Rabbinic Resources
Organ Donation
TBR
urges the members of the Jewish community to participate in the mitzvah of pikuach nefesh
(saving a life) by becoming organ donors. The members of
TBR are proud supporters of the Trillium Gift of Life
Network. You can also download our organ donor brochure.
Itanu Initiative and synagogue accessibility
TBR is an active participant in the Itanu Toronto
- the Inclusion Initiative of UJA-Federation. In addition to our
ongoing participation in Shabbat Itanu and other programs TBR is also
involved in facilitating the provinical accessiblity
requirements. By January 1, 2012, synagogues, non-profit
organizations as well as private companies will have to comply with
provincial accessibily standards. You can download a copy of Breaking Down Barriers: A Guide to Synagogue Accessibility created by Reena.
Interfaith Work
TBR is a longstanding member of
the Christian-Jewish
Dialogue of Toronto whose goal is "to
promote, encourage and facilitate a better understanding between
members of the Christian and Jewish communities, with the hope of
eliminating the prejudice and bigotry which has marred Christian-Jewish
relations for generations."
TBR is participating in the Toronto Area
Interfaith Council. Our representatives sent the
following
observations from the inaugural event:
Rabbi Lori
Cohen and I represented the Toronto
Board of Rabbis in the launching of the Toronto Area
Interfaith
Council in the form of a mayoral breakfast. Some 35 faith groups
participated
together with 15 or so interfaith organizations. I estimate that over
150
people were in attendance. Along with the mayor, several city
councillors were
present as well as the heads of some of the city departments. The
meeting's
theme was "Building Relationships in Unity and Diversity," and its
purpose was to get to know each other and to promote a vision
of Toronto
that is not only
multi-cultural, but also accepting, tolerant and inclusive. A secondary
theme
is that the faith groups have a role to play in the development of city
government. One aspect of the latter was a concept forwarded by City
Councillor
Joe Mihevc, "the ecumenism of action." - Rabbi Roy
Tannenbaum
It was a
deeply moving and emotional morning with
so many people of faith willing and eager to sit down and dialogue and
work
together for the common good. Sometimes we become jaded
witnessing the
destructive fanatics of religions in the world, but this was a real
example of
the positive force that religion can offer. It was truly an inspiration
when we
all participated in the aboriginal purification service to begin the
morning. - Rabbi Lori Cohen
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