It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our dear friend and Rabbi, Joel Wittstein on Thursday, January 28, 2010 / 14 Shevat 5770. He has been our respected leader and beloved teacher for over two decades, and we will all miss the warmth, wisdom and kindness he shared with us. May his memory be for a blessing.
Our sincere condolences go to Ailene and all their children and grandchildren.
Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Temple Israel in the name of “Camp George Summer Scholarships” or the Festival of the Sound, Parry Sound
Temple Israel of London is celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Watch for SPECIAL EVENTS throughout the year.
A Warm Welcome ...
Temple Israel is a community of approximately 140 families. It is a positive and strong Reform Jewish presence in the London community, with a Religious School, Pre-School Experience, an active program of Adult Education, Social Action, Outreach, and social events. Our Shabbat Services, holiday and life-cycle observances are warm and inspiring.
Explore our website, join us for services, classes, and programs, meet our members, visit our library and gift shop. You will find many opportunities to enrich your experience of Judaism. If this is your first visit, we hope you will come back often. Membership information can be found in the "About Temple Israel" section.
Note: Most items on our website can be clicked for more information.
If this is your first visit to the Temple Israel website, please note that a summary of all announcements and upcoming events (for the next 60 days) appears on the homepage. Announcements and upcoming events for specific categories of events (eg: youth education, adult ed, social action etc.) also appear on the page for each topic. The "Programs and Special Events" page has details for future events.
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Any donation made to Canadian charitable organizations between Jan. 12 and Feb. 12, 2010 will be matched by Ottawa through the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund -- which is managed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). CIDA will then allocate these funds to Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations.
From Union for Reform Judaism:
Earthquake in Haiti
A severe earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010. This is the most severe earthquake to hit that impoverished country in 200 years. The death toll is expected to reach thousands and it will likely be many days until the impact is fully known. The epicenter was near the capital of Port-au-Prince. Already there are reports that the presidential palace, a major hotel and the UN Headquarters collapsed, leaving hundreds buried in the rubble. According to the International Red Cross, up to 3 million people have been affected by the quake.
As in the past, the Reform Jewish community has a long history of generosity when natural disasters devastate communities around the world. Your generosity at this critical time enables us to play a role in recovery efforts and bring healing and hope to those whose lives have been affected.
To donate online: The CCRJ now offers online donations to the CCRJ Haiti Relief Fund. Go to: http://urj.org/haiti and click on “Donate” button with the Canadian Flag on it. An electronic Canadian tax receipt will be emailed to you.
To donate by cheque: Please write "Haiti Relief - TISA" in the memo section of your cheque. Bring cheques to the Temple Israel office, or mail to:
Canadian Council for Reform Judaism 3845 Bathurst St. Suite 301 Toronto, Ontario M3H 3N2
To contact the CCRJ, call 416-630-0375, fax 416-630-5089, or email Sandra Levy: slevy@urj.org.
The Union for Reform Judaism retains no overhead expenses for disaster relief donations, other than direct costs of credit card fees. On-going updates regarding the disaster relief efforts and the allocations from this fund will be posted at www.urj.org/relief.
From United Jewish Appeal:
In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto is sending a 12-member search and rescue team to Haiti and will be accepting donations at ujadonations.com/Haiti or by calling United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto at 416-631-5705. United Israel Appeal is also accepting donations for a Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to aid the people in Haiti who are in desperate need. UIA will be working with local, national and international partners to ensure all donations are dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible. To make a donation, please make your cheque out to United Israel Appeal Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund and mail or call: UIA of Canada Haiti Relief Fund, United Israel Appeal of Canada, 315-4600 Bathurst Street , Toronto, Ontario M2R 3V3, (416) 636-7655.
This Week at Temple Israel
THIS WEEK AT TEMPLE ISRAEL
Due to the expected large number of people attending Shiva Services at TI, we strongly suggest carpooling. If Temple parking is full, we have arranged for overflow parking at the Scouts Canada Lodge located at 531Windermere, west of the Temple.
Donations: memorial donations to Temple Israel in the name of “Camp George Summer Scholarships” or the Festival of the Sound, Parry Sound.
Monday, February 1:
7:30pm – Shiva Service at TI
Note: In deference to tonight's 7:30 Shiva at Temple Israel for Rabbi Wittstein Z"L, JEM will be starting at 8:15 instead of the usual 7:30.
8:15pm – JEM Lecture at the JCC: The Golden Period and Decline of Jewish Spain: From Moses Maimonides to the Pogroms of 1391,by David Dominguez Navarro.
Tuesday, February 2:
12:15pm – 1:15pm – Lunch and Learn session at TI
7:30pm – Shiva Service at TI
Wednesday, February 3:
7:30am - 8:00am - Morning Minyan at TI followed by breakfast.
