Document

December 2008 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5769 1

by Aaron Cincinatus, HABSTY President and 2009 NFTY-NEL Debates Coordinator

From Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, 2009, the halls of the Temple will be fi lled with more than 100

NFTYites who will be participating in a truly remarkable event. For 60 years, the high school–aged students of Holy Blossom have participated in the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). Our specifi c region, formerly NELFTY, is known as NFTY-NEL, which reaches from the Greater Toronto Area to upstate New York and northern Ohio — basically wherever a nine-hour bus ride can take us.

F O U R C O M P E T I T I O N STh ough known as Debates, this weekend actually features four distinct competitions: the Terry Pollack Original Song Competition, the Melissa Goodman Art Competition, the Goldman Oratorical Competition and the Heinz Warschauer Debates Competition.

Participants come prepared to compete, although it is not unheard of for debaters to write their speeches on the backs of napkins on the bus ride to the event.

Holy Blossom has a strong connec-tion to this event. In 1979, the Temple’s Brotherhood generously donated three trophies for the winners of the debate competition.

In 2007, when these trophies returned with our winning team,

Holy Blossom Tem ple BulletinDecember 2008 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5769

Debates come home | Youth Groups

Holy Blossom refurbished and enlarged them for many more years of service. But even more important was the naming of the debates competition to honour Heinz Warschauer.

Heinz served as the Director of Education at Holy Blossom from 1946 to 1976. His work with high school students has been called “insight-ful and courageous.” Heinz noted, “We have tried to give, especially our teenagers, the opportunity to examine approaches, diff erent, oft en contradic-tory, confl icting ideas and then arrive at choices.”

His words perfectly align with the ideals of Debates. Each year, we try to pose topics that are challenging, thought-provoking and perhaps just a little bit edgy.

And each year, NFTY-NEL members step up and accept that challenge with some amazing results. I think Heinz would be impressed and pleased to have his name associated with such an event.

M E E T O U R M E M B E R SI invite our Holy Blossom community to come out and meet the members of NFTY-NEL on Fri. Feb. 27, 2009, at the Kabbalat Shabbat Service. And, if you are able to house some of our participants that weekend, please call Rabbi Karen Th omashow (ext. 277), at the [email protected]

Congregational Shabbat Chanukah Dinner

Fri. Dec. 26, 2008 (after Kabbalat Shabbat Services)

Enjoy live music, dreidel games, storytelling and, of course, latkes and all the trimmings.

Cost: members $10; non-members $12; children younger than 6 years old are free. To register by Mon. Dec. 22, 2008, please contact Elana Fehler (ext. 221), at the Temple or e-mail [email protected].

Celebrating Chanukah in 2006are (left to right): Kate and Susan Lehner,

and Jen, Jacob and Adam Farber

2 w w w. h o l y b l o s s o m . o r g

D A I LY S E R V I C E SMonday to Friday at 7.30 a.m. | ShacharitMonday to Th ursday at 6 p.m. | Ma’arivSunday at 9 a.m. | Shacharit

On Thur. Dec. 25 and Fri. Dec. 26, 2008, and Thur. Jan. 1, 2009, Shacharit Services will be held at 9 a.m.

S H A B B AT S E R V I C E SFriday at 6 p.m. | Kabbalat Shabbat ServiceSaturday at 10.30 a.m. | Shabbat Morning Service and Family Shabbat Service

Tot Shabbat will be held on Dec. 5 (Service and dinner) and Dec. 19, 2008 (Service), and Jan. 2 (Service and dinner) and Jan. 16, 2009 (Service). (Please see page 8 for details.) Shabbat Fusion (for 20 and 30 somethings) will be held on Dec. 5, 2008. (Please see below for details.)

Worship In This Issue ... In Perspective 3 | W. Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award 3 | Holy Blossom Temple Foundation 4 | Cantor’s Notes 4 | Supplementary Schools 5 | Seniors’ Programming 5 | The Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning 6 | Family Programming 8 | Annual Contribution Campaign 9 | Thank You to Our Festival Volunteers 12 | Our Congregational Family 13 | The Last Word 16

The Bulletin is published 10 times a year by Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K9. Telephone: (416) 789-3291; Fax: (416) 789-9697; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.holyblossom.org. Honorary Pres i dent: John A. Geller; President: Larry Babins; Rabbis: John Moscowitz; Yael Splansky; Karen Thomashow; Edward Goldfarb; Cantor: Benjamin Z. Maissner; Cantorial Soloist: Lindi Rivers; Director of Education: Deborah K. Spiegel; Rabbi Emeritus: Dow Marmur; Senior Schol ar: W. Gunther Plaut; Executive Director: Benjamin Applebaum; Holy Blossom Temple Foundation Acting Chair: Elliott Jacobson; Director of Development: Cheryl Zeldin; Bulletin Editor: Judy Nyman; Design and Production: nymanink.concepts that click Holy Blossom Temple was found ed in 1856 and is af fil i at ed with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism.

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

Aaron Lightstone

Jeffrey Wilson

Aviva Chernick

Sundar Viswanathan

Mark W

einstock

Shabbat FusionFridays at 6.30 p.m., Dec. 5, 2008, and Jan. 30, Feb. 27, Mar. 27, Apr. 24, May 22 and June 26, 2009

An invitation for our entire congregation and community:

Please join our 20 and 30 somethings for Shabbat Fusion, held one Friday night per month, following our

weekly 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service for everyone in the Youth Chapel.

Once a month, our young adults gather to experience a Shabbat evening of prayer, song and study like no other. Five musicians bring a sound that is both old and new — tribal rhythms from the Ugandan Jewish community, joyful niggunim from the Chassidic infl uence of Shlomo Carlebach, and riff s of New Orleans jazz and retro-funk. Everything old is new again with this eclectic mix of sounds that gets the community up to welcome the Sabbath bride. The Shabbat Fusion generation would like to open up this experience for all to enjoy.

For more details on this Service, please e-mail [email protected].

Following the Shabbat Fusion Service, all those in their 20s and 30s are invited for a kiddush of good Israeli wine and sushi.


How to think now? | In Perspectiveby Rabbi John Moscowitz

How shall we think about this rearranged world of ours?

Over the past several months, the

economic landscape in front of our eyes and under our feet has shift ed dramati-cally. First, pillar institutions on Wall Street collapsed like a house of cards; then the markets and the banks, along with our sense of security, followed suit. Our sense of confi dence in the democratic capitalist foundations of the West, long the engine of progress and prosperity, has grown shaky. Cascading eff ects of the economic malaise rever-berate from day to day, from country to country, from person to person. Our larger and smaller worlds are no longer the same. We now know greater fear and possess less faith.

We Jews are not without perspective on these matters. Th e Book of Esther records that Mordechai was Esther’s tutor (omen), the person who brought her up. Interestingly, omen, in sharing the same root as that of the word for faith, suggests that teaching someone

is to have faith (emunah) in them. Our tradition understands that what we learn and how we think aff ects what we believe, even infl uencing our sense of confi dence and our view of the future.

So, as a people who have known topsy-turvy experiences as few oth-ers have, how shall we think about this moment?

Taught to look reality square in the face, we Jews are equally defi ned by the belief that faith is necessary and not an illusion. Indeed, faith — a sense of confi dence in ourselves, in our God and in our future — infl uences the very building of our future.

