holy blossom temple - American Jewish Archives

Holy Blossom TEmPlE
Bulletin
March 2014
Spotlight
On
PURIM
Cabaret Night in Old Shushan
The Adult Purim Celebration
Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Join us for Delectable Desserts, Joyous Havdalah, and Raucous
Megillah Readings. Be surprised by our talented… fun… and
funny Holy Blossom villagers as they perform their amazing
Cabaret Acts.
Come in Costume! Suggested donation of $5-10 at the door.
Star Wars Purim
Family Megillah Reading and Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Lego Star Wars Family Megillah Reading. Come in costume.
Carnival admission for ages 3+: $5 members / $8 guests
includes games, prizes and hamantashen
(other refreshments available at an additional cost).
Episode XVIII: A Jew Hope
Coming to a Holy Blossom Temple near you.
Purim: The After-Party
Teen Purim
Monday, March 17, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Join us for an open-mic + lounge night in the HABSTY Lounge.
Come to share your music, jokes and talent or just to enjoy dessert
and the company of friends.
Holy
Blossom
TEmPlE
12
Bulletin
conTEnTs
An Acute Need
4
Purim in the Abstract
5
What’s a Chavurah?
6
What do you wish to leave your children after you are gone?
7
Your support means everything
8
The Wolman Chuppah
9
Sermon: Shabbat Terumah
10
Progress on our Renewal Project
12
Being a Volunteer at Holy Blossom
14
Open Mic....A Community Event
15
Our Congregational Family
16
Holy Blossom Calendar
19
14
6
7
3
19
Want to share a comment about the Bulletin?
Email Robert Carnevale at [email protected].
An
Acute
Need
4
Reflections
Everyone knows that Jewish families have
always come in different shapes and sizes. Take
Mordechai and Esther. Esther’s parents had died
and her cousin Mordechai took her in. When she
is called to the king’s palace she is introduced as
“Esther, the daughter of Avichayil, Mordechai’s
uncle.” The text does not give us the back-story.
All we know is that Mordechai raised Esther as
best he knew how and the entire Jewish People
was rewarded by this act of chesed, loving loyalty.
I’ve recently been contacted by Jewish Family
and Child because there is an acute need in our
community. Currently, the agency is trying to
match twenty Jewish children and teens, ages five
through 18. Since 1868, this has been an essential
part of the work of JF&CS. No Jewish child
should have to make his or her way alone in this
world.
Recently the definitions of who can adopt and
be adopted, who can be a foster parent or foster
child, who can be a legal guardian have been
expanded. For example, Sheryl Ederman of
JF&CS explains that until two years ago, Crown
wards who had any contact with their biological
family could not be adopted, but Crown wards
are now eligible for adoption. This significant
change will provide many more children the
benefit of permanent family ties. When it comes
to older children and teens, we now have a range
of opportunities to provide care and stability.
Some teens simply need a regular place at the
dinner table, that is, a safe place with people
who know them and care about them. One
independent teen explains that a job application
called for “legal guardian” and since she had none,
she could not apply. She doesn’t need parents, but
Rabbi Yael Splansky
[email protected]
she does need an established relationship of trust
and care. Such a relationship would make all the
difference in the world to her at this stage of life,
when she is coming into her own.
Over the years at Holy Blossom, I have seen
first-hand how Foster Families work. We have
been blessed with tremendous, openhearted
congregants who have made room in their homes
for foster children and teens. Holy Blossom, our
Religious School, HABSTY, and Camp George
have become an extension of “Jewish home” for
these kids. The foster parents were wise enough
to know that synagogue-community can provide
another safe and nurturing environment for these
kids who’ve had a tough start in life, through no
fault of their own. It has been our joy to watch
these children grow in confidence and identity in
our hallways and on our bima.
There are currently about fifty potential
adoptive parents on JF&CS’s waiting list, but,
understandably, most are searching for babies
or toddlers. It takes a special kind of someone
to adopt or foster a child or teen, but we are a
congregation filled with “special someones.” I
write today with a personal appeal. If you have
the good Jewish impulse to reach out and provide
care and stability for a Jewish child in need, if you
are just curious to learn more about the options
and opportunities, please call JF&CS at
416.638.7800. The entire Jewish People will be
strengthened by such an act of chesed.
Holy Blossom Temple
may designate a Purim Katan in recognition of
their apparently miraculous escape from danger.1
Sometimes we may forget that each ‘purim’ is
preceded by a fast, intended to balance the revelry
with the realization that no victory comes free of
memory, moral consequence, and gratitude.
As Canadian Jews we are extraordinarily fortunate
to be able to celebrate Purim in the abstract. We
do not have
cause to create
our own Purim
Katan. Our
Our challenge is to re-invent our congregation in a way that
problems, and
engages all of us and faces the future.
our challenges,
Each time I begin to compose my Bulletin note to
as a congregation, are those of opportunity. How
fellow congregants two thoughts cross my mind.
do we nourish the flame of our congregational
The first is the opportunity to share with you
family so that Temple is a vital community for
more of the many things happening at Temple.
each of us? Our needs and expectations are so
It is a continuing and very fluid story of progress
diverse. Our faith is supposedly less the attractant
on many fronts. At times it is quiet and smooth,
it once was, and even within our spiritual and
as in welcoming our new Executive Director Russ
liturgical cloak, there are so many options out
Joseph, and honouring Benjamin Applebaum
there: universities, clubs, associations, book clubs
for more than a decade of service and leadership.
and travel groups. The list goes on.
At other times the news reflects real challenges
Our challenge is to re-invent our congregation in
we face and choices we have to make, as in our
a way that engages all of us and faces the future.
finances and the pressures on our educational
It is a balancing act at many levels. We have to
programs. The second thought is of gratitude for
anticipate the needs of future generations while
the personal learning involved in preparing the
attending to those who have brought us to this
message.
place. Our renewed building will be a container
The Purim we all know and celebrate revolves
for our good work, one that in many respects
around the story of Esther, Mordechai and
transcends walls. We are rethinking education, as
vanquishing the evil Haman. The celebration by
a continuum of lifelong learning that is a unique
tradition is more ‘out there’ than most any other
contribution to our community beyond the rich
in Judaism. In that respect, the kabbalists made
offerings already on offer elsewhere. We intend to
a distinction between Purim, where they saw
engage in a welcoming dialogue about some of the
God in the background, and Pesach where God
key issues in our spiritual observance.
is front and centre. Perhaps it is that distinction
Holy Blossom is a special place, and this is an
which evoked the tradition of Special Purims,
exciting time. More and more of us are getting
which began in the 11th century and may even
involved, making things happen. Purim here is a
continue today. In this tradition a community
celebration. Rejoice in it.
Purim in the Abstract:
1 The Encyclopedia Judaica, offers a fascinating list of
Purim Katanim, vol 13, pp
From the Board
Dr. Harvey Schipper
[email protected]
5
What’s a Chavurah?
article by
Michael Ryval
via [email protected]
Three hundred meetings, give or take. More than 20 book
reviews and pot luck dinners. Annual attendance at the Jewish
Film Festival. Heated discussions about topics as varied as the
schisms within Israeli society, the changing nature of Jewish
involvement in Canadian politics and the deeper meanings
of certain books in the Bible.
This provides a glimpse into the activities of our Chavurah--which has been active, in various forms, for three decades.
Meeting once a month in someone’s home, our Chavurah (the
“Ch” is pronounced like Challah) is a wonderful way to build
community within Holy Blossom Temple. Not only do we
gather in each other’s homes---squeezing up to 17 people into
someone’s living room—but some of us also meet at family
events, such as weddings, b’nei mitzva, and, yes, sadly, shivas.
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Established in California in 1960, the notion of like-minded
Jews gathering to meet on a regular basis to share in communal
learning migrated to the East Coast and in the early 1980s
took hold at Holy Blossom Temple. It’s especially vital in an
institution as large as ours, where newcomers, understandably,
can feel lost.
