Programmes
Weekly Kabbalat Shabbat Programme
MERCAZ-Canada has partnered with MERCAZ-USA, Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, Women's League for Conservative Judaism and the International Kiddush Club to offer an educational opportunity each Friday afternoon to learn new nusach from around the world. You can view the recordings of previous events here: https://www.kiddushclub.org/shabbat.php
To be added to the mailing list to recieve notices each week, please send an e-mail to: friday@mercaz.ca
Tikkun Across Canada
During the first Shavuot of COVID-19, we asked our Masorti rabbinate across Canada to offer their lessons, pre-recorded, for the Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, Thursday, May 28, 2020, online. You can find them on our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZITAY339YtVwZea6XrXgwAdditionally, there is a compilation of source sheets for both the pre-recorded shiurim here: https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/2020-05/Tikkun%20Study%20Guide%205780.pdf
Megillat Haatzmaut
Reading the Megillat Ha’atzmaut at the Family Kotel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHvvi_qykMU
Photo page: https://masorti.org/reading-the-megillat-haatzmaut-at-the-family-kotel/
MERCAZ-Canada Scholarships
Travel to Israel builds strong relationships with our homeland. MERCAZ-Canada is committed to encouraging young people to experience Israel through Conservative Movement sponsored programs. To this end, MERCAZ-Canada has a long-standing tradition of helping high school students and young adults from across Canada to experience Israel through trips under the auspices of the Conservative Movement.
High School Programme
- MERCAZ-Canada will match congregational scholarships from Conservative synagogues to a maximum of $200 CDN for high school students participating in the programs listed:
- Nativ
- Camp Ramah Israel Seminar
- TRY– Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim
- USY Pilgrimage
- Additional programs may be approved on a case-by-case basis, e.g. Conservative congregational or b’nei mitzvah trips with an emphasis on the Masorti Movement.
- As the number of scholarships is limited, please check back for application forms in the early spring and be sure to complete and reurn to our office as soon as possible.
Young Adults Scholarship Program
- MERCAZ-Canada will match congregational subsidies from Conservative synagogues to a maximum of $200 CDN for young adults ages 18-25 who are current members of MERCAZ-Canada participating in the programs listed below.
- Conservative Yeshiva
- Marom Programs
- Additional programs may be approved on a case-by-case basis, e.g. Conservative congregational or b’nei mitzvah trips with an emphasis on the Masorti Movement.
- As the number of scholarships is limited, please check back for application forms in the early spring and be sure to complete and reurn to our office as soon as possible.
MERCAZ/WLCJ Biennial Essay Contest
MERCAZ-Canada with MERCAZ USA and Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, run a biennial Israel Scholarship Essay Contest in even years. This contest asks teens, ages 14-19, to write on a specific Israel topic. Three scholarships are awarded, and may be saved for future Conservative Movement sponsored trips. The next MERCAZ/WLCJ Essay Contest will be in 2022.
MERCAZ/FJMC Ansh-eh Zafon Biennial Video Contest
Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism and Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, with MERCAZ-Canada and MERCAZ USA, run a biennial Scholarship Video Contest in odd numbered years. This contest asks teens, ages 14-19, to create a short video “commercial.” Scholarships may be saved for future Conservative Movement sponsored trips. The inaugural Masorti/FJMC contest will be in 2023.
CZF/ Kronitz Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Leon Aryeh Kronitz was a distinguished Jewish educator and community leader. At the time of his death, he was Executive Vice President of the Canadian Zionist Federation, and principal of the Solomon Schecter Academy. Dr Kronitz was a leader in the Labor Zionist Movement, in the Canadian Jewish Congress, an officer of the Canadian Jewish News, and a founder of the Hebrew Cultural Organization of Canada.
In his honour, the Hebrew Cultural Organization of Canada created the CZF/Kronitz Memorial Scholarship in 1986 to encourage and assist young Canadian Jews who wish to study in Israel in a long-term program. The expectation is that these young adults will return to Canada and provide service to the Canadian Jewish community. More than 1000 scholarships have been awarded to date. The experience of living and studying in Israel has encouraged recipients to reaffirm their commitment to Israel, education, and Jewish communal work.
Scholarships are $1000. Eligible candidates are in grade 12 students, recently graduated, in college, university, or graduate school, in need of financial aid, pursuing teacher training or general studies in Israel.
Applications are available on the CZF website, https://www.canadianzf.ca Deadline for applications is the end of June.
- Candidates must be Canadian citizens.
- Candidates must be accepted to study in Israel for at least one year in a post-secondary program recognized by the Israel Ministry of Education.
Annual MERCAZ-Canada Retreat
Each year, our Canadian FJMC Region, Anshe Zafon, hosts a retreat. MERCAZ-Canada has joined them for a joint retreat in 2019 and is planning on doing so again in 2021.
The retreat will be held December 3 - 5, 2021 at the Isaiah Tubbs Retreat Centre in Prince Edward County, near Trenton, Ontario. The accodations at the centre are suites and some motel type accomdations. Food will be kosher and prepared by our members with supervision.
The retreat will feature specific MERCAZ seminars as well as joint keynotes with the Men's Club members.
Planning is underway and the retreat application will be posted shortly. There will be a number of travel subsidies available to assist those from outside of Ontario and Quebec to join us.