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Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Yael Splansky

This Morning’s Call with the Prime Minister

Shalom, Holy Blossom.  I write to you from a much-needed family vacation.

Yesterday I was invited to speak with the Prime Minister.  I believe the invitation came in response to the op-ed piece I recently wrote for the Toronto Star.  https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/my-prayer-for-2024/article_29cc81bc-a5ae-11ee-98de-e36d2799d250.html

I understand many congregants have shared it with non-Jewish friends and colleagues as well as with family in Israel.  I’m glad for that and hope it is received well by all.

I am grateful for this morning’s call with Prime Minister Trudeau and for the opportunity to reinforce the messages coming from you and the Canadian Jewish community.  We touched on many points from antisemitism to policing, to the role of faith leaders, to yesterday’s proposal from Gallant, to Canadian values, and Canada’s role on the world stage – past and present.

Here is the thank you note I sent after this morning’s call. 

 

Dear Prime Minister,

I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak with you earlier today.  I hope it is evident that my personal comments come from my deep love for Canada and my deep love for Israel.  I am very proud to be a Canadian and although I am not a citizen of Israel, I am attached to the Land of Israel and to the People of Israel by an eternal and sacred bond.

In Holy Blossom Temple’s Bloomberg Centre for Jewish Leadership hangs an original painting by celebrated Canadian artist, Charles Pachter.  I asked Charles to create the piece, entitled “Side by Side,” in memory of his parents, who were great Zionists.  The two flags of Canada and Israel stand proudly together and help to guide the decisions we make around the Board Room table of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto’s first synagogue.  I’ve attached the image here for you to enjoy. I hope it will similarly inspire your allyship with Israel, your protection of Canadian Jewry, and the direction you set for all Canadians to follow.

We spoke today about our shared Canadian values. I remember well when you came to Holy Blossom to honour The Tailor Project.  The very moving occasion told the story of how our Past President, Max Enkin, of blessed memory, went to the DP camps in the aftermath of the Holocaust and, in partnership with Canadian Immigration officials, brought many “tailors” to Canada.  You may recall that evening’s program ended with a tailor, a newcomer from Syria, presenting you with an expertly stitched dress shirt.  This is how the Jewish People teaches our history.  We hold up our ordinary heroes, lift up their guiding principles, and commit to living by them in the here and now.  As I write to you, many of my congregants continue their steadfast support of Muslim, Yazidi, and Christian newcomers from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, Eritrea, and Nicaragua.  The news of the day could very easily cause the Jewish community to “circle the wagons” and turn inward, but that is not who we are.  We believe we must take care of our own people and others simultaneously.  If we turn away from one commitment or the other, we risk losing ourselves.  We know who we are.  We know where we come from.  And we do our utmost to live according to the sacred values enshrined in our Torah.

We must clearly discern between those who are innocently caught in conflicts and are, therefore, deserving of our empathy and support, and those who perpetuate and perpetrate conflicts and must, therefore, be confronted.  I believe Canada, home to the world’s fourth-largest Jewish population, has a very important role to play now. I pray you will use your voice to amplify the call for moral clarity on the world stage.

You are always welcome at Holy Blossom Temple.  If you should ever want to address our congregation — in person or online – we would welcome the chance to hear directly from you.  And while it is not my invitation to extend, I am confident that a trip to Israel would go a long way to reassure the Canadian Jewish community that Canada and Israel really do stand “side by side.”

With prayers for a more peaceful world in 2024,

L’Shalom,

Yael.

And here is our treasured “Side by Side” by Charles Pachter.  May its strength be a comfort to you now.

 

 

Shabbat Shalom.

Yael.

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Standing up for Democracy and Equality in Israel

Standing up for Democracy and Equality in Israel

By Jeff Denaburg

Israel is divided as never before into opponents and supporters of Israel’s current government coalition, which includes ultra-nationalists and religious extremists. The government’s judicial overhaul plan is especially problematic. This division was reflected at the congress of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), held recently in Jerusalem.

