Holy Blossom Temple

with Rabbi Edward Goldfarb, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

with Rabbi Edward Goldfarb, Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

The Caring Community comprises several sub-committees, including the Connecting Team. The Connecting Team has close to 30 members who contact older adults unable to travel outside the home regularly by phone, to help them keep in touch with the Temple community. Volunteers remind members of special events at the Temple and encourage them to take part. These phone calls by the Connecting Team help alert the rabbis and staff if members are having difficulties or are in need of assistance from the Bikur Cholim Committee. Most of the volunteers within the Caring Community are older adults themselves, who can empathize with those whom they are contacting.

The Gathering Committee organizes special social programs for our seniors, centered around a tea with musical entertainment, and light refreshments, including home baking. The Summer Gathering brings members together for the Shabbat Service and a light lunch. The Connecting Team calls almost one third of the senior membership to encourage them to come out for this event, and also acts as hosts and hostesses, to ensure newer members are made welcome.

Our Library contains two copies of a specially prepared resource manual, identifying health and social services provided in many parts of Toronto. Older members and their adult children have found the information to be useful when they are facing a potential crisis situation.

Most of the deaths of Holy Blossom Temple members have been older, sick or frail people. Following shloshim (30-day period of mourning), calls are made to the bereaved family members to determine if there are any special needs to which we can respond.