With regard, then, to our beloved Holy Blossom Temple, let us — while being realistic about the economy and sensitive to the worries and burdens that beset us individually — only gain in faith for our synagogue’s future. To do otherwise is not only an illusion, not only unrealistic, but goes against the very nature of faith that has sus-tained our People and this synagogue. Indeed, our present location at 1950 Bathurst Street was fi rst conceived, and

largely embarked on, during the Great Depression.

In diffi cult times, especially, we require a deep sense of community, a vibrant open substantive joyful place to belong, a synagogue of which we can be proud. Th erefore, let us not only support ourselves, but support our synagogue — and make the most important investment possible: that of our belief that, come what may, we will build and sustain our future together, here at this place on God’s good green earth, at 1950 Bathurst Street. It won’t be easy. But we will ensure the future of this great synagogue, each one of us separately and together.

On a fi nal note: Barry Silver now steps down from his presidency and it is our honour to thank him. Barry has pos-sessed the courage to think diff erently from before, as well as the sensitivity to be attentive to the needs of our members. We salute and thank him — as we also now welcome Larry Babins as the next President of Holy Blossom Temple. May we go from strength to strength together. [email protected]

W. Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award

In the fall of 2009, Holy Blossom Temple will present its seventh W. Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award to an outstanding Canadian. Th e Selection Committee invites Temple members to nominate prospective recipients. All Canadians, regardless of ethnic background, race or religion, are eligible to receive this prestigious token of our congregation’s recognition and esteem.

Like its namesake, the award is dedicated to those people who have made signifi cant contributions to the community — through scholarship, leadership and commitment to human rights. Submissions for confi dential consideration by the Committee should be made in writing, with attention to Hayley Nuttall, and must reach the Temple by Mon. Dec. 29, 2008. We will announce the recipient in early 2009. Details of the award ceremony will follow.


Enhancing our community | Foundation

It is a privilege to work for a Foundation that raises funds for mean-ingful purposes. During the last fi scal year, the

Foundation disbursed almost $200,000 towards Holy Blossom Temple’s wide array of programming. Our donors have recognized needs, initiated funds and contributed to existing funds to sustain and launch programs. Below are just a few examples.

Education — “Statistics tell us that the two experiences most important to forging Jewish identity are trips to Israel and attending Jewish summer camp. Contributions by donors, through the Holy Blossom Temple Foundation, helped Religious School students partici-pate in our Confi rmation trip to Israel, and children attend Camp George last summer.” — Debbie Spiegel, Director of Education

Music ⎯ the universal language | Cantor’s Notesby Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner

by Cheryl Zeldin, Director of Development

As you read this, I will be returning from an emotional musical experience in Europe and Israel, com-

memorating the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, as well as celebrating the survival of Bulgarian Jews during WWII. As a sign of the hopeful future of our People, I am elated to continue the tradition of our Holy Blossom Musical Heritage Concert Series. Th is outstand-ing program features old friends and introduces new contemporary artists to our community.

Th is year, the series of three concerts celebrates our festivals. Th e opening

concert, Honourable Menschen, will be held on Th ur. Dec. 18, 2008, and high-lights the joyous festival of Chanukah. Performing with me will be my former students, Cantors Mo Glazman, David Rosen and Michael Smolash, accompa-nied by the David Warrack Band. Th is musical extravaganza will include music ranging from cantorial and Yiddish to opera and the Broadway stage. It will touch the soul and warm the heart.

Our Passover concert, Every Mother’s Son: Jewish Songs of War and Peace, features Adrienne Cooper and Marilyn Lerner and will take place on Sun. Apr. 12, 2009. Th e last concert, New Age of Jewish Music, to be held on

Th ur. May 21, 2009, will introduce Mattan Klein and Seeds of Sun to our Toronto audience in celebration of Yom Yerushalayim.

Th e wonderful Musical Heritage Concert Series Committee has been hard at work. In fact, the Series could not have happened without them. I thank them for the eff ort they contribute to ensure that Holy Blossom can off er this excep-tional Concert Series.

For more details on the concerts and to learn how you can purchase tickets, please see the Musical Heritage Concert Series 2008/2009 brochure enclosed with this issue of the Bulletin. [email protected]

Worship — “Our Yahrzeit plaques give us another opportunity to remember our loved ones. It is comforting to know that in this way, they will be honoured in perpetuity. Our sacred Torah Scrolls are central to our Worship. Both required repairs last year to keep them in a condition that demonstrates the respect and care they deserve.” — Sarita Dotan, Chair, Worship Committee

Social Action — “Our program provides congregants with a community framework for tikkun olam, and has set an example for other congregations across the city. Every week, from November through March, we off er our guests a meal, social programs, medical help, clothing and sup-plies, and for many, a place to sleep with a hot breakfast in the morning.” — Gary Tile, Chair, Out of the Cold Committee

Culture — “I am indeed elated to continue our own Holy Blossom Musical Heritage

tradition as a sign of affi rmation and hope for the future of our People. Th e Musical Heritage Concert Series would not be pos-sible without the generosity of our donors.” — Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner

Programming — “Several years ago, the Temple saw the need to increase its programming for seniors. Because a donor had specifi cally designated a fund for seniors, this opportunity became reality. Th is year, a pilot transportation project was initiated, with the hope of making it possible for even more seniors to join us. Because of the recent, signifi cant generosity of another donor, we are beginning to dream of even greater possibilities.” — Sheila Smolkin, Chair, Mondays @ the Temple

For more details on establishing a fund or donating to funds, please call me (ext. 260), at the Temple, or e-mail [email protected].


How we act makes a difference by Debbie Spiegel, Director of Education

Recently, Rabbi Naomi Levy, our Scholar in Residence, shared some of her thoughts on raising children who

will be a blessing to this world.

M O D E L L I N G O U R A C T I O N SHow do we share with our children our personal priorities? One of the most interesting comments by Rabbi Levy was that “we all want our children to succeed. You want them on the best sports team, to excel in school. Does your child know that you want him or her to be the kindest person possible, and a Jewishly learned person?” Rabbi Levy asked, “Have your children ever told someone that you are too busy to answer the phone because you are praying and can’t talk on the phone at the moment?”

Dec. 8 Layers of Wax: A Layered History of Chanukah | Rabbi Karen Th omashow

Dec. 15 Israel in the 21st Century — Not Just a Land of Milk and Honey | Debbie Spiegel, Director of Education

W E D N E S D AYS @ the Movies

Wed. Dec. 10, at 1 p.m.Do you enjoy watching the

M O N D AYS @ the Temple

Winters do not have to be long and dreary. Join other seniors each Monday at 10 a.m. to socialize, exercise, participate in interesting programs and enjoy a delicious lunch of hot soup. Note that we will be taking a two-week break at the end of the year and will resume regular programming on Jan. 12, 2009.

good old movies? Please join us to see Crossing Delancey. Cost: members $1; non-members $2.

Chanukah CelebrationCantor Benjamin Z. Maissner and Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers

Mon. Dec. 22 Please join us for this special Mondays @ the Temple program. We will celebrate together with a festive lunch beginning at 12.30 p.m., followed by a musical entertainment program.

For more details on Seniors’ programming or to fi nd out about our pilot transportation program, please pick up our fl yers in the Temple lobby or leave your name and phone number on our Seniors’ hotline (ext. 517), at the Temple.

Our children learn from modelling our actions. Th ey watch us as we talk on the telephone, watch television and speak to merchants in the stores we frequent. Th ey watch us all the time — even when we are not noticing. Has your daughter watched you model the behaviours that you aspire to? Have you had a chance to show your son the type of person you ultimately want him to be? How can children be feel-ing, caring Jews if we do not model that behaviour for them, by bringing them to shul; showing them how and when to do gemilut chasadim (acts of kindness to oth-ers); participating in Shabbat and holiday celebrations as a family?

