Women of Valour Series honours Sheila Bacher z’l

Tevet is the 10th month on the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan. The number 10 is considered a holy number. The month of Tevet is mentioned in the Book of Esther and was acquired in Babylonia, and it shares a root with the Hebrew word tov, meaning “good”.

The letter of the month is Ayin (ע), which means “Eye” or “to See” someone who is wise to see that G/d in everything and everywhere.

This is the month of “Good”. This brings us to the significant meaning of “The body delivers pleasure from the body”.  Because we are encouraged to perform acts of kindness, goodness/mitzvoth during this month, as the simple act of giving and receiving is gratifying to both the receiver and the donor.  Please consider donating to a charity of your choice to make this world a better world.

Tevet starts on December 21st, also on the 7th day of Chanukah, which means the lighting of the menorah with all the light and cheer that it brings, along with celebrations with friends and family gatherings. We celebrate the start of a new month, Rosh Chodesh and also Chanukah, which gives us more reasons to fill this month with light, laughter, peace, hope, generosity, and freedom.

Learn more & join us here

We are recognizing a Woman of Valour coincidentally during this month of Tevet Sheila Bacher z’l’, a woman who paved the way to many other volunteers that followed her footsteps on the “Out of the Cold” Program a true trailblazer, a woman of gave more to the many clients that have passed by the Temple on a Wednesday night because they needed a warm place and a hot soup. Sheila was indeed a “Good” Woman and she is being celebrated by her friend Diana Goodman.

Woman of Valour for the month of Tevet, Sheila Bacher z’l

written by Diana Goodman

Sheila Bacher z’l’ was born into a family with strong Hoy Blossom connections. There are windows dedicated to both her parents in the Sanctuary and our Holy Blossom Temple foyer.

At the age of nine, the family moved to a house just a few doors away from Temple, so the connection was physical as well as spiritual.

Sheila grew up at Temple, teaching in the Religious School first as a student, then after graduating from Teachers’ College, as a professional teacher.

Sheila married young at 21 and had 3 children–Jodi, Paul and Andrea.

She became active in Sisterhood now (Women of Holy Blossom), working on a variety of committees before serving as President from 1989-1991. She continued teaching for several years, but when she retired, again became involved in Temple life–working on Mondays at The Temple for seniors and then on the “Out of the Cold” Program.

To those who didn’t know her well, she could be gruff and short-tempered, but those who knew her well knew she had a heart of gold and was a real “softie.”

Sheila passed away in 2017, but her contributions to Temple will live on for many years.

Her daughter, Andrea Katz, currently serves on the Temple Board of Trustees, carrying on the family tradition.

Rosh Chosesh Elul: honouring Marilyn Farber z’l

We have reached the last month of our calendar and the most sacred.  Elul is the sixth month of the Jewish year (counting from Nisan), which immediately precedes Rosh Hashanah. It is traditionally a month of introspection and stocktaking – a time to review one’s deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming “Days of Awe” of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The word “Elul,” aleph, lamed, vav and lamed, is an acronym for the phrase (from the biblical Song of Songs) ani l’dodi v’dodi li, which means “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.”

Believing that the “beloved” refers to God, the sages take this verse to describe the particularly loving and close relationship between God and Israel. During Elul, then, is our time to establish this closeness so that we can approach the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe, in trusting acceptance of God’s judgment. We approach the trial not out of fear, but out of love. As the month of “Divine Mercy and Forgiveness”, it is a most opportune time for teshuva (“return” to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased “Ahavat Yisrael” (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d.

The letter of the month is yud, which signifies action. It is the smallest letter in the alphabet, alluding to humility. Therefore, the attribute of the month is ACTION. Teshuva is a state of mind, but it is not enough without action. As it is said, we first do and then we will understand.

“May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year” (L”shanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim)

We hope you will join us for our Rosh Chodesh Elul Service on Sunday, August 24, at 9:00 am.

All genders are welcome to join Women of Holy Blossom and pray in solidarity with Israel’s Women of the Wall. Join Women of Holy Blossom in sacred worship for Shacharit services followed by a light breakfast. Learn more & join us here!

