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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 | �

D a i ly S e r v i C e SMon. to Fri. 7.30 a.m. Shacharit 6 p.m. MinchaSun. 9 a.m. Shacharit

*on mon. may 21, 2007, the Shacharit Service will start at 9 a.m.

S h a b b aT a C h a r e i M o T — K ’ D o S h i MFri. Apr. �7 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceFri. Apr. �7 6.30 p.m. Shabbat Fusion (for 20 and 30 somethings)Sat. Apr. �8 10.30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceSat. Apr. �8 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

S h a b b aT e M o rFri. May 4 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceFri. May 4 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat ServiceSat. May 5 10.30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceSat. May 5 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

S h a b b aT b ’ h a r - b ’ C h u K o Ta iFri. May 11 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceSat. May 1� 10.30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceSat. May 1� 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

S h a b b aT b ’ M i D b a rFri. May 18 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceFri. May 18 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat and DinnerSat. May 19 10.30 a.m. Congregation-wide Shabbat Morning Service

S h a v u o T (Please see page 6 for details.)Tue. May �� 7 p.m. Erev Shavuot and Confirmation ServicesWed. May �3 10 a.m. Shavuot and Yizkor Services

S h a b b aT N a S oFri. May �5 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceFri. May �5 6.30 p.m. Shabbat Fusion (for 20 and 30 somethings)Sat. May �6 10.30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceSat. May �6 10.30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service

Daily/Shabbat Worship

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

G E N E R A T I O N (for 20 and 30 somethings)

prayer. 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. Bring a friend.

Shabbat FusionFridays at 6.30 p.m., May 25 and June 29

Rabbi Yael Splansky invites members and non-members for a unique Kabbalat Shabbat experience of song and

m Ay 2 0 0 7 | I y a r / S i v a n 5 7 6 7 w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g3

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eChoosing religious communityb y r A b b i j o h n M o S c o W i T z

recently, a member of Holy Blossom Temple observed that our current public conversation about the proposed re-development of 1950 Bathurst Street is less a discussion about our future build-ing and more a means of engagement — which is, inevitably, now building amongst us a sense of community. And, as the observation goes on, this process may actually lead us from our current condition — yearning for community — to becoming a community, indeed a religious community.

W e a l l y e a r N T o b e lo N gImplicit in this observation is an hon-est critique: that our congregation does not yet have the sense of community so necessary to our humanity and Jewish identity. Many of us are, in some vague inchoate way, at a distance or alienated from the sense of belonging that we seek.

We yearn for the deep sense of iden-tity that results from the experience of belonging, especially to something that makes us better than we otherwise would be; closer to one another and to God, than would otherwise prove possible.

So, in the process of discussing and debating, listening and deciding, we see a deeper sense of engagement and

a stronger sense of ownership of our synagogue. All of this brings a deeper relationship to God — the very nature of community in the religious vein.

Further, the entire process in which we are engaged — the public discussions at our Town Hall Meetings; the outreach to our neighbours; the communication with our members; the fundraising for the future; the strengthening of our relationship with The Leo Baeck Day School and so much more — will lead, irrevocably, to closing the gap between what we yearn for and actually achieving

it. To put it differently, engagement is real; relationships are real.

If we add to this the context — the religious endeavour to know God and deepen our relationship to our fellow Jews and others through prayer, study and deeds of mutual social responsibil-ity — then, indeed, we have a palpable religious community.

S P r i N g v o T eWhen, later this spring, we vote on a proposal by our Board of Directors, what we are really voting on is some-thing else. It will be much less about a building and its specific design, and much more about the desire to achieve a community of meaning and depth.

Therefore, I urge you to come and vote — not simply on architectural plans for our future, but for some-thing far deeper, enduring and more important: the possibility of building something that is about belonging, believing and behaving in a Jewish way.

It will be much less about a building

and its specific design, and much

more about the desire to achieve a

community of meaning and depth.

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 | 4

we will take whatever time we need to achieve that goal.

What is the current status of the build-ing plans, and what happens next?What we have today is an excellent conceptual design, reflected in a set of sketches and simulated pictures. Based on these sketches, we have an idea of the possible cost of the building, which has led us to believe we can raise enough money to move forward with the proposed design as well as pay for the furniture and fixtures and the cost of relocation during construction. But we cannot proceed any further without get-ting approval from the congregation to move forward with the project, subject to a series of conditions being met.

Assuming the congregation gives that go ahead, in a vote anticipated to take place at the end of May 2007, we will then begin the process of developing the detailed design for the project.

That detailed design phase is likely to take nine to 12 months, and will lead to a set of plans that will allow us to develop a precise costing of the project. We have also struck a separate commit-tee to examine the alternatives and costs of operating during construction. Once

Oholy blossom Temple renewal: our future.

our building, at 1950 Bathurst Street, belongs to all Temple members. Indeed, the passionate responses of many of our members to the pro-posed design for renewal demon-strates how much people care, not only about the physical structure, but about the Temple as a whole. Hun-dreds of people turned out at each of our three Town Hall Meetings — many with important things to say about the project. We have also held two special meetings of the Temple’s Board of Directors to get further detailed input from members of the congregation.

As a result, while the project was initiated by a relatively small num-ber of members, it has now been shared with the entire congregation. Just about everyone supports the plan in concept; however, some are concerned about specific aspects of the design, and many are concerned about the Temple’s financial ability to complete whatever is planned. Our hope is to have all the details worked out, so that construction can begin after the 2008 High Holy Days. That schedule is not fixed — the objective is to do the job well and properly, and

we have the detailed design in place, the construction costs in place and the costs and timing of the transitional period, we will have the option to move ahead, but that will only happen if the conditions (outlined below) are met.

i have heard there are those who do not want to see any changes made to the Sanctuary. can you tell me more? There are many people who have made constructive comments about the pro-posed design. Some are of the view that the orientation of the Sanctuary should not change. Others are equally passion-ate that the architectural design, and the need for the Sanctuary to face Jerusalem, require that the Sanctuary be reori-ented as proposed. Still others are more pragmatic and are primarily focused on cost. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that every point of view has been heard, both at Town Hall Meetings, and at the special Board meetings. And since some of these views conflict with each other, we will not satisfy everyone. That is why there will be a congregational vote to determine if the project will proceed. One thing is clear: assuming the money is there, the disagreements are only fo-cused on the Sanctuary. The need for the

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View from Bathurst Street of proposed building View of proposed atrium


project overall, and the general design, have been universally applauded.

What is the relationship of The Leo baeck Day School with respect to the building?The Leo Baeck Day School is a full strategic partner in our Temple renewal project. Leo Baeck will not own the land or building, but will be a long-term tenant, with an obligation to pay both its pro-rata share of the capital costs, as well as its share of operating costs going forward. To facilitate its capital cost obligation, Leo Baeck will likely have to arrange some financing, which will be secured such that there will be no recourse to the Temple or to Temple members. Leo Baeck already has some of the money required for this project, and has assembled a strong team to raise the additional funds it requires.

