Beth Israel

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Cantor’s Message
High Holy Days 5786/2025-6

Dearest friends,

Very shortly, the High Holy Days will be upon us. I am very very much looking forward to returning to Beth Israel in person, and spending this special time with you.

The theme that I have chosen to guide us in our worship is Jewish ideas of leadership. There are many aspects to this principle and role. We think, of course, of leaders of our government, communities, and places of work; but those represent only one type of leader. When we drill down into our closest relationships, we find that leadership is equally important: it informs how we relate to our families and friends on a daily basis, and how we interact with the wider world. We are all leaders – and followers – in some respect, and being Jewish should inform how we view this essential role.

In my short presentations on the High Holy Days, I will focus on a select number of biblical figures – both men and women – to bring out particular aspects of their leadership. I’m hoping that this will encourage you to reflect on what leadership means to you personally.

Leadership will also be the focus the spiritual exercise that I have set for this year. There are two questions that I would like you to answer: (1) Which Jewish leader (ancient or modern) do you admire most, and why? (2) How does being Jewish inform your own sense of leadership? We will discuss your responses at Mincha time on Yom Kippur (Thursday 2 October); I think the views you share will be of great interest! The worksheet that I have drawn up will present you with some resources to guide your thinking.

The materials for the exercise are attached to this newsletter or available by contacting gabbai@jccpeterborough.com.

We will, of course, have lots of music and congregational participation. I will be accompanied for certain portions of the services by the incomparable Dan Houpt, for whom I have written a number of new arrangements, including (another) special version of Adon Olam. At the pot luck this year at the Houpt farm, Dan and I will perform a series of ten pieces, mostly from the High Holy Day liturgy, for which I will offer some commentary, to help you understand the meanings behind these wonderful musical numbers. You might even sing along more when these occur in the services!

We begin on the evening of 22 September, at 7 pm. I hope to see you in the course of this joyous period in our liturgical year.

I wish you all a Shanah Tovah, and G’mar Chatimah Tovah.

With love from Cantor Leon

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What Services & Programming Would You Love?

As we grow and evolve we want to better understand who you are and how we can shape our synagogue life to reflect and support us all. So we are asking: what kind of services and programming would you like to see this year? If you haven’t already, please let us know in this short-if-you-want-it-to-be survey. Click to have your say now!

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Beth Israel Membership 2025-26 –

Renew or Join Now!

We invite all current members to renew your membership, and everyone interested in becoming a member of Beth Israel Congregation to apply now for the 2025-26 year. Our little-congregation-that-could and all that we offer (programming, beautiful space, religious leadership, holocaust and anti-semitism education, this information, etc.) is made possible by the work, and financial support, of members. For more information or to renew or apply, click here. Please note: to align with the Beth Israel Ptbo bylaws, this and subsequent membership years will run until the Annual General Meeting – anticipated for June 14, 2026. Please pay your dues by September 30th to remain a member in good standing. 

Thank you for your generosity – this wouldn’t be possible without you.

Thank you for being part of Beth Israel Congregation!

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High Holy Day Service Times

High Holy Days services are led by Cantor Leon Litvack, and are open to all (tickets are not required). However we would welcome you to become a member, or make a donation in support of the congregation here. For children’s activities during services, email Zoe. These programs are sponsored by the Beth Israel Congregation. For more information on Membership, or to make a donation, click here. 

Erev Rosh HaShanah – Monday, September 22nd from 7 – 8:30 p.m. 

Rosh Hashanah I morning service – Tuesday, September 23rd, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Followed by Tashlich at Jackson Creek and a Rosh Hashanah pot luck afternoon event

Rosh Hashanah II Meditative Shacharit, followed by Torah & Musaf services – Wednesday, September 24th from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Erev Yom Kippur: Kol Nidrei – Wednesday, October 1st from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Yom Kippur morning service inc. Yizkor – Thursday, October 2nd from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m; Cantor’s Minchah-time discussion begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by Ne’ilah, with havdalah at 7 p.m. followed by community potluck breaking of the fast

Cantor Leon’s Spiritual Exercise for the High Holy Days. 

The topic (theme) for this year’s spiritual exercise is: Jewish Ideas of Leadership.  Your reflections and insightful thoughts about this theme can be shared and be a part of a in-person discussion that Cantor Leon holds during Minchah on Yom Kippur.  Cantor Leon has an introduction and provides some guidance for you to consider and space to express your thoughts in a simple document.  See the document at this link:  Spiritual Exercise HHD 2025-5786.  Complete the second page of the document and submit in whatever form you wish (digital, hard-copy) to Cantor Leon at any time before early afternoon of Yom Kippur.  Everyone’s comments are welcome and valuable to our community.  Thanks for participating.  L’Shanah Tovah.