The Reform movement was represented at the congress by Arzenu, the global Reform Zionist organization, of which ARZA Canada is a member. Three Holy Blossom members were delegates at the congress – Carol Sterling, Mark S. Anshan, and myself.

While the congress is intended to bring together Zionists from across the political spectrum to show support for Zionism and the state of Israel, the discussions on resolutions related to topics such as democracy and religious pluralism were heated and contentious.

HBT can be proud that our member Mark Anshan was recognized by the WZO in one of the large plenary sessions, where he was awarded a lifetime achievement award, Amit Kavod (Honorary Fellow of the WZO), for his decades of leadership in Zionist organizations in Canada and around the world.

While in Israel, the HBT delegates, with members of other liberal organizations, participated in demonstrations against the government’s anti-democratic policies. This included joining the contingent of Israel’s Reform movement (the IMPJ), along with about 70,000 other Israelis, for a mass protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. It was the 16th consecutive “motzei Shabbat” that Israelis took to the streets in large numbers to protest judicial reform and other laws that serve the interests of the coalition’s extremist members.

Our group also participated in a demonstration in Jerusalem in support of the Supreme Court.

It was an honour to join liberal Jews from all over the world and our Israeli sisters and brothers to fight for democracy and equality in Israel, at the congress and in the streets.

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Daniel Cass: D’var Yisrael

Daniel Cass: D’var Yisrael

In this week’s Torah portion of Shemini, we read about the tragic death of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, who brought a “strange fire” before God and were consumed by a heavenly fire. This story serves as a reminder that we must approach our relationship with God with reverence and humility and be considerate in our approach when engaging in spiritual practices.

I was fortunate to recently take a week-long trip to Israel with five members of our Holy Blossom youth group and Lisa Isen-Baumal and Rabbi Kaye. During our visit, I was struck by that same deep sense of reverence and humility. It is a profound feeling to walk in the footsteps of the Jewish people who lived in the land thousands of years ago. I felt a strong connection to the generations who came before me whether I was floating in the Dead Sea or riding a grumpy camel. Everywhere I went, whether it was the old market in Jerusalem or the bustling streets of Tel Aviv, I could feel a sense of awe and respect for the holy sites and traditions of the Jewish people.

I was moved by my visit to the Western Wall, where I witnessed countless individuals pouring out their hearts in prayer and devotion. Despite the crowds, rain and noise, there was a deep sense of reverence and connection to something greater than us and our time on earth.

Reflecting on this experience and in reading this week’s portion, I was reminded of the importance of approaching our relationship with God with the proper respect and humility. Just as Nadav and Avihu were consumed by a heavenly fire when they approached God in the wrong way, we must be mindful of the proper procedures and laws when engaging in spiritual practices.

At the same time, our trip to Israel also reminded me of the incredible power of community and tradition in sustaining our connection to God. This is also reinforced for me at this time of year when my family gathered to celebrate Passover and observe the Passover Seder. This tradition unites us in our faith and gives us a moment to remember in respect and reverence the power and love of God for his people.

As we navigate our own spiritual journeys, whether in Israel or at the Seder table, may we always approach God with the proper reverence and humility, and draw strength and inspiration from the power of community and tradition.

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Mark S. Anshan elected WZO Amit Kovod – Honorary Fellow

Mark S. Anshan elected World Zionist Organization Amit Kovod – Honorary Fellow

At the World Zionist Organization (WZO) Extraordinary Congress Mark S. Anshan was elected an Amit Kovod – Honorary Fellow at the opening plenary.

Honorary Fellow is selected for contributions and years of service to the World Zionist Organization.

Mark’s commitment to Zionism and Israel extends back to his early years as a youth leader in the Reform movement, where he held several leadership positions in NFTY (President and First Vice-President) and NELFTY (President and a program chair), creating Israel programs and supporting stronger connections between Reform youth and Israel. He served as chair of the Israel Diaspora Committee and Israel Committee at Holy Blossom Temple in the early 1970s.

