HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE HOLY HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GERALD SCHWARTZ/HEATHER REISMAN CENTRE FOR JEWISH LEARNING AT

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1 TEMPLE HOLY HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE HOLY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GERALD SCHWARTZ/HEATHER REISMAN CENTRE FOR JEWISH LEARNING AT HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE CALENDAR OF EVENTS 5774 FALL/WINTER

2 Dear Congregants, Although I am a relatively new member of Holy Blossom, I have significant experience with the Canadian Reform Movement and adult education, and so I am very enthusiastic about being the Chair of the Adult Education Committee for this coming year. Holy Blossom has a long tradition of exceptional adult education programs. In the recent congregational survey you indicated a strong appreciation for opportunities to learn from leading thinkers, community leaders and our exceptional clergy. The quality of our programs as well as the likelihood for members to recommend that friends and family should attend our adult learning programs was high. It is upon this solid foundation that we built this coming year s program. Our committee has a broad range of members with a variety of interests. We are proud to bring you these enriching programs through the Schwartz/Reisman Centre for Adult Jewish Learning at Holy Blossom Temple. This year s offerings fall under many themes. Israel, of course will be a focus. Rabbis and Cantors will provide meaningful study opportunities throughout the year. Topical issues such as the environment and First Nations will spark social action and community involvement. Many congregants will share their expertise and enlighten us in a range of disciplines, including Jewish Art and Film. This fall we will take a closer look at a long term strategy for the future of adult education at HBT and how it should develop over the next few years. I would encourage you to contact me with ideas you may have or with your willingness to serve on the committee. For now, please take a look at the following pages for fall highlights. Because of printing deadlines, some of our offerings are not yet listed or may not yet have dates assigned. Watch your inbox for Life@HBT and check our website for regular updates. I look forward to meeting you and enjoying the many different programs with you. L Shanah Tovah, Les Rothschild Chair, Schwartz/Reisman Centre for Jewish Learning Committee lrothschild@holyblossom.org 2

3 OUR ISRAEL PEACEMAKING IN A TURBULENT WORLD: ISRAEL S POLICY PRIORITIES IN THE CHANGING MIDDLE EAST DJ Schneeweiss, Israeli Consul General of Israel for Toronto and Western Canada Wednesday, October.2, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Israel Committee and Arza Canada THERE NOW REALLY IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO BE JEWISH IN ISRAEL Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) Wednesday, Dec 4, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. REFORM ZIONISM: WHAT IS OUR UNIQUE VISION FOR ISRAEL? Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander, Solel Congregation, Mississauga Thursdays, November and Dec 5, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Israel Committee 3

4 OUR CANADIAN SCENE 4 A CIJA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY Shimon Fogel CEO, CIJA (Centre for Jewish and Israel Affairs) Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. BOOKS AND JEWISH TEXT STUDY JEWISH BOOKS Cynthia Good, Director, Creative Book Publishing, Humber College Tuesdays, October 22 - November 12, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. The following books will be discussed: By Blood, Ellen Ullman and City of Thieves, David Benioff SUNDAY BOOK CLUB Sharon Singer, Facilitator, Temple Librarian Sundays, October 20 and November 24, Dec. 15, 2013 and Jan. 26, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. WILL HERBERG & REINHOLD NIEBUHR: RELIGION & POLITICS Rabbi Michael Stroh, Rabbi emeritus, Temple Har Zion Thursdays, October 24 - November 14, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. THE ARTS TORAH STITCH BY STITCH Temma Gentles, Holy Blossom Temple artist in Residence Mondays, September 23 and October 7, 2013 at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Torah Stitch by Stitch is an international project of ordinary people who want to experience the spirit and rigour of producing holy texts. Rather than ink and parchment, each participant uses cross-stitch on canvas to write four Biblical verses.. For more information about Torah Stitch by Stitch, visit the community section of REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF EMIL FACKENHEIM Professor Michael L. Morgan, Chancellor s Professor of Philosophy and Jewish Studies (emeritus) at Indiana University, Bloomington Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. Shacharit Services at 9:00 a.m. followed by breakfast by our Brotherhood and our speaker in commemoration of the 10th yahrzeit of Professor Fackenheim. Our program will include a Book Launch and signing of Prof. Morgan s latest book, Fackenheim s Jewish Philosophy: An Introduction. Co-sponsored by Brotherhood.

