|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | |
In This Edition
|
|
|
1. *Save the Dates* Shir Libeynu and World Pride, 2014
a) Friday June 20th - Kabbalat Shabbat @ 7: 30 p.m. & Shabbat Dinner @ 8:45 p.m. at the MNjcc
b) Saturday, June 21st - World Pride Events
i) Interfaith Fair, 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m at McGill Square
ii) Sunset Interfaith Service. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m at the Metropolitan United Church
ii) Havdallah Service, 9:15 p.m at McGill Square
c) Wednesday, June 25th - Panel Discussion with The Aguda @ 7:30 p.m. at the MNjcc
d) Sunday, June 29th - Pride Parade
2. Upcoming services
a) Saturday, June 7th, Contemplative Shabbat Morning Service @ 10:30 a.m. at the MNjcc
b) Summer Service Schedule
3. Other Shir Libeynu Items
a) Sunday, June 8th, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Information Workshop @ 2:00 pm
b) High Holy Days 2014/5775: Our Chai Year!!!!
c) Shir Libeynu: The Junior Edition
4. Shir Libeynu Partnership Events
a) Tuesday, June 3rd @ 7:30 p.m. to Wednesday, June 4th @ 6:00 a.m., Where Sinai Meets Spadina: Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot at the MNjcc
b) Heart to Heart: How Can You Help?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*SAVE THE DATES*
SHIR LIBEYNU AND WORLD PRIDE, 2014
World Pride is coming to Toronto - Friday, June 20th to Sunday, June 29th. Congregation Shir Libeynu has been at the forefront in bringing together the Jewish community to ensure that we and other faith communities are a positive, cohesive presence at World Pride.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, June 20 @ 7:30 p.m.
Michael Bernstein Chapel at the MNjcc (750 Spadina Ave.)
Joyfully celebrate the coming of the Sabbath at our liberal, inclusive, pride-filled and participatory Kabbalat Shabbat. Shir Libeynu, which means "Song of our Heart," will celebrate as a community while affirming the experiences of LGBTQ individuals from around the world. All are welcome. A free children's program will be provided during the service.
Please RSVP for the service by Wednesday, June 18 at 5 p.m.
Our service will be immediately followed by a Shabbat dinner, at 8:45 p.m., sponsored by Kulanu Toronto and other Jewish organizations. This kosher vegetarian meal will include Israeli wine, A DJ-led dance party will follow. A $10 minimum donation is requested. Please RSVP for the Shabbat dinner by Monday, June 16th at 5:00 p.m. Kulanu for information on dinner reservations.
World Pride Interfaith Fair and Sunset Service and Havdallah Saturday, June 21 Metropolitan United Church (56 Queen Street East)
Fair: 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. @ McGill Square
Interfaith service: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. @ MCU
Havdallah: 9:15 p.m.@ McGill Square
Join faith-based communities from across the GTA coming together to celebrate World Pride. The theme of the fair - The Rainbow Railroad - is to raise awareness about the persecution that LGBT communities continue to face in many countries across the globe, their struggle to find a safe haven and how we can help. Performances will include the band Snowblink, featuring our own chazzan, Daniela Gesundheit. A youth-led sunset service will be held inside the church, followed by a Havdallah service conducted by our own rabbinic leader, Aviva Goldberg.
Panel Discussion with The Aguda
Wednesday June 25 @ 7:30 p.m.
MNjcc (750 Spadina Ave.)
The leadership of The Aguda, Israel's national LGBT task force, will be in Toronto for World Pride. At this panel, they will speak about the emerging LGBT issues in Israel -- a complex civil and religious legal landscape. Presented by Congregation Shir Libeynu, Kulanu Toronto and the MNjcc.
Pride Parade
Sunday, June 29
Time and location TBA
Congregation Shir Libeynu is registered to march in the World Pride Parade. We will be part of an interfaith contingent - there will even be a float! All marchers will be sporting a logo and colours that show the solidarity of faith-based communities coming together for World Pride and that reflect The Rainbow Railroad. We are all raising awareness about the persecution that LGBTQ communities face in places such as Jamaica, Iran, Russia and Uganda, to name just a few. We hope our whole congregation -- LGBTQ members and allies alike -- will march together at this once-in-a lifetime World Pride event.
****
A full listing of all World Pride events in the Jewish community will be out soon - so stay tuned. Information can be found on the World Pride website.
|
Contemplative Chanting Service
Where Prayer, Silence and Melodious Soul-Jamming Meet
Saturday, June 7th @ 10:30 a.m.
Join us on a joyful journey to "an island in time," as Abraham Joshua Heschel has described Shabbat. Through music and chanting, with some grounding in silence, we catch our breaths, we pray, and find innovative ways to navigate our way to the pleasures of connecting to the here and now, to Shabbat and to community.
These services are led by Lorne Blumer, with the assistance of fellow Shir Libeynu soul jammers Justine Apple, Helen Bauer, Lorne Gould, Harvey Weisfeld and Penny Winestock.
We thank Shoshana Fainsilber for sponsoring the refreshments after the service to commemorate the yarhzeit of her father, Tsvi Fainsilber.
Childcare will not be available at this service.
Please note that this is a morning service.
*********
SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE
- Erev Shabbat Pride Service - Friday, June 20th, 2014 - 7:30 p.m.
- Shabbat Morning Service - Saturday, July 5th, 2014 - 10:30 a.m.
- Erev Shabbat Service - Friday, August 1st, 2014 - Time TBA (evening)
All services take place in the Michael Bernstein Chapel at the Miles Nadal JCC (750 Spadina Avenue). Our post-service learning sessions will resume in the fall.
|
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Information Session Sunday, June 8 @ 2 p.m.
- What does it mean today to have a bar/bat mitzvah?
- What are the responsibilities for the child and his/her family?
- How can the effort involved be both manageable and meaningful?
- What role does community play a part in an individual's coming of age?
Parents or grandparents with children approaching bar/bat mitzvah age can explore these questions and more at our bar/bat mitzvah information session on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. Learn about Congregation Shir Libeynu's new communal bar/bat mitzvah education program.
Please RSVP for the information session by Monday, June 2nd.
|
High Holy Days, 2014/5775:
Spring has sprung, finally, but even before it arrived, your board met to make plans for the next High Holy Days (September 24 - October 4). As always, you can expect joyous, meaningful and participatory services, led by Aviva Goldberg and Daniela Gesundheit. Here is the membership and ticket fee structure for the holidays, as a preview of what to expect once the mailing for orders goes out in late June.
Shir Libeynu's first High Holy Day services took place 18 years ago, in 1996, making this our Chai year. This year marks the first of a multi-year plan to expand our programming extensively and, eventually, to repair our Torah (or buy a new one) and purchase new High Holy Day machzorim. The slight rise in prices reflects these goals as well as our ongoing realities. Shir Libeynu is an unaffiliated shul, with no current foundational support, and your donations, membership and ticket fees make up our entire revenue. Those fees pay not only for the High Holy Day expenses, they also fund: monthly Shabbat services and other services all year; staff and clergy costs; rentals of our venues; our education programs, such as the after-service learning sessions; the free children's programming and childcare we always offer; Pride activities; holiday celebrations; subsidies for the most needy among us; as well as all kiddushes and receptions.
The fee changes reflect our commitment to both fiscal responsibility and accessibility for all. Congregation Shir Libeynu's membership fees and ticket prices remain equal to or lower than similar organizations in Toronto. We can do it because of our dedicated clergy and staff, a hard-working group of volunteers and your support, to keep the "little shul that could, and does" running, in this, our Chai year. Be a part of it, and stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
|
Shir Libeynu: The Junior Edition
During High Holy Days and monthly Shabbat services this year, the children's room buzzed with activity as our kids listened to stories, sang songs, had lively discussions, constructed beautiful crafts and enjoyed healthy snacks. Sometimes, they taught as much as they learned! It was a high point whenever the kids joined the service and shared their latest adventures. The children look forward to seeing each other and Rebecca every month. We hope they will keep coming and start bringing their friends.
Originally working as a volunteer, Rebecca Sheridan made such effective improvements to our children's activities that we were delighted when she accepted our offer last fall to take on the paid position of children's education programmer.
Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Anthropology (Hons.) from U of T and is currently working on her Masters in Psychology. Rebecca has many years of experience working with children and adolescents, with a focus on children and youth with autism, behavioural and learning issues in diverse settings, as well as anti-bullying and self-esteem programs. She worked for a number of years with children in the Hebrew day school system which, Rebecca says "gave me a chance to brush up on my Hebrew and discover lots of fun ideas for Shir Libeynu's children's program." Rebecca, who also revamped the children's activities at Toronto Botanical Gardens, will be running our children's programming for High Holy Days and for Shabbat services in 5775 (2014/15).We know our junior congregants will continue to blossom under her care.
|
*SAVE THE DATE*
Where Sinai Meets Spadina:
Tuesday, June 3rd @ 7:30 p.m.
to Wednesday, June 4th @ 6:00 a.m.
