We’ve partnered with organizations across Canada to host a variety of in-person and online programming. Have a look at some of our past events here!
Jews and Israel 2024: A Survey of Canadian Attitudes and Jewish Perceptions
Join us for an insightful evening as sociologist Robert Brym presents the results of his groundbreaking survey, conducted four months after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. This first-of-its-kind study polled over 2,800 Canadians to gauge their views on Jews and Israel and to understand how Jewish Canadians perceive their treatment. The findings range from expected to surprising, and some are downright shocking.
Event Highlights:
About the Speaker:Robert Brym is the SD Clark Professor of Sociology Emeritus and an Associate of the Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Toronto. He is an acclaimed author of nearly 200 scholarly works and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His numerous awards include the London School of Economics’ British Journal of Sociology Prize and the University of Toronto’s Northrop Frye Award.
Event Details:
? Register Here:https://congregationconnect.tfaforms.net/f/HBTJISCAJP
Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the evolving perceptions and attitudes towards Jews and Israel in Canada. See you there!
In Their Own Words - A First Testimony - Join Us for a Unique and Moving Event
Speakers:
Asaf Ertel – A 52-year-old kibbutz member from Kibbutz Kissufim near Gaza. Asaf will share his story of survival and heroism during the October 7 events.
David Bromberg – A survivor of the Nova Festival. David will recount his harrowing experience during the brutal attack and his journey to safety.
About the Event:
This event features first-hand testimonies from survivors of the tragic events in Israel on October 7. It is a unique opportunity to hear personal stories of survival and heroism from both a survivor of the Nova festival and a survivor from a kibbutz in the Gaza Envelope-Otef Aza. The event will include a Q&A session with the audience and a reception to follow.
Sponsored by:
The Canadian Zionist Federation & The World Zionist Organization's Zionist Enterprises Department
Event Schedule:
Wednesday, June 19
12 PM - 2 PM, Ottawa - Kehillat Beth Israel
7 PM, Ottawa - Temple Israel (with dinner before - location and time TBD)
Thursday, June 20
5:30 PM, Peterborough - Peterborough Jewish Community (including dinner)
Friday, June 21
2 PM, Toronto - First Narayever Congregation
6 PM, Brampton - Har Tikvah Congregation
Saturday, June 22
10:30 AM, Barrie - Am Shalom (Shabbat Morning service followed by Kiddush lunch, program starts at 1 PM)
7 PM, Guelph - Beth Isaiah
Sunday, June 23
10:15 AM, Hamilton - Temple Anshe Sholom (Breakfast at 10:15 AM, presentation at 11 AM)
7 PM, London - London Jewish Federation
Registration Required:
https://tiottawa.shulcloud.com/event/in-their-own-words.html
#SurvivalStories #InTheirOwnWords #CZF #WZO
Event Schedule:
Wednesday, June 19
12 PM - 2 PM, Ottawa - Kehillat Beth Israel
7 PM, Ottawa - Temple Israel (with dinner before - location and time TBD)
Thursday, June 20
5:30 PM, Peterborough - Peterborough Jewish Community (including dinner)
Friday, June 21
2 PM, Toronto - First Narayever Congregation
6 PM, Brampton - Har Tikvah Congregation
Saturday, June 22
10:30 AM, Barrie - Am Shalom (Shabbat Morning service followed by Kiddush lunch, program starts at 1 PM)
7 PM, Guelph - Beth Isaiah
Sunday, June 23
10:15 AM, Hamilton - Temple Anshe Sholom (Breakfast at 10:15 AM, presentation at 11 AM)
7 PM, London - London Jewish Federation
Speakers:
Asaf Ertel – A 52-year-old kibbutz member from Kibbutz Kissufim near Gaza. Asaf will share his story of survival and heroism during the October 7 events.
David Bromberg – A survivor of the Nova Festival. David will recount his harrowing experience during the brutal attack and his journey to safety.
About the Event:
This event features first-hand testimonies from survivors of the tragic events in Israel on October 7. It is a unique opportunity to hear personal stories of survival and heroism from both a survivor of the Nova festival and a survivor from a kibbutz in the Gaza Envelope-Otef Aza. The event will include a Q&A session with the audience and a reception to follow.
Sponsored by:
The Canadian Zionist Federation & The World Zionist Organization's Zionist Enterprises Department
Registration Required:
https://tiottawa.shulcloud.com/event/in-their-own-words.html
#SurvivalStories #InTheirOwnWords #CZF #WZO
Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day – May 12-13, 2024
Yom HaZikaron is the day of national remembrance in Israel to commemorate all the soldiers who lost their lives defending the State of Israel, as well victims of terror in Israel and around the world. This Memorial Day is held immediately preceding Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Tragically this year we will all remember the civilian and IDF victims of the October 7th attack, as well as those who have been killed in the ensuing war.
Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence day- May 13-14
This year we commemorate Israel Independence day with mixed emotions. We are immensely proud of all the accomplishments of the past 76 years. But this year there is not much joy as our hostages are not home and we continue a war that is taking the lives of many brave soldiers.
