News from Kol Ami

on Sunday, 24 November 2013.

FROM TAL SCHIERAU

During Holocaust Education Week at the beginning of November, the many programs throughout the city reminded us of the millions that were lost in the Holocaust. In speaking with the organizers of Toronto’s Holocaust Education Week, I learned that Toronto is unique in the world in bringing speakers to discuss and teach about the suffering and fate of Jews, as well as others that were persecuted during the Holocaust.

It was a somber time to say the least and is often a very difficult time for many of us. But it is our obligation as Jews to keep the memory alive of those that perished during humanity’s darkest period in history. It is also our obligation as Jews to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are remembered by our children and the world so that we can continue Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and make certain that this never happens again.

Our Adult Education committee, led by Alan Breznick, contributes to Holocaust Education Week by arranging to bring in a speaker to talk to us about the Holocaust. The Adult Education Committee Board member liaison, Elaine Page, was also a part of Holocaust Education week as a speaker at Beth Radom Synagogue where she presented the history of our Holocaust-surviving Czech Torah scroll. Indeed, Holocaust Education Week and the annual participation of Kol Ami in speaking about the Holocaust, is in my mind, something that we must continue.

Kol Ami is a very caring congregation and we take our obligation of Tikkun Olam very seriously. In fact, our Social Action Committee chaired by Marleine Kay, and supported by our Board member liaison Lynda Levenstein, has been focused on that very obligation. Each year they plan events to help the community around us. This year, they are in the process of planning many opportunities for Tikkun Olam for our community including the Out of the Cold program, a second Mitzvah Day, a dinner for our local firefighters and many many more.

I can’t say enough about the work of this committee - when it comes to Tikkun Olam, it starts with them; their single and thoughtful focus is to make this world a better place. We can all help and support our fellow congregants and the causes they select by getting involved in the opportunities that this committee leads for us.

So as I close off this month’s article, I ask a simple question, what will you do this year to help repair the world and make our community stronger?