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Rabbi Michael Marmur

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inside... C E L E B R AT E W I T H U S A S H O LY B LO S S O M T E M P L E T U R N S 1 5 0 Y E A R S O L D

Vol. LXXXII No. 2 | October 2006 | Tishrei /Cheshvan 5767

in this issue Daily/Shabbat Worship 2 | In Perspective 3 | High Holy Days 2006/5767 4 | Education

Matters 5 | The Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning 6 | Our Israel 9 | 150th Anniversary 10

Our Communal Celebrations and Commemorations 12 | Events and Announcements 15 | Our Congregational

Family 16 | This Month @ Holy Blossom 19 | The Last Word 20

1 8 5 6 T O 2 0 0 6 : C E L E B R A T I N G 1 5 0 Y E A R S A S A C O N G R E G A T I O N

Holy Blossom Temple Bulletin

Abraham Joshua Heschel — An Appreciation of Greatness

Scholar in Residence Weekend

w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g H O LY B LO S S O M T E M P L E | 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6 | T i s h r e i / C h e s h v a n 5 7 6 7 w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g3

D A I LY S E R V I C E S

Mon. to Fri. 7.30 a.m. Shacharit* 6 p.m. MinchaSun. 9 a.m.

* On Mon. Oct. 9, 2006, the Shacharit Service will be held at 9 a.m.

S H A B B AT S H U V A H

Fri. Sept. 29 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceSat. Sept. 30 10.30 a.m. Shabbat ServiceSat. Sept. 30 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

S H A B B AT B E R E S H I T

Fri. Oct. 20 6 p.m. Kabbatat Shabbat ServiceFri. Oct. 20 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat ServiceSat. Oct. 21 10.30 a.m. Shabbat ServiceSat. Oct. 21 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

S H A B B AT N O A C H

Fri. Oct. 27 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceFri. Oct. 27 6.30 p.m. Shabbat Fusion (for 20- and 30-somethings)Sat. Oct. 28 10.30 a.m. Shabbat ServiceSat. Oct. 28 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

S H A B B AT L E C H L E C H A

Fri. Nov. 3 6 p.m. Kabbatat Shabbat ServiceFri. Nov. 3 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service and DinnerSat. Nov. 4 10.30 a.m. Shabbat ServiceSat. Nov. 4 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

For High Holy Day and Festival information, please see pages 4 and 5.

Daily/Shabbat Worship

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah ProgramMondays at 7.30 p.m., beginning Oct. 23, 2006 (continuing through June 2008)

Have you ever considered celebrating Bar/Bat Mitzvah — even though you did not as a child? Join an active group of adults of all ages who wish to take this step to hone their Jewish skills. This four-semester course (over two years) will cover:• Introduction to Reform Judaism and Mitzvot, with Rabbi Jason Rosenberg• The Jewish Holiday Map, with Debbie Spiegel, Director of Education• God in History, with Rabbi Yael Splansky• Why Ideas Matter, with Rabbi John Moscowitz• Beginner and Intermediate Hebrew classes, with Lindi Rivers, Cantorial Soloist,

and Dalia Alalouf, Hebrew School Supervisor

Cost: $250. For more details and registration, please call Debbie Spiegel (ext. 239), at the Temple.

Annual General MeetingSun. Nov. 19, 2006, at 10 a.m.

Please join us and take advantage of this

opportunity to become an informed,

participating Temple member.

Board of Trustees InstallationSat. Nov. 25, 2006, 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. A kiddush

lunch will follow the Service.


R

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eHaving hopeb y R A B B I J O H N M O S C O W I T Z

Returning from a week in Jerusalem in mid-August, I went to my corner store to collect the New York Times newspapers waiting for me. e manager (a Korean man) asked where I had been (which he never does).

When I said “Jerusalem,” he made a sympathetic comment about how diffi cult things were for Israel. en, looking at me quizzically, worried and knowing he said, “ ose rockets that Hezbollah fi res on Israel that come from Iran — aren’t they, many of them, made in North Korea?”

When I said yes, I thought so, the man threw up his arms in a combination of shame, knowledge, bewilderment and empathy. His wan smile clearly said (without words being necessary), “I’m sorry for your People’s hurt.”

S E E M I N G LY D I S PA R AT E P E O P L E

ere we were: two seemingly disparate people — an American and a Korean, both making our homes in Canada, both religious (he a Christian and me a Jew), both worried about Israel — brought together in one of our rare conversations (even though we see each other almost daily).

at some of the weapons that harmed Israel were likely made in this man’s home-land and harmed those in my (ultimate) homeland made us feel strangely close for

that moment. at brief moment got me think-ing about hope — spe-cifi cally how, without empathy from others, hope is most diffi cult. I

walked out of the store that morning with more hope than I had when entering.

If empathy is necessary for hope, so too is wisdom. Consider that the great medieval Polish authority, Rabbi Moses Isserles, once offi ciated at a wedding on the Sabbath — totally contrary to Jewish law. Rabbi Is-serles did so, believing that, in that specifi c context, the groom otherwise would have abandoned the bride — actually, not simply abandoned her, but would have le her without any prospects for marriage at any point. Rabbi Isserles contravened the laws of the Sabbath to literally save the life of one young woman.

If empathy and wisdom are necessary for hope — so too is initiative.

In this regard, I think of Rabbi Maurice Lamm, who tells the story in his book e Power of Hope, about counselling a young man who a er the session said to the rabbi, “ ank you for helping. You gave me great hope. I’ll have patience — I’m willing to sit and wait.” Rabbi Lamm immediately responded, “Wait a minute — you cannot

sit around until hope comes: you must do something to make it happen!” In other words, hope cannot come from passivity; it must be initiated in order to activate the sources and support of hope.

T H E N I G H T I N G A L E A N D I T S S O N G

Which brings us then to the nightin-gale and its song. Do you know that the nightingale will never sing its song if it doesn’t hear it fi rst? If it hears robins and wrens, the nightingale will never manage a note. But the moment it hears any part of another nightingale’s song, it bursts into this wonderful and elaborate music — as though it had known it all the time. Which, of course, it had.

Science has confi rmed what the human eye and ear have observed. e nightin-gale has a template in its brain containing all notes for the music, but the bird cannot sing until evoked by another nightingale’s song. Like the nightingale, we respond to one another’s empathy and initiative.

Let us, as we enter this season of refl ection, do so with hope, knowing that empathy for one another, wisdom from our tradition, along with our God-given capability for initiative will help us in fi nding and living with that hope.

Pulpit Exchange

Is this the Best of All Possible Worlds? (Maybe God Should Have Done a Better Job)Rabbi John Moscowitz and Rabbi Steven Saltzman, Adath Israel CongregationShabbat Mornings, Nov. 4, 2006, at 10.30 a.m. (Holy Blossom) and Dec. 9, 2006, at 9 a.m. (Adath Israel)

On. Nov. 4, Rabbi Steven Saltzman will speak at Holy Blossom and on Dec. 9, Rabbi John Moscowitz will speak at Adath Israel. Both Rabbis will address the question: “Is this the best of all possible worlds?” Following each Service, there will be a light lunch and study program. Pre-registration required. Cost: $15 per person. To register for either day, please call Tania Blumenthal (ext. 246), at the Temple.


Selichot — Sat. Sept. 16, 2006Lecture 9 p.m.Service 11 p.m.

Erev Rosh Hashanah — Fri. Sept. 22, 2006First Service/Family Service 6 p.m.Second Service 8.30 p.m.

First Day Rosh Hashanah — Sat. Sept. 23, 2006First Service 8.30 a.m.Early Family Service 9 a.m.*Second Service/Late Family Service 11.30 a.m.*Children’s Service (for children who do not yet read) 3.30 p.m.*

Second Day Rosh Hashanah — Sun. Sept. 24, 2006Congregation-wide Service 10 a.m.**

Kol Nidre — Sun. Oct. 1, 2006First Service/Family Service 6 p.m.Second Service/Teen Service 9 p.m.

Yom Kippur — Mon. Oct. 2, 2006Early Family Service 9 a.m.*Morning Service 10 a.m.Generation Service (for 20 and 30 somethings) 11 a.m.Late Family Service 11.30 a.m.*Study Sessions (see details below) 1.30 to 3 p.m.Children’s Service (for children who do not yet read) 2 p.m.*A ernoon and Yizkor Service 3.30 p.m.