Am Ysrael Chai
Canada – Israel Technology & Innovation Conference in Toronto - May 4-5, 2024 ?
When: Sat, May 4, 2024, 7:00 PM - Sun, May 5, 2024, 4:00 PM EDT
Where: Prosserman Jewish Community Centre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M2R 1W6
Dear friends,
In the spirit of resilience and commitment to the betterment of Israel and our Toronto community, we're excited to announce the rescheduled Canada – Israel Technology & Innovation Conference on May 4-5, 2024, at the Prosserman JCC.
About the Conference:Join us for two days of insightful presentations, engaging panel discussions, workshops, and ample networking opportunities. From current economic trends to the embrace of artificial intelligence for business improvement, we'll explore it all.
Key Speakers:
Conference Highlights:
Confirmed Sponsors and Donors:We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and donors for their generous support. Special thanks to UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Mosaic United, and others.
Accommodation Recommendations:For our out-of-town guests, we recommend Novotel Hotel and Don River Villa - Boutique Inn. Details available on our website.
Secure Your Spot:Space is limited, so register early to ensure your participation. Reach out to Galya Sarner, Director of The Israeli Canadian Project, at galyas@srcentre.ca for further information.
Let's come together to explore the realms of technology, and innovation, and foster lasting partnerships between Canada and Israel. ?✨
Looking forward to your presence!
Join us for an insightful evening as Congregation Agudas Israel proudly presents "Israel After October 7."
We cordially invite you to an intimate conversation with Yaron Dekel, a distinguished Israeli journalist and the Regional Director of the Jewish Agency for Israel in Canada. Yaron brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective on Israeli affairs, offering unique insights into the country's dynamic landscape.
Date: Friday, April 12th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Congregation Agudas Israel, Saskatoon
In addition to our guest speaker, we will also celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat, followed by a special Kiddush.
We look forward to welcoming you as we delve into the fascinating topic of Israel's trajectory post-October 7th.
Explore resilience and courage with "A Conversation with Witnesses of October 7: Across Canada Tour."
For International Women’s Month - Solidarity Rally
When: Sunday, March 24, 2024, 1:00 PM
Between April 19-21, 2023; the 28th-30th of Nissan 5783, the World Zionist Organization is holding the Extraordinary Zionist Congress to mark the 75th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel will be held in Binyanei Haumah in Jerusalem.
The 38th Zionist Congress, which took place in October 2020, was held for the first time in the history of Zionist congresses in an online format due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Congress delegates had to meet and discuss the resolution proposals online and not in face-to-face meetings as usual.
Due to this, it was decided to hold the Extraordinary Zionist Congress in person to enable members from all over the world to meet and enjoy a fruitful encounter.
The Extraordinary Zionist Congress will be held exactly one week before the 75th Independence Day of the State of Israel. This festive date will be the title of the convention and determine its contents.
LabourDay (French:Fête du Travail) is a statutory public holiday in Canada thatoccurs on the first Monday in September. It is one of several Labour Daycelebrations that occur in countries around the world. The Canadian celebrationof Labour Day occurs on the same day each year as Labor Dayin the United States.
Labour Day has beenmarked as a statutory public holiday in Canada on the first Monday in Septembersince 1894. However, the origins of Labour Day in Canada can be traced back tonumerous local demonstrations and celebrations in earlier decades. Such eventsassumed political significance in 1872, when an April labourdemonstration in Toronto, in support of striking printers, led directly to theenactment of the Trade Unions Act, alaw that confirmed the legality of unions.
Ten years later, onJuly 22, 1882, a huge labour celebration in Toronto attracted the attention ofthe American labour leader Peter J.McGuire, who organized a similar parade in New York Cityon September 5 that year. Unions associated with the Knights ofLabor and the American Federation of Labor in bothCanada and the United States subsequently promoted parades and festivals on thefirst Monday in September. In Canada during these years, local celebrationstook place in Hamilton, Oshawa,St.Catharines, Ottawa, and Londonin Ontario, as well as Montreal, Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Vancouver, BC.Montreal declared a civic holiday in 1889. In Nova Scotia,coal miners had been holding picnics and parades since 1880 to celebrate theanniversary of their union, the ProvincialWorkmen's Association, first organized in 1879.[3]
In 1889, the RoyalCommission on the Relations of Labor and Capital in Canadarecommended recognition of an official "labour day" by the federalgovernment. In March and April 1894, unions lobbied Parliament to recognize Labour Day as apublic holiday. Legislation was introduced in May by Prime Minister John Sparrow David Thompson and receivedroyal assent in July 1894.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is a fall holiday,taking place at the beginning of the month of Tishrei, which is actually theseventh month of the Jewish year (counting from Nisan in the spring). It isboth a time of rejoicing and of serious introspection, a time to celebrate thecompletion of another year while also taking stock of one’s life.
