Habonim Bulletin 

As a means of saving on printing and postage costs as well as the environmental impact, we are now offering the choice of either an emailed copy of the quarterly bulletin or both an emailed and a mailed printed copy. Please provide your preferred option by clicking the link below: 

https://www.congregationhabonim.org/form/bulletin-mailing.html

Thank you,

Congregation Habonim

The Annual General Meeting will take place on

Tuesday, June 13th at 7:30 pm

The new building will be discussed in great detail.

Speakers will include Eli Rubenstein, Ted Rechtshaffen, incoming President Joanie Smith, and Treasurer Rick Glatt.

This is a chance for you to get the latest updates on our plans for the new building. As of June, 2017,  we have reached 96% of our fundraising goal (9.1 of 9.5 million), which is wonderful news!

Proposed directors for election:

As nominated by the Governance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors, the following board candidates will be proposed for election by members at the AGM: Daniel Libman, Cheryl Grammer, Charissa Levy, Melissa Muskat, and Alexis Slatt.

The following directors will be proposed for re-election for a two-year term: Rick Glatt, Joel Kwinter, Susan Liebel, and Joanie Smith. If elected, they will be joining Lauren Black, Dianne Erdos-Rush, Sonny Goldstein, Stephen Halperin, and Brett Saitowitz who are midway through their terms as directors.

Proxy

If you cannot make the annual meeting, you can vote by proxy.  A proxy form and instructions are available  here.

Habonim Choir is accepting new members

If you are interested in joining the Habonim Choir please contact Aviva Rajsky directly:

avivar@rogers.com

Rehearsals will be scheduled within the next couple of weeks.

Shabbat Shalom

Order tickets  Here

Tickets are selling fast  

Special discount for Habonim Members

$15 in advance / $20 at Door

Order tickets Here

Earlier this year, Eli Rubenstein invited Elisha Wiesel, the son of Elie Wiesel, to join him on the March of the Living. This weekend, the New York Times featured a moving story on the Elisha Wiesel’s experience along with Eli’s observations. Please see link below.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/world/europe/elie-wiesels-only-son-steps-up-to-his-fathers-legacy.html?emc=eta1&_r=0

Film makers and Habonim members Fern Levitt (director) and Arnie Zipursky (producer) will be premiering their critically acclaimed film: 

“Sled Dogs: The Cold Truth About Man’s Best Friend” 

Sled Dogs will be at the Bell Light Box Theatre on May 9,10,11.

There will be a Q & A Fern Levitt, after the 7 pm screening.

Sunday May 28 at 9 pm ET/10 pm PT on documentary Channel

An idyllic portrait has been promoted by both the tourism industry and the dog sledding world for decades in an attempt to maximize profits while concealing a gruesome reality.

Our website for more information - http://sleddogsfilm.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SledDogsFilm/

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

We are reaching out to the community to ask for support for Robert, a 55-year-old man living in Toronto who is suffering from end stage kidney disease. He has been married for 27 years and is the father of three children under the age of 25, one of whom is still in high school. He has relied on a restricted diet and medication for the past 20 years to help preserve his kidney function. Unfortunately, he has had significant deterioration in his kidney function, and his doctors feel that he will be in complete kidney failure by the end of the year. When his kidneys fail, the options are to: 1. be treated on a palliative basis until death; 2. start dialysis for a period of 60 hours per week for life; 3. receive a kidney transplant.   In Ontario, the average wait time to receive a cadaver transplant (eg. Donor kidney from a fatal accident) is 7 years from the date dialysis starts. The average survival time on dialysis, which requires approximately 60 hours of treatment per week, tethered to a machine, is 3 to 5 years. Most people who start dialysis die on dialysis.  A kidney transplant is by far the best option. It will significantly reduce the considerable  medical complications associated with chronic kidney failure and dialysis. In addition, it will restore his health and provide him with a significantly improved quality of life.

Robert has met with the transplant team at UHN. They have advised him that he will require a living donor to provide a kidney within the next 6 to 8 months. A transplant from a living donor is expected to extend his life by twenty years. On dialysis, his life expectancy will be considerably reduced, and will be associated with progressively declining health. He is blood type O+, a universal donor, but can only receive from an O donor or A donor (type -- non A1). He is considered an excellent candidate for a live donation – has no other underlying medical issues, and despite his failing kidneys, is otherwise in excellent health. He has been counselled by his doctors that it would be ideal if he received a transplant before 2018, and the screening process for donors takes about 4 months. 

Robert connected with a Jewish organization in January which has a program called “Renewal". Renewal has advertised in a local community paper with a circulation of ten thousand, 4 times over 2 months. However, thus far, there have been no eligible candidates.  We are reaching out to friends and family to ask them for support.  On May 4, 2017 an information evening will be hosted by Shaar Shomayim Synagogue; if you are able please try to attend to learn more about kidney donation from a previous donor (please see flyer here).

MAZEL TOV!

HABONIM FIELDS A BASEBALL TEAM FOR THE 2017 ISBL* SEASON!

*Inter Synagogue Baseball League

Team Meeting/Registration/Celebration

Note to all members of Congregation Habonim:

• Games are Sunday mornings & start at 9:30 am.
• The season goes from early May to Sept/Oct
• No games on long-weekends, Jewish holidays or community days (e.g. the “March for Israel” Sunday)
• Playing fields are in parks in Toronto/North York, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and Concord
• Schedules will be issued soon - times and fields can vary at the last moment, so check with players
• There are bleachers at the parks and “fans” (spouses, kids and friends etc.) are encouraged to come out to support your synagogue team, enjoy fresh air and have fun!! The games are always very entertaining.

Email or call Jeff Levy if you have any questions:

Email: jefflevy8@gmail.com or Call: 416-802-1105

(There may be a few spots left on the team if you want to play!)

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of  

Isaac Zimerman

father and father-in-law of Habonim members

Larry  & Anona Zimerman

Funeral -Friday April 14th, 2017 at 3:30 pm

at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel

Please see more information here:  

http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/

We wish Larry, Anona 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.

       PLAY BALL!!!
 

• The ISBL was formed in 1986 as a Brotherhood league consisting of teams representing synagogues in the GTA
• The league was founded on the principles of fun, fair play and sportsmanship
• Players of all abilities between the ages of 21* and 121 are welcome  (*sons of active players may be 18 years of age)
• Games are played Sunday mornings at various GTA locations using modified 3-pitch rules.
• No games are played on Jewish holidays or long weekends

If you are interested, contact Jeff Levy by April 3, 2017:

Email: jefflevy8@gmail.com or Call: 416-802-1105