HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE Bulletin December 2012

The Fine Arts Express your Jewish Self Festival of Lights

Friday Dec 14, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. The entire congregation is invited to our multigenerational Chanukah party.

Enjoy live music, dreidel games, story telling and latkes with all the trimmings. Bring your own Chanukiyah and we will light the candles together.

Tot Shabbat and Kabbalat Shabbat services with our own Neginah Band will follow at 6 p.m.

Saturday Dec 15, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Congregation-wide service with special guest, Rabbi Noam Katz, Dean of Jewish Living for Camp George and the Leo Baeck Day School.

Songs of Shabbat and Chanukah will raise up our voices – both young and old. Creative learning programs for our children will be incorporated throughout the morning. A special invitation goes out to our young families. A Chanukah lunch for all to enjoy.

There are many HBT celebrations throughout the days and nights of Chanukah. Visit holyblossom.org for details. HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE 7 Bulletin 5 CONTENTS Hiddur Mitzvah: The Aesthetics of Mitzvot 4

Art in Synagogue Music 5

A Stagecraft Family within the Temple 6

The Secret Life of a Holy Roller 7

Our Artist in Residence 8

Our Shinshin Artist in Residence 9

9 The Intersection of Art and Judaism 10

A contemporary, Canadian Jewish musical voice 12

art about us 13

A spiritual home for our members 14 10 Our Congregational Appeal Donors: Thank You 16 Our Congregational Family 20

Holy Blossom Calendar 23

3 13 Cover photo: Temple Players: 1959

Want to share a comment about the Bulletin? Email Robert Carnevale at [email protected]. Hiddur Mitzvah: The Aesthetics of Mitzvot

Rabbi Yael Splansky [email protected]

Our Sages often ask: “What is the minimum mezuzah casings on our doorposts, our upcoming requirement in order to fulfill this mitzvah?” A Chanukah festivities,. These beautiful foods and sukkah must be at least large enough for one ritual objects serve a sacred purpose: reciprocity person to sit at a table and eat a meal. A kiddush of beauty through mitzvot. That is, a Jew cup must be large enough to hold at least four becomes beautiful as she or he performs a mitzvah and a half ounces of wine. Chanukah wicks must intended to “beautify God’s glory.” burn for at least thirty minutes. These minimum requirements were clarified in order to keep Jewish life livable for the poor and to remind a Jew becomes beautiful everyone of the essence of each mitzvah. At the as she or he performs a mitzvah same time, a life of mitzvot should be celebrated intended to “beautify God’s glory” in such a way as to delight the senses. Beautiful sounds, pleasing fragrances, delicious tastes, attractive textures, colors, and artistry transform Always careful to fill form with substance, Holy the mitzvot into Jewish expressions of joy and Blossom Temple devotes time and effort to honour; and beauty itself takes on a religious Hiddur Mitzvah in countless ways. Beautiful dimension. The principle of enhancing a music fills our sanctuaries and concert halls. mitzvah through aesthetics is called Hiddur Words of poetry and fine literature are enjoyed Mitzvah. around study tables. Dramatic expressions of the Jewish experience are told by Stagecraft, our own Rabbi Ishmael comments on the verse, “This is in-house theatre troupe. Inspiring architecture my God and I will glorify Him” (Exodus 15:2). and works of art are created by silver smiths, “Is it possible for a human being to add glory to scribes, woodworkers, and textile artists. The Creator the Universe? (No,) What this really means is: I shall glorify God in the way in which Always mindful of fulfilling form with substance, I perform mitzvot. I shall prepare before God a Holy Blossom Temple devotes time and effort beautiful lulav, beautiful sukkah, beautiful tzitzit, to Hiddur Mitzvah in countless ways. Beautiful and beautiful tefillin.” (Midrash Mechilta, Shirata music fills our sanctuaries and concert halls. 3) The Talmud adds to this list “a beautiful shofar Words of poetry and fine literature are enjoyed and a beautiful Torah scroll, which is written around study tables. Dramatic expressions of the by a skilled scribe with fine ink and fine pen and Jewish experience are told by Stagecraft, our own wrapped in beautiful silks.” (Shabbat 133b) in-house theatre troupe. Inspiring architecture and works of art, created by silver smiths, scribes, woodworkers, and textile artists are displayed a life of mitzvot should be in every corner of our building. The walls of our school wing also come to life with the 4 celebrated in such a way as masterpieces of our children and teens. to delight the senses As Chanukah approaches, let’s delight in the Mitzvah of bringing more beauty and light to Think of all the ways we add to this list as well. Gods world, and thereby, become ourselves a Just look at our Shabbat and Seder tables, the more beautiful source of light. Reflections Holy Blossom Temple Art in Synagogue Music

Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner [email protected]

“I will sing unto God while I am alive, I will sing praises to my God while I endure.” ~ Psalm 104 “Worship the Lord with Happiness, come before God with Gladness.” ~ Psalm 100 “My soul blesses you My God, and let all my innermost being bless the Holy Name.” ~ Psalm 103

How else can we approach the sacred task of our Temple Singers. In order to continue this “HIDUR MIZVAH”, the beautification of the sacred legacy we need you and every music lover commandment of Prayer? Moses taught us the out there. We need young and new people to Torah through “The SONG” - HASHIRAH strengthen our musical forces. I personally invite HAZOT”. The Talmud describes the duty of anyone interested, regardless of age or musical the Levites as: “Dibru et ha- Shir.” Melody and background to join us in this endeavor. We words of prayer were transformed into worship. engage not only in the musical end of our prayers Chronicles describes the First Temple’s services but dwell deep into the meaning of our sacred as overwhelmingly loud and boisterous. Later we liturgy. learn that the Second Temple’s ritual was virtually somber and tranquil. Today as in ancient times Newly Formed “NEGINAH BAND” the very essence of “Art” in Synagogue music are To enhance our Friday night vivacious Kabbalat the elements organized into a highly ritual format. Shabbat Services, we introduced a new Band We at Holy Blossom always had deep respect for made up of ten instrumentalists -- members of the preservation for the highest quality of our the congregation who love to play. What lively musical traditions. The centrality, history and sound and music-making mingled with the importance of music at our Temple accompany mystical text of welcoming the “Shabbat Bride.” every facet of our musical lives. Worship music Our Band plays every second Friday night of the has always rested upon the solid foundations, month. We invite anyone who plays a musical principles and authentic Chant, Cantillation and instrument to join us. Synagogue Prayer modes - “Nussach Hat’filah.” Musical Heritage Concert Series We practice with highest regard for the best of The passion, energy and resources invested into Jewish choral repertoire, from Ancient “MiSinai decades of the highest and most unique concert Tunes” to a warm comfort level of community series has made our congregation a “flagship” participation. in the movement on the subject of musical activities. Renowned and international artists and Our Worship Services performers have embraced our Sanctuary with Shabbat Festivals and High Holy Day experiences their unique talent. The attached brochure points are inspirationally immersed in the seriousness of clearly toward that goal. soaring music. We are grateful to our committed choristers both our Professional Choir mingled This year, as in the past, we walk that path 5 into one family with our cadre of volunteers, of passion for Jewish music in a most diverse the sweet Temple Singers. This community of program. Please help us to continue this legacy by music-making continues to enhance and uplift sponsoring, contributing and becoming part of our souls through every worship service. Over our community. And be uplifted and inspired the many decades we have taken great pride in by the power of music.

Bulletin • December 2012 Musical Notes A Stagecraft Family within the Temple article by Judy Malkin [email protected] “Let’s pretend!” It’s what every kid does, right? But in my case, I never outgrew it. I was bitten by the acting bug in high school and appeared in two or three productions during those years. The university I went to had a strong drama department, and was home to a thriving community theatre, but I never had the Lcourage to audition. In the fall of 1994, an article in the Bulletin caught my eye. Several members of Temple had formed a drama group, and were reading a play. Anyone could join, so I made a phone call and went to the next reading. The play was Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance, written in the 1920s and closed down after 8 performances because it was deemed too provocative. The play is a story of a man who runs a brothel and commissions a Torah scroll to be written, in the hope that the presence of the scroll in his home will keep his daughter safe and prevent her from entering the family business.

That was the start of Stagecraft. We mounted one performance of God of Vengeance, and had a talk-back after the show, led by then-Senior Rabbi Dow Marmur.

Stagecraft’s mission is “to produce plays with Jewish themes and content, and to have fun, too!” Since the spring of 1995, we have produced more than 30 plays, including some new work by Canadian playwrights.

