1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5P 3K9
(416) 789-3291
[email protected]
Emergency Funeral Contact
Cell: 416-565-7561
by Gillian Rosenberg
Communications Coordinator for Women of Holy Blossom (WHB)
WHB representative to the Northeast District of Women of Reform Judaism
In an effort to live up to our branding around diversity and inclusivity, WHB is deepening its understanding of the nature of spaces in which we interact. We have been using the term safe spaces to describe what is desirable. This term was traditionally used by 2SLGBTQ+ communities and characterized in the negative as being without bias, conflict, criticism, or threat. The term is now challenged on the premise that safety is a personal perspective or perception related to one’s own situation, both unique to a space and in regard to what participants carry with them into that space. The latter might include, for example, past trauma, pain, insecurities, differing comfort levels, burdens, and physical or cognitive challenges. Despite best efforts to anticipate the needs of others, we cannot control how they will actually feel in a space, and if they will, in fact, feel safe.
Brave spaces is suggested as an alternative term. But I think it suffers the same problem. We cannot ensure that someone will feel brave any more than we can ensure they will feel safe.
Words matter, but sometimes they risk obfuscating or distracting from the intention behind them. I think this is the case now. Therefore, instead of investing time and energy trying to articulate the right word to describe our desired spaces, only to find it is inadequate, let’s go back to basics.
What is our actual goal? Twofold: 1) that everyone in our spaces feels welcomed, comfortable, seen, celebrated, safe, and brave; 2) that everyone in our spaces works to ensure this is the case for everyone else. It is two sides of the same coin, aimed at avoiding harm and preserving dignity for all.
Based on this goal, we can reframe how we think about spaces as a shared responsibility, co-created on a foundation of pro-social and moral values, such as listening, kindness, patience, respect, fairness, honesty, generosity, and compassion. This must be negotiated and managed, in concrete terms, both in anticipation and in the moment, with every new composition of participants. What does kindness look like in our sessions, events, programs? What would be an example of someone being kind? How do we recognize when someone is in need of kindness? Ditto for the other values. Answers to these questions are less straightforward and more nuanced than one might think. Consider the inverse. Many micro-aggressions are deeply hurtful but go unnoticed by aggressors and bystanders, who may think of themselves as kind.
At the recent North American Conference for Women of Reform Judaism, the women’s affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, the opening ceremony included a concrete ethics statement outlining how we were to treat each other and what we could expect from others in how we are treated. An open invitation was offered to anyone wanting to discuss this further. I wish I had taken notes.
Here is a statement from the conference registration package, to give you an idea:
Women of Reform Judaism strives to create an environment of kavod (honor and respect), demonstrating regard for one another in the spirit of b’tzelim Elohim (being created in God’s image). To this end, WRJ seeks to create communities of mutual respect, physical and emotional safety, and fundamental decency, valuing equally all individuals in its sphere. We value the importance of dibbur (honest and thoughtful speech,) sh’tikah (listening silently to understand), and savlanut (patience).
It is difficult, maybe impossible, to capture the comprehensiveness of this deeply Jewish and humane statement in a single word. And WHB does not wish to engage in such an academic exercise. Rather, we are interested in what this looks like in practice and how it is realized in action. So, stay tuned as we follow the exemplary lead of WRJ and continue to work on living up to our branding.
If you would like to help, please email us at [email protected].
by Teresa Quiroz, on behalf of Women of Holy Blossom
Tammuz (Tamuz) is the fourth of the 12 months of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan. It means “heat” like a glowing furnace, very appropriate (for this season) as the sun is more radiant and at its height. It also signifies “Transformation”.
The Mishna Taanit 4:3 (Oral Law) lists five tragic events of Jewish history that happened: #1. Moses smashed the first tablets on the 17 of Tammuz, on seeing the golden calf. #2. During the period of the first Temple, the besieged population of Jerusalem could not obtain an animal for the daily sacrifice. #3. The walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans during the second Temple period. #4. Apustamus, a Roman officer, burnt a Torah scroll. #5 an idol was placed in the holy Temple.
The limb of the month: 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.
The tribe associated with Tammuz is Reuven, the oldest son of Jacob, whose name means ‘see a son’, Genesis 29-32 and is derived from the sense of sight. Which leads to the attribute of the month: Vision. A sense of vision to bring peace into the world which can be transformed from mourning and sadness into joy and redemption.
וַתַּ֤הַר לֵאָה֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֔ן וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ רְאוּבֵ֑ן כִּ֣י אָֽמְרָ֗ה כִּֽי־רָאָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ בְּעׇנְיִ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֖ה יֶאֱהָבַ֥נִי אִישִֽׁי׃
Leah conceived and bore a son, and named him Reuben;*Reuben Understood as “See a son.” for she declared, “It means: ‘יהוהhas seen*has seen Heb. ra’ah, connected with the first part of “Reuben.” my affliction’; it also means: ‘Now my husband will love me.’”*
The permutation of the month: HVHY (hey-vav-hey-yud), from the final letters of the passage in Esther (5:13)
וְכׇל־זֶ֕ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ שֹׁוֶ֖ה לִ֑י בְּכׇל־עֵ֗ת אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֤י רֹאֶה֙ אֶת־מׇרְדֳּכַ֣י הַיְּהוּדִ֔י יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
zeHenenUshaveHleY, spoken by Haman. The order is the direct reverse of the Name’s regular form, YHVH.
