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The Rabbi's message for April
This is a fraught time for Jews all over the world. I know there have been many other periods in Jewish history of darkness, antisemitism, and fear, but none of us expected in the 21st century to feel those things here in Toronto. So this year how are we to approach Pesach, the season of our redemption, a joyous time of celebration and freedom, and the arrival of spring which brings with it hope and renewal? How are we to approach Pesach with the hostages (as of this writing) still captive; with the Gazans (as of this writing) still suffering; with our nephews and nieces and friends and family (as of this writing) still being called up to the IDF reserves; with the war still ongoing and no end in sight (as of this writing) and with people of goodwill on both sides—on all sides if one can say that— in real despair? We all feel heartbroken as both the devastation in Gaza continues and the hostages remain in captivity.
Yes, take that heartbreak and bring it to your Seder table. While holding fast to the dream of peace, to the hope of reconciliation, and to the promise of spring we can name our pain and share our fears while we still sing for redemption and remember our freedom. A Seder supplement called “Seder Interrupted” especially created by Rabbi Menachem Creditor for this unusual year has thoughtful readings and poetry. I was especially moved by “A Plague Poem" on page 61: Click HERE to download the supplement. And even with all the sorrow, we still are commanded to rejoice. Yes, commanded. And so we push through and have the hard conversations that might be around our table still filled with love for our tradition and for those who come to participate in it. May this Pesach bring us all a much-needed dose of hope and happiness!
Rabbi Dr. Elyse Goldstein
rabbi@cityshul.com
www.cityshul.com
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Sat, April 20 2024
12 Nisan 5784
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Upcoming Events
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Friday ,
AprApril 26 , 2024Pesach Kabbalat Shabbat at City Shul
Friday, Apr 26th 6:00p to 9:30p
Please join us for Kabbalat Shabbat during Pesach. No registration is required for the service but registration is required for the dinner. Dinner will be catered and Kosher l'Pesach. Dinner sponsors welcome. -
Sunday ,
MayMay 5 , 2024Special City Shul Theatre Event - "In Seven Days", Sunday May 5, 2024, 7 PM; Talkback with Rabbi Goldstein for this performance only
Sunday, May 5th 7:00p to 9:00p
Through tears and laughter, In Seven Days explores what it means to live with grace and grapples with how we say goodbye to the people we love most. Rabbi Elyse Goldstein will lead a talkback presentation at the conclusion of the play. -
Friday ,
MayMay 31 , 2024Shabbat Special Event - A Musical Kabbalat Shabbat with Hava N’Ranena
Friday, May 31st 5:30p to 9:00p
Join us for a music-filled Kabbalat Shabbat. The event begins at 5:30 PM, with coffee and a quiet shmooze, as the band sets up. Hava N’ranena - whose music is inspired by Nava Tehila in Jerusalem - will begin performing at 6:30 PM. The event concludes with Kiddish, followed by a light, vegetarian dinner.