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In This Edition

 

1.  Our Upcoming Services

 
a) Contemplative Chanting Service - Saturday, June 6 @ 10:30 a.m. at the MNJCC

b) Bat Mitzvah of Sophie Dee Hazzan Hollis - Saturday, June 13 @ 10:30 a.m. at First Unitarian Congregation

c) Our Annual Pride Shabbat Service, Saturday, June 27 @ 10:15 a.m. at MNJCC

2. Other Shir Libeynu Services, Events and News

a) B'nei Mitzvah Program 2015/2016: Info Session, May 24

b) High Holy Days

3. Community Events Co-Sponsored by Shir Libeynu

a) Sinai Meets Spadina: Tikkun Leil Shavout - Saturday, May 23 - Sunday, May 24 at the MNJCC, Programming Information

b) Pride Interfaith Fair and March with Pride

4. Programs at the MNJCC, our Community Partner

a) Playwriting Competition

b) Mixed-Abilities Ballroom Dance

c) Summer Supper Club - Social Enterprise Edition
 
Upcoming Services
  
Contemplative Chanting Service

Saturday, June 6 @ 10:30 a.m.
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
3rd Floor, Michael Bernstein Chapel

Once more, we'll be getting mindful and musical.  We will ground ourselves in silence, and head off for joy.  To be led by Lorne Blumer along with other members of the Shir Libeynu community.  No chanting experience necessary.  Rationalists welcome.
  
Those who wish will have the opportunity to recite the Mourner's Kaddish. Please note that we will not read Torah at this service.
  
Light refreshments will be provided.
  
 Childcare will not be available.

 

Invitation to Bat Mitzvah of
Sophie Dee Hazzan Hollis


With pride and love 
we invite you
to join us

at the Bat Mitzvah of our daughter

Sophie Dee Hazzan Hollis

Congregation Shir Libeynu

Saturday, June 13, 2015

at ten thirty in the morning

The service will take place at

First Unitarian Toronto

175 St. Clair West 


 Free childcare will be available

 

Kiddish lunch to follow

  
To attend the Kiddish, please RSVP
to [email protected] by May 27th

Jason Hollis and Linda Hazzan

 


 Shir LIbeynu's 9th Annual Pride Service

 

For All of Us, including Allies!

 

 

 Join us as we celebrate great Queer Jews and also focus on the world-wide persecution of   GLBTQs.
  
Saturday, June 27 @10:15 a.m.
(*Note New Date and Time*)
 
Says Rabbi Goldberg:"Allies (non GLBTQ, but supportive always), please show the love by attending this very special service."
 

Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
3rd Floor, Michael Bernstein Chapel 

 

Light kiddush lunch to follow.  Then, join a group of us as we head over to the Dyke March.

 

*New* Information Session for

2015/2016 B'nei Mitzvah Program:

Sunday, May 24, 2015, 2-4 p.m.


 
2014/2015 B'nei Mitzvah participants on Jewish Toronto tour, in Kensington Market area

 

 

Celebrate Shavuot and the giving of the Torah by looking ahead to your child becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The session will focus on the learning-enrichment sessions and other details of our unique program (see below for more information; sign up 
by Thursday, May 21st at 5:00 p.m. for the May 24 session
here). We will provide address of session when you sign up.

 We are recruiting families with young people who will be at least age 13 starting in April, 2016. Our next b'nei mitzvah program will begin in the autumn of 2015, when we will welcome a small cohort of candidates. 

You can expect: Read more

 

 


 High Holy Days Coming Soon!!

Congregation Shir Libeynu, the little shul that could, did, over the past remarkable year in our community's history!  We celebrated High Holy Day services, Shabbat mornings, Kabbalat evenings and many holidays together. Our bar/bat mitzvah program launched with a series of classes, social events and Tzedekah activities for our first cohort of keen students. Our adult education series and alternative contemplative chanting sessions proved popular with many in and outside the community.  As the first GLBTQ-inclusive Jewish congregation in Toronto, we led the way in World Pride last spring, with our involvement in a series of interfaith events and our advocacy for Queer rights, as well as our annual service.  We supported several non-profit groups and charities in our social justice outreach.  Most notably, we rejoiced last November 22 at the ordination of our all-but-in-formal-title Rabbi Aviva Goldberg.

