President
Helen Lewis
Past President
Jeremy Murray
Treasurer
Harry Klompas
Secretary
Lawrence Mosselson
Board Members
Irwin Beron
Emmy Gershon
Joan O’Callaghan
Irene Weiss
Neville Wolf
Ruth Urbach
Michael Back
Executive Director
Michael Gilmore
Joseph Kanofsky, Ph.D
Pesach Message From Rabbi Joe Kanofsky
Pesach Message From President Helen Lewis
Pesach Schedule
Condolences & Kiddush Sponsors
Member Announcements
Opportunities to Support
All about Pesach! How to ensure you are fully prepared
Kids Corner: fun activities for your kids before the Seder
Purim Fun & Conclusion
The family is the birthplace of a free society. It is where we learn the reciprocity on which the moral life deepens. It is where, sharing our vulnerabilities, we discover strength. Through the bonds it creates, we learn hesed, the duty that flows from love. Above all it is where we learn who we are, where we came from, and what our story is...
Families are a source of strength, but they can also be the source of narrowness, nepotism, and indifference to the world outside. There is a potential conflict between the family and the wider concerns that are needed to build a society of justice and compassion. For that reason a Jewish home must always be open – to the hungry, the lonely and visitors.
- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l
In each and every generation, they rise up to annihilate us, but the Holy and Blessed One rescues us from their hand.
At every seder throughout our lives, we have said these words from the Haggadah out loud. But it’s been a long time, if ever, that the words of “V’hee She’amdah” from the maggid portion of the Haggadah, the part where we recount the story of the Exodus, have felt so immediate.
In the half a year since the attacks in Israel, the seizing of the hostages, and the war, we have felt increasingly alone in the world. The handful of days when the Jewish state as victims had the world’s sympathy evaporated as suddenly as they materialized, and we feel ever more abandoned by friends and nations, everywhere around the world and in the media.
So it’s good that we’ve been practicing saying and believing these words all our lives; because now we have to call on that reservoir of faith to sustain us through these anxious and fearful times.
Rabbi Yaakov Perlow explains in The Novominsk Haggadah about the ‘astonishing phenomenon’ of our survival against so many existential threats throughout our lengthy exile. So that we never miss the point of this supernatural survival that defies every rule of history; we say it out loud in the Haggadah and teach ourselves as well as future generations that in every generation Hakadosh Baruch Hu saves us. He notes a custom in some circles to eat an extra dish at the second seder to commemorate the end of the Purim story that took place on that day— where the Jews were rescued from destruction and our enemies vanquished. That brings together the celebration of open and revealed miracles (Pesach) with the hidden and concealed miracles (Purim) to bring us to a greater awareness that whether or not we see and acknowledge the divine Hand engineering our survival and endurance despite all odds; it is there in every generation.
In an extended reflection on “But in every generation they rise against us to annihilate us” in his Haggadah From
Bondage to Freedom, Rabbi Twersky notes that a singular feature unique to human beings is the ability to learn from history; while failure to learn from and avoid mistakes of the past is something that unfortunately humankind has not learned to overcome. He writes that although empire after empire has risen by subjugating and dominating others and ultimately disintegrating into oblivion, this has not deterred nations from continuing that pattern, “in the belief that they will be the exception to the rule of history.” Twersky notes many lessons that we can learn from our own history.
We can learn that trying to deny our Jewishness will not spare us from oppression by those who despise us. We can learn that each time we have fled persecution and found a benign and tolearant environment, it was only a matter of time before we had to pick up the staff and begin our wandering again and seek less hostile domicile. We can learn how futile it is to think that ‘ethical’ people will not harm us. We may note that religious leaders who pontificated in the name of their god felt it was their sacred duty to have Jews burned at the stake, and that it was the most enlightened, sophisticated, and cultured nation in the world that committed the unspeakable atrocities of the Holocaust. We can learn that we have only each other and our God, and if we abandon one another or God we are sealing our own doom. . . . Failure to learn these important lessons of history is a dereliction of spirituality.
As these words are written, many of our people are still held captive in darkness. May this season of freedom see the speedy and healthy release of the hostages and their return home, as we have been praying every day for a half a year, to the embrace of their families; and may we all celebrate true freedom this Pesach holiday. From our family, and from the extended KST family, may the entire Jewish family come to appreciation even more fully the meaning and value of freedom at this season.
Chag Kasher Vesameach
The Presidents Pesach message is traditional but because of the lateness of the AGM this year, it is shorter than usual. Throughout the depths of winter, we have concentrated on keeping the Morning Minyan functioning despite the periodic absence due to Winter Relief for many regulars and we have been functioning with about an 85% success rate thank to the sterling work of Mark Waldman and David Marcus, and of course the foot soldiers themselves.
The same is true of Friday nights and Sunday mornings, with the added inducement of a Bagels and Lox breakfast paid for by voluntary contributions of the participants, all pushed along by David. We can always do with more help for this. These efforts have been to the benefit of an increasing number of mourners of late, to whom we owe a place to say Kaddish, which is an essential service we provide for our members.
Now to some social and educational activities. There was an enjoyable and successful whisky tasting event, attended by members, male and female, and their friends. As well the book club met under the leadership of Joan and Evelyn, and also a festive Kiddush took place. Women’s Learning on Shabbat included an address by Karen Nussbaum on her recent emotional mission to Israel in the wake of the October attacks and subsequent war, which was very well-received. We celebrated Purim with a nice party for the children after the Megillah, and the entertainment provided by an excellent crew of face painters, balloon sculptors, and magicians kept those present well and truly engaged and happy.
Finally, the recent visit to the Matzah factory on Chabad Gate was well attended by an enthusiastic audience of grandparents including myself and even the small pieces of matzah produced tasted as good as Shmurah Matzah ever does.
The membership committee consisting of Neville Wolf, Harry Klompas, Michael Gilmore, myself and the Rabbi has been working diligently on updating our membership list and burial rights. We hope to present the Board with new recommendations as soon as possible and through them, the membership.
Thanks again to my fellow Board members for their support, and a special shout out to Evelyn Freedman who is resigning after many years of hard work to take a well-earned rest.
Last but not least, I want to thank Michael and Rabbi Kanofsky for their continued hard work and support.
David joins me in wishing you all a Chag Pesach kasher v’sameach!
Pesach workshop with Rabbi Kanofsky
Thursday, April 18
Deadline to submit sale of chametz form to the office
Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
Wednesday, April 17 Saturday, April 27
Erev Shabbat HaGadol Pre-Pesach Pre-Pesach
Candle lighting Omer count
Mincha Shabbat Ends Omer count
Friday, April 19 Sunday, April 28
Monday, April 22 Monday, April 29
Chol Hamoed, Erev Yom Tov Shabbat Chol Hamoed Candle lighting
Tuesday, April 23 Tuesday, April 30 Yom Hashoah
Wednesday, April 24
Thursday, April 25
Friday, April 26
*From a pre-existing flame
We offer our sincerest condolences to the following families on the passing of their loved ones since the last Nachas issue. May their memories forever be a blessing.
Essie Sher on the passing of her sister, Sarah Bresge, z”l
Elliott Kirshenbaum on the passing of his brother Dr Jeffrey Kirshenbaum, z”l
Neill and Linda Judelman, and their entire family on the passing of Neill’s brother, Alan Judelman, z”l
Dr. Henry Shub and the Shub family, on the passing of Rhona Shub z”l.
Marla Orbach and the Orbach family, on the passing of her son, Eden Orbach z”l
The family of our member Faith Lederer, z”l on her passing
Selwyn Postan on the passing of his brother, Bennie Samuel Postan, z”l, in Johannesburg
Marvin Schwartz and family on the passing of his father, Mayer Schwartz, z”I
Dennis Maister and family, on the passing of Cindy Maister, z”l
Earl Schwartz and family on the passing of his mother, Sylvia Schwartz, z”l
The family of our member, Madeleine TrapedoDworsky, z”l, on her passing
Thank you to the following members who have sponsored a Shabbat Kiddush.
Jill and Larry Grupp in honor of their good friends Chava & Moshe Brender who visited from Ramat Gan, Israel
Beryl Mosselson, Lawrence Mosselson, and Joanne Cole in honour of Norman’s 80th birthday
Michael and Pamela Stein in memory of Michael’s mother, Lola Stein, z”l
Sam & Carole Greenspan in honour of the yahrzeit of Sam’s father, Phillip Greenspan, z”l, Shraga Feivel ben Zvi Herschel z”l
Shirley Osler Sitzer, in honour of the Yahrzeit of Sidney Sitzer, Shmuel Yaakov Ben Shimon, z”l
Sharon Klug to honour all the simchot during the month of Cheshvan
Helen and David Lewis in honour of the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Leah
Gladys Buckler in honour of her Family
Rabbi Joe and Sharona Kanofsky and family in honour of the yahrtzeit of Sallie Kanofsky, z”l
Harry Klompas to celebrate Margaret’s 80th birthday
Bob Sagman, Eden Sagman Fienberg, and Jasen Sagman and their families in loving memory of Melanie Sagman z’l
Members of the daily morning minyan in honour of Mark Waldman
A grateful member
Mrs. Chana Bienenstock and Rabbi Joe and Sharona Kanofsky in loving memory of Ze’ev Bienenstock z”l in honor of his yahrtzeit
Henry Shub, Wendy and Jack Hakoun, and Gary Shub & Liza Schneiderman. In honour of the passing of Rhona Shub, z”l
Dennis Maister in memory of his wife, Cindy Maister, z”l
Emmy Gershon in honour of the yahrzeit of her husband, David Gershon, z”l
Announcements to our community from the following members.
