In this Newsletter:
. Monthly Shabbat Service and Meditation Mar 5!
. Bereavement Notice: Annette (Chana) Klein
. Do you have tweens at home?
. Speaker Series: Refugee Shabbat with Naomi Alboim Mar 6
. Lunch and Learn Mar 15
. Megillah Mania: A Beatles-themed Purim Spiel Mar 16
. Talk & Tea for members to connect Mar 20
. Machane Lev: LGBTQ2+ March Break and Summer camps
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Dear Members:
As Cantor Wunch wisely notes in her column, we are approaching the month of Adar, a month of joy, and rejoicing during the holiday of Purim; a month of renewal and of anticipation of spring.
And, because it is a leap year, we actually have two months of Adar this year, and so, double the days to celebrate and to anticipate warmer weather. In fact, our March Shabbat services are being held on the 5th of March, which is the 2nd day of the second Adar.
Planning for in-person services underway: We Need You!
In April we are planning to resume our Shabbat services in person, at the Miles Nadal JCC. We will be using Room 318 rather than the chapel. The board is still working out the procedures and protocols for registration and attendance, and ensuring that those members who prefer to join online will be able to continue to do so. The timing of course depends on the public health situation.
If you have technology experience or a public health background, or just want to help, please reach out to us at slboard@shirlibeynu.ca. This is a really wonderful, focussed, time-limited opportunity to contribute to our shul and connect with other members.
Also, if you’re in a position to donate a high definition webcam to the shul, please let us know. It would help us immensely!
High Holy Day venue search
We are also looking for a place to hold High Holiday services in the fall. If you have any interest in serving on a venue committee, or know of an appropriate venue you'd like to recommend that we investigate, please let us know. You can email us at slboard@shirlibeynu.ca or shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com. We would love to have more help.
Help us share the joy that is CSL
The CSL Board would love your help highlighting our vibrant shul with your friends and family so that we can spread the word and share the joy! We hope you will take a moment to share the following message by copying and pasting it into an email to family and friends, and/or onto your social media feeds, as you feel appropriate.
Hi Friends/Family
This year, Congregation Shir Libeynu is celebrating our 25th Anniversary! We are the longest running LGBTQ+ inclusive synagogue in Toronto. Our monthly Shabbat services are warm, musical, and open to all. Purim is coming up! Why not join us for the Beatles-themed Megilla Mania! on March 16?
If you are looking for a connection to the Jewish community, a new community connection and/or spiritual home, we welcome you. Please visit our website for more information, and click on "Contact Us" to ask for details about our upcoming services and programs.
And finally, on behalf of the Board we hope you enjoy the Megillah-Mania Beatles-themed Purim Spiel on March 16th, “we love you, yeah, yeah, yeah!”
Board of Directors
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Bereavement Notice: Annette (Chana) Klein
We are saddened by the death of Annette Klein, beloved mother, mother in law and grandmother/bubbe, of Gary Klein, Harriet Eisenkraft, Elise (Patricia) and Daniel (Liv). Annette died at the age of 100 recently, after a wonderful life as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, public health nurse (in NYC) and teacher, gardener, dancer and Yiddishist (member of YIVO). She was particularly proud of Elise and Daniel, and many at our shul may remember her vibrant attendance at High Holy Day services at Cecil Community Centre, where Annette schepped naches (derived joy) from Elise’s musical participation and Daniel’s care of our children, and other accomplishments.
We extend our sincere condolences to Gary, Harriet, Elise and Daniel, their families including siblings, grandchildren and great grandchildren, cousins and close friends.
May Annette’s memory be for a blessing.
A family funeral will take place this week in New York. The Eisenkraft Klein family will hold an online memorial/Shiva after that to honour Annette. If you would like to be informed of that event or wish to convey condolences, please write to: heisenkraft@gmail.com.
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Join Cantor Wunch for a very special Shabbat service on Saturday, March 5 at 10:30 am.
There is no need to register. We will send the Zoom link to everyone on our email list, along with the PDF of the siddur (service booklet), on Friday, March 4. Please do not share this link, especially on social media. If you receive this newsletter, you will automatically receive the service link.
If you have not received the service link by 2:00 pm on Friday, please email Lillian, our Administrator, at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com. If you know of anyone who wants to attend our services, please ask them to email Lillian.
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Catch Your Breath Before the Service with Lorne Blumer
Before the service on March 5, from 9:30 to 10:15 am, join Lorne Blumer for “Meditation on Shabbat.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel once described Shabbat as a “sanctuary in time.” Let’s see if we can cultivate a sense of exactly that as we near Shabbat services, catching our breath, finding some stillness, and working with meditation (guided and silent), shaped by the mood of the moment and ancient Jewish texts.
Lorne Blumer is a graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s program in Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training, who's often led meditation for the Shir Libeynu community.
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A Month for Joy
Mishenichnas Adar, marbin b'simcha. מִשֶּׁנִּכְנַס אֲדָר מֵרַבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה
When the month of Adar begins, our joy increases.
The month of Adar, which begins on March 4th this year, is traditionally known as our happiest month of the year. Why? Well, because of Purim of course! Purim is a time of joy, frivolity, and for celebrating miracles. During Purim, we celebrate the miracle that we survived the potential destruction of our people, we celebrate the miracle that we are all still here today, and we celebrate the miracle that we can be joyful, laugh, and enjoy this holiday.