 

So it with delight that we look forward to the 2015/5776 High Holy Days (Sept. 13-15, 22-23). Please join us again this year for deep, joyous and participatory services with Rabbi Goldberg and 
Chazzan Daniela Gesundheit leading us.  All will take place at the congregational building of First Unitarian Toronto (St. Clair W. and Avenue Rd.). We will start registration for memberships (which include tickets to all services) in late June.  As in years past, there is no charge for children to the age of 13, who will once again benefit from a host of wonderful programs and special services.
 
***New this year is an early Rosh Hashanah morning family service, especially for those with young children, and led by Rabbi Goldberg.

 

As an unaffiliated congregation without support from major foundations or federations, your membership fees and donations pay for all that we offer at High Holy Days and during the year: staffing, rentals, administration, kiddishes and other free meals, children's programs and all other costs.  Being a member of Shir Libeynu places you within a haymishe, progressive community and gives you access to spiritual services, cultural and educational programs and a circle of caring, creative people dedicated to a meaningful Jewish life.   Please click the links below for information on dates and a fee list.

 

High Holy Days 2015-5776 Schedule

2015-5776 Membership Fees and Ticket Prices

 
  
Community Events
Co-Sponsored 
by Shir Libeynu

Where Sinai Meets Spadina:

Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot

All-Night Jewish Learning Festival

 

Saturday, May 23-Sunday, May 24

Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Avenue


 

Family Tikkun Dinner - 5:30 - 7:30 pm (for families with young children - $5 per person) - Registration closed.


Main event - 8:30 pm - 6:00 am | Kids Program and doors open at 8:00 pm: FREE, and all are welcome.

 

KIDS Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot - 8:00 - 11:45 pm, Ages 5-11 | Come play @ the J - Shavuot Style! Come in PJs and stay up late! Let your parents learn while you play!

Teen Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot - 8:00 - 11:45 pm, | Hang out at the @ the J - Shavuot Style! - In the Dave and Bea Silverstein Gymnasium. Join in the general Tikkun throughout the night or find a place to hang out with friends and delve into Shavuot in an experience that's tailored to you.

A full night of community, study, singing, snacking and more! Over 50 sessions reinterpret and reimagine traditional Jewish texts and open up new community conversations. Special programs for kids and teens. Come for the learning. Stay for the cheesecake.

 

Visit the Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot facebook page for more information. Click here to RSVP.

 

Co-presented by the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Congregation Shir Libeynu and other MNJCC community partners.

 

Kids and Teen programs led by Camp Gesher/ Habonim Dror and the Downtown ShinShinim.

 

 

The following programs are led by Shir Libeynu members this year at the Tikkun Leil Shavuot:


Brachot
 Before Breakfast

2:15 - 3:15 a.m.

 

The Birkot HaShachar, blessings traditionally recited during shacharit (the morning service), will be illuminated through spiritual reportage, discussion and mindfulness practice by Lorne Blumer, who leads Shir Libeynu's contemplative chanting services.  Not sure what mindfulness is? Or spiritual reportage, for that matter?  Find out by morning!
 


 

Lorne Blumer blogs about in-the-street spirituality, leads contemplative chanting services, and occasionally practices what he preaches.

 
Queer Marriage of God and Israel in Jewish Texts of the Past and Present

10:30-11:30 p.m.

 

The Jewish relationship with the Divine is intimate, but not straight. The session led by Shlomo Gleibman explores homoeroticism and gender bending in this relationship through contemporary readings of the 
Tanakh and Midrash.

Shlomo Gleibman is a Kulanu Toronto and Shir Libeynu member, and PhD candidate at York University.

Click here for more information on Where Sinai Meets Spadina: Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavout.

 

 
Pride Interfaith Fair (Sunday, June 14)
& March With Pride (Sunday, June 28)

Last year's World Pride was a truly joyous event and Congregation Shir Libeynu found many ways to make it a momentous celebration. This year we hope to continue that proud tradition. 

