eblasts - Congregation Habonim of Toronto

Passing of Dr. Norman Bogo

01/21/2023 11:07:41 PM

Jan21

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the recent passing of Habonim member:

Dr. Norman Bogo

husband of the late Marion Bogo

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=139042&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Colette Landau

01/11/2023 03:29:46 PM

Jan11

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the recent passing of Holocaust survivor:

Colette Landau

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members

Marc Landau and Karen Shopsowitz

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=139015&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Muriel Steinberg

01/11/2023 11:16:26 AM

Jan11

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

Muriel Steinberg

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members

Lynn Factor and Sheldon Inwentash

Grandmother of Nicole, Raquel and Jeremy
and Jakson

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138911&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Appointment of Eli Rubenstein to the Order of Canada

12/29/2022 01:20:02 PM

Dec29

It is with great pride that we share with you the announcement of Eli’s appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada. We cannot think of anyone more deserving of this huge honour, and more humble to receive it. Please join us in wishing Eli a hearty Mazel Tov on being recognized for his outstanding contributions to Holocaust education and remembrance, and years of service fighting hatred and bigotry. Thank you Eli for your many years of leadership here at Habonim, and the inspirational and important role you play in the Jewish community.

We are lucky to have a number of members of Habonim who are appointees of the Order of Canada, and thrilled to have Eli join their ranks. For more information on today's announcement please see the attached link, and excerpts from Eli’s interview below.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/order-of-canada-appointees-1.6698239

A celebration to honour Eli will be planned in the new year. In the meantime, please feel free to leave him a message of congratulations here:

https://www.congregationhabonim.org/form/mazel-tov-to-eli.html

Excerpt from CBC article- Order of Canada Appointees 2022

'Quite surprised in a beautiful way'
Eli Rubenstein, a Holocaust and anti-hate educator who is also the religious leader Congregation Habonim Toronto synagogue, said he was surprised to be appointed. He cited a Hebrew proverb which states, "the reward of a good deed is the deed itself."
"That's the motivation, and I was not looking, searching or expecting any kind of accolades or reward for this," he said in an interview. "And so I was completely taken aback by shock, not completely feeling I was deserving of it."

Holocaust and anti-hate educator Eli Rubenstein, seen in 2018 in Poland at the March of the Living, said he was surprised at his appointment to the Order of Canada. (Ryan Blau/SUBMITTED)
Rubenstein is the national director of the March of the Living Canada, a program that teaches students about the history of the Holocaust to combat hatred and intolerance.
Rubenstein said throughout his career he's been inspired by Holocaust survivors who've shared their stories and the students who listen and learn from those stories.
"I was so amazed by [the survivors'] resilience, by their courage, by their eloquence and most importantly by their lack of cynicism," he said. "It's the hope in the survivors' eyes when they tell their stories to the students
Rubenstein says the appointment also came with an important lesson.
"Sometimes you toil midnight hours, and burn the candle at both ends, and you don't realize the people around you, how much they appreciate what you're doing," he said.
"Sometimes people just need that extra encouragement, because I was so appreciative … and quite surprised in a beautiful way."

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Calling My Angels

12/28/2022 06:16:37 PM

Dec28

As we say goodbye to 2022, I thought I would share with you this beautiful song - Calling My Angels. The song was just recently recorded and released by recovering IDF veterans working with Brothers for Life
(www.brothersforlife.com), an organization which empowers injured IDF soldiers to help recently injured combat soldiers.

Calling My Angels
https://youtu.be/7eAEenHgUiE

The song was written by the talented Toronto team of Alex Krawczyk and Robbie Roth, who, coincidentally, I taught their Bar/Bat Mitzvah portions some years ago.

In the video, Nave Rachman, the saxophonist and one of the vocalists, is joined by his dog Jack, who was trained as a PTSD support dog at the Israel Guide Dog Center ( https://israelguidedog.ca ). Over the years, Habonim has hosted a number of events in support of the Israel Guide Dog Center including our most recent event, How to Raise a Jewish Dog, in November 2022.

Wishing you all the best in 2023!

