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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261130T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261130T203000
DTSTAMP:20260724T135947Z
CREATED:20260724T125210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T135947Z
UID:10019691-1796063400-1796070600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Big Israel Questions: Young (er) Adult Learning Fellowship
DESCRIPTION:Big Israel Questions: Young (er) Adult Learning Fellowship\nMondays\, Oct 19\, 26\, Nov 2\, 9\, 23\, 30\, Dec 7\, 14\, 6:30 pm \nFor Jewish adults in their 20s\, 30s\, and 40s\nSharing a table does not require sharing opinions. \nThe questions you’ve been wrestling with. The ones you’ve been hesitant to ask. The ones you’ve been avoiding because our current climate too often rewards certainty over curiosity. Bring them to this eight-week learning community with master Jewish educator Michael Soberman and Rabbi Taylor Baruchel. \nRegister here \n“Big Israel Questions” is generously sponsored by Cheryl & David Blinick and family \nHow do we speak about Israel when the answers aren’t simple?\nFew topics evoke as much passion\, pain\, hope\, and complexity as Israel. For many Jews today\, conversations can feel increasingly polarized\, leaving us caught between certainty and silence. This fellowship offers another way. \nEach evening begins with dinner\, because some of the best Jewish learning happens around a shared table. Through Jewish texts\, history\, contemporary voices\, and honest conversation\, we’ll explore some of the biggest questions facing Israel and the Jewish people today. \nThis is not a debate club or a course that expects everyone to reach the same conclusions. It is a learning community where curiosity is encouraged\, respectful disagreement is welcomed\, and complexity is embraced. \nWhether you’re seeking a deeper understanding of Israel\, wrestling with difficult questions\, or simply looking for a place where you can ask them\, this fellowship invites you to learn with others who believe that curiosity is one of Judaism’s superpowers. \n 
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/big-israel-questions-young-er-adult-learning-fellowship/2026-11-30/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GettyImages-1448252861-1350x900-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261130T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261130T210000
DTSTAMP:20261020T143257Z
CREATED:20261016T132036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T143257Z
UID:10019948-1796065200-1796072400@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Celebrating Middle Eastern Jewry 5787/2026: Commemorating Yom HaPlitim
DESCRIPTION:Celebrating Middle Eastern Jewry 5787/2026: Commemorating Yom HaPlitim\nMonday\, November 30\, 7:00 pm \nJoin us at Holy Blossom Temple as we commemorate Yom HaPlitim\, dedicated to remembering the exile of Jews from Arab countries and Iran\, and celebrating the rich\, vibrant culture of Jewish communities in the Middle East. Featuring live music on the beautiful oud by Aaron Lightstone and Matan Boker\, and Daniel Koren\, Founder and Executive Director of Allied Voices for Israel (AVI)\, as well as a delicious Iraqi-inspired dinner and dessert. \nTogether\, we’ll explore the rich history of Jews who were exiled from the lands which they called home. Don’t miss the chance to learn about Mizrachi traditions and experience this evening that you will not want to miss! \nREGISTER HERE (tickets are $54/person\, or $36/under 35s) \nThis Adult Education program is sponsored in part through Dr. Naim and Renee Dallal’s Legacy Gift in support of Sephardic Studies. \nPlease register by Thursday\, November 26
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/celebrating-middle-eastern-jewry-5787-2026-commemorating-yom-haplitim/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/YomhaPlitim.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261201T124500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261201T150000
DTSTAMP:20260811T162931Z
CREATED:20250116T203204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T162931Z
UID:10019669-1796129100-1796137200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Dorot Games
DESCRIPTION:Dorot Games\nTuesdays\, 12:45 pm\nSchwartz/Reisman Atrium \nDorot programming is generously sponsored by a gift from the Estate of Saundra and Henry Sherman. \nWe invite everyone to come to play your favourite games: Chess\, Mahjong\, Canasta\, Rummycube\, Dominos\, Scrabble and social bridge.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/dorot-games/2026-12-01/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DorotGames_resize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261201T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261201T193000
DTSTAMP:20250930T162513Z
CREATED:20250829T131139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T162513Z
UID:10019093-1796149800-1796153400@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Bereavement Discussion Group
DESCRIPTION:Bereavement Discussion Group\nImmediately following our 6:00 pm evening service (via Zoom here)\, Jack Kugelmass\, MSW\, will provide a supportive environment to find new insight into the meaning of their losses. \nWhether a loved one died recently or long ago\, we hope you will take comfort in this opportunity to find meaning and motivation in memory. \nYou are welcome to “drop-in” occasionally or attend regularly. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/917009371?pwd=T1dDMnd6bUMxUU1FaU1NaHFkVXRWQT09 \nMeeting ID: 917 009 371\nPasscode: 047218 \nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kgbrqKX9x
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/bereavement-discussion-group-3/2026-12-01/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/comforting-hands.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261202T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261202T123000
DTSTAMP:20261020T175415Z
CREATED:20260804T181210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T175415Z
UID:10019712-1796209200-1796214600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion
DESCRIPTION:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion\nwith Mark Goodman \nWednesdays\, September 16-December 31\, 11:00 am \nJewish history is best understood as the story of a people shaped by myth\, memory\, law\, custom\, migration\, adaptation\, and endurance across more than two millennia and six continents. From the biblical narratives of covenant and exile\, rebuke and redemption\, to the post-biblical accounts shaped by recurring forces of persecution and emancipation\, catastrophe and renewal\, Jewish life has developed through constant interaction between inward tradition and outward pressure. \nAt the center of Jewish history stands a religious tradition built on covenant\, sacred law\, communal memory\, and interpretation. The biblical period establishes foundational themes: the relationship between God and Israel\, the importance of Torah\, and the repeated tension between faithfulness and disruption. After the destruction of the First and Second Temples\, Judaism increasingly became a tradition of text\, study\, and practice rather than one centred on a single sacred site. Rabbinic Judaism developed institutions\, commentaries\, and legal frameworks that allowed Jewish identity to survive dispersion and lay the groundwork for a culture built around language\, ritual\, education\, calendar\, family life\, and community organization. At the same time\, Jews in different regions developed distinctive cultural forms: Hebrew\, Aramaic\, Yiddish\, Ladino\, local liturgies\, and philosophical traditions. Over time\, internal diversity became one of the defining features of Jewish civilization. \nJewish history also involves the changing ways Jews organized themselves as communities and negotiated their place in larger political systems. In antiquity\, Israelites moved from a tribal confederation to monarchy\, exile\, and postexilic restoration. In later centuries\, Jews lived under empires\, kingdoms\, caliphates\, city-states\, and modern nation-states. Their legal status varied widely\, from relative autonomy to heavy restriction\, depending on time and place. \nEncounters with surrounding peoples\, religions\, and states have always shaped them. These relations included both exchange and conflict. Jews lived among Babylonians\, Persians\, Greeks\, Romans\, Christians\, Muslims\, and modern secular societies\, and each setting produced distinctive patterns of coexistence and pressure. Sometimes Jews served as intermediaries in trade\, scholarship\, or administration; at other times they were marginalized\, expelled\, forced to convert\, or targeted by violence. \nThroughout all periods\, Jewish history reflects both vulnerability and resilience in the face of changing external worlds. During the course of the program\, we will examine the arc of the Jewish story\, gain an understanding of the challenges and responses\, and explore the relationship between our present-day existence and that of past generations. Please join us on Wednesday at 11 am\, either in person or on Zoom. \nREGISTER HERE TO JOIN US!  \nClick the links below to download some reading materials for this discussion \nHELLENISTIC AND ROMAN ERAS.\nKey events in Medieval Ashkenazi Jewish history\nMEDIEVAL PERIOD\nThe Intellectual Leadership of Medieval Jewish Society in Europe\nWhat were the Mishnah and the Talmud\nWho Was Rashi \n70 C.E. and its Consequences \nChronology\nIn the beginning\nThe creation and evolution of Jewish texts \nChanuka\nChart: Chronological Landmarks of the Ancient Near Eastern\nHellenistic and Roman Eras
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/the-story-of-the-jewish-people/2026-12-02/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JewishHistory.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261202T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261202T210000
DTSTAMP:20260918T135957Z
CREATED:20260818T132603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T135957Z
UID:10019912-1796238000-1796245200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Brotherhood Presents: Krav Maga
DESCRIPTION:Brotherhood Presents: Krav Maga\nWednesdays\, October 14\, 21\, November 4\, 11\, December 2 7:00 pm \nBrotherhood is continuing to offer a Krav Maga class open to all Holy Blossom Temple Members\, regardless of gender identity or fitness level. \nJoin us for the 5-session course designed to teach practical self-defence techniques\, improve physical fitness\, and develop mental resilience in a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Classes take place on Wednesday evenings. All temple members\, regardless of fitness level\, are welcome\, and no previous experience or training is needed. \nRegister here
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/brotherhood-presents-krav-maga-2/2026-12-02/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KravMaga_HBT.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261203T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261203T200000
DTSTAMP:20260910T171525Z
CREATED:20260910T171525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T171525Z
UID:10019884-1796319000-1796328000@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold
DESCRIPTION:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold\nThursdays\, November 5 – March 25\, 5:30 pm \nJoin us for our 30th anniversary of Out of the Cold! For three decades\, Holy Blossom Temple has generously opened its doors to the Out of the Cold Program (OOTC) during five winter months while providing nutritious meals and shelter to thousands of adults who are homeless\, isolated\, or facing food insecurity. \nVolunteers prepare warm meals\, serve our guests with dignity\, provide uplifting and meaningful programming\, and provide visitors with vital supplies during the harsh winter months. \nThis year\, 2026-27\, we will open our doors on November 5 at 5:30 pm. It will run for 5 months\, from Thursday\, November 5\, to the last Thursday of March (March 25)\, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm\nLearn more about Out of the Cold at Holy Blossom here: https://holyblossom.org/out-of-the-cold/ \nReturning\, veteran\, and new volunteers are all welcome! Please contact our volunteer coordinator\, Tabitha Grove (ootc@holyblossom.org)\, to secure your volunteer date and role. We are always looking for new volunteers to greet and welcome\, serve\, bake at home\, help transport food\, and help us set up and break down the Phillip Smith Congregational Hall. \nPlease note that\, due to security issues and ongoing building renewal\, the Phillip & Fannie Smith Congregational Hall is not accessible for people with disabilities during the operating hours of this program. Due to current limitations\, our guests cannot sleep over.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/community-dinner-out-of-the-cold/2026-12-03/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OOTC_Web.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261204T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261204T120000
DTSTAMP:20260804T181314Z
CREATED:20260724T125528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T181314Z
UID:10019701-1796378400-1796385600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Little Blossoms with Marky and Friends
DESCRIPTION:Little Blossoms with Marky and Friends\n3 times available: 10:00 am\, 11:00 am\, 12:00 Noon\nOctober\, 16\, 23\, 30; November 6\, 13\, 20\, 27; December 4 \nClasses have limited spots\n0-4 years of age \nJoin us on Friday mornings for Shabbat music\, stories\, and more. Dr. Marky (MD\, MEd) is an award-winning entertainer and respected educator with over 20 years of experience running Shabbat programs that inspire and help stimulate your child’s motor and language development. Welcome Shabbat with a smile and song in your heart! \nRegister here!
