Holy Blossom Temple Bulletin November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
Building our house; building our community | Foundation by Marvin Tile, Chair, Holy Blossom Temple Foundation
Securing dedicated and passionate volunteers is a crucial step in successful fundraising. Holy Blossom Temple is fortunate to have an extremely capable, energetic and diverse team of Temple members who are committed to the vision and success of our Renewal Project. C a m pa i g n C o - C h a i r s
Angela and David Feldman have been members of Holy Blossom Temple since 1994. Along with their children, Joseph, Marc and Francesca, they “are proud to be involved as Capital Campaign Co-Chairs and to be able to financially participate in this exciting endeavour.” They strongly believe that “the Renewal of Holy Blossom Temple demonstrates necessary leadership in the continuation and survival of Reform Jewry in Canada.” Angela and David bring extensive experience in building development and philanthropic leadership. Their company, Camrost-Felcorp, has completed about 70 residential developments and office buildings. They consider the Renewal Project an “opportunity that presents itself to a congregation once in a lifetime. It’s
nothing short of historic,” and encourage all Temple members to join them in “donating generously to this wonderful cause as we move forward with strength and vitality as a community.” C a m pa i g n V i c e C h a i r
Joy Rosen joined the Temple in 1998 with her husband, Larry Freedman, and children, Erin, Michaela and Evan. As Vice Chair of the Capital Campaign, Joy says, “Holy Blossom is much more than a synagogue. It is a centre of our community and a Toronto landmark.” A founding partner and president of internationally renowned television production and distribution company Portfolio Entertainment, Joy was named a Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003. Her business background positions her well to co-manage our multi-faceted Capital Campaign. “Now is the time for our generation to step up to the plate and demonstrate the same vision, courage and leadership that our ancestors displayed when they built on Bathurst Street in 1938. We are excited to be part of this pivotal moment in our history,” says Joy. In addition to providing their leadership as volunteers, the Feldman and Rosen/Freedman families have made
Chanukah is a time to remember our People’s liberation from outside rule, and to recall the miracles that God performs for us.
Congregational Chanukah Party Fri. Dec. 7, 2007, at 4.30 p.m. Our Kabbalat Shabbat/Chanukah celebration is one of the highlights of the year. Enjoy live music, dreidel games, storytelling and, of course, latkes and all the trimmings. Bring your own chanukiyah and we will light candles together.
Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m. When the party is over, enjoy our Tot Shabbat Service, for children five and younger (and their parents and grandparents), or our family-friendly Hot Shot Shabbat Service. Cost: members $4; non-members $5; children younger than 13 free. For more details, please e-mail familyprogramming@holyblossom.org.
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November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
In This Issue ...
Worship
In Perspective 3 | The Gerald
Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning 4 | Supplementary Schools 6 | Renewal Project 7 | Annual Contribution Campaign 12 |
D a i ly S e r v i c e s
Monday to Thursday at 7.30 a.m. | Shacharit Monday to Thursday at 6 p.m. | Ma’ariv Sunday at 9 a.m. | Shacharit
Our Congregational Family 17 | The Last Word 20
S h a bb at S e r v i c e s
Friday at 6 p.m. | Kabbalat Shabbat Saturday at 10.30 a.m. | Shabbat Morning and Family Shabbat Congregation-wide Shabbat Morning Services will be held on Sat. Nov. 3 and Sat. Nov. 10, 2007. Tot Shabbat will be held on Fri. Nov. 2 (Service and dinner) and Fri. Nov. 16, 2007 (Service). Shabbat Fusion (for 20 and 30 somethings) will be held on Fri. Nov. 30, 2007.
The Bulletin is published 11 times a year by Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K9. Telephone: (416) 789-3291; Fax: (416) 789-9697; e-mail: templemail@holyblossom.org; Web site: www.holyblossom.org. Honorary President: John A. Geller; President: Barry Silver; 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 Scholar: W. Gunther Plaut; Executive Director: Benjamin Applebaum; Holy Blossom Temple Foundation Chair: Marvin Tile; Director of Development: Cheryl Zeldin; Bulletin Editor: Judy Nyman; Design and Production: Holy Blossom Temple was founded in 1856 and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism.
Please join us to formally welcome our new members and their families at our Shabbat Morning Service in the Sanctuary. New members with young children are invited to join the Family Service in the Youth Chapel. Services will be followed by a kiddush lunch, in honour of those who have recently joined our congregation. Please help us provide a warm welcome to all our new members.
Sat. Nov. 10, 2007, at 10.30 a.m. Please join us on Shabbat morning, when we will call all men and women of our congregation who have served in the armed forces, to stand together on our bimah for a group aliyah. The kiddush following the Service will be in tribute to their courage and contribution. For more details, please call Roseanne Mason (ext. 276), at the Temple.
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The fathers and mothers of meaning
| In Perspective
by Rabbi John Moscowitz
Herodotus, it is often said, is the “father of history” — the first and most prominent in a long line of Greek historians who shaped an approach to history still dominant in the Western world today. Neither these distinguished Greek historians, nor the culture that produced them, considered that history possessed any particular meaning. Herodotus and his colleagues recorded history and maintained a memory of the past for two essential purposes: to be inspired by past examples of ethical deeds, and to garner political insight that might assist or shed light on the present. Beyond this, history was presumed to offer no meaning — and its seekers ought presume none, lest they waste their time. But if Herodotus was indeed the “founding father of history,” as the West still largely knows it, then, as one historian (Y.H. Yerushalmi) puts it, “…
the fathers [and mothers] of meaning in history are the Jews.” Unlike the ancient Greeks, Jews have, at least until the last century or two, never been interested in history; never been concerned with specific details or the exact recording of events; never worried about chronology. In fact, as the rabbis put it, ein mukdam u’ muchar baTorah — there is no such thing as chronology in Torah. By this, the rabbis were saying: history, chronology, that is only about human affairs. If that’s all you pay attention to, you’re going to come up wrong. You are going to miss — maybe even without a clue — what counts. What counts, they contended, is God’s presence felt in history, in the affairs of human beings, in the events that give meaning and context to human life — and to death. What the rabbis knew was that without memory, there could be no meaning — and without meaning, memory is of vastly limited worth. So it is indeed no accident that every important ritual
event in Judaism recalls a specific past event — not for the purpose of recording history, but rather in order to unpack, to relive, to retell the meaning and purpose of the original event. The rabbis were not unsophisticated; in fact, quite the opposite. They were historians — but historians of meaning. They understood that ritual as simple recording rather quickly becomes the possession of a limited few archivists. But that ritual as reliving, as retelling, becomes remembering for the many. The former finds God entirely absent; the latter sees God as the force that gives meaning to memory. What the rabbis did with history and memory, with meaning and ritual, is why I find their thinking so compelling, and their teaching so central to an enormously attractive tradition. If all we had was the Bible, I have no doubt that it would not be enough. But because we have the rabbis, not only is the Bible larger than it would be, but our Judaism is more than enough.
Holy Blossom Temple Notice of Annual General Meeting of Members Sun. Nov. 18, 2007 Please join us for Services at 9 a.m., followed by a breakfast sponsored by Holy Blossom Temple Brotherhood. The Annual General Meeting will start at 10 a.m.
Installation Board of DIRECTORS Sat. Nov. 24, 2007, at 10.30 a.m. Please join us for Shabbat Services as we honour the leaders of our congregation. Childcare and creative study programs will be provided. A kiddush lunch will follow.
