by Jeff Denaburg, Co-Chair, Israel Committee Israel, one of the world’s smallest coun- tries and the only one with a Jewish majority, holds a central place in world affairs. But while Israel is important to the world in general, it is even more so to Jews in the Diaspora, who have a personal interest in the development of a country guided by Jewish principles and ideals. is is true for all of us, but espe- cially for our young people. Israel is a part of their identity, which is why it is important for our youth to experience the country for themselves. THE GREAT ADVENTURE Many young members of Holy Blossom Temple already take advantage of op- portunities to enrich their lives through participating in programs in Israel: • Life on a modern Reform kibbutz in the beautiful and fascinating Negev desert, not far from Eilat, offers an unparalleled experience. Nicole Bardikoff spent the past summer as a volunteer on Kibbutz Lotan. • For excitement and character- building, overseas volunteers can seek out Magen David Adom, which provides training in emergency medi- cal care and a chance to see Israel, meet Israelis and perform a mitzvah. Several of our younger members have participated in this program, includ- ing Jared Rosenstock and Ben Rosen. • e North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) summer program provides an opportunity for young people to discover Israel with other North American Reform Jewish travellers. Jessica Hart enjoyed a wonderful trip this past summer. • Located in the picturesque hills outside Jerusalem, the Reform Movement’s High School in Israel/EIE program allows high school students to spend a semester in Israel, taking credit courses and discovering the country. Aron Berger had a great time there last year. • e Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers courses in English for a sum- mer or a year. In the international program, students learn with and from Israelis, as well as students from around the world. Just ask Mira Lyon, who spent last year at Hebrew U. • If you would like to see the country and learn Hebrew, there are ulpan (Hebrew immersion) programs in many towns and kibbutzim. Rebecca Baskin is currently on an ulpan. • Volunteers are encouraged to explore the Toronto-Eilat Partnership through the Eilat Volunteer Internship, where opportunities include saving the coral reefs, working in a wildlife sanctuary or helping at a local hospital, as Ben Rosen did last summer. Holy Blossom Temple Bulletin December 2007 | Kislev/Tevet 5768 Our teens explore Israel | Our Israel continued on page 8
Transcript
D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 7 | K i s l e v / Te v e t 5 7 6 8 �
by Jeff Denaburg, Co-Chair, Israel Committee
Israel, one of the world’s smallest coun-tries and the only one with a Jewish majority, holds a central place in world affairs. But
while Israel is important to the world in general, it is even more so to Jews in the Diaspora, who have a personal interest in the development of a country guided by Jewish principles and ideals.
This is true for all of us, but espe-cially for our young people. Israel is a part of their identity, which is why it is important for our youth to experience the country for themselves.
T h e g r e aT a D v e n T u r eMany young members of Holy Blossom Temple already take advantage of op-portunities to enrich their lives through participating in programs in Israel:• Life on a modern Reform kibbutz
in the beautiful and fascinating Negev desert, not far from Eilat, offers an unparalleled experience. Nicole Bardikoff spent the past summer as a volunteer on Kibbutz Lotan.
• For excitement and character- building, overseas volunteers can seek out Magen David Adom, which provides training in emergency medi-cal care and a chance to see Israel, meet Israelis and perform a mitzvah. Several of our younger members have participated in this program, includ-
ing Jared Rosenstock and Ben Rosen.• The North American Federation
of Temple Youth (NFTY) summer program provides an opportunity for young people to discover Israel with other North American Reform Jewish travellers. Jessica Hart enjoyed a wonderful trip this past summer.
• Located in the picturesque hills outside Jerusalem, the Reform Movement’s High School in Israel/EIE program allows high school students to spend a semester in Israel, taking credit courses and discovering the country. Aron Berger had a great time there last year.
• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers courses in English for a sum-mer or a year. In the international program, students learn with and from Israelis, as well as students from around the world. Just ask Mira Lyon, who spent last year at Hebrew U.
• If you would like to see the country and learn Hebrew, there are ulpan (Hebrew immersion) programs in many towns and kibbutzim. Rebecca Baskin is currently on an ulpan.
• Volunteers are encouraged to explore the Toronto-Eilat Partnership through the Eilat Volunteer Internship, where opportunities include saving the coral reefs, working in a wildlife sanctuary or helping at a local hospital, as Ben Rosen did last summer.
D a I ly S e r v I c e SMonday to Friday at 7.30 a.m. | ShacharitMonday to Thursday at 6 p.m. | Ma’arivSunday at 9 a.m. | Shacharit
On Tue. Dec. 25 and Wed. Dec. 26, 2007, and Tue. Jan. 1, 2008, Shacharit Services will be held at 9 a.m.
S h a b b aT S e r v I c e SFriday at 6 p.m. | Kabbalat ShabbatSaturday at 10.30 a.m. | Shabbat Morning and Family Shabbat
Congregation-wide Shabbat Morning Services will be held on Sat. Dec. 15, Sat. Dec. 22, Sat. Dec. 29, 2007 and Sat. Jan. 5, 2008. Tot Shabbat will be held on Fri. Dec. 7, 2007 (Service) and Fri. Jan. 4, 2008 (Service and dinner).
Worship In This Issue ... In Perspective 3 | Holy Blossom
The Bulletin is published 11 times a year by Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K9. Telephone: (416) 789-3291; Fax: (416) 789-9697; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.holyblossom.org. Honorary President: John A. Geller; President: Barry Silver; Rabbis: John Moscowitz; Yael Splansky; Karen Thomashow; Edward Goldfarb; Cantor: Benjamin Z. Maissner; Cantorial Soloist: Lindi Rivers; Director of Education: Deborah K. Spiegel; Rabbi Emeritus: Dow Marmur; Senior Scholar: W. Gunther Plaut; Executive Director: Benjamin Applebaum; Holy Blossom Temple Foundation Chair: Marvin Tile; Director of Development: Cheryl Zeldin; Bulletin Editor: Judy Nyman; Design and Production: Holy Blossom Temple was founded in 1856 and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism.