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Abraham Festival / Oneg Shabbat

Join Dr. Dan Houpt and friends for an Oneg Shabbat Friday, September 12th at 6 p.m. as part of the 22nd Annual Abraham Festival. Please come enjoy the beautiful community service and help us welcome guests from Christian and Muslim faiths to our shul!

Also you are invited to attend Jummah prayers at the Oasis (at St. James Church, 221 Romaine St., Peterborough) on Friday, September 12th at 1pm, and Christian Worship at the same location, Sunday September 14th at 10:30am, followed by a vegetarian potluck lunch at noon, and then sit back, laugh and dance “Jerusalema” together with comedian Azfar Ali! For more information, click here. All events are free, with donations gratefully accepted.

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Develop Comfort & Confidence to Participate in Services

Would you like to connect more with Jewish practice and prepare for greater participation in High Holy Day and other future services? Join Beth Israel’s own Dr. Dan Houpt Wednesday, September 10th at 7 p.m. to learn the prayers before and after recitation from the Torah and make your participation in services more meaningful! RSVP here and add it to your calendar.

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Welcome Gabriel: New Summer Community Worker!

Hi! My name is Gabriel Barr, and from now until August 11th I’ll be helping out the Beth Israel Congregation as a part of the Canada Summer Jobs program! I am a Peterborough local and grew up as a member of the Unitarian Fellowship. For the past 3 years I’ve been living in Montreal studying communications/media production and biology at Concordia University. I’m looking forward to meeting you at the upcoming service & picnic, and at the AGM! 

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Please Join Us For An End of Season/School Service &/or Picnic

We invite you to join us to celebrate a most excellent year of Beth Israel religious and community  programming and events, and to honour all those who have worked hard this year (gotten up and to school/your studies most of the time counts) Friday June 20th with a special Oneg Shabbat Service beginning at 5pm (note earlier time) followed by a picnic and songs at 6:30 at a another special venue.  All are welcome.  For more details please contact:  Beth Israel .  Please RSVP here for the event.

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Dear Congregants and friends of Beth Israel, Peterborough

We are heartbroken to learn of the murder of Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, in Washington DC on May 21, 2025, outside of a diner for young diplomats, in what appears to be an act of political violence. At a time of tremendous turmoil, in which many are anxious about the safety of Jews in North America, this event has the potential to exacerbate these fears. While the Beth Israel Congregation contains diverse perspectives on the political situation in the Middle East, we all stand behind the principle of pikuach nefesh, the sanctity of human life, and deplore violence against civilians for political ends. We will continue to work within our congregation, within our community, and through our relationship with the land of Israel to promote a more peaceful world.

— The Beth Israel Board of Directors

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING,

Amendment to Current Bylaws and Special Resolution Required

Dear Beth Israel Congregation Members,

Your presence is requested for the Annual General Meeting for Beth Israel Congregation on June 24 from 6:30-8 pm at the synagogue. Please RSVP now (click the link) and plan to attend – 30% of all voting members are required for quorum. If you cannot attend, please complete the proxy form attached and send it with your proxy to the AGM.

Agenda to follow.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please see below for the Notice of Special Resolution and Proposed Amendment of the Beth Israel Congregation By-laws (2016) for Approval by Beth Israel Congregation Membership.

1) Special Resolution

Ontario Non for profit Corporations Act (ONCA) “statement of waiver” requirement to be approved:

In keeping with the rules and regulations regarding Audits and Engagement Reviews for not for profit organization and charities for the Province of Ontario, be it therefore resolved that Beth Israel Congregation members agree to waive the requirement and costs associated with both an Engagement Review and Audit for the fiscal year. 

2) 2016 Beth Israel Congregation Bylaws amendment to composition of the Board of Directors

Current:

Board of Directors: The affairs of the Congregation/Corporation shall be governed by a Board of Directors (referred to in the Letters Patent of the Corporation dated May 28, 1953 as “the Committee of Management”), which Board shall be composed of eight (8) Voting Members. In addition, the immediate Past-President, if not re-elected as a Director, may act as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board for a term of one (1) year.

Proposed:

Board of Directors: The affairs of the Congregation/Corporation shall be governed by a Board of Directors (referred to in the Letters Patent of the Corporation dated May 28, 1953 as “the Committee of Management”), which Board shall be composed of nine to fifteen (9-15) Voting Members. The Board shall have the discretion to select the number of Directors within the range annually. In addition, the immediate Past-President, if not re-elected as a Director, may act as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board for a term of one (1) year.

For the complete Beth Israel bylaws, see, click here.

Mark Siegel, President

Beth Israel Congregation Board of Directors

 
Come out and join in the celebration for another successful synagogue year!