Passing of Jacob Schwartz
01/30/2019 11:20:52 AM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of:
Jacob Schwartz
Grandson of Habonim members
Peter and Bonnie Levy
Nephew of Habonim members
Russell Levy and Jennifer Zosky
Funeral - Thursday January 31, at 11:00 AM
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
01/28/2019 04:30:48 PM
Sunday Jan. 27th, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marked the 74th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and was observed with commemorative ceremonies around the world. In Ottawa, Library and Archives Canada held a special event, highlighting the acquisition of a rare book, published in Nazi Germany in 1944, for their collection. The book, which was found in Adolf Hitler’s library, Statistik, Presse und Organisationen des Judentums in den Vereinigten Staaten und Kanada (Statistics, Press, and Organizations of Jewry in the United States and Canada), is a detailed census of Jewish populations and organizations in North American cities. It serves as a chilling reminder about Hitler’s intention to eliminate Jewish life in Canada and the US should the Nazis have conquered this continent.
Around the same time, the Azrieli Foundation and the Claims Conference released a shocking study revealing, among other things, that more than half of Canadians and nearly two-thirds of young people in this country do not know that six million Jews perished in the Holocaust.
Our own Eli Rubenstein was the keynote speaker at the Jan. 27th event in Ottawa, and was also interviewed by CBC about the the Azrieli Foundation and Claims Conference study.
Please see the following links and attached items:
Ottawa Citizen Article on Jan. 27th Event
CBC interview on Holocaust Study


Passing of Dorothy Dash
01/28/2019 03:24:34 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of:
Dorothy Dash
Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members
Ted Dash and Janice Bell
Funeral - In Montreal
Please see more information here:
https://www.paperman.com/en/funerals/2019-1-28-dorothy-dash
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Reminder- Celebrate Eli's birthday -Tomorrow night Kabbalat Shabbat
01/24/2019 04:26:28 PM
Join us to celebrate Eli's 60th birthday
Friday January 25, at 8:15 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Leo Baeck Day School, 501 Arlington Ave.
Aviva Rajskywill be accompanied by the band:Tom Bellman, Neil Gardiner,Jim Gelcer & Kobi Hass
Dessert Reception Following Service Please RSVP Here |
Passing of Kitty Schafer
01/20/2019 06:03:51 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim Member:
Kitty Schafer
Funeral - Tuesday, January 22, at 1:00 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Celebrate Eli's birthday -Kabbalat Shabbat Friday January 25
01/14/2019 01:03:27 PM
Join us to celebrate Eli's 60th birthday
Friday January 25, at 8:15 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Leo Baeck Day School, 501 Arlington Ave.
Dessert Reception Following Service Please RSVP Here |
Hat Radio Interview with Eli Rubenstein
01/10/2019 10:53:33 AM
Please see email below from Avrum Rosensweig regarding his recent interview with Eli Rubenstein on his newly launched podcast: Hat Radio.
Episode 5 hat radio! Interview with Eli Rubenstein, National Director of March of the Living and spiritual leader at Congregation Habonim. He's a grand storyteller and this interview is Eli answering pointed questions in a most poetic way. He’s my dear friend and I think you’ll enjoy and learn so much from this schmooze between us (in Eli’s living room).
Hat Radio! The show that schmoozes!
Hat Radio is home to intimate and magical interviews about life’s many shared experiences, hosted and produced by highly curious veteran radio personality, Avrum Rosensweig.

Passing of Peggy (Piroska) Pachner
01/06/2019 10:44:52 AM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Peggy (Piroska) Pachner
Funeral - Sunday January 6, at 2:30 pm
Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park. Habonim section
Please see more information here:
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Shelley Nimchonok
01/03/2019 05:55:53 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim Member:
Shelley Nimchonok
Wife of Meyer Nimchonok, Mother and Mother-in-law of Members Kevin and Mony Nimchonok.
Funeral - Sunday, January 6 at 1:00 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
https://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Mildred Leiter
01/02/2019 09:33:53 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Mildred Leiter
Mother and Mother-in-law of Members Lawrence and Karen Leiter, Grandmother and Grandmother-in-law of Members David and Michelle Leiter.
Funeral - Wednesday, January 2 at 10:00 am
Paperman & Sons, Montreal
Please see more information here:
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
REMINDER -2018 CONTRIBUTIONS
12/30/2018 04:52:52 PM
It's not too late to make your 2018 Contribution to Habonim's Building Fund and receive a tax receipt for 2018!!
Happy New Year!
Click Here - then click the link on the page for livestream access to watch the construction of Habonim's New Building, it's really coming along well.
Passing of Stanley Mostyn
12/28/2018 03:34:25 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Stanley Mostyn
Father and Father-in-law of Members Mitchell Mostyn and Ramona Cooperstock
Funeral - Sunday December 30, at 11:00 am
Steeles Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.steelesmemorialchapel.com
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Gary Lengyel
12/17/2018 03:28:30 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
Gary Lengyel
Husband of Carolyn Lengyel.
