The Danforth Jewish Circle
The Danforth Jewish Circle (DJC) is an inclusive and egalitarian Jewish community centered in downtown Riverdale. Our Jewish community is committed to reflecting and responding to the broad spectrum of families and individuals that make up our vibrant neighbourhood, including its many interfaith, multicultural, observant, secular and same-sex households.

Established by parents in 1998, our Children's Jewish studies program is designed and dedicated to providing our children with a positive Jewish experience, an understanding of their heritage and history, and a sense of belonging to a diverse community with a unique culture. Our objective is to ensure our students learn not just the "what" but the "why" with an emphasis on arts, music, culture and fun.

Themes & Goals
Our program values Judaism as a dynamic living religion. Certain themes and goals are integrated throughout all levels of our program. Our students learn to question what it means to be a Jew and how being Jewish affects our values, beliefs, and behaviour. Together, students and teachers will ask the question "Who am I?" and explore what a Jewish identity means personally, within the family, the Jewish community, and the community-at-large. A key component of the program is respect for the broad spectrum of multi-culturalism, which exists within Judaism.

These issues will be explored through discussion and debate, music, drama, language, holidays, bible stories, family activity flyers, Torah, and Jewish rituals, as well as, history and current events.

Program Overview
This curriculum will reflect the inclusive nature of the Danforth Jewish Circle and the wide range of student backgrounds and experiences within Judaism.

Grade JK/SK: Orientation to Jewish Life

This general introduction to the Jewish community places the emphasis on traditions, rituals and holidays within the context of family life. Arts and crafts, show and tell, and hands on activities provide the vehicle for the exploration of progressive Jewish values, symbols and personal experiences.

Grade 1: Holiday Traditions & Rituals

This program continues to deepen themes introduced in JK/SK to children's own life experience, nature and the environment, with the Jewish Life Cycle and its meaning in Jewish life.

Grade 2: Jewish Life Cycles and the Synagogue

This program will link Jewish traditions, the children’s own life experiences, and nature and the environment, with the Jewish Life Cycle and its meaning in Jewish life. The Synagogue as a place of worship, community and culture will be explored, along with institutions of the Jewish community.

Grade 3: Biblical Stories and the Jewish calendar

This program will link Jewish traditions, values and symbols to stories from the Torah. The students will explore the Jewish calendar and how it is applicable to their personal experiences. In this context, the Torah will be considered as a book of Jewish stories, each relating to values and traditions which permeate modern Jewish life. Those mentioned in the stories (including G-d), will be treated as a ‘cast of characters.’

Grade 4 – Diaspora Jewry: Jewish Movements and Sects

The students will learn about Jewish movements and sects by examining the Diaspora Jewry in all of its glory and downfalls. Diaspora Jewry has been the anchor of Jewish life for over two thousand years. By exploring the infrastructure created by Jews, the students will be able to comprehend the necessity for such religious and cultural diversity within one community, in order to secure its survival and prosperity. As well, the students examine how DJC as a community, fits into the Jewish world.

Grade 5 – Jews Around the World and Jewish Ethics

Although these topics could be explored in isolation, they intersect on many levels. ‘Jews around the world’ will include Jews in different Geographical locales, and will examine how their country of origin affects their practice of Judaism and their everyday lifestyle (food, dress, traditions, etc.) Extra emphasis and time will be given to Israeli Jews. During this school year, the children will also engage in an introductory study of the Holocaust.

Grade 6 – Social Activism/Tikun Olam

Through links to Jewish traditions, history, and the children’s personal experiences, the students will learn about Social Activism (Tikun Olam) and its meaning for the Jewish people. Tikun Olam is an essential ingredient of Judaism and Jewish values and this program will encourage the students to explore the importance of social activism in their own lives as developing Jews, both now and in the future. Participation in Tikun Olam projects in the outside community will play an important part in this program.

Grade 7 – Graduation/B’nei Mitzvah

This final year of DJC Jewish Studies education will be a review of modern Jewish History and the students’ personal connection to that history. Important themes of the Jewish experience (i.e. assimilation, exile, etc.) will be revisited. An independent research project will give the students the opportunity to identify an area of Judaism to which they connect personally, and to explore it in depth. As a group, the students will develop and participate in an end-of-year ceremony that represents their vision of themselves as young Jews. Including music, speeches, torah parsha, etc., this ceremony will incorporate various elements of a traditional B’nei Mitzvah, as well as reflecting the personalities of the students and the inclusive and progressive values of the DJC.

Funding

The Danforth Jewish Circle membership generously supports our children’s program by providing both core funding, as well as, tuition bursaries to families in need.

Special thanks go to the Jewish Connection Partnership, the Miles Nadal JCC, and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto whose grants have enabled our program to flourish and grow.

For More Information or To Reach our School Directly: Telephone 416.580.1233

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