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
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 in stimulating lectures, to study Torah and to acquire the skills needed to lead a meaningful Jewish life. To register for any program, or for more details, please call the school office (ext. 256), at the Temple, or visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org and download a copy of “The Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple 2007/2008 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 Morning Torah Study: From Sinai to Soloveitchik — Why Ideas Matter
Rabbi John Moscowitz Saturdays at 9 a.m. Adult B’nei Mitzvah
Mondays at 7.30 p.m. For pre-registered participants only. Contemporary Jewish Fiction: Forms and Approaches
Cynthia Good, Director of Creative Book Publishing Program, Humber College Tuesdays at 9.30 a.m. Continuing to Nov. 27, 2007 Cost: members $60; non-members $75. New participants welcome. Advanced Hebrew Grammar
Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Open to Temple members only.
Sisterhood Torah Study: Studies in Genesis
Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Wednesdays at 9.30 a.m. The Yiddish Novel
Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Dalia Alalouf, Hebrew Supervisor Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Cost: members $250 per year; non-members $360. Jews and Christians: Issues that Divide Us
Rabbi Dow Marmur Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. Continuing to Nov 29, 2007 The Next Judaism
Matthew LaGrone, ph.d. candidate, University of Toronto Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. Nov. 6 to 20, 2007
Rabbi Yael Splansky Mondays at 10.15 a.m., continuing to Dec. 3, 2007
Nov. 5 Bikur Cholim — How to Visit the Sick Nov. 12 Nichum Aveilim — How to Comfort the Mourner Nov. 19 Shamor v’Zachor et HaShabbat — How to Make Shabbat a Reality Nov. 27 Kibud Av vaEim —How to Honour Parents Dec. 3 V’Shinantam L’Vanecha — How to Foster Jewish Identity in Children to Last a Lifetime
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Professor Michael Marrus, Chancellor Rose and Ray Wolfe Professor Emeritus of Holocaust Studies at the University of Toronto Wed. Nov. 7, 2007, at 7.30 p.m.
Beginners’ Hebrew
The How-Tos of Jewish Life
• • • • •
Holocaust Education Week Lecture French Anti-Semitism and PhiloSemitism before Vichy — The Trial of Sholom Schwartzbard
Jerusalem: God’s Beautiful and Faithful City
Geri Durbin, ROM Life-Educator and Holy Blossom Temple Senior School Teacher Thursdays at 3 p.m. Nov. 8 to 29, 2007 The Three Poets
Ron Charach, Kenneth Sherman and Adam Sol Wed. Nov. 14, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. Co-sponsored by Library and Brotherhood.
Treading the Path to Inner Contentment: God Has Provided Me with Everything I Need
Rabbi Yoel Glick Mon. Nov. 26, 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
Book Talks
nov. 12 to 28, 2007 Book Talks provide an opportunity to meet authors of new books and to hear them discuss their work.
The Rescuer: The Amazing True Story of How One Woman Helped Save the Jews of Syria Harold Troper, Professor, OISE, University of Toronto
Mon. Nov. 12, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. Turning Grief into Gratitude: Reflections and Recommendations on Mourning and Condolence Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka, Rabbi, Congregation Machzikei Hadas, Ottawa
Mon. Nov. 19, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. Get Smarter: Life and Business Lessons Seymour Schulich, Co-Founder ofEDFranco-Nevada Mining Corporation LL CE and Chair of Newmont Capital AN Limited C
Tue. Nov. 27, 2007, at 8 p.m. The Young America Movement and The Transformation of the Democratic Party, 1828–1861 Yonatan Eyal, ph.d., Assistant Professor of History, University of Toronto
Wed. Nov. 28, 2007, at 4 p.m.
Membership Appreciation Brunch and Project Raffle Draw Sun. Dec. 2, 2007, at 12 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Henrietta Chesnie, Sisterhood Honorary President. RSVP to Elana Fehler (ext. 532), at the Temple.
Judaica Shop We now have a Bridal Registry, with discounts offered on purchases for your registered items. Great gifts for Chanukah, Bar or Bat Mitzvah and baby namings. Hours are Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., or make an appointment by calling (ext. 234), at the Temple.
For more details on Sisterhood programs and the Judaica Shop, please leave a message on the Sisterhood hotline (ext. 514), at the Temple, or visit the Sisterhood Web site at www.hbtsisterhood.ca.
Rabbi Karen Thomashow Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. Nov. 14 to 28, 2007 This class will explore how the early rabbis envisioned the celebration of Chanukah, how that understanding developed over hundreds of years and its relation to what we do today. We will examine the early rabbis’ scrutiny of what constitutes a Chanukah menorah (chanukiyah), and what the rabbis understood the essence of Chanukah to be. Pre-registration required.
Sun. Nov. 11, 2007, at 9.30 a.m. Rabbi John Moscowitz will address us on the topic of “Pirkei Avot: The Rabbinic View of the World.”
Sun. Dec. 16, 2007, at 9.30 a.m. Please join us for a special presentation by Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee.
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
Who says Religious School A promising is boring? | Supplementary Schools start | Youth Groups by Deborah K. Spiegel, Director of Education
It is always a joy to witness the start of the new school term. Children join us with great anticipation, while parents express some anxiety. Now, apprehension has changed to exuberance and parents are engaged in our weekly lessons, sharing with their children the importance of Religious School. Lo w e r S c h o o l
Senior School
This year, a wonderful team of Senior School teachers are giving our students in Grades 7 to 10 interesting and captivating programming. Elective courses include learning about Reform Responsa with Rabbi Thomashow; Hadracha: Living Leadership with Karen Kollins; and other learning opportunities with Mira Lyon, Josh Berger and Elana Paice Lidsky. Most of us on faculty would love to participate in half of these electives ourselves!
We are thrilled at how well our PreSchool children have settled in. They have adapted well to the routines, and the efforts of all the teachers have resulted in an environment that is friendly, safe and fun. The children spent their first weeks of school learning about Rosh Hashanah. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Karen Thomashow, who came to introduce herself to all the children and
Grade 4 students display shofarot, which they made for Rosh Hashanah.
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Youth programming has gotten off to a great start this year! YEAH — We are very excited to welcome back Mira Lyon, the Youth Elementary Activities at Holy Blossom (YEAH) advisor. The next YEAH program, for children in Grades 4 to 6, will take place on Sun. Nov. 11, 2007, after Religious School. For more details on this and upcoming events, watch for flyers or contact Mira at yeah@holyblossom.org.
Pre-School
Photograph by: Debbie Spiegel
Our Religious School program is seeing happy students and satisfied parents. Our Lower School students have learned about the fall holidays through hands-on experiences: making shofarot (Grades 4 and 5) for Rosh Hashanah; and experiencing Tashlich (Grades 5 and 6) in a nearby creek for Yom Kippur. All students also participated in the very first Ushpizen (‘inviting’ biblical figures to visit the sukkah) tree for Sukkot. Our Grade 1 children joined together to share Simchat Torah and received their very first Torahs.
by Zach Paul, Youth Director
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JYG — Junior Youth Group (JYG) is designed for students in Grades 7 and 8. We are reinventing JYG this year. Though we will continue to enjoy social trips, we are going to start giving back to the community. Josh Berger, the JYG advisor, will help participants come up with fun and beneficial ideas. Watch for flyers coming home from Senior School, or contact Josh at jyg@holyblossom.org. HABSTY — HABSTY had its opening event at Chudleigh’s apple orchard, where our senior youth picked apples to donate to Toronto shelters. Then on Simchat Torah, members helped our younger congregants create flags. HABSTY members will be in Cleveland from Fri. Nov. 16 to Sun. Nov. 18, 2007, participating in NFTY-NEL’s fall kallah, along with other Reform youth groups from southern Ontario, as well as from northern New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. For an application form or details on HABSTY, please contact Zachary Paul at zpaul@holyblossom.org. And watch for information about an upcoming HABSTY Chanukah retreat.
