Danforth Jewish Circle
LEADERSHIP
RABBI ILYSE GLICKMAN
DAVID GERSHON
DIANE WISE
ALYSSE RICH
JULIET PALMER
TOBY KING
BARBARA PARKER
TAMAR GERACI
MIRIAM BROOKMAN
MARIE-PIER CANTIN
MICHAEL DUNN
ELI FELLMAN
RICK FISHELL
ALLEN FLAMING
MICHAEL KANTER
LIS MARKS
LYNNE RASKIN
JESSICA MORRIS
TAMARA ROBBINS
DIANE SWARTZ
MEET OUR STAFF TEAM
Rabbi Ilyse Glickman
Rabbi Glickman grew up and completed her undergraduate education here in Toronto. She was then ordained as a Rabbi in 2004 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the rabbinical school of the Reform movement, and has two decades of experience as a Rabbi and educator.
During that time, Rabbi Glickman has served congregations like Habonim here in Toronto, Am Shalom in Barrie, Shaarei Tefillah in Manhattan, and Scarsdale Synagogue in New York. She has also worked with several Jewish organizations, including the Reform Jewish Community of Canada, Hillel, and Shoresh. On top of all that, Rabbi Glickman has completed two Master's degrees – one in Hebrew Literature and the other in Jewish Education. She is also a certified yoga teacher.
Rabbi Glickman is delighted to be here at the DJC along with her husband, David Rosen, who is the Senior Cantor at Holy Blossom, and their teenaged son, Joel.
David Gershon, Chazzan and Director of Music
Some of you probably grew up watching this face on TV singing with his wife, Cantor Judy Adelman Gershon, together known to millions of families as “Judy & David”. But unless you happened to come to his “Chanukah Palooza” shows, you probably didn’t know that David’s first and enduring connection to music has always been as a Jewish song leader. With the touring life gratefully behind him, David now devotes his time to using music to unite, move, and inspire people of all ages – whether as Chair of Education at Arts Canada, or as our Chazzan (Cantor) and Director of Music. David is the recipient of the Juno Award, the SOCAN Award, and the Parents’ Choice Gold Award. He has produced and co-starred in two national TV series and has created dozens of recordings and touring musicals. David earned his BA at Brandeis University. By far, his favourite accomplishment is being dad to Jared, Abigail, and Zev and husband to Judy.
Diane Wise, Executive Director
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Diane and her husband, Larry Till, are long-time members of the DJC.
Their children, Abby and Shayna, are graduates of the Jewish Studies Program, and both have worked as teaching assistants and at High Holy Day programs. Diane had a long career in the Ontario public service, holding a variety of roles before working for the DJC. A small town girl at heart, Diane hails from Brantford, Ontario. She loves the small community feeling at the DJC.
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In her spare time, Diane likes murder mysteries, cooking (and eating!), and social justice issues. She is currently a board member of CANVAS Arts Action Programs, which seeks to prevent gender-based and sexual violence, homophobia, and transphobia.
Alysse Rich, Director of Education
Alysse has been teaching in the DJC Children’s Jewish Studies program since 2007, and has been the principal since 2010. Alysse is passionate about fostering an inclusive and creative environment in which students of all ages engage with their Jewish identity. In her time as principal (now Director of Education), she has overseen the inclusion of Hebrew language lessons, the very popular “chuggim” (“special activities”) programs, the launch of programs for Grade 8s and teens, and the coordination of sessions with many visiting guests and artists. Alysse oversees the DJC’s programming for young children, the Jewish Studies program, the Bet Mitzvah program, D8C, and the Teen Program.
Alysse holds a PhD in Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies from the University of Toronto. She works privately as a dramaturg and has taught in theatre programs at the University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Waterloo, and Centennial College. She is a volunteer with the Bethany Food Bank, a board member at Nightswimming, and is the owner and curator of the progressive Judaica shop, East Toronto Judaica.
Juliet Palmer, Choir Director
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Juliet Palmer’s music has come to life under a highway off-ramp, in a swimming pool, in the plastic flotsam of a remote beach and in concert halls across North America, Europe and Oceania. Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, Juliet makes her home in Tkaronto where she is artistic director of Urbanvessel, a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Reaching beyond boundaries is intrinsic to Juliet’s work in the wider community as music director, mentor, facilitator, educator and composer-in-residence with many organizations including: Soulpepper Academy; Soundstreams’ Emerging Composer Workshop; Toronto Arts Council’s Newcomers and Refugee Artist Mentorship Program; The Gryphon Trio & Music Toronto; St. Lawrence String Quartet; Jumblies Theatre and MABELLEarts; the Canadian Music Centre; Continuum’s PIVOT program; CONTACT’s From Scratch workshop; the New Zealand School of Music, Brown University, Princeton University, and India’s Kattaikkuttu Sangam.