A parent approached me recently and shared that she is delighted her child is kind; she went on to say that she believes much of this behaviour emanates from our School. I am excited

to hear her observations. We spend most of our time talking with our stu-dents about our actions — what is right and what is ‘not so right.’ Our Torah spends a great deal of time on this and we have much to learn from it.

E N C O U R A G I N G K I N D N E S SI have had a wonderful time having the opportunity to be an observer in our hallways over the past few months. It is a treat to be able to wander through the halls, meeting students, parents and oth-ers, hearing from them and sharing with them the joys of our School. I see chil-dren being kind, calm, happy, relaxed and truly interested in their studies, all within the confi nes of our holy congre-gation. Our students are ‘getting’ it; let us get into it with [email protected]

| Supplementary Schools


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

Our Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning strives to engage our community to join together for stimulat-ing lectures, to study Torah and to acquire the skills needed to lead a meaningful Jewish life. For more details, please call ext. 256, at the Temple, or visit our website at www.holyblossom.org and download a copy of “Th e Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple 2008/2009 Calendar of Events.” All programs and lectures are open to the community, unless otherwise stated. For your convenience, our weekday daytime programs are marked with the following symbol .

Ongoing learning and specialized classes

Shabbat Torah Study: Speaking with God, Learning from Heschel and SoloveitchikRabbi John MoscowitzSaturdays at 9 a.m., ongoingAll are welcome regardless of background.

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

Conversational Hebrew 101Dalia Alalouf, Supervisor, Hebrew SchoolMondays at 8.30 p.m. Limited to Temple members. Registration required. Cost: $200 per year.

Advanced Hebrew GrammarRabbi Edward Goldfarb

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., ongoingOpen to Temple members only.

Sisterhood Torah Study Rabbi Edward Goldfarb

Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m., ongoingNew and returning students welcome.

The Yiddish NovelRabbi Edward Goldfarb

Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

Earth, Water, Fire: Jewish Perspectives on the Environment Rabbi Jonathan Crane, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Toronto Mondays at 7.30 p.m., Dec. 8 and 15, 2008 What might a Jewish environmental ethic look like? Explore classic Jewish perspectives on land rights, water rights

and energy — in pursuit of clarifying (or complicating) our responsibilities to the natural word.

Sunday Book Club: “People of the Book,” by Geraldine BrooksSun. Jan. 18, 2009, at 11a.m.

Latke/Hamantaschen DebateTue. Dec. 16, 2008, at 7.30 p.m.All are welcome to join in the hysterics.

Shabbat Lunch and StudyPlease join us aft er Services for these special programs with our clergy.Jan. 10, 2009 | Th e Structure of Synagogue Music, with Cantor Benjamin Z. MaissnerFeb. 14, 2009 | Ten Commandments and Noahide Laws: Points of Intersection and Diversion, with Rabbi Karen Th omashowCost: $10. To register, please call Elana Fehler (ext. 221), at the Temple.

Poetry and Prophecy Adam Sol, Author and Teacher, Laurentian University Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m., Jan. 13 to 27, 2009 How do poetry and prophecy use language to think about the world and spirituality? At the fi nal session, Adam Sol will launch his new book, Jeremiah, Ohio. For more details, please see Book Talk listing on page 7.

Jerusalem II Geri Durbin, Royal Ontario Museum Educator and Senior School Teacher, Holy Blossom Temple

Th ursdays at 1 p.m.Jan. 15 to 29, 2009

Torah Yoga and Jewish Meditation: Prayer, Breath and Movement

Michelle Katz, Certified Iyengar Yoga Therapist, Jewish Spiritual Director and Jewish Meditation Teacher Sundays at 9.30 a.m., Jan. 11 to Mar. 8, 2009

Torah Yoga integrates traditional Jewish texts with hatha yoga postures, meditative prayer and chanting, and the breath of life.

Participants will study Jewish text, learn conscious breathing for relaxation, discover gentle stretching for releasing muscle tension and experi-ence time for reflection and meditation. This leading-edge but spiritual approach to Judaism deeply touches the Divine spirit within each participant. This is a great chance for Religious School parents to join us.

Cost: $90 for entire course or $15 per session.


Th is rich tapestry of cultures will be examined through the study of Jerusalem’s history. Discoveries from the archeological excavations of the 19th and 20th centuries will be discussed. Participants from the 2007 series are welcome to join the 2008 seminars and discover more of the wonderment that the city of Jerusalem holds.

Sunday Book Club: The Pleasure of ReadingSundays at 11 a.m., Jan. 18, Feb. 22, Mar. 29 and Apr. 26, 2008

Ha-Zemer Ha-Ivri: Israel at 60 in SongCantor Benjamin Z. Maissner Th ur. Jan. 15, 2009 and Wed. Feb. 25, 2009, at 7.30 p.m.Th is program will discuss the develop-ment of popular Israeli music.

Mixed BlessingsRabbi Yael SplanskyThursdays at 7.30 p.m.Jan. 22 to Feb. 5, 2009 If you and your non-Jewish partner have questions about how to navigate your future, this series will be a great resource. Together we will consider the sensitivities that can develop around holidays, life-cycle events, extended family dynamics and raising children with strong Jewish identities. For more details, please see page 16.

Book Talk: Jeremiah, OhioAdam SolTue. Jan. 27, 2009, at 7.30 p.m.Adam Sol reinvents the Biblical prophet and doomsayer Jeremiah for the post-modern age, and sends him on a road trip through the strip malls and back roads of the United States with an ordi-nary, everyman companion, Bruce. Th e mismatched pair come to value each other as they travel toward the “prom-ised city of New York.”

A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious? Rabbi Yael Splansky Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. Feb. 3, 10 and 17, 2009 Rabbi Karen Th omashowWednesdays at 7.30 p.m. Mar. 4, 11 and 25, 2009Th is program is specifi cally geared to those in our community who are unaffi li-ated, including interfaith couples as well as anyone interested in learning about Judaism.Th e program explores three of the most important components of Judaism through text study: spirituality, ethics and community. Participants must register for both parts of this course. Non-members welcome.

Mishnah Pesachim: a Legal and Social Insight into PassoverRabbi Karen Th omashowTuesdays at 7.30 p.m.Feb. 3 to 17, 2009 We will cover the fi rst volume of this Mishnah, with particular attention paid to the Festival of Passover, and the sub-jects of chametz, matzah and the seder. We will devote equal time to gaining a working knowledge of how to read the Mishnah and a deeper appreciation of the origin of the laws of Pesach.

Brotherhood Study Group: Holocaust and Resurrection — Jewish Religious Responses to the Shoah and Rebirth of IsraelRabbi Michael StrohWednesdays at 7.30 p.m., Feb. 4, 11 and 18, and Mar. 11, 18 and 25, 2009Was the Shoah God’s will? If God did not will the Shoah but did not stop it, why not? Are there limits to God’s power? Can there be Jewish religious business as usual aft er the Shoah or does it require a radical new theology? We will explore these issues, critical to Judaism in the 21st century.

Beyond the ChuppahDavid and Eileen Berger, Temple MembersRabbi Yael SplanskyTh ursdays at 7.30 p.m.Feb. 5 to Mar. 5, 2009Learn to build a strong foundation for marriage. We will look at expecta-tions and changing roles; family, career, friends, fi nances and priorities; intimacy and romance for a lifetime; Jewish home and Jewish values; and communica-tion, negotiation and compromise. Th is course is designed for newly engaged couples and newlyweds within their fi rst year of marriage. Registration required.

