What’s New: Week of November 29

Deadline reminder: Dec. 3 is the deadline for the issue of Dec 13. Dec. 10 is the deadline for the issue of Dec. 20. All deadlines are at noon. Phone 416-391-1836, ext. 269; fax 416-391-0829 or send an email to: [email protected]. This week’s What’s New was done by Carolyn Blackman.

Thursday, Nov. 29

 

SCIENCE, RELIGION

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, and Ira Flatow, host of NPR’s Science Friday will discuss “Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning,” Temple Sinai, 8 p.m. Members $10, non-members, $15. For information, call 416-487-3281, [email protected]; www.templesinai.net.

Saturday, Dec. 1

 

TORAH CLASS

Beth Tikvah’s Torah class will study Vayishlach, with Judge Irv Sherman.

 

BOWLING HAVDALAH

Join Temple Sinai for a Havdalah service, followed by bowling and pizza dinner, Bathurst Bowlerama, 2788 Bathurst St., 5 p.m. For families with children ages 8-11. Adult members $10, children free. Non-members $15, children $5.

Sunday, Dec. 2

 

GAMES SINGLES PLAY

For ages 21 to 39 and 40 to 69. Beth Torah Synagogue, 7:30-10:15 p.m. Board Games: Scrabble, Rummicub, Trivial Pursuit, Millionaire, Bingo: 7:30 to 8 p.m. Prizes, refreshments. Info: Mollie at 416-733-3634, [email protected]

 

Monday, Dec. 3

 

ORAYNU CONGREGATION

Rabbi Eva Goldfinger’s adult education class, “The Impact of Texts on Jewish Beliefs and Practices – Maimonides,” 7 p.m., 18 Wynford Dr., $15. Info or RSVP, Roby, 416-385-3910, or [email protected]

ISRAEL, UNITED CHURCH

A conversation between Rev. Bruce Gregersen, program officer, General Council of the United Church, and Rabbi Dow Marmur, rabbi emeritus, Holy Blossom Temple, with questions from the audience, 8 p.m.

 

Tuesday, Dec. 4

 

LUNCH & LEARN

Bill Gladstone will talk about “The Jews of Old Toronto – From the Ward to Spadina Avenue,” Beth Tikvah Synagogue, $20 per session. 416-221-3433, ext. 352; [email protected] or.

 

RISE OF ISLAMISM

Ezra Levant, author, journalist and TV host, will speak on “Political Correctness and the Rise of Islamism” at the City Playhouse Theatre, with a dessert reception following.  Doors open at 7 p.m., program, 7:30 pm. Tickets,  $25/$18 for students. Proceeds support the Israel Emergency Relief Fund through Canadian Hadassah WIZO. 416-630-8373; [email protected].

 

Wednesday, Dec. 5

 

ADULT EDUCATION

Beth Sholom adult education lunch and learn, noon, with Rabbi Aaron Flanzreich, at the office of Aird & Berlis, 181 Bay St., Suite 1800, for a discussion on “If I Am for Myself, What Am I? Can Law Make Us Better People?”To reserve, call Naomi, 416-783-6103, ext. 231; [email protected].

 

PRAYING WITH OUR FEET

Join Temple Kol Ami as they explore how Jews use movement to pray. Free, or $13 for Middle Eastern dinner. RSVP to [email protected] for dinner. Call 905-709-2620 for information.

 

Thursday, Dec. 6

 

FREE TIMES CAFE

Jack Newman, a Toronto actor, will read stories by Saul Bellow, Moishe Nadir and M. Nudelman, in Yiddish and English, noon.

 

JIAS ANNUAL MEETING

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services annual general meeting, 7 p.m., Lipa Green Centre, Tamari Hall. Includes preview of new film, The Fortunate Jew.

 

MIDEAST ARCHEOLOGY

Prof. Bahat, former chief archeologist of the Jerusalem District in Israel and currently a professor at University of Toronto and Bar-Ilan University, will present “The Politicization of Archeology in the Middle East,” Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am, 7:30 p.m. Call 416-633-5500 or www.bethdavid.com. Free admission.

 

Friday, Dec. 7

 

ADDICTION RECOVERY

A speaker will give an account of struggling with and recovering from addiction, during Temple Kol Ami’s Kabalat Shabbat. Sponsored by JACS. Call 905-709-2620 or www.kolami.ca.

 

Other News

 

CELEBRATING CHANUKAH

Bayt Youth, latke night, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Jewish picture bingo, raffles, prizes, food. Tickets at door only if available. Register online a www.bayt.ca and click on latke night. Call Rich Winkler, 905-886-3810, ext. 135, or [email protected].

Shaar Shalom Chanukah carnival, Dec. 2, noon. Midway games, sea of balls, cotton candy, prizes. $10 per family for members, $20 per family non-members. Call 905-889-4975, ext. 62, or [email protected].

Al Green Theatre. Tickets on sale for Judy and David Chanukah Live, 2012, Dec. 16, 3:30 p.m., Al Green Theatre. Benefits City Shul. Buy online at www.cityshul. com.

Join Beit Halochem Canada for its annual Chanukah party, Dec. 6. Dinner, dancing and  entertainment. La Primavera Banquet Hall, $154 per person, reserved seating. Kashrut observed. beithalochem.ca or 905-695-0611.