That was our own experience, when we joined the Temple in
1985 and re-connected with a high school class-mate and his
wife who invited us to join their Chavurah, then a year old. It’s
become an important part of our life at Holy Blossom, creating a
sense of belonging found in small groups.
Like any social group, the Chavurah has gone through many
changes, including a “divorce” when philosophical differences
saw us disband. Then, through the perseverance of three couples,
we started afresh and attracted other Temple members. Over a
decade later, it seems to be working well.
As for programming, last fall, we met at one couple’s Muskoka
cottage where we had a wonderful pot luck lunch, went for a
walk in the woods, and after much discussion agreed to review
Choosing My Religion, by Stephen Dubner, at an upcoming
Shabbat dinner. At a subsequent meeting, we deliberated on
two essays, “Who is a Jew?” and “Who is an Israeli?” by Israeli
novelist A.B. Yehoshua. In January, we plan to have another pot
luck dinner, and discuss In the Garden of Beasts, an examination
of 1930s Berlin by Erik Larson. Later in the year, we will meet
with Rabbi Teri Appleby, educator Seymour Epstein and
Holocaust historian Doris Bergen. Somewhere along the way, we
plan to attend the Jewish Film Festival, which will be preceded
by dinner, as has become traditional.
It’s a full agenda, and one that we build together, working to
attract speakers with interesting ideas and backgrounds, who
focus on Jewish life, either in the past or present. And, best of
all, it’s resulted in a stronger sense of a ‘home within a home’ at
Holy Blossom Temple
Holy Blossom Temple
What do you wish to
leave your children
after you are gone?
article by
Denise Gordon
via [email protected]
Over a year ago, our daughter Chloe celebrated becoming a bat
mitzvah. This was a joyous life-cycle event, bringing family and
friends together. It also happened to be the catalyst for a group of
friends from Holy Blossom to form a chavarah. Here, we would
discuss and each ultimately create an Ethical Will to speak on our
behalf to our children, long after we are gone.
Unlike the Last Will and Testament that most people leave to
distribute property and assets to their heirs, an Ethical Will has its
roots in Jewish tradition. An Ethical Will contains lessons, values,
dreams, affirmations and personal histories that its author might
wish to share as a legacy to family, friends and the community at
large.
In preparation for its creation, our group, under
the excellent guidance of Happy Iscove, examined
a number of ethical wills, ranging from biblical to
contemporary exemplars. These gatherings were
social and joyfully instructive; over the course of a
year, we shared meals and thoughts in the comfort
of each others’ homes, strengthening our friendships
while suggesting ways to articulate core values
amongst ourselves. Happy provided “assignments” to
help us frame our thoughts in the formulation of the
first draft of the document.
An Ethical Will is a work-in-progress; its contents are
truly unique and poignant – as you scribe, you are
aware of your mortality, of its intended audience, and
of the vitality and timeliness of its contents. We could
not have embarked on this important task without
Happy, and collectively acknowledge her inspired
teaching and her unfailing stewardship throughout.
When we, as parents, are no longer here to offer guidance, it is our
hope that our Ethical Wills will fill the void - ultimately rooting
our kids, with Jewish eyes and hearts wide open, to the values that
we hold most dear. May the Ethical Will be the most cherished and
meaningful item we can provide our children and their children’s
children for generations to come.
Bulletin • March 2014
Pictured: Alberto Quiroz, Happy Iscove, Mark Warsh,
Silvia Derasner, Denise Gordon, Dennis Chow. Missing:
Corinne Black and Richard Vrooman
7
Your support
means
everything
article by
Jonathan Ain
Director of Development
[email protected]
On behalf of Holy Blossom, thank you to each and every one
of our donors who gave generously to last year’s Holy Blossom
Congregational Appeal (HBCA). With your support, Holy
Blossom continues to provide the vital programs and services
make Temple life an experience full of community, spirituality
and a love for everything Jewish.
“Holy Blossom isn’t just a place of Torah and learning –
it’s a community, a house of spirituality, and what truly
connects me to my Jewish roots.”
– Long-time Holy Blossom Temple member
Now we have reached a pivotal moment in the history of Holy
Blossom Temple. As we look to a period of transition and
transformation, we know that the health and vitality of our
beloved congregation relies entirely on the efforts and generosity
of our volunteers and donors.
I’m sure you’ve heard that the Congregational Appeal is
necessary to help fill the gap left from the approximately 40%
of our members who can’t pay full membership dues. While
true, we also need to remember that by supporting Holy
Blossom, we are throwing a spiritual lifeline to our young
Jewish families, many of whom view temple as their primary
connection to Jewish life.
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“What a saviour HBT became! Little Blossoms, nursery
school and of course Tot Shabbat. Our children now run
through the halls and aisles of the sanctuary excited by
the sense of belonging, magic of music and Jewish soul.
We are (at) home at Holy Blossom. The memories we are
now creating for our children are of utmost importance.”
– Long-time Holy Blossom Temple and new
nursery school parent
In addition to helping foster a sense of spirituality and
community, your donations help support religious school
education, keeping fees at a reasonable level. Your commitment
also ensures all Temple members, regardless of their financial
circumstances, have access to important programming at Holy
Blossom to help them stay connected to the Jewish community.
“It was the Generation Aleph program and its diverse
activities that caught my attention because, while being
past university age but not yet with a young family of
my own, I was looking for the opportunity to meet new
people and engage in social action.”
– New Holy Blossom Temple member
The Holy Blossom Congregational Appeal helps our members,
new and long-time, be a part of our Jewish community – today
and for the future.
“Both my girls went through the amazing Holy Blossom
nursery program and as a mom and an educator myself,
I could not have been happier…I really love the Friday
Tot Shabbat program that HBT offers as well. It gives
my kids a little taste of Shabbat in a warm and inviting
environment… HBT is the perfect fit for our young
family.”
– New Holy Blossom Temple family
Thank you for supporting the Holy Blossom Congregational
Appeal. Your generosity makes our family stronger.
Holy Blossom Temple
The Wolman Chuppah:
a successful marriage
of the past and the silk
rainbow…
article by
Harriet Wolman
via [email protected]
The Rainbow (Wolman) Chuppah was donated to the Temple in 1984 to
commemorate the long and happy marriage of William and Lillian Wolman. It
is constructed of hand painted silk and metallic fabrics appliquéd on to Tergal
drapery sheers and was suspended from the ceiling of the Sanctuary.
The imagery represents a successful marriage of the past and the silk rainbow that
cascades to the ground has the last of the seven wedding benedictions painted on
it. It means to be a rainbow of hope for the couple that
marries under it.
After some years, it became impractical to suspend
the Chuppah from the ceiling and it fell into disuse.
However, with Rabbi Splansky’s support, it was decided
that the Chuppah could have multiple uses, in addition
to weddings, if supported by poles. Temma Gentles, the
original creator of it, has proposed a way to do this. It
has been decided that the project will now proceed with
financial support from the Wolman’s once again.
Lil and Bill Wolman were married in 1919. They had
two sons, Ralph and Frank, who grew up at Temple
and remained Temple members with their parents and
their own children. Their fifty-eight year marriage was a
successful one and lasted until the passing of William in
1977. Will cared for Lil during
their declining years until his own health failed, but they
remained in the family home together for the duration
of their lives. Although a fifty-eight year marriage is not
uncommon today, it certainly was for people born in the 1890’s.
Lil Wolman was active at Temple throughout her adult life. She was Sisterhood
President, was appointed to Trustee of the Temple in 1952 and as Warden in
1958. In her later years she still remained active and initiated the first Seniors’
program held every Wednesday afternoon.
It is my hope that this beautiful work of art will provide many years of inspiration
at Temple in honour of our parents, William and Lillian Wolman.
Bulletin • March 2014
Harriet Wolman with remodeled
Rainbow Wedding Canopy
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Sermon: Shabbat Terumah
5774
–
Rabbi
Yael
Splansky
by
Rabbi Yael Splansky
Shabbat Terumah, 5774.
Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph.
“The House We
Build Together”.
