Holy Blossom Temple
As one of the oldest synagogues in Canada, Holy Blossom Temple is many things to many people. But our basic purpose is to be a vibrant centre of Jewish life. To achieve that goal we strive to uphold the three fundamental principles of Judaism: study (Torah), worship (avodah), and good deeds (gemilut hasadim).
Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2010.
Confirmation is unique to Reform Judaism and has been observed at Holy Blossom for more than 70 years. It is celebrated by Grade 10 graduates of the religious school and usually takes place on Shavuot, the festival in which we mark the giving of the Torah.
Back Row: L-R Elana Paice Lidsky; teacher, Jakson Inwentash, Arik Liberman, Max Boyd, Nathan Morgulis, Michael Bloom
Middle Row: Myrna Ross; Volunteer coordinator, Edie-Jane Kalman, Laura Charney, Olivia Penciner, Leah Rosenkrantz, Sophie Rivers, Lisa Isen Baumal; School Programs Coordinator
Front Row: Debbie Spiegel; Director of Education, Rabbi Yael Splansky, Rabbi John Moscowitz, Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Lindi Rivers; Cantorial Soloist
Celebrating a wedding, a life cycle event at Holy Blossom Temple, was the best decision made by Allison (bride), Lorne (groom), and me, mother of the bride.
As the wedding took place on Sunday we had available several rooms for the bride, attendants and family to gather and get ready from morning until the actual wedding at 5:30 pm.
The Temple tree chuppah was absolutely gorgeous. All the staff, security and maintenance were polite and accommodating. Many outside help, photographers and videographers, florists are familiar with Temple and so find it easy to find their way around.
Rabbi Splansky and Cantor Maissner conducted the ceremony in their familiar and yet especially personal mode.
The kitchen was busy with preparing kosher chicken and a splendid array of delicacies. The Phillip Smith offers a lovely space that can be elegantly decorated to your taste and the higher ceiling offers excellent accoutics for the band.
It was a Jewish life cycle event in my community with my people. I could not have asked for better.
Glenda Mindlin
Holy Blossom Temple Member
and Mother of the Bride
For more information about wedding services at Holy Blossom Temple
Visit our wedding page on blog.com
or our website at www.holyblossom.org
Despite being lifelong members a synagogue, my husband and I felt disconnected. We always wanted to provide our children with a rich understanding of their Jewish heritage, and help them feel connected to our community. Not an easy task when youdon’t feel connected yourself. And so began our quest to find the right shul for our family.
We spent the spring of 2009 ‘shul shopping’ with the goal of finding a new spiritual home. My husband and I had three key criteria: a robust Religious School program, an engaged and active congregation and an Adult B’nei Mitzvah program.
A l e a p o f f ai t h
I met Rabbi Karen Thomashow and was
immediately drawn to her warm and thoughtful approach. Rabbi Thomashow explained what Holy Blossom had to offer — and it sounded wonderful. My husband and I spent lots of time talking to Temple members, some who had recently joined, and some who had been members their entire lives. Without exception, they had positive and wonderful things to say. So, in August of this past year, we made the leap of faith (pun intended!) and we joined Holy Blossom Temple. It was a great decision.
S p i r i t u a l c o nn e c t i o n
For the first time in our lives, our family thoroughly enjoyed the High Holy Day Services. They were meaningful and energetic, and the congregants participated! As a mother of two daughters, it moved me to see women treated equally in the Service. During Simchat Torah, I held a Torah for the first time in my life. As I danced with my daughters in celebration, I had never been so spiritually moved. Our children truly enjoy Religious School. They feel connected to their teachers, classmates and their Jewish community. It’s a pleasure to see and experience this transformation.
A d u lt Ba t M i t z v a h
The third criterion in our search was a synagogue where I could study to have my Adult Bat Mitzvah. Our Adult B’nei Mitzvah group started together this past fall, and we have already bonded in a way that has exceeded my expectations. I have already learned prayers and traditions that I have taken home with me to expand our family’s Jewish experience. I am looking forward to becoming a Bat Mitzvah in 2011.
We cannot say enough good things about Holy Blossom. It’s so friendly and inviting, and everyone is engaged in Jewish learning, fun and community.
Our family has found a Jewish home away from home.
Pam Greenstein
Holy Blossom Temple Member
From the March 2010 Bulletin
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