Passover at Holy Blossom Temple – 2016

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Kabbalat Shabbat and Erev Yom Tov Services for the First Night of Pesach

Friday, April 22, 2016
6:00 p.m.

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Shabbat and Yom Tov Services for the First Day of Pesach
“Kedusha”: Join us for this inaugural performance

Saturday, April 23, 2016
10:00 a.m.

“Kedusha” was commissioned by Cantor Benjamin Maissner at the request of Sara Beth Charney, through the Esther Gelber Fund at the Canadian Music Centre, in memory of her mother, Esther Salomon Gelber, who had great love for the arts and contemporary music.

All newlywed and engaged wedding couples are invited for a special blessing on the bima.

A festive Kiddush lunch will follow the service.

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Holy Chag

Saturday, April 23, 2016
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | JK-Grade 5

A ‘kids only’ fun and interactive Pesach celebration!

Bring your whole family to Congregational Pesach services starting at 10:00 a.m., which includes great breakout sessions for children of all ages!

The ‘kids only’ fun begins at noon with a special Pesach lunch, followed by entertainment, a chocolate seder, games and more!!!

Just because we aren’t eating chametz, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun! Pick up at 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $18 per child (JK-Grade 5) Friends welcome.
Teen volunteers needed. For more information, to volunteer, or to RSVP contact- lbaumal@holyblossom.org.

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Third Night Pesach
Social Justice Seder: Journeys of Liberation

Sunday, April 24, 2016
Doors Open at 5:30 p.m. Program and Dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Young Professional Co-Chairs: Maddie Axelrod and Chloe Snider. The program last year hosted over 175 Ve’ahavta Clients and Out of the Cold guests, and this year we are expecting a similar or greater turnout, so tickets are very limited. $18 for under 35s, and $50 for all guests. Your ticket directly subsidizes the costs of those unable to afford the seder. Volunteers needed – please e-mail jhelfman@holyblossom.org for volunteer information.

Register online at www.thirdnightseder.eventbrite.ca.

Presented by Ve’ahavta with Holy Blossom Temple

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Erev Yom Tov for the Seventh Night of Pesach
The Survival of the Haggadah
A Different Night: Music for Passover –
Haggadah Suite

Thursday, April 28, 2016 | 7:30 p.m. Service | Program to follow
Tickets not required

Celebrate the end of Pesach with music and an inspiring story told through the beautiful art of ancient manuscripts of haggadot. Acclaimed composer Srul Glick’s “Music for Passover—Haggadah Suite” will be performed by our Temple Singers Temple Choir and LACHAN chamber choir and string quartet.

Interspersed throughout the music will be the inspiring story told by master teacher Rouhama Danto of the Jewish people’s connection to the Haggadah and how it survived the often tumultuous eras of Jewish history.

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Yom Tov and Yizkor/Memorial Services for the Seventh Day of Pesach

Friday, April 29, 2016
10:00 a.m.

At this Congregation-wide Service, we celebrate the last day of Pesach. Following Yizkor Services, there will be a special Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by the Bernard, Carol and Samuel Braun Memorial Fund in memory of Bernard, Carol, and Samuel Braun for all to enjoy.

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By Cantor Benjamin Maissner

A WORLD PREMIER “HALEL  V’ZIMRAH” (with praise of melody)

KEDUSHA (Sanctification) – Composer Cantor Charles Osborne

First Day of Passover, Saturday April 23, 2016 

It is my distinct honour and privilege to announce the world premier performance of the sacred text of “KEDUSHA”.

With the generosity of our own member, Sara Charney, I was able to commission this composition in memory of Sara’s late mother, Esther Salomon Gelber, who had a great love for the arts and contemporary music. Cantor/composer, Charles Osborne, a dear friend and treasured colleague put a great deal of effort into creating this piece of music for our Temple.

“KEDUSHA” is scored for Cantor, choir, piano, cello, flute, clarinet and French horn. The music is haunting, melodious, harmonious, pastoral, and evocative, there is a soothing nature and flavour to the composition. Contemporary and skillfully written the music justifies and expresses the sacredness and the doxology of the text. So sensitive are the passages that one can hear the angels recite “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh” is the Lord of Hosts. In awe the music renders the words: “His glory fills the earth”. Intense musical dialogue between Cantor and choir is enhanced and woven throughout the piece by the unique quality of sound characteristics to each instrument.

I shall have more opportunities later to describe the gift of this music. As I am so proud of this creation and that adds additional musical purity to our sanctuary, I hope to see many of you on the morning of Passover when we can all celebrate the Festival of Freedom in peace and thanksgiving.

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World premier of a new
KEDUSHA  (SANCTIFICATION) – Cantor Charles Osborn
FIRST DAY PASSOVER Saturday April 23, 2016 | 10:00 a.m.