What are those certain conditions that must be met before we actually start the construction? There will be several, and they all will have to be met. The Temple’s Board of Directors has not yet finalized the word-ing that the congregation will be asked to vote on, but it will likely ensure that

the following conditions will need to be met before the project moves into the construction phase:• We will have a detailed design that

has been approved by the Board.• We will carefully determine the cost

of the project — both hard construc-tion costs, as well as associated soft costs — as accurately as possible.

• There will be a transitional plan in place, which deals with the period of construction, for all aspects of the operation of the Temple.

• A financial plan, supported by suf-ficient donor commitments to ensure the project can be successfully com-pleted, will be approved by the Board before beginning construction.

• Our partner, The Leo Baeck Day School, must be in a similar position with commitments to cover its share of the costs. There will be no risk or recourse to Holy Blossom for any financing put in place for Leo Baeck’s funding requirements.

As a result of all of this, will Temple members be on the hook for the costs of this huge project? The short answer is no. Because of the conditions we have placed on this process, the project cannot go into the construction phase until we have enough money voluntarily donated to ensure the project can be successfully completed. Our operating costs in the new building will be similar to what they are today, and they will be shared on a pro-rata basis by Leo Baeck.

Therefore, while we will have a build-ing campaign and ask members to vol-untarily support the project in a man-ner they can afford, we will not impose a ‘tax’ nor will we increase the standard membership contribution to pay for the

capital costs of the project. We have set a fundraising target of $25 million to cover the Temple’s share of construction costs, our relocation costs and any other related project costs.

how are you going to raise the money?We have had ongoing conversations with some of our potential major donors over the past several months. Virtually all have made a commitment to the capital campaign, some at levels that are exceptionally high in com-parison to their overall capacity and in relation to donations provided to other religious institutions. Though we have been raising money with only a con-ceptual sketch of what we plan to build, the response has been nothing short of extraordinary.

We have more than $12 million committed to date, and we have not yet launched the campaign. There are several other major donors who are considering gifts. Pending congrega-tional approval, we will launch the formal campaign to raise the rest of the necessary funds.

What if you raise more or less than the amount required?While our data suggest we can indeed meet our fundraising target, if we raise less, the short answer is that the Board will have to consider scaling down the project so that expenditures are in line with available funding. If we raise more, the remainder will be available for vari-ous endowments to provide ongoing relief to the annual membership contri-bution requirements of the congregation.

If you have any questions, or wish to view the concept drawings, please visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org.

H o L y B L o S S o M T e M P L e R e N e W A L

inspired by our past.

View of proposed Sanctuary


C e L e B R A T e W I T H u S A S H o L y B L o 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

7 p.m. — Erev Shavuot Service, Confirmation and Reception for all Congregants

9.30 p.m. — Tikkun Leil Shavuot — a Study Session with our rabbis:“Do you really believe That?”Join us for a conversation about Revelation — what happened at Sinai and what did not happen — with Rabbis John moscowitz, yael Splansky, Jason Rosenberg and edward Goldfarb. The rabbis will discuss their differing beliefs of what hap-pened at Sinai, and we will engage in conversation and study together.

10 a.m. — everyone is invited to our congregation-wide Shavuot morning Services, including Yizkor. Families with children are especially welcome. Creative Torah study will be offered for children of all ages and child care will be available.

Tue. May 22, 2007

Wed. May 23, 2007

We invite parents to bring their children, born in the last year or two, to Shavuot morning Services, where the congregation can welcome them into our community. All parents will be invited to bring their babies up to the bimah for a special blessing before the open Ark and we will all sing Shehecheyanu together to express grati-tude for the gift of life.

The time of the giving of our Torah

our Shavuot Service, on Wed. may 23, 2007, at 10 a.m., will be doubly joyful this year. Not only will we cel-ebrate God’s gift of the Torah to the Jewish people, but we will receive the new scroll commissioned by our congregation. more than a thousand members and friends of Holy Blossom helped mark the 150th Anniversary of the Temple by performing the special mitzvah of writing a letter in this scroll.

During the Service, we will dedicate the Torah with particular pomp and ceremony. The Torah will be dressed in the new Festivals/High Holy Days mantle and adornments that were specially commissioned for it. Also on display will be the new Shabbat mantles for our Torahs, which the generosity of our Torat Chaim donors allowed us to purchase.

please join us for this very special occasion.


C e L e B R A T e W I T H u S A S H o L y B L o 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

Please join us to honour our confirmands, teachers and educational lay leaders and enjoy the company of many of our former associate/assistant rabbis and directors of education who will be visiting with us for the weekend.

other 150th anniversary events

heartwarming and tragic stories about the Grandmothers Project, which has touched off a groundswell of Canadian support.

Evan Solomon, author and CBC jour-nalist, praised Lewis’s work: “If you only read one book this year, it should be Race Against Time.”

The audience clearly agreed. At the re-ception following the lecture, the line-up for the book signing filled the Maurice N. Eisendrath Auditorium and ran down the hallway.

MStephen lewis warms hearts

More than 300 people attended Stephen Lewis’s lecture on Mar. 1, 2007, despite the worst snow storm of the year hitting the city. Those who braved the weather were not disappointed.

Lewis spoke with great passion and conviction about his experiences as the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, and the grassroots work that his founda-tion has been funding in 14 sub-Saharan African countries. For the most part, these initiatives are focused on meeting basic physical needs and providing educa-tion and hope for HIV-positive women, orphans and caregivers. Lewis shared

b y S A n D y W i S e , C h a i r, S o c i a l A c t i o n

The event was a continuation of the Temple’s legacy of responding to critical social issues of the day. Lewis’s work is of clear importance to our Temple community due to his tireless work in bringing the world’s attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa.

This event was organized by mem-bers of the Holy Blossom Social Action Committee and Generation , a group of outreach-oriented Temple mem-bers in their 20s and 30s. Members of Brotherhood assisted with ushering duties, ensuring a warm welcome for the icy but energized attendees.

Celebrate the closing event of the Temple’s 150th Anniversary year with a special concert, featuring virtuoso clarinetist Giora Feidman, given in our honour. Enjoy a cocktail supper before the concert, and, then, after the

concert, join us in the lobby for anniversary cake.

Tickets for the gala and concert are $250 per person. Tickets are also available for the concert only. To order tickets, please call the TSO customer service centre at (416) 598-3375.

The TSO concert and gala are supported by Baskin Financial.

Fri. May 4, 2007, at 6 p.m. — Kabbalat Shabbat Service followed by a congrega-tional dinner. To make your reservation for the dinner, please call Elana Fehler (ext. 0), at the Temple, by Mon. Apr. 30, 2007. Dinner cost: $50 per person.

Sat. May 5, 2007, at 10.30 a.m. — Confirmation reunion/honouring of teachers and lay leaders, Shabbat Service and kiddush lunch.

Sun. May 6, 2007, at 9 a.m. — Remembering Heinz Warschauer: Morning Service, Brotherhood Breakfast and reminiscing about Heinz.