It’s not so much WHAT we build, but HOW we build
which tells of our character. “V’asu Li mikdash v’shachanti
b’tocham.” “Make for me a sanctuary,” God says, “so that I
may dwell among them.” How do we build?
I. A true story. In 1968 a young American faced a personal crisis.
Raised by working-poor parents in Alabama, he had earned
himself degrees in economics and law, built himself a business
which made him a millionaire by the time he was 29. Married
with a young family, a large home, a fancy car, a 2,000 acre farm,
a cottage by the lake, and 2 speed boats, he was making plans to
reach his next financial target. His wife came into his office and
told him she was planning to leave him. She explained, “You’ve
given me everything, but you.” It’s not an unusual story, sadly
– he was working so hard to build the business, he neglected to
build his marriage and his family.
His name was Millard Fuller. Shocked by the blow, he cancelled
his plans, sold his share in the business, and moved his family
to a kind of kibbutz in Southwest Georgia – an interracial
farming community devoted to Christian service, specifically
building homes with and for the rural poor. After five years,
Millard and Linda moved their family to what was then Zaire
to build houses and Christianity there. In 1976 Millard and
Linda Fuller returned to the American South and founded the
housing ministry now known as Habitat for Humanity. Since
then they have built or rehabilitated more than 600,000 houses
– providing dignified shelter for more than 3 million people
worldwide.
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Our congregation had partnered locally with Habitat
for Humanity over the years. And some members of our
congregation have travelled far and wide to volunteer for its
work in developing countries. With its Christian roots of service
to God by caring for all God’s children, Habitat for Humanity’s
mission is admirable.
Millard Fuller tells his story in a book entitled, Love in the
Mortar Joints. We tell a very similar story in this week’s Torah
portion, Parashat Terumah. Love in the Tent Pegs. It’s a story
of former slaves driven by their faith, driven by their thirst for
God and freedom. They find themselves in the open spaces of
the midbar, the wilderness of Sinai, and they begin to build.
Each one brings terumah, a freewill gift of the heart. There
are required contributions, too, but terumot are the additional
offerings of individual heart: a measure of copper or silver, the
rare blue shells for dying wool and linen, a bead of amber to set
into the choshen. A carpenter might devote his time to carve the
acacia wood. A weaver might create a tapestry. Everything down
to the tent pegs was considered holy – a handcrafted expression
of devotion to God and community there in the desert.
It’s not so much WHAT we build, but HOW we build which
speaks of our character. The opposite is also true. How we
DE-construct, how we attempt to tear down what has been
built also tells of our character.
II. Another true story. This one is harder to hear. It is the inverse
of Parashat Terumah. It is a twisted irony that during the very
week when we read the Torah’s instruction for how to build a
holy place, devoted to God – this is the week when our sistercongregation in Ra’anana was vandalized. Rabbi Kolberg and the
members of her vibrant Reform Jewish community were shocked
to find graffiti scrolled across the façade of their synagogue. The
pre-school students, their parents and teachers were the first
to see the tattoo. The letters sting and burn into the Jerusalem
stone building. What is the message of the violators? It is not
about occupation or settlements, but Jew against Jew.
It wasn’t the first time. Stones have been thrown to shatter the
windows of the Reform and Conservative synagogues in the
otherwise quiet and dignified community of Ranana. The letters
spraypainted on the wall are more dangerous. Scrawled there
were two source references, for this is the way a Jew talks to a Jew
– through sacred texts. The way these texts were used, however,
is an abomination – an affront to God. Psalm 139: 21-22: “Do I
not hate them, O God, those who hate You? And am not I
grieved by those that rise up against You? I hate them with
perfect hatred. I count them as my enemies.”
Holy Blossom Temple
The second source reference points to Rambam’s Laws of
Repentance, Chapter III, 14. The 12th century legal code. “None
of them has a place in the World to Come, even though they are
Jews. They are cut down and lost, doomed by the magnitude of
their wickedness forever… infidels, unbelievers in Torah …
sinners.” (Too painful to say outloud on this holy day of Shabbat
in this sanctuary.) Taken out of context, these are the words
assigned to our fellow Reform Jews who just hours ago gathered
for their Shabbat morning services – mirroring our own. Same
Torah. Same prayers. Similar melodies. Same Neir Tamid. Same
God.
I believe the hateful graffiti was sandblasted away in time for
Shabbat, but the memory of it must motivate us to self-correct an
ugly trait which shows itself from time to time among the Jewish
people – in Ranana, at the Kotel, yes, even here in Toronto.
Thursday evening, a member of our congregation and President
of ARZEINU, Joan Garson, brought a resolution forward to
our Holy Blossom Temple Board. She called for her fellow board
members to send a letter on behalf of our congregation in order
to express our solidarity with Kehillat Ra’anan and our outrage at
this recent attack. You see, the police say they have investigated
this series hate crimes, but no suspects have been identified. It
seems the authorities tolerate those who show no tolerance for
Liberal Judaism. And so the attacks continue.
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, the President of the Israeli Movement
for Progressive Judaism calls upon the Orthodox Rabbis and
leaders of Ranana to publicly denounce these unlawful acts of
extremism, but he also calls upon the Israeli public to (quote)
“wake up from its slumber and take revolutionary educational
and social steps that will allow all of us to lead meaningful and
significant Jewish lives, based a worldview that stems from our
great Torah legacy which declares the words we just sang as we
returned the Torah to the ark: “D’rache-ha Darchei Noam, v’chol
n’tivote-ha Shalom” “Its ways are the ways of pleasantness and
all her paths lead to peace.” (Proverbs 3:17). The perpetrators of
this hate crime may believe they are motivated by their devotion
to God and Torah, but that is impossible. By definition, actions
sincerely devoted to God and Torah only lead to peace. When
a person defaces a synagogue, he is motivated by something
altogether different.
Bulletin • March 2014
It’s not so much WHAT we build, but HOW we build
which tells of our character. “V’asu Li mikdash v’shachanti
b’tocham.” “Make for me a sanctuary,” God says, “so that I
may dwell among them.” How do WE build?
III. We are preparing for our own building project at Holy
Blossom Temple. (I hope you’ve heard.) Phase One is scheduled
to begin just after Simchat Torah this fall. And Phase Zero –
some early works will begin in just a few short months. It is a
very exciting time in the life of Holy Blossom Temple. WHAT
we build will be beautiful and environmentally-responsible.
But HOW we build will be transformative. This is the wisdom
of our parashah. God instructs us: “Make for me a sanctuary,”
God says, “so that I may dwell among you.” The emphasis is
not on the noun, but on the verb. Not on the thing, but the
action. You see, SOME people WILL be attracted to a beautiful
building, (designed by the world-class architect DiamondSchmitt, no less). But EVERYONE is attracted to a community
that BUILDS TOGETHER. That is where the sanctity lies. Not
in the tent pegs, but in the COMING TOGETHER over the
tent pegs: the ones who fund the tent pegs, with the ones who
design the tent pegs, with the ones who craft the tent pegs, with
the ones who deliver them, with the ones who lay them, with the
ones who pass by them, with the ones who maintain them, with
the ones who depend upon them.
Not what we build, but how we build.
To be clear, Judaism is a religion uneasy with things of space.
A plank of acacia wood can all-to-easily be turned into an idol.
A measure of gold can become a Calf of Gold. Judaism has
always been and must always be a religion of DEEDS, a sacred
collection of actions intended to draw us closer to one another
and to our God. Let HOW WE build THIS SACRED SPACE
together be in the spirit of our parasha, so that God’s Presence
will indeed be among us. Amen.
Did you know our sermons are now available online?
To listen to audio of our sermons, please visit
www.holyblossom.org/sermons.
Renewal Project Update:
School
Wing
and
As you know, Phase 1 construction of our Renewal Project is
scheduled to begin this fall, shortly after the High Holiday
Season. Among many other components, this will include a
magnificent new Central Atrium for the campus, which can
be used for a congregational Kiddush or just as a place for our
members to sit down and share a coffee or conversation. At the
time this bulletin went to press, a new set of schematic design
drawings are very near completion, based on our engagement
meetings and tours with the congregation and stakeholder
groups throughout the fall. We’ll publish these through all
temple communication channels – website (holyblossom.org/
renewal), Life at Holy Blossom eblast, and a special mailing –
just as soon as we have them.
