Passover 5784 by Beth Torah Congregation

Passover2024 Passover2024 5784 5784 חספ חספ

Director:

Mark

Korei:

47 Glenbrook Ave, North York, ON M6B 2L7 www.BethTorah.ca Facebook.com/BethTorah.ca Beth Torah Congregation @BethTorahTO AT BETH TORAH AT BETH TORAH MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

Rabbi: Louis J. Sachs President: Stan Freedman Executive

Mark Tytel Gabbai:

Krantzberg Ba'al

Nathaniel Callen

Service Schedule Rabbi's Message President's Message. Recipes Highlights Programs Passover Poems Memorial Membership Renewal Staff

ofContents 1 2 4 6 9 11 15 17 18 19

Table

PassoverSchedule

Shabbat April 20th

Normal Schedule at 9:30 am

Tuesday April 23rd 9:00 am

Wednesday April 24th 9:00 am

Monday April 29th 9:00 am

Tuesday April 30th 9:00 am

Yizkor will be approx 10:30 am

Shabbat April 27th Normal Schedule at 9:30am

Rabbi’sMessage TraditionandChange

As I near the end of my second year as rabbi of Beth Torah, Passover feels particularly significant to me. While the rituals we participate in at the seder are ancient traditions, they're also a reminder of how dynamic Jewish life can be.

The four questions, "Why is this night different from all other nights?" is perhaps one of the most well-known of the seder rituals. Many of us learned to chant it when we were the youngest person at the table. But it's not just the reader who changes over the years; the questions themselves have changed.

The words in our haggadah are not the same questions that were originally asked. As the realities of Jewish life transformed, so did the questions.

The rituals of the seder have been practiced for 2,000 years, but these practices have not been static. They’ve been shaped and transformed to meet the needs of the places and times in which they were observed. The seder offers us an opportunity to reflect on traditions and transformation. It is an opportunity to not only reenact practices passed down from our ancestors but also to affirm our readiness to evolve as they did when circumstances required it. Today, our community stands at a crossroads, much like our ancestors at the shores of the Red Sea. Change can indeed be daunting; it carries the unknown and the unfamiliar. However, it is also filled with possibilities. The future is unwritten, and though that openness can be scary, it is also an opportunity for creativity.

What comes next depends largely on our willingness to approach the future with open hearts and minds.

I am inspired by the potential that lies within this community.

I am humbled by the depths of love and dedication I've witnessed among the members of this congregation.

I am amazed by the tireless dedication to this community I've seen from the lay leaders who serve Beth Torah with unparalleled commitment.

My family and I are so grateful for the time we’ve spent together, and personally, I am deeply honoured to have had the privilege of serving as your rabbi.

In the coming months, I will work closely with the synagogue leadership to ensure a smooth transition. I also remain here to serve each of you, the incredible individuals who make this community what it is, in any way I can.

As you sit around your seder tables, and share in the rituals that have been passed down through the generations, I invite you to take a moment and appreciate what an incredible gift those who built this community have passed down. I also invite you to take a moment and think about what it is that you hope to pass down to the next generation. The possibilities are endless, the future is open. The journey is just beginning.

May this Passover inspire us to face the future not with fear, but with anticipation and enthusiasm.

On behalf of myself, Lauren, Lillie, and Ari, we wish you a happy and meaningful Pesach! -RLS

President’sMessage FromStanFreedman

As we celebrate the Pesach holiday I would like to provide you with an update on recent developments at Beth Torah.

As you may be aware, we have experienced significant changes in our staffing recently. Raquel Black, our Executive Director, has moved to a new position with a shul in Ottawa and Rabbi Sachs has made the decision to pursue opportunities elsewhere, following this year’s High Holidays.

In light of these transitions, I want to assure you that our congregation remains strong and resilient. We have been heartened by the overwhelming support received from a number of members who rallied behind us during a critical meeting on February 27th. Thanks to their generosity, we have secured substantial financial assistance, providing us with the stability needed to navigate these uncertain times. The Board is fully committed to ensuring the continuity of our religious services and community programs. We have formed a Strategic Options Committee to develop recommendations for how our congregation can best move forward. This will include consideration for the type of clergy we want to engage. In the interim, we have implemented a rotating system for our cantorial duties, which has been met with great success. Additionally, Mark Tytel has assumed the role of Acting Executive Director on a volunteer basis. Mark’s dedication to the shul is beyond words. We are truly fortunate to have him as part of the Beth Torah family.

