From the Editor's Desk

MAY—JUNE 2015

Website: FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Our Annual General Meeting will take place on June 9th. Do come to hear all about our oraynu.org Shalom everyone — accomplishments and challenges during Spring is here, and the greening of the this current year and our plans for the grass, budding of trees, and sneezing from upcoming one. Be sure to check out Mark my grass and trees allergies have all Brender’s Board report on p. 5. arrived! And, so have some great spring On Saturday, June 13th, members and programs to be held in the next two months. school familes are invited to attend a First, thanks to a generous donation from Brunch and Community Appreciation event Sue and Rod McLeod, we are sponsoring a being held at a members’ home. Do plan to public event on May 4th with Paul Golin of join us to socialize, nosh and help thank Inside this issue: Big Tent Judaism/Jewish Outreach Institute your fellow members too. Kids are wel- in New York. He will speak on intermarriage come too. See p. 4 for details. Event Listings and how the lack of inclusion by many in Final event before the summer is a movie Rabbi’s Message the Jewish community threatens Jewish night on June 24, featuring the Israeli multi- continuity. Of course, we already know this Notes from the Board award winning film “Out in the Dark”, which at Oraynu and Humanistic Jewish groups focuses on the relationship between two Principal’s Report have been welcoming intermarried couples men: one Israeli, the other Palestinian. Join us! and families for years. We are excited about Israeli-Iranian Musical Initiative Lastly, we are looking for hosts for our the outreach possibilities of this event and annual summer social event. Here’s your Yad V’Lev (Hand and Heart) ask that you inform family and friends who opportunity! See p. 2 for more info. The Jews of Montreal may be interested in this topic. Also, do plan to attend yourself to help make it a Check out the notice on p. 11 about Acting Cemetery Price Increase ‘full house’! Watch for ads in the papers Up Stage’s latest theatrical venture. We A Humanistic Look at Shavuot and perhaps some media coverage too. have attended three previous productions, and they are offering Oraynu members a Science and Religion Next on the roster is another of our Intro- special discount for any performance. duction to Humanistic Judaism sessions. This time it’s at Miles Nadal JCC, as we are There are two pieces about newer members hoping to attract potential new members Noam Lemish and Natalie Doyle who are from that area of the city. Members are our involved in important and interesting pro- best PR tools, so kindly spread the word. jects. There’s a notice about cemetery price increases on the back page. And, from info Rabbi Denise Handlarski will be represent- emailed to me, I collated a bunch of facts ing Oraynu at the all-night Shavuot learn- about the Jews of Montreal (my old shtetl!). ing session “Where Sinai Meets Spadina” Makes for fascinating reading, to be sure. being held on Saturday, May 23rd, also at the Miles Nadal JCC. She was asked to co- Until next issue … lead the Havdallah service and will put the Humanistic Jewish spin on it. It’s great PR Sandi for Oraynu and will show what we offer! Sandi Horwitz, Editor

Members and guests are welcome to submit articles, letters and photographs. Please email to [email protected]/ Generally submissions should be no more than 1000 words and should reflect a secular humanistic perspective. Please note that Oraynu reserves the right to decline or edit submissions in order to maintain the mutual respect our members enjoy and our reputation for fairness. Letters and articles printed in this newsletter reflect the opinions of their writers and are not necessarily those of Oraynu Congregation.

RABBI’S Intermarriage: Optimism and Oraynu MESSAGE When I grew up, like many of you, it seemed Shabbat?), to basic values and human rights all Jews were fervently against intermarriage. (Equal roles for women? Gay marriage?), and My parents hoped I’d marry Jewish. Rabbis so on would be a much more difficult and Rabbi Denise hoped I’d marry Jewish. Counsellors at fraught “intermarriage.” Jewish summer camps hoped I’d marry th Handlarski Jewish. Marriage couldn’t have been further On Monday May 4 , Paul Golin from the from my mind, but it was very much on the Jewish Outreach Institute will speak to us minds of others. As a young feminist-minded about how damaging the traditional Jewish person, I was conscious that it seemed narrative about intermarriage has been and marrying someone Jewish was the only continues to be. Jewish communities are criteria people cared about. I had met many driving away droves of people because of Jewish men who did not treat their spouses this narrow-minded stance. I am proud to well and thought it was strange that people serve Oraynu as an intermarried rabbi (the weren’t encouraging me to marry a good only one in Canada!) because I know we are person, a thoughtful person, a generous doing the right thing when we say honestly person; only a Jewish person would do and and truly that we celebrate all marriages and nothing else seemed to matter. all families and welcome everyone who wishes to be part of our family. Years later I, like many Jews, did choose to marry someone who wasn’t Jewish. And The Paul Golin event is sure to be an although I come from the Jewish tradition inspiring and thought-provoking evening. I and culture and Charlie does not, we have do hope to see you there and also hope much more in common than I would have you’ll help us promote it. This is a great had with many Jews! We are both Human- chance to show family and friends the type ists, we share many of the same values and of Jewish community we are. And if you ever interests, and have similar goals and life- want to speak to me about your own styles. For me to marry, for example, a struggles, successes, or suggestions regard- Conservative or Orthodox Jew, with whom I ing intermarriage, you know that my door is would disagree about issues from how to always open to you. run a home (Kosher? No driving on

SUMMER FUN COMING! WANNA HOST AN ORAYNU EVENT? We are planning another Summer Barbecue and Potluck Social for July.

