Week of February 27

Deadline reminder: The deadline for the issue of March 13 is  March 3. The deadline for the issue of March 20 is March 10. All deadlines are at noon. Phone 416-391-1836, ext. 269; email [email protected].

 

Saturday, March 1

 

ORCHESTRA OF EXILES

Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto shows the film Orchestra of Exiles with live classical music, 8:30 p.m. Tickets, $18/$25. www.bayt.ca or 905-886-3810.

 

CRASH COURSE IN HISTORY

Judy Hazan discusses “The difference between exile and Diaspora,” 9:30 a.m., Lodzer Centre Congregation, 12 Heaton St.

 

WOMEN’S SHABBAT

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow is the guest speaker at Beth Tikvah Synagogue’s women’s Shabbat.

 

Sunday, March 2

 

FAREWELL BABYLON

Iraqi writer Naim Kattan, author of Farewell to Babylon discusses the history of the Jews of Iraq and the community’s destruction, Congregation Darchei Noam. Doors open at  7 p.m., program begins at 7:30 p.m. $5/$10.

 

HEBREW CLASSES

Beth Emeth Synagogue offers  a free Hebrew reading course for those who can slowly read Hebrew and want practice reading, singing and understanding prayers. Six sessions, starts today. Call 416-633-3838 to register.

 

IT’S ABOUT PURIM

Seymour Epstein discusses a “radical reinterpretation of Esther,” 10 a.m., Temple Har Zion. $3/$6.

 

YIDDISH WOMEN WRITERS

A book launch for The Exile Book of Yiddish Women Writers, edited by Frieda Forman, will be held at 1 p.m., at the Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Ave.

 

NEW JERUSALEM

Director Mitchell Cushman and actor David Eisner discuss the play New Jerusalem, 10:15 a.m., Temple Sinai.

 

PURIM FESTIVAL

Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism holds a family Purim carnival, 10 a.m., St. Andrew’s Junior High School, 131 Fenn Ave. 416-385-3910 or email [email protected].

An adult Purim party will be held March 8, 7:30 p.m., 18 Wynford Dr.

Monday, March 3

 

CLUB FOR VISION IMPAIRED

Rhonda Silver performs at a pre-Purim supper for the Jewish Club for the Vision Impaired, 7 p.m., Bernard Betel Centre. Non-members $10. RSVP Bess 905-508-2892.

 

Tuesday, March 4

 

BOOK CLUB

Michelle Gewurtz reviews  The Hare with the Amber Eyes, 8 p.m., Beth Tikvah Synagogue.

Tuesdays with Larry discusses the story of director Sarah Polley and her search to find her biological father, 2 p.m. $5.

 

TOASTMASTERS

Improve your public speaking skills with the Toastmasters, noon, Lipa Green Centre, 4600 Bathurst St. RSVP [email protected].

 

WOMEN’S TORAH STUDY

Stuart Hytman leads women’s Torah study at the Village Shul, 8 p.m. Call Gail Sussman 416-787-9886, or email [email protected].

Wednesday, March 5

 

CORRUPTION IN ISRAEL

Yonah Jeremy Bob, legal correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, discusses “A first-hand account of the Olmert, Liberman and chief rabbi trials and an analysis of public corruption in Israel,” 8 p.m., Baycrest Terrace, 55 Ameer Ave. Sponsored by the Toronto Partnership Minyan.

 

USER-FRIENDLY JUDAISM

Rabbi Miriam Margles leads a 3-part series on “User-Friendly Judaism,” Eastminster Parlour, 310 Danforth Ave. Sponsored by the Danforth Jewish Circle. RSVP [email protected].

 

JOB FAIR

JVS Toronto invites job seekers to a Home Depot recruitment event, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 540 Finch Ave. W. Pre-register at [email protected].

 

Thursday, March 6

 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Debby Feldman of JF&CS discusses “Domestic violence and abuse in the Jewish community,” 8 p.m. Temple Har Zion.

 

Upcoming Events

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed to spend time with seniors along the Bathurst Street corridor. Call Lysa, 416-635-2900, ext. 496, or email [email protected].

