What’s New: Week of May 17

Deadline reminder: Because of the Victoria Day holiday, May 18 is the deadline for the issue of May 31. Because of Shavuot, May 25 is the deadline for the issue of June 7. Please note all deadlines are at noon. Phone 416-391-1836, ext. 269; fax 416-391-0829 or e-mail [email protected].

 

Thursday, May 17

 

GOD, GOODNESS AND GREED

Prof. Elliott Malamet discusses “God, Goodness and Greed: Does Religion Influence Ethics Any Longer,” 7:30 p.m., Beth David Synagogue, 55 Yeomans Rd. 416-633-5500.

 

MELODIES & MANDELBROIT

The Toronto Jewish Chorus presents “Melodies and Mandelbroit,” a choral concert, 7:30 p.m., Temple Emanu-El, 120 Old Colony Rd. Tickets available at  www.torontojewishchorus.org or at the door.

 

ANTI-ISRAEL PROPAGANDA

Barbara Kay discusses “Anti-Israel Propaganda,” 7:30 p.m., at the Lodzer Synagogue. 416-636-6665.

 

MAH-JONG AFTERNOON

Thornhill Study Group and Zion Branch of the NCJW invites groups or single players to play mah-jong, 12 – 4 p.m., Council House, 4700 Bathurst St. Enjoy lunch, a raffle and door prizes. Call to reserve 416-633-5100.

 

ISRAELI ARTISTS SHOW

Israeli artists celebrate Jerusalem Day May 17-20 at Thoreau MacDonald House, Thornhill. Paintings, photography, ceramic art and jewelry. http://bit.ly/Jfd7Er.

 

 Sunday, May 20

 

JEWISH THINKERS

Sheldon Richmond discusses “Current Jewish Thinkers,” 9 a.m. at the Lodzer Synagogue, 12 Heaton St.

 Monday, May 21

 

A TASTE OF TEXT

Rebbetzin Goldie Plotkin teaches a class on the weekly Torah portion, 8 p.m., Mondays until June 11, Chabad of Markham, 83 Green Lane, Markham. RSVP 905-886-0420, ext. 221.

 

Tuesday, May 22

 

ORGAN DONATION

Jewish perspectives on organ donation will be presented at Beth Tzedec Congregation, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl and Versha Prakash of Trillium Gift of Life Network will speak, as will organ recipients, donors and families. RSVP preferred, Marlene, 416-781-3514, ext. 234, or [email protected].

 

LUNCH AND LEARN

Marilyn Herbert, founder of  “Book-in-a-Box” book club reviews The Free World by David Bezmozgis, 12 p.m., Beth Tikvah synagogue. By reservation only: 416-221-3433, ext. 352, or [email protected].

 

THE TIGER’S WIFE

Heather Kassel reviews The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht, 8 p.m., Adath Israel Synagogue. Call Beverley, 416-499-6920.

 

Wednesday, May 23

 

EMUNAH DINNER

Emunah Women of  Toronto honour Faygie and Phil Schwartz at Beth Avraham Yoseph Synagogue of Toronto. Michelle Rojas Tal, of Standwithus, will discuss “Standing for Israel: The War of Words and Images.” For tickets, call 416-636-0036.

 

Thursday, May 24

 

SMALL WONDERS BAKE SALE

A charity bake sale benefitting Small Wonders, an organization that supports Jewish couples experiencing infertility, will be held, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., 53 Alexandra Wood. Homemade and COR baked goods as well as  floral centrepieces available. For more information, [email protected].

 

Other News

 

SHAVUOT SERVICES

Learn and socialize with the Village Shul, 1072 Eglinton Ave. W., May 26, 10 p.m. till dawn. Multiple sessions available. For more details, visit facebook.com/villageshul.

Meet biblical characters and enjoy a festive dairy lunch with Chabad of Markham, May 27, 9:30 a.m. 905-886-0420 or www.chabadmarkham.org.

 

MEDINA THEATRE AUDITION

Medina Theatre Ensemble is holding auditions for Opening Night, May 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Temple Sinai, 210 Wilson Ave. RSVP required, Fran, 416-638-2716, or Morris, 416-785-0344.

 

JEWISH FOLK CHOIR

The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir holds its 86th annual spring concert, June 3, at 3 p.m., Temple Sinai, 210 Wilson Ave.   For tickets, call 905-669-5906 or [email protected].

 

HOUSING REGISTRY

Are you looking to rent your basement apartment or an extra room in your house? List it free  with Jewish Information Service of Toronto. People looking for a place to live can also find help. Visit JIST in the Lipa Green Centre or call 416-635-5600 or visit www.jewishtoronto.com.

JF & CS GROUPS

All programs require pre-registration and are open to all members of the community. To register, call Shawna Sidney, 416-638-7800, ext. 6215, or www.jfandcs.com. All classes at Lipa Green Centre, 4600 Bathurst St., unless otherwise noted.

Understanding ADHD at Home and School: A workshop for parents and professionals May 22, 7 p.m.