These have always been great events with terrific attendance. Past events have been graciously hosted by Roby and Jim Sadler, Sandi and Robert Horwitz, and Asi and Dror Orbach.

Oraynu provides the barbecue food and fixings. Attendees are asked to bring salads and desserts.

If you have a large home/backyard/BBQ and wish to offer your home for this year’s event, kindly contact: Roby: [email protected] | 416-385-3910 OR Rabbi Denise: [email protected] | 416-854-0133

More details will follow in the July-August issue.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, May 4 INTERMARRIAGE: OPTIMISM & OPPORTUNITY 7:30 pm An inclusive vision for a Jewish future

U of T Multi-Faith Join Paul Golin of Big Tent Judaism/Jewish Outreach Institute (New York) in an interactive presentation that challenges the standard Jewish communal narrative Centre on intermarriage and instead presents an optimistic and inclusive vision for the future (in Koffler House) of Jewish families and Jewish life. Today, almost every Jew in the US and Canada is 569 Spadina Ave personally touched by intermarriage within their immediate families. Let’s discuss not just the challenges this represents, but also the many opportunities inherent in a more diverse and welcoming community.

Introduction by Michele Landsberg, Journalist, Author, Social Activist, Officer of the Order of Canada, and Oraynu member

Paul Golin is associate executive director of Big Tent Judaism/Jewish Outreach Institute, a national, independent, transdenominational organization reaching out to unaffiliated Jewish families with an emphasis on engaging intermarried households and helping the organized Jewish community better welcome them in. Paul is a frequent writer and speaker on Jewish inclusion. He co- authored two books with Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, How to Raise Jewish Children Even When You’re Not Jewish Yourself (2010) and Twenty Things for Grandpar- ents of Interfaith Grandchildren To Do (And Not Do) To Nurture Jewish Identity In Their Grandchildren (2007).

Tickets: $10 – Register now! tinyurl.com/PaulGolin 416-385-3910 ● oraynu.org

Oraynu gratefully acknowledges Susan and Roderick McLeod for their generous sponsorship of this important public event

Thursday, May 14 INTRODUCTION TO HUMANISTIC JUDAISM 7:30 pm What are the beliefs and values of Humanistic Judaism? Find out who we are and what we do Miles Nadal JCC Come for a refresher! Invite family & friends who want to know more about us. Rm. 302 Led by Rabbi Denise and Sandi Horwitz Bloor and Spadina No fee to attend | RSVP appreciated

Unless otherwise indicated, kindly RSVP for ALL EVENTS:

416-385-3910 | [email protected] | via Oraynu website Event link

Oraynu supports the right to die with dignity! On March 31 Oraynu members voted in favour of adopting our statement in support of Dying with Dignity legislation. The discussion was meaningful, balanced, and took into account all sides of the debate. The statement is in the final stages of editing and will appear on Oraynu’s website alongside our other position statements at: www.oraynu.org/about-us/philosophy/

Saturday, June 13 Join us for a Sociable Saturday Schmooze! 11 am BRUNCH & COMMUNITY APPRECIATION

Who doesn’t love brunch? Members’ home Bagels, lox, salads, and dessert will be provided. Leslie/Cummer area Come nosh and connect with your Oraynu friends.

This brunch is in appreciation for everyone who makes Oraynu great (all of you!) And, to make it even more special, we will be honouring outgoing board and committee members with a few words of thanks.

PS - Kids are welcome too! The house is child-friendly with toys Kindly RSVP and an enclosed backyard.

Wednesday, June 24 MOVIE NIGHT (in honour of Pride Week) 7:30 pm The acclaimed 2012 Israeli film “Out in the Dark” Location: TBA is an Israeli drama film which premiered (עלטה :Out in the Dark (Hebrew at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012 and then was selected for showing at several other international festivals. It is the directorial debut of Michael Mayer and has won more than 25 awards. The story follows the cross-border relationship between Roy, an Israeli lawyer and Nimr, a Palestinian psychology student. 96 min.

Shlomo Gleibman, a Ph.D. candidate at York University, Department of Humanities (in Jewish Studies and Queer Studies), will introduce the film and lead a Q & A. Non-members welcome: $15

Unless otherwise indicated, kindly RSVP for ALL EVENTS: 416-385-3910 | [email protected] | via Oraynu website Event link

WHERE SINAI MEETS SPADINA! Shavuot at the Miles Nadal JCC Saturday, May 23 | 8:30 pm to 6:00 am (Doors open at 8 pm) | Bloor/Spadina | FREE

The annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot is a full night of community, study, singing, snacking and more! Over 50 sessions reinterpret and reimagine traditional Jewish texts and open up new community conversations. Special programs for kids and teens. Come for the learning — stay for the cheesecake!

This year, Rabbi Denise will be co-leading the communal Havdallah service to kick off the program. There should be hundreds of people there so please come to represent Oraynu!

Rabbi Denise is also part of two panels with rabbis from across the Jewish spectrum in Toronto: • What Really Happened at Sinai Anyway? Coordinated by Rabbi Yacov Fruchter of the Annex Shul. • Intermarriage – a panel for intermarried families to share experiences. Coordinated by Rabbi Jordan Helfman of Holy Blossom Temple.