A major priority in the planning of the project has always
been to make transition to our new Holy Blossom as least
disruptive as possible. This is no easy task when you consider the
complications of building the next iteration of our wonderful
synagogue on the very same site.
Philip
Smith
Hall
to
But the happy news is that our architects, working together with
our Building Committee, have just recently found a solution
that, even through the construction of Phase 1, will allow almost
all of our facilities in the current school wing to remain accessible
and operational – including the Philip Smith Congregational
Hall.
Briefly, here’s
this means:
what
• The Philip Smith will continue to be available to our
congregation as a multi-use facility, including family simchas.
(However its foyer, directly beneath the new Atrium, will not
be.) There will be a new entrance to the school wing and the
Philip Smith, likely from the Ava Rd. parking lot.
• The 3rd floor Youth Chapel will remain open for Family
Services, and can be used as an alternate location for weekday
morning services.
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Holy Blossom Temple
remain
open
during
• As previously reported, the Main Sanctuary will remain open
for Congregational Shabbat Services (and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs)
throughout the entire construction period.
• These locations, as well as the Herman Chapel (off the Main
Sanctuary), will be wheelchair accessible. There will also be
wheelchair accessible washrooms available on campus.
• Our Rabbis’ offices and key Temple administration functions
will remain on campus, temporarily relocated to space within
the school wing.
Construction!
diligently in order to make this happen. As we move into detailed
design and as our transition planning continues, we will continue
to engage with and seek input from the congregation and
stakeholder groups.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments we
want to hear them.
Please reach out to us at: www.holyblossom.org/renewal.
Although life at Holy Blossom will undoubtedly be a little
different through the construction period, we ask for your
understanding and hope that our hard work and careful planning
will result in as little change as possible to your daily experience
as a member of our temple community.
We thank our architects, professional and lay leadership, as well
as the large number of volunteers who have been working so
13
Bulletin • March 2014
Being a volunteer
at Holy Blossom
Article by:
Claudio Rudnicki
via [email protected]
Last December, on a Sunday after my son went to Hebrew
school, my two kids and I had a Mitzvah event at our synagogue.
I had a wonderful experience with my two kids helping to make a
happy Chanukah for other Jewish children.
We had all the materials available (such as paper, wrapping
paper, markers, glue, etc.) already set at the tables of Eisendrath
auditorium waiting for us to start wrapping presents and making
cards. We had brought presents with us and put them with all
the rest of the gifts on a big long table where there were many
presents generously brought in by the community.
Rabbi Helfman welcomed us and we even had a treat for lunch.
After the Rabbi’s speech, we started to wrap the presents, write
meaningful messages and decorate the cards. It was fun and
heart-warming to see all the children focused and working hard
to help other children.
We met people and made new friends, which is what the spirit of
the synagogue is all about – bringing people together to create a
sense of Jewish community where you belong, and making new
friends. Everyone was really engaged in the activity. It’s true my
kids and I volunteered; it’s also true that we received far more
than we gave.
I strongly recommend you attend a Kids Mitzvah Club
([email protected]) event in the future and donate a
little bit of your time to help our synagogue. I think you’ll find,
as we did, that volunteering can be wonderfully rewarding.
Library Stories
Article by:
Sharon Singer
[email protected]
As a grandmother and a librarian, I experienced an incredibly
lovely moment this past summer with my little 4 year old
granddaughter who was visiting from New Zealand. It was
bedtime and we snuggled together and I started reading to her
from an old book that had been her mom’s favourite when she
was little. That bedtime story ritual, of being close, reading and
then, Charley repeating some of the lines with me, brought back
such wonderful memories. Then my daughter peeked in, with a
huge smile, and couldn’t resist the lure of those familiar words.
So, three generations were brought together, sharing the laughter
and the warmth generated by a simple story.
14
That is the magic of books and stories, even in this highly digital
and technological age. They help to create a space, a time to
reflect and share in another’s story.
With that in mind, I want to warmly welcome you to our
Sisterhood Library. We are here to help support you and your
family by providing a wealth of books that will enable you to
create your own special moments and enhance your Jewish
journey.
Holy Blossom Temple
‘Open Mic’
a
community
event
article by
Corinne Black and Jill Kamin
Co-presidents of Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood
[email protected]
The winter nights are long and cold but the warmth of community
spread like a blanket of snow in our Temple. The beauty of the
Havdallah candle burning in its woven splendour surrounded us. The
braided candlelight illuminating the room as we sung our Havdallah
prayers with our Temple community. As we look around the room we
see so many faces some familiar some not known to us but we are still
community.
The Open Mic evening that was co-sponsored by Sisterhood and
Brotherhood represents so much more than a get together of dinner
and music. The “Open Mic” event connected us to our deepest roots
as a community. We shared good food, laughter and the sounds of our
history. From the past we were connected in song and the hope that
we would come together again.
This casual event shared songs from Slovakia, a selection of Yiddish
songs, contemporary Jewish music from many different composers.
The varied selection brought back memories for all as we shared our
thoughts and enjoyed the simple pleasure of just being.
So many memories and so many shared moments it truly was a unique
experience. We were blessed with talented musicians and with talented
voices as we sang with joy. Children were off in the distance playing
and making their own sense of community.
What a great way to begin the secular New Year with Sisterhood and
Brotherhood working together continuing to reach out and connect
as we do so well. Connection is what we do best and we are so grateful
for the opportunity to continue with this vital task. We know how
important it is for someone to feel that they belong and feel part of
our community.
Perhaps when the next opportunity comes along for you to come and
join in our “Open Mic” you will find that special warmth of more
than just the candle burning and the smell of sweet spices. You may
just find community, your temple community.
Bulletin • March 2014
15
Welcome to Our
Congregational Family
Welcome
Births
We are delighted to welcome the
following new members to Holy
Blossom Temple:
nMyrna & Steve Hanet on the birth of a grandaughter, Evan Lily Hanet. Proud parents are Courtney Jolliffe &
Josh Hanet. Other proud grandparents are Robynn & Scott Jolliffe. Proud great grandparents are Harriette Borins;
Aileen & Charles Hanet.
n
Adam and Nikki Stiavnicky
nBarbara Thal-Hodes & Robert (Bob) Hodes on the birth of a grandson, Jackson John Irving Hodes. Proud
parents are Sarah Geisen-Hodes and Ian Hodes and sister to Ella Jane. Other proud grandparents are John and Pam
Geisen.
nLindsay & Jonathan Nyquist on the birth of a daughter, Chloe Alexandra Nyquist and sister to Lily. Proud
grandparents are Jill & Allan Schaffran and Jo Ann & Doug Nyguist. Proud great grandmother is Margaret Nyquist.
nTali & Ari Katz on the birth of a son, Micah Lev and brother for Josh. Proud grandparents are Esti & Burt
Bonkowski; Miriam & Jerry Katz. Proud great grandparents, Gloria & Bernie Frankel; and Ruth Bonkowski.
nLisa & Randy Wagowsky, on the birth of a daughter, Maya Rose Wagowsky. Proud grandparents are Henny
Rappaport & Michael Burns; Dahlia & Jack Wagowsky. Proud great grandparents are Sylvia Burns; Max Wagowsky
and Onni & Mansi Onhaus.
nCarolyn & Bernie Schwartz, on the birth of twin grandsons; Dylan Jon Schwartz and Sacha Thomas
Schwartz. Proud parents are Katie Backman & Lyle Schwartz. Other proud grandparents are Barbara & Peter
Backman. Proud great grandfather is Gordon Schwartz.
nBonnie Croll & Robert Henry on the birth of a granddaughter, Billie Henry Cole. Proud parents are Lesley
Henry & Luke Cole. Other proud grandparents are Sandi & Ken Cole. Proud grandparents are Joe & Lilyan Cole
and Miriam Levitin.
