McMaster University: The New Jew U?

Most students move through their elementary school days to the local high school with a bit of familiarity. They take with them others they know, likely their friends and continue to forge an identity over the 12 year span. Once the high school days end a good part of that carefully crafted social identity falls away.

Constructing the balance between learning and socializing, starts to an extent from the beginning again. It can once more be a solo journey through the gates to higher learning in a post secondary college/university setting.

Richard Moline, Director of Koach, in his article Choosing a College writes,

"The college selection process, while opening doors to unparalleled growth and exploration, can also be very stressful and trying. Scores of books are published each year providing students and their parents with information on various schools... Most families explore these areas quite carefully while neglecting to consider the availability of any Jewish programming or community...

Frustrated, students may spend a miserable semester or year, or even find themselves transferring to another school where they might feel more comfortable being Jewish."

At McMaster University, Richard Moline has been heard and YES is the new answer to the critical questions:

Can I have both a great University experience while living in a Jewish friendly atmosphere?

Can I get an unbelievable university education while being who I am?

Is there a kosher food option?

Is there a community that will support my needs?

McMaster Center for Jewish Life. Coming fall 2011.

Stay tuned to this channel. A preview of new the center will be available soon.

Reena has a friend in Di Biase

On December 15 at his office, regional councillor of Vaughan Michael Di Biase (on right)  presented a cheque to the Reena Foundation's president Gary Sim. The cheque was made out for Reena’s Outreach, Respite and Enrichment Programs. In total, Reena offers 16 different programs over the year and over 850 individuals benefit from them. Not only do these programs provide life skills and a positive learning and caring environment for participants but they also benefit their families.

For more information on the Reena Foundation and its programs follow the link here.

Political "Action" of a Different Sort

The date for what is undoubtedly one of the biggest Shmoozefest for the younger more urban Jewish community of Toronto has just been announced. The fifth annual Action party, organized on behalf of The Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC), is set to take place Thursday March 10th 8 p.m. at The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor Street West.

The purpose of the Action party is to bring hundreds of young professionals together with politicians from all political parties and all levels of government. In one chic social meeting place all in attendance will celebrate and encourage political engagement in support of Canada and Israel. The party will once again include an open bar, sumptuous desserts and live entertainment in addition to a DJ spinning tracks.

Tickets will be on sale around the start of the new year. Notice of ticket availability will appear here. Be sure to check back soon.

Chanukah Farewell 5771

And so we bid farewell, and make one final salute to Chanukah 2010 with this video parody by graduates of the Ein Prat Academy, Israel spoofing the Black Eyed Peas "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night". The video was filmed and edited by Toronto's own Aaron Rotenberg.…

Chanukah in Rhyme

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHANUKAH...
OY! WHAT A SHOCK!
SOMEBODY OUTSIDE
WAS PICKING OUR LOCK!

AND THERE AT THE DOOR
STOOD A 'ZAYDA' IN BLUE-
AND HE WORE ON HIS KUPP
A BLUE YARMULKA, TOO!

HIS PUNIM WAS SHAIN-
EVERYBODY WOULD LOVE IT!
'ROUND HIS NECK HUNG A CHAIN
WITH A GOLD MOGEN DOVID!

HE WORE SILKEN TSITZES
BENEATH HIS WOOL VEST,
AND A SMALL FLAG OF ISRAEL
WAS DRAPED ON HIS CHEST!

HE SAID: "I'M NO BURGLAR,
SO PLEASE DON'T BE NERVOUS.
I'M THE SPIRIT OF CHANUKAH,
HERE AT YOUR SERVICE!"

"MENCHEN ALL CALL ME
'REB' SHALOM SHAPIRO!
WITHOUT ME, THIS YOM-TOV
MIGHT NEED A NEW "HERO!"

"I VISIT ALL YIDLACH,
AND BRING - KINNAHORRA-
GOOD FORTUNE AS BRIGHT
AS A GLOWING MENORAH!"

"ICH SHLEPP LOTS OF BLESSINGS
AND CHANUKAH GELT,
AND JOYS THAT ARE TAKKA
THE BEST IN DER VELT!"

"IF YOU KNOW NICE MENCHEN,
I'LL VISIT THEM QUICK,
AND I'LL BRING THEM GEZUNT
AND A HOUSEFUL OF GLICK!"

SO WE SENT HIM TO YOUR HOUSE,
AND SHOOK HANDS AND PARTED.
HE SHOUTED, "SHALOM!"
AS OUT THE DOORWAY HE DARTED!

HE RAN TO A WAGON
WITH HORSES AHEAD.
HE FED THEM SOME BAGELS,
AND HERE'S WHAT HE SAID:

"LET'S GO, MOISH AND MENDEL!
MAKE QUICK, MOE AND YUSSLE!
PLEASE GIVE A RUSH, MALKAH!
HEY, HYMIE, PLEASE HUSTLE!"

THEN THEY RACED LIKE THE WIND!
AND THEY GALLOPED SO SHNELL,
ALL HIS CLOTHING BLEW OFF,
AND HIS GATKES AS WELL!

SOON HE WAS SO KALT
THAT HIS TUSHIE TURNED BLUISH!
HE MOANED AND HE HOLLERED
IN ENGLISH AND JEWISH!

SO, DON'T ACT EMBARRASSED,
AND PLEASE DON'T BE RUDE
WHEN THAT FROSTBITTEN ZAYDA
ARRIVES IN THE NUDE!

QUICK! WRAP HIM IN BLANKETS!
DON'T BEAT 'ROUND THE BUSH'!
AND TIE A HOT WATER BAG
ON HIS COLD TUSH!

QUICK! FEED HIM SOME CHICKEN SOUP
HEISS AS CAN BE!
AND GIVE HIM SOME SHNAPPS
AND A GLEZ'L HOT TEA!

'CAUSE HE BRINGS YOU A HOUSEFUL
OF CHANUKAH WISHES
AS WARM AND GESHMOCK
AS PLATE OF HOT KNISHES!

AND HE BRINGS THEM FROM OUR HOUSE
SO FRIENDLY AND BRIGHT,
SO YOUR HOUSE WILL KEEP GLOWING
WITH CHANUKAH LIGHT.

PLUS JOY SWEET AS TSUKKER,
AND PEACE AND GOOD-CHEER
AND EVERYTHING FRAYLACH
EACH DAY OF THE YEAR!

AND NONE IN YOUR FAMILY
WILL BE A SHLEMAZEL,
FOR LIFE WILL BRING EACH OF YOU
SIMCHAS AND MAZEL!

AND ALL THROUGH THE FUTURE
YOUR HOPES WILL COME TRUE,
AND HIMMEL WILL BLESS
YOUR MISHPOCHA AND YOU!!!


חג חנוכה שמח