Exodus Magazine - August 2020

#214 | August 2020 • Elul 5780

The Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario Serving Canada's Jewish Russian Community Since 1980

Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario Еврейский Центр Русскоязычной Oбщины Онтарио

JRCC.HELP Are you 70+?

LET US GET IT FOR YOU

The JRCC is offering services to assist Russianspeaking* seniors stay at home during this difficult time.

Are you in need of groceries/medication or get to a doctors appointment?

LET US HELP YOU. Call us at 416-222-7105x999 or visit us online at jrcc.help

* This service is offered free of charge (aside from purchasing expenses) and is available to the community that is 1) Russian-speakers ages 70+ and 2) live alone or with no younger family members and 3) live in the areas of Major Mackenzie to Eglinton and Dufferin to Yonge.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Please register at JRCC.HELP

THE BEST START FOR Y OUR CHILD Де тск ий са д Ев ре йс ко

го Це нт ра ру сс ко яз ыч

но й об щи ны Он та ри

о

L&M Gelfand

DAYC A RE 15 Months - 6 Years

416.222.7105 x 501

LICENSED UNDER THE MI NISTRY

w w w. J r c c D a y C a r e .

OF EDUCATION AND CH ILDREN SOCIAL SERVICE S TORONTO. GOVERNME NT SUBSIDIES ACCEPTAB LE

org

think! again.

August 2020 • Elul 5780

6

5 | JEWISH SOUL

Searching

7

8

8 | LIFE ON EARTH

Ten Hacks for Mental Control

Many Jews are dejected, exhausted by the difficulty of exile. And their discontent is justified — how long must we wait?! How do we generate the light to overcome the darkness of exile?

There is plenty of advice and techniques for mental control out there.

But in Jewish circles, we have a small book called the Tanya a classic work of spiritual guidance by a great master and teacher.

— From the Rebbe's teachings

— by Tzvi Freeman

6 | MADE YOU THINK

10 | JEWISH THOUGHT

Year-End and New Year

Don't Be a Victim

The beginning and end of each year are times that stimulate all of us to think. What is life about? What do we live for?

Where are we going?

One of the things we were very careful about and talked with her a lot about was to not allow herself to regard herself as a victim. And man, she had reason to regard herself as a victim.

— by Adin Even Yisrael (Steinsaltz)

— by Jonathan Sacks

7 | MADE YOU THINK

18 | PERSPECTIVES

They are coming to get you. More Jews have converted to Christianity in the last twenty years than in the last twenty centuries combined. This unprecedented and shocking.

One of the most frequently asked questions today is a personal one: How do I find and maintain a good relationship? Love remains the most compelling and elusive issues of our time, and perhaps of all time.

— by Yisrael Harpaz

— by Simon Jacobson

The Great Deception

A True Relationship

18

editorial jewish soul made you think life on earth jewish thought ask the rabbi our community simchas perspectives marketplace memorials

4 5 6 8 10 12 13 17 18 21 25

Exodus Magazine is a project of the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario editorial ad sales subscriptions

Soul searching can sometimes be dangerous.

Coming face to face with my shortcomings and coming to terms with my spiritual state could, in a random moment in the thick of the day-to-day, easily send me spiraling into despair. I might even think there is no point in trying.

To avoid this issue, deep, personal stocktaking and looking in the proverbial mirror is reserved for specific times that lend themselves to exploring it in a healthy way.

In the month leading up to the Jewish new year, the month of Elul, we have an entire month of compassion and mercy at our disposal. The energy of this month enables and empowers us to attain lofty states of consciousness that are usually reserved for the very pious. These states of consciousness, feelings of love and awe toward existence and the Creator, cannot be established and implanted in the heart through our efforts alone, but with the assistance of a light from above. Elul is that light.

Like a city of refuge where any people, regardless of the severity of their crimes or level of guilt, can flee to seek safety from their pursuers, Elul is a refuge from the stormy sea of mundane life and its incessant distractions. The murderer (or accidental killer) flees to the city of refuge to avoid retribution until a proper judgement on the case can be rendered. We flee to Elul to escape the routine, refocus our energies and gather ourselves before the day of judgement approaches.

What does one do in a city of refuge?

Once can assume that while awaiting their fate, those who flee there reflect on their state of affairs and engage in inner work

– even when the crime was unintentional.

After all, something they did got them into this mess, and that something has to be reckoned with one way or another. In Elul, we accept the reality of who we are and its consequences, even if virtually all of our transgressions were accidental – born of human shortcomings like ignorance, anger, laziness and temptation, not with intent to be spiteful.

In order to truly arrive in Elul, one must be attuned to its calling. There ere several pathways and signposts along the way, much like the well-maintained and clearly marked paths leading to the cities of refuge.

The paths to Elul are Torah, prayer and kindness. Not only are these the pathways through which we focus the lofty spiritual force of Elul in practical terms, these are, according to the Sages, the pillars that uphold the very existence of the world.

If the goal is to attain higher consciousness and engage in self-improvement, the wisdom of Torah and the meditative ecstasy of prayer are certainly fitting tools to get us there. How does kindness, and specifically good deeds, fit into the picture? It seems counterintuitive, but the truth is I could easily get lost within the labyrinth of the mind and heart. I could end up becoming completely self-absorbed when the true mark of spiritual growth is the ability to let go of myself, to go beyond myself. The ability to truly, fully give to others — and even more so to not see “others” but only the oneness of spirit — is the testing ground for whether the higher consciousness I am experiencing is truly permeating, or merely a theoretical spiritual fantasy.

Like what you read?

Help keep it coming: Be an Exodus subscriber or advertiser.

416-222-7105 x222 / exodus@jrcc.org

donations fax

e-mail

web

416.222.7105 x222 416.222.7105 x222 416.222.7105 x221 416.222.7105 x244 416.222.7812 exodus@jrcc.org exodusmagazine.org

editor

Izzy Greenberg editorial director

Rabbi Levi Jacobson & founder Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman

senior rabbi

director

Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman manager

Aryeh Rosenberg jrcc board of governors

Igor Korenzvit, Chair advertising sales

Rina Merovitch advertising design

Nina Berman & layout Tekiyah Creative

graphics

cover art

SI Photography distribution

JRCC, Origo Direct Marketing

© 2020 JRCC. Published monthly by the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario.

Issue Number 214 (August 2020) Mail Registration Number: 40062996 Circulation: 19,000 Subscription: $18 For submissions, please send articles via e-mail along with a biographical sketch of the author. Журнал Эксодус выпускается Еврейским Центром Русскоязычной Общины Онтарио. Журнал на русском языке можно приобрести позвонив по телефону (416) 222-7105.

CMCA AUDITED

Exodus Magazine is printed in Canada on recycled paper.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada

jewish soul

Searching From the Rebbe's teachings

M

any Jews are dejected, exhausted by the difficulty of exile. And their discontent is justified — how long must we wait?! . . .

There is a well-known analogy which chassidim repeat in the name of the Maggid, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, that compares exile to a father who conceals himself from his son. Certainly, the father desires to be together with his son; the purpose of the concealment is only to awaken within the son a desire and yearning to find his father. After all, when the son is constantly in the presence of his father, his desire to be with his father is not revealed, for “continuous pleasure is not pleasure.”

There arises a situation, however, when the son ceases searching for the Father . . . He claims that “the signs [of our redemption] we have not seen . . . and there is none among us who know how long [the exile will last].” He, therefore, concludes that G‑d must have forsaken him; he loses hope and discontinues his search for G‑d. When the Father sees that the son is no longer seeking Him . . . then the exile truly begins When the Father sees that the son is no longer seeking Him . . . then the exile truly begins. For as long as the son is searching for the Father, as long as the search for redemption occupies the son, this constitutes a preparation, a beginning and a spark of the redemption.

But when the son stops searching, then we have the fulfillment of the verse, “I will conceal, indeed I will conceal, My face on that day.” The Baal Shem Tov explains that the verse thus implies the concealment itself is concealed, for the son is unaware that the Father is hiding.

Practically speaking: The son doesn’t think about G‑d; he thinks about worldly matters. True, he does everything in a kosher manner, as dictated by the Code of Jewish Law; he even studies Torah properly. But he has stopped thinking about the Giver of the Torah or about conducting business honestly, because he has forgotten that G‑d alone is the one who “gives you the strength to amass

August 2020

single thought of teshuvah one becomes a tzaddik (righteous person)—and there is no Jew who hasn’t thought penitential thoughts, not once, but many times!

So, how can one register a complaint against a mortal of flesh and blood who is finite and limited—this is how he was created by G‑d; it is not his fault!—how can one criticize him for not constantly thinking about the redemption . . . it is not possible . . . G‑d Himself says, “I ask only commensurate to one’s capabilities,” but He has not given us the strength . . .

Therefore we must increase in light— and not just any light, but specifically the light of simchah (joyousness).

Since simchah “breaks all boundaries and limitations,” it breaks through the person’s limitations, the limitations of this world, and the limitations imposed by this dreadful darkness . . . EM

wealth.”

And when criticized, the son responds, “Why do you complain to me? . . . The complaint should be directed to G‑d . . .

How long can we sit in exile? . . .”

Indeed, it is true that the father must conceal himself from his son in order to awaken within him a yearning for his father… But what should the son do when the father places him in an incredible darkness? . . . And especially if the son is on such a low level, as it says, “If our ancestors were like angels, we are like humans; and if our ancestors were like humans, then we are like donkeys— and not even like the donkey of Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair.” And then He demands of us that we should constantly search . . . Sunday we must search . . . Monday we must search . . .

And when we search through the holy books for an explanation, we find that the Talmud explicitly says, “All the designated times [for Moshiach’s arrival] have already passed, and now [his arrival] is contingent only on teshuvah (repentance).” And it is a clear principle of Jewish law that through thinking a

www.jrcc.org 24 hours a day, 6 days a week.

Community calendar, plus thousands of articles, online classes, kids videos, and more.

New content every week.

exodusmagazine.org

5

made you think

Year-End

and

New Year

Adin Even Yisrael (Steinsaltz)

T

he beginning and end of each year are times that stimulate all of us to think.

Even those who are not in the habit of making a daily “accounting of this world” (Bava Batra 78b) tend to do so at these moments, these days that are so conducive to examining, summing up, and planning.

Beloved are the People of Israel. The Almighty gave us times and festivals at the beginning and end of each year, for contemplation; for receiving answers to our most urgent questions; and for confronting the challenges that we may face in the (hopefully better) days ahead.

And if this is true every year, how much more must we think, repent and make good decisions when the days of the year give us no rest, and when the routine of daily life blurs our most fundamental thoughts: What is life about? What do we live for? Where are we going?

The days of the month of Elul, and the following month – the seventh month, Tishrei, with its numerous festivals and special days – are bountiful both in their commandments and in their prayers. All this is so much to take in, that we may become insensitive to the days’ messages. Furthermore, the month of Elul and the festivals of Tishrei each demand very different intentionalities on our part.

The month of Elul does not have a specific focus, unlike Yom Kippur, which is a single day of total concentration. And the Days of Awe between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, which have a stern aspect to them, are not at all like the days of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, days of relaxation and joy.

In each case, we will not be able to understand or fathom the significance of the answers that we may receive, unless we first pose the appropriate questions. It is said that the wise person’s question contains the seed of the reply. Therefore, to prepare for the end of the year and the beginning of the next, we first need to contemplate the questions that ought to be asked. By honing our questions, we create the soil upon which the answers can sprout into substantial influence.

