was established to honour outstanding individuals who have devoted themselves to Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue and the entire community.

The words Yakir Hakahal, "precious to the community," more literally means “endeared to the community." The letter kuf (K) found in both words reminds us of the two words which describe a synagogue, kehila k'dosha (a sacred congregation). A well-known Biblical verse recited on the High Holy Days Haben yakir li Efraim (Efraim is my precious son), points to the Jewish people being considered precious before God. The Hebrew word kir found inside the work yakir means a wall that which is sturdy, strong and dependable.

Each recipient of the award receives a beautiful sculpture, exclusively designed by acclaimed artist Misha Frid.

The Yakir Hakahal sculpture reflects many significant biblical symbols. One discernible image is a staircase leading upwards, reminding us of a statement by the Sages: "...we ascend in holiness and we do not descend." The hand holding the steps symbolizes the one who gives of himself one step at a time knowing that the ultimate purpose is to strengthen our community. The Star of David atop the sculpture symbolizes the ultimate goal of our efforts as a people. Three pillars represent the phrase "the world rests on three pillars" - education, service to the community and acts of loving-kindness.

We have been priviledged to honour two outstanding award recipients,
Sigmund Reiser z"l in 2004 and Mike Feldman in 2005.

Rabbi Joseph Kelman ztz"l was recently honoured as our 2008 'Yakir Hakahal', "Precious to the Community" honoree in recognition of his fifty years of devoted service to our Synagogue and to the Jewish world.

Since 1959 when the Synagogue was first built, Rabbi Kelman was instrumental in growing the new Synagogue from its original 100 households to a thriving community of 1500 member families. Despite a very hectic schedule,  Rabbi Kelman turned his attention to providing Jewish education for special needs children and adults through classes, schools, social clubs, camping and much more.

Thus, the "Kadima" program, a Jewish Sunday School for special needs children was born. Many of these programs were developed with the support and skills of his late wife Ruth Kelman z"l These children learned about our Jewish traditions and festivals, and participated in group Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies - the first of their kind, anywhere.

He then turned his attention to Jewish summer camps, encouraging them to make room for special needs children. The Tikvah program at Camp Ramah in Ontario became the first of many organizations to adopt this policy, providing summer camping experiences for children with exceptionalities.

Taking this initiative even further, he encouraged the development of group homes for adults with exceptionalities. This enabled many to move from large, lonely institutions to small, caring family-like living arrangements. Reena (Joy) was the hopeful name given to this Foundation that today provides support and services to this special community. These group homes became a model for supported community living in Ontario and beyond.

Rabbi Kelman's concern for religious rights and freedoms led him to become an unofficial spokesperson for the needs of Jewish inmates. This led to his appointment by the Canadian Jewish Congress as Chaplain for city jails and hospitals where he instituted Sabbath and holiday prayer services as well as ensuring that kosher food for Passover and year round was available.

Coming from a multi-generational line of Rabbinic Scholars, Rabbi Kelman's compassion and concern for others was gleaned from his childhood home. He was a passionate supporter of Israel and led many missions there, often with his Christian Zionist friends. Rabbi Joseph Kelman's many accomplishments serve as a tribute to his unique world vision. He continued to inspire all that knew him and shared his love for life, Israel and our people until his passing in June of 2009.

Beth Emeth Synagogue is proud to announce this year's recipient, Sir Nicholas Winton, saviour of hundreds of children from the Holocaust. Join us on Thursday, May 6th, 2010.

Because he wanted to save the lives of as many of the endangered children as possible, Sir Nicholas Winton returned to London and planned the transport of children to Great Britain. He made up an organization, calling it “The British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia, Children's Section.” The committee consisted of himself, his mother, his secretary and a few volunteers.

Finding sponsors was only one of the endless problems in obtaining the necessary documents from German and British authorities. On March 14, 1939, Winton had his first success: the first transport of children left Prague for Britain by airplane. Winton managed to organize seven more transports that departed from Prague's Wilson Railway Station. The groups then crossed the English Channel by boat and ended their journey at London's Liverpool Street station. There, British foster parents waited to collect their charges. Winton, who organized their rescue, was set on matching the right child to the right foster parents.

The last trainload of children left on August 2, 1939, bringing the total of rescued
children to 669. On September 1, 1939 the biggest transport of children was to take place, but on that day Hitler invaded Poland, and all borders controlled by Germany were closed. “Within hours of the announcement, the train disappeared. None of the 250 children aboard were seen again. We had 250 families waiting at Liverpool Street that day in vain. If the train had been a day earlier, it would have come through. Not a single one of those children was heard of again, which is an awful feeling.”
The significance of Winton's mission was verified by the fate of that last trainload of children. Moreover, most of the parents and siblings of the children Winton saved perished in the Holocaust.