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Milibeynu מלבנו
From our Heart
April 2024
Fundraising fun
Find a seder/Offer a seder
Social Justice - LGBTQ+ Afghani people need our help
Celebrate National Poetry Month
Yahrtzeit notices
Shabbat, Lunch & Learn, and more....
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Thanks to all those who contributed time, energy, humour, song and voice to making our annual Purim spiel a huge success. It was wonderful to gather in person to celebrate, and the cast and crew of the Elton John inspired spiel were amazing, and a great reminder of just how much talent we have in our community. Thank you all! | |
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High Holy Days venue - the search is on again
We recently learned that Trinity-St. Paul’s cannot accommodate us for the High Holy Days in 2024. We have started a search for another venue and hope to be able to find something soon. If you have a lead on an appropriate, affordable space, please email our administrator, Amanda.
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Fundraising
Congregation Shir Libeynu hasn’t had a history of fundraising to augment membership donations, but this is about to change! While our Pay What You Can membership donation model helps us to meet our obligations, we would like to be able to do much more.
Last year we raised funds for our new machzor through our machzor dedication opportunity. (This fundraiser is ongoing, and you may dedicate one or more machzors with your donation to our congregation at any time by clicking here).
This year, Treasurer Furqan Qureshi and board member Helen Spitzer are taking the lead of this endavour. They are looking for members to join them in creating fun ways to enhance our financial picture, so we can augment our program offerings.
If this interests you, please email Amanda, putting the words “fundraising" in the subject line.
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Find a seder, Offer a seder - a Passover tradition
During the seder we are commanded to invite the stranger into our home. The Congregation Shir Libeynu Board suggests that as a community we recognize that some of us may not have family in Toronto, and would love to join a seder table hosted by another member of our congregation.
You could be the host of an established seder with space for an additional one or more; you could be someone who is on their own and would like to be at a seder with others; you could be someone who is looking to create a seder in your home for the first time, and would like to include people from CSL. Either way, we are here to help!
If you would like to offer a seder, please complete this form.
If you would like to find a seder, please complete this form.
The deadline to participate is April 15th in order to give us the opportunity to make timely “matches” so that hosts can plan for final numbers at their table.
We will work quickly to make “matches” based on the information we have, and then email both the host and the guest together so details of time and location can be shared between you.
If you have questions, please contact our administrator.
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Yahrtzeit Notices
Starting at the end of April, members who, when they reistered/renewed membership, provided us with information about close family and friends for whom they would like to observe Yahrtzeit, will receive notice of the upcoming Yahrtzeit at the end of the month that precedes the Yahrtzeit date.
Those members are observing a Yahrtzeit in the month of May, 2024, will receive a notice toward the end of April.
If you are observing a Yahrtzeit in May, 2024 and you provided us with that information when you registered/renewed your membership, please email our administrator, Amanda. We are hoping the system will be glitch free, but if there are errors, we need to know so we can correct them.
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Condo party room?
Do you live in a condo with a party room? Would you be willing to book it for Congregation Shir Libeynu if we need space in the future for a special event such as a Chanukah or Purim celebration? If so, please complete this form and if the need arises, we will contact you.
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Are you a ceramicist or woodwork person who could create a small number of Kiddush Cups or Tzedakah boxes?
Recently the board learned that the wonderful potter who has been creating beautiful, personalized ceramic kiddush cups as gifts for our B'Mitzvahs may no longer able to make these cups. The Board is wondering if there might be someone in our congregation who would like to create a Kiddush cup or Tzedakah box for our B'Mitzvahs (this year there are 6; usually it's about 3). If this is something you would like to consider, please email our administrator Amanda know via email and we will be in touch to discuss details.
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Thank you for your generous donation
With deeply felt gratitude we recognize Pauline Breitman for the generous donation made to our congregation, and Melanie Margel for sponsoring a lovely March Shabbat Kiddush.
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Donate to Congregation Shir Libeynu Today!
Special occasion coming? Would you like to honour someone or acknowledge a Yahrtzeit? Make a donation to Congregation Shir Libeynu. If appropriate, you may choose to have your honouree receive notice, and you will receive a tax receipt. We have a number of different accounts to which you can make a donation including our General Fund, Adult Education Fund, Cantor’s Discretionary Fund, and New Machzor Fund. You can also sponsor a Kiddush! Check out the possibilities for giving here!
