by Rabbi Karen Thomashow Holy Blossom Temple Bulletin November 2008 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5769 Camp George scores a perfect 10! Camp George, our Reform Movement’s Canadian overnight summer camp in Parry Sound, Ont., has completed 10 outstanding seasons. is year, new camp director Jeff Rose, a native Torontonian with great energy and excellent leadership skills, made the most of his first summer and created an outstanding experience for all who attended. Mazal tov to Camp George for the lasting impact it has had on our young people, our Movement, and the contin- uity of the Jewish community. MEASURING TRENDS e National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), the North American barometer for measuring significant trends and practices within the Jewish community, recently confirmed, once again, that a Jewish camp experience is directly as- sociated with increasing Jewish identity, instilling long-term leadership, ensur- ing affiliation, cultivating philanthropy and informing practice. In more concrete terms, Jewish camp alumni are 50 percent more likely to join a synagogue when adults. And sig- nificantly, 65 percent of Jewish commu- nal professionals are alumni of Jewish overnight camps. Speak to our Temple’s 50-plus Camp George participants and they will tell THE GERALD SCHWARTZ/HEATHER REISMAN FALL 2008 LECTURE SERIES AT HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE Telling the Zionist Story Anew: Israel Explains Itself to the World Please join us for the final two speakers in our series of four prominent figures, who will tell the Zionist story each in his own way. Daniel Gordis Wed. Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. Introduction: Michael Diamond you about the quality of the camp’s programs and the wonderful friends they’ve made. Speak to our Temple’s Camp George staffers and they can tell you about the leadership skills they attribute to their training at George. Our last seven Holy Blossom Temple youth group advisors and one-third of our Temple’s Religious School faculty and student teachers have been Camp George staff or alumni. In fact, this past summer, 20 percent of Camp George’s senior staff came from Holy Blossom. In Camp George’s relatively young history, the Temple has created a beautiful partnership with the Camp. In turn, we have both profoundly benefited. SIGN UP NOW For more details about Camp George, and to sign up your child for next summer’s 11 th season, please visit www. george.urjcamps.org. anks to the generosity of many of our members, there are named funds in the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation that provide scholarships to those who would otherwise be unable to attend Camp George. For more details, please e-mail [email protected]. And to see a photograph from this summer’s first session, please see page 8. [email protected]Charles Krauthammer Wed. Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. Introduction: Robert Lantos
Transcript
N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8 | C h e s h v a n / K i s l e v 5 7 6 9 1
Camp George, our Reform Movement’s Canadian overnight summer camp in Parry Sound, Ont.,
has completed 10 outstanding seasons. This year, new camp director Jeff Rose, a native Torontonian with great energy and excellent leadership skills, made the most of his first summer and created an outstanding experience for all who attended.
Mazal tov to Camp George for the lasting impact it has had on our young people, our Movement, and the continuity of the Jewish community.
M e a s u R i n G T R e n d sThe National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), the North American barometer for measuring significant trends and practices within the Jewish community, recently confirmed, once again, that a Jewish camp experience is directly associated with increasing Jewish identity, instilling longterm leadership, ensuring affiliation, cultivating philanthropy and informing practice.
In more concrete terms, Jewish camp alumni are 50 percent more likely to join a synagogue when adults. And significantly, 65 percent of Jewish communal professionals are alumni of Jewish overnight camps.
Speak to our Temple’s 50plus Camp George participants and they will tell
THE GERALD SCHWARTZ/HEATHER
REISMAN FALL 2008 LECTURE SERIES
AT HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE
Telling the Zionist Story Anew: Israel Explains
Itself to the WorldPlease join us for the final two speakers
in our series of four prominent figures,
who will tell the Zionist story each in his
own way.
Daniel Gordis Wed. Nov. 12, at 8 p.m.Introduction: Michael Diamond
you about the quality of the camp’s programs and the wonderful friends they’ve made. Speak to our Temple’s Camp George staffers and they can tell you about the leadership skills they attribute to their training at George. Our last seven Holy Blossom Temple youth group advisors and onethird of our Temple’s Religious School faculty and student teachers have been Camp George staff or alumni.
In fact, this past summer, 20 percent of Camp George’s senior staff came from Holy Blossom. In Camp George’s relatively young history, the Temple has created a beautiful partnership with the Camp. In turn, we have both profoundly benefited.
s i G n u p n o wFor more details about Camp George, and to sign up your child for next summer’s 11th season, please visit www.george.urjcamps.org.
Thanks to the generosity of many of our members, there are named funds in the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation that provide scholarships to those who would otherwise be unable to attend Camp George. For more details, please email [email protected].
