What does it mean to love someone you have never met?
As Jews, we are taught that we are part of something greater than ourselves—Am Yisrael, the Jewish People. We are meant to be connected to one another, bound by a shared past and a collective destiny. Our traditions, values, and stories link us across generations and geography, reminding us that we are never truly alone.
However, it’s not always easy to feel a deep and personal connection with a population as diverse and varied as the Jewish people. With different backgrounds, traditions, and levels of observance, it is easy to feel a disconnect from the broader community.
And yet—as I watched footage of Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen come home after 471 days in captivity, I wept tears of joy and relief. Though I do not know them, and they will likely never know me, I love them. I do not care how they voted in the last election, what they think about women in the rabbinate, or what toppings they prefer on their pizza. They are of my People; they are mine. In their safe return, in each embrace of a daughter reunited with her mother, I feel sparks of the redemption of our People. I feel like I am a part of their—and our—story.
Throughout the Exodus narrative, we see that the women of Israel have remarkably resilient and fiery spirits. It is their strength, their courage, and their unwavering belief in a future beyond suffering that help bring about redemption. This spirit echoed so strongly for me when I saw Emily Damari—after nearly 500 days in captivity—muster the strength and defiance to shove her Hamas guard out of the way as she approached the awaiting Red Cross worker. After all that time, her spirit was not broken, and her courage was on full display, this proud daughter of Israel. I do not know her, but I love her, and I am so incredibly proud of her.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Matir Assurim—Blessed are You, God, who frees the captive.
In this week’s Torah portion, Va’eira, God reassures Moses and the Israelites with the words, “I will free you from the burdens of Egypt and deliver you from bondage” (Exodus 6:6). The redemption of our people is not just a singular event, but an ongoing story—one that we are still living. The Israelites were not a uniform group; they were a mixed multitude, with different levels of faith and commitment, yet they were redeemed together. Their freedom was collective, just as their suffering had been shared.
As we look ahead, we know that the coming weeks will be fraught with both hope and heartbreak. Please God, more hostages will come home, and with their return, we will also face the painful reality of those who return to be buried rather than embraced. The weight of this moment is heavy, and yet, in the face of uncertainty, we find strength in each other. The enduring and shared spirit of our People—the same spirit that carried our ancestors out of Egypt and through generations of exile and return—reminds us that even in our darkest moments, hope endures.
We stand together, bound by a love that transcends distance and difference, a love that affirms that none of us is truly alone. We cry together, we rejoice together, and we pray together—for healing, for wholeness, and for peace.
May the strength of our people and the promise of redemption continue to sustain us.
Am Yisrael Chai.
The Advocacy Committee joins our voices to the chorus that welcomes home Romi, Emily and Doron. Beyond the politics of ‘a good deal’ or ‘a bad deal,’ lies the indescribable joy and relief of seeing these young women finally walk free into the arms of their loved ones. If you haven’t seen this moment yourself, we encourage you to watch it here.
Like all who are active in the battle against antisemitism, striving for the Jewish future, and building alliances to protect our community; we know and understand that this moment from last Sunday is the greatest example of why we do what we do.
Our hostages coming home does not mean that our work is over. Antisemitism has erupted in our society, and it is more vital and important than ever for us to be vigilant and continue the fight.
But this week, we celebrate the redemption and homecoming of our girls.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Learn more about Advocacy@HBT here.
Does grassroots advocacy make a difference? The answer, as we start 2025, is a resounding yes! As I’m sure you’ve seen, the controversial Hizb Ut-Tahrir Conference was cancelled due to a general outcry among the Canadian public. Thank you to everyone who signed the petitions, reached out to their government representatives, and helped raise the alarm so that an internationally designated terrorist organization couldn’t proudly meet on Canadian soil.
Yet there is still a lot to do. Shocking numbers from the ADL reveal that, worldwide, almost half of adults hold some level of antisemitic belief. This 46% is an all-time recorded global high. As Canadians, we have seen a record spike in antisemitism. What can be done?
CJPAC believes that involvement in our next elections is a critical way to protect Canada from further following in this global trend. A full list of their non-partisan election resources can be found at this link. Canada goes to the polls in 2025! As a diverse community, supporting many beliefs and parties, we must be involved in the governance of our nation. Learn more here.
