Holy Blossom Temple Judaica & Art Shop
Operated by Women of Holy Blossom
You have probably passed by the Judaica & Art Shop, in the heart of the Schwartz/Reisman Atrium, countless times. But did you know that The Shop offers an array of carefully curated Judaica to enhance your Shabbat, holiday, and life cycle celebrations, as well as unique art and gift items, sourced from Israeli and North American designers and Holy Blossom’s Project Betzalel artists?
You should definitely come by for a visit.
Here’s how: Drop in on Sundays between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, during the school season, from September to June. You can also email [email protected] or leave a message at 416-789-3291 to book an appointment at your convenience. We are open for most special programs and events at Holy Blossom, as well.
Keep an eye on this webpage for events and updates.
The Shop is operated by Women of Holy Blossom and all purchases support and enrich our Holy Blossom community.
2023 Project Betzalel Event
The Judaica & Art Shop is excited to introduce PROJECT BETZALEL 2023, a marketplace event featuring the work of 8 outstanding artists from our Holy Blossom community.
Visit with the artists and shop unique Chanukah gifts on Sunday, November 26, 9:30-12:30pm in the Schwartz/Reisman Atrium at Holy Blossom Temple.
The Shop will also be open for your Chanukah needs and you can place orders for Chanukah cookies, gift baskets, and @UBake Boxes directly with Violeta Patisserie & Catering.
Everyone is welcome.
Scroll down to see bios of the artists and a sample of their work.
Chanukah Cookies and UBake Boxes
The Judaica & Art Shop is excited to offer these delicious treats, to enjoy with your family or gift to others.
The Options
UBake Boxes are a fun and creative activity for kids of all ages. The kits contain pre-baked, shelf-stable shortbread sugar cookies, decorations, piping bags with icing, and an instruction card.
Small boxes ($23): 8 cookies in the shapes of the Chanukah letters, 1 Jewish star, 1 dreidel, 3 gelt.
Large boxes ($34): 3 hannukiahs, 2 Jewish stars, 3 dreidels, 5 gelt.
If decorating cookies isn’t your thing, consider a box of professionally decorated cookies ($25), including 1 hannukiah, 1 Jewish star, 1 dreidel, 2 gelt. Add more cookies for an additional price.
Or order a host gift basket ($54), containing 6 Jewish stars, 3 dreidels filled with jam, 1 Happy Chanukah plaque, 4 Belgian chocolate circles, and 9 Belgian chocolate coins, professionally decorated and beautifully packaged in a wooden box.
Items as shown. Prices include tax.
Note on Allergies
Due to the carefully curated nature of these items, adjustments for allergies cannot be accommodated. Although there are no nuts in the ingredients and Violeta Patisserie & Catering is extremely careful about cross-contamination, their facility is NOT nut-free. If you would like a complete list of ingredients, please email us at [email protected] or indicate this on your order form.
Logistics
Once your order has been received and reviewed, Violeta Patisserie & Catering will contact you to arrange payment. You will be notified when your items are ready for pick-up or to arrange delivery.
Pick-up at Holy Blossom Temple’s Judaica & Art Shop on Sunday, December 3, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, Tuesday, December 5, 1:00 to 2:30 pm, and Sunday, December 10, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. You can also email The Shop at [email protected] to arrange an alternative pick up, at the discretion of The Shop. Pick-up orders for December 3 and 5 must be placed no later than November 26, and for December 10, no later than December 6.
Delivery is available, for a $7 charge per address, within the boundary of Finch to Bloor and Dufferin to Don Mills. This will be arranged with Violeta Patisserie & Catering once the order is confirmed. Delivery orders must be placed no later than December 5.
Thank You
The Shop receives a share of the profits from all orders placed via this webpage. Thank you for supporting The Shop, Women of Holy Blossom, and Holy Blossom Temple.
Shop Shoresh Items
Shoresh is a nature-based Jewish charity, which both aims to be and inspires others to be Shomrei Adamah, protectors of the earth. It works to propagate the bee population of Ontario and, by extension, to sustain Ontario’s ecosystems and food systems, all of which uphold the Jewish values of mah rabu ma’asecha, to hold a sense of radical amazement for the natural world; l’ovdah u’l’shomrah, to be responsible stewards of the earth; and tzedek tzedek tirdof, to pursue justice for the earth and its creatures.
