DJC Blog

The month of Elul arrives in a few weeks (August 25th), a time when many of us are soaking up long days, travelling, catching our breath, and delighting in the beauty of nature. It is a season of pause — of campfires and stargazing, of canoeing and kayaking, of long conversations, of afternoons that stretch […]

We’ve finally made it.The summer air is hot and humid—heat shimmers on sidewalks, air conditioners hum overtime, and (if we’re lucky) we take respite by a lake glistening under a star-filled sky. And yet, beneath the surface of this season, something quieter stirs. We may not feel it yet, but the Hebrew month of Elul—a […]

Dear Friend of the DJC, As we prepare to welcome 5786, we invite you to reflect with us on the heart of our community – and to renew your DJC membership on July 1st at djctoronto.com/membership. This past year has tested us all – emotionally, politically, spiritually. In a world increasingly divided, we’ve stayed true […]

Pride Month at the Danforth Jewish Circle is a time of joyful celebration, collective creativity, and courageous solidarity. It is a time when we uplift the voices, stories, and resilience of LGBTQ+ people in our community and beyond—and it is also a time when we affirm, out loud and together, that we stand on the […]

Your opportunity to have a say in the future of Israel and global Jewish priorities The World Zionist Congress election is your opportunity to have a say in the future of Israel and global Jewish priorities. $1 billion in funding is at stake, and your vote for the liberal and progressive slates ensures that values […]

Did you know that 77% of queer and trans youth report being the victims of bullying and are twice as likely to describe their mental health as poor (33%) compared with other bullied youth populations? Trans and non-binary youth in particular struggle with poor mental health outcomes due to bullying, with 1 in 5 transgender […]

When DJC members Eve-Lynn, Kathy, Ellen, Ruth and Dorothy attended the Refugee Shabbat on April 4 this year, they had no idea that they would leave as members of a Constituent Group supporting a refugee. But when a JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) speaker announced that a 40-something Ugandan woman was slated to arrive in […]

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to stand up with courage as a Jew. In moments of celebration and in moments of challenge, we are called to say Hineni—here I am.

I have been thinking a lot lately about connection — how we at DJC connect with each other, and how we connect with others. I sometimes think of us as a little island of progressive Judaism in the shtetl of Riverdale (after all, we meet in a church, next to an iconic vegetarian co-op), but […]

What is your “Mitzrayim” this year? Mitzrayim means “narrow place”. What is a narrow place you’ve been stuck in — and what might freedom look like? What helps you move forward when you feel stuck? The Exodus wasn’t a solo journey — who or what helps you take the next step?

The Kabbalists of Tzfat, the mystical thinkers of the 16th century, saw the world as intricately connected through the Eitz Chayim (Tree of Life). They understood this tree as a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul. Just as a tree is composed of roots, a trunk, branches, and fruit, so too does the soul possess levels of connection and expression: The roots represent our foundational values and spiritual grounding The trunk symbolizes our inner strength, the ability to st

The Kabbalists of Tzfat, the mystical thinkers of the 16th century, saw the world as intricately connected through the Eitz Chayim (Tree of Life). They understood this tree as a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul. Just as a tree is composed of roots, a trunk, branches, and fruit, so too does the soul possess levels of connection and expression: The roots represent our foundational values and spiritual grounding The trunk symbolizes our inner strength, the ability to st

Following a very positive reception for the first series, when each evening had close to 100 people in-person and online, the DJC invites you to a second three-part adult education series. The series is designed to foster dialogue and reflection. Together, we will navigate our collective knowledge, challenge assumptions, and confront what remains unexamined. This series builds on the discussions from Season 1, with three session “Looking to the Future”. The first explores wh

As part of Refugee Shabbat, DJC has been invited to participate in a multi-faith initiative to raise funds for a volunteer collective called “HIVE.” Refugee Shabbat is an opportunity for congregations to express their solidarity with the global Jewish movement for refugee protection and welcome. “We used to help refugees because they were Jewish. Now we help refugees […]

The Kabbalists of Tzfat, the mystical thinkers of the 16th century, saw the world as intricately connected through the Eitz Chayim (Tree of Life). They understood this tree as a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul. Just as a tree is composed of roots, a trunk, branches, and fruit, so too does the soul possess levels of connection and expression: The roots represent our foundational values and spiritual grounding The trunk symbolizes our inner strength, the ability to st

Alicia – Emily’s House Youth HospiceSee poster below: Sasha – Ranger Stewardship project at High ParkHigh Park is special because it’s a haven of green in a concrete jungle that provides a respite from city life. I know this because, for my Tikkun Olam project, I’m working with a stewardship program called the High Park […]

The Kabbalists of Tzfat, the mystical thinkers of the 16th century, saw the world as intricately connected through the Eitz Chayim (Tree of Life). They understood this tree as a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul. Just as a tree is composed of roots, a trunk, branches, and fruit, so too does the soul possess levels of connection and expression: The roots represent our foundational values and spiritual grounding The trunk symbolizes our inner strength, the ability to st

I’ve been reflecting on endings and beginnings as we anticipate the start of a six-week ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas tomorrow. This agreement holds the promise of bringing 33 Israeli hostages home. Alongside reflection, I find myself praying – praying for what will unfold in the weeks ahead.

The Hebrew month of Kislev will begin in a few days, and as we prepare to enter this new month on the Jewish calendar, my family is also counting down to a deeply meaningful milestone: Joel’s Bar Mitzvah

The DJC is hosting a three-part speaker series featuring Jewish and Palestinian scholars who will explore the narratives shaping modern Israel/Palestine. Speakers include Michael Soberman from the iCenter; Raja Khouri and Jeffrey Wilkinson, authors of The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other; and Derek Penslar, Harvard Professor of Jewish Studies and the author of Zionism: An Emotional State.