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/little-blossoms-with-marky-and-friends/2026-12-04/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LittleBlossoms2024.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261206T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261206T120000
DTSTAMP:20260814T134310Z
CREATED:20260814T134310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T134310Z
UID:10019756-1796554800-1796558400@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:HBTogether Hybrid Book Club 
DESCRIPTION:HBTogether Hybrid Book Club  \nSundays\, monthly\,  11:00 am \nInterested in a book club with a difference?   \nConsider the HBTogether Book Club: \nWe read and discuss books of Jewish interest\, of Canadian\, Israeli and American origin and available in a variety of formats from the public library. \nJoin us on the first Sunday of the month at 11 am at the Max Enkin Library at Holy Blossom Temple or on Zoom. \nPaused over the summer the book club will resume after the High Holy Days on Sun November 1\, with When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin:  A mother’s heartbreaking story of personal grief amidst international scrutiny. \nFive  books later\, the 2026/2027 season will conclude on June 6 with The Free World by prize-winning Canadian author David Bezmozgis depicting the flight of three generations of the Krasnansky family who flee Soviet Latvia to the uncertain freedom of Rome in the Seventies. \nYou’re welcome to join us in person or online even if you haven’t read the book yet but share our interest. \nFor further information including a complete list of book club selections please contact Temple Librarian\, Caroline Ingvaldsen\, at library@holyblossom.org  
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/hbtogether-hybrid-book-club/2026-12-06/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BookClub.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261206T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261206T173000
DTSTAMP:20261019T170537Z
CREATED:20261002T145536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T170537Z
UID:10019924-1796572800-1796578200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:The Life & Light of Cantor Beny Maissner z”l
DESCRIPTION:The Life & Light of Cantor Beny Maissner z”l\nA memorial concert \nSunday\, December 6\, 4:00 pm \nIn honour of the life and legacy of Cantor Beny Maissner z”l\, we gather for an afternoon of music that celebrates a remarkable life devoted to the art of cantorial music. Spanning continents\, generations\, and a career of extraordinary breadth\, the music reflects the lasting imprint of his voice\, artistry\, and spirit. \nFeaturing our own Cantor David Rosen\, Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers\, Holy Blossom Temple Singers\, Lachan Jewish Choir\, Cantor Michael Smolash\, Cantor Ted Lebow and special guest stars. \nGet your tickets here! \nTo discuss sponsorship opportunities\, please contact Marni Turner at mturner@holyblossom.org \nA portion of the proceeds from the concert will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer Canada in memory of Cantor Maissner z”l\nTo make a further donation to Pancreatic Cancer Canada\, please click here
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/the-life-light-of-cantor-beny-maissner-zl/
CATEGORIES:Centre for Arts & Culture,HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/LifeLight_BZM_web.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261207T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261207T203000
DTSTAMP:20260724T135947Z
CREATED:20260724T125210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T135947Z
UID:10019692-1796668200-1796675400@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Big Israel Questions: Young (er) Adult Learning Fellowship
DESCRIPTION:Big Israel Questions: Young (er) Adult Learning Fellowship\nMondays\, Oct 19\, 26\, Nov 2\, 9\, 23\, 30\, Dec 7\, 14\, 6:30 pm \nFor Jewish adults in their 20s\, 30s\, and 40s\nSharing a table does not require sharing opinions. \nThe questions you’ve been wrestling with. The ones you’ve been hesitant to ask. The ones you’ve been avoiding because our current climate too often rewards certainty over curiosity. Bring them to this eight-week learning community with master Jewish educator Michael Soberman and Rabbi Taylor Baruchel. \nRegister here \n“Big Israel Questions” is generously sponsored by Cheryl & David Blinick and family \nHow do we speak about Israel when the answers aren’t simple?\nFew topics evoke as much passion\, pain\, hope\, and complexity as Israel. For many Jews today\, conversations can feel increasingly polarized\, leaving us caught between certainty and silence. This fellowship offers another way. \nEach evening begins with dinner\, because some of the best Jewish learning happens around a shared table. Through Jewish texts\, history\, contemporary voices\, and honest conversation\, we’ll explore some of the biggest questions facing Israel and the Jewish people today. \nThis is not a debate club or a course that expects everyone to reach the same conclusions. It is a learning community where curiosity is encouraged\, respectful disagreement is welcomed\, and complexity is embraced. \nWhether you’re seeking a deeper understanding of Israel\, wrestling with difficult questions\, or simply looking for a place where you can ask them\, this fellowship invites you to learn with others who believe that curiosity is one of Judaism’s superpowers. \n 
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/big-israel-questions-young-er-adult-learning-fellowship/2026-12-07/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GettyImages-1448252861-1350x900-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261208T124500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261208T150000
DTSTAMP:20260811T162931Z
CREATED:20250116T203204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T162931Z
UID:10019670-1796733900-1796742000@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Dorot Games
