Solel is a dynamic, progressive hub of Reform Judaism west of Toronto.
We care deeply about offering a warm, compassionate, and nurturing environment for Jews from all backgrounds.
We embrace diversity, egalitarianism, and personal choice in carving out a path to living a meaningful Jewish life through:
Torah
Lifelong Learning
Teaching Our Children
Studying Together
Learning from Each Other
Doing Mitzvot
Avodah
Prayer, Rituals, Holidays
Keeping Our Community Vibrant:
– Engaged Membership
– Volunteerism
– Financial Health
– Strong Leadership
G’milut Chasadim
Tikkun Olam
Supporting and Caring for Each Other and the Broader Community
Openness and Accessibility
Interfaith Dialog and Partnership
Commitment to Israel
Our services are joyful, musical and interactive. We care deeply about education and social justice.
We want to get to know you. Come and join us for a service, stay to schmooze over coffee and dessert, and see why Solel should be your extended Jewish home too.
Rabbi – Audrey Pollack
On July 1, 2015, Rabbi Audrey Pollack assumed the position of head Rabbi at Solel. An accomplished spiritual leader with more than a decade of pulpit experience, Rabbi Pollack and her family are pleased to have become a part of the Solel family. Rabbi Pollack continues Solel’s tradition of encouraging everyone to participate and to explore, to try out new ideas and to learn as part of a vibrant and caring Jewish community. see more
Director of Education – Arliene Botnick
Arliene Botnick received her Honours B.A. from University of Toronto and her M.Ed. from OISE. She was granted the title Reform Jewish Educator by the National Association of Temple Educators. Arliene is involved in several community organizations and is a member of the Steering Committee of the 905 Interfaith Organization, the Credit Valley Spiritual Advisory Committee, Pathway Community Projects, the Family Education Network of the Board of Jewish Education (Mercaz), and the Teacher Education Institute. She was the chair of the Reform Educators’ Council and is a graduate of the International Summer School of Holocaust Studies – Yad Vashem in Israel. see more
Rabbi Emeritus – Lawrence Englander
Our founding Rabbi, Rabbi Lawrence Englander retired in July 2014. He is a member of the Order of Canada for his work in community-based social justice programs and inter-faith dialog. Rabbi Englander is a renowned teacher and spiritual leader. Rabbi Englander is a past-president of ARZENU, the world wide organization of Reform Zionists and a noted scholar of Jewish mysticism. Rabbi Englander continues to offer adult education at Solel and he and his wife Cheryl continue to worship with us. see more
Solel’s Office
Carol Van Thyn is here to help you with information, connecting with the resources that you need, questions about facilities use, or dealing with other inquiries.
Solel’s board of directors includes an executive committee, standing committee representatives and members at large. Our goal is to provide strong leadership which represents the diverse needs and interests of our members. Our board is always interested in talking to people about our congregation and how it can better serve the needs of our members and our wider community. The board members are:
John Lewsen
President – read the President’s Message
Social Action, Administration
vacant
1st Vice-President
Emma Weizenbluth
2nd Vice-President
Religious Education
Rita Halporn-Grossman
Executive Secretary
Building & Property Improvements
Joel Brown
Treasurer
Communications, Technology
Roselyn Allen
Immediate Past President
Security, Safe Return, Women of Solel
Faith Ellen
Member at Large
Cemetery
Andrea Galambos
Member at Large
Membership & Outreach
Dave Gordon
Member at Large
Facilities & Operations, Religious Ritual & Practice
Amy Greene
Member at Large
Torah Project, Solel@50, Bingo
Dennis Norton
Member at Large
Finance
Michael Van Thyn
Member at Large
Youth
Solel is a proud member of the Union for Reform Judaism 