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Sponsor a Kiddush
Another wonderful way to acknowledge a special event, or milestone is to sponsor a Shabbat Kiddush! For a minimum donation of $80, you can share your celebration with the CSL community! To sponsor a Kiddush, click here to find out how you can sponsor a Kiddush today!
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So, you hate Israel?
During March Break I went to Boston with some friends for an Israeli Dance festival. While at the airport waiting for our flight home, we were watching the different airplanes on the tarmac and discussing their designs. When an El Al plane pulled up, one of my friends said “don’t you just feel so much pride when you see that?” to which I gently replied “no.” She tried again; “I mean, when you see the Israeli flag on a big airplane like that, doesn’t it just fill you with pride?” and again I responded “no.” Without missing a beat, but remaining quiet and calm she said, “so you hate Israel?”
I was a little taken aback by her question, especially considering the context of our trip and friendship, and for a third time I said “no.” I continued to explain that I didn’t think that it had to be one or the other, and that there are many emotions on the spectrum between ‘pride’ and ‘hatred.’
The conversation wasn’t long, nor was it heated, but it was clear that my friend didn’t want to hear anything other than “yes, Israel is a miracle, and I am proud to call it my homeland” – words that I once believed but can no longer bring myself to say. My friend clearly wanted me to pick a side, but I didn't believe that there was a side to pick.
On March 26th I attended a fantastic event presented by the New Israel Fund of Canada (and how great it was to see so many CSL members there!), called Arabs and Jews Choosing a Shared Future: An evening with leaders from Standing Together (Omdim Beyachad-Naqif Ma’am). This event featured two fantastic activists from this organization: Rula Daood, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, and Itamar Avneri, a Jewish Israeli. They spoke about their individual paths that led them to their peace activism and shared with us their thoughts about what is going on in Israel now, and their hope for the future. Among the many powerful statements that they made, a few stood out to me that I would like to share with you.
In her explanation about why she is so passionate about this work, Daood told us unequivocally that “the only people who can save us from the current politics is us.” She referred to her organization as “a people’s movement for peace” and it was this that inspired me to become a regular donor to their cause.
When asked to share with us how Jews in the diaspora can help, Avneri told us that “it is an act of love, sympathy, and solidarity to criticize the Israeli government,” and that “to eradicate fascism, we need hope and peace.” He shared the sentiment that “calling for a ceasefire agreement is the most patriotic thing we can do”, because he believes that without one there is no chance at peace, no chance at freeing the hostages, and no chance at defeating Hamas.
Both activists were clear that Hamas needs to be stopped, but that the current bombing campaign is only serving to strengthen Hamas’s power. They reminded us that Hamas is its weakest during times of quiet and relative peace. They spoke about Netanyahu, and his proclamation in 2015 that Israel should always “live by the sword” and they expressed their dismay that it does not seem like he will ever change his mind.
To say that their words gave me a lot to think about would be an understatement. It is difficult to express how powerful their lived experiences and their hopes and dreams for the future were. I know that not everyone in our community would agree with everything that was said, and that’s ok. What’s important is that we take every opportunity to listen to each other, and have, as Avneri put it, “radical empathy” for what everyone is going through. As he said when asked what he thinks about the frequent calls to pick sides in this horrible conflict, “you should pick a side – the side of the people. We need your help and support.” This is how I will respond to people, like my friend, from now on. I’m on the side of the people.
As we approach the Passover season and celebrate our biblical redemption and freedom, let’s continue to pray for freedom for all people – those being held hostage by terrorist regimes, and those being held hostage by fascist governments. We all deserve to be redeemed.
Listening Circle - a faciliated conversation
We here at CSL know that many of us are feeling lonely and isolated when it comes to this crisis. Several of you have requested the opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings, and we have heard you. On April 7th at 7:00pm we will gather on Zoom for a conversation facilitated by Cantor Wunch. You will have the chance to share and to listen, and to remember that you are not alone.
Please watch your email for more information and the Zoom link.
