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Woman of Valour Initiative honours Bambi Katz

Woman of Valour Initiative honours Bambi Katz

We invite you to attend Shacharit services on Monday, January 19, at 7:30 am, as we celebrate a long-time educator, Bambi Katz. All are welcome. Shacharit Breakfast is co-sponsored by Anne Freeman and Dena Perlmutar in honour of Women of Holy Blossom’s Woman of Valour, Bambi Katz.

Shevat is the 11th month on the Jewish calendar, counting from Nissan. The zodiac sign is Aquarius, and its symbol is the “waterbearer”. It alludes to the Biblical verse, “Water will flow from his wells,” because figuratively speaking, we each have the ability ‘to pour’ knowledge and inspire and lead others, just as a Tzadik would, to bring them closer to G/d. Shevat is a special acrostic for “we should hear good news’ it’s a month of good news, Shenishma Besurot Tovot, that we should be blessed to share good tidings.

Both Bambi and Karen Kollins have “poured” knowledge and have taught our children either at Sunday school or at Camp George. Our children have benefited and live enriched lives thanks to their teachings, leadership and guidance. As Karen stated, “Bambi shaped the Jewish education of thousands of students, leaving an indelible mark on generations of families”.

This month, we also celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shvat on the 15th of Shevat (February 2nd), which is the “New Year for Trees.” In Israel, it is the start of a new growing season, and it is marked by eating fruits, particularly those from the “Seven Kinds” with which Israel is blessed with wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.

The letter: Tzade צ  (resembles a tree). Interestingly, the letter of the previous month, Tevet, was ayin (ע), which literally means “an eye,” and when the ayin of Tevet is lifted up to connect with the Tzade of Shevat, the word “tree” (עֵץ) is formed. We reflect on the metaphor, “Man is a tree of the field,” as the Torah is considered a “Tree of Life,” we notice that both, Torah and Mankind, possess the same components: roots, trunk, branches and fruit.

As Shevat is the month of ‘good news’,  we hope our future will be filled with joy, blessings of abundance in our lives, of new life, goodness and kindness improving in each and every one of us. Ken Yehi Ratzon

 

Women of Valour Initiative: Honouring Bambi Katz

by Anne Dublin

It’s no coincidence that Bambi Katz was born the same year that Disney released its beloved animated film by the same name. Her older sister gave her the nickname “Bambi,” and it stuck!

Raised in a hard-working, secular socialist Yiddishist family, Bambi grew up surrounded by Jewish values of community, caring for others, and Yiddish culture—though synagogue life wasn’t part of her childhood. When she became a mother of three, she joined Holy Blossom Temple, for she was seeking a Jewish home where her children could grow up with a strong sense of community.

After training as a teacher, Bambi taught in public schools in Montreal and Toronto. She stepped away from the classroom to raise her children, then returned to teach general studies at Associated Hebrew Day School. In 1990, she took a leap of faith and became the Principal of Holy Blossom’s Religious School, first working under Bob Tornberg. Over the years, Bambi shaped the Jewish education of thousands of students, leaving an indelible mark on generations of families.

Since retiring in 2005, Bambi has remained deeply involved in Temple life. She’s a regular at Shabbat morning services, chairs the Bichur Cholim committee, ushers at High Holiday family services, bakes for Out of the Cold, meets with school groups visiting Temple, volunteers at Amica, and leads shiva services (along with her daughter Karen).

Beyond Temple, Bambi is a passionate advocate for Yiddish culture as a leader on UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Committee for Yiddish. By doing so, she helps to preserve and promote the language through classes, events, and educational programs. She loves to travel and is always planning her next adventure. As “Bubie Bambi,” she is a devoted grandmother to four grandchildren and a source of love and support for their families.

Those who know Bambi will tell you she’s a force to be reckoned with—energetic, warm, passionate, and endlessly generous. She’s a loyal friend, a mentor to many, and a shining example of living Jewish values every day.

 

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Women of Valour Series honours Sheila Bacher z’l

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.

 

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Still Seeking Justice

The Women’s Advocacy Group of Women of Holy Blossom presents:

Still Seeking Justice for the Victims of Sexual Violence on October 7

In recognition of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the National Day of Remembrance and Action commemorating the Montreal Massacre

Sunday, December 7, 9:30 am
Hybrid event – in person (including light breakfast) and online
All are welcome to join us for Morning (Shacharit) Prayer Service at 9:00 am (hybrid)
Cost $18

Please join us as we welcome Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, live from Israel, legal scholar, human rights advocate and the Founder and Chair of the Civil Commission on October 7th, Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children (CC07), which is working to gather the testimony of survivors and witnesses, raise international awareness, and seek justice for the victims of these crimes.

Coinciding with the beginning of the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,  November 25, 2025, the CC07 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. Elkayam-Levy will present some key findings of the CC07 report and engage in a discussion about her work with Senior Rabbi Yael Splansky, Dr. Guila Benchimol, Victim Advocate and Restorative Justice Consultant and Dahlia Lithwick, Legal Journalist. This event builds upon s the March 2024 panel conversation held at Holy Blossom, which addressed the importance of seeking justice for the October 7th victims of sexual violence and why that matters for all victims of sexual violence. You can view the video here.

No graphic images will be presented; however, we will bear witness to the hard truths of the sexual violence perpetrated against our Jewish sisters and family. Rest assured that we are intentionally working to incorporate hope and light into this difficult but important conversation. While our panellists will be shining a light on some of the darkest moments of October 7th, we can find strength and wisdom by learning together and being in community.

In an effort to continue to build understanding and allyship across communities, we encourage you to invite friends or family members who are not Jewish to join you for this event. When you register, you are welcome to add a guest at no additional charge.

Register here

 

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.

 

This event is presented in partnership with the Canadian Jewish Women’s Collective

 

 

 

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Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan: Honouring Margaret Hart z’l

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan: Honouring Margaret Hart z’l

Cheshvan is the second month of the Jewish calendar counting from Rosh Hashanah (the eighth month from Nisan). This is the only month in the Hebrew calendar that does not have any holidays or special Mitzvot.

The month of Cheshvan is the anticlimax of the previous month of Tishrei where we had so many holidays and spiritual experiences. During this month we are invited to take a ‘spiritual’ vacation. As we enter Cheshvan, we begin to experience real life, reality begins to sink in and we return to the daily and “mundane” grind. We are invited to reflect in all that we gained in the month of Tishrei and integrate it into our lives, learning how to balance the spiritual and the physical elements of our life in unison and harmony and to recharge our souls with positive energy to carry us through the heavy and cold months of winter.

How should one go about the transition from holiday to workday? “In His way,” in G‑d’s way. The eleven remaining months of the year are the majority of one’s life, and they are meant to be utilized for both function and purpose. G‑d’s intention is that we infuse the delight of “vacation” into our daily activities, bringing meaning and holiness to every aspect of our lives כן יהי רצון

Our Woman of Valour for the month of Cheshvan is Margaret Hart z’l, and honouring her memory is Ron Hart and Murray Hart both active members of HBT. We hope you will join us on Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 am for the Service & Celebration. Learn more and join us here: holyblossom.org/event/rosh-chodesh-cheshvan/

Our Mother (Margaret Hart) in 500 Words
By Ron Hart

We would like to thank HBT for bestowing the Woman of Valour Award to our mother.  There are too many stories for only 500 words, but I will try my best.

Margaret didn’t grow up at Holy Blossom, but she did meet our Dad, David at a Holy Blossom singles event. Once married, she made Temple her own.

Her HBT life largely involved four areas: Teaching in Religious School, Sisterhood, Interfaith, and Temple Singers.

My Mother taught grade one for over twenty years.  I remember watching her meticulously prepare her lessons plans. She was known for always having the most creative bulletin board displays. To this day, former students recount fond memories of being in her class. She was a mentor to many teachers and student teachers who remember her as an excellent role model for young teachers and the caring way she dealt with her students.

In 1979, as announced in the Temple Bulletin, her teaching skill and “active and ongoing involvement in and commitment to Holy Blossom Temple and its Religious School” was recognized when she was awarded the Norman Grant Memorial Scholarship. Mom was the third recipient of the award, an award which allowed her to attend the UAHC Educators Ulpan/Institute at the University of Haifa.

She returned from Israel energized and would refer to the experience as one of the most rewarding and meaningful ones of her life.

Upon her retirement as a teacher in 1982, Rabbi Stephen Garten wrote“There is no way a newcomer like myself can adequately express what you have meant to this synagogue. I can express how appreciative I am to have the opportunity to work with and learn from you. I will always remember your Purim costumes, your storytelling, and your obvious concern for children.”  

Our mother was active in HBT Sisterhood for many decades. With her best friend, Clare Denaburg z’l’, she assisted in the planning of many events over the years and participated fully in them. I would describe our mother as a doer. I think she often enjoyed the planning as much as the actual event itself.

Mom sang in the HBT non-professional choirs from Gordon Kushner’s Glee Club in the early ‘60s to Beny Maissner’s Temple Singers.  During the Beny years, she enthusiastically threw herself into choir business. There were seemingly endless phone calls with her fellow choir members. In our house we used to tease her: “There’s no business like choir business.”  

Mom was always popular with singers in her section and was good at making new, often much younger, members felt comfortable in the choir.

Our parents were both involved in three major Temple initiatives: They assisted an extended Vietnamese refugee family settle into life in Toronto, and they were original participants of HBT’s “Out of the Cold” program.  Our mother always had empathy for people less fortunate than herself.

Mom also supported Dad’s interfaith work. Together each year they conducted interfaith demonstration seders with church groups. Mom was tasked not only with preparing her excellent Charoset but more importantly reciting the Hebrew prayers and leading the singing as Dad had limited Hebrew and couldn’t carry a tune. They must have been a good team because every year they received more requests for seders.

In 1985, under the auspices of the Caring Community, she pioneered a program arranging rides to Temple for seniors. Originally a three-month pilot project, it turned into a seven-year commitment. This job involved finding Temple members who lived nearby and encouraging them to do a mitzvah by offering lifts to people who needed them. This was something my mother was good at.  It was hard to say no to her.

In 1990, she received a Caring Community Certificate. Her participation at Temple was always characterized by her passion, attention to detail, and desire to make a positive difference. These qualities can also be seen in her time spent outside of Temple.

She volunteered for years with UJA including serving as General Canvass coordinator of the Women’s Division, United Jewish Appeal, and Israel Emergency Fund Campaign Appeal. United Jewish Appeal of Toronto presented her with a Certificate of Merit for her devoted service.

Though not a gourmet chef, she prepared meals with loving attention to detail and was an excellent cook. Her recipes and advice have long been sought out in many of her social circles. Jill and Murray still make many of her recipes.

I hope these remarks will give you a sense of who our mother was and her passion for Holy Blossom Temple and the Jewish community.

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Rosh Chosesh Elul: honouring Marilyn Farber z’l

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.

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Rosh Chodesh Tammuz: Honouring Matilda Bigio z’l

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.

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Women of Valour Series Honours Cynthia Good

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 19th-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.

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Founded in 1856, Holy Blossom Temple is Toronto’s first synagogue with a rich history of tradition and modernity in our religious and spiritual expression.

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