A new Chair for our Gemilut Chasadim Committee Gemilut Chasidim by Alan Garfinkel, Temple President
From the time Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heshel locked arms with the Reverend Martin Luther King in solidarity on the streets of Birmingham, Ala, social justice has been at the front and centre of Reform Judaism, no less so at Holy Blossom Temple. Holy Blossom led the way in this city in its response to the HIV/AIDS crises, providing help and support to those in need through the work of an active HIV/AIDS Committee. The synagogue was also in the forefront of the response to homelessness in our midst through its support of subsidized housing, incorporating Micah Homes to build Plaut Manor on Eglinton Ave. W. We also offer up our premises each year for Out of the Cold, a program sheltering and feeding the homeless during the winter months. In recognition of the importance of social action as a core value of this synagogue, Karen Abells, Chair of the
Department for Jewish Living, and I have asked Sandy Wise to chair our Gemilut Chasidim (Social Action) Committee. We invite our congregation to engage in this most important Jewish value: our obligation to strive to make our world a better place for our children. To follow are Sandy’s thoughts as she takes on this new and challenging position.
Sandy Wise writes: When Rabbi John Moscowitz called me to invite me to chair the Gemilut Chasidim Committee of Holy Blossom
Sandy Wise
Temple, I was both surprised and honoured. Surprised that after 15 years I would still be seen as someone who would be an effective Chair, and honoured because Holy Blossom has always been a leader in social action. As Rabbi Moscowitz was talking about the need for Holy Blossom to continue leading on critical social issues, I felt a familiar excitement and realized that I missed being an active member of my shul and I was ready to return, and I said yes. The President, Rabbis and the Department of Jewish Living want to revitalize social action at Holy Blossom to ensure the Temple will continue to be a leader in responding to critical and current social issues. I invite you to join me as we begin a new chapter in this extraordinary opportunity to make a difference. Our first meeting is on Mon. Sept. 26, 2005, at 7.30 p.m., and is open to everyone. Bring your passion, your ideas, your interests and an open mind. I am confident this first meeting will start us on a great journey and we will make a difference. I look forward to meeting you. For more details or to RSVP, please call ext. 520, at the Temple. — Sandy Wise
Hands-on Mitzvah Project
Habitat for Humanity Sun. Oct. 23, 2005, at 8.30 a.m. 150 Pinery Trail, Scarborough (north of Hwy 401, west of Neilson Rd.)
Holy Blossom Temple is pleased to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Adopt-a-Day Challenge. Bring your steel-toed boots and your muscles to take part in this exciting initiative, which will enable a worthy family to have a place to call home. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours (must be 16 years of age or older). If you would like to be a part of the day by helping with registration or serving lunch, we need you too. For more details or to register, visit www.holyblossom.org, or call Cynthia Silverman (ext. 276), at the Temple, registration is required.
September 2005
17
Av/Elul 5765