We invite you to an extraordinary evening that brings the spirit, sound, and soul of Jerusalem directly to Toronto. At the heart of this special event is acclaimed Cantor Chaim Stern, whose voice has moved audiences around the world and whose artistic and personal roots are deeply intertwined with Jerusalem’s rich cultural and spiritual fabric. This is not simply a concert—it is a journey.

A living musical tradition
Jerusalem has always been a city of layers: ancient and modern, sacred and artistic, deeply traditional yet constantly evolving. Its musical heritage reflects that same complexity. Cantorial music carries centuries of emotion, prayer, and storytelling, blending historical influences with contemporary expression. Cantor Stern embodies this intersection, weaving classical cantorial compositions with broader musical traditions in a way that feels both timeless and immediate.

“I love cantorial music, and when it’s sung by a lyric tenor—with a beautiful voice, and especially with an Israeli accent—it gives it special meaning for me,” says Elliott Eisen, a Jerusalem Foundation of Canada Board Member, a long-time Beth Tzedec Member and Event Co-Chair. This concert also celebrates Cantor Stern’s first year as The Hennick Family Senior Cantor at Beth Tzedec.

“I think Chaim Stern has the talent and ability—and he also happens to be a very nice young person—to strengthen the synagogue and the community and draw people. The concert will feature a range of genres and professionals, including two highly regarded cantors from Montreal and Chicago. It’s a natural fit for the Jerusalem Foundation to be involved as a lead organizational sponsor, especially since the title has always been ‘From Jerusalem to Toronto.’ As a seventh-generation Jerusalemite now in Toronto, Chaim embodies that connection.”

A rare musical experience
Audiences will experience an elegant blend of traditional cantorial masterpieces, beloved Broadway showstoppers, and international classics—performed with 28 musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The evening promises a level of musical excellence rarely experienced in a single program.

As Cantor Stern reflects: “My journey started in Jerusalem, between studying in Yeshiva and spending Shabbat at the Great Synagogue. I’d go with my friends to hear Cantor Chaim Adler and the choir conducted by Elli Jaffe—who later became my mentor. That’s where I was first exposed to the polished European cantorial style and the power of a professional choir. Mixing that formal harmonic precision with the raw, soulful singing I did leading prayers in Yeshiva is what defines my voice today.”

“I believe that showing openness to other genres is the best way to connect a modern audience to Jewish music. When people hear a cantor sing Broadway, opera, or even Elvis, it opens their hearts. That connection makes traditional prayers feel more personal. I am truly looking forward to the moment it all comes together on stage.”

Voices across North America
Adding to the evening are two exceptional guest artists: Cantor Rachel Brook of Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago and Cantor Gideon Zelermyer of Montreal’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Together, these voices represent a cross-section of North American Jewish musical leadership, each bringing their own artistry to a shared tradition rooted in Jerusalem.

For Cantor Stern, that connection is deeply personal: “My family arrived from Eastern Europe in the 1850s and 60s and helped build the city’s first neighborhoods. Many of my ancestors served as community rabbis and philanthropists. My late grandfather… was an amazing Baal Tefillah. Walking with him to shul on Shabbat mornings while he shared stories about the legendary cantors was my true school for this art.”

Why this night matters
This evening is more than a performance—it is a meaningful connection between Jerusalem and Toronto, brought to life through music, history, and shared identity.

If you’d like a preview of the artistry, you can listen to Cantor Stern here

At a time when connection feels more important than ever, this is a rare opportunity to gather, listen, and be transported.

Reserve your tickets here and be part of this unforgettable evening.

הפוסט From Jerusalem to Toronto: A Symphonic Journey הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Over its four years, 16 art projects inspired by the Musrara neighborhood came to life, celebrated in a concluding exhibition in the Musrara School Gallery.  In its culminating year, the four projects were developed by artists in close collaboration with Musrara residents, drawing on local histories, identities and lived experiences. These works were presented between January and March 2026 in the concluding exhibition, “Four Entered Musrara,” which, along with the broader Greenhouse initiative, received coverage in national media, highlighting its growing cultural significance.

Each project offered a distinct lens into the neighborhood:

• Tziki Eisenberg, Treasure Island – a photographic installation transforming residents’ personal objects into shared visual memory.
• Shay Zilberman, Speech-Grille – intricate paper-cut and print works inspired by the neighborhood’s iron grilles and layered histories.
• Orit Adar Bechar, The Lost – a video installation blending Samuel Beckett’s text with Black Panther writings to explore power, identity and existence.
• Rustam Bayramov, A Passing Shadow – portraits created using a historic photographic technique, capturing the living human fabric of Musrara.

For artist Orit Adar Bechar, the experience was especially meaningful: despite decades of artistic work, this was her first-ever residency, which she described as deeply supportive, collaborative, and creatively transformative.