Info: [email protected] | 416-924-6211 x154 | www.mnjcc.org/tikkun

Co-presented by Annex Shul, Beach Hebrew Institute, Beth Torah, City Shul, Congregation Darchei Noam, Congregation Shir Libeynu, Danforth Jewish Circle, Downtown Jewish Community School, First Narayever Congregation, Habonim Dror/Camp Gesher, Hillel of Greater Toronto, Holy Blossom Temple, Jewish Family & Child, Kensington Torah Circle, Kulanu Toronto, Limmud Toronto, Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Moishe House Toronto, Nefesh HaChayim, Ontario Jewish Archives Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Paul Penna Down- town Jewish Day School, Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs, and UJA Federation’s Committee for Yiddish.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, June 9 Open to Members Only 7:30 pm The Board invites you to join us to

Borochov Cultural discuss the past year and hear Centre about our future plans. Then, 272 Codsell Ave. following the Board reports and (Sheppard/ Allen Rd) election of Officers for the 2015-16 year, Rabbi Karen, Rabbi Eva and Rabbi Denise will provide insight on Oraynu past, present and future.

See official AGM notice on page 6 Kindly RSVP

NOTES FROM THE BOARD By Mark Brender, Member-at-Large

With the melting of the snow and glorious reappearance Horwitz has been doing yeoman’s of the sun, the board is embarking on our own form of work preparing budgets, crunching spring cleaning, taking steps to make sure the Oraynu the numbers and making sure Oraynu house is in order and poised for growth, now and in is in a strong financial position to con- years to come. tinue to serve our members. Even so, a sudden and unexpected large increase Part of the job is continuing to think about the outward in rent last fall imposed by the Toronto face Oraynu presents out to the broader community and District School Board for our Sunday all those who would find inspiration and comfort in an school home at St. Andrews School inclusive, welcoming, secular Jewish environment. caused us to think about how the Oraynu’s philosophy and vision will not change, of Board can support the treasurer’s function by formaliz- course, but we need to ramp up our visibility in compel- ing some of our decision-making processes. ling ways. This was the motivation behind the Paul Golin event on May 4, Intermarriage: Optimism and Opportu- Our newly formed Board Finance Committee has come nity. It promises to be a wonderful evening that presents up with a few rules that will guide our actions. Of a compelling counter-narrative to conventional thinking particular note are two related principles: i) the Board about intermarriage – and it’s a narrative that embraces will from time to time authorize spending funds from everything Oraynu stands for. We hope to see you there. our surplus to cover one-time, strategic investments that we believe are necessary for Oraynu’s growth and con- In a similar vein, the Board has committed to extending tinued vitality; and ii) for regular operating expenses, the marketing work that we began last year by incorpo- Oraynu must plan and run with a balanced budget on an rating a contract marketing and volunteer coordinator annual basis. position into our 2015-16 plans. Our initiatives will be informed by the results of the fall 2014 membership It’s the second principle and the challenges with school survey asking for guidance on where we should be rent fees that led us in recent months to some invigorat- focusing outreach efforts. That survey was so successful ing conversations about planning for 2015-16. Piqued that we’re back at it again, this time turning inward and your interest? Join us at our 2015 Annual General Meet- seeking feedback on how well Oraynu is doing in terms ing on June 9 to get the full report. of leadership, communication and programming. Also on tap for the AGM, among other things: updates LOOK FOR A NEW SURVEY IN YOUR INBOXES on the school relocation for 2015-16 (definitely finalized SOON (IF YOU HAVEN’T RECEIVED IT ALREADY). by then!) and the premises committee, and inspiring MANY THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. conversation from Rabbi Denise, Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Eva on Oraynu past, present and future. On the financial house front, it only seems like forever

(actually just 12 years!) that Board treasurer Robert

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the Annual General Meeting of Oraynu Community for Secular Humanistic Judaism (the “Corporation”) to be held at Borochov Cultural Centre, 272 Codsell Avenue, Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, the 9th day of June of the year 2015, at 7:30 p.m., Toronto time, for the following purposes:

1. To approve the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on June 6, 2014. 2. To receive reports from the Officers of the Corporation 3. To elect directors of the Corporation to hold office from July 1, 2015 until June 30, 2016 or until their successors are elected or appointed; and, 4. To consider such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Any additional agenda items must be submitted to the Secretary by May 15th.

DATED at Toronto, Ontario, this 27th day of April, 2015 Sue Drohan, Secretary

Shavuot from a Humanistic Perspective From shj.org

Shavuot (May 23 on the calendar this year) is a minor, ancient pilgrimage festival that marked the harvest of barley. Shavuot literally means "weeks," so named because the festival is exactly seven weeks (plus one day) from the second night of Passover. It is also called Festival of First Fruits, Hag Habikkurim, Pentecost, and the Feast of Weeks. This feast, one of three pilgrimage festivals, marked the end of the barley and beginning of the wheat harvest. On this festival in Temple times, according to the book of Leviticus, two loaves (shetei halehem) were "waved before the Lord." These had to be offered only from the best new wheat, from produce grown that year in Israel. Shavuot was associated with the bringing of the bikkurim, "the first ripe fruits," to the Temple of Jerusalem. In rabbinic times a radical transformation of the festival took place. The festival became the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Sinai. In the traditional liturgy Shavuot is "zeman mattan toratenu" ("the time of the giving of our Torah"). The ancient agricultural feasts were recreated into festivals marking the anniversary of significant legendary events in the life of the people. Unlike Passover and Sukkot, Shavuot has just a few special rituals. In the synagogue, it is customary to read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot and some congregations decorate the synagogue with plants and flowers. Also, dairy products, such as blintzes, are traditionally eaten. In modern times Shavuot has become a day for religious school graduations and confirmation ceremonies. For Humanistic Jews, Shavuot is a time to honor educational and other achievement. Oraynu’s Bnai Mitzvah is always held close to the holiday; this year it’s on May 30th. And Rabbi Denise will participate in the all-night Shavuot event at the Miles Nadal JCC on May 23rd. See p. 2 for more details.