Congregational Chanukah Party Fri. Dec. 7, 2007, at 4.30 p.m.
Our Kabbalat Shabbat/Chanukah celebration is one of the highlights of the year for many of our young Temple members, their parents and grandparents. Enjoy live music, dreidel games, storytelling and, of course, latkes with all the trimmings. Bring your own chanukiyah and we will light the candles together. When the party is over, you can join us for our Tot Shabbat Service, designed for children aged five years and younger, or our new Hot Shot Shabbat Service (for ‘graduates’ of Tot Shabbat), our Kabbalat Shabbat Service made even more family-friendly. Cost: members $4; non-members $5; children younger than 13 free. For more details, please e-mail [email protected].
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Save the date | Sat. Feb. 9, 2008We invite all congregants to honour Rabbi Edward Goldfarb on his 70th birthday. Please join us for our Shabbat Morning Service, followed by a special kiddush lunch. Watch the Bulletin for more details.
Thinking about our future: Part � | In Perspectiveby rabbi John Moscowitz
haym Soloveitchik, Professor of Jewish History and Thought at Yeshiva University in New York, suggested some years ago that
Jewish migration from Europe in the 20th century — brought about by the rupturing experiences of modernity and the Holocaust — caused an irrepar-able breach in Jewish life. Specifically, “mimetic” religious practice (imitating and absorbing what one saw at home) was shattered by the destruction of a once-cohesive traditional world.
M I M e T I c P r a c T I c eThe result — an obsession, in the right-wing Orthodox world, with the punctilious observance of every ritual, intensified by the burgeoning array of religious texts devoted to the intricacies of ritual practice.
Soloveitchik observed that if home learning is normally natural, nurturing, fluid and, at times, idiosyncratic, then text learning is prone to be distancing, dogmatic and lacking affect.
“Monkey see, monkey do,” the most natural and nurturing way to learn religious practice, is now gone or severely compromised. In a mimetic society, the past is the standard; the parents are the teachers and interpreters
of that past. In an acculturated soci-ety, the mimetic tradition is ruptured beyond repair, and received practice is no longer stable, intimate or authentic. Like it or not, acculturation destabilizes the Jewish home.
D e S Ta b I l I z aT I O n a n D r I g I D I T yIronically, but not surprisingly, our liberal milieu suffers from the same destabilization and temptation toward rigidity. But it is a rigidity about not doing — rather than overdoing.
Our homes today are all too often too busy, distracted and bereft of books and knowledge. We are rich in technological sophistication, innovative imagination and the capacity to seize opportunities — yet, we are remarkably poor in the knowledge of Judaism that ought to guide and nurture our children.
In this context then, the synagogue — this synagogue very much included — often becomes the only place where our children can learn Jewish ways and rites.
Only in the synagogue can young Jews have the opportunity for their identity to be deepened and secured. This is the case in our Supplementary School, our Pre-School and our Leo Baeck Day School — and it is no accident that our parents require more from our Supplementary School than
ever and, at the same time, are enrolling their children in Jewish day schools far more than ever. Who would have thought, even 10 years ago or so, that literally dozens of Holy Blossom teenagers would now populate CHAT and are becoming competent and literate Jews?
The bad news is the good news: our parents are voting with their feet to put pressure on synagogues and day schools to help educate their children.
Pa r T n e r S h I P w I T h l e O b a e c kHow lucky we are, therefore, to be in partnership with the Leo Baeck Day School at 1950 Bathurst Street. As we plan for our future, the strength of our Supplementary School, our relation-ship with the Leo Baeck Day School and our ability to engage our teenagers currently at CHAT, are more necessary than ever. It is critical to our future that the synagogue be an inviting place for these children, whose Jewish learning is deeper and more intense than the liberal milieu has ever seen.
Over the next several issues of the Bulletin, Rabbi Moscowitz will spell out his vision of what the future experience of Holy Blossom Temple might best look like. He invites your comments, by e-mail, at [email protected].
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Thur. Jan. �� and Sat. Jan. �6, �008, at 8 p.m., and Sun. Jan. �7, �008, at �.�0 p.m.When Aaron and Michael Schumann discover that their father, Sol, a Holocaust survivor, is accused of being a sadistic kapo in a German labour camp, their quest for the truth leads to disturbing revelations — and tragic consequences.
To order tickets or for more details, please call the Stagecraft hotline (ext. 511), at the Temple.
holy blossom Temple Stagecraft company
The Action against Sol Schumann by Jeffrey Sweet
a meaningful way to remember | Foundationby cheryl zeldin, Director of Development, Holy Blossom Temple Foundation
In april of this year, Bea Sidlofsky lost her husband, Dr. Saul Sidlofsky.
Bea and Saul have been active members
of Holy Blossom Temple since 1966; Saul served on the Temple Board of Directors and was a regular participant in many Temple programs.
When Saul died, Bea established the Dr. Saul Sidlofsky Memorial Fund, enabling those wishing to make memo-rial donations to do so in his name.
Of their many affiliations, it was their “great attachment to the Temple” that led Bea to choose the Holy Blossom Foundation as the preferred destination for memorial donations.
S u P P O r T I n g T e M P l e P r I O r I T I e SA few months later, Bea considered the options available for directing the col-lected funds. She selected the general fund of the Holy Blossom Temple Foun-dation, which supports Temple priori-ties. “Rather than something specific, I wanted generally to help the Temple,” she says.
Bea has been overwhelmed by the number of people who have paid tribute to her husband by making a contribu-tion to the memorial fund, noting, “I want to ensure that everyone who made a donation knows how very much I appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness.”
D e S I g n aT I n g S u P P O r TThe Holy Blossom Temple Foundation plans and administers a diverse group of funds. Where someone has a particu-lar area of interest within the Temple community, such as youth, education or worship, the donated funds can be designated to support programming in that area.
One of the Foundation’s most mean-ingful roles is to help congregants mark major life events, both joyous and sad.
Congregants such as Bea, who in pivotal moments have thought of Holy Blossom Temple, have ensured the breadth and excellence of our Temple’s programs; such dedication and attachment will secure the strength of Holy Blossom Temple as we move into our future.
M a r k I n g I M P O r Ta n T e v e n T SFor more details on setting up funds to mark lifecycle events, or for any other questions, please call the Foundation office (ext. 260), at the Temple or e-mail me at [email protected].
Dr. Saulz”l Sidlofsky and Bea
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Invest in our renewalhundreds of vol-unteers continue to invest enormous amounts of time in Holy Blossom’s Renewal Project, and
a growing number of our members are making financial contributions. There is a good reason for this investment of time and money.
The survival of liberal Judaism de-pends almost entirely on the strength of its synagogues. That strength must include, as one of its pillars, a physi-cal space that will attract and retain its members in surroundings that enhance the synagogue experience in worship, education and community.
Where will we be without a success-ful Renewal Project? We will not have a community gathering area. We will not have an easily accessible main floor family chapel, bathed in natural light. We will not have a main floor social hall to rival the better venues in the city for
our members’ simchas. We will not have new facilities for The Leo Baeck Day School, or our Religious School and Pre-School. We will not have expanded grassy play areas for our children. We will not have a new efficient physical plant with lower operating costs.
f u T u r e c O S T SOf more interest, however, is what we will have if the project does not pro-ceed. Over the next 10 or more years, we will see continued financial pressure, possibly resulting in levies on existing members to pay for the improvements and maintenance that will be required if our major construction project does not go ahead.
This will deliver few or none of the benefits we aspire to attain with our Renewal Project.
Indeed, it is paradoxical that many people are concerned about the financial challenges of undertaking a project that, when successful, will
actually reduce the financial obligations we would otherwise all share if the proj-ect were not to go forward.
We must stay focused on the ultimate objective, the ultimate need to complete this Renewal Project for the good of Holy Blossom, its members and the Jewish community as a whole. This project deserves to receive your invest-ment of time and dollars, at whatever level you can afford.
You, and future generations of liberal Jews, will benefit greatly from the im-provements. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in the future of Holy Blossom and send a strong mes-sage that investing in our Jewish future is critical.
The goal of the Capital Campaign is to encourage every Holy Blossom mem-ber to invest something. We hope you will take up this challenge and respond accordingly.
Sanctuary legacy groupThis message contributes to the spirit of peacemaking within our congregation on the subject of the renewal of Holy Blossom Temple. We welcome the recent communication from Temple President Barry Silver, and the discussion that has taken place over these last few months inviting us to join the renewal process.
The Sanctuary Legacy Group supports this badly needed initiative, including strengthening our partner-ship with The Leo Baeck Day School. But we believe that the success of this project requires broader agreement on renewal that does not do irreparable
harm to the sensibilities and commit-ments of hundreds of loyal congregants who have rallied behind our efforts to preserve the historic Sanctuary of Holy Blossom Temple.
Seeking consensus through dialogue is the way forward for our congregation. To this end, we have participated in discussions with supporters of the present plan; we have avoided open challenges to the congregational leader-ship; and we have sought formulae acceptable to both sides.
In the coming weeks, while main-taining our commitment to preserving the historic Sanctuary of Holy Blossom,
we will continue to work within the established institutions of the renewal process and engage with those with whom we have respectfully disagreed. We invite our many supporters to join this process. We hope that those whose ideas are different than ours will support the quest for broad agreement.
Let us go forward together in a way that does justice to a venerable and distinguished congregation. Let us set an example of consensus-building that will heal divisions of the past and ensure unity for the future.
For further information, consult our Web site at www.saveoursanctuary.com.
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Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple
Our Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning strives to engage our community to join together for stimulating lectures, to study Torah and to obtain the skills needed to lead a meaningful Jewish life. For more details on all lectures and programs, please call the School office (ext. 256), at the Temple, or visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org. All programs and lectures are open to the community, unless otherwise stated. For your convenience, our weekday daytime programs are marked with the following symbol: .
Ongoing learning and specialized classes
Shabbat Morning Torah Study:From Sinai to Soloveitchik — Why Ideas MatterRabbi John MoscowitzSaturdays at 9 a.m.
Adult B’nei Mitzvah Mondays at 7.30 p.m. For pre-registered participants only.
Advanced Hebrew Grammar Rabbi Edward Goldfarb
Tuesdays at 11 a.m.Open to Temple members only.
Sisterhood Torah Study: Studies in GenesisRabbi Edward Goldfarb
Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m.
The Yiddish NovelRabbi Edward Goldfarb
Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Beginners’ HebrewDalia Alalouf, Hebrew SupervisorWednesdays at 7.30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Cost: members $250 per year; non-members $360.
Brotherhood Study: Modern Jewish ThoughtRabbi Michael StrohWednesdays at 7.30 p.m.Jan. 9 to Feb. 13, 2008 This course will look at how modern Jewish thinkers confront nihilism and
the void. We will discuss the great Jewish thinkers of our day and what they have to say about God, creation, revelation, morality and Jewish destiny.
Chassidic Study Circle: Kabbalah of Our SoulRabbi Avraham Plotkin, Chabad Lubavitch, Markham
Tuesdays at 11 a.m.Jan. 15 to Feb. 5, 2008 Based on The Tanya by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, this course will look at the spiritual nature of our soul and creating a connection to God through meditation and spirituality.
Our New Siddur: A PreviewRabbi Yael SplanskyMondays at 7.30 p.m.Feb. 4 to 18, 2008 Every siddur, in every time and place, shares a common form, and is at the same time made unique by responding to the moment. In honour of Holy Blossom Temple’s 150th Anniversary, we are preparing a new prayer book to inspire the spiritual aspirations of the next generation. Join Rabbi Yael Splansky for a sneak preview of a proof and learn the inner logic of how our ancient prayers are structured — thematically, theologically and dramatically.
Beyond the ChuppahDavid and Eileen Berger, Temple Members Thursdays at 8 p.m.Feb. 7 to Mar. 6, 2008 Learn to build a strong foundation
for marriage. We will look at: expec-tations and changing roles; family, career, friends, finances and priorities; intimacy and romance for a lifetime; the Jewish home and Jewish values; and communication, negotiation and compromise. This course is designed for newly engaged couples and newlyweds within their first year of marriage. Pre-registration required. For more details, please call Roseanne Mason (ext. 276), at the Temple.
The Jewish World in the 21st CenturyProfessor Paul Liptz
Sun. Jan. 20, 2008, at 9.30 a.m.The Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel resulted in a major demographic change; 80 per cent of all Jews now live in two countries: the United States and Israel. Today, several small communities around the world are blooming again, sometimes on the soil of tragic destruction.
Paul Liptz is a professor at Tel Aviv University and HUC-JIR, Jerusalem.
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The god Delusion — Or the god reality?This fall’s Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman lecture series, The God Delusion — Or the God Reality, brought four renowned speakers to Holy Blossom Temple to discuss our belief in God and our attitudes toward faith. Thousands of guests turned out, over four separate evenings, to hear the words of one devout atheist and three people of faith.
All photographs by Charlene Mac Eachern
christopher hitchens — Oct. 9Left to right: (back row) Christopher Hitchens, Rick Young and Barry Silver; and (front row) Margaret Wente and Rabbi John Moscowitz
rabbi David wolpe — Oct. ��Left to right: (back row) Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner and Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl; and (front row) Rabbi John Moscowitz and Rabbi David Wolpe
rabbi naomi levy — Oct. �6Left to right: Rabbi Shalom Schacter, Rabbi Naomi Levy and Rabbi John Moscowitz
father raymond J. de Souza — Oct. �0Left to right: Rabbi John Moscowitz, Father Raymond J. de Souza and Linda Frum
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• Study programs or yeshivot allow par-ticipants to learn from the source in the place where it all happened. Taiga Lipson recently took part in a program and Ben Powers is there now.
S h O r T e r a D v e n T u r e SThere are also many opportunities available that last just a few weeks:• Birthright — More popular with our
members every year, this free trip (for Jewish youth between 18 and 26 years of age) offers a traditional tour, as well as variations for those with special interests, such as extra outdoor activi-ties. Beth Denaburg is just one of our many young Temple members who have participated in this incredible experience.
• March of the Living — This spring program, which takes place in Poland and Israel, commemorates the Holocaust. Holy Blossom was well
represented this past year with many of our Grade 11 and 12 students.
• Holy Blossom Temple Grade 10 Confirmation trip — Last year’s trip was a big success; the next journey will take place next March break.
P l a n S f O r n e x T S u M M e r ?It is heart warming to see our young people diving into an Israel adventure. If
you have not yet experienced it, now is a great time. A good place to start is the Israel Volunteer Program Centre, at (416) 638-8824. A list of youth pro-grams in Israel can also be found at: www.jewishagency.org > Jewish Zionist Education > Experiences in Israel.
continued from page 1 Our teens explore Israel
Beth Denaburg (left) and friends show off therapeutic mud at the Dead Sea on their Birthright trip.
Mira Lyon (centre) and friends visit the Kotel, during her time at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
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w. gunther Plaut humanitarian award Presented to Dr. James OrbinskiBack row: (left to right) Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Judith Plaut, Rabbi John Moscowitz, Carol Plaut, Rabbi Jonathan Plaut, Michael Levine and Barry Silver; (front row) Rose Wolfe, Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut and Dr. James Orbinski.
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Scholar in residence — rabbi Jeff SalkinRabbi Jeff Salkin leads a group discussion on “Our Relationship with God.”
Opportunities for enrichmentOctober brought many special events to Holy Blossom Temple. From a weekend devoted to discussing our relationship to God, to a book talk on a collection of Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut’s essays to the bestowing of a special award for humanitarian efforts, fall programs filled our Temple halls with provocative discussion and opportunities for enrichment.
book Talks — Jonathan v. PlautLeft to right: (back row) Frank Tizel, Janie Tizel and Marilyn Farber join Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut (front row), whose book of essays was edited by his son, Jonathan V. Plaut. Ph
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Shelly Berenbaum, Senior Administrator Organizes and supervises all office administration mattersext. 233, [email protected]
Elana Fehler, Receptionist and Administrative SupportDirects calls and answers general inquiriesext. 221, efehler@ holyblossom.org
Janice Feuer, Foundation Develop-ment CoordinatorHandles donation requests and Foundation office administrationext. 265, jfeuer@ holyblossom.org
Lissette Ilgner, Religious School Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support for Religious School and handles registration for the Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learningext. 238, lilgner@ holyblossom.org
Putting faces to the voices on the phoneOver the last few months, several changes have taken place at the Temple. Tania Blumenthal has moved on after 10 years of service, first as lifecycle coordinator and later as Rabbi John Moscowitz’s administrative assistant. Cynthia Silverman has retired after more than 10 years of service, including acting as Rabbi Yael Splansky’s administrative assistant. We thank them both for their dedication to Holy Blossom Temple and our congregation. Our current office staff members, both the familiar and the newer faces, are listed below. All of our administrative staff can be reached by calling the main Temple phone number, followed by the individual extension. We are fortunate to have such a skilled and devoted team.