Excellence in Education Weekend


bers are using cards in the traditional ways, linking opportunities to life-cycle events. They are also creating new opportunities for

giving, such as: • a donation was made in honour of a

fifth birthday;• siblings celebrating their B’nei

Mitzvah invited their guests to do-nate to the Temple in lieu of gifts;

• a guest at a friend’s Passover seder made a donation as a way of saying thanks;

• a grandmother sent an anniversary card to her grandson in honour of his one-year Bar Mitzvah celebration; and

• a staff member recognized a new employee with a tribute card. There are many practical benefits

of sending tribute cards: any level of

PFo

unda

tion a tribute to philanthropy

b y c h e ry L z e L D i n , D i r e c t o r o f D e v e l o p m e n t , H o l y B l o s s o m Te m p l e F o u n d a t i o n

Picture this: you receive an invita-tion to your cousin’s birthday and you wonder what to give someone who has everything; or you leave the hospital room of a sick friend and you ask yourself, “What can I do to help lift her spirits?”

a N e a S y a N D M e a N i N g f u l

S o lu T i o NWe have all experienced these situ-ations, and there is a trend at our Temple that can help. Tzedakah is a cornerstone of the Jewish tradition. And many members are thinking of Holy Blossom Temple as a destination for their philanthropic dollars.

Your donations through our trib-ute cards are important to help fund Temple programs.

Our members are engaged, focused and committed to a strong future. Last year, our community raised more than $20,000 through tribute cards. Mem-

giving, greater than $20, ensures your honoree receives a card; several payment options are available; and all contributions are tax deductible. As a donor, you may direct your dona-tion to a specific fund or to the general fund ensuring it will be used where it is needed most. All donations are recog-nized in the Bulletin.

M a K i N g a D i f f e r e N C eTribute cards are processed and sent promptly with personalized messages. Janice Feuer, who recently joined the Foundation office as Development Associate, will be happy to process your cards. You can order online at www.holyblossom.org; by calling the Foundation office (ext. 265), at the Temple; or by stopping by to see Janice in person.

Take this opportunity to introduce yourself to Janice and place your order.


Iour annual Contribution Campaign

b y F r e D S Au n D e r S , C h a i r, 2 0 0 7 A n n u a l C o n t r i b u t i o n C a m p a i g n

it has been about two months since the launch of this year’s Annual Con-tribution Campaign, and I am happy to report our community has already raised more than 25 per cent of our goal of $750,000.

Our members recognize the impor-tance of this campaign. Thank you. This is a great start, but we still have a long way to go. Based on initial feedback, we have developed the following questions and answers to address your concerns.

Why do we have an Annual contribu-tion campaign?The amount of money we raise through basic membership contributions is not enough to cover our operating costs. We want to keep our rates as low as possible so that they are not a barrier to mem-bership. In spite of this, many in our community cannot afford to join and we offer them reduced membership rates. Our philosophy is that no one should be precluded from Temple membership because of an inability to pay. To make this work, we rely on those who are able to contribute to the campaign to pro-vide funds so we can continue to keep our doors open to all, and to provide our wealth of programming in a finan-cially responsible manner.

if i contribute, how will i be recognized? All donations will be recognized in the Bulletin. A donation of $500 or more

will be displayed on our Annual Campaign Donor Wall in the Sanctuary lobby.

how does this cam-paign differ from other fundraising programs at the Temple?The funds raised from the Annual Contribution Campaign are used entirely for operating expenses. Holy Blossom, like most synagogues, cannot support itself financially by dues alone and requires additional voluntary donations. Our new membership con-tribution rates, together with our annual campaign, form the basis of our op-erational funding. As a vibrant Temple community, we will always have other initiatives, such as the Sefer Torah project, which have fund-raising components to support very specific programs.

What is the difference between annual contribution and membership contribution?Your membership contribution is the amount of money you pay to belong to the synagogue. The Annual Contribu-tion Campaign is a voluntary gift that you may make, which allows us to con-tinue to open our doors to all who wish to enter them and to provide meaningful programming as part of our member-ship services.

is holy blossom Temple in a better financial position with this approach in comparison to the previous dues system?We have operated with the new struc-ture for two years now. We believe we are more attractive to new members, particularly young families who are the future leaders of our Temple. In addition, as we enter our third Annual Campaign, we are experienc-ing increases in member participation.

is holy blossom Temple the only synagogue with an annual campaign?No, many other Reform congrega-tions across North America have abandoned the ‘fair share’ system and implemented similar models. They have had very positive experi-ences. Members who had previously contributed more than the new flat rate voluntarily chose to maintain or increase their level of annual support.

is this campaign going to happen every year?Yes, it will happen every year.

Do i get a tax receipt for this cam-paign contribution?Yes, a tax receipt for the full amount will be issued for all payments made in the calendar year.

annual Campaign Donor Wall


g e R A L d S C H W A R T z / H e A T H e R R e I S M A N C e N T R e F o R j e W I S H L e A R N I N g A T H o Ly B L o S S o M T e M P L e

Shabbat Morning Torah Study:From Universalism to Particularism — As We Become a Peoplerabbi john MoscowitzSaturdays at 9 a.m.

The Brilliance of the Rabbinic Revolution (part two)rabbi john MoscowitzTuesdays at 7.30 p.m.May 8, 15 and �9, �007 Ours is not the Judaism of the Bible, but that of the Rabbis. The Rabbis — in the first number of centuries of the Common Era — brilliantly and courageously rescued Judaism from ruin and irrelevance, fashioning a new Judaism out of the old, one based on study rather than on sacrifice.

Our New Siddurrabbi yael SplanskyWednesdays at 7.30 p.m.May 30, june 6 and 13, �007 Every siddur in every time and place shares a common form, and is, at the same time, made unique by responding to the moment. In honour of our 150th An-niversary, we are preparing a new prayer book to inspire the spiritual aspirations of the next generation. Join Rabbi Yael Splansky for a sneak preview of a sample first proof, and learn the inner-logic of how our ancient prayers are structured — thematically, theologically and dra-matically.

Spring studyFor details on all lectures and programs, please call the School office (ext. 256), at the Temple, or visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org. All programs and lectures are open to the community, unless otherwise stated. Our daytime programs during the week are marked with this symbol:

Odd Couples in the Biblerabbi Dow Marmur Wednesdays at 8 p.m.May 30 to june �7, �007 The Hebrew Bible has little to say about God, but much about human beings. Sex is central in human life — and scripture is concerned with it. In addition to ac-counts of unions that could be described as conventional, there are tales about more improbable liaisons. This course will discuss five of them: Shechem and Dinah; Samson and Delilah; Boaz and Ruth; Amnon and Tamar; and Ahasuerus and Esther. Participants will be given texts, Biblical and others, for reading and discussion.

Mishnah Impossible (Sects in the City)rabbi Michael Stroh

Thur. May 3, �007, at 10 a.m.

Brotherhood Breakfast Club:Remembering Heinz Warschauerjoe KronickSun. May 6, �007, at 9.30 a.m. We will commemorate Heinz Warschauer, the Temple’s Director of Education from 1947 to 1976. Part of our 150th Anniversary celebrations and Holy Blossom’s Excellence in Education weekend.

