Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Yael Splansky

We end 5783 with gratitude.  We begin 5784 with gratitude.

This year’s High Holydays were especially meaningful, as we welcomed many new congregants and welcomed back many longtime and loyal congregants, who had not been back in person for the High Holydays for some time. That community spirit swept over all of us with a sense of renewed pride and sacred purpose.

Our extraordinary professional team, led by our Executive Director, Rachel Malach, are too many to name.  Across all areas – Administration, Membership, Outreach & Engagement, Communications & Technology, Development, Finance, Facilities & Hospitality – they work tirelessly to prepare every detail to welcome the congregation.

Every year, it is my true pleasure to publicly acknowledge the special people who volunteer their time and talent to make the High Holydays as uplifting as they are.  In addition to our Rabbis and Cantors and Educators, these are the circles of volunteers and professionals who make our High Holydays complete.  (In the spirit of the season of forgiveness, please forgive any omissions or misspellings.  Kindly, drop a note, so we can update this sincere celebration of our Temple volunteers.)

Torah and Haftarah Chanters supported by Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers
Jeff Denaburg, Ellie Davidson, Lindsay McLean, Lin Chow-Feldman, Lisa Isen Baumal, Daniel Abramson, Helena Fine, Eli Sol, Mila Freedman, Mason Freedman, Austen Warwick, Ethan Steen, Lisi Tesher, Brenda Saunders, Ellen Lupu, Susan Baskin, Jill Kamin, Maddie Axelrod, Alberto Quiroz, Rob Steiner, Suzanne Hersh, Chloe Fruitman, Robin Blatt, Mathew Diamond, Pavle Levkovic, Marc Levy, Alexandra Chris, Ruby Abramson, David Kanovich, Camille Lisser, Adam Snider, Joan Garson, Ted Shafran, Adam Sol, Paula Warren

Temple Singers led by Cantor Rosen and our Musician-in-Residence, Jason Jestadt
Susan Baskin, Nancy Bennett, Susan Cohen, Karen Cohen, Ellen Cole, Anne Dublin, Helena Fine, Susan Fremes, Denise Gordon, Michael Greenstein, Barbara Grossman, Ron Hart, Caroline Ingvaldsen, Jill Kamin, Dana Lowi-Merri, Catherine Mayers, Sharon Miller, Shelley Miller, Lew Molot, Eva Ormut, Sylvia Papernick, Dena Perlmutar, Joanne Roher, Paula Rosen, Shoshanah Sage, David Sandler, Sandi Schafer, Saul Ship, Nicky Schlossberg, Paula Warren, Sheila Weinstock

Ushers led by Gerry Prendergast and Bob Cooper
David Tartick, Audrey Birenbaum, James Karrel, Arnold Englander, Michael Ryval, Mitchell Toker, Phyllis Denaburg, Jeff Denaburg, David Hertzman, Audrey Birenbaum, Gael Gilbert, Andrew Rosner, Gary Goodman, Gail Goodman, Avra Rosen, Merel Kriss, Terry Yanowski, Carole Sterling, Sheila Smolkin, Rob Herman, Bambi Katz, Karen Kollins, Caroline Ingvaldsen, Kathy Morrissey, John Morrissey, Diane Goodman, Arlene Roth, John Phillips, Paula Warren, Andrew Kirsch, Judy Winberg

Gabbaim led by Jane Herman and Alberto Quiroz
Brenda Saunders, Richard Feldman, Phyllis Denaburg, Etienne Kaplan, Shelley Vaisberg, Eric Roher, Les Rothschild, Lisa Isen Baumal, Joan Garson, Mark S. Anshan, Susan Baskin, Sam Sapera, Brahm Booth, Avra Rosen

Doctors on Call
Jeff Meyers, Carole Hughes, Hannah Davis, Rhonda Wilansky, Yoel Abells, Ira Bloom, Matt Baron, David Greenberg

Greeters led by Caroline Ingvaldsen and Mike Morgulis
Barbara Hodes, Daniel Wilson, Karen Mock, Sharon Neiss, Deena Cincinnatus, Elana Cincinnatus

Mitzvah-Honour Coordinators
Karen Abells and Judy Malkin

Shofar Blowers
Tal Maissner, Robin Malach, Rachel Malach, Jacqueline Loeb, Howard Goodman, Eli Sol, Joel Lehman, Sam Sapera, Steven Dan, Peter Dan, Michael Cole

Yom Kippur Afternoon Study Session Teachers
City Councillor Dr. Dianne Saxe, Rabbi Taylor Baruchel, Israel Emissary Yaron Deckel, Natalie Kertes, Sharoni Sibony, Prof. Robert Steiner, Prof. Pekka Sinervo, Caroline Ingvaldsen, Wendy Melvin, Lisa Isen Baumal and Sophie Rivers

and their Hosts
Mark Madras, Les Rothschild, Diana Solomon, Adam Sniderman, and Adam Sol

Shlichei Tzibur who are Musical Prayer Partners with our Rabbis.
Mark Weinstock, Avishai Sol, David Gershon, and Josh Nezon

And Lior Sagi for welcoming more than 200 Israeli Torontonians for their own Neilah Service.

When Temple President, Phyllis Denaburg and I look out over our sanctuary, when we see the children climbing up to Jacob’s Tower, when we see our teens hanging out in the Youth Lounge, when we see hundreds gathered for study on Yom Kippur Afternoon, when we see the kindness of congregants assisting our elders, when we see families dropping off non-perishable food items to support our neighbours in need, we know that Holy Blossom Temple is a Kehillah Kedoshah, a sacred congregation and a strong link in the chain of the Shalshelet HaDorot, the Chain of the Generations.

L’Shanah Tovah.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!