Since its founding, the DJC has been a community fueled by the interests, desires, and dedication of its members.
Everything we accomplish is a result of people who put their time, hearts, and minds to creating the community they want to be part of.
We hope you’ll choose to participate in a way close to your own heart – or start a new DJC committee of your own! If you have an idea for a new committee, please email us to discuss.
Accessibility Initiative
The Accessibility Initiative is committed to creating an inclusive community where everyone belongs and can participate to their fullest. In collaboration with other committees and with DJC and Eastminster staff, our impassioned group of volunteers strive to create a barrier-free environment by addressing potential and/or existing barriers to participation, and by engaging members’ support to ensure those with physical, hearing, visual, cognitive, learning, sensory, or emotional disabilities can positively and actively take part in our services and programs.
Interested in joining the Accessibility Initiative or want to learn more? Reach out to us at djcAccessibilityInitiative@gmail.com.
Chesed Caring Committee
Chesed refers to deeds of loving kindness. We are a group of dedicated volunteers who provides support, comfort, care, and practical assistance to those confronted by illness, crisis, or the loss of a loved one. As needed, we organize the preparation and delivery of meals to individuals and families, assist with transportation to and from medical appointments, provide guidance and assistance during Shiva, or simply make a phone call to let someone know they are in our thoughts.
It matters to us that you know we care, so if you, or someone you know, is in need of our loving support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
The Chesed Caring Committee is always looking to expand its army of caring volunteers. Interested in adding your name to the list of those willing to be called upon in times of need? Reach out to us at djcChesedCaring@gmail.com.
Climate Action Team
The Climate Action Team is a group of individuals who are concerned about the impact of a warming climate and the devastation that will result if immediate action is not taken.
We all have a part to play in climate protection. We must use energy more efficiently by shifting away from using fossil fuels in our homes and vehicles. We must be engaged citizens by supporting and encouraging policies that protect the quality of life for all living beings on the planet.
We depend on your commitment to join us in making the changes we need to keep our children, communities and the environment that sustains us safe, here at home and around the globe.
Interested in joining the Climate Action Team or want to learn more? Please email us at djcclimateaction@gmail.com.
Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee plays a central role in ensuring the sustainability of the DJC. The results of its efforts are integral to our Circle’s ability to deliver its extensive, innovative, inclusive, music filled, and diverse programming. It also allows us to fulfill our goal of never turning a person away because they cannot pay. The Jewish values of tzedakah (charity or philanthropy) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) are essential to the DJC. The Committee develops its understanding of and applies best practices in fundraising to support the DJC in meeting its financial targets.
Committee members do research as needed in the development of policy proposals or advice to the Board and other committees related to fundraising. We prepare general communications to assist in the building of a “giving culture” at the DJC as well as fundraising letters. Each Fall we manage and make calls in support of the annual Fall Fundraising Campaign. The Fundraising Committee is a working group comprised of 6-10 DJC members committed to maintaining and building a healthy robust liberal, inclusive, and vibrant congregation. We are interested, energetic and fun-loving people with varying experience.
We are always in need of and open to new members. Come join us. Learn about fundraising, share your energy and deepen your commitment to the DJC. For more information contact fundraisingdjc@gmail.com.
Member Engagement
The Member Engagement Committee serves to help you develop and strengthen your sense of belonging to the Danforth Jewish Circle. Our goal is to help you become more involved in our community and to experience a more meaningful and stronger connection to the DJC.
Remember… Member Engagement starts with ME!
Interested in joining our Member Engagement Committee or want to learn more? Reach out to us at djcMemberEngagement@gmail.com.
Mishpocheh Family Committee
This committee is made up of a diverse group of parents looking to build more community for themselves and their families at the DJC and in the East End of Toronto. We organize occasional gatherings through out the year that are fun and welcoming, inspired by Jewish values, traditions and holidays. Currently, given the make up of our group, we are particularly focused on a creating spaces where “big kids” feel engaged and excited to be a part of our community. So far, we hosted a very successful matzah bake at Evergreen Brick Works, a Shabbat dinner bonfire sing-along and hands-on tikkun olam cooking project. Check the DJC newsletter and social media for upcoming events.
