A MESSAGE FROM RABBI YACOV S. FELDER

As you may already know, we have received very exciting news. The long awaited and anticipated site plan and building approvals of our Shul expansion have finally been granted.
Two years have elapsed since our beautiful dinner, our Evening of Honour, and some people were beginning to despair about our dream for an expanded facility in SSCM. However, as Shlomo Hamelech says in koheles, " -there is a time to build", and has His time table of when would be the appropriate time for our expansion. At this juncture, we would like to rekindle the sparks of the enthusiasm and excitement that enveloped us during the weeks prior to and following our Evening of Honour. We are planning a ground breaking event combined with a siyum mishnayos in the near future and the details will be advertised.
In this bulletin we are printing my message from the Evening of Honour with the objective to recapture and revive some of our fond memories and rekindle the spirit of that beautiful event.

SSCM EVENING OF HONOUR

, Avraham made a great feast. Rashi comments in yesterday's Parsha , it was not a great feast because of the salmon wellington or even the kishka station, rather because of the great men in attendance.
, a heartfelt Yasher Koach for traveling such a distance to join us which greatly enhances our Evening of Honour. , Yeyasher Kochachem for making this seuda through your presence a. family members, Rebetzin Batsheva Felder, Rabbi and Mrs. Hendler, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Felder from Montreal, the honourees, .  It is truly humbling yet very inspiring to stand here in front of this tremendous crowd and witness the overwhelming response to the SSCM Evening of Honour.
. In the name of our Bais Hashem – SSCM, I extend my sincere welcome and gratitude to each and every one of you for your participation in this Evening of Honour; for your attendance, for your financial support, for your warm and encouraging wishes and Divrei Bracha.  It is all extremely appreciated.
I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to personally acknowledge and thank just a few of our dedicated members who went , way above and beyond the call of duty.
Our Dinner Chairman Dr. Phillips: Eddie – your mark of excellence is stamped on every facet of this endeavour.  Everything you do is to perfection; from what you teach to your occasional speech, from serving scotch to playing squash, and this Evening of Honour is no exception.  Your energy and motivation, your creativity and vision, have carried us throughout this mission.
Our Event Chairman, Amichai Harari: Your humility encouraged the diversity of opinions and creative ideas.  Your sense of humour eased the tension in each stressful situation, and your dedication and devotion brought us to our destination.
Our Building Chairman, Eli Marder, for the enormous and ongoing commitment of time and effort in your assuming the full responsibility of this building expansion.  Eli, your job has just begun.
Our Journal Chairmen, Ira Marder and Leiby Weiss, for your efficiency and proficiency, your insight and foresight, and your general involvement which far surpassed the original task of Journal Chairmen.
And , our Campaign Chairmen, Zev Rosenblum and Tzvi Aryeh / Lawrence Weinberg, who deserve a tremendous Yasher Koach for taking this project to a level of success that none of us had envisioned or even dreamed we were capable of accomplishing.
Of course, in each category there are some committee members who although they will remain , anonymous, yet they deserve our public expression of sincere appreciation for their heroic efforts on behalf of our expansion and this Evening of Honour.
A special hakoras hatov to the spouses and family members of our volunteers for their understanding, support and encouragement throughout these past few weeks and months.
Our Executive Committee with all its members: the friendship, respect, humility, and sense of achdus that permeated the atmosphere of each and every meeting, phone call, e-mail – although I never received any of the e-mails – is a tribute to you, to your families, to our Shul and no doubt a nachas ruach to .
At this moment, I will deviate from my routine practice and acknowledge one person who stands behind the scenes in the life of SSCM.  Much of what you enjoy here this evening, and in general, the achievements of our Shul could not happen without this individual, who was born and raised in the of , suffused with an appreciation for Torah and for and with keen understanding and insight.  – suffice it to say, .
After the invitations were mailed, many of us were greeted by community members with questions, such as: Why are YOU not being honoured, everyone else in the Shul is!  Is there anyone in the Shul that is not an honouree?
Well Rabosai, I’d like to let you in on the inside story.  In fact, those people are 100% correct.  This evening, we are honouring each and every one of our members and Mispallelim. For practical purposes, we chose certain categories that represent different dimensions of our Shul.  However, the reality is that the success of SSCM is its warmth, friendliness, sincerity and erlichkeit created by all of you, our members and Mispallelim, with , aspirations to grow in Torah and Avodas Hashem Yisbarach.
One of our members recently told me that his friend does not daven in Shomrai Shabbos.  Why?  The people there are just too nice, just too friendly!  What a beautiful ; such among us.
I often hear comments, as most Rabannim do, such as: I would not want your job!  Which, by the way, is very comforting to me; I am not quite ready to retire.  I must confess the hours may in fact be long.  Whenever I am asked about my hours, as my members already know, my response is 9 to 9 – 9 am to 9 am.  However, the work week is pretty good.  As one of my beloved members often reminds me when on Monday morning he wishes me, “Rabbi, have a nice weekend.”
