Chanukah’s Light Begins with Those Nearest to Us
In the Talmud, Bava Metsia 71a, our sages teach there are circles of care that we, as Jews, need to prioritize. First, you are obligated to care for the poor of your family, then the poor of your community, then the poor of your city, and finally the poor who dwell far away from you. Many of our Rabbis have taught this axiom, that when these intimate relationships are protected and honoured, there is more available to everyone. And when we stretch our attentions outwards, ignoring those intimate bonds, there is ultimately less for all.
This month, I would like to highlight two opportunities to enrich these local and intimate relationships through acts of tzedakah and care.
The first is our Winter 5 Drive. Last year, the generosity of our congregation was unbelievable. We received an incredible number of new and gently used hats, scarves, winter jackets, boots and gloves. More impressive than the number of donations was the quality. The Janis Rotman Tzedakah Centre overflowed with well-made, sturdy, and beautiful clothes, which helped newcomer Israelis settle into their first winter and a new life here in Toronto.
From December 7th-13th, we are once again collecting the ‘Winter 5’! Please donate your new or gently used hats, scarves, winter jackets, boots and gloves to us! You can place them directly into the Janis Rotman Tzedakah Centre, which is found on your left-hand side when you enter the building through our main entrance. Whether they be clients at Ve’ahavta, guests through Out of the Cold, or newcomers through JIAS, this year we are prioritizing taking care of those in need who are closest to us.
The second opportunity is a chance for us to do right by our entire riding, by engaging in respectful and open dialogue with our Member of Parliament. On Sunday morning, December 14th, MP Leslie Church will join us for a neighbourhood check-up outside of Holy Grounds. It has been a long-standing tradition for Holy Blossom Temple to be a meeting place for our riding, where constituents and elected officials can model civic engagement.
MP Church has shared her excitement to hear from you! Please pick up a coffee, tea, or delicious baked good from our own Holy Grounds Café and join the conversation! She will join us for an informal gathering from 10:00 am onward. Demonstrating our passion and love for this small section of our world is just one more way that we can strengthen the bonds that keep our community and our city safe and whole.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, a legal scholar and human rights advocate, is the founder and chair of the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children (CC07). The Civil Commission she established has led a global campaign for the recognition of gender-based violence and other atrocities of October 7th. The Commission is building an archive to document these crimes, giving a voice to the victims and raising awareness of war crimes committed against women, children and families. On November 25, 2025, the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Civil Commission will release their report entitled: Sexual Terror Weaponized – Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the Atrocities of October 7. Findings and Legal Analysis of Gender-Based Crimes Committed During the October 7 Attacks.
Dr.Guila Benchimol is a criminologist, consultant, educator, and victim advocate who works with survivors, faith institutions, and leaders to prevent and address sexual violence and other abuses of power. She has been the Senior Advisor on Research and Learning at the SRE Network (Safety, Respect, and Equity) since she helped guide its launch in 2018. Guila is also the Director of Faith-Based and Community Accountability at Ampersands Restorative Justice and the Ethics Case Consultant for the Va’ad Hakavod of the Rabbinical Assembly. Guila holds a PhD in Sociological Criminology from the University of Guelph and is a trained restorative and transformative justice facilitator.
Dahlia Lithwick is a regular contributing analyst at MSNBC and senior editor at Slate Magazine. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Harper’s, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The New Republic, and Commentary. She is host of Amicus, Slate’s award-winning biweekly podcast about the law and the U.S. Supreme Court. Her recent book, Lady Justice (September 2022), became an instant NY Times Bestseller. Dahlia earned her BA in English from Yale University and her JD degree from Stanford University, and has held visiting faculty positions at the University of Georgia Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Hebrew University Law School in Jerusalem. Dahlia is part of the international team of legal experts seeking justice for the victims of sexual violence on October 7.
Dear Holy Blossom,
In the early years of Holy Blossom’s existence, we didn’t have a rabbi. Founded in 1856, we didn’t engage a rabbi until 1890. We did, however, need someone who could read from the Torah, slaughter chickens, teach children, and circumcise baby boys. Needless to say, finding one person who could fill the duties of ba’al koreh, shoichet, melamud, and mohel was not easy. Indeed, several candidates were tried and found wanting in at least one of these tasks and dismissed.
This past September, we were approached by Mr. Robinson’s great-great-grandson, David Robinson, who asked to visit Nathan’s burial site, and on Monday, September 29, we accompanied David and three of his cousins to Pape Avenue. David told us that Nathan’s son moved to Winnipeg, and David lives there still. David has taken a great interest in his ancestry, and we were happy to provide him with information on Nathan’s part in Holy Blossom’s history and to lead him to his ancestor’s final resting place.