Hig

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* Please note new time for this year.** We are pleased to off er special children’s activities on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.

The End of a Life: Philip Roth’s Everyman, with Professor Elaine Newton

Partially Holy in Whole and Part: The Atonement of Hermann Cohen, with Rabbi Jonathan Crane

Sin-onyms: The Different Words for ‘Sin’ We Use When Asking for God’s Forgiveness, with Rabbi Dow Marmur

Loss of Innocents and the War in Lebanon: How the Problem of Civilian Casualties is Israel’s Greatest Challenge, with Evan Solomon

Yom Kippur Study Sessions


For more details on all our Festivals, please see pages 10 and 11.

I Educ

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Be a part of the conversationb y D E B O R A H K . S P I E G E L , D i r e c t o r o f E d u c a t i o n

I recently attended the 31st annual Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE) conference at Duke University, in Raleigh, NC, where 1,400 Jewish educators from across the continent met to discuss the challenges of Jewish education. And, yes, there are many challenges. e theme for the conference was Jewish literacy. What do we need to do to make our children and ourselves literate Jews? How can curricula change in order to have families understand what we think they need to know, and truly, what they want to know to make each of us literate Jews? It is an astounding ques-tion and while I did not walk away with all the answers, I did hear a potential solution.

David Gordis, President of Hebrew College in Boston, gave a keynote address on the last eve-ning of the conference. He made a statement that

resounded with me. He said that each of us needs to “be a part of the conversation.” I found this to be an extremely profound state-ment and a jumping off point for all of us to increase our own Jewish literacy, at whatever level we begin. Literacy does not only mean having an ability to read; literacy is about being comfortable as a Jew. How comfortable are you as a Jewish adult, teen or child? What do you need to do to increase your comfort

zone? We all have the ability to increase our own personal level, and you cannot be a part of the conversation unless you make that attempt. Our situation at Holy Blossom is very diff erent from many other synagogues. We have many opportunities for Jewish literacy in our congregation. Our synagogue boasts the greatest number of lectures, courses and other opportuni-ties for learning in our community. And so I invite you to join us and be a part of the conversation. If you would like to talk to me about what learning is right for you, please call me (ext. 239), at the Temple. I look forward to sharing our experience here with you.

Erev Shemini Atzeret Service Fri. Oct. 13, at 6 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret/Yizkor ServiceSat. Oct. 14, at 10 a.m.Children’s programs and child care will be provided. A special luncheon will follow the Service.

Simchat Torah Flag Making/ParadeSat. Oct. 14, at 6 p.m.A must for all young children! Sponsored by HABSTY.

Simchat Torah Service and Celebration Sat. Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.All are welcome to attend this jubilant evening of rejoicing with the Torah to conclude our Tishrei Holy Days. We will dance the night away with Judy and David Gershon’s live band. A special invitation goes out to all Camp George campers and staff . We will also be launching our Torat Chaim (Living Torah) project on Simchat Torah. (For more details on Torat Chaim and all our 150th Anniversary events, please see pages 10 and 11.)

Sukkah Decorating Wed. Oct. 4, at 4.30 p.m.Fun for the whole family. Help build and decorate the Temple’s Sukkah.

Erev Sukkot Service Fri. Oct. 6, at 6 p.m.

Sukkot Morning ServiceSat. Oct. 7, at 10 a.m.Bring your lulav and etrog. Singing, cre-ative Torah study and child care will be integrated throughout the morning. A er the Service, enjoy a festive lunch.

Lulav and etrog sets: If you would like to order a quality lulav and etrog ($40 per set), please call Shelly Berenbaum (ext. 233), at the Temple, by Wed. Sept. 20, 2006. You can pick them up from the Temple offi ce on ur. Oct. 5 or Fri. Oct. 6, 2006, before 12 p.m.

ConsecrationSat. Oct. 14, at 6.20 p.m.Again this year, Holy Blossom Temple will hold Consecration on Simchat Torah. e joy of our celebration of Torah will be multiplied with the ruach of our youngest students of Torah, all dancing with their new scrolls. Join us for a special Service

for Grade 1 students and their families, fol-lowed by the congregational celebration.

Call for volunteers: The fall Festivals require a lot of helping hands. If you can volunteer for any of the Festivals, please call Shelly Berenbaum (ext. 233), at the Temple. Community service hours are available

for high school students.


Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple

Our Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple provides opportunities to come together for major public lectures, to study Torah and other Jewish literature, and to obtain the skills needed to lead a deeper Jewish life. For more de-tails on all lectures and programs, please watch your mail for the 2006/2007 Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learn-ing Calendar, call the School office (ext. 256), at the Temple, or visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org. Please remember to bring your Advance Seating Card, which was sent to you with the Calendar, to all major lectures. Doors open, for our members who present their cards, one hour before lectures begin. For any program that requires pre-registration, please call Lissette Ilgner (ext. 238), at the Temple. For your convenience, our daytime programs during the week are marked with this symbol:

Shabbat Morning Torah Study: From Universalism to Particularism — As We Become a PeopleRabbi J. MoscowitzSaturdays at 9 a.m.is year’s Shabbat Morning Torah Study picks up with the end of Genesis and moves into Exodus as the Israelites gain identity, acquire a place in history and come together — at high moments and low moments — as the People Israel. Join us for a stimulating hour of study. No background required — just interested and curious minds.

Advanced Hebrew Grammar Rabbi Edward Goldfarb

Tuesdays at 11.30 a.m., beginning Oct. 17, 2006is advanced grammar class puts special emphasis on parsing Biblical and prayer-book text. Open to Temple members only.

Sisterhood Torah Study Rabbi Edward Goldfarb

Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m.,beginning Oct. 18, 2006 is class will study the Genesis, continuing to delve into the passionate writings of our prophets. New and returning students are welcome.

The Yiddish NovelRabbi Edward Goldfarb

Wednesdays at 10.30 a.m., beginning Oct. 18, 2006We will continue our study of Yiddish literature including e Brothers Ashkenazi. Non-member fee: $60.

Reform Judaism from Geiger to BorowitzRabbi Michael Stroh, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Har Zion

ursdays at 10.30 a.m.,Oct. 5 to 26, 2006Rabbi Michael Stroh discusses the develop-ment of Reform Judaism, from its origins to its brilliant future. Pre-registration required. Cost — members: $40; non-members: $55.

The Marmur Lectures: Three Ways of Hearing — The Shema Then and NowRabbi Dow MarmurWednesdays at 8 p.m., Sept. 20 and 27, 2006e “Hear, O Israel” of the Shema goes far beyond the auditory; the word has many meanings. Rabbi Dow Marmur will discuss different ways of responding to God in our time in an effort to add new perspectives to the High Holy Days and to suggest ways of formulating our own Jewish commitment.

Book Launch: Washington Diaries

Allan Gotlieb Canada’s Former Ambassador to the United States

Tue. Dec. 12, 2006, at 7.30 p.m.Allan Gotlieb has written widely on international law and diplomacy. A member of Holy Blossom Temple, he holds an M.A. from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and a law degree from Harvard. A prominent member of Canada’s business community, he serves on many boards and is a Companion of the Order of Canada. His new book, Washington Diaries, recounts his years in the U.S. capital during the Reagan and Mulroney era.


Exploring the Jewish Character in Contemporary NovelsCynthia Good, Director, Creative Book Publishing Program, Humber College

Tuesdays at 9.30 a.m., Oct. 17 to Nov. 21, 2006How are Jewish characters depicted in nov-els today? We begin with A Wall of Light by Edeet Ravel. For a booklist, please e-mail Cynthia Good at [email protected]. Pre-registration required. Cost — members: $60; non-members: $75.

Caring for the Elderly: A Jewish ViewRabbi Jonathan Crane, Ph.D. Candidate in the Study of Religion, Specializing in Jewish Ethics, University of Toronto Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m., Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 2006is course will explore the challenges and ethics of caring for the elderly. Using Judaic texts, we will discover what issues we may face when caring for a loved one and mak-ing health-proxy decisions on issues we had not previously considered and discussed.