At Oraynu Children’s School, the staff con- ated—a wonderful short film representation ORAYNU tinually strives toward excellence in program- of our school that showcases our new, origi- ming. Spring, a time of renewal, brings us an nal "Oraynu School Song” composed by the CHILDREN’S infusion of energy. The staff and I often draw Grade 1, 2 and 3 children and their teachers SCHOOL a parallel between the regeneration of nature Adi and Mickey. Garry’s Grade 3s and 4s at this season and our cyclical renewal of our closed our festival by explaining to us the teaching methods and lesson plans. Purim custom of Mishloach Manot and then Principal’s handing our treats to the Oraynu community Purim, a time of joy and merrymaking, was Report audience. celebrated with costumes and a kid’s carnival! by We had 15 fun activity booths run by our Our Family Seder was held at the Borochov Steve Shabes volunteer parents, teens and grade 7 Centre for the first time. The room was warm students. Among the most popular offerings and welcoming. Another first—our bright and this year were Yuval Balloon Animals, Jane vivacious Rabbi Denise led the reading of the and Thea’s Puppets and Jonathan’s Sculpey. A Haggadah. Together with ten teen and huge bin filled with "Kosher for Passover" student volunteers, we listened to the retell- food items was collected and delivered for ing of the Pesach story and interacted with the National Council of Jewish Women’s Pass- reading and song. Passover is the last time over Food Drive. Grade 7 grad Zev Lands- in the Oraynu school year that students, berg-Lewis provided us with a passionate parents, teachers and volunteers are gathered introduction to our Grade 7 cupcake decorat- together in one room. It gave me the oppor- ing Tzedakah project. He related his firsthand tunity to publicly cheer for our wonderful kids experience and engagement in Africa with the and teachers as I listed their amazing acts of African grandmothers and children supported tzedakah (acts of loving kindness) throughout by the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grand- the year. There were no fewer than ten mothers Campaign. The Grade 7s earned tzedakah projects on my list! From the school $150 for the grandmothers, whom we learned wide massive contribution of high quality struggle to care for millions of children children’s books donated to the Children’s orphaned by AIDS in Africa. Book Bank at Sukkot to the the Grade 5-6 Chanukah Platter auction for Heart to Heart As part of the meaningful tradition of retell- supporting a coexistence program for Jewish ing the Purim story, I had fun presenting a and Palestinian children who live together Principal’s Preposterous Prizeless Purim Quiz. here in Canada at Camp Shomria for 3 weeks The teens—Sophie, Andy, Jayme, Daniel, Ben, in the summer, Oraynu kids put TZEDAKAH Georgia and Jacob—equally enjoyed their on the map! delivery of our Rhyming Purim Shpiel accom- panied by onscreen visuals. Miriam’s Grade 5 The Jewish community has also noticed our class shared their critique of the Purim Story community outreach and I commend our which they call Purim in a Perfect World. staff and school families for this. We are now They gave us a sometimes serious but often the recipients of a generous UJA grant to hilarious review into what Purim might have support our marketing plan. This has allowed been like if Esther, Mordechai, Achashveryosh, us to hire, Gail Aiken, our hardworking and Vashti and Haman had all lived in a just soci- caring Marketing Consultant, to help grow ety – the kind we, as Humanistic Jews, strive the school. And, you can help with that, too. to achieve. Grade 7s Mikaela, Jonny, Guy, Zev, We’ll be holding a “Bring Guest to School Ian, Sophie, Jordana, Julian, Isaac, Jake and Day” where children can bring a friend to Peter received congratulations from the class for the day on May 3rd. crowd as we held a short graduation cere- Looking ahead to the next year, current and mony. Most of them are now preparing for prospective school families are reminded that either their group Bnai Mitzvah ceremony you can now register online for the 2015-16 with Etti and Sandi, or individual ceremonies school year by visiting the school website at with Rabbi Denise. We watched the first www.oraynu.org/school and clicking on the public screening of a video that school parent “Register” tab. As part of our UJA sponsored Liam Romalis and his film crew recently cre- initiative to grow the school, Oraynu will be

offering a referral incentive and an early- future of Jewish families and Jewish life. bird incentive. As I sign off for the school year, we thank It is so wonderful to be a part of Oraynu’s our teachers—Adele, Lina, Adi, Garry, unique approach to experiential education Miriam, Shira, Etti, Denise and Mickey—for designed to engage the whole family and to their profound dedication to our program be part of our desire to create a school that and children. And, thank you to all the par- takes Jewish learning beyond the classroom ents, volunteers, teens and students who and celebrates diversity. In that light, I am make Oraynu a community of learners and looking forward to Oraynu’s public event, “givers” worthy of attention. I look forward to Intermarriage: Optimism and Opportunity the next school year where we will once again at U of T on May 4th when Paul Golin, inclusively welcome all people interested in frequent writer and speaker on Jewish inclu- cultural Judaism! sion, will provide an interactive presentation, an optimistic and inclusive vision for the Steve

UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENT—LAST DAY OF CLASSES May 10. Israel Fun Day. Outdoor activities for students only. Dress for the outdoors.

