Calling all Toronto's Jewish-learning junkies! Join your community for a diverse selection of open, accessible, and fun sessions. With over 10 sessions to choose from, and sessions for the kids too, there's something for everyone!

At the Prosserman JCC (4588 Bathurst Street).  FREE parking in back.

Kosher refreshments will be served.

Space is limited! Register here to assure your spot.

Want to pay by cash?  Have other questions?  Please email us at taste@limmud.ca

THE SCHEDULE

The Month of Av and The Rehabilitation of the Jewish People

Presenter:  Rabbi Moshe Stern

After Tisha B'Av, the next significant date on the Jewish calendar is Tu (15) B'av. Is there a relationship between these two dates?

Rabbi Moshe Stern has been the spiritual leader of Shaarei Tefillah Congregation since 1980. He is Past President of the Vaad HaRabbanim of Toronto (The Orthodox Rabbinical Council of Toronto). Rabbi Stern has been married for 44 years, has 5 children all married, many grand-children, and one great grand-child B"H.  He also teaches a monthly lunch-and-learn series at the Prosserman JCC.

Taste of Hebrew

Presenter:  Naomi Nemirov

It's never too late to learn Hebrew, and today is a great time to begin! Start with a look at the alphabet, a few special sounds, some greetings, some grammar, and of course, some slang, and you're on your way to learning our language that unites Jews all across the globe!  This is a session for those who really don't know Hebrew, and need a fun and encouraging insight into what the language is like.  So, join us for a taste of Hebrew....and who knows?  Next time, you may move on to entrees.  B'tay-ah-von!

Naomi Nemirov has a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College and a teaching certificate from the Midrasha L'Morim in Toronto. She studied education at Hebrew U and is a certified special education teacher.  She teaches Hebrew for Kolel at the Prosserman JCC and runs a Judaic Studies class at Beth David Synagogue, in addition to volunteering at the Kadima School for challenged Jewish adults. She also teaches Grade One English at a private yeshiva. Most of all, Naomi enjoys being a Bar /Bat Mitzvah tutor, because of all that she learns from her students. She takes pride in her children who give her naches each and everyday.

---

Rikudiyah:  Israeli Dancing

Presenter:  Helen Winkler

Start your morning with movement!  Learn Israeli folk dancing, have fun and join the circle!  No dance experience necessary.

Helen Winkler has taught international and Israeli folk dancing for the past 30 years and has a strong interest in the dances of Jews of Eastern Europe.  She created and maintains a web site dedicated to the revitalization of these dances: Helen's Yiddish Dance (http://www.yiddishdance.com) which is recognized and used by scholars, artists, students and the general public, as a major source of information about Yiddish dance.  Helen is on the steering committee of the Ontario Folk Dance Association and is an active member of New York based Yiddish Dance Action Network.  She has led folk dance workshops in Edmonton, Calgary, Victoria, and Toronto, including teaching at the Prosserman JCC.

---

"Cinderella of the Sweatshops": Reconsidering Anzia Yezierska

Presenter:  Sharoni Sibony

Anzia Yezierska was an impoverished Lower East Sider before achieving fame as a novelist in the 1910s and '20s and even heading to Hollywood to adapt her work for the screen. This workshop will explore Yezierska's complicated vision of America's promised land for Jews and other immigrants, emphasizing her views on gender politics and social reform.

Sharoni Sibony is currently serving as the Senior Programmer of Jewish Life at the Miles Nadal JCC and as Interim Managing Director of Kolel.  She also volunteers as a Festival Chair of Limmud Toronto. For several years, she pursued a PhD Jewish American Literature.

---

SECOND SESSION CHOICES

Food in the Bible

Presenter:   Rabbi Rena Arshinoff

Food and eating represent more than a source of nutrition and physical sustenance. Together we will explore some of the many ways various foods are presented in the Bible and the meaning they hold as they represent God's presence, human emotions, tikkun olam, and the significance of specific foods and water in our tradition.

Rabbi Rena Arshinoff was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May 2008.  Before becoming a rabbi, she trained as a nurse in Montreal and obtained a Master of Health Science specializing in Epidemiology at the University of Toronto. Rabbi Arshinoff serves as a volunteer facilitator and professional advisor for the children's program at Bereaved Families of Ontario and does community work with the elderly at Jewish Family and Child Service, as well as freelance congregational work and teaching, including an upcoming course for Kolel.

Your Jewish Family and Child Services: Supporting the Vulnerable in our Community

Presenters:  Eric Kirsh and Debra Feldman

Our Jewish tradition unequivocally asserts that any society that calls itself just must take care of its vulnerable. Do you know the range of services offered by our Jewish social service agency? Two experts who have : been working with the vulnerable in the Jewish community for many years will share their expertise, insights and stories. You will learn about how the Jewish community heals and nurtures those who are in need, and have the opportunity to ask questions of leading practitioners in the fields of financial assistance and woman abuse. 

Eric Kirsh, MSW has been a social worker for almost 30 years, much of this time with JF&CS. Eric has worked in child protection and child in care services as well as with the elderly, including co-ordinating a community-based shared housing project. Eric currently supervises the Agency's financial assistance and rehab program, a community/UJA funded program that serves Jewish poor in the GTA, and provides individual and group services to men who are violent towards, and controlling of, their partners, under the auspices of the Agency's Woman Abuse Program. Eric is involved in community theatre as actor/director; and is an avid wilderness/canoe tripper. 

Debra Feldman, MSW has been the supervisor of the Woman Abuse Program for the past ten years which involves programming, partnership programs with the community as well as the direct supervision of the clinicians providing counselling to women who have experienced woman abuse. 