This kind of preparation for the festivals is an ancient custom. Our Rabbis say we should begin public study of an upcoming

6

festival quite a long time before its arrival (Pesahim 6a). Beyond the need to teach and remind ourselves of the festival’s laws, there is also a psychological purpose to this study: to prepare ourselves both for the rituals that we will do and for our mindset: how we are going to enter into the festival. This is the work of plowing, which prepares the soil to take in the gifts of Heavenly bounty, and make them grow.

In all aspects of spiritual life there is, of course, room for a great amount of privacy and individuality. In the words of the wisest of all men (Proverbs 14:10): “The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger has a part in its joys.” Private, inner experiences cannot be fully shared with others. Perhaps it is only the ministering angels who can “accept from each other.” 1

Still, “He fashions their heart alike” (Psalms 33:15) 2. Despite all the differences and partitions dividing one soul from another, Jewish souls are bound in some way. This closeness enables us to be givers and receivers even in those things that come from the innermost recesses of our hearts. We must therefore try to receive from each other virtues and emotions that will help each and every one of us find our own personal path to the Almighty Creator. EM Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz is internationally regarded as one of the leading rabbis of this century. The author of many books, he is best known for his monumental translation of and commentary on the Talmud. To learn more visit his website, steinsaltz.org.

Elul 5780

made you think

The Great Deception

how missionaries target jews

Yisrael Harpaz

T

hey are coming to get you. More Jews have converted to Christianity in the last twenty years than in the last twenty centuries combined. This is an unprecedented and shocking development in the history of the Jewish people, fueled by over 1,000 missionary groups who spend over $300 million annually trying to “convert” Jews.

Forty years ago, there were only a dozen or so missionary congregations in North America.

Today, according to the international countermissionary organization Jews for Judaism, there are around 800 in North America, with another 100 in the former Soviet Union and, perhaps most surprisingly, over 150 in Israel.

It is estimated that half a million or more Jews have been deceptively ensnared by these groups.

These groups are effective because of who

August 2020

they target, and how they target them.

First of all, missionaries prey on people who are vulnerable as a result of experiencing a period of transition or crisis in their lives, or because of their socio-economic positioning or isolation – people such as students who are away from home and are now exploring their spirituality, spiritual seekers who feel misunderstood or alienated, transplants who move to a new city are now looking for new friends, Russian immigrants for whom being identified as a Jew was often a liability, and the elderly who are living alone and need companionship. Missionaries take advantage of these insecurities and vulnerabilities.

Secondly, missionaries operate deceptively, much like spies. They mimic as much Jewish custom, dress and ritual as possible. They usurp Jewish practices and terminology,

assume Jewish names for their organizations and programs, and they copy typical Jewish community services and use their Hebrew names.

One of the biggest fallacies propagated by the missionaries is the notion that their beliefs are consistent with Jewish identity, that one can be Christian and Jewish at the same time. This is completely false. One cannot be a “Christian Jews” (or “Messianic Jew” as they like to call it) – it’s a complete contradiction. As Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz, Executive Director and Founder of Jews for Judaism, writes in The Jewish Response to Missionaries, “The Torah teaches that Jews and non-Jews are given different paths to reach G-d. A Jew is obligated to follow the Torah, while a non-Jew must observe the Seven Laws of the Children of Noah. One group isn’t better than the other, merely different.”

The deeper reason why they are able to succeed in deceiving Jews is the sad fact that too many of our people remain alienated and uneducated. Many Jews are not engaged or even turned off by negative experiences with Judaism or identifying Jewishly. Often, their exposure to Judaism failed to transmit the love, spirituality and sense of family they need or expect.

The best thing we can do as a people is to always be reaching out with kindness to one another, and to promote the love and relevance of our own heritage. The Torah is complete. Its Divine wisdom contains all the answers and fulfillment we need. Jewish education and engagement, with Jews of all ages and especially children, is the preventative medicine to the malady of the missionary threat. If you or someone you know has been exposed to missionary activity, please contact the JRCC or Jews for Judaism. EM Special thanks to Jews for Judaism and Julius Ciss, Executive Director of Jews for Judaism in Canada, for assistance in preparing this article. Information and resources, including free downloads of “Choose Life: A CounterMissionary Study Guide” by Rick Halpern and “The Jewish Response to Missionaries”

by Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz, are available on their website at jewsforjudaism.org.

exodusmagazine.org

7

life on earth

Hacks

for

Mental Control

Tzvi Freeman

P

lenty of personal coaches, psychologists and consultants will provide you with advice and techniques for mental control, each teacher providing what works for him or her. But in Jewish circles, we have a small book called the Tanya, a classic work of spiritual guidance by a great tzadik and teacher building upon an ancient tradition— and its chock-full of how thoughts work and how to reach great heights by learning to control them.

Here are a few mind-hacks from the Tanya, gently rendered 21st century friendly: THOUGHTS ARE A TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY FOR YOUR PSYCHE. Think of the display on your smartphone (hey, maybe you’re looking at that right now!). By touching that display, choosing what you want to observe, and manipulating the symbols, you have control over your device.

Same with your thoughts—they’re not just a window into your brain and heart. They also allow you to manipulate that brain and heart.

Your smartphone is manipulated by touch and voice. Your thoughts are manipulated by simply detaching yourself a little, observing what’s up on the display, and choosing which thoughts you want to invest in.

MENTAL CONTROL IS REALLY HEART CONTROL. If I tell you I’m sad, don’t tell me I shouldn’t be sad. I am sad.

But if you offer me some happy thoughts to think, pretty soon I may not be so sad.

You can’t choose how you feel, but you can choose what you think, and what you think has the power to change how you feel.

That’s what the Zohar means when it says that the mind innately rules over the heart. Not the way a dictator rules by stern command—nature requires no commands.

Rather, wherever your thoughts travel, your emotional state naturally follows close behind.

Ever been to one of those guided relaxation classes? Your mind observes “I’m breathing”—and your breathing falls into a steady rhythm. Your mind observes “my

8

fingers are tense”—and without any order or command, your fingers release their clasp and relax.

Herbert Benson deemed it “the relaxation response.” Any part of the body that comes into direct connection with the mind becomes mindlike—calm, steady, and detached.

So, too, when the mind applies itself to matters that concern the heart, the childlike heart responds by growing up a little, and becoming a more mindful heart.

YOUR THOUGHTS NEVER STOP. Stop and listen to the thoughts running through your mind. Yes, we all have them.

Everyone describes them differently, and some are more aware of them than others, but they’re there, buzzing non-stop.

If you don’t hear your thoughts, try this simple, well-known hack: Stop everything you’re doing and listen to your breathing.

Within a short while, as your breathing becomes more rhythmical, your thoughts will seem to become louder. Now you can start observing them.

You’ll notice that your thoughts are quite similar to your breath. You can control your breath, but when you let go of the reins, the

breathing continues all on its own.

The same with your thoughts. You can choose what to think, but when you let go, your thoughts don’t stop. They never do.

You may be thinking about nothing, but you’re never not thinking.

That’s important to know. The autopilot function in your brain is not the pilot of choice in anyone’s cockpit. And it’s easily hijacked by your worst enemies.

So keep a vigilant watch over what’s happening up there. The more mindful you are of your thoughts, the better you’re going to feel about yourself and about life. Your thoughts are not you, and you are not your thoughts.

It’s natural to observe those thoughts buzzing in your brain and say, “Oh, that’s me.”

But it’s not you. If it were you, then who’s the one observing those thoughts and saying “That’s me?”

You can’t directly observe the raw perceptions and feelings that form your current character and personality, just like you can’t directly see your own eyeballs.

Your thoughts act as a wondrous kind of a mirror—but a crude mirror, displaying

Elul 5780

life on earth

only a very muddy reflection of what your brain and heart are up to. It may display ideas and emotions, but its fabric is the language(s) you’ve learned, things you’ve seen and sounds you’ve heard.

Think of thoughts as a kind of clothing. Just like you can change your clothing whenever you wish, so you can switch uncomfortable, unbefitting thoughts for thoughts that bring out your inner resilience and beauty.

So don’t say, “What can I do? Those are my thoughts. They’re miserable thoughts, so I’m depressed.”

Instead, say, “Hey, what’s the point in wearing these depressing thoughts? They’re not helping me. They’re not providing anything worthwhile. I could think positive, uplifting thoughts instead.”

Now that’s power—power to change. And the ability to always be changing is a key to a good life.

KEEP A SET OF HEALTHY THOUGHTS ALWAYS IN YOUR POCKET. What do we think about? Whatever we experience, talk about and read about.

So if you make it a habit to keep a small set of wholesome things that you’re talking about, reading about, and thinking about, you’ll always have something good to switch your mind to when toxic thoughts invade.

Even better, memorize. For thousands of years, Jews have memorized the Psalms, key passages of the Torah, the Mishnah and other key works, and repeated them over and over every day and even while at work.

Memorizing means to engrave the words in your heart. They become a component of your psyche. When you’ve achieved that, you’ll find those words spontaneously and almost effortlessly running in the background.

But Jews have always also pondered the meanings of everything they set to memory, extracting new lessons from the weekly parashah, wrestling with the debates of the Talmud, contemplating the secrets of the Kabbalah, and, most importantly, applying the wisdom of Torah to their daily life.

We have inherited a wealth of magnificent wardrobes for the soul. Everyone can find beautiful thoughts in those works to carry with them at all times, to provide strength

August 2020

in times of challenge, comfort in times of distress, and joy and peace at every point in life.

The Baal Shem Tov taught that where your head's at, that’s where you’re at, all of you.

Find good places for your mind to be and keep them always handy. When you take a break, go for a walk, or find yourself cruising down a clear highway, take out one of those thoughts and chew on it.

YOUR REACTIONS FEED YOUR THOUGHTS. Let’s say some thought jumps into your mind and scares you. Maybe it was a nasty thought about a good person. Maybe it was some low-life fantasy. Or a memory of some experience you thought you had already put out of your mind.

You’re thinking, “How could I have even thought such an ugly thought?!”

You just put that thought on steroids.

Thoughts are fed by our reactions to them.

Don’t react and the thought dies.

The only effective strategy with unwanted thoughts is to stay a cool, impartial observer of that thought, just long enough to notice that it’s something to steer away from. Then bounce off into one of those wholesome, healthy thoughts you’ve stored for just a moment such as this.

That strategy actually makes you stronger each time. And you can thank those ugly thoughts for challenging you so you can further develop your mind power.

Later, you can ask advice from a mentor, who might tell you that…

NOT ALL THOUGHTS COME FROM THINKING. Ugly, toxic thoughts are symptoms of an emotional whirlpool—and we all have those whirlpools. Those emotions are you, but you can’t pull yourself up by tugging at your own heartstrings. You don’t want to step near there without a mentor or a good, wise friend who can pull you out.

It may be that some anxiety-provoking issue is swirling around in your life and you just need to talk it through with someone who knows you well and cares about you.

Or it may be that you’ve just become more sensitive to your thoughts, and now you’re

noticing the junk that’s been lying around up there all along.

In many cases, however, you need to surrender to the fact that it’s perfectly natural to have such thoughts, and now you need to flood your mind with more healthy thoughts, speak more healthy words, and do more healthy things.

PRACTICE WHENEVER THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES. Switching thoughts in midstream is not always easy. It’s certainly easier to switch actions or choose which words to say—and which not. And by practicing self-control in those easier situations, you’ll find yourself in a far better position when wrestling with your thoughts.

For example, say you just saw a chocolate bar and your impulse is to grab it and stuff it in your mouth.

Instead, pick it up and stare at it for a short while. That’s right—just delay your gratification. Slowly and deliberately say the blessing over chocolate. Now you can put a small piece in your mouth.

What was the point of all that? Besides cultivating a more mindful, human existence, you are also exercising your muscles of mind control.

Or say you’re sitting with your friends and you have an urge to blurt out a few words that you think will make them laugh. Hold on to those words. Just stay quiet. Then, a few minutes later, if it’s still appropriate, say what you had to say.

You just made yourself a mighty master of the mind. You may have also avoided inadvertently hurting someone’s feelings.

Actions and speech are much easier to control than thoughts. Gain some control over what you do and how you speak, and controlling your thoughts will become oh so much easier. EM Rabbi Tzvi Freeman, a senior editor at Chabad.org, is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth and more recently Wisdom to Heal the Earth. To subscribe to regular updates of Rabbi Freeman's writing or purchase his books, visit Chabad.org. Follow him on FaceBook @RabbiTzviFreeman.

exodusmagazine.org

9

jewish thought

Don't Be a Victim Jonathan Sacks

D

uring our conversation there was a moment of searing intensity.

Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson was talking about his daughter Mikhaila. At the age of six, she was found to be suffering from severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Thirty-seven of her joints were affected. During her childhood and teen years, she had to have a hip replacement, then an ankle replacement.

She was in acute, incessant pain. Describing her ordeal, Peterson’s voice was wavering on the verge of tears. Then he said: One of the things we were very careful about and talked with her a lot about was to not allow herself to regard herself as a victim. And man, she had reason to regard herself as a victim … [but] as soon as you see yourself as a victim … that breeds thoughts of anger and revenge – and that takes you to a place that’s psychologically as terrible as the physiological place. And to her great credit I would say this is part of what allowed her to emerge from this because she did eventually figure out what was wrong with her, and by all appearances fix it by about 90%. It’s unstable but it’s way better because of the fact that she didn’t allow herself to become existentially enraged by her condition … People have every reason to construe themselves as victims. Their lives are characterized by suffering and betrayal.

Those are ineradicable experiences. [The question is] what’s the right attitude to take to that – anger or rejection, resentment, hostility, murderousness? That’s the story of Cain and Abel, [and] that’s not good. That leads to Hell.

As soon as I heard those words I understood what had led me to this man, because much of my life has been driven by the same search, though it came about in a different way. It happened because of the Holocaust survivors I came to know. They really were victims of one of the worst crimes against humanity in all of history. Yet they did not see themselves as victims. The survivors I knew, with almost superhuman courage, looked forward, built a new life for themselves, supported one another emotionally, and then, many

10

years later, told their story, not for the sake of revisiting the past but for the sake of educating today’s young people on the importance of taking responsibility for a more human and humane future.

But how is this possible? How can you be a victim and yet not see yourself as a victim without being guilty of denial, or deliberate forgetfulness, or wishful thinking?

The answer is that uniquely – this is what makes us Homo sapiens – in any given situation we can look back or we can look forward. We can ask: “Why did this happen?”

That involves looking back for some cause in the past. Or we can ask, “What then shall I do?” This involves looking forward, trying to work out some future destination given that this is our starting point.

There is a massive difference between the two. I can’t change the past. But I can change the future. Looking back, I see myself as an object acted on by forces largely beyond my

control. Looking forward, I see myself as a subject, a choosing moral agent, deciding which path to take from here to where I want eventually to be.

Both are legitimate ways of thinking, but one leads to resentment, bitterness, rage and a desire for revenge. The other leads to challenge, courage, strength of will and self-control. That for me is what Mikhaila Peterson and the Holocaust survivors represent: the triumph of choice over fate.

Jordan Peterson came to his philosophy through his own and his father’s battles with depression and his daughter’s battle with her physical condition. Jews came to it through the life-changing teachings of Moses, especially in the book of Deuteronomy.

Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses keeps saying: don’t think your future will be determined by forces outside your control.

You are indeed surrounded by forces outside your control, but what matters is how you

Elul 5780

choose. Everything else will follow from that. Choose the good and good things will happen to you. Choose the bad, and eventually you will suffer. Bad choices create bad people who create bad societies, and in such societies, in the fullness of time, liberty is lost. I cannot make that choice for you.

The choice, he says again and again, is yours alone: you as an individual, second person singular, and you as a people, second person plural. The result was that remarkably, Jews did not see themselves as victims. A key figure here, centuries after Moses, was Jeremiah. Jeremiah kept warning the people that the strength of a country does not depend on the strength of its army but on the strength of its society.

Is there justice? Is there compassion? Are people concerned about the welfare of others or only about their own? Is there corruption in high places?

Do religious leaders overlook the moral failings of their people, believing that all you have to do is perform the Temple rituals and all will be well: God will save us from our enemies? Jeremiah kept saying, in so many words, that God will not save us from our enemies until we save ourselves from our own lesser selves.

When disaster came – the destruction of the Temple – Jeremiah made one of the most important assertions in all history. He did not see the Babylonian conquest as the defeat of Israel and its God. He saw it as the defeat of Israel by its God. And this proved to be the salvaging of hope. God is still there, he was saying. Return to Him and He will return to you. Don’t define yourself as a victim of the Babylonians. Define yourself as a free moral agent, capable of choosing a better future.

Jews paid an enormous psychological price for seeing history the way they did.

“Because of our sins we were exiled from our land,” we say repeatedly in our prayers.

We refuse to define ourselves as the victims of anyone else, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, fate, the inexorability of history, original sin, unconscious drives, blind evolution, genetic determinism or the inevitable consequences of the struggle for

power. We blame ourselves: “Because of our sins.”

That is a heavy burden of guilt, unbearable were it not for our faith in Divine forgiveness. But the alternative is heavier still, namely, to define ourselves as victims, asking not, “What did we do wrong?” but “Who did this to us?”

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” That was Moses’ insistent message in the last month of his life. There is always a choice. As Viktor Frankl said, even in Auschwitz there was one freedom they could not take away from us: the freedom to choose how to respond. Victimhood focuses us on a past we can’t change. Choice focuses us on a future we can change, liberating us from being held captive by our resentments, and summoning us to what Emmanuel Levinas called Difficile Liberte, “difficult freedom.”

There really are victims in this world, and none of us should minimise their experiences. But in most cases (admittedly, not all) the most important thing we can do is help them recover their sense of agency. This is never easy, but is essential if they are not to drown in their own learned helplessness. No one should ever blame a victim. But neither should any of us encourage a victim to stay a victim.

It took immense courage for Mikhaila Peterson and the Holocaust survivors to rise above their victimhood, but what a victory they won for human freedom, dignity and responsibility.

Hence the life changing idea: Never define yourself as a victim. You cannot change your past but you can change your future.

There is always a choice, and by exercising the strength to choose, we can rise above fate. EM Rabbi Dr. Sir Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi of the UK and the Commonwealth and a member of the House of Lords, is a leading academic and respected world expert on Judaism. He is a the author of several books and thousands of articles, appears regularly on television and radio, and speaks at engagements around the world.

future tense

MOSHIACH MUSINGS

The Rebbe emphasized time and again that Moshiach is already here, and that we have already accomplished everything necessary to bring the redemption. If so, what is left for us to do? The only work on our part is to “open our eyes” and “live with Moshiach.” This can only be done by studying about Moshiach, which creates a “Messianic atmosphere” in our consciousness, and makes us residents of “the Land of Moshiach.”

To accomplish this change in how we perceive reality and to actually live with Moshiach, we must overcome two obstacles: The first obstacle is in our heads. It is created as a result of our perception of superficial reality. This obstacle fades when we contemplate on the inner dimension of reality. In Torah Or by the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, it is explained that every reality has an outer shell of death and evil, and an internal kernel of life and good. The main choice that a person makes in life is between the inner dimension of reality or its outer, superficial shell. When a person chooses good, the outer shell of that reality becomes permeated with the power of the assertive knowledge that searches for the good, internal light hidden within it.

The second, more major obstacle is the inner obstacle, which is in our hearts. It is created by the feeling that Moshiach is far away from me and irrelevant to my life. This obstacle is removed when we become “personally acquainted” with Moshiach and the redemption, and realize that it is possible and imperative that Moshiach comes in our generation, and that we “deserve” Moshiach.

ask the rabbi

What’s So Special About Elul?

Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman

Q

I’ve noticed some interesting customs during the month of Elul.

People blow the shofar every day for a month, which I originally

thought was only done on the High Holidays. And in general there seems to be an interesting energy, a combination of intensity and joy. Since Elul coming up, can you explain what it’s all about?

The month of Elul definitely is special, and a combination of intensity and joy is definitely a good way of seeing it. The Rebbe Rayatz, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson (the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe) describes a palpable sense of change in the air when Elul would roll around, which he describes as a “teshuvah wind.” It is the month when we reflect upon the year that way, and prepare ourselves to renew our spiritual connection on Rosh Hashana.

Throughout the year, when we are caught up into our day-to-day lives, we face a major challenge. We become so immersed in our daily mundane existence that we allow our spiritual selves and our special relationship with Hashem to become stale – it slips into the back of our consciousness instead of occupying the prominent position it deserves.

Elul is the remedy for this malady, an island of time and a spiritual wake up call, much like Shabbat is for the weekly routine.

The sound of the shofar is the call to teshuvah. Teshuvah means returning to your true self. As we get closer to the High Holidays, we start looking back at our year and see that we’ve gone off the track here and there. We find that we have not allowed our souls to dictate some of our decisions and actions. In the month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah, we start making our way back—to G-d, to our souls, to our true selves. The sound of the shofar is the wordless cry of the soul, yearning to break free of the prison of the mundane.

Historically, our sounding of the shofar on the first day of Elul reflects back to the same date thousands of years ago when Moses went back up on Sinai to receive the second tablets after the first ones were destroys as a result of the sin of the golden calf. The shofar was blown in order to remind the Israelites to

12

safeguard their special relationship with and precious connection with Hashem.

These forty days, from the first day of Elul until Yom Kippur, are forever considered days of Divine goodwill, a good time for healing and repairing relationships – with Hashem and with one another. During the month of Elul, G-d is more accessible, so to speak. During the rest of the year He is like a king sitting in his palace, receiving guests by appointment only. Even if you have an appointment, you have to get past the guards at the front gate and at each security checkpoint. The king is at the end of a long succession of rooms and chambers and antechambers. During Elul, then the King is “out in the field.” He’s in good spirits, the formal protocols are dismissed in favor of casual connectedness, and anyone who so desires can come and meet with him.

The key is that we have to desire it. So the questions, as it relates to us, is not, “Is the King available to us?” The real question is, “Are we looking for Him?” This is not to say that G-d is not accessible during the rest of the year. It is a cornerstone of Jewish faith that G-d is always accessible to all who seek Him. However, during the course of the year we must approach G-d in His palace, on his terms, step by step, with more difficult conditions and great sincerity. We must do so at specific intervals and under exacting standards. On the other hand, during Elul the level of G-d's availability increases exponentially. He comes towards us. During this month, more so than any other time, we are promised that if we open our hearts and souls to seek, we shall surely find what we’re looking for. EM Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman is the Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario. You can Ask the Rabbi at jrcc.org or fax to 416.222.7812. To meet with Rabbi Zaltzman in person, feel free to call 416.222.7105 to book an appointment.

Appointments are generally available on Tuesday evenings after 7 p.m.

Rebbitzin Chiena Zaltzman is also available for private consultations by appointment on Wednesday evenings from 9 to 10pm by calling 416.222.7105.

В настоящее время еврейская жизнь переместилась из синагог на просторы интернета. В том числе в Москве Российский Еврейский Конгресс во главе с президентом Юрием Каннером провел онлайн-марафон с участием известных деятелей науки и искусства с целью сбора средств на благотворительные нужды. Участники марафона - врачи, ученые, журналисты обсуждали концепцию смерти. Ответырассуждения различных специалистов не принесли мне удовлетворения. Поэтому я, как всегда, обращаюсь к раввину. Не знаю, связывать ли эту тему с эпидемией... Не вижу смысла связывать ее с вирусом. Ни один человек не может избежать смерти. Люди понимают это и со страхом думают о ее наступлении. Но хотелось бы знать, что говорит Тора по поводу смерти? Вопрос ясен. А теперь представьте, что некоего человека послали в определенное место, где он должен выполнить важную миссию. Это может быть в другой стране, за океаном, а может, в том же городе, где он живет. И вот человек выполнил миссию и вернулся обратно. Для того, чтобы разобраться в концепции смерти с точки зрения еврейской традиции, надо понять, что человек состоит из двух основ – духовной и физической. Он обладает телом – физической структурой, относящейся к нашему миру. Но также человек наделен душой, представляющей собой частицу Творца, которая относится к Б-жественному миру. Когда Вс-вышний сотворил Первого человека – Адама, он связал эти две основы: в тело Адама, созданное из земли, Б-г через ноздри внедрил душу.

The article above is excerpted from the Russian edition of Exodus Magazine. To subscribe, please visit exodusmagazine.org or call 416.222.7105.

Elul 5780

‫ב”ה‬

Our

Community T H E M O N T H I N R E V I E W. U P C O M I N G E V E N T S & P R O G R A M S .

AUGUST 2020 | AV 5780 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

AUGUST2020 MON

10

AV 20 FARBRENGEN See ad on page 14

TOGETHER TUESDAYS

The JRCC Women’s Circle’s “Tuesdays Together,” a series of dynamic and engaging virtual programs for women, continued in July. The events feature a various timely topics presented by a different guest speakers each Tuesday.

Rona Milch Novick, Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at YU, spoke on the topic of “Parenting in a Pandemic.” The following week Mrs. Leah Rubashkin hosted a session on “Seeing the Light in the Darkness.” The JRCC Rebbetzins co-hosted a workshop of Shabbat cooking, and in the final installment for July featured master herbalist RH (AHG), classical homeopath, a board-certified lactation consultant, Sara Chana Silverstein, presenting her groundbreaking approaches to controlling moods and stress. This series is part of the JRCC’s efforts to keep people connected and maintain a sense of community during these times of (physically) social isolation.

2,000 JOIN VIRTUAL GIMMEL TAMMUZ EVENT

The JRCC was part of a group of ten Jewish Russian communities from across North America that hosted a special virtual gathering in honor of Gimmel Tammuz, a day special significance for the Rebbe. The event, titled “Ten Talks, Ten Niggunim, Ten Communities,” featured a series of ten short 15-minute talks delivered by representatives from each community, interspersed with Chassidic melodies. The general theme of the evening was unity, as befitting the Rebbe’s legacy, and the evening itself united community members and leaders from these ten communities, and beyond.

MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE

The JRCC and YEDI (York Entrepreneurial Development Institute) hosted a virtual lecture by Dr. Marat Ressin, President of YEDI. Harnessing his deep knowledge as a PhD in Economics and his vast business experience, Dr. Ressin spoke on the topic of “Management of Change,” which is especially pertinent today as organization have to be more agile and adaptive than ever. The virtual audience was particularly engaged during the interactive Q&A session that followed the lecture. YEDI, which was recently awarded Best Business Support Organization in Canada at the CanadianSME National Business Awards, is dedicated to providing education, training and mentorship in support of businesses and not-forprofit organizations.

JRCC SYNAGOGUES REOPENING

Following the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions by the Government of Ontario, and barring any further developments, the JRCC and its branches are planning to re-open facilities for synagogue services and other programs. The JRCC will strictly adhere to all health regulations, as well as listening to the concerns and needs of community members. If you are interested in attending, be in contact with your local JRCC Rabbi. As the situation is unpredictable, things may change quickly. Stay in touch with the JRCC to stay informed about the latest developments. You can join the email list at jrcc.org/subscribe, and join facebook.com/jrcc.org.

JRCC INCREASES VIRTUAL SENIORS PROGRAMS

CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES Friday, Aug 7, 2020

8:14 PM

Friday, Aug 14, 2020

8:04 PM

Friday, Aug 21, 2020

7:53 PM

Friday, Aug 28, 2020

7:41 PM

www.jrcc.org

As part of continued efforts to assist the most vulnerable in our community, especially seniors ages 70 and above, the JRCC is introducing additional virtual programming for seniors. In addition to the JRCC.help service that assists with grocery shopping, medications, and home welfare check-ins, the JRCC launched a series of weekly educational and cultural virtual gatherings to bring joy and alleviate social isolation, in partnership with the Bernard Betel Centre.

On Wednesdays at 11am there is a live interactive virtual meeting comprised of three sessions – an engaging lecture on a timely and relevant topic by Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman, a live interactive musical concert with a professional musician, and a Russian literature session. In addition, on Mondays at 11am there is a class led by Esther Neft of the JRCC Rockford, followed by online sport exercises for seniors. Thanks in part to Bernard Betel Centre’s cooperation, over 7,000 seniors have utilized these new services thus far. If you would like to volunteer or donate to support this initiative, please contact the JRCC.

COMMUNITY ALERT: MISSIONARIES TARGETING SENIORS IN TORONTO

Jewish seniors, many of them from the former Soviet Union, who live in seniors’ residences along the Bathurst Street corridor, have recently once again been targeted by missionaries from the City of David “Messianic Synagogue.” This Christian church uses Hebrew and presents deceptive celebrations featuring “Tikvah,” their musical outreach arm.

The missionaries conducted a deceptive bilingual missionary program, in English and Russian, under the guise of providing a Jewish event. Do not attend these events, and ensure your parents and grandparents are aware that this is a scam. If you see any advertisements or other materials, or encounter these missionaries, contact the JRCC or Jews for Judaism for assistance. See article on page 7.

JRCC Our Community

13

Jewish Russian Community Centre of West Thornhill

Farbrengen LEARN 20

Menachem-Av

Commemorating the yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson

MONDAY, AUGUST 10 AT 8:30 P.M. JRCC West Thornhill 1136 Centre St. Unit 2 Sponsored in honour of the birthday of Rabbi Levi Jacobson

&EARN Start your day with Torah study and prayer and earn a significant stipend.

Limited spaces

jacobson@jrcc.org

www.jrcc.org/Farbrengen

COMMUNITY ALERT: MISSIONARIES TARGETING SENIORS IN TORONTO

Jewish seniors, many of them from the former Soviet Union, who live in seniors’ residences along the Bathurst Street corridor, have recently once again been targeted by missionaries from the City of David “Messianic Synagogue.” This Christian church uses Hebrew and presents deceptive celebrations featuring “Tikvah,” their musical outreach arm. The missionaries conducted a deceptive bilingual missionary program, in English and Russian, under the guise of providing a Jewish event. DO NOT ATTEND THESE EVENTS, and ENSURE YOUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A SCAM. If you see any advertisements or other materials, or encounter these missionaries, contact the JRCC or Jews for Judaism for assistance. See article on page 7.

Bring Camp Home GAMES

ARTS & CRAFT!S

CE DAN

MAD SCIENCE

WS SHO

G BAKIN

KARAT E

To help make the cost a bit lighter, the JRCC offers Jewish Identity Grants.

To learn more about these grants, visit

www.JRCC.org/chesed

Everything you need to create the summer of a lifetime.

Enjoy your at home camp experience, with our online portal which will provide all the resources, videos and shopping lists for everything you will need, all with child friendly instructions.

Fun. Easy. Jewish!

ANDRE! MO

For more information, visit

JRCC.org/VirtualKids

Everything you need to create the summer of a lifetime in your own backyard!

We all know this: life is expensive, and when choosing to start carefully observing traditions, those expenses can get even higher.

416-4576072

JRCC presents

Bring Camp Home!

JEWISH IDENTITY GRANTS

FOR TEEN S AND YOU NG ADULTS

Enjoy your at home camp experience, with our online portal which will provide all the resources, videos and shopping lists for everything you will need, all with child friendly instructions.

Fun, Easy, Jewish!

[Insert your Registration, dates, and ages here Or write More info Coming soon!]

For more information contact:

Put your information here

BAR &BAT MITZVAH CLUB GIVE YOUR CHILDREN THE BAR/BAT MITZVAH THEY DESERVE

Becoming Bar or Bat mitzvah?

The JRCC runs exciting Bar and Bat Mitzvah Clubs where you will learn and discover what it’s all about, while enjoying every moment of the studying, trips and dinners.

Seven locations on Sundays or any weekday evening.

For information, call 416.222.7105 x247, email BarMitzvah@jrcc.org or BatMitzvah@jrcc.org

www.jrcc.org/bmc 14

August 2020 / Av 5780

416.222.7105

Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario

Faces of the Community DOVID FAYNBERG

JRCC Program Director Tell us a little about your background and your studies.

I come from Rostov-on-Don, and my wife is from Dnepropetrovsk. We met in Austria, where we both studied at the Vienna International Institute of Applied Sciences. After graduation, I received a Master's Degree in International Marketing and Management. Upon returning to Russia I pursued a second degree in political science.

Classes in Russian with

Rabbi Asher Altshul

Classes in Russian with

Rabbi Fishel Chichelnitsky

Rabbi of Jewish Center “Nachalat Zion”, Brooklyn, NY.

Assistant to Chief Rabbi of Odessa and south Ukraine.

Classes on self-validation factors analyzing G-d, Cognitive Dissonance, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Popular lecturer and specialist in Jewish History, Traditions and Chassidic Philosophy.

EVERY SUNDAY | 8:00pm

EVERY THURSDAY | 8:00pm

FOR MEN AND WOMEN Join zoom ID: 416.222.7105 www.zoomus/my/jrcchq

Call from your telephone 647.374.4685 and enter 4162227105#

ОНЛАЙН ВСТРЕЧИ

ДЛЯ СТАРШЕГО ПОКОЛЕНИЯ

Каждый

ПОНЕДЕЛЬНИК в

11:00

Занятия на русском языке

Каждую СРЕДУ в 11:00 КОРОТКИЙ УРОК С РАВ. ЗАЛЬЦМАН

КОРОТКИЙ УРОК С ЭСТЕР НЕФТ

ОЗДОРОВИТЕЛЬНАЯ ФИЗКУЛЬТУРА

МУЗЫКАЛЬНЫЙ КОНЦЕРТ

ПРИСОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ К НАМ: Zoom.us/my/jrcchq Zoom ID: 416.222.7105

Набирайте с телефона: 647-374-4685 и введите 4162227105#

Информация по телефонам: JRCC - 416-222-7105, доб. 245 Bernard Betel - 416-225-2112, доб. 119

www.jrcc.org

What did you do after graduation?

I worked at the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia. On behalf of Rabbi Berl Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, I helped communities in various cities across the country open youth clubs and establish processes for engaging the Jews in the community. Nine years ago in Rostov I organized the first Russian Jewish youth club, called “RoshTov,” which is a play on words that is consonant with the name of the city and also means “Good Head” in Hebrew.