Finally, as we pray for the safe rescue of our hostages, it is important to remind ourselves that their return does not necessarily signal a ‘return to normal.’ We must continue to work together to combat this frightening new reality.
Learn more about Advocacy@HBT here.
by Ephrem King
I am a fellow member of Holy Blossom and a passionate museum enthusiast. My love for museums inspired me to pursue a career in the field, earning a degree in Museum Studies with a focus on collections and research. This journey began with a BA in Anthropology and Art History from UBC and continued with a Master’s in Provenance Studies from the University of Glasgow. To contribute to our wonderful community, I have volunteered to assist in developing a new exhibition for the Living Museum at Holy Blossom. As part of an upcoming exhibition project for the Living Museum dedicated by George z”l and Susan Cohon and Family, we are reaching out to ask if members of our congregation would be willing to loan their Kiddush cups for display.
Aligned with Holy Blossom’s strategic plan to share the stories of our congregants, we believe there is no better object to represent the connection between family and community than the Kiddush cup—a vessel that holds such ritual significance every Shabbat. Our goal is to showcase the unique stories behind these cups, whether they belong to ancestors you never met or to recent B’nei mitzvah, were handmade, or have travelled thousands of miles to grace your Shabbat table. We want to hear your story!
We invite you to loan your cup for three months (exact dates TBD) to be featured in the secure, locked exhibition space. If you’re interested, please reach out ([email protected]), and we will provide a brief form to help you share your cup’s story. This includes details such as the owner’s name (if you wish to share), the year you acquired it, its provenance, and any special memories associated with it.
By Sheila Smolkin
Every day, we read about or see a news report on the homeless in Toronto. This issue has been with us for many years, and try as we might, society does not seem to be able to make the issue go away.
In 1994, through the urging of Temple member Freda Ariella Muscovitch and with the support of Rabbi Marmur, the Temple Board agreed to allow the synagogue to affiliate with Out of the Cold, (an interfaith coalition founded in 1987, to provide shelter, food and warmth during the coldest months of the year to persons in need,) and to explore the possibility of operating one of its programs on site.
The archive collection contains an extensive file on Temple’s involvement in Out of the Cold. At this time of year, the Archives Committee thought it appropriate to share highlights of this history with you.
Throughout 1995-96, Temple volunteers were mentored by St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which had a well-established program. Freda Ariela then led a year-long planning and consultative process that led to the formation of Temple’s program held in-house.
On December 5, 1996, the first night of Chanukah, the Temple welcomed its first guests, the first Jewish congregation to establish an in-house program as part of the Out of the Cold coalition.
Until the pandemic, the program operated at Temple every Thursday evening from the beginning of November to the end of March. The program offered the guests a safe, comfortable and quiet environment, a mattress, blanket and overnight shelter, a wholesome hot dinner and breakfast, a lunch bag filled with sandwiches, fruit and dessert, basic medical attention, entertainment, games and art classes.
The program attracted many volunteers ranging from high-school students who were able to collect needed hours of social service to seniors who just wanted to give back to the community. One of the most faithful volunteers was Rabbi Plaut. The Rabbi not only served dinner to the guests, but he sat with them at one of the tables and engaged them on topics of the day.
During the pandemic, the in-house program stopped. However, Holy Blossom’s committee supported a food project at St. Luke’s Church. Last year, Holy Blossom’s program reopened for an in-person dinner. This year the program will run from November 7 to March 27 and will include dinner, bingo and art activities. The overnight option has been discontinued. The program continues to attract many new Temple volunteers including bar/bat mitzvah children and their parents.
Rabbi Plaut taught that Judaism begins with community. Rabbi Marmur went on to say, “Our participation in Out of the Cold is yet another indication that we see ourselves as full partners in society.” It’s a way “to express our Judaism in its richness and strength.”
The Temple’s Out of the Cold program is an excellent example of one of the fundamental ways to live life as a Jew.
Continuing a Holy Blossom Tradition
Holy Blossom Temple has a long history of helping those who want to settle in Canada. Inspired by our previous commitment to newcomers from all over the world, a new group has been formed at HBT to address the resettlement of Israelis. About 1000 Israelis have arrived in Toronto during the past year and it is estimated that this number may triple over the next 6-8 months.
