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Shabbat, B'Mitzvah and Baby Naming
High Holy Day planning needs you!
B'Mitzvah class and understanding identity go hand in hand
Board vacancies
Social justice, Tikkun Leil Shavuot; Campfires in the park
and more...
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Report on 2023 board planning
In addition to our regular monthly board meeting, the CSL board held two planning meetings over two Sundays in April in order to set goals for our community for the remainder of this year, and into the next.
We are a unique congregation
Congregation Shir Libeynu has always been a unique community, and what makes us unique is that we are a participatory congregation that is intentionally
- 2SLBGTQIA+;
- Progressive;
- Inclusive;
- Welcoming of interfaith families;
- Antiracist;
- Multi-generational;
- Connected to community;
- Part-time;
and it is our intentionality in holding these attributes as first-thoughts, not afterthoughts, that sets us apart from other congregations.
How we grow
As a board we are committed to ensuring that over the course of time no single attribute is advanced at the expense of any other, and recognize that the services we provide should be reflective of these as our congregation’s identity-defining attributes. For example, we will grow our membership not by pursuing growth for its own sake, but by creating services and programs that meet the needs of members and based on our unique identity, which in turn may lead to more people joining us along the way.
What you want
Having said that, when Cantor Wunch held focus groups with members as she took over the role of our spiritual leader, you told her that you want more - more programming, children’s programming, adult education programming and more connectivity with the Jewish-2SLBGTQIA+ community and other like-minded communities.
What we are currently doing…
The board’s current projects include: finding a new machzor for the High Holy Days; implementation of the interfaith outreach grant; an update of our bylaws; planning a farewell for Daniela; High Holy Day planning including finding a soloist; reviewing our membership application process and form; reviewing our inaugural Pay What You Can dues system first implemented last year; and working on ensuring a viable board membership succession plan.
…and what we will explore
We also hope to be able to explore and assess the possibility of restoring some former programs and implementing some new initiatives such as:
- In-person High Holy Day children’s programming
- Providing child care during our monthly Shabbat services
- Potential for introducing a Tot Shabbat service
- Regularizing partnerships with other groups with whom we currently have relationships such as No Silence on Race, the Danforth Jewish Circle, LGBTQ@TheJ, etc.
- Potential for introducing a monthly Friday night service
- Intergenerational programs
A participatory shul
This is an ambitious list! We pride ourselves on being a participatory shul, and that label needs to be reflected not just at our services but throughout the year. If you are able to assist with any of the projects listed above, please speak with a member of the board at an upcoming Shabbat service, or email our administrator, Amanda.
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High Holy Day Planning
We are thrilled that Jamie Flagal has agreed to head up our High Holy Day planning committee, but he cannot do it alone.
Can you assist with children’s programming? Organization? Location set up? Decorating? Kiddush?
Our services are beautiful, but they don’t happen without many hands pitching in.
If you can help organize the 2023 High Holy Day services, please email to our administrator, Amanda with the subject line High Holy Day planning committee.
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Tikkun Leil Shavuot
We are grateful to Jacquie Buncel who is working with our poets to organize a session for the Community-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot held at the MNJcc on May 25th.
If you would like to add your talents to the Tikkun Leil Shavuot session, please send Amanda an email with Tikkun Leil Shavuot session in the subject line.
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Board vacancies
The board is currently composed of 6 members who love this community and want to see us thrive, but we simply cannot do it all.
If you have the time for one meeting a month, and to help us to plan and implement programming and services for our beautiful community, we would love for you to join the board. Please send an email to Amanda with board inquiry in the subject line if you want more information, or you are interested.
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Donate to Congregation Shir Libeynu
What better way to honour a special event or occasion than by making a donation to Congregation Shir Libeynu? Help build up the resources we need to achieve our goals.
Click here to make your tax deductible donation today, or at any time during the year. You will receive a tax receipt and, if you choose, your honouree will receive notification of your generosity on their behalf.
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Social Justice
At Congregation Shir Libeynu we believe strongly that we have a responsibility for Tikkun Olam, “Repairing the World.” As is commanded in the Torah, Tzedek tzedek tirdof, “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” (Deuteronomy 16:20) We believe that all Jews have an imperative to do the work of justice and equity, both locally and globally.
We strive to respond to the needs of our community in many ways. These include partnering with social justice organizations for education and action.
For our full statement on social justice, and for our statement of commitment to anti-racism, please visit our website here.
In recent weeks we reported on our support for Heart to Heart, and engaged the Executive Director of the New Israel Fund of Canada as a guest speaker.
For follow up on both of these initiatives please read on:
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A message from Ben Murane, Executive Director, New Israel Fund of Canada
Dear friends,
It was my pleasure to discuss with you earlier this week about what’s happening in Israel and how the “pushback for democracy” is alive and well.