In reality, I am very fortunate to be blessed with such wonderful members and Mispallelim who not only are a pleasure to work with, but are genuinely concerned with my welfare, and as well, are a motivation and inspiration for growth in Torah and Chessed.
, I raise my eyes to the mountains, says in .  Our Chazal say, , “I raise my eyes to my parents and the former generations, to those that taught me and to those that made me.”
At this juncture in the history of SSCM, as we stand at the threshold of a new chapter in our glorious history, we raise our eyes , to those that created our Shul and to those that made it what it is today.  The , Harav Weinreb ZT”L and my father ZT”L, the lay leadership and Shul members of the past 120 years, from the Shul’s humble beginning in a small room on 127 Queen St.W. to Chestnut St. through Brunswick and Sussex, to its present location on Glengrove Ave. W.  Throughout the different tekufos and challenging periods of the past century, the change of  locations  and  neighbourhoods,  the  Shul  has  maintained  its  commitment  to  being , to its legacy of Torah and Mitzvos, and maintained its vibrancy among the major institutions of Torah and Chessed in our city.
As an expression of our , our respect and our hakoras hatov, our appreciation and gratitude, we are dedicating a Sefer Torah to be written in memory of my father ZT”L.  Aside from the vast impact and imprint he left on the Toronto Jewish community , his primary forum was his Shul.  Forty years ago, my father led the drive to relocate the Shul from downtown to its current location on lots secured by the Shul from the Schmerz Family and the Shul was built through a generous bequest of the Franklin Robbinson Estate.
, after forty years at 585 Glengrove Ave. W. we understood and recognized the need for expansion, .  Some of the special features and benefits that will be achieved with the Shul expansion are listed and described in this evening’s journal.  As well, our Bais Haknesses will be beautified with a new Aron Hakodesh dedicated in memory of R’ Avroham Silver a”h and the existing Bais Hamedresh will be dedicated in memory of one our past presidents R’ Dovid Reiter a”h.  It is our Tefilah that the Zechus Avos shall protect us, guide us, and inspire us to continue the beautiful legacy of SSCM in our enhanced facilities for many years to come.
The new Sefer Torah will be adorned with a Kesser, a crown, upon which the names of all our honourees will be inscribed.  The and .
In , R’ Shimon says, .  There are three crowns – the crown of Torah, the crown of Kehuna, and the crown of kingship; and the crown of good name surpasses them all.         Chazal quoted by Rashi explain, three of the keilim, the sacred articles in the Mishkan, symbolized the three crowns enumerated in the Mishna.  Each of these keilim was adorned with a , a crown of gold work surrounding it.
The crown upon the Aron containing the Aseres Hadibros corresponds to the crown of Torah.  The crown upon the , the altar, corresponds to the crown of Kehuna, for serving at the mizbeach is a privilege of Kohanim.  The crown upon the Shulchan, which carries the Lechem Haponim, corresponds to the crown of Malchus, because it is the role and responsibility of the king to ensure the sustenance of the nation.
The question comes to mind.  There is one Kesser missing.  Which keili, which sacred article represents the crown of shem tov, of a good reputation?  The Maharal suggests that it is the Menorah.  A good reputation is earned by one whose life shines with the light of an exemplary lifestyle.  Just as the crown of good reputation rises above the other three crowns, so too the Menorah towers above the other three crowned vessels.  However, interestingly enough, the Menorah did not have a crown encircling the top of the , the lamps.
The crown of Shem Tov is fundamentally different from the other three crowns.  The first three crowns reside with the Talmid Chacham, the Kohen and the Melech, respectively; the Kesser Torah to the Talmid Chachom due to the Torah that he has learned, the Kesser Kehuna to the kohen being born as a kohen, the Kesser Malchus to the king as the king of his people.  The Kesser Shem Tov however, resides not with the person who has earned it, but rather with the people who hold that good opinion about him.  In fact, the person may not even be aware of the reputation he has earned.
Shlomo Hamelech says in Mishlei, , she carved out its seven pillars.  Our Kesser Torah this evening represents seven pillars of Torah in SSCM, seven Magidei Shiur who deliver daily shiurim in our Shul.  This impressive combination of Rabbeim and Baalei Batim, who together with their talmidim and the many pairs of chavrusos fill our Batei Midrashim from early morning till late evening with the music of Torah. , each shiur, its magid shiur and talmidim is a precious jewel in the crown of Torah, the Kesser Torah that adorns SSCM.
Our Kesser Kehuna is a most appropriate representative of Shevet Kehuna, known as an , an , beloved in our Shul, Yaakov Shnoll, who was raised in our Shul and fits the position not only as a kohen who is kosher but a natural to this title, treating the adults and children and sweetening our every day.
Our Kesser Malchus symbolizes ?????? ????? ???? ?????? .  Their dedication and commitment, their anivus, humility and respect, coupled with their sense of ?????? , responsibility to the klal and the prat, concerning this expansion and the Shul in general, make my position, as their boss, a pleasure.