All of our lives are full of miracles, whether we recognize them as such or not. The relationships that we have, the beauty that we see, and the joy that we feel are all miracles. Life can be difficult – and many of us are seeing and feeling that more now than ever, but life is made much easier when we can see the miracles that abound amidst the darkness. Miracles surround us every day, and it is our job to try to slow down just enough to see them. Every time we recognize the miraculous in our daily lives, our joy naturally increases, and every time we do something that increases our joy, well, that's a miracle. Once you take note of this beautiful little cycle, it serves to make life sweeter and brighter.
One great way you can increase your joy this Adar is to participate in our Purim Spiel, the Beatles-themed Megillah Mania, planned for March 16th, at 7 PM on Zoom. This year Ellie Goldenberg has generously volunteered to direct the spiel and it promises to be a fun and a truly enjoyable show.There will also be dancing led by the fabulous Shoshana Fainsilber, and of course some communal singing!!
Want to have an even more joyful, fun Purim? We still have some small speaking and singing roles available! No experience is necessary, just a willingness to let loose and have a little fun. I urge you to throw caution to the wind and help us bring some light and frivolity to our community.
B’ahavah,
Cantor C. Wunch
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Tween about the house? Thinking B’mitzvah?
If your child will be turning 13 in the next year or two, it is time to start planning their B'mitzvah study and celebration. We are expecting to run a class starting in September for all of our b'mitzvah students, so please be in touch with Cantor Wunch (cantorwunch@gmail.com) ASAP to book your date and discuss all of the details of your simcha.
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Refugee Shabbat with Naomi Alboim
Sunday, March 6 at 10:30 am via Zoom
Refugee Shabbat which takes place this year on March 4-5 is dedicated as a time for congregations, organizations, and individuals around the world to dedicate a Shabbat experience to refugees and asylum seekers.
Congregation Shir Libeynu is extremely fortunate to have Naomi Alboim join us on Sunday, March 6 at 10:30 am via Zoom to speak about the plight of refugees today and the ways in which we can assist them in resettling to a safer and more hopeful life.
Naomi Alboim is a Senior Policy Fellow at the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration (CERC) at Ryerson University, and a Distinguished Fellow at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University.
Ms. Alboim is an active public policy consultant and has advised governments and NGOs across Canada, in Europe, the Caribbean, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ghana, Kenya and South Korea.
Previously, Ms. Alboim worked at senior levels in the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial governments for twenty-five years, including eight years as Deputy Minister in three different portfolios. Her areas of responsibility included immigration, human rights, labour market training, workplace standards, culture, as well as women’s, seniors’, disability, anti-racism and Indigenous issues.
She is an engaged volunteer and advocate on refugee issues, and leads her synagogue’s refugee sponsorship activities.
Naomi is a recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals and is a member of the Order of Ontario.
Mark the date on your calendar now. For registration details please email Lillian, our Administrator, at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com.
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Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, March 15, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
on Zoom
Join Cantor Wunch for our monthly Lunch and Learn. For registration details please email Lillian, our Administrator, at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com..
We'll chat and engage in some casual text study. We'll begin with the weekly Torah portion (in English), and see where our interests take us. No previous experience with text study is necessary--just an inquisitive spirit!
Looking forward to seeing you there, learning and having fun together!
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Megillah Mania! A Beatles-themed
Purim Spiel
Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00 pm
Megillah Mania! Get your costume or favourite Zoom filter ready!
Congregation Shir Libeynu is proud to present… Megillah Mania! A Beatles-themed Purim, with singing, a lively dance break, and a great spiel! Come in costume or use a Zoom filter, and prepare to have fun! Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 pm. For registration details please email Lillian, our Administrator, at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com.
We need people who love to sing and act as well as Megillah chanters. No previous experience necessary - just a love for the Beatles and for Purim!
If you're interested in a small singing or acting part in the spiel, please contact
If you'd like to try chanting a few lines of Megillat Esther, please contact Cantor Wunch at cantorwunch@gmail.com.
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Talk & Tea: A chance for members to connect
Sunday, March 20, 11:00 to noon on Zoom
Some members have shared that they're feeling isolated. Not surprising, after the last two years. We want to try something new to see if we can help connect members. Our first "Talk & Tea" in March will be a chance for members to do just that: talk! No agenda. We may have a facilitator to help get the conversation going, but this meetup will be by and for members. If members are interested in continuing it, we will happily schedule more!
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Follow the Rainbow: an LGBTQ2+ & Ally
March Break program
Follow the Rainbow: an LGBTQ2+ & Ally March Break program for high school aged youth (March 13-16) is being offered by Machane Lev. This program aims to create new ways to connect, grow and build community, while supporting leadership development through the lens of inclusion and equity. This day camp program includes visits to Jewish spaces for participants to review their affirming practices and provide recommendations, visits to queer institutions in the city, guest speakers and presenters, reflection and journaling workshops, facilitated dialogue and peer-led activities with the traditional camp flare of games, arts, decompression exercises, meals and togetherness.
If you are interested in registering for Follow the Rainbow please visit our website. If cost is a barrier, and you are in need of a scholarship, please email sheri@machanelev.ca.
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Summer Camp Registration is Open!
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If you missed any of our past offerings or wish to view them again, please email Lillian, our Administrator, at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com.
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Congregation Shir Libeynu
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