In acknowledging the unfortunate rise in anti-Semitism in Toronto's Jewish community, we are reminded of the urgency to stand united against bigotry and intolerance. Beth Torah stands as a sanctuary - a place where we draw strength and support from one another. Let us recommit to our shared values of peace, justice and compassion, fostering solidarity within our community. Now, more than ever, we need your support and active participation to propel Beth Torah forward into a bright and promising future. Here's how you can make a difference:

Renew Your Membership: Your membership is the lifeblood of our congregation. Your support enables us to continue providing meaningful religious services, engaging programs and vital support to our community members. Every renewal strengthens our collective resolve and ensures the sustainability of our beloved congregation.

Join Us for Services: Our doors are always open to you. Whether you've been a longtime member or are considering joining our community for the first time, we invite you to join us for Shabbat services, holiday celebrations and community events. Your presence enriches our gatherings and strengthens the bonds of fellowship that define us as a community.

Spread the Word: Help us spread the word about Beth Torah's welcoming community and the transformative experiences we offer. Invite your friends, family members, and colleagues to join us for services and events. Together, we can expand our reach and welcome new members into our vibrant and inclusive community.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to Beth Torah. Together, we will overcome these challenges and emerge stronger than ever before.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Chag Kasher V’sameach,

Stan Freedman President, Beth Torah Congregation

PassoverRecipes

Passover Apple Cake From Tolsa Greenburg

Preheat oven to 350, Prepare 9 x 13 pan

Ingredients

6 eggs

1 ½ cup sugar

1 cup oil

2 cup cake meal

2 tsp potato starch

5 apples sliced and sugared with ¾ cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon and juice of lemon

Method

Mix eggs, sugar, and oil. Sift cake meal and potato starch and add to above mixture

Put half of batter in pan, ,add apples and remainder of batter..

Mix cake topping f ½ cup sugar, 1-2 tsp.cinnamon and nuts (if desired) and add to top

Bake for 75 minutes

PassoverRecipes

Passover Meringues From Tolsa Greenburg

Preheat oven to 300 & Grease a cookie sheet

Ingredients

3 egg whites and dash of salt

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp potato starch

Coconut Method

Boil a pot of water.

Combine egg whites and sugar in a measuring cup and place in pot of boiling water.

With an electric mixer, beat for exactly 5 minutes until consistency of fluff and ‘peaks’

Remove from heat and pour 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tbsp potato starch over the egg whites

Add coconut and stir with 2 forks and drop pieces onto prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes and turn off oven. Leave oven door open for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven.and cool on rack.

PassoverRecipes Passover Sponge Cake

From Tolsa Greenburg (Mother’s Recipe)

Ingredients

10 eggs - 8 separate, 1 whole & 1 white

1 1/2 cups sugar

Juice of 1 lemon & 1 orange

Zest of 1/2 lemon

1/4 cake flour & 1 tbsp

1 cup potato starch

1 tbsp cinnamon

2 tbsp sugar

Method

Mix egg yolks and 1 whole egg, sugar, juice, zest, cake flour and potato starch together.

Beat 9 egg whites stiff and add to egg yolk mixture.

Pour half the batter into cake pan and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture on batter.

Add the rest of the batter with more cinnamon sugar on top.

Bake at 350 for 45-50

Remove cake from oven and place on open rack upside down until cool to prevent it from falling.

BethTorahHighlights

It was great to see so many faces at our film screening of SHTTL!

Lots of amazing guest speakers, including JIAS’ Naomi Kramer.

Hanukkah 2023 was meaningful and beautiful.

Rabbi Sachs had the chance to appear on the CJN Daily Podcast with Ellin Bessner.

BethTorahHighlights

We’ve been having fun with our monthly Pickleball Sessions! Stay tuned for registration and join us next time! Everyone is welcome!

Purim 2024 was an absolute blast! Everyone from all age groups had an amazing time. It was so great to see everyone out and having fun!