Oraynu Congregation extends sincere Mazel Tov wishes to Mikaela Ceniti ·Guy Harary ·Sophie Meslin ·Jordana Portugese Julian Schneider ·Isaac Scoler ·Jake Storfer ·Peter Tal and their families on their upcoming Bnai Mitzvah which takes place on Saturday, May 30, 2015 (12 Sivan, 5775) Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

23rd Annual TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL April 30 to May 10, 2015 The Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF) is a not-for- The TJFF this year offers 46 Canadian Premieres, 20 profit, charitable organization whose goal is to show- Toronto Premieres, 110 films from 18 countries. They case Jewish culture, heritage and the diversity of the are the best feature films, documentaries and shorts Jewish experience in Canada and around the world, from around the world on themes of Jewish culture through film. Of over one hundred international Jewish and identity. It is dedicated to using film for its con- film festivals, the TJFF is the largest in North America, temporary, popular value, reflecting the diversity of reaching a multicultural audience of over 30,000. Jewish experience.

Showings at: Alliance Francaise • Bloor Cinema • Carlton Cinema • Empress Walk • Canada Square • Innis Town Hall • ROM Eaton Theatre For a complete line-up of films, check out the website: www.tjff.com

ORAYNU MEMBER PART OF CROSS-CULTURAL MUSICAL ENSEMBLE Israeli-born Noam Lemish, one of our newer members, is an acclaimed jazz pianist, improvisor and composer. Several months ago, he became part of a collective of composers and musicians called the Israeli-Iranian Musical Initiative which held its first collaborative concert on Mar. 31st.

The evening reflected the encounter of Israeli-Jewish and Iranian cultures through original compositions by collective members, including Noam. These pieces incorporated Jewish and Persian traditional music, the poetry of renowned Iranian poet Omar Khayyám and Israeli popular songs. The Israeli-Iranian Musical Initiative collective encourages an intellectual and cultural dialogue between individuals and communities through artistic creations. The project presents the fruitful possibilities of cross-cultural musical collaboration. For more info, visit the Initiative website at http://www.i-equal-i.com or the Facebook page. ------While teaching in Bhutan in 2009-10, Noam was commissioned to compose a special piece to celebrate His Majesty, The King’s 30th Birthday. “The People’s King” is a multicultural, multi-movement suite bringing together classical Western music, jazz, and traditional Bhutanese folk music. The recorded composition was delivered to His Majesty on his birthday February 21, 2010, followed by a live performance later that year of selected portions. Since returning to North America, Lemish has rearranged the suite for jazz quartet and has performed it in numerous venues.

Noam has several CDs to his credit, with two more recordings in the works, and several performances on tap for this year in both Canada and the US. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Jazz Performance at the U. of T.

YAD V’LEV (Hand and Heart) – TIKKUN OLAM IN ACTION An occasional column focusing on members’ charitable activities outside Oraynu.

New member Natalie Doyle shares her story: It has been almost 3 years since I received the heart-wrenching news that my 10 day-old baby boy has Cystic Fibrosis. No parent wants to hear that their child may die. CF is the most common fatal genetic disease in children and young adults. It mainly affects the lungs and digestive tract. There is no cure.

I was not able to openly talk about Liam's condition until we got involved with fundraising. Jamey and I joined CARSTAR'S Great Strides Walk at the Toronto Zoo and were overwhelmed by the support from other families in our situation as well as all the walkers and volunteers who all came together for this amazing cause. Our family was approached the following year to help out with a first annual walk in York Region. This is where we live and to have a walk in our area was amazing. We ended up raising $15,000!! All the support we had from family, friends and strangers was so heart-warming. This year, Cystic Fibrosis Canada did not have the resources to hold another walk in our area, so I have taken the project on myself.

The walk will be held on Sunday May 31st at Mill Pond in Richmond Hill. I'm turning to my community for any support we can get. We are looking for walkers, volunteers and sponsors. Please help us make CF stand for Cure Found and help save my son's life and all those who are affected by this deadly disease.

For more information on how you can help, please contact me at: [email protected] or visit http://cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides/find-a-walk/

THEATRE EVENT (**Special discount offered for Oraynu members) Acting Up Stage, producer of Parade, Caroline or Change, Falsettos (which Oraynuniks attended), among many others, is presenting — with Why Not Theatre, and in association with Koffler Centre for the Arts — the Theatre Ad Infinitum production of “BALLAD OF THE BURNING STAR” Direct from its critically acclaimed UK run

Written and performed by Israeli artist Nir Paldi, BALLAD is a semi- autobiographical play that examines the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine through a family story. The story is told by a Drag Queen named Israel and her chorus of "Starlets", leading to a song and dance extravaganza that tells a provocative and powerful story. It's incredibly thought-provoking and terrific theatre. Politically the piece explores all sides of the conflict and is best suited for a centrist (rather than extreme left or extreme right) audience who are open to all perspectives in one show. Featuring the original cast of BALLAD (with artists from Israeli, Toronto, UK, Japan and Austria!) in Toronto for one week only. For a sneak peek, go to: https://vimeo.com/125047914