The Law Written with the Finger of God: The Monotheism of Moses

Presenter:  Prof. Robert Logan (Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto)

"And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God" (Ex. 31:18).  What is the relationship between alphabetic literacy, codified law, and the development of monotheism? This session will explore the surprising way that the Hebrew script and writing contributed to the development of a form of monotheism that was purer and more sophisticated than the monotheism of the Patriarchs. 

Bob Logan has a variety of experiences as an academic involved in research in complexity theory, information theory, biology, environmental science, linguistics, industrial design and media studies. He published with and collaborated with Marshall McLuhan. He was also active in the business world operating a computer training company 1982-2000 and a Web development company from 1994 to 2000 through which he did extensive consulting in knowledge management. He was active in politics from 1974 to date. Among his many activities he served as an advisor to PM Pierre Eliot Trudeau, policy chair of the Ontario wing of the federal Liberal Party and an advisor to various federal cabinet ministers. He is also an author or editor of 11 books, including The Alphabet Effect (2004), and many articles in refereed journals.

---

Come Schmooze with Members of Plenty-O-Gefiltefish

Presenter:  Beth Komito-Gottlieb

Plenty-O-Gefiltefish is a new "sweet and salty" group for single Jewish 50-Somethings! This "Meetup" Group was formed just one month ago and already has over 35 members. Members of "POG" are attending Taste of Limmud and looking forward to meeting other life-long learners. In this session we will welcome other 50-somethings who are searching for more opportunities to connect with others who are interesting, out-of-the-box, and not your average "fish"!  There will be a discussion of future events and a chance to learn a bit about each other.

The Insider's Guide to Ashkenaz 2010

Presenter:  Eric Stein

With more than 90 acts and 200 individual performers, Toronto’s Ashkenaz Festival is North America’s largest celebration of Jewish and Yiddish culture. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this summer, Ashkenaz has been at the leading edge of trends in contemporary Jewish music since its inception. Artistic Director Eric Stein will discuss his curatorial approach to the festival and provide a sneak preview of this summer’s event (August 31 to September 6) with audio and video samples.

Eric Stein has been Artistic Director of Toronto's Ashkenaz Festival since 2006. He is a multi-instrumentalist (mandolin, bass, cimbalom, more) and a leading figure in Toronto's Jewish music scene. He is founder and leader of the innovative klezmer/world fusion group Beyond the Pale, with whom he has performed across North America and Europe and released three award-winning CDs. Though deeply studied in klezmer music, Eric's eclectic tastes and background in rock, funk, & American roots music are always evident, particularly in his genre-bending original compositions. He is a regular faculty member at Montreal's annual KlezKanada festival and frequently hosts workshops and lectures on klezmer music. He has also performed as orchestral soloist with a number of chamber groups and symphonies, including National Arts Orchestra, I Musici de Montreal, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Toronto Philharmonia, and others.

Improv Your Heart Out!

Presenter:  Lauren Stein

Explore the themes and rich history of Tu B'Av with improv exercises led by expert facilitator, Lauren Stein.

Lauren Stein improvs her way through life, backed by a drama degree from University of Guelph, training from Impatient Theatre Company, and a lifetime of experience. If one session isn't enough, you can taste more of her improv workshops at Laurentina's Improv Club, found at http://laurentinasimprovclub.info/

Rabbi Printz was born in Bucharest, Romania. Her family made Aliyah and eventually settled in Jerusalem.  The Printz Family left Israel in 1985 and settled in Canada. Rabbi Printz met her rabbi and mentor, Rabbi Martin Cohen, while living in Vancouver. She entered the Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2000 as the recipient of the prestigious Crown Fellowship and was ordained in May 2005 with an MA in Bible. Since ordination, she worked as an Assistant Rabbi at Ahavath Achim Congregation in Atlanta, Georgia and also taught at the Solomon Schecter Day School of Essex and Union in New Jersey. She moved back to Canada in April 2010.  She is most passionate about teaching traditional texts and exploring how they connect with modern everyday life. She is also pretty passionate about chocolate.

KIDS PROGRAMS

All programs are designed to suit a range of ages, from 5 to 10 years old.

---

Travels in Torah

Presenter:  Danya Borenstein

Let's take a trip to the past as we explore the adventures in some of the greatest Tanach stories! With your Tanach-Travel-Passport in hand, you'll visit different stations and participate in some of the tales we only ever read about!  Upon completing the fun interactive activities, you'll receive a sticker in your passport. We look forward to your visit into the times of the Tanach - but watch out, sometimes the camel ride into the past can be a bumpy one!

After graduating from high school, Danya Borenstein spent a year and a half studying in Israel, and is currently a university student.  She runs the Shabbat Party on Fridays at the Prosserman JCC.

---

Come Sing with Eldan

Presenter:  Eldan Cohen

An opportunity for children of all ages to come together and sing songs – some familiar, some new and always fun.  Eldan and his guitar draw upon a diverse musical repertoire: from Hebrew to English, religious to secular, traditional to contemporary.

Eldan Cohen has over 20 years performing experience and has taught at numerous Jewish schools and after school programs.

---

Quick Comic Drawing

Presenter:  Jarrod Ouaknine

In an hour or less, learn to create a short comic strip featuring biblical Jewish heroes.

Jarrod Ouaknine has his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Concordia University, as well as a degree in Graphic Design from Dawson College. He is an established artist who has had a number of shows. His preferred medium is acrylic paint but will work with anything that is available. He has been teaching and working with children and adults for over fifteen years in various schools, community centres, and religious institutions all over Montreal and Toronto.

Limmud Toronto | taste@limmud.ca