Renewal Project builds momentum Our Renewal Project will be among the most extensive synagogue projects in North America. On completion, our Atrium will invite us into one of the most attractive gathering places in the city. A main floor social hall, seating 400 and including a dance floor, as well as an all-new kitchen, will make Holy Blossom an increasingly popular place in which to celebrate. Our main floor Family Chapel will be an accessible and cosy worship environment. The cost of operating our entire facility will be reduced and the high maintenance costs to keep our cur-
see investing in our Renewal Project as an opportunity not to be missed. A transition committee, chaired by Morris Cooper, will ensure operations run smoothly during the Temple’s construction period. Joan Garson and Pam Albert have been working hard to build and ensure the effectiveness of the many committees that provide input into the detailed design process, so that our architects will have the best information possible to take our design from concept to reality. There is much to do. But the process is a worthwhile one, and the involvement of so many is energizing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
rent facility safe and operating will be a distant memory. And of course, we will have an allnew school facility to house our partner, The Leo Baeck Day School, as well as our Religious School and Pre-School. There is much to do to achieve this wonderful result. An increasing number of volunteers continue to make major investments of time and energy. Momentum is building in all areas. We are preparing fundraising materials, organizing meetings and building lists, all of which are intended to encourage every member to choose to make a donation to our capital campaign. Hopefully, far from being seen as an imposition, most of our members will
David and Angela Feldman
Photograph by: Daniel Banko
substantial financial commitments to the Renewal Project. Thanks to their efforts and generosity, and the financial support of other Temple members, we have already raised $13 million. To learn more about how you can make a difference at Holy Blossom, please contact Cheryl Zeldin, Director of Development (ext. 260), at the Temple or at czeldin@holyblossom.org.
Photograph by: Hudson Taylor Photography
continued from page 1 Building our house; building our community
Joy Rosen
blew the shofar for us. We dipped our apples and challah in honey, hoping for a sweet New Year, and have been busy exploring and cooking with many fall fruits and vegetables. Yom Kippur brought opportunities for the children to learn about doing better. They participated in meaningful Tashlich activities and ‘threw away all of their mistakes.’
Sukkot brought us snack time in the Temple’s sukkah as we waved the lulav and smelled the etrog. Our holiday studies continued with the joys and traditions of Simchat Torah. The children visited the Temple Sanctuary and saw the Torahs resting in the Aron HaKodesh, and celebrations continued with a fabulous flag parade.
Photograph by: Debbie Spiegel
continued from page 6 Who says Religious School is boring?
Rabbi Karen Thomashow speaks with our Grade 1 students.
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
All of you, our community, are invited to be a part of this process, to give your input and be creative. Help us formulate ideas on anything related to the physical structure. Use your imagination: • Do you think we need to improve the acoustics of our many gathering places? • Do you want easier access to washrooms or elevators? • Would space for carpoolers to congregate be helpful? • Would you love softer seats? A place to plug-in and work? A coffee lounge? The Temple has many committees, which cover myriad areas, and each of these committee chairs is enthusiastic about talking to you and hearing what you have to say. Get in touch and promote what has heart and meaning for you in our future building. Offer ideas and solutions for a better place where you, your children, extended family, friends and partners can create a spirit of coming together. To learn more about the Renewal Project and about all of our committees, please visit our Web site at www.holyblossom.org/renewal_get_involved.htm, e-mail ourhouse@holyblossom.org or call Elana Fehler (ext. 0), at the Temple. And take action that promotes sustainability, peace, joy, reaching out to others and connecting. Your imagination is limitless!
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Please join us on a special journey with Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, exploring the art of archaeology in antiquity, modern art, music, architecture and the Cantor’s own memories. Sign up today, as registration is filling up quickly!
Basic cost of tour, including airfare and land accommodation (subject to change): 10-night tour Mon. Apr. 28 to Fri. May 9, 2008 $3,299 per person based on double occupancy Single supplement upon request
14-night tour, including Eilat and Petra Mon. Apr. 28 to Wed. May 13, 2008 $4,299 per person based on double occupancy Single supplement upon request To register, please contact Mari Lynn Rusak (ext. 224), at the Temple. Cantor Maissner will call a meeting shortly to discuss the trip in detail.
Holy Blossom, you’ve got talent If you have ever wanted to perform onstage and expose your If you are spending all or part of this winter outside of Canada, you may either: continue to receive your Bulletin at home, receive it at your winter address or receive it as an e-mail attachment. To make a change in delivery, please call Shannon Tramer (ext. 227), at the Temple.
hidden talents, we invite you to be part of a fun and entertaining event to be held in spring 2008. We are looking for members who play an instrument, sing or perform in any way to share their talent with the rest of our congregation. There will even be a professional band to back up performers. Auditions for our 2008 talent show will be held upon request. Our congregation is rich in musical and artistic resources, and this event will highlight our talent. For more details, please call Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner (ext. 251) or Mari Lynn Rusak (ext. 224), at the Temple.
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
Shabbat Fusion Fridays at 6.30 p.m. Nov. 30, 2007, and Jan. 25, Feb. 29, Mar. 28, Apr. 25, May 30 and June 20, 2008 Once a month, young adults — single and attached, members and non-members — gather on the last Friday of the month 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 influence of Shlomo Carlebach and riffs of New Orleans jazz and retro-funk — that gets the crowd up and dancing to welcome the Shabbat bride with the words of Lecha Dodi. Following the Service, a kiddush of Israeli wine and sushi invites people to linger for hours. For more details on this program, please call Roseanne Mason (ext. 276), at the Temple.
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Lu n c h a n d L e a r n in Retirement
M o n d ays @ the Temple
Nov. 19 The Magic of Choirs: A Life Experience of Building Choral Traditions | Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner
Our day begins at 10 a.m., and includes interesting programs, gentle exercise and lunch, and Nov. 26 Recognizing and ends just after 1 p.m. All this for Countering Anti-Semitism and only $2 per session. Islamophobia: An Anti-Racist Approach | Karen Mock, Nov. 5 Moments in Jewish Executive Director of the CanaHistory | Geri Durbin, ROM dian Race Relations Foundation, Life-Educator and Holy Blossom and Zubeda Vahed, Former Race Temple Senior School Teacher Relations Coordinator, Peel Board of Education Nov. 12 Anne Frank Teaches Teachers about the Mark your calendars for Holocaust | Leslie Shore, Dec. 10 when we will celebrate Former Professor, Secondary Chanukah together. School English, OISE.
Please join us for exciting daytime programming and socializing. Bring your own dairy lunch and we will provide coffee, tea and cookies. We meet at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesdays. (Please note exception on Dec. 5). Cost is only $1. Nov. 7 Current Events | Doug Haddow, Former Educator, North York Board of Education Nov. 21 The Image of Jews in Film and Television | Schlomo Schwartzberg, Arts Journalist Dec. 5 An Afternoon of Music | Gordon Lindsay and Jack Edelist This event begins at 1.30 p.m.
For more information, or to offer to drive participants, please call the Seniors’ hotline (ext. 517), at the Temple.
Clothing | Jackets, pants, sweats, shirts, sweaters, boots/shoes Toiletries | Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo (hotel size) Other | Backpacks, blankets, towels, sleeping bags If you are cleaning out the house or have access to any of these items (new or used), Please contact the Out of the Cold hotline (ext. 508), at the Temple or e-mail ootc@holyblossom.org.