Library Book ClubKen Skolnik

Tue. May 15, �007, at 10 a.m. The group will discuss The Sacrifice, by Adele Wiseman. All are welcome. For more details, please call Anne Dublin (ext. 235), at the Temple.

Gordin and Adler: Giants of the Yiddish Theatreralph Wintrob, Former Librarian, North York Board of EducationTue. May 15, �007, at 7.30 p.m.For more details, please call Anne Dublin (ext. 235), at the Temple. Co-sponsored by Brotherhood.

The War in Lebanon 2006 Mon. May 7, at 8 p.m.

Social and Political Change in Israel after the War in Lebanon Wed. May 9, at 8 p.m.

Professor Gabriel Ben-Dor

Professor Gabriel Ben-Dor, Director

of the National Security Study Center,

University of Haifa, aims to bring the

practical application of the knowledge

and experience accumulated by world

leaders to conflict-ridden areas of the

globe through the adoption of realiz-

able conflict management, instead of

outmoded conflict resolution strategies.

The 2007 Harry Posen Memorial Lectures


g e R A L d S C H W A R T z / H e A T H e R R e I S M A N C e N T R e F o R j e W I S H L e A R N I N g A T H o Ly B L o S S o M T e M P L e

The Brain that Changes Itself Dr. Norman DoidgeTue. May 8, 2007, at 7.30 p.m.

Dr. Norman Doidge is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and researcher on the faculty at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry and the Columbia University Cen-ter for Psychoanalytic Training and Research in New York.Introduction: Linda Frum

Heart MattersAdrienne ClarksonThur. May 31, 2007, at 7.30 p.m.

Heart Matters chronicles an as-tonishing journey. Learn about former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson’s experiences as she shares some aspects of her life. Introduction: Rudyard Griffiths, Dominion Institute

an occasional series with important authors Book Talks

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

M o N D AyS @ the Temple

This year, we have heard from many Temple members who shared fascinating aspects of their careers or interests, as well as from each member of our professional staff. Please join us Mondays at 10 a.m. (Note that we will not be meeting on May 21).

May 7 jewish Advocacy at the crossroads | hershell ezrin, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy

May 14 Grey Power — Does it Work? The Pension-ers’ Party in israel and other Disappointments | rabbi Dow Marmur

May �8 An introduction to Siddur Pirchei Kodesh, our new Prayer book | rabbi yael SplanskyPreceding this program, the chil-dren of our Pre-School program will entertain us with a few songs.

Lu N C H and L e A r N in retirement

Mon. May 14, at 1.30 p.m. An Afternoon of Music | rene bardo, International Songstress Join us for this special program at Beth Tzedec Synagogue. RSVP to Shelly Berenbaum (ext. 233), at the Temple, by May 10. Cost: $2.

Wed. May 30, at 1�.30 p.m. From bowery to broadway | Professor Gordon bean, Retired Professor, Ryerson University

Wed. june 13, at 10.30 a.m. The Full Monty, Stage West Pre-registration is required. Cost: Temple members $40; non-mem-bers $48. To register, please call Shelly Berenbaum (ext. 233), at the Temple. Space is limited. Refunds will not be given.

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FMaking israel a part of our lives

b 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

for the past few months, I have been talking about the much-anticipated confirmation trip to Israel. I am hon-oured to share with you that not only did 12 of us venture to the Holy Land, but every hope and dream that I had for these teens was fulfilled and more!

g e T T i N g T o K N o W i S r a e lWe arrived in Israel to rain and a chill. As much as we wanted to see sun, we were reminded that the rain is “important for the country.”

We began our trip visiting one of Israel’s largest food banks, Yad Eliezer, which supplies 7,000 needy families a month, each with a box of food. We continued walking through the Jewish quarter of the Old City, learn-ing about the various periods of Jewish history. We travelled to Ein Gedi and basked in David’s Waterfall (pictured). We climbed Massada, where we envisioned the struggle of a group of Jews who rebelled against the Romans in Jerusalem. We even rode camels at Kfar Hanokdim, visit-ing the local Bedouins and receiving their hospitality.

Our last days of the trip took us to Yad Vashem and Har Herzl, to see the tragedy of Eastern Europe and the heartbreak of young soldiers’ graves in Israel’s military cemetery. Our final day

Gr. 10 Students at Ein Gedi: (left to right, back row) Rick Howard (chaperone), Andrew Charney, Debbie Spiegel (Director of Education), Jacob Charendoff, Andrew Kohn and Margot Shafran; and (front row) Melissa Eisen, Robyn Pikelin, Jennie Howard, Raquel Inwentash, Brittany Ber and Samantha Shulman.

in Israel fell on Shabbat, which we welcomed in at Kol Haneshama, a progressive egalitar-ian congregation. As soon as we entered the

building, we felt at home. Not only did we meet Rabbi Dow Marmur, but we saw other members of the Holy Blossom community. It was a wonderful moment for all of us. We continued to share Shabbat the next morning at the Kotel Hama’aravi, the Western Wall. Our stu-dents learned why this is one of the most important historical sites for Jews around the world and we each left our notes and shared our prayers.

Each time I heard, “this is awesome” or “this is amazing” from a student, I smiled

broadly, realizing that the goals of this experience were being met. I had hoped that by seeing Israel, these students would realize what it means to call Israel home. The students arrived back to the comfort of their parents and expressed keen inter-est in returning for another visit. It does not get better than that. These students get it. They understand the importance of having Israel in their lives. They under-stand that Israel needs our support. They understand that Israel is theirs.

a N a N N u a l e x P e r i e N C eI look forward to making this a yearly experience, thanks to many of our sup-porters through the Temple, and various Youth Award funds. From all of us, todah rabah — thanks so much.


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b y z A c h PAu L , Yo u t h D i r e c t o r

habSTy, Holy Blossom Temple’s Senior Youth Group, has had an exciting few months.

HABSTY has been very involved in the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), and successfully hosted a regional youth group event. We welcomed 100 visiting high school students for a weekend of programming about Zionism in Israel.

HABSTY also won four awards at the NFTY Northeast Lakes Region’s debating competition. Aaron Cincinatus and Zev

Glick won best affirma-tive team, and Zev also won Master Debater; Hayley Platt and Sarah Gotfrid won best nega-tive team; and all four

participants won best overall team. Mazal tov to the entire HABSTY team!

In the coming weeks, you should be listening for your phone to ring because Bagel Boxes have returned. We are go-ing to be phoning to sell boxes with bagels, cream cheese, lox, orange juice,

tea and other goodies, which will be delivered to your door on Sun. May 13, 2007 (Mother’s Day) between 8.30 a.m. and noon. The money will be going to various charities, including MAZON Canada, the Hospital for Sick Children and Temple Youth programming. The boxes will cost $25 and you will have the option to purchase them for yourself, a friend or family member, or a needy family. We look forward to your support for this exciting fundraiser.

Family Programming 2007

Confirmation is the Reform Movement’s celebration of the completion of a young person’s formal Jewish education. The Temple celebrates this joyous event with the entire congregation at our Erev Shavuot Service on Tue. May 22, 2007, at 7 p.m.