4:30pm – 6:00pm – Hebrew Class (Religious School)
6:30pm – 8:30pm – Food Sort at London Food Bank. Please, RSVP to Leora (lswartzm@uwo.ca)
7:30pm - Shiva Service at TI
8:00pm - 2010 Israel Lecture Series at the JCC:
Understanding the obstacles to peace… Turning territorial conflict into religious war, by Barbara Crook, Associate Director and North American representative of the Palestinian Media Watch.
Thursday, February 4:
7:30pm - Shiva Service at TI
Rabbi Debra Stahlberg Dressler will be joining us February 6-7, 2010 and we welcome the entire congregation to join us at the following events:
Saturday, February 6:
9:30am – 10:15am - Rabbi Debra Dressler will lead a Shabbat study group, "What's in a commandment?"
10:30am – 12:00pm – Shabbat Morning service led by Rabbi Debra Dressler followed by Kiddush sponsored by Sandra Benjamin.
Sunday, February 7:
9:30am - 11:00am - “How 'sweet' (and sometimes sticky) it is - the joys and oys of raising Jewish children in the real world," by Rabbi Debra Dressler.All parents of children and teens in our congregation are invited to the opening of religious school, followed by a discussion. Cinnamon buns and coffee will be served.
Monday, February 8:
7:30pm – JEM Lecture at the JCC: Josephus and the Torah, by Daniel Maoz
Tuesday, February 9:
12:15pm – 1:15pm – Lunch and Learn session at TI.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF:
The CCRJ now offers online donations to the CCRJ Haiti Relief Fund. Go to: http://urj.org/haiti and click on “Donate” button with the Canadian Flag on it. An electronic Canadian tax receipt will be emailed to you.
Special Events Reminder
DON'T FORGET...
There are lots of great programs coming up soon.
Temple Israel Community Seder, Tuesday, March 30 and more!
Women's College Research Institute in Toronto just got funding to screen Jewish women aged 20-70 for the BRCA Cancer gene. This gene is associated with early onset of Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer. Jewish women of Ashkenazi descent are at higher risk for these two cancers than the general population.
Up to now, genetic screening was inaccessible for most of us. Dr. Nisker did a program on this problem years back for a Hadassah program.
You don't have to prove that you have risk factors and you can register on-line. Please pass this on to your friends.
Temple Israel’s 25th Anniversary Cookbook Still Needs Your Input!
Summer is the perfect season for sorting recipes. Send us your favourite, with a brief note or line about it - its source, how it evolved, why your family likes it, tips on making it, anything at all you are willing to share. We will compile them all, hopefully one from each family member, to be published in honour of our 25th year with the Reform movement.
You can submit your annotated recipes to Yolanda Tomaszewski by email - yola27@gmail.com- or leave hard copies, handwritten or photocopied, etc, in the Temple Office.
Aunt Sadie's Candies
AUNT SADIE'S CANDIES KOSHER FOR PASSOVER Temple Israel earns 40% of each dollar you buy!!!
We tasted these candies at the URJ Biennial in Toronto, and everyone loved them!
Order by Feb 8, 2010 through any Temple Israel Religious School student (Our students can earn prizes, so please support them.) or Contact the Temple Office 519-858-4400 to join in on the bulk shipment to Temple Israel -- Order by Feb 8, 2010 or Order any time from Aunt Sadie's website auntsadiescandies.com or phone 888-SADIES9 (888-723-4379). Be sure to enter Temple Israel's name and our registration code Templeisraellondonont so that Temple Israel will receive its 40% rebate credit. Please note: Orders directly from the Aunt Sadies Candies website are in US Dollars, plus shipping. Great for sending holiday gifts to friends and family in the US.
CANADIAN PRICES BELOW INCLUDE SHIPPING to LONDON, ONTARIO in Temple Israel's bulk order Please place your order by February 8, 2010
Small Box
Med Box
Large Box
Other
Whole Megillah Asortment
$8.50 4oz
$17.50 8oz
$32.50 16oz
Party Box $69.95 40oz
David's Coconut Crunch Bar
$8.50 4oz
$17.25 8oz
$32.50 16oz
Favourite Chocolate Clusters
$9.50 4oz
$18.25 80z
$32.50 16oz
Leah's Lavender Mallows
$7.50 4pc
$14.50 8pc
$26.50 15pc
Tevya's Charoset Truffles
$8.50 4oz
$17.50 8oz
$32.50 16oz
Molly's Chocolate Pops
$8.50 Gift bag of 4 pops
Oscar's Orange Peel
$11.00 4oz
$22.00 8oz
$41.00 16oz
Remember...Temple Israel earns 40% of each dollar you buy!!!
