There’s always lots going on at Solel.
Here’s what’s coming up:
See Our Calendar
Other Community Events
and Community Announcements
Note that the COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting many programs at Solel, but in-person worship has returned, with certain limitations. For the latest information see our COVID-19 Information page.
Our Shabbat and holiday worship services will continue to be live streamed.
Saturday 10:00am
Shabbat Morning Special Guest Speaker
Join us for our Shabbat Morning Service when we will be joined by our shlichah from Israel, Yifat Bear Miller, who will speak about ecology and Israel, just a few days before Tu B’Shevat.
Sunday 10:00am
Bet Midrash Solel: The Five Megillot of Jewish Festivals
Solel’s own Rabbi Emeritus, Larry Englander leads us on a six week journey: Five books of the Bible, each with a different story – and each connected with a Jewish festival. Each generation has interpreted these texts in a unique way. We’ll take a look at some of them, and then add our own! Topics include:
- Song of Songs on Pesach – a story of love in the Judean hills
- Ruth on Shavuot – a story of Judaism’s first Jew by Choice
- Lamentations on Tish’a Be’av – a story of tragedy and suffering
- Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) on Sukkot – a story of wisdom that comes with age
- Esther on Purim – a story of Jewish “fate” reversed by a queen
- The Book of Job: a sufferer who questions God’s justice (time permitting)
Sunday mornings from 15 January through 26 February via Zoom. (No session on January 29!) See your Shammas – Solel This Week for the Zoom link or contact the Solel office.
Tuesday 11:30am
Lunch & Learn – Hearing and Hearing Loss in Long Term Care
Join us for a presentation by Brenda Lewsen, recently retired from Sunnybrook – Hearing and Hearing Loss in Long Term Care: Challenges and opportunities for residents, families and staff. We will look at some of the hearing loss related issues that face residents, families and staff in Long Term Care. The importance of hearing and communication, the impact of the environment, and possible management ideas will be discussed. Brenda will draw on her experience of managing hearing health care services in a LTC facility.
This session will be held online. Contact the Solel Office or check your Shammas-Solel This Week newsletter for Zoom connection information.
Friday 8:00pm
Saturday 10:00am
Special Guest Service Leader:
Cantor Cheryl Wunch
Join us for Shabbat services Friday evening and Saturday morning with our special guest service leader: Cantor Cheryl Wunch.
Cantor Wunch grew up in Toronto and earned her bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Classics from Queen’s University. She continued on to study Child and Youth Work at Humber College, and earned her Cantorial Ordination and master’s degree from the Hebrew Union College in 2011. She has since served congregations in the US, the UK and Canada.
Before attending seminary, she worked in classrooms, youth shelters, and group homes advocating for children and teens with a variety of educational, developmental, and behavioural needs, and for women who have suffered abuse.
Currently, Cantor Wunch serves on the Ethics Committee of the American Conference of Cantors and is the chair of the Women in the Cantorate Taskforce, fighting for equality, religious freedom, and high ethical standards within her field. Her love of music and Judaism drive her passion to help people find modern meaning in our ancient sacred texts.
Monday 6:30pm
Purim Party & Purimspiel
Tuesday 11:30am
Lunch & Learn – JACS Mental Health Supports

For more information kindly check out our website www.jacstoronto.org or contact Orit by email orit@jacstoronto.org or by phone at (416) 638-0350 ext 233.
This session will be held online. Contact the Solel Office or check your Shammas-Solel This Week newsletter for Zoom connection information.
Monday 8:00pm
Arliene’s Book Club
This time: An Observant Wife by Naomi Ragen. In this rich and compassionate novel, we enter into the love story of the newly observant Leah and the ultra Orthodox Yaakov, challenged by the hostilities of some in the community who view Leah as an dangerous interloper.
Thursday Evening
Community Second Seder
Solel’s Community Passover Seder will be on Thursday, April 6 and will be led by Rabbi Pollack at Solel. It will be professionally catered. The menu will be published in the coming days as well as the cost of attendance. Look for the Shammas, special emails, and listen to announcements at services for this important and exciting event which we’re looking forward to holding in person for the first time since 2019!
Monday 8:00pm
Arliene’s Book Club
This time: The World That We Knew by Hanni Kohn. Set in Berlin, Hanni must send her 12-year-old daughter, Lea, away to safety, and finds the hope of salvation in a rare and unusual Golem who is sworn to protect Lea.
Monday 8:00pm
Arliene’s Book Club
This time: Eternal by Lisa Scottoline. As anti-Semitism takes root in Italy during WWII, friendship and love and betrayal form the backdrop of this heartbreaking story that tells of both the best and the worst that the world has to offer.
Special Virtual Events & Programs
Here are some of the things you can join in online with your Solel family:
Solel Lunch Break
Every Thursday at 12:00 noon in Solel’s Zoom Room.
Have lunch with Rabbi Pollack as we discuss current events and enjoy each other’s virtual company. Contact the Solel office or check your Solel Shammas to get Zoom connection details.
Adult Text Study
Join Rabbi Pollack and your favourite Solelniks in an adult text study of Jewish scripture and Rabbinic wisdom. Contact the Solel office or check your Shammas: Solel This Week to get Zoom connection details. We will be on hiatus after 18 December, 2022 until March 2023 while Rabbi Pollack is on sabbatical.