B’ahava
Cantor Cheryl Wunch
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A social justice initiative
LGBTQ+ Afghani people need our help
“A Taliban judge told the German tabloid Bild shortly before the fall of Kabul, ‘For homosexuals, there can only be two punishments: either stoning, or he must stand behind a wall that will fall down on him.’” (Human Rights Watch)
Most LGBTQ+ Afghani people can only dream of leaving Afghanistan because they don’t have the money to escape. If they do escape, they don’t have the money to support themselves for what can be years in Pakistan or another bordering country. Whether they work legally or illegally in Pakistan, they risk deportation and certain death.
Fortunately, Canada prioritizes LGBTQ+ Afghani refugees. This is why the organization, HIVE, reached out to Cantor Wunch last fall to see if CSL could help with their important tikkun olam work. HIVE is a group of individuals from the US, UK, and Canada who have come together to help save the lives of LGBTQ+ Afghani people fleeing the Taliban. They have helped many LGBTQ+ Afghanis settle in a safe third country, like Canada or the US.
HIVE’s three main objectives are to:
- Enable safe passage for LGBTQ+ Afghans to Pakistan by obtaining and paying for Afghan passports and Pakistani visas and extensions;
- Provide monthly funds to cover food, safe shelter, medicine, mobile Internet, and English classes; and
- Work with non-profits to apply for legal immigration to a safe third country.
Recently, CSL members Jamie Flagal, Dahlia Klinger, and Laura Gold from JIAS met with HIVE to see how we could help. There are so many ways we can! For example, we can fundraise, raise awareness, and support LGBTQ+ Afghanis before and after they come to Canada. As a first step, we want to find more people from Shir Libeynu and other congregations who would like to join us.
At our April 6th Shabbat service, Jamie and Laura will be speaking briefly about what we hope to accomplish. JIAS is also in urgent need of congregations to support refugees more generally in the coming months. You may have already been involved in this kind of work as part of welcome circles for newcomers from Ukraine.
If you’re interested in helping HIVE or working with JIAS to support refugees, talk to Jamie or Laura after services or email jflagal@rogers.com. You can also contact JIAS directly at volunteer@jiastoronto.org. We’ll aim to hold a virtual meeting after Passover for everyone who’s interested.
As the aid organization, HIAS, likes to say: “We used to help refugees because they were Jewish; now we help refugees because we are Jewish.” (HIAS)
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Please join the Congregation Shir Libeynu community on Saturday, April 6th at 10:30 AM for Shabbat morning services being held in person at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNJCC), Room 318, and online via Zoom.
Masking is not required, however we encourage those members who would like to continue to wear a mask to do so. If you feel at all unwell, please join us via Zoom.
The Zoom link, prayer book and supplemental materials will be emailed on Friday, April 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 in person to the MNJcc or join via Zoom.
We welcome new attendees!
If you know of anyone who wants to attend our services, please bring them along with you, or if they wish to join by Zoom, ask them to email our administrator, Amanda, at shirlibeynuadmin@gmail.com.
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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Join Cantor Wunch on Tuesday, April 16th at noon on Zoom as she hosts this month’s conversation about a parasha from the Torah.
Always engaging. Always interesting. Always something new to learn! 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
May 21
June 11 (note - 2nd Tuesday of the month)
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Upcoming observances & celebrations-at-a-glance
All Jewish festivals begin at sundown on the first date, and end at sundown on the last date.
- CSL Listening Circle - Sunday, April 7, 7:00 PM
- Passover Monday, April 22 - Tuesday, April 30
- Pride Havdalah - Saturday, June 1
- Shavuot, Tuesday - June 11 - Thursday, June 13
- Tikkun Leil Shavuot - Tuesday, June 11
Watch for new events to be added here as dates are confirmed!
For a complete list of Jewish dates of significance in 2024, click this link.
For information about Jewish observances & celebrations, click this link.
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Whether/Weather: Poetry of Uncertainty and change
To celebrate National Poetry Month, join Congregation Shir Libeynu member Ronna Bloom for an intimate evening of poetry reading entitled Whether/Weather: Poetry of Uncertainty and Change held at Caversham Booksellers, a small specialty bookshop on Monday, April 15 at 7:00 PM. Admission is free.
During this celebration, Ronna will read from her book A Possible Trust: The Poetry of Ronna Bloom. Maureen Hynes will read from her new book Take the Compass and the evening will also feature Andrew Crabtree's poignant book the sunlit room. (Please note that due to illness, Andrew may not attend in person, but his poetry and his spirit will still uplift us).
Space is limited. To attend, please register here.
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