Mishkan T'filah Dedications
As you may know, we have replaced our old siddur, The Gates of Prayer, with the new Mishkan T’Filah siddur.
Some of you were very kind and generous to dedicate a copy of our former prayer book. Would you perhaps like to re-dedicate that same dedication in a new Mishkan T’Filah Sidur? Would you also like to dedicate a new prayer book to honour or remember someone else or to mark a special occasion?
Make cheques payable to: Temple Israel and send to 605 Windermere Rd, London ON N5X 2P1
Or call the Temple Office at (519) 858-4400
Thank you very much
Please Help Keep Temple Israel Nut-Free
Just a reminder that Temple Israel is striving to be a Nut-Free Zone. To protect those with nut allergies, your co-operation is needed. When bringing in food for potluck dinners, minyan breakfasts, Lunch & Learn, oneg Shabbat or kiddush snacks, etc. please be careful not to bring items that contain nuts.
ARZA Canada is an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, and ARZENU, the International Association of Reform Zionists. With over 6,000 members, our mandate is to connect with Reform communities throughout Canada, foster connections with and strengthen our ties to the Reform Movement in Israel, and work to realize the vision of Reform Zionism.
We believe in fostering a pluralistic, democratic society in the State of Israel, where no particular religious interpretation of Judaism takes legal precedence over another. We believe in promoting an interest in Israel, and Zionist activities, in Progressive Jewish communities throughout Canada. We believe in strengthening Jewish communities both here and in Israel by advocating the views of Reform Jews within Zionist institutions.
If you can’t drive in the dark, or you’re without a car (or license) and you want to come to Temple for any reason (a program, a service) please call the Temple Office with as much notice as you can, but even if it’s for the same day, please call.
Rabbi Daniel Gottlieb's moving eulogy for Rabbi Joel Wittstein, of blessed memory, is now available in PDF format on the Publications page in the Members' Lounge section of our website.
Down in the basement of the Temple are a quantity of books, most reduced by 50%. Please feel free to browse and pick up some bargains for your own library.
All JEM programs meet Monday 7:30pm at the JCC. This series of presentations by outstanding speakers is presented jointly by Or Shalom and Temple Israel. More info on the Adult Education page.
Please login to the Members' Lounge to read Lev Ha-Davar online, or print it, or save it to your computer for fast future access. (Use Print or Save options in Adobe Reader.)
Please consider dedicating one (or more) of our new prayer books to honour a special occasion or the memory of your family and friends. Details on the Donations page.
For the sake of our custodian, Paul Gerster, please ensure that, at any Temple function, if you move chairs from one floor to the other, you return them to their original level.
Members of Temple Israel take turns providing refreshments for Oneg Shabbat or Shabbat Kiddush. A great opportunity to honour a yahrzeit, a simcha, or other special person or event. Contact Temple Office.
EVERY TEMPLE ISRAEL HOUSEHOLD SHOULD BE RECEIVING – AND READING – REFORM JUDAISM MAGAZINE! It is an excellent resource which links us to the broader Reform Jewish world…and it is part of your membership package! If you do not receive REFORM JUDAISM MAGAZINE, call the Temple Office, please. Stop missing opportunities for Jewish growth!
Managed under the London Jewish Community Foundation, all contributions to this Fund are held in perpetuity, and the interest income will be provided each year to Temple Israel to help support our growing needs. [MORE INFORMATION ON THE DONATIONS PAGE]
Thank you to Rael Wienburg for setting up a page for "Temple Israel of London, Ontario, Canada" on Facebook:
http://tinyurl.com/nr76qw
Look for the convenient Facebook button near the top of Temple Israel's homepage.
A lasting way to honour the memory of your loved ones. Information about Temple Israel's Yahrzeit (Memorial) Board is now on the Donations page. Click "More Information"
Josephus and the Torah - Daniel Maoz
Josephus, a controversial first-century Jewish general turned Roman historian, has recently become an
important focus for Jewish scholars in their re-examination of Jewish history. The presentation will discuss the
contentiousness surrounding this figure and then move on to his writings about the Torah and the light these
have shed on Jewish thought of the first century of the Common Era. Josephus' omissions, in this case, prove as
informative as his interpretive inclusions of the canonical text.
Dr. Daniel Maoz has extensively researched the Greek writings of Josephus and has presented his findings at
international congresses in Canada, the United States and Israel. His critical reviews on current Josephan
scholarship have been published in foremost academic journals. Dr. Maoz's insights into the contribution of
Josephus' writings to Jewish history run crosscurrent against traditional views.
