Shabbat Shalom, Beth Torah!
Saturday | 9:30 a.m.
We are delighted for you to join us for our Shabbat morning services. No registration is necessary.
Those unable to attend in person are invited to join us online for our livestreamed services.
Shabbat Info
Friday, May 15| Iyar 28, 5786
8:18 p.m. Light Shabbat candles
Saturday, May 16| Iyar 29, 5786
9:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service
9:27 p.m. Shabbat Ends
Parashat B’midbar
Torah Reading
Numbers
1:1- 4:20
Parashat B‘midbar Insights
“Count each head of the entire community of B’nai Yisrael according to their families, to their ancestral house, listing the names, all males by the count.” (B’midbar 1:2)
In Sefer B’midbar, the Israelites transition from a family to a nation and from slaves to free people. With the exodus, our national identity is sealed. We must develop it to become something beyond what we were. Numbers make up a community, but community is not made of numbers. It is made of families, of parents and children, and of homes.
There is an apocryphal quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” In reality, Gandhi said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.” To bring about change and to make the world a better place, we need not act alone, but we must be willing to act. When we work for change, others will follow. By working as a group, we can enact change.
B’midbar combines numbers and action, so too must we. It may begin with numbers, but it ends with avodah. Avodah, devoted labour, is necessary for evolution and change. More than residents, we must be active citizens. Throughout Torah, the Israelites participate in their community each according to their own abilities and inclinations. The same is true today. Our community provides many opportunities for involvement. Events require support and participants. Are you interested in learning to read Torah or Haftarah? How about leading part of the service or giving the introduction to the Torah reading when Hazzan Steve or I am away. Sponsor a kiddush. Help plan a program or event. It’s not enough to be a number. We need you to be you.
Shabbat shalom.
Rav Jen,
Happy Long Weekend
Please note the following dates on your calendar that our office will be closed.
Monday, May 18th – Victoria Day
Friday, May 22nd – Shavout, services start at 9:30 am. Stay for cheesecake following service.
Monday, May 25th – Golf tournament! Hope to see you all out on the course!!
Wishing you a safe and restful long weekend!
Exciting News!!
Our new website is launching on Wednesday, May 20th.
Kiddush Sponsor
This week’s kiddush is generously sponsored by Hope Springman & Dr. Kenneth Norwich in honour of Kenneth’s 87th birthday. Mazel Tov!
Kiddush Donation
Anna & Rob Miller have made a generous donation to this week’s kiddush in honour of Anna’s sister Elynne Goldkind’s Yahrzeit.
We’re Hiring
Beth Torah Congregation is seeking an Administrative Summer (paid) Intern to join our team during the busy membership renewal and lead-up to the High Holiday season. This is a full-time, in-person contract position lasting for 8 weeks with a start date of Monday, June 29.
Please note that this position is funded in part by Canada Summer Jobs, and applicants must meet the Canada Summer Jobs eligibility criteria: be between 15 and 30 years of age, Canadian citizen, and have a valid Social Insurance Number.
Compensation is $19.20/hr
Interested candidates should email their resume to [email protected] by noon on Friday, June 5, 2026. Please cite “Summer Employment at Beth Torah Congregation” in the subject line of the email. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Morning Minyan & Kiddush @ Adath Israel
As you know, Adath Israel lovingly reads all yahrzeits for your loved ones each week, Sunday through Friday, ensuring their memories are honoured within our sacred community. As a meaningful expression of our gratitude for their generosity, Beth Torah graciously sponsors the morning kiddush at Adath Israel on the last Thursday of every month.
Please join us at Adath Israel for morning minyan, followed by kiddush as we gather in remembrance, gratitude, and community.
Services @ 7:30am weekdays, Sundays and Stat holidays @ 8:30am.
Intergenerational Shabbat
Intergenerational Shabbat
Join us for a joyful, family-friendly Intergenerational Shabbat filled with stories, music, and the beautiful energy of all ages on the first Shabbat of every month. Bring your children and grandchildren and share in a Shabbat experience everyone from ages 0-120 can enjoy.
We cherish the laughter, curiosity, and playful sounds of children in our sanctuary. Help make Beth Torah a meaningful part of their Shabbat memories!
Kiddush Sponsorships
Would you like to sponsor an upcoming Shabbat Kiddush?