Scholar in Residence Weekend:Abraham Joshua Heschel —An Appreciation of GreatnessRabbi Michael Marmur, Dean, Hebrew Union College, JerusalemAbraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972) was one of the most influential and profound Jewish figures of the 20th century. We will examine some of his work in an effort to ex-plore the man and his influence on so many. Fri. Oct. 27, 20066 p.m. — Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Dinner and Study: In Search of HeschelPre-registration required. Cost — $20 for adults; $10 for students.Sat. Oct. 28, 20069 a.m. — Torah Study: Heschel’s Noah10.30 a.m. — Shabbat Morning Sermon: Praying, Understanding, Doing — Noah as Ark-etype12.30 p.m. — Lunch and Study Session: e Sons of Akiva and the Sons of Ishmael — e Deep Structure of JudaismPre-registration required. Cost — Adults: $15; students: $10. For reservations, please call Lissette Ilgner (ext. 256), at the Temple.

Metaphors of the Aftermath

Holocaust Education Week Lecture: Between Accommodation and Resis-tance — A New Look at the Holocaust in FranceProfessor Michael Marrus Wed. Nov. 8, 2006, at 8 p.m.is lecture will focus on André Baur, a Jewish leader who was eventually murdered in Auschwitz. Drawing on some recently released letters to his wife, Odette, sent from the detention camp of Drancy, this lecture will look at his perceptions of daily life in the midst of constant dread, and will intro-duce us to a world we would otherwise have difficulty imagining.

Feasts and Fasts: Selected texts from Talmud Rabbi Dow Marmur ursdays at 10.30 a.m., Nov. 2 to Dec. 7, 2006 Our celebrations may have their roots in the Bible, but their evolution is rabbinic and, by no means, always uncontroversial. e Talmudic texts that we will be studying will give us glimpses of the debates and insights into the conclusions.

Torah Cantillation Lindi Rivers, Cantorial SoloistWednesdays at 7.30 p.m., Nov. 15 to Dec. 6, 2006Join Lindi for a comprehensive means to read and chant Torah. Learn all the basics needed to read or chant Torah for your community.

Fighting Islamism and Making Peace with Islam Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow, Shalem Center, JerusalemWed. Nov. 15, 2006, at 8 p.m.e challenge of confronting the ongoing threats posed by Islamism and the poten-tial for making peace with Islam will be analyzed in the context of the current crisis facing Israel and, by extension, the West. Co-sponsored by the Canada-Israel Commit-tee and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Elaine Newton, Professor Emeritus, York UniversityThursdays at 7.30 p.m., Oct. 19 and 26, 2006

Participants will look at two thought-provoking novels — Ian McEwan’s Saturday and Jonathan Foer’s Ex-tremely Loud and Incredibly Close — that engage our own mood and moral dilemmas in a world disabled by 9/11.

Saturday, set in London, presents one ominous day, seen through the consciousness of a neurosurgeon whose life is shaken by a chance run-in with street thugs.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close follows a quirky, brilliant nine-year-old as he searches through New York City for the lock that fits a key left by his father, who died in the Twin Tow-ers on Sept. 11th.


Library Lecture: Trickster Travels — A 16th-Century Muslim between Worlds Tue. Nov. 21, 2006, at 7.30 p.m.Natalie Davis, Professor Emerita, Princeton University and Adjunct Professor of History, University of TorontoLearn about the life of the North African Mus-lim traveler Leo Africanus, captured by Chris-tian pirates in 1518, who went on to write a best-selling book about Africa for European readers. Co-sponsored with Brotherhood.

Sisterhood Study DayDebbie Spiegel, Director of EducationSat. Nov. 18, 2006, at 10.30 a.m.Join us aer the Shabbat Service for a full day of study on Parashat Chaya Sara, using

the New Women of Reform Judaism Women’s Commentary on the Bible as our resource. For more details or to reserve your spot, please leave a message on our Sisterhood hotline (ext. 514), and a Sisterhood member

will call you.

Learning Liturgy through Singing Jewish MusicCantor Benjamin Z. MaissnerSundays at 10 a.m. New participants are always welcome. For more details, please call Mari Lynn Rusack (ext. 224), at the Temple.

Beginners’ HebrewDalia Alalouf, Hebrew Supervisor Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m.,beginning Oct. 18 (full-year program)Do you feel that it’s time to learn what your children and grandchildren are learning? en this is the course for you. Learn how to read Hebrew and feel comfortable at Temple Services. Limited to Temple members. Pre-registration required. Cost — members: $200 per year; non-members: $360 per year.

The Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Fall 2006 Lecture Series at Holy Blossom Temple

In Exile or at Home?Reflections on Israel, the Jews and Anti-Semitism in a Precarious World

Even after enduring and surviving several millennia, even at a time of statehood and prosperity, Israel and World Jewry struggle for a place among the nations in an unbalanced and precarious world. What will be now as genocidal Islamism is on the march?

Does the West care and how will it respond? Four leading observers reflect on these unavoidable questions.

Mon. Oct. 30Thomas Friedman Three-time Pulitzer winner, Thomas Friedman is the author of From Beirut to Jerusalem.

Introduction:Heather Reisman

Mon. Nov. 13Barbara AmielColumnist, Maclean's Magazine

Introduction: Robert Lantos

Mon. Nov. 20Malcolm Hoenlein Executive Vice Chair, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organization

Introduction: Rabbi Moshe Shulman

Mon. Nov. 27Ehud Ya’ariAssociate Editor, The Jerusalem Report

Introduction: Hershell Ezrin

All lectures begin at 8 p.m. Please remember to bring your Advance Seating Card. Doors open at 7 p.m. for members who present their cards.


da, and Elliot Jacobson, as President of CCRJ, raised funds for Reform organ-izations in Israel that found temporary lodging for families and activities

for the children of people from the north.• Michael Diamond, a strong activist for

Israel at all times, stepped up his e-mail writing and distribution eff orts.

• Our Brotherhood ran a popular letter-writing campaign to show support for our government’s position in support of Israel’s right to defend herself, and put information about Israel at the top of its Web site, with links to important infor-mation and organizations.

• 14 Temple members were in Israel on an ARZA trip this summer when the war started and stayed until the end of the program. Not one member le early.

• Pam Albert, who heads up the Canadian arm of One Family Fund, brought an additional 40 campers to Canada at the last minute.

• Several Temple members are living or studying in Israel, including Mira Lyon,

IEmpathy for Israel

Israel is a home to all Jews, even those who don’t reside there. People who travel to Israel know the unique feeling of simultaneously experiencing the thrill of visiting a fascinat-ing land and the sense of being at home. Even those who don’t travel to Israel understand the pride of watching the only country in the world where a majority of the population is Jewish develop into a modern, dynamic and progressive society.

When our home is attacked, we all suff er. It was painful to watch Israelis suff er in the war begun by Hezbollah on July 12 of this year, and we suff ered in empathy with them.

Many Canadian Jews helped our Israeli brothers and sisters — making donations to the multiple charities that provided direct aid to those aff ected by the war; and attend-ing marches and rallies and writing letters in support of Israel. We can be proud of the extent to which members of Holy Blos-som Temple took the initiative to help out, including the following:• Harley Mintz and Bonnie Bloomberg

co-chaired the launch of the 2007 Israel Emergency Campaign last month.

• Joan Garson, as President of ARZA Cana-

who is studying at the Hebrew Universi-ty of Jerusalem. Mira has demonstrated fortitude by continuing with her plans.

• Hershell Ezrin continued his strong work leading the Canadian Jewish Political Aff airs Committee (CJPAC).

• Robert Lantos hosted the giant Israel rally on July 26.

• Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman were among the prominent Canadians in an newspaper advertising campaign supporting Prime Minister Harper’s principled stand for Israel.

• Mark Anshan continues to lead in-ternational Reform Zionist activities, through his role with Arzeinu.

Kal HaKavod to all of our members who gave of themselves to help Israelis through a diffi cult time.

We know this is only a partial list. If you played a part as well, or know of someone who did, but is not mentioned above, please e-mail Shelly Berenbaum, at [email protected]. We would be happy to publish an addendum to this honour roll at a later date.