And to see a photograph from this summer’s first session, please see page 8. [email protected] Charles Krauthammer
Wed. Nov. 19, at 8 p.m.Introduction: Robert Lantos
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Worship In This Issue ... In Perspective 3 | Holy Blossom
Temple Foundation 4 | Social Action 5 | Concert
Series Gala 5 | The Gerald Schwartz/Heather
Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning 6 |
Supplementary Schools 8 | Honouring our High
Holy Day Volunteers 9 | Family Programming 10 |
Generation 11 א | Seniors’ Programming 12 |
Our Congregational Family 13 | The Last Word 16
The Bulletin is published 10 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]; Website: 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 Acting Chair: Elliott Jacobson; Director of Development: Cheryl Zeldin; Bulletin Editor: Judy Nyman; Design and Production: nymanink.concepts that click Holy Blossom Temple was founded in 1856 and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism.
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
s h a b b aT s e R v i C e sFridays at 6 p.m. | Kabbalat Shabbat ServicesSaturdays at 10.30 a.m. | Shabbat Morning ServicesSaturdays at 10.30 a.m. | Family Shabbat Services
Tot Shabbat will be held on Nov. 21 (Service), Dec. 5 (Service and dinner) and Dec. 19, 2008 (Service). Please see page 10 for details. Shabbat Fusion (for 20 and 30 somethings) will be held on Dec. 5, 2008. Please see page 11 for details.
N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8 | C h e s h v a n / K i s l e v 5 7 6 9 3
Reform Judaism: dilemmas and dichotomies (an invitation) | In Perspectiveby Rabbi John Moscowitz
a question that informs just about everything we are and do as Jews — but that we reflect on too infrequently
— is this: How did we Jews, who just a couple of centuries ago looked exactly as our ancestors had for several hundred years and more — and who lived in a world in which Jews were defined by the ways and the work, the locale and the beliefs of their great, great, great grandparents — how did we get from that cohesive and medieval world to this radically different and chaotic one?
f R o M T h e R e T o h e R eHow did we get from that traditional and cohesive world to this one in which every Jew chooses, in every day and in every way, how we wish to live, what we will believe, how we will observe (or not) as Jews? How did we get from a world in which, with the exception of economic needs or dispersion because of discrimination, Jews once stayed put
geographically — to this time, when it is increasing unlikely that the children and grandchildren of those in Toronto will be buried in the same city in which they were born?
d i l e M M a s a n d d i C h o T o M i e sConsider this remarkable statistic (now about 20 years old and hence, likely low): 98.5 percent of Jews today do not live in the same city or town in which at least one of their grandparents was born!
For five Thursday nights (which began Oct. 30) through to Nov. 27, 2008 (at 7.30 p.m.), I am teaching: “Reform Judaism: Dilemmas and Dichotomies.” This is an opportunity to think together about the questions above — but more than that, to reflect on the nature of our own Jewish identity and ways, as well as the kind of synagogue community we wish to sustain for the future. The belief here is that where we have come from and why, in this past couple of centuries, ought to inform our thinking about
sustaining a synagogue community for the coming time.
In these sessions, we will explore the following matters with regard to the Reform Movement: is it actually a movement or is it (like Conservative and Orthodox Judaism) more of a strategy for dealing with the modern world? Is Reform Judaism (and should it be?) more political and social than religious? If so, when and why did this change?
T h e f u T u R eAlso: what is the nature of tikkun olam and why is it not more religious as it might well be? And what should a vibrant and substantive, modern, evocative liberal version of Judaism look like now and as far into the future as we can imagine?
I would be delighted if you would join me and others to learn together and reflect on these questions.
sun. nov. 23, 2008, at 10 a.m.Holy Blossom Temple’s Annual General Meeting of members provides a chance for every member of the Temple to obtain information
concerning the affairs of the congregation.
board installation
sat. nov. 29, 2008, at 10.30 a.m.Please join us for a congregation-wide Shabbat Service, when Holy Blossom Temple’s new Board of Directors will be installed. Child care
and creative study programs will be provided. There will be a congregational kiddush following the Service.
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Cause for celebration | Foundationby elliott Jacobson, Acting Chair, Foundation
Recently, the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation was privileged to host the Hall of Honour
Reception, celebrating the biennial update of the plaques displayed in the rotunda off the Temple’s Dewbourne Ave. entrance. These plaques mark the cumulative donations of members and other supporters of Holy Blossom.
s i n C e R e G R aT i T u d eThe evening was a wonderful opportunity for Temple supporters to mingle, and for Temple leaders to express sincere gratitude.
The number of families represented in the Hall of Honour — more than 300 — is testament to the generosity and communitymindedness of our congregation.
On behalf of the Foundation, thank you to the donors who have enabled us to achieve a great variety of successes to this point, to Judy Nyman, Chair of the Donor Recognition and Stewardship Committee and to the staff who worked to create a
meaningful and enjoyable tribute to the generosity of our donors.
As members, we should be proud of the outstanding quality of our family celebrations, Schools, varied music and adult education programs and our Worship Services. Donations to the Annual Contribution Campaign, Renewal Project Capital Campaign, Temple funds, planned gifts and State of Israel Bonds donated to the Temple contribute to this excellence in all of our programming. The future of our vibrant synagogue depends on all of us giving according to our means.
