DJC Blog

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The Jewish middah called Hakarat Hatov is about Noticing the Good in life (aka “an attitude of gratitude”). This soul work is an important emotional, mental, and spiritual stance that can help frame our relationship with ourselves, other people, animals, and our planet. It does not come easily to many of us. With so much happening in our world right now, how much more so is this challenging work. AND: how much more so is it vital at this time.

Thank you to everyone who came to our recent community conversation. We had a tremendous response and are grateful to the organizing committee, participants and to our volunteer facilitators. These conversations weren’t easy. We witnessed deep listening, patience, respect, compassion, and gratitude for the opportunity to come together and share our views and emotions as a community. We were struck by the beauty of seeing firsthand how the DJC continues to be a place where div

Hundreds of people descended onto lower Manhattan to protest outside an exhibit called “The Moment the Music Stood Still,” about the attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7th where 364 people were murdered by Hamas. I am not often at a loss for words but find myself dumbfounded at this news.

It was announced a few days ago that four Israeli hostages who were held captive in Gaza are confirmed dead. It has been 242 days since October 7th and since these individuals and hundreds of others were abducted. How does one compute and begin to understand 242 days of living as a hostage? How much longer will the remaining hostages be in Gaza under Hamas rule?

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.

This is a pivotal time to contribute your skills and creativity to strengthening the DJC. Along with the Rabbi and the staff leadership team, Board members provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure the DJC’s health, vitality, organizational effectiveness, governance, and financial stability. Board members are appointed for two-year terms and can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.

Sheryl Sandberg’s new documentary is called “Screams Before Silence.” Let us bear witness to what happened on October 7. Also, please join your DJC community on June 13 for a Community Conversation where we explore our recent Israel Survey findings.

In March 2023, the DJC Accessibility Committee set out its priorities for improving accessibility for people with disabilities at the DJC. During the past year, the Committee, Board, and staff made significant progress in removing barriers at the DJC.

I have two offerings today for our community. The first is about the beautiful program the DJC hosted last week with The Parents Circle – Family Forum, which is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization comprising of nearly 800 bereaved families who have lost close family members to the conflict.

In early 2023, I had a conversation with DJC member Alan Gotlib (exemplary human being/lay leader/dedicated volunteer) about my desire to see a clothing and accessory line in the marketplace proudly representing Judaism. To my great delight and surprise, Alan crafted a hat for me that perfectly matched my vision: a white cap with the letters “JEW” embroidered in two shades of blue, boldly proclaiming my identity. He presented it to me on Yom Kippur. Thirteen days later: Octob

Pesach 5784 begins in five days and it is clear to all of us that our sedarim will feel different than last year. How could they not? How might we consider what additions to bring to the table to supplement our usual haggadot? Should we bring new readings or poems to speak to the matzav (“situation”)? How about additional items to the seder plate? And is all of this kosher (by that I mean, OK)?

We are distressed by the hundreds of drones and missiles that were launched from the Iranian Regime directed at Israel. We pray for the safety of everyone living in Israel, and for the recovery of all the injured, including a 7-year-old Beduin Israeli who sustained significant injuries and is in life-threatening condition. As Israelis wait to hear the next round of air raid sirens and contemplate the threat of a regional war with Iran, those living in the West Bank are also e

Director of the Shalom Hartman Institute Yehuda Kurtzer takes us on a musical journey in a recent episode of the podcast Identity/Crisis. To set the scene for exploring the musical offerings from Israel since October 7, he outlines the history of the politics of Israeli music in three phases (I hope you will permit me quoting him at length here as I think this history is fascinating)

Last night, over 600 people gathered in the Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library here in Toronto for an event co-sponsored by The New Israel Fund, Friends of Standing Together Canada, and Heart to Heart. I was in attendance and was delighted to see no fewer than two dozen DJC community members. The program was a moderated conversation by Dr. Miri Sucharov (professor of Political Science at Carleton University) with Rula Daood and Itamar Avneri. Daood (an Arab Israeli)

Today’s offering is not about the war in Israel and Gaza directly but about the fall-out of it, namely the rise in antisemitism globally. Consider this recent Time Magazine article titled “The New Antisemitism” written by Noah Felman, which explores “How an ancient hatred has reinvented itself in the modern world.” The United Kingdom has […]

By the time Erev Purim hits, we ought to be flying high and ready to rock and roll… Right? But, for many reasons this year it almost feels incongruous to increase our joy. How can I celebrate at a time like this?

Imagine the following scenario: A rabbi is officiating at a funeral for a 75 year old person. Only she and the funeral home director will be present. The mourners – a spouse and adult children – are not going to be there. “It’s too much for us,” they say. The rabbi doesn’t know the family […]

Two days ago, a protest in downtown Toronto started at the Israeli Consulate and then travelled south along major city streets. Organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, it was an urgent “Hands Off Rafah! Emergency Action” gathering. At some point along the way, some of the participants scaled the scaffolding and portico in front of Mount Sinai Hospital.

This past Sunday the Grammy Awards aired, celebrating music and musicians and recognizing exemplary achievements in the music industry. Besides the Tony Awards (which I religiously watch in its entirety), the Grammys are the only other award show I tune into for just the live performances. Highlights from Sunday night included Joni Mitchell performing “Both Sides, Now” and Billy Joel performing his first music release in 17 years. But beyond the performances, there was one mo