A Woman of Valour: Marilyn Danson Farber z’l

by Sheila Smolkin

One of the many things I have come to appreciate while working on the Temple Archives is the tremendous contribution various women in the congregation have made to the development of our synagogue over the years. One of those women is Marilyn Farber, a true Woman of Valour.

Marilyn attributed her mother, Sadie Danson, with imbuing her with a feeling of pride in the family’s long association with Holy Blossom, an association that dates back to the Richmond Street days. (Holy Blossom built its first home on Richmond Street in 1876 and occupied that space for the next 21 years.) Two of her aunts were members of the first Confirmation class of 1899, a class designed especially for young girls.

Marilyn followed her mother by becoming very involved in Sisterhood (now Women of Holy Blossom) and eventually became President of Sisterhood from 1961 to 1963.  Her page in Sisterhood’s Women of Valour Book lists her accomplishments as a Vice-President of the Parent Council, a founder of Holy Blossom Alumni (an early seniors’ group at Temple), the formation of the Fine Arts Committee, and the creation of Oneg Shabbat following Friday night services.

The Archives is fortunate to have several memories written by Marilyn of her years at Temple, as well as a video interview done by Michael Cole a few years before Marilyn’s death. These pieces bring Temple activities to life, and Marilyn’s friendship with key Temple personnel like Rabbis Eisendrath, Feinberg, and Plaut, as well as Edmund Scheuer, who was considered the father of Canadian Reform Judaism, paints a wonderful picture of just who these leaders really were.

After her stint as President of Sisterhood, Marilyn joined the Temple Board of Trustees and was elected as recording secretary, the first woman to serve as an officer of the congregation. She was named a Warden of the Congregation in the 1980s. Marilyn could very well have gone on to be the first woman president of the congregation except for the fact that when the Chair of the Nominating Committee phoned to offer her the position, her husband, Earl, answered the phone and turned down the request!

One of my favourite passages in the Temple’s Board Minutes is an excerpt of the very long and heated discussion surrounding the issue of allowing liquor to be served at Temple simchas. Up until this point, the only liquor on Temple grounds was wine for Kiddush. But this was the early 1960s, and the Philip Smith Hall had just been completed. The hope was that Temple members would use this facility for functions. Max Enkin and Bora Laskin were both against loosening the rules concerning alcohol and suggested that all sorts of evil activities could follow. The Board Minutes have a simple line attributed to Marilyn where she is reported as saying, “I don’t think that would happen!”

Marilyn’s two brothers, Barney Danson (former Minister of National Defense of Canada) and Bert Danson were members of Temple as well. Some may remember the Danson family as being the original owners of Camp Winnebagoe. Marilyn’s two children, Janie and Ronald, grew up at Temple and Janie, with her husband, Frank Tizel, are still members of Holy Blossom Temple.

I consider myself to be so fortunate to have known Marilyn. From her, I learned true leadership qualities and how to fight for your values in all you do.

Marilyn was indeed a Woman of Valour.

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz: Honouring Matilda Bigio z’l

Thursday, June 26, 7:30 am

Tammuz (Tamuz) is the fourth of the 12 months of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan. It means “heat” like a glowing furnace, which is very appropriate (for this season) as the sun is more radiant and at its height. It also signifies “Transformation” and “Redemption.”

Why? Understanding that the previous month, Sivan, which was considered the ‘Giver’ of the Torah, G/d gives the commandments to the Jewish people, and during the month of Tammuz, as Moses went up the mountain, we then represent the “Receiver” of the Torah.

The limb of the month is the Right Hand, which has a practical application used to celebrate Shabbat and to help us love G/d by following the 248 positive commandments.  Zodiac sign, Cancer (Crab) has a shell that hosts a body that grows and when the shell breaks, metaphorically speaking, ‘breaks the mould’. Meaning we too can change and transform.

Tammuz is an appropriate month to honour Matilda Bigio z’l, and as we know more about her life and her accomplishments, she taught us that after all her tragedies, she transformed her life and chose to do as many mitzvoth as she could, which earned her well-deserved recognition.