“Kedusha” was commissioned by Cantor Benjamin Maissner at the request of Sara Beth Charney, through the Esther Gelber Fund at the Canadian Music Centre, in memory of her mother, Esther Salomon Gelber.

Don’t miss this great event!

For complete Passover information, please click here.

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[clear][ahs_brownbox title=”Holy Chag – Chocolate Seder! YUM!!!”]

Saturday, April 23, 2016
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | JK-Grade 5

A ‘kids only’ fun and interactive Pesach celebration!

Bring your whole family to Congregational Pesach services starting at 10:00 a.m., which includes great breakout sessions for children of all ages!

The ‘kids only’ fun begins at noon with a special Pesach lunch, followed by entertainment, a chocolate seder, games and more!!!

Just because we aren’t eating chametz, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun! Pick up at 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $18 per child (JK-Grade 5). Friends welcome.
Teen volunteers needed. For more information, to volunteer, or to RSVP contact- lbaumal@holyblossom.org.

To register for Holy Chag! Please click the button below…

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Immediately following the Shacharit service, this coming Friday morning, April 22, 2016 @ 7.30 a.m., we will be holding a Siyyum for B’Chorim and B’Chorot.

It is customary on Erev Pesach for the first born male and female (according to Sephardic tradition,) to fast from sunrise until the beginning of the Seder. The fast is in recognition that the first born of the Israelites were ‘passed over’ while the first born of the Egyptians were subject to the plague of death of first borns, according to the Passover story.

Since Jewish tradition does not permit a fast on a joyous occasion such as the beginning of a Festival, the custom of participating in a Siyyum was created.  The Siyyum consists of inviting all first borns to be present at a brief study session concluding a portion of Torah. Afterwards, all first borns are invited to a meal, considered a seudat mitzvah (in honor of a commandment; in this case, studying the Torah). By participating in this mitzvah, the first born does not have to fast.

You are welcome to attend with your first born children and grandchildren, even those who have not yet celebrated their bat or bar mitzvah.

Mark Goodman will teach the portion of Torah.

[green_message]The tzedakah collected that morning will go to support our  Third Night Social Justice Seder that is being co-sponsored by Holy Blossom and Ve’ahavta, on Sunday April 24, 2016 at 5.30 p.m. at Holy Blossom.[/green_message]

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By Cantor Benjamin Maissner.

Erev Yom Tov for the Seventh Night of Pesach
The Survival of the Haggadah
A Different Night: Music for Passover –
Haggadah Suite

Thursday, April 28, 2016 | 7:30 p.m. Service | Program to follow
Tickets not required

I had the privilege to be counted among Srul’s z”l close friends. I met Srul and his glorious music at one of our CA conventions in the early seventies. His music just penetrated into everyone’s soul. His Beth Tikvah Choir mesmerized us all with the luscious, sweet, soft and deeply emotional melodic flair, yet sophisticated and skillfully
composed. Simple craftsmanship in every respect of serious composition, Srul’s music radiated Jewish authenticity.

Srul was born in 1934 and studied at the University of Toronto. He received his Masters of Music in 1958. He pursued his studies in Paris with Darius Milhaud, Louis Saguer and Max Deutsch. Music was always an integral part of his life and he seeped into Jewish traditional music through the teachings of his father who was a Cantor. Srul’s childhood was filled with uninterrupted musical experience.

Glick’s music covers the wide gamut of musical compositions. Among his many compositions are song cycles such as I Never Saw Another Butterfly, We Are Children Just The Same, Northern Sketches. Srul’s choral music covers the entire Jewish liturgical calendar – Violin Concerto Lamentation for string quartet. Two symphonies, a Choral and a Psalm Symphony. His listing of compositions is endless and each ascends higher and higher in mastership and artistry.

From an early age Srul told me about his memories around the Pesach Seder table and the rousing songs which filled his Neshamah. He started to write melodies to be sung at the Seder. Later he arranged about seventeen of these songs for mixed choir and string quintet. Like the text of the Haggadah itself, the music creates the mood that symbolizes the ceremony at the Seder table. The rich and haunting musical sequences embrace the story, songs, food and drinks which embellishes the mystery and disputation of the Desert.

As the story of Pesach unfolds at the Seder table we experience with each melody and musical phrase a unique message which helps us to fulfill the ritual of Miztvah aseh shel achilat Matzah and Moror. Srul Glick knows how to communicate through music. His music makes us aware of our deep tradition of yesterday and the vision of the future. The music of the Haggadah combines elements of tradition, simplicity and modernity at the same time. The string accompaniment gives it an archaic ethereal quality. His asymmetrical rhythms juxtaposed with simple singable, melodic lines, challenges the listener but encourages the family around the table to participate and become an integral part of the Seder.
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