Stagecraft has engaged Temple members in new ways. As we have explored the themes presented in various works, it’s made us think about how we relate to each other, to Temple, to the wider Jewish community. It’s allowed us to live in another person’s skin, at least for a while, and learn how other people think and feel and react to their surroundings – and the audience sees that, too. Theatre in general is valuable in any community because it allows us to explore new ideas in a safe and accessible way. By “making believe” we can get into the skin of the other.

Our non-Jewish audience members have often told us that they have learned a lot about Jewish life, Jewish practice, and Jewish thinking when they come to our plays.

We have grown as a company over the 18 years (chai!) that we’ve been a Temple group. We are always looking for new members and look forward to seeing new faces as time goes on.

Many of the current members of Stagecraft have been with the group since the beginning. We have been there for each other, through happy times and sad times, and have become a family within the Temple.

Holy Blossom Temple The Secret Life of a

Holy Roller article by Lindi Rivers [email protected]

I have a confession to make. It’s about a deeply personal relationship that I am having with 10 beautiful and unique members of our community. Each is different: tall, short, with fine features or more bold ones, elegant or rugged. I am talking about our precious Torah scrolls, and I have the privilege and the joy of rolling them to our sacred texts throughout the Jewish calendar. During most of the year only our Shacharit (morning service) and Shabbat scrolls need setting weekly, but in preparation for the High Holy Day season, we read from 8 of our scrolls. Usually Rabbi Splansky and I do the “holy rolling” together. We turn up our sleeves, and I don exercise gloves (one only needs to roll one or two scrolls from one end to the other to see the wisdom of gloves). As each passage, story, list, song or poem scroll by we are quite literally seeing the early history of our people pass before our eyes. It touches me every time. I see the Ten Commandments and imagine myself at the foot of Sinai; Moses’ Song at the Sea with its unusual, artistic form; columns filled with the wisdom, fears, pleas and struggles of our ancestors. I feel both grateful and awestruck. I feel love for the scrolls themselves. Perhaps this is why I am so drawn to cantillation, the system by which we string together musical phrases to create the melodies for chanting our sacred texts, according to specific symbols called trope, in Yiddish and ta’amei ha-mikra, in Hebrew: literally “taste” or “sense” of the text. There are different cantillation melodies for Torah, Haftarah, High Holy Days, Festivals, Lamentations (at Tisha B’av), and The Book of Esther (at Purim). The trope signs indicate tune, punctuation and accentuation for each phrase. The specific trope combinations thus suggest their own commentary on the meaning of the text. At its’ purist, it is an art form with complex rules of structure and execution, beyond what we generally teach and what most of us will ever fully master. I marvel to imagine that on days when Torah is read, Jews all over the world chant roughly the same texts at the same time (okay, a little time zone creativity here). It heightens my sense of being a part of the world’s Jewish community. These ancient teachings are the roots upon which our people stand, and chanting them gives strength to my own body and soul. I invite you to learn to chant from our sacred texts, and to share in my not-so-secret love.

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Lindi Rivers Youth Choir 2005 Bulletin • December 2012 Our Artist in Residence

We are pleased to announce Holy Blossom Temple’s Artist-in-Residence, Temma Gentles. Temma grew up in Heinz Warshauer’s Religious School. Holy Blossom Temple was her home away from home. Here she learned, and later, here she taught Wthat to live a Jewish life is to be “enormously curious” and “creatively responsive.” Having completed several major artworks for the sanctuary and Board Room, her unplanned, but fortuitous, turn towards Judaic textiles came when Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, z’l asked her to weave him a tallit.

Temma is internationally recognized as a leading Jewish Textile Artist. Her work is displayed in the four corners of the earth -- from Shanghai to Jerusalem, from Los Angeles to Montreal. In addition to the large-scale sacred objects she creates for synagogues – Torah mantels and chuppot, for example -- Temma also creates personalized works of art for the individual – tallitot, tzedakah boxes, and ketubot. Her award-winning art is always rooted in Jewish text and ideas and is often the vehicle for bringing communities together. Watch for announcements about upcoming workshops in which Temma will guide us in weaving together our own talents, visions and good intensions to create something beautiful.

Temma considers that the essence of all her work is bringing stories to life, and invites you to visit her website - temmagentles.com - to see that in practice.

Temma Gentles’ studio can be found in the space behind the Eisendrath stage. Her textile sign will indicate when the studio is open to visitors. Come by and be inspired!

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Holy Blossom Temple Our Shinshin Artist in Residence article by Gal Baruch [email protected] When I was in second grade, my art teacher told me that I will never be a real artist. I think she said it because I talked too much in her class. I came back home and I thought to myself, who is a real artist? I wasn’t sure, but I knew that I wanted to be Wone. When I asked my friends, they told me that a real artist is the one who can paint without going outside of the lines. So I tried for hours, but still I couldn’t do it. So I came back to my teacher and I asked her, who is a real artist? She told me that a real artist doesn’t disturb his teacher, can work on the same work for hours and doesn’t bother classmates while they are working. I was then frustrated. I asked my mother the same question. She told me that an artist is one that enjoys what he is doing.

I still wasn’t satisfied. I kept trying to do art even when I didn’t enjoy it. I wasn’t able keep in the lines and everything became ugly. After few years I went to an art history class. There I was exposed to the greatest artists. I then understood that a real artist uses his art so that he can have an impact on people. An artist is able to change people’s feelings without words. An artist can explain things that others will never understand. An artist is not sure it is the right way or the only way but that this is the magic of art.

Sharing my love of art with my course at Holy Blossom is a unique way to show Israel through Israeli artists. Israeli artists show what Israel used to be and what is today. Israeli artists deal with many of the toughest of Israel’s issues in a very special way. Through art, not only do we begin to understand them, we can feel them.

Gal is an aspiring artist who currently has 6 paintings on exhibit at the “Mishkan Omanuyot” at the University of Haifa.

“Self portraits” by Gal Baruch

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Bulletin • December 2012 The Intersection of Art and Judaism

article by Daniel Abramson A Conversation and Rabbi Karen Thomashow [email protected]

I had the privilege of sitting down with Daniel Abramson, will recognize the feeling of something special when you member of our community, artist, and Jewish day school beautify a mitzvah with your own work. teacher. Here is the transcript from our conversation about the intersection of art and our sacred tradition: What is your favorite Jewish art “out there?” I I tend to like work where an artist’s work invites you into a What type of medium is your art? struggle that they see about the world or about identity. I also I work with a variety of media. In the past years I have been maintain a pretty broad definition of what counts as Jewish art. doing a lot of calligraphy. At first I thought that text based I am very interested in seeing how the big ideas of religion are work was too direct, didactic, it tells the viewer exactly what to understood in different ways, and looking for the differences think. After some exploration and seeing the work of artist like and commonalities. For example, I love the Donovan Simon Glass who engage directly with text, I’ve really started collection housed at U of T because it gives me an opportunity to see that text, words, especially when removed from their to read biblical narratives from a different vantage point, which context offer very interesting paths to understand meaning in a I think in turn helps me to see more of the core issues that they broad and symbolic way. This seems especially true in Hebrew present. when the root of a word can invoke images that reach far past Do you see God in art? the immediate meaning. G’milut chasadim for example I think that the inclination to create art is linked strongly to has a link with Gamal (camel). The ideas seem so far apart, the motivation for prayer so I feel that the expression of both but even in this weeks parsha camels figure prominently in a have some strong commonalities. An artist notices narrative about kindness. something special or significant and uses her or his tools to explore it and to show others what is inherently important in What has been your favorite Jewish art project of your own? that idea. Poetry does the same, and I think prayer does I have worked on several community art projects, mostly large the same as well. Scholars and Rabbis noticed what held scale silk pieces. At Camp George the campers and staff all inherent importance in the world around us and crafted a made a tallit which is now used at camp when we recite Mi vocabulary to show others what they saw. Shebeirach as a community. I think that the idea that campers created their own ritual object and then created their own way What do you think is the significance of art vis-à-vis the Jewish of using it holds something really important. Anyone who has people? ever taken time to bake their own challah for Shabbat dinner I think that art offers the Jewish people the same as it offers the rest of the world. Art is a vehicle for observing and retelling the stories about the world that are the most meaningful and from which we have the most to learn. Art is also probably the best tool to then imagine the world as it might otherwise be. If art can bring our attention to what is broken in our world, then it can equally show us options that we can aspire to in recreating 10 those things in the way that we feel they ought to be. Thank you to Leo Baeck Day School, South Campus, for their gift of Four Seasons – Painted Silk, which honours and celebrates their twenty-one wonderful years with us at Holy Blossom Temple, and speaks to the strength of our continued relationship. The project was completed by Leo Baeck students under the direction of artist Daniel Abramson. 11

