Picnic at the Farm!

Sunday, July 12 2020, 12 – 3 pm—Please join us on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 12 to 3 pm for a summer picnic at Still Water Farm in Central Saanich.

A Latin-themed afternoon, filled with ceviche, tamales, and salsa dancing!  There are gluten- and dairy-free options. Food will be prepared and served following COVID-19 protocols.  Food and beverages provided by the Membership Committee.

Please bring your own blanket or lawn chairs.  You may bring your own food (not for sharing). In following provincial guidelines, the gathering will be limited to the first 50 members who RSVP to icf@direct.ca.

Upon confirming your attendance, the address and directions will be sent to you.

We are looking forward to spending a relaxed Sunday afternoon with you!

Evening of Jewish Music

Sunday July 8 at 7 pm Congregation Emanu-El, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria BC —

Join the Victoria Jewish Community Choir (Carol Sokoloff & Ken Seidman, co-directors) in Victoria’s heritage synagogue for an Evening of Jewish Music with special guest vocalist Nejama Ferstman who will performing Yiddish songs.
From the synagogue to the shtetl to the stage, the choir explores Jewish music from diverse times & lands. The program features contemporary sacred compositions, lively Hebrew folk tunes, holiday and Shabbat songs along with Kurt Weill, Burt Bacharach & Leonard Cohen numbers. Admission by donation ($15 suggested).
The choir thanks the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island for their support of the choir and the concert.

For more information: (250) 385-3378 or casjazz@islandnet.com

Call for 2018 Victoria Pride Parade

Sunday, July 8: Meet at shul 9:30 am: Parade starts at 11 am — It’s that time again – time to show our pride and our inclusiveness to the people of Victoria! In these troubled times, it’s good to have an opportunity to celebrate and let people know there is a place where everyone is welcome. Congregation Emanu-El and its friends who support LGBTQ inclusion, LGBTQ congregants, allies and friends are all welcome to join in the parade that starts on Sunday, July 8 at 11 am.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Expanding Torah

May 19 at 7:30 pm, Congregation Emanu-El — This year at Tikkun Leil Shavuot, our all night Torah study will focus on expanding Torah. We will hear from new voices in our community and we will explore how Torah learning can inform modern life. The learning starts on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 pm. You can stay for a short spell or the entire night. This is sure to be a wonderful connecting evening of sharing ideas, singing and friendship. In addition, there will be delicious dairy desserts, coffee, tea and other goodies to keep you going! The evening continues and will conclude with Shaḥarit service at about 5:00 am. All are welcome.

The line-up for our study session is the following:

• Andrew Gow—How to be an engaged Jew who is not a Zionist.
• Enid Elliot—About Emmi Pickler, a Hungarian Jewish educator, and loving-kindness
• Catherine Bianco—Personal connection with mikveh
• Maariv
• Nehama Shira (aka Josie Davidson)—Song circles: song leading
• Devy Stone—Chickens, Jane Austen and Jewish Life
• Daniel Biro—the origins of trope
• Rav Louis—the sefirot and the Amidah
• Francis Landy—Exploring Mount Sinai from different angles and perspectives.
• Rabbi Harry—Jewish ritual magic
• Shaḥarit

VSHJ Silver Anniversary Celebration

Saturday May 5, 7 pm Jewish Community Centre — The Victoria Society for Humanistic Judaism (VSHJ) will mark its 25^th anniversary with a Musical Gala and Desserts on Saturday, May 5, 7:00 pm at the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria, 3636 Shelbourne Street, Victoria V8P 4H2.  The Yiddish Columbia State Orchestra will provide music. Tickets are $15 at the door.

The music is a blend of klezmer with elements of swing and jazz, along with the sounds of Tin Pan Alley and the popular music of the day creating a whole new world of possibilities for the traditional music the Jews brought to North America.

