Community Kollel

05/29/2026

❖ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐨 ❖

Peace rarely breaks down all at once.

More often, it erodes slowly when people stop feeling seen, respected, or valued.

What’s striking about this week’s parsha is how much attention the Torah gives to preserving dignity, trust, and emotional sensitivity between people.

Again and again, the parsha returns to the same underlying concern: how to create a society where people feel recognised, respected, and secure in their place.

Because the Torah seems to understand something very deep about human nature:

People can tolerate hardship, disagreement, and imperfection far more than they can tolerate feeling invisible or insignificant.

Resentment often begins quietly.

A person feels overlooked.
Unappreciated.
Excluded.
As though they no longer matter.

And over time, those emotions can slowly erode relationships, communities, and trust itself.

One of the clearest examples in the parsha is the Torah’s repetition of the offerings brought by each tribe at the dedication of the Mishkan.

The offerings were identical.

Yet the Torah gives each tribe its own moment, recognition, and dignity.

Because true peace is not built by treating people as interchangeable.

It is built by making people feel that their presence matters.

The Torah is teaching that peace requires more than the absence of conflict.

It requires emotional attentiveness.

The sensitivity to notice who feels unseen.
Who feels displaced.
Who no longer feels that they matter.

✨ As Shabbat approaches, may we become more attentive to the quiet emotional worlds of the people around us, offering honour, patience, recognition, and kindness in ways that help bring more peace into our homes, relationships, and communities.

Shabbat Shalom 🤍

Tonight:
🕯 Candle Lighting • 8:47 PM
🍷 Kabbalat Shabbat & Dinner • 8:15 PM
RSVP: https://thekollel.crowdchange.ca/146540
📍 1965 W Broadway

Tomorrow:
📖 9:45 AM • Chassidic Teachings
🕍 10:15 AM • Service
🍽 12:00 PM • Community Lunch

👧 The Kids Shul • 10:30 AM @ 1925 W Broadway

🕘 Mincha + Seudah Shlish*t • 8:45 PM

05/28/2026

The Social Table ☕️

A warm monthly gathering for Jewish adults 55+ featuring brunch, conversation, and good company in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new people for the first time, The Social Table is a comfortable space to slow down, enjoy meaningful conversation, and spend a pleasant Sunday morning together.

🗓 Sunday, June 7
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 The Kollel • 1965 West Broadway
💵 By donation

Register here:
https://thekollel.crowdchange.ca/146767

05/27/2026

Something new is beginning at The Kollel.

Starting June 18, join Rivki Yeshayahu for 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 & 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘁, a new weekly Thursday evening gathering centred around meaningful learning, thoughtful conversation, and connection as we transition from the pace of the week into Shabbat.

Together, we’ll explore timeless Jewish ideas alongside the questions, tensions, and experiences of modern life through open conversation inspired by the weekly parsha.

Warm, thoughtful, grounded, and open to anyone seeking meaningful conversation, insight, and a different kind of Thursday evening.

Alongside the learning and discussion, we’ll braid challah together, bringing something tangible and traditional into Shabbat.

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 • 𝟳:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠
Beginning June 18
The Kollel • 1965 West Broadway

No cost. Everyone welcome.

For more info or RSVP:
[email protected]

Come for the conversation.
Leave with challah.

05/26/2026

𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

What an unforgettable evening.

The Solomon Leadership Program Graduation was far more than the completion of a course. It was a celebration of growth, confidence, mentorship, friendship, and the emergence of young leaders stepping forward with maturity, thoughtfulness, and purpose.

Throughout the evening, fellows shared reflections that were honest, articulate, and deeply moving. Parents, mentors, and guests reflected on the transformation they witnessed over the course of the year, not only in leadership skills, but in confidence, character, communication, and vision.

There was something incredibly powerful about watching these students stand proudly and share their voices after months of challenge, discussion, mentorship, and personal growth.

The atmosphere in the room was warm, emotional, elegant, and inspiring from beginning to end.

We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary fellows, mentors, guest speakers, families, and supporters for making this year so meaningful.

These photos capture only a glimpse of a very special night.

📸 Full Facebook album:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18odchNHuz/

📘 View the 2026 Graduation Yearbook:
https://thekollel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗡-𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣-𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠-𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡.pdf

Applications and interviews are now underway for the 2026–2027 cohort.

Apply here:
https://www.solomonprogram.org/apply

Presented by The Kollel
Supported by the Po***ck Mentorship Program

05/26/2026

𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

What an unforgettable evening.

