L’hitraot, Rabbi Helfman & Family
Shabbat VaYigash, 5782
December 10-11, 2021
With gratitude, we celebrate eight and a half years of Rabbi Helfman’s service to Holy Blossom Temple.
With pride, we honour the impact he has made in the Toronto Jewish community and in the global Reform Movement.
With heavy hearts, we say L’hitraot to Rabbi Helfman, Jemma, Toby, Henriette, Molly, and Dov, who have all become part of the Holy Blossom family.
And with great anticipation, we see them off to England, where Rabbi Helfman will lead a congregation of his own, The South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue.
To honour Rabbi Helfman’s leadership, you may wish to make a donation to support our Family Services, which have meant so much to the Helfman Family over the years and are planned to begin again in January. Honour Rabbi Helfman and family, click here to make your donation.
Please note that Rabbi Helfman’s last day in the office will be Tuesday, November 30th.
Coming to our L’hitrahot, Rabbi Helfman Services in person, click here to fill out our pre-screening form on the day of the service you are attending.
Masks and physical distancing are required. Please note, that everyone returning to Holy Blossom for the first time will be invited to light Shabbat candles as a special ritual to mark the occasion.
For families with children under 12 who would like to attend, this special service is being made available as a pilot project with proof of a negative rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for any children 2 years old and above. Children under 2 years old are not required to be tested. Temple will be providing tests for any families who wish to attend. Alternatively, if you have access to rapid antigen testing, you may use your own. Please visit the Security Desk between December 5 and 10 to pick up a testing kit for each child (instructions for parents to administer the test will be included). Tests must be administered no earlier than Friday, December 10 in the afternoon and the result (either a photo or the stick itself) will be checked upon entry. Tests will also be made available for use the morning of December 11 for those who wish to administer the test in the car and wait 15 minutes for the result before entering.
(you can still join us on our livestream for services on our livestream page and Facebook page)
Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, December 10, 6 pm
Rabbi Helfman will lead the service to greet Shabbat.
Click here to join our Face to Face Zoom Service Passcode: 571435
Shabbat Morning, Saturday, December 11, 10:30 am
Rabbi Helfman will address the congregation with his farewell sermon.
There will be a chance to meet and greet after the service.
