שבועיים
Every two Weeks
In this Newsletter:

.  Shabbat service on Saturday, July 4 th
.   Get moving before the Shabbat service with a 30-minute workshop
with Shoshana Fainsilber
.  Take action today before Toronto City Council votes tomorrow on reducing police budget
.  Researcher looking for LGBTQ+ members to interview
From the Board
Dear Members:

We are sending out this short newsletter to announce that we will be having a virtual Shabbat service on July 4 th . See the details below to register.

We also wanted to share with you that Rabbi Aviva Goldberg is now Shir Libeynu’s Rabbi Emerita and is looking forward to supporting the congregation through our transition to a new Rabbi. As a Board, we feel sure that we will be calling on our Rabbi Emerita for her knowledge and wisdom.

Thank you to all the members who responded to our newsletter asking our members to join with many other congregations to help end systemic racism. In the newsletter, we inadvertently referred to Kristyn Wong-Tam as “Amy Wong-Tam.” We are sorry for this error and sent an apology to Kristyn.

Please visit www.kristynwongtam.ca/ProcessforProgress  and click on the “Take Action” button. It is very easy to do and will only take a few seconds. It is important to take action today, as Council will be voting on the motion to reduce the police budget tomorrow, Monday, June 29 th .

Big thanks to three wonderful congregants who offered diverse virtual presentations: Judith Mintz, Lorne Blumer and Rabbi Bill S. Tepper. Each session enlightened us, inspired us, and connected us to Judaism and to one another. Big thanks to three wonderful members who offered diverse virtual presentations: Judith Mintz, Lorne Blumer and Rabbi Bill S. Tepper. Each session enlightened us, inspired us, and connected us to Judaism and to one another. Click  here  t o access Lorne’s presentation slides. We will share Judith and Rabbi Tepper's presentations in our next newsletter.

It is not too late to register for Harvey Weisefeld’s presentation, “Strengthening the Fabric of Community through Cultivating Resonance,” tomorrow, Monday, June 29 th at 7:30 pm.

On behalf of the entire congregation, the Board thanks all those who have volunteered to lead virtual presentations to keep us connected in the time of Covid. We are so grateful to you for sharing your knowledge, experiences and talent. Many thanks, too, to Jamie Flagal, our Zoom Master, who orchestrated the entire series. We will be taking a break from virtual offerings over the summer (except for a Shabbat service) while we plan for really special High Holiday services. 

Be well,
Board of Directors 
Shabbat Service
Saturday, July 4, 10:30 am

We are excited that we can offer a virtual Shabbat service in July. It will be led by our Chazzan, Daniela Gesundheit, and our long-time member, Lorne Blumer, the leader of Hineinu, a community for Jewish contemplative pr actice. Materials will be circulated closer to the service.  

And Before the Shabbat Service

Creating Joy on Shabbat Through Movement and Dance
Saturday, July 4, 9:30 (sharp)-10:00 am
Presented by Shoshana Fainsilber

Start your morning by moving your body to music, as you release yourself into the spirit of Shabbat. Being in tune with how your body needs to move and increasing your repertoire of movements with others is healing and energizing. We’ll start with slow music, build to a higher energy and return to a slower pace, feeling revitalized and calm. The movements will include individual self expression and mirroring exercises. This is an opportunity to have fun and connect with others from our Congregation Shir Libeynu community. Choose a space in your home where you can place your lap top computer or other devices and move freely. Wear loose comfortable clothing.

Shoshana Fainsilber is a long-time member of Shir Libeynu. She has been involved in free-style dancing for over 30 years. She currently co-organizes and DJ’s a free-style dance venue. She has also participated in choirs for the past 8 years. Music and dance are her passions. This is her second time offering this workshop for Shir Libeynu. 
Researcher Looking for LGBTQ+ Members to Interview

Hannah Wickham is a 3 rd  year student majoring in Religious Studies at Mount Allison University. She is inviting interested and eligible members of Shir Libeynu to participate in research she is conducting this summer on Queer Jewish participation. She has visited Shir Libeynu in the past, and says it was a brief conversation with Rabbi Goldberg that is partly responsible for this direction in her studies.

Hannah’s research involves interviews with self-identifying LGBTQ+ members of the Jewish community, ages 18+, in order to add to Jewish memory and historiography. Specially, she is looking at the ways in which Jewish LGBTQ+ understanding of ourselves has changed across generations, as well as our roles in Jewish communal life. She is hopeful that her research will contribute to a deeper understanding of Jewish identity and benefit our communities.

Participation in this study will consist of 7 to 10 questions in an informal interview (like a conversation) of about 45 minutes. The questions are open ended and centre on participants’ own experiences and thoughts. Interviews would be conducted over Skype or another secure video conferencing system.

Participation is completely voluntary and consent to participate can be retracted at any time. It’s important that questions and inquiries be sent only to Hannah or Dr. Black, in order to protect participant confidentiality. If you would like to participate or want more information, please contact Hannah directly at hmwickham@mta.ca , or her supervisor, Dr. Black at  fblack@mta.ca .
Congregation Shir Libeynu