On Tuesday, April 7, Beth Tzedec's rabbis were featured on provincial and national news networks to discuss the life during the international Covid-19 pandemic.Rabbi Steven Wernick was interviewed on CBC News Network and CBC's The National, discussing how religious institutions are practicing social distancing and spiritual nearness in these challenging times. To view his interview, click...

To say that we are living in unprecedented times would be an understatement. I am writing to you from my home office, a room that I have barely left in the last three weeks. I cannot imagine that there is a family in our kehillah left untouched by COVID-19, health-wise or financially. As we look for a light in the darkness, it is easy to spiral into anxiety and despair. I know that it...

Yom Hashoah V'HagvurahCross-Canada Virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day CommemorationMonday, April 20 at 7:00 pm – The unfortunate cancellation of in-person Yom Hashoah gatherings across Canada has presented an unprecedented opportunity. This year, from coast to coast, we will join together for an online Holocaust Remembrance presentation unlike any other. The program will include greetings...

We hope all the members of our Congregation and the community are coping well in these difficult times.The leadership and staff at Beth Tzedec are working hard to keep you up-to-date with information and protocols related to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the importance of strict physical distancing over Passover. This year, it means staying home and conducting seders only with members of your...

I’m going insane at home right now. Can you relate? At some level I guess you can. The result of the COVID-19 situation is that you have to stay at home most of the day, if not the whole day. You can’t see any of your friends and colleagues, and you can only see your family. If that’s not enough, you have to see those same people, that have this special way to get on your nerves in a way...

On Friday, March 13, the day after the province of Ontario extended public school closures by two weeks beyond March break due to COVID-19 concerns, I sent an email to the families in the Beth Tzedec Congregational School advising them that we would be moving our learning online as well. Our dedicated teachers and I used the March Break week to brainstorm, troubleshoot and plan for...

To better accommodate our members during Pesah, we have made revisions to the service schedule for the next two weeks.   Minhah on Wednesday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 14 will be hosted online at 4:00 p.m., before the hag begins. Shaharit on Sunday, April 12 will hosted online at 8:45 a.m. Shaharit on Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14 will be hosted online at 7:30...

The Beth Tzedec community continues to inspire me. My colleagues, friends, lay partners and others are working hard to check in with our congregational community and identify the support they need at this difficult time. In the last two weeks, 80 of us have called more than 1200 Beth Tzedec households to ask how everyone is coping. We have called:  560 households with someone...

Remembering the Holocaust: A D'var Israel from AlonaApril 24, 2020 – Shinshin Alona Laufer shares memories of her grandfather and shares what she learned from his experiences as a survivor of the Shoah ... To read her D'var Israel, click here>>. New Programs with Our Shinshinim, Gal and AlonaApril 20, 2020 – Gal and Alona, Beth Tzedec's shinshinim, may have had to cut their time...

People tend to question some of the things that they hear. We want to make sure that we are right, that we checked all the options and then conclude what makes the most sense. That’s who we are. It is natural. 2,300 years ago there was a consensus that the earth was flat, until the Greek philosopher Aristotle doubted it and was the first to prove that it was wrong.  You can see...

COVID-19 LOANTo help our community deal with the financial fallout of the pandemic, Jewish Free Loan Toronto has created a new emergency Covid-19 loan. For more information, click here>> 

These indeed are difficult times in which it is often so easy to head in the direction of fear, pessimism and doom and gloom when listening to the news on the radio, on TV or on social media. Social distancing between families, relatives, friends and neighbours also can lead to feelings of isolation. However with every downturn, misfortune or loss there also arises an opportunity and...

Friends, At this point, we are deeply familiar with the rabbinic understanding of sha’at d’khak, a time of crisis, and pikuah nefesh, the preservation of life—the mitzvah that pushes aside all other commandments. We are living these values as we practice social distancing, self-isolation and follow the mandate from governments and health experts to stay home and limit excursions to...

During sha’at d’khak, a time of crisis, we are tasked with finding new strategies and ideas for celebrating Pesah with our loved ones. We hope that this list of resources helps inspire and educate your family.The Rabbinical Assembly Pesah guide is a brief outline of the policies and procedures relevant to the preparation of a kosher for Pesah home. Find it here>>Apex Kosher Catering...

Social gathering, community celebration and family excursions may be curtailed for the short-term, but there are an incredible assortment of opportunities to virtually connect with art, music, literature, worship and wellness. Beth Tzedec staff has been surfing social media and web sources to compile a growing list of activities and opportunities to engage with community beyond our four...