For more details on opportunities for giving, call Cheryl Zeldin (ext. 260), at the Temple or email [email protected].
n e x T C e l e b R aT i o nI look forward to our next Hall of Honour Reception, where we can celebrate a growing community whose commitment to Holy Blossom Temple is demonstrated through participation in our culture of [email protected]
Sisterhood members (left to right) in our Hall of Honour: Lynn Feldman, Pnina Margolese, Ruthe Schipper, Marie Knall, Liz Bromstein and Matilda Bigio.
Phot
ogra
ph b
y Ch
arlen
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Each
ern
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Your Holy Blossom Social Action Committee invites you to
ask yourself the question “Why?” Why do so many of us choose to look away?
We invite you to get involved with your Social Action Committee and choose not “to look away.” A key Committee initiative this year is to actively help those who are suffering due to the crisis in Darfur and, moreover, contribute to its resolution. Recently, the American Jewish World Service reported: “Over recent months, renewed violence in the region has resulted in the rape and murder of more innocent civilians and the
don’t look away | Social Actionby Gord arbess and Gerri Richman, Co-chairs, Social Action Committee
displacement of thousands of additional people. Meanwhile, the Sudanese government is exporting food for profit while letting its own people starve to death in Darfur. In February and March of this year, villages of 25,000 people saw their wells poisoned, roofs ripped off the tops of schools and generators powering water pumps intentionally destroyed … The victims of the genocide in Darfur urgently need your help …” (Aug. 28, 2008).
Together, as a congregation, we can help stop the perpetration of these horrible crimes against humanity. The question is “How?” Be part of an informationsharing and brainstorming evening to determine how we can help.
Norman Epstein, Founder of CASTS (Canadians Against Slavery and Torture in Sudan and Save Darfur Canada)
Wed. Nov. 26, 2008, at 7.30 p.m.Please join us for a workshop to engage our congregation in responding to the crisis in Darfur.
To register, please call Elana Fehler (ext. 221), at the Temple.
Time and time again decent men and women have chosen to look away. We have all been bystanders to genocide. The crucial question is why?
— Samantha Power, Journalist
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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 acquire the skills needed to lead a meaningful Jewish life. For more details, please call ext. 256, at the Temple, or visit our website at www.holyblossom.org and download a copy of “The Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple 2008/2009 Calendar of Events.” 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 Torah Study: Speaking with God, Learning from Heschel and Soloveitchik Rabbi John MoscowitzSaturdays at 9 a.m., ongoingAll are welcome regardless of background.
Learning Liturgy through Singing Jewish MusicCantor Benjamin Z. MaissnerSundays at 10 a.m., ongoingNew participants are always welcome. For more details, please call Mari Lynn Rusak (ext. 224), at the Temple.
Conversational Hebrew 101Dalia Alalouf, Supervisor, Hebrew SchoolMondays at 8.30 p.m., ongoing Registration required. Cost: $200 per year.
Advanced Hebrew GrammarRabbi Edward Goldfarb
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., ongoing Open to Temple members only.
Sisterhood Torah Study Rabbi Edward Goldfarb
Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m., ongoing New and returning students welcome.
The Yiddish NovelRabbi Edward Goldfarb
Wednesdays at 11 a.m., ongoing
Beginners’ Hebrew Dalia Alalouf, Supervisor, Hebrew SchoolWednesdays at 7.30 p.m., ongoing Limited to Temple members. Registration required. Cost: $200 per year.
Contemporary Jewish Canadian Writing Cynthia Good, Director, Creative Book Publishing, Humber College
Tuesdays at 9.30 a.m. continuing to Dec. 2, 2008
A Time to StudyRabbi Karen Thomashow Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. continuing to Nov. 18, 2008
Israel Seminar 2008 — Exploring the Neighbourhood
We will continue with our exploration of several countries — Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — whose relationship to Israel will be most critical to Israel’s future. We will delve into their history, politics and current relations with the West and Israel. All lectures will take place Mondays at 7.30 p.m.
Nov. 10 — Saudi ArabiaEllen Gutterman, Assistant Professor, Political Science, Glendon College, York University
Areas of expertise: Middle Eastern studies, international relations and law.
Nov. 17 — IranDavid Dewitt, Professor, Political Science, and Associate Vice President, Research and Innovation, York University
Areas of expertise: international relations, regional security and conflict management in the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Nov. 24 — Turkey Nergis Canefe, Associate Professor, Political Science, York UniversityAreas of expertise: minority rights,
nationalism and forced migration, and crimes against humanity.
Sponsored by the Israel Committee. Maximum 40 people. For more details and to register, please call Elana Fehler (ext. 221), at the Temple. Cost: $13 per lecture.