The Torah: A Women’s Commentary

Rabbis Edward Goldfarb, Yael Splansky and Karen ThomashowWednesdays at 7.30 p.m., Jan. 14 to 28, 2009

Please join us for an in-depth look at this new volume, The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, commissioned and funded by Women of Reform Judaism. Explore the Biblical scholarship, the voice of the commentators and the poetry of this new book.

Sponsored by Sisterhood.


Fine Arts Committee

Vibrancy of Life,Vibrancy of Life, by Césan d’Ornellas by Césan d’Ornellas

LevinLevineeDec. 8, 2008 to Jan. 28, 2009Cecile and Harry Pearl Gallery

This exhibit of paintings by Canadian

abstract expressionist Césan d’Ornellas

Levine is an energetic balance of

abstraction and iconography. Influenced

by Kandinsky, Levine’s work is distin-

guished by brilliant iridescent colour

and a richly sculptural impasto of gels,

pastes and pumices.

Courtesy of the Petroff Gallery, Toronto

Holy Blossom Temple Stagecraft Company

EINSTEIN’S GIFT

by Vern Thiessen

Thur. Dec 11 and Sat. Dec. 13, 2008 at 7.30 p.m., and Sun. Dec. 14, 2008, at 2 p.m.

Nobel Laureate Fritz Haber dedicated his life and science to Germany, but, as his friend Albert Einstein anticipated, it ended in tragedy.

For more details, please call the Stagecraft hotline (ext. 511), at the Temple. General admission: $18; seniors and students: $12.

Family Programming

Tot Shabbat and Hot Shot ShabbatFridays at 6 p.m.Mark your calendars for our upcoming dates: Dec. 5 (Service and dinner) and Dec. 19, 2008 (Service and craft), and Jan. 2 (Service and dinner) and Jan. 16, 2009 (Service and craft).

Shabbat Morning Family ServicesDec. 6 and 13, 2008, and Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2009 This come-as-you-are Service is a family-friendly, informal way to celebrate Shabbat in shul. Children and teens help lead the Service. Children’s programming,

including music, storytelling and creative learning, is integrated throughout the morn-ing. A simple kiddush lunch follows so all can meet and greet.

Holiday Cooking Workshop Join Dahlia Organ, from the Academy of Artisans, in the Holy Blossom Temple kitchen.Edible Presents (for Chanukah) Sun. Dec. 14, 2009, at 12.30 p.m.

Bubby’s Table (for Shabbat) Sun. Jan. 11, 2009, at 12.30 p.m.

The Healthiest Holiday (for Tu B’Shevat)Sun. Feb. 8, 2009, at 12.30 p.m.

Mishloach Manot (for Purim)Sun. Mar. 1, 2009, at 12.30 p.m.

Your Seder Table (for Pesach)Sun. Apr. 5, 2009, at 12.30 p.m. Ingredients are kosher for Passover, but the kitchen is not.

All food is dairy and organic. Cost for all fi ve sessions: $100 for members, $115 for non-members; or $22 per session for members, $25 per session for non-members. To register, please call Shelly Berenbaum (ext. 233), at the Temple, or e-mail [email protected].

Save the dates!Sun. Apr. 26, 2009 — Family Mitzvah DayFri. May 22 to Sun. May 24, 2009 — Holy Blossom Temple Family Camp Retreat Weekend

For more details on Family Programming, please call our hotline (ext. 518), at the Temple.


Thank you to our Annual Contribution Campaign donors

B E N E FA C T O R $7,200+Frances & Lawrence BloombergJanette & Michael DiamondAngela & David FeldmanHoward Sokolowski & Linda FrumDavid Baskin & Joan GarsonIrving & Gail GersteinMarilyn & Charles GoldGoodman FamilyAmy Kaiser & Ken RotmanRobert LantosSheila Loft usElliott Jacobson & Judy MalkinMichal & Sam Mizrahi and FamilyJudy Nyman & Harley MintzGerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Janis RotmanJoseph & Sandra Rotman

PAT R O N $3,600 – $7,199 Joanne & Richard CummingsMichael & Laurie DavisLloyd Hoff er FamilyTom & Karen Ehrlich and FamilyWendy & Elliott EisenHugh Furneaux & Penny FineLloyd & Gladys FoglerJacqueline & Tom FriedlandJoy & Barry GalesJohn A. & Sybil GellerSharon & Bernard HermanFamily of Larry Rosen & Susan JacksonLorraine & Donald LoebAnn MacPherson & Earl BedermanHailey & Rick Meslin and FamilyCarol & Lionel Schipper

Alison & Alan SchwartzHenry & Mary SeldonGaye & Andrew SteinSusan & Roger StronellRose & Charles TabachnickDenise Zarn & James ShenkmanCarole & Bernard Zucker1 Anonymous Donor

S P O N S O R $1,800 – $3,599Michael & Pam AlbertKeith & Jan AllinLarry & Janice BabinsJoanne Bargman & Earl SilvermanNoah & Robin Belman and FamilyRenette & David BermanCheryl & David Blinick and FamilyHarvey BordenBarry & Susan BordenBeryl & Eleanor BorsookElizabeth & Reuben BromsteinEsther & Th eodore BurnettDebra & Barry Campbell Caplan FamilyDrs. Alice & Ron CharachSara & Richard CharneyGeorge & Susan CohonCarolyn & Billy CollinsHeather Crawford & Lawrence RitchiePhyllis & Jeff DenaburgVictor & Maxine DrevnigMary Elliott & Mark MindenSheldon Inwentash & Lynn FactorJodi & Bruce FeldmanGeorge & Lois FineDavid & Helena Fine

Thank you ! — to each and every one of our donors at each and every level. Th e Annual Contribution Campaign has exceeded the goal set for this year, which is inspiring evidence of your caring commitment to our Holy Blossom Temple community. You have supported membership for those who otherwise could not aff ord to join us and helped to maintain excellence in our edu-cation, worship and community events. Again, an extraordinary thank you for your generosity!

For those of you who have not yet contributed, there is still time to make a gift , which will enable Holy Blossom to keep our doors open to those who otherwise could not aff ord to be members of our Temple, and to ensure that Holy Blossom maintains its tradition of being a vibrant centre of Jewish life. For more details, please call Shannon Tramer (ext. 227), at the Temple.