In addition, I organized large outreach seminars for young people. This initiative led me to visit several cities, including Ufa, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Tomsk, Krasnodar, Bryansk and others. Usually the seminar was held over the weekend from Thursday to Sunday. Youth from different cities in the area would join together, get to know each other, and immerse themselves in a Jewish atmosphere of study and personal growth, featuring leading Jewish lecturers from the US and Israel. They would also participate in outdoor adventure activities like skiing, snowboarding, jeeping and rock climbing. We created a balance of entertainment and educational programs in order to keep the young participants engaged. It was challenging and rewarding planning these weekend retreats well in advance for with a team of about ten people.

My other responsibility was to develop connections with major sponsors of Jewish communities from different cities. To bring them together, I organized short trips, mainly to Israel but also to other places including Georgia and South Africa.

When did you arrive in Toronto and what brought you here?

My wife and I and our two children came to Canada from Rostov-on-Don seven months ago at the invitation of the JRCC, to take on the position of Program Director. As in my earlier stint with FJC in Russia, I also began to work on planning and organizing large events. My first project was Chanukah Wonderland, an annual family carnival which drew more than 1,100 participants this past year – more than it has in recent years. We also organized a soccer league and played with the guys every Monday. (I’m really looking forward to when we can play soccer again.)

We also worked on several other community programs. Today I would like to talk about a unique project we are currently working on, something that has never been done in Canada before.

In addition to my day-to-day responsibilities, I am developing a completely new initiative within the JRCC called JRCC.help. When fully operational, the project will include a wide variety of social programs – including helping seniors during COVID-19, tax clinics, legal consultation and more. Some of the projects are already in place, while others are in development. Two new projects have been recently piloted and are already successfully operating.

The first is the “Newborn Baby Care Packages” project. Each Jewish Russianspeaking family that has a new child born receives a gift basket from JRCC with a generous selection of clothing, baby products and Judaica. The only thing the parents (or grandparents) need to do is call the JRCC and let know that the Almighty has blessed them with a new child and we will send them a gift package.

The second project, which is less fun but no less important, is the funeral package.

According to Jewish custom, it is very important to conduct all the rites associated with burial and mourning days correctly and in accordance with Jewish law – this is something of utmost importance for the soul of the departed. For this reason, we prepared a bereavement basket, including a guide for the mourners, a large memorial candle that burns for the seven days of the “shiva,” the first seven days after the funeral, a bottle of wine, a glass, candles, and some food for the mourners so that they devote more time to the spiritual practice of mourning and not be distracted with cooking. In addition, we give each family a voucher for a complimentary portrait of their deceased loved one. We just need a photograph, and we will order a high portrait professionally printed on high-quality canvas, which we will give as a gift to the family.

These projects were launched about a month ago, but, unfortunately, information about the deceased comes to us more regularly than about newborns. I urge everyone to help make a difference. If you know someone who has a son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter, please let us know.

Our goal is to accompany and serve every Jew throughout the lifecycle – from the moment of birth, the Brit Mila, the upshernish (inaugural hair cutting for a three year old boy), Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the Chuppa (Jewish wedding) and so on until 120 years. And for each such significant event, we want to prepare useful and memorable gifts from JRCC. What are your plans for the future?

I look forward to when our synagogues can again be filled with Jewish families praying, learning and celebrating Jewish life together.

JRCC Our Community

15

n

416-222-7105 | www.jrcc.org Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario

NEW: NEWBORN BABY CARE PACKAGES Each life is a reason to celebrate. Each new child is a gift for his or her family, their community, the Jewish nation and the entire world. Maimonides teaches that anyone who saves one life, it’s as if he saved For this reason, and to increase the unity and camaraderie in our community, the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario recently launched a Newborn Baby Care Packages project to deliver packages to families post-birth. It is partly a social service to help those in need, and partly a community outreach project to make everyone feel connected to their community.

“We want family to know that their child is precious not only to them, but also to our community and to the Jewish people,” explains Dovid Faynberg, JRCC Program Director and the one responsible for rolling out the new initiative. “This is the motivation behind this project, especially now when we need to find more ways to connect to one another and to our community.”

In the first month of the program, which launched in June, several families received gift packages, with demand expected to increase significantly as people become more aware of the project. The package includes everything necessary for the baby for the first few months, such as baby clothing, a blanket, diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, and several baby-related Judaica items, books and toys. Specific items included may vary depending on needs and availability.

5987 Bathurst Stre­et, #3 To­ron­to, ON M2R 1Z3 Canada Office Hours: Sun: 12 — 5 Mon to Thurs: 9 — 6 • Fri: 9 — 3hrs before Shabbat

JRCC BRANCHES JRCC of Ontario: 5987 Bathurst St., #3 Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman x278 Roi Aftabi, COO x257 JRCC Woodbridge: 25 Sandwell St. Rabbi Avrohom Yusewitz x261 JRCC S. Richmond Hill & Maple: 9699 Bathurst St. Rabbi Avrohom Zaltzman x247 JRCC Concord: 411 Confederation Parkway, #14 Rabbi Avraham Weinstein x 249 JRCC Affiliate CRC of Thornhill Woods: 8808 Bathurst St. Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim x224 JRCC West Thornhill: 1136 Centre St., #2 Rabbi Levi Jacobson x240 JRCC East Thornhill: 7608 Yonge St., #3 Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman x227 JRCC South Thornhill: 1 Cordoba Dr., Party Room Rabbi Levi Blau x288 JRCC Steeles & Hilda: 175 Hilda Ave., Party Room Mr. Melekh Brikman x282 JRCC at Rockford: 18 Rockford Rd. Rabbi Shmuel Neft x235 JRCC Affiliate Jewish Gorsky Assn.: 465 Patricia Ave. Rabbi Dovid Davidov x255 Downstairs JRCC Willowdale: 5700 Yonge St. Rabbi Yisroel Zaltzman x231 JRCC Sheppard & Bathurst Senior’s Building 4455 Bathurst St., Party Room / Mr. Roman Goldstein x221 JRCC Lawrence & Bathurst Senior’s Building 3174 Bathurst St., Party Room x221

JRCC AFFILIATES Danforth Beaches Rabbi Shalom Lezell (416) 809-1365

Durham Region Rabbi Tzali Borensein (905) 493-9007

The complimentary packages are available to families of immigrants from the former Soviet and their descendants residing in Ontario during the first month after the birth. Anyone can request a package on their behalf to have a package sent – the parents themselves, grandparents, relatives or friends – by contacting their JRCC branch rabbi or calling 416-222-7105, ext. 245.

FURNITURE DEPOT WE ARE REOPENING AND IN NEED FOR YOUR DONATIONS MORE THAN EVER Donate your furniture to those in need!

te?

mited ccess to

JRCC Directory

JRCC Program Spotlight

Call us @ 416-222-7105 ext. 248 to get a quote for pick-up JRCC Furniture Depot | 1416 Centre St | Vaughan, ON 416-222-7105 ext. 500 | www.jrccfurnituredepot.org

16

August 2020 / Av 5780

Partly funded by The Regional Municipality of York

Georgina, Ontario Rabbi Yossi Vorovitch (905) 909-8818 Hamilton Region Rabbi Chanoch Rosenfeld (905) 529-7458 London, Ontario Rabbi Lazer Gorgov (519) 438-3333 Niagara Region Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman (905) 356-7200 Ottawa, Ontario Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn (613) 218-8505 Waterloo Region Rabbi Moshe Goldman (519) 725-4289

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS L&M Gelfand Daycare JRCC Daycare and Preschool x501

JRCC Hebrew School Sunday and after-school program x225 Institute of Jewish Studies Classes & Lectures for Adults x221 Exodus Magazine Monthly Publications in Rus & Eng x222 JRCC Bookstore & Library jrcc.org/bookstore x221

SOCIAL PROGRAMS Furniture Depot: 1416 Centre St. #6 x500 jrccfurnituredepot.org Hospital & Jail Visitations x221 Family Counselling & Legal Advice Holiday Programs x234 Events, Parties & Holiday Awareness Jewish Identity Verification x237 Mazal Makalski jewishidentity@jrcc.org Simcha Gemach x234 Chanie Zaltzman chanie.zaltzman@jrcc.org Volunteering x254 Get involved in your community!

YEDinstitute – Entrepreneurial Mentorship x221 yedinstitute.org

416.222.7105

SHARE THE JOY! t he ex odus ma g azine s im cha sectio n

MAZEL TOV!

IT’S A BOY! Shmuel Elyahu Davidov Liam Netanel Yagudaev Milan Levitin Yosef Chaim Sela

to

Rabbi Yisroel & Shaina Zaltzman

IT’S A GIRL! Eden Isakov Victoria Alina Ray Chaya Mushke Zaltzman Sheina Mindel Shomer Chana Martin Rayelle Shomonov Dvora Leah Boroda Nechama Leah Kaushansky

on the birth of their daughter Chaya Mushka!

May it be G-d’s will that you raise her and enable her to attain Torah, marriage, and good deeds amidst prosperity.

BAR-MITZVAH! Mordechai Avigdor Shore Hillel Lang Shayne Black

MARRIAGE! Arale Saymon & Raixy Carlebach Shimon Goldberg & Chaya Mushka Cunin Nechemya Zelmanowitz & Avigail Goldshmidt Ari & Ronit Babaev

With best wishes from the Rabbis and staff at JRCC. I'M YOUR MORTGAGE EXPERT

Wishing you much health, happiness and nachas, from the rabbis of the JRCC Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman (Senior Rabbi)

OREN BLAU Mortgage Agent

Rabbi Levi Blau Rabbi David Davidov Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim Rabbi Levi Jacobson Rabbi Shmuel Neft Rabbi Avraham Weinstein Rabbi Avrohom Yusewitz Rabbi Avrohom Zaltzman Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman Rabbi Yisroel Zaltzman

416 823 6544

■ 1 st & 2nd mortgages ■ Home Purchase ■ Refinancing ■ Renewals ■ Private Lending ■ Commercial Lending ■ Equity Line Visa ■ Debt Consolidation

Lic # 12257

Lend At Ease Exclusive Mortgage Professionals

Oren@LendAtEase.com ▪ www.LendAtEase.com

BAR MITZVAH CLUB

SPREAD THE JOY!

CHUPPAH

BAT MITZVAH

BAR MITZVAH

OPSHERN

BABY NAMING

BRIT

PIDION HABEN

For the next special event in your friend’s or family’s life, post a special greeting ad in Exodus Magazine’s Simcha section.

Call 416.222.7105 x222 for details.

Discover what Bar Mitzvah is all about. Learn to read the Torah, and love it too! Bar mitzvah preparation and so much more...

BAT MITZVAH CLUB

Don’t just celebrate a Bat Mitzvah, become one!

Learn what it means to be a Bat Mitzvah Woman in the modern world.

For more information and to register call 416-222-7105

August 2020

NAMES LISTED ABOVE AND ADS IN THIS MAZEL TOV PAGE ARE NO PROOF OF JEWISH IDENTITY

www.exodusmagazine.org

17

perspectives

A True Relationship Simon Jacobson

O

ne of the most frequently asked questions today is a personal one: How do I find and maintain a good relationship? Love remains the most compelling and elusive issues of our time, and perhaps of all time.

How can I find a healthy, meaningful and above all, permanent relationship?

No adequate answer will be found to this question until we first understand what exactly a relationship is.

The word “relationship” means two things relating to one another. But what is the essence of a relationship? What makes a relationship work? What ingredients are necessary?

