Blogs at the Times of Israel

Blog posts from our Rabbis at the Times of Israel can be found here.

In The News - 2026

Below you’ll see recent articles that feature stories related to Beth Tzedec, our Spiritual Leaders and members.

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

13 years after my arrest at the Kotel, the threat to egalitarian prayer there is growing

The Globe and Mail

Carney calls on Canadians to reject antisemitism that is testing country’s values

A synagogue door being repaired with bullet holes in glass

The Hub

Rising Jewish hate is forcing Toronto synagogues to spend millions on security

Performers in 'Singing in the Darkness' included (left to right), Fern Lindzon, at piano, Lenka Lichtenberg, Ori Dagan, Theresa Tova, Judith Lander, and Aviva Chernick, at Jane Mallett Theatre on Jan. 14, 2026. (Photo courtesy of JazzInToronto)

The CJN

Why Holocaust-inspired musical projects are having a moment

In The News - 2025

A photo of Bari Zittell

JIAS Toronto

Bari Zittell: A Different Ending — Together

National Post

Steven Wernick: The double standard that treats Modi like a hero and Netanyahu like a villain

A special

The CJN

Stories of loss and heroism featured in Toronto’s commemoration of Oct. 7

A man puts on a kippah before going through security at an event to commemorate the two year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

The Star

‘We are praying for peace’: Toronto commemoration marks anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel

In The News - 2024

A portrait photo of Lara Rodin

Jewish Post and News

Rabbi (to be) Lara Rodin

The CJN

Justin Trudeau met privately with Jewish leaders in Toronto this week—but these rabbis left dissatisfied

The Star

Why I support safe protection zones around places of worship

Nathan Phillips Square

JNS

Canada and the war against the Jews

Canadian Affairs

When sanctuaries are fortresses: Religious leaders respond to growing security needs

In The News - 2023

a group of women hold up kidnapped posters

The CJN

Toronto rally hears from the families of Israelis kidnapped and murdered by Hamas

Adam Sandler with Rabbi Steve Wernick

Screen Rant

Where Was You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah Filmed? Filming Locations Explained

The CJN

One year later: Beth Tzedec, and other synagogues, are examining if ending membership dues for people under 40 makes a difference

A group of Chabad rabbis

The CJN

Do we really not have enough rabbis—or do we have too many?

the back of the head of a Bar Mitzvah boy

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

How one of North America’s largest Conservative congregations added 900 new members in 8 months

In The News - 2022

a photo of the front of Beth Tzedec

The CJN

Toronto’s Beth Tzedec Congregation is offering free membership to those under 40

Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg

The CJN

Obituary: Rabbi Benjamin Friedberg helped calm waters at Toronto’s Beth Tzedec Congregation

A law enforcement vehicle sits near the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 16.

The National Post

Steven C. Wernick: Why I am not scared to be a rabbi, even after the Texas hostage-taking

Previously in The News

 

Beth Tzedec Takes ‘Big Step’ to Bless Same-Sex Marriage

https://thecjn.ca/news/beth-tzedec-takes-big-step-to-bless-same-sex-marriage/

 

Governor General announces 135 appointments to the Order of Canada

https://www.gg.ca/en/activities/2021/governor-general-announces-135-new-appointments-order-canada

 

Feeding the homeless during COVID

https://thecjn.ca/news/feeding-the-homeless-during-covid/

 

Judy’s story – the heroism of a Canadian who smuggled Jews out of Syria

https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/judys-story-the-heroism-of-a-canadian-who-smuggled-jews-out-of-syria-620693

 

Novelty socks, latke delivery among new ways Toronto Jews keep tradition alive

https://www.timesofisrael.com/novelty-socks-latke-delivery-among-new-ways-toronto-jews-keep-tradition-alive/

 

How Are Moms Handling COVID-19? We Asked Their Kids.

https://jewishjournal.com/cover_story/315314/kids-moms-quarantine-covid-19-mothers-day-stepped-kids/

 

Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl: Growing into the pulpit

https://thecjn.ca/opinion/rabbi-baruch-frydman-kohl-growing-into-the-pulpit/

 

Beth Tzedec: bringing Judaism to life in the heart of Toronto

https://nationalpost.com/sponsored/news-sponsored/beth-tzedec-bringing-judaism-to-life-in-the-heart-of-toronto

 

Conservative leader steps down to head Beth Tzedec

https://thecjn.ca/uncategorized/conservative-leader-steps-down-to-head-beth-tzedec/

 

Lethal hatred and life-giving love: A rabbi’s prescription against hate

https://macleans.ca/facebook-instant-articles/lethal-hatred-and-life-giving-love-a-rabbis-prescription-against-hate/

 

Anti-Semitic hate mail targets synagogues in Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton and Montreal

https://globalnews.ca/news/3924308/anti-semitic-hate-mail-synagogues-toronto-montreal/

 

From Latkes to Laffas: The evolution of the Toronto deli

https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-latkes-to-laffas-the-evolution-of-the-toronto-deli/

 

‘Not just time for words’: Toronto rabbi calls on leaders to stand against white supremacy

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/not-just-time-for-words-toronto-rabbi-calls-on-leaders-to-stand-against-white-supremacy-1.4250253

 

Bar mitzvah boy doesn’t let leukemia derail big day

https://thecjn.ca/news/bar-mitzvah-boy/

 

Breaking the Stigma 2017: Substance Abuse and Behavioural Conditions

https://thecjn.ca/news/breaking-stigma-2017-substance-abuse-behavioural-conditions/

 

Toronto teenager celebrates unique Barmitzvah

https://www.thejc.com/news/world/toronto-teenager-celebrates-unique-barmitzvah-dmi9sxt8

 

Live from Toronto’s Beth Tzedec Congregation, Unorthodox talks to novelist David Bezmozgis and opera singer Julie Nesrallah

https://www.tabletmag.com/podcasts/unorthodox/unorthodox-episode-67-toronto-david-bezmozgis-julie-nesrallah

 

Coffee table book celebrates Beth Tzedec’s 60th anniversary

https://thecjn.ca/news/coffee-table-book-celebrates-beth-tzedecs-60th-anniversary/

 

Airline seat-switching outcry: Jewish leader calls for understanding

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/airline-seat-switching-outcry-jewish-leader-calls-for-understanding-1.3173643

 

Yacov Fruchter to leave Annex Shul for Beth Tzedec

https://thecjn.ca/news/yacov-fruchter-leave-annex-shul-beth-tzedec/

 

Young rabbis panel tackles hot topics

https://thecjn.ca/news/young-rabbis-panel-tackles-hot-topics/

 

Beth Tzedec rejoins United Synagogue umbrella

https://thecjn.ca/news/beth-tzedec-rejoins-united-synagogue-umbrella/

 

Over 1,000 gather at Beth Tzedec for pro-Israel rally

https://thecjn.ca/news/1000-gather-beth-tzedec-pro-israel-rally/

 

A Toronto lawyer asks, ‘What would Herzl do?’

https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-toronto-lawyer-asks-what-would-herzl-do/

 

A Humane Society

https://utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487584436

 

Stuart Rosenberg, 67, A Rabbi and Author

https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/13/obituaries/stuart-rosenberg-67-a-rabbi-and-author.html