**** (out of 4) ”A theatrical hand grenade.” – The Guardian **** (out of 4) ”A thrillingly edgy piece of entertainment.” – The Scotsman **** (out of 4) “Bold and inventive.” – The Stage ***** (out of 5) “A tragic and thought-provoking tale set at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” – Broadway Baby

May 19-24 – 7 performances only! The Theatre Centre -1115 Queen St West, Toronto, ON

Students $20/Preview $30/Reg. $35-$50 www.burningstar.ca 416.538.0988

**Save 15% off your order as a member of Oraynu. Quote PROMO CODE “burningticket”

SCIENCE AND RELIGION - QUOTES BY STEVEN WEINBERG Steven Weinberg is an American nuclear physicist who in 1979 shared the Nobel Prize for Physics. He has written extensively about science and religion. Here are a few of his quotes:

• “Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.” - Address at the Conference on Cosmic Design, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C. (April 1999)

• “It's a consequence of the experience of science. As you learn more and more about the universe, you find you can understand more and more without any reference to supernatural intervention, so you lose interest in that possibil- ity. Most scientists I know don't care enough about religion even to call themselves atheists. And that, I think, is one of the great things about science -- that it has made it possible for people not to be religious.” - S. Weinberg, quoted in Natalie Angier, "Confessions of a Lonely Atheist," New York Times Magazine, January 14, 2001

• Premature as the question may be, it is hardly possible not to wonder whether we will find any answer to our deep- est questions, any signs of the workings of an interested God, in a final theory. I think that we will not. - S. Weinberg, Dreams of a Final Theory: The Scientist's Search for the Ultimate Laws of Nature, 1994

• “There are those whose views about religion are not very different from my own, but who nevertheless feel that we should try to damp down the conflict, that we should compromise it. … I respect their views and I understand their motives, and I don't condemn them, but I'm not having it. … I think the world needs to wake up from its long night- mare of religious belief; and anything that we scientists can do to weaken the hold of religion should be done, and may in fact be our greatest contribution to civilization.” - Presentation at Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival (5 November 2006)

JEWS OF MONTREAL Being Montreal-born, as are several of our members, I always read with interest any “Montreal Memories” emails that hit my inbox. Here are a bunch of facts about contributions made by Jewish Montrealers that a friend shared recently. Pretty impressive reading! SH

One of the first Jewish settlers to come to the New World Every year, Baron Byng students were amongst the top was Henry Joseph, only 15 years old in 1790, who names on the list of provincial graduates. Among them became highly successful. He established a chain of were Nobel Prize winner Ralph Marcus (Chemistry); Dr. trading posts (one of his employees, for a time, was John Phil Gold (who developed with Dr. Samuel Freedman, Jacob Astor, the American fur magnate) and he has been the CEA test for cancer) who washed beer bottles to pay described as the “father of Canada’s merchant marine” his tuition; Senators Carl Goldenberg and Yoine Gold- because of elaborate shipping arrangements he made. stein, Supreme Court Justice Morris Fish, poets A.M. Henry Joseph was one of three Jews among the founders Klein and Irving Layton, (born Issie Lazarovitch), artists of Canada’s first bank (The Bank of Montreal) in 1817. Moe Reinblatt and Ghitta Caiserman, Auto Pact and Montreal was the home for a time of the highly-inventive Free Trade originator Simon Reisman (Ed. Note: My late Emile Berliner who is the man who made the telephone mother was in school with him at Baron Byng), Federal a working instrument, invented the phonograph, the flat Immigration Minister Gerry Weiner, author Mordecai record, the recording studio, the microphone, parquet Richler, and hundreds of others.

flooring, and one of the earliest helicopters. Alexander The Bronfman family emerged from a poverty-stricken Graham Bell had discovered, in Edinburgh, an experi- existence in a Jewish settlement in Saskatchewan. From mental “telephon” and tried but failed to make it into a age 14, Samuel Bronfman proved himself to be a useful communications device. That came from Berliner dynamic entrepreneur—becoming one of the richest who devised the undulating coil and mouthpiece—and men in Canada. He established a brewery in Montreal sold them for $50,000 to Bell. and became an expert at blending whiskeys and market- Herman Reitman, an immigrant from Romania, in 1909 ing liquor. When King George VI visited Canada, in 1939, rented a barrow for 25 cents a day and peddled fruit and Bronfman offered the royal party (and they accepted) ten vegetables up and down St. Lawrence Boulevard—the cases of his specially-created Crown Royal with an appro- heart of the Jewish ghetto. Then, in partners with an un- priate bottle design. cle, he opened a fabric shop—and finally, went into Montreal can boast other Nobel Prize winners (besides women’s wear. He was so successful that he opened the aforementioned Ralph Marcus) including Saul branches to meet the demand. Reitman’s today is an Bellow – Literature, Sidney Altman – Chemistry and international concern with sales approaching a billion Ralph Steinman – Medicine. dollars a year! In 1985, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney declared: A twelve year-old immigrant from Eastern Europe, David “Montreal would not be the world-class city it is today Lewis (born Losz) became a Rhodes Scholar and was without the remarkable contribution of its Jewish citizens leader of the New Democratic Party. He was a brilliant to business, education, to medicine, to science, to law, to orator but, as he had help in school learning to speak all the arts, to religion and politics and sports, and—with English from a Welsh-born teacher, he developed a unfailing generosity—to every good cause this city has Welsh twang to his pronunciation. He attended Baron known.” Byng High School, a predominately Jewish school in the heart of Montreal's non-affluent Jewish community.