N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8 | C h e s h v a n / K i s l e v 5 7 6 9 7
Exodus: Greatest Hits — What Really Happened in Egypt? Rabbi Michael Stroh, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Har Zion
Thursdays at 10.30 a.m.continuing to Nov. 13, 2008
Blessing of a Skinned KneeRabbi Yael SplanskyBeth Goldstein, MSW, Family Counsellor and Psychotherapist Thursdays at 7.30 p.m.continuing to Nov. 27, 2008For details, please see page 10.
Reform Judaism: Dilemmas and DichotomiesRabbi John MoscowitzThursdays at 7.30 p.m. continuing to Nov. 27, 2008For details, please see page 3.
Shabbat Lunch and Study: Girl Power as Seen Through the Eyes of Leah and RachelRabbi Yael SplanskyDec. 6, 2008, after Services For registration, please call Elana Fehler (ext. 221), at the Temple. Cost: $10.
Earth, Water, Fire: Jewish Perspectives on the Environment — What Might a Jewish Environmental Ethic Look Like Rabbi Jonathan Crane, PhD Candidate, University of Toronto, and Reform Rabbi on Campus, Hillel of Greater TorontoMondays at 7.30 p.m.Dec. 1 to 15, 2008
Generation א Book TalkShut Up, I’m Talking: And Other Diplomacy Lessons I Learned in the Israeli GovernmentGregory Levey, Assistant Professor in Professional Communication, and Member of the School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson UniversityWed. Dec. 3, 2008, at 7.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Co-sponsored by Hillel of Greater Toronto.
Latke/Hamantaschen DebateTue. Dec. 16, 2008, at 7.30 p.m.Two of our congregation’s professors, one from the University of Toronto and one from York University, will engage in an evening of hilarity as they debate the intellectual question, “Which is the preferred traditional dish: the latke or the hamantasch?” from their respective fields of study. All are welcome to join in the fun and enlightenment.
A look ahead to 2009
Torah Yoga and Jewish Meditation: Prayer, Breath and Movement Michelle Katz, Certified Iyengar Yoga Therapist, Jewish Spiritual Director and Jewish Meditation Teacher Sundays at 9.30 a.m.Jan. 11 to Mar. 8Torah Yoga integrates traditional Jewish texts with hatha yoga postures, meditative prayer and chanting, and the breath of life. This leading-edge approach to Judaism deeply touches the Divine spirit within each partici-pant. Cost: $90 for the entire course or $15 per session.
sundays at 11 a.m. — beginning nov. 16, 2008
Join us for the first session of our club. We will meet together to decide on titles and topics. This is a book club for you — organized by us, designed by you!
Poetry and Prophecy Adam Sol, Author, and Teacher, Laurentian University Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m.Jan. 13 to 27 How do poetry and prophecy use language to think about the world and spirituality? Some short texts will be examined, followed by lively discus-sion. At the final session, Adam Sol will launch his new book, Jeremiah, Ohio, a reinvention of the Biblical prophet and doomsayer Jeremiah for the post-modern age.
The Torah: A Women’s Commentary Rabbis Karen Thomashow, Edward Goldfarb and Yael Splansky Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m.Jan. 14 to 28 Please join us for an in-depth look at this new volume commissioned and funded by Women of Reform Judaism. Explore the Biblical scholar-ship, the voice of the commentators and the poetry of the new A Women’s Commentary. Sponsored by Sisterhood.
Mixed BlessingsRabbi Yael SplanskyThursdays at 7.30 p.m.Jan. 22 to Feb.5For interfaith couples to consider how best to navigate their future together.
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in our last issue, we introduced you to our new librarian, Sharon Singer. Here is a taste of what Sharon has
accomplished in her first few months at Holy Blossom.
An avid runner, she has jumped into her tasks as if tackling a marathon, and has not stopped since her first day. Sharon has been to Mondays @ the Temple each week, taking a mobile book cart downstairs to “meet the people.” She is working hard to meet the requests of our senior community, including ordering more largeprint and talking books to accommodate our members.
Sharon has made time to meet with Religious School students and will continue to do so one Sunday each month,
have you been to our library lately?| Supplementary Schoolsby deborah K. spiegel, Director of Education
bringing books to the children, because students may not be as eager to walk into the library in our age of Internet accessibility. We also have a book cart in the Ava Road foyer each week, after School on Sundays.
Sharon has also started to develop a cadre of dedicated volunteers who open the library when she is not there. Due to the varying volunteer base, library hours are constantly changing, but you will find Sharon there on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Sharon realizes that she has only just begun to work with all of the important contingents in our community. Her future plans include visiting with our PreSchool classes and working with those offering courses through our Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman
Centre for Jewish Living.Please stop by, meet Sharon and
Camp George 2008 first session staff and Campers from holy blossom Temple
N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8 | C h e s h v a n / K i s l e v 5 7 6 9 9
Yasher koach to all who chanted Torah and
Haftarah throughout the High Holy Days.
