Passover bulletin 5776new by Beth Torah Congregation

‫ב‬

Rabbi Yossi Sapirman Senior Rabbi Samuel Frankel Cantor Emeritus

Hello from Cantor Ben!

Ephraim Fiksel President

President’s Message

Candace Vogel Vice President Michael Goldberg 2nd Vice President Andrew Weisberg Treasurer Mitchell Abbey Secretary Mark Krantzberg Gabbai

Rabbi’s Message Director of Education’s Message Executive Staﬀ Messages Passover Schedule Sale of Chametz Form Cookbook Recipe

Irving Mueller Gabbai Emeritus

Condolences

Allen Gerskup Immediate Past President

Tree of Life Form

Board of Trustees

Donor Appreciation

Jeremy Alter Deborah Anschell Peter Farkas Gillian Glazer David Lewis Jean Sutkiewicz Jordan Turk Marvyn Turk Mark Tytel Jill Wagman

Mazel Tov Past Events Greetings Pesach Poetry Staﬀ Directory What’s Next?

Dear Congregants, Maybe you can relate to my Passover Seder. Every year, one of my rela ves says at about 10 pages in: "when do we eat?" It always gets a laugh. This year, I'm that rela ve. While I'm not eager to ‘get to the meal’ in the literal sense, I am very eager to begin working as your Cantor star ng July 1. I can't wait! My wife Karen and I a ended your Jazz Havdalah and Purim par es this year. Both were incredible events at which you, the Congregants, came up to us and made us feel so wanted and welcome. It felt amazing. Recently, Rabbi Yossi and I a ended and sat together at a Cantorial concert at the North York Centre. We found ourselves spontaneously harmonizing together – so much fun! He made sure to introduce me to everyone as Beth Torah’s soon to be Cantor, and I felt SO proud. Everywhere I go ‐ the gym, out to a movie, or a Jay’s game, Beth Torah Congregants are introducing themselves to me and expressing how happy they are that I’ll be joining you this summer. Please know that the sen ment is mutual. Speaking of the Blue Jays, I went to my first home game last night and was so impressed with the way a proper double play is executed. Shortstop has to field the ball cleanly, make a perfect toss to the second baseman, who then has to make an accurate throw to first, while the pitcher backs it all up. It's a team eﬀort! I've had a chance to meet with Rabbi Yossi and his dedicated team of execu ve staﬀ, and I can tell you: just like a well‐executed double play, it’s poetry in mo on to watch them plan and implement ideas and programs. I want to wish each of you a wonderful Pesach ‐ enjoy the me with your loved ones, and see you all really soon.

Sincerely, Cantor Ben

When I was growing up, my family always celebrated Passover with two Seders; some mes with similar food for certain courses, but the entrées were always different on the two nights. I accepted two Seders at face value, never asking why. The answer was self‐evident; two different entrées. Shoyn. And since there are two important days for Rosh Hashanah, two Seders made sense. When I married, I discovered another reason for two Seders. I thought how very prac cal of the Jews to divvy up Passover by having two Seders so that each set of in‐laws could host a Seder. However, and I feel bad admi ng this, I just recently discovered that the two Seders are actually a li le different from each other as defined in the Haggadah. I have always known that there is more in the Haggadah to read a er the meal is eaten. I mean we eat the meal on page 35, and even our smallest Haggadah goes on to page 87. But I never read the rest. It's not that I’m lazy. It’s just that a er the meal, my father would read the Haggadah quickly, almost to himself, while the rest of us helped my mother clean up and organize the kitchen. My experience at my in‐laws’ Seders was much the same. Likewise, the head of the Chikofsky/Simon family, Uncle Bill Simon, read the rest of the Haggadah on his own, as all kinds of ac vity went on around him ‐ organizing le overs and ge ng dessert on the table.

But I s ll preferred to think, “Isn’t it nice when there is a logical reason for things to happen the way they do, especially for the oldest con nually prac ced ritual in the Western world?” But now, I am the head of our family Seders. And being the head, it is incumbent upon me to legi mize my posi on by reading, and carefully so, the whole Haggadah. I am determined to be a good host and a good leader. I knew that Haggadah means “the order of things”, and so I was certain that hos ng would not be a challenge if I followed it! Of course, I was being naïve: engaging par cipants is diﬃcult. To say there is not a challenge to hos ng a Seder is also to do a disservice to those that prepare the food! What Jewish celebra on or ritual is without a food issue? Being Jewish is a food issue. There is another reason for me to be diligent about my role as a leader of a Seder. The issue of con nuity is integral to the Jewish experience. My parents and my in‐laws are gone, as are many preceding genera ons. For me, becoming a first me grandfather means that I begin to introduce our family and the Jewish people’s tradi ons to a new genera on. So, two Seders, with all 15 steps, two diﬀerent entrées, and reading the Haggadah (to its conclusion) is how we begin anew. Chag Sameach, Ephraim Fiksel

