Purim Carnival

Sunday, March 10, 2019 10 am to 12 noon, Jewish Community Center, 3636 Shelbourne Street — The Jewish Federation of Victoria & Vancouver Island, PJ Library, PJ Our Way & Congregation Emanu-El invite everyone to a Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Jewish Community Center of Victoria, 3636 Shelbourne Street. This is a free Family Event featuring carnival games, magician, costume parade, hamantashen, snacks and drinks. Come in costume and win a prize! For more info or to volunteer, please email PJ@jewishvancouverisland.ca

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Avodah blanket drive needs your help!

Yesterday, Avodah gave six polar fleece blankets to Rev Al (Victoria Dandelion Society). He responded by saying that these blankets save lives.
”My thanks go out to Avodah and Congregation Emanu-El for their generous gift of blankets which could not have come at a better time of year. This particular week is going to be very cold and there are still many sleeping out on our streets. If another appeal for blankets could be put out to your congregation at this time it would also be gratefully received…My deepest thanks”

Avodah asks that you help them to respond to Rev Al’s request for more blankets for our homeless neighbours. When Avodah buys the washable fleece fabric and cuts it to size, the cost per blanket is approximately $20 which means $500 will help keep 25 people warm and $1,000 will help 50 people face the cold nights. The need is great.  Please help fund our blanket drive. When you make a donation to the synagogue by cheque, please write “Avodah blanket drive” at the bottom of your cheque.

 

Rabbi Harry offers facilitated encounter session on ‘mixed burial’

Dear Ones,

We are a congregational family poised to consider a watershed question concerning our historic cemetery. In 2018 after considerable study, consultation, meditation and introspection, I wrote a teshuvah (rabbinic response) in which I conclude that it would be permissible for the congregation to create a separate space in the Congregation Emanu-El cemetery where Jews and non-Jews alike may be buried together. Now the Congregation must decide whether to actualize this ruling. As we are a democratic organization, the Board of Directors will present this question for a vote at a Special General Meeting of the congregation.

A Sephardic Celebración

Sunday, February 10, 2019 2:30—5:00 pm — Join us for a fun celebration of Sephardic Jewish Culture. Come learn about the history of Turkish Sephardic Jews, sample Sephardic foods and listen to Sephardic Music at Congregation Emanu-El on Sunday, February 10 from 2:30 to 5:00 pm. This is the third presentation in the Exploring the Sephardic Legacy series.

Honouring Our Fathers

Saturday, February 9 — Fourteen of our congregants, whose fathers’ yahrzeit dates fall at this time of year, plan a special Shabbat morning including a Kiddush luncheon following service at Congregation Emanu-El on Saturday February 9, 2019 when they will remember and honour their fathers.

An Invitation to Get High: Tu Bishvat Hike & Seder 2019

On Sunday January 20, 2019, a small yet inspired band of hikers gathered at Mill Hill Regional Park.  They walked the Calypso and Auburn Trails to the summit (200 meter elevation gain), and enjoyed 360 degree views and patches of blue sky.  Dr. Richard Kool of Royal Roads University addressed the urgent issues of the environment and sustainability, and their connection to Tu Bishvat. He suggested a few practical steps that each of us can take in our personal lives to better care for our planet.

In addition, Rabbi Louis Sutker taught participants about the meaning behind the Tu Bishvat Seder. A delicious menu of almonds, apples, dates, grapes – and, yes, chocolate! – was then enjoyed.
For more photos…

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Thanks for providing warm, dry socks!

Anyone of us could be down on our luck at some point in our lives. What began in 2005 as a small act of kindness has grown into an ongoing success as a community program.