Michael Cole Appointed Warden of The Congregation

Michael Cole Appointed Warden of The Congregation Respectfully submitted by Sheila Smolkin   At Sukkot services, on October 30, Michael Cole was named “Warden” of the congregation, an honour he richly deserves. Having worked with…

A most precious task: Polishing the silver

A most precious task: Polishing the silver By Arlene Roth   Often people are astounded when I tell them that I volunteer to polish the silver at Holy Blossom. “You do what?”  This task is considered a chore by many; however, for…
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From the Archives: The Israel Window

From the Archives: The Israel Window By Susan Cohen, member, Holy Blossom Archives Committee One of the most emotional symbols of Israel at Holy Blossom Temple is at the same time one of the smallest and most hidden. Climb to the very top…
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Cantor David Rosen: Reflections on Poland & Prague

Reflections on Poland & Prague By Cantor David Rosen It is one thing to travel to Poland as a Jew when things are stable in the world. It is another to travel to Poland amidst the greatest attack on our people since the Shoah. I must admit…
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Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Samuel Kaye

The algorithm is not our friend.   I think that’s the most important message to share this week. The internet, the news, the feed, the scroll, the ping of an update… none of that is really our friend. It is certainly useful. It’s a…

Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Eliza McCarroll

The festival of Sukkot in which we find ourselves in is known as “Z’man Simchateinu”, the time of our rejoicing. 15th-century Jewish-Portuguese philosopher Don Isaac Abravanel outlines Sukkot as seven days of pure joy, based upon our…

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…

Sukkot and the juxtaposition of living in fragile dwellings and finding joy

By Megan Stephens As Rabbi Naomi Levy teaches, Sukkot is the only holiday where you are commanded to have joy, and specifically instructed that “you shall rejoice on your festival and you shall only be happy”. Rabbi Andy Gordon has opined…

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Founded in 1856, Holy Blossom Temple is Toronto’s first synagogue with a rich history of tradition and modernity in our religious and spiritual expression.

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