Allan and Tanya Jacobs announced the recent marriage of their son, Kevin, to Jillian, daughter of Elana Fleischmann and Dov Altman, z”l
Mike and Pam Stein announced the engagement of their son Matthew to Dr. Lauren Friedman, daughter of Eric and Dena Friedman of Toronto
Norman Mosselson celebrated his 80th birthday on 1st day Rosh Hashanah
Jerry Klasner announces his marriage to Nina Miller
Dvora Silver announced the appointment of her daughter-in-law Prof. Lisa Silver to Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta in Calgary
Harry and Margaret Klompas announce their grandson, Ezra Klompas, son of Michael Klompas, had his bar mitzvah in Boston on the 23rd of September, 2023
Judith and Ed Pakes celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Eliav Jonah Zlochower, son of Deborah and Dr. Dovid Zlotchower
Allan and Danielle Reitzes celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Aaron Stanley Reitzes, son of Simone and Benjamin Reitzes
The 1st Yahrzeit of Anne Marcus, mother of David Marcus was Sunday, October 29th, 2023
Daphna Nussbaum announced the Bat Mitzvah of her daughter Leah, granddaughter of David and Helen Lewis
Thank you from Elliott and Marie Kirshenbaum and the Kirshenbaum Family’ to the KST Chevrah for all the support and comfort we received after the passing of Elliott’s late brother Jeffrey, z”l
Eden Luft celebrated her bat mitzvah. Edy is the daughter of Morrie Luft and Dr. Karen Swirsky and the granddaughter of Esther Schwartz Luft and the late Markus Luft z”l
Neill & Linda Judelman are the proud great grandparents of a baby girl born to Sarah & Yair Kimmel of New York; proud grandparents are Saul & Ruby Judelman
Alan and Adele Farber announced the engagement of their granddaughter Sarah Sasha, daughter of Johnny and Eidel, to Nachman Kiberry of Tzfat, Israel
Tony Rebuck won the 50m freestyle swim competition at the New Zealand Masters Games
Flo Urbach & Family celebrated Gerry’s 92nd Birthday on January 4th
Chazzan Pesach and Dr Eliana Goldman celebrated the wedding of their son Dovi to Liba Kurz, daughter of Chaim and Pirchi Kurz of Kew Gardens Hills, New York
Mark and Heather Waldman and Michael and Hazel Israel announced the birth of a grand-daughter, Maayan Chaya Shilo Israel. A daughter to Jessica and Jeremy Israel in Modiin, Israel
Ashley Desatnik and Tessa Desatnik announced the marriage of their daughter Gina to Ezra Tzvi Markovits, son of Naomi Kestenbaum and Bobby Markovits
Esther Schwartz announced the birth of a granddaughter to Brad and Reva Wishen
Join us in commemorating the 45th anniversary of KST with the “Forty-Five By 45” Legacy Giving campaign. By including Kehillat Shaarei Torah in your estate planning, you can leave a lasting legacy that honors our rich history and supports our vibrant future. Your commitment ensures that our community continues to thrive for generations to come, preserving our traditions and values for years
ahead. The goal of our campaign is to have 45 Legacy Gift commitments by the end of the 45 anniversary of the Shul. Consider making a profound impact for future generations by joining “Forty-Five By 45” and help build a strong foundation for the next chapter of our synagogue’s journey, just as you have for the previous and current chapters. Contact the Shul office to learn more or to fill out the Legacy Gift form.
As an integral part of our Shul, donations and Sponsorships go directly to supporting our various events, programs, and essential services that play a crucial role in ensuring the vitality, sustainability, and safety of our synagogue. When you make a contribution to KST you are enriching the experiences of all who are part of our community and helping to create a vibrant, exciting, and welcoming environment. Some options on how you can contribute are:
MAKE A GIFT TO KST
SPONSOR A KIDDUSH
ADD A LEAF TO OUR TREE OF LIFE
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The Torah has two words for inheritance, yerushah and nachalah, and they represent the two different ways in which a heritage is passed on across the generations. The word nachalah comes from the root nachal, which also means ‘river’. It represents an inheritance that is merely handed down, without any work on the part of the recipient, as water flows in a river.