Volunteers who speak Russian, Yiddish, Hungarian, German, Polish, Cantonese or Romanian are needed to speak with clients at Baycrest. Call 416-785-2500, ext. 2572, or email [email protected].

Reena is looking for a friendly visitor to spend time with a Jewish man who is currently in Baycrest Hospital. Call Mille Chadwick 905-889-2690, ext. 2112 or email [email protected].

The legal information service of Act to End Violence Against Women is seeking volunteer legal support workers to help women who have experienced abuse. Training is provided. Call 905-695-5374, or email [email protected].

 

WOMEN AND ABUSE

The legal information service of Act to End Violence Against Women offers free legal support and guidance to Jewish women who have experienced abuse. Call 905-695-5374, or email [email protected].

 

PURIM AND PASSOVER

Bracha Feder leads 3 study sessions on Purim and Passover, starting March 11, 7:30 p.m., Beth Tikvah Synagogue. $10 for non-members.

 

JEWISH TORONTO HISTORY

Jack Lipinsky discusses “The History of Jewish Toronto,” in 3 sessions, 7:15 p.m., Beth Tzedec. March 10, “Immigrant Life in Toronto, 1860-1950.”

 

PREWAR NEWS CULTURE

Mordechai Ben-Dat discusses “Reflections on the News Culture prior to World War II,” March 10, 7:30 p.m., Beth Emeth Synagogue.

 

MORASHA CLASSES

Yehudit Shier Weisberg  teaches a course on “Jewish Prayer: A Gift for Living,” starting March 26, Beth Emeth Synagogue. To register, call, 416-789-7400.

 

BEREAVEMENT GROUP

Pride of Israel Synagogue is offering a 6-week bereavement group for men and women who have lost a spouse, starting April 24. Call 416-226-0111, ext. 10 for more information.

 

WINE AND CHEESE PARTY

Beth David Synagogue hosts a wine-and-cheese reception, March 11, 7:30 p.m. Sample kosher wines for Passover and visit gift and craft boutiques. Tickets $10/$15. Call 416-633-5500, ext. 28, or visit www.bethdavid.com.

 

PURIM FUN

Friends of Yiddish presents a one-woman show, Itzik Manger and his Megilleh, featuring Janie Respitz, 2 p.m., March 9, Beth Tikvah Synagogue. RSVP 416-458-1440 or email [email protected].

The Toronto Partnership Minyan will hold a Megillah reading with both men and women reading, followed by a festive celebration, 8:45 p.m., March 15, Toronto Heschel School, 819 Sheppard Ave. W. Email [email protected].

Beth Emeth Synagogue presents The Megillah According to Disney, March 15, after Megillah reading at 8:15 p.m.; March 16 at 1:30 p.m. Call 416-633-3838 for tickets.

Temple Sinai holds a Purim party, March 15, 7 p.m. For tickets, call 416-487-3281. March 16, Temple Sinai and Leo Baeck Day School celebrate Purim at the Toronto Zoo, 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Temple Har Zion’s Purim shpiel and Megillah reading start March 15, 7 p.m.

Danforth Jewish Circle holds its Purim Learning and Celebration, March 16, 2-4 p.m., 310 Danforth Ave.

 

JF&CS GROUPS

 

GROUPS & WORKSHOPS

Registration is required for all programs. Classes are open to all members of the community, and fee reductions are available. Call Shawna Sidney 416-638-7800, ext. 6215 or visit www.jfandcs.com. All classes at the Lipa Green Centre, 4600 Bathurst St., unless otherwise noted.

Is There Life After A Death: A workshop for men and women under 50 who have lost a spouse in the last few years, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Prosserman JCC, 4588 Bathurst St.

Life Skills for Today’s Woman: A multi-session group for women. Starts March 3, 7 p.m.

When You’re About to Separate: What to Tell the Kids: A workshop for parents in the early stages of separation. March 4, 6:30 p.m. Lebovic JCC, 9600 Bathurst St.

Beyond the Chupah: Becoming A Couple: A 5-session marriage preparation group, starts March 12, 7 p.m., Beth Tzedec Synagogue.