Following years of service on the Board of ARZA Canada, Mark served as ARZA Canada President (1996-2002). He then became Chair of ARZENU in 2002, leading the Reform Zionist britot at the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)

He served on the JAFI Board of Governors and on several of its committees.

In 2004, Mark, together with colleagues committed to updating the WZO structure and its objectives, entered into a year-long process with a small task force, led by Mark and a colleague to formulate a WZO renewal proposal to be presented to the WZO Congress. In May 2005, the group finalized its omnibus resolution on WZO titled “ Renewal of the World Zionist Organization and Its Constitution” which was adopted by the Congress. A WZO Renewal Committee was established, on which Mark served, that oversaw the implementation of parts of the resolution.

In 2011 Mark was elected to the Vaad Hapoel as a representative of ARZENU. He served on the Budget and Finance Committee, becoming its Co-chair and overseeing the budget approval process of the WZO.

He has been a delegate to the WZO Congress since the early 1990s.

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Judaism is not a solo sport

Judaism is not a solo sport: On hosting our first Seder

By Kelly Baron 

My husband and I joined Holy Blossom’s community last September, right as I was starting the Introduction to Jewish Life (IJL) classes, the entry point to Toronto’s Reform Jewish community for Jews by choice. My husband was raised in a Conservative synagogue in North Toronto; I was raised, as we joke, mostly by wolves, in a small town on the border of Quebec. He grew up with a huge family—his father is from Montreal, one of seven; his mother is from Toronto, one of three—and I with nearly none. We’ve had radically different lived experiences of what community entails.

I’ve spent most of my adult life searching for the kind of community that my husband was born into. Initially, that search led me to academia; I’m in the final stages of a PhD at the University of Toronto. To the shock of no one but me, that didn’t lead to the sense of community I’ve been seeking. PhDs are, of course, notoriously individualized pursuits, especially after the coursework is finished. What isn’t an individual pursuit, however, is converting to Judaism, especially at Holy Blossom.

The wonderful, welcoming Taylor Baruchel told us in our very first Zoom Hebrew class that we’d be starting with some introductions because, in a teaching that would become a common refrain over the next eight months of classes, “Judaism isn’t a solo sport.” This was a profoundly different learning experience for me after spending the last five years on my PhD: suddenly, I couldn’t just read the books on my own, write the essay, and pass the exam. That simply wasn’t the point. The point was developing a community connected by shared history, shared religion, and shared values.

When I realized that, I changed how I approach the coursework. I of course still do all the readings, submit my essays on time, and practice my Hebrew like a good IJL student should. But sometimes, in class, I’m what I consider to be a traditionally bad student. I’m open to distractions, to replying to people’s questions, to sending the Zoom direct message to build connections that have since led to great friendships. I’m calling this “traditionally” bad, and not IJL bad, because it’s led me to finding that sense of community that I’ve been searching for.

So this year, we hosted our first Seder. It was non-traditional, occurring on the Shabbat after the first two nights of Passover, because everyone had family commitments, and we wanted to all be together as a group. One of our dear friends made beautiful haggadot (mostly from the “Jew Belong” option on Haggadah.com, bound with a gorgeous cover of springtime flowers), complete with “meditation moments” that sparked questions about cherished memories and our values and beliefs. Our Seder plate included an orange and “Ruth’s mix” to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ folks and Jews by choice. The plate itself is a family heirloom from my husband’s Safta, a Holocaust survivor who was a dearly loved matriarch of my husband’s family before she passed. It was the perfect combination of history, religion, and community.

My children won’t be raised by wolves. Nor will they have to search for their community. I’m grateful that I chose to do the work of IJL and follow this path so that they can be born into Holy Blossom’s welcoming, inclusive community.

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Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Eliza McCarroll

Dear Holy Blossom family,

Our Talmud teaches us that “the world is sustained by the breath of schoolchildren” (Shabbat 119b).