Bulletin • December 2012 A contemporary, Canadian

Jewish musical voice article by Aviva Chernick via [email protected]

Six years ago I had a conversation with Rabbi Splansky, which Together with these musicians and others, I have now continues to enrich my life to today. completed arranging and recording a nine-song album of this devotional music to be released at a concert December 5th. This An invitation to bring music for a Friday night Rabbi’s tisch, I is a celebration not only for me and the musicians with whom has grown into a monthly service which now boasts a dedicated I collaborate, but also for you, for our community, which has ensemble of six award winning World and Indie been integral in nurturing a contemporary, Canadian Jewish music artists, a specially developed musical voice. repertoire of songs for prayer and, most importantly, a unique Keep your ears open as an arrangement community of participants of all ages of Bo’i Kalah (with the ensemble Jaffa and diverse backgrounds who gather Road), one of the songs first shared together to bring in Shabbat. at Shabbat Fusion, has been heard playing on CBC radio. We did that What is Shabbat Fusion? together. Shabbat Fusion is what happens So, why not mark the last Friday when the tones of a Persian lute meet night of every month from now until the twang of a mandolin and when June (except for December) in your Ashkenazy melodies weave with calendar. Plan to come for 6:20 to hear Sephardic-influenced compositions the musical meditation and to stay for new Jewish music. after for a sushi Kiddush. Shabbat Fusion is the blending of I hope you will join Rabbi many voices joined in song and Thomashow, the Shabbat Fusion prayer to greet the Sabbath Bride. ensemble, our very special community The ensemble is Mark Weinstock, Aaron Lightstone, Jeffrey and me as we continue to grow in this adventure. Wilson, Ernie Tollar and Sundar Viswanathan. Over the past six I will also look forward to sharing the further celebration of this years, I have had the pleasure of creating music together with music with you and the greater community on December 5th. these musicians and developing it further with our Shabbat Fusion community and congregations throughout Toronto and across North America.

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Holy Blossom Temple art about us

article by Joyce Zemans via [email protected]

Invited to write about the value and importance of art at HBT, to call worshippers to assemble, and ornamental stone bowls I began to consider the influence that art at HBT has had on once located in the courtyard of the now destroyed synagogue. my own life and determined that, for this occasion, given the Though the memorial stone recording the community’s history limitations of time and space, I will highlight a few of my own from the first building of the synagogue in 1163 into the 16th personal connections with art at HBT. century remained in China, rubbings of it were also included in the exhibition. I grew up in the grandeur of the Sanctuary and its stained glass windows. It seems to me, now, that my understanding of the There are many works of art at HBT that evoke memories of Torah, traditions and values must have been shaped in part by our history as a congregation and as a people, and there are my experience, as a young child, of contemplating the stern regular temporary exhibitions in the Cecile and Harry Pearl Art imposing Moses on high, his right hand raised, his left firmly Gallery, but there are two works at HBT that have come to have embracing the commandments, with the dynamic patterns particular meaning and resonance for me. of brilliant blues and reds of the glass In 1991, Temple dedicated the “Memorial exquisitely backlit by the piercing rays to the Holocaust” by Israeli sculptor of the sun. I have always been fascinated Zipora Gendler in the courtyard. Though by the “Age of the Prophets” window abstract, “this white wall-sculpture in which the lion and the lamb lie in addresses the themes of memory, survival stately harmony, with the edict, “Thou and hope.” The artist recounts that Shall Learn War No More”. (I taught “the relief sculpture was inspired by the grade 8 religious school for ten years and physical structure of the courtyard – the the prophetic texts were central to that deep niche along the wall [where it was curriculum.) The holidays, rituals and installed]. The narrative of the holocaust symbols are all there – as are the twelve emerged from the forms that developed tribes of Israel in Peter Haworth’s, now around the niche.” She writes: “The six wonderfully restored, Rose Window. interlaced erupting beams portrayed for In boardroom study sessions and me the six million Jews murdered during meetings, my eye is invariably drawn to a the holocaust. The singular figure on the more recent interpretation of the twelve right portrays ‘the surviving observer’ – the Hasidic Head artist Sorel Etrog (1959) tribes – Chagall’s wonderful serigraphs, ‘phoenix’.” Today, the courtyard designed evoking flights of imagination, attempts to by landscape architect Steven Moorhead, is link image and biblical text, and memories of the stained glass a place of stillness and contemplation and I often find myself windows at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. drawn to it or standing by the window on the third floor outside the Chapel, engaged by the power of the work. My interest in art and art history has led to my participation, from time to time, in particular Temple art activities. Some The last piece I will mention is Sorel Etrog’s marvelous Hasidic readers will remember the “Jews of K’aifeng” a remarkable Head (1959) which stands by the entrance to the synagogue exhibition installed at HBT from 1971 to 1984 – a partnership on Bathurst Street. One of Etrog’s earliest bronze sculptures, 13 between HBT and the Royal Ontario Museum. The exhibition, this powerful work greets worshippers and visitors alike. A drawn from the Museum’s Bishop White collection, offered a monumental image, both solid and graceful at the same time, glimpse of the history of Jews who may have found their way its complex elements never cease to fascinate me. I am grateful to K’aifeng in Honan Province in northern China as early as for its presence and for the work of the Temple art committees, the destruction of the second Temple. It included, among other those who continue to make art an important part of our HBT objects, a wooden Torah case, a black stone originally used experience. Bulletin • December 2012 A spiritual home for our members and a beacon for the community Harvey Schipper [email protected]

Oncologists of a certain age often receive calls “Ah,” he said, “we use this program as an example from friends and relatives, not our patients, in our community of the importance of Jewish seeking counsel, and perhaps a touch of wisdom, principles in our relations with the rest of the from a different perspective on wrenching choices. world. Why, now…because we are about to speak Often the question is “What to do with my life acutely of legacy, and of the meaning of days.” now that this incurable tumour has returned?” I received such a call last week as I was preparing The ripples of what we do at Holy Blossom have this, my first Bulletin message to you as your been felt far and wide for 150 years. We often President. The surprise in this call came from cite our great rabbis, our religious scholarship, the Orthodox son of these lifelong friends, who our music, and the prescience of our education prefaced the conversation by saying that he hoped programs. Barack Obama cited the catalytic role that in my new role I would not forget the Out of the Reform Movement in the Civil Rights of The Cold Program. struggle. We were large players in that.

“How do you know about this?”, I asked, “You The phone call reminded me that equally have lived a life of religious study in Jerusalem for important are the intimate, little things that we years, you have never been to Toronto, let alone do. Providing shelter for the dispossessed, without Holy Blossom, and what brings this to mind reference to faith, speaks volumes of our purpose now?” as Jews and Temple members. It is the same soul that is there for baby namings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Photo: “Stones” by Harvey Schipper

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Holy Blossom Temple From The Board marriages, conversions, deaths, and all manner of life crises for the Reform Movement and in our community. We have been our members, writ on the world stage. astonished by the degree of engagement of our members, by the depth of talent eagerly offered, and by the passion to come We have for some months been engaged in one of those periods together in our grand tradition. You will hear much more about in our history where there has been some change. Questions this in the coming months. have been asked. Some of us perceive a sense of rancor. In the coming months, as before, we will continue, energized, with So, when toward the end of the call the Chassidic son and his clarity of direction and leadership that will position us for the mother thanked me for my advice, and then asked me, “How next generation, as a spiritual home for our members and a do I know you will not forget Out of the Cold”, I could answer beacon for the community. with confidence that Temple is strong, the history is deep, the values are clear, and the talent and energy is fully present as we I, along with the incoming officers, met over the summer to move forward. prepare an activity schedule for Temple leaders for the coming term. The goal is to position Temple for the future: worship, education, youth, Israel, our physical building, our place in both

Introducing Our New Board of Directors

President: Harvey Schipper Elected for a one year term: Elliott Jacobson Vice President: Phyllis Denaburg Richard Krelstein Lynn Gluckman Financial Secretary: Ronna Rubin Richard Lorie Carole Sterling Treasurer: Cary Solomon Nancy Ruth Recording Secretary: Lisa Taylor Directors continuing their term: Barry Silver Immediate Past President: Mark S. Anshan Sheila Smolkin Janice Babins Fred Zemans Directors: Owen Duckman Elected for a two year term Eric Roher Wardens: Philip Smith Jeff Dicker Marilyn Farber Tom Friedland Past Presidents: David Hart Joan Garson Leonard Levy Rick Howard Larry Babins Mary Seldon Jonathan King David Baskin Merle Kriss Barry Borden Auxiliaries: 15 Henrietta Chesnie Alberto Quiroz Ruthe Schipper, Morris Cooper Vanessa Yakobson Sisterhood President Alan Garfinkel Jack Geller, Honorary Past President Diana Goodman

Bulletin • December 2012 Thank you to our Holy Blossom Congregational Appeal Donors!

