Did you know that Temple Har Zion started with just a few families? They wanted a Reform Temple in northeast Toronto. It is a welcoming place. Temple Har Zion embraces tradition and modern Jewish values. The Temple Har Zion is inclusive and diverse. It welcomes all ethnicities and abilities. It includes interfaith families and secular Jews.
Temple Har Zion began in February 1971. In September 1971, the first High Holy Days services were held. There were 72 member families then. The synagogue first rented space. In 1974, Temple Har Zion moved to its own property. It was located on Bayview Avenue in Thornhill. As the congregation grew, a larger building was needed. The current building was built in 1979. It was renovated in the 1990s. In 2015, the sanctuary was updated. It was dedicated as the Debby Kaplan Sanctuary. Today, Temple Har Zion has over 470 families.
Temple Har Zion has three Torah scrolls each with its own story. One is a Holocaust Torah. In 1972, Rabbi Michael Stroh requested a Holocaust Torah. Temple Har Zion received Torah Scroll #873 in July 1972. It is on loan from The Memorial Scrolls Trust. This trust is at Westminster Synagogue in London. Between 1942 and the end of the war, 1564 Torah Scrolls were saved. They were saved by Czech Jews from the Nazis. In 1964, Ralph Yablon bought these Torahs. He was a philanthropist and a member of Westminster Synagogue. The Westminster Scrolls Trust sorted and cataloged each scroll. They distributed them to Jewish congregations worldwide. The Temple Har Zion scroll is an “orphan.” Its origins cannot be traced to a specific town. The Temple Har Zion Holocaust Torah Committee adopted Michle. Michle is a town in the Czech Republic. This honors the lost congregation of Michle. Each week, Kaddish is said for some Michle congregants. They perished in the Shoah. During Yom HaShoah, children recall the 11 children from Michle. These children were murdered before becoming B’nai Mitzvah.
The Diamond Torah is the smallest Torah at Temple Har Zion. Lee and Mel Diamond donated it. It honors Mel’s parents, Abraham and Fanny Diamond. Their names are inscribed on the scroll. The Torah was bought in Toronto in 1987. Rabbi Abraham Kubayov rescued it. He had rescued Torahs from Germany and Eastern Europe after the war. Records show that this Torah was found in Buttenhausen, Germany. Rabbi Kubayov found the person who took the Torah. The person kept it hidden. The rabbi visited the man who sold him the Torah. He also bought other items from the synagogue.
The midsize Torah at Temple Har Zion is called “Mama Bear.” Bernie Little and family donated it. It dates back to 1927. Bernie’s grandfather and his brother honored their father. They donated a Torah to the Dovercourt Shul. They hired a scribe. It is believed that Bernie’s grandfather inscribed the last four words. The names of his grandfather are on the Torah frame. The Dovercourt Shul merged with Shaarei Shomayim. Bernie’s father wanted to donate the Torah to Temple Har Zion. Some committee members objected because it was a Reform Temple. David spoke about his own father’s reaction. His father was pleased that David was joining a synagogue. The type of synagogue did not matter. A vote was taken. It was decided to donate the scroll to Temple Har Zion.
Temple Har Zion stands as a testament. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Judaism. It continues to evolve. The Temple Har Zion honors its past. It embraces the future. It creates a strong community for all who enter its doors.