Welcome to Lishma: a community of learners in our 20s and 30s
Whether you're a seasoned scholar or brand new to Jewish learning, we value the perspectives and experience you bring to the class.
Semester 2 ONLINE Wednesdays, Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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(SOLD OUT) Multigenerational Trauma and Resilience with Carmelle Wolfson, MSW, RSW and Adrianna LeBlanc, MSW
The Jewish historical narrative is laden with collective experiences of persecution and trauma. How do these experiences of our ancestors connect with our daily lives in the present? Using self-reflection, storytelling, experiential exercises, and lecture material, we will explore the following: · How multigenerational trauma becomes our story · How trauma AND resilience are transmitted · What our relationships look like when ghosts from the past appear · How multigenerational trauma affects Jewish communities · What tools of empowerment we already have or can develop to transform our pain
Drawing on attachment theory, epigenetics, cycles of violence, our individual, historical and cultural stories and coping strategies, we will learn to embrace our vulnerability and heal ourselves.
Please note: This is a psychoeducation group where we will be learning about multigenerational trauma, its effects and healing strategies. We will not be focusing on processing the traumas of individuals; however, this group may trigger strong emotional reactions for some participants. We encourage participants for whom this may be the case to make use of their supports, such as therapists, family or friends. Upon request, we can provide referrals to community supports prior to the course if needed.
Image by Michael Hogue
Punishment and Prisons: the Polemics and Politics with DyanooshYoussefi
Our criminal justice system is punitive and individualistic.But do we put too much faith in punishment as a solution to crime?If the science shows that prisons are ineffective, why do they persist?In this course, we will examine the history, purpose, and the shortcomings of punishment and prisons, and we will look at alternatives to our justice model.We will explore the Biblical notion of justice, and what the Torah says about punishment and prisons.We'll also discuss contemporary topics, such as the pandemic, solitary confinement, privatization, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. DyanooshYoussefi wears a lot of professional hats.She teaches legal studies part-time at Humber, isa former criminal defence lawyer, a writer, and a social justice advocate.She ran for public office in 2014 and 2018, and founded a non-profit organization, All IN, in 2015.For the past 30 years, she has volunteered extensively, both at the local and international level, and currently serves as the Social Action Chair at the Narayever. She is the mother of two wonderful daughters, aged 15 and 13.These days, she misses hugs; and has started to learn playing the guitar.
Image by Flora Waycott
(SOLD OUT) Homesteading the Holidays with Rabbi Becca Walker
We all need something to look forward to and holidays can really help with that. Join Rabbi BeccaWalker to learn and dive deeper into some of the spring holidays, as well as doing fun at-home activities to get ready. We will bake and cook, make decorations to spice up your at home celebrations and delve deeper into the meaning of each holiday. This course is great for all levels of learning, and all levels of experience with celebrating the holidays.
Rabbi Becca Walker is the engagement rabbi at Beth David and a recent transplant to Toronto. Prior to moving to Canada, she served as the Senior Jewish Educator for Michigan State University and the Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan. Rabbi Walker also enjoys hosting Shabbat dinners, going on outdoor adventures and is an avid podcast listener.
Costs and Funding Lishma is funded by student contributions and partnering organizations, providing us with coordination, teachers, facilitators and space. We strive to keep costs accessible and we use a sliding scale. The suggested contribution is $72 ($12/night). There is a minimum of $36 for the semester ($6/night). If you are unable to contribute at this time, please be in touch in confidence with Suzanne Carson, Lishma Coordinator at suzannec@mnjcc.org.
Learning to make Lachuch in Middle Eastern Cooking with Ronnie Abraham (October 2020)
2020/21:
Summer mini-mester: ONLINE Learning and Unlearning: Exploring the Experiences of Jewish People of Colour and Inequality in Canada with Sara Yacobi-Harris
Semester 1: ONLINE @ Beth Tzedec Hands-On Track: Middle Eastern Cooking with Ronnie Abraham Judaism +Modernity Track: Finding Our Place: Jews in the Struggle for Racial Equity with Tema Smith Text and Context Track: Exploring Sephardi Jewry through Rabbinic Texts with Chaim Grafstein
2019/20:
Semester 1: @ CSI Annex Tzedakah (Hands-On Track): Dyeing & Doykheit: An exploration of natural dyeing, connection to land and Jewish diaspora with Sarit Cantor T’shuvah (Judaism +Modernity Track): Returning, Repenting & Reconnecting with Yacov Fruchter T’fillah (Text and Context Track): Learning to Live Whole-Heartedly with Rabbi Julia Appel Semester 2: @ Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre Hands-On Track: Jewish Self-Care through the Arts with Or Har-Gil Judaism + Modernity: Faith Based Social Justice with the Lishma Team Text and Context: 6 Amazing Texts with Rabbi Zachary Goodman
Semester 3: @ Holy Blossom Temple Hands-On Track:New Jewish Film with Aaron Rotenberg Judaism + Modernity: Bad@$$ Sheroes with Rabbi Becca Walker Text and Context:Jewish Couplehood with Yacov Fruchter
Semester 4: ONLINE @ Beth Tzedec Hands-On Track: Creative Writing with Tikva Hecht Judaism + Modernity: Medical Ethics with Rabbi Steven Wernick Text and Context: Queer Apocalypse in the Jewish Imagination with Rabbi Andrea Myers 2018/19:
Semester 1: @ Miles Nadal JCC Hands-On Track: Hebrew Calligraphy as Jewish Art with Baruch Sienna Judaism +Modernity Track: Harry Potter and the Sacred Text with Jenny Isaacs Text and Context Track: Weekly Torah for Beginners with Rabbi Jordan Helfman Semester 2: @ Beth Tzedec Hands-On Track: Tachles! Learning (Beginner) Conversational Hebrew with Lior Sagi Judaism + Modernity: PJ Library/Melton Foundations of Jewish Living with Daniel Silverman Text and Context: People of the Book, People of the Land with Risa Alyson Cooper
Semester 3: @ CSI Annex Hands-On Track:Mindfulness in Silence and Song with Aviva Chernick / Jewish Music for the Healing of the Soul with Aaron Lightstone (split course) Judaism + Modernity:Jewish Couplehood with Yacov Fruchter Text and Context: Feminist Torah with Rabbi Denise Handlarski
Semester 4: @ Holy Blossom Temple Hands-On Track: Starting an Indigenous/Jewish Conversation with Leah Mauer Judaism + Modernity: Refugees, Judaism and Asylum with Howard Adelman Text and Context: Judaism and Happiness with Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl