and How Will I Adjust My Course This Year?

excerpt from Yom Kippur 1984 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/240472
BY ADRIENNE RICH

I drew solitude over me, on the long shore.
—Robinson Jeffers, “Prelude”

For whoever does not afflict his soul through this day, shall be
cut off from his people.
—Leviticus 23:29

Find someone like yourself. Find others.
Agree you will never desert each other.
Understand that any rift among you
means power to those who want to do you in.
Close to the center, safety; toward the edges, danger.
But I have a nightmare to tell: I am trying to say
that to be with my people is my dearest wish
but that I also love strangers
that I crave separateness
I hear myself stuttering these words
to my worst friends and my best enemies
who watch for my mistakes in grammar
my mistakes in love.
This is the day of atonement; but do my people forgive me?>

Celebrating Holidays

The Winchevsky Centre provides a communal setting for all major Jewish holiday celebrations with a secular humanist twist. Our community-led celebrations offer a non-theistic, yet meaningful alternative to religious services. We provide the opportunity to reflect upon our cultural and historic heritage and to relate their significance to contemporary issues.

Our community welcomes inter-cultural and alternative families. In an effort to keep our celebrations open and accessible to all, our ceremonies include passages and songs in English, Yiddish and Hebrew, and include words and lyrics that are pluralistic.

Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur... these moving ceremonies include meaningful readings, texts and poetry, with music led by prominent Toronto musicians such as Dave Wall and Marilyn Lerner.

Sukkes... this interactive celebration of the harvest includes making and hanging decorations on our outdoor sukkah, learning about the holiday through its symbols, stories and songs, and sharing a barbeque lunch.

Our Contact Information:

The Winchevsky Centre
585 Cranbrooke Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M6A 2X9

Phone: (416) 789-5502
Fax: (416) 789-5981

Email: info@winchevskycentre.org

Winchevsky Centre Staff:

Maxine Hermolin
Executive Director
mhermolin@winchevskycentre.org

If you would like to see a map of our location, please visit www.mapquest.ca