Sign In Forgot Password

Passing of Jacob Schwartz

01/30/2019 11:20:52 AM

Jan30

 

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

Jan28

 

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

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/holocaust-remembrance-cast-against-hitler-plan-to-purge-canadian-jews

CBC interview on Holocaust Study

https://youtu.be/3YIxPc-9DAQ

 
 
 

Passing of Dorothy Dash

01/28/2019 03:24:34 PM

Jan28

 

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

Jan24

               

                         

 

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 Rajsky

will 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

Jan20

 

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

Jan14

               

                         

 

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

Jan10

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

Jan6

 

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:

www.hebrewbasicburial.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 Shelley Nimchonok

01/03/2019 05:55:53 PM

Jan3

 

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

Jan2

 

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:

https://www.paperman.com/en

 

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

Dec30

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

Dec28

 

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

Dec17

 

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

Dec13

 

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.

 

Hon. Chrystia Freeland -December 17

12/07/2018 12:05:13 PM

Dec7

Request to Find a Home for Nicaraguan Refugees

12/06/2018 12:14:00 PM

Dec6

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

Dec3

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

Nov25

 

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

Nov24

 

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

Nov22

 

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:

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.

 

Tomorrow night

11/22/2018 01:59:51 PM

Nov22

 

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

Nov19

 

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

Nov15

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
 
Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested in donating.

ONEG SHABBAT- Friday November 23rd

11/14/2018 11:47:55 AM

Nov14

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

Nov11

 

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

Nov7

 

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

Tomorrow night at 7 PM - Holocaust Education Week

11/05/2018 06:00:54 PM

Nov5

Passing of John Freeman

11/04/2018 04:22:22 PM

Nov4

 

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

Nov1

 

 

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. 

See: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/10/29/synagogue-murders-symptom-of-an-ancient-hatred-on-the-rise.html

 
In addition, we are welcoming a special guest, Rev. Majed El Shafie, President, One Free World International, a human rights organization which advocates for religious minorities. His organization helped rescued 600 Yazidi women from ISIS captivity, but approximately 3,200 are still in captivity.

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

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

Thu, May 22 2025 24 Iyyar 5785