Mazal tov to: Carmen Baker (Ronald Baker) • Brittany Ber (Janet and David Ber) • Jacob Charendoff (Nadine and Robert Charendoff) • Andrew Charney (Sara and Richard Charney) • Melissa Eisen (Robin Silverstein) • Erin Gelgoot (Deborah Zemans and Daryl Gelgoot) • Robin Glicksman (Marsha and Harry Glicksman) • Robyn Goldhar (Nancy Cohen and Stephen Goldhar) • Sarah Harris-Koblin (Judy Harris-Koblin and Hal Koblin) • Robin Teper Hacker (Karen Hacker and Irving Teper) • Alexander Heller (Ronni Brott) • Matthew Holzapfel (Elaine Herer and Stephen Holzapfel) • Jennie Howard (Ellen and Richard Howard) • Raquel Inwentash (Lynn Factor and Sheldon Inwentash) • Andrew Kohn (Bonnie Gordon and Michael Kohn) • Robyn Pollack Pikelin (Donna Pollack and Daniel Pikelin) • Zachary Roher (Joanne and Kevin Roher) • Graham Rosen (Susan Jackson and Laurance Rosen) • Sean Ruth (John Ruth) • Margot Shafran (Grace and Edward Shafran) • Samantha Shul-man (Mala Greenbaum and Jeffrey Shulman) • Benjamin Solomon (Julie and Cary Solomon)


Thank you for a great Purimb y P h y L L i S c i n c i n AT u S , C h a i r, F e s t i v a l s C o m m i t t e e

S aT u r D ay N i g h T

M e g I L L A H f e v e rLast month, we joined together to nosh on some hamantashen and cel-ebrate the defeat of that wicked Haman. And we did it all to a disco beat. Thank you to all those who donned the vintage polyester to bring us the Megillah à la 1979: Bram Aaron • Susan Baskin • Susan Chernow • Adam David • Philip Fleishman • Rabbi Edward Goldfarb • Jack Gelbloom • Denise Gordon • Pam Halpern • Ron Hart • Binnie Hyman • Ingrid Johnson • Jill Kamin • Debbie Kirzner • Michael Larkin • Jeff Levy • Judy Malkin • Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner • Tal Maissner • Pnina Margoles • Shelly Miller • Lew Molot • Mike Morgulis • Rabbi John Moscowitz • Eva Ormut • Marla Powers • Lindi Rivers • Steve

Rosenbaum • Beth Roher • Rabbi Jason Rosenberg • Arlene Roth • Mari Lynn Rusak • Shoshana Sage • David Sandler •

Sharon Smith • Deborah Spiegel.

P u r i M C a r N i v a lAfter a late night of disco and without skipping a beat, we then welcomed kids of all ages to our annual Purim Carnival. Everyone went home a winner after having fun with all the games and activities. Yasher koach to the amaz-ing Purim Festival Committee who put in hours of planning, shlepping and cleaning up to make this party happen: Rosalie Abate-Burkes • Steve Davidson • Amanda Dixon • Johanna Faulk • Sari Goldman • Rachel Jacobson • Julie Markle • Rob McGready • Zachary Paul

and the members of HABSTY • Janet Shiner.

And thank you, of course, to Rabbi Jason Rosenberg. A very special thank you to Shelly Berenbaum, Michael Larkin and Lev Maidanik, who all arrived best dressed and remained unflappable throughout the event. Thank you to the many volunteers, who answered our call and sold the tickets, prepared the food and ran the activities; we could not have done it without you.

And finally, thank you to our gener-ous donors who never fail to supply us with outstanding prizes and supplies: Ganz • Giftcraft • Honest Ed’s • Loots • Party Packagers • Pharma Plus • Prog-ress Packaging Ltd • Sandy Lion Stickers • Silverstein’s Bakery • Spinmaster Toys • Evan Tapper, Characturist. We will see you all again next year! Yasher koach, chag somayach and thank you.

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Carly (left) and Jessica Baldachin get into the spirit of Purim at the Carnival.

Evan Tapper (left) draws a caricature of Allan Fabrykant at the Carnival.

The cast of Saturday Night Megillah Fever, this year’s Purim schpiel.

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events and Announcements

Stagecraft: A Shylock, by Edward EinhornThur. May 3 and Sat. May 5, �007, at 7.30 p.m. Sun. May 6, �007, at �.30 p.m.Tickets: $15; $10 for seniors and students. For more details, please call the Stagecraft hotline (ext. 511), at the Temple.

Readers’ Theatre: Kindertransport, by Diane SamuelsWed. june 6, �007, at 7.30 p.m.Anyone interested in reading and discuss-ing plays related to the Holocaust is in-vited to attend. We will also explore ways to enhance our skills as dramatic readers.

Library Hours for Spring 2007Mon. May �1 — closed (Victoria Day)Tue. May �� — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Wed. May �3 — closed (Shavuot)Mon. May �8 to Wed. May 30 —

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Mon. june 4 to Wed. june 6 —

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Mon. june 11 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Summer hours begin.)

Board of DirectorsOur Brotherhood Board meets four-to-five times per year and is responsible for planning our Brotherhood activities. If you can recommend someone to serve on the Board, or if you want to become involved in our decision-making pro-cess, please call the Brotherhood hotline (ext. 530), at the Temple, e-mail [email protected] or speak to any member of our Brotherhood executive.

Holy B’s BaseballSunday mornings May to September �007The Holy B’s, our entry in the Inter-Synagogue Baseball League, is beginning another season. If you can commit to the full season, please call the Brotherhood hotline (ext. 530) or e-mail us at [email protected].

Beit HalochemThur. june 7, �007, at 9 a.m.The Holy Blossom Temple Beit Halo-chem Committee is sponsoring an outing to Stratford to see Oklahoma with a group of disabled war veterans and vic-tims of terror visiting from Israel. Cost: $72, includes transportation and lunch. For more details, please call Gillian Sarfin at (905) 881-6255 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Lilith Salon Wed. May 16, �007, at 7.30 p.m.Please join us for our third Lilith Salon. For more details or to reserve a space, please call the Sisterhood hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple.

Annual General Meeting Tue. May �9, �007, at 7.30 p.m. Find out what Sisterhood has done this past year. Coffee and dessert will be served.

Installation and DinnerTue. june 5, �007, at 7 p.m.Please join us for our Installation Dinner with guest speaker Sue Bader, President, WRS, District 3. For more details, call the hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple.

Judaica ShopCome see our great selection of chil-dren’s games and activities. Planning a party and need toys for loot bags? Drop by and check out our large selection of toys starting at $1. If you do not see what you want, speak to us. We bring in a variety of items from Israel — tallit, challah covers, seder plates, etc. Let us take care of your Judaica needs.

Toronto Jewish Film FestivalSat. May 5 to Sun. May 13, �007The bloor cinema, Miles nadal jcc and Sheppard Grande TheatreFor details, please call Cheryl Landy at (416) 324-9121 or visit http://www.tjff.com. Sponsored by Toronto Jewish Film Festival.

Zareinu MoveathonSun. june 10, �007, at 11 a.m.Join the Holy Blossom family in support-ing children with special needs at the 10th Annual Zareinu Moveathon. For more details, please visit www.moveathon.com.