Our I

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b y J E F F D E N A B U R G , C o - C h a i r, I s r a e l C o m m i t t e e

WJunior Youth GroupWe are pleased to welcome Josh Berger, who will lead our Junior Youth Group (JYG), for Grades 7 and 8. Josh, who is in his fourth year at York University study-ing psychology, has been a lifelong Holy Blossom member. He has taught in the Religious School, and is teaching in our Senior School in September. In addition, he has worked at Camp George for fi ve summers. Josh is very excited to work with the Junior Youth Group and plans on running some thrilling programs. For more details about JYG, please send an

e-mail to [email protected].— by Zach Paul, Youth Group Advisor

In honour of Holy Blossom Temple’s 150th Anniversary, the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation has created a series of beautiful new tribute cards for you to send to your family and friends. For pricing and ordering details, please see the flyer inserted in this issue of the Bulletin.

A B E T T E R B U L L E T I N

We have received wonderful feedback on our redesigned Bulletin. However, some concerns have been raised about the legibility of the text. You should fi nd this issue easier to read and more improvements will be made for issue 3.


Be part of history in the making!CELEBRATE WITH US AS HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE TURNS 150 YEARS OLD

b y J A N I C E B A B I N S , C h a i r, To r a t C h a i m C o m m i t t e e

OOne hundred and fifty years ago, in 1856, the fi rst activity of our newly founded syna-gogue was to hold High Holy Day Services. e Torah used on that occasion was sent from Montreal by the Ascher Family, whose son was one of our founding members. It is therefore fi tting that on the 150th Anniver-sary of this beginning of Jewish religious life in Toronto, the centrepiece of our celebra-tions will be the creation of a new Torah scroll, a sacred bridge to the generations that will come a er us.

e Torah is God’s most precious gi to our People, containing all the treasures that have enabled us to survive and fl ourish through times of peace, prosperity, disper-sion and exile. Every Jew is commanded during his or her lifetime to undertake the writing of a Torah, a commandment we usu-ally leave to others. However, in celebration of our 150th Anniversary, every member of the Temple can participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and fulfi ll the mitzvah of writing in the scroll.

Please join us at the start of our Simchat Torah Service on Sat. Oct. 14, 2006, for the launch of Torat Chaim (Living Torah), our Sefer Torah project. A er Shemini Atzeret/

Yizkor Services and the congregational kiddush luncheon, join our scribe, Neil Yerman, at 1 p.m. as he outlines the process of writing a Torah and

answers any questions. At 6 p.m., just before the start of our Simchat Torah celebrations, we will formally launch Torat Chaim. Hon-orary President Jack Geller will write the bet of Bereshit, the fi rst letter in the Torah and our project will be on its way.

Under the direction of our scribe, every member of the congregation will be able to personally help create the new Torah. Neil’s guidance means no special skills or knowl-edge are needed.

To ensure a lasting memory for you and your family and to strengthen our Holy Blossom community, you are encouraged to sign up now to write your letter. It is our hope that every member of the congrega-tion will participate in this project and experience the excitement and satisfaction of carrying out this mitzvah. Please take the quill in hand and join us in creating a Torah for the generations of the next 150 years.

In celebration of our 150th Anniversary, Holy Blossom Temple will commission an artist to design and fabricate a set of mantles (covers) for our Sifrei Torah (scrolls).

We are holding an open call for proposals, and welcome submissions from all artists. For more details, please visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org, and click on our 150th Anniversary logo to download a PDF of our Torah mantle commission guidelines.


CELEBRATE WITH US AS HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE TURNS 150 YEARS OLD

Please join us as we explore the areas of Toronto where Toronto’s Jewish community began. On Sun. Oct. 22, we will meet at the Temple and proceed by bus to the Pape Avenue Cemetery — the very first Jewish institution in Toronto (1849) — where we will participate in a dedication of the cemetery as an Ontario historic site. We will then explore sites of old Jewish Toronto, including the Temple’s former “homes.” We will return to the Temple at 5 p.m. to view our archival display. Cost: $30. Pre-registration required.

A week later, on Sun. Oct. 29, please join us for a tour of the Temple, where you will learn about the architecture of the building. No reserva-tions needed.

For more details, please call the 150th Anniversary Tours committee (ext. 531), at the Temple. Please send your cheque to Holy Blossom Temple marked “Tours.”

Please join us as we explore the areas of Toronto where Toronto’s Jewish community began. On Sun. Oct. 22, we will meet at the Temple and Please join us as we explore the areas of Toronto where Toronto’s Jewish community began. On Sun. Oct. 22, we will meet at the Temple and Please join us as we explore the areas of Toronto where Toronto’s Jewish community began. On Sun. Oct. 22, we will meet at the Temple and

Join us for our Temple Tours Sun. Oct. 22, 2006, at 1 p.m. Old Jewish Toronto | Sun. Oct. 29, 2006, at 2.30 p.m. Our Temple Building

Is there a cost to participate?Yes. Money raised will first be used for the costs associated with Torat Chaim, and then to pay for any 150th Anni-versary celebration expenses that are not otherwise covered. The rest will go into the 150th Anniversary Legacy Fund, to meet future Temple needs.

There is a basic rate for individuals and one for families, as well as dona-tion opportunities at various levels. We hope everyone will participate at a level appropriate to his or her finan-cial means. Our aim is to achieve full congregational participation.

For information about donation opportunities, please call Deborah Tameanko (ext. 265), at the Temple, pick up a pledge card at the Temple, or download one from our Web site at www.holyblossom.org > 150th Anniversary > pledge card.

How do I get more information about Torat Chaim?Call Deborah and ask for our Torat Chaim brochure (which was sent to all members), or download a copy from our Web site’s 150th Anniversary section.

How do I sign up to write a letter?Call Deborah and she will take the information she needs from you, or fill in the pledge card included in our brochure (or downloaded from our Web site) and mail it back to us.

What happens after I sign up?After you have completed your pledge card and arranged for payment, someone from the Torat Chaim committee will call you to arrange a writing date.

When will I write?The Torah will be written on: Sun. Oct. 15, Mon. Oct. 16, Sun. Nov. 26 and Mon. Nov. 27, 2006; and Sun. Jan. 14, Mon. Jan. 15, Sun. Mar. 25, Mon. Mar. 26, Sun. Apr. 22 and Mon. Apr. 23, 2007.

How many letters can I write?Each participant will write one letter. It is not possible to arrange to write a letter in a specific portion. We start with Bereshit and continue writing in sequence until our last writing day.

What happens at the writing session?Each writing session will last about an hour and there will be about 20 people in each group. After each person or family group is

photographed, our scribe, Neil Yerman, will offer a few words of introduction, lead the group in a brief prayer and then guide the hand of each participant as he or she writes a letter.

What if the Torah isn’t finished by Apr. 23?There are 304,805 letters in the Torah. Even if every member of the congrega-tion writes one letter, we will only com-plete part of the Torah. After Apr. 23, the parchment that we, as a congregation, have written will be inserted into a Torah scroll, which is being written for us in Is-rael. Those Temple members traveling to Israel with Rabbi Edward Golfarb in April 2007 will have the opportunity to meet the Israeli scribe. Thus, the completed Torah will contain the portion that we have writ-ten, with the remainder written by a scribe on our behalf.

Are there any restrictions on who can participate?All Jews are welcome to write a letter in our Torah. Members of the Temple, their families and friends are invited to take part in this unique opportunity. This would be a wonderful occasion for you to honour important people in your life.

W H AT M E M B E R S A R E A S K I N G U S A B O U T T O R AT C H A I M


PurimFamily Megillah ReadingSat. Mar. 3, 2007, at 6.30 p.m.

Adult Purim (Megillah and Schpiel)Sat. Mar. 3, 2007, at 8 p.m.

CarnivalSun. Mar. 4, 2007, at 12.15 p.m.

Purim is meant to be the craziest day of the year, and it certainly is at the Temple. e Purim carnival (the Sunday preceding Purim) gives the kids a chance to dress up and play games, while the Family Megillah reading (the evening of Purim) encourages congregants to drown out the name of Haman. e real fun is saved for the adults, later that night, with our congregational Megillah reading and Purim schpiel. It is Holy Blossom Temple like you never see it!