We are pleased to report that we have raised $469,000 from the wonderful generosity of the donors listed below.

Our Congregational Appeal makes membership at Holy Blossom possible for all who wish to belong. Many in our congregation face financial hardships. Funds from this appeal directly subsidize membership fees, ensuring membership for all regardless of financial circumstance. It is through this campaign that we truly ensure that our community continues to be an inclusive and vibrant centre of Jewish life.

It’s not too late to make a contribution to this year’s Congregational Appeal - the need remains great - with your help we can reach the milestone of $500,000. Please consider making a gift now. You will still receive a tax receipt for the current year, and have your congregational support recognized in the next Bulletin and on our website. Please call Loriellen Karam (ext 227) at the Temple to make your gift today.

Thanks again to our generous donors!

Benefactor $7,200+ Sponsor $1,800+ David Baskin & Joan Garson Pam & Michael Albert and Family Fran & Lawrence Bloomberg Mark S. Anshan & Brenda Spiegler In Memory of Beryl Borsook - Borsook, Freedman Terry Axelrod, Heather Shapiro, Madlyn, Daniel, Simon and Zucker Families and Charlotte Axelrod Michael & Janette Diamond and Family Janice & Larry Babins Wendy & Elliott Eisen Renette & David Berman Angela & David Feldman Harvey Borden Lloyd & Gladys Fogler Debra & Barry Campbell Patricia & Richard Fogler Alice & Ron Charach Chuck & Marilyn Gold Richard & Sara Charney Robert Lantos George & Susan Cohon Sam & Micki Mizrahi Greg Coleman & Jill Witkin Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Esther Zeller Cooper & Morris Cooper Gaye & Andrew Stein Crawford - Ritchie Family Carole & Dr. Bernard Zucker and Family Jeff & Phyllis Denaburg and Family Carey Diamond & Tina Urman Patron $3,600+ George & Lois Fine Helena & David Fine Earl Bederman & Ann MacPherson Jack & Gloriaz’l Fine Elizabeth & Reuben Bromstein Hugh Furneaux & Penny Fine Joseph Burnett & Colleen Kennedy Frances & Bernard Goldman Tom & Karen Ehrlich and Family Diana & Marvin Goodman Jacqueline & Tom Friedland Mark Goodman & Avra Rosen Joy & Barry Gales Allan & Sondra Gotlieb Sybil Geller & Jack Geller, Q.C. Sheldon Inwentash & Lynn Factor, Nicole, Raquel Anita & Michael Greenstein and Jakson Inwentash Leon & Anita Lapidus and Family John B. Laskin & Holly Goren Laskin - Henry Liss and Family In Loving Memory of Burtha Liss Earl & Jordanna Lipson Donald & Lorraine Loeb Rabbi Dow & Fredzia Marmur Rachel & Harvin Pitch The Melman Family Larry Rosen & Susan Jackson and Family Lesley & Ron Miller Alison & Alan Schwartz Karen Minden & Harvey Schipper 16 Henryz’l & Mary Seldon Dr. Stephen Pearl Rabbi Yael Splansky & Dr. Adam Sol Stephen & Suzie Pustil and Family Vanessa & Ari Yakobson and Family Val & Anita Rachlis Denise Zarn & James Shenkman Rhonda Richer & Tim Lipa Anonymous Lisa Ritchie & David Carroll Judith & Jack Rose Joy Rosen & Lawrence Freedman Holy Blossom Temple Rosenkrantz Family Marvin & Sharon Ungerman Erika Rubin & Adam Breslin Kalle Vaga & Dorothy Hasinoff Dr. Shia & Jocelyne Salem Lorne, Maureen and Alex Saltman Supporter $600+ Brenda & Fred Saunders Marilyn & Alvin Abram Julia & Michael Sax Advanced Technology Group Lionel & Carol Schipper Dr. Benjamin Barankin & Dr. Kimberly Liu Michael & Jackie Shulman Susan Baskin Judith Simmonds Naomi Bell Lise & Luke Sklar Eileen & David Berger Larry & Donna Smith Corinne & Neil Berinstein Mr. Cary Solomon Dr. Martin & Harriet Blackstein Francie & Martin Storm Ellen & Murray Blankstein Esther & Marvin Tile Bonnie Bloomberg Florence & Milton Winberg Phyllis & Paul Bordo Jack & Judy Winberg Marlene & Andy Borins The Wittlin Family Andrew & Lara Brodkin Rose Wolfe Jason & Jennifer Burstein Elizabeth Wolfe & Paul Schnier Deborah Chesnie Cooper Helene Zelovitzky Henrietta Chesnie Joyce & Fred Zemans Sharon Clavir Anonymous Clean Chem Distributors Anonymous Dr. Annalee Cohen & Dr. Franklin Pulver Anonymous Elise & Richard Cohen Anonymous Judith & Marshall Cohen Anonymous Jeffrey & Dianne Cole Peter Collins & Kris Langille Leader $1,200+ Barbara & Richard Conway Gordon Arbess & Sharon Neiss and Family Bonnie Croll & Robert Henry and Family Michael & Barbara Baker Peter & Susan Dan Warren Blatt & Joanne Godel Miriam & Marvin Dryer Susan & James Bookbinder Owen, Nancy, Julia, Allison and Lily Duckman Elen, Howard, Bryan and Jennifer Brodie Arnold & Ricky Englander Michael & Phyllis Cincinatus & Family Larry Enkin Jeff Dicker & Sandi Smith Anne Freeman Maxine & Victor Drevnig Stephen & Jill Fremes and Family Robert & Ruth Ehrlich Ruth Gales Tamara & Gary Fine Shelley & Arthur Gans Randall Friedland & Jean Anderson Zita Gardner and Family Sid & Vicky Goldhart Randi & Alan Garfinkel Jane & Robert Herman Howard & Carole Gelfand Sharon Herman Marilyn & David Gluskin Jennifer Hunter Stanley L. & Jo Ann Gold Steven Hurowitz & Diane Osak Joanne Goldberg Elise Kane Cachia Bonnie & Ronnie Goldstein David & Susan Linds Howard & Mindy Goodman Lipson-Kogut Family The Gotlieb Family Ilyse Lustig & Ted Margel Aviva, Matt, Jessie & Allie Gottlieb Carolin & Jerry Michaels Jennifer M. Gray Ann & Gary Posen Kathy & Maurice Green Debbie Redner & Benjamin Applebaum Barbara L. Grossman Eric & Beth Roher Susan & Harold Grossman 17 Michael Rotsztain & Fay Greenholtz and Family Murray Hart & Jill Kamin Ronna Rubin & Philip Smith Alan & Joan Heavenrich Eric Rumack & Susan York Frances & Paul Hellen Nancy Ruth and Family Drs. Elaine Herer & Stephen Holzapfel Lili & Michael Shain Dr. & Mrs. Dane Hershberg Joyce & Barry Spiegel Howard Family

