Passing of Jack Kuretzky
10/16/2018 07:45:22 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of
Jack Kuretzky
father and father in law of Habonim members:
Joni and Alan Shanoff
Funeral - Thursday October 18 at 11:30 am
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
www. benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Habonim on CBC
10/16/2018 12:57:23 PM
Eli Rubenstein

Passing of Lodja Edelstein
10/04/2018 05:14:22 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Holocaust Survivor:
Lodja Edelstein
mother and mother in law of Habonim members:
Morry Edelstein and Laura Rachlin
Funeral - Friday October 5, at 12:00 pm
Steeles Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://steelesmemorialchapel.com/condolence/zella-edelstein/
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Ella Wolfish
10/02/2018 08:03:50 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of:
Ella Wolfish
mother and mother in law of Habonim members:
Hildi Wolfish and Ken Cadesky
Memorial Service - Wednesday October 3, at 11:30 am
York Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Rd., NorthYork
Please see more information here:
http://www.remembering.ca/obituary/ella-wolfish-1927-2018-1070382500
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Reminder - Services tomorrow
09/30/2018 03:38:53 PM
Please Join Us:
Sukkot/Shmini Atzeret/Yizkor Service Monday October 1, 10:00 am Leo Baeck Day School - 501 Arlington Ave. |
Upcoming Kabbalat Shabbats (new dates)
Friday November 2 8:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat with speaker Rev. Majed El Shafie
Friday November 23 8:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat LIVE (more details to follow)
Friday December 7 6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat and Chanukah potluck
Passing of Sylvia Goldstein
09/28/2018 05:24:25 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of:
Sylvia Goldstein
mother and mother in law of Habonim members:
Marie and Ken Sherman and
Rhonda and Dan Grant
Funeral: Sunday September 30, at 11:30 am
Graveside, Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park
Please see more information here:
https://benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Upcoming services
09/27/2018 06:09:14 PM
Please Join Us:
Sukkot/Shmini Atzeret/Yizkor Service Monday October 1, 10:00 am Leo Baeck Day School - 501 Arlington Ave. |
Upcoming Kabbalat Shabbats (new dates)
Friday November 2 8:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat with speaker Rev. Majed El Shafie
Friday November 23 8:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat LIVE (more details to follow)
Friday December 7 6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat and Chanukah potluck
Why Don't Jews Proselytize?
09/26/2018 04:10:30 PM
Please see Eli Rubenstein’s latest op-ed piece in the Canadian Jewish News in its special 2018 Big Ideas Rosh Hashanah supplement.
http://www.cjnews.com/perspectives/big-ideas/rubenstein-why-dont-jews-proselytize
Remembering Rabbi Chezi Zionce
08/30/2018 09:06:24 PM
Earlier this summer, Rabbi Chezi Zionce passed away.
This was a tremendous loss to Toronto’s Jewish community and to me personally - as he was one of my closest friends.
Rabbi Zionce was the spiritual leader of Beit Rayim Synagogue for the last 6 years, and worked in several other synagogues in Canada and the US where he was loved and admired by his congregants.
Rabbi Zionce was Associate Religious Leader at Habonim from 2011-2012, and later continued to help Habonim out on many occasions with religious services when needed.
Please see the link to my personal tribute on Rabbi Zionce that appeared in this week’s Canadian Jewish News.
http://www.cjnews.com/
Eli Rubenstein
Religious Leader
Congregation Habonim
Habonim High Holiday Honours
08/28/2018 05:07:29 PM
From: Susan Liebel, Congregation Habonim Board Member
PLEASE PLAY A ROLE IN OUR HOLIDAY SERVICES!
High Holidays are just around the corner and we are now making arrangements for members to help with the services. The type of help we require includes English readings, lifting the Torah, opening the Ark, and in some cases reading Hebrew for an Aliyah. To help services run smoothly, please offer your help in one of these areas.
It is a mitzvah to have an honour at services!
Please send an email with the following information:
1. The names of all family members willing to participate. Please include one contact phone number for the family.
2. What you are willing to help with: Reading an English Prayer, Lifting the Torah, Opening the Ark, doing an Aliyah or ANY OF THE ABOVE.
3. Which services you will be attending: Erev Rosh Hashana, Rosh Hashana Day 1, Rosh Hashana Day 2, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur & Mincha/Neila.
