Good evening. Good Yom Tov. Shabbat Shalom. I am honoured to have the opportunity tonight to address you as the President of this wonderful congregation, one last time. When I was a child, in the thick of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Circuit, on several occasions, I heard the senior rabbi at Temple Sinai, Jordan Pearlson (alav hashalom) open the service the same way every Friday...

We are thrilled to announce that the BT Congregational School has been awarded funding from the Toronto WOW! Project for the launch of three exciting programs for this year.We are immediately introducing a newly developed holiday-themed curriculum for Grade 3 focussed on experiential learning. Students will be engaged in individual and group projects designed for many different learning styles...

It is our great pleasure to honour this year’s Kallat Torah, Ruth Warner Hyman, and H̱attan Bereisheet, Paul Rothstein, at our Simẖat Torah services and luncheon. Ruth and Paul have demonstrated outstanding dedication to our Beth Tzedec community and now join our distinguished list of honourees. Ruth Warner Hyman—Kallat Torah Ruth Warner Hyman, business owner, teacher and...

Despite Rav Baruch’s reminder in June that there were only 10 weeks left until the High Holy Days, I remained convinced that there was plenty of time to enjoy the summer. As I finally sit down to write this column, it is clear that summer has come to an abrupt conclusion, and the High Holy Days are upon us. Now is the time to take stock of the year that is ending and focus on the one...

Every person of every generation has a stake in what  happens at Beth Tzedec. Much more than just a place to experience Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, your shul is where so much of Jewish life emanates. From a baby naming to a bat mitzvah, from a marriage to a golden anniversary, Beth Tzedec is the place where you come to celebrate and share life cycle moments, smahot or events of great...

A new future King of England has been born in the country of my birth. I am English, although I haven’t lived full-time in the UK in decades. Since 1980, I have traveled the world as a singer and as a cantor, and in the words of Johnny Mercer, “There’s such a lot of world to see.” I have lived in Canada since 2005. After repeatedly renewing my work permit, I am now in the process...

Jakob Ari Shapiro z"l  performed in the Beth Tzedec Purim Family Musical for four years. During that time, he made an incredible impression on everyone who knew him. He was talented and easy-going, positive and agreeable, and took initiative to help in all areas even without being asked. Jakob was beloved by his fellow cast and crew members, and was hugely admired by the other children in...

Last year saw the creation of Beth Tzedec’s children’s choir, the Voices of Tomorrow (VOT), a 10-voice ensemble made up of children ages 7 to 12. Under the dedicated leadership of Cantor Simon Spiro, VOT began rehearsals in the fall, with a Synagogue bimah debut in January on Shabbat Shirah morning. Helping Cantor Spiro lead Musaf, they sang with the Beth Tzedec Singers and introduced...

On Thursday, May 23, The Great American Jewish Songbook concert was held at the George Weston Recital Hall (Toronto Centre for the Arts). The sold-out show featured medleys written by some of the world’s most popular Jewish artists, including George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Neil Diamond and Carole King.Beth Tzedec’s Cantor Simon Spiro performed alongside five talented Broadway-style singers...

The prayer Aveenu Malkeinu— our Father, our King—is one of the more familiar pieces of High Holy Day liturgy. We recite it in the concluding sections of many of the prayer services during Rosh Hashanah and every weekday morning during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah—the ten days of penitence. Most dramatically, Aveenu Malkeinu concludes the I service on Yom Kippur, offering us one final...

Monday to Thursday, August 19-22 – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Friday, August 23 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Sunday, August 25 – 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Monday to Thursday, August 26-29 – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Friday, August 30 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Sunday, September 1 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Monday, September 2 (Labour Day) – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Tuesday September 3 – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00...

Beth Tzedec’s Mishpacha program: Toddlers, Tunes and Treats (for children ages 1 to 3 with a parent, grandparent or caregiver) is now open for registration for the Fall and Winter sessions. Classes will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., led by Tobie Seligman. Come play, sing and create arts & crafts around a different theme each week. To...

Amy Kronish, a world authority on Israeli films,  gave a lecture and presented movie clips on War and Peace: Changing Attitudes. She had an excellent rapport with the audience, engaging them in a lively discussion and leaving them wanting more. Speaking to Young Professionals on the provocative theme of The Jewish Mother in Film: Shrieking, Hysterical and Overprotective, Kronish...

Speech ContestThe Beth Tzedec Men's Club and Sisterhood recently concluded their second annual Speech Contest. The top student speakers (in alphabetical order) are Noam Cotton, Hannah Saffer Spiro, Asher Zeldin, Eton Ziner-Cohen, Tiphaera Ziner-Cohen and Zach Zittell. Presentations will be made at the Annual Awards Breakfast on Sunday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m. The first-place...

Beth Tzedec families celebrated Israel @ 65 with a trip back in time to experience the magic momentsof each decade since the creation of the Modern State of Israel in 1948. The exciting events helped inspire fun activities for children to expand their knowledge about Israel and grow their love for our homeland.How did we relive Israel over the last 65 years? 1940s—Israel celebrated Independence...