Yerushah, by contrast, means active inheritance. R. Shimshon Raphael Hirsch pointed out that lareshet, the verbal form of yerushah, sometimes means ‘to conquer’ or ‘to capture’. It means actively taking hold of what one has been promised. An inheritance for which one has worked is always more secure than one for which one has not. That is why Judaism encourages children to ask questions. When a child asks, they have already begun the work of preparing to receive. Torah is a yerushah, not a nachalah. It needs work on behalf of the child if it is to be passed on across the generations.
- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l
Rabbi Kanofsky will present a seder workship and a chance to ask any Peach-related questions live in Shul on Wednesday, April 17th at 8:00pm.
There is a tradition at Pesach time to give Tzedaka called Maos Chittim, literally “money for flour” for the poor, since originally it was used to help the poor buy flour to make their Matzos. We will be collecting for distribution for the needy of our community and the GTA. Checks can be made to KST (Note: Gemillat Chesed Fund) ... and sent to the shul office or given to the Rabbi.
Simcha. We have a mitzvah to rejoice on Yom Tov—and the Code of Jewish Law recognizes that this means different things to different people. We are obligated to honor Yom Tov with a meal just like Shabbat—with wine, and good food. Husbands should buy their wives new clothing and/or jewelry, according to their resouces, says Shulchan Aruch. Children should be given toys and sweets.
Siyum / Fast of Firstborn. We will hold a siyum immediately after Shacharis on Monday Morning, April 22nd. Attendance at the siyum will exempt any firstborns from the traditional fast of this day.
The Seder. The table can be set ahead of time, all preparations can be done, and everyone can be at their places, but Kiddush for the 1st Seder ought to be after 8:10pm. Preparation & Kiddush for the 2nd seder on Tuesday Night, April 23rd ought not to take place until 8:58pm. If the seder you are attending begins earlier, make sure to drink four cups of wine after 8:58pm.
Egg Matzah should not be used for the matzah eaten for Hamotzi - that “mitzvah” matzah is referred to as poor man’s bread and therefore should not have any flavour other than flour and water. Those who have trouble eating matzah may eat egg matzah during the rest of Pesach, e.g., the elderly and ill.
Children. One of the main mitzvos of the seder is “and you shall tell your children.” So, whether you have children or grandchildren at the table or are speaking to your “inner child;” talk about, dramatize, and even act out the story of leaving Egypt to make it meaningful and memorable as possible. It’s a great idea to get the kids to take a nap in the afternoon before Pesach, so they’ll have energy to stay awake for most of the seder. (Not a bad idea for their parents and grandparents, too!)
Proper Amounts for the Mitzvahs. Each of the four cups of wine should contain at least 3 oz. of
wine. That’s actually a very small amount—many Kiddush cups hold twice that amount. It’s better to use a small cup and be able to drink most or all the cups. Grape Juice may be mixed into the wine to make it easier to drink 4 full cups but if that is unpleasant one may use all grape juice. Special “Passover” wines are available that have no added sugar and very low alcohol, ie. 3% to 5%.
The proper amount of matzah to be eaten after the motsi and bracha for eating matzah are made is 1/2 of a square matzah or 1/3 of the round handmade matzah. Horseradish may be used for the marror however, one should not use the jarred horseradish which contains vinegar. The marror is supposed to be in its natural state, meaning grated raw horseradish. The proper amount is 1 fluid ounce. One may use romaine lettuce for maror provided the leaves are checked meticulously for bugs. The stalks may be used. If stalks alone are used, the proper amount for the mitzvah would be 2 stalks. If leaves alone are used, then the proper amount is 2 full leaves. Endive may also be used and is easier to check for bugs.
The Torah states that besides the prohibition of eating Chometz on Pesach, there is also a prohibition of owning chometz. This includes food items such as cereals, pasta, and condiments with vinegar or liquors made from grains as well as any items that have any wheat products in them.
There are three stages in the preparations: i) cleaning the home including kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, garage and cars, or any other place where snacks of chometz may have been consumed. ii) Absolving yourself of ownership of chometz by selling the chometz to a non-Jew. Take all chometz items that you have remaining in the home and concentrate them in cupboards that are closed off and clearly marked with a sign or label as “Chometz—not for Pesach use.” Fill in the form mailed with this Nachas to authorize Rabbi Kanofsky to sell these items on your behalf. Fill in the form and either fax, bring, or email into the office no later than 10:00 am on Thursday, April 18th. There is also an online form on our website, www.shaareitorah.com/form/chametz5784
Rabbi Kanofsky may not be able to facilitate the sale of chometz for any forms received after that time.
