by Hillel Ontario | Jan 13, 2023 | Hillel Ontario, Uncategorized, Weekly D'var
In this week’s parashah we learn the story of Moses, from his birth, through his flight from and eventual return to Egypt, to the acceptance of his role as leader of the Hebrew people. After fleeing Egypt, for killing an Egyptian slave master, Moses was living rather...
by Hillel Ontario | Dec 22, 2022 | Uncategorized
While I applaud President Gertler’s condemnation of antisemitism in “The remedy for controversial speech is more speech,” much of his opinion essay left me distressed, angry, and perplexed. As an example, Recommendation 3 in the Report of the University of Toronto...
by Hillel Ontario | Dec 8, 2022 | Uncategorized
In this week’s parasha (torah portion), Vayishlach, Jacob and Esau, brothers, are planning to meet again for the first time in decades. The night before they meet, Jacob is awakened by a stranger, an angel, with whom he wrestles the entire night. Towards the break of...
by Hillel Ontario | Dec 2, 2022 | Uncategorized
As we approach the end of the fall semester of the 2022/23 school year, and begin to prepare for winter exams, and the holiday season, I want to share several ways in which Hillel Ontario is empowering a (re)surge(ence) in Jewish pride, community, and activism across...
by Hillel Ontario | Nov 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
Parshat Toldot tells the story of Isaac and Rebecca’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau, who struggle in the womb and who seem destined to clash throughout their lives. Additionally, it contains two notable passages: the birth and childhood of Jacob and Esau, and the scene...
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...
