Arts and Culture

Jewish Calendar 101

January - March 2023 | Tevet - Adar 5783*

*Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before and conclude at sundown on the noted day.

Tu B'Shevat

February 6 | 15 Shevat

Also known as the New Year of the Trees because it was used for calculating the age of trees for tithing. The Torah teaches that fruit from a tree may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year’s fruit is for G-d, and after this, the fruit can be eaten. It is customary to eat a new fruit on this holiday or to eat from the Seven Species (shivat haminim) that are abundant in Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Some people also plant trees on this day. Tu B’Shevat began as a minor holiday marked by a festive meal and it has grown into the a modern Jewish Earth Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate our sense of environmental responsibility and Jewish tradition. Come celebrate this holiday at the JCC. See details on page 27. Fast of Esther

March 6 | 13 Adar II

This fast, also called Ta’anit Esther, is a fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim.

Purim

March 7 | 14 Adar II

This jolly festivity commemorates the defeat of Haman’s plot, the prime minister of King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire. During 357 BCE, Haman planned to massacre the Jews, as recorded in the book of Esther in the Torah. The Jews were saved by the heroic Queen Esther, who married the king. When Ahasueros discovers that his wife Esther is Jewish, he decides to reverse Haman’s decree, and instead of the Jews being killed, Haman, his sons, and other enemies are killed instead. We celebrate dressing up in costume, some people choose to dress as characters from the Purim story. It is a mitzvah (commandment) to listen to the story of Purim – chanted from Megillat Esther (The Scroll of Esther). We also send mishloach manot, packages of treats and goodies to friends, family, and people in need. A traditional cookie called hamentaschen is enjoyed, which our Golden Age (seniors) group at the JCC bake every year!

Shushan Purim

March 8 | 15 Adar II

The battles fought between the Jews and their enemies throughout the Persian empire took place on Adar 13. The Jews rested and celebrated the victory on the following day – Adar 14. In the capital of the empire, the city of Shushan, however, there were a greater number of Jew-haters, so the fighting continued for two days: 13 and 14 Adar. The victory celebrations in Shushan were thus held on 15 Adar.

Sources: myjewishlearning.org and chabad.org.

CeLebrate the Jewish Holidays at the JCC!

Welcome Shabbat

Fridays: January 27 • February 24 • March 3 • March 31 11:00-11:30am Everyone is welcome to join us on select Fridays for songs, candle lighting, kiddush, and hamotzi.

Tu B’Shevat Community Celebration

Sunday, February 5 | 1:00 - 3:00 | Beth Tzedec Congregation Please join us as we celebrate “The New Year of the Trees” together as a community with Beth Tzedec, Calgary Jewish Federation, Kehilat Shalom, and Kesher.

JDAIM* Welcome Wednesday Dinner and Movie Party

Wednesday, February 8 | 5:30 - 8:30pm Celebrating inclusion, belonging, and community! Join us for Life, Animated, based on Ron Suskind’s bestselling book, with a Q&A and refreshments. This movie is a coming-of-age story about a boy and his family who overcame great challenges by turning Disney animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship, and brotherhood. Free admission. *Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month

Hanna’s Journey

Sunday, January 15 | 3:30pm Join us at the JCC and watch a delightful Israeli-German film. Hanna’s Journey is the story of a German girl who travels to Israel to help people with disabilities, where she learns a lot about the role of her grandparents in WWII and meets a man who wants to move to Berlin. In partnership with Calgary Jewish Federation, One for the Wall, and AGEC (Association for German Education in Calgary). Admission by donation. Cash and snack bar available.

Winter Art and Light with Alan Briks

Sunday, January 22 | 1:00-4:00pm This interactive and inclusive workshop will kindle your enjoyment of creating art. Attuning to your spirituality, with a sprinkle of whimsy and musical elements, a series of original practice-based art exercises offer a safe journey of personal creative expression, reflection, and meaningful exchange. In partnership with Calgary Jewish Federation’s Kesher group. $18 Member • $25 Public • Code: 9027