Bulletin • December 2012 Dr. Ivan & Diana Hronsky Lawrence Smith & Marsha Elser Imperial Coffee & Services Inc. Bob & Sheila Smolkin The Ingvaldsen Family Ethel Solomon Into-Electronics Inc. Janis & Gary Soren Rachel Jacobson David & Susan Speigel and Family Cecile Kaufman Stein Randy & Debbie Spiegel and Family Hilary & David Kettner Phyllis & Dr. Manuel Spivak Dr. Stuart & Francie Klein Susan & Ray Stancer Richard & Sydney Krelstein and Family Dr. Harold & Anne Stein Merle Kriss Stan & Marlene Stein Harriette Laing Norma & George Steiner Jeff Leibel & Nancy Gebel Carole & Jay Sterling Mariam Leitman & Craig Perkins Linda & Jay Swartz Judith Leranbaum Dr. Lorne & Mrs. Sharon Tarshis Larry & Faigie Librach Maureen & David Tartick Jean & Richard Lorie Gloria & Seymour Temkin Ben & Jill Lustig Shirley & Leon Tessler Hope & Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner Sidney Troister & Claudia Blumberger Michael & Randi Marrus John & Rosie Uster Dr. Keith & Suzette Meloff Dr. Yvonne Verbeeten Shelley & Sharon Miller Craig & Kimberley Walters Modern Laundry & Dry Cleaning Lila & Allan Weiss Sylvia & Harvey Naftolin Dr. Rhonda Wilansky & Mr. Israel Ben-Ishai Michelle & Gavin Naimer and Family Lawrence & Lori Wilder Elke & Melville Olsberg and Family Diane & Jonathan Wilson Randolph & Julia Paisley Shari & Michael Wilson and Family Bernice & Yitz Penciner Judy Winberg & Andy Pollack Marty Perlmutar & Gillian Hawker Phyllis & Alan Wintraub Alison & Gary Polan Stanley & Rosalind Witkin Ted & Merle Rachlin Linda Wolfe Lee & Hessie Rimon Dorothy & William Wolfson Judy & Carl Ritchie Betty Young Cantorial Soloist Lindi & Dr. Stephen Rivers Zemans-Ronthal Family Razelle Roebuck & David MacCoy Anonymous Cheryl Rosen & Daniel Drucker Anonymous Arlene Roth Anonymous Florence & Irving Rother Anonymous Sheila & Melvyn Rubinoff Anonymous Marlene & Robert L. Ruderman Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Rumack Anonymous Marvin & Victoria Sadowski Anonymous Leslie Joy Salmons Anonymous Rivanne Sandler Anonymous Ethel Sapera Matthew Sapera & Darren Sukonick Friend $599 or less Doreen & Alan Saskin Elaine & Joel Abrams Lawrence & Ruth Sax Carol Abugov Robert Schipper Eric Adelson & Andrea Himel Ted & Terri Schipper Naomi & Saul Akler Walter Seaton Shirley & Scarlat Albright Anci Shafran Jan & Keith Allin 18 Grace & Ted Shafran Claire Angus & Mark Caplan Bonnie & Mel Shear Gordon & Sandy Atlin Donna & Stanley Shenkman Lisa & Aaron Baumal Deborah Siegel & Eric Beutel Janet Witkin Ber & David Ber Mike Silver Shelly Berenbaum & Chuck Litman Gerald & Judy Slan Gail Berman Peter & Neri Slan Susan Berman

Holy Blossom Temple Linda & Howard Book Deborah Perkins-Leitman Beverley Borins Clifton Pezim Allan & Judy Borodin Philip Ber Holdings Inc. Paulette Brodey Dr. Sheila Pollock z’l Dorothy Brown Mark & Joy Resnick Sally Chodorcove Georgina Rigor Sara Clodman Alan Ruth Michael S. Cole Adele Sager Robert Cooper Dr. Mark & Mrs. Susan Sager Gladys Cotton Ruthe Schipper & Jerry Rotstein Dimitra & Michael Davidson Annalee & Brian Schnurr Mrs. Goldie Davis Harold Segal Clare & Monte Denaburg Tobye & Sydney Sennet Iris Drache Helen & Edward Sheffman Judy Druyan Eleanor & Jack Shuber Mildred Eisenberg Julius Silver Maxanne Ezer Myrna & Harvey Silver Marilyn Farber Alma & Paul Simonsky Janice Feuer & Andrew Morrison Anne Sniderman Elissa & David L. Fingold Minnie Snitzer Isabel Freeman Joan Solway Nora & John Freund Doris Sommer-Rotenberg Etta Ginsberg McEwan Sara Speigel Mary & Jose Goldman Theodore Spevick Mildred & Sheldon Goldstein Martin Stern Claire Goodman Rosalie Sussman Jane & Gary Griesdorf Ann D. B. Sutton David Hart Lisa Taylor Esther & Cyril Hersh Rabbi Karen Thomashow & Dr. Yonatan Eyal Jill Hertzman Eileen & Paul Tichauer Helen & Joe Hochberg Irwin & Tema Title Sandra Kamenir Joan Tucker Ellen Karabanow Debby Vigoda Mark & Loriellen Karam Paula & Alan Warren Allan Kates & Danielle Himel Herb & Joy Wolfson Rose Kates Harriet Wolman Paula Kirsh Gloria Wunder Jeffrey & Natalie Kirsh Anonymous Edith Kirzner Anonymous Mr. Robert Klotz & Ms. Lyn Feldman Anonymous Marie Knaul Anonymous Shirley Kofman Anonymous Ahuva Krieger Anonymous Samuel Lapidus Anonymous Fern Lebo & Alan Brudner Anonymous Brian Lidsky & Elana Paice Lidsky Anonymous Irwin & Carol Lightman Anonymous Peter & Eleanor Loebel Anonymous Saul Mandelbaum & Melissa Nutik Anonymous Pnina Margolese Anonymous Andrea McKellar Anonymous Justine Melman Anonymous 19 Kaylee Miller Anonymous Maxine Minden Anonymous Ted Moses Anonymous Norkem Water Treatment Barbara Organ Shoshana & David Paice

