October 7th Commemorations
Join with the Holy Blossom Temple Community for these various ways of marking the first anniversary of the October 7th Massacre
*NB: All events are in-person AND online unless otherwise noted.
Sunday, September 29, 1 pm
The Israeli Reform Movement will lead the Global Reform Movement in Commemoration (online only)
https://holyblossom.org/event/in-memory-and-in-hope-a-global-reform-movement-commemoration-of-october-7th/
Monday, September 30, 9 am to midnight
A Day of Learning Dedicated to Our Hostages, hosted by The Shalom Hartman Institute
Together as a global community, we will honor the shloshim of the six hostages murdered last month, show solidarity with the 101 hostages still in captivity, and pray for their return.
Online only.
https://www.hartman.org.il/program/day-of-learning/
Saturday, October 5, 10:30 am
Shabbat Shuvah with Rabbi John Moscowitz, Sermon
Friends and neighbours from Timothy Eaton Memorial Church will join us in solidarity.
https://holyblossom.org/event/rabbi-john-moscowitz-shabbat-morning-sermon/
Sunday, October 6, morning
Wings of Hope
Congregant and acclaimed mural artist, Ian Levanthal, will lead our children in creating a new art installation on the wall that lines our laneway. Inspired by Israeli artist, Livnat Kutz, who was murdered at Kibbutz K’far Aza on October 7, these “Wings of Hope” are made from used and broken toys. Together, our children will create a beautiful and hopeful memorial out of what has been broken.
In-person only. Learn more & join us here.
Monday, October 7, 7:30 am and 6 pm
Our Daily Minyan will include a solemn memorial.
https://holyblossom.org/worship/
Monday, October 7, 7 pm
UJA Community-wide Commemoration. Location TBA. Registration required.
https://holyblossom.org/event/uja-community-wide-commemoration/
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Saturday, October 12, approximately 3:15 pm
Yom Kippur Afternoon Martyrology Service
Every Yom Kippur, the “Eleh Ezkarah” service, through stirring poetry, music, and personal accounts, tells the history of Jewish Martyrdom from Biblical Times until now. Unbelievably, a new chapter to this long book of senseless suffering and faithful courage is being written in our own time. Together we will honour the 1,200 lives brutally ended on October 7, 2023 and the many soldiers who have sacrificed themselves in defence of Israel and the Jewish People.
We will hear from Roman Lisovoy, a local Israeli, whose parents, Yuri and Svetlana, were murdered on the beach on October 7.
We will hear from Maayan Shavit, a local Israeli and cousin of Carmel Gat z”l, one of the six hostages who were recently murdered in Hamas tunnels
In person and online, for congregants only.
https://holyblossom.org/event/yom-kippur-afternoon-mincha-martyrology-service-3/
Tuesday, October 15, 7 pm
One Year Later: Challenges and Trends in the Post-October 7 World
Join Israel Policy Forum Atid Toronto for a discussion with Alex Lederman, senior policy and communications associate at Israel Policy Forum. Alex will delve into current Israeli domestic politics, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and the security picture since the horrific attacks of October 7.
https://holyblossom.org/event/one-year-later-challenges-and-trends-in-the-post-october-7-world/
Thursday, October 24, 7 pm
Simchat Torah
We will take up the call from the Nova Festival Survivors and “We Will Dance Again.” We will dance our Torah Scrolls around our Sanctuary, including one dressed in a newly dedicated Torah Mantel, designed and created by congregant and textile artist, Jodi Bager, in memory of Adi Vital-Kaploun and all who were taken from us on October 7. The exquisite Torah mantel carries the biblical words of Kohelet: “A Time to Mourn and A Time to Dance.”
https://holyblossom.org/event/simchat-torah-5785/
Tuesday, October 29, 7 pm
Remembering Adi
Jacqui and Yaron, the parents of Adi Vital-Kaploun z”l, will tell the harrowing story of how Adi, a Canadian-Israeli, saved her young family and killed one of the terrorists who invaded their home on October 7. Co-sponsored by UJA-Toronto.
https://holyblossom.org/event/remembering-adi-one-year-later/