Fri. Nov. 30, 2007 to Tue. Jan. 1, 2008
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
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Thank you to our Annual Contribution Campaign donors Your gift to the Annual Contribution Campaign for 2007–2008 ensures our success, now and in the future. Thank you to each of the almost 500 families, whose names are listed below, who have contributed so generously to this necessary endeavour. We are delighted to report that almost 20 per cent of the members who contributed to this year’s Annual Campaign are first-time contributors — a testament to the success of the Campaign and to the generosity of our congregation. For those who have not yet contributed, it is time, as members of the Holy Blossom Temple community, to reflect upon the importance of this Campaign, which enables Holy Blossom to keep our doors open to all Jews; the Annual Contribution Campaign funds all those who otherwise could not afford to be members of our Temple. This is the time to ensure that the Temple maintains its tradition of being a vibrant centre of Jewish life and our Jewish spiritual home. B e n e f a ct o r
David Baskin & Joan Garson Fran & Lawrence Bloomberg Michael & Janette Diamond and Family Angela & David Feldman Gail & Irving Gerstein Marilyn & Charles Gold Elliott Jacobson & Judy Malkin Robert Lantos Sheila Loftus and Family Judy Nyman & Harley Mintz Janis Rotman Joseph & Sandra Rotman Ken Rotman & Amy Kaiser Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Linda Frum & Howard Sokolowski P at r o n
Ann MacPherson & Earl Bederman Judi & Mickey Cohen Richard & Joanne Cummings Laurie & Michael Davis and Family Karen & Thomas Ehrlich Wendy & Elliott Eisen Lloyd & Gladys Fogler Jacqueline & Tom Friedland Hugh Furneaux & Penny Fine Joy & Barry Gales John A. & Sybil Geller Nancy Cohen & Stephen Goldhar W. Bernard Herman The Lloyd Hoffer Family Larissa & Mauricio Kuperman Lorraine & Donald Loeb Heather Crawford & Lawrence Ritchie 12
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Larry Rosen & Susan Jackson Lionel & Carol Schipper James Shenkman & Denise Zarn Donna & Stanley Shenkman Rose & Charles Tabachnick Rose Wolfe Carole & Bernie Zucker Sponsor
Karen & Yoel Abells Pamela & Michael Albert Heather Shapiro & Terry Axelrod Janice & Larry Babins The Belman Family Renette & David Berman Cheryl & David Blinick Barry & Susan Borden Harvey Borden B. & E. Borsook Barbara Bregman Elizabeth & Reuben Bromstein Ted & Esther Burnett Debra & Barry Campbell Claire & Mark Caplan Alice & Ron Charach Sara & Richard Charney George & Susan Cohon Greg Coleman & Jill Witkin Esther Zeller & Morris Cooper Phyllis & Jeffrey Denaburg Rena Mendelson & Allan Detsky Cary Diamond & Tina Urman Victor & Maxine Drevnig Sharyn Salsberg Ezrin & Hershell Ezrin Jodi & Bruce Feldman
Helena & David Fine Tamara & Gary Fine George & Lois Fine Gloria & Jack Fine Martha & David Finkelstein Patricia & Richard Fogler Garry & Joanne Foster and Family Lawrence Freedman & Joy Rosen Laurie & Frank Gerstein Fran & Bernie Goldman Avra Rosen & Mark Goodman Marvin & Diana Goodman Sandy & Kenneth Gordon and Family Lloyd Gordon Sondra & Allan Gotlieb Marion & Leo Gotlieb Robert Grundleger Lynn Factor & Sheldon Inwentash Harriette Laing Leon & Anita Lapidus and Family John B. Laskin & Holly Goren Laskin Susan & David Linds Rhonda Richer & Tim Lipa Earl & Jordanna Lipson Cantor Benjamin & Hope Maissner Ellen Yack & Irv Marks Valerie & Anthony Melman and Family Lesley & Ron Miller Mark Minden & Mary Elliott Rabbi John Moscowitz Dr. Stephen Pearl Marty Perlmutar & Gillian Hawker Rachel & Harvin Pitch Val & Anita Rachlis Ritchie & Carroll Family
Judith & Jack Rose Lewis Rose and Family Beth Goldstein & Barry Rosen Richard Rotman Ruth Schipper & Jerry Rotstein Shia & Jocelyne Salem Lorne & Maureen Saltman Brenda & Fred Saunders Julia & Michael Sax Alison & Alan Schwartz Henry & Mary Seldon Lili & Michael Shain Norman & Janet Shiner and Family Jaclyn & Michael Shulman Barry & Gail Silver Judy & Monty Simmonds Lise & Luke Sklar Lawrence & Donna Smith Julie & Cary Solomon Rabbi Yael Splansky & Dr. Adam Sol and Family Gaye & Andrew Stein Norma & George Steiner Harvey Tanzer & Cheryl Goldhart and Family Esther & Marvin Tile Stephen & Christine Tile Deborah & Sidney Troister Jack & Judy Winberg Helene Wolfe Leesa Avrith & Jay Wunder Joyce & Frederick Zemans 10 Anonymous Donors Supporter
Bob & Dorothy Aaron Helen Aaron Eric Adelson & Andrea Himel Brenda Spiegler & Mark S. Anshan Debbie Redner & Benjamin Applebaum The Arbess Family The Axler Family Michael & Barbara Baker Julie Banik Dr. Benjamin Barankin & Dr. Kimberly Liu Susan Baskin Rhonda Wilansky & Israel Ben-Ishai Bernard Berger Sadie Berger
Neil & Corinne Berinstein Mira Goldfarb & Adam Berkowitz Deborah Siegel & Eric Beutel Norman & Rima Biback The Bocknek Family Linda & Howard Book Susan & James Bookbinder Andy & Marlene Borins and Family Harriette Borins Ilena & Mark Borinsky Florence & Edward Brill Lara & Andrew Brodkin Susan Hershman & George Burger Elise Cachia Joseph & Marilynn Cass Sandra & Jerry Chapnik Deborah Chesnie Cooper Henrietta Chesnie Stephen Chris, Debra Birnbaum & Family Phyllis & Michael Cincinatus Sharon & Stanley Clavir Charles & Joy Cohen Shoshana Cole Ted & Elaine Cole Carolyn & Billy Collins Beverley Colman-Lokash Lynne Plosker & Laurence Colman Barbara & Richard Conway Estelle Craig David Czarny & Shannon Belmore Susan & Peter Dan Dimitra & Michael Davidson Ann Diament Jerome Diamond Iris Drache Nancy Draper Miriam & Marvin Dryer Stuart & Susanne Egier Ruth & Robert Ehrlich Sharon & Larry Enkin Joyce Epstein Rabbi Karen Thomashow & Dr. Yonatan Eyal Maxanne Ezer Tara & Michael Fingold Sandra & Michael Florence Jean Fremes Stephen & Jill Fremes Randy Friedland & Jean Anderson Deborah & Marvin Gans
