by Hillel Ontario | Sep 22, 2022 | Hillel Ontario, Weekly D'var
This week’s parsha, Nitzavim, begins with an expression of the universality of God’s covenant with the Israelites. It wasn’t enough to say ‘all of you’ who are standing before God, rather, we are given a list of all those assembled before Moses as he instructed them...
by Hillel Ontario | Sep 21, 2022 | Hillel Ontario
Kingston, ON – September 21, 2022 For 50 years, the Otterburn House in Kingston, Ontario was the home of Queen’s Hillel. Since 2018, however, Queen’s Hillel has been without a permanent location, necessitating the use of temporary rental space on-campus. Over the past...
by Hillel Ontario | Sep 14, 2022 | Hillel Ontario, Uncategorized, Weekly D'var
In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, Moses highlights how the Jewish People should build their relationship with G-d when they enter the land of Israel. A key element in relationship growth is showing gratitude for all that G-d has provided them. Moses demonstrates...
by Hillel Ontario | Sep 9, 2022 | Hillel Ontario, Weekly D'var
Deuteronomy 23 :22 When you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not put off fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will require it of you, and you will have incurred guilt; 23 whereas you incur no guilt if you refrain from vowing. 24 You must fulfill what has crossed...
by Hillel Ontario | Aug 17, 2022 | Uncategorized
In her poem “The New Year,” Emma Lazarus reflected on Rosh Hashanah 5643 in the fall of 1882 C.E.: In two divided streams the exiles part, One rolling homeward to its ancient source, One rushing sunward with fresh will, new heart. By each the truth is spread, the law...
by Hillel Ontario | May 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
Toronto, ON – May 24, 2022 – Today, after an intensive global search, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Rabbi Seth Goren has been appointed the next Chief Executive Officer of Hillel Ontario. Rabbi Goren moved to Toronto in 2017 from Philadelphia to...
by Hillel Ontario | Apr 20, 2022 | Advocacy
Nearly one year ago, in May 2021, during the last round of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the AMS Executive faced a significant amount of pressure to boycott Israel and denounce its right to exist. In these moments, I wished for empathy. Empathy for the nuance...
by Hillel Ontario | Apr 12, 2022 | Uncategorized
Weekly D’var: Pesach – Yael Swartz, Hillel Laurier There are many Torah portions that are read on Passover. They include information about mitzvot that we do, both on Passover and on an everyday basis, and also tell the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of...
by Hillel Ontario | Apr 6, 2022 | Uncategorized
Weekly D’var: Metzora – Hannah Silverman, President of McMaster Hillel and 3rd-year Health Sciences student Parshat Metzora outlines the halakhot (laws) of tzaraat, divinely afflicted leprosy. The classic example of behaviour that causes the onset of tzaraat is lashon...
by Hillel Ontario | Apr 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Weekly D’var: Tazria – Jordan Epstein, Queens Hillel This week’s parsha is Parashat Tazria. It is the fourth parsha in the book of Vayikra and covers a variety of laws governing ritual purity and impurity. The parsha begins with a discussion of the purity status of a...