Lily Lee, Pre-School/Religious School Administrative AssistantProvides administrative sup-port for the Temple Pre-School and Religious Schoolext. 237, [email protected]
Roseanne Mason, Administrative Assistant Provides administrative sup-port for Rabbis Yael Splansky and Karen Thomashow and manages b’nei mitzvah arrangmentsext. 276, rmason@ holyblossom.org
Hayley Nuttall, Administrative AssistantProvides administrative support for Rabbi John Moscowitz, and manages wedding and funeral arrange-ments, as well as memorial plaques and yahrzeitsext. 246, hnuttall@ holyblossom.org
Mari Lynn Rusak, Administrative AssistantProvides administrative sup-port for Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, Lindi Rivers and the Temple Singersext. 224, mlrusak@ holyblossom.org
Lana Franko, BookkeeperManages accounts payable and receivable, and payrollext. 225, lfranko@ holyblossom.org
Chello Sittambalam, Accounting ManagerManages accounting, financial functions and information technologyext. 254, csittambalam@ holyblossom.org
Michael Larkin, Facility Manager Manages maintenance, operations and securityext. 230, mlarkin@ holyblossom.org
Lev Madainik, Assistant Facility Manager Assists Michael [email protected]
Other facility management staff: Dermott Ganley, Steve Maquirang and Everett Ortiz
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winter events | Youth Groupsby zach Paul, Youth Director
holy blossom’s Senior Youth Group (HABSTY) has had a great start this fall. We sent many of our participants to regional events in Cleveland and
Rochester, organized by the North Ameri-can Federation of Temple Youth. We also hosted our own sub-regional event at the Albion Hills conservation centre.
Looking forward, we are sending another group of high school students to Cleveland for Winter Kallah on the
weekend of Jan. 11 to 13, 2008. This is a great opportunity for our teen mem-bers to get involved with HABSTY and meet other Jewish high school students from cities outside of Toronto.
We are also holding an event on Sun. Jan. 20, 2008. (Watch the HABSTY bulletin board in the Religious School foyer for more details.) If you have any questions about HABSTY or our events, please e-mail me at [email protected].
O T h e r P r O g r a M SJosh Berger is continuing to help the Junior Youth Group plan social-action programs, which will be youth-written and youth-run. If you have a child in Grade 7 or 8 who is interested, please e-mail Josh at [email protected].
And, if you are looking for program-ming for your child in Grades 4 to 6, e-mail Mira Lyon at [email protected] for details on upcoming events.
Sharing a love of learning | Supplementary Schoolsby Deborah k. Spiegel, Director of Education
In �979, Pearl Hermant came to Holy Blossom Temple Religious School as a teacher for Kitah Bet (Grade 4). Twenty-eight years
later, after many years of teaching, tutoring B’nei Mitzvah students and becoming supervisor of B’nei Mitvah tutoring, Pearl has decided it is time to “have the last cup of coffee” and pass her tikkun.
Over the years, Pearl has worked with more than 1,000 students at Holy Blossom, sharing her love of the Torah with every one of them. She has not only taught many students, but has worked with their parents, feeling it was her responsibility to engage the parents of the B’nei Mitzvah students as if they were also her students. She believes that it was her obligation to tell parents “where their priorities should be; my job was not to argue with the parent, but if they expect to have a Bar
or Bat Mitzvah on the chosen date, they and their children must work hard and make the commitment!”
At the beginning of her tenure, most B’nei Mitzvah students did not chant their portion. When Pearl started as a tutor, she did not even know how to chant — she learned by default when Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner was called away and students needed to be taught! The rest is history. Pearl is quick to remind us that the Torah does not change — the world will change over the years, but our Torah always applies.
What is in Pearl’s future? Travel, time with her grandchildren and a computer course. We wish Pearl a much-deserved rest, health and good wishes. But most of all, we thank her for a job very well done.
Of course Pearlie can never be replaced, but we want to assure all of our congregants that our B’nei Mitzvah coordination is in the able hands of Happy Iscove. Happy has been affiliated
with Holy Blossom for many years as a teacher, tutor and congregant. She has already taken over much of Pearl’s daily duties and we are sure that Happy will be able to show the same sensitivity to all of our parents and their children.
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M o n d ays @ the Temple
Dec. 10, 2007 Annual Chanukah PartyAll seniors are invited to join us at 12.30 p.m. for this fun and festive event. Following a delicious lunch, we will be entertained by Zoey Adams, a Toronto-based performer,
Our day begins at 10 a.m. (note exception on Dec. 10, 2007), and includes interesting programs, gentle exercise and lunch — all this for only $2 per session. Please note we will have a two-week break in December, with no program on Dec. 24 and 31, 2007.
writer, singer and comedienne who, with Tony Quarrington, will take us back to the music of the 30s and 40s.
Dec. 17, 2007 Cooking with Sue | Sue Devor
Jan. 7, 2008 The Jews of Spain: Their History and Culture | Irwin Feuerstein, Retired Professor, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, McMaster University, and Historian of Jewish Culture and Tradition
For more information, or to offer to drive participants, please call the Seniors’ hotline (ext. 517), at the Temple.
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G E N E R A T I O N (for 20 and 30 somethings)
For more details, please call Roseanne Mason (ext. 276), at the Temple.
aaron lightstone
Jeffrey wilson
aviva chernick
Sundar viswanathan
Mark w
einstock
H o ly B l o S S o m T e m p l e
Judaica ShopWe have special gifts for Chanukah including unique chanukiyot, as well as for B’nei Mitzvah, baby namings and other occasions. If you are looking for tallitot, mezzuzot, challah covers or knives, or books, we would be pleased to serve you.
We now have a Bridal Registry, with discounts offered on purchases for your registered items. Hours are Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., or make an appoint-ment by calling ext. 234, at the Temple.
brotherhood Breakfast Club
avrum rosensweig, Co-Director, Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee
Sun. Dec. �6, �007, at 9.�0 a.m.All members of Holy Blossom, men and women, are welcome.
shabbat FusionFridays at 6.30 p.m., Jan. 25, Feb. 29, mar. 28, Apr. 25, may 30 and June 27, 2008
Once a month, approximately 75 young adults — single and attached, members and non-members — gather on the last Friday of the month to experience a Shabbat evening of prayer, song and study like no other. Five musicians bring a sound that is both old and new — tribal rhythms from the Ugandan Jewish community, joyful niggunim from the Chassidic influence of Shlomo Carlebach and riffs of New Orleans jazz and retro. Following the Service, a kiddush of Israeli wine and sushi invites people to linger for hours.