Tammuz, means Transformation and Redemption. Why? Understanding that the previous month Sivan, which was considered the ‘Giver’ of the Torah when G/d gives the commandments to the Jewish people and Tammuz is the month considered the ‘Receiver’. It is when we truly apply the Torah. Moses went up the mountain on the 4th month representing the “Receiver”.
Back to the Zodiac sign, Cancer (Crab) has a shell that hosts a body that grows and when the shell breaks metaphorically speaking ‘breaks the mold’. Meaning we too can change and transform. We too have ‘growth spurs’ not only of the body but spiritually. As we grow older we become smarter and (hopefully) wiser. Our bodies too during this month are experiencing the freedom of shedding “the outer shell” i.e. leaving our coats behind from the winter, freedom of our sins, from our animal soul, narcissism, heartbreak, hardship etc.
I wish you all a radiant and warm summer months.
Ken Yehi Ratzon!
Shacharit Service: Sunday, July 7, 2024, 9 am ET, in-person or via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93902401402?pwd=dGlOR2dEcGs1RVc0OVFwdkFtOVo5UT09
password: 667580
For upcoming dates and why Rosh Chodesh is special for women, see https://holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/
by Teresa Quiroz, on behalf of Women of Holy Blossom
Iyar is the second month on the Jewish calendar counting from Nissan also called “The Month of Light” (Chodesh Ziv) because the trees are bright with blossoms. The name of Iyar is also an acronym for the initials of Abraham, Isaac, Yakow, and Rachel.
Shortly after the Exodus, the thirsty Israelites reached a well of bitter water. Moses cast a stick into the water and it miraculously became sweet. G/d then promised that if Israel followed His ways, “the diseases I have placed on Egypt I will not place upon you, for I am G/d your Healer (רפאךייאני).” The acronym for this last phrase spells out the name of the month of Iyar (אייר), thus indicating that Iyar is a propitious time for healing.
The entire month of Iyar is Holy because it is a mitzvah to count the 49 days of the Omer—between Passover and Shavuot. The Omer is a period of introspection and self-refinement, as we prepare ourselves to receive the Torah on Shavuot. The 33rd day of the Omer on May 9th is known as Lag B’Omer, a mini-holiday and in Israel it is celebrated with outings, bonfires and other joyous festivities; including marriages.
The Tribe of the month is: Issachar which is a tribe of great scholars, studious preparing to receive the Torah in Shavuot. The Limb of the month: Right Kidney which represents in Kabalistic terms Netzach which means victory, endurance to hone our animal soul.
The letter of the Month: ו Vav, you will notice that the letter is in the shape of a hook that connects the first month of Nisan to the second month of Iyar. It is like the word “and” in English.
In every Rosh Chodesh, we receive new vitality, new energy, we start anew therefore the letters of the full name of G/d are in different order. The permutation for the month of Iyar is: יההו
But only in this should one glory: In his earnest devotion to Me.
For I the LORD act with kindness, Justice, and equity in the world;
for in these I delight
—declares the LORD. (Jeremiah, chapter 9, v23)
The zodiac sign for the month is Taurus –The Bull, which in Jewish mysticism symbolizes our animal soul which like the Bull is unruly but could be productive if it is harnessed. Chassidic thought understands that the negative tendencies of our animal soul stem from an amorphous koach hamit’aveh, “a force that desires”. Without a harness, the “desirous force” will lean toward self-gratification, but with a yoke, the animal soul can be abundantly productive. Therefore, our mission in Iyar is to tame the animal soul within us through prayer, meditation, and service to G/d. Each night, after we’ve counted the Omer, we say a little prayer wherein we ask G/d to rectify a small part of our animal soul.
The 14th day of Iyar, we celebrate Pesach Sheni, “the second Passover” and is an opportunity to make up for one’s past mistakes. Pesach Sheni reminds us that it’s never too late and with sincere effort, yesterday’s missed opportunity can become today’s achievement!
Ken YehiRatzon.
Shacharit Service: Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 7:30 am ET, in-person or via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93902401402?pwd=dGlOR2dEcGs1RVc0OVFwdkFtOVo5UT09
password: 667580
For upcoming dates and why Rosh Chodesh is special for women see https://holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/
Zodiac sign: Aries, Attribute of the month: Speech, Letter: ה
The month of Nissan is referred to as Chodesh ha-aviv (month of spring). It is considered the first month of the Jewish calendar, the spiritual Rosh ha-shana and the month of Tishrei, which is considered the first month of the physical world. The month of Nissan is inspiring, and uplifting when nature and every living soul wakes up from hibernation. It signals renewal and hope. It is the month of double miracles as Nissan has two Nun letters (נ for Nes).
These are the miracles that G/d did to redeem us from slavery in Egypt.