ARZA Canada’s Fourth Annual Israel Study TripFri. july 6 to Fri. july 13, �007See Jerusalem as a living laboratory, with afternoon field trips around the city. Classes will be held at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Reli-gion and in the field.

Trip fee includes tuition, study materi-als, bus fees, field trips, tour guides, muse-um entrance fees for programmed visits, six lunches and four dinners. Per-person fee is $950 US. Subsidies are available. Participants are required to make their own hotel and travel arrangements. For more information or to register, please e-mail Cheryl Englander at [email protected] or call (416) 630-0375.


our Congregational Family

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

Alana Katz, and Madeleine

hAbSTy, which won four awards at the NFTY NEL (North American Federation of Temple Youth North East Lakes region) debating competition last month.

holy blossom Temple brotherhood on being the recipient of the 2007 NFTB (North American Federation of Brotherhoods) Star Programming Award.

b i r T h SSusan & Barry Borden on the birth of their

grandson, noah Leaf borden Switzer. Proud parents are Karen Borden & Nelson Switzer. Other proud grandmother is Judy Switzer. Proud great-grandparents are Pearl Goodman and Harvey Borden.

Andrea Brodey & Avy Oaknine on the birth of their daughter, Lailah oaknine, sister to Alyson and Adam. Proud grandparents are Paulette & Joshua Brodey and Suzanne & Michael Ouaknine. Proud great-grand-mother is Simmi Kadosh.

9 Sivan 5767/May �6, �007ezra Strauss, son of Ruth Hussman & Barry Strauss

b ’ N e i M i T z v a h

17 iyar 5767/May 5, �007Arik Liberman, son of Maya & Boris Liberman

�4 iyar 5767/May 1�, �007olivia Penciner, daughter of Gail Whitzman and Daniel Penciner

�4 iyar 5767/May 1�, �007robert Sniderman, son of Franci & Ken Sniderman

The congregation sympathizes with the recently bereaved families of:

irving boigon, father of Beth Boigon, Brian Boigon, Gary Boigon and Stan Boigon, brother of Ruth Kelman

Gail eisen, wife of Morton Eisen, mother of Susan Blumenstein and Lisa Eisen, sister of Garcy Appleby and Lynn Track

judge Sam Filer, husband of Toni Silber-man, father of Megan Fegan, Jaime Filer, Michael Filer and Robert Filer, brother of Elsa Rosenberg and Brenda Wolf

Lorraine humber, mother of Wendy Born-stein and Judy Singer

Gertrude Long, mother of Bruce Long, sister of Dolores Smith, Leo Smith and Ted Smith

blanche Posen, mother of Joy Cohen, Karen Davidman, David Posen, Stephen Posen and Barry Spiegel, sister of Helen Cohen and Ruth Shogilev

Morris Saunders, husband of Bernice Saunders, father of Bob Saunders and Laurie Saunders

Dr. norman Saunders, husband of Lynn Saunders, father of Bethany Saunders, Lindsey Saunders, Megan Saunders and Natasha Saunders, brother of Ron Saunders

calvin Swartz, father of Anne Leibel and Bernie Swartz

Mary Swartz, mother of Larry Swartz and Stan Swartz, sister of Esther Samuely

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:

Martin Rynski Apr. 29Bella Berrin 30Frances Gilmore 30Maxwell Scholl 30Benjamin Grossberg May 1John Borshay 2Gertrude Gardner 2Sam H. Richardson 2Elie White 2Yetta Fishbein 3Bertha Meerbaum 3Lillian Blanche Stock 3Mark Hands 4Jack Sniderman 4Isador Allen 5Fred Cotton 5Jack Fedder 5Joseph Klein 5Laura Schipper 5Edward Zimmerman 5Theresa Brookstein 6Carol Caplan 6Samuel Harold Casselman 6Israel Joseph Copp 6David Benjamin Doidge 6Mollie Pressman 6Abraham Albert Warren 6Morris Henry Epstein 7Esther Fogler 7William Gold 7Jack Penn 7Harry Thomson 7Irving Cooper 8Lillian Kay 8Dydja Berneman 9Magistrate J. Cohen 9Alfreda Henry 9Stanley Alter 10George Appleton 10Lawrence Finberg 10Isaac Meyer Lederman 10Florence King Bloomfield 11Samuel Firestone 11Leslie Gondor 11Leah Steinberg 11Gordon Kaufman 12Maurice Klein 12Abraham Levin 12Gertrude Silverman 12

name Date


Dora Dann May 13Fanny Jackson 13George Weisfeld 13Rae Zwerling 13Harold Borinsky 14Pauline Davis 14Dr. Allen Gardner 14Dorothy Kaplan 14Bertha Ida Levy 14Jennie Portnoy 14Paula Frankel 15Allan Hacker 15Rose Langer 15Elsie Pape 15Berthold Schiff 15Maude Cowan 16Hyman Goldstein 16Isadore Smith 16Pearl Cole 17Samuel Hansher 17Walter Pape 17Harvey Pollock 17Judith Teller 17Jonathan Mark Agar 18Jack Korman 18Rose Weinberg 18Anne Messinger Cole 19Manny Esco 19Alex Flomen 20Ida Grossman 20Samuel Jaffey 20Harry Posen 20Ella Schaefer Sax 20Belle Sadowski 21Sadie Bocknek 22Rose Cadsby 22Harry Ely 22Benjamin Harvey Kofsky 22Samuel Shapiro 22Gussie Singer 22Imre Somogyi 22Albert Steiner 22David Aronson 23Theodore Gould 23Julius Leston 23Alan David Marks 23Pearl Cole 24Harry Harris 24Bernard Kofman 24Harry Marcus 24Hela Neufeld 24

name Date

1 5 0 T h a N N i v e r S a r y f u N D

General: Karen & Tom Ehrlich and Family

W i l l i a M a N S h a N yo u T h a W a r D S

ruth Strauss, in Memory: Debbie Anshan; Jean

Anshan

a r C h i v e S f u N D

Kenny emsig, in Memory: Barbara & Floyd Stern

David hart, Speedy recovery: Reba & Kassy Clod-

man; Lesley & Ron Miller

b a r r y & S u S a N b o r D e N f u N D

noah Leaf borden Switzer, brit Milah: Karen Borden

& Nelson Switzer

e a r l & M a r i ly N D a N S o N fa r b e r C a M P

S C h o l a r S h i P

helen Tizel, happy birthday: Dot & Bert Danson

J e a N f i N e S e N i o r S P r o g r a M

norma Greisman, in Memory: Henny Rappaport

f lo r a l f u N D

Arik Liberman, bar Mitzvah: Maya & Boris Liberman

olivia Penciner, bat Mitzvah: Olivia’s entire family

robert Sniderman, bar Mitzvah: Franci & Ken

Sniderman

ezra Strauss, bar Mitzvah: Dr. Ruth Hussman & Dr.