PesachFirst DayTue. Apr. 3, 2007, at 10 a.m.

Last DayMon. Apr. 9, 2007, at 10 a.m.

e second of the chagim is a joyous time, as we celebrate and thank God for freeing us from Egypt. Our

The High Holy DaysRosh HashanahSat. Sept. 23, 2006Sun. Sept. 24, 2006

Yom KippurMon. Oct. 2, 2006

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are, of course, the most widely attended Services of the year, as we come together to confess our sins, ask for repentance and try to better ourselves in the year ahead.

SukkotSat. Oct. 7, 2006, at 10 a.m.

e fi rst of the three chagim, or Pilgrimage Festivals, of the year, Sukkot recalls both our time in the desert, a er leaving Egypt, as well as the annual harvest our ancestors made. We celebrate Sukkot with a congregation-wide Service in a Sanc-tuary decked out in harvest decora-tions. Anyone in the congregation who has a lulav and etrog is invited up to the bimah for the waving of the lulav — quite a sight, and a thrill especially for kids. e congrega-tion-wide Service includes Yizkor.

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat TorahShemini AtzeretSat. Oct. 14, 2006, at 10 a.m.

Simchat TorahSat. Oct. 14, 2006, at 7 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret is the holiday that ends Sukkot and is marked by a congregation-wide Service, including Yizkor. at night, on Simchat Torah, the mood is lighter as we celebrate the end of one Torah-reading cycle, and the start of the next. e celebra-tion starts as we welcome our newest students in our Grade 1 Consecration ceremony, a er which the congrega-tion dances around the Sanctuary with our Torah scrolls. e joyous evening ends with more music and dancing for all.

ChanukahFri. Dec. 15, 2006, at 4.30 p.m.

Chanukah is most o en thought of as a ‘home holiday,’ but the miracle was communal, and so is the celebration. Our annual Chanukah party, held before the Kabbalat Shabbat Service, is a chance to sing, dance and, of course, eat latkes.

ere are a number of occasions throughout our calendar year which are communal moments in the fullest sense — times when our synagogue community comes together for the “state occasions” of the Jewish People. ese are moments of commemoration and celebation, observed by Jews in all synagogues around the world. You are invited to participate in these “state occasions” of celebration and commemoration at Holy Blossom Temple.


congregation-wide Service on the fi rst day of the chag gets extra life with vibrant music and a joyous Hallel (psalms of celebration). e congregation-wide Service on the last day also includes Yizkor.

Yom Ha’ShoahSun. Apr. 15, 2007, at 7 p.m.

ose who died in the Shoah are remembered annually by our con-gregation, with a moving Service and words shared by a survivor from our community. “Never Again” means an obligation to remember; this day ensures we all do.

Yom Ha’Zikaron/Yom Ha’AtzmautYom Ha’ZikaronSun. Apr. 22, 2007, at 6 p.m.

Yom Ha’atzmautSun. Apr. 22, 2007, at 6.30 p.m.

We commemorate Israel’s fallen soldiers right before we celebrate her birthday. A short Service of commemoration is followed by an outdoor festival of music, food, arts

in the evening with our Confi rma-tion Service, followed by a tikun — a late-night study session to help us prepare for receiving the Torah, just like our ancestors thousands of years ago. is is followed, the next morn-ing, by a congregation-wide Service and Yizkor.

and games for all ages. is day is a show of solidarity with Israel, as well as a fun time for all.

ShavuotErev Shavuot/ConfirmationTue. May. 22, 2007, at 7 p.m.

ShavuotWed. May. 23, 2007, at 10 a.m.

e last of the chagim, commemo-rating the giving of the Torah, begins

Judaism believes that mourning must take place in public, as well as in pri-vate. One of the ways in which our People have publicly mourned is through the recitation of Yizkor. Literally meaning “May (God) Remember,” Yizkor is the memorial Service that is read four times throughout the year — on Yom Kippur a ernoon and at each of the three chagim (the Pilgrimage Festivals: Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot).

Many people grow up with the tradition that someone who hasn’t lost a parent should not stay for Yizkor. Not only is it not necessary to leave, it ac-tually somewhat defeats the purpose of the Service. Yizkor is the chance for those who have suff ered loss to remember their beloved while surrounded by their community. ose who are not grieving need to be there to show support to those who are.

In a community that so diligently and beautifully remembers its dead, we all know our memories will live on a er us. rough Yizkor, we ensure those who have died are not forgotten, and therefore they live through us.

A word about Yizkor

ere are a number of occasions throughout our calendar year which are communal moments in the fullest sense — times when our synagogue community comes together for the “state occasions” of the Jewish People. ese are moments of commemoration and celebation, observed by Jews in all synagogues around the world. You are invited to participate in these “state occasions” of celebration and commemoration at Holy Blossom Temple.


For more information, or to leave a message, please call the Seniors’ hotline (ext. 517), at the Temple.

LU N C H and L E A R N in Retirement 2006

Please join us for exciting daytime programming and socializing. e group meets on alternate Wednes-day aernoons at 12.30 p.m. Please bring your own dairy lunch and we will provide coffee, tea and cookies. Mark the following dates on your calendars, so you will not miss any of our wonderful aernoons:Oct. 11 Update on the Middle East | Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Nov. 8 Memory and Aging | Dr. Nicole AndersonNov. 22 “YOW” Jewish Motorcycle Club | Sid Rockwerg

Sept. 18 Our Temple at 150 Years | Members of the Archives CommitteeOct. 16 Torat Chaim (Living Torah Project) | Neil Yerman, Torah ScribeOct. 23 My Sabbatical: What I Accomplished and What I Learned | Cantor Benjamin Z. MaissnerOct. 30 Fun with the Red Hat Society | Shelly Berenbaum

M O N D AYS @ the Temple

We were so glad to see so many of our seniors back at our first program on Sept. 11, and look forward to seeing others as our program gets underway. Please join us on the following Mondays (starting at 10 a.m.) and note that we will not be meeting during the High Holy Day period from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9.


Holy Temple Stagecraft Company: The Cemetery Clubur. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 9, 2006, at 8 p.m., and Sun. Dec. 10, 2006, at 2.30 p.m.is heart-warming comedy by Ivan Menchell is about three widows and a widower, whose friendships are tested by memories and changes in their lives. Tickets are $15; $10 for seniors and students. For more details, please call the Stagecra hotline (ext. 511), at the Temple.

Breakfast Club: Our Orthodox BeginningsDavid Hart, Temple ArchivistSun. Oct. 22, 2006, at 9.30 a.m.Holy Blossom began as an Orthodox con-gregation. Join us to learn about our early Orthodox rabbis. is is the first in a series of programs about our 150-year history.

Breakfast Club: Edmund ScheuerSun. Nov. 12, 2006, at 9.30 a.m.Ken Pritzker will speak about his ancestor Edmund Scheuer, who was Superintendent of Education and Honorary President of Holy Blossom and who advocated the congrega-tion’s change to Reform Judaism. ese events are part of Brotherhood’s 150th An-niversary programming. All Temple members are welcome. For more details, please visit our Web site at www.obrj.org/hbbh.

Out of the Cold: Volunteer Sign-Upur. Oct. 12, 2006, at 6.30 p.m. for mem-bers, and 7.30 p.m. for non-membersWe are looking for adult volunteers for our overnight shi (midnight to 6 a.m.) as well as our breakfast/clean-up team (5.30 to 7 a.m.). Volunteers are also needed to shop; prepare bagged lunches; set up for, cook and clean up aer dinner; help with clothing donations; vis-

it with guests; and provide security. Out of the Cold runs every ursday night and Friday morning from Nov. 2, 2006 to Mar. 29, 2007. We also need volunteers for our program on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. For more details, please call the Out of the Cold hotline (ext. 508), at the Temple.

Membership Appreciation Brunch/Annual Raffle DrawSun. Dec. 3, 2006, at 11 a.m.is year’s Project Raffle draw will be held at our Membership Appreciation Brunch in celebration of the Temple’s 150th Anniversary year. You should already have the Raffle books. Please return the ticket stubs as soon as pos-sible, so you do not miss out on any of our exciting prizes. First prize is a diamond and opal ring, valued at more than $2,200. Second prize is two tickets to the 150th Anniversary Gala at Roy omson Hall. Save the date for the brunch and draw; bring a friend and get to know your Sisterhood. For more details, please call the Sisterhood hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple.

