Going back 50 Years: A Vision for a Jewish Community

Half a century ago, and in the words of Lester Krames, Solel’s Founding President, “a group of strangers got together. They were united by their Judaism and the desire to provide a Jewish experience for their children in Mississauga. A havera was born creating bonds and long-term friendships. These friends worked hard supporting each other to begin a school and establish a place to celebrate holidays and family simchas.”*

Since 1973/5734, Solel has been our city’s only Reform congregation. Today, Solel is a dynamic, progressive, and inclusive hub for all Jews, providing a welcoming home for all – Jews by birth, Jews by choice, interfaith couples, families raising Jewish children, and Jewish members of the LGBTQI community. We have always been open to those who are interested in finding out about Judaism, and our membership extends beyond Mississauga across the west end region of the Greater Toronto Area.

We are excited and looking forward to being together as we celebrate our important 50-year milestone with a year of thoughtfully planned special events where we will recall our history, recognize and honour Soleniks past and present, receive our new Torah scroll — and frame our Living Torah vision for Solel’s future.

1. Saturday September 30:
   Shabbat Sukkot morning service – our first signature event event is coming up soon with a special service that will be followed by a catered luncheon celebration with local dignitaries who have been invited to attend as guests. We need to manage numbers carefully, so please order your tickets for this event as soon as possible. These are available from the office, and you can also download the RSVP form on the Solel@50 page.
2. Friday evening, October 20:
   In honour of our founders and all those who helped build Solel.
3. Shabbat morning, November 4:
   We will honour our founding, and now Emeritus Rabbi Englander, current Senior Rabbi Pollack, and the impressive group of former Solel students who were inspired to become rabbis.
4. Saturday evening November 25:
   Celebrate Havdalah by recognizing our Bet Sefer Solel students, past and present.
5. Sunday afternoon, December 10:
   We will be re-enacting the walk from Solel’s original home at the Glen Erin Inn to our current Folkway drive home where we will then celebrate Hannukah together.
6. Shabbat morning January 27:
   Service in appreciation of Solel’s Education Committee and our numerous teachers, past and present who have played such an important role is teaching our students over the past half century.
7. Erev Shabbat on February 9:
   We will have our annual Invite Your Neighbour Service to welcome and honour our non-Jewish friends and neighbours, together with our interfaith, political and community partners including Pathway and the Mississauga Foodbank.
8. Shabbat morning, March 2:
   We will pay tribute to our Solel volunteers and related committees past and present.
9. Erev Shabbat on April 5:
   We will celebrate our Sacred Space, consider our evolution and focus on future needs.
10. 10. Erev Shabbat on May 24:
    We will honour current and past board presidents, members, and committee chairs as part of our annual Board Installation service.
11. Erev Shabbat on June 14:
    Will mark the culmination of our celebrations as we receive and dedicate our new Torah Scroll.

A huge thank you to our Solel at 50 planning committee for their enthusiasm and the work they are doing in setting these events. I am looking forward to seeing you all many times during this exciting year of celebration.

John

* Lester Krames, Founding President, Solel Congregation ((1974 – 76) in his tribute to Rabbi Lawrence Englander a Tribute on his Retirement in May 2014”, Solel Congregation 2014, p16.

Filed under: President's Message

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