Our congregation is strengthened by your
commitment and inspired by your devotion
to Torah study:
Joshua Alman • Madlyn Axelrod • Simon
Axelrod • Jake Belman • Max Boyd • Findlay
Caplan • Levi Cassidy • Dorothy Charach •
Steven Conway • Jamie Crawford Ritchie •
Bryan Davis • Hannah Davis • Beth Denaburg
• Matthew Dicker • Erika Finestone • Danya
Firestone • Sarah Firestone • Eden Gelgoot
• Erin Gelgoot • Jonathan Gordon-Chow •
David Greenberg • Margot Grubert • Matthew
Hacker-Teper • Joanna Harris • Suzanne Hersh
• Emil Horvath • Rebecca Howard • Jill Kamin
• Daniel Kaplan • Gail Kerbel • Sam Leese •
Marc Levy • Alexandra Loeb • Kai Melamed-
Turkish • Rachel Micay • Allison Mindlin •
Mike Morgulis • Oona Nadler • Eric Petersiel
• Joeley Pulver • Alberto Quiroz • Joshua
Rosenkrantz • Leah Rosenkrantz • Brenda
Saunders • Ted Shafran • Jacqueline Shiner • Jill
Smith • Noah Sniderman • Robert Sniderman •
Adam Sol • Harry Solomon • Ezra Strauss • Sid
Troister • Arieh Waldman • Paula Warren
Yasher koach to those who blew the shofar
during the month of Elul, and on Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur:
Jared Allen • Michael Cole • Peter Dan • Steven
Dan • David Gershon • Howard Goodman •
Robert Klotz • Zach Mahon • Robin Malach •
Tal Maissner • Paul Soren • Ken Sniderman •
Robert Sniderman • Paula Warren
We are grateful to Larry Babins, Jeff Levy
and Abe Neufeld, our head ushers, and all
our ushers who welcome our congregants
each year:
David Bernstein • Barry Borden • James
Cooper • Murray Ellis • Arnold Englander •
Johanna Faulk • David Fine • Albert Frank •
Myrna Freedman • Louis Glait • Shawn Gold •
Gary Goodman • Alan Gordon • Kathy Green
• Maurice Green • Daniel Greenberg • Brian
Hands • Paul Hellen • Herbert Hess • Harry
Hochman • Bob Hodes • Carmen Horvath
• Emil Horvath • Aubrey Kaplan • Etienne
Kaplan • Ellen Karabanow • Bambi Katz • Eric
Kirsh • Sam Kirzner • Bob Klotz • Rick Lash •
Jeffrey Levy • Len Levy • Richard Lorie • Pnina
Margolese • Glenda Mindlin • Harley Mintz •
Debbi Moses • Mel Olsberg • Sam Pack • John
Phillips • Larry Ritchie • Hank Rosen • Steve
Rosenbaum • Michael Ryval • Fred Saunders •
Walter Seaton • Barry Silver • Judith Slan • Lyle
Stanway • Paula Strasberg • David Tartick • Alan
Tinianov • Bruce Young
Thank you to Jill Hertzman, head of gabbaim
and all our gabbaim who make sure our
Services run so smoothly:
Matilda Bigio • Debbie Charendoff Moses •
Phyllis Denaburg • Susan Dunn • Donna Habsha
• Jane Herman • Carmen Horvath • Glenda
Mindlin • David Mock • Zach Paul • Alberto
Quiroz • Eric Roher • Brenda Saunders • Ted
Shafran • Barry Silver • John Sweet • Gary Tile
Thank you to Jeff Denaburg, Denise Gordon
and Dr. David Greenberg for volunteering to
lead some of our Family Services.
And thank you to the countless volunteers who
brought such joy and dignity to our New Year.
We have tried to include all of those who volunteered during the High Holy Days. If we have inadvertently missed your name, please e-mail [email protected].
10 w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g
For more details on Family Programming, please call our hotline (ext. 518), at the Temple. To register for any program please send an e-mail to [email protected].
If you are able to donate any of these items (new or used), please drop your items off at the Ava Road entrance. If you need help with delivery, please call ext. 508, at the Temple.
N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8 | C h e s h v a n / K i s l e v 5 7 6 9 11
aaron lightstone
Jeffrey wilson
aviva Chernick
sundar viswanathan
Mark w
einstock
Shabbat FusionFridays at 6.30 p.m., Dec. 5, 2008, and Jan. 30, Feb. 27, Mar. 27, Apr. 24, May 22 and June 26, 2009Once a month, approximately 75 young adults — single and attached, members and non-members — gather to experience a Shabbat evening of prayer, song and study like no other. Against the backdrop of our formal Sanctuary, intimacy is created by sitting informally in a circle around the lower bimah. The five musicians bring tribal rhythms from the Ugandan Jewish community, joyful niggunim from the Chassidic influence of Shlomo Carlebach, and riffs of New Orleans jazz and retro-funk. Everything old is new again with this eclectic mix of sounds that gets the crowd up and dancing to welcome in the Shabbat bride with the words of Lecha Dodi. Instead of a sermon, the teachings are sprinkled throughout the Service, which highlight the themes and logic of the prayer book. Following the Service, a kiddush of Israeli wine and sushi invites people to linger for hours. All 20 and 30 somethings are welcome. For more details, please call Roseanne Mason (ext. 276), at the Temple, or e-mail [email protected].