Miles Nadal JCC
This free, all-night learning event, co-sponsored by Congregation Shir Libeynu, offers dozens of lively, interactive sessions on a wide variety of topics.
Please note that the opening event, SINAI UNSCROLLED is currently sold out. However, there will be a rush line. Limited free tickets, subject to availability, may become available no earlier than 7:15 p.m., 15 minutes prior to the show.
All events after 8:30 p.m. are on a drop-in basis.
Several Shir Libeynu members are presenting sessions:
Session #2 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. - Room 202
Between the Sacred and the Profane: Jewish Texts, Jewish Community, and Queer Jew with Shlomo Gleibman
What are the cultural homelands of queer Jews?
Come and learn about the changing debates from
mainstream and queer Jewish perspectives in their
ongoing interpretation and reinterpretation of
classical Jewish texts.
Shlomo Gleibman
is a Ph.D. candidate at York
University, Department of Humanities (Jewish
Studies and Queer Studies), Educational
Coordinator of Kulanu Toronto, and a member of
Congregation Shir Libeynu and of Darchei Noam.
Session #2 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. - Room 206
Beloved Enemies: David and Saul with Eden Nameri, Jacquie Buncel and Jordan Cares
Why did King Saul try to destroy David, his most loyal warrior and his son-in-law? Through ancient story and contemporary poetry, explore love and betrayal in the family circle, concluding with a guided discussion on these dynastic dynamics.
Jacquie Buncel
, writer and second-generation
Holocaust educator, is the author of the poetry
collection Turning the Corner at Dusk. Eden Nameri
has been telling stories for 20 years. They are both
longtime members of Congregation Shir Libeynu.
Jordan Cares is a social worker at Jewish Family &
Child, specializing in child welfare and counselling.
Camp Out at the Corner of Sinai and Spadina:
KIDS' TIKKUN, 7 p.m. to midnight
(drop off open until 8:45 p.m.) - Gymnasium
With the Habonim Dror team and Daniel Eisenkraft Klein.
The Kids' Tikkun, for ages 5 to 10, lets you camp out at the MNjcc as if you were in the wilderness of the Sinai desert. Kids can make delicious snacks by hand like they did in the olden days (without machines) and learn about Torah and the meaning of Shavuot through games and activities.
Daniel Eisenkraft Klein, the Recreation and Leisure Coordinator for the Miles Nadal JCC, grew up at with Congregation Shir Libeynu and has long been an active
Volunteers Needed!
Be part of the biggest event in the downtown Jewish community! We're looking for outgoing people who can greet participants, direct traffic, and answer questions. We're also looking for kitchen helpers who can set up and clean up snack service as we go through the night. If you can volunteer for a shift at Shavuot, please email [email protected] by Thursday, May 22nd.
Volunteers are expected to attend a Volunteer Orientation Session to learn about the sessions and the structure of the Shavuot festival. There is a choice of two Volunteer Orientation Sessions, both held at the MNjcc:
Monday, May 26th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
OR
Tuesday, May 27th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
|
|
Heart to Heart
Congregation Shir Libeynu is proud to continue its support of Heart to Heart, a program that brings a group of Jewish and Palestinian Israeli youth from Israel to a three-week co-existence program hosted by Camp Shomria, a lake-side sleepaway camp in Northern Ontario. This outdoor camping environment is ideal for fostering dialogue, group building, experiential learning and leadership training for this group of teenagers who have taken on the responsibility of moving forward on a path they will forge together.
Here are FOUR ways to help Shir Libeynu support this important program:
Heart to Heart is looking for families to host two or more participants each, from Sunday, July 20th to Thursday, July 24th, 2014. This commitment mainly consists of providing participants with a comfortable place to sleep and several meals. Please contact program coordinator Dalia Krusner by email or by phone at 647-829-9812.
- Sponsorship of Activities
There are many activities included in the program's four-day visit to Ottawa and Toronto. Full or partial sponsorship of any of these activities, or of the cost per participant to run the program, would go a long way towards helping make Heart to Heart as amazing as possible! Details can be found on Heart to Heart's Donate page.