Juliet holds a PhD in composition from Princeton University and an M.Mus in performance, composition and time-based art from Auckland University. She is the winner of the Detroit Symphony’s Elaine Lebenbom Award, a Chalmers Arts Fellow, and a two-time finalist for the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize. www.julietpalmer.ca
Toby King, Bet Mitzvah Teacher
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Toby King (she/they) was born and raised in Toronto’s Jewish community. She is an alumna of Habonim Dror’s Camp Gesher, the Claude Watson Drama program, and The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. They have over a decade of childcare and informal education experience, have worked for a variety of Jewish after-schools over the years, and are proud to now call the DJC their home. She is a lover of stories, a seeker of justice, a student of Torah, and overall a huge nerd! They are a passionate teacher, and are constantly seeking new ways to make Jewish learning fun, meaningful and engaging!
At the DJC, she guides our group's Bet Mitzvah classes through a year of intensive Jewish learning to prepare the students for their service and for being responsible and compassionate Jewish adults for the rest of their lives.
Barbara Parker, Events Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
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Barbara is responsible for organizing, executing, and dismantling practically every service, program and event the DJC offers, ensuring their seamless operation. Simply put, the DJC could not operate with her! When not busy replenishing inventory, preparing rooms and venues, and fostering a sense of community among our members and guests, Barbara plays a key role in coordinating volunteer support for shul events.
Tamar Geraci, Acting Office Manager
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Tamar Geraci grew up in Toronto and has been engaged in music and community life from a young age, studying guitar and singing in choirs throughout her childhood. She is a singer-songwriter currently working toward the release of her first collaborative original album. Tamar is an alumnus of the Hadar Rising Song Institute's Davening Fellowship and the Davening Leadership Training Institute. She is also an Honours Graduate of the Harris Institute for the Arts: Arts Management Program. Tamar has accompanied Rabbis, Cantors, choirs, and festivals, as well as simchas. She currently teaches music in the DJC B'nai Mitzvah program.
Alongside her artistic work, Tamar brings years of administrative experience to the Danforth Jewish Circle, supporting office operations in various capacities. She has led key systems work, including the transition to ShulCloud and the development of financial procedures and workflows. Tamar is committed to maintaining smooth, community-centred operations.
Miriam Brookman, Office Manager (Parental Leave)
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Miriam has worked at the DJC in various capacities since 2015, as a Jewish Studies Lead Teacher, Communications Manager, and Rabbi’s Assistant. After graduating from Concordia University with a BFA in Studio Arts, she went on to complete a summer intensive at Parsons the New School for Design, followed by a Post-Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy at the Institute without Boundaries at George Brown College. Miriam wears many hats – working in various areas of Jewish and non-profit Administration, Jewish Education, Arts Education and Graphic Design. She brings these passions together in her work as the Office Manager at DJC.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marie-Pier Cantin
Marie-Pier (she/they) has been a member of the DJC for two years, after moving to Toronto from London (ON) in search of an inclusive, progressive Jewish community. They found that—and more—at the DJC: a space that not only embraces their identity but celebrates it. Now on a path of formal conversion under the guidance of Rabbi Glickman, Marie-Pier has found deep meaning and connection through community involvement. She is an active member of the Social Justice Committee and serves as co-chair of the LGBTQ2S+ Sub-Committee. Their journey into Judaism has been grounded in learning, relationships, and a commitment to justice. Marie-Pier is excited to continue exploring Jewish life and practice as part of this vibrant and supportive community.
When not at the DJC, Marie-Pier can be found enjoying the outdoors—running, hiking, gardening, birding, or just hanging out with friends
Allen Flaming
Allen has been part of the DJC since its very beginning — “in the room where it happened” at that first potluck nearly 30 years ago, when a hundred curious Riverdale Jews and their partners gathered to imagine a progressive community. He and his partner, Eve-Lynn, were inspired by the vision of a place that embraced interfaith couples and shared values.
Over the years, Allen has jumped into many parts of DJC life — from interfaith dialogue groups (“to tree or not to tree”) to social justice initiatives, fundraising, multifaith walks, board service, sukkah building, rabbi searches, and most recently, the Hard Conversations series.