Sisterhood PROJECT 2008 and Membership Appreciation TeaSun. Dec. 7, 2008, at 2 p.m.
Featuring special speaker Henrietta Chesnie and comedienne Marla Lukofsky, who will present I’m Still Here … and So Is My Hair, a personal journey with breast cancer. PROJECT 2008 raffle prizes will be drawn, as well as many other wonderful door prizes. Save the date and watch the Bulletin for more details.
For more details on Sisterhood programs and the
Judaica Shop, please leave a message on the Sister-hood hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple, or visit the
Sisterhood website at www.hbtsisterhood.ca.
Judaica ShopDid you know that all proceeds from the Judaica Shop help support the Religious School, the Library, Confirmands, Out of the Cold, Plaut Manor, camp scholar-ships, the Temple Singers, HABSTY and many Temple activities?
Visit the shop for all your Judaica needs. Our friendly volunteers will be pleased to serve you.
Shop hours are Monday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., or make an appointment by calling ext. 234, at the Temple. If you are interested in becoming a Judaica Shop volunteer, please leave a message on the Sisterhood hotline.
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University, and Historian of Jewish Tradition and Culture
Nov. 24 So You Want to Be in Community Theatre? | Michael Ryval, Temple Member, Director, Stagecraft
Dec. 1 Making a Difference in the Lives that Follow | Lorne Saltman, Chair, Planned Giving Committee, Holy Blossom Temple Foundation
M o n D ayS @ the Temple
Please join us at 10 a.m., each Monday, and note the following programs in your calendars:
Nov. 10 Memory and the Military | Rabbi John Moscowitz
Nov. 17 Ancient Jewish History: From the Bible, 1200 BCE, to the Talmud, 200 CE | Professor Irwin Feuerstein, Retired, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, McMaster
Dec. 8 Layers of Wax: A Layered History of Chanukah | Rabbi Karen Thomashow
W e D n e S D ayS @ the Movies Wednesdays at 1 p.m.Nov. 26 and Dec. 10See classic movies with a Jewish theme. Cost: $1 for Temple members; $2 for non-members.
For more information, or to offer to drive participants, please call the Seniors’ hotline (ext. 517), at the Temple.
As Albert Einstein watches his fellow Nobel Laureate Fritz Haber dedicate his life and work to Germany, he also witnesses the tragedy of Haber’s betrayal by his homeland.
For more details, please call the Stagecraft hotline (ext. 511), at the Temple. General admission: $18; seniors and students: $12.
If you are spending all or part of this winter outside of Canada, you have the option to continue to receive your Bulletin at home, receive it at your winter address or receive it in your e-mail inbox as a PDF attachment. To make a change in delivery, please call Shannon Tramer (ext. 227), at the Temple.
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10 Cheshvan 5769/Nov. 8, 2008Rachel Moranis, daughter of Sandy & Steven Moranis
17 Cheshvan 5769/Nov. 15, 2008David Freedman, son of Cathi & John Freedman
17 Cheshvan 5769/Nov. 15, 2008Rachel Gotlieb, daughter of Marion Levi & Leo Gotlieb
24 Cheshvan 5769/Nov. 22, 2008 Alexandra (Sasha) Klotz, daughter of Lyn FeldmanKlotz & Robert Klotz
Our Congregational Family
2 Kislev 5769/Nov. 29, 2008 Jonathan Herlin, son of Tracy Sandler & Ken Herlin
9 Kislev 5769/Dec. 6, 2008Joshua Katz, son of Risa & Peter Katz
9 Kislev 5769/Dec. 6, 2008Michael Rosenberg, son of Rhonda Rovan and Howard Rosenberg
Welcome to Our Temple Family
We would like to welcome the following people to the Holy Blossom Temple Family:
Lesley Abrams, and Hannah and JustinDori AntelEli AntelKelly & Warren Bongard, and Carly and
JaredRebecca & David BruniCheryl-Anne Cait & Howard Goldenthal,
and MitchellAlana Cox, and TaylorNicole & Eric Greenwood, and Emma and
VictoriaSandra & Michael Harris, and RubyJaneth & Alex HenryRebecca & Shane Henry, and RyneFerne Kane, and MinisaFaye & Larry LibrachDana & J.J. Mansoor, and RaquelMichal & Sam Mizrahi, and EdenCynthia NathansonJill & Greg Neinstein, and Lola, Maggi and
Ruby Marilyn Perelshtein & Dustin WilkinsKaren & Richard Pilosof, and Caroline,
Elijah and Jordan Marcy Segal & Marty Herman, and
SamanthaMerle SeligmanZiva & Jonathan Shainhouse, and Mia and
Summer Paula & Harris SilverElana Taveroff & Matthew GrinsteinLorne Wolinsky
Mazal Tov
Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, on conducting his 30th High Holy Day Service at Holy Blossom Temple.
b i R T h s
Nisa & Mathew Diamond on the birth of their daughter, Rachel Miarra Diamond, sister to Darya and Jaryd. Proud grandparents
are Gail & Leonard Diamond, Cindy & Jack Gabriel, Susan Krongold & David Hinks and Marvin Schwartz. Proud greatgrandparents are Sam Kringold and Goldie & Sam Rubin.