4. Specify if you attend the early or late service.
5. If you are volunteering for an Aliyah, please include your Hebrew name as well as your father's and mother's Hebrew name.
Could you please respond by Monday September 3rd and kindly be specific with the above information as it makes the job a lot easier!
Thanks in advance for your assistance,
Susan Liebel
susanliebel22@gmail.com
Passing of Joseph Yunger
08/13/2018 06:38:20 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Holocaust survivor:
Joseph Yunger
father and father in law of Habonim members:
Rita Yunger Linder & Richard Linder
Funeral: Tuesday, August 14th at 1:00 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
https://benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of J. Michael Sigel - Correction
08/10/2018 10:51:25 AM
Please note - funeral service will take place at Beth Tzedec, 1700 Bathurst Street
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of:
J. Michael Sigel
father and father in law of Habonim members:
Derek Sigel and Shannon O'Hearn
Funeral: Friday, August 10th at 2:00 pm
Beth Tzedec - 1700 Bathurst St.
Please see more information here:
https://benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=134761&fg=0
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
$2M Donation Moves Habonim Closer to Goal
08/01/2018 04:25:23 PM
Dear members,
I wanted to share thoughts with you about recent happenings at Habonim and the historic nature of events that have occurred in our congregation just the past couple of weeks.
On July 16th, the groundbreaking for our new synagogue took place under somewhat unusual circumstances. With thunderstorms in the area and a deluge of rain, ceremonies were moved to the premises of our loyal friends at the Grace Tabernacle church, across the street from the construction site, emblematic of Habonim’s friendship with people of all faiths.
We received good wishes from our aboriginal friends and a warm message of friendship and gratitude for the exemplary work Habonim members have pursued in support of so many beyond our congregation. We also heard from Holocaust survivors and their descendants about how much the new building means to them, and received greetings and encouraging words from politicians from every level of government.
When the rain stopped, we were able to move back across the street - outdoors for the ceremonial groundbreaking pictures. Miraculously, a rainbow suddenly appeared overhead, creating an absolutely picturesque backdrop for the event! May that rainbow be a symbol of hope and peace, in memory of the Holocaust survivors who had the foresight to establish our unique congregation and for all who will have the good fortune of using the new building for many years to come.
The capital campaign has been extremely successful – we had raised $9.6 million as of the date of the groundbreaking, but with costs projected at about $13.5 million and our goal of being mortgage free, the Board has been hard at work to secure additional contributions.
In this regard, I am extremely grateful to report that, last week, we received a $2 million commitment from the Sherman family, enabling Honey & Barry’s z”l legacy of exceptional generosity to live on as part of Habonim.
Honey, a daughter of Holocaust survivors, participated on the March of the Living, and was deeply committed to Holocaust education, and very much enjoyed attending Habonim’s High Holiday services with members of her family last year. And although Barry was a self-proclaimed non-believer, he could always be counted on to support the social and humanitarian efforts Habonim is so often involved in.
This remarkable gift is yet one more example of the positive impact Barry and Honey, and now their children, continue to have on our community and beyond.
The Sherman gift has set the stage for a strong finish to the campaign as we continue to reach out to long-time members yet to make their gift and to new members who will benefit from the new building for many years to come. The campaign now stands at $11.6 million and our financial goal of a mortgage-free building is clearly in sight! Equally important, is the goal of 100% membership participation in the campaign. If you have not made your commitment yet, or would like to add to one you have already made, I would welcome a call from you to discuss your participation.
Please remember: No gift is too small! Every dollar counts and will help us continue to build the beautiful community that Habonim is to so many.
Unfortunately, not all news is good. Habonim lost a valued member of our congregation this month. Barrie Rose, a visionary leader and philanthropist in Toronto’s Jewish community, passed away on July 15th, just one day before the ground breaking ceremony. A truly progressive thinker and a supporter of numerous causes within and outside the Jewish community, Barrie was one of our lead donors to the capital campaign and a true friend of Habonim. He will be deeply missed but his memory will live on through the numerous good projects he supported over the years.
The past few weeks’ events have been of historic significance for our congregation. The groundbreaking - rainbow and all, a hugely significant gift from the Sherman family, and, sadly, the loss of one of our treasured members.
As we begin to prepare for the New Year, these events should serve as reminders to all of us of the importance of doing good and the very special place Habonim holds in the hearts of those we touch.