D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 7 | K i s l e v / Te v e t 5 7 6 8 ��
Welcome to Our Temple Family
We would like to welcome the following people to the Holy Blossom Temple family:
Nan Dasgupta & Michael Bernstein, and Ajanta, Kobi and Keya
Eve Halpern & Jerome Breslin, and Nathaniel and Zoe
Lisa & David Swimmer, and Noah
Mazal Tov
b I r T h S
Ariel Perez & Rob Kohan on the birth of their daughter, Zara Perlina Kohan. Proud grandparents are Barbara & Fred Kohan and Lisette Amore and Joseph Charles Perez of Montreal. Proud great-grand-mother is Alice Perez.
M a r r I a g e S
Ilsa & Jeff Blidner on the marriage of their daughter, Stacey Blidner, to Ethan Kline, son of Susan Duviner, who were married in
In Memoriam
The congregation sympathizes with the recently bereaved families of:
Lawrence Alex, father of Ian Alex and Linda Davis
Zita Dickman, wife of Lee Dickman, mother of Beverley Dickman, Lesley Dickman and Vicky Dickman, sister of Abe Rosman
Gerald Feldman, son of Doris Feldman, brother of Michael Feldman and Shelly Feldman
Alfred Hertz, husband of Honey Hertz, father of Sherryl Dobson, Debbie Hertz and Elise Hertz, brother of Florence Brill
Calvert Kogan, husband of Helen Olesker, father of Cary Kogan, Gabriella Kogan, Jennifer Kogan and Ron Kogan, brother of Sarah Joyce Globus and Marty Kogan
Zinaida Maydanik, mother of Edward Maidanik and Lev Maidanik
Isaac Bernard Morris, husband of Sylvia Morris, father of Yvonne Boxerman and Gael Gilbert
Frank Rebick, husband of Zelda Rebick, father of Charles Rebick, Marcus Rebick and Sue Rebick, brother of Ruth Rebick
Ruth Smith, mother of Nancy Gay Smith and Larry Smith, sister of Shirley Simon
Sonya Stern, mother of Janice Marr, Sandy Primeau and Stephen Stern
We thank our generous donors
a r c h I v e S f u n D
David Hart, In Appreciation: Holy Blossom
Temple Chavura
Sheila Smolkin, In Appreciation: Holy Blossom
Temple Chavura
J e a n f I n e S e n I O r S f u n D
Wendy Fine & Harry Shizgal, In Honour: Penny Fine
& Hugh Furneaux
Samuel Gotfrid, Mazal Tov: Louise Fineberg &
Moishe Fischer and Family
Our Congregational Family
b ’ n e I M I T z v a h
21 Kislev 5768/Dec. 1, 2007Adam Horwitz, son of Ellen & Elliott Horwitz
28 Kislev 5768/Dec. 8, 2007Amanda Wolfe, daughter of Beverley & Michael Wolfe
28 Kislev 5768/Dec. 8, 2007Jake Wolfe, son of Beverley & Michael Wolfe
28 Kislev 5768/Dec. 8, 2007Samantha Wolfe, daughter of Beverley & Michael Wolfe
August 2007. Proud grandparents are Tillie Blidner, Rose Halpren and Anne Shore.
f lO r a l f u n D
Adam Horwitz, Bar Mitzvah: Ellen & Elliott Horwitz
Amanda, Jake and Samantha Wolfe, B’nei Mitzvah:
Beverley & Michael Wolfe
h O ly b lO S S O M T e M P l e f O u n D aT I O n
Belman Family, Mazal Tov: Lisa Borden & Rob Storm
Matilda Bigio, In Honour: Sybil & Jack Geller
Sara & Richard Charney, In Honour: Sybil &
Jack Geller
Carol & Mike Dombrow, Mazal Tov: Joan & Don
Granatstein
Fred Eisen, In Memory: Joan & Don Granatstein
Lois & George Fine, Mazal Tov: Sharon &
Bernard Herman
Charlotte Good, In Memory: Barbara Organ
Sam Gotfrid, Special Birthday: Sybil & Myer Levine
Dena & Jay Granatstein, Mazal Tov: Joan & Don
Granatstein
Alfred Hertz, In Memory: Mary & Henry Seldon
Jeanne Kamarner, In Memory: Sybil Gordon and
Family; Daisy & Sydney Jacobs; Terrye & Jack
Kuper; Elinore Persiko and Family; Mary & Henry
Seldon; Esther & Marvin Tile
Masha & Alex Levy, Yahrzeit: Joan & Don Granatstein
Linda Reitapple, Mazal Tov: Joan & Don Granatstein
Mary Seldon, In Appreciation: Michael Larkin
Carl Stone, In Memory: Beverley & Dr. Bernard
Blackstein; Susanne & Stuart Egier; Sybil Gordon
and Family; Esther & Cyril Hersh
Dr. Marvin Tile, In Appreciation: Barbara Organ
h O ly b lO S S O M T e M P l e r e n e w a l f u n D
Barbara and Sam Frum O’Brien, B’nei Mitzvah:
Sokolowski Family
Paul Galfund, Yahrzeit: Charendoff Family;
Sherman Family
Joy Rosen, Happy Birthday: Ronni Brott &
Julian Heller
Cynthia Silverman, In Appreciation: Sarita Dotan
Harry Smith, Yahrzeit: Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith
I S r a e l S T u D y f u n D
Emma Aiken Klar, Mazal Tov: Miriam Rubin &
Lou Glait
J a c O b ’ S T O w e r f u n D
Ruth Allen, Special Birthday: Marilyn Shesko &
David Hertzman
brotherhood Breakfast Club
�� w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g
Presley Eden Katz, In Honour of Her Birth: Marilyn
Shesko & David Hertzman
J O a n k e r b e l l e a D e r S h I P D e v e lO P M e n T
f u n D
Jeanne Kamarner, In Memory: Gail & Gary
Goodman; Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood
Dr. Norman Kerbel, In Memory: Bernard Awerbuck;
Beverley & Dr. Bernard Blackstein; Brook Family;
Canadian Accents; Faga & Milton Clapham; Ellie
& Barry Fishbane; Fountainhead Talent Inc.; Rhea
& Paul Gold; Shelly & Lanny Goluboff; Diana &
Marvin Goodman; Barbara & Irving Green; Roz
& Ralph Halbert; Dr. Brian Heller; Ryna & Bernie
Langer; Holly & John Laskin and Family; Cecile
& Fred Metrick; Miller, Saperia and Company;
Barbara & Dr. Nathan Morrow; Harry Palter;
Deidre Plotnick & Alan Wolfman; Rapp Family;
Lynda & Buck Reed; Nancy Ruth; Henry Saperia;
