Insights from Reverend Hazan Benlolo

Why the melodies of the High Holidays strike a chord like no other sacred music:

1.  Historical Significance: These melodies often have a rich history, with some dating back centuries. When people sing or hear them, they’re not just experiencing music but connecting with a heritage that spans generations. This sense of continuity and tradition can be deeply moving and...Read more...

1. **Unity and Community**: Parashat Nitzavim underscores the concept of unity within the Jewish community. It stresses that every individual, from leaders to ordinary members, stands together before God. This highlights the importance of communal responsibility and support, particularly during the High Holy Days when individuals come together for prayer and reflection.

2....Read more...

In Parashat Ki Tavo, which is found in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses instructs the Israelites about the rituals they should perform upon entering the Promised Land. The parashah contains blessings and curses, rewards and punishments, and focuses on the concept of gratitude.

The key message revolves around the idea of acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the blessings that...Read more...

Dear Congregants and friends,

When in Ottawa, I gave a series of classes at the St Paul’s University Theological department.  The course gravitated towards the impact of Judaism in everyday life. This is part of a section on Shavuot.

The festival of Shavuot commemorates Matan Torah, G-d's giving of the Torah to the world. Since, as the...Read more...

When Passover ends, Moroccan Jews don't quietly unpack their chametz.  Instead, they celebrate the Mimouna. This joyous festival is believed to have originated in Fez, Morocco, although it is unclear exactly when. The festivities begin at nightfall with the conclusion of Passover. The Mimouna here at the Spanish last night was no exception. The Spanish in collaboration with the CSUQ have proven that working together does...Read more...

Over the past two years, during the heat of the pandemic our president, Charles Shemie, together with David Nathaniel, Ron Mashaal, as well as and the executive worked tirelessly to help ensure a bright future for our synagogue. They did not know when things would get back to normal, or what that new normal would be.  They did know one thing - when the time came to reopen, we would be ready with new...Read more...

Our synagogue attracts visitors from all around the...Read more...

Three Jewish mothers are sitting on a bench, arguing over which one’s son loves her the most. The first one says, “You know, my son sends me flowers every Shabbat.”

“You call that love?” says the second mother. “My son calls me every day!”

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Liv Rosenfeld- 5 years old. Goes to OrSheli. Loves unicorns, rainbows , encanto . Favourite colour , purple . Favourite holiday: Purim.

Liam Rosenfeld - 3 years old. Goes to OrSheli. Loves superheroes and basketball. Favourite colour, yellow . Favourite holiday: Passover.

Julia Peress - Lifelong member of...Read more...

Torah.org

This week, in addition to the regular Parsha, we read the section known as HaChodesh. The additional sections of Shekalim, Zachor, Parah, and Chodesh are read prior to Pesach for both commemorative and practical reasons.

This additional section from Shemot, Parashat Bo, Chapter 12, is read on the Shabbat before the month of Nissan, or on the Shabbat of Rosh Chodesh...Read more...

Shabbat Parah, occurs on the Shabbat prior to Shabbat Mevarkhim of the month of Nisan. The maftir reading, deals with the red heifer whose ashes were combined with water to ritually purify anyone who had been in contact with a dead person. Because only people who were pure could eat from the Passover sacrifice, a public announcement right before Nisan...Read more...

This being the Shabbat before Purim, on which we celebrate the foiling of Haman the Amalekite’s plot to destroy the Jewish people, the weekly Parshah is supplemented with the “Zachor” reading (Deuteronomy 25:17–19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth.

Remember what Amalek did to you on the...Read more...

In this week's haftarah, the prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of the altar that will be built for the third Holy Temple and its dedication ceremony—paralleling this week's Torah portion which discusses the dedication of the Tabernacle's altar.

Shortly after the destruction of the first Temple, Ezekiel experienced a vision of the third...Read more...

Exodus 10:1–13:16
The last three of the Ten Plagues are visited on Egypt: a swarm of locusts devours all the crops and greenery; a thick, palpable darkness envelops the land; and all the firstborn of Egypt are killed at the stroke of midnight of the 15th of the month of Nissan. G‑d commands the first mitzvah to be given to the people of Israel: to establish a calendar based on the monthly rebirth of the moon. The Israelites are also...Read more...

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