Tamara & Gary Fine and FamilyGloria & Jack FineMartha & David FinkelsteinJoanne & Garry FosterFrank Gerstein & Laurie May and FamilySid & Vicky GoldhartCheryl Goldhart & Harvey TanzerFran & Bernie GoldmanLillyann Goldstein & Bill WienerDiana & Marvin GoodmanLloyd GordonHolly Goren Laskin & John B. LaskinSondra & Allan GotliebMarion & Leo GotliebRobert GrundlegerSusan Harris & David KassieGillian Hawker & Marty PerlmutarHarriette LaingLeon & Anita Lapidus and FamilyDeborah Leibow & Kenneth SniderSusan & David Linds and FamilyJordanna & Earl LipsonHenry & Burtha LissCantor Benjamin Z. & Hope MaissnerValerie & Anthony MelmanRena Mendelson & Allan DetskyFred & Cecile MetrickLesley & Ron MillerKaren & David MockTami Moscoe & Eric Petersiel and LilahRabbi John MoscowitzStephen PearlRachel & Harvin PitchAnita & Val RachlisRhonda Richer & Tim LipaLisa Ritchie & Dave Carroll


Andrew & Anita Robins and FamilyJack & Judith RoseJoy Rosen & Lawrence FreedmanRichard, Joshua and Talia RotmanJocelyne & Shia SalemSharyn Salsberg Ezrin & Hershell EzrinLorne, Maureen & Alex SaltmanBrenda & Fred SaundersJulia & Michael SaxSandra & Andrew SchaferRuthe Schipper & Jerry RotsteinLili & Michael ShainHeather Shapiro & Terry AxelrodNorman & Janet ShinerMichael & Jackie Shulman and familyGail & Barry SilverJudith & Monty SimmondsLise & Luke SklarDonna & Lawrence SmithJulie & Cary SolomonRabbi Yael Splansky & Dr. Adam SolNorma & George SteinerFrancie & Martin StormEsther & Marvin TileChristine & Stephen TileSidney TroisterTina Urman & Carey DiamondNancy Viner & Ray SteinJack & Judy WinbergFlorence & Milton WinbergWitkin Coleman FamilyRose WolfHoney WolfeJonathan & Amal WolfeEllen Yack Marks & Irving MarksBetty YoungEsther Zeller & Morris CooperDeborah Zemans & Daryl GelgootJoyce & Fred Zemans6 Anonymous Donors

S U P P O R T E R $500 – $1,799A & G Locks & DoorsHelen AaronAna & Edward AbadyMichael & Judith AikenJean Elizabeth Anderson & Randall FriedlandLoris Aro & Dr. Rolland LeaderSusan & Leonard AsperAxler FamilyBarbara & Michael BakerJulie BanikStacey & Allan Barish and Family

Susan BaskinAudrey Bennett Rumack & Larry RumackCorinne & Neil BerinsteinRima & Norman BibackMatilda BigioStephen Chris & Debra Birnbaum and FamilyStephen & Kim BloomBonnie BloombergGail & Zelik BocknekLinda & Howard Book and FamilySusan & James BookbinderHarriette BorinsMarlene & Andy BorinsNorma & Maxime BorinskyIlena & Mark BorinskyLara & Andrew BrodkinJason & Jennifer BursteinJoseph & Marilynne CassCharles CassRandy & Martha CassC.A.T. Graphics & Print LimitedJudge Sandra & Dr. Jerry ChapnikHenrietta ChesnieDeborah Chesnie CooperCIBC – Small Business BankingCincinatus FamilySharon & Stanley ClavirClean Chem DistributorsVictoria Cochrane & Marvin SadowskiJoy & Charles CohenAnnalee Cohen & Franklin PulverSuzanne & Mark CohonShoshana ColeBeverley Colman-LokashColumbia Building MaintenanceGarson & Jean ConnBarbara & Richard ConwayEstelle CraigGitte & Leslie CrangleRobert Henry & Bonnie CrollKathleen Crook & James PenturnCarol Cruickshank & James LisserSusan & Peter DanSharon Domb & Stephen ManlyMarvin & Miriam DryerNancy & Owen DuckmanDuckman FamilySusanne & Stuart EgierRuth & Robert EhrlichSharon & Larry EnkinMaxanne EzerMichael & Tara Fingold and FamilyLaraine & David Fleishman

Mike & Sandra FlorenceEthel & Harold FreemanStephen & Jill FremesDeborah & Marvin GansZita GardnerRandi & Alan Garfi nkelRose Garfi nkelHoward & Carole GelfandRobert Jacoby & Mindy GilbertBertye & Bernard GlucksteinMarilyn & David GluskinWarren Blatt & Joanne GodelEleanor & Leonard GodfreyJean GodfreyMira Goldfarb & Adam BerkowitzRabbi Edward & Fagi GoldfarbBonnie & Ronnie GoldsteinMillie & Sheldon GoldsteinMindy & Howard Goodman and FamilyMelvyn GoodmanNettie Z. Gordon & Jules E. GordonMarilyn & David GotfridMatthew & Aviva GottliebKathy & Maurice GreenAnita & Jack GreenbergSusan & Harold GrossmanAllan & Janine GrossmanCarol & Nolan GrubertKaren Fisman & Frank Guarascio Lesley Harison & Stephen ZolfJoan & Alan HeavenrichSarah & Jeff rey HeckerTh e Helfi eld-Klein FamilyFrances & Paul HellenRobert & Jane HermanHershoran FamilyStefanie & Greg Mahon and FamilyEric Adelson & Andrea HimelElaine Herer & Stephen HolzapfelDr & Mrs. Ivan HronskyMelissa & Tim HyltonJudith Jordan-AustinWilliam & Carol KasselLily & Reuben KatzCecile Kaufman SteinDavid & Hillary KettnerJay KeystonePaula KirshFern & Lorne KirshenbaumEdith KirznerSam & Debbie KirznerWayne & Jane KrangleMimi & Malcolm Kronby


Barry KuretzkyElse LandauerDr. Peter Collins & Krisanne LangilleJeff rey LeonJudith LeranbaumSusan & Jeff rey LevyRhoda LewisSally LibmanEsther LipmanTh e Lipson-Kogut FamilyAbbey LipsonNancy & Irving LiptonDrs. Benjamin Barankin & Kimberly LiuEleanor & Peter LoebelEleanor & Louis London and FamilyJean & Richard LorieAdele MamottMalca & Jay MarinRuth MarksRabbi Dow & Fredzia MarmurGerry McCabe — cm2r Inc.Vanessa Melman Yakobson & Ari YakobsonDr. Keith & Suzette Meloff Carolin & Jerry MichaelsSharon & Shelley MillerJoan & Brian MirskyElliott MoldaverJillian & Daniel MorrisHelen & Philip Mosoff Robert & Jane MyersPatricia Nadeau & David RosenkrantzSylvia & Harvey Naft olinArbess FamilyMelanie & Paul NesbittDavid NightingaleErin O’ConnorPenny & Martin Off manJoe Oliver & Golda GoldmanBrian Lidsky & Elana Paice LidskyJulia & Randolph PaisleyAlison & Gary PolanAnn & Gary PosenGerry PrendergastMarlene & Wayne PulverTeresa, Alberto & Isaac QuirozTed & Merle RachlinCecille RatneyEmily Rayson & Michael ShermanSue Rebick & Steven GarmaiseDebbie Redner & Benjamin ApplebaumJane & Russell RendelyCarl & Judy RitchieLindi & Stephen Rivers

Joel Robinson — Advanced Technology GroupRazelle Roebuck & David MacCoy Barbara & Jonathan RoseGeraldine Waldman & Charles RachlisAvra Rosen & Mark GoodmanDavid & Gillian Rosenberg and FamilyArlene RothFlorence & Irving RotherNancy & Maxwell RotsteinRSM Richter LLPRonna Rubin & Philip SmithMarlene & Robert RudermanMr. & Mrs. Daniel RumackNancy RuthSusan & Mark SagerSandra & David SandlerRivanne SandlerEthel SaperaDoreen & Alan SaskinElisabeth & Ronald SaundersLawrence & Ruth SaxRobert Schipper and FamilyDr. & Mrs. Ted SchipperAnnalee & Brian SchnurrWalter SeatonLawrie & Kesa SendersTed and Grace ShafranAnna Maria ShafranBonnie & Melvin ShearHelen & Edward Sheff manLorie Shekter-Wolfson & Lorne WolfsonDonna & Stanley ShenkmanRobert & Mona SherkinViviane & Saul ShipBea SidlofskyDeborah Siegel & Eric BeutelLarry & Carolyn SilverbergAlma & Paul SimonskyJan & Robert SimonskyNeri & Peter SlanJeff Dicker & Sandi SmithSheila & Robert SmolkinFranci & Ken SnidermanRabbi Sharon L. SobelEthel SolomonJanis & Gary SorenDavid & Susan SpeigelDebbie & Randy Spiegel and FamilyBrenda Spiegler & Mark S. AnshanPhyliss & Manny SpivakJack SteckelMarlene & Stanley SteinBert & Barbara Stitt