Effective Parenting: A 4-session group for parents of children aged 2-10. Starts March 18, 7 p.m.

High-Conflict Divorce: A workshop for parents in a high-conflict situation, not for individuals in an abusive situation. March 20, 6:30 p.m.

 

BEREAVED JEWISH FAMILIES

Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario regularly provides 8-week self-help groups to bereaved parents. Call Beth Feffer at 416-638-7800, ext. 6244, or email [email protected].

 

FOR SENIORS

 

Adath Israel Congregation. Wednesday afternoon socials. Bridge, mah-jong, Rummikub, 12:30 p.m. Call Sheila, 416-665-3333, or Marcia, 416-932-1229.

Shaar Shalom. Play bridge Mondays, 1:30 p.m. Lessons, 12:30 p.m. 905-889-4975.

Beth Emeth. Experienced mah-jong and Rummikub players meet Mondays and Wednesdays. 416-633-3838.

Temple Har Zion. Play mahjong Wednesday afternoons. Email [email protected].

Adult 55+Culture, Education, Community, Miles Nadal JCC. The Yiddish Swingtet performs Klezmer music for Purim, March 6. Doors open 1:30 p.m., show starts at 2 p.m. RSVP by Feb. 28. 416-924-6211, ext. 155, or email [email protected].

Bernard Betel Centre for Seniors 416-225-2112. March 4, Avrum Rosensweig, CEO of Ve’ahavta, discusses “The Jewish People: A Light unto the Nations,” 10 a.m.; March 5, Information and Active Living Fair, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; March 6, Iris Edelman discusses “Love Yourself-Heal Yourself,” 1:30 p.m.

Charming Earl Bales Seniors Club in the Park (60+). Valerie, 416-395-7881. Casino Woodbine March 26 (register in advance). Tuesdays, seniors chair exercise, 10 a.m. (first class free); Tuesdays and Thursdays, social bridge, 12:30 p.m.

New Horizons is a Jewish Hungarian seniors club that offers kosher food and is looking for new members. Call George, 416-256-1892.

 

PROSSERMAN JCC

 

Sherman Campus, 4588 Bathurst St., 416-638-1881, www.prossermanjcc.com.

Registration for the 2014/2015 school year for the daycare and preschool has begun. Call Kailah Rubin, ext. 4250.

 

MILES NADAL JCC

 

750 Spadina Ave. 416-924-6211, www.mnjcc.org

Sisters in Resistance, paintings by Harry Tiefenbach of women resistance fighters from World War II is at the gallery Feb. 28- March 24. A reception will be held March 13, 6 p.m. Sara Grinate, the subject of one of the paintings, will attend.

A play reading of Tough Jews by Michael Ross Albert, will be held March 1, 7 p.m.

Purim Carnival, March 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Shlomo Schwartzberg discusses the work of director Steven Spielberg, 7 p.m. March 3, “Family Matters.”

Habonim Dror-Camp Gesher meets Sundays for Grades 2-8, 1:30-3 p.m. Call 416-633-2511 or email [email protected].

Klezmer Music Ensemble conducted by Eric Stein meets Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. The women’s chorus meets Mondays 7:30 p.m.; daytime choir meets Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Email [email protected].

Health and fitness: MELT Method-full body, Tuesdays until March 18, 7 p.m. or Wednesdays to March 26, 11 a.m.

Healthy breast yoga, Wednesdays to March 12, 12:15 p.m.; Beyond addiction yoga, Fridays to March 14, 6:30 p.m. To register for all fitness programs, email [email protected], or call 416-898-1818, ext. 574

Michael Bernstein Chapel holds services Thursdays at 7:15 a.m.; Sundays at 8 a.m. Call Coleman Bernstein, 416-968-0200.

SCHWARTZ/REISMAN CENTRE

Lebovic Campus, 9600 Bathurst St. 905-303-1821.

Social club for singles 50+ meets March 1, 7:30 p.m. Live music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets $15-$23.

Social club for singles 35-50 meets March 8, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a movie and social time.

To register for programs, call Andrea, ext. 3006, or email [email protected].