High Holy Days Large Quarterly 5776.Pub
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ouka SHALOM HIGH HOLY DAYS 5776 FALL 2015 BETH AVRAHAM YOSEPH OF TORONTO CONGREGATION ;xuh ovrct ,hc e"e 4 Insights from the Rav 11 High Holy Days Schedule 5 From the President’s Pen 13 Message from the Youth Director 6 Message from the Assistant Rabbi 14 Sisterhood Message 7 Message from the Executive Director 15 Bat Mitzvah Program 8 Message from the High Holy Day Chairs 16 BAYT Adult Education 9 Message from the Fundraising Committee 17 Brotherhood Message 10 High Holy Days Security 19 Mishpacha Mara D’Asra Rabbi Daniel Korobkin Assistant Rabbi Rabbi Zev Spitz Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Baruch Taub President Alan Steinfeld Executive Director Mordechai Bookbinder Youth Director Richard Winkler Address. 613 Clark Avenue W. Thornhill, ON L4J 5V3 Tel. 905.886.3810 Email. [email protected] Fax. 905.886.5103 Web. www.bayt.ca MISSION STATEMENT BAYT finally has its first-ever statement of mission, value and vision. Recently adopted by the Board of The statement is divided into three Governors, the statement defines our parts. The opening sentence is the purpose, principles and aspirations. mission – the overarching goals of the The Shul is increasingly having to organization. The middle section is determine how much time and money the values – or the means by which – which are both finite resources – we will achieve our mission. These can be devoted to an ever-growing become the principal areas of focus list of potential initiatives and for all BAYT activity and resources. programs. The mission statement will The final paragraph is the vision – help define priorities and ensure that what we hope will happen as a result decisions are made based on enduring of our dedication to our principles. mission and values. BAYT MISSION STATEMENT DECEMBER 17, 2014 BAYT is an inclusive shul community, committed to the principles of Orthodox Judaism, embracing G-d, Torah and Israel while inspiring spiritual growth. As a welcoming home to all Jews, we are committed to: Nurturing future Jewish generations Being a caring, sharing and ethical community Perpetuating Halacha as the basis for Jewish living Facilitating lifelong Jewish learning Enabling meaningful prayer imbued with joy Maintaining a strong connection to and support of the State of Israel Through our dedication to these principles we strive to positively influence the lives of individual Jews, to be a magnet for Jewish living and learning, a beacon among Orthodox shuls and a respected voice in and for the Jewish community. INSIGHTS FROM THE RAV YIZKOR FOR OURSELVES Recently, I spoke in shul about Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the days when (1883-1945), the former chief rabbi of Tel Aviv, who was a great “the Books of the Living and the Books of the Dead are open in Gaon and leader in the pre-State days of Eretz Yisrael. Rav front of Hashem” (Talmud Rosh Hashanah 32b). Indeed, this is Amiel published his Derashos El Ami, a compilation of his one of the reasons offered by the Midrash for saying Yizkor on sermons to his kehillos both in Antwerp and Israel. Yom Kippur, because judgment and atonement take place on this day for the deceased as much as for those living. In one of his derashos, he notes that Yahrzeits are a big thing for Jews in his day. He was lamenting the disproportionate But perhaps the reason why the Gemara equates the two kinds emphasis on death for those whose sole relationship with of books is to remind us: religion was based on sitting shiva or observing Yahrzeit. People are quite meticulous about observing Yahrzeits for their Knowing that the dead are with us in judgment on beloved parents and other relatives who meant so much to them this day allows us to ask: Have we lived up to the and who enriched their lives immeasurably. This is all very expectations, dreams and goals of our parents and important, notes Rav Amiel, but there’s something even more other loved ones who are no longer in this world? If important: Observing Yahrzeit for ourselves! they were here today, looking at us as we are now, You see, in Pirkei Avos (2:10), Rabbi Eliezer says to “repent one would they be proud? day before you die.” Since none of us know when we’ll die, The deceased can no longer change the decisions teshuva is an appropriate exercise every single day, since it may they made for their own lives, good or bad. But we, be our last. It turns out, then, that every day is a potential who are still alive, have the opportunity to take Yahrzeit for ourselves! And so, it’s important to view each day