5 FILM TALK: THE PHENOMENON OF THE CLOSETED JEW Dr. Gillian Helfield, York University Wednesdays, October 30 - November 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by Sisterhood HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WEEK A PEOPLE UNCOUNTED Screening of the documentary film Sunday, November 3, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. In partnership with the Roma Community Centre. Co-presented by the Polish-Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada. YITZHAK ZUKERMAN AND THE MEMORY OF THE WARSAW GHETTO UPRISING Professor Michael Marrus, Chancellor Rose and Ray Wolfe Professor Emeritus of Holocaust Studies at the University of Toronto Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. In commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Co-presented by the Polish-Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada. This program is generously co-sponsored by the Cynamon Family, in honor of their grandparents, David and Helen Cynamon who were victims of the Holocaust. OUR KLEI KODESH TEACH ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY JEWISH LIFE Rabbi Dow Marmur Thursdays, October 3-31, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. This course is inspired by an essay by Rabbi Michael Zion after the death of Rabbi David Hartman. Topics will include: LIVING OR SURVIVING? Are we too preoccupied with anti-semitism and the Holocaust? TEXTS OR TEACHERS? Where do we find guidance for Jewish living today? UNIQUENESS OR UNIVERSALISM? Is there more to ethics than Judaism offers? FIDELITY OR FREEDOM? Is ours a posthalachic age? ISRAEL OR DIASPORA? How do I show my love of Israel while being critical of it? ADVANCED HEBREW GRAMMAR Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Weekly starting Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. 5

6 YIDDISH NOVEL Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Weekly starting Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. SISTERHOOD TORAH STUDY Rabbi Teri Appleby Ongoing Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. SHABBAT & HOLIDAYS SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY Rabbi Yael Splansky Ongoing, every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Each week brings something new as we mine the text for meaning. Torah is studied through the kaleidoscope of Rabbinic commentaries old and new. Come regularly or once in a while to behold the challenge and inspiration of Jewish wisdom. Newcomers and experienced students alike are most welcome. BEIT MIDRASH SHABBAT LEARNING Marla Powers, HBT member, facilitator October 5, November 2, December 7, 2013, January 4, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Chevruta (small group) learning once a month on Shabbat after Kiddush. YOM KIPPUR STUDY SESSIONS September 14, 2013, 1:30-3:00 p.m. THE NEW JEWISH AGENDA Hershell Ezrin, a distinguished Visiting Professor, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University FOOD ONLY FOR THOUGHT: THE DINNER, by Herman Koch Elaine Newton, Professor Emeritus of Humanities at York University, and currently Lecturer-in-Residence at the Philharmonic for the Arts, Naples, Florida THE GOD WHO HATES LIES (AND LOVES ISRAEL); Readings from David Hartman s book Rabbi Dow Marmur LIFE-WISDOM AT THIS TIME OF PERSONAL REFLECTION Joanne Hoffman, a life-time member of Holy Blossom Temple; moderated by Dr. David Greenberg 6

