Youth Choir - Congregation Habonim of Toronto

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Music at Habonim

Habonim’s vibrant musical legacy is alive and thriving, fuelled by the passionate leadership of Rabbi Cantor Aviva Rajsky, Associate Cantor Kim Kowarsky Doron, and talented guitarist/accompanist Tom Bellman.

Music is at the heart of Habonim, infusing our services with joy and energy. Throughout the year, we welcome an exciting lineup of guest musicians who bring fresh sounds and creativity to our community. Summer months sparkle with our lively "Evening of Music," featuring the fabulous Habonim Band, while our special Shabbat Shira (Shabbat of Song) Service transforms Shabbat morning into an unforgettable celebration of melody and spirit. Join us for a truly uplifting musical experience at Habonim—where song and soul come together in harmony!

The Habonim Choir

The Habonim Choir, led by Rabbi Cantor Aviva Rajsky and accompanied by guitarist Tom Bellman, is a vibrant and energetic musical group that brings heart and soul to every performance!

We're always excited to welcome new voices to join our community. Whether you're a seasoned singer or a beginner, come be a part of the fun and help create something beautiful! No need to know how to read music or Hebrew—just bring your enthusiasm and your love for singing. Plus, you'll earn community service hours while making lifelong memories with fellow choir members. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect, create, and share the joy of music at Habonim!

Listen to a few selections from the Choir at Habonim’s High Holiday Services:
Hiney Mah Tov
Shabbat Shalom
Hayom Harat Olam
Areshset Sefateinu
Brosh Hahshana
Lador Vador
Listen to the full selection here

Lay Down Your Arms – Israeli Peace Song

You can also watch:

Watch Kim Doron & Aviva Rajsky Chanukah Children’s Concert Highlights at Habonim, December 2013.

Aviva Rajsky & Kim Kowarsky Doron - recorded a moving song Tachzor/Return, pleading for the return of the hostages

The Habonim Youth Choir

Congregation Habonim’s late cantor, Esther Ghan Firestone Z”L, was Canada’s first female cantor and co-founder of the Habonim Youth Choir in 1990 with Eli Rubenstein. The choir's powerful recordings, including the peace anthem Lay Down Your Arms, have gained international acclaim and featured in documentaries like Gorbachev’s Revolution directed by Habonim member Fern Levitt and From Despair to Defiance, David Kaufman’s 2003 film marking the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

In 2014, the choir had the honor of opening for blind Puerto Rican virtuoso José Feliciano at an Israel Guide Dog Centre benefit concert. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of WWII’s end, the choir recorded a new version of Lay Down Your Arms, arranged by Rabbi Cantor Aviva Rajsky and Tom Bellman, debuting at the 2015 March of the Living ceremony in Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Listen to their music here

Listen to the Habonim Youth Choir sing for the International March of the Living.

Listen to Habonim Youth choir sing “One Day” by Mattisyahu.

For more information or to join the choir please contact Aviva Rajsky at avivar@rogers.com

Tue, October 28 2025
6 Cheshvan 5786

All Events

Thursday ,
NovNovember 6 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Nov 6th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

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Thursday ,
NovNovember 13 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Nov 13th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Thursday ,
NovNovember 20 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Nov 20th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Thursday ,
NovNovember 27 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Nov 27th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Thursday ,
DecDecember 4 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Dec 4th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Thursday ,
DecDecember 11 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Dec 11th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

MORE INFO
Thursday ,
DecDecember 18 , 2025

Sandwich Making For Seeds of Hope
Thursday, Dec 18th 10:30a to 12:30p
With inflation, the housing crisis in Toronto and the buckling of our shelter system, the need to help the marginalized has never been greater. Once again, we are coming together in the Habonim kitchen once a week throughout the cold months to make sandwiches and snack bags that we will then deliver to Seeds of Hope for distribution. They do some amazing work with those living 'rough' but they are having trouble keeping up with demand. So come as much or as little as you can, but come! If you would like to help, please register.
Register Now

MORE INFO

Holocaust Panels

Click HERE to view our holocaust tribute wall in our lobby

Click HERE to read the holocaust tributes

See photos of the construction of our beautiful building

Click here to view

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Tue, October 28 2025 6 Cheshvan 5786