While she had to learn additional liturgical music to take on this role, she noted it was less challenging in a Reform temple, where cantors and choirs typically perform set pieces.
[3] During her time in Toronto from 1985 to 1989, Bolton launched the Chai Project to promote AIDS education in the Jewish community.
[3] In 1986 she asked Rabbi Deborah Brin of the Reconstructionist Congregation Darchei Noam to study liturgy with her.
[3] Their first performance at Temple Emanu-El was criticized by the president of the Toronto Council of Hazzanim's (TCH), who said their presence diminished the professionalism of the cantorate.
[2] Bolton said that they were conveying to young girls that they can be leaders and that women could develop leadership skills in ritual practice without requiring institutional validation.
[7] The CBC and TV Ontario produced documentaries on her work as a singer, cantor, teacher and Jewish feminist.
[6] At RRC she served on an AIDS task force and helped launch a women's studies project.
[12] In 2015 she and two other Ottawa religious leaders urged the Canadian government to expedite the process of resettling Syrian refugees.
[13] When asked about Passover observance in 2024 in the midst of the Israel–Hamas war, Bolton said that Jews would likely have varied approaches due to different reactions to the conflict.