On July 31, the Toronto Getaway started on an ominous note: Cantor Earl Berris had become ill on the eve of our departure. The man who had pushed and prodded the trip into reality would not be on board. We all had him in our hearts and minds as our beautiful bus rolled on to Toronto.

Our trip would be a close look at the Jewish neighborhoods, houses of worship and kosher eating places in the beautiful urban center of our friendly neighbor.

To a person, we were deeply impressed. In Toronto, the good old days are still alive. The neighborhoods are spread out along sidewalks. Those of our observant neighbors can and do worship in settings that are themselves historic. And those who wish to observe our dietary laws can do so in restaurants remarkable for their quality and variety.

Our eating adventure began at a famous deli on Bathurst Street named Marky’s. Next we shpatseered (OK, walked) the waterfront, and enjoyed a boat ride on the river. We also managed to find time for our religious services.

The next morning, Stephen A. Speisman, a well-known local scholar, led us on a tour of the old and new Jewish areas, which include many cultural and education institutions, kosher restaurants and shops. Synagogues came in every vintage, denomination and size serving the 200,000 Jews of Toronto.

The bus stopped in the old Kensington Market area where we walked for an hour and a half and visited two beautiful Orthodox shuls still in use. We came just in time to help create a minyan for an afternoon service. Then we went to the biggest, most beautiful Conservative synagogue in all of Ontario, Beth Zedek with 2,700 member families, and a final visit to our guide’s shul.

Just as in Israel, our group demonstrated a chemistry that was very impressive. More simply, we get along very well. And, just as in Israel, we are always very well led. This time it was Joel Shayne and Kerry Greenhut. Ruth and Joel Shayne threw a cool afterglow in their luxurious suite. Of course, we had one meal at a kosher Chinese restaurant. This one had the unlikely name “King Solomon’s Table.”

As we left Toronto, there was a plane crash at the Toronto Airport. Miraculously, there were no injuries. And we learned the reports on Cantor Berris were very hopeful – Thank God.

The stopover in Stratford on the way back provided a refreshing change of pace. Most of us saw one of a variety of plays offered there and all seemed to enjoy themselves. We ate our last meal together in Port Huron in the shadow of the Blue Water Bridge.