B’nei Mitzvah
n
March 29, 2014
27 Adar II
Paul Rotman,
son of Dr. Amy Kaiser
& Ken Rotman
n
April 5, 2014
5 Nisan
Tira Ison,
daughter of Yvette &
Jordan Ison
n
April 5, 2014
5 Nisan
Lily Samuel,
daughter of Ellen
Lupu & Joshua
Samuel
n
April 12, 2014
12 Nisan
Adam Steiner,
son of Amanda Young
& Robert Steiner
In Memoriam
16
nSaul Akler, husband of Naomi Akler, father of
Trudy Akler, Daniel Akler, Matt Akler, Howard Akler,
and Ed Akler, brother of Ralph Akler
nLewis Applebaum, husband of Jean Applebaum,
father or Ira Applebaum, Stephen Applebaum, and
Raymond Applebaum, brother of Max Applebaum,
Estelle Applebaum, and Eve Bergstein
nLeah Bassett, mother of Michael Bassett, and
Robert Bassett, sister of Marvin Sadowski, Deborah
Hershoran, Raymond Sadowski, and John Henry
Sadowski
nBertha Cohen, wife of Aaron Cohen, mother of
Ken Cohen, and Miriam Cohen
nArthur Cole, father of Michael Cole
nBertha Dawang, wife of Elie Dawang, mother of
Howard Dawang, and Stephen Dawang, sister of Jackie
Poplack
nRobert Dorsey, husband of Claire Dorsey, father of
Doug Dorsey, and Dede Dorsey, brother of Edith Hall
Friedman
nMilton Friedman, father of Joel Friedman, brother
of Paul Friedman
nMarvin Goldblatt, father of Michaele-Sue
Goldblatt, Beverley Creed, Janet Goldblatt-Holmes,
and Wendy Schneider, brother of Sorie Rosenblatt
nReene Hunter, mother of Jennifer Hunter, and
Joanne Hunter, sister of Marlene Goldbach, and Eva
Taft
nLillian Kagan, mother of Karen Donsky, sister of
Tillie Collis
nAnne Kerbel, mother of Norm Kerbel, Bob Kerbel,
and David Kerbel, sister of Bernie Feldman
nGoldie Liverant, wife of Manfred Liverant, mother
of Giselle Firestone, and Pettina Zeisler
nDavid Magder, husband of Annette Magder, father
of Marsha Rosenblatt, and Rochelle Rajchgot, brother
of Clare Denaburg
nEleanor May, mother of Dorothy Wolfson, and
Mark May
nYitz Penciner, husband of Bernice Penciner, father
of Daniel Penciner, Michael Penciner, Mimi Penciner,
and Rick Penciner, brother of Moshe Penciner, and
Yaak Penciner
nZelda Rebick, mother of Sue Rebick, Charlie
Rebick, and Mark Rebick
nAdalyn Sapera, mother of Jonathan Fine, Jennifer
Pezim, and Adam Fine, sister of Kasey Sapera
Holy Blossom Temple
We thank our generous donors
Accessibility Fund
Pearl Ginsberg, Yahrzeit: Etta
Ginsberg McEwan
Dori Levine, In Appreciation: Susan &
Brian Fishman
Gerry Prendergast, In Honour: Etta
Ginsberg McEwan
Mildred Sonshine, In Honour: Susan
& Brian Fishman
Archives Fund
Arthur Cole, In Memory: Etta
Ginsberg McEwan; Jan & Robert
Simonsky and Family; Sheila Smolkin
Bikur Cholim Fund
Rose Rose, In Memory: Debby Vigoda
Ruth Sax, In Memory: Debby Vigoda
Joshua & Henrietta Chesnie Temple
Endowment Fund
Henrietta Chesnie, In Honour:
Doreen & Joe Kronick
Bernard, Carol and Samuel Braun
Memorial Fund
Bernard Braun, In Memory: Cathie &
Dean Kanas
Aaron Cohen, In Honour: Marcia &
Kenneth Cohen and Family
Bertha Cohen, In Memory: Marcia &
Kenneth Cohen and Family
Harry Saltzman, In Memory: Marcia
& Kenneth Cohen
Earl and Marilyn Danson Farber
Endowment Fund
Janie & Frank Tizel, In Honour: Jackie
& David Buskeikin
Jean Fine Seniors Fund
General Donations: Faith Lederer
Sheila Bacher, In Honour: Lorraine
Liebovitz
James Braithwaite, In Honour:
Mondays @ the Temple
Tobi Gordon, In Honour: Nancy-Gay
& Max Rotstein
David Hart, In Honour: Sybil & Jack
Geller
Jonathan Leo, In Honour: Mondays @
the Temple
Hank Rosen, In Honour: Esther &
Cyril Hersh
Ruth Sax, In Memory: Daisy & Syd
Jacobs; Ruth Green
Joy Wolfson, In Honour: Sheila Bacher
Floral Fund
Crawford-Ritchie Family on the
occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of their
son Jacob Crawford-Ritchie
Laura Dallal & Brian McLean on the
occasion of the Bat Mitzvah of
their daughter Lindsay Lauren Dallal
McLean
Julie Markle & Joel Mickelson on
the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of
Bulletin • March 2014
their son Max Mickelson
Mimi Menon on the occasion of the
Bat Mitzvah of her daughter Riva
Menon
Amanda Young & Robert Steiner on
the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of
their son Adam Steiner
Gardner Family Fund
General Donation: Benjamin
Rosenberg
Dalia Alalouf, In Appreciation:
Benjamin Rosenberg and Family
Zita Gardner, In Honour: Sybil & Jack
Geller; Ellen Karabanow;
Gillian & David Rosenberg and Family
Rose Hertzman, Yahrzeit: Zita
Gardner and Family
Holy Blossom Temple Foundation
General Donation: Tobe Blumenstein;
Jill & Ben Lustig; Progress Luv2Pak
International Ltd; Shechinah
International Non-Denominational
Outreach Prayer Centre
Bess Goldmintz, In Memory: Betty
Bloomberg
Alice Herman, Yahrzeit: Wendy &
Elliott Eisen and Family; Carole &
Bernie Zucker and Family
Rose Herman, Yahrzeit: Wendy &
Elliott Eisen and Family; Carole &
Bernie Zucker and Family
Anne Kerbel, In Memory: Sharon &
Jerry Cooper; Lorraine Gotlib;
Eric Grove; Vicki & Paul Gruszniewski;
Ruth & Harry Hotz; Catherine
& Mark Silver; Ellie & Art Silver
Gary McKellar, Yahrzeit: Andrea
McKellar
Oscar Salem, Yahrzeit: Jocelyne & Shia
Salem
Andrea & Amnon Sarkozi, In
Honour: Barbara & Floyd Stern
Samantha Sarkozi, In Honour:
Barbara & Floyd Stern
Helen Sherman, In Memory: Bea
Kirshenbaum
Avishai Sol, In Honour: Debra
Bennett; Bernice Penciner
Holy Blossom Temple Renewal
Project
General Donation: Joanne & Michael
Steinberg; Joanne Weigen
Joanna Tamar Cooper, Yahrzeit:
David Cooper
Family Service Friends, In Honour:
Erica Baudot
Phyllis Fox, In Honour: Nancy & Joe
Dack
Nancy Sniderman, Yahrzeit: Barb
Sniderman
Avishai Sol, In Honour: Susan & Barry
Borden; Carol & Robert Collin; Helena
& David Fine; Fingold Family; Anne
Freeman; Zita Gardner; Rabbi Edward
& Fagi Goldfarb; Dorothy Hasinoff &
Kalle Vaga; Etienne & Aubrey Kaplan;
Joy Rosen & Larry Freedman and
Family; Beverley & Les Rothschild;
Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith; Nancy
Ruth; Victoria & Martin Sadowski;
Mary Seldon; Helen & Edward
Sheffman; Phyllis & Manny Spivak;