It is on that note that this week, I am including below an exciting note, from our wonderful Shinshinit Ella, about a new initiative for our schoolchildren to ensure that, no matter what Shabbat you are visiting us on, there will always be a breakout option for our families:

—

Hi, my name is Ella Payorski and I’m the UJA Shinshinit at Holy Blossom this year. I’m 18 years old and from Israel. I’m doing a gap year between high school and the army and came to volunteer here in the Toronto Jewish community.

Once a month, there is a Family Service at Holy Blossom Temple. Every Family Service, I’m planning a fun and engaging activity for the children that are coming to the service, and running it in a breakout room. These activities are for them to continue learning about Jewish values and Israel in a meaningful way that fits them.

I am happy to announce that the breakout room activities are now expanding their wings beyond the Family Service, and I will now be doing breakout rooms for children that are coming for the Main services every week, too.

I invite you to join HBT Main services with your children, this week (22 April), for a great learning experience for everyone.

—

We look forward to always being able to welcome our families, whether at Family Services or our Main Services, over each and every Shabbat!

Similarly, we are so fortunate to be including an additional piece of Israel in our Shabbat experience, especially as we look toward Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut this coming week. You can click here for more information about our congregational activities for these special occasions, too.

Whether you join us for Shabbat, for our Yom HaZikaron/Yom Ha’Atzmaut 5783 events, or whether you are heading to Israel to partake, we’ll see you soon at Holy Blossom to celebrate our Ahavat Yisrael with pride!

L’shalom,

Rabbi McCarroll

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Shira Lester: The Gefilte Fish Diaries

By Shira Lester, Director of Development and Donor Engagement

In my family, Pesach is synonymous with Gefilte Fish. My Bubby Ida, in her heyday, used to make 20 pounds – enough for two enormous seders and leftovers for the immediate family, extended family and friends for the full week of Passover.  When I was young and newly married, I lived in the upstairs apartment of Bubby Ida’s duplex on Dalou Street in Montreal. I was in law school at the time and Pesach always coincided with final exams. I would be immersed in my studies and the phone would ring. It was Bubby and she would say: “Come downstairs. I’m making the fish.” “I can’t Bubby,” I would say, “I’m studying”. “Nevermind!” She would say. “Come down and lern zach.” (Learn). Bubby Ida was taught to make gefilte fish by her mother, Rochel Basha, in the Shtetl of Antopol. Rochel Bashe perished in the Holocaust and Bubby used to say “Whenever I make gefilte fish, my mother stands next to me.”

Bubby Ida and her great grandchildren, 2002

I made gefilte fish with Bubby Ida for years until I moved to Toronto, where my mother and sister already lived. The locus of gefilte fish making shifted to my mother’s kitchen, and Bubby Ida would travel to Toronto to supervise. Bubby Ida died in 2003 at 91 years old and her gefilte fish lives on. Every year, my sister and I set aside a day to make gefilte fish with our mother, Bubby Roz. This year, we were joined by my daughter, adding a third generation to the process.

Over the years, I have learned the Rules of Gefilte Fish Making as taught by Bubby Ida and passed down to Bubby Roz. They are as follows: Never buy ground fish – you have to grind it yourself; you never know what kind of chazerai they put in pre-ground fish. Keep all the fish bones for the broth in which to poach the fish and include onion skins in the broth, it makes the fish a lovely golden colour. Mix the ground fish, eggs, oil, matzoh meal, salt, pepper, a little sugar and ice water, with your hands, for a minimum of 30 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and bouncy – almost like jelly.

There is a recipe, dictated by Bubby Ida to Bubby Roz, but it’s not exact. This dish is less about the measurement of ingredients and more about instinct. The gold standard is if it tastes like Bubby Idas’s. There is no question that when we make gefilte fish, Bubby Ida stands next to us.

In 2006 Bubby Roz began keeping the gefilte fish diaries. Each Pesach, she records the highs and lows of the year since the last Pesach – the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, a new job, academic achievement and even a marriage. Most importantly, each entry concludes with the gefilte fish review. Sometimes they’re a bit dry, sometimes too dense. This year she wrote: “So the fish wasn’t bad. Texture was good – juicy but didn’t put enough salt in. Didn’t test the raw fish enough. Had a good amount of pepper.”

