Masorti Judaism is Israel's fastest growing religious movement. We are a traditional, yet pluralistic religious movement affiliated with Masorti/Conservative Judaism around the world. We recognize that there's more to being Jewish in Israel than residency, more than the historic choice of ultra-Orthodoxy or secular life.
While on the recent Masorti Movement Solidarity Mission to Israel, Stan Greenspan had the distinct pleasure of delivering a cheque from Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism to Rakefet Ginsberg and Rabbi Mikkie Goldstein. The cheque was specifically to help rebuild a synagogue that was damaged by Hamas rocket fire.
Since October of 2023, we have all been united in our concern for the safety of Israel and the State of Israel. The ongoing war in Gaza has been destrutive in so many areas. People everywhere have shown that the conflict has been their foremost issue and have asked us how they can help.
Since October, we have, through the Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism, delivered nearly $80,000 to support the rebuilding of Masorti kehillot and other institutions that were damaged or destroyed by Hamas.
Your donations will help us rebuild, since the only form of funding for Masorti in Israel is through donations; the State does not support Masorti in any way, unlike their financial and legal support for Orthodox institutions.
During this war, we have chosen to support Israel and our Masorti bretheren. We will put aside the ongoing issues of the Jewish People in Israel until the conflict has concluded.
Our concerns over the events in Israel over suggested reform of Israel’s judicial system have taken a pause.
There are numerous ways to support Israel. Your upport for Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism is a good avenue to consider. Supporting our kehillot is our raison d’etre. Donations can support individual kehillot, the movement as a whole, Kibbutz Hannaton, and the Masorti Kotel.
If you would like to make a donation, please use this button:
The Masorti Movement in Israel is a pluralistic, religious movement in Israel affiliated with Masorti/ Conservative Judaism around the world. The Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism supports the work of the Masorti Movement in Israel which promotes scholarship, Zionism and religious tolerance and pluralism within the context of modern Israeli society. The Foundation raises funds to support Masorti programmes in Israel through the Movement and in its synagogue centres. Your donation helps to ensure that our work may continue.
Who we are - Masorti Canada
President - Charles Wrock, Keswick, ON
Treasurer - Rick Wronzberg, Toronto, ON
Immediate Past President - Ron Hoffman, Toronto, ON
Board Members
Marilyn Cohen
Stan Greenspan
Kyla Hershoran
Nola Lazar
Marion Mayman
Rabbi David Seed
We are proud that our member and friend, Rabbi Philip Scheim, is the immediate past-president of Masorti-Olami
Executive Director - Rabbi Sean Gorman, sgorman@masorti-mercaz.ca (extension 102)
Office Administrator - Beverlee Swayze, beverlee@masorti-mercaz.ca (extension 101)
55 Yeomans Road, Toronto, ON M3H 3J7
Tel: (416) 667-1717 or (866) 357-3384
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercazCanada
Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism Mission Statement
MERCAZ-Canada and Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism work in cooperation to foster and strengthen Masorti/Conservative Judaism in Israel, based on the ideals of tradition and tolerance, study and spirituality, and social action and love of Israel.
The Masorti Movement in Israel is a pluralistic, religious movement in Israel affiliated with Masorti/ Conservative Judaism around the world. The Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism supports the work of the Masorti Movement in Israel which promotes scholarship, Zionism and religious tolerance and pluralism within the context of modern Israeli society. The Foundation raises funds to support Masorti programmes in Israel through the Movement and in its synagogue centres.
Founded in 1979, the Masorti Movement is the umbrella organization of Masorti kehillot (congregations and communities) which aim to promote a healthy, pluralistic, spiritual and ethical foundation for Israeli society. Masorti Judaism is guided by halakhah, combining Jewish law and tradition with an open approach to scholarship, Jewish life, Zionism, and the ideals and values of each new generation.