Father and father-in-law of
Dana Lengyel, Stephen and Briana Lengyel, Raquel Lengyel Green and Miki Green.
Brother and Brother- in- law of Audrey Lengyel and Albert Bisschop, Peter and Georgeline Lengyel, Amy Lengyel and James Andrews, and Susan and Nathan Roth.
Son of Andrew Lengyel, along with his wife Beverley Tarshis, and his late mother Judy Lengyel.
Funeral - Tuesday December 18, at 1:00 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Lillian Gossin
12/13/2018 03:17:00 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Lillian Gossin
Mother and mother-in-law of Habonim members
Barb and Kenny Weinberg
Funeral - Sunday December 16, at 12:30 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Request to Find a Home for Nicaraguan Refugees
12/06/2018 12:14:00 PM
Dear Habonim Members,
As many of you know, Silvio Munguia, who has done much work for the synagogue over the years, is from Nicaragua, a country currently in the midst of severe economic and civil unrest, resulting in a large exodus from the country. In the last few months, I have been helping some of his family come to Canada and find accommodation.
Most recently, another part of his family has arrived, and is in dire need of accommodation, but I have been unsuccessful thus far in finding them a place to live.
The 6 member family is composed of: Father: Fernando Muñoz - Civil Engineer; Mother: María Isabel Blanco - Industrial Engineer & their 4 children: Marian age 11, Amanda age 6, Fernando age 4, Isabel age 1. (See image below)
If you know of any apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms) that they might be able to rent that would be most appreciated, as right now they have no place to live. (Even Toronto’s shelters are currently completely full. ) The family is able to pay up to $1800 per month for rent, and you can email me at: elir@bell.net, if you have any ideas of how to assist this family. It would be wonderful if they could find a permanent home by this Christmas.
Over the years, our Congregation has very generously helped people in need.
As we celebrate Chanukah this week, let the glow of our Chanukah candles spread far and wide, and touch those who most need its warmth and light.
Wishing you all a joyous Chanukah,
Eli Rubenstein
Religious Leader
Congregation Habonim
Reminder - Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat & Potluck
12/03/2018 10:03:29 AM
Happy Chanukah!
Chag Chanukah Sameach!
May your heart be warmed by the glow of the Chanukah candles and your New Year happy and healthy.
Painting by Natan Gutman, 1914-1990
Reciting the Chanukah blessings
Collection of the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland
https://www.congregationhabonim.org/event/kabbalat-shabbat--chanukah-potluck.html
Passing of David Smith
11/25/2018 10:07:52 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
David Smith
Father and father-in-law of Habonim members
Jason Smith and Associate Cantor Kim Doron
Funeral - Monday November 26, at 1:00 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Rae Zucker
11/24/2018 06:43:50 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Rae Zucker
Mother and Mother-in-law of Habonim members
Jean and Bernard Zinman
Funeral - Sunday November 25, at 11:30 am
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Passing of Toby Kadish
11/22/2018 07:12:50 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Toby Kadish
Mother and Mother-in-law of Habonim members
Neal and Karen Kadish
Funeral - Friday November 23, at 9:45 am
Steeles Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Tomorrow night
11/22/2018 01:59:51 PM
Friday November 23 @ 7:30 PM
Leo Baeck Day School, 501 Arlington Ave
COME AND ENJOY THE MUSIC AND A STORY.
This is not a service.
Aviva, accompanied by Tom Bellman on guitar, Neil Gardiner on keyboard, Jim Gelcer on drums, and Kobi Hass on bass, will be performing jazz-inspired versions of some of our favorite Shabbat songs, as well as several originals and covers.
We’ll hear a story from one of Canada’s leading story-tellers, Dan Yashinsky, and have a chance to schmooze with fellow Habonim members.
Hope to see you there.
Habonim new building - Live Feed
11/19/2018 02:28:54 PM
Click Here - then click the link on the top of the page for livestream access to watch the construction of Habonim's New Building.
Bood Drive - In memory of Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz
11/15/2018 10:30:55 AM
As many of you know, one of the victims of the Pittsburgh attacks was Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz. As you will note below, he was one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved doctors, among the first to treat HIV patients with the dignity and respect they deserved. When gunfire erupted, Rabinowitz was not in the basement with the congregation but outside the room, his nephew said. "Why? Because when he heard shots he ran outside to try and see if anyone was hurt and needed a doctor. That was Uncle Jerry. That's just what he did."
The Jewish world is indeed very small, as some of Habonim's members have very close connections to the Rabinowitz family, including current Habonim members Julie and Rick Libman as well as Mary & Paul Lindsay, whose children Elizabeth and Gabriel celebrated their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at Habonim with Dr. Rabinowitz & his wife Miri in attendance.
Please see information below on Red Cross Blood Drive being organized by the Lindsay family in memory of Dr. Rabinowitz.
Please consider your participation and feel free to share with others.
Sincerely
Eli Rubenstein
Religious Leader
Congregation Habonim
Dear family and friends,
As you may know, our family had a personal connection to the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Not only was the loss of life devastating for the Jewish community, it also hit very close to home when we found out that our dear friend, Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, was one of the eleven victims. His loss has been devastating for his wife Miri, family, friends, and community.