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Report on Ukrainian Food Drive in Torun, Poland

By Wendy Melvin

I would like to report on an initiative that I undertook in Poland recently. Acting in the capacity of Team Manager representing Canada at the World Masters Track and Field Championships between March 25th and April 1, 2023, I had the good fortune and capacity to reach 4,200 athletes from 55 countries around the world and wanted to create athlete engagement around a Ukrainian Food Drive during our stay.

On March 15, 2023, I initiated a communication to the Team Manager from Holland who has influential communication channels with the executive of World Masters Athletics (WMA), specifically to help me both explore the viability and navigate the possibility of establishing a Ukrainian Refugee fundraising initiative for the duration of the WMA championships.

With a bit of prior investigation, I learned of a very important foundation named Fundacja EMIC (website address is https://emic.com.pl) who are present in the Torun and Bydgoszcz region of Poland. The EMIC has broadly served approximately 33,000 Ukrainians in the past year who now reside between these areas with general necessities, and more specifically in recent months, offer all of the key services so to safely and effectively settle newly arriving families (approximately 4,000 people) into unfamiliar surroundings. Each person receives somewhat customized support depending on their needs. From Canada, the justification for the initiative was clear. But how to execute was challenging given that there was no visibility on whether there could be interest to use the WMA platform as a place for such an initiative, and, we were a mere 10 days away from the commencement of the championships.

Within one week prior to departing for Poland, we received approvals from WMA executive, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the WMA championships and the Torun City Council to proceed.

A letter to define and request participation in the fundraising program was created and immediately shared with all of the world’s Team Managers through What’s App.  Within days, I received commitments from several key countries (Holland, Spain, Australia, England, USA, Finland, Sweden and Austria) of their eagerness to share my letter with their athletes both ahead of and during the championships. This was a very good start as it would reach more than 25% of the athletes ahead of our arrival in Poland. Flyers and one very large campaign banner were printed in Toronto and off to Poland we were with a plan.

Upon arrival to the competition stadium, a booth location had already been chosen for us in a key, high-traffic position at the competition arena where all athletes and spectators have to pass through every day.  On the first day of the championships, we noticed that two charities EMIC and an additional charity named Dobra DLA Dobra were now involved with the initiative. The LOC explained that the needs in Poland are far more diverse than we imagined. While EMIC, our originally intended recipient of goods focuses on the needs of families, Dobra DLA Dobra focuses on the needs of the soldiers and medical teams on the Polish side of the border. Our comprehension of the scale of actual needs for war relief grew with these insights. We also gained an immense understanding of the strain placed on the people in Poland who have selflessly been at work helping the refugees now for over one year. The two agencies agreed to work together and the project became even more important than we ever could have imagined.

Commencing March 25, Canadian Masters athletes and athletes from around the world started to generously collect non-perishable food items from nearby grocery stores for donation to these organizations. Day by day, the donations grew and grew and grew. One incredible American athlete crocheted a blue and yellow baby blanket with a message that brought us all to tears. It read

“To whomever receives this blanket, I made this blanket as a way to show my support for the people of Ukraine. Sending love and peace to you!”

I am proud to confirm that our donations have gone directly into the hands of the Ukrainian people. There has been joy, and there have been tears. But in the end, we have made a difference. As of April 1st, 1,000 pounds of non-perishable food, along with money in the equivalent of $1,000.00, CDN was directly distributed to those in need. In some cases, we have even been blessed with corporate matching programs so the dollar amount is likely to increase in the coming weeks.

The incredible energy and generosity of our global athletes made this all possible. And I want to recognize everyone who took time from their competition focus to show their compassion for not only the Ukrainians but also, the good people of Poland who have carried the heavy weight of welcoming 1.2 million individuals to Poland in the last year.

