index
Enjoy The Song Shul’s Music Videos!
Tatenyu – the beautiful song by Kenny Karen, presented by Cantor Simon for Father’s Day
Torah Torah – Cantor Simon and many of The Toronto Festival Singers get together virtually to sing one of the favourite signature songs from The Song Shul repertoire
Love Letter to Jerusalem – In honour of Jerusalem Day, Cantor Simon and Aliza perform this tribute. Almost 30,000 views!
Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 PM
The Life and Surprising Legacy of Anne Frank
Live via Zoom
Anne Frank went into hiding with her family on Monday, July 6, 1942.
Now, on the anniversary week, join us for this very special program presented by Gillian Walnes Perry, author of The Legacy of Anne Frank.
Direct from the UK, Gillian shares with us insights into Anne’s life and what kept Anne going while she was dealing with isolation. With readings from Gillian’s new book and a Q&A afterwards, this program is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Free admission. Pre-registration required.
Click here to register.
Friday nights at 6:00 PM live via Zoom
Welcome Shabbat with The Shalom Aleichem Series!
Every week Cantor Simon and Aliza introduce a different melody for Shalom Aleichem followed by musical highlights from Kabbalat Shabbat. It’s a perfect musical moment before Shabbat!
July 3 – You Asked For It!
Last week we included some Shabbat zmirot. Many of you wrote in to request more of that so this edition includes a special Shabbat zemer just for you!Also:
Shalom Aleichem by Michael Isaacson
Yism’chu by Simon Spiro featuring the signature sound of the Toronto Festival Singers.
Click here to watch on Friday at 6 PM.
Click here to see all episodes of the Shalom Aleichem series.
Click here to be added to our distribution list for updates.
Subscribe to The Song Shul’s new YouTube channel
Click Here
Did you miss it?
Click here to see Cantor Simon singing a unique version of The Song Shul’s signature Misheberach Healing MantraClick here for The Song Shul’s special Yizkor service.
A Message from The Song Shul Directors:
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and following the guidance of Toronto Public Health, The Song Shul is suspending all religious services and community programs until further notice. Private Bar/Bat-Mitzvah lessons will continue as per individual arrangements.We will re-open for services once we have guidance from Toronto Public Health that it is safe to do so.
Should you need pastoral support, our spiritual leader, Cantor Simon, is always here for you and can be reached confidentially through cantor@songshul.com, or through The Song Shul office 416-782-8124.
We wish good health to all of you and look forward to greeting you all in person at the earliest opportunity.A Message from Cantor Simon & Aliza
CLICK HERE to watch Cantor Simon & Aliza’s musical message
from Friday, March 27th.
While you’re at home. . . .
In the period when we’re not going out to shul, take this time to create your own sacred space right in your home. Let us each build a mikdash m’at (a mini-sanctuary) to fill with G-d’s blessings.Torah: Take the time to add in some extra Torah study. If you’re afraid that you might not understand what you’re reading, start with Ethics of Our Fathers (Pirkei Avot). Skip around the chapters to discover some wonderful, thought-provoking and inspiring messages. Read a few lines and see how your day will change as a result!
Tefilah: Say an extra prayer or Psalm for all those affected. Even better, say a prayer while donning Tefillin if you don’t do so regularly or while lighting Shabbat candles. We are all praying for good health and healing, and in your prayers don’t forget to thank G-d for your blessings!
Tzedaka: Give an extra contribution to the charity of your choice and/or help someone in need. If you are young, healthy, and able-bodied, consider joining our volunteer team of Song Shul members helping the elderly.
If one person with a virus in a remote part of China can affect the whole world, one Mitzvah here in Toronto certainly has the power to expel the darkness, anxieties and sickness and bring light and joy to the entire world.
We know that many of our members really miss The Song Shul, and we want you to know that we feel the same way. We can’t wait to see you again. Take care, and be healthy!
MUSIC-THEMED SHABBATOT at THE SONG SHUL!
The Song Shul’s renowned Shabbat morning services give you an entirely new Shabbat experience. Our special music-themed Shabbat services this year have included Leonard Bernstein Shabbat to commemorate the yahrzeit of a great Jewish American composer, Remembrance Shabbat, Ethiopian Shabbat for Sigd, Chassidic Shabbat, Broadway Shabbat, our powerful Cantorial Classics Shabbat, exotic Sephardic Shabbat, nostalgic Yiddish Theatre Shabbat, and Neil Sedaka Shabbat to celebrate the birthday of a favourite Jewish American songwriter. It’s a full year filled with musical prayer and inspiration!
Anyone can sing prayers to a special melody, but at The Song Shul we bring it to a whole new level. Cantor Simon leads us all while the vocal arrangements of the Toronto Festival Singers provide an incredible cushion of harmonies for our prayers. It’s like singing with a full orchestra — you’d never believe it’s a cappella.
Currently not meeting in person. Join our distribution list to receive regular updates on staying connected.
JOIN THE SONG SHUL TRAVEL CLUB
Musical Jewish Heritage Adventures with Cantor Simon & Aliza!
Cantors Assembly Historic Mission to Italy
This trip has been cancelled for 2020. Stay tuned for details about rescheduling for future.Save the dates to join our future musical journeys:
October 25-29, 2020 New York City
January 2021 (exact dates TBA) Cuba
July 26-August 5, 2021 England
October 23-November 8, 2022 China
Here’s why everyone is flocking to The Song Shul: A Community in Harmony
- Cantor Simon Spiro and the fabulous Toronto Festival Singers You’ve never heard anything like it
- Davening in-the-round So easy to sing with us
- A compelling and to-the-point Staccato Sermonette If you don’t hit oil after 8 minutes, stop boring
- The whimsical Torah Bubble Parade You saw it here first!
- Music Mini-yan For little ones
- The Shabbat Starbucks Coffee Lounge For not-so-little ones
- Best kiddush in town! Seriously…everyone sticks around
And much more! We meet two Shabbatot a month, plus all festivals. Click here for more information.
Exciting ongoing programs at The Song Shul!
Due to COVID-19, some of these programs are currently suspended, and others are taking place through Zoom. Contact info@songshul for more information.
Many Lives, One People:
Growing up Jewish Around the World
One Wednesday evening each month
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Lo Levad (“Not Alone”)
Support group for people with family members who suffer from mental illness.
Every other Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM
Ladies’ Rosh Chodesh Group
1st Monday of the Hebrew month.
Uptown Sound adult choir
Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Yad Squad Torah Reading
Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Special Voices choir for adults with disabilities
Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Downtown Sound children’s choir
Tuesdays 5:00 – 5:45 PM
Alef-Bet Challenge
Sunday mornings
11:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Brush Up Your Siddur
Sunday mornings
10 – 11:00 AM
Lively Learning with Cantor Spiro
Sunday mornings
11:00 AM – noon
Siddur Fundraising Project!
Coolest gift ever: Honour your parents, children or friends by having their names on a permanent page in the special Song Shul edition of the Koren Siddur! Click for details.