At The Shop, you will find beeswax candles for Shabbat, Chanukah and Havdallah, made by local artisans, and honey from Bela’s bees. Support Shoresh and The Shop with your purchase.
Cookie Platters
Holy Grounds Café and the Judaica & Art Shop are partnering to bring you delicious cookie platters. Enjoy with your family or gift to others.
See the Café’s webpage for details and to place your order.
Zentangle Cards
A few years ago, Holy Blossom member, Lesley Miller, introduced our congregation to a new art form called Zentangle. Shortly after, Holy Blossom’s Bikur Cholim Committee created Zentangle cards with Jewish themes, including Rosh Hashanah, Chanukkah and Pesach, to send to congregants who are unwell, bereaved, in retirement and care facilities, or simply in need of a cheerful message.
These cards are now available for purchase at The Shop. All proceeds support the Bikur Cholim Committee, in fulfilling its mission “to connect congregants in need with those who want to extend their support and kindness.”
$10 for a package of 4.
Project Betzalel
Image attribution abqjew.net
יהוה spoke to Moses: See, I have singled out by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft; to make designs for work in gold, silver, and copper, to cut stones for setting and to carve wood—to work in every kind of craft (Exodus 31:1-6).
Betzalel was hand-picked by God to be the chief artisan of the Tabernacle in our people’s exodus from Egypt. A master craftsman from an early age, he supervised the design, construction, and decoration of the Ark of the Covenant, sacred furniture and utensils, and the priests’ garments.
Project Betzalel is organized by the Judaica & Art Shop and sponsored by WHB. It evokes the essence of Betzalel’s vision and talents, by showcasing artists’ work in our Holy Blossom community. If you would like to participate, please reach out to [email protected]. Follow Women of Holy Blossom on social media to be informed of upcoming events.
Meet our Holy Blossom Artists
Temma Gentles z”l was an active participant in Project Betzalel and one of its featured artists. Her unique Judaica textiles can be found in Jewish institutions throughout North America, including Holy Blossom Temple. We deeply miss her participation and partnership in Project Betzalel.
Devra Cohen is drawn to glass, particularly its ability to reflect and receive light. Her art pieces, glass-fusing, casting and sculpture, have been featured at the Petroff Gallery and the Leslie Grove Gallery, among other places around Toronto. Find her on Instagram @dev_co_n.
Bob Hodes is a retired hobbyist, who is fascinated by the infinite possibilities of shaping wood.
Kayla Miller is a paper-cutting artist. Her work is inspired by Jewish names, stories, patterns in nature, Torah, and hiddur mitzvah. She creates intricate and modern designs that showcase the beauty of her faith and her people. Kayla’s work can be found on Instagram @shaharpaperart.
Loren Kaplan is an internationally renowned ceramics artist. Her work is sold through galleries in Canada, South Africa, and the United States. See Loren’s collections on her website and on Instagram @lorenkaplan
Wendy Mandelbaum’s creations, whether embellishing a space or worn as clothing, are often inspired by nature. Her work was featured in the Miso Miami Symphony Orchestra and Einstein Foundation Tapestry Exhibit. Visit Wendy’s website.
Dena Perlmutar is a member of Woodlawn Pottery Studio. She has dabbled in metals, stone and wood, but prefers to work with clay, either sculpting or making pottery. See Dena’s Woodlawn profile and her work on Instagram @dpermutar.
Marnie Pettle creates unique items in live-edge woodworking that showcase the natural beauty of the wood. These range from tables, desks and shelving units to centrepieces, wall art and serving boards. Her designs can be found here and on Instagram @tovastable
Warren Snider has loved designing, building, and finding creative solutions with wood since the age of 16, when he built a shelving unit for his family’s music store. His work can be found on Instagram @hardwooddesignhouse and his website.
We are the Women of Holy Blossom (formerly Sisterhood).
We are an inclusive community of female-identifying Jews, advancing the identity and interests of women, supporting Holy Blossom Temple, and representing Holy Blossom Temple in local and global communities, including Women of Reform Judaism.
To learn about our events and programs, follow us on social media (see links below) or email us.
We hope you will join us and look forward to welcoming you.