Barry Strauss

h o ly b lo S S o M T e M P l e f o u N D aT i o N

Susan & Dr. barry borden, Mazal Tov: Randi & Alan

Garfinkel; Linda & Gordon Wolfe

norma Greisman, in Memory: Nancy Wallack

joe jonatan, in Memory: Sybil Gordon

jane & robert Myers, Mazal Tov: Shelley & Art Gans

Linda Shain, in Memory: Debbie & Les Mason; Sylvia

Stransman; Linda & Gordon Wolfe

helen Tizel, happy birthday: Beverley Borins;

Margaret & Bernie Ludwig

h o r T e N S e g e l D z a e l e r f u N D

emily Grant, happy birthday: The Clarfield-Henrys;

Bonnie & Robert Henry and Family

S y b i l g o r D o N f o u N D aT i o N f u N D

Shoshana cole, happy birthday: Sybil Gordon

Leonard Levy, congratulations: Sybil Gordon

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

etienne & Aubrey Kaplan, Mazal Tov: Holy Blossom

Temple Sisterhood

l i b r a r y f u N D

General: Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood

l e S l e y & r o N M i l l e r f u N D

eleanor Miller, chag Sameach: Dena Arback & Jay

Shanker and Family

Lesley Miller, happy birthday: Elaine & David

Wolpin; Esther Zeller Cooper & Morris Cooper

Lesley & ron Miller, chag Sameach: Dena Arback &

Jay Shanker and Family

M u S i C a l l e g a C y f u N D

Karen & Dr. yoel Abells, Mazal Tov: Carmen & Andrei

Horvath and Family

Samara Abells, Mazal Tov: Helen Sherman

Morris Kott, in Memory: Honey Stark

Mary & henry Seldon, Mazal Tov: Carmen & Andrei

Horvath and Family

b a r b a r a a N D S a M f r u M o ’ b r i e N b ’ N e i

M i T z v a h f u N D

barbara and Sam Frum o’brien, Mazal Tov: Judy

& George Frankfort; Henia Hughes; Maxine

Granovsky & Ira Gluskin; Leslie Gales & Keith

Ray; Jeffry Kofman and Michael Levine; Penny &

Paul Minz; Elizabeth Ridgeley; Shechtman Family;

Sylvia & Zen Stern; Toby & Joey Tanenbaum; Marla

& Larry Wasser

o u T o f T h e C o l D

Stanley clavir, best Wishes: Denise Goldstein

Shoshana cole, happy birthday: Bellick Family

Mozah Zemans May 24Myer George Lawrence 25Ida (Simon) Pascal 25Irving Pearlman 25Phil Sweiden 25Arthur Weinreb 25Lawrence Wineberg 25Ethel Dubin 26Samuel Eisen 26David ‘Pud’ Foster 26Louis Vader 26Harriet Wolfe 26

name Date


Min Fingerhut, in Memory: Jean Silver; Eleanor

& Hartley Steinberg

Sandra Gertner, happy birthday: Gail & Zel Bocknek

natasha Greenberg & Quentin hanchard, Mazal Tov:

Alice & Ron Charach

holy blossom Temple Pre-School Staff, chag Sameach:

Amalia Gold Berkowitz and Family

yvonne & herbert Lowe, happy Anniversary: Nina

& Calvin and Family

Fred Metter, in Memory: Alana Abells; Warren Esanu;

Toby & Joel Yan and Family

Susan & norman Mogil, Mazal Tov: Cheryl & Ron

Medoff; Rachel & Harvin Pitch

brian Schnurr, happy birthday: Susan Bloom

Linda Shain, in Memory: Sandra Papsin

jacob zemans-ronthal, happy birthday: Liam

Vrooman

h a r r y & b l a N C h e P o S e N e N D o W M e N T f u N D

blanche Posen, in Memory: Roseanne & Steve Ain;

Lynn Albert; Rona & Murray Armel; Ita & Lenny

Baranek; Lesley & Lorne Barsky; Barbara & Stanley

Beck; Susan & Barry Borden; Noreen Brown;

Muriel & John Brunner; Gloria & Jerome Burke;

David Chong Yen; Garfinkle Biderman; Nancy &

Eddy Gold; Francis & Moishe Goldstein; Elizabeth

Graham & Michael Manson; Mimi Hollenberg;

Barbara & Edward Levy; Bonnie Levy; Yvonne E.

& Herbert Lowe; Shari & Murray Maltz and Family;

Harry Manson; Newman Family; Maxine Newton;

Esta & Harry Palter; Mike Parker; Judy & Carl

Ritchie; Marci & Lorne Rose; Gayle & Martin Sable;

Samuel J. Sable; Bunny & Ken Saul and Family;

Louise & Howard Shogilev; Lorne Solish; Debbie

& Randy Spiegel; Myrna & Murray Webber

Lisa Spiegel & jonathan Stancer, Mazal Tov: Barbara

& Stanley Beck

P r o J e C T T i K v a h f u N D

rachel rotman, in Memory: Sheila & Warren Sinukoff

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 S

rabbi john Moscowitz, in Appreciation: Cynthia

Good; Leslie & Howard Mandel; Cathy-Ellen Metter

and Family

rabbi jason rosenberg, in Appreciation: Leslie

& Howard Mandel; Stacie & Jonathan Pollack and

Family

rabbi edward Goldfarb, in Appreciation: Rosalind

Witkin

Contacts for Donations

To make a donation to any of our existing funds, to learn more about how you can support the Holy Blossom Temple Founda-tion, or to establish a new fund, please call the Foundation Office, 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 Community Forest Fund, please call Sybil Gordon at (416) 489-5709.

We appreciate your supportHoly Blossom Temple appreciates all dona-tions to our funds; however due to rising costs, cards will only be sent for donations of $20 or more. We will continue to rec-ognize 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 Mar. 26, 2007.

cantor benjamin z. Maissner, in Appreciation: Leslie

& Howard Mandel; Cathy-Ellen Metter and Family

cantor benjamin z. Maissner, in Memory of Ann

Linton: Barbara & Paul Soren

cantorial Soloist Lindi rivers, in Appreciation:

Rosalind Witkin

lo r r a i N e S a N D l e r T r i b u T e f u N D

Debbie Spiegel, happy birthday: Holy Blossom

Temple Pre-School Staff

S h a C h a r i T f u N D

elsie & herman berger, yahrzeit: Barbara & Floyd

Stern and Family

berta & joseph claser, yahrzeit: Alice Koralek

eva Fisher, yahrzeit: Edith Kirzner and Family

Shimon Freedman, yahrzeit: Norman Freedman

Kalman Geller, yahrzeit: Sybil & Jack Geller

Sara Godfrey, yahrzeit: Dr. Sheila Pollock

David Gold, yahrzeit: Esther & Dr. Marvin Tile

brina harris, yahrzeit: John Harris

ethel hebscher, yahrzeit: Melodie Hebscher & Tom

Markowitz

charles hershfield, yahrzeit: Janet Hershfield and

Family

Mollie hoffman, yahrzeit: Bernice & Yitz Penciner

jacob Markowitz, yahrzeit: Melodie Hebscher & Tom

Markowitz

clara nightingale, yahrzeit: David Nightingale

Fred Papsin, yahrzeit: Sandra Papsin

Dobra Penciner, yahrzeit: Bernice & Yitz Penciner

harry Saiger, yahrzeit: Clara Rosen

Morey ira Speigel, yahrzeit: Sara Speigel

Louie Sussman, yahrzeit: Rosalie Sussman

harry uster, yahrzeit: Donna Rosie & John Uster

T o r aT C h a i M

General: Karen & Tom Ehrlich and Family

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 D

Shoshana cole, happy birthday: Dora Track and

Family

Lazar Pless, yahrzeit: Dora Track and Family

Alan A. Track, yahrzeit: 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

e N D o W M e N T f u N D

Dr. jon roberts, Speedy recovery: Honey Wolfe

Dr. benjamin Wagman, in Memory: Honey Wolfe

yo u T h a W a r D S

Simon Axelrod, in honour: Phyllis & Dr. Manuel

Spivak

Mona & brian charendoff, Mazal Tov: Karen & Yoel

Abells and Family

Sandy & Kenneth Gordon, Mazal Tov: Karen & Yoel

Abells and Family

Pearl hermant, in Appreciation: Karen & Yoel Abells

and Family

rick howard, in Appreciation: Parents of Grade 10

Confirmation Israel Trip

happy iscove, in Appreciation: Leslie & Howard

Mandel

Debbie Spiegel, in Appreciation: Leslie & Howard

Mandel; Parents of Grade 10 Participants in

Confirmation Israel Trip


Tue. May 1 11 a.m. Advanced Hebrew Grammar

Wed. May 2 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 11 a.m. Yiddish Novel 7 p.m. Bereavement Support Group, with Helen Gia Levin Thur. May 3 10 a.m. Mishnah Impossible, with Rabbi Michael Stroh 7.30 p.m. Stagecraft: A Shylock, by Edward Einhorn

fri. May 4 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Congregational Dinner 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service

Sat. May 5 9 a.m. Torah Study 10.30 a.m. Shabbat Service and Confirmation Reunion 7.30 p.m. Stagecraft: A Shylock, by Edward Einhorn

Sun. May 6 9.30 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast: Remembering Heinz Warschauer, with Joe Kronick 2.30 p.m. Stagecraft: A Shylock, by Edward Einhorn

Mon. May 7 10 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with Hershell Ezrin 7.30 p.m. Adult B’nei Mitzvah Program 8 p.m. Harry Posen Memorial Lecture, with Professor Gabriel Ben-Dor

Tue. May 8 11 a.m. Advanced Hebrew Grammar 7.30 p.m. Brilliance of the Rabbinic Revolution, with Rabbi John Moscowitz 7.30 p.m. Book Talk, with Dr. Norman Doidge

Wed. May 9 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 11 a.m. Yiddish Novel 7 p.m. Bereavement Support Group, with Helen Gia Levin 8 p.m. Harry Posen Memorial Lecture, with Professor Gabriel Ben-Dor

Sat. May 12 9 a.m. Torah Study

Mon. May 14 10 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with Rabbi Dow Marmur 1.30 p.m. Lunch and Learn in Retirement, with Rene Bardo 7.30 p.m. Adult B’nei Mitzvah Program

Tue. May 15 10 a.m. Library Book Club, with Ken Skolnik 11 a.m. Advanced Hebrew 7.30 p.m. Library Program: Gordin and Adler — Giants of the Yiddish Theatre, with Ralph Wintrob 7.30 p.m. Brilliance of the Rabbinic Revolution, with Rabbi John Moscowitz

Wed. May 16 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 11 a.m. Yiddish Novel 7.30 p.m. Sisterhood: Lilith Salon

fri. May 18 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service and Dinner


fri. May 25 6.30 p.m. Shabbat Fusion (for 20 and 30 somethings)


Mon. May 28 10 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple, with Rabbi Yael Splansky 7.30 p.m. Adult B’nei Mitzvah Program

Tue. May 29 11 a.m. Advanced Hebrew Grammar 7.30 p.m. Brilliance of the Rabbinic Revolution, with Rabbi John Moscowitz 7.30 p.m. Sisterhood Annual General Meeting

Wed. May 30 9.30 a.m. Sisterhood Torah Study 11 a.m. Yiddish Novel 12.30 p.m. Lunch and Learn in Retirement, with Professor Gordon Bean 7.30 p.m. Our New Siddur, with Rabbi Yael Splansky 8 p.m. Odd Couples in the Bible, with Rabbi Dow Marmur Thur. May 31 7.30 p.m. Book Talk, with Adrienne Clarkson

This month @ holy bloSSoM May 2007 Iyar/Sivan 5767

As dates and times may change without notice, please confirm all information by calling the Temple — at any time — to access the This Week @ Holy Blossom recording.

The Bulletin is published 11 times a year by Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K9. Telephone: (416) 789-3291; Fax: (416) 789-9697; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.holyblossom.org. Honorary President: John A. Geller; President: Barry Silver; 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; Director of Development: Cheryl Zeldin; Bulletin Editor: Judy Nyman; Design and Production:

Holy Blossom Temple was founded in 1856 and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism.

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T T

he L

ast W

ord The gift of life

b y r A b b i e D WA r D G o L D FA r b

There is a profoundly moving article in the Spring 2007 issue of Reform Judaism magazine. It was written by Elisa Ruth Schindler, daughter of the late Rabbi Alexander Schindler, former president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now called the Union for Reform Judaism). The article is about her nephew, Alexander Jack Schindler, who received a liver transplant, which gave him the gift of life at the age of five months. The do-nor was a 24-year-old killed in a traffic accident. Within days, the critically ill baby’s skin colour returned to normal, and he continues to thrive. The donor’s kidneys, heart, pancreas and other tissues were also transplanted so that almost 50 people benefited from his simple, but selfless, act of signing an organ donation card.

There is a sidebar to the article written by Rabbi Lisa Gruschow

entitled “The Fear Fac-tor,” which deals with many questions that inevitably arise when any of us begin to think about the possibility of

donating our organs. For most of us, our own death, especially if accidental or violent, is unimaginable.

a D i f f i C u lT D e C i S i o NOrgan donation requires us to go one step further and contemplate the removal of organs from our lifeless bodies. It is not an easy decision, but it is important and both ethically and morally Jewish. Almost the entire Jewish world has come to accept and recommend that everyone should do everything possible to avoid the unnecessary, avoidable death of another human being.

The Toronto Board of Rabbis (TBR) has just issued a statement affirming the

obligation on everyone to sign organ do-nation cards in fulfillment of the Biblical injunction to “not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour” (Leviticus 19:16).

h o N o u r i N g T h e D e C e a S e DThe TBR urges that “consent be given for post-mortem organ donation when requested by doctors and hospitals for use when directly needed for life-saving transplantation procedures. This applies to the individual in anticipation of his or her own death, as well as to health-care proxies or next of kin whenever they are legally empowered to make such decisions on behalf of the deceased. It is our belief that in so doing, we render a profound and genuine honour to the deceased.”

April has been declared “Organ Dona-tion Month.” Read the article, spread the word and sign the form. It’s a mitzvah.

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