A renowned genius once asked a student, “What are you watching when you sit on a hillside in the late afternoon as the colors turn from yellow to orange and red and finally darkness?” He answered, “You are watching the sun- set.” The genius responded, “That is what is wrong with our age. You know full well you are not watching the sun set. You are watching the world turn.” - Jeremy Kagan, “The Jewish Self”

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Monday, May 18th Route goes from Coronation Park to Exhibition Place

This year you can walk OR run the 6 km route

The Walk is a major fundraising event for the UJA’S United Israel Appeal. Dollars raised through the Walk with Israel go to directly support the people of Israel, and the programmes and services UJA supports, including: • Reducing social gaps and providing educational opportunities for at-risk youth in Bat Yam • Increasing social mobility and economic independence for poverty-stricken Ethiopian Israelis in Bat Yam. through professional and vocational training in various lines of work. • Higher education and programs for young people in Eilat/Eilot, including career development and teaching future generations about renewable energy and sustainable development. • Urgent social welfare and educational projects for residents of Sderot, which has endured unprece- dented rocket attacks over the past decade.

To register, sign up sponsors, make a donation, or learn more: www.walkwithisrael.com

The Renee & Irwin Nadal Festival at Exhibition Place after the Walk has something for everyone – delicious BBQ, carnival games, camel rides, amusement rides, petting zoo, live music and other surprises! To attend the Festival you must have a 2015 Walk with Israel registration package (lanyard, T-shirt and bag).

presents

In Conversation with Author Sayed Kashua

Sunday, June 14 @7:00 pm | Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave Free to attend | Kindly register at nifcan.org by clicking “Events”

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear from award-winning author and screenwriter Sayed Kashua in Canada. Considered the “Israeli Seinfeld,” Kashua addresses the problems faced by Arabs and Jews in Israel, caught between two worlds with a humorous, tongue-in-cheek style.

Join us for a conversation and screening of the hit Israeli TV show “Arab Labor” (Avoda Aravit), created and written by Sayed Kashua.

THE “SOCIETY PAGE” ------"I AM and I DON'T": SHJ Exec Tells Secular Leaders Confab in Houston SHJ president Larry Lawrence, past president Lou Altman, and executive director Bonnie Cousens joined top leaders from national nontheistic organizations at this year's Secular Leaders Summit in Houston in January. Thirty organizations, from innovative start-ups like the Ex-Muslims of North America to the few groups now with multi-million dollar budgets, were represented at this eleventh anniversary meeting.

While SHJ has been represented at these gatherings for ten years, this was the first time we were invited to join the pre- senters. Addressing the question, "How can I be Jewish and not believe in God?" Bonnie Cousens said simply, "I am and I don't," a phrase oft repeated back to her - with agreement and approval - throughout the meeting. Drawing on the recent Pew study on Jewish identity in America, Cousens went on to explain that Humanistic Jews are not alone. Pew researchers found that 3 out of 10 American Jews don't believe in God or a universal spirit and 6 in 10 Jews say being Jewish is mainly a matter of culture or ancestry.

She then enumerated six concepts inherent in Humanistic Judaism: • Judaism, defined as the culture, traditions, and historical experience of the Jewish people: As Humanistic Jews we value our Jewish identity; celebrate the human, natural, and historical aspects of Jewish holidays; mark the passages of life with culturally Jewish events; and teach Jewish culture and history. • Responsibility: We believe that responsibility for our world lies within ourselves and not an external supernatural power. Each of us accepts responsibility for our own actions and decisions. • Power: We accept that each of us possesses the power to accomplish what we want and to change those things we believe must be changed. • Reason: We make evidence-based decisions. • Conscience and Morality: We recognize our ability to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil. We apply sensitivity and compassion, especially when assisting others in need. • Courage: Each of us has the strength of character to live our convictions. Our words match our behavior. We say what we believe and believe what we say.

These secular leaders' meetings are an opportunity to overcome differences, to forge alliances, and to bring together decision-makers who are able to commit to collaborations. Following Cousens' presentation, perhaps the most frequent comment was that people finally understood how Humanistic Judaism fits into the secular community. ------Marriage Equality Headed to Supreme Court As a community that supports the separation of church and state, we have long been supporters of marriage equality. We support the right of "individuals to freely make choices concerning religion or non-religion, free from the imposition of the ideologies of others." This includes the exclusion of religious beliefs determining the definition of marriage. SHJ affirmed its support for "the legal recognition of marriage and divorce between adults of the same sex" in 2004.

As states began to enact marriage bans prohibiting marriages between same-sex adults, challenges to these bans arose in state courts, followed by appeals to Federal Courts. SHJ joined coalitions filing amicus briefs supporting marriage equality in case after case, all of which resulted in decisions upholding marriage equality, until four cases reached the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee). There the Court ruled that the marriage bans were legal. This decision was appealed to the Supreme Court (SCOTUS). For the first time, SCOTUS accepted marriage equality cases on appeal. On April 28, the Court will consider two questions. The first concerns the central issue of whether states can ban gay marriage. The second question gives the justices an off ramp if they decide against issuing a sweeping ruling. That question concerns whether states must recognize the marriage of couples legally married out of state.

The SHJ joined the Anti-Defamation League and other secular and religious organizations in filing an amicus brief in these cases before SCOTUS. As in the other amicus briefs filed in marriage equality cases around the United States, which we were party to, the brief will argue that the marriage bans violate not only the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, but also the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

A decision is expected in late June.