Beyond the artworks themselves, the Greenhouse’s four-year impact is profound. It has fostered new collaborations with diverse local communities and institutions, brought untold personal stories to light, and connected residents directly to artistic creation. At the same time, it has strengthened participating artists’ social engagement and provided vital professional support during challenging years marked by instability.

By bridging art, society and place, the Mandel Artists’ Greenhouse continues to demonstrate how creative practice can resonate far beyond the gallery, embedding itself in the life of a neighborhood and its people.

הפוסט Art, Community and Lasting Impact: Inside the Mandel Artists’ Greenhouse הופיע לראשונה ב-.

The program targets candidates ages 20-30, from the Ethiopian Israeli community, in Jerusalem and allowing continued full-time employment throughout the course.

In late March, participants in a new training course for automation and information systems gathered for their first in-person session, marking an important milestone in the program. The course, which began just two weeks earlier online due to the ongoing war, transitioned to physical meetings at the Prisma Center in Kiryat Yovel. A total of 29 young participants were accepted into the program, including 19 of Ethiopian descent, reflecting a targeted effort to expand opportunities and representation in Jerusalem’s tech sector.

Developed especially by professional teams at Ono Academic College and Made in JLM, the course offers a comprehensive and supportive learning experience. Beyond technical training in automation and information systems, participants receive hands-on practice, guidance in building project portfolios and preparation for job interviews. The program also places a strong emphasis on social support and group cohesion—elements proven to be critical in helping participants successfully complete their training.

Looking ahead, the program includes visits to leading Jerusalem-based high-tech companies, providing participants with valuable exposure to the industry. In addition, dedicated support will be offered to help graduates secure employment upon completion of the course.

The first in-person session was also an opportunity to celebrate the launch of the program and the Passover holiday, with a festive toast and shared wishes for peace and success. As the participants embark on this journey, the program represents a meaningful investment in both individual futures and the broader inclusion of diverse communities in Jerusalem’s growing high-tech ecosystem.

הפוסט Made in Jerusalem – Tech Training for Ethiopian Israelis הופיע לראשונה ב-.

The quick turnaround from war footing to regular routine is not easy and doesn’t happen immediately.  We are all trying to adjust to the new reality of business as usual but with the threat of a return to the war, always present.  Therefore, the Jerusalem Foundation continues to support all aspects of life in the city, from cultural programs to aid to the most vulnerable.  As we approach Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israel Remembrance and Independence Days the following week, we are paying particular attention to those most deeply affected by the last more than 2 years of war and loss.

We remain hopeful that negotiations will continue and agreements will be reached, but we also remain ready to support the people of Jerusalem if the situation escalates again.

It is more important than ever that we support programs that advance shared society in our city.  These kinds of programs bring people together and provide a way forward in spite of all the difficulties and tensions of this time.  The work of the organizations who are part of the Jerusalem Foundation Shared Living Hub, continue to make a real difference in helping people bridge gaps within our city, learn about the “other” and focus on hope for the future.

Jerusalem continues to be a shining example of what is possible when we learn to live together.

Arik Grebelsky

President

הפוסט Message from the Jerusalem Foundation President, April 2026 הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Across Jerusalem, SAHI’s dedicated network of hundreds of young activists is bringing both practical support and moments of joy to those in need. In the wake of the war with Iran, many families have been pushed into financial hardship—unable to work, confined to their homes, or caring for children without outside support.

SAHI volunteers are stepping in where help is needed most, delivering vital food packages alongside a human touch that lifts spirits during difficult times.

In addition, SAHI teens and youth leaders have distributed essential supplies to shelters throughout the city, including heating equipment such as radiators and blankets. To ensure that even in challenging circumstances there is space for celebration and normalcy, they also provided Purim activity kits to families and children taking refuge in shelters.

Through these efforts, SAHI continues to strengthen community resilience and bring light to Jerusalem’s most vulnerable residents.

הפוסט Youth Power: People in Need הופיע לראשונה ב-.

The gathering in Jerusalem will now take place from October 20-22, 2026, and we very much hope that our friends from around the world will be able to join us.  We will post a new registration page soon. An updated schedule and program outline will be available in the coming weeks.

We all hope for an end to the war and better more peaceful days to come.

הפוסט Change of Date – Jerusalem Foundation 60th Event הופיע לראשונה ב-.

The event included an Iftar meal in honor of the month of Ramadan, accompanied by a musical ensemble that created a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening. One of the highlights was the success story of a social worker from East Jerusalem who became an author and published her fourth book just a few months ago. She is a graduate of the Social Work Training Program in East Jerusalem, a transformative initiative led by the Jerusalem Foundation in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Hebrew University. The program also featured a panel with the three women who received the Jerusalem Foundation’s RFI for entrepreneurship in East Jerusalem, sharing their initiatives and experiences.

During the war, public gatherings have been limited to small groups of up to 50 people. Recognizing how important moments of connection are during difficult times, the Jerusalem Foundation chose to move forward with the event. The response from the participants made the decision deeply meaningful. The women arrived with broad smiles and expressed heartfelt appreciation that the gathering had not been cancelled. Many shared that they truly needed this moment, an opportunity to step outside, come together and recharge with renewed energy and strength.