The secret of a relationship can be found in an unlikely place: The month in which we find ourselves now.

We have just entered the Hebrew month of Elul, the last month of the year. Every month has its own unique energy and power. Elul is the month of love and relationships. The sign of Elul is Virgo, and one of the acronyms of Elul is: Ani l’dodi v’dodi li, meaning “I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me” (Song

18

of Songs 6:3).

Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li captures the very essence of a relationship: It is mutually symbiotic fusion of two forces – I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.

First there are two distinct personalities: “I” and “my beloved.” Then the “I” (my personality) takes the initiative and reaches to “my beloved.” In turn, “my beloved” responds “to me.”

Ani l’dodi v’dodi li emphasizes another vital aspect – that a relationship is a reflection: You and your beloved mirror each other.

Like the face reflected in water, one heart [is reflected] in another (Proverbs 27:19). Love elicited is in direct proportion to love given.

When “I am to my beloved” – “my beloved” will be “to me.” The same way that “I am to my beloved,” so will “my beloved” be “to me.”

Thinking of love as your reflection is quite extraordinary: Look into the eyes of your beloved and you will see yourself.

Finally, Elul’s Ani l’dodi v’dodi li teaches us that love is about initiating. First Ani L’dodi – I am to my beloved, and that is the catalyst

for “my beloved to me.” Love is proactive, nor reactive or passive. If you want love in your life do not stand on the sidelines, “protecting” yourself from being hurt and wait for someone to love you. You must learn to give – to initiate, to love. And when you do – love comes back to you.

One powerful question, however, looms: How is it possible that two distinct entities should become one? Can they actually retain their distinct personalities and truly love each other? It’s one thing to say that for love we pay a price. The price is relinquishing independence and compromising your identity for the benefits that love brings. But it’s quite another to claim that love can be had without compromising individuality.

Yet, we are told that true love is unity, and true unity is the fusion of two souls in one seamless union, in which both remain intact while joining as one.

How that paradox is possible requires a journey into the mystery of Divine Unity, the theme of this column over the last few weeks.

The quest to discover Divine unity in a pluralistic universe is far thornier than the

Elul 5780

perspectives

effort to build unity between finite creatures.

After all, as different as two people may be, they still are both human, both mortal and finite, both with more similarities than differences, and both in need of love. G-d and the universe, on the other hand, are infinitely distant entities, that seemingly have nothing in common. Quite the contrary: they are diametric opposites: G-d is infinite, the universe is finite; G-d the invulnerable Creator, we the fragile creatures. Above all, our existential, dependent, existence is absolutely different than the Divine nonexistential, independent, existence. How then is it possible to unite these opposite realities?

The entire study of Kabbalah and Chassidus – Jewish mysticism – comes to answer this very question; to teach us how humans can develop a relationship with G-d The mystics lay out an elaborate system which allows us the ability to achieve Divine Unity (Hashem Echod) in the universe: Like “stepping stones” the process of creation, called the “cosmic order,” enables us to climb the ladder that marries heaven and earth, the human and the Divine – the finite and the infinite.

In an article titled The Kabbalah of Duality we discussed the first step in this process – the Tzimtzum concealment. In order for there to be a relationship we first need independence – an “I” who reaches to “my beloved.” In the presence of the Divine omnipresence no independent entity can arise. The Tzimtzum concealment allowed “room” for our independent consciousness to emerge.

However, the Tzimtzum is not “literal,” it is only a state of concealment, and it only affects the outermost layers of consciousness (light), not the higher states, and surely not on the unconscious level. [Yet, even the non-literal Tzitmzum is real, not an illusion, and the independent reality it creates is real, not just in our perception]. Hence, despite the concealment we always have the ability to connect and integrate our lives with the Divine light and the Divine Essence.

But the Tzimtzum only explains the possibility for potential integration, not how to actually achieve it. The non-literal Tzimtzum tells us that within existence we

August 2020

can find the Divine. But does existence itself have Divine properties?

To answer this question we need to dissect existence a bit. What exactly is existence?

Existence as we know it is comprised of various elements, but in its most basic form they break down into two forces: matter and energy. Every part of the universe, from the largest to the smallest, has a “body,” some form (physical or otherwise), and a “soul,” the inner power that defines the energy of the object. Matter is the “outer” layer and energy is its “inner” function and purpose.

Breaking it down further, both matter and energy are also each comprised of these two dimensions: The “body” of matter – its tangible properties, and the “energy” of matter – its shape, form and function: The “body” of energy – its definable personality, and the soul “energy” of energy – its deeper purpose.

Now the question is this: When we connect our lives to the Divine do we do so only on the spiritual (energy) level or also on the material (matter) level?

The argument could be made, as some schools of thought maintain, that the objective of life is to deny the material and transcend to the spiritual. Unity, then, is achieved exclusively on the soul level.

Even if we need to engage somewhat the material world, some suggest that at most we can channel the “function” of matter toward spiritual ends, but not the coarse matter itself.

At the other extreme, one could argue that even the spirit and energy of existence cannot be integrated with the Divine. At most the “energy” of energy can find some commonality with G-dliness, but not the “matter” of energy (its personality and form). A soul can unite with G-d only in a very general sense, but not with its distinct personality. Its must relinquish its individuality in order to become one with the Divine.

[All these viewpoints, mind you, are possible even according to the non-literal interpretation of the Tzimtzum, which only tells us that the Divine is present (albeit concealed) within existence, but does not inform us about the personality of existence,

and thus, to what extent we can integrate the universe with the Divine. Let alone according to the literal interpretation of the Tzimtzum, according to which there is no direct relationship between our world and the reality of the Divine].

In the ultimate application of Divine unity, the mystics teach us – as emphasized in the works of the Chassidic masters – that the unity must permeate every fiber of existence, not just its spirit, not just its shape, form and function, not just in general terms.

But every dimension of the universe – from energy to matter, from the matter of energy to the matter of matter – contains a Divine dimension that is waiting to be released.

They explain this with the elegant structure of the “cosmic order” comprised of “energies” (lights) and “containers,” which correspond with and are the root of the “energy” and “matter” of our universe.

By understanding the interplay between “light” and “container” and how each of them interact with their respective divine source, we can learn how to marry heaven and earth and integrate every aspect of our beings with higher purpose, ultimately with the Divine itself. The relationship between these forces teach us how to develop the relationship between our material bodies and souls, between our involvements in the physical worlds with our spiritual endeavors; we learn how to develop and expand our own material “containers” and fuse them with the “lights” of spirituality.

Beginning with the human soul shaped in the Divine Image, the mystics explain that the soul manifests and mirrors the Divine energy (light); each person’s soul is a reflection, a microcosm of G-d’s “personality.” And not just in a general sense, but the distinct personality of each soul is rooted in the distinct personality of the “lights,” which have defined properties (there are actually several opinions regarding the extent of these “light” properties, which reflect in different levels of the unity that can be achieved. But the final consensus is that the “lights” have individual properties, which allow our unique personalities to find divine expression).

Similarly, the spiritual forces within the material world can be aligned to their

exodusmagazine.org

19

respective Divine roots, in all their glorious detail, rooted in the Divine light, the kav (thin ray of light) that pierced through the Tzimtzum, whose source is the light before the Tzimtzum, the Divine power to create the infinite (koach ha’bli-gvul).

That’s the soul. What about the body and the matter of the universe? The human body too was created in the Divine Image, and every aspect of matter is shaped by the “hand of G-d.” Not only “light” but also the “containers” reflect higher levels of the Divine.

Not only the spirit but also the structure of existence is rooted in the Source with G-dlike features, which we have to reveal.

In mystical terms: The “containers” of existence are rooted in the Divine “containers” of Atzilut, which in turn are a reflection of the “containers” of Adam Kadmon, which originate from the (letters of the) reshimu, the residue that remained after but was unaffected by the Tzimtzum, rooted in the Divine power to create the finite (koach ha’gvul).

Now, when you take into account that “light” and “container” join together until they become one, we can begin to understand E=mc2 – how energy and matter are actually one and the same.

This, briefly, is the way the Kabbalists explain how the very fabric of existence (matter and energy) can be integrated with the Divine. It’s not just that the Divine Essence, which transcends all definitions and structures, enables the fusion of matter and spirit. That would imply that the fusion is solely a result of the Essence’s power, despite the limits of existence. The ultimate purpose is that the universe, on its own terms and by the standards of its own parameters, contains the Divine. That is ultimate unity – not simply on G-d’s terms, but also on the terms of existence. Such unity can only be achieved when we recognize that in the personality of existence glimmers of the Divine.

Discovering the Divine within the properties of our universe is the most magnificent effort we can undertake, transforming life into a majestic journey.

The ultimate manifestation of Divine unity is in human relationships – in the ways of love and marriage. The “lights” and “containers” that teach us how we can fuse our lives with

20

the Divine, teach us how we can discover true unity, while maintaining our individuality in our interpersonal relationships.

A good analogy for this is music: The power and beauty of a melody is dependent on each note maintaining its “individuality” and playing its unique sound. Simultaneously, each note is completely fused with all the others, all complementing each other, without in any way compromising each ones’ distinct identity.

The same synthesis – harmony out of diversity – can be witnessed in the symmetry of every healthy organism and system, from the human body to the extraordinary design of nature.

A true relationship is total fusion of two – “I am to my beloved and my beloved to me.”

Two distinct individuals, with different bodies and different souls, join together, in one seamless union. Neither is compromised or diminished. A transcendent power enables the fusion; but it also manifests in the individual personalities: as they remain intact they also recognize on their own individual terms

that love – “I am to my beloved and my beloved to me” – is the ultimate expression of individuality.

In this month of Elul we have the opportunity to create, mend and renew relationships.

May we use the month well, and may we all be blessed with experiencing “I am to my beloved and my beloved to me.”

One fundamental question still remains: How can we achieve total fusion of “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me” when the Divine Essence is a non-existential reality, completely different and beyond our existential existence? Given, we can unite with the Divine as it manifests in existence, but can we actually connect to the ultimate reality – the innermost essence of Divine reality, which we have absolutely no way of relating to? EM Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the author of Toward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe and the director of the Meaningful Life Center (meaningfullife.com).

Elul 5780

Sponsored by:

memorials

350 Ste­e­les Ave. West, Thornhill (416) 733-2000 • (905) 881-6003 • www.steeles.org

There is a better way to get heard

AUTO & VEHICLE

HEALTH & BEAUTY

REAL ESTATE & BROKER

Best Deal Motors - page 22 Mazda of Toronto - page 22

Dentistry in Oak Ridges - page 21 Massage Therapy - page 22 Modest Mermaid - page 17

Gloria Kats - page 22 Michael Basin - page 22 Oren Blau - page 17 Rachel Saltsov - page 21 Slava Shelepin - page 22 Tanya Gotsulsky - page 22

FINANCIAL & LEGAL SERVICES

HOME & OFFICE

Free Loan - page 27 Leon Levin - page 21 Maxym Artemenko - page 23 Tatyana Subbotina - page 22

Air Point - page 22 Blue Craft - page 21 Moving Services - page 22 Rolling Systems - page 22

FUNERAL & MEMORIALS

JOBS & SERVICES

Steeles Memorial Chapel - page 25 Stone Craft Monuments - page 22

Fiera Foods Job - page 27 The Israeli Network - page 23

RESTAURANTS & GROCERIES Chocolate Charm - page 17 No Frills - page 22 The Chicken Nest - page 21 Tov-Li - page 21 My many years of experience, knowledge, and professionalism help you make one of the most important buys of your life.

