Rosh Chodesh Elul: Honouring Jacque Friedland

Welcome to Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the final and most sacred month of the Jewish year.

Elul, the sixth month of the Jewish calendar (counting from Nisan), precedes Rosh Hashanah and is traditionally a time of introspection, spiritual reflection, and preparation for the Yamim Noraim—the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is an opportunity to review the past year, seek personal growth, and ready our hearts for the season ahead.

The name Elul is associated with the verse from Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li”—“I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.” Our sages teach that the “Beloved” refers to God, reminding us that Elul is a time to strengthen our relationship with the Divine. We prepare for the Days of Awe not only with reverence, but also with love, trust, and hope.

Known as the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness, Elul is especially suited for teshuvah (returning to God), prayer, tzedakah (charity), and Ahavat Yisrael (love for one another). As Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi taught through the image of “the King is in the field,” God is especially accessible during this month, welcoming all who seek to draw near.

May this sacred month inspire us to reflect, renew, and grow in faith and compassion.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu V’Teichateimu—May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year. Learn more & join us in sacred worship here: holyblossom.org/event/rosh-chodesh-elul-2/

The Women of Valour Series is generously sponsored by Robert Lantos in memory of his mother Agnes Lantos z”l

 

WOMAN OF VALOUR – JACQUELINE FRIEDLAND

By Jill Witkin

I met Jacque around1995, when she first came to Canada after meeting Tom on a ski trip in Utah.

From the minute I met her, Jacque has epitomized what it means to lead and inspire. She is a person who is organized, efficient, industrious, warm, and compassionate. She draws her energy from interacting with others, and she is a powerhouse for positive social change—a woman whose commitment to bettering the lives of those around her is truly exceptional.

Jacque’s volunteer work at HBT includes former positions as a Board member, co-chair of the Out of the Cold Program, member of the Women’s Advocacy Group, and head of HBT’s Refugee Resettlement task group. Her work with these new Canadians deserves special mention. Although she had many volunteers helping her, Jacque was single-handedly responsible for working with JIAS to sponsor and resettle twenty-five refugees who came to Canada. They include Syrian, Yazidi, Rwandan, and Nicaraguan families, two women from Iran, and men from Eritrea and Sudan.

Jacque and her volunteer team did invaluable work with these newcomers, most of whom arrived in Canada with no possessions, speaking little or no English, and having never experienced a Canadian winter. Jacque made sure they had subsidized accommodation and furnishings, rides to appointments, language lessons, education, employment, and computers and cell phones. She saw to it that their children were enrolled in extra-curricular activities and had warm, reasonably fashionable clothing.

It takes a village, but Jacque has an effective way of motivating and mobilizing support. She is a strong communicator—always sharing enough information, but never too much—and she conveys her passion for the plight of these refugees in a personal and meaningful way. She appeals to people’s emotions so that, as volunteers, they want to help rather than feel obligated to.

But most of all, when it comes to these new Canadians, Jacque is their friend. Even today, she cooks with them, goes for walks with them, and discusses parenting and cultural differences. She includes them in her book club, invites them to her dinner table, to her children’s bar mitzvahs, and to her now-famous Women’s Seder. For Jacque, this is more than volunteer work; it is human connection, which we all know is the key to survival and success in life. The Friedland home is filled with artifacts, crafts, souvenirs, and magnets from all over the world. It is a place that would make any newcomer to Canada feel welcome and accepted.

In her day job as an actuary, Jacque offered the following advice as President of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries: “If you see a need, raise your hand. If you don’t understand something, ask a question, and if you are not satisfied with the answer, get involved to make it better.” This epitomizes Jacque. She is tireless, and she will do whatever is necessary to make others feel safe, included, and comfortable.

Canada prides itself on tolerance and openness as the wellsprings of its security and prosperity. Jacque became a proud Canadian citizen twenty-two years ago. We, as Canadians and as Holy Blossom members, owe Jacque our gratitude, for she has made us, our community, and our country a better place.

Welcome to Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

Tammuz is the fourth month of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan. Its name is associated with heat and radiance, reflecting the height of summer, and it is also seen as a month of transformation.

The limb of the month is the right hand, symbolizing action, kindness, and service. It reminds us to put our faith into practice through good deeds, honouring Shabbat, and fulfilling the positive commandments.

The tribe connected with Tammuz is Reuven, Jacob’s firstborn son, whose name means “See, a son.” Reuven is linked to the sense of sight, making vision the spiritual attribute of this month—the ability to see beyond challenges and transform sorrow into hope, peace, and redemption.

