Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Taylor Baruchel

In Parashat Vayakhel, we find the Israelites in the aftermath of the Golden Calf incident, shaken but still standing. They have witnessed betrayal within their own community, experienced deep uncertainty about their future, and are likely questioning what will hold them together moving forward. Rather than leaving them in that fractured state, God commands Moses to gather them (vayakhel) and direct their energy toward something constructive: building the Mishkan, a space where holiness can dwell among them. 

It is a powerful moment. Instead of giving in to despair or splintering further apart, the Israelites choose to show up—to bring what they can, to contribute their skills, and to create something enduring together.  

For generations, the Jewish people have responded to upheaval and uncertainty not by retreating, but by coming together—gathering resources, wisdom, and courage to build something lasting. We see this in the way Jewish communities have endured through exile and persecution, the way our ancestors rebuilt after destruction and the way we continue to shape Jewish life today. But this sacred task is not just the work of the past; it is unfolding in real-time, especially for our young people who are stepping into the world on their own for the first time. 

Currently, the Jewish People are experiencing a moment of profound challenge, and this has played out with intensity on university campuses. Jewish students—often for the first time in their lives—are confronting hostility, difficult conversations, and the pressure to justify their very identity. Some have faced antisemitism in their classrooms, in their dorms, or in student organizations where they once felt at home. Others are struggling to find a balance between speaking out and keeping their own emotional and physical well-being intact. 

One of the most meaningful aspects of my work at Holy Blossom Temple is ensuring that our students know they are not alone—that their Jewish community remains with them, even as they step into this new and sometimes complicated phase of their lives. Through HBT on Campus, I have the privilege of staying connected with our university students, listening to their experiences, and reminding them that there is always a Jewish space where they are valued and supported. 

That is why I am honoured to be joining Hillel Western NEXT WEEK for a Tea and Torah talk on Defiant Hope, as well as serving as the guest rabbi for the Spring 2025 Jewish Learning Fellows cohort. On March 24 and 25, I will be on campus in London, Ontario, to learn, to listen, and to help students reconnect with their Jewish community—however they define it.  

Hope is not passive. It is not just believing things will get better on their own. Defiant hope is the act of building something even when the future is uncertain. It is showing up, bringing what we can, and committing to each other—just as our ancestors did in the wilderness. 

If you have a student at Western, I would love to meet them. Whether they are searching for connection or simply want a warm cup of tea and a good conversation, I hope they will join me. Please connect with me at TBaruchel@HolyBlossom.org. 

Because in moments like these, we do what Jews have always done: we gather, we build, we continue to show up for one another, and we move forward together.