Family and cosmetic dentistry, with a specialty in implant dentistry, performed in a state-of-the-art environment.

13291 Yonge Street Suite #102 Richmond Hill, Ontario

416-929-4343 - Office 416-877-6367 - Cell

P: 905-773-3306 • F: 905-773-1722 NURIEL MAZGAONKAR 33 Brockdale St., Richmond Hill, ON L4E 4W1

INTERRIORS • bathroom renovations • home renovations • home improvements • interior decor • kitchen renovations • basement renovations • dry walling • painting

Wishing Shana Tova to the Entire Jewish Community!

EXTERIORS • roofing • fences & decks • landscaping CONDOMINIUMS • design & interiors

Contact: 647 981 4450 nuriel@bluecraftcanada.com mailto: info@bluecraftcanada.com

August 2020

Committed to Excellence!

Since 1986

Leon Levine

15 years in business, Member of the Paralegal Society of Ontario (PSO), Traffic Court Division

PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION TRAFFIC TICKET SOLUTION

• Careless driving • Speeding • Driving under suspension

CRIMINAL LAW

• Assault/harassment • Domestic assault SMALL CLAIM COURT

Tel (416) 225-5200, Cell (416) 5690559 1000 Finch Ave. West #305, North York, On. M3J2V5 Fax (416) 225-6700, E-mail: llevine@canada.com

www.exodusmagazine.org

21

416.787.4256

marketplace Работаем с деньгами - Думаем о людях

LOW RATES ON THE MARKET Mortgages:

■ 1st and 2nd

■ FIRST-TIME BUYERS

■ CONSTRUCTION

■ NON RESIDENT

■ COMMERCIAL ■ REFINANCE

Gloria Kats

Mortgage Agent Nothwood Mortgage Ltd. Broker Lic.#10349

Award, Direct Phone 647-298-7095 • Office 416-739-7200 CASH BUYER LOOKING FOR 3 BEDROOM CONDO

1 CLARK AVE. 704 Renovated Luxury Condo, Apx 1700 sq. feet. $998,000 120 PROMENADE Price to surprise! Renovated Condo Apx 1500 sq. feet.

9600 YONGE 1102B 2 Bedroom 2 Washroom.2 Balcony Unit ModernSmart Layout. Apx 1000 sq.feet. $699,000 87 SOUTHVALE DR. uxury 4 bedroom, 4 bathrooms, finished bsm, ravine lot, 2 laundries, 2 Kitchens, need to sell! $1188,000

WE PAY LEGAL FEE, STAGING, HOME INSPECTOR. FREE ADVICE HOW TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY WILL BUY AND SELL ASSIGNMENTS! FREE STAGING, FLEXIBLE commission.

FREE HOUSE EVALUATION BY EMAIL OR TEXT.

Happy New Year!

MICHAEL

Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)

■ NEW IMMIGRANTS ■ SELF-EMPLOYED

Bus: (416) 640-2600 Fax: (416) 640-2601 Cell: (416) 294-4469

5799 Yonge St., Suite #1107 North York, ON M2M 3V3

gsaprikin@northwoodmortgages.com H.O 7676 Woodbine Ave., Suite 300, Markham, ON L3R2N2

Michael Basin Sutton Group Admiral, Platinum

416.939.4850

Toronto, Ontario, M6A 2C7

BEST DEAL MOTORS

416.886.4963 MASSAGE THERAPY IN YOUR HOME AT A CONVENIENT TIME FOR YOU! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EXTENDED HEALTH BENEFITS

Happy New Year!

DESIGN OF MONUMENTS ENGRAVING CEMETERY

collision centre centre inc. inc. collision

Gregory and Basya Rabkin are Proud Supporters of Exodus Magazine.

Tel: 416-663-5747 GREGORY Licensed Mechanic

Mila Gurfinkel

LETTERING PORTRAITS ON STONE

Sales Representative,

Top producer, Top ten club (905)764-7200/24 Hour PagerALL • Cell: (416) 219-9758 MONUMENT SIZES

JEWISH CEMETERIES TOP 2% SOLD FOR UNITSALL IN GTA (starting at $750)

BATHURST/STEELES

LUXURY PRIMROSE Approx 1400 sq. f., 2 exits to balcony, 2 bdrm, 2 wshr, All windows panoramic, window in ktchn & breakfast area, steps from shops and TTC ASKED PRICE: $268,800 DON'T PAY FOR 12 MONTHS!

BATHURST/CENTRE

Luxury new condo, 2bdr + den, 2 wshr, 9 f. ceilings, gorgeous crown moldings, great amenities. $265,000

BATHURST/CENTRE

New luxury condo, 1bdr + balcony, granite in 80 Martin Ross Ave ktchn, Laminate floors throughout, Locker, ON M3J 121 Brisbane Rd., 2L4 Unit 1 great amenities. Toronto, Downsview, ON M3J 2K3 (416) 667-1474 $179,000 (416) 667-1474

RENT BATHURST/CENTRE

BATHURST/CENTRE

Luxury new condo, 2 bdr, 2 wshrm, over 1000 sq.f. great amenities, close to good schools and Transit. $1500

Luxury Penthouse, 3 bdrm, 2 wshrm, 9 ft ceilings, many upgrades, granite, pot lights, blinds, MUST SEE. Luxury Complex with amazing amenities. $599,000

WELCOME TO ZEUS MOVING! The largest Mazda dealer in Toronto

Rana Khan

General Sales Manager

416.642.7777 6167 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2M 3X2

w w w. m a z d a o f t o r o n t o . c o m 22

Exodus Magazine

TRUCK 26, 20, 16 FEET WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL MOVING COMPANY, SPECIALIZING IN COMPLETE MOVING SERVICES SUCH AS · HOUSE MOVING · OFFICES · CONDOS · · PIANO AND MORE

We move all of Greater Toronto Area and Beyond

647.465.6360

www.zeusmoving.ca FREE ESTIMATES. CONTACT US TODAY!

Av / Elul 5780

marketplace WHY DO YOU NEED A WILL?

distribution of a person’s estate are conducted in accordance with the Succession Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.

S.26 (the “Act”), which may or may not coincide with your wishes.

There are also some tax advantages in creating a will. For example, a person may create two wills – a Primary and a Secondary Will. The Primary Will can cover all your property that is subject to probate while the Secondary Will can cover your property that can be diverted from probate. In such a case, the property under the

WHY DO YOU NEED A WILL A will is a legal document that indicates how a person wants his or her estate (money and property) to be distributed after death.

It can specify who is to be appointed as the estate trustees and how the estate is to be distributed among the beneficiaries.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON DIES WITHOUT A WILL? In this case, the administration and the

Secondary Will is not going to be subject to probate fees.

Another way to save money is to hold property (e.g. real property and bank accounts) in joint tenancy with your spouse or to name beneficiaries for your pension plan or investment accounts. In such a case, the probate fees are not paid because this property falls outside the estate and goes directly to the beneficiaries.

MAXYM LAW

professional corporation 2345 Yonge Street, Suite 912 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 2E5

If you have any further questions or require assistance in estate planning or estate administration, you can call B.A. (Hons.), J.D. Maxym Artemenko, Barrister & Solicitor, at 647-581-3767 or Barrister & Solicitor, Notary Public visit us at 2345 Yonge Street, Suite 912, Toronto ON M4P 2E5.

MAXYM ARTEMENKO

$

$

$

¢

Tzedakah “charity” $

$

¢

$

¢

The act of tzedakah brings so much positive energy into the world that it is equal to all other mitzvoth and brings the redemption closer.

For Charity box pickup or drop-off, please call

416-222-7105 August 2020

‫ב"ה‬

JEWISH RUSSIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE OF ONTARIO EВРЕЙСКИЙ ЦЕНТР РУССКОЯЗЫЧНОЙ ОБЩИНЫ ОНТАРИО

Mezuzah & Teffilin Checking by a certified scribe

Have your teffilin and mezuzot checked by a certified scribe.

Price: $12 per mezuzah | $108 for teffilin If repair is required, only those costs will be charged Mezuzot, teffilin, talitot and other Judaica are available for sale at the JRCC Bookstore.

For more information call 416-222-7105 | www.jrcc.org/mezuzah Drop-off and pickup at 5987 Bathurst St., Unit 3

www.exodusmagazine.org

23

Do you have a July 29, 2019 / 26 Tammuz, 5779

Certificate of Jewish Identity BASED UPON CAREFUL INVESTIGATION IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY OUR RESEARCHERS THAT

First / Last name Son of a (nee) DATE OF BIRTH: OCTOBER 23, 1948 IS JEWISH, AS HE WAS BORN TO A JEWISH MOTHER Our research was focused exclusively on establishing Jewish lineage and did not touch on any other possible halachic issues

THIS NUMBERED CERTIFICATE IS ON PERMANENT RECORD IN THE JRCC DATABASE, AND CAN BE VERIFIED BY CONTACTING THE JRCC OFFICE OR THE UNDERSIGNED RABBIS.

Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman

Rabbi Levi Jacobson

JRCC of Ontario - Senior Rabbi & Founder 416-222-7105 x 278

JRCC of West Thornhill-Rabbi 416-222-7105 x 240

www.jrcc.org/jewishidentity

jewishidentity@jrcc.org

‫ב”ה‬

Confirmation of your Jewish Identity?

It is advisable for every Jewish person to have confirmation of their Jewish Identity that is internationally recognized.

Why is a Jewish ID important?

• Confirmation of Jewish identity is needed for a variety of circumstances, such as: Baby naming, Brit, Daycare, School, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marriage, Aliya, Burial plot, Funeral.

• Obtaining certification takes research and time – if you wait until you need it, it might not be possible to obtain it in time.

• The longer you delay, the more difficult it becomes – documents get lost, witnesses move or pass away.

A certificate confirming your Jewish identity will help you, if your Jewish lineage is ever questioned. Do it for your peace of mind and that of your family.

Upon completion, you will receive: • A genuine, numbered certificate recognized by leading rabbis internationally.

• A permanent record with the JRCC Ontario, Canada.

For more information or to apply, contact: Jewish Identity Department Coordinator Jewish Identity Verification Service

Phone: 416-222-7105 x237 | Email: jewishidentity@jrcc.org Website: www.jrcc.org/JewishIdentity

This service is provided free of charge by the JRCC. Suggested donation to cover research and administrative costs is $250 per applicant - any donation is appreciated.

24

Exodus Magazine

Av / Elul 5780

Sponsored by:

350 Ste­e­les Ave. West, Thornhill (416) 733-2000 • (905) 881-6003 • www.steeles.org

memorials

Our Deepest Sympathies to the families of: Anetta Khmelnitsky Valerica Reinstein Anna Choubaeva Sara Sterling Michael Rivkis Gita Likhacheva Elizaveta Katkova Ania Hodos Avraham Gerzovski Ida Gourevitch Larry Cohen Sima Kasakevich Youval Hizgilov Tory Rafael Reyza Rodman Sofia Golodetska Tatyana Rabinovich Yakov Genkin Moshe Tchernogouz Sofia Poretsky Avraham Sharoni Esther Sharoni Simandu Zecharyev Chana Rotenberg Arkadiy Press Mikhail Aksmanov Yakob Roytburg Izya Fertman Galina Fosman Chaya Mushka Blokh Manny Spivak Semyon Polonsky Sofia Kurgatnikov Svetlana Likhtaryova Semyon Fishgal Liana Mordechai Chava Tauby Shefadia Israilov From the rabbis of the Jewish Russian Community Centre Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman (Senior Rabbi) Rabbi Levi Blau Rabbi David Davidov Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim Rabbi Levi Jacobson Rabbi Shmuel Neft For all your family bereavement needs (funeral, Rabbi Avraham Weinstein unveiling, kaddish services, shiva, yahrzeit and Rabbi Avrohom Yusewitz memorial plaques) the JRCC rabbis are here to Avrohom assist you,Rabbi 24 hours a day. Zaltzman Services available Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman in Russian, Hebrew, English and Yiddish.

