Beth Israel

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Holocaust Education Planning Group – Event Notices

Trent U Max Eisen Lecture in Holocaust Studies – Jan. 20th.  

For more details and to register (free):  Trent U link 

BIC Field Trip to the Toronto Holocaust Museum Field – Sunday, January 25th

The Holocaust Education Planning Group is offering shared transport to the THM on January 25th to attend the “Proof of Life” event, a commemorative event for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  Click THM event.  Please contact Ralph if you have questions and/or are wishing to attend the THM event on January 25th.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Tuesday, Jan. 27

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a globally recognized day comemorating the Holocaust and the millions of victims that experienced the genocidal brutality of antsemitism.  January 27th, 1945 is the day the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp was liberated.  To learn more about IHRD and antisemitism, here are some links:  ENRS link; IHRA working definition of antisemitism; Gov’t of Canada’s Handbook on the IHRA definition.  In commemoration of IHRD, the Toronto Holocaust Museum has a number of events.  Click link.  

BIC Holocaust Education Planning Group – Events in the Planning

During the upcoming months in preparation for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), April 13-14, we begin a journey of learning that is based on listening to voices of the past, present and future.  Screening of films and documentaries are going to be a part of that:  “The Listener“, the story of Dori Laub and his incredible work; “Remnants“, the moving solo play by Henry Greenspan; “White Bird: A Wonder Story“,  a gripping story for the young and old.  Each of these provide an opportunity for signficant discussion and learning about the Holocaust and its continued impact today.

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Big Tent Committee “Building Trust” Event

Date:  Saturday February 21st

Time: 12.30-5pm 

Who You Are Matters
(credit: Mark Franklin)

Click here to register by Friday February 20th. 

 

Background

The Beth Israel Board of Directors’ Big Tent Committee is a new standing committee to support ongoing learning and development guided by Beth Israel Congregation’s mission around inclusion and belonging. For the Committee’s current membership and Terms of Reference, click here.

Building Trust Event: Saturday February 21,  2026

The Committee would like to invite all members and former members to participate in a special event! The purpose is to build trust and inclusion within the congregation by developing our capacity for compassionate listening and robust conversations. The event features an engaging tool proven to build empathy, deep listening and mutual understanding. 

In the first part of this event, we will learn an engaging tool: Who You Are Matters!, proven to build empathy, deep listening and mutual understanding. Engaging, effective and surprisingly fun, this facilitated experience will help you clarify your strengths, identify personal qualities, gain awareness of what you want, and strengthen your voice.  You’ll engage with and learn about others in our unique community. 

Building on skills and relationships developed in Part 1, the second part – Clarifying My Role Amid Community Tensions – will explore benefits from meaningful and respectful conversations; factors that influence your bias; reactions you are having to what’s happening in our community; and what you would like to see in the future to reduce the tension.

This is intended as a safe and structured experience. In small groups, participants will explore our own perspectives, receive targeted feedback, build emotional intelligence and communication skills, and encourage inspired action to take next steps. The goals is for everyone to feel included in this unique story-listening experience.  

The Facillitator

This event will be facilitated by Mark Franklin, MEd, PEng.  Mark teaches career management at University of Toronto, is CareerCycles practice leader, co-founder of OneLifeTools, co-authored Who You Are Matters!, and was the Stu Conger award-winner. Mark consulted in his earlier engineering career, before earning a Masters in counselling then leading universities’ student services initiatives. His insights appear on CBC, GlobalNews, National Post, Globe and Mail. Mark has led a similar Building Trust event for Toronto’s Danforth Jewish Circle. 

Video from DJC session  https://djctoronto.com/event/who-you-are-matters/ 

 

Agenda ~ Please come on time! ~  

Date:  Saturday February 21st

Time: 12.30-5pm 

12.30 Welcome and introduction

1.00 Who You Are Matters! conversation experience

2.30 break

3.00 Clarifying My Role Amid Community Tensions

4.30 Debriefing our experience, planning next steps

5.00 End

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BIC Community Groovin’ at Chanukah Party (5786)

Look at us boogie! On Instagram, check out this little video of BIC Chanukah party moves!

Thank you for helping us shake it, and sharing the video, Jenny!