Just last night, we saw headlines that indeed the ruling coalition may move towards some legislative compromise. That is good news but we are not out of the woods in any way. Not until a future election clears racists and extremists from power.
What can you do?
You can support the democratic pushback on the ground through the New Israel Fund of Canada. Read below for more details about the specific projects that Canadian dollars are fueling right this very minute.
Support us by making a gift online at www.nifcan.org/donate.
More ways to give are possible too: https://nifcan.org/ways-to-give/
If you're not ready to give yet, then I invite you to join our email list to hear constant stories about inspiring, progressive Israelis fighting for equality: https://nifcan.org/subscribe-for-updates/
Sincerely,
Ben Murane
Executive Director
New Israel Fund of Canada
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B’Mitzvah-aged youth: Exploring, informing & forming Jewish identity
As May begins and we slowly approach the longer, gentler days of summer, I want to take a moment to share with all of you one of the great successes of this past year. In September, we launched our new B’mitzvah class, which has been meeting every other Thursday at Trinity St. Paul’s.
We were so blessed this year to have a cohort of 15 students from grades 6 through 9, studying together, creating community, and learning about themselves. This has been, by all accounts, a fantastic experience of Jewish identity exploration and formation.. The feedback we have heard from parents and students has been wonderfully positive, and has inspired us to offer the course again in the coming year.
My Jewish self, community & world
My main goal in creating and teaching this course is to ensure that all of our students have the tools that they need to find their own Jewish path and to know, without question, that they are loved, welcomed, and accepted in Judaism.
The B’Mitzvah course is taught in three units, My Jewish Self, My Jewish Community, and My Jewish World. Through these units students learn about their own Jewish identity, and their place in the Jewish world.
In My Jewish Self this year’s students worked to discover the building-blocks of identity – who each of us is; who we want to be; and the different elements that inform our identities including looking at spirituality, and where our families came from. We learned about the personal aspects of prayer, and how our names – both given and chosen - say something about who we are.
In My Jewish Community we explored the demographics of Jewish Toronto including why and when Jews came to this city. We also learned about our neighbours and the various religions that are practised here.
In My Jewish World, we learned about the Jews of Uganda, China, Iran, and even the Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean. We heard from a Jewish-Japanese-Queer guest speaker who shared with us the joys and challenges of combining all of her identities , and from another guest speaker who taught us about her family's heritage as Moroccan Jews.
In our final unit we will learn about 2SLGBTQIA+ Jewish activists, and the history of Queer activism in Judaism.
It’s hard to believe that we are already winding down our academic year and starting to plan for next year. If you have a child that is nearing, or is at, B'Mitzvah age, I invite you to make an appointment to speak with me about enrolling them in this program. Even if you’re not yet sure about your plans for celebrating your child’s B’Mitzvah, this class can be a powerful way to enhance their Jewish learning.
There are many ways to celebrate becoming B’Mitzvah with our synagogue and this course will help to enhance your child's experience and their feeling of connection with the right of passage into Jewish adulthood. process. Please contact me at cantorwunch@gmail.com and we will find a time to chat. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
B’ahavah,
Cantor C. Wunch
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Upcoming Jewish & Community Celebrations
All festivals begin at sundown on the first date, and end at sundown on the last date.
- Lag Ba'Omer, May 8 - May 9
- Shavuot, May 25 - May 27
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PRIDE HAVDALAH service Saturday, June 3, 7:30 PM, MNJCC
- Community-Wide Pride Shabbat, June 16 (details to come)
For a complete list of Jewish dates of significance for 2023, click this link.
For summary information about any of these days, click this link.
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Please join the Shir Libeynu community on Saturday, May 6th at 10:30 AM, for an extra special Shabbat service being held in person at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNJCC), Room 318, and online via Zoom.
This service is extra special service because we will celebrate a B’Mitzvah and a baby naming!
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Leo Sussman is Becoming B’Mitzvah!
Leo Sussman is the child of Francine and Aaron, a grade 9 student in the TDSB and will be celebrating his B’Mitzvah on May 6.
Leo got a bit of a late start preparing for this simcha because of the pandemic during which he moved to Toronto from Boston, and he’s worked very hard to reach this milestone, with the help of Cantor Wunch.
Leo enjoys spending time with his friends, playing sports and video games, and with his dogs, Maple and Barkley. Along with his parents, Francine and Aaron, and his big brother Ezra, Leo is so grateful to Cantor Wunch for helping him prepare, and to the Shir Libeynu community for their warmth and support.
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Baby Naming
We will also officially bestow a Hebrew name upon Wallace Orson Winestock, child of members Michael Winestock and Kirsi Hastings, sibling of big brother Jonah Winestock; grandchild of members Penny and Earl Winestock and step grandchild of member Lorne Gould.
Join us in person or online so we can together wish these families a warm, Congregation Shir Libeynu mazal tov!
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Masking required. If you feel at all unwell, please join us via Zoom.
The Zoom link, prayer book and supplemental materials will be emailed on Friday, May 5th. If you have not received this email by 2:00 PM, please email our Administrator Amanda at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com.
No registration is required. Please either come to the MNJCC, or join via Zoom.
We welcome new attendees!
If you know of anyone who wants to attend our services, please ask them to email our Administrator at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com.
Save the date - PRIDE HAVDALAH, Saturday, June 3rd, 7:30 PM, MNJCC
Did you know?
Did you know that you can find Shabbat and Havdalah start times as well as the weekly Torah portion on our website? To find this information, click this link
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Are you interested in learning (more) about Torah?
Join Cantor Wunch on Tuesday, May 16th as she hosts an online conversation about a parasha from the Torah. No prior Torah experience necessary!
No registration required. Zoom link will be sent to all members prior to the date.
Save the date now for future Lunch & Learn Tuesdays:
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Celebrating Shabbat in Song
Featuring Cantor Wunch
This popular Friday afternoon program returns to the Miles Nadal JCC this spring! Celebrate Shabbat in person with our community, and enjoy a Jewish-themed concert, a participatory Shabbat ceremony, and some traditional kosher treats. May’s musical guest is Cantor Cheryl Wunch.
Friday May 19, 2023
1:00-2:30pm
In person – Miles Nadal JCC
Admission: $5.00
Spaces are limited. Advance registration is required by May 5.
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For registration assistance, please call the Miles Nadal JCC Information Desk at 416-924-6211 x0 or email help@mnjcc.org
Presented in partnership with Congregation Shir Libeynu and Grodzinski Bakery.
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Family & community around the campfire
Lag Ba'Omer, the 'Jewish Campfire holiday', begins the evening of Monday, May 8th - Tuesday, May 9 at sundown.
What is Lag Ba’Omer?
For a brief summary about Lag Ba'Omer, click this link.
Come celebrate around the campfire!
Join in for snacks, songs, and family fun around the fire and connect with other Toronto Jewish families on Sunday, May 7th from 5:30-7:30.
BYO picnic dinner and meet us in Christie Pits Park!
This event is free to attend but advance registration is required. Click here to register.
This event is presented by the MNJCC in partnership with
the UJA Federation & PJ Library
Supported by the Kolel Legacy Fund at the Jewish Foundation
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Tikkun Leil Shavuot: an all nighter!
On Tuesday May, 30th overnight to Wednesday, May 31st, come to the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre for the Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot: All-Night Jewish Learning Festival, back in-person for the first time since the pandemic, with a few hybrid options for viewers at home.
What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot?
For a breif summary about Tikkun Leil Shavuot, click this link.
Starting at 7 PM with a folk concert of "Songs from the Foot of the Mountain," directed by Annie Matan.
From 8:30 PM until sunrise, join the learning with lots of choices of sessions -- panels of rabbis, music and improv workshops, lectures, discussions, and more. And, as always, cheesecake!
The full schedule will be available soon! Free and open to all.
Advance registration is required, but please note that registration does not guarantee entry to specific sessions, and that session entry is subject to capacity.
To learn more and register, click here.
The Miles Nadal JCC is proud to co-presented this event with:
Association for Canadian Jewish Studies/Huron at Western University; Annex Shul; Beach Hebrew Institute; Beth Torah Congregation; Beth Tzedec Congregation; City Shul; Congregation Darchei Noam; Congregation Shir Libenyu; Danforth Jewish Circle; First Narayever Congregation; Hashomer Hatzair/Camp Shomria; Hillel Ontario; Holy Blossom Temple; Jewish Family and Child Service; Kiever Shul; Limmud Toronto; Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism; No Silence on Race; Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism; UJA Federation's Committee for Yiddish; and World Zionist Organization Department of Irgoon and Israelis Abroad.
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A study of the impact of COVID on Jewish bereavement
Diana Magallón, a Master of Counselling student at Athabasca University is conducting a research project into how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the experience of bereavement for Jewish Canadians. This is a personal project to her, as she lost a loved one at the end of 2020, and has relied on Judaism to help guide her through those unique circumstances.
Diana describes the aim of her study as the examination of what effect, if any, the pandemic has had on how people have made meaning of the deaths of loved ones during the pandemic, and she has reached out to Congregation Shir Libeynu in search of volunteers who would be willing to spend an hour talking with her about their experience.
For specifics about time requirements, confidentiality, and other aspects of the study, and/or to contact Diana for more information, please click this link.
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