Michelle Grinstein & Dushan Jojkic on the birth of their daughter, Emily Tamar Jojkic, sister to Jonah. Proud grandparents are Lucy & Martin Grinstein and Razelle Roebuck & David MacCoy. Proud greatgrandmother is Regina Grinstein.
e n G a G e M e n T s / M a R R i a G e s
Susanne & Stuart Egier, on the engagement of their son, Aaron Egier, to Katherine Silver, daughter of Linda and Jerry Silver.
Barbara & Mark Nusinoff, on the marriage of their daughter, Rachel Nusinoff, to Robert London, son of Doreen & Ian London. Proud grandparents are Shirley Gula, Judy London, Irving Nusinoff and Shirley & Irving Samuels.
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In Memoriam
The congregation sympathizes with the recently bereaved families of:
Rita Abeles, mother of Martin Abeles and Elaine Eisen, sister of Alice Koralek and Friedl Vale
Bessie Abrams, mother of Joel Abrams and Lorne Abrams, sister of Eva Sax
Rhoda Cole, mother of Joi Cole and Karen Propper, sister of Lillian Peranson
Clara Engel, mother of Hannah Marks and Peter Engel, sister of Josefa Epstein
Wolf Feldsztain, father of Henry Feldsztain and Rita Wanderer, sister of Bluma Brodziak
Sharon Firestone, companion of Bill Batista, mother of Marni Jill Kelman, daughter of Mickey Firestone, sister of Phyllis Wintraub
Eva Grundleger, mother of Robert Grundleger and Patricia Posnick, sister of Ruth Schwartz
Fanny Hochman, mother of Harry Hochman, Marilyn Herbert and Paul Herbert
Barbara Kohan, wife of Fred Kohan, mother of Andrea Jones, Elizabeth Kohan and Rob Kohan, sister of David Grinnell
Saul Laskin, husband of Adele Laskin, father of John Laskin, Mark Laskin,
14 w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g
Shelley Laskin, Susan Laskin and Deborah RichLaskin
Judy Malinsky, wife of Randy Malinsky, mother of Mathew Malinsky, daughter of Molly Zimerman, sister of Jack Mann, Deborah Zimerman and Ruth Zimerman
David Molot, husband of Lotte Molot, father of Helen Molot, John Molot and Lewis Molot
Gloria Pearl, wife of Edward Pearl, mother of Anne Louise Pearl and Sandy Pearl
Cyril Toby Rosenberg, mother of Howard Sayles, Gloria Rosenberg, Jonathan Rosenberg, Lewis Rosenberg and Richard Rosenberg, sister to Edith Barruch
Armando Salinas, father of Jacqueline Cohen and Liliana Morais
Zena Suchter, wife of Zugmund Suchter, mother of Renee Metrick and David Suchter
Norma Sweet, wife of David Sweet, mother of John Sweet and Edward Sweet, sister of Rose Wolfe and Jerry Diamond
Miriam Zohn, wife of Rabbi Zohn, mother of Kenny Wachtel, sister of Leah Cutler, Lil Jacobson and Carl Solomon
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Wendy Fine, Mazal Tov: Penny Fine & Hugh Furneaux
and Family
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David Freedman, Bar Mitzvah: Cathi & John Freedman
Rachel Gotlieb, Bat Mitzvah: Marion Levi & Leo
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Jonathan Herlin, Bar Mitzvah: Tracy Sandler & Ken
Herlin
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Alexandra (Sasha) Klotz, Bat Mitzvah: Lyn Feldman
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Rachel Moranis, Bat Mitzvah: Sandy & Steven Moranis
Michael Rosenberg, Bar Mitzvah: Rhonda Rovan and
Howard Rosenberg
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Ephraim Diamond, In Memory: Etta Ginsberg
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Thelma Siegel, In Memory: Janice & Larry Babins;
Sarita Dotan; Zita Gardner; Joan Garson & David
Baskin; Etta Ginsberg; Ellen Karabanow; Helen Lyon;
Glenda Mindlen; Ike Morgulis and Family; Sharon
Neiss & Gordon Arbess; Barbara Organ; Marlene &
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Henry Seldon; Sheila & Bob Smolkin
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Thelma Siegel, In Memory: Matilda Bigio
Rabbi Yael Splansky, 10th Anniversary at Holy
Blossom Temple: Jacqueline Margolis
Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Honour: Grubert Family
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Larry Babins, Happy Birthday: Sara & Richard
Charney
Ephraim Diamond, In Memory: Randi & Alan
Garfinkel; Sybil & Jack Geller
Sharon Firestone, In Memory: Sybil & Jack Geller
Sarah Gangbar, In Memory: Joan Garson & David
Baskin; Daisy & Sydney Jacobs
Gail & Gary Goodman, Shanah Tovah: Judity Wiley
Ellen & Rick Howard, In Honour: Sondra &
Marvin Kay
Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Frances & Bill Gruber
Annette & Joe Levy, Shanah Tovah: Judith Wiley
