Insights from Reverend Hazan Benlolo

The Shabbat before Tisha B’Av, is called Shabbat Chazon – the Shabbat of foretelling – as we read the Haftarah portion from the prophecy of Isaiah (1:1-27), as the final of the “three of affliction,” readings.
Rabbi Mendel Hirsch points out, the prophet does not lament because the Bet HaMikdash (The Temple in Jerusalem) was destroyed; rather he...Read more...

with Charly-Marc Hadid

This week’s Haftarah is the second of a series of three “haftarot of affliction.” These three haftarot are read during the Three Weeks of mourning for Jerusalem, between the fasts of 17 Tammuz and 9 Av.

The prophet Jeremiah transmits G‑d’s message to the Jewish people, in...Read more...

This week’s haftarah begins a series of three haftarot known in halachic literature as telata depur’anuta, “the three (haftarot) of retribution.” We read these haftarot during the three-week period between the seventeenth of Tammuz and the ninth of Av—the time when we mourn the destruction of...Read more...

This week's haftarah describes how the people of Israel were attacked by the nation of Ammon. The Israelites engaged Jephtah to lead them in battle against this military threat. Jephtah first sent a missive to Ammon, declaring his peaceful intentions. In his message, he also discussed the Israelites' conquest...Read more...

This week's haftarah tells the story of the spies that Joshua sent to scout the city of Jericho, prior to the Israelites' invasion of the Holy Land, a point in common with this week's Torah reading, which discusses the twelve spies that were sent by Moses years earlier to explore the Holy Land.

Joshua sent two spies to Jericho, where they lodged at...Read more...

Yizkor means "remembrance" in Hebrew and most commonly refers to memorial prayer services held four times a year during Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot. Jewish people believe in the eternity of the soul. It is common belief that by saying Yizkor, remembering a loved one and giving charity in a loved one's name helps his or her soul gain merit...Read more...

Sponsored by: Yossi Suissa and family 
In memory of his mother Izza Suissa z'l.

In the haftarah for Parashat Bechukotai (also read when Behar and Bechukotai are combined as a double portion) Jeremiah prophesizes on several themes in a relatively short span. Many scholars, responding to the discontinuous nature of this section of Jeremiah, suggest that it...Read more...

Sponsored by:Sponsored by: Chantal Brahmi & Family, in memory of,
Amanda Alisaa Blondon z"l and Anna Elofer z"l.

This week's haftarah mentions G‑d's repeated enjoinders to observe the commandments, keep the Shabbat and eschew idol worship; reflective of this week's Torah portion, which discusses many commandments, including the obligation to sanctify the...Read more...

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Thank you to Marc and Gloria Kakon,
for their generous donation towards the recording studio.

This week's haftarah mentions how Uzzah was struck dead when he disrespectfully touched the Ark of the Covenant; reminiscent of Nadab and Abihu's death described in this week's Torah reading.

The Holy Ark had been in storage in the house of Avinadav for many...Read more...

We are super excited to announce the creation of the S&P Recording Studio, a first in Montreal housed right here in our own Synagogue.  This new initiative will enable us to offer our community a real “Music Hub.” This project was made possible with the generous donation from Marc and Nicole Ezerzer will finally give flight to the Spanish and Portuguese Music Heritage and Preservation Project, a venture close to...Read more...