Pride Month, sometimes called LGBTQ+ Pride Month, is a month dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community. (I use the terms Queer and Trans interchangeably with LGBTQ+). Pride Month is observed in June in many places across the world, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots,...

As a Bar and Bat Mitzvah tutor, I often find myself shepping nachas and living vicariously through the parents of the students I teach. People who have visited my office surely know about my extensive kippah collection that I have amassed from all the simchas over the years. For this significant milestone in a child’s Jewish life, I think that many B’nei Mitzvah teachers get a real sense...

This week, we hosted two major events at Beth Tzedec, bringing close to 4000 people through our doors. Israeli actor, musician and hero Idan Amedi shared his experiences of trauma and resilience and his deep faith in Judaism and the Israeli people, accompanied by his award-winning music. The following night, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg Polin spoke in our sanctuary as part of an event by...

Beth Tzedec Communications Manager Michael Goodbaum sat down with Rabbi Fryer Bodzin to ask her questions on her 20 years as a rabbi and her upcoming honorary doctorate. 20 years ago you were ordained as a rabbi. What does it mean for you to receive an honorary doctorate now from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies?It’s a privilege to be honoured for two decades of a meaningful,...

In Parashat Kedoshim, we are given one of the most sweeping and transformative commandments in the Torah: “You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Vayikra 19:2). This is not a call to the priests alone, nor a mystical ideal for the spiritually elite. It is directed to the entire community—kol adat b’nei Yisrael—reminding us that holiness is not beyond reach but...

The double portion of Tazria and Metzora deals mostly with the identification of a scaly skin disease -- tzara’at -- and the purification rites to get rid of it. The Greek word λεπρός (leprós), means "scaly" or "rough," and derives from λεπός (lepós), meaning "peeled" or "fine.” The first Greek physician, Hippocrates, grouped together different skin diseases as...

One of my most unique Shabbat memories from childhood is the infamous “Shabbat of the Bat.” I’m not talking about the Shabbat I was called to the Torah to celebrate becoming an adult in the Jewish community, although that was a very special Shabbat, too. No, I’m talking about the Shabbat when there was a bat flying around the sanctuary during Friday night services. Yes, that kind of...

Shefoch Hamatcha el hagoyim asher lo yeda’ucha… Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that do not recognize You… These words are not gentle. They are a cry of pain and fury. Try teaching them to a room full of conversion candidates, or saying them in front of any non-Jewish guests you might have at the Seder. This section wasn’t part of the Rabbi’s original Seder, or...

This Shabbat before Passover is known as Shabbat HaGadol, the Great or Grand Shabbat. It is a partner to the Shabbat before Yom Kippur, Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat of Return or Repentance. For both of these special Shabbatot, somewhat unexpectedly, we do not take out a second Torah scroll and read an additional portion. Instead, we rely on the words of the Prophets through the...

From The Blogs at The Times of Israel “THE STATE OF ISRAEL will … guarantee freedom of religion” --Israel’s Declaration of Independence, 14 May 1948 / 5 Iyar 5708 For most Canadian Jews, Israel engages their concern, interest, passion and commitment far more than the birthplaces of whoever in the family immigrated to Canda in the first place.  Why? Because God...

It is Nisan, the beginning of Aviv - Spring, and my birthday month. (I was born on the second night of Pesach). I feel the weight of winter slowly lifting and the buoyancy that comes with tulips peaking through the earth. Pesach is almost here, and I know this because my colleagues are sharing where there are good deals on matzah.Usually at this time of the year, I splurge and take my car to get...

Beth Tzedec Bulletin - Spring EditionThe latest edition of the Beth Tzedec Bulletin is available for download. Let's celebrate, learn, pray and connect as a community with the many opportunities offered throughout our quarterly catalogue of programs, events and articles.Don't miss any of the news and excitement, including:An Evening with Idan Amedi (page 2);Beth Tzedec Trips to...

The last parsha of the book of Exodus, Pekudei, describes the concluding stages of the construction of the portable sanctuary. In it, Moses gives a detailed accounting of the expenditures involved, all the proceeds and use of the contributions. The opening verse (Exodus 38:21), which outlines the parsha, deserves examination.   אֵלֶּה...

The Jewish People’s Podcast spoke with Yizhar Hess, Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, about the World Zionist Congress. He explains how it shapes Jewish priorities, allocates billions in funding, and why every Jew should vote to influence the Jewish future. Don’t miss this conversation on why your voice matters!To listen, click here>>Save the date to Meet Yizhar Hess at...

The name and opening word of our parasha is vayakhel, meaning to gather. This moment in the Torah follows the sin of the Golden Calf and the resulting shame and punishment. God comes close to destroying the entire Jewish people before Moshe defends them and calms the divine wrath. Rashi points out that the word vayakhel is distinct from gathering things with our hands, but rather refers to...