Tammuz is considered the month of the “receiver.” After receiving the Torah in Sivan, we are called to put its teachings into practice. Moses ascended Mount Sinai during this month, symbolizing our responsibility to embrace and live the Torah’s values.

The zodiac sign of Tammuz is Cancer (the Crab). Just as a crab outgrows its shell, Tammuz reminds us of our own capacity for growth and renewal. It is a time to shed old limitations, strengthen our spiritual lives, and embrace positive transformation.

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, Tuesday, June 16, 7:30 am

Rosh Chodesh, meaning head of the month, is a holiday celebrating the arrival of a new moon. It is often celebrated by women as a day off from work. 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!

The Women of Valour Series is generously sponsored by Robert Lantos in memory of his mother Agnes Lantos z”l

Temma Gentles z”l, Woman of Valour Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5786

By Paul Kay

“A woman of valour, who can find?” 

When I would recite Proverb 31 for Temma at the Shabbat table, I always felt that the writer knew Temma and had her in mind. I’d like to share a bit of this feeling and tell you about Temma. For those of you who know the eshet chayil, I apologize for taking the verses out of order and mixing the translations you are familiar with.

“Her mouth is full of wisdom, her tongue with kindly teaching.” 

Temma was a lifelong member of Holy Blossom. It’s not clear why her mother chose to belong here, especially given that they lived in the Beaches—“an hour and a half on the TTC, each way,” Temma would say. She had her bat mitzvah and confirmation here; her daughters, too, were bat mitzvah here. Temma taught in religious school and was on education committees. She had academic degrees in English, Russian, comparative literature, and eventually art. She taught 30+ years at Jarvis Collegiate, at Haliburton School of the Arts, and often gave lectures and workshops when doing institutional commissions.

“She looks for wool and flax, and sets her hand to them with a will.” 

“She sets her hand to the distaff; her fingers work the spindle.” 

“Fine cloth she makes, and she sells it.” 

Many of you know Temma for her textile work. Across North America, many synagogues— including Holy Blossom—have Torah mantles, ark parochet, reading table covers, and decorations. All of these were by commission, and in all cases, Temma worked diligently to understand what moved her clients, what they wanted the work to mean, and how to express that in her designs. She was, she liked to say, a storyteller. She did not often create art for its own sake. One very notable occasion was the Torah mantle in the style of an Italian Baroque bride that won the international Spertus Judaica Prize in 2000.

You may know that Temma created tallitot. I estimate she made about 200 prayer shawls; some families have three or more generations clothed in her work. Near the end of her life, her study of shatnez (the prohibited mixing of wool and linen in the same garment) and tallitot led her to design an appropriate woman’s version of tallit. You may not know, however, that tallitot are very fitting bookends to her career and life at Holy Blossom. The very first tallit she made was at the request of Rabbi Plaut z”l. The very last one she made was commissioned by Rabbi Kaye as a gift for Rabbi Baruchel to honour her ordination.

 

“She gets up while it is still night…” 

Actually, Temma often stayed up late, well past midnight. Her daughter Melanie reminisced about the rhythmic sound of the loom in the upstairs studio that lulled her to sleep so many nights. I invested in ear plugs and a sleep mask, so different were our biological clocks.

“[She] gives power to her arms” 

“Strength and grandeur are her garment, and she laughs at the time to come.” 

 

Temma was wracked by osteoarthritis, an inheritance (as she put it) from her beloved grandfather from whom she first learned her textile skills. “Four hips, three shoulders, two knees, and new thumbs” is how she enumerated the surgeries of the last two decades of life. She was thrilled to find a T-shirt, as we were walking in Tel Aviv, that read, “Mostly human, part bionic”.

 

Yet that affliction didn’t stop her from creating and pursuing with fervor the last great work of her life, “Torah Stitch by Stitch”. What began as a moment of “inspired lunacy” (her words)—to cross-stitch the entire text of Torah—evolved into a global project involving nearly 2,000 people that has spanned more than a decade. That is a story in itself. Parts of it showed to great acclaim at Toronto’s Textile Museum before the Covid pandemic. In the past year, there have been exhibits in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The coming High Holyday season will see an exhibit here at Holy Blossom—a homecoming, for the project got rolling when she was artist-in-residence here.

“let her works praise her in the gates.” 

 

Thank you for honouring Temma this Rosh Chodesh.

Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Thursday, March 19, 7:30 am

Nissan, known as Chodesh Ha’Aviv — the Month of Spring — marks the Biblical New Year. It is a time of awakening, hope, and renewal, as creation itself emerges from winter’s stillness into vibrant life.

Nissan is the month of double miracles. Its name contains two Hebrew letters Nun (נ), symbolizing the miracles through which Hashem redeemed us from slavery in Egypt.

The Zodiac sign of the month is Aries. Its spiritual attribute is speech, corresponding to the Hebrew letter ה (Hei) — reminding us of our sacred responsibility to retell the story of the Exodus through the Haggadah at Pesach.

The limb associated with Nissan is the right foot, teaching us to step forward boldly. With intention and faith, we begin our 49-day journey of growth and transformation from Pesach to Shavuot.

The tribe of the month is Yehuda, king among the twelve tribes, embodying leadership, gratitude, and strength.

During Nissan, we rejoice together — Heaven and Earth united — the spiritual from Hashem and the physical from humanity. This harmony is reflected in our heartfelt greeting:

Chag Pesach Kasher V’Sameach
Kasher — for the sake of Heaven.
Sameach — for our joy here on Earth.

Each Rosh Chodesh, we share stories of our own Women of Valour (Eshet Chayil) — women whose strength, wisdom, voice, and dedication uplift and transform our community.

On this Rosh Chodesh Nissan, we are honoured to recognize:  Freda Muscovitch

May this new month bring renewal, redemption, unity, and revealed miracles for us all.

The Women of Valour Series is generously sponsored by Robert Lantos in memory of his mother Agnes Lantos z”l

 

A Tribute to Freda Ariella Muscovitch — A Woman of Valour

By Alberto Quiroz

Freda Ariella Muscovitch was born in Haifa, Israel, and lovingly named after her great-grandmother, Savta Raba.

 In 1959, her father accepted a teaching position with the Jewish community in Edmonton. On a freezing Edmonton morning, Freda was sent alone to find her new school. Imagine the courage that required! From that moment, Freda carried within her a profound empathy for immigrants, refugees, and all who arrive in new places searching for belonging. That understanding would later become the foundation of her lifelong commitment to social justice.

Determined to chart her own path, Freda left Edmonton to attend the University of British Columbia. Destiny intervened when she met Arthur, a talented architect from Winnipeg and the love of her life. Together, they built a partnership defined by shared dreams, intellectual curiosity, and mutual support.

 Life carried them across cities and continents—from London, England, to Toronto. Freda pursued postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics while Arthur continued his architectural career. Eventually, they returned to Toronto, where she would find not only a home, but a community.

 In 1978, Freda and her family joined Holy Blossom Temple. She immediately immersed herself in community life—singing in the choir, building friendships, and dedicating herself to social action.

Her leadership shone most brightly in the creation of Holy Blossom Temple’s Out of the Cold program in 1995. Alongside Rabbi Dov Marmur, Freda prepared volunteers, learned from partner communities, and built the foundation for one of the Temple’s most meaningful initiatives.

But Freda’s compassion did not stop there. She brought members of the Roma community into dialogue with congregations across the GTA in a program titled “Why the Roma”, challenging assumptions and replacing stereotypes with understanding. Years later, during the Syrian refugee crisis, Freda once again stepped forward, working alongside Jacqueline Friedland to help families rebuild their lives in Toronto.

Freda has remained grateful to the Holy Blossom Temple community for the love and strength it gave her—especially during her battle with ovarian cancer. She marked her 60th birthday by establishing the first Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Today, Freda’s legacy lives across generations. Her sons, Zak and Noam, were married at Holy Blossom Temple. Freda’s family now includes five beloved grandchildren and two cherished adoptive sons, Saul and Aaron.

Freda has given Holy Blossom Temple far more than her time. She has helped shape a community known across Canada not only for prayer and tradition, but for compassion, courage, and action.

Her story teaches us that belonging is not something we find alone. It is something we create together.

Rosh Chodesh Adar: Increasing Joy

As we welcome Rosh Chodesh Adar, we enter a month defined by joy, laughter, and renewed spirit.

Adar is the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar, and it is known in our tradition as the month when joy increases. Each day of Adar offers another opportunity to embrace happiness, as these are days associated with miracles for the Jewish people. Adar also carries historical joy, as it was the final month the Jewish people spent in Egypt before the Exodus.

The very name Adar is related to the word Adir, meaning strength and power. The zodiac sign of the month, Pisces (Dagim), reflects Jacob’s blessing that his descendants would multiply like the fish of the sea. Fish symbolize blessing, abundance, and a deep connection to the Divine. Just as fish cannot survive without water, the Jewish people thrive when immersed in Torah, which is compared to life-giving water.

Adar is not a month guided by intellect or overthinking. Instead, it calls us to lean into intuition, simplicity, and heartfelt joy. This helps us understand the wisdom of our Sages: “When Adar enters, joy increases.”

The tribe associated with Adar is Naftali, rooted in the word nefesh—the soul. During this time, the Jewish people reaffirmed their unconditional acceptance of God, a theme echoed in the story of Purim, when we were all called Yehudim.

It is especially fitting, then, that we honour our Woman of Valour, Happy Iscove. She embodies the spirit of Adar through her warmth, positivity, and strength. Through her teachings and leadership, she has guided and inspired a generation of young adults from Holy Blossom Temple, leaving a lasting legacy of joy, connection, and Jewish pride.

May this month of Adar bring increasing happiness to us all.

Join Women of Holy Blossom for Rosh Chodesh Adar on Wednesday, February 18, 7:30 am

Rosh Chodesh, meaning head of the month, is a holiday celebrating the arrival of a new moon. It is often celebrated by women as a day off from work. 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.

Breakfast is generously co-sponsored by Caroline Ingvaldsen and Denise Gordon in honour of the Woman of Valour for Adar, Happy Iscove and by Shira Lester and Taali Lester in honour of the Yahrzeit of their father, Harry Lester z”l

 

Woman of Valour Project Honours Happy Iscove

by Denise Gordon

For the Love of Learning: In Praise of Happy Iscove

Happy Iscove has lived a purposeful Jewish life, influencing generations since her arrival at Holy Blossom Temple some 55 years ago. She is a respected educator, learner, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, mentor and mensch. Her unassuming demeanour belies anastute, knowledgeable, and compassionate love of all things Jewish. We are grateful to have been the beneficiary of Happy’s Jewish wisdom these past many years.

Happy’s journey in Toronto began many decades ago at the determined insistence of Holy Blossom’s then Director of Education, Heinz Warschauer, z’l. This journey began in 1969 when Heinz saw a young, impassioned Happy leading in the forefront of Jewish education while working at the UAHC’s Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York. Heinz quickly recognized the intelligence and enthusiasm of this accomplished 24-year-old woman. What were these talents he recognized? Was it Happy’s solid academic credentials: an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Applied Music, followed by amaster’s degree in Jewish Religious Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion? Or perhaps it was Happy’s avid and passionate involvement in the Jewish Youth movement in the States: her years as Director of Youth Activities for the New York Federation of Reform Synagogues; as a counsellor and folk dance specialist at Olin-Sang-Ruby Camp; or as an Adviser to United Synagogue Youth, Habonim and Regional Administrator for Young Judea in her hometown, Minneapolis.

Two years later, however, at the tender age of 26, Happy accepted the offer to join Holy Blossom’s Religious School faculty. She immigrated to Toronto, where she further honed her skills as a Jewish leader and educator.

At HBT, Happy was an innovator from the start: as full-time Director of Youth Activities, she organized countless after-school and weekend programs for the Junior and Senior youth groups and pioneered camp weekends for Religious School students in grades 4 -10. In 1974, she and Helen Lyons were the first HBT members to become adult b’nei mitzvah.  After leaving her full-time position, Happy continued to teach in the Religious, Senior and Hebrew Departments. She started the parent-student programs that gave parents the opportunity to co-teach lessons in religious school; she supervised Holy Blossom’s Tanach Tournament and led our team to championships in the greater Toronto area. In her final twelve years in the school, Happy taught hundreds of our b’nei mitzvah students their Torah and Haftarah portions.

Outside of Holy Blossom, Happy had a stint working at Baycrest as a daycare worker with our Jewish seniors. For nearly four decades, she taught in the Jewish Information Class program for aspiring Jews by choice. She taught Jewish Studies courses at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Ever the learner and the teacher, Happy also offered additional courses in writing Jewish ethical wills (sometimes known as wisdom letters or legacy letters). Many participants lovingly remember invitations to her home to share Shabbat and other Jewish life cycle events.

To date, Happy is busy researching her ancestry and writing memoirs, accompanied by photos and anecdotes to pass down to her children and grandchildren. Happy continues to study and to prepare her own eight grandchildren for their b’nei mitzvah readings. Her influence is felt multi-generationally in the Toronto Jewish community and beyond.

Happy Iscove has led a Jewish life of purpose and has deservedly earned the mantle ‘A Woman of Valour’.  May Happy’s wise and valiant heart continue to be a blessing to her, to her family, and to the myriad of students she continues to influence to this very day.

 

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.