Interested in joining Mishpocheh – DJC’s Family Committee, or want to learn more? Reach out to us here.
Movie Night
It is one thing to see a movie; it’s another to experience it. We present films – features, documentaries, foreign language (with subtitles!), classics – that engage and entertain. After a collective nosh, we frame the film with an introduction ranging from a word about the director to excavated facts about the film’s genesis. When the movie ends, a lively discussion begins. Heartfelt opinions and thoughtful debates are all part of the mix – a good film plus good company equals a good night out. We meet once a month, from September to May, on a Saturday evening. Click here for upcoming movie nights.
Interested in joining the Movie Night Committee or want to learn more? Email Lisa at djcMovieNight@gmail.com.
East Toronto Multifaith Community
It all began early in 2008 when a small group from the DJC was inspired to build more meaningful connections with other faith communities in the area. We held our first Danforth Multi-Faith Community Walk that year, where over 200 hundred people – adults, children, families – joined together to walk from church, to mosque, to synagogue, and, since then, have joined with Eastminster and Glen Rhodes United Churches, the Pakistani Community Centre (connected to the local mosque, the Madinah Masjid), and the Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist congregation, to share many heartfelt stories that speak to the common threads which connect us all.
Our work in and commitment to building a multi-faith community has continued with many other events where we have shared in uplifting songs, cuisine, and traditions from our different faiths. We’ve held women’s events –– Sisters to Sisters –– initially to join the Pakistani community in raising funds and relief items for women and girls affected by devastating floods in Pakistan and then later to gather for communal meals, entertainment, and learning. In 2014, we held our first cricket match, which provided an opportunity for the Muslim members to teach one of their favourite sports to their Christian and Jewish friends and engaged us all as both players and spectators.
Interested in joining the Multi-Faith Committee or want to learn more? Visit our Facebook page at East Toronto MultiFaith Community or reach out to djcMulti.Faith@gmail.com.
Reading Circle
Our Reading Circle, a favourite among the DJC’s book-loving members, brings us together for animated discussions about a variety of books that touch on Jewish themes. Each year we schedule four evening sessions with an exciting, varied selection of books and stimulating guest facilitators, plus one session in May where we depart from the usual format and enjoy a leader-less discussion.
We’re always looking for members to host a Reading Circle gathering. Interested? Please contact us.
Click here to see upcoming dates for our Reading Circle.
Please Note: In order to be able to meet in the warmth and intimacy of fellow DJC members’ homes, we have to limit the number of participants. Be sure to RSVP early if you want to attend.
Interested in joining the DJC Reading Circle or want to learn more? Reach out to djcReadingCircle@gmail.com.
Social Justice
Our vision is to participate in creating a socially conscious, responsible and equity-seeking Jewish community, working in solidarity with all who are committed to social and economic justice, human dignity and environmental sustainability in thought, action and everyday living; and to actively challenge violations of human rights everywhere. The Social Justice Committee is actively involved in both hands-on projects and community education. In particular, we are currently focusing on: anti-hate activism; climate action; Indigenous rights & Reconciliation; and refugee settlement.
Click here to read about the DJC’s sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family.
We are a warm, welcoming group of long-time and new social justice activists and would love to hear from you. Please contact djcsocialjustice@gmail.com to get involved.
Youngish & Jewish
We’re a progressive, egalitarian, inclusive group who self-identify as young(ish) and Jew(ish). We’re building a community of people interested in meeting up and going to DJC and community events together, as well as creating our own celebrations and having discussions about topics that interest us.
Interested in joining Youngish & Jewish or want to learn more? Reach out to djcYoungish.Jewish@gmail.com.