Social Activities
60th anniversary dinner for Hadassah-Wizo, 1984
In recent years, the Peterborough Jewish community has maintained an active social calendar, despite the community’s declining numbers. The Hadassah chapter has held many successful social events over the years, including teas, antique sales, bazaars, community dinners and the highly popular Chocolate Sundays. In addition, they have been active in fundraising for many Jewish causes including the United Israel Appeal and Youth Aliyah.
In the 1990s, the Hadassah chapter decided to merge with the Beth Israel Sisterhood. As Jewish women in the community were typically members of both groups, this new Hadassah-Sisterhood amalgam was better able to serve the social needs of Peterborough’s Jewish community without duplicating each others activities. Together, they continue to provide a social outlet for the community through special events and programming.
In addition, the Beth Israel Synagogue has partnered with the Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario (RJCO) on a number of occasions to provide the community with engaging speakers and educational programs. The shul also organizes its own festivities around the High Holidays, as well as Channukah parties and Sukkot celebrations and provides social programs such as book launches and movie nights. Finally, the synagogue membership participates in aiding a variety of social causes such as community poverty and AIDS relief in Africa.
