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Baycrest began in 1918 as the Toronto Jewish Old Folks Home which was established to provide Jewish elderly people with care that reflected their religious traditions. By meeting their cultural and religious needs and sustaining those traditions that brought joy and meaning to their lives, Baycrest helps clients reach their maximum level of wellness.
At the same time, because Baycrest has grown larger and now serves elderly people from a variety of backgrounds, we recognize the diversity of our clients’ religious practices and endeavour to provide services to meet the individual’s needs.

Some of our services include:

  • Regular, on-floor spiritual care
  • Rabbis and chaplains on staff
  • Special services for Jewish Holidays
  • Kosher food policy
  • Ritual, religious and spiritual items for religious needs
  • Bioethical consultation for clients, families and staff
  • Observance of traditions concerning dying
  • Various religious traditions observed to some extent in Baycrest Hospital, which is non-sectarian
  • Chaplaincy services for non-Jewish clients at Baycrest Hospital
  • Meditation room for all clients and their families available for prayer and contemplation
  • CASC (Canadian Association for Spiritual Care) endorses clinical spiritual education and training for chaplaincy students
For further information, please call Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Haber at 416-785-2500, ext. 3743

Religious and spiritual services

Baycrest is committed to meeting the religious and spiritual needs of our clients. We employ three Rabbis, a multifaith Chaplain, and are also served by volunteer Chaplains who make spiritual care rounds on a regular basis. Residents of the Apotex Centre can also arrange for their own Rabbi to visit.
  • Traditional (Orthodox) Shabbat morning services are held at 9 a.m. in the Wolinsky Synagogue located on the 2nd floor of the Posluns Building and in the Beth Abraham Jacob Synagogue on the 1st floor of the Terraces. Please refer to the “Spiritual practice places and worship schedule” for a complete listing and schedule of services.
  • Liberal (Reform) Shabbat services are held on Shabbat mornings at 10 a.m. in the Beth Chaverim synagogue in the Common Room, Lower Level at the Terraces. Please refer to the “Spiritual practice places and worship schedule” for a complete listing and schedule of services.
  • There are organized religious services for the High Holy Days and other holy days. Please refer to the “Spiritual practice places and worship schedule” for a complete listing and schedule of services as the each holy day approaches.

Sabbath days and Jewish holidays

Baycrest is committed to the principles of Judaism. We provide a warm, welcoming environment that follows Jewish traditions and practices.
  • The Apotex Centre is “shomer Shabbat.” This means we respect the Sabbath. For this reason, all our shops and restaurant services (except the Cafeteria) are closed from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.
  • As stated earlier, each resident room comes equipped with electric Sabbath lights which are controlled centrally, so residents can “light the candles” on Friday night if they wish. We must ask residents and families NOT to light regular wax candles which are a serious fire hazard.
  • Special Sabbath elevators that stop at every floor operate from sundown on Friday evening until sundown on Saturday and also on Jewish Holy Days.
Jewish Holidays are special at the Apotex Centre. A variety of programs, traditional foods, parties and other activities help mark Passover, Purim, Sukkot and the High Holy days.
 
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Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Haber, BCC, CSCP, CSE, RP

Director of Spiritual Care

Director of Spiritual Care since 2012, Rabbi Geoff previously served as a hospice chaplain in Boston, MA. For more than 20 years prior to chaplaincy, he served in the congregational rabbinate and was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS; Conservative) in 1986. He holds a BA (cum laude) from Columbia University as well as a BA (with distinction) and an MA from JTS. He received Orthodox Rabbinic Semicha from Rabbi Asher Turin (zt”l) of Yeshivat Ahavat Torah vaChesed in 1996. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Care and Counselling at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2006 and received his Doctor of Divinity degree from the JTS in 2015. He also holds a Certificate in Disaster Chaplaincy and a Certificate in Executive Management. Rabbi Haber is Board Certified by and is affiliated with Neshama: The Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) and the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC). He is a Certified Supervisor-Educator in Clinical Pastoral Education (CASC) and registered in the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO, 2015). Rabbi Haber is Past President of the CASC OCN Region and currently serves as the Chair of the NAJC Certification Commission. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Spiritual Care on the Faculty of Knox College in the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto.

ghaber@baycrest.org

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Rabbi Dr. Rena Arshinoff, BCC, CSCP, RP

