, 416-225-2112.
Tuesday, May 17. Lecture: “Great Italian Opera Composers: Giacomo Puccini.” Myriam Shechter, 10-11:30 a.m., $3 members, $6 non-members.
Wednesday, May 18, annual Wellness Fair. Information booths, activities, giveaways and refreshments. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Special gardening activity with Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs,12-1 p.m.
Thursday, May 19, Wellness lecture. “Overcoming Mental Illness,” by Barry Shainbaum. 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Miles Nadal JCC Active Seniors. 416-924-6211. Co-ordinator Phyllis, ext. 155.
Computer course Beyond the Basics. Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. 8 weeks, $70.
MNjcc Active Seniors Choir (55+), Tuesdays, 1-2:30 p.m. $3 drop-in fee.
LZA Seniors Cultural Club meets Tuesday mornings, 10 a.m. Borochov Cultural Centre, 272 Codsell, 416-630-9444.
Adath Israel Congregation. Wednesday afternoon socials. Bridge, mah-jong, Rummikub. Refreshments $2. Call Pearl, 416-638-6317, or Marcia, 416-932-1229.
Earl Bales Seniors Club in the Park. Valerie, 416-395-7881. Sunday dance, May 15. Casino Rama, May 18. Tuesdays ongoing acrylic art classes, 10 a.m.-noon. Thursdays, line dancing, 10 a.m.; social bridge, 12:30 p.m. Seniors woodworking, skilled craftsmen, repairs, etc. Call 416-630-6487.
Sherman Campus, 4588 Bathurst St., 416-638-1881, www.prossermanjcc.com.
Current events with Peter Diamant. Thursdays, 12:45-2:15 p.m.
International and Israeli folk dance with Teme and Sandy. Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.
Senior social art with Lil Goldman. Mondays 1-3 p.m.
750 Spadina Ave.,416-924-6211, www.mnjcc.org.
The Gallery in the Miles Nadal JCC. Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photographs of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman. Until May 31
Spring ulpan for beginners. Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Life and Times of Yiddish. Until May 26. Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m.