Zita Gardner Rose M. Garfinkel Sue Rebick & Steven Garmaise Carole & Howard Gelfand Deborah Zemans & Daryl Gelgoot Bertye & Bernard Gluckstein Jean Godfrey Leonard & Eleanor Godfrey Shawn Gold & Alexis Rothschild Marty & Susan Goldberg Nancy Epstein & David Goldbloom Rabbi Edward & Fagi Goldfarb Mr. & Mrs. Sid Goldhart Ronnie & Bonnie Goldstein Millie & Sheldon Goldstein Judy & Stuart Golvin Mindy & Howard Goodman Melvyn Goodman Nettie & Jules Gordon Marilyn & David Gotfrid Samuel Gotfrid Aviva & Matthew Gottlieb Jonathan & Hannah Graff Kathy & Maurice Green Margot & David Greenberg Anita & Jack Greenberg Janine & Allan Grossman Susan & Harold Grossman Carol & Nolan Grubert Frank Guarascio & Karen Fisman and Family Jonathan Guss & Leslie Milrod Heavenrich Family Frances & Paul Hellen Jane & Robert Herman Helen & Joseph Hochberg Drs. Herer & Holzapfel Diana & Ivan Hronsky The Jacoby Family Amy Sky Jordan & Marc Jordan Judith Jordan-Austin Carol & William Kassel Susan Harris & David Kassie Cecile Kaufman Stein Hillary & David Kettner The Kirsh Family Paula Kirsh Edith Kirzner Lisa Koeper Richard & Sydney Krelstein and Family November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
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Mimi & Malcolm Kronby Irma & Jack Ladowsky Dr. Rolland Leader & Ms Loris Aro Jeffrey Leon Mona & Larry Levenstein Shirley Levinsky Susan & Jeff Levy Rhoda Lewis Sally Libman Elana Paice Lidsky & Brian Lidsky The Lipson-Kogut Family Nancy & Irving Lipton Peter & Eleanor Loebel Jean & Richard Lorie Leora & Ted MacDonald Stefanie & Greg Mahon and Family Malca & Jay Marin Rabbi Dow & Fredzia Marmur Dr. Keith & Suzette Meloff Carolin & Jerry Michaels Shelley Miller & Sharon Smith-Miller Joan Tator & Brian Mirsky Martha & Walter Moos Helen & Philip Mosoff Freda Ariella & Arthur Muscovitch Sylvia & Harvey Naftolin Melanie & Paul Nesbitt and Family David Nightingale Erin O’Connor Penny & Martin Offman Joe Oliver Sara Pachterz�l Randolph & Julia Paisley Bernice & Yitz Penciner Kathleen Crook & James Penturn Mariam Leitman & Craig Perkins Tami Moscoe & Eric Petersiel Alison & Gary Polan Sheila Pollock Ann & Gary Posen Annalee Cohen & Franklin Pulver Isaac, Teresa & Alberto Quiroz Ted & Merle Rachlin Geraldine Waldman & Charles Rachlis Cecille Ratney Michelle & Norman Reisman Lindi & Stephen Rivers Eric & Beth Roher Barbara & Jonathan Rose David & Gillian Rosenberg and Family
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Patricia Nadeau & David Rosenkrantz and Family Ted & Doris Rosenstock and Family Arlene Roth & Family Sybil & Bud Rothschild Maxwell & Nancy Rotstein Marlene & Robert Ruderman Gail & Daniel Rumack Erick Rumack & Susan Yack Nancy Ruth & Family Marvin Sadowski David & Sandra Sandler Rivanne Sandler Ethel Sapera Doreen & Alan Saskin Dr. Ron Saunders Family Lawrence and Ruth Sax Robert & Michelle Schipper Dr. & Mrs. Ted Schipper Esther & Kalman Schneider Charlotte & Samuel Schwartz Walter Seaton Anci Shafran Grace & Ted Shafran Helen & Edward Sheffman Robert & Mona Sherkin The Sherman Family Viviane & Saul Ship Evelyn & Murray Sibulash Beatrice Sidlofsky Ruth & Graham Silver Jan & Robert Simonsky Dorothy Singer Tracey Tremayne-Lloyd & Lawrence Smith Ronna Rubin & Philip Smith Sheila & Robert Smolkin Ken & Franci Sniderman Marilyn & Richard Soberman Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel Ethel Solomon Janis & Gary Soren Susan & David Speigel Joyce & Barry Spiegel Deborah & Randy Spiegel Manuel & Phyllis Spivak Beverley Jackson & Aubrey Spring Leslie & Mel Springman Anne & Harold Stein Beth Weingarden & Paul Michael Stein
Bert & Barbara Stitt Francie & Martin Storm Jay & Linda Swartz Seymour & Gloria Temkin Dr. Martin & Melanie Unger and Family John & Rosie Uster Craig & Kimberley Walters and Family Lucy Weinstein Li & Erez Weinreich Lila & Allan Weiss Lawrence Wilder and Family Diane & Jonathan Wilson Shari & Michael Wilson Judi Winberg & Andy Pollack Florence & Mickey Winberg Brenda Wintraub Sheila Wise Stan and Ros Witkin Naomi & Leslie Wittlin Linda Wolfe Lorne Wolfson & Lorie Shekter-Wolfson William & Dorothy Wolfson Betty Young Laurie & Elliott Zeitz Cheryl & Michael Zeldin Eyal & Mitzi Zohar 18 Anonymous Donors Ot h e r d o n o r s Elaine & Joel Abrams Bonnie Goldberg & Adam Abramson Carol Abugov Shirley & Scarlat Albright Linna Chercover & Jason Basch Gail Berman Susan Berman Matilda Bigio Marlene & Rudy Bloom Beverley Borins Dorothy Brown Henny Rappaport & Michael Burns Candy Burstein Linda & Robert Cardish Michael Cole Carol Dale Clare & Monte Denaburg Elise & Neal Dlin Sarita Dotan Fran & Murray Ellis Marilyn Farber
Eva Ormut-Fleishman & Philip Fleishman Evelyn Florence John & Nora Freund Etta Ginsberg McEwan Lauren Laskin & David Gluck Jo Ann & Stanley L. Gold Sybil Gordon Fay Greenwood Debbie & Jack Gurfinkel Heather Shear & David Hacker Esther Hands Minnie Herman Etienne & Aubrey Kaplan Ellen Karabanow Rose Kates Gillian Helfield & Eric Klein Marie Knaul Simone Chambers & Jeffrey Kopstein Else Landauer Elizabeth Tarshis & Rick Lash Jacob Leibel & Ticia Heibein Leonard I. Levy Esther Lipman Ethel & Wilf List Karen & Shelly Mandell Pnina Margolese Catherine & Solomon Mayers
Glenda Mindlin Jillian & Daniel Morris Marion & Ted Moses Jane & Robert Myers Ruth & Sidney Nathan Elke & Melville Olsberg Shoshana & David Paice Carole Paul Martin & Farah Peremuter Clarice Phillips John Ruth Michael & Janet Ryval Angelina Schwartz Brenda Tipper & Michael Sigal Rhoda Silver Neri Slan Mary Slomen Joan Solway Sara Speigel Martin Stern Ann D. Sutton Lily & Michael Uster Debby & Morris Vigoda Paula & Alan Warren Geraldine & Gordon Winemaker Harriet & Frank Wolman Jill & Mark Ziedenberg 15 Anonymous Donors
While we are well on our way, we are still short of our goal for this year’s Annual Contribution Campaign. If you would like to make a gift to the 2007–2008 Campaign, or increase the gift you have already made, please call Shannon Tramer (ext. 227), at the Temple, or e-mail stramer@ holyblossom.org. All contributions made before Dec. 31, 2007 will be eligible for a tax receipt for this calendar year.
Fall festival fun
Photographs by: Debbie Spiegel
With lulav and etrog in hand, members of our community came together to celebrate the Festival of Sukkot. From congregational worship to small study groups, we explored the meaning behind the chag. The wonderful autumn weather encouraged us to gather in the sukkah for a meal or two, and enjoy crafts, games and stories. We welcomed all our guests, and those who visited lent a hand to our Ushpizin, Friends and Family tree.
Holy Blossom Temple Religious School children enjoy time in the sukkah.