DESCRIPTION:Dorot Games\nTuesdays\, 12:45 pm\nSchwartz/Reisman Atrium \nDorot programming is generously sponsored by a gift from the Estate of Saundra and Henry Sherman. \nWe invite everyone to come to play your favourite games: Chess\, Mahjong\, Canasta\, Rummycube\, Dominos\, Scrabble and social bridge.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/dorot-games/2026-12-08/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DorotGames_resize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261208T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261208T193000
DTSTAMP:20250930T162513Z
CREATED:20250829T131139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T162513Z
UID:10019094-1796754600-1796758200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Bereavement Discussion Group
DESCRIPTION:Bereavement Discussion Group\nImmediately following our 6:00 pm evening service (via Zoom here)\, Jack Kugelmass\, MSW\, will provide a supportive environment to find new insight into the meaning of their losses. \nWhether a loved one died recently or long ago\, we hope you will take comfort in this opportunity to find meaning and motivation in memory. \nYou are welcome to “drop-in” occasionally or attend regularly. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/917009371?pwd=T1dDMnd6bUMxUU1FaU1NaHFkVXRWQT09 \nMeeting ID: 917 009 371\nPasscode: 047218 \nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kgbrqKX9x
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/bereavement-discussion-group-3/2026-12-08/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/comforting-hands.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261209T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261209T123000
DTSTAMP:20261020T175415Z
CREATED:20260804T181210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T175415Z
UID:10019713-1796814000-1796819400@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion
DESCRIPTION:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion\nwith Mark Goodman \nWednesdays\, September 16-December 31\, 11:00 am \nJewish history is best understood as the story of a people shaped by myth\, memory\, law\, custom\, migration\, adaptation\, and endurance across more than two millennia and six continents. From the biblical narratives of covenant and exile\, rebuke and redemption\, to the post-biblical accounts shaped by recurring forces of persecution and emancipation\, catastrophe and renewal\, Jewish life has developed through constant interaction between inward tradition and outward pressure. \nAt the center of Jewish history stands a religious tradition built on covenant\, sacred law\, communal memory\, and interpretation. The biblical period establishes foundational themes: the relationship between God and Israel\, the importance of Torah\, and the repeated tension between faithfulness and disruption. After the destruction of the First and Second Temples\, Judaism increasingly became a tradition of text\, study\, and practice rather than one centred on a single sacred site. Rabbinic Judaism developed institutions\, commentaries\, and legal frameworks that allowed Jewish identity to survive dispersion and lay the groundwork for a culture built around language\, ritual\, education\, calendar\, family life\, and community organization. At the same time\, Jews in different regions developed distinctive cultural forms: Hebrew\, Aramaic\, Yiddish\, Ladino\, local liturgies\, and philosophical traditions. Over time\, internal diversity became one of the defining features of Jewish civilization. \nJewish history also involves the changing ways Jews organized themselves as communities and negotiated their place in larger political systems. In antiquity\, Israelites moved from a tribal confederation to monarchy\, exile\, and postexilic restoration. In later centuries\, Jews lived under empires\, kingdoms\, caliphates\, city-states\, and modern nation-states. Their legal status varied widely\, from relative autonomy to heavy restriction\, depending on time and place. \nEncounters with surrounding peoples\, religions\, and states have always shaped them. These relations included both exchange and conflict. Jews lived among Babylonians\, Persians\, Greeks\, Romans\, Christians\, Muslims\, and modern secular societies\, and each setting produced distinctive patterns of coexistence and pressure. Sometimes Jews served as intermediaries in trade\, scholarship\, or administration; at other times they were marginalized\, expelled\, forced to convert\, or targeted by violence. \nThroughout all periods\, Jewish history reflects both vulnerability and resilience in the face of changing external worlds. During the course of the program\, we will examine the arc of the Jewish story\, gain an understanding of the challenges and responses\, and explore the relationship between our present-day existence and that of past generations. Please join us on Wednesday at 11 am\, either in person or on Zoom. \nREGISTER HERE TO JOIN US!  \nClick the links below to download some reading materials for this discussion \nHELLENISTIC AND ROMAN ERAS.\nKey events in Medieval Ashkenazi Jewish history\nMEDIEVAL PERIOD\nThe Intellectual Leadership of Medieval Jewish Society in Europe\nWhat were the Mishnah and the Talmud\nWho Was Rashi \n70 C.E. and its Consequences \nChronology\nIn the beginning\nThe creation and evolution of Jewish texts \nChanuka\nChart: Chronological Landmarks of the Ancient Near Eastern\nHellenistic and Roman Eras
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/the-story-of-the-jewish-people/2026-12-09/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JewishHistory.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261210T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261210T080000
DTSTAMP:20261016T134132Z
CREATED:20261016T134132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261016T134132Z
UID:10019949-1796887800-1796889600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Rosh Chodesh Tevet