To give greater context to this incredible initiative, I was privileged to have visited the offices of EMIC, the registered charitable organization mentioned above that serve to integrate Ukrainian refugees into Poland’s society. The offices have a food drive for weekly needs, a medical advisor, a career counselor and Polish as a second language classes; services which are all offered without delay. I personally felt the anguish on the faces of those who had just arrived in Poland and saw the masked heartbreak on the faces of those a bit further along and presently enrolled in language class. I also saw the strength and conviction of the Ukrainian people to rebuild their lives as quickly as possible. And I received in-depth explanations from the five incredible case workers who tirelessly endeavour to give hope and much-needed services to people who have had to leave their world behind. The long-range effort that goes into integrating the children, for example, is remarkable. But above all, I saw firsthand, the impact of war on beautiful human beings, and this time, it was in stark present.

Back at the stadium, handing food to a Ukrainian grandmother who is caring for the welfare of three generations of refugee family members was poignant on so many levels. Her tears became my tears. My tears in the present were also my tears from the stories of my past. Through this interaction, I saw my Polish great-grandparents who perished in a town not so far away in the eyes of this elder who accepted our food. I also saw my grandparents’ fear and blind trust in the faces of the young people who were navigating their harsh reality in language class much as might have been true during the early days of arriving in Canada. And for long moments in time, I watched young children so innocently laughing and playing in their Rynek (the town square). My great-grandfather was the butcher and a Rabbi who lived with the family at 6 Rynek in the small town of Chmielow.  As I stood in the Rynek of Torun and watched life unfold around me, looking at buildings that had been untouched by war, these children became my grandparents. And while I will never replace these sights with actual stories of my past, I found tremendous peace in knitting a visual story together of perhaps what might have been.

There are signs of Jewish life returning to Torun and it was comforting to see clear acknowledgement of the 1,000 Jews who formerly lived in the town. Believe it or not, one of the favourite drinks during Easter is Passover Slivovitz. It is well stocked in grocery stores. A new craft cider labelled Sadowski, white wine named Perry Lubelski, sitting alongside Genesis wine from Israel was pleasing to see. And the coffee shop whose food display was stacked with lox and cream cheese on bagel choices, evidence or signals to me of some sort of redemption.

If you have not been able to find a meaningful way to support the Ukrainian people in the past year, I stand behind my recommendation to donate money to the amazing group at EMIC who have taken on the responsibility to create a safety net of settlement services for hundreds and hundreds of refugees. Their ongoing need for support in funding the services they provide revolves on a weekly basis. I know Olga and her team personally and the work they do is life-changing.

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25 Years of Devotion: Celebrating Rabbi Splansky

By Martha Cass

After a quarter century of dedicated service and with a bright future ahead, it is our privilege to recognize and celebrate Rabbi Yael Splansky. 

On Sunday, May 7 our congregation is cordially invited to a complimentary celebration that is open to all. The theme is A Celebration in Old Jerusalem, which will transport us to the sights, sounds and flavours of our Rabbi’s beloved city.

The festivities will commence with the tantalizing tastes of Israeli cuisine, and the irresistible sounds of a live Klezmer band stirring up the crowd in our beautiful main atrium. As the event unfolds, Israeli dancing will bring us all together in celebration, and tributes will be offered to Rabbi Splansky in the form of speeches and special musical performances.

On the second floor of Temple, we will recreate the vibrant atmosphere of the Jerusalem Market by hosting our own Shuk, complete with a Rabbi Splansky photo opportunity, Judaica for purchase and other fun activities. To ensure our event is family-friendly a Kids Zone with crafts and special snacks will also be available on the second level. 

The celebration will culminate in a congregational tribute and hora, and the presentation of a hand-crafted artifact to commemorate our Rabbi’s 25 years of devoted service.

The artifact will be a surprise but will draw from the symbolism of the pomegranate (rimon).

Jewish legend sees the rimon as a symbol of virtue because it holds 613 seeds, corresponding to the number of mitzvot of the Torah. It is no wonder rimonim (pomegranates) have endured as a deeply meaningful symbol in our Jewish heritage; they are both beautiful and resilient. As anyone who has ever tried to extract the succulent seeds from a pomegranate knows, its vibrant exterior is remarkably durable, making it the perfect vessel to hold its many seeds securely yet tenderly.

