Multi-Faith, Multi-Heritage

A Message of Welcome and Appreciation

כִּ֣י בֵיתִ֔י בֵּית־תְּפִלָּ֥ה יִקָּרֵ֖א לְכָל־הָעַמִּֽים׃

“For My House shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
(Isaiah 56:7)

People come to Holy Blossom Temple for many reasons and from many backgrounds. Our community is filled with a spectrum of Jewish spiritual and cultural diversity and a growing array of other religious and ethnic heritages. Our commitment is to help all feel welcome and at home, to embrace those who share our search for learning and growth, for meaning and purpose, and for sacred community.

We recognize that each person and family is unique, and that circumstances often vary, leading to further questions. Our Rabbis are eager to meet with you to hear your story and provide tailor-made guidance and support for you. We’ve developed these guidelines to provide a general description of our communal approach for multifaith/multiheritage individuals and families here at Holy Blossom, but the best next step is to meet for conversation. We look forward to welcoming you.

You do not need to be a member of Holy Blossom Temple to join our community for prayer. Many of our adult learning programs, as well as some volunteer opportunities, are also open to all. So if you are searching for a spiritual home, we invite you to come by and see what we are about.

Becoming a Member of Holy Blossom Temple

We welcome anyone who is born to a Jewish mother or has converted to Judaism to become a member of our congregation. We also welcome their partners as members, regardless of their religious identity or background.

We recognize that one who has Jewish lineage through their father and is born to a non-Jewish mother may have a strong Jewish identity. Our Rabbis are happy to speak with you about how we can support you in ritually affirming your Jewish identity and provide you with the bona fides that are recognized by the majority of the Canadian Jewish community.

In some ritual settings, full participation is limited to those who are born to a Jewish mother, to those who have converted to Judaism, and to those who have ritually affirmed their Jewish identity. Please read on for specific guidelines and be sure to reach out to our Rabbis with any questions.

Participation on Committees

Participating in the life of our community is both an opportunity and a responsibility of membership. There are many meaningful ways to get involved and further strengthen our congregation through meaningful volunteerism. All Holy Blossom members, whether Jewish or those from other faiths or cultural backgrounds, are welcome to serve on many committees and volunteer circles. Leadership positions, such as committee chairs and members of the Board of Trustees, however, are reserved for those who are Jewish.

Participation in Prayer Services

We welcome all to our music-filled prayer services, and welcome all congregants and guests to our sanctuaries. All are invited to sing along with the community, to rise and be seated (as able), and to recite prayers as you are comfortable and in a way that supports and enriches your spiritual expression. While pages are announced frequently, do not hesitate to ask for help navigating the siddur/prayerbook from a neighbour or an usher. For those who don’t read Hebrew, our prayer books contain translations to encourage participation, as well as many notes to explain the intention and ideas included in the prayers. A helpful guide to our synagogue’s history, customs, and prayer structures can be found on pages 564-592 of our prayerbook, Siddur Pirchei Kodesh.

A kippah/head covering is a traditional sign of humility and respect in a Jewish place of worship. All who find meaning in this tradition, regardless of gender or religious identity, are encouraged to wear a kippah in our sanctuaries, but are not required to do so.

Wearing a tallit/prayer shawl for morning prayers and tefillin/phylacteries for weekday prayers are symbols of a Jewish person’s commitment to keeping the commandments of the Torah.

The mitzvot (sacred obligations) of reciting the Torah blessings (having an aliyah), carrying and dressing the Torah, and opening the ark, for example, are rituals which convey one’s covenantal commitment to Judaism. These ritual acts are, therefore, fulfilled by Jews who were born to a Jewish mother, or who converted to Judaism, or who ritually affirmed their Jewish identity. While all service leaders (shlichei tzibbur) must be Jewish, non-Jews are welcome to volunteer their talents to strengthen our choir, Temple Singers.