DESCRIPTION:Rosh Chodesh Tevet\nThursday\, December 10\, 7:30 am \nRosh 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. \nThe Women of Valour Series is generously sponsored by Robert Lantos in memory of his mother Agnes Lantos z”l \nFor those planning on joining us in sacred worship online\, please click “Register Here” (below) to receive our new service links. You will be asked to provide your full name and email address as an enhanced security measure for our Online Daily Service participants. The Zoom links will be sent to the email address you provided in your registration. If it does not show in your inbox after registering\, please check your junk/spam folders. You will only need to register once for the new Daily Service Zoom links. If the links are updated again in future\, you may need to register again to receive them. If you are joining us for the first time\, we recommend you register in advance and test out the link before services and make sure your name is listed correctly. If you are unsure how to do that\, click here. \nIf you are still having trouble\, please email JoAnne Bieman at jbieman@holyblossom.org \nRegister here!\nAs Rosh Chodesh is considered a special women’s holiday\, Women of Holy Blossom will honour its inspiring\, trailblazing\, and amazing women. Each month\, during Rosh Chodesh services\, we will celebrate one woman from our Temple whose dedication and good work have helped shape our community. Please watch for these tributes in the “Life @ Holy Blossom” email! \nFeel free to contact Women of Holy Blossom with questions and comments. Looking forward to celebrating together.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/rosh-chodesh-tevet-2/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WHB_Rosh-Chodesh-5786.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261210T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261210T200000
DTSTAMP:20260910T171525Z
CREATED:20260910T171525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T171525Z
UID:10019885-1796923800-1796932800@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold
DESCRIPTION:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold\nThursdays\, November 5 – March 25\, 5:30 pm \nJoin us for our 30th anniversary of Out of the Cold! For three decades\, Holy Blossom Temple has generously opened its doors to the Out of the Cold Program (OOTC) during five winter months while providing nutritious meals and shelter to thousands of adults who are homeless\, isolated\, or facing food insecurity. \nVolunteers prepare warm meals\, serve our guests with dignity\, provide uplifting and meaningful programming\, and provide visitors with vital supplies during the harsh winter months. \nThis year\, 2026-27\, we will open our doors on November 5 at 5:30 pm. It will run for 5 months\, from Thursday\, November 5\, to the last Thursday of March (March 25)\, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm\nLearn more about Out of the Cold at Holy Blossom here: https://holyblossom.org/out-of-the-cold/ \nReturning\, veteran\, and new volunteers are all welcome! Please contact our volunteer coordinator\, Tabitha Grove (ootc@holyblossom.org)\, to secure your volunteer date and role. We are always looking for new volunteers to greet and welcome\, serve\, bake at home\, help transport food\, and help us set up and break down the Phillip Smith Congregational Hall. \nPlease note that\, due to security issues and ongoing building renewal\, the Phillip & Fannie Smith Congregational Hall is not accessible for people with disabilities during the operating hours of this program. Due to current limitations\, our guests cannot sleep over.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/community-dinner-out-of-the-cold/2026-12-10/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OOTC_Web.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261212T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261212T120000
DTSTAMP:20260903T131340Z
CREATED:20250715T174740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T131340Z
UID:10019860-1797072300-1797076800@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Family Shabbat!
DESCRIPTION:Family Shabbat!\nSaturdays\, 10:45 am \nShabbat is for families at Holy Blossom! \nJoin us on Saturday mornings for a lively and interactive Family Shabbat\, where you can come just as you are for some #JewishJoy. Together with our rabbis and song leaders\, we’ll celebrate with joyful music\, engaging stories\, fun games\, and obligatory snacks. After the service\, everyone is invited to Kiddush with a special space for Family Shabbat folks to connect. \nWe can’t wait to welcome you to our Youth Chapel! \nLearn more & worship with us!
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/family-shabbat-2/2026-12-12/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FamShabbat_2025Banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261212T131500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261212T141500
DTSTAMP:20261007T165049Z
CREATED:20260810T130334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T165049Z
UID:10019934-1797081300-1797084900@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Israeli Dancing with Paula Warren
DESCRIPTION:Israeli Dancing with Paula Warren\nMonthly\, Saturdays\, 1:15 pm \nCome celebrate 100 years of Israeli Folk Dance by heading to the Schwartz/Reisman atrium after the congregational Kiddush. \nPaula began dancing in Israel during childhood and went on to teach folk dance at Camps Biluim and Shalom. Paula still dances twice a week at sessions in Toronto.\nNow is your chance if you have not yet joined her in these classes. \nPaula will focus on the dances and music of Israel’s early years. She promises that the steps will be fun and easy to learn. Everyone is welcome. \nComfortable shoes are recommended. \nIsraeli Dancing with Paula Warren is generously sponsored by Magda Weisz
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/israeli-dancing-with-paula-warren-2/2026-12-12/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IsraeliDancing.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261213T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261213T150000
DTSTAMP:20261022T140130Z
CREATED:20261022T140130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261022T140130Z
UID:10019962-1797170400-1797174000@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Ruach Readers
DESCRIPTION:Ruach Readers\nMonthly\, Sundays\, 2:00 pm \nThis book club is for readers in grades 4-6\, where they will pick the book of the month and be led in a discussion! We will meet in a cafe\, ice cream shop\, and other locations that are of interest around Toronto where we will snack and talk about what we learned! \nRegistration coming soon!