Once again, under the leadership of Reverend John Joseph Mastandrea, of the Metropolitan United Church, we will be joining other faith-based communities for the Interfaith Fair on Sunday, June 14, during the day.  Our own Pride Shabbat service, on June 27, continues a tradition we pioneered nine years ago (see above).  We will also be part of the interfaith contingent in the Pride March on Sunday, June 28. This year's theme is "Let the Sunshine In" - and once again the Fair and the March will be highlighting the plight and continuing persecution that many LGBTQs face around the globe. There will be a focus on the work of organizations such as Rainbow Railroad.  Please be sure to come out and be part of this year's Pride festivities with Shir Libeynu.

Click here to read more about the fair and marching with Pride.
 

Programs at The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNJCC), our Community Partner


Call for Submissions by July 2nd

The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre in Toronto and the Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Montreal are pleased to announce their partnership on the 2015 Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, a program of the MNjcc.  For more information, click here.
 

 
Join WHEEL DANCE and the MNJCC for an inclusive  workshop that will cover key elements of partner dancing, with an emphasis on connection, feeling comfortable on the dance floor, and having fun.
All ages and abilities are welcome.

 

Sundays, June 7
2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
$5/workshop

Click here for more information.

To register: (416) 924-6211 x 0

 

Social Enterprise Edition
July 13-16 or August 10-13 
4:00-8:00 p.m.

Designed for young adults with developmental disabilities and ASD, open to all.

Come for a fun week of cooking, meeting
new people, and customer service experience!
We will make and share dinner together each
night and prepare healthy snacks, that participants 
will sell in the MNjcc Fitness Centre.

Facilitated by two occupational therapists with
Dream Weavers: An Occupational Therapy Collective

For more information:
Click here or 
[email protected] or 416-924-6211 x 330
  

The congregation holds Shabbat services monthly, 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 opportunity to participate in our choir and chanting events, as well as holiday celebrations and Oneg Shabbat dinners throughout the year.

 

Shir Libeynu is a liberal, egalitarian

congregation, unaffiliated with any particular stream of Judaism. 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.

The congregation holds Shabbat services monthly, 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 opportunity to participate in our choir and chanting events, as well as holiday celebrations and Oneg Shabbat dinners throughout the year.

 

Shir Libeynu is a liberal, egalitarian

congregation, unaffiliated with any particular stream of Judaism. 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


Please send an email message to [email protected] 

 stating the reason for your donation so we can acknowledge it in the e-letter and on our website.
Donations in any amount are welcome and income tax receipts will be issued.


 

On November 22nd, we honoured Aviva for her dedication and service to Congregation Shir Libeynu and celebrated her ordination (smicha) as a rabbi for our community. 


 Along with a traditional Havdalah service, we held this unique celebration of Jewish leadership, Jewish continuity and progress. With Aviva's guidance and bravery, Shir Libeynu has led the way in Toronto for acceptance and full involvement of women, interfaith couples and the LGBT community. We were the trailblazers and we will continue to be the leading edge in Jewish pluralism and social responsibility in Toronto and Canada. 

 

In honour of this day and to build for the future, we started the Rabbi's Program Development Fund. We continue to welcome funds from Congregation Shir Libeynu family and friends to make a special donation in Aviva's honour to the Rabbi's Program Development Fund. Donations will provide funds for programming and projects that are near and dear to Rabbi Aviva's heart and reflect the shul's interest and needs.

 

For more information, on Rabbi Goldberg's ordination on November 22nd, 2014/57752 or  to make a donation to Rabbi's Program Development Fund, please click here.

 


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The congregation holds Shabbat services monthly, 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 opportunity to participate in our choir and chanting events, as well as holiday celebrations and Oneg Shabbat dinners throughout the year.

 

Shir Libeynu is a liberal, egalitarian

congregation, unaffiliated with any particular stream of Judaism. 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


Please send an email message to [email protected] 

 stating the reason for your donation so we can acknowledge it in the e-letter and on our website.
Donations in any amount are welcome and income tax receipts will be issued.


Join

Shir Libeynu's 

New Facebook Group 

 

Join our Facebook group


 Shir Libeynu on

 

 

 
 

Newsletter Editor: Harriet Eisenkraft