Jewels of Elul
Jewels is a collection of short inspirational insights from both well-known and under-the-radar personalities who influence our global community. Whether in song, video or written word, Jewels provide a moment to reflect on our past, present and future. Jewels is available daily during the 29 days leading up to the Jewish Holy Days, when the tradition is to search our hearts and create opportunities for growth and discovery.
Click here to register for a Jewel-A-Day.
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
From Rabbi Dressler: London Mosque Vigil and Multi-Faith March to End Hatred
Friends:
The London community suffered two tragic blows in the last 48 hours.
On Sunday, a beautiful multi-generational family was killed while out for an evening walk.
Monday afternoon, we learned the horrifying news that they had been targeted by a young man solely because they were Muslim.
Temple Israel and the Jewish community of London stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters as we grieve this senseless loss, and as we struggle to restore a sense of safety to our fellow Londoners. Their pain is our pain.
I have been in constant touch with my interfaith colleagues and partners. Plans have been fluid, but I wanted to reach out to make sure you were all aware of events as they are scheduled.
Tonight, Tuesday June 8, 7:00 pm - Vigil outside London Muslim (Oxford Street) Mosque. Many of us in the Jewish community are unable to attend due to quarantine and Covid restrictions, so the JCC is exploring if we can join the vigil’s live stream as a community. Please watch our website and Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
Friday, June 11, 7:00 to 8:45 pm - London Multi-Faith March to End Hatred. Londoners of all faiths will march in solidarity against hate on Friday to show support for our Muslim neighbours. Details will continue to be shared as they are available.
Please monitor your email and the Temple website and Facebook page for continued updates.
- Rabbi Dressler
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
Watch the Recorded Series!
If you missed this excellent three part series, tune in here to watch the recordings.
"THE PROMISED LAND": WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING NOW?
GUARDIANS OF THE WALL: Israel, Jerusalem and Gaza -Session #1
Passover Cooking "Master Class" - Recording and Recipes - March 21, 2021
Thank you to our chefs for inspiring us with their favourite Passover recipes:
- Chopped Liver by Michael Shmukler
- Chopped Herring by Rael Wienburg
- Banana Chocolate Chip "Cake" by Daryl Fridenberg
- Matzah Brei Pancakes by Linda Zimmerman
Find recipes here
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
Events of Interest
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