Matzah, Myself and I Rabbi Yossi Sapirman, Senior Rabbi True confession? I love Matzah. I love it plain, prefer whole wheat, and especially enjoy handmade rounds. I don't like it burnt, thin, or thick, and I eat it for as many months after Passover as I can until it runs out. If I listen to what everyone around me says about how much they don't enjoy matzah, I really feel like the odd man out on this preference. I don't eat it because it is the bread of affliction or poverty ‐ it is certainly not cheap, running up to $60 a pound ‐ and I don't find it causing me any affliction. I eat it because I just like it. In keeping with the teachings of our Rabbinic Sages, I don't eat any of it prior to Passover. As they suggested, one should be hungry for the taste of the matzah. Matzah is the bread of poverty or affliction, though it is also known as the humble bread: not being leavened, puffed up, or full of hot air literally. The biblical text offers two reasons for the texture of the ancient matzah. The first being the fact they were commanded to eat it at the Seder prior to Exodus, to visibly demonstrate what they were leaving behind. The second reason being that they were in a rush and did not have time to let it rise, baking it in the morning sun, flat and unleavened. Both the narratives are important, they both revolve around Exodus and the real story of matzah is very personal. We compare ourselves to a matzah, and say emphatically that when the time comes to move on, when the time for freedom and change has arrived, when life forces us to relocate our feelings and thinking, we are no longer able to carry with us our entire self‐perceptions and personality.

We must flatten ourselves, losing some of our puﬀery, some of our dignity and some of our hot air, to make ourselves ready for whatever comes next. I remember when I was struggling with life challenges and a brilliant therapist encouraged me to go on a journey with no name. This meant leaving behind my persona, my title, and my oﬃce, and traveling only as me: a guy from Canada who worked for a not‐for‐profit organization. That was it, I did not reveal what I did specifically or more than necessary about who I was. This allowed me to see myself through the eyes of others much more realistically, not confusing “me” for my title, or “me” for the respect people feel obligated to show. This past Sunday, I taught the students at the Year of Living Jewishly program (YLJ) that matzah is the “me” bread, and leavened bread is the “I” bread. In time for Exodus we needed to ‘flatten out’ our sense of self to realize who we were, not who we thought we were. I am so proud of our B’nai mitzvah, who joined me to distribute 82 boxes of food and chickens to the needy for Passover this year. As our young people approach the teen years, they are learning to take risks and discover who they really are. It’s a lifelong challenge, but Passover reminds us of the work to be done every year. Passover presents many opportunities, this is yet another for self‐reflection and personal engagement. It has been a wonderful year, and I hope spring is here to stay. Along with my wife Michol and daughter Allegra, who has not yet decided whether she loves matzah, I wish you a Chag Kasher v’ Sameach, a warm healthy and meaningful Passover. Sincerely,

Rabbi Yossi

Let My People Go!

Alley Dezenhouse Kelner, Director of Education For some reason as a kid it never occurred to me to ask “really, this again?” when it came to tradi ons like the Passover seder. From my brother, however, “this again?” was another yearly tradi on I had come to expect alongside the salty eggs and spicy matzah. It’s been a good 20 years since my brother was at an age that it was acceptable to ques on “why this again?” (at least overtly) but from my experience on the front lines of Hebrews’Cool, I can honestly say that there are at least a handful of my students that echo his sen ments. As an educator I am constantly thinking about ways to explain the centrality of Passover (and other tradi ons) to students who couldn’t feel farther removed from the days of old. If only Moses had Twi er, Instagram or Facebook. If his posi on was a social ac on ini a ve today, it would definitely go viral! #LetMyPeopleGo As a parent, a new one at that, I am constantly thinking about (read as: obsessing about) how to ins ll the same love of Judaism in my daughter that I have. If my experience in educa on (and mental health) has taught me anything it’s that any seemingly insurmountable challenge can be overcome when it’s broken down into smaller subsec ons that feel much more ‘doable’ than the big picture. So, let’s make Passover a subsec on of the greater goal—an authen c understanding of “why this again?” For now, let’s set aside the story of Passover and tease out the parts that make it relevant year a er year; a er all, your kids (in theory) know the story of Passover and yet we’re s ll commanded to review… it’s a head scratcher right?

