Generations Member “pays it forward” to Beth Tzedec Jonathan (Jonny) Ain For Mitchell Rattner, a lawyer, husband, and father of two young daughters, donating to Beth Tzedec is more than just a way to give back—it’s an  investment in the future of a community that has become an important part of his family’s life. “The Generations Membership Program has opened the...

Congregants often wonder why, if they already pay their regular membership dues, Beth Tzedec requests additional philanthropic contributions through the Annual High Holy Day Appeal. The answer lies in the evolving needs of our community and the limitations of the traditional "dues-based" funding model, which was designed for a much simpler synagogue experience of the 1970s. But today, Beth...

This year's Appeal goal set at $650,000Beth Tzedec is on the verge of something extraordinary. Our Annual High Holy Day Appeal has already seen remarkable generosity from our community, pushing results beyond the $400,00 mark. Thanks to the unwavering support of the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation, our lead donors who are matching contributions up to $150,000, we are well...

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?Beth Tzedec Congregation is continuing its no-fee membership program for those under 40.Click here>> to confirm your no-fee membership now. Or keep reading below for more details about this breakthrough initiative in Toronto’s Jewish community. What’s the Catch? There isn’t one. Beth Tzedec's mission is to inspire members to live meaningful...

This week’s Torah reading, Ki Teitzei, contains the most Mitzvot (Commandments) of any weekly Torah reading. According to the traditional count of there being 613 Mitzvot in the Torah, 74 of them (12%) appear in this week’s reading. The subjects of these Mitzvot are all over the place, ranging from how to treat captives in war to rules about forbidden mixtures, from property law to...

Beth Tzedec Bulletin - Fall/High Holy Days EditionThe latest edition of the Beth Tzedec Bulletin is available for download. Let's celebrate, learn, pray and connect as a community with the many opportunities offered throughout our quarterly catalogue of programs, events and articles.Don't miss any of the news and excitement, including:Celebrating Selichot with Rabbi Shai Held (page...

This coming Sunday and Monday, September 8 and 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beth Tzedec invites you to add to your Judaica collection. The remaining pieces of our museum collection will be available for sale including unique artwork and ritual objects. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own a piece of our history. Well, not every remaining piece. Some things are not to be sold. One...

We express our profound sorrow and sadness in learning of the murders of six hostages – Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi. We join with Israelis and the Jewish people globally in expressing our condolences, love, and support to the families amidst the horror of Hamas' ongoing brutality and violation of...

“The road is long with many a winding turn that leads us to who knows where. But I’m strong, strong enough to carry him. He ain’t heavy; he’s my brother.” These lyrics, from a 1969 song by the English rock and pop band The Hollies, are based on a story from a Boys Town orphanage in 1918. Back then, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Edward J....

Although we are in Canada, I am sure that many of you have been keeping tabs on the upcoming U.S. election, perhaps even watching the televised national conventions. As an American citizen living abroad, I can’t help but turn some of my focus home, thinking about the future of my country and its impact on the world.Aside from my love of the show The West Wing, I would not consider myself a...

Michael (Mickey) Kaplan has been a member of Beth Tzedec (Goel Tzedec) for 83 years. He is retired now from his accounting practice and spends his time travelling, oil painting and enjoying his family. He and his wife wife Phyllis (nee Miller) were married at Beth Tzedec 60 years ago.My name is Michael Kaplan, and I would like to tell you about my family and its long-standing relationship...

Members can help by donating to the 2024 Annual High Holy Day Appeal. In recent years, Jewish community organizations have grappled with escalating security expenses due to global events and rising threats. The events of October 7, 2023, however, have had a particularly profound impact on Beth Tzedec, compelling the congregation to significantly bolster its security measures to ensure...

Dear Friends, When my husband and I realized that we spoke about current events too much at home, we designed an ice cream/beach/shopping nine-day summer getaway to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for our family. Our goal was to show our daughter that after October 7th, Israel is safe and the people there are living their lives.  Before we left, we warned her over and over again that it would be...

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?Beth Tzedec Congregation gives FREE membership for those under 40. Join today.Click here>> to confirm your free membership now. Our mission is to inspire members to live meaningful Jewish lives, so we've lowered the barrier for young Jewish adults in Toronto who want to belong to a thriving kehillah like ours. If you are RENEWING your...

Na’aleh - Let’s Rise As you may know, my work at Beth Tzedec has involved many threads woven into a rich tapestry, work that I am enjoying very much. One of those threads is of contemplative practice. A few examples of where we have experienced contemplative and meditative practices together are during Torah, Shabbat, and the Counting the Omer Through a Mindfulness Lens series,...