In response to the horrific shooting in Buffalo, I want to share the powerful and wise words from the movement in which I was educated and trained. These words speak to the heart of the Jewish commitments we seek to embody at the DJC – to witness and grieve the pain of others, to extend …
Statement from Rabbi Miriam on the shooting in Buffalo Read More »
“Are we there yet?” I remember my own impatience as a child, traveling in the back seat of the car (or the back back seat of the 1976 Dodge Aspen Wagon) on family road trips, feeling such anticipation and excitement about the destination and so much frustration about the time it took to get there. …
The DJC COVID-19 policy has been developed to reflect the current requirements of Toronto Public Health, our partners in the Danforth Multifaith Commons (DMC) and the needs of our community. Our aim is to keep our staff and attendees as safe as possible during this challenging period. Vaccination For the safety of the most vulnerable …
2022 DJC COVID-19 Policy for In-Person Services & Other Programs Read More »
Over the last week, 11 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Israel – from the Jewish, Druze, Arab-Israeli and Ukrainian communities. We firmly stand against this hate, and unite against terror. Torah extends moral imperatives to us to learn and practice – to pursue justice; to seek peace and pursue it; not to stand …
Statement from Rabbi Miriam on Recent Attacks in Israel Read More »
By: Heather Cohen and Eve-Lynn Stein In honour of World Refugee Day on April 4, acknowledging the war in Ukraine, and in recognition of Passover and its themes of wandering in search of safety, we have planned a special refugee-themed Kabbalat Shabbat for this Friday, April 8. Services will feature Naomi Alboim and you can …
Welcoming the Stranger – Refugee Shabbat and Taking Action Read More »
By: Artist in Residence, Leah Gold I am so honoured to work with the DJC community as the very first artist in residence. Over the next three months, I will be facilitating a series of workshops for community members of all ages, culminating in collaborative artworks to be displayed in the shared space of the …
Connecting with the Natural World Through Jewish Ritual and Art Making Read More »
This year, when we sit at our Seder tables sharing the story and significance of our journey from oppression in Mitzrayim (ancient Egypt) to liberation, reflecting on our individual and collective movement from constriction (maytzar) to expansiveness, it is a potent moment to weave into our discussion, ritual and actions the plight of refugees around …
Shoes on the Doorstep, Sandals on Our Feet – A Pesach Teaching Read More »
Each month the Social Justice Committee recommends concrete things you can do to “heal the world” by taking a personal action to help make our world a more just place. As we welcome Passover this month, we urge our DJC family to think about how they can help Ukrainian refugees in their desperate time of need. …
Jessica has just come home from Jewish Studies. The family sits down to dinner and listens to the news. It’s all bad, so Dad turns it off. Jessica asks, “What’s going on in Ukraine?” Dad grabs a sheet of paper from her school bag to draw a map. Mom starts to explain about the war, …
Bearing witness is a moral act. While you and I don’t have the power to hault Putin’s military aggression against Ukraine, and while I feel quite powerless as the horrific events in Ukraine unfold, we have the ability and moral responsibility to bear witness to this assault – -to bear witness Putin’s use of …
Jewish, Older LGBTQIA+ My name is Sheri Ahava Cohen and I recently came out as Queer. The coming out process is exhilarating, alive, unleashing, challenging and at times, difficult to navigate. I want to connect with older Jewish LGBTQ+ who have come out or are in the process of coming out now. I am looking …
Pencil in hand, my eyes trace the contours of two oranges. I try not to draw what I know, but rather what is right in front of me — the outline, contours, shadows, bumps and dimples. Lighting a spark in the cold dark months, artist Leah Gold’s prompts are for anyone and everyone — an …
Inner Sparks – Reflections on Our Community Art Project Read More »
