Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
100 Elder Street M3H 5G7 Toronto, ON, Canada

Shacharit Wednesday, November 25, 2020 9 Kislev 5781

Maariv November 24, 2020 9 Kislev 5781

Indulging in a little piece of Shul history this morning, courtesy of the Ontario Jewish Archives and the Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre.

What is Terumah? Terumah is Beth Emeth's annual campaign to raise additional funds to support our goal of full inclusion. No one should ever be refused for their ability to contribute. Terumah contributions are voluntary gifts that enable you to make a difference in the lives of our fellow members.... The principle is simple: to deliver on a promise made a long time ago that no member will ever be left behind. Click below to Donate: https://www.beby.org/terumahpledges Remember, every donation of every size makes a difference.

Mincha/Maariv Wednesday, October 28, 2020 10 Cheshvan 5781

Shacharit Wednesday, October 28, 2020 10 Cheshvan 5781

Avram Ha'Ivri - Standing on the other side Dear Congregational Family, Before we were called Jews or Israelites, we were known as Hebrews. This week's portion of Lech Lecha regards our founding partriarch as Avram Ha'Ivri, Abram the Hebrew. The Midrash comments that Ivri stems from a root which means on the other side. Our tradition understands Abram standing on one side of the river, and the nations of the world standing on the other side of the river. This ancient lesson te...aches that the Jewish value system was distinctive in its understanding of God, morality, and values from the inception of our people and our faith. For 4000 years, we have celebrated Jewish distinctiveness with pride. During our history, elements of Judaism have entered and influenced other religions in the world. Distinctive Jewish ideas helped give birth to Christianity and Islam. However, Jewish distinctiveness has also led to anti-semitism during most of our history. Even our first patriarch had to contend with those who would not accept him because of his beliefs and values. Two years ago this week, on October 27, a Shabbat morning shooting at the Tree of Life - Or L'Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh resulted in deaths and injuries. We recall that horrific tragedy and honor the memories of those who were slain that day. Such an anniversary reminds us that while Judaism has brought meaning to Jews and non-Jews for thousands of years, our journey has also been associated with the unleashing of hatred on grand and small scales. This week, we renew our connection to Avram Ha'Ivri, who stood alone on one side and introduced the world to the oneness of God and a distinctive value system. Rabbi Howard Morrison

Pirkei Avot Oct 27

Shacharit Tuesday October 27, 2020 9 Cheshvan 5781l

Shacharit Monday, October 26, 2020 8 Cheshvan 5781 Zoom with us at https://zoom.us/j/98395177293

My Mother, My Name, and Parshat Lecha Lecha Dear Congregational Family, This Wednesday, October 28th, would have been my mother's ninety-first English birthday. Helen Frances Scott Morrison was born on October 28, 1929. She passed away on September 11 (Rosh Hashanah), 1999.... It was my mother who formulated my English and Hebrew names. How does Howard Bradley Morrison coincide with Avraham Tzvi, in Hebrew? My mother named me in memory of her grandfather, Harry Abraham, whose Hebrew name was Avraham Tzvi. Bear in mind that the Hebrew Tzvi is the same as Hershel in Yiddish, or Harry, in English. My mother modified Harry to Howard. However, Howard Abraham Morrison would be initialed as "H.A.M." My mother recognized the challenge before my birth. Creatively, she realized that by dropping the "A" of Abraham, the next three letters start the name, "Bradley." Thus, Avraham Tzvi coincides with Howard Bradley Morrison. This year, my mother's English birthday coincides with Parshat Lech Lecha, the origin of the very first Avraham-Abraham, the very first Jew. At the outset, God calls on him to go forth from his land, from his birth place, from his parent's house, to a land that God would show him, ultimately, Israel. While embarking on a different geographical path, twenty years ago, I I left the U.S. Northeast, which I had called home my entire life and moved happily to Toronto in order to serve Beth Emeth. While the Biblical Avraham was known to create spiritual souls, profess monotheism, and create a welcoming environment, I have tried in my own small way to do the same in my rabbinate. This week, I honor the birthday of my mother, who gave me the Hebrew name Avraham, as we read the Biblical origin of that name in this week's Torah portion. Rabbi Howard Morrison

Mincha/Maariv Sunday, October 25, 2020 7 Cheshvan 5781 Zoom with us at https://zoom.us/j/94435537598