Intro to Jewish Living (IJL), Conversion, & Ritual Affirmation

For Adults

With openness, sensitivity, and compassion, we welcome those who are interested in joining the Jewish people to participate in an educational and identity-shaping journey towards conversion. This process can happen at any stage of life.

The Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto team-teach a survey course, which is a prerequisite for conversion to Judaism and also a great introduction to Judaism for those who do not wish to convert, but are looking to expand their knowledge, to more confidently share life with a Jewish partner. The IJL course runs for two semesters – either from September through June or from January through December. The weekly evening classes meet over Zoom and a few times in person for experiential learning. To enroll in the IJL course, you need to be sponsored by a Rabbi, who will meet with you regularly to support and guide you through the process. If there is a Jewish partner, they are required to attend the classes and meetings, too.

When candidates for conversion and their sponsoring Rabbi agree that they are ready for the concluding rituals of conversion, there are three rituals for those who identify as male and two for those who identify as female. Those who identify as male meet with a physician, who is certified as a mohel/mohelet, for Milah l’shem Gerut (circumcision in preparation for conversion) or Hatafat Dam Brit (symbolic drop of “blood of the covenant”). All candidates for conversion meet with a Beit Din (a council of three rabbis). The final ritual for all conversion candidates is immersion in the mikveh (ritual bath). Here, a Hebrew name is given and Jewish status is formally affirmed.

For Children

When parents are agreed that they wish to raise their child as a Jew and wish to learn about the conversion process, our Rabbis are eager to meet with you and support your family along the way. The conversion process for babies and children is ritually the same as above — Milah l’shem Gerut (circumcision in preparation for conversion) or Hatafat Dam Brit (symbolic drop of “blood of the covenant”) for boys, and immersion in the mikveh (ritual bath) with the consent of a Beit Din (a council of three rabbis) for boys and girls. The younger the child, the simpler the process, so we encourage you to reach out to our Rabbis without delay.

Please note: A non-Jewish mother is not required to convert to Judaism for the child to become Jewish.

The child’s full Hebrew name will reflect their Jewish lineage. If there is only one Jewish parent, their name will be attached to the child’s given name. If there are two Jewish parents, both of their names will be attached to the child’s given name. All naming certificates provided by Holy Blossom will include all parents’ English names, no matter their religious background.

Children who are born via surrogates who are not Jewish are brought into the covenant through the rituals of conversion.

Children who are born to non-Jewish birth mothers and are then legally adopted by a Jewish parent or parents are brought into the covenant through the rituals of conversion.

To inquire about conversion and to meet with a Rabbi, please contact JoAnne Bieman ([email protected]).

Enrolling in Holy Blossom Temple’s Schools

Jewish children, whether born to a Jewish mother or converted to Judaism, are welcome in Holy Blossom’s Youth Education Centre, our part-time Jewish school. When parents are agreed that they wish to raise their child as a Jew and wish to learn about the conversion process, our Rabbis are eager to meet and support your family along the way. Please note: A non-Jewish mother is not required to convert to Judaism for the child to become Jewish.

All children are welcome to enroll in our Early Childhood Centre, including full-day child care.

Lifecycle Celebrations

One of the many joys of Jewish life is to celebrate life’s stages with meaningful ritual and in the embrace of the community. Holy Blossom Temple’s Rabbis and Cantors officiate at the lifecycle events of our congregants and children of our congregants. Each family is unique, of course, so planning with our Rabbis and Cantors in advance of the lifecycle is important. The following information is intended to provide an overview. Any questions are welcome. We look forward to making each milestone meaningful and memorable for all our congregant-families.

Baby Naming and Bris/Brit Milah/Milah leShem Gerut

Our Rabbis and Cantors are delighted to officiate at Baby Naming Ceremonies and Brit Milah Ceremonies for all Jewish babies of Holy Blossom congregant-parents and congregant-grandparents. (See above for important details about the conversion process for babies.) Jewish and non-Jewish parents are encouraged to participate fully in these ceremonies. If Jewish and non-Jewish grandparents would like to participate in the ceremonies, there are special roles for them to play as well.

