Saturday, November 9, 2024
Friday, November 8, 2024
By Rabbi Taylor Baruchel, Director of Outreach and Next Gen Engagement
In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Lech Lecha, we read about Abraham’s journey as he is called by God to leave his homeland and set out for an unknown land. It’s one of the most pivotal moments in our tradition, and one of the phrases that stands out is that Abraham “made souls” in Haran (Genesis 12:5). The Torah doesn’t tell us exactly what this means, but our rabbis interpret it as Abraham’s effort to bring others into the fold, to build relationships, and to create a community of shared faith. He didn’t just gather followers; he nurtured and created souls who would join him in his mission and carry his values forward.
This notion of “making souls” is especially meaningful as we reflect on what’s happening here at Holy Blossom Temple. We, too, are on a journey—one that is filled with new souls, new connections, and a deepening sense of community. Over the past three years, 20% of our membership has joined us, and this growth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the souls we’re welcoming into our community, each person contributing to the spiritual fabric of Holy Blossom. We are, in a very real way, following in Abraham’s footsteps as we make souls together—creating a space where people can find meaning, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Just as Abraham’s journey to Haran wasn’t a solitary one, neither is ours. It’s not just about the growth of our congregation—it’s about the relationships we’re building, the sense of community we’re nurturing, and the souls we’re bringing together. Every new face, every new family, every individual who joins us is helping to build something greater than ourselves. Together, we are creating a sacred space where each person is welcomed, supported, and invited to grow in their Jewish journey.
Our Shabbat of Welcome, on November 22-23, is an opportunity for all of us—new members and long-standing members alike—to come together and reflect on the souls we’re building here. It’s a time to honour the new faces who have joined us, to appreciate the deep roots of our community, and to celebrate the shared mission that brings us all together.
On Friday, November 22, we’ll gather for a casual wine and cheese reception before Kabbalat Shabbat. It’s a chance to meet new members, reconnect with old friends, and share in the joy of being part of a growing community. Then, on Saturday, November 23, we’ll host a Pajama Havdalah for our young families—a relaxed and fun way to close out Shabbat with song, connection, and, of course, pajamas!
We are deeply grateful to Marilynne and Joseph Cass, whose generosity has made these events possible through their support of our New Member Initiative. Their vision and commitment to building a warm, welcoming community help make it possible for us to continue nurturing the souls that walk through our doors.
As we reflect on the story of Abraham this week, let us remember that each of us has a role to play in “making souls” here at Holy Blossom. It’s not just about the physical growth of our congregation; it’s about the spiritual and emotional connections we make with one another, the souls we bring together in faith and friendship. Together, we are building something enduring, something meaningful, and something holy.
I look forward to seeing you on November 22-23 as we celebrate this moment of growth and community, and continue our journey of making souls together.
Shabbat Shalom!
If you would like to attend our wine and cheese reception before Kabbalat Shabbat, please RSVP here.
To join us for our Family Pyjama Havdalah, please register here.
The week of November 8, 2024
IHRA Antisemitism Handbook Released / Deborah Lyons to discuss the Handbook NEXT WEEK at Holy Blossom / Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism provides additional IHRA resources.
After years of dedicated work, the Canadian Government and the office of Deborah Lyons, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, have released the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Handbook. This is a vital and timely resource for identifying and addressing antisemitism, in both traditional and subtle forms. You can read the handbook in its entirety here, or learn about it from CIJA at this link.
Deborah Lyons, whose helped author the handbook, will join us in person on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:00 pm. Special Envoy Lyons will inform us about her ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, discuss the challenges faced by Jewish Canadians as they grapple with a historic rise in antisemitism, and engage in a moderated conversation with members of the Holy Blossom Temple Advocacy Committee. Please register at the above link and join us for a vital, timely, and deeply topical evening.
An additional resource on the IHRA Handbook comes from the ALCCA. Click on the link to learn about the history of the document, how it can be utilized, and the next steps that are needed to transform it from a government document into a meaningful tool for fighting antisemitism.
When we think about the mark we want to leave on the world, few actions carry as much weight as planning a legacy gift. A legacy gift, or charitable bequest, is a powerful way to extend your values and vision far into the future, supporting causes that matter deeply to you. Holy Blossom Temple has been a cornerstone of Jewish life, learning, and community for generations. By including Holy Blossom Temple in your estate planning, you help ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from its vital programs, services, and spiritual guidance. Your gift becomes part of a greater story – one of continuity, community, and Jewish values. Legacy giving also offers significant tax advantages that can benefit both you and your heirs:
By working with your financial advisor and Holy Blossom Temple’s planned giving team, you can create a legacy plan that maximizes both your philanthropic impact and tax benefits. Your legacy gift to Holy Blossom Temple is more than a donation – it’s a partnership in sustaining Jewish values, community, and tradition. Whether through an outright bequest, life insurance policy, or a gift of securities, your gift ensures that the light of Jewish learning and community continues to shine brightly for generations to come.
By Eli Sol
This July and August, I had the absolute pleasure of working in the Holy Blossom Archives with the committee of volunteer archivists (Susan Cohen, Sheila Smolkin, Susan Mogil, Howard Roger, Michael Cole, Judy Winberg and Ruth Ellen Greenwood). The idea was first pitched to me in an academic context. For the final paper of my “History of the Jewish People” class this past April at the University of Toronto, I elected to write about the influence of lay leadership on Holy Blossom’s musical journey in the early days. The archivists were kind enough to accommodate my research needs and provided all the materials as well as an invitation to work there over the summer.
I travelled to Israel with Birthright in June and July, and once I returned to Toronto, I was ready to get to work in the archives. The main task was digitally cataloguing the mountain of musical materials left to us following Cantor Maissner’s retirement, which laid the groundwork for the new Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner and Holy Blossom Temple Music Archive and Library. This new section of our archive library includes both digital and physical copies of posters, event programs, photographs, service plans, commissioned works, tapes, CDs, books, folders, pamphlets, and everything in between. The current plan is to store a selection of the physical materials in a designated cabinet of the Max Enkin Library on the main floor.
I had the privilege of interacting with an impressive scope of manuscripts. The materials mostly came from Cantor Maissner’s own 41-year career, not only as Holy Blossom’s cantor, but also as the head of the LACHAN community chamber choir, and a powerful, internationally recognized Jewish musical voice. Two of my favourite sources are Beny’s original, used, and annotated vocal score of Leonard Bernstein’s “Kaddish Symphony No. 3” and a Kabbalat Shabbat service of Hassidic tunes arranged for mixed choir by Sol Zim —the inside cover of which bears a lovely note to Beny from Sol Zim himself.
Many of the exciting musical documents in Cantor Maissner’s library predated him, revealing a wealth of inherited Jewish music dating as far back as the 1880s. Some highlights include:
I would be remiss not to mention Jill Kamin and Gillian Rosenberg’s separate but related venture to digitally scan the complete corpus of Cantor Maissner’s musical career which will soon be housed in the National Library of Israel. Their project has been instrumental in filling out the digital side of The Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner and Holy Blossom Temple Music Archive and Library and is more than deserving of praise.
If you are curious about exploring this new branch of the Holy Blossom archives, or about our exciting investigations into Holy Blossom’s extensive history, I encourage you to get in contact with our archivists. If you are just looking to dip your toes in, several artifacts of Holy Blossom history are displayed year-round throughout the Schwartz Reisman Atrium for exactly that purpose.
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Founded in 1856, Holy Blossom Temple is Toronto’s first synagogue with a rich history of tradition and modernity in our religious and spiritual expression.