A Word from Executive Director, Diane Wise

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 really we are players on a much larger field.. We come together, we learn, we grow and we actually change ourselves and others.  

During the rest of the year, as we settle into smaller groups, we have connected through Shabbat services, Chavurot, Bet Mitzvah classes, and school pick ups, choir rehearsals, workshops, social gatherings, Yoga and Schmooze, Jewish dancing and social justice initiatives, to name only a few. But we also build our Circle outward, connecting further. We welcomed the Jewish& Synagogue Scouts to check out our community and services, we made cookies and blankets for Ve’ahavta, we participated in the Downtown Jewish Community Council with other Jewish organizations serving the downtown community, we participated in multifaith work to support Indigenous reconciliation. There are many, many more ways that our members, our staff and our clergy have built community connections to extend DJC’s special sauce beyond our boundaries.

This week, as we went to the polls, DJC members had worked in many ways to make their priorities known and press politicians on important issues. Whether it was working for candidates, inviting party leaders to Passover seders (really!), or having our local MP join the DJC Whisky Tasting (really, really), DJC members connected with others to make our voices heard. Additionally, this June Canadian Jews will be able to vote for representatives to the World Zionist Organization.  DJCers will be able to extend their influence on important issues (spoiler alert: my daughter is on a slate).

Perhaps what I am most proud of this year is the way the DJC members have connected to Wrestle with Hard Conversations. We have sat with our discomfort, listened respectfully, made ourselves vulnerable and exposed ourselves to challenging ideas and uncomfortable discussions. We have learned, we have changed, and we have built community. I couldn’t think of a finer place to call mine.