My Three Days in Israel

 

I have recently returned from Israel, where the mood is heavy and the mission is focused. I know we are feeling it here, too, and our Chanukah celebrations are not as bright as in years past. 

 

Many have asked about what I witnessed in Israel.  To be honest, it’s taken me many days to unpack all I learned from this very short trip. Shabbat I shared a number of the testimonials I heard and the things I experienced. The sermon is entitled “Becoming Israel.”   You can listen here:

 

 

I’ll have more to share in the coming weeks. 

 

Rally for Israel 

 

I’m very proud of the countless congregants — young and old — who showed up for the Rally for Israel in Ottawa. I’m grateful for the organizers at CIJA and the UJA and for my amazing Holy Blossom colleagues for pushing through the bumps in the road and through the cold and snow. Nothing can get between us and our love for Israel.  

 

For those who couldn’t be on Parliament Hill in body, but were with us in spirit, here is the link to the rally.  There was a great range of voices. I was asked to offer a prayer for the hostages. That comes in at the 2:32 mark, right after two families of hostages spoke. It was very moving to be with them at this fragile time. 

 

 

A Chanukah gift for you 

 

We now have 137 seats reserved in our sanctuary.   

As you prepare to light the Chanukah candles this evening (Chanukah candles first, then Shabbat candles), I invite you to read this poem written by my childhood friend, Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi. 

 

“These Lights of Ours — HaNerot Hallalu” 

 

These lights of ours  

Are eminently holy 

And more ancient 

Than our imaginings, 

Bursting into beams 

Shining, shimmering 

Splendid lamps 

To illuminate our way. 

 

Reflected and radiating 

From torch to torch 

From eternal light to 

Towering pillars of fire, 

Shards and sparks, 

From soul to living soul 

Making dark corners glow  

And stone hears thaw. 

 

These lights have travelled  

Through time and Torah, 

Braided wick and walled city, 

Vast exiles and small villages, 

Cracks and conquests, 

Faint and refracted 

Or blinding, spilling forth  

In crests and waves. 

 

Now these lights roam 

Anew, winding further 

Deep into dim tunnels 

To those who were taken. 

There are no menorahs there, 

But light there is, we pray! 

These ancient lights need 

Our imaginings once again. 

 

And so, as we strike the match  

here, 

May they sense the light  

there. 

And as we pray for a miracle  

here, 

May it come to be real  

there. 

 

Amen.  A thousand amens. 

 

 

Shabbat Shalom, everyone.  May it be a Shabbat filled with ancient and new light. 

Tot Shabbat: Celebrating the Joy of Prayer

By Ben Hertzman

My family and I have been members of Holy Blossom Temple (HBT) for as long as I can remember.  My whole upbringing was at HBT – from religious school, Bar Mitzvah, confirmation, and marriage, Holy Blossom has been a pivotal fixture in my life.

When my wife Danna and I welcomed our first son Oliver to our family just over two years ago, we started to attend the family programming at HBT.  One of the program offerings, Tot Shabbat, was high on our list.

The first Tot Shabbat we attended was on a snowy December night. So snowy in fact that maybe just 15 people showed up in total (including Rabbi Kaye and Dr. Marky). Regardless, we loved it, so we continued to attend Tot Shabbat in the months that followed.

As the months passed, we noticed that the service was starting to get some more traction with attendees, particularly as Rabbi Baruchel began her outreach efforts.

By June of this year, we were seeing record attendance. Yet, Tot Shabbat was to be put on hold for the remainder of the summer.

Historically, much of the HBT family programming would stop for the summer. But, as a young family in the city, we are constantly in search of activities.

I approached Rabbi Kaye and said, “Tot Shabbat is wonderful – we would love to see it continue during the summertime.  I see so many families are enjoying it.  If it is a matter of funding, I can help with that”.  We were so thrilled that we were able to bring Tot Shabbat back for July and August.

The momentum continued to build – with each successive Tot Shabbat, attendance grew. Services took place outside on the front lawn. There was pizza, freezies, and picnic blankets. For Sukkot, the services were held in the Sukkah (with close to 150 attendees!). Many young families joined us, including many new to Holy Blossom.

We found so much joy in sponsoring the summertime Tot Shabbat that we decided to continue our support of the program for the rest of the year. It is marked on our calendar – the last Friday of every month.

For anyone with young children in their life, Tot Shabbat is one of the best ways to introduce them to the joy of prayer, Shabbat, community, and in particular Holy Blossom Temple. The service is short, light and lively. There is a sing-along, story-time, and a pizza dinner. With certainty, you will meet other young families, and may even reconnect with old friends.

My whole family attends – all the way from my 3-month-old Julian to my 98-year-old grandmother Florence (Oliver & Julian’s great-grandmother!).

I encourage all to attend, and, to invite anyone, even if they are not members of Holy Blossom to join us. It is a wonderful gateway to exploring all the wonderful programming the Temple has to offer for young families.

Mark your calendar & learn more about Tot Shabbat here!