Kehillah Kedoshah
Our tradition teaches us, “al tifros min hatzibbur”, do not separate yourself from the community (Pirkei Avot 2:4).
As such, through our Kehila Kedosha (Sacred Community) department, we wanted to provide these resources below, which are a guide for our congregants and community members for if they or someone they care about are found in a time of need.
We hope that they are of help to you and/or your loved ones, and please also know that your Holy Blossom Temple is here to support you every step of the way.
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, PLEASE CALL 911.
The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative
Luke Sklar was a much-loved member of our Holy Blossom community, whose openness with his depression, and determination to bring greater awareness, has inspired The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative. Our goal is to provide education, support, and resources related to the challenges of mental health.
Click here to watch the recordings of past Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative events
Get Involved..
The success of this initiative depends on volunteers in our community to help with events, share knowledge and experience in mental health support, and offer financial support toward the Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative Fund.
Contact Rabbi Eliza McCarroll by email or call 416-789-3291 ext. 231
Or support the Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative by making a donation today.
About the Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative
The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative at Holy Blossom Temple
How do you describe the uniqueness … the specialness … the Luke Sklar-ness of Luke Sklar? He was a man who radiated – absolutely radiated – passion, intelligence, creativity, humour, heart and generosity of spirit. A loving family man and a true leader in business and the community, Luke listened deeply, advised selflessly and sparked so many essential conversations. Luke’s care and strategic guidance helped to build a better Holy Blossom Temple and enriched our congregation immeasurably. He was an absolute mensch.
After a 3-year battle with severe depression, Luke died by suicide in May 2018. As his illness progressed, he and his family opened up about his struggle and were overwhelmed by the positive response from those who had dealt with mental illness but had never felt comfortable talking about it. Following his tragic death, his family felt it important to keep the talk going.
In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences mental illness. This can interfere with some to all aspects of everyday life and have an impact on families, friends and co-workers.
In 2018, and endorsed by the Holy Blossom Temple Board, a group of temple members, Rabbis and professional staff met to establish the Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative as a tribute to this much-loved member of our community. Its mission is to provide education, support and resources related to the challenges of living with or supporting someone with, a mental illness. We believe that by talking about and supporting mental health, this initiative will work toward ending the stigma around mental illness and encourage others to seek help.
Our vision for this initiative is to offer talks by mental health professionals, create small support groups, and provide a listing of resources for those in crisis. To date, we have held talks by both experts and those with lived experience, about depression, anxiety, addiction, dementia, and resilience. And more are planned. We are privileged to partner with JF&CS (Jewish Family and Child Services) to provide education and workshops on mental health awareness and support, as well as crisis training for key laypeople and clergy. We are also fortunate to draw upon the professional expertise of some Temple members for mental health programs. A partnership is also in development with JACS Toronto, Jewish Addictions Community Services.
In addition to this, our congregants have long found meaning and spiritual care through our Daily and Shabbat worship services, as well as through many opportunities for community involvement – central to our Holy Blossom Department of Kehillah Kedoshah, where congregants help congregants.
The success of this initiative depends on volunteers in our community to help with events, share knowledge and experience in mental health support, and offer financial support toward the Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative Fund.
It is our hope that this important initiative in the memory of Luke only adds further strength to our promise that “Life can blossom here.”
About Luke Sklar
Luke Sklar was a much-loved member of our Holy Blossom community who served in a number of capacities, including board member. He was a devoted husband to Lise and a wonderful father to Rebecca, Naomi and Kira.
Luke started his career in marketing and advertising but he was an entrepreneur at heart. In 1986 he founded what would become Sklar Wilton & Associates, a highly respected market research company. In fact, Luke’s contributions to the marketing community were recognized in 2015 when he was inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Marketing Hall of Legends.
Luke was extremely smart and passionate about everything he believed in. He was an honest guy who had so much charisma, love, and enthusiasm, that when he walked into a room, he lit it up. But it was important for him to help others shine and he was a trusted mentor, coach and friend to so many. He was also engaging, warm and very very funny.
We miss him!
Resource Guide
If you are in an emergency or crisis go to your local emergency department or dial 911
If you are in crisis or suicidal call Crisis Services Canada 1-833-456-4566 toll-free anytime or text: 45645
(between 4:00 pm-midnight)
Toronto Distress Centre
Toronto Distress Centre is for those in distress or needing emotional support: dial 408-HELP (416-408-4357)
Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto (CMHA)
www.toronto.cmha.ca
Jewish Addiction Community Services (JACS)
www.jacstoronto.org
Jewish Family & Child Services – Toronto (JF&CS)
www.www.jfandcs.com
#SickNotWeak | Mental Health Community – End the Stigma Canada
www.sicknotweak.com
The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO)
Mooddisorders.ca
Toolkit for people who have been impacted by a suicide loss
download toolkit
Toolkit for people who have been impacted by a suicide attempt
download toolkit
Suicide Prevention Tools and Resources
https://www.camh.ca/en/suicide-prevention/resources
Holy Blossom Temple Clergy
Call 416-789-3291 to make an appointment to speak with one of our Rabbis who are here to support our community
Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative Fund
Support the long-term success of the Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative by making a donation today.
Bikur Cholim
Bikur Cholim translates from Hebrew to visiting the sick and our mission is to connect congregants in need with those who want to extend their kindness.
The act of Bikur Cholim is a mitzvah and by fulfilling it, we enrich each other’s lives. Bikur Cholim is so much more than visiting the sick, it is a sacred way of strenghtening our Kehillah Kedoshah, our holy community. Here is some of what our volunteers do:
- We support Temple members and their families during times of illness, loss and isolation by providing visits, phone calls, soup or meals.
- We bring Temple members together through outreach programs that build community connections and support fellow members through activities such as Soup Night.
- We help Temple members know they are important to our community and can be supported during times of need.
Get Involved..
If you or someone is ill..
If you know someone who is ill, or if you are ill yourself, please email us at Bikur Cholim.
Among the acts of caring that are obligatory and meritorious in Jewish law and ethics, visiting the sick is especially significant. Its importance is underscored by its appearance in our daily prayer book’s top three texts for the Torah study blessing, “These are the things”, that familiar Mishnaic list of the good deeds that yield dividends to the doer in this world, while the capital is stored for the world to come. A classic midrash portrays God as modeling this mitzvah when God appears to Abraham in Genesis 18, a narrative that comes just after the story of Abraham’s circumcision: God is visiting the recovering patient.
(source: myjewishlearning.com)
Refugee Relief
Holy Blossom Temple continues to actively support the resettlement of Syrian and Yazidi refugees, working collaboratively with JIAS. At this time, we are awaiting the arrival of a Yazidi family of three, a Syrian family of two, and have funds set aside to support another Yazidi family whose paperwork will be submitted in 2019.
Our original Syrian families who arrived in 2016 are all thriving as is the young Yazidi woman who arrived this past summer.