What he values most is the grassroots spirit of the DJC. For Allen, the real magic isn’t just programs or services, but bumping into members on the street and catching up. Now retired, he brings decades of experience in non-profit and public sector management and consulting.
Jessica Morris
Jessica Morris has been a member of the DJC since she was born. She began at the Jewish Studies program in kindergarten and had a very meaningful experience becoming a Bat Mitzvah through the unique B’nei Mitzvah program. After that, Jessica spent four years working at the DJC school as a Teaching Assistant. While away at University, Jessica was an active member of various campus Jewish groups such as Hillel and Chabad on campus. Over the years, Jessica has become very grateful for having grown up in such a welcoming and progressive community who not only accepted, but embraced, her interfaith background. Jessica also enjoys the musical aspect of the DJC, especially watching her Dad perform solos at different services and participate in the choir.
Jessica graduated in 2024 from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Political Science. Jessica served as VP Events and Social Affairs on the Executive Board of the uOttawa chapter of GirlUp, a UN organization for the empowerment of women and girls around the world. Jessica also enjoyed teaching English as a Second Language to newcomers with a campus organization and participating in the National Model United Nations Conference. While at school, Jessica worked for the federal government for the Canada Revenue Agency and the Deputy Minister of Labour. Since returning to Toronto, Jessica has worked in various policy roles within the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Jessica is a passionate feminist and enjoys travelling, history, music, musical theatre, and thrifting!
Michael Dunn
Michael Dunn has been a member of the Danforth Jewish Circle for over a decade. He was thrilled to learn that, even after moving to the east end, he could walk to shul. He first found the DJC when looking for a Jewish Studies program for his children. Mike and his partner Savitri love the progressive and soulful values that the DJC embodies, as well as the DJC’s enthusiastic embrace of interfaith families. He was a member and then chair of the education committee from 2015 to 2023. Mike’s five sons either have or will soon participate in the Jewish Studies program at the DJC, and two of them have become bar mitzvah.
Professionally, Mike is a lawyer for the Province of Ontario. After many years of litigating constitutional issues, he now argues criminal appeals.
Michael Kanter
Michael Kanter has been a member of the DJC for over 25 years. He and his spouse, Karen Robbins, brought up their 3 sons in the DJC community, experiencing the school and Bet Mitzvah program as these programs developed over time. He was on the board from 2011 to 2014.
Michael continues to enjoy and admire the different dimensions of the DJC, having been in the choir for about 10 years, as well as a member of the Third Space Committee, which in the past provided Israel/Palestine programming.
Michael is retired from his job as a family mediator at a family court in downtown Toronto. He has served on the boards of the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), the New Israel Fund of Canada, was the chair of a local Toronto Amnesty International group, and was a previous chair of the Withrow Park Ball Hockey League.
He looks forward to helping the DJC navigate these very challenging times, being guided by the desire to maintain a deep respect for our diversity of views while at the same time remaining a community true to its progressive values.
Tamara Robbins
Tamara Robbins Griffith and her husband Edward Griffith have been DJC-adjacent for over 20 years, drawn to the community through other member relatives, music, diversity and the inclusive nature of the congregation. They have been “official” members for the past nine years with their children Noah and Amelia, who are both involved in the Jewish Studies program.
Professionally, Tamara spent most of her career in the media and world of corporate retail, working in marketing and communications for two of the world’s largest multi-national home furnishings brands. She directed the public relations and social media teams for HomeSense and has written and produced stories for print and tv appearing in publications and on shows such as Style at Home magazine, The Globe and Mail, and Cityline. Tamara is a natural public speaker and has delivered both intimate design workshops and main stage presentations at Toronto home shows. During Covid, Tamara teamed up with another Leslieville mom to launch Kerr + Field Interiors, a residential interior decorating and design firm, marking her pivot to entrepreneurship. She loves owning her own business, and it has given her the flexibility to become more involved in Jewish life and the DJC.
Tamara looks forward to bringing her love of people, her creativity and communication skills to the DJC so that she can give back to the community that has been so rewarding for her family.
Eli Fellman
Eli Fellman, his spouse Liz Scanlon and their two sons, Isaac and Sam, have been DJC members for over 10 years. Both Sam and Isaac participated in the DJC Education Program from kindergarten onwards and recently had wonderful Bar Mitzvahs through the B’nei Mitzvah program at the DJC. Eli and Liz were delighted to learn about the DJC shortly after they moved into the Danforth area and appreciate the DJC’s progressive values and embrace of interfaith families.