UpcomingPrograms

Beth Torah at the Theatre: In Seven Days

(Followed by Rabbi Sachs Talk)

Wednesday, May 15th @ 8:00 p.m.

Join Beth Torah at the Theatre! Our Congregation will be attending a showing of the new Jewish play "In Seven Days" on May 15th at The Greenwin Theatre, Meridian Arts Centre. Members of Beth Torah can sign up at bethtorah.ca to benefit from our exclusive group discount rate!

Following the show, Rabbi Sachs will be sharing some Jewish perspectives on MAID, as featured in the production.

UpcomingPrograms

Healthcare and Heritage: Over A Century of Jewish Contributions in Toronto Thursday, May 9th @ 7:30 p.m.

Join Dr. Gary Newton, President and CEO of Sinai Health, and Rabbi Louis J. Sachs for an insightful night of discussion as they explore the dynamic evolution of healthcare in Toronto through the lens of the Jewish community. Dr. Newton will recount the origins of Mount Sinai Hospital, established over a century ago as the Hebrew Maternity and Convalescent Hospital—a sanctuary for safe childbirth and one of the few places where Jewish doctors could practise medicine.

This session will highlight key milestones and transformative figures that have shaped healthcare delivery in our city, celebrating a legacy of inclusivity and excellence. Following this, Dr. Newton and Rabbi Sachs will engage in a deeper conversation about contemporary issues and their implications for the future. This dialogue will examine how historical lessons continue to influence current practices and identify emerging challenges on the horizon for healthcare institutions in a diverse and evolving Toronto.

UpcomingPrograms

Hayden’s Garden Planting Party

Wednesday, June 5th (Save The Date)

Spring is quickly approaching and that means another season of our beautiful Hayden’s Garden at Beth Torah.

Join Beth Torah for our annual planting party in Hayden's Garden this June!

Stay tuned for more information!

A Liberation Tale

by Sharron Elkouby

THEN:

In ancient Egypt, long ago Moses said to Pharaoh, “Let my people go!”

But Pharaoh, slave driver, said, “No, no, no!”

Despite wonders and plagues, he wouldn’t agree, But we had God on our side, you see—

After Egypt’s first born had met their sad fate, Pharaoh said, “Get out! And don’t be late!”

So Moses gathered the people together— A moment to change our history forever:

At last! On the way to our promised land, Guided each step by God’s loving hand; The desert trek took forty years, There were trials, tribulations, and many tears, But at the end, the people were thrilled— Israel was ours! The Promise fulfilled!

NOW:

And this, dear friends, we must remember:

Israel is ours, and will be forever;

Times are hard now; we pray for a reprieve, But Am Yisrael Chai! This we must believe;

At our seders we’ll recount this ancient tale, And know, with God’s help, our people won’t fail.

CHAG PESACH SAMEACH!

Ode to Matzah

by Sharron Elkouby

Matzah, matzah on my plate, The driest thing I ever ate, Smothered in jam or schmeared with cheese, Can’t you soften up, oh PLEASE? Leaving crumbs all over my home, Far and wide, matzah crumbs will roam; Exasperated, I took a look

Inside my favourite kosher cookbook: There are recipes for your disguise

But as “lasagna’, you’re still no prize! Still, I really shouldn’t kvetch

‘Cause it makes me sound like a wretch-You’re “the bread of affliction,” it is said (Though you don’t taste anything like bread), But really, you’re a cause for celebration, A symbol of our people’s liberation, So I’ll try to change my attitude, And as I crunch you, show gratitude.

Remembering those we have lost (December 2023 - April 2024)

LewisStrasberg LouisMostyn HaroldAshley LeonardDezenhouse BarryPhillips GloriaWunder BettyBaranek Alisa(Alla)Bytensky

ב צ נ ת 17

MembershipRenewal

One of the words commonly associated with spring is renewal, and it is right around the corner at Beth Torah, too! We will be sending out our membership renewal package at the beginning of May to all congregants.

If you have an address change, email change, or just want to check your account, log on to www.bethtorahto.ca. We rely on the information held on file for all mailings, including membership renewals and yahrzeits. Please ensure all family members are up to date.

If you only check your account once per year, let this be the time. You can pay for membership renewal online as well.

Here's to another terrific year at Beth Torah!