The Solomon Leadership Program Graduation was far more than the completion of a course. It was a celebration of growth, confidence, mentorship, friendship, and the emergence of young leaders stepping forward with maturity, thoughtfulness, and purpose.

Throughout the evening, fellows shared reflections that were honest, articulate, and deeply moving. Parents, mentors, and guests reflected on the transformation they witnessed over the course of the year, not only in leadership skills, but in confidence, character, communication, and vision.

There was something incredibly powerful about watching these students stand proudly and share their voices after months of challenge, discussion, mentorship, and personal growth.

The atmosphere in the room was warm, emotional, elegant, and inspiring from beginning to end.

We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary fellows, mentors, guest speakers, families, and supporters for making this year so meaningful.

These photos capture only a glimpse of a very special night.

📸 Full Facebook album:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18odchNHuz/

📘 View the 2026 Graduation Yearbook:
https://thekollel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗡-𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣-𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠-𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡.pdf

Applications and interviews are now underway for the 2026–2027 cohort.

Apply here:
https://www.solomonprogram.org/apply

Presented by The Kollel
Supported by the Po***ck Mentorship Program

Solomon Leadership Program

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

✨ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐯𝐚𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. ✨

Confidence. Friendship. Jewish pride. Growth. Joy. Connection. Memories that truly matter.

Our Bat Mitzvah Celebration was the beautiful culmination of a year filled with meaningful conversations, hands-on experiences, laughter, learning, community, and unforgettable moments together.

Watching each girl stand proudly, share her voice, and celebrate this milestone surrounded by family and friends was incredibly special. The room was filled with warmth, energy, and so much genuine happiness.

This wasn’t just a party at the end of a program. It was the celebration of a journey. 💕✨

💕 Full photo album:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gb1LRiaBG/

✨ Registration for next year’s Bat Mitzvah Club is now open:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ohel-yaakov-community-kollel/events/bat-mitzvah-club-a-fun-and-meaningful-journey-1/

Spots fill every year, and after a night like this, it’s easy to see why. 💫

05/25/2026

✨ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐯𝐚𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. ✨

Confidence. Friendship. Jewish pride. Growth. Joy. Connection. Memories that truly matter.

Our Bat Mitzvah Celebration was the beautiful culmination of a year filled with meaningful conversations, hands-on experiences, laughter, learning, community, and unforgettable moments together.

Watching each girl stand proudly, share her voice, and celebrate this milestone surrounded by family and friends was incredibly special. The room was filled with warmth, energy, and so much genuine happiness.

This wasn’t just a party at the end of a program. It was the celebration of a journey. 💕✨

💕 Full photo album:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gb1LRiaBG/

✨ Registration for next year’s Bat Mitzvah Club is now open:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ohel-yaakov-community-kollel/events/bat-mitzvah-club-a-fun-and-meaningful-journey-1/

Spots fill every year, and after a night like this, it’s easy to see why. 💫

05/21/2026

❖ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐨 • 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐮𝐨𝐭 ❖

There is a kind of spirituality that keeps a person protected.

And there is another kind that brings warmth to the people around them.

In this week’s parsha, we read about the Nazir, a person who steps back from parts of ordinary life in pursuit of holiness.

There is something sincere and even admirable about that instinct.

Sometimes a person needs distance in order to grow.
To become more disciplined.
More focused.
More spiritually grounded.

But Judaism does not ultimately idealize a life lived apart from the world.

There is a well-known Chassidic image:
One person wears a fur coat to stay warm.
Another lights a fire.

Both protect against the cold.
But only one creates warmth that others can share.

That is a different kind of holiness.

Not holiness that stays guarded and separate.
But holiness that enters the room.

And perhaps that is one of the deeper messages of Shavuot.

The Torah was not given to angels, monks, or people removed from ordinary life.

It was given to human beings living with families, responsibilities, work, relationships, tension, and imperfection.

Not so we could escape the world.
But so we could bring something higher into it.

Modern culture often frames growth as withdrawal:
protect your peace, curate your space, distance yourself from what feels difficult.

And sometimes boundaries are necessary.

But Torah asks something deeper too.

Not only:
How do I stay spiritually warm?

But:
How do I help bring warmth into the spaces around me?

Maybe real spiritual growth is not measured only by how protected we feel, but by how much light, steadiness, kindness, and moral clarity we bring to others.

✨ As Shavuot approaches, may the Torah we receive not only lift us higher, but help us bring more warmth and holiness into the world around us.

Shabbat Shalom & Chag Sameach 🤍