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
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Madlyn Axelrod • Simon Axelrod • Lisa Baumal • Zoe Bundas • Ari Burkes • Levi Cassidy • Dorothy Charach • Sara Charney • Steven Conway • Hannah Davis • Beth Denaburg • Jeff Denaburg • Matthew Dicker • Hershell Ezrin • Erika Finestone • Sarah Firestone • Randi Garfinkel • Erin Gelgoot • Mark Goodman • David Greenberg • Emil Horvath • Meredith Jonatan • Jill Kamin • Rebecca Lash • Marc Levy • Brian Lidsky • Mira Lyon • Rachel Micay • Joel Mickelson • Ariella Minden • Allison Mindlin • Mike Morgulis • Oona Nadler • Eric Petersiel • Alberto Quiroz • Molly Rosen • Madeleine Rosenberg • Joshua Rosenkrantz • Robert Ruderman • Brenda Saunders • Ted Shafran • Jennifer Silverstein • Chloe Snider • Noah Sniderman • Robert Sniderman • Adam Sol • Susan Speigel • Sean Teper • Paula Warren • Michelle Wise • Kevin Zeilig
Yasher koach to those who blew the shofar during the month of Elul, and on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Jared Allen • Michael Cole • Peter Dan • Steven Dan • David Gershon • Barry Goldblatt • Howard Goodman • Haley Gotfrid • Jacqueline Loeb • Tal Maissner • Robin Malach • Lorne Shapiro • Paul Soren • Paula Warren We are grateful to Larry Babins and Abe Neufeld, our head ushers, and all our ushers who welcome congregants each year: David Bernstein • Barry Borden • Ed Brill • James Cooper • Murray Ellis • Arnold Englander • David Fine • Albert Frank • Myrna Freedman • Louis Glait • Gary Goodman • Alan Gordon • Paul Hellen • Robert Herman • Herbert Hess • Harry Hochman • Robert Hodes • Carmen Horvath • Emil Horvath • Aubrey Kaplan • Etienne Kaplan • Ellen Karabanow • Bambi Katz • Sam Kirzner • Rick Lash • Jeffrey Levy • Leonard Levy • Richard Lorie • Allison Mindlin
• Glenda Mindlin • Harley Mintz • Debbi Charendoff Moses • Robert Moses • Linda Neufeld • Mel Olsberg • John Phillips • Sam Pack • Gary Posen • Alberto Quiroz • Michael Ryval • Avra Rosen • Hank Rosen • Steve Rosenbaum • Fred Saunders • Walter Seaton • Heather Shapiro • Barry Silver • Gerald Slan • Judith Slan • Roseanne Spiar • Lyle Stanway • Paula Strasberg • Gary Tile • Al Tinianov Thanks to Jill Hertzman, Head of gabbaim, and all our gabbaim who make sure our Services run so smoothly: Esther Bergman • Matilda Bigio • Barry Borden • Phyllis Denaburg • Donna Habsha • Jane Herman • Carmen Horvath • Glenda Mindlin • David Mock • Debbi Moses • Zach Paul • Alberto Quiroz • Eric Roher • Brenda Saunders • Ted Shafran • Barry Silver • John Sweet • Gary Tile
And thank you to the countless volunteers who brought such joyous meaning to our New Year.
Tue. Nov. 6, 2007, at 6.30 p.m. If you are a volunteer or are interested in occasionally visiting with congregants who are ill or homebound, please join us for supper and a wonderful short film about Bikur Cholim. Following the film, which features the commentary of Elie Wiesel, we will participate in a discussion facilitated by Rabbi Karen Thomashow. Let’s refresh, recharge and share all that we do. RSVP to Elana Fehler (ext. 221, or leave a message at ext. 532), at the Temple by Nov. 4, 2007. For more details, please call Jill Hertzman at (416) 484-1228.
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Our Congregational Family Welcome to Our Temple Family We would like to welcome the following people to our Holy Blossom Temple family: Robina Abramson, and Hayden and Cole Jan & Keith Allin Barbara Black Dawn & Mark Boloten, and Madeline and Isaac Shoshanna Campbell Leigh Chalmers & Victor Krichker, and Rebecca and Benjamin Stacey Cline & Kevin Goldstein, and Emma Ariel Dalfen & Jed Schneiderman, and Lela and Liv Bryan Davis Carole Deally Silvia Derasner Sara Diamond Lisa Eisen & Doug Smith, and Adam and Sydney Robyn Feldberg Katz & Jarred Katz, and Hudson and Peyton Sloane Freeman, and Jack and Sam Judith Gelber Lesley Harrison & Stephen Zolf, and Benjamin and Elliott Karmit Ifrah & Cory Bernatt, and Emily and Hannah Michally Iny & Ron Kellner, and Emily and Olivia Ingrid Kay, and Tyler Suzanne & Daniel Lawee, and Jordan and Maren Benedicte Lovald & Daymon Loeb Dorothy Zolf McDonald Andrew Meles Melissa & Jordan Meles Wendy Noss & Jerald Wortsman, and Mitchell and Claire Pamela Perlis, and Ethan and Chloe Randi Rose & Craig Offman, and Eli, Noa and Lila Dahlia Rusinek Lynne & Elan Satov, and Rachel Danielle Schwartz, and Lily Candice & Philip Solomon, and Jay and Zachary
Alan Stern Michal Stricker Donna & Aaron Unger, and Ryan and Lindsay Daphne Wagner & David Green, and Lita and Michael Susan Wowk & Harold Niman, and Richard, Adie, Matt and Lucy Corinne Yap & Michael Fox
Mazal Tov Anne Bayefsky and Arieh Waldman, on the publication of their book State Support for Religious Education, Canada vs The United Nations. Emily Papsin, daughter of Blake Papsin and granddaughter of Sandy Papsin, who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in September.
14 Kislev 5768/Nov. 24, 2007 Jessica Charendoff, daughter of Nadine & Robert Charendoff
C o r r e ct i o n We apologize for running the wrong photo of Rebecca Solway, and for omitting Jennifer Goldhar’s listing, in the last issue of the Bulletin. 8 Cheshvan 5768/Oct. 20, 2007 Jennifer Goldhar, daughter of Nancy Cohen & Stephen Goldhar 15 Cheshvan 5768/Oct. 27, 2007 Rebecca Solway, daughter of Sandra & Eric Solway
Births Andrea Himel & Eric Adelson on the birth of their son Seth Charlie Adelson. Proud grandparents are Francine & Edward Adelson, Susan & Peter Geyer and Pamela & Mel Himel. Gwen Borins on the arrival of her daughter Kayla Jennifer Borins. Proud grandparents are Dr. Elaine & Justice Stephen Borins. Lou & Shelly Dale on the birth of their grandson Adam Samuel Aaron Schell, son of Jen Dale & Chris Schell. Proud grandparents are Deb & Rod Schell. Proud great-grandparents are Shirley & Scarlat Albright, Gail & Manny Dombrofsky, Terry & John Foulds and Helen & Ken Schell. B ’ n e i m i tzv a h
7 Kislev 5768/Nov. 17, 2007 Jake Belman, son of Drs. Robin & Noah Belman
E n g a g e m e n ts / M a r r i a g e s Tessa Rose and Issie Rose on the marriage of their daughter, Jamie Rose, to Kevin Dennis, son of Arlene & Martin Dennis in Sept. 2007. Proud grandparents are Bernard Dennis, Pearl Dennis and Gordon Saltzman. Muriel & Alan Tinianov on the marriage of their son, Philip Tinianov, to Melanie Soifer, daughter of Lawrence Soifer and Carol & Nelson Modlin.