Kiddush sponsorships are a meaningful way to celebrate a simcha, honour a milestone, remember a loved one, or simply support our community – just because…
Please click here for further details.
Torah & Tangents
Take your lunch break with Rav Jen online each Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 pm. Together, we will discuss questions we have about the weekly parasha and the world around us. Registration required to receive the link.
https://www.bethtorahto.ca/form/lnl
Tot Shabbat
Join Cantor Steve, Rav Jen, and special guest, Emily Kogan – owner and Creative Director of Studio 28 Dance Corp. in Toronto, for a joyfulsong-and-dance-filled welcome to Shabbat! Friday, May 15, @ 5:30 p.m.
Designed for children ages 2–5 (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents, too), this lively experience brings the spirit of Shabbat to life through movement, music, and connection.
Emily’s studio is recreationally focused, with a strong emphasis on body positivity and inclusivity at the heart of all their programming! Through fun, engaging activities that build gross-motor skills, their goal is to make every dancer feel like a superstar!
The evening will begin with a short, Shabbat-themed pre-service dance session with Emily, followed by a warm and engaging service filled with stories, singing, and movement. We’ll conclude with blessings over candles, juice, and challah — and, of course, pizza!
Please RSVP to [email protected] with number of guests who wish to attend by Tuesday, May 12.
Tikkun Leil Shavout
Join Rav Jen & Hazzan Steve on Thursday, May 21, 7:30 to 10:30pm, for a relaxed evening at the Gorman home with traditional, and some not-so-traditional learning, singing, cheesecake and special foods celebrating Shavout & the giving of Torah. Registration is required here. Address will be shared on the morning before event.
Registration closes end of day on May 18th.
Join us as well, for a meaningful Shavout/Yizkor service featuring reflections from recent participants of the March of the Living, with music from the Beth Torah Choir. Stay for kiddush lunch and of course, more cheesecake!
Golf Tournament
Let the Countdown Begin!! Our 2nd Annual Golf Tournament is 2 weeks away!
Don’t miss your chance to PAR-TEE with the Beth Torah community out on the course!
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or simply joining for the fun and community spirit, it promises to be a wonderful day filled with connection, laughter, and a little friendly competition. Be sure to share with your golfing friends and family! The more, the merrier!
Sponsorship opportunities are limited. Please click here to register or contact [email protected] or [email protected] for further information.
Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
Location: Lebovic Golf Course, Aurora
Time: 9 A.M.
Let’s make this a hole-in-one event for Beth Torah!
Hayden’s Garden Planting Party
Join us, in the garden at Beth Torah, Thursday, June 4 @ 6pm as we plant, nurture, and harvest in honour of Hayden while giving back to the community!
Weekly Yahrzeit List
Week of May 9 to May 15
Percy Segal, father of Alison Sheriff, May 13, 2026
Rita Weisberg, mother of Andrew Weisberg, May 13, 2026
Jerry Lampert, brother of Mark Lampert, May 13, 2026
Evelyn Gurvey, mother of Gayla Schwartz, May 14, 2026
Melvin Satok, father of Peter Satok, May 15, 2026
Week of May 16 to May 22
Carolyn Solomons, mother of Lori Goldenberg, May 16, 2026
Aaron Leiderman, father of Mel Leiderman, May 16, 2026
Art Schwartz, brother of David Schwartz and Rhona Shulman, May 16, 2026
Fred Solomon, father of Robert Solomon, May 17, 2026
Alan Wilder, father of Sharlene Wilder, May 17, 2026
Dennis Gordon Newton, father of Gary Newton, May 19, 2026
Harry Pisarek, father of Irving Pisarek, May 19, 2026
Wolf Riseman, father of Margie Levitt, May 20, 2026
Irving Wolfman, father of Donna Goldenberg, May 20, 2026
Rose Kirshenblatt, mother of Sherri Patak, sister of Don Epstein, May 20, 2026
Peter Nichols, May 20, 2026
Harry Gurvey, father of Gayla Schwartz, May 21, 2026
Elynne Hilary Goldkind, sister of Anna Miller, May 21, 2026
Isaac Chapnick, May 22, 2026
Harry Berkley, father of Harvey Berkley, May 22, 2026