---

Managing End of Life Choices: : A Symposium

Sunday, March 4, 9 am to 1 pm,  JCC 3636 Shelbourne St. — This is the second symposium focusing on end of life issues presented through a collaborative effort between various concerned Jewish organizations. This symposium will focus on such as Palliative Care, Hospice, MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) and legal issues relating to End of Life, and bring them into a Jewish perspective and Jewish narrative.

The collaborating agencies are the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island,  the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria, Congregation Emanuel, Chabad, Kolot Mayim Reform Temple, the Jewish Burial Society, the Chevrah Kadisha and the Victoria Society for Humanistic Judaism.

About the event:

• What: Managing End of Life Choices: A Symposium
• When: March 4, 2018 – 9 am to 1 pm (registration opens at 830 am; a kosher lunch catered by Chabad of Victoria will be served at 11:45)
•  Where: The Jewish Community Centre, 3636 Shelbourne St. Victoria
• Cost: Registration is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Registration includes the symposium, an information kit and a kosher lunch catered by Chabad.

As space is limited, we recommend early registration at the Jewish Community Centre in person or by phone and payment is accepted in cash, debit card or credit card.

Along with rabbanim and lay leaders, representatives of other organizations related to Jewish end of life issues will be present to answer questions and discuss issues.

Dr. Richard Kool, Director, Congregation Emanu-El Cemetery

 

Canadian Jewish Experience Exhibit

Monday, March 5 12 – 1 pm — Please join us for a reception to celebrate the opening of the Canadian Jewish Experience Exhibit that will be showcased at BC Legislature from March 5 to 9, 2018.

What: Canadian Jewish Experience – Victoria Launch
When: Monday, March 5, 2018 @ 12:00-1:00pm
Where: Lower Rotunda, BC Legislature, 501 Belleville Street, Victoria

To RSVP: please click here to RSVP by February 26, 2018. Please note, all attendees must RSVP due to this event being in the legislature.

Light kosher refreshments will be served.

Purim Pizzajama Party

Wednesday, February 28 starting 5:00 pm — As the month of Adar approaches, our joy increases in anticipation of the holiday of Purim. We invite the congregation to join us for a Purim Pizzajama Party at the synagogue on Wednesday, February 28 starting at 5:00 pm.

We encourage families to come in their pajamas for pizza that we will serve up with a dose of Purim shpiel from our Rabbi Harry.

A Megillah reading at 7 pm in the sanctuary will follow the pizza party. After our Megillah reading, the joy will continue with a welcoming and musical kumsitz, indoor campfire and sing-along. All voices and musical instruments welcome.

A second Megillah reading will take place the following morning during our Thursday Minyan service which starts at 7 am.

Ḥag Purim Sameaḥ from the Religious Services Committee!

CIJA Victoria Grassroots Consultation

Thursday, January 25 7:00 – 9:00 pm — The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is excited to announce its next round of community consultations coming to Victoria on Thursday, January 25th.

From confronting BDS and strengthening ties with Israel, to enhancing Jewish community security and empowering social services agencies, everything CIJA accomplishes is because of community engagement from each of Canada’s vibrant Jewish communities. This is an opportunity to be part of CIJA’s work; to make your voice heard.  Members of the Victoria and Vancouver Island Jewish communities are invited to participate in a grassroots community consultation at the JCC on January 25th.

• When: Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
• Where: Jewish Community Centre of Victoria, 3636 Shelbourne Street, Victoria BC, V8P 4H2
• Please RSVP to info@jewishvancouverisland.ca or by phone to 250-370-9488.

These boots were made for walkin’

Sunday, January 28 1:30 pm — Join us for a walk in nature for Tu BiShvat. We will explore the beauty of our natural environment & celebrate the New Year of the Trees while doing a walk at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. This is a family-friendly hike, and is suitable for beginner and intermediate hikers. There are some uneven surfaces and stairs so we suggest using a hiking pole or walking stick. The walk is about 1.5 – 2.0 hours round-trip.