In Memoriam The congregation sympathizes with the recently bereaved families of: Renee Bald, mother of Diane Bald, Linda Florence, Jody Golden, Ellen-Jane Grossman and Victoria Tal, sister of Loretta Rosnick Ida Sue Freedman, mother of David Freedman and Marla Powers, sister of Molly Harrison and Michael Ichelson Mike Glayt, husband of Gloria Glayt, brother of Louis Glait
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
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Sally Gold, mother of Dr. Chuck Gold and Jerry Gold, sister of Faye Tishler Charlotte Good, wife of Philip Good, mother of Cynthia Good and Sherry Good, sister of Sylvia Melvin and Lillian Stupp Albert Gould, husband of Ruth Gould, father of Susan Berger and Bonnie Lipton, brother of Irwin Gould Jeanne Kamarner, mother of Nancy Green and Ann Waligorski Dr. Norman Kerbel, father of Diane Kerbel, Gail Kerbel, Hart Kerbel and Mark Kerbel, brother of Myrtle Coopersmith and Gordon Kerbel Arnold Irving Seligman, husband of Renee Seligman, father of Cindy Seligman, Jamie Seligman and Robin Seligman Ronald Sherman, father of Paula Sherman-Byrne, Mona Charendoff and David Sherman Carl Stone, husband of Arlene Stone, father of Nancy Cohen, Bill Stone and Janet Wasserman
Renee Bald, In Memory: Annalee Cohen & Frank
D e v e lo p m e n t F u n d
Maureen & David Tartick; Esther & Marvin Tile
Gloria Barry, In Memory: Helena & David Fine; Gail
Gloria Barry, In Memory: Randi & Alan Garfinkel;
& Gary Goodman; Jill Kamin & Murray Hart; Eva
Cheryl Zeldin David Baskin, In Appreciation: Prime Time Investment Club Stacey Blidner & Ethan Kline, Mazal Tov: Fern & Lorne Kirshenbaum and Family Marlene Bloom, Speedy Recovery: Rina & Saul Fishbein
W i l l i a m A n s h a n Y o u t h Aw a r ds
Harvey Adelman, Special Birthday: Jean Anshan D a n s o n F a m i ly C a m p S c h o l a r s h i p F u n d
Sadie Wolfe Danson, Yahrzeit: Marilyn Farber and Family Jean Fine Seniors’ Fund
Sally & Ben Jacobson, Happy Birthday: Marilyn & Richard Soberman Wendy & Ken Radnoff, Happy Birthday: Penny Fine & Hugh Furneaux Morris Vigoda, Special Birthday: Daisy & Syd Jacobs
and Family David Freeman, Happy Birthday: Harriet & Frank Wolman Jacque Friedland, Happy Birthday: Julie Markle & Joel Mickelson Charlotte Good, In Memory: Esther & Marvin Tile Joan & Don Granatstein and Family, Shanah Tovah: Carol Henry and Family Joel Greisman, Happy Birthday: Lee Schwenk Carl Herman, In Memory: Helen & Philip Mosoff; Esther & Marvin Tile Judy & Carl Ritchie and Family, Shanah Tovah: Carol Geri Willinsky, In Memory: Anita London H o ly B l o ss o m T e m p l e R e n e w a l F u n d
Our Family and Friends, Shanah Tovah: Judy Malkin & Elliott Jacobson Tania Blumenthal, In Appreciation: Sarita Dotan Jaque Friedland, Happy Birthday: Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith and Family Alan Garfinkel, In Appreciation: Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith Jack Himelfarb, In Memory: Ronna Rubin & Phil Smith and Family Joy Rosen & Larry Freedman, In Appreciation: Shirley Merowitz Is e n b e r g E n d o wm e n t F u n d
Barbara Pepper, Happy Birthday: Carol & Steve Pilon
H o ly B l o ss o m T e m p l e F o u n d at i o n
Janice Babins, Speedy Recovery: Randi & Alan Garfinkel; Frances & Paul Hellen; Michelle Katz & Larry Blumenthal
Jacob’s Tower
Janice Babins, Speedy Recovery: Jill Hertzman Irving Erenberg, In Memory: Florence & Harold Hertzman Florence & Harold Hertzman, In Honour: Lois Greisman & Eban Bayefsky Sadye Wintre, In Memory: Florence & Harold Hertzman
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& Brad Pelman and Family; Moira Holmes & Ben Mark Holzberg and Family; Holy Blossom Temple Barbara Saipe & Terry Saltsman; Cynthia & Abe
Jacob Belman, Bar Mitzvah: Drs. Robin & Noah
Bob Charendoff
Sally Gallinger; Lucille & David Griff; Faith Halman
Denaburg Family, In Appreciation: Sara Clodman
Zachary Baruch, Mazal Tov: Carol & Steve Pilon
Jessica Charendoff, Bat Mitzvah: Nadine &
Temple Sisterhood Dr. Norman Kerbel, In Memory: Marsha Chesley;
Sisterhood; JCC Morning Group; Phyllis Pepper;
F lo r a l F u n d
Belman
Ormut-Fleishman & Philip Fleishman Sybil Gordon, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom
Irwin Cass, In Memory: Sybil & Jack Geller
Henry and Family
Thank you to our generous donors
Joan Kerbel Leadership
Pulver; Teri & David Leese; Sheila & Bob Smolkin;
Shedletzki and Family; Dayna & Dr. Sandy Shulman; Darren Sukonick & Matthew Sapera; Arlene & Carl Stone; Debbie & Jay Waks and Family Marie Knaul, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood Library Book Fund
Charlotte Good, In Memory: Anne Dublin; Etta Ginsberg McEwan; Cynthia Silverman & Peter Samu D o w & F r e dz i a M a r m u r P r o g r a m f o r Ed u c at i o n a l E x c e l l e n c e
Charlotte Good, In Memory: Ellen Karabanow Eleanor & Peter Loebel, Happy Anniversary: Friedman Family Rabbi Dow Marmur, In Appreciation: Penny Fine & Hugh Furneaux Musical Legacy Fund
Janice Babins, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom Temple Singers Gloria Barry, In Memory: Matilda Bigio Ida Freedman, In Memory: Holy Blossom Temple Singers; Donna Sawchuk Jack Magder, In Memory: Sol Birenbaum and Family; Sara Clodman and Family; Holy Blossom Temple Singers; Holy Blossom Temple Sisterhood Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Appreciation: Penny Fine & Hugh Furneaux; Dr. Leonard Smith and Family Out of the Cold
Gloria Barry, In Memory: Kathy & Maurice Green; Ann & Gary Posen Ilena Borinksy, Happy Birthday: Debra Muchnik & Neil Kredentser Susan Davidson & Paul Drake, Shanah Tovah: Linda & Sam Pack Sue & Lou Devor, Mazal Tov: Kathy & Maurice Green Penny Fine & Hugh Furneaux, Mazal Tov: Annalee
& Brian Schnurr Ida Gould, In Memory: Annalee & Brian Schnurr Kathy Green, In Appreciation: Ann McPherson & Earl Bederman Kathy & Maurice Green, Shanah Tovah: Ellen Karabanow; Linda & Sam Pack Dr. Brian Hands, Speedy Recovery: Caryl & Bert Barruch Dorothy Himel, In Memory: Brian Schnurr
Rabbi Yael Splansky, Shanah Tovah: Phyllis & Manny Spivak Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Welcome: Suzanne & Harold Heft Rabbi Karen Thomashow: Max Boyd, Mazal Tov:
Manny Spivak Rabbi Edward Goldfarb, In Appreciation: Diamond Family; Judy Druyan; Cathy Ellen Metter; Stancer
Lesley Miller, In Appreciation: Ann McPherson &
Family
Oscar Posen, Yahrzeit: Ann & Gary Posen Drs. Gina & Vivian Rakoff, Shanah Tovah: Kathy & Maurice Green Gella & Paul Rothstein, Shanah Tovah: Linda & Sam Pack Lydia Schaverien, In Appreciation: Kathy & Maurice Green Annalee & Brian Schnurr, Mazal Tov: Penny Fine & Hugh Furneaux Helen Shleser, In Memory: Carol Henry &