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Outpouring of Support for Local Jews

after Bondi Beach Shootings

Along with the statement of support from Peterborough Police and Mayor Jeff Leal, 

BIC was supported in person by Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and Monaghan Ward Coun. Matt Crowley at the BIC’s Candle Lighting event, and by local faith communities, including this statement on Facebook by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph, along with moving phone calls from Peterborough MP Emma Harrison, the Curve Lake Christian Assembly of First Nations People, the Greek Church of Peterborough, the Board of Masjid al-Salaam, and numerous local individuals. We are very moved and grateful.

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Book Club:  Rescheduling Update 

“Girl In the Middle” (author: Anais Granofsky)

Following an excellent discussion, our growing Beth Israel Book Club will read The Girl in the Middle, Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor by Anais Granofsky, available from the Peterborough Public Library. We will meet and discuss on Thursday, March 12th at 5:30 p.m. (NEW TIME). All are welcome! If you have any questions, or to RSVP, please reply to this email.

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Understanding Modern Antisemitism

w/ Dr. Neil Orlowsky (January 17th)

The Holocaust Education Committee and BIC Book Club are excited to host author and educator Neil Orlowsky, PhD, Saturday, January 17th at 2 p.m. at Beth Israel Synagogue. Dr. Orlowsky will speak on his recent book:  “The Virtue of Hate: How Oct. 7 Exposed Moral Homelessness and Rebranded Antisemitism“. Dr Orlowsky will discuss understanding modern antisemitism and how it affects our shared democratic and civic culture and provide strategies to address the forms of antisemitism we experience today. Q&A will follow. RSVP required.  To RSVP, please email Ralph.

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Jewish Community Singing Group (Choir)

Would you like to explore and engage with Jewish music in English, Yiddish, and Hebrew with others of varying musical abilities and experience? Then you are invited to join the Jewish Community Singing Group, Wednesdays beginning January 14th, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. For more on the purpose of the choir and what you can expect have a look below.  If you are interested in joining, please email Ruby now. 

Jewish Community Singing Group Details

Our local Jewish Community Singing Group will explore Jewish music in English, Yiddish, and Hebrew. No singing or musical experience required – just a desire to engage with Jewish culture through music. The group will be directed by Ruby R., and Ruby will curate the song choices. We are a group that is welcoming and inclusive to all regardless of your musical experience or abilities. 

We will meet Wednesdays from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Peterborough. If you are not already on the Choir email list, please email Ruby now to get connected – all pertinent info, including last minute changes, if any, will be emailed to Ruby’s list.

Purpose of the choir:

  • To learn and share knowledge about the meaning and history of Jewish songs, prayers, and musical genres. 
  • To revel in the feeling of raising our voices together in song. 
  • To develop a repertoire. 
  • Sometimes some members of the group will perform at services or local events. This is optional. 

Interested members can expect to:

  • Learn new songs via live instruction and videos/recordings. (No musical knowledge required.) 
  • Have opportunities to sing harmonies and rounds. 
  • Engage in an experimental and exploratory creation process.
  • Meet regularly.
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Charles Dickens and the Jews:

ONLINE with Cantor Leon Litvack

Beth Israel Book Club is excited to host renowned Charles Dickens scholar, Cantor Leon Litvack, ONLINE Sunday, March 1st at 11 a.m. Eastern time – not Sunday, February 22nd as previously advertised. Leon will discuss Oliver Twist‘s Fagin and Dickens’ relationship with Jewish people. Participants are encouraged to read Oliver Twist. Q&A will follow. To register and receive the zoom link email Ron. This event is free courtesy of the Congregation. Donations gratefully accepted.

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Happy Chanukah Graphic

Image Designed by Freepik 

Chanukah Party Tickets – 

Get yours by December 17th!

Will you celebrate the miracle of light and the joy of Chanukah with your Beth Israel mishpacha, Saturday, December 20th? The fun starts at 11 am, with a latke lunch at 11:30 am, along with dreidel, songs, and Israeli / traditional dancing  at 1:00 pm. Tickets are REQUIRED. Get yours here before end-of-day December 17th. If $ is an issue, reach out. 

Can you help us make the party? Set up (Saturday, 9am), greeting guests, and/or helping clean up? Sign up here. Last minute helpers (Saturday at 9am sharp for set up, and clean up after the meal) are also welcome!

Do You Need Chanukah Candles or Gelt?

If so, Karen Fisher has some available as a fundraiser for the synagogue. Basic boxes of candles are $5 and small bags of chocolate gelt are $2 each. Email Karen to arrange pick up.