Esther & Marvin Tile
Liam Vrooman, In Honour: Erica,
Carla & Alain Baudot
Isenberg Family Endowment Fund
Rosalie Nepom, In Honour: Carol &
Steve Pilon
Jacob’s Tower Fund
Morris Levenson, In Memory:
Marilyn Shesko & David Hertzman
William Moll, In Memory: Marilyn
Shesko & David Hertzman
Yitz Penciner, In Memory: Florence
Hertzman
Marilyn Shesko & David Hertzman,
In Honour: Florence Hertzman
Dolores Smith, In Memory: Florence
Hertzman
Joan Kerbel Leadership
Development Fund
Rabbi Teri Appleby, In Appreciation:
WRJ Northeast District
Ben David Axelrod, In Memory: Sara
& Rick Charney
Syrelle Bernstein, In Honour:
Hineini Committee
Corinne Black & Richard Vrooman,
In Honour: HBT Sisterhood
Sylvia Derasner, In Honour: HBT
Sisterhood
Myer Fehler, Yahrzeit: Elana Fehler,
Carol Poplak & Ron Fehler
Esther Salomon Gelber, Yahrzeit:
Sara & Rick Charney
Sylvia Miller, In Memory: Anonymous
Karen Minden & Harvey Schipper,
In Honour: HBT Sisterhood
Gerry Prendergast, In Honour:
Etienne & Aubrey Kaplan
Dr. Brian Sieber, In Honour: HBT
Sisterhood
Gail & Barry Silver, In Honour: HBT
Sisterhood
Liam Vrooman, In Honour: Val &
Arieh Waldman
I Jeffrey Presement Memorial Fund
Jeffrey Presement, In Memory: Laura
West
Kiddish Fund
General Donation: Gerry Prendergast
Library Book Fund
Marlene Ruderman, In Honour:
Hettie & Norman Lofchy
Rabbi Dow & Fredzia Marmur
Program for Educational
Excellence
Sybil & Jack Geller, In Honour:
Phyllis & Manny Spivak
Rabbi Dow & Fredzia Marmur, In
Honour: Sheila Smolkin
Gail & Barry Silver, In Honour: Sybil
& Jack Geller
Rabbi Michael Stroh, In Honour:
Ruth Sheps
Susan Tataryn & Harold Geller: In
Honour: Phyllis & Manny Spivak
Musical Heritage Fund
General Donation: Martin Posen
Yefim Adler, In Honour: HBT Temple
Singers
Shirley & Scarlat Albright, In
Honour: Mary Seldon
Georgette Belcourt, In Memory:
Esther & Cyril Hersh
Michael Cole, In Honour: Mary
Seldon
Hyman Erdell, Yahrzeit: Carol Collin
and Family
David Hart, In Honour: Mary Seldon
Ingrid Johnson, In Honour: HBT
Temple Singers
Cantor Benjamin Maissner, In
Honour: Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith
Hope Maissner, In Honour: Susan &
Barry Borden; Mary Seldon
Benyamin Markovitch, Yahrzeit: Fine
Family
Irwin Miller, In Memory: HBT Temple
Singers
Kevin Roher, In Honour: Jill Kamin &
Murray Hart
Shoshana Sage, In Honour: HBT
Temple Singers
Ruth Sax, In Memory: Val & Arieh
Waldman
Helen Sherman, In Memory: Carla
Baudot; Toby & Gary Ciglen; Helena
& David Fine; HBT Temple Singers;
Sandi & Andy Schafer
Musical Legacy Fund
Rachel Bolnick, Yahrzeit: Kuperman
Family
Out of the Cold Fund
General Donation: Audrey Bennett;
Gwyn Evans; Uri Fisher; Norman
Jacobs; Lorna & Horace Jatwes; Gayla
& Ken Lipson; Mazon Canada; Nina
Miller; Lissie Sanders; Brenda & Fred
Saunders; Philip Smith Foundation;
Avishai, Eli, and Jesse Sol; Gloria &
Seymour Temkin; TLC Asset Group
Inc.; Harold Zener Memorial Fund
Sophie Allen, Yahrzeit: Joan Solway
and Family
Saul Akler, In Memory: Nonni Akler
and Family
Danielle, Heath, and Ethan
Applebaum, In Honour: Janet &
17
18
Michael Ryval
Sheila Bacher, In Honour: Ellen
Karabanow
Susan Banks, In Memory: Shelly
Berenbaum & Chuck Litman
Georgette Belcourt, In Memory:
HBT Fine Arts Committee
Lilian Berenbaum, Yahrzeit: Maxine
Minden
Teresa Brouwer, In Honour: Nancy &
Lloyd Pollock
Grade 6B Teachers at Leo Baeck, In
Honour: Bogo Family
Dr. Saul Cohen, Yahrzeit: Sue & Lou
Devor
Claudia Colas, In Honour: Kathy
Green
Arthur Cole, In Memory: Joy &
Charles Cohen; Zelda & Jeffrey
Farber; Bambi Katz and Family; Brenda
& Fred Saunders
Michael Cole, In Honour: Sybil &
Jack Geller
David Friedland, In Honour: Janice &
Larry Babins
Merle Friedman & Manny Mitchell,
In Honour: Sharon Herman
Jen & Mark Gershon, In Honour:
Marlene & Robert Ruderman
Sandy Gordon, In Honour: Robin &
Paul Leszner
Harold Grammer, In Memory: Karen
& Larry Hausman
Don Hale, In Memory: Debby Vigoda
Leo Herdan, In Honour: Etienne &
Aubrey Kaplan
Joseph Herman, Yahrzeit: Sharon
Herman
Kurt Herzstein, In Honour: Barbara &
Nathan Morrow
Barbara & Bob Hodes, In Honour:
Jeanette & Harvey Grosman
Holy Blossom Office Staff, In
Honour: Ellen Karabanow
Vera Houzer, In Memory: Debby
Vigoda
Humber Cabinet Making Teachers,
In Honour: Arieh Waldman
Goldie Liverant, In Memory: Marilyn
& David Gluskin
Andi Mayer-Goodman, In Honour:
Simone Mayer & Laurie Goodman
Harold Minden, Yahrzeit: Maxine
Minden
Yitz Penciner, In Memory: Karen &
Yoel Abells and Family; Ita & Lenny
Baranek; Darlene Baldaro; Janet &
David Ber; Ann Bikram; Helen Binns;
Sandra Bleeman; Susan & Dr. Barry
Borden; Lori Brager & Ross Munro
and Family; Michael Bregman; Marina
Brezinov; Irina & Bruce Cameron;
Mabel Chan; Voula Christofilos; Toby
& Gordon Ciglen; Sara Clodman,
Meredith, Neil, and Harley Jonatan;
Elise & Richard Cohen; Merav &
Michael Cohen and Family; Susan
& Ken Coffae; Josephine & Michael
Cole; Nina & Harvey Diamond; Anne
Dublin; Isser & Toni Dubinsky; Susanne
Egier and Family; Daphne Flatt; Ethel
& Harold Freeman and Family; Nora &
John Freund; Randi & Alan Garfinkel;
Sybil & Jack Geller; Fran & Bernie
Goldman; Diana & Marvin Goodman;
Shelley Gordner; Gottlieb Family; Kathy
Green; Marilyn Hahn; Esther, and
Richard Handelsman;
Jane Harris; Mindy & Moishe Hendler;
Lauren Israel Hendrickson; Jay Hodgins
& Don Quach; Milton Israel; Daisy &
Sydney Jacobs; Sandy Jonasson; Wendy
Silver Kady; Connie & Herb Karasik;
Bambi Katz & Al Freireich; Paula Kirsh;
Karen Kollins & Daniel Abramson;
Merle Kriss; Susan Lapell; Shirley Lee;
Jordanna & Earl Lipson; Judy Malkin
& Elliott Jacobson; Kathryn & Gerald
Mandel; Mansoor Family; Etta Ginsberg
McEwan; Sandy & Jack Miller; Honey
& Lou Mostyn; Tammy Muskat;
Linda & Abe Neufeld; North York
General Hospital Emergency Physicians
Group; Barbara Organ; Howard
Ovens; Shoshana & David Paice; Gerry
Prendergast; Ann & Gary Posen; Emily
Rayson; Gillian & David Rosenberg;
Debbie Rothstein; Shirley & Sam
Rubenzahl; Mari Lynn Rusak; Nancy