Janice Babins, Speedy Recovery: Maya & David Burkes; Hart Family; Cheryl Zeldin Gloria Barry, In Memory: Sara Clodman and Family; Alice & Ron Charach
Dr. Kimberly Wintemute & Ron Boyd Rabbi Dow Marmur, Shanah Tovah: Phyllis &
Jack Magder, In Memory: Ann & Gary Posen Earl Bederman
T o r at C h a i m
Rabbi Edward Goldfarb: Eleanor & Peter Loebel, Happy Anniversary: Barry Goldblatt Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Appreciation: Randi Bulkis & Daniel Nixon; Ruth Morayniss & Leland Harris; Roboz Family Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, Shanah Tovah: Phyllis & Manny Spivak Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, In Appreciation: Family of the late Renee Bald; Charles Dubin; Francie Klein; Ruth Morayniss & Leland Harris;
L e o n a r d W o l f e Ed u c at i o n a l F u n d
Esther Banack, In Memory: Carol Dale; Honey Wolfe Y o u t h Aw a r ds
Janice Babins, Speedy Recovery: Edith Kirzner; Debbie & Randy Spiegel and Family Laura Charney, Mazal Tov: Judy Malkin & Elliott Jacobson Ruth Gelber, Mazal Tov: Edith Kirzner Temma Gentles, Mazal Tov: Edith Kirzner Charlotte Good, In Memory: Debbie & Randy Spiegel Patty & Marcel Himel, Mazal Tov: Barbara Himel Sadie Langbord, In Appreciation: Edith Kirzner Jerry Levine, In Memory: Edith Kirzner Bonnie Vogel, In Appreciation: Edith Kirzner
Marcia Robinson
Richard Clarfield Dr. Isaac Shleser, In Memory: Carol Henry & Richard Clarfield
N a n c y R u t h Ed u c at i o n a l F u n d
Mildred Kelman, In Memory: Nancy Ruth
Marsha Slivka, In Appreciation: Ann McPherson & Earl Bederman Vivienne Stevens, Shanah Tovah: Kathy & Maurice Green Debbie Troister, In Appreciation: Ann McPherson & Earl Bederman Morris Vigoda, Special Birthday: Wendy & Elliott Eisen; Marilyn Farber; Judy Malkin & Elliott Jacobson; Phyllis & Manny Spivak S a r a & H a r r y P a c h t e r Ed u c at i o n a l E n d o wm e n t F u n d
Sara Pachter, In Memory: Irene Borins Ash & Irv Ash
Lu l a & I r v i n g S a u n d e r s M e m o r i a l F u n d
Brenda & Fred Saunders, In Honour: Gillian & David Rosenberg and Family
Holy Blossom Temple Foundation
Shacharit Fund
The Holy Blossom Temple Foundation raises funds to
William Baltman, Yahrzeit: Troister Family
support Temple activities, programs and projects.
Edward Charney, In Memory: Richard Charney and Family Leslie Collin, Yahrzeit: Robert Collin and Family Robert Collin, Speedy Recovery: Holy Blossom Temple Brotherhood Henry Clavir, Yahrzeit: Isabel Schwartz
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.
Meyer Joseph Fogel, Yahrzeit: Rosie & John Uster H a r r y & B l a n c h e P o s e n Ed u c at i o n a l
and Family
We appreciate your support
E n d o wm e n t F u n d
Charlotte Good, In Memory: Sheila & Bob Smolkin
Blanche Posen, In Memory: Judy & Sheldon Godfrey
Holy Blossom Temple appreciates all donations to
Woolf Katz, Yahrzeit: Lily & Reuben Katz
our funds; however, due to rising costs, cards will
Selig Patchen, Yahrzeit: Marilyn Hahn
only be sent for donations of $20 or more. We will
Bill Pitch, Yahrzeit: Rachel & Harvin Pitch
continue to recognize all donations in the Bulletin.
Amalia Pless, Yahrzeit: Dora Track and Family
Nine per cent of all donations and investment income
Frank Singer, Yahrzeit: Paula Moshonas
is generally set aside to help with administration
Lillian Smith, Yahrzeit: Dr. Leonard Smith and Family
costs and special initiatives.
Louis Smith, Yahrzeit: Dr. Leonard Smith and Family
We apologize but due to space constraints, not all
Hallie Sprackman & Jonathan Gordon, Mazal Tov:
donations will appear in the Bulletin issue closest to
R a bb i s ’ D i sc r e t i o n a r y F u n ds
Rabbi John Moscowitz, In Appreciation: Ruth Morayniss & Leland Harris Rabbi John Moscowitz: Jill Silverstein, Mazal Tov: Mona & Bryan Charendoff and Family Rabbi John Moscowitz, Shanah Tovah: Rosenberg Family; Phyllis & Manny Spivak Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Appreciation: Family of the late Renee Bald; Ruth Morayniss & Leland Harris; Suzanne & Harold Heft
Sybil Gordon Vincent Szabo, Yahrzeit: Leslie & Howard Mandel
the date on which the contribution was made. Donations in this issue were received by Oct. 1, 2007.
and Family Sam Wasserman, Yahrzeit: Maxine & Mel Wasserman
November 2007 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5768
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When silence speaks volumes | The Last Word by Rabbi Karen Thomashow
Noah was silent. Two weeks ago, we read the biblical account of the flood. In Parashat Noach, the text does not tell us much about what happened between God’s asking Noah to build the ark and the actual onset of the flood, but our rabbis constructed many ideas about what happened in between. They were concerned, in particular, that Noah kept silent, both when God explained the plan and when the ark was fully boarded. The Zohar, the chief work of Kabbalah, was also concerned with Noah’s apparent silence. It envisions a conversation between Noah and God, which took place after the flood: Noah began to cry before God and he said, “Master of the universe, You are
called compassionate. You should have been compassionate for Your creation.” God responded and said, “Now you say this! Why did you not say this at the time I told you that I will bring a flood upon the people, or afterward when I said to build an ark? I constantly delayed and I said, ‘When is Noah going to ask for compassion for the world?’ … And now that the world is destroyed, you open your mouth, to cry in front of me, and to ask for supplication?” s i l e n t a n d c o m p a ss i o n at e
This episode is very interesting. On one hand, it suggests Noah’s initial silence was indicative of apathy. On the other hand, it offers the possibility that while Noah was silent, he was actually concerned. Is it not possible, in fact, to be silent and compassionate at the same time?
The greatest example of silence as a powerful and effective tool may be the type of necessary silence when we visit others. The hugs we give to others, the hours we sit at a loved one’s side, the listening ear we give when someone seeks our advice — none of these necessarily make a noise. But they make a difference. Elie Wiesel says, “There are many, many commandments in every religion, but one of the most elegant, and simple, and easy is Bikur Cholim. You don’t have to do anything but be there.” Please join our Bikur Cholim committee and volunteers on Tue. Nov. 6, 2007, where this theme, among others, will be explored. Please consider being a member of our Temple’s corps of visitors — your physical presence will undoubtedly speak volumes. (Please see page 16 for more details.)
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