7 INSTALLATION OF RABBI JORDAN HELFMAN Visiting Scholar, Dr. Barry Kogan, Rabbi and Professor of Jewish Thought and Philosophy at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, in honour of Jordan Helfman s installation as Assistant Rabbi of Holy Blossom Temple. Shabbat Morning, October 5, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. THE BIG BANG IN BERESHIT (GENESIS RABBAH); MAKING TORAH RELEVANT IN EVERY GENERATION Rabbi Jordan Helfman Tuesday, October 22, 29 and November 5, 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Wychwood Library, 1431 Bathurst Street Join us for an evening of Study at the Library. For those interested, the group will migrate after to a local restaurant for dinner and schmooze. Please RSVP to Elana if you plan to join for dinner, , ext TEMPLE SINGERS Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner Join our congregation s choir which assists our Cantors in Shabbat and Festival services. Our volunteer choir rehearses once a week and sings at least twice a month during Shabbat and holiday services. Song at Holy Blossom Temple is an integral part of the prayer service, which allows for the participation in the religious life of our synagogue. Want to learn Jewish music and help your synagogue community in prayer? Contact Mari Lynn Rusak (ext. 224) Beginning Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. SOCIAL JUSTICE TRIP TO ISRAEL Sunday, March 16 26, 2014 With Rabbi Yael Splansky and ARZA World Educator, Uri Feinberg Note: This trip is not intended for first time travelers to Israel. Our focus will not be the sites of Israel, but the people of Israel and the issues of the day. Meet Israeli justice seekers and be inspired by their passion. Meet them in the Supreme Court, in inner-city Tel Aviv, on eco-zionist kibbutzim, in our sister congregations, and on the borderlines. Learn about the complexities of the socio-economic divide, Jewish pluralism, African asylum seekers, the future Jerusalem, Bedouin rights, environmental responsibility and more. Through the arts, technological and medical advancement, legal and political advocacy, sacred study, and grassroots community organizing, see Israel as a beacon of justice. Contact Rabbi Splansky for more details. Information session, Monday, October 21,

8 DAILY SERVICE AND SHIVA SERVICE LEADER WORKSHOP OUR CONGREGATION NEEDS YOUR LEADERSHIP. Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner and Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers Mondays, October 21 - November 11, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. for Services and learning. Cantor Maissner and Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers would like to train you to lead these services. Won t you become part of the team? We ll begin with Mincha and Ma ariv. We will provide you with all the materials and help that you need throughout your learning. RSVP to Cantor Maissner or Lindi Rivers. SISTERHOOD/BROTHERHOOD PROGRAMS FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BOOK TALK: BEAUTY WITHOUT THE BREAST Felicia Marie Knaul, Author and Harvard University professor. Monday, September 30, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. AGING GRACIOUSLY; A WELLNESS SEMINAR FOR EVERYONE Presentations by Dr. David Greenberg, Dr. Brian Sieber and Silvia Derasner (Medical and LaserTechnician). Monday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. BREAKFAST WITH BROTHERHOOD (All Brotherhood breakfasts take place on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.) October 20 - Professor Michael L. Morgan (see above) November 24 - a speaker from the First Nations House December 15 - Major Jonathan Knaul, Royal Canadian Air Force, January 12, Henry Lickers from Ahkwesasne Mohawk Reserve JEWISH LIFE EDUCATION NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT With Rabbi Yael Splansky and guests First Thursday of each month, October through June, 8:00 p.m. What is Jewish Leadership? How might Jewish wisdom hone your leadership skills for professional and volunteer work? What contributions might you wish to make your mark and strengthen the Jewish People? For Young Professionals, ages or thereabouts. Registration required. Contact Rabbi Splansky s office. JEWISH PARENTING SERIES 8 CREATING MATURE ADOLESCENTS: INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS, Victoria L. Creighton, Psy. D., Clinical Psychology and Rabbi Jordan Helfman Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