Beth Tikvah Synagogue. Friends of Yiddish Chanukah concert, Chanukah Hulyanke, featuring Mitch Smolkin and the Yiddish Swingtet, Dec. 2, 2 p.m.  Members. $8, guests, $15. RSVP, Sandy, 416-458-1440.

Temple Sinai family Chanukah party, Dec. 2, with Rob Joy and Dynamix features music, crafts, latkes. Bring a non-perishable food item, 11 a.m., lunch noon. Treasure hunt 1 p.m. Pre-registration cost for $15; non-members $18. Children under 10 free. At the door, $17, non-members $18, children under 10 free. 416-487-3281; [email protected].

Chabad of Markham presents a Chanukah concert and festival featuring the Maccabeats, Dec. 9, 3 p.m., Thornhill Community Centre, $25. RSVP 905-886-0420, www.chabadmarkham.org.

 

MAH-JONG DROP-IN

Temple Har Zion holds weekly mah-jong drop-in, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Enter building through doors at west side; for disabled access, use ramp at right of the main doors and ring for assistance. Contact Debbi, 905-881-8025, [email protected].

 

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

A support group for caregivers takes place the last Wednesday of each month, at Dementia Support Seniors day centre, 1140 Sheppard Ave. W., Unit 12, 7 p.m. No charge. Call 416-638-8600.

 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Join young adults from across the city for a day of service with Habitat for Humanity, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Scarborough Build Site. Visit Torontohabitat.ca/presentbuild. Register by Dec. 5 to Hayley, [email protected], or 416-487-4161. Each volunteer commits to a minimum donation of $25 to Habitat for Humanity.

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

Dating in Midlife, a 1-session workshop for men and women 40+ who have been single for 2 or more years, Dec. 11, Lipa Green Centre.

Raising Your Child or Teen in an Age of Overindulgence, a 1-session workshop for parents want to learn more about what indulgence is and ways to avoid overindulgence, Dec. 13, Lipa Green Centre,  7:30-9 p.m.

When You’re About to Separate: What to Tell the Kids: A workshop for parents about to separate or in the early stages of separation. How and when to tell the children, as well as ideas and strategies to best meet your child’s needs will be discussed. Dec. 13, Lipa Green Centre, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Charming Earl Bales Seniors Club in the Park. (60+). Valerie, 416-395-7881. Latkes and Laughter with live music, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. $5 at the door. Casinorama, Dec. 19, complimentary buffet lunch. Barber, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. Tuesdays, seniors gentle fitness with personal trainer, 10 a.m.; Wednesdays, social bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, social bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Membership registration now open for 2013.

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

Bernard Betel Centre, 416-225-2112. Lecture, Dec. 4.

“Majestic Norway,” with Robert Shechter, 10-11:30 a.m., $3 members, $6 non-members.

Wellness lecture, “Assisted Devices for the Home and Walker Tune-Up,” with Richard Olwyn, Nov. 29, 1:30-2:30 p.m., free.

New Horizons is a Jewish Hungarian seniors club that offers kosher food, card games and casino trips. 416-256-1892.

Bridge club at Forest Hill Library has reopened and is looking for new members. Call Lea, evenings, 416-487-7630.

Adath Israel Congregation. Wednesday afternoon socials. Bridge, mah-jong, Rummikub. Refreshments $2. Call Sheila, 416-665-3333, or Marcia, 416-932-1229.

Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue welcomes new players for mah-jong and Rummikub Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 416-633-3838.

Active Seniors & Boomers, Miles Nadal JCC, 416-924-6211, ext.155. Dec. 6, Guided Royal Ontario Museum visit with curator Corey Keeble.

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

Drop-in duplicate bridge, Thursdays, 12:30 p.m.

 Seniors social art in the media of your choice, with discussions and information sessions, Mondays, 2 p.m.

Folk dance with Teme, Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.

Senior Social Art, Mondays, 2-4 p.m. Free for members.

Jack and Pat Kay Centre camp presents winter camp at the Schwartz-Reisman Centre, Dec. 24-Jan. 4 for ages 2-1/2 to 12 years. Features swimming, hot-lunch program and bussing. Contact Lauren, 416-638-1881, ext. 4039.

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

Toronto Jewish Film Society 2013 subscriptions available. [email protected].

Toronto Jewish Film Society presents Annie Hall, with Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker critic Adam Nayman. Al Green Theatre. Special promotion, dress like Annie Hall and bring a friend for free. General admission $15, ages 18 -35 (7:30 p.m. screening only) $10. No advance sales. Admission restricted to persons 18+.

Prosserman JCC referral promotion – if you are a Prossserman JCC member and bring in a monthly member, you’ll get a Prosserman gym bag. If you are among the first 50, you’ll get additional gifts of towel, water bottle and free one-day pass for a [email protected].

Register now for art appreciation with Osnat Lippe on “Dutch Paintings,” Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m., starting Jan. 15.

Lebovic Campus, 9600 Bathurst St., Vaughan. 905-303-1821. www.srcentre.ca.

Dec. 8-16, 6 p.m. join us for lighting of the candles.

Dec. 8, 6:30-9 p.m., candlelighting ceremony, horahs and Israeli dancing for the whole family, arts and crafts, refreshments.