Donna & Stanley Shenkman; Deenna & Michael
Sigel; Lynn & Skip Sigel; Norma Sussman; Frances
Waldman; Michelle & Lorne Weiss; Michael
Wilson; Diane & Moe Yousif
Merle Rachlin, Speedy Recovery: Susan Leventhal
and Family
l I b r a r y b O O k f u n D
Max Allen, Special Birthday: Jean & Lew Applebaum
Anne Dublin, Mazal Tov: Ellen Karabanow
Zinaida Maydanik, In Memory: Michael Larkin
D O w & f r e D z I a M a r M u r P r O g r a M f O r
e D u c aT I O n a l e x c e l l e n c e
Alfred Hertz, In Memory: Sandy & Gordon Atlin
l e S l e y & r O n M I l l e r f u n D
Jeanne Kamarner, In Memory: Lesley & Ron Miller
Lesley Miller, In Honour: Rhoda Lipton & Benny
di Zitti
M u S I c a l h e r I Ta g e c O n c e r T f u n D
General: Susan & Barry Borden; Janette & Michael
Diamond; Shelley & Art Gans; Kathy & Maurice
Green; Jill Kamin & Murray Hart; Paula Kirsh;
Razelle Roebuck & David MacCoy; Rotman Family
Foundation; Jaclyn & Michael Shulman; Judy &
Gerald Slan; Sheila & Bob Smolkin; Joyce & Barry
Spiegel; Francie & Martin Storm
M u S I c a l l e g a c y f u n D
Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner and Temple Singers,
In Appreciation: Marla Powers
Linda & Abe Neufeld, In Honour: Bernice &
Yitz Penciner
O u T O f T h e c O l D
Tracy Bardell & Lyndsey Breslow, In Honour:
Weiss Family
Miriam & Marvin Dryer, Happy Anniversary:
Sybil & Jack Geller
Tom Ehrlich, Mazal Tov: Janice & Larry Babins
Dr. Howard Gelfand, Speedy Recovery: Rosenstock
Family
Jenne Goodman, Yahrzeit: Lesley & Ron Miller
Kathy Green, In Appreciation: Lydia Schaverien
Donald Greenbaum, Speedy Recovery: Judy &
Carl Ritchie
Larry Hausman, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom
Temple Brotherhood
Laurenne Kredentser, Mazal Tov: Liya Bidla
Zinaida Maydanik, In Memory: Shelly Berenbaum;
Holy Blossom Temple Brotherhood; Ann &
Gary Posen
Linda & Abe Neufeld, Mazal Tov: Bonnie Croll &
Robert Henry
Larry Organ, Happy Birthday: Barbara Organ
Stephen Rothstein, Special Birthday: Julia Sax
The Samuels, In Appreciation: Pauline & Jack Toker
Annalee & Brian Schnurr, In Honour: Penny Fine
& Hugh Furneaux
Barry Silver, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom Temple
Brotherhood
Susan Skopitz, Happy Birthday: Eleanor & Fred
Hirshfeld
Eleanor & Hartley Steinberg, Happy Anniversary:
Lois & George Fine
Carl Stone, In Memory: Phyllis Pepper and Family
General: Mindy & Michael Handler; Lorna & Horace
Jatwes; PDA Architects; Gloria & Seymour Temkin
S a r a & h a r r y Pa c h T e r e D u c aT I O n a l
e n D O w M e n T f u n D
Sara Pachter, In Memory: Audrey & David Mirvish
h a r r y & c e c I l e P e a r l yO u T h a w a r D
Ruth Smith, In Memory: Joyce & Fred Zemans
w. g u n T h e r P l a u T h u M a n I Ta r I a n a w a r D
Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, Happy Birthday: Janie
& Frank Tizel and Family
P l a u T M a n O r f u n D
Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, Happy Birthday:
Marilyn Farber
P r ay e r b O O k f u n D
Harry Greenwood, Yahrzeit: Fay Greenwood
and Family
Jeanne Kamarner, In Memory: Ruth Green; Rose
Rose; Sheila & Bob Smolkin
Merle Rachlin, Speedy Recovery: Joy & Herb Wolfson
Adele Sager, Happy Birthday: Sylvia Miller; Eva Woolf
P r O J e c T T I k v a h
Jacqueline Friedland, Speedy Recovery: Gail &
Barry Silver
r a b b I S ’ D I S c r e T I O n a r y f u n D S
Rabbi John Moscowitz, In Appreciation: Jake Belman
and Family; Laura Charney and Family; Susan
Berman; Susan & Joseph Young
Rabbi John Moscowitz: Sam Gotfrid, Special
Birthday: Marilyn & David Gotfrid and Family
Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Appreciation: Ilsa & Jeff
Blidner; Borins Family; Laura Charney and Family;
Sherman Family
Rabbi Karen Thomashow, In Appreciation: Jake
Belman and Family; Linda Davis & Ian Alex;
Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood; Light of Christ
Catholic School
Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Mazal Tov: Etta Ginsberg
McEwan
Rabbi Dow Marmur, In Appreciation: Penny Fine
& Hugh Furneaux; Arlene Stone
Rabbi Edward Goldfarb, In Appreciation: Family of
the late Dr. Norman Kerbel
Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Appreciation:
Jake Belman and Family; Ronni Brott and Louise
Ford; Laura Charney and Family; Sherman Family;
Arlene Stone and Family
Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, In Appreciation: Holy
Blossom Temple Sisterhood; Family of the late
Dr. Norman Kerbel
n a n c y r u T h e D u c aT I O n a l f u n D
Alfred Hertz, In Memory: Nancy Ruth
Jeanne Kamarner, In Memory: Nancy Ruth
Carl Stone, In Memory: Nancy Ruth
S h a c h a r I T f u n D
Andre Bigio, Yahrzeit: Matilda Bigio
Lisa Brown, Yahrzeit: Jay Brown
Mary & Joseph Buckstein, Yahrzeit: Clodman Family
Perce Cohen, Yahrzeit: Judith & Marshall Cohen
and Family
Evelyn Davis, Yahrzeit: Julia Sax
Stanley Davis, Yahrzeit: Julia Sax
D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 7 | K i s l e v / Te v e t 5 7 6 8 ��
holy blossom Temple foundation
The Holy Blossom Temple Foundation raises funds to
support Temple activities, programs and projects.