We can think of no better symbol for our esteemed Rabbi, who has nurtured us all with her kind yet resolute care through good times and bad, and guided Holy Blossom to become not only a place of meaningful belonging for all of us but a place that will endure as our community’s sacred place for generations to come. 

We are thrilled to gather in May to celebrate Rabbi Splansky’s extraordinary 25 years and to honour her exceptional leadership, commitment and passion for our congregation. Click here to learn more & join us!

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The 50th Anniversary of The Guild of Temple Musicians

By Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers

On Sunday, March 26 I had the pleasure of participating in a concert at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, California, to honour the 50th Anniversary of the Guild of Temple Musicians. My fellow GTM board members gathered from across the United States (and me from Canada) to participate, along with our colleagues in California. The music was composed and performed by members of the GTM with a wide range of styles and moods.

Let me tell you about the GTM. The Guild of Temple Musicians is an affiliate of the American Conference of Cantors. The relationship which has grown and flourished with the ACC is treasured. We are a professional organization of dedicated musicians, diverse in background, who serve our congregations, the Reform Movement, and support our Rabbinic and Cantorial clergy partners. Guild members are music directors, choral conductors, composers, music educators, choir members, organists, keyboardists, guitarists, cantors, cantorial soloists, song leaders, and anyone who makes music in celebration of Jewish Worship. We sing, play, educate, conduct, compose and create, working to sustain our Jewish musical heritage. We are committed to providing innovative education, professional development, and connection for our members, so they can serve their communities wholeheartedly. Our mission is this: To support a diverse community that creates and celebrates Jewish music through education and collaboration.

I have been a member for approximately 25 years, and a Board Member since 2018. Currently, I am privileged to be the Secretary.

The Guild of Temple Musicians was formed in 1972 and has evolved through the years to become the important source of education and support that exists today.

In 1990, The Ben Steinberg Young Composer’s Award (originally called the GTM Young Composer’s Award) was established in an effort to replenish the number of aging composers of serious Jewish Music at the time, as well as emphasize the importance of traditional, adult music in worship services. The project, which encouraged young Jewish composers to produce fully realized solo and choral works for the synagogue and bring a new generation of classically trained creative musicians into the field of Jewish music, has produced many beautiful works from gifted young composers and attracted a number of these composers to become active contributors to synagogue music.

The Award continues to grow in stature and currently offers a $2,500 prize to the winner and the opportunity to premiere his/her new work at the ACC/GTM Convention during the year of their win.

The GTM Shomeir Shirah Award was established in 1990 to recognize persons of good character who have made significant contributions to the Guild, furthered its mission, and have, because of these things, strengthened excellence in the field of synagogue music.

Previous recipients of this award have ranged from Guild members themselves to cantors and rabbis in our movement, and to others who have devoted themselves to reinforcing the work of the Guild.

In 2010, The Guild, along with the ACC and the Joint Commission on Worship, Music, and Religious Living of the Union for Reform Judaism, created the “Generation to Generation Prize.” This prize is awarded to a talented high school student who demonstrates promise in creating melodies that show sensitivity to the setting of Jewish liturgical texts. The winner is then paired with an experienced composer of Jewish liturgical music to refine and expand his/her understanding of the piece.

Even before the pandemic, the GTM created “Guild Talks Music” to provide online educational webinars. We were ahead of our time and became an invaluable source of connection when the pandemic hit and we all moved our lives onto the screen. A second virtual initiative, “Guild Cares” offered the opportunity for our members to share concerns and challenges throughout the pandemic, and we continue to provide these sessions.

Another new GTM initiative is our mentorship program, where members who wish to advance their skills, whether they are cantors, cantorial soloists, composers, or accompanists can be matched with a mentor.

I am deeply honoured to be a part of this group of extraordinary people and look forward to the creative ways in which the GTM and its members will enrich and strengthen one another and the world of Jewish music.

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