WRJ Lilith Salons: The Power of Jew-ish Women’s ConversationsSun. Dec. 11, 2006, at 10.30 a.m.We will meet to discuss an article or topic taken from the most recent issue of Lilith Magazine. is is a great opportunity to in-teract with other women of our congregation in a stimulating atmosphere of conversation. (Women of Reform Judaism, in co-operation with Lilith Magazine, is offering Sisterhood members a discounted subscription price for Lilith to help launch their new program — Lilith Salons). For more details, please call Sara Charney at (416) 451-7292, or e-mail her at [email protected].

Knitters neededIf you are interested in knitting sweaters for babies who are named at the Temple, please leave your name and number on the Sisterhood hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple.

Events and Announcements

Contacts for Donations

To make a donation to any of our existing funds, please call the Foundation Office, at (416) 789-3291, ext. 265.

To learn more about how you can support the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation, or to establish a new fund, please call Deborah Tameanko, at (416) 789-3291, ext. 265.

To make a donation to One Family Fund (Aid to Survivors of Terror), please call (416) 644-4955.

To make a donation to MAZON Canada, please call (416) 783-7554.

To make a donation to the Toronto Com-munity Forest Fund, please call Sybil Gordon at (416) 489-5709.

We appreciate your supportHoly Blossom Temple appreciates all donations to our funds; however due to rising costs, cards will only be sent for do-nations of $20 or more. We will continue to recognize all donations in the Bulletin.

We apologize but due to space constraints, not all donations will appear in the Bulletin issue closest to the date on which the contribution was made. Donations in this issue were received by July 10, 2006.

Judaica ShopDo you need a special gi or are you looking for a tallit, mezzuzot, challah cover or Jewish books? Our volunteer hours are Monday to Friday, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and Sunday 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. If you are unable to shop during these hours, call the Judaica Shop (ext. 234), at the Temple, to make an appoint-ment. If you are interested in becoming a Ju-daica Shop volunteer, please leave a message on the Sisterhood hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple.


Our Congregational Family

Name Date

We would like to welcome the following people to the Holy Blossom Temple family:

Marlowe & David Ain, and Jakob and JonahBarbara & Neville AlexanderJoyce EisenIsabelle & Simon Fish, and Maxine and NathanJessica HanickNancy Marcus & Mervyn Blumberg, and

Robyn and DanielDolly Reisman, and Jesse and GabrielJillian RobozSabina Srubiski

Dr. Jay Wunder, on being appointed Sur-geon-in-Chief of Mount Sinai Hospital

B ’ N E I M I T Z V A H

29 Tishrei 5767/Oct. 21, 2006Zoe Bundas, daughter of Rose-anne Mason and Steven Bundas

29 Tishrei 5767/Oct. 21, 2006Madelyn Narod, daughter of Rhonda Tepper and Steven Narod

6 Cheshvan 5767/Oct. 28, 2006Mitchell Ber, son of Janet Witkin Ber & David Ber

6 Cheshvan 5767/Oct. 28, 2006Jaclyn Fremes, daughter of Jill & Stephen Fremes

6 Cheshvan 5767/Oct. 28, 2006Ethan Miller, son of Cheri & Stewart Miller

e congregation sympathizes with the recently bereaved families of:

Ella (Bootie) Goldhar, mother of Robin Cooper, Linda Goldhar, Debbie Munnings, Tracey Ostermann and Sharry Wilson

Edwin Goodman, husband of Joan ompson, father of Diane Goodman

Mina Gurfi nkel, mother of Jack Gurfi nkle and Dina Segal

Annie Kirshenbaum, mother of Pauline Wintraub and Irving Kirsh

Sydney Lo us, husband of Sheila Lo us, father of Jan Allin, Karen Ehrlich and Lynn Glazer

Morris Moscowitz, father of James Moscowitz, Rabbi John Moscowitz and Robert Moscowitz

Henry Ritchie, husband of Faigie Ritchie, father of Alan Ritchie, Evan Ritchie and Stephen Ritchie, brother of Carl Ritchie, Jack Ritchie and Marilyn Solomon

Ann Rotish, mother of Lionel Rubinoff , Ronald Rubinoff and Tanya Warsh

Julius Schaerf, husband of Lily Schaerf and father of Anna Schaerf

Fae Schwab, mother of Barbara Morrow, Susan Schwab and Maxine Wasserman, sister of Bessie Smith

Max Walderman, husband of Shirley Walderman, father of Aaron Walderman, Diane Walderman and Mykl Walderman

Lights will be kindled in the Sanctuary, for seven days, starting the Saturday evening before the anniversary date, to mark the yahrzeit of the following:

Name DateHenry Clavir Sept. 14Norman Benjamin Stein 16Basil Belick 17Annie Stern 17Rachael Sussman 17Max Blackstone 18Carl Charendoff 18Sophie Fisher Cooper 18Myer Bald 19

Jack Bender Sept. 19Samuel Dessau 19Reuben Rosefi eld 19Alfred Schwartz 19Alfred Stock 19Vernon Singer 20Joseph Stock 20Rebecca Wall 20Samuel Yolles 20Rivka Leah Goldstein 21Samuel Norris 22Philip Hanick 23Samuel David Pollack 23Cemach Rotsztain 23Earl Usprich 23Rae Alexander 24Marion Fainstein 24Milton Raymers 24Arthur Axler 25Myer Bald 25Pauline Gould 25Harry Samuels 25Simon Wintrob 25Max Kassel 26Samuel Michael Miles 26William Mitchell 26Eva Osler 26Samuel Louis Pezim 26Esther Ruth Rower 26Shirley Shaul 26Sidney Smith 26Meyer Abel 27Morris Charendoff 27Celia Collins 27Louis Eisen 27Nathan Benjamin Schipper 27Lorraine Sussman 27Arthur Louis Wynston 27Anita Bliss 28Jeanette Goldhar 28Ira Kaplan 28Rose Shendroff 28Murray Abron 29Eva Doidge 29Bessie Fainstein 29Fred Field 29Maxwell Pearlstein 29Helen Casselman 30Mary Steiner 30Solomon Whyne 30


Adelle Young Sept. 30George Barruch 1Morris Charendoff 1Jack Davidson 1Louis Mandel 1Ralph Roger 1Clara Sederowitz 1Sarah Greenwood 2Anna Hutner 2Maurice Lavine 2Samuel Rubinoff 2Chick S. Sandler 2Harry Scolnick 2Harry Pencer 3Amalia Pless 3Jack Wintrob 3William Wintrope 3Rabbi Abraham L. Feinberg 4Hortense Geldzaeler 4Bertrand Gerstein 4Irwin Smith 4Sidney Taube 4Rohama Killem 5Leon Pape 5Max Pascal 5Fanny Bender 6Irving Berenson 6Sydney Ezrin 6Samuel Kirsch 6Reuben Rosefield 6Dora Birn 7Irving Salter 7Joseph Shulman 7Celia Smith 7Jenne Goodman 8Samuel A. Harris 8Anne Marshack Mandell 8Alexander Pearlstone 8Henia (A) Zelechew 8Betty Geller Bliss 9David Budish 9Bertha Fremont 9Toby Leah Goldstein 9Slaaveh Raicus 9Zelma Solursh 10Louise Lebo 11Henry Rosenthal 11Eva Seligman 11Rebecca Taube 11Louis Cole 12Marley Pollock 12Fred W. Wolff 12Gertrude Casselman 13