9 ENRICHING YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND DE-MYTH-TIFYING FAMILY LAW Jennifer Shuber, lawyer and Rabbi Jordan Helfman Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. FOR OUR SENIORS Mondays at Temple, Mondays at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 9, Rabbi Dow Marmur, Sin or Sickness - A Reflection on the High Holy Days Sept. 16, Kevin Courrier, Woody Allen Then and Now Sept. 23, Temma Gentles, Torah Stitch by Stitch Sept. 30, Dr. Julia Zarankin, Ballets Russes ( ), Russia takes Europe by Storm Oct. 7, David Eisen, Co-Artistic Director, Harold Green Jewish Theatre Co. Oct. 14, Thanksgiving No Session Oct. 21, Geri Durbin, Canada s Human Rights Oct. 28, Dr. Bernie Goldman, Heart Sounds LIVING WITH DEMENTIA Thursdays, October 10 - December 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. In partnership with Mount Sinai Hospital Reitman Centre CARERS Program with thanks the Al & Dora Track Fund for supporting this program. If you, or someone you know, could benefit, call Elana for more information: ext JEWISH INFORMATION CLASS (MEETS AT HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE) The Jewish Information Class (JIC) was created by the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto to enable those who wish to learn more about Judaism and the Jewish People an opportunity to study in depth. In addition to transmitting Jewish knowledge, the Jewish Information Class also affords the opportunity to acquire Jewish life skills and to experience Jewish religious and communal life. Our classes, taught by the rabbis and master teachers of our community, also serve as a prerequisite for those who wish to convert to Judaism under the auspices of the Bet Din (rabbinical court) of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto. The program runs for approximately 30 weeks. All students in the Jewish Information Class participate in the program under the sponsorship of a rabbi who is a member of the Bet Din. For more information on the Jewish Information Class, please contact: Karen Goldstein, JIC Coordinator, via templ @holyblossom.org HEBREW 1, 2, 3 Are you interested in learning Hebrew? We would love to assist you in your quest! Contact Dalia Alalouf (ext. 238) to arrange a class/one-on-one program for you. 9

10 CHRONOLOGICAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER Shabbat, Sept 7 9:00 a.m. ongoing, Shabbat Torah Study, Rabbi Yael Splansky Sept. 9 10:30 a.m. Mondays at Temple Sin or Sickness A Reflection on the High Holy Days, Rabbi Dow Marmur Mon. Sept :30 a.m. Mondays at Temple, Kevin Courrier, Woody Allen Then and Now Sun. Sept :00 a.m. Jewish Parenting Series, Creating Mature Adolescents: Ingredients for Success Victoria L. Creighton and Rabbi Jordan Helfman Mon. Sept. 23 6:30 p.m. Torah Stitch by Stitch, Temma Gentles Sun. Sept 29 10:00 a.m. ongoing, Temple Singers Mon. Sept :30 a.m. Mondays at Temple, Dr. Julia Zarankin, Ballets Russes ( ), Russia takes Europe by Storm Mon. Sept. 30 7:30 p.m. The Beauty Without The Breast, Felicia Knaul, sponsored by Sisterhood OCTOBER Wed. Oct. 2 9:30 a.m. ongoing, Advanced Hebrew Grammar, Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Wed. Oct. 2 11:30 a.m. ongoing, Yiddish Novel, Rabbi Edward Goldfarb Wed. Oct. 2 7:30 p.m. Peacemaking in a Turbulent World: Israel s Policy Priorities in the Changing Middle East, DJ Schneeweiss, Consul General of Israel Thurs. Oct :30 p.m. Issues in Contemporary Jewish Life, Rabbi Dow Marmur Shabbat, Oct. 5 9:00 a.m. Shabbat Torah Study, Special Guest Rabbi Barry Kogan Shabbat, Oct. 5 10:30 a.m. Installation of Rabbi Jordan Helfman, Rabbi Barry Kogan Shabbat, Oct. 5 1:00 p.m. Beit Midrash Shabbat Learning, Marla Powers, facilitator Sun. Oct. 6 10:00 a.m. Ongoing, Temple Singers Mon. Oct. 7 10:30 a.m. Mondays at Temple, David Eisen, Co-Artistic Director, Harold Green Jewish Theatre Co. Mon. Oct. 7 6:30 p.m. Torah Stitch by Stitch, Temma Gentles Thurs. Oct. 10-Dec. 12 1:00 p.m. Living with Dementia Wed. Oct. 16 7:30 p.m. A CIJA Report to the Community, Shimon Fogel, CEO CIJA Sun. Oct. 20 9:30 a.m. Breakfast with Brotherhood, Professor Michael L. Morgan Sun. Oct :00 a.m. Temple Singers Sun. Oct :30 a.m. Sunday Book Club, Sharon Singer, facilitator Mon. Oct :30 a.m. Mondays at Temple, Canada s Human Rights, Geri Durbin Mon. Oct. 21-Nov. 14 6:00 p.m. Daily Service and Shiva Service Leaders Workshop, Cantor Benjamin Maissner and Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers. Services and learning Tues. Oct. 22-Nov. 12 9:30 a.m. Jewish Books, Cynthia Good Tues., Oct. 22-Nov. 12 6:30 p.m. The Big Bang in Bereshit (Genesis Rabbah); making Torah Relevant in Every Generation, Rabbi Jordan Helfman, at Wychwood Library Thurs. Oct. 24-Nov :30 a.m. Will Herberg & Reinhold Niebuhr: Religion and Politics, Rabbi Michael Stroh Sun. Oct :00 a.m. Temple Singers Mon. Oct :30 a.m. Mondays at Temple, Heart Sounds, Dr. Bernie Goldman Wed. Oct. 30-Nov. 13 7:30 p.m. The Phenomenon of the Closeted Jew, Dr. Gillian Helfield 10

