Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Samuel Kaye

Kol Nidre 

There is a piyyut, a Jewish literary poem, from 13th-century Spain called Ahot Ketana, the little sister. Recited on Rosh Hashanah, the refrain, repeated again and again, is תכלה שנה וקללותיה, let the year and its curses be over.  

In our own era, we’ve come to understand that it’s not enough to simply turn to God and hope that our curses and misfortune come to an end. We must partner with the Divine, work towards that goal, fight for our people, stand up for our community, and find allies in our good country.  

Our Advocacy Committee has been hard at work arranging meetings with City Councillors to discuss ways that they can further combat antisemitism in Toronto and make Toronto Jews feel safe again. These issues are at the core of the concerns that I regularly hear from our members. As stressed by Rabbi Splansky in her Rosh Hashanah sermon, we simply cannot give up on Canada. 

You can learn more about taking part in our Advocacy Days, the training and the visit to City Hall, here.  

To be eligible to participate in these upcoming meetings with City Councillors—the first of which will be held on Thursday, October 16—it is mandatory to attend a one-hour training session led by our friends at CIJA on Friday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m., either in person at Holy Blossom or virtually.  

For me, our Advocacy work against antisemitism these last two years has had an explicitly spiritual component. The inner world of the soul gives us the strength to stand in uncertain times. However, the inner world is not enough. Praying away the curses of the year cannot be where we stop. As 5786 begins, it is more important than ever to act inspired by our prayers.  

I look forward to seeing you tonight at Kol Nidre, tomorrow on Yom Kippur, and in the coming weeks as we do our best to put the curses of last year behind us. 

An easy fast.   

G’mar Chatimah Tovah!