At the core of the story of Passover is the idea that: “We shall overcome”. To me, and to a lot of our students (and maybe you) this is an idea that is s ll relevant today, and thank goodness for that because without relevance, it’s hard (read as: almost impossible) to make something meaningful. From the idea that we shall overcome comes discussion of the plight of our people (of course!) but also comes discussion of those s ll facing afflic on today (including but definitely not limited to us). It’s not just discussion of afflic on on the global scale that is prompted by the holy day, though I admit‐it’s a meaty topic your kids may be mo vated to sink their teeth into; it’s also the afflic on that we as individuals face. No, the scale of my afflic on may not be the same as the afflic on faced by the slaves in Egypt, the Israelis who face terror daily—but I’m not sure that the scale of afflic on really ma ers when it comes to making Passover a meaningful and relevant experience for our kids. If you’ve ever had a rough day, you know how easy it is to cry over spilt milk. The idea that we shall overcome because we have a strong history which con nues onto present day in which over coming is exactly what we did—even when the odds were against us, is a powerful message to impart on our children. Yes, there will be struggle. Yes, you may be the underdog. Yes, you may feel like a small ripple in a large ocean. Yes, you will have to work hard. But also YES, you can (and you will) overcome both the small and large challenges you face daily. Equipping my students, and now my daughter, with the confidence to know that absolutely anything is possible is a driving force in my approach. Just like our people, as a whole, who con nue to overcome, so can your child con nue to overcome. Isn’t Passover just the ul mate way to remind our kids (and ourselves) “you got this!?”

Executive Staff Messages Arlene Silver, Lifecycle Coordinator I have been with Beth Torah for almost a year now, and come with a great deal of experience in the workings of a Synagogue. One of the hats that I wear at Beth Torah, and truly enjoy, is that of Lifecycle Coordinator. I have the opportunity to forge rela onships with people that I some mes never get to meet in person. Contact is primarily through telephone and email exchanges. The B’nai Mitzvah family first comes to me for the date, which becomes the focus of their life un l they get approval. I have had parents phone me several mes a week un l their date has been confirmed. Once that is done, the stress factor in their voice fades, they give a sigh of relief and all goes back to normal. The next stress factor is payment, some mes two and three years in advance, and then our rela onship ends for a while. It starts all over again as the event comes closer. We discuss, always with professional confidence, rela onships, family dynamics, who should do what, how can I avoid leaving anyone out, and what is the dress code? Then the day comes when the family comes in dressed for their rehearsal. Some mes, if it’s a Thursday morning simcha, I even get to see them on their special day. Everyone looks beau ful, everyone is happy and excited and nervous, and you can feel the energy coming from the family: bubby, zaidy, siblings.. everyone’s face is glowing with pride. I wish them Mazal Tov and some mes I even get a hug! The best part is when I get a phone call a couple of days a er the event to say thank you and hear how wonderful it was. My best wishes to the Beth Torah family for a kosher and happy, healthy Passover.

David Goodbaum, Event Coordinator* I wear two hats (and some really comfy shoes) around Beth Torah. I act as the Event Coordinator, which means I help facilitate member and guest simchas. I arrange our weekly Shabbat Kiddush as well as logis cs for Congrega onal events such as our soon‐to‐be famous Passover Seder, Chanukah and Purim par es, Sunday minyan breakfasts, and special programs. This part of my job is pre y much all about food, and yet my wife has to remind me to eat lunch on a regular basis! My other role is that of Building Manager. I'm responsible for the care and maintenance of our beau ful facility and ensure that it is looked a er both inside and out, all year round. *contractor

Javier Cortes, Custodian Our Custodian is Javier Cortes. He's been an invaluable addi on to the Beth Torah Team and ensures events runs smoothly while keeping the building in p top shape. David and Javier work closely together to help meet the needs of the Congrega on, so please don't hesitate to ask for either of them should you require their assistance.

Lawrence Janit, Business Manager I am thrilled to be part of the Beth Torah family, as the new Business Manager. I look forward to mee ng the membership this coming season and being involved in the many events and ac vi es that make our Synagogue such a warm and wonderful place. Wishing the Beth Torah Congrega on a Chag Kasher v'Sameach.

Shannon Harrison

Purim’s Best Rainbow Cowboy Ever!

Executive Assistant to Rabbi Yossi I cannot believe it’s already Passover! This is one of my favourite mes of year, because the idea of Exodus is something everyone can relate to in their own way. Maybe it is the departure from months of cold. Perhaps it’s the migra on from heavy winter coats into airy summer dresses. Maybe, God willing, it’s an outright evacua on from all the weight I put on ea ng delicious Chanukah chametz. Digging a li le deeper though, it’s also a me to remember the Exodus I’ve already lived through. In the two years I’ve been at Beth Torah, so much has departed from my life: my mother (Z”L); mul ple boyfriends (B”H). There have also been significant changes in my life: I became a ‘cer fied’ Jew! (to the confusion of many). My baby sister is ge ng married! (before me… whatever). These various experiences all share the common theme of Exodus, or journey. And what I am slowly learning bit by bit is to be grateful that ‐like the Jews of ancient mes‐ the journey always ends up being for the good, even if we can’t en rely understand it in the moment. This Spring I wish for all of us an awareness and gra tude for the many Exodus already overcome... and the convic on required to always con nue our journeys forward to bigger and be er things.

Wednesday April 20th

Last opportunity to sell Chametz! Contact the oﬃce for your form, or fill it out online at bethtorah.ca

Friday April 22nd

Saturday April 23rd

Erev Pesach Fast of the Firstborn Services End ea ng Chametz before Remove last of Chametz before

7:30am 11:00am 12:00pm

Erev Pesach evening Services Latest candle ligh ng

5:30pm 7:52pm

Pesach 1 Morning Services Candle ligh ng Beth Torah Seder ‐ SOLD OUT!

