March for Our London Family
Last year, a London family was the tragic victim of a devastating hate crime that took their lives, including 9th grader Yumnah Afzaal. To commemorate and honour her legacy and her family, a group of her friends and peers decided to do something to prevent this kind of hate from ever visiting London again. This resulted in the creation of the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI). On June 5th 2022, the one year anniversary of this tragic event, the youth coalition will be hosting a march in honour of Our London Family.
On behalf of YCCI, you are invited to attend the march to show your support in ending hate. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.ycci.ca
Volunteers Needed for London Food Bank Sort
Where: The London Food Bank, 926 Leathorne Street
When: The 1st Wednesday of every 2nd month, 6:30-8:00 pm
Upcoming sort: Wednesday, June 1, 2022
- Limit of 12. To reserve your spot, email the Temple office here.
We are open for Shabbat Services!!
We are thrilled to welcome our community to join us in person for Shabbat services. For those who are unable to attend in person, services will be accessible by Zoom as well. (see our calendar).
As per the board's directive, attendance at in-person services requires the following of all attendees:
- Must be fully vaccinated (3 injections for those eligible)
- Must submit proof of vaccination to the Temple office
- Must remain masked while at Temple
- Must pre-register for services to confirm required documents are received
- Complete the registration form here.
Hand sanitizer and masks are available at the entrance. Please leave extra time to check in at the door. Social distancing is not required, but available if you prefer. At this time, there will be no food or drink available.
If you feel unwell, or have recently travelled abroad, please join us another time.
Ukraine Crisis Fund - WUPJ
In the light of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the World Union for Progressive Judaism launches the Ukraine Crisis Fund. We ask people from all over the world to make donations towards the support of the Ukrainian Jewish community.
Money will be spent on individuals and communities to ensure their safety and well-being. If the conflict escalates further, your money will become crucial and necessary help for many people. If the tension eases, the fund will be spent on the development of the progressive Jewish community in Ukraine.
To donate, visit here.
Donate your "Stuff"
The Temple Israel Social Action Committee has been thinking that many people in our community may wish to use these months when we have been at home a great deal to de-clutter our homes and prepare boxes or bags of clothing and household items that may be of use to organizations in our city that assist people in need. Here is a list of London organizations and the kind of donations of household goods each one needs, where to bring items, hours, etc.
Ad in Globe & Mail February 7, 2022 created by Reform Rabbis of Canada and RJCC
Important Statements from Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC)
Reform Movement Strongly Condemns Amnesty International Report
Click here for more information
Reform Jewish Leader Responds to Uptick in Antisemitic Incidents
Click here for more information
URJ Statement on Prime Minister Bennett's Abandonment of the Kotel Agreement
Click here for more information
Letter from Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC)
A statement from RJCC was sent to the Toronto District School Board ahead of the meeting to potentially censure Trustee Lulka for calling out, on Twitter, antisemitic and anti-Israel material that was circulated to teachers by a Student Equity Program Advisor. It was signed by the RJCC, ARZA Canada and the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto (RRGT). See letter here.
B'nai Brith Calls on Canadian Govt. for Strong Action on AntiSemitism
Nov. 15, 2021 OTTAWA — B’nai Brith Canada is proposing a four-point action plan to the Government in hopes of combating increasing antisemitism. A letter sent Monday morning to Irwin Cotler, Special Envoy for Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, contained recommendations from B’nai Brith that would transform into concrete gains the significant commitments made ...
www.bnaibrith.ca We are heartened by the Government of Canada's country pledge made October 13 at the Malmo International Forum to Combat Antisemitism:
Read more here.
New!! Member Bulletin Board
Check out our new Member Bulletin Board here!
Hannah & Lillian Shmukler's Bat Mitzvah Project
As their Bat Mitzvah project, Hannah and Lillian Shmukler have started a company called Fuzzer & Co where they take orders for pet bandanas, sew them and donate 100% of the profits to the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. For more information, visit their website here.
From the Reform Jewish Community of Canada
Reform Jewish Community of Canada Statement
June 2, 2021
The Reform Jewish Community of Canada Calls for Action on the Discovery of the Unmarked Graves of Indigenous Children at The Kamloops Indian Residential School
Our hearts are with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and Indigenous peoples and communities across the country as they mourn once again the deaths of 215 children found to be buried in a mass grave on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. We know that this was not a discovery, but a confirmation, and we know that silence is not a solution to the continuing pain and injustice experienced by Indigenous communities.
We stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples to address the historic and ongoing effects of colonialism to ensure a rich heritage, legacy, and future for your children and your children’s children. Our tradition teaches that the loss of even one life is the loss of a whole world. This particular loss is unfathomable.
We bear witness to the truth and call on our governments to follow through on commitments made to ensure meaningful reconciliation, including following through on articles 71-76 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action outlining crucial steps related to missing children and burials. We further acknowledge that the injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples in Canada are not limited to historic events like abuse that occurred through the Residential School System. Rather, there continue to be pressing issues facing Indigenous communities, and it is our responsibility to work together to address them. As our tradition further teaches us, while it may not be upon us to complete the work, we are not free to desist from it.
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.]
Reform Jewish Community of Canada Stands With Israel
Recipes and a recording of our session are now available!
Favourite Passover Recipes from our members
1. LINDA ZIMMERMAN
Coconut Macaroons
Someone must have posted changes to this recipe online. The version I have does NOT use cream of tartar at all, and mine says 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. (I used just a pinch of regular salt.)
My recipe says it makes 16 macaroons, but I got 27 this time. This recipe says it makes 42. Must be tiny ones.
My son-in-law makes these macaroons for our Passover seder, and his are fabulous! You don't have to wait for Passover. These are great any time, and it's a bonus to find a "cookie" recipe with no fat and no wheat.
2. LINDA ZIMMERMAN
Matza Maple Pecan Tart
3. DINAH FRANK
Passover Cookies (from Judy Frank)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 pear or apple, grated
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp Passover baking soda
- 1 cup matzo cake meal
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1/4 cup raisins
In large bowl, beat egg slightly. Add oil, sugar, cinnamon, and fruit. Add baking soda, cake meal nuts and raisins one at a time, mixing after each addition. Batter will be thick. Drop by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with oil. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Makes 1.5 dozen cookies.
4. JIM STEVENS
Pizza Seasoning
Did you know you can make your own pizza seasoning at home? It’s so handy to have whenever you’re in the mood to have a pizza night – one of our favorite dinner recipes! You don’t need much- just a few ingredients! So dig around in you spice drawer/cabinet and look for the following herbs and seasonings:
- oregano
- basil
- dried onion flakes
- garlic powder
- thyme
- fennel
- paprika
- ground black pepper
Use during Passover or anytime of the year.
5. RAEL WIENBURG
6. SUSAN DEAN
Passover Cake
This cake is so good, you'll want to make it all year long. Very rich.
7. SUSAN DEAN
Caramel Matzah Crunch - from Louise Shanfeld (you know it's good!)
8. SHAUL SHECTER
Shecter’s Internationally Famous Matzah Brei:
-
Green Onions (both ends)***
-
Tomatoes
-
Green Peppers
-
Red Peppers
-
Orange Peppers
-
Minced garlic
9. IRINA SANATANI
German Ricotta or Quarkauflauf süß (i.e.sweet)
- 1 container smooth full fat ricotta ( 475 g) or 1.5-2 containers of quark (about 500g)
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp of heavy cream
- 125 g or about 1/2 cup sugar
- 75 g or 1/4 cup fine almond flour or matzo meal
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon or 1/2 tsp lemon flavouring
- butter for the form
- fruit for the top (your choice, we like mixed berries, pitted cherries or peaches fresh or frozen, apples work really well too)
- vanilla sugar 1 packet or cinnamon
The home of Reform Judaism in London, Ontario.
At Temple Israel, we weave the gifts of our Jewish past into the promise of our future.
An inclusive and diverse congregation, we encourage participation from all who seek a meaningful Jewish life in the 21st century. We welcome Jewish and interfaith couples, traditional and non-traditional families, singles, LGBT, and people of every age, race, and ethnicity.
As a community of around 135 families, our Shabbat services, holiday and life-cycle observances are warm and lively. We also offer a Religious School, Pre-School Experience, Adult Education Classes, as well as Social Action, Outreach, Interfaith, and Social events.
Whether you are new to Judaism or a learned scholar, our tent is open.
Temple Israel of London