DJC Blog

November was a heavy month for many of our members. The hours of daylight decreased. Many felt deep concern over the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Two powerful DJC events (Last Folio exhibit fundraiser and Transforming the Grip of Memory workshop) reminded us, through discussion and the arts, of the […]

The last month has been nothing short of extraordinary in the life of the DJC. It’s been a time when our vibrancy and growth has never been more apparent, and when the warmth and closeness of this community has been palpable: at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when the beauty of the services was matched […]

As the heat of summer fades, the kids return to school, and autumn sweeps in, it’s the time of year when Jews everywhere are asking themselves an annual question: “Where should I go for the High Holy Days?” And, equally common, “Should I go anywhere at all?” The DJC has a special answer. Since […]

Hello Community! As we write this in late July, Toronto is hot, hot, hot. So, we’ll keep it short and sweet: it’s not too early to start planning for the High Holy Days! We certainly are. Wonderful things are percolating for Rosh Hashanah October 2nd – 4th and Yom Kippur on October 11th and 12th […]

At our Annual General Meeting on June 5, we answered that question, sharing key highlights from 2015/2016 (5776), including an update on our finances. A version of this summary has also been mailed with your High Holy Day invitation. In light of our situation, we hope you’ll consider a donation to the DJC when you […]

As June is upon us, we are moving towards the lull that some of us experience in the summer months; the Jewish year coming to the end of its cycle, but the High Holy Days still feeling far away. The DJC is coming to the end of our Year of Wrestling Together. We held our […]

Two Ritual & Leadership Training sessions will be offered on June 26 and August 28. Each full day intensive will be followed up with one 2 hour evening session. Read the following to learn about our new, innovative decision regarding Jews and non-Jews in ritual leadership roles – and join us at our final Community […]

Spring is sprung! March saw so much happening within the DJC – from a Youngish & Jewish Shabbat, to continuing conversations in our Year of Wrestling Together, to another Shabbat UnService, to our vampy, campy Purim celebration, to our Havdalah Coffee House. Our community is bringing their hearts, minds, and talents together in so many […]

The DJC recently hosted the third in a series of several discussions planned called Young Rabbis Speak. The series is billed as offering “multiple pathways to live Jewishly in the 21st century” through the eyes of a group of young Rabbis in Toronto. Four rabbis from across the denominational spectrum share the stage and provide […]

It is a busy time within the DJC. December’s campaign to help the DJC close its funding gap resulted in a flurry of year-end donations and pledges totalling more than $23,000. While we didn’t quite reach our target, we were encouraged by the response. The diversity of donors and generosity of our members was a […]

Discussing the Ritual Roles of Jews & Non-Jews in the DJC In January we will be heading into our fifth session in the DJC Year of Wrestling Together. These sessions deal with a range of issues that our community has identified as important to us as we continue to evolve and grow. While the specific […]

It’s been an amazing year at the DJC — from celebrating our 18th year, to raising $55,000 to sponsor a Syrian refugee family of six, to kicking off our Year of Wrestling Together with soul-searching community conversations exploring the role that Judaism and the DJC can and should play in our lives. At the same […]

This afternoon, Sunday, October 25, at 1:00 pm, the DJC kicks off its Year of Wrestling Together with an Open-Mike Community Conversation. Jedi Mind Trick Part One: “I AM GOING TO THIS!” It’s our fervent hope that a large and diverse group of members show up and share their concerns and hopes for the DJC […]

Community is nourishment; and we have never felt so sated. Community kavanot that spoke to our souls, shofar blasts that rung in our ears, golden voices entwined in song, a box filled with our regrets, a re-imagined Ne’ilah service that left us teary and open … and in the midst of it all, a surge […]

As we approach the final gorgeous days of summer, preparations for Rosh Hashanah on September 13 – 15 and Yom Kippur on September 22 – 23 are in full gear. With the ideas and efforts of our members, working alongside Rabbi Miriam and Cantor Lisa, you’ll see a number of exciting developments this year: A […]

Summer is in full bloom, and so is the DJC. Our Annual General Meeting on June 7 affirmed that our community is healthy and growing. That afternoon, nearly fifty people came together for a conversation that is only one of the first steps in a larger process to engage big questions about the nature and […]

The other day a fellow Board member was telling me about some of the changes and challenges facing another organization in which he is involved. “I appreciate our DJC community so much,” he said. “We don’t shy away from taking action to work through tough issues together.” He’s right. It is a sign of the […]

By now I hope all of you know about the upcoming DJC Chai Party on Saturday, May 9. Turning 18 is an exciting milestone for this community that started as a series of living room conversations and now counts close to 500 Torontonians as its members. We tend to see birthdays as a time to […]

This is a time of change at the DJC, as we transition to a community with a committed and much-loved rabbi who brings so much more to the roles of community and spiritual leadership than we have ever had before. Over the past four and a half years with Rabbi Miriam’s leadership, the DJC has […]

The Tu B’shvat seder on February 3rd was a wonderful event that brought together the Jewish community with the Christian and Muslim communities. The DJC, with the help of Karen Robbins and the Multi-Faith Committee, hosted an event that included members of the Eastminster United Church, Glen Rhodes United Church, the Pakistani Community Centre, Neighbourhood Unitarian/Universal […]