The spiritual birthday of the world is in Nissan, Head of the Months, [ניסן]
Nissan in the Gematria equals two times [פה] mouth [(50+10+60+50)=170 = Nissan; 80+5= [פה] Peh ([פה] x 2 = 85×2 =170. The connection to the letter is “speech”, as we are to retell the story of Exodus from Egypt through the Haggadah. We celebrate the eight-day holiday from the 15 to the 22nd of Nissan (April 22-30) and following the rituals we experience the true spiritual freedom when after 210 years of being slaves G/d took us out of Egypt and we became superhuman and appreciated the power of nature reaching its zenith in the spring. It is through Pesach that we became a nation of priests (Am-Kohanim) therefore we became subjects of our King, G/d.
The limb of the month is the “right foot” because we have to make a quantum leap with the right foot, to start a transformation for 49 days from Pesach to Shavuot. Yehuda is the tribe of the month of Nissan as he is the King of the 12 tribes.
The permutation of this month is the four letters of G/d in the correct position יהוה as it is the first month of the year and this permutation can
be found in the book Psalms 96:11: “יִשְׂמְחוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְתָגֵל הָאָרֶץ,” “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.” This verse reveals the energy of the month that brings joy and happiness in heaven and on earth.
In the interest of Rosh Chodesh, each month is a new beginning, each month brings new energy and we are revitalized. Chodesh in the Gematria equals 312 and the word G/d יהוה equals (10+5+6+5) 26 if we multiply 26 by 12 months of the year it equals 312, it signifies that G/d is with us every month. During the month of Nissan we must rejoice together, Heaven and Earth, the spiritual from G/d and the physical from Man and it reflects it in our wishes for each other “Chag Pesach kasher v’sameach” Kosher for the sake of heaven, and Sameach for our sake.
We must step into this month with the ‘Right’ foot, some people believe, we should be positive and act with Chessed during the first 12 days of the month and beyond as we then ‘plant’ positive roots for the entire year and renewal of our lives. Furthermore, living under the current anxious situation, I feel certain optimism that this month we could turn grief into joy and sorrow and pain into hope. Ken Yehi Ratzon!
by Teresa Quiroz, on behalf of Women of Holy Blossom Temple
Shacharit Service: Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 7:30 am ET, in-person or via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93902401402?pwd=dGlOR2dEcGs1RVc0OVFwdkFtOVo5UT09
password: 667580
For upcoming dates and why Rosh Chodesh is special for women see https://holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/
Shevat is the 11th month on the Jewish calendar counting from Nissan. The zodiac sign is Aquarius and its symbol the “waterbearer” makes us reflect on the Biblical verse, “Water will flow from his wells” because it alludes figuratively speaking as the ability in each one of us ‘to pour’ knowledge and inspire/lead others, just as a Tzadik would in order 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.
The notorious celebration during this month is the holiday of Tu B’Shvat on the 15 Shevat (January 25) which is the “New Year for Trees.” In Israel, it is the start of a new growing season and the day that 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. We reflect on the metaphor “Man is a tree of the field.” Just 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.
There are two tribes on this month. The tribe of Asher and his name means pleasure and happiness. The special tree that Asher personifies is the olive tree, which gives the goodly oil with which Asher’s portion in the land of Israel was blessed with. The Tribe of Joseph is connected to Asher’s because it was Asher’s daughter who gave the news to Jacob that Joseph was alive.
The letter: Tzade צ (resembles a tree). Interestingly, the letter of the previous month, Tevet, is ayin (ע), which means “an eye” and when the ayin of Tevet is lifted up to connect with the tzadik of Shevat, the word “tree” (עֵץ) is formed.
The limb is the stomach and the attribute is Taste, which figuratively through the stomach we digest and derive pleasure by internalizing the words of Torah.
The permutation of the month is: Hey, Yud, Vav Hei, found in the pasuk; Vaykra 27 verse 33
לֹ֧א יְבַקֵּ֛ר בֵּֽין־ט֥וֹב לָרַ֖ע וְלֹ֣א יְמִירֶ֑נּוּ וְאִם־הָמֵ֣ר יְמִירֶ֔נּוּ וְהָֽיָה־ה֧וּא וּתְמוּרָת֛וֹ יִֽהְיֶה־קֹּ֖דֶשׁ לֹ֥א יִגָּאֵֽל׃
“If you offer a substitute” In the end, both are holy. Meaning that it is our duty to always improve in what we offer.
The Midrash explains that Moses spent the last month of his life, the month of Shevat translating the entire Torah into the 70 major languages then spoken. This is a fundamental lesson as every Jew has a connection to the Torah, even one who cannot read it in its original tongue.
Under the current circumstances, we hang on to the ‘good news month’ and hope that the 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.
by Teresa Quiroz, on behalf of Women of Holy Blossom
Shacharit Service: Thursday, January 11, 2024, 7:30 am ET, in-person or via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93902401402?pwd=dGlOR2dEcGs1RVc0OVFwdkFtOVo5UT09
Password: 667580
For other upcoming dates and why Rosh Chodesh is special for women see https://holyblossom.org/rosh-chodesh/
1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5P 3K9
(416) 789-3291
[email protected]
Emergency Funeral Contact
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