Michael Wunder & Joanna Sugar and FamilyMatthew Sapera & Darren SukonickRosalie SussmanGloria & Seymour TemkinEllie TesherRabbi Karen Th omashow and Dr. Yonatan EyalRichard & Judy TokerPatricia Tolkin Eppel & Alan EppelAngela & Graham TropeTuchner FamilyJohn & Rosie UsterWalters FamilyMarvin & Tanya WarshDr. & Mrs. Stephen WassermanBryna & Rodney WechslerBeth Weingarden & Paul Michael SteinLila & Allan WeissDavid WeissDr. Rhonda Wilansky & Israel Ben-IshaiLawrence Wilder FamilyDiane & Jonathan WilsonShari & Michael WilsonJudith Winberg & Andrew PollackSheila WiseStan & Ros WitkinLinda WolfeDorothy & William WolfsonSusan Yack & Eric RumackCheryl & Michael ZeldinZemans-Ronthal Family22 Anonymous Donors

O T H E R $499 or lessDorothy & Robert AaronElaine & Joel AbramsCarol AbugovSaul & Nonni AklerShirley & Scarlat AlbrightLisa & Aaron BaumalNaomi BellReina Bendayan & Don BorrettGail BermanSusan BermanBetty & Jack BloombergPhyllis & Paul BordoBeverley BorinsPaulette & Joshua BrodeyDorothy BrownElise CachiaJoyce Charendoff Linna Chercover & Jason BaschMichael ColeRobert Cooper


Carol Crystal & Jeff rey MeilachCarol DaleClare & Monte DenaburgAnn DiamentSarita DotanIris DracheJudy DruyanSusan & Robert DunnFran & Murray EllisMarilyn FarberLyn Feldman & Robert KlotzEvelyn FlorenceJudith GelberEtta Ginsberg McEwanJo Ann & Stanley GoldTina Goldlist & Howard PiafskyJennifer & Jason GoldmanCynthia Good & Dan AronchickClaire & Mortimer GoodmanHannah & Jonathan Graff Jane & Gary GriesdorfMelodie Hebscher & Tom MarkowitzTicia Heibein & Jacob LeibelJill HertzmanDanielle Himel & Allan KatesArnold HochmanBarbara & Robert HodesEsphira IscoveSally & Ben JacobsonSandra KamenirEtienne & Aubrey KaplanEllen KarabanowMargaret & Richard KardishRose KatesMartin & Marion Kazdan

Marie KnaulMyra & Daniel KrangleDiana & Harold LassLina & Anthony LevittLeonard I. LevyAaron LipsonEllen & Mel LittleVera MandelWendy & Les MandelbaumKaren & Shelly MandellPnina MargoleseJulie Markle & Joel MickelsonCatherine & Solomon MayersMazel WinesGlenda MindlinRuth Morayniss & Leland HarrisMarion & Ted MosesPaula Moshonas SingerBernice MukamalRuth & Sidney NathanO.B.N. Consultants Inc.Elke & Melville OlsbergBarbara OrganShoshana & David PaiceWendy & Ronnie PeckBernice & Yitz PencinerFarah & Martin PerelmuterClift on PezimPostage SaversMarla PowersFern & Donald ResnickGeorgina RigorJoanne & Kevin RoherClara RosenRuth & Hank Rosen

Th elma Rosen-Berris & Barnet BerrisDoris & Ted RosenstockMyrna RossJanet & Michael RyvalNaz & Eddi SerHeather Shear & David HackerHelen ShermanHanna ShlesingerMyrna & Harvey SilverRobin & William SimsJoan SolwayDoris Sommer-RotenbergCarolyn SoskinSara SpeigelEve & Jeff rey StarkmanSuzanne & Martin SteinDoris SternMartin SternMichal Stricker-Talbot & Aaron TalbotElizabeth & Ralph Summerfi eldAnn SuttonLinda & Jay SwartzMaureen & David TartickTema & Irwin TitleHeather & Gary ToppLily & Michael UsterDebby & Morris VigodaPaula & Alan WarrenJoanne WeigenGeraldine & Gordon WinemakerJoy & Herbert WolfsonSherry WolfsonHarriet WolmanSheila Zane15 Anonymous Donors

H O LY B L O S S O M T E M P L E

Membership Appreciation Tea and Project Raffl e DrawSun. Dec. 7, 2008, at 2 p.m.

Please join us as we welcome our special speaker, Henrietta Chesnie. The afternoon will feature comedian Marla Lukofsky, who will present: “I’m Still Here … and So Is my Hair (a personal journey with breast cancer).”

The Torah: A Women’s CommentaryRabbis Edward Goldfarb, Yael Splansky

and Karen Thomashow

Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m.

Jan. 14, 21 and 28, 2009

Please see page 7 for details.

Judaica ShopVisit our Judaica Shop for all of your Chanukah needs. We have wonderful gifts. Avoid the malls and shop in a relaxed atmosphere.


Holy Blossom Temple BrotherhoodBreakfast Club

Matters of the Heart: Building Bridges by Fixing HeartsDr. Bernie Goldman, Cardiologist and Chair, Save a Child’s Heart Canada Sun. Jan. 11, 2009, at 9.30 a.m.

All Temple members are welcome. For more details, please visit the Holy Blossom Temple Brotherhood website at www.hbtbrotherhood.ca.

Thank you to all our festival volunteersIf you build it, they will come … and it does not hurt if you also serve pizza! We were overwhelmed and

amazed at the turnout for our annual Sukkah Decorating/Pizza in the Hut program. Th ank you to all who took the time to come out on a long weekend to help us decorate this year — the results were dazzling. A special thank you to all those volunteers who helped behind the scenes: Josh Alman, Zena Alman, Shelly Berenbaum, Aaron Cincinatus, Deena Cincinatus, Elana Cincinatus, Michael Cincinatus, Jacob Dicker, Gillian Helfi eld, Matthew Holzapfel, Michael Larkin, Pablo Leibovici, Lev Maidanik, Shoshana Sage, Bar Shani, Samantha Shulman, Susan Speigel,

by Phyllis Cincinatus, Chair, Festivals Committee

Rabbi Yael Splansky, Judy Swartz, Rabbi Karen Th omashow and Tslil Zilberstain, as well as the entire facilities staff and security staff . It really was a team eff ort.

But the fun didn’t stop there. Family Programming hosted another special aft ernoon of Sukkah fun with the Halleluja Drummers. Yasher koach to Gillian Helfi eld, Corrine Black, Liam Black, Diana Kirsh, Jonah Kirsh, Lauren Kirsh, Steve Kirsh, Adrienne Klein, Eric Klein, William Klein and Richard Vrooman.