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/ruach-readers/2026-12-13/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/RuachReaders2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261214T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261214T203000
DTSTAMP:20260724T135947Z
CREATED:20260724T125210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T135947Z
UID:10019693-1797273000-1797280200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Big Israel Questions: Young (er) Adult Learning Fellowship
DESCRIPTION:Big Israel Questions: Young (er) Adult Learning Fellowship\nMondays\, Oct 19\, 26\, Nov 2\, 9\, 23\, 30\, Dec 7\, 14\, 6:30 pm \nFor Jewish adults in their 20s\, 30s\, and 40s\nSharing a table does not require sharing opinions. \nThe questions you’ve been wrestling with. The ones you’ve been hesitant to ask. The ones you’ve been avoiding because our current climate too often rewards certainty over curiosity. Bring them to this eight-week learning community with master Jewish educator Michael Soberman and Rabbi Taylor Baruchel. \nRegister here \n“Big Israel Questions” is generously sponsored by Cheryl & David Blinick and family \nHow do we speak about Israel when the answers aren’t simple?\nFew topics evoke as much passion\, pain\, hope\, and complexity as Israel. For many Jews today\, conversations can feel increasingly polarized\, leaving us caught between certainty and silence. This fellowship offers another way. \nEach evening begins with dinner\, because some of the best Jewish learning happens around a shared table. Through Jewish texts\, history\, contemporary voices\, and honest conversation\, we’ll explore some of the biggest questions facing Israel and the Jewish people today. \nThis is not a debate club or a course that expects everyone to reach the same conclusions. It is a learning community where curiosity is encouraged\, respectful disagreement is welcomed\, and complexity is embraced. \nWhether you’re seeking a deeper understanding of Israel\, wrestling with difficult questions\, or simply looking for a place where you can ask them\, this fellowship invites you to learn with others who believe that curiosity is one of Judaism’s superpowers. \n 
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/big-israel-questions-young-er-adult-learning-fellowship/2026-12-14/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GettyImages-1448252861-1350x900-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261215T124500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261215T150000
DTSTAMP:20260811T162931Z
CREATED:20250116T203204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T162931Z
UID:10019671-1797338700-1797346800@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Dorot Games
DESCRIPTION:Dorot Games\nTuesdays\, 12:45 pm\nSchwartz/Reisman Atrium \nDorot programming is generously sponsored by a gift from the Estate of Saundra and Henry Sherman. \nWe invite everyone to come to play your favourite games: Chess\, Mahjong\, Canasta\, Rummycube\, Dominos\, Scrabble and social bridge.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/dorot-games/2026-12-15/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DorotGames_resize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261215T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261215T193000
DTSTAMP:20250930T162513Z
CREATED:20250829T131139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T162513Z
UID:10019095-1797359400-1797363000@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Bereavement Discussion Group
DESCRIPTION:Bereavement Discussion Group\nImmediately following our 6:00 pm evening service (via Zoom here)\, Jack Kugelmass\, MSW\, will provide a supportive environment to find new insight into the meaning of their losses. \nWhether a loved one died recently or long ago\, we hope you will take comfort in this opportunity to find meaning and motivation in memory. \nYou are welcome to “drop-in” occasionally or attend regularly. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/917009371?pwd=T1dDMnd6bUMxUU1FaU1NaHFkVXRWQT09 \nMeeting ID: 917 009 371\nPasscode: 047218 \nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kgbrqKX9x
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/bereavement-discussion-group-3/2026-12-15/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/comforting-hands.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261216T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261216T123000
DTSTAMP:20261020T175415Z
CREATED:20260804T181210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T175415Z
UID:10019714-1797418800-1797424200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion
DESCRIPTION:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion\nwith Mark Goodman \nWednesdays\, September 16-December 31\, 11:00 am \nJewish history is best understood as the story of a people shaped by myth\, memory\, law\, custom\, migration\, adaptation\, and endurance across more than two millennia and six continents. From the biblical narratives of covenant and exile\, rebuke and redemption\, to the post-biblical accounts shaped by recurring forces of persecution and emancipation\, catastrophe and renewal\, Jewish life has developed through constant interaction between inward tradition and outward pressure. \nAt the center of Jewish history stands a religious tradition built on covenant\, sacred law\, communal memory\, and interpretation. The biblical period establishes foundational themes: the relationship between God and Israel\, the importance of Torah\, and the repeated tension between faithfulness and disruption. After the destruction of the First and Second Temples\, Judaism increasingly became a tradition of text\, study\, and practice rather than one centred on a single sacred site. Rabbinic Judaism developed institutions\, commentaries\, and legal frameworks that allowed Jewish identity to survive dispersion and lay the groundwork for a culture built around language\, ritual\, education\, calendar\, family life\, and community organization. At the same time\, Jews in different regions developed distinctive