Ruth; Janet & Michael Ryval; Myrna
Sandler; Nyla & Rob Sandler and
Family; Brenda & Fred Saunders; Julia
& Michael Sax and Family; Seema &
Arun Sayal; Mary Seldon; Bella & Alex
Serota; Lois & Tom Shanker; Helen &
Edward Sheffman; Joanna & Jeffrey
Shore; Gail & Barry Silver and Family;
Rachel Silver and Family; Moishe Simon
and Norman Simon; Sheila Smolkin;
Courtney Somer-Balota; Sara Speigel;
John Spence; Phyllis & Manny Spivak;
Marilyn & Joe Sunshine; Barbara &
Marty Sversky; Linda & Jay Swartz;
John Sweet; Esther & Marvin Tile;
Rosemary & Gary Tile; Eta Vig; Vallry
& Arieh Waldman; Whittington and
Company; Phyllis Wintraub; Linda
Wolfe; Susan Woollard; Bobbie &
Walter Zweifler and Family
Sydney Phillips, In Memory: Janice &
Larry Babins; Marsha & Harry
Glicksman
Gerry Prendergast, In Honour:
Bambi Katz and Family; Janet &
Michael Ryval; Val & Arieh Waldman
Audrey Rockman, In Memory: Taffi
Ross & David Allison
Cheryl Rosen, In Honour: Susan
Himel & Neil Kozloff and Family
Hank Rosen, In Honour: Susan Himel
& Neil Kozloff and Family; Ruth
Glicksman; Shirley & Marvin Latchman
Vicky & Marvin Sadowski, In
Honour: Nancy & Lloyd Pollock
Ruth Sax, In Memory: Ricky & Arnold
Englander
Fran & Sam Seligman, In Honour:
Jan & David Wilson
Rupert Shriar, In Memory: Helen
Poch
Harry Silver, Yahrzeit: Eleanor
Steinberg; Joyce & Barry Spiegel
Jean Silver, Yahrzeit: Spiegel and
Steinberg Families
Bob Smolkin, Yahrzeit: Sheila Smolkin
and Family
Jerry Solway, Yahrzeit: Joan Solway
and Family
Out of the Cold Volunteers, In
Appreciation: Ann MacPherson & Earl
Bederman
Jim Westcott & Maintenance Staff,
In Honour: Ellen Karabanow
Betty & Barney Wolfe, Yahrzeit: Carol
Abugov
Harry & Cecile Pearl Youth Award
Endowment Fund
Saul Akler, In Memory: Joyce & Fred
Zemans
Myra Schwartz, In Memory: Joyce &
Fred Zemans
Plaut Manor Fund
Grete Adler, Yahrzeit: Ellen
Karabanow
Prayer Book Fund
General Donation: Jennifer Gold;
Happy Iscove; Joanne Weigen
Yitz Penciner, In Memory: Sybil
Jackson
Lillian Shafron, In Memory: Maureen
& Don Colt
Arthur Sommer Rotenberg, In
Memory: Doris Sommer-Rotenberg
Liam Vrooman, In Honour: Corinne
Black & Richard Vrooman; Bushie &
Harold Cohen
Project Tikvah Fund
General donation: Linden Cress
Holy Blossom Temple Religious
School Teachers, In Honour: Lisa
Baumal and Debbie Spiegel
Yitz Penciner, In Memory: Jill
Hertzman
Rabbi’s Discretionary Funds
Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Appreciation:
Corinne Black & Richard and Liam
Vrooman; Margaret Green; Anita &
Michael Greenstein; Janeth Henry;
Julie Markle & Joel Mickelson; Bernice
Penciner and Family; Dorothy &
William Wolfson
Rabbi Teri Appleby, In Appreciation:
Naomi Akler and Family; Applebaum
Family; Corinne Black & Richard and
Liam Vrooman; Ruth Green & Rose
Family; Shelley Greene & Joel Kirsh and
Family; Larry Sax and Family
Rabbi Jordan Helfman,
In Appreciation: Corinne Black &
Richard and Liam Vrooman; Karen
& Gordon Donsky; Susan & Brian
Fishman; Julie Markle & Joel Mickelson
Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In
Appreciation: Corinne Black & Richard
and Liam Vrooman; Ruth Green & Rose
Family; Anita & Michael Greenstein;
Julie Markle & Joel Mickelson; Bernice
Penciner and Family; Benjamin
Rosenberg and Family; Larry Sax and
Family
Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, In
Appreciation: Naomi Akler and Family;
Applebaum Family; Corinne Black &
Richard and Liam Vrooman; Bernice
Penciner and Family
Arthur Cole, In Memory (Rabbi Yael
Splansky’s fund): Arlene Roth
Wendy Eisen, In Honour (Rabbi Yael
Splansky’s fund): Debra & Barry
Campbell
Lorraine & Donald Loeb, In
Appreciation (Rabbi Yael Splansky’s
fund): Debra Campbell
Hope Maissner, In Honour (Cantor
Benjamin Z. Maissner’s fund): Phyllis &
Manny Spivak
Florence Pape, In Honour (Rabbi
Yael Splansky’s fund): Aaron Lipson and
Family
Avishai Sol, In Honour (Rabbi Yael
Splansky’s fund): Gloria & Seymour
Temkin
Gilda Lillian Stanway, Yahrzeit
(Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers’
fund): Lyle H. Stanway
Helen Merker Stanway, Yahrzeit
(Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers’ fund):
Lyle H. Stanway
Denise Zarn & James Shenkman,
In Appreciation (Rabbi Yael Splansky’s
fund): Debra Campbell
Lorraine Sandler Tribute
Endowment Fund
Sheila Masters, In Honour: Holy
Blossom Temple Preschool Staff
Lorraine Sandler, In Honour: Brenda
Baskind and Pam Hamovitch
Shacharit Fund
Rabbi Teri Appleby, In Honour:
Alexis Singer & Brian Nichols
Rose Ash, Yahrzeit: Grossman Family
Ben Axelrod, In Memory: Heather
Shapiro & Terry Axelrod
David Balick, Yahrzeit: Laurie Balick;
Sharon Clavin; Robin Mirsky
Livia Barto, Yahrzeit: Helene Barto
Rachel Bolnick, Yahrzeit: Kuperman
Family
Bernard Braun, Yahrzeit: Marcia &
Kenneth Cohen and Family
Samuel Braun, Yahrzeit: Marcia &
Kenneth Cohen and Family
Solomon Charach, Yahrzeit: Alice &
Ron Charach
Stanley Clavin, Yahrzeit: Sharon
Clavin and Family
David Cohen, Yahrzeit: Mimi &
Malcolm Kronby
Maxwell Cohen, Yahrzeit: Joy &
Charles Cohen
Pauline Cohen, Yahrzeit: Joy &
Charles Cohen
Ruth Cohen, Yahrzeit: Mimi &
Malcolm Kronby
Arthur Cole, In Memory: Matilda
Bigio; Nora & John Freund
Daily Minyan Participants, In
Honour: Dorothy & William Wolfson
Philip Eisenberg, Yahrzeit: Dr. Mildred
Eisenberg
Helen Fogel, Yahrzeit: Uster Family
Holy Blossom Temple
David Gold, Yahrzeit: Esther & Marvin
Tile and Family
Toby Gold, In Honour: Jacky Fine &
Jamie Gold
Rhoda Simon Goldberg, Yahrzeit:
Joanne Weigen
Karen Goldblatt, In Memory: Barry
Goldblatt
Eva Goodman, Yahrzeit: Ida Tugg
Harry Grobstein, Yahrzeit: Debra
Campbell
Mildred Grobstein, Yahrzeit: Debra
Campbell
Harry Grossman, Yahrzeit: Grossman
Family
Arnold Heller, Yahrzeit: Nora & John
Freund
Rose Herman, Yahrzeit: Wendy &
Elliott Eisen and Family; Carole &
Bernie Zucker and Family
Charles Hershfield, Yahrzeit: Ruth
Ellen & Sheldon Greenwood and
Family
Mollie Hoffman, Yahrzeit: Bernice
Penciner
