Selected Past Services and Events
DEATH AND ITS RITUALS: A DISCUSSION
On December 11th, right after our AGM, starting at 2:30 pm, Shir Libeynu will be holding an information session and discussion on our community’s approach to death and its rituals and the options available to us. Aviva Goldberg will speak alongside other members of the Toronto community who have experience in these matters. We will also explore the possibility of forming a chevra kadisha (burial society to support members of our community during their bereavement process).
10:30 a.m.
Poetry and Prose Shabbat
In honour of Jewish Book Month, this service will focus on the rich heritage of Jewish literature, and we will honour some of our own authors.
For this service, we will also be presenting and using our new Torah cover (mantle), which has been donated by Aviva Goldberg and Dinah Rosen and family, in memory of Dinah and Aviva’s parents.
Kiddush co-sponsored by Amy Herskowitz, in memory of her father, Leo Herskowitz, and Abby Pope, in memory of her father, David Pope.
Introducing our new Siddur
April 2nd: Shabbat Service – Parshat Tazria
Led by Aviva Goldberg,
Spiritual Leader and co-Founder
This month, we used the Siddur Eit Ratzon for the first time. The new permanent siddur is inclusive, accessible and easy to follow; the service will be as fresh and engaging as ever.
THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH @ 10: 30 A.M.
THE MILES NADAL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE
750 SPADINA AVENUE @ BLOOR AND SPADINA
(ACROSS FROM SPADINA STATION)
IN THE MICHAEL BERNSTEIN CHAPEL ON THE 3RD FLOOR
FREE CHILDCARE IS AVAILABLE DURING THE SERVICE.
A KIDDUSH LUNCH IS SERVED AT NOON
A (pre-) PURIM Shabbat
It’s the whole megillah and then some.
Saturday, March 5th, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue
Get a jump on celebrating Purim at our family-friendly March service, co-led by our chazzan, Daniela Gesundheit and long-time Shir Libeynu member, Lorne Blumer. The entire Story of Esther (including parts you didn’t even know existed) will be told by Eden Nameri.
Before the megillah is recited, children
will have a chance to make their own groggers.
Y WARM UP with a session of laughter yoga
Y PARADE about in your fabulous costume
YDANCE AND SING in the month of Adar
everyone welcome
Torah Queeries: Four Discussions on Queering the Text
Led by Dr. Aviva Goldberg
What does it mean to “queer” sacred text? What are the moments in the Torah that speak to building more inclusive communities? Following on the hugely successful Canadian book launch of Torah Queeries – a rich collection of Torah commentaries that unites the voices of Jewish LGBTQ and straight-allied writers – this course will offer a new way to read Torah. The course will look at four key narratives and themes, from new interpretations of the stories of Jacob and Joseph to the sexual prohibitions outlined in Leviticus to a general discussion of gender and sexual politics in the Torah.
Co-presented by Congregation Shir Libeynu, Kolel, Kulanu Toronto, and the Miles Nadal JCC
Location: Miles Nadal JCC
Date: Every Tuesday in February, 2010: February 2, February 9, February 16 and February 23
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Space is limited, so register early by calling 416-638-1881. For information on Shir Libeynu’s discounted rate of $40 (book and materials fee) please email shirlibeynu@yahoo.ca or call us at 416-465-5488 before registering.
Dr. Aviva Goldberg is an assistant professor in the humanities department of York University , specializing in the area of religious studies, specifically women and spirituality. As well, she is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shir Libeynu, an unaffiliated, liberal and inclusive congregation in downtown Toronto . For the past fifteen years, she has also conducted meaningful life cycle rituals for Jewish families and individuals. Dr. Goldberg is a lecturer, teacher and moderator. Her published works include the contemporary midrash “The Origins of the Arbah Yamim: The Four Days” in Women and Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal. She is currently conducting research on liberal unaffiliated synagogues in Canada . Dr. Goldberg resides in Toronto with her partner of 21 years and their children.
PURIMANIA: A Grown-Up Celebration of the Adventures of Queen – Saturday, March 14th, 2010 @ 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:45 p.m.) (flyer attached) — RESERVE NOW — LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE!!!!!The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue, Room 318Join us for our first-ever Purim party for grown-ups. Aviva Goldberg will be MCing our fabulous line up:
• Eden Nameri has been telling stories at Shir Libeynu services for the past eight years. This time, she pulls out all the stops with a 45-minute uncensored rendition of the Story of Esther. It’s the whole megillah, interspersed with traditional and original midrash. Get ready to cheer for Esther and boo Haman.
• A surprise performance by … it’s a surprise
• Dress up for our costume parade. You might win a prize!
• Dance the night away; Kulanu Toronto will be DJing.
We are looking for VOLUNTEERS to contribute food (fruit and vegetables, salads, dips, cold appetizers, breads and spreads, cheese trays, cookies, and cakes). Please contact Brenda Simon at brendasimon@rogers.com.
Admission: $5.00. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Woman Abuse Program at Jewish Family & Child (JF&CS).
• Lovaine Cohen’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” last Yom Kippur was a highlight of the service. This time, Lovaine will be singing her own material, which will include a few sultry numbers. Visit www.lovainecohen.com.
Shabbat Service-Sat. Jan. 3, 2009
Free childcare will be provided.