Items being sold should be put away and labeled as “sold” and not be visible. It is not proper to have chometz and non chometz items visible in the same refrigerator or freezer.) iii) searching the home on the night before Pesach, Sunday night, April 21st and burning the remainder on Erev Pesach on Monday morning, April 22nd. After searching and as well in the morning after burning, the nullification of all chometz items that you may have missed should be recited. It can be found in the Haggadah.
Oven. The oven must be cleaned thoroughly before kashering for Pesach. A self-clean oven becomes kashered through one cycle of the self-clean. A conventional oven should be cleaned with Easy Off to remove all food baked on the floor or walls. If after applying Easy Off twice stains remain on the walls, they can be disregarded. After cleaning, turn the oven on to its highest setting and leave it on for longer than you usually used it for cooking to kasher it (usually two hours should do the trick). Even after the cleaning you should not place food directly on the racks without using a pot or pan - all food cooked in the oven should be placed in a pan (for example baked potatoes should be placed in a pan not on the rack).
Microwave. The walls should be cleaned of all food residues. A bowl with water is placed inside and allowed to boil until the steam fills the inside. The microwave is then kashered. The plate on the bottom should be removed or covered with cardboard or styrofoam so that your Pesach dish does not heat up while sitting on a chometz platform in the microwave.
Fridge. The racks/shelves should be cleaned. The freezer should also be defrosted and cleaned of any crumbs or food residue. Racks do not need to be covered or kashered in any other manner.
Sink. A stainless-steel sink may be kashered by pouring boiling water over its entire surface. The sink should not be used for 24 hours with hot water before the koshering. Choose the day in which you will change your kitchen to Pesach, count back 24 hours and put some tape or a reminder on the hot water faucet. The sink may be cleaned with a cleanser during these 24 hours with cold water. When you are ready to kasher the sink it must be perfectly clean including the drain. It may be easier to replace the drain stopper than too properly clean it and kasher it. To kasher the sink, fill a kettle with water, allow it to boil and then pour it over the entire stainless-steel section of the sink including the stopper.
Counters. There is a difference of opinion concerning formica counter tops. The lenient opinion allows kashering of the counter tops by pouring boiling water over their surface after they have been thoroughly cleaned. The more stringent view requires the counters to be covered with boards or contact paper. In either case one should avoid placing hot food directly on the counter without a plate or cutting board underneath. Wood counter tops must be covered. Stone may be kashered with boiling water or covered.
Tables, Tablecloths. The custom is to cover the tables, kitchen, or dining room, with plastic or paper before placing the tablecloth on them. Any freshly laundered unstarched tablecloth, dishtowel or cloth napkin may be used.
Kiddush Cups, Silverware, Cutlery. These items
that are used year-round may be kashered by cleaning thoroughly, not using them for 24 hours and then immersing them in boiling water in a large Pesach pot. They must only be in the water long enough to become hot. They should be rinsed afterwards in cold water afterward, kasher the pot again.
The COR has published a list of Pesach-supervised items, and as noted above, we will have a Pesach preparation seminar on Zoom (see above). You can always call or email Rabbi Kanofsky with questions as they arise.
As Shmura Matza is now readily available in Jewish shopping areas in the GTA, the office will not be selling matza this year. If you require special assistance with regard to matza, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Rabbi Sacks: over 75 video conversations and interviews: https://www.rabbisacks.org/morality-and-ethics/conversations/
13 Principles of Jewish Medical Ethics https://www.science.co.il/jewish-studies/articles/Medical-ethics.php
Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin’s podcasts: 18forty https://18forty.org/
Jewish Teen Icebreaker questions from NCSY https://staff.ncsy.org/education/material/6w0D4zWk3l/jewish-icebreaker-questions/
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A people that has known so much suffering can summon the moral courage to end this evening of Jewish history on a supreme note of hope, and write it into the hearts of its children in the form of a nursery rhyme, a song. For what we give our children on this night of nights is something more and greater than the bread of oppression and the taste of Jewish tears. It is a faith that in this world, with all its violence and cruelty, we can create moments of redemption, signals of transcendence, acts of transfiguring grace.
No people has risked and suffered more for a more slender hope, but no hope has lifted a people higher and led it, time and again to greatness. So we end the night with a prayer and a conviction. The prayer: “God of life, help us win a victory over the forces of death.” And the conviction? That by refusing to accept the world that is, together we can start to make the world that ought to be.
One Little Goat
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l