Message from the Board

MARCH BOARD MESSAGE

Celebrating Deliverance The way the Jewish calendar falls this year, we celebrate both Purim and Passover in March. Though these holidays seem very different in mood, there are actually some significant links between them. Both holidays are focused on deliverance; Purim is about deliverance from the threat of annihilation during the Jews’ period of exile …

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APRIL BOARD MESSAGE

Survey says… Happy spring/Pesach everyone! Remember that community survey that we did a few months back? Well, 159 of you responded, and here are some highlights of what you told us: Who are we? Most survey respondents (84%) were over 40, many of whom have adult children captured under their family memberships. One half of …

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MAY BOARD MESSAGE

The month of May is all about celebrating the diversity in our community and encouraging inclusion in all our activities. Our annual Shabbat Itanu on May 4th hosted by the DJC Accessibility Initiative will feature Talia Johnson as a speaker talking about reducing mental health stigma and welcoming people with mental health challenges into community. …

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January’s Board Message

Bring on the snowy new year!  We can learn a lot about ourselves and our community when harsh winter weather hits us. Neighbours brave the cold to assist one another with shoveling walkways and digging out buried cars, or head to the parks to slide down hills, make snow angels and snow balls. Others take …

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November’s Board Message

It is 5778 and the DJC’s annual calendar of activities is in full swing! We have moved through the High Holy Days, welcomed friends and the harvest in the Sukkah, sang and danced for Simchat Torah, begun Rabbi Miriam’s Radical Wisdom Workshops, and embarked on training more ritual leaders. We have also strengthened our multifaith …

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Oy Vey, What a Year!

The High Holy Days are a time for renewal; a time to shake off the bad, to apologize or forgive, and to focus on the year ahead. Remember the solar eclipse experienced in the western hemisphere last week? The sun experienced a period of darkness but returned again to its full glory. We are capable of …

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Word of the Month: Naches

The Yiddish word naches (נחת \näKHəs\ NAKH-es) can be translated as pleasure, delight, or proud enjoyment. One might be heard saying, “What naches it gave us to see the whole gymnasium of the JCC filled with people of all types, from all over the city, gather for Erev Shavuot.  And our own Rabbi Miriam among …

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Oh, Spring!

“Oh, spring!  I want to go out and feel you and get inspiration.” ~ Emily Carr As our ancestors survived the transition from slavery to freedom, we have made it through the winter (and a week of eating matzah) to the sweet season of cherry blossoms and magnolias — and things are looking up! We …

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