The gathering served as a powerful reminder that even in difficult times, spaces that celebrate women’s leadership, resilience and community remain essential.

הפוסט A Night of Resilience: Women Leaders Forum in East Jerusalem הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Faces of resilience

“I wish I could share with you the joy on the faces of the children in the shelters when the performers are acting and singing and the gratitude of the Jerusalem artists to have meaningful work to do during this time and the pride of the SAHI youth hesed patrol distributing food and supplies to isolated elderly and families in need,” shared Arik Grebelsky, President, Jerusalem Foundation, from Jerusalem.  “The Iranian missiles are falling on all population groups indiscriminately and we are making sure to take care of everyone in Jerusalem, religious and secular, Jewish and Arab. There is special meaning knowing that we are all in this together.”

Transforming fear into connection

In community shelters, Jerusalem Foundation volunteers and sponsored local artists are transforming fear into connection.  Youth volunteers quickly move through neighborhoods delivering food packages to isolated elderly residents and to families struggling due to recently lost income.

Meeting critical needs across the city

Isolated seniors in the Muslim and Christian Quarters of the Old City require food delivered directly to their doors. Families in East Jerusalem need groceries and activity kits to help children cope with long days indoors. Community centers in ten distinct neighborhoods are operating extended shelter programming, distributing creative materials, providing WiFi, heaters, blankets, and safe gathering spaces for families and others spending long hours in protected rooms.

Living with the sound of sirens

Alexa Neville of the Jerusalem Foundation recently reflected on her family’s experience in Three Generations of Sirens – Musings from a Shelter, writing: “I am one of the ‘lucky’ ones with an ‘en-suite’ sealed room in our home. Our children and grandchildren fled their unprotected homes to be with us.”

“And yet three generations of sirens take their toll. My children who grew up in the shadow of the Second Intifada. My new-immigrant daughter-in-law who is constantly anxious about the potential for disaster. And my 5-year-old grandson who copes with his stress by mimicking a siren perfectly but chillingly.”

“Even when the air goes still, the siren leaves behind a bitter residue of dread that settles deep in the marrow of the bones,” Neville concludes.

Supporting families and essential services

Emergency daycares are caring for the children of medical teams and essential workers, so hospitals and critical services continue to function. Women’s shelters and transitional apartments are expanding therapeutic and emotional support as stress intensifies, and new needs arise. Adults with severe physical disabilities require reinforced staffing and adapted safe spaces. Parents across the city are turning to online trauma support services for guidance on how to help children struggling with anxiety and behavioral changes.

Culture as comfort and connection

Culture, as always, is a part of the Jerusalem Foundation response. Online literary events, therapeutic writing workshops, and small theatrical performances in shelters are offering moments of light and emotional release while schools remain closed.

Everyday courage and hope

Life in Jerusalem right now is a mix of alertness and everyday courage. Even with the sirens and uncertainty, people look out for each other. Kids still laugh in shelters. Artists keep creating. Volunteers keep helping. Day by day, the city goes on – together, supporting one another, with hope for the future.

Children doing activities in a bomb shelter (Kiryat Menachem)

SAHI volunteer delivering food to a family in need

Children of emergency workers being entertained in a bomb shelter.

הפוסט What Daily Life in Jerusalem looks like during the War הופיע לראשונה ב-.

JF President, Arik Grebelsky, shares from his personal experience that after each siren he enters the public shelter in his neighborhood.  This is a very special encounter with different people representing Jerusalem’s rich human tapestry…. Everyone sitting together, young people just released from army service in Gaza, elderly (who sat together through many wars, 1967 and Yom Kippur in 1973 and the Gulf War in 1991), religious and secular and all in harmony, just finding a way through this together.   We hope that this feeling will continue also after this war is over and that we can carry forward this positive aspect of shared society in Jerusalem.

We hope that we will come out of our safe rooms to a new reality in the Middle East and that Jerusalem in all its diversity and beauty, will be the symbol of hope for the future.

Photo Credit: Arik Grebelsky on his way to the shelter

הפוסט From the Shelter: Jerusalem Resilience הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Shai  viewed closing this East-West gap as the mission of his life and he embarked on turning dreams into strokes as soon as he was President. Convincing city hall, donors – in particular the Gottesman Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation – and work colleagues, Shai championed the construction of a community swimming pool in Beit Hanina, East Jerusalem’s largest neighborhood. He raised millions of dollars, obtained planning permission and the bulldozers got going.

Six years later, the first water in the Beit Hanina pool is finally here. Shai – who would have been the first to jump in  – is no longer here.

But his vision does not live on paper. It lives in water, in the hundreds of East Jerusalemites who will learn to swim, dive, and splash in the new pool.

One pool. Hundreds of lives. A ripple that will reach the whole city.

הפוסט One small splash, one giant ripple הופיע לראשונה ב-.