Name Date

Gertrude Gardiner Oct. 13Tina Louise Stupp 13Bernard Goldstein 14Jacob Lipson 14Percy Singer 14Fannie Smith 14Pearl Banks 15Amalia Dan 15Maxwell Levy 15George Samuel Shear 15Dewey David Bloom 16Norma Revo 17Florence Roth 17Harry Shapiro 17Gertrude Cohen 18Anne Nashman 18Jessie Gertrude Cook 19Rose Kanoff 19Elliott Lloyd Marrus 19Sadie Berman 20Rose Osler 20Joseph Pearlstein 20Sol Alter 21Irving Beckerman 21Toby Denaburg 21Jack Giddens 21Herbert Leon 21Sydney Cecil Olsberg 21Pauline Shapero 21David Louis Harris 22Mary Lipson 22Blanche Ruth Rosenfeld 22Rose Baker 23Sophie Blackstone 23Isa Cohen 23Israel Lurie 23Ruth Strauch 23Jennie Beber 24Leah Martha Brown 24David Rothschild 24Samuel Louis Shendroff 24Jennie Yudashkin 24Barbara Baltman 25Eva Margolies Cohen 25Sadie Wolfe Danson 25Mila Smialy Penn 25Ethel White 26Dora Fromovitz 27Kenneth Kelman 27Morton Rashkis 27Elliott Lloyd Marrus 28Esther Wolfe Stein 28

Name Date

1 5 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y C E L E B R AT I O N F U N D

Ruth Sadowski, In Memory: Henrietta Chesnie

A C C E S S I B I L I T Y F U N D

Etta Ginsberg McEwan, Special Birthday: Nancy Ruth

W I L L I A M A N S H A N YO U T H A W A R D S

David Gordon, In Memory: Brenda Spiegler & Mark Anshan

B E V E R L E Y C O L M A N - LO K A S H C A M P S C H O L A R S H I P F U N D

Stephen Cole, In Memory: Beverley Colman-Lokash

David Gordon, In Memory: Beverley Colman-Lokash

D A N S O N FA M I LY C A M P Y S C H O L A R S H I P F U N D

Bert Danson, Speedy Recovery: Marjorie & Sydney Rosenfield

J E A N F I N E S E N I O R S F U N D

Dorothy Atlin, In Memory: Sheila & Bob Smolkin

Stephen Cole, In Memory: Sheila & Bob Smolkin

David Gordon, In Memory: Sheila & Bob Smolkin

F LO R A L F U N D

Mitchell Ber, Bar Mitzvah: Janet Witkin Ber & David Ber

Zoe Bundas, Bat Mitzvah: Roseanne Mason Jaclyn Fremes, Bat Mitzvah: Jill & Stephen

Fremes Ethan Miller, Bar Mitzvah: Cheri & Stewart

Miller Madelyn Narod, Bat Mitzvah: Rhonda Tepper

H O LY B LO S S O M T E M P L E F O U N D AT I O N F U N D

Dorothy Atlin, In Memory: Sybil & Jack Geller; Mary & Henry Seldon

Stephen Cole, In Memory: Sybil & Jack Geller; Sybil Gordon; Jeanne Kamarner; Tillie Leslie and Family; Mary & Henry Seldon; Bea & Saul Sidlofsky

Henrietta Chesnie, Special Birthday: Sybil & Jack Geller

Norman Drache, In Memory: Sybil & Jack Geller; Mary & Henry Seldon


Abraham Eisen, In Memory: Joyce & Herb Appleby; Sybil & Jack Geller; Daisy & Syd Jacobs; Carol & Lionel Schipper

Cecil Gilbert, In Memory: Esther & Cyril HershDavid Gordon, In Memory: Randi & Alan

Garfinkel; Sybil & Jack Geller; Esther & Cyril Hersh; Daisy & Syd Jacobs; Mary & Henry Seldon; Alrene & Carl Stone

Hillary & Rabbi Jason Rosenberg, Mazal Tov: Alice & David Arlen

Rabbi Yael Splansky & Adam Sol, Mazal Tov: Mary & Henry Seldon

Esther & Marvin Tile, Wedding Anniversary: Sybil & Jack Geller

J A C O B ’ S T O W E R F U N D

Marilyn Shesko & David Hertzman, Mazal Tov: Lois Greisman & Eban Bayefsky; Judi & Lawrence Cohen; Susan Fine; Florence & Harold Hertzman; Rochelle & Mark Stenzler

E L L I O T T J A C O B S O N / J U D Y M A L K I N C O N C E R T F U N D

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Apprecia-tion: Judy Malkin & Elliott Jacobson

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

Stephen Cole, In Memory: Gail & Gary GoodmanDavid Gordon, In Memory: Gail & Gary

Goodman; Pnina Margolese

L I B R A R Y B O O K F U N D

Norman Drache, In Memory: Ellen Karabanow; Lynn & Harold Smith

D O W A N D 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

Stephen Cole, In Memory: elma BerrisMillie Goodman, In Memory: elma BerrisDavid Gordon, In Memory: Ruth Gelber; Ellen

KarabanowNorman Drache, In Memory: Ruth GelberFredzia & Rabbi Dow Marmur, Wedding

Anniversary: Shoshana Cole; Gail & Gary Goodman

M U S I C A L L E G A C Y F U N D

Samuel Birenbaum, In Memory: Nancy & Lloyd Pollack

David Gordon, In Memory: Adelle Sager and Family

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, Mazal Tov: Ilena & Mark Borinsky; Etta Ginsberg McEwan

O L S B E R G / R U T S AT Z F U N D

Fredzia & Rabbi Dow Marmur, Wedding Anniversary: Elke & Mel Olsberg

Hillary & Rabbi Jason Rosenberg, Mazal Tov: Elke & Mel Olsberg

O U T O F T H E C O L D

Dorothy Atlin, In Memory: Ann & Gary Posen; Barbara & Sam Stupp; Harriet & Frank Wolman

Marvin Bederman, In Memory: Ann & Gary Posen

Samuel Birenbaum, In Memory: Sandy AtlinJoseph Blume, In Memory: Margaret & David

Hart; Judy Malkin & Elliott Jacobson; Janet & Michael Ryval

Ruth Fine, In Memory: Harriet & Frank WolmanLois & Zally Garten, Wedding Anniversary:

Shilly & Laz RosenDavid Gordon, In Memory: Ann & Gary PosenTerrye Kuper, Happy Birthday: Shirley &

Marvin LatchmanDon McRae, In Memory: Kathy & Maurice GreenHarold Metter, In Memory: Ann & Gary PosenKatherine Perlman, In Memory: Arla & Howie

Hamer; Clara Rosen; Devora & Nathan RosenAda Silverman, In Memory: Rose, Bob, Elaine

and Suzy SilvermanMalka Wolman, Special Birthday: Harriet &

Frank Wolman

P L A U T M A N O R F U N D

Norman Drache, In Memory: Lynn & Richard Burton

David Gordon, In Memory: Lynn & Richard Burton

P R AY E R B O O K A N D W O R S H I P F U N D

David Gordon, In Memory: Sylvia Miller; Heather & Gary Topp; Eva Woolf

Deborah & Sid Troister, In Honour: Alice Troister

R A B B I S ’ A N D C A N T O R ’ S D I S C R E T I O N A R Y F U N D

Rabbi John Moscowitz: Dorothy Atlin, In Memory: Myrna Sandler

Rabbi John Moscowitz: David Gordon, In Memory: Myrna Sandler

Rabbi John Moscowitz, In Appreciation: Nancy-Gay & Maxwell Rotstein

Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Appreciation: Kari Abrams & Charles Corlett; Shiffman and Dotan Families

Hillary & Rabbi Jason Rosenberg, Mazal Tov: Janice & Larry Babins; Elissa Gamus & Steven

Rayson; Kathy & Maurice Green; Ellen Karabanow; Myrna Sandler

Rabbi Edward Goldfarb, In Appreciation: Sandy & Gordon Atlin; Anna Mae Belmont, Cathy-Ellen & Fred Metter

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Apprecia-tion: e Shiffman and Dotan Familes

Lindi Rivers, Cantorial Soloist, In Apprecia-tion: Shiffman and Dotan Families

N A N C Y R U T H E D U C AT I O N A L F U N D

Stephen Cole, In Memory: Nancy RuthAbraham Eisen, In Memory: Nancy RuthDavid Gordon, In Memory: Nancy RuthHarold Metter, In Memory: Nancy Ruth

S H A C H A R I T F U N DDinny Bass, Yahrzeit: Gloria & Seymour TemkinMartha & Chaim Drujan, Yahrzeit: Judy &