Professionally, Eli is a lawyer with the Ontario Government and practices in the areas of administrative, landlord-tenant and human rights law. Eli has also served as an adjudicator on several different tribunals. Eli’s prior volunteer experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of a not-for-profit organization that provides translation services and on the research ethics board at a major hospital network. When not working, Eli enjoys attending theatre and cooking, especially using his smoker.
He looks forward to giving more back to the community that has given him so much joy and inclusive Yiddishkeit for the last 22 years.
Lis Marks
At the first DJC Rosh Hashanah service Lis Marks attended – just two weeks after she moved to Toronto in 2008 – she knew DJC was a community that could embrace and challenge her and where she wanted to learn, sing, pray and contribute. Since then, she has been involved as a Board member and chair, Rabbi Search Committee member, facilitator at several community discussions and events, and frequent Torah layner.
Lis spends her working hours developing and supporting public health research and evaluation initiatives and has also served on boards of child and youth services and queer community organizations.
Lis grew up in New York City and made her way to Toronto via Montreal, where she met her partner Tara. Lis and Tara feel lucky that their two kids, Max and Ezra, are getting to grow up in and with this progressive, inclusive, musical, and connected DJC community.
Diane Swartz
Diane Swartz has been a member of the DJC for over 20 years. Her children attended the DJC’s Jewish Studies program, beginning in kindergarten and staying through the B’nei Mitzvah program. During that time, Diane was an active member of the DJC Education Committee.
Raised in British Columbia, Diane grew up attending Habonim Dror’s Camp Miriam, where she learned to appreciate the many links between Judaism and egalitarian values.
She has lived in Toronto since 1987, except for two years doing an MA in feminist philosophy at Dalhousie University. Diane has been a high school teacher in the Toronto District School Board for 24 years and now works as the department head of Special Education at Victoria Park Collegiate Institute.
Diane enjoys yoga, hiking, weightlifting and ocean beachcombing.
Rick Fishell
Rick has been a member of the DJC for six years. He has a daughter, Lucy and has lived in the Riverdale neighbourhood for the last forty years.
Rick came to the DJC via the Living Jewish Wisdom program of which the DJC is a sponsor. Rick’s first connection within the DJC was and continues to be in the Torah Study group which wrestles with the text’s meaning and how it relates to our everyday lives and our pursuit of Social Justice. Rick has been a member of the Finance Committee for the past three years. This year, he has been recruited on the Fundraising Committee and he continues to serve on both.
In his professional life, Rick is an engineer. His career has been focused on the energy field in the areas of alternative and cleaner solutions, risk reduction, and carbon tracking and reduction. Recently, Rick’s work has moved increasingly to the area of Accessibility and Access, both professionally and in volunteer activities. Rick enjoys the outdoors and has been an avid runner for half a century. He is a true tortoise, not so fast, but slow and stubborn to the finish. Running has provided Rick with community and therapy on a daily basis. Rick believes that as a progressive community, we don’t always agree, but we commit to converse with and learn from each other.
Lynne Raskin
Lynne Raskin has been a member of the DJC for over 25 years. In addition to having served as a DJC Board member, she has been on various committees and working groups: the 3rd Space and Social Justice Committees, the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) and LGBTQ2S working groups. She has provided member support to Rabbis and is currently engaged in planning the ‘Difficult Conversations’ initiative.
Lynne has a background in psychology and clinical healthcare, in both direct service and senior management. She has been the CEO of services and programs focused on ‘marginalized’ people, including newcomers, people who use drugs and/or may have a serious mental illness. Her perspective is to be curious, welcoming, and encouraging different points of view. She believes in working in partnership with individuals and communities of practice. She considers this approach as an opportunity to learn, not judge and be informed by people with ‘lived experience’ locally, nationally and internationally. She has two sons; ne works as an international teacher in Switzerland with his Turkish wife and the other is a film-maker whose work is focused on advocacy with unions and the arts world.
Lynne has also lived and travelled widely. She has worked in Morocco, lived in Mauritania, co-led groups through the Middle and Far East and maintains interest and opportunities to learn by seeking diverse points of view. She looks forward to being on the DJC Board at a time that is extraordinarily challenging. Currently it requires courage, curiosity and making hard decisions as we engage in conversations that invite and respect multiple perspectives across the DJC congregation.