advantage of this moment and repair all the bad of as my own personal Yahrzeit, so that I can utilize today to the our lives and our surroundings. fullest, so that I can perform teshuva properly, and so that I can Perhaps the “Books of the Dead” and the “Books of make peace with every single person. the Living” don’t just refer to those literally dead or alive. Perhaps we get to choose which book we wish We say the Yizkor prayer with tremendous kavanah and to be part of for the coming year: Do I choose to feeling: “Yizkor Elokim Nishmas _______________,” may Hashem truly “live” this year, to live a productive life where remember the soul of my dearly departed. But the most I’ll make a difference for myself and others? Or will I important Yizkor for us to recite is the Yizkor over our own be part of the “walking dead,” who go through life as souls. Remember: How am I doing spiritually? Is my neshama a daily grind without realizing my true potential? soaring or sinking? Choose life! It’s easy to commemorate someone else’s life. But there comes a time when we all have to turn inward and focus on saying During these Days of Awe, let’s say Yizkor for ourselves. Let’s Yizkor for ourselves. This may be the very reason why Yizkor is remember that little prayer at the beginning of the Siddur: such an important feature of Yom Kippur. It’s to remind us that “Elokai neshama shenasata bee, tehorah hee” – “My Lord, the soul these holy days are not only about remembering our dearly You’ve given me is ultimately holy.” Let’s reconnect to our holy departed, but also about remembering ourselves and who we souls and maintain that holiness through our renewed are in the process. commitments to Hashem and our fellow man. Karen and I wish you a kesivah v’chasimah tovah and everything good for the coming year. Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin 4 SHALOM BAYT Fall 2015 Mara D’Asra • • BAYT EXECUTIVE 2015-2016 FROM THE President Alan Steinfeld PRESIDENT’S First Vice President Melech Tanen Second Vice President PEN Zvi Woolf Third Vice President Mitch Silverstein The year seems to have flown by. We are on the cusp of will double automatically. We extend an enormous Treasurer the New Year 5776. The New Year gives us a chance to THANK YOU to the Board of the Foundation for their Meir Cohen reconnect with Hakadosh Baruch Hu. It also gives us ongoing support. With such a strong foundation our BAYT is on solid ground. I encourage every member to pause to reflect on the past year and how things turned out. It gives us a chance to look forward to an even more join us on this exciting journey if you have not already Secretary done so to make the BAYT even better than it already is. Suzanne Kaye exciting year with greater successes than in the past. Over the course of the year there have been many daily, The BAYT Brotherhood and BAYT Sisterhood do so much weekly and seasonal shiurim. The talent level of our for the shul on an ongoing basis. They also raise funds for Parnas maggidei shiurim is outstanding. From our spiritual shul programs but they do so much more. They run the Howard English leaders – Rabbi Korobkin, Rabbi Spitz and now Rabbi Bat Mitzvah program and the Shavuos shul wide siyum; Ziring – to the multitude of volunteers from all walks of the Purim Mishloach Manos program and the annual Gabbai life who gave shiurim and shared their Torah, there is a mission to Israel and more. Thank you to the leadership shiur for everyone. Yasher Koach to everyone who gave a of the BAYT Sisterhood and the BAYT Brotherhood for Eddie Jesin enriching shul life in so many ways. shiur on a regular basis or on occasion. Each person has enhanced the beauty of Torah and learning in the BAYT. Yet everything we undertake can only succeed with a Past President I would especially like to extend our deepest appreciation wonderful support team and we at the BAYT are lucky to Harley Eklove to our Mara D’Asrah Rabbi Daniel Korobkin and Karen have such a team. Our office, led by our Executive Korobkin for their continued guidance, warmth and Director Mordechai Bookbinder, help with setting up for BOARD OF GOVERNORS vision as they lead the BAYT to even greater heights. I programs, assisting members with questions, booking would also like to thank our Assistant Rabbi, Rabbi Zev Simchas and events, preparing bulletins, tracking Elana Aziza Spitz and Leora Spitz who have integrated so smoothly donations and expenses, and so much more. My thanks Warren Bean and quickly after their arrival almost a year ago and are go out to Mordechai Bookbinder and this amazing team: making such a positive impact in many areas of the shul.