The Sturgeon Controversy of 1803 and the Birth of Orthodox Judaism - Howard Lupovitch
The Sturgeon Controversy (circa 1800) was a relatively minor dispute over whether or not sturgeon is kosher,
which escalated into a conflict that nearly split the Jews of Hungary and Slovakia into separate religious
denominations. In the two sides of this conflict we see the emergence of two religious outlooks: Neolog (the
Hungarian version of Reform Judaism, which eventually affiliated with Conservative Judaism) and Orthodoxy.
For this reason the controversy gives us an opportunity to “look behind the curtain” and see how these religious
movements got started and why they disagreed (and often still disagree) so vehemently.
Dr. Howard N. Lupovitch is the Waks Family Associate Professor of Jewish History in the Department of History
at the University of Western Ontario.
Temple Israel joins the rest of the London Jewish Community for our annual Purim Party. Costume contest! Face painting! Lots of fun!
Hamantaschen and drinks will be served. Admission: $3 per person, under 3 - FREE
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
(Shabbat Shekalim; Mishpatim, Exodus 21:1-24:18) This will be our rescheduled New Members Shabbat, when we welcome those who have joined Temple Israel over the past year. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Temple Board in honour of our New Members. Rosh Chodesh Adar, which begins on the evening of Sunday, February 14, will be announced.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
After Kiddush following Shabbat Morning Service we will discuss a book by the eminent Israeli writer, Amos Oz, The Panther in the Basement. Even if you’ve read this book as part of our Adult Education book series, it is worth reading again. The story is set in the last days of the British mandate in Palestine. It is narrated by an adult looking back, but his voice slips easily into that of the twelve-year-old telling stories that give us a vivid picture of his own adolescent turmoil and that of the politics and nation-building fervour of those heady days of 1947.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
The class is intended for ANYONE who wishes to increase his/her Jewish knowledge and it is a prerequisite for any person anticipating conversion. Please contact the Temple Office or Art Benjamin if you are interested in attending, or to get more information about the class. There is no charge for the class except for the text. Sessions will run October to December, breaking (with readings and activities) until February. They will conclude in May.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
Help sort food at the London Food Bank. Feel free to bring non-perishable food. This is a child-friendly event, though best suited for those aged 7 and older.
In light of recently-imposed limits on the number of volunteers per evening, only members of Temple Israel are invited to attend. Please contact Leora Swartzman by noon to let her know how many from your family will be attending. lswartzm@uwo.ca
The class is intended for ANYONE who wishes to increase his/her Jewish knowledge and it is a prerequisite for any person anticipating conversion. Please contact the Temple Office or Art Benjamin if you are interested in attending, or to get more information about the class. There is no charge for the class except for the text. Sessions will run October to December, breaking (with readings and activities) until February. They will conclude in May.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
The class is intended for ANYONE who wishes to increase his/her Jewish knowledge and it is a prerequisite for any person anticipating conversion. Please contact the Temple Office or Art Benjamin if you are interested in attending, or to get more information about the class. There is no charge for the class except for the text. Sessions will run October to December, breaking (with readings and activities) until February. They will conclude in May.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
The class is intended for ANYONE who wishes to increase his/her Jewish knowledge and it is a prerequisite for any person anticipating conversion. Please contact the Temple Office or Art Benjamin if you are interested in attending, or to get more information about the class. There is no charge for the class except for the text. Sessions will run October to December, breaking (with readings and activities) until February. They will conclude in May.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
The class is intended for ANYONE who wishes to increase his/her Jewish knowledge and it is a prerequisite for any person anticipating conversion. Please contact the Temple Office or Art Benjamin if you are interested in attending, or to get more information about the class. There is no charge for the class except for the text. Sessions will run October to December, breaking (with readings and activities) until February. They will conclude in May.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
Temple Israel’s second night Seder will take place at Temple Israel on Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 starting at 6:00 pm. Come and bring your family and friends. Enjoy all the traditional foods and rituals. There will be songs and prizes for all the children as well as a special prize for the Afikomen. Registration forms will be available in the Temple Office and in your March Lev Hadavar. We will be using The Open Door: A Passover Haggadah, available at the Temple Gift Shop.
The class is intended for ANYONE who wishes to increase his/her Jewish knowledge and it is a prerequisite for any person anticipating conversion. Please contact the Temple Office or Art Benjamin if you are interested in attending, or to get more information about the class. There is no charge for the class except for the text. Sessions will run October to December, breaking (with readings and activities) until February. They will conclude in May.
Discussion of a variety of interesting topics. Bring your lunch, if you wish. (Nut-free please.) Dessert and coffee or tea are provided. All are welcome.
Help sort food at the London Food Bank. Feel free to bring non-perishable food. This is a child-friendly event, though best suited for those aged 7 and older.
In light of recently-imposed limits on the number of volunteers per evening, only members of Temple Israel are invited to attend. Please contact Leora Swartzman by noon to let her know how many from your family will be attending. lswartzm@uwo.ca
