Beha’alotecha, feels deeply personal to me. Not just because of what it says about leadership, but because of what’s happening in the world right now. And because of who I am: a proud Jew with Iranian roots. In the Torah, Moses is exhausted. The people are complaining, confused, and nostalgic for the past, even if that past was Egypt, a place of slavery. They want comfort, they want...

It might be coincidental, or perhaps it was designed on purpose by the ancient Rabbis. Regardless, this Shabbat we will read about the creation and kindling of the Menorah, the seven branched candelabra made of pure gold that brought light into the Mishkan (portable sanctuary) and later, the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also the time of year when we have the most daylight in the Northern...

Beth Tzedec Congregation affirms our unwavering support for the State of Israel and her right — and responsibility — to defend her citizens and visitors from existential threats.We are guided by the words of King David in Tehillim (Psalms 34:15):"Sur me-ra va’aseh tov, bakesh shalom v’radfehu" —“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”Seeking peace is...

Following the Annual Meeting of the Beth Tzedec Congregation on Tuesday, evening, May 27, the Board of Directors elected the new Executive Committee for 2025-2026.The Executive Committee is comprised of the following individuals:• President — Don Smith • Chair of the Board — Brian Segal• Vice-President — Mitch Max• Treasurer — Paul...

As members of Beth Tzedec and the global Masorti/Conservative movement, we have a unique and powerful opportunity to shape the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel — by voting in the World Zionist Congress elections. The election closes June 15.What is the World Zionist Congress?The World Zionist Congress (WZC) is the only democratically elected body of the global...

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...