Julian DruyanLorne Dunkelman, Yahrzeit: Toby DunkelmanPhillip Gangbar, Yahrzeit: Sybil & Jack GellerAdolph Gardner, Yahrzeit: Lee & Hessie RimonGertie Granatstein, Yahrzeit: Joan & Donald

GranatsteinJacob Israel, Yahrzeit: Leora & Ted MacDonaldStephanie Kessler, Yahrzeit: Marla Shilling &

Harvey KesslerIrene Klein, Yahrzeit: Vera MandelAbraham Levy, Yahrzeit: Sybil GordonCelia Levy, Yahrzeit: Sybil GordonAlex Mogelonsky, Yahrzeit: Larry Mogelonsky

and FamilyDiana Morules, Yahrzeit: Judy Malkin & Elliott

JacobsonPauline Rosen, In Memory: Sharon & Lorne

Shapiro and FamilyBessie Salem, Yahrzeit: Jocelyn & Shia SalemJoseph Schipper, Yahrzeit: Carol & Lionel

SchipperShirley Steinberg, Yahrzeit: Ellan & Alan LevineWilliam Wolman, Yahrzeit: Harriet & Frank

WolmanRalph Wolman, Yahrzeit: Harriet & Frank

WolmanGeneral: Cathy-Ellen & Fred Metter

LY L E & G I L D A S TA N W AY B O O K F U N DHarold Metter, In Memory: Lyle Stanway

A L & D O R A T R A C K S C H O L A R S H I P F U N DIda Goldberg, Special Birthday: Dora TrackStephen Cole, In Memory: Dora Track and

Family

L E O N A R D W O L F E E D U C AT I O N A L F U N DEunice Davis, Speedy Recovery: Honey WolfeMadeleine Zimner, Special Birthday: Honey

Wolfe; Carole DaleFor phone numbers to make donations, please see page 15


The Bulletin is published 11 times a year, between September and June, 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: Alan Garfinkel; Senior Rabbi: John Moscowitz; Associate Rabbi: Yael Splansky; Associate Rabbi: Jason Rosenberg; Rabbi: 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; 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.

For Worship Services, please see page 2. For High Holy Day and Festival Services, please see pages 4 and 5.As dates and times may change without notice, please confirm all information by calling the Temple – at any time – to access This Week @ Holy Blossom recording.

Sat. Sept. 16 9 a.m. Torah Study 9 p.m. Selichot Lecture, with Professor David Novak

Sun. Sept. 17 10 a.m. Grade 1 Parent -Student Program 2 p.m. Formal Launch of 150th Anniversary and Outdoor Festival

Mon. Sept. 18 10.30 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with David Hart, Sheila Smolkin and Ken Wyman

Wed. Sept. 20 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 10.30 a.m. Yiddish Novel 8 p.m. Marmur Lecture, with Rabbi Dow Marmur

Wed. Sept. 27 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 8 p.m. Marmur Lecture, with Rabbi Dow Marmur

Sat. Sept. 30 9 a.m. Torah Study

Wed. Oct. 4 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 10.30 a.m. Yiddish Novel 4.30 p.m. Sukkah Decorating

Sun. Oct. 8 7.30 p.m. Family Programing Sukkah Party

Thur. Oct. 5 10.30 a.m. Reform Judaism from Geiger to Borowitz, with Rabbi Michael Stroh

Wed. Oct. 11 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 10.30 a.m. Yiddish Novel 12 p.m. Lunch and Learn in Retirement, with Rabbi Edward Goldfarb

Thur. Oct. 12 10.30 a.m. Reform Judaism from Geiger to Borowitz, with Rabbi Michael Stroh 6.30 p.m. Out of the Cold Volunteer Sign-Up

Sat. Oct. 14 6 p.m Simchat Torah Flag Making and Parade 6.20 p.m Grade 1 Consecration

Mon. Oct. 16 10.30 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with Torah Scribe Neil Yerman

Tue. Oct. 17 9.30 a.m. Jewish Literature, with Cynthia Good 11.30 a.m. Advanced Hebrew Grammar

Wed. Oct. 18 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 10.30 a.m. Yiddish Novel

7.30 p.m. Caring for the Elderly, with Rabbi Jonathan Crane 7.30 p.m. Beginners Hebrew

Thur. Oct. 19 10.30 a.m. Reform Judaism from Geiger to Borowitz, with Rabbi Michael Stroh 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service and Dinner 7.30 p.m. Metaphors of the Aftermath, with Professor Elaine Newton

Sat. Oct. 21 9 a.m. Torah Study

Sun. Oct. 22 9 a.m. School Rosh Chodesh Service 9.30 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast Club 1 p.m. Tour of Old Toronto

Mon. Oct. 23 10.30 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner 7.30 p.m. Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class


Wed. Oct. 25 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 10.30 a.m. Yiddish Novel 12 p.m. Lunch and Learn in Retirement 7.30 p.m. Caring for the Elderly, with Rabbi Jonathan Crane 7.30 p.m. Beginners Hebrew

Thur. Oct. 26 10.30 a.m. Reform Judaism from Geiger to Borowitz, with Rabbi Michael Stroh 7.30 p.m. Metaphors of the Aftermath, with Professor Elaine Newton

Fri. Oct. 27 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Dinner and Study, with Rabbi Michael Marmur 6.30 p.m. Shabbat Fusion for 20 and 30 Somethings

Sat. Oct. 28 9 a.m. Torah Study 12.30 p.m. Lunch and Study, with Rabbi Michael Marmur

Mon. Oct. 30 10.30 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with Shelly Berenbaum 8 p.m. In Exile or at Home, with Thomas Friedman


This month @ HOLY BLOSSOM September/October 2006Elul/Tishrei/Cheshvan 5767

w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g H O LY B LO S S O M T E M P L E | 20

I T

he L

ast W

ord Unified in support of Israel

It’s impossible to know, as I write these words, what the situation in Israel will be by the time you read this, but it seems unlikely that anything close to peace will be reigning in our homeland. Today, the rockets continue to fall, the tanks roll, the world debates the proper place to assign blame and, most importantly, people die.

No one who has been at Holy Blossom in recent times can have any doubt where we stand vis-à-vis Israel. We’re unified in our support of her, just as we are devout in our love for her. I understand that Israel was pushed into this war by an evil group of terrorists who want nothing less than the total annihilation of Israel. I can’t tell you about the war itself — I’ll leave the political and military analysis to those who know something about it.

I certainly won’t second guess Israel’s decision to enter Lebanon. And, maybe most importantly, I absolutely refuse to join the chorus who criticize

Israel for the way in which this war is being waged. I won’t have the audacity to suggest I know a way that Israel can win this war without killing as many civilians. And I’ll remember, as Alan Dershowitz points out, that in America and Canada, when inno-cents are killed trying to stop a criminal in the act, those deaths are legally the respon-sibility of the criminal, not the shooter; there can be no other moral position.

But, at the same time, my heart won’t stop breaking over all of the death, on both sides of the border. Every Israeli soldier and

civilian who dies is painful to me, of course, as it must be to all Zionists. But, we must remember that every Lebanese innocent who perishes is also a tragedy. ere’s an enormous difference between knowing that Israel had to cause those deaths, and being happy about them. One is realism; the other is barbarism. I recall the words of Golda Meir who said that forgiving them for killing our sons is perhaps possible; forgiving them for making us kill their sons may not be.

A H O P E F O R P E A C E

I’m proud of Israel at this terrible time. She’s strong, and she’s just. But I pray for a day when she won’t have to be; when all the killing will stop, and we can be proud of the peace instead.

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For more details on this program, please call Cynthia Silverman (ext. 276), at the Temple.

experience of song and prayer. On the last Friday of each

month, Aviva Chernick, Aaron Lightstone, Mark Weinstock and

their musical friends will bring the city’s finest fusion of jazz,

funk, Ashkenaz and Sepharad. Our Sanctuary won’t know what

hit it! A Shabbes tish of sushi and wine will follow. Spread the

word and bring a friend.

Shabbat FusionFridays at 6.30 p.m., Oct. 27 and Nov. 24, 2006, and Jan. 26, Feb 23, Mar. 30, Apr. 27, May 25 and June 29, 2007

Rabbi Yael Splansky invites members and

non-members for a unique Kabbalat Shabbat

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