Join Women of Holy Blossom in sacred worship for Shacharit services followed by a light breakfast on Thursday, June 26, 7:30 am. Worship with us here!

A tribute to Matilda Bigio z’l by Linda Neufeld

A Woman of Valour—Who Can Find? From the Book of Proverbs, 31:10:31

Being a woman of valour means faithfully living out her gifts, talents and passions for the good of those around her. Who can find her?

Matilda Bigio was definitely a Woman of Valour!

In preparing to honour Matilda, I reached out to her grandson, Samuel, whom she adored. Samuel wrote, “I think about my Nana often for so many reasons. Kaylyn and I had a baby girl, and we named her Mayla Matilda. Recently, Mayla has been able to fit into many of the beautiful knitted cardigans that my Nana used to make and donate. She had set some aside with the intention that one day she would have a great-grandchild who would wear them. Funnily enough, they are all girl colours. I tell everyone that my Nana KNEW we would have a girl somehow all those years earlier. I am so touched that you and Sisterhood (now Women of Holy Blossom) would think to honour my Nana in this way. She would absolutely have loved that.”

Samuel continues, “I would just say that, despite the many tragedies of losing her children and her husband, Matilda pushed ever forward in life with a sense of resilience and strength to be reckoned with. She poured herself into her community through volunteerism—through Temple, friendships, and groups like Sisterhood. She understood the importance of belonging, community, and religion, and never questioned her faith. She was loved and missed dearly by many and especially her two grandsons, who think of her often. Thank you for honouring and remembering her in this way.”

Matilda was born in Cairo, Egypt, to European parents. She grew up with three brothers in a villa with servants. Her first language was French, but she would later learn English, Italian, Arabic, Yiddish, and a little Greek. She was seventeen years old when she met Henry, who was fourteen years her senior. It was love at first sight, and they married. The family— including ten-year-old Nancy and eight-year-old Andre—immigrated to Canada in 1956. They were fleeing from Egypt following a revolution in the country.

Matilda’s life was about to come crashing down. At the age of sixty-two, Henry died of a brain tumour. Just eight years later, Nancy died of brain cancer. Then, ten years later, a brain tumour killed Andre, who left behind two young sons, Samuel and Benjamin.

Matilda used to say, “I have had a hard life, believe me, but volunteering and bringing comfort or a smile to people in distress makes my life worthwhile.” Matilda was strong-willed and painfully honest.

At a time of life when most people would be taking it easy, she had no intention of slowing down.  Every week, she visited patients at Villa Colombo, where she comforted them by speaking Italian; she also visited Baycrest Hospital in the palliative care ward because she spoke Yiddish.

Because she volunteered more than 1,700 hours, Matilda received the Provincial Ministry of Culture and Citizenship Senior Achievement Award on Oct 28, 2009.

At Holy Blossom, every week for many years, Matilda sang in the Temple choir and volunteered in the Judaica Shop and Out of the Cold. She also knitted cardigan sweaters for baby namings, led weekday evening worship services, and was the Sisterhood Correspondence Coordinator, sending handwritten greetings, birthday, and get-well cards!

Matilda also volunteered at Mount Sinai Hospital and travelled to Israel to teach English to new immigrants.

Matilda was my friend and a true role model for many of us. She exemplified strength and courage. For someone who had experienced so much loss and grief in her life, her ability and commitment to giving so much to others and to her community were remarkable. She is missed by many and will be remembered by us all. Matilda was the epitome of a Woman of Valour.

May Matilda Bigio’s Memory be for a Blessing.

On Rosh Chodesh Sivan, Woman of Valour Series Honours Cynthia Good

You are invited to attend Shacharit services on Wednesday, May 28, to welcome the month of Sivan at 7:30 am.

Sivan’s zodiac sign is Gemini, and the third month of the Hebrew calendar. The controlling planet is Mercury, the planet of communication, which means it is like an electrical cable, telephone wire, a teacher, an adviser, and a storyteller – anything that can transfer any information from point A to point B.

This month’s honoree on our series Woman of Valour is Cynthia Good, and quoting from Proverbs poem #26/27: “Her mouth is full of wisdom, her tongue with kindly teaching.” Cynthia has connected with our community through the Holy Blossom Temple for Jewish Literature and has been a teacher to all of us through her lectures and her “Good Book” sessions for many years. We are the lucky beneficiaries of her good wisdom.

During Shavuot, we read the story of Ruth, the Moabite princess who abandoned everything safe and familiar to follow. A life of physical rigour and spiritual truth. Her story is the story of all of us this month as we try to move beyond our limited grasp of truth and move closer to the whole picture we saw at Sinai. During Sivan, we have the unique opportunity to go beyond the surface of the physical world and renew the deeper spiritual meaning hidden within each of us.

Shacharit breakfast is generously sponsored by Cynthia’s fans and admirers in honour of Cynthia Good, Woman of Valour.

A Woman of Valour, Cynthia Good by Kathy Morrissey

It is my honour and a privilege to recognize Cynthia Good as a Woman of Valour, and a true gift to our Holy Blossom community.

Cynthia was born and brought up in Toronto in a secular Jewish family which valued education. In spite of being secular, they did celebrate Passover, Christmas, and baseball.

At age seven, Cynthia knew, as did the family, that she would become an actress. Her mother also had her sign a form to promise that she would complete university! She began acting in shows at age twelve, and after completing high school, she attended acting school in New York for the summer. She and three friends started a theatre company with the encouragement of her parents. Cynthia recalls her sister helped her with her lines!

Cynthia attended the University of Toronto while continuing to act in theatre productions. She went on to a doctorate program focusing on 19^th-century literature and the era of George Eliot. Though she never completed her PhD, she was awarded an honorary doctorate.

Her first job was in a law office as a part-time receptionist. One of the lawyers in the firm encouraged her to apply for a job at a small publishing firm. Ultimately, that led her to Penguin Books. Cynthia worked at Penguin for twenty years and became the president and publisher. Cynthia also started a publishing program at Humber College and taught there for twelve years. It was during her time at Penguin Books that, by chance in 1991, Cynthia was introduced to Rabbi Marmur through Rabbi Plaut at a launch party for a Jewish book.

Cynthia spoke with Rabbi Marmur and indicated an interest in exploring her Jewish identity. He encouraged her to attend Torah study at Holy Blossom and, in fact, called her on Friday afternoon to suggest she attend Torah study the next morning. He even met her in the parking lot to help her feel more at ease! He met with Cynthia several times individually, and she began her life at Holy Blossom.

Cynthia is very clear that the decision to join Holy Blossom changed her life dramatically. She studied with Rabbi Moscowitz, and in 199,4 she had her Bat Mitzvah.

When she left Penguin Books in 2003 and was at “loose ends,” Rabbi Moscowitz suggested that she teach. So, Cynthia launched a course in contemporary Jewish fiction and has since then involved herself in other adult education programs.

In 2020, when the pandemic hit, Cynthia started Good Books at Holy Blossom – an online book discussion every two weeks. It quickly expanded to attract 50-100 people each session. She was able not only to connect people to books but to each other and to fill the void that Covid created. Good Books continues to thrive.

Cynthia created the Holy Blossom Centre for Jewish Literature. She has brought many well-known authors, such as Anita Diamant, Daniel Silva, and Dara Horn to Temple to speak, drawing a large audience at each event.

Cynthia has also been involved with the Out of the Cold program; she chants Torah and leads the evening service once a month. But her love of the written word and her ability to share this with us, is particularly valued. She is wise and thoughtful and not afraid to ask questions. She challenges us to be discerning.

When asked what Holy Blossom means to her, she told me, “These are my people.” She feels part of a community and her involvement in Holy Blossom has changed every part of her life. She has had the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to connect to her Jewish identity and to form meaningful relationships.  And to meet and marry her bashert, Dan. Cynthia and Dan were married in 2007 by Rabbi Dow Marmur z”l.

Her acting skills have given her the confidence and ability to teach, to lead, to reach out to people, and to help us appreciate the power of the written word. And for all this, we are grateful for that chance meeting with Rabbi Marmur in 1991.