Bulletin • December 2012 Welcome to Our Congregational Family Welcome Births We are delighted to welcome the n Jennifer & Solomon n Lou & Shelly Dale, on the n Charlotte & Sam Schwartz, Birenbaum, on the birth of another birth of a granddaughter, Tessa on the birth of a granddaughter, following new members to Holy daughter, Daniela Birenbaum, Abby Schell. Proud parents are Miriam Pearl Biro. Proud parents Blossom Temple: and sister to Talia, Samuel and Jennifer & Christopher Schell are Dina & Elliot Biro and sister to Alexandra. Proud grandparents and sister to Adam & Kyle. Other Saul. Other proud grandparents are are Isaac & Marilyn Birenbaum; proud grandparents are Deb & Rod Sharon & John Biro and great n Austin Bahadur & Clara Lavery Brenda Gottlieb; and Michael Schell. Proud great grand parents grandmothers are Rose Liberman n John & Robyn Berman, Sydney Gottlieb. Proud great grandparents are Shirley & Scarlat Albright; Gail and Eva Halasz. and Jaymie are Shaela Gottlieb; Bernie Gottlieb & Manny Dombrofsky; Teresa n Phyllis Wintraub on the birth n Nate Charach and May Love. Foulds and Helen & Ken Schell. of a granddaughter, Lila Kate n Rachel & Justin Cooper, n Shelly & Chuck Litman on the Richter. Proud parents are Karen n Joshua Cooper & Michelle Levine on the birth of a daughter, birth of a grandson, Ronen Yosef & Jon Richter and sister to Konopny, Alexis, Michael, Ryan and Alexis Roslyn Frances Cooper. Proud Shoham. Proud parents are Marni Hannah, Jack, Sara and Esti. Other n Rachel & Justin Cooper and Roslyn grandparents are Julia & David & Ran Shoham, a baby brother for proud grandparents are Alan n Liron Davis Sommers; Gail Cooper; and sister Noa. Other proud Wintraub; Linda & Melvyn n Bob & Marlene Goldman, Luke and Emma Richard Cooper. Proud great grandparents are Franklina & Richter of PA. grandparents are Milton Cooper; Gideon Shoham of Calgary. n Ron & Amy Heckmann Amos Sommers; and Adele Roberts. n Maurice Kalman n Joshua Kay & Elizabeth Horrocks n Noah & Rebecca Leibel B’nei Mitzvah Engagements & n Pavle Levkovic n Rebekah Lobosco Weddings n Janice & Jeff Maser, Haley and Justin n Laura Fogler, daughter the marriage of their son, n Alex & Sharon Mazelow of Gary & Barbara Fogler, Geoffrey Gans to Robyn n Kate Melnyk & Ian Salonin grandparents are Lloyd & Shyllit, daughter of Esther Shyllit and Joe Shyllit on n Carolyn Offman & Neil Dankoff, Jack, Gladys Fogler, and Mendy Sharf announce her September 9, 2012. Proud Jordyn and Matt engagement to Hartley grandmothers are Evelyn n Goldie Rivers Blumenfeld, son of Charles Smith and Dina Shyllit n Jeremy & Lauren Rosenbaum, Jake n 17 Kislev 5773/ n 2 Tevet 5773/ Blumenfeld and Andrea and Ruby December 1, 2012 December 15, 2012/ Shapiro, grandparents are n Wendy & Sid Paul an- Sam & Emma Shapiro, and nounce the engagement of n Beverley & Les Rothschild Rachel Lehner, Allan Fabrykant, daughter of Susan & son of Silvia Derasner Claire Blumenfeld their son Zachary Paul n Sonia Schwartz Jason Lehner to Rabbi Daniel Mikel- n Craig & Erica Shepherd, Sophie and n Shelley and Arthur Gans berg, son of Rose & Fred Hayley are pleased to announce Mikelberg of Vancouver. n Samara & David Starkman, Jack and Micah n Herb & Andrea Veisman, Caleb In Memoriam and Cameron n Arnold Bader, brother of Jack Fine, mother of Steven n Cathryn & Shawn Walderman, Alexandra, of Saundra Sherman, Ethel Bass and Ken Bass, step- Leigh, Ryan and Cole Lamster and Molly Moses, mother of Janet Fine, Harry father of Fran Bader and Fine, Joanne Schwebel n Sheldon & June Zimmerman n 9 Tevet 5773/ n 18 Tevet 5773/ Marlene Bader-Higgins and Walter Fine December 22, 2012 December 31, 2012 n Richard Bain, son n Ruth Goldbloom, wife of Chloe Gordon-Chow, Rachel Perelmutar, of Ruth Bain, husband Richard Goldbloom, mother daughter of Denise daughter of Dena of Harriet Bain, father of David Goldbloom. Alan Mazal Tov Gordon & Dennis Perelmutar of Vanessa Bain, David Goldbloom and Barbara Chow In Israel n David Alexander Gold, son of E. Sheldon Bain and brother of Karen Hughes, sister of Harold and RoseMarie Gold on receiving his PhD from Klawans Schwartz York University at the 2012 Fall Convocation. n Bernie Baum, husband n Mervin Gollom, brother David is now living in St. Louis. of Penny Baum, brother of Kaylee Miller, husband of of Lionel Baum, father of Debby Gollom, father of Alan n Elliott Jacobson who Cheryl Ferguson, Michael Gollom, Mindy Khu has been awarded the Baum, Lisa Baum and Daniel and Joanne Lockwood 20 Queen Elizabeth II Baum n Norman Goodis, Diamond Jubilee medal, n Sean Blumberg, son of husband of Edith Atkin to recognize his volunteer Henry & Marcia Blumberg, Goodis, father of Lyle Goodis service with the Canadian brother of Mark Blumberg, and Michael Goodis Liver Foundation. n 21 Tevet 5773/ n 15 Shevat 5773/ Jonathan Blumberg n Erwin Greenberg, January 3, 2013 January 26, 2013 and Kevin Blumberg husband of Hilde Greenberg, Jacob Young, son of Theo Bager, son of n Hilde Breuer, mother of father of Barbara Bregman Lisa & John Young Jodi & Steven Bager Eric Breuer, John Breuer and Bethellyn Rosenthal In Israel and Ellen Yackness n Leo Hardoon, father n Gloria Bass Fine, wife of Paulette Borsook, Liza Holy Blossom Temple Bergschneider and Daniel Hardoon n Camille Liberbaum, husband of n Linse Penturn, daughter of Edith Sennet and Risa Lang n Belle Hodes, mother of Robert Suzanne Liberbaum, father of Rachel Penturn, sister of James Penturn n Bertha Sklar, mother of Luke Hodes, Lyle Hodes and Ben Hodes Liberbaum, brother of Lilian Schacter and John Penturn Sklar, Mark Sklar and David Sklar n Lorraine Iverson, wife of Earle n Bernard Ludwig, husband of n Gerson Pollock, husband of n Sharon Sutton, wife of Melvin Iverson, mother of Tami Reiken and Margaret Florence-Ludwig, father Marilyn Pollock, father of Linda Barnett Sutton, mother of Howard Sutton Hana Iverson of Samuel Ludwig, Caren Shoychet, n Sylvia Roth, wife of Sidney Roth, and Jeffrey Sutton n Florence Kobrick, mother of Florence Gwartz and John Ludwig, mother of Arlene Roth, Myles Roth and n Kay Tartick, mother of David Ronald Kobrick brother of Beverley Borins Carol Saltzman, sister of Evelyn Young Tartick and Adrienne Kossman, brother n Morrie Konick, brother of Eve n Michael Manson, father of Harry n Brigitte Shefer, wife of Moty of Alvin Schrage and Richard Schrage Pascoe Manson and Johanna Manson Shefer, daughter of Jojo Beinglas, sister n Margaret Weisberg, mother of n Gertie Kopilis, mother of Aubrey n Albert Musafija, husband of Sara of Dalia Alalouf, mother of Limor Ovaia Allan Weisberg, Paul Weisberg, Barbara Kaplan, Loraine Erdman and Sandra Ina, father of Mair Musafija, Tamara and Shirley Reichberg Givon and Nancy Weisbord, sister of Durbach Musafija and Mirjam Musafija n Lottie Sinaisky, mother of Sydney Francis Biderman We thank our generous donors Brotherhood Mitzvah Fund Holy Blossom Temple Lillian Burke, In Memory: Carol David Abells, In Honour: Mary Seldon & Steve Pilon and Family Brigitte Shefer, In Memory: John Sweet, In Honour: Alexandrina Accessibility Fund Matilda Bigio & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Julius Kirschner, In Honour: Susan Jacob’s Tower Fund The Holy Blossom Temple Singers, & Brian Fishman and Family Henrietta Chesnie, In Honour: Sami and James Cooper Ellen & Robert Pike, In Honour: In Honour: The Goldfarb Family Youth Awards Fund Diana & Marvin Goodman Nadia Adler, In Honour: Helena Susan & Brian Fishman and Family Nathan Peck, In Memory: Joe Grajer, In Memory: Sami & James & David Fine Marilyn Shesko & David Hertzman Cooper Holy Blossom Temple Joyce & Barry Spiegel, In Honour: Florence Cooper, In Honour: Pam & Michael Albert, In Honour: Foundation Susan & Ray Stancer Marilyn Shesko & David Hertzman Sami & James Cooper Esther Tile, In Honour: Nancy Ruth Kay Tartick, In Memory: Helen Lyon Norman Goodis, In Memory: Glenna Finkelstein, In Memory: Sami Sarah Willinsky & Daniel Berens, Shoshana Sage, In Honour: Jill Hertzman; Marilyn Shesko & James Cooper In Honour: Carmen and Emil Horvath Holy Blossom Temple Singers Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Schwartz, In & David Hertzman. Ruth & Hank Rosen, In Honour: Esther Bloch Shesko Danson Family Camp Honour: Barbara & Floyd Stern , Yahrzeit: Shirley & Marvin Latchman Scholarship Mr. & Mrs. Max Rotstein, In Honour: Marilyn Hertzman Isabel Coleman, In Honour: Jill & Rosalind & Stanley Witkin Joan Kerbel Leadership Musical Legacy Fund Ben Lustig and Family Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Gans, In Honour: Temple Singers, In Appreciation: Development Fund Marla Powers Jean Fine Seniors Fund Rosalind & Stanley Witkin Gail & Garry Goodman, In Honour: Dr. Marvin Tile, In Honour: Sheila Nadejda Adler, In Honour: Eva Shapira, In Honour: Rosaline HBT Sisterhood; The Okorfskys. The Gordon-Chow Family Rose and Ruth Green Smolkin Linda & Abe Neufeld, In Honour: Molly Frankel, In Memory: Shelley Sharon Friendly, In Honour: Dr. Bernie Ludwig, In Memory: Sheila HBT Sisterhood Georganne Greenstein & Joel Wagman & Bob Smolkin; Marilyn Hahn. & Stan Mintz Janice & Larry Babins, In Honour: Randi & Alan Garfinkel, In Honour: Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, Mary Shannan, In Memory: Linda & HBT Sisterhood In Appreciation: Marla Powers Abe Neufeld Carmen and Emil Horvath Daisy & Sydney Jacobs, In Honour: Warren Sinukoff, In Honour: Shelley Efim Adler, In Honour: Alexandrina Walter Seaton, In Honour: Mondays HBT Sisterhood & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler @ the Temple & Arthur Gans Jackie & Howard Roger, In Honour: Dorothy Hasinoff & Kalle Vaga Phyllis Keller, In Honour: Mondays @ , HBT Sisterhood Out of the Cold Fund the Temple In Honour: Maureen Wright & Larry Pauline & Jack Toker, In Honour: General Donation: Nurit & Martin Mogelonsky Carol & Lionel Schipper Bloomberg Gardiner Family Fund S. Calvert Kogan, In Memory: Gertie Kopilis, In Memory: Rhoda Lipton Di Zitti, In Memory: Allen Gardner, Yahrzeit: Dee-Dee Ron Kogan HBT Sisterhood Julia & Michael Sax & Gary Shiffman and Family Hilda Breuer, In Memory: Janice & Larry Babins, In Honour: Val & Arieh Waldman, In Honour: Earl Gardner, Yahrzeit: Dee-Dee Sally Libman Jill & Murray Kamin Tania & Brian Blumenthal and Family & Gary Shiffman and Family Donald Bierstock, In Memory: Pearl Cappe, In Honour: Beverly Gertrude Gardner, Yahrzeit: Dee-Dee Sally Libman Kiddush Fund & Milton Israel and Family General Donation: & Gary Shiffman and Family Rosetta Sterne, In Memory: Virginia & Carl Danielle & Heath Applebaum, Rabbi Edward & Fagi Sally Libman Solomon; Sam & Ilana Goodman; In Honour: Janet & Michael Ryval Goldfarb Fund for Jewish Arnold Freedman, In Memory: Emma Prentice. Alta Karpenko & Jonathan Ryval, Literacy Esther & Cyril Hersh Library Book Fund In Honour: Janet & Michael Ryval Esther Tile, In Honour: Rabbi Edward Holy Blossom Temple Brigitte Shefer, In Memory: Kathy & Maurice Green, In Honour: & Fagi Goldfarb Renewal Project Dinah Borovoy Ellen Karabanow David Baskin, In Honour: Rabbi Dr. Shia Salem, In Honour: Sylvia Roth, In Memory: Karen Emsig Shelly Berenbaum & Chuck Litman, In Honour: Janice Feuer Edward & Fagi Goldfarb Fine Arts Committee Dow & Fredzia Marmur Henry Goldbach, In Honour: Rabbi Ann & Gary Posen, In Honour: Eidan Taxon, In Honour: Program for Educational Ruthe Simonsky Edward & Fagi Goldfarb Caryl & Bert Barruch Excellence Thelma Siegel, Yahrzeit: Rabbi Diana Goodman, In Honour: Jenny Klotz, In Memory: Elissa & David Fingold, In Honour: Edward & Fagi Goldfarb The Birthday Girls Susan Berman Ellen Karabanow and Anthony Irving Siegel, Yahrzeit: Rabbi Edward Emily & Eugene Grant, In Honour: Merv Gollom, In Memory: Karabanow & Fagi Goldfarb Barbara Weisfeld Joy & Charles Cohen Belle Hodes, In Memory: Sybil Max Goldfarb, Yahrzeit: Rabbi Edward Annalee Schurr, In Honour: Jack Applebaum, In Memory: & Jack Geller & Fagi Goldfarb Bikur Cholim Executive Allan Wexler Esther & Marvin Tile, In Honour: Rose Goldfarb, Yahrzeit: Rabbi Valerie Fish, In Honour: Sheila Bacher, In Honour: Ellen Karabanow 21 Edward & Fagi Goldfarb Bikur Cholim Executive Marilyn Hahn Rabbi Edward & Fagi Goldfarb, Ruth & Hank Rosen, In Honour: Musical Heritage Fund Razelle Roebuck, In Honour: In Honour: Mary Seldon Esther & Cyril Hersh General donation: Varda Berenstein Kathy & Maurice Green Raisa Berkowitz, In Honour: Lindi Helen Brodziak & Jack Kuglemass, Earl Bederman, In Honour: Kathy & Steve Rivers Isenberg Family Endowment In Honour: Mary Seldon & Maurice Green Rabbi Edward & Fagi Goldfarb, Fund Vallry & Arieh Waldman, In Honour: Claudia Blumberger, In Honour: In Honour: Etta Ginsberg McEwan Jack Buchman, In Honour: Carol Mary Seldon Kathy & Maurice Green & Steve Pilon Dr. Adriana Berbece, In Appreciation: Donna Silver, In Honour: Kathy Roy Waisberg, In Memory: Carol Marla Powers & Maurice Green & Steve Pilon and Family Happy Iscove, In Appreciation: Bulletin • December 2012 The Arbess Family In Appreciation: Annalee & Brian Benjamin Z. Maissner’s fund): Marvin Tile and Family Dorothy Hasinoff & Kalle Vaga, Schnurr. In Honour: Marilyn & Jack Marla Powers. Seiga Gold, In Memory: Esther In Honour: Mrs. Una Coghlan; Susan Newman and Family; Joanne Cohen; Bella Shupak, In Appreciation & Marvin Tile and Family Waterfield & John Razulif. Myrna Ross; Dorothy Hasinoff (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s fund): Bella Zweig, In Memory: Esther Bernard Ludwig, In Memory: & Kalle Vaga. Marla Powers. & Marvin Tile and Family Sheila Bacher Rabbi Yael Splansky, In Appreciation: Susan Chernow, In Appreciation Samuel Tile, In Memory: Esther Bill Gula, In Honour: Bonnie Croll David Hart; Donna & Mark Weinstock (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s & Marvin Tile and Family & Robert Henry and Family; The Arbess Family; The fund): Marla Powers. Devy Herlin, Yahrzeit: Ken Herlin Alan MacPherson, In Memory: Shiner Family; Sami & James Cooper; Denise Gordon, In Appreciation Lisa Brown, Yahrzeit: Jennifer Elaine & David Wolpin; Marsha Slivka The Moranis Family; Mariam Leitman (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s & Jay Brown and Family; Kathy & Maurice Green. & Craig Perkins; Elissa & David L. fund): Marla Powers. Toba Sussman, Yahrzeit: Rabbi James Prosnit & Wendy Fingold; Janis & Gary Soren. Dennis Chow, In Appreciation Rosalie Sussman Bloch, In Honour: Annalee & Brian In Honour: Myrna Ross. (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s fund): Julian Druyan, Yahrzeit: Judy Druyan Schnurr Rabbi Karen Thomashow, In Marla Powers. Sheldon Lipsey, Yahrzeit: Helen Lyon Henry Glover, In Memory: Marsha Appreciation: Phyllis Benjamin; Harry Leitman, Yahrzeit: & Harry Glicksman Harriette Laing; Paula Kirsh; David Nancy Ruth Educational Mariam Leitman Pauline & Jack Toker, In Honour: Hart; Donna & Mark Weinstock and Fund Joseph Windish, Yahrzeit: Marie Knaul General Donation Mimi Hollenberg; Elaine & Bernard Family; The Arbess Family; Myrna Ross; : Nancy Ruth Karen Goldblatt, Yahrzeit: Barry Nancy Ruth Davis; Barbara & Manley Walters; Elissa & David L. Fingold; The , In Honour: Alexandrina Goldblatt Eleanor Steinberg; Arlene & Sam Lieberman Family; Harry Manson. In & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Minnie-Mae Kamenir, Yahrzeit: Klapman; June & Robert Filler; Sheila Honour: Myrna Ross; Evelyn Epino Lorraine Sandler Tribute Sandra Kamenir Loftus; Janet & Norman Shiner and & Eitan Waldman; Elizabeth Tarshis Endowment Fund Bernice Palef, Yahrzeit: Barbara Family; Lois & George Fine; Shay & & Rick Lash. Lorraine Sandler, In Honour: & John Greenberg Maurice Wechsler; Judith & Victor J. Rabbi Edward Goldfarb, In Hamovitch Family Stanley H. Davis, Yahrzeit: Julia Goldberg and Family; Raylene & Nassie Appreciation: Rina Fishbein and Family; Klein Family, In Honour: Lorraine & Michael Sax Godel; Ruth & Robert Ehrlich; Debbie Shelly & Arthur Gans and Geoff Gans & Alan Sandler Gertie Kopilis, In Memory: Linda Molot and Family. & Robyn Shyllit; The Arbess Family. In Arbess Family, In Honour: Lorraine & Abe Neufeld Out of the Cold Volunteer, Honour: Ellen Karabanow; Daisy & Alan Sandler Kate Witkin, Yahrzeit: Stan Witkin In Honour: Ann MacPherson & Sydney Jacobs; Cynthia Good. Sandra & Steven Moranis, In Joshua Brodey, Yahrzeit: & Earl Bederman Rabbi Edward & Fagi Goldfarb, Honour: Cathy & Lorne Greenbaum Paulette Brodey Gertie Kopilis, In Memory: Grace & In Honour: Daisy & Sidney Jacobs. David Klein, Yahrzeit: Veronica Mandel Harvey Brooker; Glenda Mindlin Rabbi Dow Marmur & Fredzia Shacharit Breakfast Fund Murray Greenberg, Yahrzeit: Barbara Happy Iscove, In Honour: Audrey Marmur, In Appreciation: Irene & Miriam Cohen, Yahrzeit: Sue & Lou & John Greenberg & Janet Shiner Bernie Frolic. In Honour: Alexandrina Devor Hilde Breuer, In Memory: Eric Breuer Ruth & Hank Rosen, In Honour: & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler. Saul Fishbein, In Memory: Rina Susan Himel & Neil Kozloff and Family Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, In Fishbein Al & Dora Track Fund Harry & Cecile Pearl Youth Award Appreciation: Shelly & Arthur Gans Nathan Peck, In Memory: Wendy Living with Dementia Patients, Endowment Fund and Geoff Gans & Robyn Shyllit; The & Ronnie Peck and Family In Honour: Sandy Atlin Oscar Kofman, In Memory: Joyce Arbess Family; Marian Leitman & Bessie Salemn, Yahrzeit: Jocelyne Living with Dementia Program & Fred Zemans Craig Perkins; The Moranis Family; & Shia Salem Organizers, In Appreciation: Ann Borovoy, Yahrzeit: Dinah Borovoy Vera Baumal Rabbi Gunther W. Plaut Elissa & David L. Fingold; The Lieberman Family. Sadie Lewin, Yahrzeit: Dinah Borovoy Morris Vigoda Tribute Fund Memorial Fund Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, Matthews Verbeeten, Yahrzeit: Gertrude Kruger, In Memory: Judith Linse Penturn, In Memory: In Appreciation: Rina Fishbein and Yvonne Verbeeten Debby Vigoda Plaut Serene Bodor Family; Dorothy Hasinoff & Kalle Vaga; , Yahrzeit: Agnes Lantos Bernard Ludwig, In Memory: Rabbi Gunther W. Plaut, In Memory: Edward Krause Elissa & David L. Fingold; Janis , Yahrzeit: Shelley Debby Vigoda Nancy-Gay & Max Rotstein; Liesl Wolfe & Gary Soren. Krause-Levine & Martin Levine Neuburger; Frances & Phil Shapiro. Dorothy Hasinoff & Kalle Vaga, Violet Kassel, Yahrzeit: William Kassel Leonard Wolfe Memorial Prayer Book Fund In Honour (Rabbi Splansky’s fund): Max Kassel, Yahrzeit: William Kassel Educational Fund Marlene & Robert Ruderman, In Diana Ginpil Asher Lerenbaum, Yahrzeit: Susan Marcelle Esses, In Honour: Appreciation: Debby Vigoda and Family Henry Kay, In Memory (Rabbi Mogil Honey Wolfe Lori & Ernie Gershan, In Splansky’s fund): Susan & Brian Frances Erdell, Yahrzeit: Carol Collin Denise Bond, In Memory: Appreciation: Debby Vigoda and Family Fishman and Family. Max Yack, In Memory: Ellen and Susan Honey Wolfe Albert (Bert) Abugov, Yahrzeit: Carol Mel Sarett, In Honour (Rabbi Yack Denise Bond, In Memory: Abugov and Family Splansky’s fund): Edyse & Norm Fisher. Sam Rotholc, Yahrzeit: Sandra Carol Dale Youth Awards Fund Zale Skolnik, In Honour: Judi Swartz Glenna Finkelstein, In Memory Rotholc-King General Donation: Sheryl Brodey & Bob Skolnik (Rabbi Splansky’s fund): Susan Henry Clavir, Yahrzeit: Isabel Schwartz & Richard Borins Vallry & Arieh Waldman, In Honour: & Brian Fishman Lillian Smith, Yahrzeit: Leonard Smith David Baskin, In Honour: Esther Alexandrina & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Mae Shapiro, In Memory (Rabbi Louis Smith, Yahrzeit: Leonard Smith Zeller & Morris Cooper and Family Jeff Levy, In Honour: Alexandrina Thomashow’s fund): Debbie William Pitch, Yahrzeit: Harvin Pitch Abraham Freuerlich-Berecz, Yahrzeit: & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler & Irwin Thomashow. Mayer Joseph Fogel, Yahrzeit: Helene Barto Melville Olsberg, In Honour: Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, Rosie Uster Brigitte Shefer, In Memory: Alexandrina & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler In Honour (Rabbi Thomashow’s fund): Ida Sue Freedman, Yahrzeit: Marla Debbie & Randy Spiegel David Gershon, In Honour: Sandra & David Sandler. Powers Brigette Shefer, In Memory: Alexandrina & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Rabbi John Moscowitz, In Max Hoffman, Yahrzeit: Bernice Holy Blossom Temple and Religious Dr. Marvin Tile, In Honour: Appreciation (Cantor Benjamin Z. & Yitz Penciner School Alexandrina & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Maissner’s fund): Marla Powers. Harry Penciner, Yahrzeit: Bernice Ellen Karabanow, In Honour: Gordon Winemaker, In Honour: Pnina Margolese, In Appreciation & Yitz Penciner The Birthday Girls Holly & John Laskin and Family (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s Selig Patchen, Yahrzeit: Marilyn Hahn Happy Iscove, In Honour: Evelyn Davis 22 Harry Greenwood, In Memory: Faye fund): Marla Powers. , Yahrzeit: Julia Sax Alexandrina & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Kay Tartick Mai Levi Greenwood & Family Caroline Ingvaldsen, In Appreciation , In Memory: The Tartick , In Honour: Alexandrina Lucy Waverman, In Honour: Bikur (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s Family & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Sydney Ezrin Or Shalem Cholim Committee fund): Marla Powers. , Yahrzeit: Hershel Ezrin , In Honour: Alexandrina Jennifer Hunter, In Appreciation Erin Belman, Yahrzeit: The Family of & Jeffrey Canto-Thaler Project Tikvah (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s Erin Belman Jacob Glaizel, In Honour: Jocelynn Shelly Berenbaum & Chuck Litman, fund): Marla Powers. Morley Pape, Yarhrzeit: Michael Cole & Fred Engle In Honour: Gail & Barry Silver Judy Winberg, In Appreciation Rose Gyarmati, Yahrzeit: Magda Weisz Noah Yakobson, In Honour: Eleanor (Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner’s fund): Pauline Shaperom, Yahrzeit: Gail & Zishe Wittlin Rabbi’s Discretionary Funds & Gary Goodman Chloe Gordon-Chow, In Honour: Rabbi John Moscowitz, Marla Powers. Jill Kamin, In Appreciation (Cantor Anne Tile, In Memory: Esther & Debbie & Randy Spiegel Holy Blossom Temple Life at Holy Blossom For all programs between Dec. 1, 2012-Jan 31, 2013

