The year was 1965. Under the auspices and leadership of National Council of Jewish Women, The Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living was “born”. This year marks our 60th anniversary, a time to celebrate the present, reflect on the past, and plan for the future. Please join us at Betel as we celebrate this milestone on Sunday, June 22 at 11:30 am and dedicate our Auditorium in recognition of the generosity and commitment over the years of the Lebovic family. More details to come!
We have grown from a small half day recreation program to an inspiring Centre providing more than 90 recreation, educational, cultural, health, and wellness programs on a weekly basis. This year we are beginning discussion on our next strategic plan–what should our focus be, what kinds of programs and services should we be offering, and reviewing our Mission, Vision and Values. One thing is for sure… Our value of building and nurturing community is paramount and is the cornerstone of who we are.
We are bound together in community. We know that now is the time to be in community and that there is joy, solace, and immense power in acting and being together. During the past 18 months, many of us have experienced the loss of friends and family both here and in Israel.
As we continue to send our prayers for peace in Israel, Jewish law instructs us to continue to gather, to come together, and find strength as a community during these unprecedented times. Connecting with other community members during these difficult times is essential for our health and well-being. We encourage you to join us at the Betel Centre in strengthening our community bonds with each other by participating in our courses, programs, or services.
For many Jews, Passover is a time to reunite with family and recount the exodus from Egypt at the Seder. But for many Israelis and Jews around the world, it’s hard to fathom a celebration of freedom when friends and family are not free or have died in captivity. Passover, once again this year, will be more profound as freedom has taken on a new meaning for many of us.
This year we will be celebrating our 52nd Annual Community Seder at the Betel Centre on Sunday, April 13. The event is sponsored by the Anne Tanenbaum z’l Passover Seder Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. We will be celebrating as a community.
Every year at the Passover Seder, Jews around the world recite the line, “All who are hungry come and eat!” Unfortunately, for the hundreds of Jewish seniors in our community living in poverty, Passover is a time when they feel most vulnerable and alone. Our Jewish tradition teaches us that on that day, no one should feel hunger.
For the past 5 years, we have been strongly committed to ensure that seniors living in poverty and feeling isolated have the opportunity to be embraced and cared for by the Jewish community. That is why we have been providing over 600 Jewish seniors and Holocaust survivors with three, free kosher Meals on Wheels each week. The financial challenge to provide these seniors with nutritious, free meals has now become critical and we urgently need your help. The Supporting our Seniors (SOS): Meal Initiative will provide you with the opportunity to ensure a senior does not go hungry this Passover.
By donating to the Bernard Betel Centre, you will help seniors living in poverty with the necessary food to survive and the knowledge that our community cares. Together, we can make a difference. Please donate this Passover and throughout the year to make this a holiday without hunger.
On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors, Chag Pesach Sameach!
Gail Gould
Executive Director
