As Jews and Canadians, we face many challenges. We are called to broaden access to Jewish education, creatively continue our tradition, attend to our elderly, support Israel, and defend democratic and free societies. In addition, we must care for poor Jews and provide humanitarian assistance to those who are outside the borders of our community. Having grown up in poverty, I am...

The information contained in last week’s edition of The Week Ahead e-newsletter regarding the Choir has led to some questions about the process leading up to that announcement, and I’d like to share some additional background with the Congregation.  The Rabbi meets regularly with Synagogue leadership to discuss a wide range of issues affecting Beth Tzedec. Some issues are mundane...

I was asked to share with the Beth Tzedec community these words of gratitude from Thanaa and Amyn, the sister and brother-in-law of the Syrian family we are sponsoring.We would really like to thank the entire Beth Tzedec Congregation along with JIAS for their heart-felt, overwhelming support in the reunification of our family, and giving hope and a better future for those less fortunate who have...

25 November 2015 ~ 14 Kislev 5776 “This is the day that the Eternal has made.” What a privilege and blessing for our two communities to witness Canadian Rabbis and Bishops sharing wine and sitting together for dinner. This would have been unimaginable 100 years ago, when Albert Einstein presented his famous General Theory of Relativity. Just as his theory and equation changed...

With the cold weather upon us, the Beth Tzedec/Beth Sholom Out of the Cold program has an urgent need for men and women's winter boots and down-filled, ski-type jackets. Donations of other adult-sized winter clothing—hats, gloves, warm sweaters, hoodies, sweatshirts and pants, new socks and underwear— are also always appreciated. Clothing donations should be bagged, labelled "Out of the Cold"...

There are those who are calling us naïve; that we are ignoring the facts and putting our community in jeopardy. Some have asked whether we have a moral responsibility to care for the impoverished within our own city and country before we help strangers halfway across the world. A few have shared with me that something just doesn’t sit right with them about helping Muslim...

After the Blue Jays’ loss to Kansas City, I had many flashbacks to my childhood. The Blue Jays’ World Series wins in 1992 and 1993 are some of the happiest moments of my youth. After all, as a seven and eight year old, there’s nothing better than seeing your team win a championship. The key moments are further imprinted in my brain thanks to repeated viewings of the commemorative...

Who can recount the mighty acts of Israel?Who can count them? Indeed, in every age, a hero shall arise The people’s rescuer. Hear! In those days and in our time, A Maccabee saves and redeems. And in our days, all of Israel Shall stand united and be rescued. Every winter of my childhood, my family went to visit Israeli friends who lived nearby. We would sit around their living...

We have now completed the stretch run to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the annual period of self and communal reflection. In this town, the excitement and buzz may have focussed a little more on the Blue Jays playoff run and less on our own personal run towards a meaningful and fulfilling High Holy Day and Sukkot experience. Increasingly, or so it seems, many who are renewing or joining a...

What can a synagogue community be? The film Back to the Future was set in 1955 and imagined events of 2015. As Beth Tzedec celebrates its 60th anniversary as a congregation (our roots actually go back to the 1890s with our founding kehillot of Beth Midrash Hagadol and Goel Tzedec), it is appropriate to reflect on what our Synagogue has been in the past, where we are today and what we...

Welcome to another season of the Beth Sholom/Beth Tzedec Out Of The Cold (OOTC) homeless shelter.  Out Of The Cold provides quality hot food, a warm and safe place to sleep, clothing, well-loved weekly programming, and a respectful, friendly and stimulating atmosphere for Torontonians in need. It will run each Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning from January 5, 2016 to March 22,...

Are you looking to connect with singles ages 60 and over for friendship, networking and socializing? Join our new 60+ Singles Friendship Group and help us plan events where we can all laugh, learn and have fun together in a positive and supportive environment with likeminded adults. For more information, contact Zina Glassman at 416-781-3514 ext. 225 or the Synagogue office at 416-781-3511.

Volunteer reservations open November 8!Welcome to another season of the Beth Sholom/Beth Tzedec Out Of The Cold (OOTC) homeless shelter. Out Of The Cold provides quality hot food, a warm and safe place to sleep, clothing, well-loved weekly programming, and a respectful, friendly and stimulating atmosphere for Torontonians in need. OOTC will run each Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning from...

A 60th Anniversary Shabbat UpdateDear Friends:During the past 60 amazing years, Beth Tzedec has provided outstanding programs and services to our community. From time to time, we have faced challenges, yet each time we have turned the challenge into an opportunity.Late Wednesday night, we received word that our guest speaker, Rabbi Donniel Hartman, had fallen ill and had to immediately...

This summer, i witnessed the bringing together of  long separated art and spirit to restore a whole heart, םלש בל (lev shalem). I thought of the different paths our personal yearning for wholeness and healing may take: in the beauty of sea, sky and snow; the solitude of meditation; the activity of family celebration; exquisite moments of song and prayer. Just before the...