he Danforth Jewish Circle was created in the spring of 1996. A few dozen individuals gathered in a neighbourhood home and discussed a collective desire to build a community that reflected a common need to preserve Jewish traditions and culture while reflecting our contemporary lifestyles. While few of those present went to synagogue on a weekly basis, most of us shared a deep commitment to Judaism, a commitment that is often interpreted on a personal level but finds its greatest meaning when expressed collectively.

Shortly after the informal gathering in the spring of 1996 it was decided to hold a potluck Shabbat dinner in the basement of a local church (there being no synagogue in which to meet) to gauge the response to a Jewish community event. There was no formal publicity whatsoever. We relied entirely on word of mouth to help spread the word. We expected a few dozen curious souls, and were overjoyed when over 150 people showed up.

Before long, committees were struck to tap into what we now knew to be a wellspring of desire. A newsletter soon appeared. A High Holiday service was organized. A community group was born.

From those humble beginnings the Danforth Jewish Circle has grown to the point where five hundred individuals and families look to us to meet their needs, whether it’s a school for their children (which we began in 1998), a monthly Shabbat service to feed the soul, a speakers’ series that challenges the mind, or a place to gather each year for the High Holidays. In a few short years we have established ourselves as a community group with a long-term commitment to nurturing Jewish life in east-end Toronto.

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