AROUND OUR REGION : NEWFOUNDLAND
NEWFOUNDLAND NEWS News from the far east
BY RABBI CHANAN AND TUBA CHERNITSKY
SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. WOW! Who would have thought so much could be accomplished during a global pandemic? Of course Hashem is on our side and He made it possible. *** On Sunday January 17th we hosted a live stream of a wonderful film called “The Light of Fire”, produced by Bentzi Avtzon. It’s a touching and up-close thirty-minute film that tells the story of American-Israeli artist Yoram Raanan, as he rebuilds from a sudden fire. In five minutes, he lost all 40 years of his breathtaking original artwork. The pain was indescribable. The film gave us a boost to start off 2021 with motivation, perseverance, faith and hope. *** In February we launched the Jewish Children’s Book Club. The first installment was sponsored in loving memory of Ruth Lacombe. The book club is aimed at Jewish children under the age of 12. Each child/family will receive an age-appropriate book every 2 months and the best part is that membership is free! We enjoyed “Feeling Better from A to Z” as part of the first installment. *** Towards the end of February, as COVID cases spiked in Newfoundland and we had to cancel all in person events, even at lower capacity, Chabad offered curbside pickup of homemade Challah and chicken soup. A local family sponsored it and it was a great hit! *** On a similar vein, as we weren’t allowed to have a proper Purim program due to restrictions, we offered Purim meals for pick up. Whomever wanted could pick up a delicious meal consisting of rice, sesame chicken and Challah. This was also sponsored by a generous local family. Thank you! ***
Rebbetzin Tuba once again took charge of the Passover order for the whole community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the “Pipers” store for shipping in the order for free from Montreal. Thank G-d, we distributed more Shmurah Matzah than ever this year. Thank you to D. Z. for helping with the deliveries! This year we offered Seder kits as well. We received a generous produce donation from a local wholesaler to be used for the Passover Seder and meals. G-d bless you! Next year, in Jersualem! (together). *** Right after Passover we moved into our new location. It was a long wait, but it was well worth it. We look forward to the swift end of the pandemic so we can all celebrate together in person once more. *** We are currently planning our yearly Holocaust Speaker program, scheduled to take place in June or July, G-d willing. Have a healthy summer! S We are open 24/7 (with social distancing practices). For more information you can reach us at 709-341-8770 or through e-mail at chabadofnewfoundland@gmail.com.
2 1
Shalom
S P RI NG 2021
BY DR MICHAEL PAUL, PRESIDENT
The Synagogue was gearing up to have a festive Purim, when the Second Wave of COVID struck. All plans for a communal reading of the Megillah and party were unfortunately cancelled. Our Passover food order arrived about 2 weeks before the Chag. It looked like it would once again be a very lonely series of seders, as if the Plague would win, when the alert level was lowered the morning of Erev Pesach. As such, small seders with up to 4 or so people were allowed in private homes. Sadly, for the 2nd year running, no communal gatherings. Alert levels have been lowered since then and so Synagogue services have resumed for every Friday evening and Saturday morning Shabbat services, to much général happiness. If all continues on this path the entire Jewish community is planning an Oneg Shabbat at the synagogue on Friday June 4th. We hope to have a lovely summer and may even be able to enjoy a community wide BBQ, rules permitting. We are now starting to plan High Holiday joint services. S
TO ADVERTISE IN
Shalom 3
PHOTOS: 1. Curbside Challah 2. Matzah ready for delivery 3. Purim Meals Prep
30
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWS
theAJC .ca
Please contact the AJC info@theajc.ca
