DJC Blog

The DJC's climate action team met with Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature on Friday July 24. We presented our community's Climate Collage containing messages of gratitude and concern for the planet. Joined by representatives from the Danforth Multifaith Commons, we share a commitment to social justice and a belief in the sacredness of all life on Earth. Our meeting addressed retrofit funding, the recent federal pipeline announcement, pathways

The DJC is marking a major milestone: three decades of community, connection, and growth. To celebrate, this fall we are launching "30 Years of Belonging" with special events planned throughout the entire year. Belonging is a shared experience. At the DJC, the relationship is mutual: we belong to this community, and in turn, this community belongs to us. It is our collective spiritual, cultural, and social home. It is a source of comfort, learning, and enables rich connectio

The DJC has regularly supported Indigenous causes through donations, educational programs, and collaborative events to promote reconciliation. These include contributions to organizations like Native Earth Performing Arts and Toronto Council Fire, and events like Kairos Blanket Exercise and virtual tours, underscoring their commitment to truth, reconciliation, and solidarity with Indigenous communities.

The DJC has been approached for help by Hive, a volunteer organization that helps get LGBTQ+ individuals, primarily in Afghanistan, out of danger and into safe countries. Two young Afghan gay men who came to Canada with Hive support spoke movingly about their experiences at the DJC Refugee Shabbat on May 8. For more information about Hive, see https://www.canadahive.org/about-us/. Volunteers are currently needed to provide settlement support for a 26-year-old gay man from t

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” — Pirkei Avot 1:14 Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, but it’s also a call to come together, learn, and act with purpose. We hope that the resources gathered by the DJC’s Climate Action Team will help you deepen your understanding of climate change, navigate climate anxiety, and discover meaningful ways to take action. Join with others , lis

During the afternoon of Yom Kippur the Social Justice Committee led an interactive discussion and learning workshop on “Identity, Oppression and Racism — Starting the Conversation”. Over 30 people participated on Zoom. The session kicked off with a very informative and provocative presentation made by long-time SJC members, Lynne Raskin and Eve-Lynn Stein. They posed […]

On a Friday in June, the DJC teen group had a lovely shabbat dinner with a great guest speaker. Teens everywhere from Grade 8 to Grade 12 joined in to light the candles, do kiddush, eat challah, and discuss topics that are important to them. We were joined by Mira Lyonblum to discuss her amazing […]

To: All Who Eat. If you are an eater and weren’t at the Shabbat service on December 5th, you really missed out! We gathered at the Social Justice Shabbat where the lithe singing from the Rabbi and Cantor Lisa ushered us into the day of rest. Debbie Field, Executive Director of FoodShare, spoke about the […]

Over the last few months, we’ve held a number of Fireside Chats – small group meetings of five to eight members where all we do is get to know each other. We share our DJC stories – how we came to the DJC, what we’re looking for from the DJC – and share ideas on […]