Kathleen Israelovitch, Yahrzeit:
Sonberg Family
Jacobs’ Family, Yahrzeit: Daisy & Syd
Jacobs
Rose Kozloff, Yahrzeit: Susan Himel &
Neil Kozloff and Family
Moshe Krieger, Yahrzeit: Ahuva
Krieger and Family
May Kronby, Yahrzeit: Mimi &
Malcolm Kronby
Morris Kronby, Yahrzeit: Mimi &
Malcolm Kronby
Jack Kugelmass, In Honour: Martin
Posen
Michele Langton, In Memory: Janeth
& Alex Henry
Zelig Leibovici, Yahrzeit: Leibovici
Family
Edith Levin, Yahrzeit: Lydia Levin
Cantor Benjamin Z Maissner, In
Honour: Alexis Singer & Brian
Nichols
Audrey Markle, Yahrzeit: Julie Markle
& Joel Mickelson
Sarah Marshell, Yahrzeit: Marie Knaul
Hayley McAdam, In Honour: Alexis
Singer & Brian Nichols
Arthur Miller, Yahrzeit: Brenda
Richter, and Mark Miller
Marvin Miller, Yahrzeit: Kaylee Miller
Philip Mosoff, Yahrzeit: Helen Mosoff
and Family
Dobra Penciner, Yahrzeit: Bernice
Penciner
Dr. Cheryl Rosen, In Honour: Ruth &
Hank Rosen
Ira Ruderman, Yahrzeit: Marlene &
Robert Ruderman
Harry Schwartz, Yahrzeit: Isabel
Schwartz
Service Leaders, In Appreciation:
Sonberg Family
Trudy Shain, Yahrzeit: Lili & Michael
Shain
Irving Shoichet, Yahrzeit: Shirley &
Leon Tessler
Mary Singer, In Memory: Alexis
Singer & Brian Nichols
Joseph Sklar, Yahrzeit: Lise & Luke
Sklar and Family
Joseph Sonberg, In Memory: Sonberg
Family
Dr. Sidney Steinberg, In Memory:
Ellen & Alan Levine and Family
Samuel Sterling, Yahrzeit: Sterling
Family
Louis Tameanko, In Memory: Nora &
John Freund
Marcus Tessler, Yahrzeit: Shirley &
Leon Tessler
William Tessler, Yahrzeit: Shirley &
Leon Tessler
Sophie Windish, Yahrzeit: Marie
Knual
Frank Wolff, Yahrzeit: Alison & Gary
Polan and Family
Liza Zak, Yahrzeit: Grossman Family
Benjamin Zimmerman, Yahrzeit: June
& Sheldon Zimmerman
Leonard Wolfe Memorial Education
Fund
Honey Wolfe, In Honour: Richard
Wolfe
Life at Holy Blossom
!
Monday
Ongoing
Ongoing
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 21, 31, April 7
March 3 & March 17
March 3
March 17
March 17-31
Mar. 24-April 7
April 7
Tuesday
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
March 25
1:30 p.m.
April 8, May 6, June 10
April 29
2:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Morris Vigoda Memorial Fund
Arthur Cole, In Memory: Debby
Vigoda
Yitz Penciner, In Memory: Debby
Vigoda
Marlene Ruderman, In Honour:
Debby Vigoda
Youth Awards Fund
General Donations: Joanne & Ronald
Schwartz; Joan Simkins
Dalia Alalouf, In Honour: Lily Lee
Lewis Applebaum, In Memory:
Applebaum Family
Lisa Baumal, In Honour: Lily Lee
Josh Cooper, In Honour: Elana Paice
Lidsky & Brian Lidsky
Pam Hamovitch, In Honour: Lily Lee
Happy Iscove, In Appreciation: Julie
Markle & Joel Mickelson
Debbie Spiegel, In Honour: Lily Lee
Youth Engagement Fund
Stacey Atlin & Josh Silver, In
Honour: Shelly Berenbaum & Chuck
Litman
Dori Levine, In Honour: Shelley
Greene & Joel Kirsh and Family
Idee & David Mendicino, In Honour:
Val & Arieh Waldman
Mark Weinstock, In Honour: Shelley
Greene & Joel Kirsh and Family
For all programs between March 1 - April 30, 2014
Sisterhood Zumba
HABSTY Lounge
Mondays @ the Temple No program on April 14, 21
Wells, Prayers and Desalinization, Professor Paul Kay
JVC H.O. M. E attend the house of study daily
Purim: the After party, Open Mic, for all teens
Introduction to Haftarah Trope, Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers
Freeing the Trappings, Temma Gentles, Artist in Residence
JVC H.O.M.E. rejoice with bride and groom
Brain Food, Are You Really What you Eat, Baycrest Speaker Series, Dr. Carol
Greenwood (AT BETH TZEDEC)
Library Book Club, Dr. Janna Nadler
Baycrest Speaker Series, Maximum Memory, Dr. Angie Troyer (not Royer)
19
Ongoing
Ongoing
March 19
9:30 a.m.
9:30 am
8:00 p.m.
April 9
7:30 p.m.
April 23
7:30 p.m.
Sisterhood Torah Study, Rabbi Teri Appleby
Advanced Hebrew Grammar; Rabbi Edward Goldfarb
Religious Pluralism and Gender Equality in Israel: Dream or Reality,
Rabbi Miri Gold, Sponsored by Sisterhood and Arza Canada
Laundry kept me from Revelation at Sinai...and other musings on Jewish life by
Israeli poet Hava Pinchas-Cohen; Rabbi Ilyse Glickman
Stars of David, Harold Green Jewish Theatre, Avery Saltzman, Director
Thursday
March 6 (Final session)
March 20
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
April 3-May 8
April 10
April 24-May 22
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
ongoing until March 20.
March 28, Apr 25, May 23
March 21, April 18
March 7, April 4
April 4-6
Saturday
Ongoing
March 15
April 5, May 3
April 5
Sunday
Ongoing
March 2
March 2
March 16
March 23
April 6
April 6
April 27
April 27
10:00 11:00; and 12:00 p.m. Little Blossoms. New session begins March 28-June 20 2014
7:00 p.m. Young Professionals Kabbalat Shabbat and The Tish
5:30 p.m
Tot Shabbat Service & Craft, (Chol HaMoed Pesach)
6:00 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service & pot luck dinner
Sisterhood Retreat, “Saucy Women of the Bible” - with Rabbi Teri Appleby at the
Bayview Wildwood Resort
9:00 a.m.
7:30 pm
1:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m
12:30 p.m.
11:00 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Torah Study, Rabbi Yael Splansky
Cabaret Night in Old Shushan – The Adult Purim Celebration
Shabbat Beit Midrash, Marla Powers facilitator
Family Education Program, Israel is Real
Temple Singers
Breakfast with Brotherhood
YEAH program, Chocolate Tales
Family Megillah Reading and Purim Carnival
HABSTY Mystery Bus ride – grades 7-12
Parent Education program, De-Myth-ifying the Law, Jennifer Shuber
J-Serve: day of community service for grades 6-12
Sunday Book Club, Sharon Singer facilitator
Family Mitzvah Day
!
Friday
Christianity through Jewish Eyes, Rabbi Michael Stroh
Natural Law: A Jewish, Christian, Islamic Trialogue, Professors David Novak and
Anver Emon
Understanding Israel, Jane Herman
The Future of Aboriginal Education, Rt. Hon Paul Martin
Beyond the Chuppah, David and Eileen Berger
1950 Bathurst street, Toronto, on m5P 3K9
416.789.3291 • www.holyblossom.org