- Attend the Heart to Heart Reception
A community reception will be held on the evening of Monday, July 21st, 2014. This is an opportunity to hear the participants speak about their experiences with the program. Members of Shir Libeynu will have an additional chance to mingle and talk with the program participants and organizers at a pre-reception meeting. Further details TBA.
- Help Out at the Heart to Heart Reception
Heart to Heart's community reception is attended by both Muslim and Jewish supporters of the program. Be an active part of this unique event by helping to set up, serve and/or clean up. Contact us about volunteering. High school students can earn community service hours by helping.
|
|
|
|
Shir Libeynu Fund
Proceeds from the fund will go towards ensuring that Shir Libeynu continues to thrive while ensuring access to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Click here to donate to the Shir Libeynu Fund (please note that we do not have credit card capability - just PayPal). Alternatively, you can make out a cheque to Congregation Shir Libeynu (please write "Shir Libeynu Fund" in the "Memo" or "Re" section on the cheque) and mail it to: Congregation Shir Libeynu,
P.O Box 73509
Toronto, Ontario
M6C 4A7
stating the reason for your donation so we can acknowledge it in the Shabbat handout and on our website. Donations in any amount are welcome and income tax receipts will be issued.
|
|
The congregation holds Shabbat services one Saturday morning of each month, in the Michael Bernstein Chapel, on the 3rd floor of the Miles Nadal JCC, followed by a light Kiddush. A free Shabbat program is offered for children during services. We also offer adult education workshops and programs, the possibility to participate in our choir and chanting events, as well as holiday celebrations and Oneg Shabbat dinners throughout the year.
Congregation Shir Libeynu is unaffiliated, liberal, inclusive and egalitarian. Our participatory services combine tradition and innovation. Shir Libeynu is Hebrew for "song of our hearts," and our services include prayers and music both ancient and modern. Our diverse community is a welcoming one.
|
|
Shir Libeynu Fund
Proceeds from the fund will go towards ensuring that Shir Libeynu continues to thrive while ensuring access to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Click here to donate to the Shir Libeynu Fund (please note that we do not have credit card capability - just PayPal). Alternatively, you can make out a cheque to Congregation Shir Libeynu (please write "Shir Libeynu Fund" in the "Memo" or "Re" section on the cheque) and mail it to: Congregation Shir Libeynu,
P.O Box 73509
Toronto, Ontario
M6C 4A7
stating the reason for your donation so we can acknowledge it in the Shabbat handout and on our website. Donations in any amount are welcome and income tax receipts will be issued.
|
|
The congregation holds Shabbat services one Saturday morning of each month, in the Michael Bernstein Chapel, on the 3rd floor of the Miles Nadal JCC, followed by a light Kiddush. A free Shabbat program is offered for children during services. We also offer adult education workshops and programs, the possibility to participate in our choir and chanting events, as well as holiday celebrations and Oneg Shabbat dinners throughout the year.
Congregation Shir Libeynu is unaffiliated, liberal, inclusive and egalitarian. Our participatory services combine tradition and innovation. Shir Libeynu is Hebrew for "song of our hearts," and our services include prayers and music both ancient and modern. Our diverse community is a welcoming one.
|
|
Shir Libeynu Fund
Proceeds from the fund will go towards ensuring that Shir Libeynu continues to thrive while ensuring access to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Click here to donate to the Shir Libeynu Fund (please note that we do not have credit card capability - just PayPal). Alternatively, you can make out a cheque to Congregation Shir Libeynu (please write "Shir Libeynu Fund" in the "Memo" or "Re" section on the cheque) and mail it to: Congregation Shir Libeynu,
P.O Box 73509
Toronto, Ontario
M6C 4A7
stating the reason for your donation so we can acknowledge it in the Shabbat handout and on our website. Donations in any amount are welcome and income tax receipts will be issued.
|
|
The congregation holds Shabbat services one Saturday morning of each month, in the Michael Bernstein Chapel, on the 3rd floor of the Miles Nadal JCC, followed by a light Kiddush. A free Shabbat program is offered for children during services. We also offer adult education workshops and programs, the possibility to participate in our choir and chanting events, as well as holiday celebrations and Oneg Shabbat dinners throughout the year.
Congregation Shir Libeynu is unaffiliated, liberal, inclusive and egalitarian. Our participatory services combine tradition and innovation. Shir Libeynu is Hebrew for "song of our hearts," and our services include prayers and music both ancient and modern. Our diverse community is a welcoming one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