Our partner in all these efforts continues to be the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS)
This week we feature two Israelis who have recently arrived and are looking for employment. If you or anyone you know can provide any advice or network for these individuals, please contact Dana Fishman at [email protected].
Aerospace Engineer
Over 10 years of extensive experience in the field of Thermal engineering – designing, modelling and proving of Aerospace and defence systems and sub-systems. Expert in aerodynamic heating, CFD modelling, and ablation. Proficient in several heat transfer, CFD and radiation codes. Has a deep knowledge of Aerospace/Defense Product life cycle from idea to scrapping. I’m seeking opportunities in Aerospace and thermal engineering in Canada.
Software Engineer
Over 10 years of extensive experience in developing and designing high-performance computing frameworks, drivers and multi-sensor intelligence systems. Proficient in C++, C, C# with strong debugging and troubleshooting skills. Strong background in multithreaded distributed systems, data structures, algorithms and object-oriented programming. I’m seeking opportunities in software development in Canada.
On January 30th, we welcome Rosh Chodesh Shevat, a month associated with the zodiac sign of Aquarius, symbolized by the water bearer. This imagery is connected to the biblical verse, “water will flow from his wells,” which figuratively calls upon each of us to share knowledge, inspire others, and lead. The acrostic “Shenishma Besurot Tovot” translates to “We should hear good news,” reflecting that Shevat is a month of positivity and good tidings.
In this spirit, we honour Diana Goodman, who served as president of our congregation from 1981 to 1983. Diana was a true trailblazer at a time when women were beginning to break barriers in boardrooms. Her leadership was instrumental in making significant inroads for women, and she continues to make a lasting impact on our community. Diana’s dedication, vision, and pioneering spirit are an inspiration to us all.
Please join us on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, January 30th, at 7:30 am during Shacharit Services as we celebrate our Past President Diana Goodman. We invite you to stay after services for Kiddush. All are welcome! Learn more & join us here: holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/
Breakfast following Shacharit services is generously sponsored by Joan Garson, Sheila Smolkin, and Judy Winberg, in honour of Diana Goodman.
Reflection by Sheila Smolkin
When Diana was completing her term as President of Holy Blossom Temple, the cover of a bulletin issue showed her as “Princess Di”. While this edition of the Bulletin was intended to be a Purim spoof, it nevertheless recognized that Diana had that elegance about her that she carried with her throughout her life.
Diana was born in Glasgow, Scotland and came to Canada with her parents in 1949 at the age of four. She grew up in Scarborough and joined Holy Blossom in 1968 after her marriage to her husband, Marvin, and her conversion to Judaism.
When her daughter started attending Nursery School at Temple, Diana responded to a blurb in the Bulletin from the Religious School office asking for volunteers to help with some clerical work. So while Sarah was in school, Diana would spend her mornings working with Annie Lasarge and Ruth Levine updating the school records.
Once involved with Temple life, Diana was introduced to Sisterhood (now Women of Holy Blossom), attended some of its programs and joined its Board. In particular, she remembers co-chairing the Religious School Festivals Committee with Sandy Schafer.
Moving up the ranks of the Sisterhood Board, Diana held the position of its President from 1981–83. After completing this term, she represented Holy Blossom Sisterhood on the Board of Women of Reform Judaism (then known as the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods).
Diana continued to be involved in many aspects of Temple life, serving on several committees. She remembers getting a call from Gordy Wolfe, chair of the Temple Nominating Committee, asking her if she would be prepared to become an officer of the Temple. She accepted the invitation and served as an officer under the presidency of Fred Zemans, Richard Krelstein, and Nancy Ruth. Diana was then elected President of the congregation, a position she held from 1992-1994.
Diana continues to be an active member of the congregation. She played an important role in the Temple’s celebration of its 150th anniversary, co-chairing its opening event with Fred Zemans, an occasion many of us remember fondly. She recently returned to the Temple Board as a representative of the past presidents. She has become involved with Ve’ahavta, a Jewish Humanitarian Organization, and has spent many nights in the Ve’ahavta van giving out food and clothing supplies to those in need.
Diana can be found most Shabbat mornings in Shul attending services where the sounds of the incredible music we have can lift her spirits and provide comfort during difficult times. And, of course, she continues to be there in her unique, elegant style that is an inspiration to her friends and fellow Temple members who are fortunate to know her well.
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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.