Five years ago, I was invited to attend a fibre art residency at the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils, Latvia. This was the birthplace of Rothko, although in his time it was known as Dvinsk. We artists were expected to create a piece for their collection and I thought about those huge tallitot that …
The story behind the Kaddish tapestry at our Yom Kippur services Read More »
On the first morning of Rosh Hashanah at 6:30 AM, 28 DJC members attended the sunrise service at the Brickworks. This was a record for attendance at this service, which often has barely had a minyan. Clearly, we have been starved for personal interactions. It was a beautiful morning in an idyllic setting. Emil Sher …
Reflection on the DJC Rosh Hashanah Dawn Service Read More »
We will be gathering on Zoom for High Holyday services again this year. Of course, I would rather be physically together – singing together, crowding side by side under outstretched tallitot on the bimah for the group aliyot, and hugging in the aisles. But spiritual practice is perpetually a practice of meeting reality with an …
The Revolution Will be Televised – Let’s Get Ready Read More »
How do you grow a courageous heart? There have been so many times during the past year when I have needed to call upon resolve and fortitude, abiding patience and grounding stability; when I needed to be able to consciously gather in goodness and let it bolster me; when I needed the capacity to meet …
Your support is needed! Every year at the time of the high holidays, the DJC launches a food drive to support the Bethany Church Food Bank in our Riverdale ‘neck of the woods’. Before services, we come to Eastminster bearing food offerings and place them in the bins set out in the front lobby so …
I want to tell you about some of the work I’ve been doing in the last couple of weeks. There are a lot of aspects of a rabbi’s work and the happenings in the life of a shul that you might not be aware of. I want to tell you about them because this is …
Miriam’s Cup: A Queer Ketubah – One Snapshot of What Your Membership Grows Read More »
Public antisemitism has increased in Toronto and around the world since the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. This development is disturbing and runs contrary to the intersectional work of building solidarity and ending oppression. We want to share with you this statement on antisemitism from the Toronto Board of Rabbis. This is an important time …
A Muslim family was targeted and attacked in London, Ontario while they were walking on Sunday evening. Four people were killed. A child was seriously injured. No one should be afraid to walk through the streets of this country. No one should live in fear of being attacked because of their religion, identity, or beliefs. With hearts broken, with prayer, we stand, as …
Statement from the DJC on Anti-Muslim Attack in London, Ontario Read More »
We join all of Canada in mourning the devastating discovery of the remains of 215 children buried in unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Jewish tradition teaches that every life that is lost is an entire world lost. Our prayers and broken hearts reach to recognize each life and each lost …
DJC Statement on Kamloops Indian Residential School Read More »
I spent this past Sunday in a sunny backyard – not with a barbeque or a beer but with the Torah and revolving groupings of B’nei mitzvah students and their families. Because our group B’nei Mitzvah celebrations will be online this Shabbat and next Shabbat mornings, we wanted to give the students an opportunity to …
In May 2021 Ontario made several changes to laws that could impact your legacy. Make sure you avoid legal pitfalls and family feuds! The Danforth Jewish Circle offered a webinar on May 5th, 2021 that provided enlightening answers to questions like these: If you die without a will, what happens to your assets and investments? Who …
Where There’s a Will There’s a Way: Tips for Estate Planning Read More »
Tonight’s celebration of Shavuot gathers us at the foot of Mount Sinai to open our ears and our hearts to hear Torah speaking to us and to this moment. This moment is one of multiplying heartbreak and horror as we witness rockets fall on Israeli cities and as we witness Israeli strikes on Gaza. This …
A Message from the Danforth Jewish Circle on the Eve of Shavuot Read More »
