Deadline reminder: There is no issue on Dec. 27. Dec. 20 is deadline for issue of Jan. 3, and Dec. 27 is deadline for Jan. 10. All deadlines are at noon. Phone 416-391-1836, ext. 269; fax 416-391-0829 or email [email protected]. This week’s What’s New was done by Carolyn Blackman.
Saturday, Dec. 15
JEWISH CABARET
Music cabaret with songs in Yiddish and English featuring Gloria Valentine and Nina Shapilsky, 8 p.m., Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Ave. Co-sponsored by United Jewish People’s Order-Toronto, the Morris Winchevsky School and the Yiddish Vinkl. Tickets $15 at the door. Refreshments will be served. Call 416-789-5502 for information.
CITY SHUL SHABBAT
Rabbi Shawn Zevit brings his unique spirit and talent to Saturday services at City Shul, co-leading with Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, 10 a.m. Wolfond Centre, all welcome, 36 Harbord St. For information, 647-799-3557.
SUSHI & SAKE
Join Young Professionals (22-36ish) at Beth Tzedec Congregation for Sushi & Sake, featuring a presentation by a master sushi chef, 8 p.m., $20 at the door. Call 416-781-3514, ext. 234. Singles and couples welcome.
Monday, Dec. 17
MEDICAL HALACHAH
Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, Rosh Beit Midrash, Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov, will discuss “Human Dignity as a Factor in Medical Halachah,” Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, 8 p.m. Physicians, health professionals, laypeople welcome. No charge. For information, 647-234-7299, or [email protected].
Tuesday, Dec. 18
ISRAEL IN 2013
Israeli Consul General D.J. Schneeweiss will discuss “Israel in 2013: Challenges and Opportunities,” Temple Har Zion, 8:30 p.m. Q & A, meet and greet reception follows.
Other News
CELEBRATING CHANUKAH
Anshei Minsk Synagogue presents an evening of shmooze, live music and sizzling latkes, Dec. 15, 8 p.m.
Al Green Theatre. Tickets on sale for Judy and David Chanukah Live, 2012, Dec. 16, 3:30 p.m., Al Green Theatre. Benefits City Shul. Buy online at www.cityshul. com.
BAYT Youth presents its annual Chanukah family skate party, Dec. 15, 7-9 p.m., Woodbridge Memorial Arena. Raffles, music, refreshments. $5 per person, $10 family, $15 family non-members, www.bayt.ca or call Rich Winkler, 905-886-3810, ext. 135, [email protected].
Congregation Shir Libeynu’s Chanukah party, Dec. 14, 6 p.m., 175 St. Clair Ave. W., First Unitarian Congregation building, Sunderland Hall. $20 per person, $5 for children younger than 13. Register by Dec. 11. For more information, www.shirlibeynu.ca or call 416-465-5488
Am Shalom Congregation’s Chanukah party, Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m. Play and sing-along, children’s activities and games, latkes and potluck lunch. No charge. Call synagogue office, 705-792-3949.
P.E.P. Group will meet at Earl Bales Community Centre Dec. 13 for its monthly meeting and Chanukah party. Entertainment by Yitzak Argaman, refreshments. Guests $5. Call Terri, 416-785-0335.
Temple Kol Ami is holding a festive Chanukah/Shabbat service, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., followed by latke dinner. RSVP [email protected] for dinner. For information, call 905-709-2620 or www.kolami.ca.
Shaar Shalom Singles Oneg Shabbat, abbreviated Shabbat service with Chanukah theme, led by Cantor Ben Silverberg, Dec. 14, 8 p.m., Shaar Shalom Synagogue. Kiddush mix and mingle follows service. For information, David, 416-224-9494.
Bialik Hebrew Day School choir performs a Chanukah concert, Dec. 14, noon-1 p.m., the Concert Balcony at Loblaws, 396 St. Clair Ave. W. Free admission.
PLAYERS WANTED
Temple Har Zion holds a mah-jong drop-in, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Contact Debbi, 905-881-8025, [email protected].
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue welcomes experienced players for mah-jong and Rummikub, Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 416-633-3838.
Shaar Shalom Synagogue welcomes people for a friendly game of bridge, Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $2 per member, $3 non-members. Call 905-889-4975 for more details.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
A support group for caregivers the last Wednesday of each month at Dementia Support Seniors day centre, 1140 Sheppard Ave. W., Unit 12, 7 p.m. No charge. Call 416-638-8600.
ANCIENT WISDOM
Draw inspiration as Rabbi Berel Goldberg weaves talmudic and mystical interpretations of the weekly Torah portion. Men and women welcome. Thursdays, 8 p.m. at the Chai Centre, 1089 Spadina Rd. 416-271-0659 or thechaicentre.com.
BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario provide support following the death of a child. They offer eight-week self-help groups to bereaved parents. For information, Beth Feffer at JF&CS, 416-638-7800, ext. 6244, or bfeffer&jfandcs.com.
OPEN BEIT MIDRASH
Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Beit Midrash and Congregation B’nai Torah present Monday nights Open Beit Midrash, 8-10 p.m. Open for everyone to come and learn. For information, call 647-234-7299 or [email protected].
MELAVA MALKA CONCERT
A show under the auspices of Beth Tikvah, Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda, Beth Radom and Beth Jacob Hamilton synagogues with cantors Tibor Kovari, David Edwards, David Rosen and Eyal Bitton, accompanied by a live band, Jan, 26, 7:30 p.m., Beth Tikvah Synagogue. $10 in advance, $15 at the door, children 13 and under free. Call for tickets: Beth Tikvah: 416-221-3433; Beth Emeth: 416-633-3838; Beth Radom: 416-636-3451; Beth Jacob (Hamilton): 905-522-1351.
Registration is required for all programs. Groups and workshops are open to all members of the community, and fee reductions are available. All classes at Lipa Green Centre, 4600 Bathurst St., unless otherwise noted. Call Shawna Sidney, 416-638-7800, ext. 6215, or www.jfandcs.com.
Raising Your Child or Teen in an Age of Overindulgence: A 1-session workshop for parents who want to learn more about what indulgence is, its consequences, and ways to avoid overindulgence, Dec. 13, 7:30-9 p.m., Lipa Green Centre.
When You’re About to Separate, What to Tell the Kids: A workshop for parents about to separate or in the early stages of separation. How and when to tell the children, how to handle moving day, as well as ideas and strategies to best meet your child’s needs will be discussed. Dec. 13, Lipa Green Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
FOR SENIORS
Charming Earl Bales Seniors Club in the Park. (60+). Valerie, 416-395-7881. Casinorama, Dec. 19, complimentary buffet lunch. Tuesdays, seniors gentle fitness with personal trainer, 10 a.m.; Wednesdays, social bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, social bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Membership registration now open for 2013.
Seniors Cultural Club meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Borochov Cultural Centre, 272 Codsell. 416-630-9444.
Bernard Betel Centre, 416-225-2112. Wellness lecture, Dec. 13, “Vision Loss, Eye Care,” with Sue Marsh-Woods, CNIB, 1:30-2:30 p.m., free. Lecture, Dec. 18, Notes & Frames: The Neglected Art of Film Music, with Kevin Courrier, 10-11:30 a.m., $3 members, $6 non-members.
New Horizons is a Jewish Hungarian seniors club that offers kosher food, card games and casino trips. 416-256-1892.
Bridge club at Forest Hill Library has reopened and is looking for new members. Call Lea, evenings, 416-487-7630.
Adath Israel Congregation. Wednesday afternoon socials. Bridge, mah-jong, Rummikub. Refreshments $2. Call Sheila, 416-665-3333, or Marcia, 416-932-1229.
Sherman Campus, 4588 Bathurst St., 416-638-1881, www.prossermanjcc.com.
Art appreciation with Osnat Lippa, “The Impressionists,” Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m., starts Jan. 15.
Film lectures, “More Produced and Abandoned Films,” with Kevin Courrier, Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m., starts Jan. 16.
Opera with Iain Scott, Thursdays, Jan. 17-Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m. Reduced fee for series.
Referral promotion – fitness members who bring in a person who signs up for a membership get a gym bag. First 50 people also get towel, water bottle and day pass for a friend. Email: [email protected].
750 Spadina Ave. 416-924-6211, www.mnjcc.org.
Toronto Jewish Film Society 2013 subscriptions available. [email protected].
Register now for art appreciation with Osnat Lippa, Dutch paintings, Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m., starting Jan. 15.
Registration for winter programs is now open. Aquatics, family programs, music, Hebrew Institute courses, movie lectures and more, ext. 0.
Toronto Jewish Film Society is celebrating 35 Years. Eight movie nights on the big screen of the Al Green Theatre from January to December 2013. All movies are discussed and introduced by noted writers, critics or filmmakers. Subscriptions, $100.
Play in the MNJCC Klezmer Ensemble led by Eric Stein of Beyond the Pale, Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (October-May) Pro-rated registration available. Info: [email protected].
Join the Women’s Chorus, Mondays 7:30-9:30 p.m. No audition. Email conductor Gillian Stecyk, [email protected].
Adult daytime choir, Tuesdays 1-2:30 p.m., conductor Gillian Stecyk, join anytime. $5 drop-in. Info: [email protected].
Lebovic Campus, 9600 Bathurst St., Vaughan. 905-303-1821, www.srcentre.ca.
Saturday night pool party, Dec. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m., with musical Havdalah, ice-cream sundae bar and swimming in the indoor pool. Members $7.50 per family, non-members $10 per family. Call ext. 3017 to register.