Karen & David Mock, Shanah Tovah: Judith Wiley
Linda Neufeld, Speedy Recovery: Debbie Redner &
Benjamin Applebaum
Marci & Lorne Rose and Family, Mazal Tov: Randi &
Neil Shinder and Family
Philip & Joanne Rudson, In Honour: Ann Halpern
Thelma Siegel, In Memory: Debbie Redner & Benjamin
Applebaum
Manny Spivak, Speedy Recovery: Sybil & Jack Geller
Esther Tile, Happy Birthday: Judy & Barry Smith
Frank Wolman, In Memory: Trudy & Gerry Weiss
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Pam Hamovitch and Temple Pre-School Staff: Kylie &
Dillon Frankfort and Family
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Ephraim Diamond, In Memory: Laurie & Michael
Davis; Cheryl Zeldin
Tom Ehrlich, Happy Birthday: Wendy Basian
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Lorraine Gottlieb, Happy Birthday: Carol & Steve Pilon
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Sarah Gangbar, In Memory: Holy Blossom Temple
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Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood, In Appreciation:
Deborah & Rabbi Bill Tepper
Linda Neufeld, In Honour: Holy Blossom
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Temple Sisterhood
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Debby Vigoda, In Honour: Gloria & Cyril Houser
Paula & Alan Warren, In Honour: Irene Borins Ash &
Irving Ash
Carl Young, In Honour: Marilyn Hahn
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 -
Dalia Alalouf, In Appreciation: Debra Muchnik & Neil
Kredentser
Ephraim Diamond, In Memory: Debbie & Randy Spiegel
Barbata Duffett, In Memory: Ruth Levine
Lori & Gary Gotlieb and Family, Mazal Tov: Lisa
Borden & Rob Storm and Family
Happy Iscove, In Appreciation: Stefanie Hill & Greg
and Zack Mahon
Ellen Sue & David Mesbur, Mazal Tov: Judy &
Laurie Zeilig
Anita & Andy Robins, Mazal Tov: Robin & Noah
Belman and Family
Thelma Siegel, In Memory: Debbie & Randy Spiegel
Mary Siklos, In Appreciation: Debra Muchnik &
Neil Kredentser
Zachary Silverstein, Mazal Tov: Marilyn & David
Gotfrid, and Sarah Gotfrid
Silverstein Family, Mazal Tov: Grubert Family
Matok Cheshvan: a sweet month | The Last Wordby Rabbi Karen Thomashow
as this november Bulletin arrives on our doorsteps, we are within the first few days of the Hebrew
calendar month Cheshvan. In the Bible, this month was referred
to as Bul, or Yerach Bul, the month of … well, what does Bul mean? According to Rashi, the word for withering shares its root with Bul. Perhaps, then, considering that flora withers this time of year, this could be the month of withering.
The word for produce also shares its root with Bul. In Israel, those who till the land are now engaged in planting the next season’s produce. This, then, could be the month of produce.
Finally, there is a haunting Midrash that describes this month as the month, every single year since the flood of Noah’s time, that receives the highest percentage of rain. The word for flood
shares its root with Bul as well. That would make Yerach Bul the month of the flood.
Today, while this Hebrew month is referred to as Cheshvan, we have not entirely lost the spirit of what its Biblical predecessor Yerach Bul evoked. This is because the current Hebrew month is often referred to by its nickname Mar Cheshvan. Mar shares its root with the Hebrew word for rain. This nicely complements the Midrash about the flood waters of this time of year.
There is another possible meaning of this word, however, which stands to evoke even greater emotion from us. Mar is also the Hebrew word for bitter. According to this, we are in the midst of a bitter month.
This is because there are no Holy Days or festivals in Cheshvan, as there are in every other month of the year.
There is a late Middle Ages Kabbalistic commentary that urges us, in place of no external realm to provide us such joy, to look inside ourselves for the source of joy and happiness.
o b Ta i n i n G f u l f i l l M e n T Surely the Kabbalists read “inside ourselves” to mean to look to our hearts and souls. This is beautiful and worthy. But I think that we can also read “inside ourselves” as looking within our own congregation for that which will bring us fulfillment.
Here is one idea this Cheshvan, for our youngest congregants: youth group programs happen throughout this month and contribute immensely to making this month best known not as Mar Cheshvan, but rather by Matok Cheshvan, a sweet month. [email protected]