cultural forms: Hebrew\, Aramaic\, Yiddish\, Ladino\, local liturgies\, and philosophical traditions. Over time\, internal diversity became one of the defining features of Jewish civilization. \nJewish history also involves the changing ways Jews organized themselves as communities and negotiated their place in larger political systems. In antiquity\, Israelites moved from a tribal confederation to monarchy\, exile\, and postexilic restoration. In later centuries\, Jews lived under empires\, kingdoms\, caliphates\, city-states\, and modern nation-states. Their legal status varied widely\, from relative autonomy to heavy restriction\, depending on time and place. \nEncounters with surrounding peoples\, religions\, and states have always shaped them. These relations included both exchange and conflict. Jews lived among Babylonians\, Persians\, Greeks\, Romans\, Christians\, Muslims\, and modern secular societies\, and each setting produced distinctive patterns of coexistence and pressure. Sometimes Jews served as intermediaries in trade\, scholarship\, or administration; at other times they were marginalized\, expelled\, forced to convert\, or targeted by violence. \nThroughout all periods\, Jewish history reflects both vulnerability and resilience in the face of changing external worlds. During the course of the program\, we will examine the arc of the Jewish story\, gain an understanding of the challenges and responses\, and explore the relationship between our present-day existence and that of past generations. Please join us on Wednesday at 11 am\, either in person or on Zoom. \nREGISTER HERE TO JOIN US!  \nClick the links below to download some reading materials for this discussion \nHELLENISTIC AND ROMAN ERAS.\nKey events in Medieval Ashkenazi Jewish history\nMEDIEVAL PERIOD\nThe Intellectual Leadership of Medieval Jewish Society in Europe\nWhat were the Mishnah and the Talmud\nWho Was Rashi \n70 C.E. and its Consequences \nChronology\nIn the beginning\nThe creation and evolution of Jewish texts \nChanuka\nChart: Chronological Landmarks of the Ancient Near Eastern\nHellenistic and Roman Eras
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/the-story-of-the-jewish-people/2026-12-16/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JewishHistory.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261216T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261216T150000
DTSTAMP:20260903T201350Z
CREATED:20260831T132411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T201350Z
UID:10019853-1797429600-1797433200@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Film Talks: What I’m watching and why…
DESCRIPTION:Film Talks: What I’m watching and why…\nMonthly\, Wednesdays\, 2:00 pm (via Zoom) \nWe’re living in a Golden Age of television\, film\, and webisodes on the internet\, and film professor Gillian Helfield is our intrepid guide through all of it – some speculative\, some realistic and some purely escapist! Join her for a 20-minute check-in to discover what she’s watching now and why. At the end\, there’s time for you to add your viewing suggestions. \nClick here for the Zoom link!
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/film-talks-what-im-watching-and-why/2026-12-16/
CATEGORIES:Centre for Arts & Culture,HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FIlmTalk2024.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261217T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261217T200000
DTSTAMP:20260910T171525Z
CREATED:20260910T171525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T171525Z
UID:10019886-1797528600-1797537600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold
DESCRIPTION:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold\nThursdays\, November 5 – March 25\, 5:30 pm \nJoin us for our 30th anniversary of Out of the Cold! For three decades\, Holy Blossom Temple has generously opened its doors to the Out of the Cold Program (OOTC) during five winter months while providing nutritious meals and shelter to thousands of adults who are homeless\, isolated\, or facing food insecurity. \nVolunteers prepare warm meals\, serve our guests with dignity\, provide uplifting and meaningful programming\, and provide visitors with vital supplies during the harsh winter months. \nThis year\, 2026-27\, we will open our doors on November 5 at 5:30 pm. It will run for 5 months\, from Thursday\, November 5\, to the last Thursday of March (March 25)\, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm\nLearn more about Out of the Cold at Holy Blossom here: https://holyblossom.org/out-of-the-cold/ \nReturning\, veteran\, and new volunteers are all welcome! Please contact our volunteer coordinator\, Tabitha Grove (ootc@holyblossom.org)\, to secure your volunteer date and role. We are always looking for new volunteers to greet and welcome\, serve\, bake at home\, help transport food\, and help us set up and break down the Phillip Smith Congregational Hall. \nPlease note that\, due to security issues and ongoing building renewal\, the Phillip & Fannie Smith Congregational Hall is not accessible for people with disabilities during the operating hours of this program. Due to current limitations\, our guests cannot sleep over.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/community-dinner-out-of-the-cold/2026-12-17/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OOTC_Web.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261218T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261218T183000
DTSTAMP:20260814T132727Z
CREATED:20260814T132727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T132727Z
UID:10019743-1797615000-1797618600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Tot Shabbat
DESCRIPTION:Tot Shabbat 🤩 \nMonthly\, Fridays\, 5:30 pm \nShabbat Shalom – HEY! Get on board the Shabbat Train for an upbeat and meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat service for our littlest blossoms and their families. Make some joyful noise with Dr. Marky Weinstock and Rabbi Samuel Kaye! \nThis program is generously sponsored by Ben Hertzman and Danna Goldlist \nRegister here!