416.222.7105 x221 Rabbi Yisroel Zaltzman

August 2020

www.exodusmagazine.org

25

Thank you to ourfor volunteers helped S ubscription E xodus who magazine pack and distribute over 12,000 matzot to Fill out the form below and mailof it in our or ordercommunity! online at www.exodusmagazine.org. members Mail to: Exodus Magazine, 5987 Bathurst St., #3, Toronto, ON M2R 1Z3 Canada.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

CORONAVIRUS RESOURSES

Subscription Type (choose one): q Canadian subscription — $18 per year q US/International subscription — $36 US per year

Mailing Address: Name: ___________________________________________ Address: _______________________ Postal Code: ______ Tel: ____________________ E-mail: __________________ Gift Subscription: q I am purchasing this subscription as a gift for: Name: ___________________________________________ Address: _______________________ Postal Code: ______ Tel: ____________________ E-mail: __________________

TORAH LETTER

Buy a special letter in the Torah for yourself or anyone you know.

JEWISH VIDEOS

Browse our library of Jewish videos on Jewish themes.

NEED HELP?

JRCC is offering services to assist eligible seniors in this difficult time.

Sponsorships: q I would like to be an Exodus Sponsor: Amount: $_________ (Sponsorships are tax deductible) Payment Method (select one): q Cheque — payable to JRCC Exodus Magazine q Bill me q Credit card:

Card Number: _______________ Expiry: _______

Signature: ______________ Date: _________

KADDISH SERVICES

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT

WWW.JRCC.ORG/COVID19

MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY

SHAVUOT KVINT (acronym for Kon’iaki, vina i napitki Tiraspol’ia ("divins, wines, and beverages of Tiraspol") is a winery and distillery based in Tiraspol, the administrative center of Transnistria.GRADUATION Even though it underwent through many difficulties, being twice destroyed by

JRCC.HELP

Shop for the best selection of Kvint Wine :

KVINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON KOSHER 2015, LCBO #455138

Are you 70+?

This wine is made under control of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of New York (USA), OU, it has the status of Kosher for PASSOVER, Mevushal (approved for Passover, pasteurized). This wine is made from the selected grapes grown in own vineyards of KVINT. It features pleasant astringency and harmonious acidity. Its bouquet is complex with aroma of nightshade berries enriched with hints of morocco leather.

LET US GET IT FOR YOU

KVINT MERLOT KOSHER 2015, LCBO # 455112

Bright berry aromas: hints of cassis, and delicate nuances of prunes and cherry.

2614

ExodusMay Magazin2020 e / Iyar 5780

The JRCC is offering

It is velvety on the palate, with barely perceptible services to assist Russianastringency and freshness.

speaking* seniors stay at home during this difficult time.

Are you in need of groceries/ medication or get to a doctors appointment?

LET US HELP YOU.

It is made by special production process with eauxde-vie and wine-distilled spirits aged in oak barrels * This service is offered free of charge (aside from not less than a year. It features fine golden purchasing expenses)color, and is available to the community harmonious taste and bright floral with lightages 70+ and 2) live alone or that is aroma 1) Russian-speakers tones of maturity. with no younger family members and 3) live in the areas

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE JRCC HEBREW SCHOOL VISIT WWW.JRCCSCHOOLS.ORG

Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario

Also Kvint is focusing their efforts on making a wide assortment of wines. Along with ordinary table dry, Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario semi-sweet and dessert wines, the KVINT’s portfolio Еврейский Центр Русскоязычной Oбщины Онтарио can boast of some excellent varietal and blended wines matured in oak barriques, according to traditional production process from 9 months to 3 years.

WWW.JRCCSCHOOLS.CA 3

10 17 24 31

Online Torah Lectures & Programs.

For more information please visit

Now a days this wars, becoming a part of prohibition law in the 80s, company with the company is now an important economic player in more than 118 a region, producing more than 20 million bottles of years of history alcoholic beverages per year. holds a OSCAR leading YOLLES position among the Although the distillery's roster includes an assortment manufacturers of of wines, gins, and vodkas, by far the most famous of alcoholic beverages its products are its award-winning brandies. Like all in Moldova. Unique top-notch spirits, the high quality of this liquor begins with the region's grapes. Occupying the land east of the OSCAR climate, fertile soil, YOLLES hilly terrain and River Dniester, Transnistria is in the heart of the ancient vicinity of the river Bessarabian wine region, a gem of viniculture perched Dniester created above the Black Sea that has also survived the many most favorable ups and downs of centuries of Russian rule. conditions for Plucked from the Bessarabian vine, the grapes fortunate growing best grapes; enough to make their way to Tiraspol are transformed modern equipment, into brandy using a process identical to that used to advanced technologies, original recipes, respect make Cognac in France—double distilled in copper to ancient traditions and passionate work ofREST KVINT pots, aged inYEAR? oak barrels, and then carefully blended WANT TO JOIN OUR HEBREW SCHOOL FOR THE OF THE SCHOOL professionals – all these factors allow to produce with water and sugar. The grapes are of a typical JOIN USbeverages, ONLINE FOR THE COMING WEEKS. admirable which compete with world Cognac variety, an assortment that includes Colombard, renowned brands.

Riesling, and Ugni Blanc. Despite the company's rigid Contact us at Locals consider KVINT a national treasure and a adherence to the French production methods, Kvint is notEDUCATION located in Cognac, France and therefore cannot GIVE CHILD THE GIFT OF A JEWISH symbolYOUR of their country. formally call their products "Cognacs." Instead they Its factory is shown on the 5 Transnistrian ruble use the Moldovan word divin, hence Kvint's name, banknote. which is an acronym for the Russian phrase "divins, wines, and beverages of Tiraspol." But in a land where Kvint distillery is the oldest enterprise still in operation international laws don't seem to really apply, most local from 1897 in the region. KVINT is one of Transnistria's people still refer to Kvint's products as Cognacs, and it AHAVAT largest exporters, to Italy and ChinaYISRAEL as well as Russia is called Brandy everywhere else in the world. and Ukraine; its brandy has gone to the Vatican and into space.

BRANDY KVINT KOSHER and DIVIN KVINT KOSHER FOR DAY PASSOVER are now available at LCBO stores, LAGproduced BAOMER & MOTHER’S Kvint XO brandy was first by the Tiraspol Vintage # 577817 and # 540039.

Wine & Cognac Distillery KVINT in 1967 as a dedication to the jubilee of the October Revolution. It is made from It is made under control of the Union of Orthodox ISRAEL spirits seasoned Jewish Congregations of New York (USA), OU, it the premium quality “eaux-de-vie” in oak barrels not less than 20 years according to has the status of Kosher for Passover (approved for classical “French methode”.

Passover).

HEBREWSCHOOL@JRCC.ORG

ONLINE CLASSES

We’re here to try to ensure that the mourner’s Kaddish will be said in their merit at a minyan of ten men.

of Major Mackenzie to Eglinton and Dufferin to Yonge.

Call us at 416-222-7105x999 or visit us online at jrcc.help

WE NEED

VOLUNTEERS! Please register at JRCC.HELP

Av / Elul 5780 416.222.7105

BREAKING NEWS!

To help our community deal with the financial fallout of the pandemic, Jewish Free Loan Toronto has created a new, emergency COVID 19 LOAN

Up to $8000 available completely interest-free APPLY NOW

• Phone interviews • Direct deposits into your accounts • Quick turn around

DONATE

If you need help paying for childcare, making up lost wages or compensation for any COVID related loss, we are here to help.

TO APPLY OR DONATE VISIT

www.jewishfreeloan.ca

416 635 1217 x 5269 | irakrush@jewishfreeloan.ca Charity Registration # 108122417 RR0001

FIERA FOODS COMPANY IS HIRING! As one of North America’s largest, privately-owned large-scale bakeries, Fiera Foods Company and affiliated companies has an incredible history of expansion, innovation and quality over the past 30 years.

We’re looking for outstanding people to join our outstanding team.

• Production (Mixers, Scalers, Oven Operators, Production Line Operators,

General Production Staff, Forklift Operators, Shipper/Receivers); • Skilled Trades (Electricians, Mechanics, Refrigeration Mechanics, PLC Technicians) • Sales (Canada and US); • Management (Lead hand, Supervisory, Management, Project Engineers)

Our commitment to quality, excellence, and responsiveness are critical to our team and our success. Superior communication, teamwork and attention to detail are expected of everyone.

Please submit your resume and your compensation expectations to jobs@fierafoods.com or call (416) 746 1010 (ext. 258).

We thank all in advance for their interest, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

MA JOR IE NZ M AC K E

High Holidays JEWISH RUSSIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE OF ONTARIO

2 R RUTHE

3

FORD

4

Рош Ашана / Йом Кипур

2020/5781

407 YONGE ST

KEELE ST.

DR

BATHURST ST

DUFFERIN ST

1

ЕВРЕЙСКИЙ ЦЕНТР РУССКОЯЗЫЧНОЙ ОБЩИНЫ ОНТАРИО

CENTR

6

E ST

JANE ST.

400

5

7 S STEELE

8

AVE

9

BATHURST ST

10 AVE FINCH

ARD SHEPP

11

12 AVE

401 WILSO

N

13 LAWRE

NCE

Welcoming Atmosphere, Instructional Services English, Russian & Hebrew Prayerbooks Family-Friendly, Children’s Program

Thirteen Locations in the GTA

Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario

Rosh Hashana: Sept. 18 - 20, 2020 • Yom Kippur: Sept. 27-28, 2020

1

JRCC OF WOODBRIDGE Rabbi Avrohom Yusewitz Vellore Village Community Centre, 1 Villa Royale Ave.

2

RICHMOND HILL/MAPLE Rabbi Avrohom Zaltzman CHAT North, 50 Marc Santi Blvd.

3

CONCORD Rabbi Avi Weinstein 411 Confederation Pkwy., #14

4

THORNHILL WOODS Rabbi Chaim Hildeshaim North Thornhill Community Centre, 300 Pleasant Ridge

5

WEST THORNHILL Rabbi Levi Jacobson Cente for the Arts, 525 New Westminster Dr.

6

EAST THORNHILL Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman 7608 Yonge St., #3

7

SOUTH THORNHILL Rabbi Levi Blau 1 Cordoba Dr. (Party Room)

8

NORTH YORK Melekh Brikman 175 Hilda Ave. (Party Room)

9

NORTH YORK Rabbi Shmuel Neft 18 Rockford Rd.

10

GORSKY COMMUNITY (SFARAD) Rabbi David Davidov 465 Patricia Ave. (Downstairs)

11

WILLOWDALE Rabbi Yisroel Zaltzman 5700 Yonge St., Unit G1

12

BATHURST & SHEPPARD Roman Goldstein 4455 Bathurst St.

13

BATHURST & LAWRENCE Mordechai Natarov 3174 Bathurst St.

For tickets and info:

*Addres s not fina es are l due to Covid-1 9

416-222-7105 or jrcc.org/HighHolidays Address correction requested

PM 40062996