11 NOVEMBER Shabbat, Nov. 2 9:00 a.m. ongoing, Shabbat Torah Study, Rabbi Yael Splansky Shabbat, Nov. 2 1:00 p.m. Beit Midrash Shabbat Learning, Marla Powers, facilitator Sun. Nov. 3 10:00 a.m. Ongoing, Temple Singers Sun. Nov. 3 1:00 p.m. Holocaust Education Week, A People Uncounted; a documentary film on the Roma community Tues. Nov. 5 7:30 p.m. Holocaust Education Week, Yitzhak Zuckerman and the Memory of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Prof. Michael Marrus Thurs. Nov. 7 Ongoing monthly, Next Generation Leadership Development, With Rabbi Yael Splansky and guests, For Young Professionals, Registration required. Thurs. Nov :30 p.m. Reform Zionism: What Is Our Unique Vision For Israel?, Rabbi Lawrence A. and Dec 5 Englander Sun. Nov :00 a.m. Enriching your Relationship and De-Myth-tifying Family Law, Jennifer Shuber and Rabbi Jordan Helfman Mon. Nov. 18 7:30 p.m. Aging Graciously; a wellness Seminar for Everyone, Dr. David Greenberg, Dr. Brian Sieber, Silvia Derasner Sun. Nov. 24 9:30 a.m. Breakfast with Brotherhood. First Nation Speaker Sun. Nov :30 a.m. Sunday Book Club, Sharon Singer DECEMBER Wed. Dec. 4 7:30 p.m. There Now Really Is More Than One Way To Be Jewish In Israel. Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Thurs. Dec 5 7:30 p.m. Reform Zionism: What Is Our Unique Vision For Israel? Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander Thurs. Dec. 5 Ongoing monthly, Next Generation Leadership Development, With Rabbi Yael Splansky and guests, For Young Professionals, Registration required Shabbat, Dec. 7 9:00 a.m. ongoing, Shabbat Torah Study, Rabbi Yael Splansky Shabbat, Dec. 7 1:00 p.m. Beit Midrash Shabbat Learning, Marla Powers, facilitator Sun. Dec. 8 10:00 a.m. ongoing, Temple Singers Sun. Dec. 15 9:30 a.m. Breakfast with Brotherhood. Maj. Jonathan Knaul 11

12 If you are not yet a member of a synagogue and are looking for a place to call home, we welcome you. HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE Our congregation offers a wide range of programming for families of all ages. Our Rabbis, Cantors, and Director of Education welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the many rewards of belonging to the Holy Blossom Temple community. For more information, please contact Membership at ext. 227 or membership@holyblossom.org. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN AT HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3K