The child’s full Hebrew name will reflect their Jewish lineage. If there is only one Jewish parent, their name will be attached to the child’s given name. If there are two Jewish parents, both of their names will be attached the child’s given name. All naming certificates provided by Holy Blossom will include all parents’ English names, no matter their religious background.

When a baby boy is born, the parent(s) should contact the Mohel/Mohelet (https://mohalim.ca) and arrange for the ceremony on the eighth day of the baby’s life. If the baby is born early or unwell, God forbid, we depend on the baby’s doctor to determine when the baby is ready for circumcision. The ceremony can take place at Holy Blossom Temple or in the home setting.

To learn more, see https://holyblossom.org/life-cycle/

To make arrangements and to meet with a Rabbi, please contact our Simcha and Event Coordinator, Rebekah Lobosco Gilli, at [email protected]

Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Perach Mitzvah

All Jewish children of the congregation – whether born to a Jewish mother or converted – are called to the Torah as B’nei Mitzvah. Based on their learning, this lifecycle moment can be celebrated simply or with more ritual elements.

All parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s preparations for becoming a Bar/Bat/Perach Mitzvah. Throughout the year, non-Jewish parents can also play an active role in supporting their child in many ways, including the completion of the child’s Mitzvah Journal.

The Bar/Bat/Perach Mitzvah will be formally called to the Torah by their full Hebrew name, which reflects their Jewish lineage. If there is only one Jewish parent, their name will be attached to the child’s given name. If there are two Jewish parents, both of their names will be attached to the child’s given name. All B’nei Mitzvah certificates provided by Holy Blossom will include all parents’ English names, no matter their religious background.

B’nei Mitzvah celebrations at Holy Blossom Temple are for the whole family. Parents – no matter their religious background or identity – are called to the bimah to proudly stand by their child when they read from the Torah. Non-Jewish grandparents who wish to join their grandchild at the Torah are also welcome. All mitzvah-honours, like opening the ark and dressing the Torah, for example, are fulfilled by Jewish family and friends of the B’nei Mitzvah. The entire extended family, of all heritages, are invited to stand up at their seats to express their pride in the Bar/Bat/Perach Mitzvah as the congregation sings the Shehechiyanu, a blessing for joyful occasions.

To learn more, see https://holyblossom.org/life-cycle/

To make arrangements and to meet with Cantor Rosen, please contact our B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator, Iris Spitz, at [email protected].

Multi-Faith and Multi-Heritage Weddings

Holy Blossom’s Rabbis and Cantors, in keeping with the practice of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto, officiate only at the weddings of two Jews – whether born to a Jewish mother or converted or ritually affirmed – and regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. When a multi-faith or multi-heritage couple decides to marry, our Rabbis and Cantors do not officiate at the wedding, but would welcome the opportunity to celebrate your union with one or both of these rituals:

In the weeks leading up to the wedding day, the couple is invited to the bimah at our Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening) service. The Jewish partner lights the Shabbat candles and recites the blessing with their partner at their side. In this way, the couple gives expression to their shared commitment in creating a Jewish home, and the Rabbi and the congregation joyfully honour the couple in anticipation of their wedding day.
If the couple completes a year of study with our Senior Rabbi, shares in a commitment to establish a Jewish home, and, agrees that if there are children, they will raise them as Jews (and only as Jews), then she would be very happy to participate on the wedding day by offering a blessing over the couple, immediately after the marriage is pronounced by the officiating judge or justice of the peace.

In addition, our Rabbis are very happy to meet with all wedding couples, of all backgrounds and religious identities, for confidential, pre-marital counselling to help them plan for strong marriages, shared commitments, and shared values. As multi-faith and multi-heritage couples set a solid foundation to bring two families of different backgrounds together, our Rabbis can be helpful guides and supports.

