For further information on any of these events, email to: contact@jccpeterborough.com
Please NOTE: The events below are listed by date descending…that means you will need to scroll down to see the events according to their date in the year. For example, July events are further down in the list than August events.
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Coronavirus-19 Update
Updates:
Blessings to recite on receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine
For everyone who has undergone and survived the trials and tribulations of the last year, receiving the vaccine will be a relief; but it may also be considered a blessing, in the Jewish sense. We recite blessings every day of our lives: when we get up or go to bed, eat, sleep, pray, and on many other occasions; indeed all of our human functions emanate from the showering of God’s grace upon us. For this reason, it is appropriate to recite these two blessings when receiving the vaccine.
1. A blessing to thank God for the miracle of our bodies:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעֹולָם, רֹופֵא כָל בָּשָׂר וּמַפְלִיא לַעֲשֹות בִּידֵי כָּל יֹושְׁבֵי תֵבֵל
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, rofeh chol basar u-maflee la-asot bi-dei kol yoshvei tevel.
Baruch atah Adonai, our God, sovereign of time and space, who heals all flesh, and works wondrously through human hands.
2. The Shehecheyanu: a blessing to celebrate special occasions. We recite it to give thanks to God for new and unusual experiences.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעֹולָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזַּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu, ve-kiyemanu, ve-higiyanu lazman hazeh.
Baruch atah Adonai, our God, sovereign of time and space, who has given us life, sustained us, and has enabled us to reach this moment.
Cantor Leon Litvack (1 Nisan 5781, 14 March 2021)
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
TBA
When: TBA.
Where: On-Line. Zoom. See below for details.
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- wish to attend and require the Zoom connection details;
- would like to do an English reading; and/or,
- wish to receive a copy of the service in pdf.
- Wearing of masks.
- No drink or food consumption.
- Social distancing.
Oneg Shabbat Service
When: April 1st, 2023. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Beth Israel Synagogue
“Oneg Shabbat” means Joy of Shabbat. Together (and in person!) we’ll daven a few highlights from the Shabbat morning service followed by Torah study of the week’s parsha. Shmoozing, asking questions, and quiet reflection are all encouraged! Whatever brings you joy in our shared space. Feel free to drop in at any time from start to finish.
Bring a comfortable mask! Masks will be required during singing, learning, and socializing. Proof of vaccination is not required for this event.
Access needs? Need a ride/have a ride to offer? Please send an email to bisptbo@gmail.com if there’s anything we can help with!
Purim Celebrations
Where: Beth Israel Synagogue, Peterborough
If you would to take on a role in the play, please contact Nevia Frank by sending her an email at nevia@thefrankhouse.com.
Our Purim plays are always interesting and more than a bit humorous!!! Whether you are in the play or not, come out, dress up, bring noisemakers,
What kind of Purim party would it be if we didn’t have Hamantaschen and refreshments. Oye!!If you have any other questions or suggestions, please contact Larry at larry.gillman@f55f.com

Community Passover Seder
Where: Beth Israel Synagogue, Peterborough
The doors will open at 5 PM and the Seder will start promptly at 6 PM. Please come early to mingle and get ready for the 6PM start!!! This is a full Passover Seder. Everything will be provided including a Haggadah, Seder plate, matzo, and a wonderful catered meal.
The Seder will be led by folks from our community, and we will have several guests who will attend. Please include numbers attending, choice of catered meal, and opportunities to volunteer. The deadline for registration is Sunday April 2nd, as we need to inform the caterer.
Attendees must register using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcmrC2tmiji4IrcX97AU2Z8Lo3f4g-wVwVU0pyruCM0DCLpA/viewform?usp=sf_link
GUESTS AT THE COMMUNITY SEDER
One of the guests is our very own Cantor Leon Litvack, who will join us by Zoom all the way from Belfast Ireland.
Passover is also a time to welcome the needy to our tables and is also a time of charity. Reflecting this Passover mandate, our other guests include a Ukrainian refugee family who are living in the Peterborough area.
As you recall we have been raising money to support local Ukrainian refugee families. As a community we have raised $3,300. We will present a cheque to one of the Ukrainian refugee family during the Seder.
There is some additional information below, on the 2 Ukrainian refugee families that we are supporting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Grape juice for the 4 cups of wine will be available to all those who attend. Should you want to bring wine to the Seder, you are welcome to do so.
COSTS OF THE SEDER
The costs of catering this meal is approximately $20 per person. Recognizing that people in our community are in different financial positions, we ask you to please pay what you can.
If you can’t afford to contribute to the meal, you are very welcome to come and enjoy. If you can afford the $20 or can assist us with a bit more to cover the shortfall, it would be appreciated. We will have a donation box at the Seder for meal donations.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
We can really use your help to conduct the Seder.
Volunteers are required to do the following:
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- Prepare the Seders plates.
- Prepare Matzo Ball soup
- Set up for the Seder
- Security
- Clean up after
Please consider helping and indicate this on the attendance form.
INFORMATION ON THE 2 UKRAINIAN FAMILIES THAT WE WILL SUPPORT
The first family is a large Ukrainian family who have settled in the Marmora area – and they are exceptional in a couple of ways. First, it is a large household of 13, 3 adults and 10 kids, 8 of whom are adopted and 1 with a physical disability. Second, they are the descendants of a Righteous Gentile who saved Jews during the Holocaust (and they have presented documentation to this effect). This large and needy family will be our guests at the Seder. Please come out and meet them.
One of this family’s needs is basic food. Should you want to bring a food donation, we will set up a food donation box in the lobby of the Synagogue. Please note that any donated items do not have to be kosher for Passover.
Many of you have already met the second family we will support, Svitlana and her children. They left the Ukraine at the start of the conflict and emigrated to Canada. Kelli and Dan Houpt have graciously housed them at the farm and provided support since they arrived in Canada. As Svitlana can not come to the Seder, we will be sending her a cheque.
IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS
If you have any thoughts or questions on the Seder, please contact Larry Gillman at larry.gillman@f55f.com