Deadline reminder: Please note that there is no paper on Dec. 29. Due to the holidays, Dec. 28 is the deadline for the paper of Jan. 12. E-mail [email protected]; phone 416-391-1836, ext. 269, or fax 416-391-0829.

Saturday, Dec. 24

AROUND SHABBAT

Shaar Shalom Synagogue, 2 Simonston Blvd., Thornhill, holds relaxed Shabbat services today and Dec. 31 at 8:45 a.m. in the social hall. Kiddush following services.

ANSWERING MISSIONARIES

Rabbi Michael Skobac discusses “How to Answer a Christian Missionary, Step-by-Step Biblical Refutations,” at Shaarei Tefillah Congregation, 8 p.m. Call Jews for Judaism 416-789-0020.

OTHER NEWS

BEREAVEMENT GROUPS

Support groups for people who have lost a child or a loved one begin in January at Hospice Thornhill. Call Bonnie Strand, 905-764-0656, ext. 227.

MINYAN RESUMES

Beth Radom Congregation is resuming its evening minyan, Monday to Thursday, 6:30 p.m., 18 Reiner Rd. 416-636-3451, ext. 24.

HEBREW CLASSES

Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue is offering a free 5-session Hebrew reading crash course for  beginners, starting Jan. 8 at 9:15 a.m. Call 416-633-3838.

YIDDISH CLASSES

Yiddish classes for all levels are offered Sunday mornings starting Jan. 15 at Beth David Synagogue. E-mail the following address: [email protected] or call Ester Klimitz, 416-635-2883, ext. 5189.

PREVENTING FALLS

Baycrest is offering a fall-prevention program for seniors starting Jan. 9. Call 416-785-2488.

MELTON MINI SCHOOL

Melton Mini School classes are open for registration. Bereshit II -Midrash and commentary will be taught by Loretta Tanenbaum Wednesday mornings, starting Feb. 15. Call 416-789-7400 or visit www.melton-toronto.org.

MEKOROT CLASSES

Mekorot offers a class exploring biblical family relations, “Moshe, Aharon, Miriam: A Family Story,” taught by Shayna Kravetz, Monday evenings, starting Jan. 16, Or Chaim Yeshiva. Men and women welcome. Call 416-877-2050 or  www.mekorot.ca.

 A TINY PIECE OF LAND

Teatron Toronto Jewish Theatre presents A Tiny Piece of Land, Jan. 4-15, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre. Call 416-781-5527 or www.teatrontheatre.com.

HARBORD CI REUNION

Anyone who ever attended or taught at Harbord Collegiate Institute is invited to its 120th birthday party, April 26-27, 2012. www.HarbordClub.com.

JEWISH HISTORY LECTURES

Martin Lockshin discusses “The Jewish Spanish Diaspora,” as part of Congregation Darchei Noam’s Jewish history series, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.

FEMALE JEWISH FIREFIGHTER

Adina Kaufman speaks about “Being a Female Jewish Firefighter,” Lodzer Synagogue. Jan. 8. Breakfast at 9:30 a.m.; lecture at 10:15 a.m. 416-636-6665.

CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS

Chabad Mississauga hosts a Chanukah celebration at Milton Sports Centre, Dec. 22, 6 p.m.  Light buffet dinner served. RSVP  [email protected] or 905-268-4432.

Kulanu Toronto and Shir Libeynu host a Chanukah party Dec. 22, 6 p.m., Miles Nadal JCC. $15; for children under 13 free.  RSVP. Call 416-819-743; e-mail [email protected] .

Temple Kol Ami hosts Night of a Thousand Menorahs, a festive Shabbat service, Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m.

Temple Har Zion celebrates Chanukah with family activities, services and dinner, Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m. $36 for a family of four; $10 for each additional adult; $6 for additional child. RSVP [email protected] or 905-889-1809.

Beth Jacob Synagogue holds a Chanukah brunch with entertainment, Dec. 25, 11 a.m. $10. RSVP Marlene, 416-635-9287, or  [email protected].

Chabad of Markham hosts a Chanukah skating party with a concert, Fire and Ice Show, arts and crafts and more, Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Dec. 26, 2 p.m. Call 905-886-0420.

Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism hosts an adult Chanukah event with Henna Khawja discussing “Jews and Muslims Sharing Experiences as Minorities During the Festive Season,” Dec. 26, 7 p.m.,  18 Wynford Dr. $15. Call 416-385-3910 or www.oraynu.org.

Miles Nadal JCC hosts a Chanukah party with crafts,  sing-along and swim party, Dec. 27, 2-5 p.m. Call 416-924-6211 ext. 277.

Anshei Minsk Synagogue holds a one-size-fits-all Chanukah party Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m., 10 St. Andrew St. Contact [email protected] or 416-595-5723.

ABOUT PEOPLE

A TOWER OF GIFTS

Zoe Katzberg, 9, saw a flyer about Jewish Family & Child’s Drive for Dreidels and started her own drive. She asked a UPS store in her neighbourhood of Thornhill Woods to serve as a depot for the toys and made a Facebook page that she shared with friends and family. She collected scores of toys and gift cards for the annual Chanukah drive, which ended this week.

SENIORS

Chai Society Club at Beth Sholom Synagogue holds a New Year’s in the Afternoon Party, Dec. 28 at 1:30 p.m.  Come for lunch and entertainment, $15. Call Rivy 416-783-6103 ext. 228.

Earl Bales Seniors Club in the Park. (55+). Valerie, 416-395-7881. Hairdresser/barber Dec. 29, 9 a.m.; Line dancing Jan. 5,  10 a.m. Casino Rama Jan. 18.  Tuesdays, gentle exercise tailored to seniors 10 a.m.; Wednesdays, duplicate bridge 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, social bridge 12:30 p.m. Non-members welcome.

LZA Seniors Cultural Club meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Borochov Cultural Centre, 272 Codsell. 416-630-9444.

New Horizons is a Jewish Hungarian seniors club that offers kosher food, casino trips.  Romi and ulti card players welcome. Call 416-256-1892.

Adath Israel Congregation. Wednesday afternoon socials. Bridge, mah-jong, Rummikub. Refreshments $2. Call Pearl, 416-635-6317, or Sheila, 416-665-3333.

Active Seniors, Miles Nadal JCC, 416-924-6211, ext.155. Iain Scott discusses “Great Opera Singers: Placido Domingo at 70,”  Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m.

Computer beginners course starts Feb. 14 for 8 weeks. Small class with personal attention $70.

Seniors Gentle Fitness Club offers tai chi classes at Edithvale Community Centre, 131 Finch Ave. W. , Tuesdays 10 a.m. or Wednesdays 7:15 p.m. Call Helen, 416-665-9050.

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

Daycare and preschool registration for the 2012-13 school year is open. Spaces available for preschool, nursery, junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten. Call Kailah Rubin, ext. 4351.

Register now for winter break camp, Dec. 26-Jan. 6, to be held at Toronto Heschel School, ext. 4039, or [email protected].

Duplicate bridge, Thursdays, 12-3:30 p.m.

Register now for all winter children’s programs. Call Monique Shapiro, ext. 4012.  Children’s fun zone closed Dec. 19-Jan. 8.

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

Tickets for the Toronto Jewish Film Society’s 2012 season are on sale now. Call Joelle Malka, ext. 139.

The adult daytime choir is looking for members, Tuesdays 1 p.m. No auditions needed. [email protected].

Night Without a Moon Boogie, dance to live female Jewish artists Chana Rothman, Annie Gilbert, Samba Elegua and more. Dec. 27, 8 p.m., Al Green Theatre. Tickets $15. Call ext. 0.

Shabbat programs for children begin Jan. 13. Call ext. 277 or [email protected].

Kevin Courrier teaches a course on “American Movies and the Politics of Idealism,” Mondays starting Jan. 16. Call ext. 606 or e-mail [email protected].

Adult Hebrew courses begin the week of Jan. 16. Call ext. 154 or [email protected].

Textiles, an exhibit by Sheree Rasmussen, is at the gallery until Jan. 2.

The Michael Bernstein Chapel, on the third floor, holds services every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast. Call  Coleman Bernstein, 416-968-0200.