Chaplain

Following Rabbinic Ordination in 2008 at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (Reform), Rabbi Rena trained in hospital chaplaincy and became board certified as a chaplain with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. She also holds a Certificate in Bereavement Education and a Certificate in Grief and Trauma Counselling. Prior to her rabbinical training, Rabbi Rena was a Registered Nurse in Montreal. She holds a BSc from Concordia University and completed a MHSc degree in Epidemiology at University of Toronto and worked for 20 years in clinical research. Rabbi Rena is a Board member of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains and holds a PhD in Palliative Care from Lancaster University in England. She also volunteers with Bereaved Families of Ontario in the Children’s Program and the Infant Loss Program as a group facilitator and Professional Advisor.

Rabbi Rena was appointed Adjunct Lecturer to the Faculty of Family Medicine at University of Toronto.

rarshinoff@baycrest.org

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Rabbi David Abeles

Chaplain

Rabbi David Abeles is a native of Toronto and volunteered at Baycrest since he was 10-years-old. After finishing high school in Toronto, David studied at various yeshivot (Orthodox Jewish academic institutions of higher learning) in Israel and graduated from Yeshiva Tomimei Darech as an Orthodox Rabbi. He earned the equivalent of a Bachelor of Talmudic Studies prior to his ordination and also holds a diploma from Everett College as an Addictions and Community Services Worker.  While in Israel, Rabbi David volunteered in spiritual care with troubled youth and also the elderly. When in North America, he would travel to New York where he volunteered as a chaplain for the New York City Corrections Department at Rikers Island. He also volunteered as a chaplain in psychiatric care in Morristown, NJ. David returned to Baycrest as a CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) Intern in 2019 for specialized training in spiritually integrated psychotherapy. David is a member of CASC (Canadian Association for Spiritual Care).

dabeles@baycrest.org

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Rev. Karen Fox, BA, MDiv, CSCP (CASC), CSE (CASC),

Multifaith Chaplain

Rev. Karen was ordained within the Canadian Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec in June of 1996 after having completed a BA in Biblical Studies (Canadian Bible College, 1987); BA in Religious Studies (McMaster University, 1990); MA in Theology (McMaster Divinity College, 1994) and later an honors diploma in Social Service Worker (Humber College, 2013). Karen’s areas of focused studies included world religions, gerontology, counselling, bereavement and crisis intervention. Over the years Karen’s studies also included bereavement across the lifespan, bereavement for those living with dementia, crisis intervention and post-traumatic stress, autism, and aging within the LGBTQ2 community. Karen was Certified as a Spiritual Care Specialist in the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) in 2000 and registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) in 2015. Certified Supervisor-Educator in Clinical Pastoral Education (CASC) in 2021. Her specialties include pediatric trauma, oncology, neonatal services, women’s health, acute care geriatrics and bereavement.  Aside from working as the multifaith chaplain at Baycrest she provides supportive counseling within the Pamela and Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support (here at Baycrest) for clients and their families who are living/ caring for someone with a chronic neurological disorder.


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Raquel Benlezrah

Chaplain

Hailing from Tangiers, Morocco, Raquel immigrated to Toronto at the age of 20 and is fluent in English, Spanish and French. Raquel holds a BA from College Lycée Regnault in Tangiers and recently completed her MPS (Masters in Psychospiritual Studies) and Certificate in Psychotherapy at Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. Raquel is a dedicated and compassionate Spiritual and Religious Care Practitioner and prior to her employment with Baycrest volunteered here, since 2015, in palliative care and dementia units. Raquel is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Raquel is an active member of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). Rooted in her admiration for the spiritual wisdom of Judaism and her unyielding "joie de vivre," Raquel is driven by a mission to radiate positivity and illuminate the world. Utilizing spiritually integrated psychotherapy modalities, including logotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Positive Psychotherapy, Raquel empowers individuals to connect with their inner light, uncover positivity within every circumstance, and cultivate hope for a brighter future. Her unwavering availability to attentively listen to others' concerns empowers individuals to discover meaning, purpose, connection, dignity, self-worth, and hope during times of adversity. Whether it's navigating the uncertainties of life, bolstering self-esteem and confidence, or addressing physical and mental health challenges, Raquel's profound empathy and expertise provide solace in moments of crisis or profound life changes. Raquel also spearheads engaging programs, such as Shabbat/folk stories, and other interactive initiatives for Baycrest residents.