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/tot-shabbat/2026-12-18/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TotShabbat_2025.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261222T124500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261222T150000
DTSTAMP:20260811T162931Z
CREATED:20250116T203204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T162931Z
UID:10019672-1797943500-1797951600@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Dorot Games
DESCRIPTION:Dorot Games\nTuesdays\, 12:45 pm\nSchwartz/Reisman Atrium \nDorot programming is generously sponsored by a gift from the Estate of Saundra and Henry Sherman. \nWe invite everyone to come to play your favourite games: Chess\, Mahjong\, Canasta\, Rummycube\, Dominos\, Scrabble and social bridge.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/dorot-games/2026-12-22/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DorotGames_resize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261222T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261222T193000
DTSTAMP:20250930T162513Z
CREATED:20250829T131139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T162513Z
UID:10019096-1797964200-1797967800@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Bereavement Discussion Group
DESCRIPTION:Bereavement Discussion Group\nImmediately following our 6:00 pm evening service (via Zoom here)\, Jack Kugelmass\, MSW\, will provide a supportive environment to find new insight into the meaning of their losses. \nWhether a loved one died recently or long ago\, we hope you will take comfort in this opportunity to find meaning and motivation in memory. \nYou are welcome to “drop-in” occasionally or attend regularly. \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/917009371?pwd=T1dDMnd6bUMxUU1FaU1NaHFkVXRWQT09 \nMeeting ID: 917 009 371\nPasscode: 047218 \nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kgbrqKX9x
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/bereavement-discussion-group-3/2026-12-22/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/comforting-hands.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261223T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261223T123000
DTSTAMP:20261020T175415Z
CREATED:20260804T181210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T175415Z
UID:10019715-1798023600-1798029000@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion
DESCRIPTION:The Story of the Jewish People – An Ongoing Discussion\nwith Mark Goodman \nWednesdays\, September 16-December 31\, 11:00 am \nJewish history is best understood as the story of a people shaped by myth\, memory\, law\, custom\, migration\, adaptation\, and endurance across more than two millennia and six continents. From the biblical narratives of covenant and exile\, rebuke and redemption\, to the post-biblical accounts shaped by recurring forces of persecution and emancipation\, catastrophe and renewal\, Jewish life has developed through constant interaction between inward tradition and outward pressure. \nAt the center of Jewish history stands a religious tradition built on covenant\, sacred law\, communal memory\, and interpretation. The biblical period establishes foundational themes: the relationship between God and Israel\, the importance of Torah\, and the repeated tension between faithfulness and disruption. After the destruction of the First and Second Temples\, Judaism increasingly became a tradition of text\, study\, and practice rather than one centred on a single sacred site. Rabbinic Judaism developed institutions\, commentaries\, and legal frameworks that allowed Jewish identity to survive dispersion and lay the groundwork for a culture built around language\, ritual\, education\, calendar\, family life\, and community organization. At the same time\, Jews in different regions developed distinctive cultural forms: Hebrew\, Aramaic\, Yiddish\, Ladino\, local liturgies\, and philosophical traditions. Over time\, internal diversity became one of the defining features of Jewish civilization. \nJewish history also involves the changing ways Jews organized themselves as communities and negotiated their place in larger political systems. In antiquity\, Israelites moved from a tribal confederation to monarchy\, exile\, and postexilic restoration. In later centuries\, Jews lived under empires\, kingdoms\, caliphates\, city-states\, and modern nation-states. Their legal status varied widely\, from relative autonomy to heavy restriction\, depending on time and place. \nEncounters with surrounding peoples\, religions\, and states have always shaped them. These relations included both exchange and conflict. Jews lived among Babylonians\, Persians\, Greeks\, Romans\, Christians\, Muslims\, and modern secular societies\, and each setting produced distinctive patterns of coexistence and pressure. Sometimes Jews served as intermediaries in trade\, scholarship\, or administration; at other times they were marginalized\, expelled\, forced to convert\, or targeted by violence. \nThroughout all periods\, Jewish history reflects both vulnerability and resilience in the face of changing external worlds. During the course of the program\, we will examine the arc of the Jewish story\, gain an understanding of the challenges and responses\, and explore the relationship between our present-day existence and that of past generations. Please join us on Wednesday at 11 am\, either in person or on Zoom. \nREGISTER HERE TO JOIN US!  \nClick the links below to download some reading materials for this discussion \nHELLENISTIC AND ROMAN ERAS.\nKey events in Medieval Ashkenazi Jewish history\nMEDIEVAL PERIOD\nThe Intellectual Leadership of Medieval Jewish Society in Europe\nWhat were the Mishnah and the Talmud\nWho Was Rashi \n70 C.E. and its Consequences \nChronology\nIn the beginning\nThe creation and evolution of Jewish texts \nChanuka\nChart: Chronological Landmarks of the Ancient Near Eastern\nHellenistic and Roman Eras
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/the-story-of-the-jewish-people/2026-12-23/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/JewishHistory.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261224T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261224T200000
DTSTAMP:20260910T171525Z
CREATED:20260910T171525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T171525Z
UID:10019887-1798133400-1798142400@holyblossom.org
SUMMARY:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold
DESCRIPTION:Community Dinner: Out of the Cold\nThursdays\, November 5 – March 25\, 5:30 pm \nJoin us for our 30th anniversary of Out of the Cold! For three decades\, Holy Blossom Temple has generously opened its doors to the Out of the Cold Program (OOTC) during five winter months while providing nutritious meals and shelter to thousands of adults who are homeless\, isolated\, or facing food insecurity. \nVolunteers prepare warm meals\, serve our guests with dignity\, provide uplifting and meaningful programming\, and provide visitors with vital supplies during the harsh winter months. \nThis year\, 2026-27\, we will open our doors on November 5 at 5:30 pm. It will run for 5 months\, from Thursday\, November 5\, to the last Thursday of March (March 25)\, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm\nLearn more about Out of the Cold at Holy Blossom here: https://holyblossom.org/out-of-the-cold/ \nReturning\, veteran\, and new volunteers are all welcome! Please contact our volunteer coordinator\, Tabitha Grove (ootc@holyblossom.org)\, to secure your volunteer date and role. We are always looking for new volunteers to greet and welcome\, serve\, bake at home\, help transport food\, and help us set up and break down the Phillip Smith Congregational Hall. \nPlease note that\, due to security issues and ongoing building renewal\, the Phillip & Fannie Smith Congregational Hall is not accessible for people with disabilities during the operating hours of this program. Due to current limitations\, our guests cannot sleep over.
URL:https://holyblossom.org/event/community-dinner-out-of-the-cold/2026-12-24/
CATEGORIES:HBT Programs & Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://holyblossom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OOTC_Web.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR