. Help us build a new Ark!
. Some ways you can help our Board
. Kick Off Shavuot with our annual PRIDE Havdalah June 4
. Friday Night Pride Shabbat June 17
. Last Lunch & Learn of the year
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Dear Members:
It takes a community
Mazel Tov to the Blau and Miller families on Isaac’s B’Mitzvah on May 7, and the Lancit and Baitz families on Asher’s B’Mitzvah on May 21. Both were joyous events with laughter and tears in the right combination; Asher and Isaac were each terrific! It really does “take a village” and those simchas were clear evidence of just how many people surrounded the families with love and support.
And speaking of it taking a village…
We need to raise funds to build a new Ark
The First Unitarian building is now sold. In the process of moving our things from that location it became apparent that we would have to say goodbye to our Ark built many years ago by artist, photographer, dancer and scholar and beloved CSL member Oscar Wolfman who donated it as one of his last gifts to the congregation. Sadly, the years and the storage arrangements didn’t treat it well. Now we need a new Ark.
We are asking for you to please dig deep and donate now so we can have a new Ark by the High Holidays. Please be generous.
Also…
Many hands make for light work
The current Board of Directors is made up of Members who, along with our current cadre of volunteers, ensure that congregational activities reflect who we are and meet the needs of the 150 CSL members and their guests. Cantor Wunch also attends Board meetings. It is a small, hard working group of people and we could really use some assistance! We know everyone is busy, but as the saying goes, many hands make for light work. Just a few hours of your time will make all the difference!
Currently the Board is working on a new membership fee scale, securing a place for High Holiday Services in September and October, and making sure our new database, Shalom Cloud, can do all the things we need it to do. We hope to make announcements on both of those things very soon.
We need help with:
- Looking for a new machzor (prayer book) as the one we use is out of print. If you are interested in ensuring our spiritual resources reflect the kind of community we are, and want to be, consider giving a few hours of your time to this worthy project!
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Additional Board members. Being a member of the Board is a meaningful way to help ensure that Congregation Shir Libeynu continues to thrive! It involves attending a monthly meeting to help make decisions about the overall functioning of our Shul, the policies and practices. You don’t have to be a long-time member, or someone who has ever even been on a Board before. You just need to care about CSL and want it to continue to grow and thrive, and to be willing to give a few hours each month to help make that happen. Contact Karen Lior, karen.charlie.lior@gmail.com if you want more information.
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Our post-service Kiddush. Each month we have a Shabbat service and, when health restrictions are eased and allow us to resume our community Kiddush after these services, we need people to volunteer to organize them. We have 10 services each year. That means if 10 individuals/families volunteer, each could do one, or, you could work together as a team. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with this, please contact Jamie Flagal, jflagal@rogers.com.
Happy Pride and Shavuot Tov!
June is both Pride Month and Shavuot. Pentecost is another name for Shavuot, or the counting of the weeks: 49 from Pesach to Shavuot. This was originally a harvest festival celebrating the beginning of the wheat harvest for our Jewish ancestors.
This year, when Ukraine is embattled and their wheat harvest is threatened, we are especially grateful for the Canadian farmers who supply wheat to us, and to much of the world.
We will be sending out High Holy Day information in the next newsletter, so please be on the look-out.
Have a peaceful, pleasant, healthy summer.
Board of Directors
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HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!
What a blessing it has been to slowly tiptoe our way back to in-person services and gatherings. Singing together, seeing your faces (even if behind a mask), hearing your voices, and simply feeling the presence of community has brought so much joy and connection to my life. As we continue to navigate the risks and benefits of being together, we are looking forward to offering new classes and events to everyone in our congregation.
B’Mitzvah classes are starting soon!
In the next couple of months we will be rolling out 2 classes in particular – the first is our B’mitzvah class for anyone in grades 6, 7, or 8. This class will focus on the various facets of Jewish identity, and will be a great addition to B’mitzvah tutoring. If you’re interested in having your child celebrate this rite-of-passage with our congregation this class will be a required element, so please be in touch with me for more details.
Adult Torah chanting classes
Second, I have received some requests for an adult Torah chanting class. I would be delighted to offer a 12-week course in the fall, as long as there is enough interest. If you would like to learn how to chant Torah, and you have a basic (slow is fine!) ability to read Hebrew, please let me know. I’d love to get a class going soon! Cost will be $600 per person for 12 weeks of 1-hour classes.
PRIDE MONTH
Finally, as you are reading this we are just about to begin Pride Month 2022. There will be many events to attend this year, and the excitement of celebrating Pride together is building. Just in case you’ve missed our previous announcements, I want to draw your attention to 2 special Pride events that our congregation is leading/participating in.
Pride Havdallah & Tikkun L’Eil Shavuot
The first is our annual Shir Libeynu Pride Havdallah – this year with a twist! On June 4th we are kicking off Pride Month AND kicking off the community wide Tikkun L’Eil Shavuot with our Pride Havdallah service on the roof of the Miles Nadel JCC. Due to the location, we will be unable to offer an online experience, so please try to attend in person if you’re able. As if that isn’t special enough, our service will feature a d’var Torah delivered by our beloved Rabbi Emerita Aviva Goldberg, so this will be a service to be sure not to miss!
Friday Night Pride Shabbat
The second event is a community-wide Friday Night Pride Shabbat experience at Artscape Wychwood Barns on June 17th. This event is open to the entire community and will include a Shabbat service and a bring-your-own picnic-style dinner.
Pride is about celebrating who each of us is, and the beauty and uniqueness of our being. As we begin this joy-filled month, let’s start with this blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשַֽׂנִי בְּצֶֽלֶם אֱלֹהִים.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olom, she’asani b’tzelem Elohim
Blessed is the source of all, Eternal of time and space, who has made me in God’s image
HAPPY PRIDE!
B’ahavah,
Cantor C. Wunch
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Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, June 21, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
on Zoom
Join Cantor Wunch for our monthly Lunch and Learn. You don't need to register. Please contact our Administrator, Lillian for registration information 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!
Please note this is our final Lunch and Learn for this year.
Looking forward to seeing you there, learning and having fun together!
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Machane Lev Summer Camp Registration is Open!
Machane Lev provides a pluralistic, safe, and celebratory space for Queer and Trans youth (as well as allies) who are connected to the Jewish community! It's an incredible week of laughter, music, swimming, and learning (and so much more!).
This summer's dates are August 21-28. Financial assistance to campers in need is available. Campers from 8 to 16 years old are welcomed.
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Restoring Hope - an evening in support of Chai Lifeline
Monday, June 20 at 7:30 pm
Presented by The Donald Berman Chai Lifeline, Canada on Monday, June 20th, 7:30 pm, Roy Thompson Hall with special guests Kenny G and Michael Bolton, this will be an inspiring evening of music, in support of children and families impacted by illness and loss. Grammy award winners Michael Bolton and
Kenny G will serenade us with ballads, and Chai Lifeline Canada Ambassador, Jess Rosenbloom, will restore hope with her story of strength and bravery. Michael Bolton and Kenny G have performed together in Kenny G’s “Don’t Make Me Wait For Love” and Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and “Soul Provider”. This once-in-a-lifetime performance is not to be missed. The evening will also include silent and live auctions and awards for extraordinary community service to Chai Lifeline Canada.
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If you missed any of our past offerings or wish to view them again, please contact our Administrator, Lillian at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com
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Congregation Shir Libeynu
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