-Eli Rubenstein

Passing of Sidney Finkelstein

12/08/2022 10:34:12 AM

Dec8

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

Sidney Finkelstein

Father and father-in-law of Habonim members

Joel Finkelstein and Paula Schipper

Grandfather of Dinah, Sam and Ellie

For more information please see below:

https://steelesmemorialchapel.com/condolence/sidney-finkelstein/

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Howard Levy

11/26/2022 05:59:40 PM

Nov26

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the recent passing of Habonim member:

Howard Levy

Husband of Lynda

Father and father-in-law of Habonim members

Ari and Charissa Levy

Brother and brother-in-law of

Peter and Bonnie Levy

Nancy and Jon Waisberg

Rick Glatt and Jodi Lees

Grandfather to Erynn and Noa Levy

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138911&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Renee Kaiman

10/31/2022 09:02:30 PM

Oct31

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

Renee Kaiman

Daughter-in-law of Habonim members

Lynda and Howard Levy

Sister-in-law of Habonim members

Charissa and Ari Levy

Aunt to Erynn and Noa Levy

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138845&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Dr. Martin Blackstein

10/12/2022 07:32:59 PM

Oct12

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

Dr. Martin Blackstein

Father and father-in-law of Habonim members

Noah Blackstein and Wendy Geller

Grandfather of Emily and Samantha Blackstein

For more information please see below:

https://benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138795&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Welcome Event Tonight at 7pm

09/14/2022 11:09:34 AM

Sep14

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new members who have joined Congregation Habonim since 2020.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Arthur Linder

09/09/2022 04:02:00 PM

Sep9

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the recent passing of Habonim member and Holocaust survivor:

Arthur Linder

For more information please see below:

https://steelesmemorialchapel.com/condolence/arthur-linder/

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

U.K. Jewish Community Response & Chief Rabbi’s Prayer on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

09/09/2022 12:25:31 PM

Sep9

Please see the response of the U.K. Jewish community and the Chief Rabbi’s Prayer on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth:

https://www.thejc.com/news/news/she-was-our-rock-chief-rabbi-leads-tributes-to-hm-the-queen-from-jewish-community-6UngukJGjsmCBqh9vbTgo5

Click HERE to read the Chief Rabbi’s Prayer on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Mikhail Gorbachev

08/31/2022 05:09:46 PM

Aug31

Nobel Peace Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, and author of the ‘perestroika’ and ‘glasnost’—restructuring and openness - political movements, died yesterday at age 91. His reforms allowed over one million Jews to emigrate to Israel, including the famous refusenik Natan Sharansky (See more below.) "3 million Soviet Jews owe him their freedom,” said Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Moscow’s chief rabbi from 1993 until 2022.

Please see link to 2004 film on his life, Gorbachev's Revolution, directed by Habonim member Fern Levitt, which explores Gorbachev’s dramatic rise in the Communist Party to the eventual coup which ended his leadership and dissolved the Soviet Union.

https://youtu.be/RnzyuEv6Ndo

Please see excerpt from Op-ed in the Washington Post written by human rights leader and refusenik Natan Sharansky, who was ultimately released from prison by Gorbachev.

“….If we look at the 20th century not through the lens of political struggles, but rather from the bird’s-eye perspective of history, we see how utterly unique Gorbachev was. In nearly every dictatorship there are dissidents, and from time to time there are also Western leaders willing to risk their political fates to promote human rights abroad. But Gorbachev was a product of the Soviet regime, a member of its ruling elite who believed its ideology and enjoyed its privileges — yet decided to destroy it nevertheless. For that, the world can be grateful. Thank you, Mikhail Gorbachev.”

Excerpted from Washington Post Opinion, "Gorbachev played a complicated but unique role in world history"
By Natan Sharansky, August 30, 2022

Also see:
https://www.jta.org/2022/08/30/obituaries/mikhail-gorbachev-soviet-leader-whose-reforms-included-letting-jews-leave-for-israel-dies-at-91?

