Credentials

The CSMC credentials committee was in full agreement in certifying the Rev Floralove Katz to the office of Ordained Minister on July 4, 2004, with her ministry focus on inter-faith life celebrations. Rev Katz’s background is in community work, where her sense of justice, morality, and mutual support fuels her social purpose. Her dedication to diverse communities of every background, positions her well to be clergy with Clergy Support Memorial Church.

Pastoral care

Floralove dedicates herself to a caring approach to humanity, bringing together all individuals and diverse peoples in support of religious or spiritual marriage or funeral ceremonies in Ottawa and surrounding area.

She is known for conducting over 400 dignified English or French wedding ceremonies, tailored to each couple’s heritage, language, religion, interfaith elements, traditions, spiritual or ethinic customs. As a Lay Cantor in synagogues and inter-faith services, she offers her beautiful soprano voice to weddings, in song or prayer.

The definition of philanthropy is “generosity in all its forms, often defined as giving gifts of ‘time, talent and treasure’ to help make life better for other people.” Floralove takes every opportunity to support others through life’s challenges. She mentors young people – including rising, talented musicians, organizes commemoration ceremonies, assists with planning and coordinating major events, assists with campaigns and at fund-raisers for charitable organizations.

Volunteerism

At any time – day or night – you may find her shoveling snow for elderly or disabled people; shopping for and delivering groceries; teaching ESL and ELL; providing a range of personal health and advocacy services;  assisting refugees and new immigrants with everything from paperwork, to accessing housing and provisions, to meeting others in their communities and directing them to professional support services. 

In March 2024, she will give her 150th blood donation, thereby contributing to saving over 450 lives.  Her perspective aligns with that of the renowned sage, Hillel (who died in 10 BCE): “Whomsoever saves a life, it is as though having saved the entire world.”  Rev Katz also organized a team of experienced and new donors, recognizing that fewer than 4% of potential donors actually roll up their sleeves: many lifesaving surgeries are therefore postponed, and lives are lost due to blood supply shortages. Anyone who wishes may join and donate at any time as a member of “Floralove Team 150” (Partners for Life (PFL) #: Flor-0116714) or (by contacting Canadian Blood Services at (888) 236-6283 and quoting the Team name and PFL number).

Music and 20^th century Jewish history

While playing cello with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and singing (Soprano) with Opera Lyra Ottawa over 20 years, Rev Katz became the Founder, Artistic Director, Producer, Vocalist (Soprano), Cellist and Pianist with her own “Ottawa Klezmer Band”. She and her Band still share their love of music, cultural and community exchange at formal concerts she produces. She continues her love of singing with, and for seniors by providing sing-along entertainment with appropriate repertoires and humour, for Robbie Burns Day, St. Valentine’s Day, Canada Day, Remembrance Day, and Chanukah-Christmas concerts.

Floralove is a Historian and Genealogy researcher. She consults with the Yad Vashem International School for Holocaust Studies, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, and other organizations, and delivers lectures, produces, delivers and drafts speeches for Parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps, and performs in commemorative concerts and ceremonies. She teaches Holocaust history focusing on music and art, by-stander indifference and the Righteous Among the Nations.