8:45am a er 8:57pm

Sunday April 24th

Pesach 2

Monday April 25th Tuesday April 26th Wednesday April 27th

Morning services Observance ends Chol Hamoed (Pesach 3) Chol Hamoed (Pesach 4) Chol Hamoed (Pesach 5)

Thursday April 28th

Erev Yom Tov Chol Hamoed (Pesach 6) Candle ligh ng

Friday April 29th

7:59pm

Pesach 7 Morning Services Candle ligh ng

Saturday April 30th

8:45am 8:59pm

8:45am 8:00pm

Pesach 8 Morning Services Yizkor Holiday ends

8:45am approximately 10:00am 9:07pm

Rather than eat all one's Chametz or burn it before Pesach, it is possible to sell the Chametz in your house to a non ‐Jew. If he so wishes, he is en tled to come and collect it; and were this to happen, you would be amply recompensed a er Yom Tov. Normally, all the community's Chametz will be sold centrally. All Chametz should be set aside in a marked box or cupboard ‐ and sealed to prevent access un l a er Pesach. The Rabbi should then be authorised to act for you and sell the Chametz. This is most easily achieved by comple ng and returning the form below. During Pesach, the Chametz will belong to a non‐Jew and for you to use it would be an act of the . If it has not been claimed, then the Chametz reverts to you (and the non‐Jew is given back his deposit). Though it is seen as a legal fic on, the sale of Chametz is of halachic importance. The prohibi on on owning Chametz over Pesach is very severe and there is a Rabbinic ban on ea ng Chametz a er Pesach, which had been owned in viola on of the fes val (Chametz She'avar Alav HaPesach). The sale of Chametz (Mechirat Chametz) is an easy and eﬀec ve way of dealing with one's stocks of dried pasta, whisky, packet soups etc. If you would like Rabbi Yossi to arrange for your Chametz to be sold, please complete the following Sale of Chametz form.

Power of A orney I, ___________________________________________________________________________ (please print) hereby appoint Rabbi Yossi Sapirman to act as my agent and sell all Chametz that will be in my possession as of 5:00 PM April 20, 2016. Address Loca on of Chametz Approximate Value

___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ $_______________

I hereby authorize Rabbi Yossi Sapirman to act in my stead, and empower him to do all that is required to make such a sale valid in order that I conform to all the Halachic requirements and restric ons regarding the possession of Chametz over Pesach. I hereby also make any Agreement of Sale (shetar mechirah) that he may use for this purpose, part of this authoriza on. Signed

______________________________________________

Date _____________________________

Op onal:

I am enclosing/pledging a contribu on for Maot Chiƫm (Passover Charity) to help others less fortunate celebrate the holiday. Amount $ _______.00.

Bill my Account

Charge my Credit Card ___________________________________ Exp. ______________

INSTRUCTIONS: Fill in a separate form for each loca on. Please fax, email or drop this form in the oﬃce. You can also fill out the form online at: h ps://www.bethtorah.ca/

Cheque Enclosed

Cash Enclosed

RABBI YOSSI MUST HAVE ALL FORMS IN THE OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016, 5:00 PM

Hayley Levi

These Pesach chocolate chip Mandelbrot cookies are perfect for Passover. They provide that bread‐like texture we all miss during Passover, but they don’t have that sandy taste that o en comes from baking with matzo meal. They can be baked in advance of the holiday and stored in the freezer. Enjoy these almond‐ chocolate cookies with a hot cup of tea of coﬀee. Ingredients: 3 eggs 3/4 cup oil 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup cake meal 1/2 cup potato starch 1 tsp lemon juice 1 cup chopped almonds 3‐4oz bi ersweet chocolate bar 3 tbsp. sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine eggs, oil and sugar and beat together.

Add cake meal and potato starch.

Add lemon juice, almonds, and chocolate bits.

4. Mix together and refrigerate dough overnight. 5. Form into logs and place on greased cookie sheet. 6.

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Turn oven down to 300F and remove the logs from the oven.

Immediately after taking out of oven, slice on the diagonal and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Put the cookies back into the oven and bake at 300F for 45 minutes.

10. Don’t burn your mouth ‐ let them cool down first, and remember to share!

condolences We extend our sincere condolences to the following families; may they know no more sorrow. Graham Rosenberg and Audrey Newman Rosenberg on the loss of his father, Eddie Rosenberg. Jonathan and Stacie Pollack on the loss of his father, Lawrence Pollack. Hertha Devenyi and Andrey and Steve Blitzer on the loss of their husband and father, Joseph Devenyi. Jacqui and David Zender on the loss of her father, Frank Richstone. Robert and Linda Kleiman on the loss of his sister-in-law, Marcia Kleiman. Ray and Rosalie Moscoe, and Howard and Gloria Moscoe on the loss of their brother, Paul Moscoe. Julie Ruben Rodney and Jordan Rodney on the loss of her grandmother, Edith Levine. Nancy Lerner on the loss of her father, Donald Lerner. Ian Lebane and Andrea Waltman on the loss of his father, Herbert Lebane. Sam and Helen Yermus, Aaron and Helen Yermus, and Leon and Freda Yermus on the loss of their brother, Nathan Yermus. Sharlene Wilder and Sheldon Freeman on the loss of her mother, Florence Wilder. Faye Blum and Shane Teper on the loss of her father, Berel Blum. Peter and Barbara Farkas on the loss of his mother, Jolan (Joli) Winkler. Tippy and Erving Kirsh on the loss of her sister, Kay Goldlist. Deborah and Aharon Adoot on the loss of her mother, Martha Kurtz.

‫המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים‬ May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

Donor Appreciation Beth Torah could not be what it is today without the generosity of our community. Thank you to the following individuals who support us in achieving our goals.

Prayer Books and Chumashim Mark and Rochelle Stenzler Shawn and Lori Goldenberg Richard Halpern and Rhonda Hoﬀman Barry and Carol Presement Jack and Susan Waserman

Yahrzeit Donations Oscar and Marcia Adler Simone Alter Billy Berger and Brucyne Sud Carol Bloom Stephen and Celia Bobkin Michael and Karen Cohen Harvey and Arlene Consky Ira Day and Brenda Sky Robert and Linda Devenyi Mathew Diamond Mark and Helen Dodick Allan Esser and Rita Shahin Joel and Gail Fenwick Corby and Roselyn Fine Sally Gallinger Zalman and Shelley Goldgut David Goodbaum and Candace Vogel Barbara Gross Philip Herman and Sandra Druck Annis Jeroﬀ Eila Kates Irving Kirsh and Jennifer Pulis Zelda Korenblum Faye Kushnir Isaac and Linda Lallouz David and Sally Laren

Joseph Leinburd Fern and Marla Lukofsky and Elaine Goldberg Bernard Mayer and Andrea Plotnick Howard and Gloria Moscoe Irving and Helen Mueller Miles and Kelly Nadal Sheila Pinkus Natalie Rich Carl and Ruth Rosen Harry Shapero and Teresa Goldenberg Dave and Anne Shapiro Mark and Marla Shoom Jack Shore and Karen Agulnik Syd Solomons Hope Springman Frieda Traub Ronald and Sandra Traub Alina Turk Norman and Sandra Turk Eli and Ellen Turkienicz Elliott Wasserman and Shirley Korenblum Robert Wasserman and Jacqueline Shinfield Allen and Susan Weinrib Dianne Weinrib Randy and Anne Zalken

Please note: This list includes pledges that were paid in full between September 1, 2015 and April 18, 2016. We regret if we’ve inadvertently missed anyone or misspelled names ‐ please let our oﬃce know and we will update this bulle n.

Passover Dishes Mitchell and Nancy Abbey Peter and Barbara Farkas Ephraim and Penny Fiksel Allen and Maida Gerskup David Goodbaum and Candace Vogel Stephen and Yasmin Klein Mark Krantzberg and Iris Rosenbluth David Schwartz and Barbara Miller Schwartz Raziel and Jeanne Zisman Rabbi Yossi and Michol Hoﬀman

General Donation Jeﬀ Mintz and Brenda Isen Harold and Sheri Fisher Ian and Wendy Gordon Saul and Annalea Libstug Phyllis Moss Adam and Dena Rodness Peter and Barbara Farkas Michael and Barbara Rudberg

Rabbi’s Fund Lynda Cohen Wayne and Susan Robbins Eric and Robin Singer Oscar and Marcia Adler Ruth Grubert Martin Kovnats and Carole Ash Saul and Annalea Libstug Kenneth and Lori Pollock Steven and Hyla Satov Jean Sutkiewicz

Good Wishes Fund Irene Anthony and John Pennington Allen and Maida Gerskup Shawn and Lori Goldenberg David Goodbaum and Candace Vogel Howard and Ilsa Kamen Ralph and Judy Shiﬀ Leon and Freda Yermus Sam and Helen Yermus

Event Sponsors Ephraim and Penny Fiksel Brian and Shelly Feldman Jean Sutkiewicz Evy Moskowitz Mark Grenville Andrew and Fay Weisberg Constanze Beckmann Atis Bankas

Tree of Life and Yahrzeit Plaques Bruce Brymer and Margo Newman Dan Cohen and Jacqueline Goldberg Stuart and Rebecca Dankevy Larry and Caroline Fremont Erica Greenspoon Robert Kleiman and Linda Marquette‐Kleiman Ian Lebane and Andrea Waltman Sherri Ohana Steven and Vickie Rothman Marty Schmerz Don Epstein Patricia Epstein

Memory Fund Max and Sharron Elkouby Ephraim and Penny Fiksel David and Marilyn Glick David Goodbaum and Candace Vogel Annis Jeroﬀ Howard and Ilsa Kamen Bobby and Jane Kofman Raymond and Rosalie Moscoe Irving and Helen Mueller Marty Schmerz Todd and Alison Sheriﬀ Hope Springman Jean Sutkiewicz Jay and Linda Swartz Elliott Wasserman and Shirley Korenblum Gary and Terry Winston Leon and Freda Yermus Sam and Helen Yermus

Kiddush Donors Eddie and Susan Glick in honour of their first grandchild, a baby boy born to their daughter Jaclyn Peter and Barb Farkas & Rick and Lynn Gelman in honour of the of forthcoming wedding of their children, Rebecca and Bryan Bernie and Paula Basil & Danny and Leslie Traill in honour of their granddaughter Sydney's Bat Mitzvah Daniel and Jenna Brodlieb in honour of their daughter Paige’s baby naming Jonathan and Janet Torch & Igor Shusterman and Svetlana Korolitsky in honour of the aufruf of Vadim Korolitsky and Casey Torch

Leo and Sarah Gerskup in gra tude for a spectacular High Holidays Adrian and Rhonda Feigelsohn in honor of their daughter Amy's Bat Mitzvah. Ron Dragushan in honour of his daughter Dina's Bat Mitzvah Avi Kaplun and Cindy Vogel in honour of their son Sam’s Bar Mitzvah. Adam and Dena Rodness in honour of their daughter's baby naming Mar n and Be y Baranek in honour of their wedding anniversary Seymour Zweig

Pa Epstein & Johnny and Luba Greenspan in honour of their grandson Jordan’s Bar Mitzvah

and Irving and Helen Mueller in honour of their new grandson, Joseph

Gayle Nussbaum in honour of the yahrzeit of her mother Bella Nussbaum

Shapiro Family in honour of the end of Shloshim for Stanley Rosen

Ian Lebane and Andrea Waltman in honour of the yahrzeit of Morris Waltman

The Rothman Family In loving memory of Howie Rothman

Kofman Family in honour of the yahrzeit of their father Jules Kofman

Mitch and Nancy Abbey and Family in honour of the yahrzeit of his father Stanley Abbey

Jeﬀ Max and Laura Smith in honour of their daughter Alicia’s Bat Mitzvah

Lawrence and Joni Adelberg in honour of their son Ma hew's Bar Mitzvah

Barry Savlov and Sheri Savlov in honour of their daughter Rachel's Bat Mitzvah.

Mark and Esther Goldenberg in honour of the marriage of their grandson Jeﬀrey Goldenberg to Britney Koblinsky

Stephen Turk and Merle Levine in honour of the yahrzeit of her mother, Sadie Langbord, and in apprecia on of Beth Torah's ongoing support Pinkus family, Bloom family and the family of Florence Fenwick to commemorate the end of Kaddish for Florence Fenwick

Mark Tytel and Family in honour of the yahrzeit of his parents, Nadine and Sydney (Chuck) Tytel Andrew and Fay Weisberg in honour of the yahrzeit of his father Edward Weisberg

Youval Ronen and Shira Hermant in honor of their daughter Noa's Bat Mitzvah

Mark Krantzberg and Iris Rosenbluth in honour of the yahrzeit of his father, Julius Krantzberg, and her mother, Ane e Rosenbluth

David, Eddie and Marty Glick and families in loving memory of Rose Glick

Irving Kirsh and Joshua Pulis in honour of Joshua's Bar Mitzvah

Carol Deitcher in honour of the yahrzeit of her father Jack Deitcher

Ephraim and Penny Fiksel and Family in honour of the unveiling of four yahrzeit plaques honouring the memory of Isak and Esther Fiksel, and Herb and Rose Chikofsky

Marty Schmerz in honor of the yahrzeit of his father Simon Schmerz

Execu ve Commi ee in honour of Beth Torah’s visi ng scholar Rabbi Marc Wolf

We know you worked hard for months to prepare for your b’nai mitzvah, and everyone is so proud of you! It was honour to welcome the following young men and women into Jewish adulthood this year*: Abby S

Isabel W

Mathew P

Alicia M

Jacob R

Mitchell R

Amy F

Jamie R

Nathan B

Ashley H

Jonah E

Nathan G

Benjamin G

Jordan E

Noa R

Charlotte B

Joshua D

Rachel S

Daniel R

Lauren DR

Robert G

Dina D

Lauren S

Ryan W

Eduardo T

Lisa H

Sam K

Evan G

Madeline C

Sarah L

Hanna T

Madison T

Sarah S

Henry F

Mathew A

Sydney B

*Since High Holidays 2015. Surnames excluded for online privacy.

Our best wishes to the following families celebrating new additions to their homes and hearts*:

Jerry and Debbie and families on the engagement of their son Sandy to Lindsey

Cory and Tamara and families on the birth of their daughter Noa Mae

Jeﬀrey and Britney and families on their February 14th wedding

Jeﬀrey and Zoey and families on the birth of their son Hayes Isak

Michael and Gillian and families on the birth of their daughter Emma Shayna

Michael and Elissa and families on the birth of their son Joseph Morry

Daniel and Danielle and families on the birth of their daughter Dylan Lindsay

Daniel and Jenna and families on the baby naming of their daughter Paige Julia

Zeevi and Efrat and families on the birth of their daughter Gal

Adam and Dena and families on the baby naming of their daughter Sophie Blake

*Since High Holidays 2015. Surnames excluded for online privacy.

Our Family Album

If you haven’t been around Beth Torah much since our last Holiday Bulletin, here’s a taste of what you’ve missed: 3 unique programs for Holocaust Education Week in which we welcomed musicians Atis Bankis and Constanze Beckmann performing music composed specifically for the event to evoke the Kaunas Ghetto. Author Howard Reich joined us to present a deeply moving documentary about the experiences of his Holocaust survivor mother, Sonia. Additionally, our social hall was turned into an art gallery for 10 days as we hosted a provocative exhibit of Samuel Bak’s work. Of course, our always wonderful Chanukah party was enjoyed by young and old alike. Purim was appropriately festive with wonderful costumes, terrific food and music not to mention the biggest bouncy castle EVER. Our raﬄe was a huge success with the Selena Gomez tickets causing a near frenzy amongst our tweens. How wonderful to see three generations of Beth Torah families enjoying the holidays together. It’s not just holidays that get the special treatment around Beth Torah. Our Jazz Havdallah event, in its fourth year, was better than ever ‐ with first class musical entertainment, delicious wine and hors d’oeuvres all topped oﬀ with a beautiful array of desserts by Park Hyatt. We’ve hosted a variety of events for young families in conjunction with PJ Library, held classes and a challah bake as part of the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Program and our amazing children’s choir dazzled the crowd recently at Zimriyah. Shabbat, of course, is special at Beth Torah. In addition to our warm and welcoming services and Rabbi Yossi’s inspirational sermons we have had a number of special Shabbat themes. These have included our local police, young Israelis from WordSWAP, Autism awareness as well as a number of our local politicians. Earlier this month we hosted Rabbi Marc Wolf, Vice President of the Shalom Hartman Institute, as our scholar in residence. Rabbi Wolf led us in meaningful learning about the Palestinian‐Israeli conflict, leadership styles and paradigms for change.

Stay tuned to our weekly Bulletins and special e‐blasts to learn about all the exciting things going on at Beth Torah

Chanukah Gingerbread House

Police Appreciation Shabbat with 13 Division

Beautiful BTC Wedding

Our Choirmaster Bryna, fabulous volunteer Robyn, and spectacular students rocking Zimriyah!

Marc Kielburger of Free the Children was Inspirational during our Family Service

Stress is High pre‐High Holidays!

A Moving Presentation on Organ Donation by Sam Marr

Meeting the head of Zaka

All Candidates Debate during our ridings Election

A Happy and Healthy Passover to all our friends and family! Ephraim and Penny Fiksel and Family

With our best wishes for a healthy, happy and meaningful Pesach. David Goodbaum and Candace Vogel and Family

Steve Koven

Jake Koﬀman

Brian Katz, Steve Koven, Jake Koﬀman, Rabbi Yossi

Our Fantas c Catering: parktoronto.hya .com Our Brilliant Performers: briankatz.com stevekoven.com jakekoﬀman.com

Brian Katz and Jeanne Beker

Holy Purim Party Batman … what an event that was!

This year’s celebration was one‐of‐a‐kind! Thank you to everyone who attended, and for those who didn’t make it, here is some of what you missed: 

2 massive bouncy castles

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unbelievable balloon art

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an entire midway of carnival games sponsored by Centre Camp

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an arcade style basketball shoot out

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giant Jenga and giant Connect 4!

Not to mention delectable eats by Big Al’s Catering ‐ some seriously delicious Kosher dogs and sweet potato fries ‐ and delicious desserts from Chimney Stax. Did we mention that there were Hamentaschen as far as the eye could see? Our raﬄe prizes were described as “totally epic” featuring: 

a Canon Rebel camera

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concert tickets to Selena Gomez and Carrie Underwood!

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a Bose speaker system

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wireless remote control car

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a Sony digital camera and that’s just the beginning!

Bounce Entertainment kept the party going with top‐ 40 music and some smooth dance moves! Our Lego room provided unlimited opportunities for creativity and hours of fun for kids of all ages. We’re sad the festivities are over, but that just means it’s time to get busy planning next year!

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors! Mark Grenville Linda Kleiman Mark Tytel Barb Weinberg Stephen Turk Erin Huber Ann Alimi Photography Lady York Foods Mikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery

Holocaust Education Week 2015 Prisoner of Her Past How do Holocaust survivors and their children cope with trauma c memories? This 2010 documentary film explored this ques on through the drama c case of Sonia Reich, who at age 69 fled her house, believing Nazis were pursuing her once again. Her son, journalist Howard Reich, worked to uncover Sonia’s tragic childhood in order to understand why she was reliving it so many years later.

Illumina ons: The Art of Samuel Bak In honour of Bak's pain ngs, influenced by his experience surviving the Holocaust as a child in Lithuania, Bernie Pucker, founder, owner and director of the Pucker Gallery in Boston, introduced the evening. Violinist A s Bankas and pianist Constanze Beckmann returned from solo recitals around the world to perform new work inspired by the extraordinary pain ngs on display.

Take A Piece Home Our Holocaust Educa on week programs were a great success! Director and author Howard Reich generously donated a limited number of his hardcover books, The First and Final Nightmare of Sonia Reich, to Beth Torah with full proceeds suppor ng our Congrega on. To purchase the fascina ng biography for $20.00, please contact the oﬃce during business hours. Loved the concerts and Samuel Bak art exhibit? The IlluminaƟons: The Art of Samuel Bak book is available from the oﬃce for a $10.00 dona on. Included are full colour images, with an introduc on by Samuel Bak and commentary by Lawrence L. Langer.

We provide a hands‐on learning environment and a tailor‐made experience, made possible by individualized programs. Specialized Private School Social Skills Summer Camp Child Development Services Autism Intervention

Located in the Beth Torah Congregation 647‐404‐6349 or 647‐985‐7001

Matzah Mania: An Ode To Unleavened Bread I munch; you crunch: you bland, fragile comestible. (And one, I might add, that is semi‐digestible.) Could our forefathers, rushed and stressed to a man, Not have baked up some pitas? Or maybe some naan? Couldn't Moses have said to Hashem: "Nice to see ya, But instead of that matzah how's about a tortilla?" But matzah it was that the Israelites ate, And matzah it is that's our fortune, our fate. Our own personal flatness, an object with squareness, (To the tune of "Downtown") And there's no point in griping about the unfairness When we weren't free Of being saddled with something And really needed to flee that's not as delicious That's when they all appeared: Ten plagues. As kishka, or kasha, When Pharaoh balked or kugel, or knishes. And there was no talking to him For, when slathered with butter, Things got very weird: or cream cheese that's spreadable, Ten plagues. Even matzah can be something readily The first saw water turned to blood, It wasn't an illusion. edible. The next saw froggies falling Better yet: fry it up, after dipping in egg. From the sky in great profusion. Like French toast‐‐only better. Three: biting lice. (I'm not pulling your leg.) Four: flies arrived. And when it seems Five: ill cows and sheep, you can't take one more bite, And then hail, locusts and darkness. Number ten's the Big Sleep. know this, friend: That's the ten plagues, Pesach, like all good things, They helped to pave the way. does eventually end. Ten plagues, That's why we're free today. Ten plagues, Ten drops of wine on my plate.

Passover Song Parody

Submitted by Mindy Alter

Staff Directory Rabbi Yossi Sapirman Senior Rabbi (416) 782 4495 ext. 42 rabbiyossi@bethtorah.ca Alley Dezenhouse Kelner Director of Education (416) 782 4495 ext. 25 hebrewschool@bethtorah.ca David Goodbaum Events Coordinator* (416) 880 4986 events@bethtorah.ca Shannon Harrison Executive Assistant to Rabbi Yossi (416) 782 4495 ext. 42 rabbisoﬃce@bethtorah.ca Lawrence Janit Business Manager (416) 782 4495 ext. 33 accounts@bethtorah.ca Arlene Silver Lifecycle Coordinator (416) 782 4495 ext. 27 admin@bethtorah.ca Coming Soon: Cantor Ben Silverberg! *Contractor

What’s Coming Next? Stay tuned for updates on upcoming programming! Here are some important dates for your calendar. Yom HaShoah

May 5

Yom HaZikaron

May 11

Yom HaAtzma'ut

May 12

*Jewish Music Week

May 29‐Jun 5

*HSC & YLJ Graduation BBQ

Jun 3

Yom Yerushalayim

Jun 5

*Downtown Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Jun 11

Shavuot

Jun 12‐13

*JWRP Israel Trip

Jul 11‐20

Tish'a B'Av

Aug 14

Tu B'Av

Aug 19

*Leil Selichot

Sep 24

*Rosh Hashanah

Oct 3‐4

*Yom Kippur

Oct 12

*Sukkot

Oct 17‐23

*Shmini Atzeret

Oct 24

*Simchat Torah

Oct 25

*Holocaust Education Week

Nov 2‐Nov 9

*Chanukah

Dec 25‐Jan 1

Asterisk denotes a Beth Torah event

!‫חג פסח שמח‬

Chag Pesach Sameach!

47 Glenbrook Avenue Toronto, ON M6B 2L7 phone (416) 782 4495

www.bethtorah.ca

(416) 782 4496 fax