Monday December 3, 10, 17; 10:30 a.m. Mondays @ the Temple Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 December 3 8:00 p.m. Israel and The United Church, A Conversation between Bruce Gregerson and Rabbi Dow Marmur, January 14 6:30 p.m. Jewish Genealogy Family History: Digging Roots and Growing Trees, Carolynne Veffer January 21 6:30 p.m. Family Programming, Screening of: ‘Race to Nowhere’ Tuesday

January 15-29 7:30 p.m. Exploring the Jesus Triangle, Prof. Barrie Wilson Wednesday ongoing 7:00 p.m. Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class 9:30 a.m. Tora Study - Talmud, Rabbi Teri Appleby sponsored by Sisterhood Thursday December 6, final class 10:30 a.m. Deuteronomy: the First Jewish Reform Movement, Rabbi Michael Stroh December 6 7:30 p.m. The End of the Shul as We Know It? Crisis and Renewal in North American Synagogues, Keynote speaker, Professor Jonathan Sarna, sponsored by Holy Blossom Temple, Beth Tzedec Congregation and Centre for Jewish Studies at University of Toronto, taking place at Beth Tzedec Dec 6 7:30 p.m. Final class Western Art Music from a Jewish Perspective December 27, January 3-31 7:30 p.m. Ayn Rand & Martin Buber: What Can They Teach Us? Rabbi Michael Stroh, sponsored by Brotherhood January 17-31 10:00 a.m. Toward a New Ozick, Sharoni Sibony Friday Dec. 7, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, 6:00 p.m. Tot & Hot Shot Shabbat Service & Dinner Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb 15, 5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service & Craft New sessions begins Little Blossoms January 11 – March 22

! (No class February 15) 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 a.m.

Saturday Weekly Torah Study - ongoing 9:00 a.m. Timely Insights, Timeless Wisdom Rabbi Yael Splansky December 15 after kiddush Rosh Hodesh Beit Midrash, Marla Powers, facilitator Sunday ongoing 10:00 a.m. Temple Singers, Cantor Benjamin Maissner December 16 10:30 a.m. Sunday Book Club, Sharon Singer 23

1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K9 416.789.3291 • www.holyblossom.org Daily Services Mon. to Fri. 7:30 a.m. Shacharit Mon. to Thur. 6:00 p.m. Ma’ariv Sun. 9:00 a.m. Shacharit

Shabbat Services Fri. 6:00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Services Sat. 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service Sat. 10:30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service Tot Shabbat Dec. 7 6:00 p.m. (Service & Pot Luck dinner) Dec. 21 5:30 p.m. (Service & Craft) Jan. 4 6:00 p.m. (Service & Pot Luck dinner) Jan 18 5:30 p.m. (Service & Craft) Shabbat Fusion Nov. 30, Jan. 25, Feb. 22 6:30 pm Shacharit Dec. 25, Dec 26, Jan 1 9:00 a.m. !

1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K9 416.789.3291 • www.holyblossom.org