The two days of Rosh Hashanah usher in the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah), also known as the Days of Awe (YamimNoraim), which culminate in the major fast day of Yom Kippur, the Day ofAtonement. The Days of Awe represent the climax of a longer process. Startingat the beginning of the previous month, called Elul, the shofar istraditionally sounded at the conclusion of the morning service. A ram’s hornthat makes a trumpet-like sound, the shofar is intended as a wake-up call toprepare for the Tishrei holidays. One week before Rosh Hashanah, specialpetitionary prayers called Selichot are added to the ritual. Rosh Hashanahitself is also known as Yom Hadin or the Day of Judgment, on which God opensthe Books of Life and Death, which are then sealed on Yom Kippur.
The origins of Rosh Hashanah may be sought in a royalenthronement ritual from biblical times, though the Bible itself never mentionsthe "New Year” or "Day of Judgment” aspects of the holiday. Eventhough Rosh Hashanah falls in the seventh month, later rabbinic traditiondecided to designate it the beginning of the year. Although the origin of thistradition may have been adopted from the Babylonians, the rabbis imbued it withJewish significance as the anniversary of the day on which the world wascreated, or of the day on which humanity was created. Another explanation canbe found in the significance of Tishrei as the seventh month, hence the Sabbathof the year.
The challah (traditional bread) that is eaten for the RoshHashanah season is round, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life. The challah istraditionally dipped in honey, symbolizing the hopes for a sweet New Year. Thesame is done with apples, which are made even sweeter with the addition ofhoney. Some people avoid eating nuts at this time, since according to asomewhat convoluted gematria (mystical numerical interpretation) the Hebrewwords for nut (egoz) and sin (het) have the same numerical value.
Yom Kippur,is the Day of Atonement, communal prayer and self-deprivation, the observanceof the holiday is centered within the community.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year—theday on which we are closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls. Itis the Day of Atonement—"For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you,that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d”.
For nearly twenty-six hours—from severalminutes before sunset on 9 Tishrei to after nightfall on 10 Tishrei—we "afflictour souls”: we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies,do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations.
Symbolizing the spiritual purity toward whichwe strive, it is traditional to wear white clothes on Yom Kippur. In addition, Yom Kippur is the only day of theyear when one wears one’s tallit (prayershawl) all day, rather than just in the morning.
History of Yom Kippur: Just months after thepeople of Israel left Egypt in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), theysinned by worshipping a golden calf. Moses ascended Mount Sinai and prayed toG‑d to forgive them. After two 40-day stints on the mountain, full Divine favorwas obtained. The day Moses came down the mountain (the 10th of Tishrei) was tobe known forevermore as the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur. That year, the peoplebuilt the Tabernacle, a portable home for G‑d. The Tabernacle was a center forprayers and sacrificial offerings. The service in the Tabernacle climaxed onYom Kippur, when the High Priest would perform a specially prescribed service.Highlights of this service included offering incense in the Holy of Holies(where the ark was housed) and the lottery with two goats—one of which wasbrought as a sacrifice, the other being sent out to the wilderness (Azazel). Whilethe High Priest generally wore ornate golden clothing, on Yom Kippur, he wouldimmerse in a mikvah and don plain white garments to perform this service. Thispractice continued for hundreds of years, throughout the time of the firstTemple in Jerusalem, which was built by Solomon, and the second Temple, whichwas built by Ezra. Jews from all over would gather in the Temple to experiencethe sacred sight of the High Priest performing his service, obtainingforgiveness for all of Israel. When the second Temple was destroyed in the year3830 from creation (70 CE), the Yom Kippur service continued. Instead of a HighPriest bringing the sacrifices in Jerusalem, every single Jew performs the YomKippur service in the temple of his or her heart.
On November 11, 1918, World War I (1914-1918) formally came to a close when a truce, or armistice, was declared between the fighting nations, including Canada. On every November 11 since, Canadians have celebrated peace and remembered the horrors of war by observing Remembrance Day, the most sombre holiday of the year.
At 11 o’clock on November 11, all Canadians are expected to stop what they’re doing and observe a moment of silence in memory of the soldiers who have given their lives in the various wars in which Canada has fought. Most cities will organize a special public ceremony at the town hall or local war memorial as well, at which representatives of various groups, such as the veterans’ legion, the Boy Scouts, and the municipal, provincial and federal governments will quietly lay wreaths of commemoration.
Remembrance Day’s most visible tradition of all, however, is the distribution of small, plastic poppy pins, which many Canadians will wear on their jackets for the first 11 days of the month. Distributed as a fundraising effort by the Royal Canadian Legion Society, the pins are meant to evoke the imagery of In Flanders’ Fields, a famous Canadian poem about the suffering of war, written by Lt. Colonel John McCrae (1872-1918). Canadian children will usually memorize the entirety of it during some part of their elementary school.
Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime "festivalof lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.
The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah orChanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of theSecond Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up againsttheir Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means"dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrewcalendar and usually falls in November or December. Hanukkah 2022 begins on theevening of Sunday, December 18 and ends on the evening of Monday, December 26.Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games andgifts.