I look forward to seeing all of you at our 2018 Habonim High Holiday services, once again held at Leo Baeck School – and, of course, at our 2019 High Holiday services in our NEW building!
May we all continue to go from strength to strength,
Eli Rubenstein
Religious Leader
Habonim Groundbreaking, July 16, 2018
Groundbreaking ceremony in the news
07/19/2018 10:24:20 AM
Check out these links in the media covering our Groundbreaking Ceremony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO2m1OAgiMo&feature=share
https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/synagogue-groundbreaking-ushers-in-new-era
http://epaper.nationalpost.com/@Joanie_Sabler_Smith/csb_RsKpKMkfWAbsqTrnShJ9WVaEhBYmoFJluKMS_mTS6X4
Passing of Barrie Rose
07/17/2018 10:08:21 AM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Barrie Rose
partner of
Karen Solomon
father and father in law of
John & Susan, Robert, Paul Rose and Jenn Law.
Funeral: Tuesday, July 17th at 1:00 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Groundbreaking ceremony tonight rain or shine
07/16/2018 09:54:19 AM
In case of inclement weather, we have made arrangements to use the Church across the street.
Grace Tabernacle Church
22 Glen Park Avenue.
We will see you tonight at 7:30 pm rain or shine.
https://www.congregationhabonim.org/event/groundbreaking-ceremony.html
Torah readers wanted for High Holidays
07/13/2018 10:17:23 AM
If you have ever wanted to read from the Torah, here’s your chance. I invite you to do a short Aliyah for this year’s high holidays. I will provide you with a recording and the text.
Please reply to me directly: avivar@rogers.com
Passing of Rabbi Chezi Zionce
06/27/2018 05:43:23 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of former Habonim Associate Religious Leader:
Rabbi Chezi Zionce
Beloved brother of Habonim General Manager
Robin Zionce Garber
Funeral: Thursday, June 28th at 2:00 pm
Steeles Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.steelesmemorialchapel.com
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Recent passings at Habonim
06/21/2018 09:56:17 AM
In May and June of this year, Habonim said goodbye to three members who left a significant impact on the wider community, and whose stories were also covered in the Canadian Jewish News. Please see links below.
Eli Rubenstein
Neil Finkelstein, distinguished lawyer, who clerked for Bora Laskin, appeared before the Supreme Court some 30 times, and successfully prosecuted Canadian Holocaust Deniers in the 1990s.
http://www.cjnews.com/news/Canada/remembering-legal-legend-neil-finkelstein
Read his eulogy here
Karen Liberman, Executive Director - Mood Disorders Association of Ontario
http://www.cjnews.com/news/Canada/karen-liberman-remembered-as-a-beacon-and-a-role-model
Janis Roth, Executive Director of JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Service)
http://www.cjnews.com/perspectives/remembering-janis-roth-a-blessing-for-so-many
Passing of Georgina Fleischer
06/20/2018 07:58:19 AM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Georgina Fleischer
Funeral: Wednesday, June 20th at 2:30 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Gerda Gottlieb
06/15/2018 04:58:19 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Gerda Gottlieb
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Neil Finkelstein
06/13/2018 02:23:34 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Neil Finkelstein
Husband of Marie Finkelstein
Funeral - Thursday, June 14 at 1 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish Marie and the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Upcoming events this week
06/12/2018 09:47:23 AM
Wednesday June 13 @ 7:30 PM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Leo Baeck Day School 501 Arlington Avenue |
Friday June 15 @ 6:30 PM Join Eli Rubenstein & Aviva Rajsky with Tom Bellman accompanying POTLUCK & KABBALAT SHABBAT the last service before the summer Leo Baeck Day School 501 Arlington Avenue |
Potluck Kabbalat Shabbat- JUNE 15
05/29/2018 01:51:22 PM
Join Eli Rubenstein & Aviva Rajsky with Tom Bellman accompanying
FRIDAY JUNE 15 @ 6:30 PM
POTLUCK & KABBALAT SHABBAT the last service before the summer Leo Baeck Day School 501 Arlington Avenue |
Passing of Karen Liberman
05/24/2018 09:39:21 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Karen Liberman
Life Partner of David Goldman
Funeral - Friday, May 25 at 11:30 am
Steeles Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
We wish David and the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Anne Laist
05/24/2018 09:29:19 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Anne Laist
Mother and mother-in-law of
Adele and Mark Rosenblatt
www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish Adele, Mark and their entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.