Additional objectives of Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism are:
- To promote understanding of and adherence to the principles of Masorti/Conservative Judaism
- To disseminate within the Jewish community information concerning Judaism and Jewish tradition from a Masorti/Conservative viewpoint
- To promote and encourage research in and the study of Masorti/Conservative Judaism
Masorti Canada Ukrainian Relief Fund
On behalf of our movement worldwide we are asking our friends and supporters to give to our emergency campaign. Ukraine stands at a precarious point, with a possible invasion from Russian forces on the horizon, and many still struggling with the repercussions of the ongoing war in Eastern, Northern, and Southern Ukraine, which began in 2014. The local communities report that they are currently safe and at home, but are worried about the future and are in a state of uncertainty, not sure when an invasion could occur or how it would play out. They have conveyed fears and needs and this campaign is our hope to help them.
To donate, visit this link and select Masorti Canada Ukrainian Relief Fund
Abayudaya Relief Campaign
Life in Uganda is not easy, and with COVID, it became
much harder.
Today, Uganda is in financial crisis. The after effects of COVID have yet to return the Abayudaya people to the smallest degree of prosperity.
View the presentation made at the FJMC Virtual Convention in 2021 which was made prior to this crisis. You can see this presentation on YouTube here.
if you haven’t done so, please consider making a donation today.
To donate, visit this link and select Support for Jews of Color (USY) Fund
We thank the offices of the USCJ for facilitating these donation options
Introducing the Terumah Fund
The Yamim Noraim are a time of hope, introspection, and new beginnings both physically and spiritually. We think about all that we have done, and all that we continue to do for the people in our lives - - in our homes, in our communities, and for the State and People of Israel. When we rededicate ourselves to our purpose and mission, we strive to be a light unto others.
On Rosh Hashanah our liturgy commands us to give tzedakah (teshuvah, tzedakah and tefillah) in order to repent, the sharing of wealth and prayer.
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for philanthropy and charity. It is a form of social justice in which donors benefit from giving as much, or more than the recipients. It is so much more than a financial transaction. Tzedakah builds trusting relationships and includes contributions of time, effort, and insight.
The word tzedakah derives from the Hebrew tzedek, “justice”; performing deeds of justice is the most important obligation Judaism imposes on the Jew. The Torah instructs, “Tzedek, tzedek, justice, justice you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). A hundred years later, the Talmud taught, “Tzedakah is equal to all the other commandments combined.” (Baba Batra 9b).
This year Masorti Canada embarks upon a new program: The Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism “Terumah,” an endowment fund that will make charitable giving easy and rewarding so that individuals and families can fulfill their personal philanthropic goals and translate their charitable vision into viable solutions, addressing some of our and the Masorti community in Israel’s most pressing needs. Our Mission is to create a long-term resource to meet the challenges and needs of our Jewish community both at home and in Israel.
Our Vision is the motivation for Jewish philanthropy, which remains what it has been for generations; to sustain the Jewish people; to enhance Jewish life; and to strengthen the Jewish community, both here and in Eretz Yisrael.
The Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism is asking you for a gift of eighteen dollars either by cheque payable to Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism or credit card online at www.masorti-mercaz.ca. Please note “Terumah” on the cheque or choose the Terumah fund online. You will receive a tax receipt and become a founding member of Terumah. In the coming months we will provide you with other ways to contribute to the Terumah endowment. For now, we start small.
Our parents left an important legacy for us. By becoming a founding member of our Terumah Fund your contribution will ensure their lessons continue to impact future generations for decades to come.
Shalom,
Charles Wrock B.Sc., M.A, LL.B.
President, Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism
Privacy Policies
MERCAZ Canada and Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism respect the privacy of our members and donors. We work together to support our movement in Israel and provide Masorti/Conservative, Zionist, and Israel education in Canada. We collect information to keep members and donors informed about Masorti and Israel news, process memberships and donations, and disseminate information about the Masorti/Conservative Movement and religious pluralism in Israel. You may unsubscribe at any time.
MERCAZ member contact information is used to register our members to vote every five years at the World Zionist Congress.
MERCAZ Canada and Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism does not retain personal financial information. We will never share or sell your information. You may unsubscribe from emails at any time.
For more information, contact our Privacy Officer, Rabbi Jennifer Gorman, jgorman@masorti-mercaz.ca.