We would like to honour his life in a way that has some meaning and let Miri know that he is remembered. The Canadian Blood Services has agreed to help us sponsor a blood donation drive in Jerry’s memory at their clinic at Yonge and Bloor on Tuesday, December 4th, and Saturday, December 8th. The information about the event with a link to sign up is attached below. If those dates or times don’t work for you, but you would still like to donate, please reply so we can make other arrangements.
We hope you’ll share this information with anyone else who might be interested.
Thank you so much,
Mary, Paul, Elizabeth & Gabriel Lindsay
Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz was a beloved family doctor who cared for his patients with great compassion and empathy. He was one of the first doctors in Pittsburgh to treat AIDS patients at a time when others would not. He was also an adored husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. With his wife Miri he was a leader in their community, particularly in their synagogue, Dor Hadash. Tragically, because of his instincts to help others, Jerry was killed in the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shootings.
As a healer, Jerry knew the importance of blood donation. Jerry was a platelet donor himself. He also knew the importance of giving back. We hope that during the week of Chanukkah, a time of giving, you will consider giving the gift of life in remembrance of our friend, and let his wife Miri know that he will not be forgotten.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
IN MEMORY OF DR. JERRY RABINOWITZ BLOOD DRIVE
Tuesday, December 4
Saturday, December 8
Canadian Blood Services
Yonge Bloor Donation Centre
2 Bloor Street East
(NE Corner of Yonge & Bloor)
Concourse Level / Yonge Street Entrance
ONEG SHABBAT- Friday November 23rd
11/14/2018 11:47:55 AM
Please join us for an Oneg Shabbat. By popular demand, Aviva will be accompanied by Tom Bellman and the band. Come sit back and enjoy some great music, hear a story from one of Canada's leading story-tellers, Dan Yashinsky and schmooze with fellow Habonim members. This is not a service-just a chance to enjoy Shabbat eve with that Habonim vibe.
Friday November 23rd at 7:30pm Leo Baeck Day School, 501 Arlington Ave.
Oneg Shabbat featuring Aviva Rajsky accompanied by Tom Bellman and the band
With guest speaker Dan Yashinsky Award Winning Author & One of Canada's Most Celebrated Storytellers
Refreshments will be served |
Passing of Frances Sussman
11/11/2018 12:25:21 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of :
Frances Sussman
Mother and Mother-in-law of Habonim members
Jack and Fern Sussman
Grandmother of Habonim members
Jillian Sussman and Matthew Segal
Funeral - Sunday November 11, at 1:30 pm
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
The St. Louis Apology: Let Us Applaud Our Country For Acknowledging Errors
11/07/2018 08:43:21 AM
On the afternoon of Wed. Nov. 7th, In a historic moment, the Canadian government will issue an apology for turning away the MS St. Louis in 1939. Please see Eli Rubenstein’s article on this important subject in this week’s Canadian Jewish News.
As a matter of interest, Habonim's first President was Berlin born George Spitz. His wife and children (who were on the St. Louis) and Spitz lived out the war years in England before immigrating to Canada. Spitz’s family were among the lucky ones - of the original 936 refugees, a little over 700 survived but 254 perished in Auschwitz, Sobibor and other locations.
Please see:
http://www.cjnews.com/perspectives/rubenstein-let-us-applaud-our-country-for-acknowledging-errors
Passing of John Freeman
11/04/2018 04:22:22 PM
It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Habonim member:
John Freeman
Husband of Hilary Freeman
Brother-in-law of Abby and Steve Erlichman
Funeral - Tuesday November 6, at 10:00 am
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel
Please see more information here:
www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca
We wish the entire family comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
If you wish to send a Habonim Tribute Card to the family to express your condolences, you can do so on our website at
http://www.congregationhabonim.org/payment.php
or by calling the office at 416-782-7125.
Reminder- Tomorrow night Kabbalat Shabbat #showup
11/01/2018 08:21:24 PM
This Friday night, along with synagogues across the city and country, we will dedicate our service to remembering the victims of the anti-Semitic attacks this past Shabbat at the Tree of Life Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Bernie Farber, Habonim Congregant and Chair of the Canadian Anti Hate Network, will be delivering reflections in the wake of the Pittsburgh tragedy.
Please note: In addition to Rev. El- Shafie’s words, we will also hear from Adeba one of the rescued Yazidi survivors who is currently living in Canada.
(See: https://www.cbc.ca/news/Canada/british-columbia/yazidi-refugees-fleeing-isis-sex-slavery-refugee-advocates-1.4841790 )
Please join us this Friday night,
Eli Rubenstein
Religious Leader
Congregation Habonim
Friday November 2nd, at 8:15 pm Leo Baeck Day School, 501 Arlington Ave. Join us for a special Kabbalat Shabbat with guest speaker Rev. Majed El Shafie President and Founder of Rev. Majed El Shafie will speak about the work OFWI does to protect the rights of religious minorities around the world.
Refreshments will be served |