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

August Bulletin now available

08/26/2022 12:56:46 PM

Aug26

The August 2022

High Holiday Bulletin

is now available

Click HERE to view

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Calling All Singers

08/10/2022 06:05:16 PM

Aug10

A Note From Aviva:

Calling all singers

We are so excited to be having in-person services for the High Holidays (more details to follow) this year, and I am looking forward to bringing back our fabulous choir. If you’re interested in singing with us, please reply to me directly :avivar@rogers.com

Ability to read music is a plus, but not a prerequisite. There will be 3 or 4 rehearsals in September, and I can send recordings and sheet music in advance.

Looking forward to making our services even more beautiful,

Aviva

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Irving Abella and Max Eisen

07/08/2022 10:42:46 AM

Jul8

This week our country lost two prominent Jewish community members who made extraordinary contributions to life in Canada: Renowned Canadian historian Irving Abella, who co-wrote with Hesh Troper the groundbreaking Holocaust work, None is Too Many, and Holocaust survivor and educator Max Eisen, the award winning author of the Holocaust memoir “By Chance Alone”.
Please see links to stories below.

Max Eisen, an award-winning author who dedicated his life to Holocaust education, passes away at 93.

Link to service details:
https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138566&fg=0

Link to CJN:
https://thecjn.ca/lives/max-eisen-obit/

A better Canada because of him’: Tributes pour in at the funeral for renowned historian Irving Abella:

https://thecjn.ca/podcasts/a-better-canada-because-of-him-tributes-pour-in-at-the-funeral-for-renowned-historian-irving-abella/

Historian Irving Abella said the struggle for Jewish equality changed Canada for the better:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-historian-irving-abella-said-the-struggle-for-jewish-equality-changed/

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Speech by new Israeli PM Yair Lapid

07/04/2022 09:52:27 AM

Jul4

Please see link to moving speech given by Israel’s new Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, upon his recent appointment as Israel’s 14th Prime Minister on July 1.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-speech-full-text-we-must-stop-the-flow-of-extremism-from-politics-to-streets/

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Ian Mark Abramowitz

06/08/2022 12:54:27 PM

Jun8

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

Ian Mark Abramowitz

Father and father-in-law of Habonim members
Kim and Daniel Libman

For more information please see below:

https://steelesmemorialchapel.com/condolence/ian-mark-abramowitz/

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Bob Berman

05/26/2022 09:04:13 AM

May26

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

Bob Berman

Husband of the late Jayne, and Alli
Father and father-in-law of
Jon and Leora, Jo and Pat and Mike
Grandbob to Joelle

For more information please see below:
https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138468&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Shirley Granovsky

05/19/2022 01:42:01 PM

May19

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

Shirley Granovsky

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members
Maxine Granovsky & Ira Gluskin

Aunt of Habonim member
Anita Auerback

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138456&fg=0&cmd=elist

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Greta Liebel

05/06/2022 03:52:16 PM

May6

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

Greta Liebel

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members
Susan Liebel and Gabor Herczeg

Grandmother of
Julie Herczeg and Stephen Shedletzky
Emily Herczeg and Victoria Schwarzl
Sarah Liebel and Blayne Beacham

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138424&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Mildred Dolman

05/04/2022 12:49:47 PM

May4

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

Mildred Dolman
On April 30th, one day after her 100th birthday

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members
Nanci and Issie Goldman

Grandmother of Habonim members
Elisa Goldman and Pedros Simoes
Great-grandmother of Daniela and Harrison

For more information please see below:

https://www.paperman.com/en/funerals/2022-5-2-mildred--dolman

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Karen Barbara Stekel

04/25/2022 10:04:02 PM

Apr25

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

Karen Barbara Stekel

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members

Jared and Karen Stekel

Bubie of Naomi and Hailey

For more information please see below:

https://benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138406&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Passing of Anne Smith

04/19/2022 10:45:01 AM

Apr19

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

Anne Smith

Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members

Steven and Joanie Smith

Grandmother of Desiree and Zachary

For more information please see below:

https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/ServiceDetails.aspx?snum=138399&fg=0

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.

We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Join Our Passover Programs

04/15/2022 01:02:01 PM

Apr15

Upcoming Programs

Second Night Passover Seder Program

Saturday April 16th, 6:00 PM

Chocolate Mock Seder
Monday April 18th, 3:00 PM

***Scroll down to view details

Second Night Passover Seder Program
Join
Eli Rubenstein & Aviva Rajsky
for a special mix of songs and stories you can share and discuss at your Second Seder

SATURDAY APRIL 16
6:00 - 6:45 pm
on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88139121089

Click here for the Hoffert Haggadah

Chocolate Mock Seder

Monday April 18,2022
at 5 Glen Park Ave
3:00-4:00 PM

Join Habonim's Jewish Heritage School
for a third-day Seder, where everything is made from chocolate and other treats!

Register Here

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

April Bulletin now available

04/14/2022 12:41:03 PM

Apr14

The April 2022

Bulletin

is now available

Click HERE to view

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Join Our Passover Programs- Corrected Link

04/11/2022 02:39:02 PM

Apr11

Upcoming Programs

Second Night Passover Seder Program

Saturday April 16th, 6:00 PM

Chocolate Mock Seder
Monday April 18th, 3:00 PM

***Scroll down to view details

Second Night Passover Seder Program
Join
Eli Rubenstein & Aviva Rajsky
for a special mix of songs and stories you can share and discuss at your Second Seder

SATURDAY APRIL 16
6:00 - 6:45 pm
on Zoom
Register Here to Attend

Chocolate Mock Seder

Monday April 18,2022
at 5 Glen Park Ave
3:00-4:00 PM

Join Habonim's Jewish Heritage School
for a third-day Seder, where everything is made from chocolate and other treats!

Register Here

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Join Our Passover Programs

04/11/2022 01:39:16 PM

Apr11

Upcoming Programs

Second Night Passover Seder Program

Saturday April 16th, 6:00 PM

Chocolate Mock Seder
Monday April 18th, 3:00 PM

***Scroll down to view details

Second Night Passover Seder Program
Join
Eli Rubenstein & Aviva Rajsky
for a special mix of songs and stories you can share and discuss at your Second Seder

SATURDAY APRIL 16
6:00 - 6:45 pm
on Zoom
Register Here to Attend

Chocolate Mock Seder

Monday April 18,2022
at 5 Glen Park Ave
3:00-4:00 PM

Join Habonim's Jewish Heritage School
for a third-day Seder, where everything is made from chocolate and other treats!

Register Here

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Upcoming Programs

04/07/2022 03:19:32 PM

Apr7

Upcoming Programs

Avrum's Chumash class on Parshat Metzorah

Thursday April 7th, 8:00 PM

Chocolate Mock Seder
Monday April 18th, 3:00 PM

***Scroll down to view details

Please join Avrum Rosensweig tomorrow at 8 pm for
Avrum's Chumash class on Parshat Metzorah

IS THERE A GOD? how do you know? Does God bring us good things and bad things, or only the good stuff? We thank God for positivity in our lives. Should we also thank Him/Her for the negative stuff, or what appears to be so?

Tonight Avrum will Discuss:

1. Lashon ha'rah (gossip) in the context of metzorah (blemishes). If it is a mitzvah to not speak lashon ha'rah, is it a mitzvah to speak lashon tov (good talk)?

2. Ask why the metzorah (the blemished) slaughters a wild bird, and then sends a second one off into the sky?

Please feel free to email avrum.rosensweig@gmail.com with any questions.
Topic: Avrums Chumash Journey Shiur (Class)
Time: Thursday April 7, 8:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81103196212?pwd=M3V1Y0FWY0hzQzNNWWZjNFBIamErdz09

Meeting ID: 811 0319 6212
Passcode: 938094

Chocolate Mock Seder

Monday April 18,2022
at 5 Glen Park Ave
3:00-4:00 PM

Join Habonim's Jewish Heritage School
for a third-day Seder, where everything is made from chocolate and other treats!

Register Here

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Join Our Purim Celebration This Sunday! Register Now

03/09/2022 02:53:58 PM

Mar9

Congregation Habonim of Toronto
5 Glen Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J2

Author
Date Added

Author
Date Added

Author
Date Added

Author
Date Added