Our Kesser Shem Tov rise above and shine with a shem tov, a good name, acquired through their Torah, avoda, gemilus chassadim, and exemplary middos tovos.  They serve the in a variety of capacities and are beloved in our Shul and the broader Jewish community, continuously being in their daily lives.
Their , their good name, represented by the Menorah, is the ??? , the oil, that illuminates and serves as an inspiration to us all.  The of the Jewish names by which our honourees are known, add up to 390, which is the same as the numerical value of ; .
Special mention and equal recognition is most deserving to the spouses and families of our honourees for their equal share and partnership in the endeavours of our honourees in , and .
The kesser with the names of our honourees will be placed on the Atzei Chaim of the Sefer Torah around which the Torah is wrapped.
, the Torah is a tree of life for those that cling to it.  , to those that are , that raise the level of Torah through their support of Torah.
Our Atzei Chaim, the of SSCM are both .  One of the tasks of the was to carry the Aron.  Another function of the was to be the , the ones who opened the doors of the .  Our carry the Aron as and of world renown.  They open many doors of opportunities for Torah and Chessed in SSCM, in Toronto, and around the globe.  It is very appropriate that they be the Atzei Chaim for the Sefer Torah in memory of my father ZT”L due to the close personal that they enjoyed with him.
Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Marder
On a personal level: Our close family bond continues into ??"? its sixth decade.  My father was the shadchan for Mr. and Mrs. Marder, and ever since, the kesher grew stronger and closer.  Whenever an issue would arise, a challenge to tackle, a hurdle to overcome, there was one address, one phone number – R’ Hershel Marder.  When I was engaged, long after the passing of my mother a”h and just after my father ZT”L came out of the hospital following his debilitating stroke, it was the Marders who stood at my side for all the arrangements and preparations.  And this is just ???? ???? .
On a Shul level: When the Shul moved from downtown to Glengrove forty years ago, the Building Chairman was Mr. Marder.  His lengthy and devoted service to the Shul included many years as Gabbai, vice president, and president, and behind the scenes CEO for as long as I can remember.  Today, they are proud to witness this legacy continue with their children who play prominent roles in many aspects of our Shul and personal lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Weinbaum
Chazal teach ??? ???? , a name has an impact on the individual.  ????? means wine and ???? is a tree.  The Gemara relates, Rebbe Akiva at a ???? , a feast, upon each ??? of wine would offer the following bracha:  ???? ???? ???? ???? , wine and life to the ???? .  The Torah is compared to wine, so Rebbe Akiva would wish the Talmidei Chachomim a bracha of Torah and life.
Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Weinbaum are a true ????????? – a tree, an Eitz Chaim of Torah.  ??? the Gemara states is ???? ????? , has two qualities.  Wine causes a person to feel satisfied and happy.
Mr. and Mrs. Weinbaum exemplify and personify the words of the Navi Micha, ??? ?' ???? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? .  The Navi does not say ???? ??? , to do ??? , rather ???? ??? , to love ??? .  ???? ???? of world renown who support ?????? of Torah and chessed in Toronto and around the world.  ???? ????? , they bring satisfaction and simcha to the klal and to the prat, to the mosdos and the individuals.
We, in SSCM, are privileged that our Shul occupies a very special place in the hearts of the Weinbaums: The SSCM Weinbaum Housing Fund, The SSCM Weinbaum Gemach Fund,The morning and evening learning programs, and the list is endless.
And it is not only the ???? , the quantity of the donations that is impressive, as significant as that is.  It is the ????? , the style, the genuine ?????? and unassuming fashion; it’s the ???? ??? and the ???? ??? .
From its inception, Mr. Weinbaum gave us his bracha towards the expansion, his ???? ?????? , and above all his warm smile that encouraged us to embark on this daunting adventure.  Mr. and Mrs. Weinbaum – we could not have done this without you.
Both of our Atzei Chaim lived through ???? ????? ????? of the Second World War remaining as ??? ???? ????? ?????? , came to this side of the world and became very significant ?????? in the rebuilding of Torah and Yiddishkeit in Klal Yisrael and we wish them much ???? ?????? to continue in their ????? ???? with much nachas from their families and extended families ?????? ???? ????? .
In conclusion, Rabeinu Bachya in his classical sefer ?? ???? writes, ???? ?? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? , the power of a Shul is great for it is considered a sample of the Bais Hamikdash, a miniature sanctuary.  ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? , if one builds a wall of a Shul or is involved in any part of its construction, he/she has acquired great merit.
May we merit the abundance of ?????? ????? necessary to continue this endeavour.  ?? ?????? ????? , ???? is ??????? ?"? , sixty-seven.  ???????"? , may we in SSCM be ????         to ???? ?? ????? in the year of ???"? , and with the ???? ???? of our efforts towards enhancing and building our ???? ??? , may we be ???? to the ???? ???? ????? , the ??? ????? ??????, ????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? .  Thank you.