Front: Rabbi Yael Splansky
Left to right: Lianne Leboff, Earle O’Born, Janice O’Born, Franco Ntazinda, Jackie Shulman, Michael Shulman, Wendy Eisen, June Ntazinda, Elliott Eisen, Israeli Consul General Idit Shamir, Bruce Leboff, Adam Sol
Honouring Rabbi Yael Splansky
By: Wendy Eisen
On Sunday, November 14, 2021, at “A Night of 100 Dinners,”
JNF Canada paid tribute to many of Toronto’s spiritual leaders who kept our community together throughout the peril of a global pandemic.
Rabbi Yael Splansky was one of this year’s honourées. Through her resilience and resolve, Holy Blossom Temple remained vital
and growing. With her inimitable warmth and wise leadership, our synagogue pivoted from communal praying to a virtual platform
that connected congregants spiritually.
While our building was silent, Rabbi Splansky’s stewardship managed to keep our members engaged during holidays, ongoing programs and creative initiatives.
The JNF Video, viewed during every private dinner, included brief remarks by each honouré and featured interviews with special guests Deborah Lipstadt, and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog.
The beneficiary of this year’s Negev Dinner is “A Home for Life.” JNF, in collaboration with ALUT, The Israeli Society for Children and Adults with Autism, will dedicate a residence in Ra’anana for young adults with autism.
Holy Blossom Temple can feel proud that our senior rabbi, Rabbi Yael Splansky, is held in high esteem by both our Jewish and general community.
