Joining Congregation Toras Chaim September 11-13, 2009 will be Rabbi Yossi & Gail Michalowitz for a Shabbos of inspiration and pure enjoyment. We will be having a Friday night dinner in the shul followed by a lecture and oneg shabbos. The cost to attend the Friday night dinner is being kept to an absolute minimum, i.e. $18/person or $54/family. We will announce the titles of all the lectures this coming week. Please note: That Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night, September 12) we begin saying selichos. Rabbi Michalowitz will deliver an inspiring lecture, 1/2 hour before selichos. This shabbaton is sponsored by Larry & Wendy Rich, Rabbi Yaakov & Susan Rich, and the Rich children, in memory of their wife, mother and grandmother, Rosalie Rich, A”H.

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Rabbi Michalowicz, a dynamic speaker and charismatic leader, is the Rabbi of the Westmount Shul & Learning Centre.

A native Clevelander, he studied for 10 years at university level rabbinic school where he received his prestigious Yoreh-Yoreh S’micha [ordination] from the world-renowned Telshe Yeshiva of Cleveland. During that time he also graduated from the Kaufman Pedagogical Institute where he was granted the degree of “Educator in Israel”. In addition, he graduated with an M.Ed. from John Carroll University.

Since his arrival in Toronto in 1984, he has been actively involved in Jewish Education at all age levels.

He was a master teacher at Eitz Chaim Schools where he taught hundreds of children over a period of 11 years. During that time he upgraded his skills and completed coursework for his MA in Special education from York University. During those years, he served as the director of the Toronto Jewish Network, coordinating chavruta programs in various synagogues in the city. He volunteered extensively at the BAYT synagogue where he taught many adult education classes.

As well, Rabbi Michalowicz has lectured locally and internationally for various Jewish outreach organizations. He also served as the principal of the ORAH School for Jewish Children from the Soviet Union for fourteen years. He is one of the most sought after speakers in the GTA and his popular classes are the most well attended in town.

He has been the spiritual leader of the Westmount congregation for the last 12 years; while being an active force for Jewish outreach in Thornhill. Since last July he has exclusively focused his energies and talents in order to build his shul into becoming “the” Community Shul in Thornhill. He has the unique ability to speak to large crowds, while simultaneously cultivate relationships with the individuals who make up our community.

He has been married to his wife, Gail, for 26 years and is the father of nine children ages 5-24.

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Rebbetzin Gail Michalowicz, graduated from Bais Yakov High School and Teachers Seminary of Toronto. After graduating she met Rabbi Michalowicz and moved to Cleveland where they both furthered their education. Rabbi Michalowicz studied in the Kollel and John Carroll University, while Gail went on to study Social work and psychology at Notre Dame College in Cleveland where she graduated with honors. All the while, working as a pre-school teacher and Dorm parent for the Yeshivah.

With 2 children, Gail and Yossi returned to Toronto, where Gail began teaching pre-school at Eitz Chaim for 6 years and later Zareinu for 5 years. During that time Gail completed an E.C.E. and R.T. degree. After 11 wonderful years in pre-school and elementary education, Gail began her important work in Jewish Outreach, where she continues to inspire and educate people of all ages through classes and programs. She is mother of nine beautiful children from 5 to 24 years old.