To learn more, see https://holyblossom.org/life-cycle/

To make arrangements and to meet with a Rabbi, please contact our Simcha and Event Coordinator, Rebekah Lobosco Gilli, at [email protected].

Funerals, Burial, and Shiva

The presence of spiritual leadership at a time of grief and mourning is an expression of care and a source of comfort. As such, Holy Blossom’s Rabbis and Cantors are committed to supporting all congregants – Jewish and those of other traditions – when a death occurs. As soon as possible after a death, or when a death is anticipated, congregants are encouraged to contact the Temple, so we can support you.

For the Deceased: Holy Blossom’s Rabbis and Cantors lead local Jewish funeral services for Jewish congregants – whether born to a Jewish mother or converted or ritually affirmed – and for their immediate, Jewish relatives. Tahara and all Jewish burial rites are performed by the Chevra Kaddisha (burial society) at a Jewish funeral home. The body is ritually prepared for burial and laid to rest in any one of our Jewish cemeteries. Holy Blossom’s Shiva Service Leaders come to the home to lead prayers. The name of the deceased is included in Holy Blossom’s daily prayers before Kaddish throughout the thirty days of Shloshim. Our Rabbis and Cantors officiate at the unveiling ceremony and dedicate the headstone. A memorial plaque in our sanctuary can be dedicated with the name of the deceased, and a light will be lit in their memory on Yizkor (Memorial Service) days and on the day of Yahrtzeit (anniversary of death).

For non-Jewish members of our congregation, our Rabbis and Cantors can officiate at a non-denominational funeral service at a Jewish funeral home. Our Rabbis and Cantors do not co-officiate with officiants of other faiths. The liturgy and customs are slightly adapted to reflect the identity of the deceased and honours their relationship with Holy Blossom. A Jewish funeral home can prepare the body of a non-Jew with dignity and honour, but without the specific rituals designed for Jews. The Jewish funeral home can assist with all aspects of a non-denominational funeral and burial for a non-Jew.

For our Mourners: When a non-Jewish, primary relative of a Jewish congregant dies, all the Jewish rituals and mourning customs may be fulfilled by the Jewish mourners. For example, a Jewish mourner is encouraged to wear a kriah ribbon, sit shiva, and say Kaddish when a non-Jewish, primary relative dies. And of course, our Rabbis and Cantors provide pastoral support for all our congregants, no matter their religious background, when they mourn the loss of any relative.

Burial: Most Jewish cemeteries in the Toronto area only provide burial rites for Jews, whether born to a Jewish mother or converted or ritually affirmed. Holy Blossom Temple is proud to have taken up the initiative to collaborate with Glenview Memorial Gardens, a privately owned cemetery, to establish Beit Olam, which is a Jewish cemetery for interfaith families. (To learn more about Beit Olam, please visit: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/glenview.html). Holy Blossom Rabbis and Cantors will officiate at Beit Olam or non-sectarian cemeteries for burial services and unveiling ceremonies. The headstone must not include symbols or sacred texts from other faith traditions.

If a Jewish congregant wishes to be buried in a non-Jewish, non-denominational cemetery next to their non-Jewish relatives, a Holy Blossom Rabbi or Cantor will officiate at the Jewish funeral service, with the assistance of a Jewish funeral home and all the rituals and rites it provides.

To learn more, see https://holyblossom.org/life-cycle/ and https://holyblossom.org/cemeteries/

To make arrangements and to meet with a Rabbi, please contact our Funeral Coordinator, Iris Spitz, at [email protected] or call the Emergency Funeral Line at 416-565-7561.

A Word of Encouragement and Appreciation

We hope this overview opens the door to conversation and greater connection. We believe Holy Blossom Temple can be a source of support, strength, and celebration for multi-faith and multi-heritage families. We believe multi-faith and multi-heritage families can further strengthen our congregation, too. Welcome!