Selichot 5785
A Contemplative Night to Prepare Ourselves for the New Year
Saturday, September 13, 2025
8:00 pm: Sacred Study with Rabbi Professor Michael Marmur
The Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro Memorial Lecture: “Neder: On Jewish Commitments”
This lecture will be livestreamed to include a number of Reform congregations across Canada as part of the Hoover Academy of Jewish Study.
For those joining us online in sacred worship, both the study and service will be streamed on our livestream page here: holyblossom.org/holy-blossom-temple-livestream/
Note, there will be a half-hour break for dessert between the two
9:15 pm: Havdalah and Dessert Reception
9:45 pm: Selichot Service
For those joining us online in sacred worship, both the study and service will be streamed on our livestream page here: holyblossom.org/holy-blossom-temple-livestream/
This stirring service, filled with exquisite music, calls us to prepare ourselves for the New Year. We will ceremonially change the Torah mantels to white, reflect on the trying year it has been, and ready ourselves, with renewed spiritual courage, to welcome the year 5786.
Our Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Professor Michael Marmur of Jerusalem, will teach from his important new book, “Living the Letters: An Alphabet of Emerging Jewish Thought,” to honour the memory of Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro z”l.
Click here for the Selichot Service pages
Michael Marmur is Associate Professor of Jewish Theology at Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem. Until July 2018, he served as the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost at Hebrew Union College, having previously been Dean of the Jerusalem campus. After some 20 years in administrative capacities, he now concentrates his energies on teaching and writing. Born and raised in England and educated at the University of Oxford, Michael made aliyah to Israel in 1984. While studying for an M.A. in Ancient Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he completed his studies in the Israel Rabbinic Program of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem and was ordained in 1992. For six years following his ordination, he worked as rabbi and teacher at the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa. Michael Marmur served for three years as Chair of the Board of Rabbis for Human Rights. Known as a masterful teacher, like his father before him, Professor Marmur has lectured and taught courses in several countries around the world. He is the author of many books, including his most recent, “Living the Letters: An Alphabet of Emerging Jewish Thought.”
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro z”l served Holy Blossom Temple from 1977-1982. He is remembered by many with admiration and warm friendship.https://holyblossom.org/remembering-rabbi-mark-dov-shapiro-zl/. The majority of his rabbinate was in Springfield, Massachusetts, but he and his wife, Marsha, both native Torontonians, always maintained close ties here. Rabbi Shapiro was especially devoted to interfaith relations, social justice, pastoral care, and lifelong learning. He strengthened the Reform Movement by serving on many committees and writing publications for the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union of Reform Judaism. Most of all, Rabbi Shapiro is forever cherished for his constant warmth and kindness. Family and friends, colleagues and congregants have given generously to establish an annual lecture in Rabbi Shapiro’s name. We dedicate this learning to his memory.