High Conflict Divorce: A workshop for parents in a high-conflict situation. Not for individuals in an abusive situation. May 24, 6:30 p.m., Promenade Mall, Suite 313.

Let’s Be Blunt: A Forum on Teen Drug Use, May 24, 7 p.m., William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate, 20 Tillplain Rd.

 

BEREAVED PARENTS

Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario provides 8-week self-help groups. On June 10, the group is attending a fundraising performance of Lost in Yonkers, St. Lawrence Theatre for the Arts. Call Beth Feffer at JF & CS, 416-638-7800, ext. 6244, or [email protected].

FOR SENIORS

Association of Jewish Seniors meets May 17, Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue, 9:30 a.m. Natalie Mehra, director of the Ontario Health Coalition, speaks. RSVP Tammy, 416-635-2900, ext. 458.

Charming Earl Bales Seniors Club in the Park. (60+). Valerie, 416-395-7881. Kosher lunch, May 17, noon. Casino Rama  June 13. Tuesdays, gentle exercise, 10 a.m.; Wednesdays, bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, line dancing, 10 a.m.; social bridge, 12:30 p.m. Non-members welcome.

Caregivers  Support Group. A group for caregivers burned out caring for loved ones with dementia or other illnesses will be held May 30, 7 p.m., L’chaim Retirement Home, 718 Sheppard Ave. W. 416-398-7898.

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Aviva Branch, is looking for women over 70 for their group. They meet Tuesdays midday. Call 416-633-5100.

Earl Bales Seniors Woodworkers has state-of-the-art equipment and is open to seniors interested in woodworking and crafts.Call Morty, 416-783-6478.

Seniors Cultural Club meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Borochov Cultural Centre, 272 Codsell. 416-630-9444.

New Horizons is a Jewish Hungarian seniors club that offers kosher food, card games, casino trips. 416-256-1892.

Adath Israel Congregation. Wednesday afternoon socials. Bridge, mah-jong, Rummikub. Refreshments $2. Call Pearl, 416-635-6317, or Marcia, 416-932-1229.

Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue welcomes new players for mah-jong and Rummikub Monday and Wednesday afternoons. 416-633-3838.

Bernard Betel Centre 416-225-2112. May 22, Myriam Shechter discusses, “Great Russian Music: The Mighty Five,” 10 a.m.; May 23, the North York Concert Orchestra performs, 7:30 p.m.; May 24, Constable Karey St. Clair discusses “Traffic Safety for Seniors,” 1:30 p.m.

Active Seniors, Miles Nadal JCC, 416-924-6211, ext.155. June 7, Opera educator Iain Scott presents “Nabucco: Verdi’s Jewish Opera,” 1:30 p.m. $5.

Active 55 Plus Fitness 416-924-6211, ext. 526, Colin Blayney. Ongoing yoga, dance fitness and aquafitness classes.

Sherman Campus, 4588 Bathurst St., 416-638-1881, www.prossermanjcc.com.

Paul Michaels discusses, “Media Ethics: What Is the Ethical Obligation to Treat an Issue Fairly?” May 17, 1:30 p.m.

Kevin Courrier teaches a class on gangster films, 1 p.m., May 23-June 13.

Iain Scott teaches a course on Mozart’s opera, 7 p.m., May 23-June 20.

Bruria Cooperman discusses “Jewish Words: Weapons of Mass Destruction,” May 29, 1:30 p.m.

Register now for bridge classes and mah-jong classes beginning in June.

Shabbat Tots runs Fridays, 1 p.m. starting May 18 for children aged 3-5.

Free Fridays for all mothers. Call ext. 4000.

Special summer prices for students. Call ext. 4000.

750 Spadina Ave. 416-924-6211, www.mnjcc.org.

Mifgash Theatre, the only Hebrew-speaking theatre in Toronto, presents He Walked Through the Fields, in Hebrew with English surtitles. May 20, 7 p.m.; May 21-24, 8 p.m. For tickets, http://bit.ly/J8isyd or 647-510-6485, 905-731-6543.

Leil Tikkun Shavuot, all-night Torah study and more, May 26, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Family tikkun and dinner (for a fee) at 5:30 p.m. Ext. 154.

Tickets on sale now for MNJCC Community Choir in concert, June 6-7, 8 p.m. ext. 0.

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein teaches a class on Thinking Jewish, June 11-25, 8 p.m. Ext. 154.

 Summer Institute for Creative Adults offers classes for adult singers, July 16-20. Ext. 250.

Adult daytime choir meets Tuesdays, 1 p.m. No experience needed. [email protected].

Shabbat Party for children up to 4 years old, Fridays at 10 a.m. Ext. 277.

Call for submissions to the Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition. Deadline July 3, 2012. For submission guidelines, [email protected] or ext. 606.

Spark: Igniting with Photography, a collection of portraits by youth in the Jane-Finch community is in the Al Green Gallery until May 29.

The Michael Bernstein Chapel holds services every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. Call Coleman Bernstein, 416-968-0200.