And fi nally, a special thank you to Noah Farber and Diana Roloff and all the members of HABSTY and JYG for a fabulous fl ag-making program to kick off our Simchat Torah festivities. (Th ey were those spirited teens wearing the wacky balloon hats and carrying the

Hallelujah Drummers entertain the Sukkot celebration guests

Left to right: Jenn, Carly and Jessica Baldachin enjoy their Suhkot creations.

HABSTY/JYG members (left to right)Haley Platt, Robbie Cohen and Nathan Morgulis have fun with

balloon hats during Simchat Torah

Phot

ogra

phs b

y Pau

l Hell

en

Torah Scrolls.) Th e ruach that night was heard throughout the Temple and culminated in a celebration of danc-ing and music courtesy of the Judy and David Band.

H I G H H O LY D AY V O LU N T E E R SWe inadvertently missed thanking our Temple Singers for helping to make our High Holy Days even more special. Our appreciation goes out to them and all of our other volunteers.


B ’ N E I M I T Z V A H

23 Kislev 5769/Dec. 20, 2008Jacob Levitt, son of Lina & Anthony Levitt

Our Congregational Family

Welcome to our Temple family

We are delighted to welcome the following new members to our Holy Blossom Temple family:

Stacey Johnson & Jim Fuller, and Sasha and Caitlin

Marla Munk & Scott Kugler, and Ryan and Jamie

Marlo & David Szellos, and Max and Mila

Mazal Tov

Joan Garson, on being elected President of Arzeinu, the international federation of Reform and Progressive Religious Zionists

Sybil & Jack Geller, on receiving the 2008 Ambassador Award from the Aphasia Institute, in recognition of their outstand-ing contribution.

Michael M. Sax, on being honoured as Volunteer of the Year, by Aid to Disabled Veterans of Israel/Beit Halochem Canada.

Anne Shore, on celebrating her 100th birthday on Dec. 2, 2008.

Marvin Tile, on receiving the inaugural Sun-nybrook Rose Award for his volunteer work at Sunnybrook Foundation.

B I R T H S

Elana Fehler on the birth of a granddaughter, Sadie Kopyto Primack, daughter of Erica Kopyto & David Primack. Proud grandpar-ents are Harry Kopyto, Sabina Reznick and Ray Primack.

In Memoriam

Th e congregation sympathizes with the recently bereaved families of:

Charles Dubin Ruth Malinsky, mother of Randy Malinsky

We thank our generous donors

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

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Beverley Colman-Lokash

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

Sadie Danson, Yahrzeit: Th eodora & Bertram Danson

and Family; Marilyn Farber and Family

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

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Sheila & Bob Smolkin

F LO R A L F U N D

Jacob Levitt, Bar Mitzvah: Lina & Anthony Levitt

G E N E R AT I O N ` F U N D

Andre Bigio, Yahrzeit: Matilda Bigio

Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Matilda Bigio

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Matilda Bigio

E S T H E R H A N D S M E M O R I A L F U N D

Dr. William Cars, In Appreciation: Sharon & Stanley

Clavir; Cynthia & Brian Hands

Esther Hands, In Memory: Jane & Gary Griesdorf

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

Wendy & Steve Bederman, Mazal Tov: Marilyn &

Chuck Gold

Sarah Gangbar, In Memory: Randi & Alan Garfi nkel

Susan & Bruce Light, Mazal Tov: Shelley & Arthur

Gans

Judy Malkin, In Appreciation: Stephanie (Sarah) Perry

& Ronan McGrath

Phylis Mostyn, Mazal Tov: Francis & Murray Ellis

Linda Neufeld, In Honour: Teresa & Alberto Quiroz

and Family

Corinne Perlmutar, In Honour: Shelley & Arthur Gans

Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Appreciation: Rabbi Michal

Shekel

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Naomi Bell; Randi & Alan

Garfi nkel; Esther & Marvin Tile

Carole & Stephen Title, Mazal Tov: Shelley & Arthur

Gans

Dorothy Wolfson, Mazal Tov: Joy & Herb Wolfson

H O LY B LO S S O M T E M P L E R E N E W A L P R O J E C T F U N D

Sam Clarke, In Memory: Shelly Berenbaum

Ephraim Diamond, In Memory: Penny Fine & Hugh

Furneaux

Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Joy & Charles Cohen

Judy Nyman & Harley Mintz, In Appreciation: Walter

Seaton

Gail & Barry Silver, In Honour: Sittambalam Family

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Sybil & Jack Geller

Dora Track, In Memory: Joy & Charles Cohen

Frank Wolman, In Memory: Joy & Charles Cohen

General: Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith

I S R A E L S T U D Y F U N D

Judy Nyman & Harley Mintz, In Honour: Myrna &

Lou Lefk o

J A C O B ’ S T O W E R F U N D

Elsie Green, In Memory: Marilyn Shesko & David

Hertzman

Esther Shesko, Yahrzeit: Marilyn Shesko & David

Hertzman

J O A N K E R B E L L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T F U N D

Linda Neufeld, In Honour: Helena & David Fine and

Family

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Diana & Marvin Goodman;

Gail & Gary Goodman; Holy Blossom Temple

Sisterhood

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

Shirley Firestone, In Memory: Jane & Gary Griesdorf

Rose Goldstein-Gold, In Memory: Jane & Gary

Griesdorf

Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Helen & Philip Mosoff ;

Lila & Allan Weiss

Harold Schenk, husband of Elizabeth Schenk, father of Carole Schenk, John Schenk and Robert Schenk, brother of Gordon Schenk

Sophie Toplitsky, mother of Dianne Schatzker and Jeff rey Toplitsky, sister of Bonnie Goldberg, Oscar Goodman, Blemah Goodman, Frances Pfsiter and Ida Tugg

Beatrice Weinstock, mother of Faigie Eisen, Susan Freedman and Michael Weinstock, sister of Mannie Baker, Anne Moranis, Dorothy Singer and Marilyn Weingarten

Kate Witkin, mother of Arthur Witkin, Barry Witkin and Stanley Witkin, sister of Jack Cooper


Norma Sweet, In Memory: Helen & Philip Mosoff

Frank Wolman, In Memory: Jane & Gary Griesdorf

D O W & F R E D Z I A M A R M U R P R O G R A M F O R

E D U C AT I O N A L E X C E L L E N C E

Elana Fehler, Mazal Tov: Ellen Karabanow

Elsie Green, In Memory: Terrye & Jack Kuper

M U S I C A L H E R I TA G E F U N D

Shirley Firestone, In Memory: Matilda Bigio

Gloria & Yaakov Gordon, Mazal Tov: Sharon Smith-Miller

Margaret Hart, In Honour: Holy Blossom Temple Singers

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Appreciation: Harriet

Wolman and Family

Dave Molot, In Memory: Judi & Mickey Cohen; Holy

Blossom Temple Singers; Lorraine & Donald Loeb

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Holy Blossom Temple

Singers; Phyllis Wintraub

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

Nadejda Adler, In Appreciation: Razelle Roebuck &

David MacCoy

Matilda Bigio, In Appreciation: Razelle Roebuck &

David MacCoy

Shirley Firestone, In Memory: Ruth Ellen & Sheldon

Greenwood

Sarah Gangbar, In Memory: Melodie Hebscher & Tom

Markowitz

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Appreciation: Razelle

Roebuck & David MacCoy

Shelley Miller, In Appreciation: Matilda Bigio

Sandra & David Sandler, Mazal Tov: Razelle Roebuck &

David MacCoy

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

Larry Babins, In Honour: Jack Barry

Ari Burkes, In Appreciation: Emily Rayson & Michael

Sherman

Elissa Gamus & Steven Rayson, Mazal Tov: Holy

Blossom Temple Brotherhood

Fanny Hochman, In Memory: Glenda Mindlin

Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Barbara Organ

Freda & Arthur Muscovitch, In Appreciation: Temma

& Paul Kay

Barbara & Mark Nusinoff , Mazal Tov: Sandra Papsin

Dr. Manuel Spivak, In Honour: Jill & Ben Lustig

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Holy Blossom Temple

Brotherhood

David Weil, Mazal Tov: Pearl & Kenny Garfi nkel

Dorothy Wolfson, Mazal Tov: Rupa Mehra; Barbara Organ

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

Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, Mazal Tov: Alexis Rothschild