Our thanks to the Eisenkraft/Klein family for sponsoring the Kiddush lunch, which will be served immediately after the service.
This month, we will be having a special, chanting service, during which participants will focus on parts of a small number of prayers, and be invited to experience them deeply and musically.
The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue @ Bloor and Spadina
(across from Spadina Station)
in the Michael Bernstein Chapel on the 3rd Floor
Free childcare will be available.
A light Kiddush of cake and coffee will be offered immediately after the service.
Everyone Welcome
Saturday, July 5, 2008
10:30 a.m.
Please join us for our innovative, egalitarian and participatory Shabbat service. We will be reading from the parsha (Torah portion) Chukat.
The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue @ Bloor and Spadina
(across from Spadina Station)
in the Michael Bernstein Chapel on the 3rd Floor
Free childcare will be available.
A light Kiddush of cake and coffee will be offered immediately after the service.
Red Heifer Report
Curious about the New Yorker article about the red heifer Aviva mentioned during the July service, 2008? Here it is:
http://www.lawrencewright.com/art-jerusalem.html
2009-GOING TO SHUL WITH PRIDE!Celebrate LGBTTIQQ* Pride at our inclusive Shabbat service, featuring innovative liturgy for queer Jews and the people we love, contemporary readings, music and story telling. We will be reading from the parsha (Torah portion) Naso and will be discussing the upcoming festival of Shavuot.
Please join us as Bonnie Burstow, author of the novel The House on Lippincott (Inanna Publications & Education Inc.), and poet Ronna Bloom (Peddlar Press), whose latest collection is entitled Public Works, read from and discuss their published works. Both these acclaimed writers have been friends of Shir Libeynu for many years. Dr. Burstow’s novel features “Congregation Ruth,” which bears a striking similarity to our own community and Ms. Bloom has read her poetry at our High Holy Day services.
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/U of T) 252 Bloor Street West (@ St. George) 7th Floor, room 162.
A reception will follow the readings and discussion. Copies of the authors’ works will be on sale.
Bonnie Burstow is a novelist, feminist psychotherapist, academic and activist.
The House on Lippincott (2006) is a Jewish family saga set in downtown Toronto between 1947 and the end of the century. This story of the middle child of Holocaust survivors maintains a universality that reveals the human condition under diverse and sometimes tragic circumstances. Reviewers have called the book “intellectually challenging and inspiring,” and “rich with believable characters [and] powerful images.”
Ronna Bloom is a teacher of poetry and writing, a psychotherapist and a photographer. She has written three books of poetry: Fear of the Ride (1996), Personal Effects (2000) and Public Works (2004), which was short listed for the Pat Lowther Award. Reviewers have praised Bloom’s “unflinching photographer’s gaze, the certainty of her poetic skills.” In Public Works, she explores the social and physical infrastructure of Toronto , her adopted city, where she moved after growing up in Montreal .
ADMISSION IS FREE. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME.
Saturday, June 7th, 2008 10:30 a.m. @ The Michael Bernstein Chapel Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre Bloor & Spadina, across from Spadina Station Bring along partners, parents, children, grandchildren, zaidies, bubbies, former flames, future prospects and all your friends.
Everyone is welcome! Free childcare will be available during the service. Come to the Kiddush after the service for schmoozing and a light lunch. The Kiddush is being sponsored by a friend of Shir Libeynu in honour of Pride Month. * Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning Celebrating Our Identities without Compromise
Gay Sons of Jewish Holocaust Survivors: A Study in Multiple Identities
This interactive presentation and open discussion will focus on how gay Jewish adult male children of Holocaust survivors construct their identities. As part of a graduate paper in social work at York University , Leonard Molczadski sought out LGBTT children of Holocaust survivors.
This presentation will explore the five central themes that emerged in the course of interviewing gay male children of survivors: Coming Out, Fear of Pain, Guilt, Coping and Consciousness of Social Justice Issues. Oscar Wolfman, one of the study’s research participants, and Lev Raphael, the well-known American author of such works as Dancing on Tisha B’av, Winter Eyes, The German Money and Writing a Jewish Life, will be in attendance to provide their perspectives in these multiple identities. Gratitude to Aviva Goldberg, spiritual leader of Congregation Shir Libeynu in Toronto and to its members for their generous support of this work.
Moderator contact: Leonard Molczadski Leonard Molczadski is a gay Jewish child of Holocaust survivors. He is a practicing community-focused social worker and is currently researching the needs of GLBTT elders. Wed., Nov.7, 2007, at Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto (co-sponsor) Program of: 27th Holocaust Education Week Shir Libeynu e-mailbox: shirlibeynu@yahoo.ca
LITERARY LIGHTS: BONNIE BURSTOW & RONNA BLOOM
Saturday, June 7th, 2008 10:30 a.m. @ The Michael Bernstein Chapel Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre Bloor & Spadina, across from Spadina Station Bring along partners, parents, children, grandchildren, zaidies, bubbies, former flames, future prospects and all your friends.
Everyone is welcome! Free childcare will be available during the service. Come to the Kiddush after the service for schmoozing and a light lunch. The Kiddush is being sponsored by a friend of Shir Libeynu in honour of Pride Month. * Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning Celebrating Our Identities without Compromise