ORAYNU CONGREGATION WHAT WE BELIEVE ... FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM ♦ A Jew is someone who identifies with the history, culture, and fate of the Jewish people. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015 ♦ Judaism encompasses the civilization created by the Jewish people. President It includes art and music, folk culture, and the treasured master- LOUISE SHERMAN pieces of our great writers and thinkers, from the Bible to the Secretary present. SUE DROHAN ♦ We have the power and responsibility to shape our own lives Treasurer independent of supernatural authority. ROBERT HORWITZ ♦ Our ethics and morality serve human needs. We participate in Members-at-Large tikkun olam (building a better world) for all people. MARK BRENDER ♦ We strive to express our Jewishness in a manner consistent with our KAREN ELKIN beliefs. KEVIN FINE ♦ We stand in solidarity with the State of Israel and with Jewish JULIUS GRYGUC communities in Toronto and around the world. DROR ORBACH ♦ The freedom and dignity of the Jewish people must go hand in SARAH PAUL hand with the freedom and dignity of all people. NORVAL WENER ♦ We warmly welcome into our community all those who share our RABBI values and who are connected to the Jewish people, whether by KAREN LEVY birth, adopted identity or by family relationship.

ASSISTANT RABBI DENISE HANDLARSKI ORAYNU TRIBUTE DONATIONS/CARDS LIFE CYCLE DIRECTOR Members and friends can choose to honour a person or an event RABBI EVA GOLDFINGER (memorial, birth, birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, marriage, anniversary, YOUTH & FAMILY DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL achievement, etc.) by making a tax-receiptable donation of $18 or more STEVE SHABES to Oraynu. An Oraynu Tribute Card will be sent to the person or family of the honouree and the donation will be also recognized in The Shofar. SCHOOL COMMITTEE To arrange this, please contact Roby at: ERIN WINOCUR (CHAIR) 416-385-3910 | [email protected] TRACEY BARDELL DAVE CHERKASSKY DIANE COPOLOFF PASTORAL AND EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE YUVAL GRINSPUN BOB KOPMAN Jewish Guidance is a service that many of our members expect from their congregational leaders. Oraynu provides part-time services of: OFFICE MANAGER  Steve Shabes for guidance about Jewish education for children and ROBY SADLER youth MAILING ADDRESS  Rabbi Eva Goldfinger, for guidance regarding life cycle transitions 156 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 14 and conversion Toronto ON M3B 3N2  Rabbi Karen Levy, Rabbi Eva Goldfinger and Rabbi Denise Handlar- CONTACT US ski for pastoral guidance regarding intermarriage, Jewish practices, 416-385-3910 adult education and ethics [email protected] Guidance is offered, but not counseling or tutoring, which can be WEBSITE provided on a fee-for-service basis. For referral to the appropriate www.oraynu.org person, contact Roby at: 416-385-3910 or [email protected]/

GET INVOLVED! THE SHOFAR is a bi-monthly publication of • Chesed Circle (sunshine committee) - Roby Sadler: [email protected] Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. • EDITOR: SANDI HORWITZ Fund Raising Oraynu (FRO) - Chair, Steve Shabes: [email protected] Oraynu Congregation is part of a worldwide movement, • Gro-aynu (outreach) – Chair, Asi Orbach: [email protected] affiliated with Society for Humanistic Judaism and the • New Member Welcome – Denise Handlarski: International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism.

[email protected] Oraynu Children’s School gratefully • School – Chair, Erin Winocur: [email protected] acknowledges funding support • Tikun Olam Oraynu (TOO - community service) – from Co-Chair, Doreen Blumenthal: [email protected]

Check website for updates: UPCOMING EVENTS

oraynu.org Monday, May 4 at 7:30 pm (For more info: see p. 3) INTERMARRIAGE: OPTIMISM AND OPPORTUNITY with Guest Speaker Paul Golin Location: U of T Multi-Faith Centre—Koffler House, 569 Spadina Ave. ------Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 pm (p. 3) INTRODUCTION TO HUMANISTIC JUDAISM Location: Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre—Room 302, 750 Spadina (at Bloor) ------Saturday, May 23 (Doors open at 8:00 pm) (p. 4) WHERE SINAI MEETS SPADINA—TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT (all-night) Rabbi Denise co-leads Havdallah service at 8:30 pm, plus serves on 2 panels. Location: Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina, at Bloor ------Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 pm (p. 5) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Location: Borochov Cultural Centre, 272 Codsell Ave. (Sheppard/Allen Rd.) ------Saturday, June 13 at 11 am (p. 4) BRUNCH AND COMMUNITY APPRECIATION Location: Members’ home in the Leslie/Cummer area ------For all events, Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 pm (p. 4) kindly RSVP MOVIE NIGHT: Award-Winning Israeli film: OUT IN THE DARK to Roby: 416-385-3910 or Location: TBA [email protected]

FINAL NOTE: CEMETERY PRICE INCREASE

The prices on grave lots in the Oraynu section at Elgin Mills Cemetery are increasing by $300 to $3300 (plus the Burial Society fee and membership) on May 1st.

Costs for the curb urn and flat marker cremation spaces will remain unchanged at $900 and $1100 respectively.

For current members, we will allow you to purchase grave lots at the old price ($3000) up until August 31st.

For more information, contact Robert Horwitz, Cemetery Chair at: 416-229-9313 | [email protected]