& Shawn Gold

H A R R Y & B L A N C H E P O S E N L E C T U R E F U N D

Stephen Posen, Mazal Tov: Lili Little & Mitchel Smith;

Sharon Neiss & Gordon Arbess

P R AY E R B O O K F U N D

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Ellen Karabanow; Brenda &

Fred Saunders

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: Fisch Family;

Marlene & Wayne Pulver and Family

Rabbi John Moscowitz: Shirley Firestone, In Memory: Leigh & Buddy Eisenberg; Carol & Michael Firestone

Rabbi John Moscowitz: Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Lyle H. Stanway

Rabbi John Moscowitz: Th elma Siegel, In Memory: Fagi Goldfarb

Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Honour: Deborah & Rabbi Bill

Tepper

Rabbi Yael Splansky: Shirley Firestone, In Memory: Leigh & Buddy Eisenberg; Carol & Michael Firestone

Rabbi Yael Splansky: Paula Rochwerger & Michael Vital, Mazal Tov: Felisa Rochwerger

Rabbi Karen Th omashow, In Appreciation: Jill Smith;

Harriet Wolman and Family

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Appreciation: Fisch Family; Marlene & Wayne Pulver and Family;

Bonnie & Mel Shear

Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, In Appreciation: Rosemarie & Barry Berman; Marcy Greenspan;

Barbara Kokotow; Ethel List; Helen Paulin

Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers: Shirley Firestone, In Memory: Leigh & Buddy Eisenberg; Carol &

Michael Firestone

Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers: Paula Rochwerger & Michael Vital, Mazal Tov: Felisa Rochwerger

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

Shelly Berenbaum, Mazal Tov: Ellen Karabanow

Barbara Duff ett, In Memory: Ellen Karabanow

Jerry Kerbel, In Memory: Ellen Karabanow

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

Sam Clarke, In Memory: Pam & Greg Hamovitch

Lisa Ritchie, Mazal Tov: Pam & Greg Hamovitch

S H A C H A R I T F U N D

Lisa Brown, Yahrzeit: Jennifer & Jay Brown

Evelyn Davis, Yahrzeit: Julia & Michael Sax

Stanley Davis, Yahrzeit: Julia & Michael Sax

Toby Denaburg, Yahrzeit: Clare & Monte Denaburg

Sydney Ezrin, Yahrzeit: Sharyn Salsberg Ezrin &

Hershell Ezrin

Saul Fischler, Yahrzeit: Henry Fischler

Max Hoff man, Yahrzeit: Bernice & Yitz Penciner

David Klein, Yahrzeit: Veronica Mandel

Bessie Magder, Yahrzeit: Clare & Monte Denaburg

Gerald George Nashman, Yahrzeit: Rina & Saul

Nashman

Harry Penciner, Yahrzeit: Bernice & Yitz Penciner

David Rosenbaum, Yahrzeit: Pnina Margolese

Th elma Siegel, In Memory: Fagi Goldfarb

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Nora & John Freund

Sam Tile, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin Tile

Joseph Windish, Yahrzeit: Marie Knaul

Barbara Zweig, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin Tile

L E O N A R D W O L F E M E M O R I A L E D U C AT I O N A L F U N D

Marsha Bond, In Honour: Honey Wolfe and Carol Dale

Marcelle Esses, In Honour: Honey Wolfe

Jack Stitt, In Memory: Honey Wolfe

YO U T H A W A R D S F U N D

Jeff Denaburg, In Appreciation: Beth Weingarden &

Paul Stein and Family

Adam Harris-Koblin, Mazal Tov: Debbie & Randy

Spiegel

Barbara Kohan, In Memory: Anne Lesarge; Diane &

Peter Mandell and Family; Margot Richards

Norma Sweet, In Memory: Edith Kirzner

Bonni Vogel and Sadie Langbord, In Honour: Edith

Kirzner

Dorothy Wolfson, Mazal Tov: Harper, Lauren and

Sandy Wolfson

Holy Blossom Temple Foundation

The Holy Blossom Temple Foundation raises funds to

support Temple activities, programs and projects.

To make a donation to any of our existing funds,

please call Janice Feuer at (416) 789-3291, ext. 265.

To establish a new fund or learn more about

philanthropic opportunities, please call Cheryl Zeldin,

Director of Development (ext. 260), at the Temple.

We appreciate your support

Holy Blossom Temple appreciates all donations to

our funds; however, due to rising costs, cards will

only be sent for donations of $20 or more. We will

continue to recognize all donations in the Bulletin.

Nine percent of all donations and investment income

is generally set aside to help with administration

costs and special initiatives.

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 Oct. 30, 2008.

Mixed blessings | The Last Wordby Rabbi Yael Splansky

Inter-dating and intermarried couples meet with rabbis for many reasons. We provide information.

We raise questions. And sometimes, we give advice. When Jews and non-Jews choose to make a life together, extra communication and sensitivity are required. Without such thoughtfulness, couples can fi nd themselves stumbling through holiday seasons, extended family dynamics and life-cycle events. Moreover, the synagogue can somehow become a threatening place. If, however, interfaith couples are given the time and attention they deserve, sacred moments can bring joy, Judaism becomes a source of inspiration and the synagogue becomes a home.

H O LY B LO S S O M ’ S A P P R O A C HUnderstanding our approach is most helpful when couples are making decisions. Here are a few highlights:

We believe one religion in the • household is better for family life

and for instilling a clear identity in children. We therefore encourage conversion and the establishment of homes that are wholly Jewish.However, when a couple chooses to • maintain separate religious identi-ties, they are fully welcomed at Holy Blossom. Th e Jewish partner becomes a member of the congre-gation with voting privileges. Th e non-Jewish partner is not a mem-ber, but is most welcome to attend all classes, programs and Services.When the mother is Jewish, the • children are born-Jews. When the mother is not Jewish and the par-ents decide to raise their children solely as Jews, a rabbi oversees the process of conversion for the chil-dren. (Th e younger the child, the simpler it is.) Only Jewish children participate in our Schools.Non-Jewish parents are present on • the bimah for the life-cycle events of their Jewish children. While they do not fulfi ll religious duties, such as reciting blessings, as does the

Jewish parent, they can recite their own words of pride and blessing.

A N I N V I TAT I O NSeveral congregant families are success-fully navigating their way through these complexities. Experienced couples can serve as role models and mentors for those seeking guidance. Th ere are also relevant books in our library.

Intermarried couples benefi t from taking classes together. While learning, non-Jewish partners are better equipped to participate in Jewish life and raise Jewish children.

For three Th ursday evenings in January, I will facilitate a discussion-based class called Mixed Blessings, for interfaith couples (For more details, please see page 7.)

And of course, if you would like to meet with a rabbi individually, our doors are always open to you.

Th e preceding is an edited version of an article originally published in the May 2003 Bulletin.

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