To make a donation to any of our existing funds,
please call Janice Feuer at (416) 789-3291, ext.265.
Yom Ha’ Shoah CeremonyThur. May 1, 2008, at 3 p.m Parliament Hill, Ottawa
The Canadian Society for Yad Vashem invites congregants to commemorate National Holocaust Remembrance Day. Free coach buses rides are available, but space is limited. Please reserve your seat by Fri. Feb. 15, 2008. For more details, please contact the Yad Vashem office at (416) 785-1333.
Jerry Diamond, Happy Birthday: Mary & Henry
Seldon; Liz & Paul Wolfe
Saul Fischler, Yahrzeit: Henry Fischler
Mary Geller, Yahrzeit: Vicki Geller & Michael Lenhardt
Feige Gold, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin Tile
Lillian Gollom, Yahrzeit: Kaylee Miller and Family
Murray Hahn, Yahrzeit: Marilyn Hahn
Samuel Halpren, Yahrzeit: Ilsa & Jeff Blidner
Mortimer Harris, Yahrzeit: John Harris
Max Hoffman, Yahrzeit: Bernice & Yitz Penciner
Norman Kaplan, Yahrzeit: Etienne & Aubrey Kaplan
David Klein, Yahrzeit: Veronica Mandel
Ora & Michael Leese, In Honour: Mary & Henry
Seldon
Phil Levkovic, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom
Temple Brotherhood
Jack Margolese, Yahrzeit: Pnina Margolese
Anne Nashman, Yahrzeit: Rina & Saul Fishbein
Gerald Nashman, Yahrzeit: Rina & Saul Fishbein
Harry Penciner, Yahrzeit: Bernice & Yitz Penciner
Joseph Rosen, Yahrzeit: Ruth & Hank Rosen
David Rosenbaum, Yahrzeit: Pnina Margolese
Harry Rubenstein, In Memory: Val & Arieh Waldman
Shirley Sassen, Yahrzeit: Etienne & Aubrey Kaplan
Andrew Schwartz, Yahrzeit: Gerald Schwartz
Pauline Shapero, Yahrzeit: Gail & Gary Goodman
and Family
Pearl Smolkin, Yahrzeit: Sheila & Bob Smolkin
Toba Sussman, Yahrzeit: Rosalie Sussman
Anne Tile, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin Tile
Samuel Tile, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin Tile
Robert Trope, Yahrzeit: Angela & Graham Trope
Bella Zweig, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin Tile
D r . S a u l S I D lO f S ky M e M O r I a l f u n D
Dr. Saul Sidlofsky, In Memory: Val & Arieh
Waldman; Joyce & Fred Zemans
a l & D O r a T r a c k I S r a e l S c h O l a r S h I P f u n D
Madeline & Arnold Epstein, Happy Anniversary:
Dora Track and Family
Luba Ginsburg, Yahrzeit: Dora Track and Family
Esther Track, Yahrzeit: Dora Track and Family
g O r D O n w O l f e M e M O r I a l f u n D
Gordon Wolfe, In Memory: Val & Arieh Waldman
yO u T h a w a r D S
Sara & Richard Charney, In Honour: Edith Kirzner
Richard Heavenrich, In Memory: Val & Arieh
Waldman
Pearl Hermant, In Appreciation: Jake Belman and
Family
Jeanne Kamarner, In Memory: Edith Kirzner
Bernie Klein, Yahrzeit: Philip Porat
Rebecca Solway, Mazal Tov: Laura Charney and Family
�6 w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g
children at the castle gate | The Last Wordby rabbi yael Splansky
This year’s Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Fall Lecture Series kicked off a dialogue among the congregation about
religious belief and personal faith. In many pockets of Temple life, people are talking about God. I hope the con-versation is also reaching our children.
Children seem to be born with an appreciation for God. Even young babies are drawn to moments of holiness and ritual. They will come to critical thinking and skepticism in their own good time, but until then, we must not deny them a chance at faith. When young children hear par-ents or teachers express doubt about
the existence of God, they hear a siren alarm that we are all orphans, that the world is unprotected, unloved. Instead, invite a conversation about wonder and mystery. Ask questions about what they believe. Children are richer in imagina-tion than adults, so ‘God talk’ comes more easily to them. Perhaps when it comes to faith, we can learn from them.
The Maggid of Dubnow told a parable. Once there was a father who travelled with his son for miles. Each time they reached an obstacle such as a river or mountain, the father lifted his son on his shoulders and carried him through the difficult terrain. Finally they came to their destination — a walled castle. But the gate of the castle was shut tight, and there were only
narrow windows on the sides of the wall. The father said to his son: “My son, up until now I have carried you. Now the only way we can reach our destination is if you will climb through the windows, and open the gate for me from within.”
So it is, said the Maggid, with parents and children and God. Parents take care of their children, feed and clothe them, and see them through all sorts of obstacles. Yet parents, who have so many strengths, often find the gate to God closed. But children have a unique kind of spiritual strength. They can climb to places their parents cannot reach. Children can fling open the gates of heaven from within so that they and their parents can reach God together.
