Chanuka Donations & How You Can Make a Difference for the DJC

Dear DJC Friend,

Will your home soon glow with the light of the Chanuka candles?  Will you light the candles in the window so they are visible from the street? 

Candlesin a window are “a public statement of what you believe in… It’s a statementthat I want to preserve my values…, not that other people have to adopt them,but that other people accept them…. The light comes from inside the familyand illuminates the neighborhood,” says contemporary Jewish thinker, Noam Zion.

In theface of assaults on diversity and Jewish identity, whether in the days of theMaccabees or in our current moment, this is an important time to support andcelebrate the values of pluralism, freedom, and hope. 

Thanksto donors like you, the DanforthJewish Circle continues to strengthen these values at the heart of yourcommunity and works to illuminate the world around you.

We need you.  Please support the work of the DanforthJewish Circle by donating today:

Because you care about strengthening this progressiveJewish community where everyone is welcome. 

Here,together, veteran Jews, new Jews, and non-Jewish partners and friends; peopleof all gender identities and sexual orientations; singles, partnered folks, andfamilies of all kinds celebrate together, support each other in illness andmourning, and engage in Jewish learning and living animated by progressivevalues, genuine curiosity, and open hearts. Diversity is not merely tolerated. It is at the heart of our commitment to radical inclusion.

Because you care about accessibility. For the first time at High Holydays this year, donors like you offeredAmerican Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, making services and learningsessions accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.  ASL interpretation is costly.  Will you make it available at services andprograms throughout the year?

The DJC’s Accessibility Initiative has begun trainingthe lay-leadership, staff and the wider DJC community.  With your donation you ensure that the DJC is accessible to all who wishto participate

Because you care about equity. This year, subsidies were made available to 68 individuals to assistwith membership and/or tuition in the DJC Jewish Studies Program. 

This year theDJC also provided short-term emergency food and transportation support tomembers in need. 

Because you believe that everyone should be able to participate fully in Jewish life at theDJC, no matter what their financial resources.

ClaudiaJudith Bali, a dedicated founding member of the DJC, passed away on July 252018 after a long illness.  Claudiarepresented the heart and soul of the Danforth Jewish Circle, and along withher husband Jacob, hosted the very first DJC founder’s meeting.  She was loved and admired by community membersfor her generosity and remarkable courage.

In Claudia’s honour, theDanforth Jewish Circle has created the Claudia Bali Educational Endowment.  Donors to the endowment support the JewishStudies Programs by providing subsidies to families who would otherwise not beable to afford Jewish education for their children. 

Because you care about tzedek/justice andtikkun olam/repair of the world.  This pastyear, the DJC joined together in tragedy and solidarity, gathering in Rings ofPeace at the DJC Solidarity Shabbat in the wake ofthe Tree of Life synagogue shootings in Pittsburgh, and again at the MadinahMasjid following the mosque shooting in New Zealand. 

Building common causeand partnership, the DJC walked together with our Danforth CommunityMulti-faith partners – Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and Unitarians –at the annual “Chew on This” Walk to Eradicate Poverty and Hunger, beginning atthe Masjid and breaking bread together in the DJC community sukkah. 

TheDJC is an active member of TEAM, Toronto East Anti-hate Mobilization – engagingin activism to counter white supremacy in Toronto.

Your donation supports the DJC new Tikkun Olam Speakers Series – addressing Israeli democracy, Indigenous issues, climate change, and anti-Semitism. 

Thanks to donorslike, the DJC is able to be a strong, progressive Jewish voice, working withpartners to bolster shared values.

Creating and delivering engaging, inspiring, andrelevant programs, and providing subsidies to a person unable to afford fullmembership dues, school tuition, or B’nei Mitzvah costs requires more resourcesthan your membership fee alone can cover.

On behalf of the DJC Board and community, we hope you will make a year-end gift.  If you have already given, thank you, and please, if you can, stretch a bit further.  And, consider the DJC in your legacy plans.

You maybe interested to know that:

• $180 supports an adult education or youthprogram.

• $360 supports a child to attend ourChildren’s Jewish Studies Program.

• $1,050 covers a music-filled Shabbatservice led by Rabbi Miriam and Cantor Lisa.

• $2,300 pays for Bar and Bat Mitzvaheducation.

Please donate now.  Can you give $18 or $36 a month?  Maybe $180 or $360 today.  Perhaps you are able to give $1,800 or more.  Your donations will be used wisely and you will receive a charitable tax credit for the full amount, which can bring you back almost half of what you give at tax time.  

Your donation makesa difference in a person’s life in your community and in your city.

Because you are reading this Chanuka letter, we know that your care about the DJC and the people in the Circle.  Thank you for taking this time to think about what the DJC contributes to progressive Jewish life in Toronto – and to your life – this Chanuka

May this Chanuka bring you and your loved ones light, warmth and good health.

Chag Same’ach,

Co-chairs, DJC Board: Emma Firsten-Kaufman, Kathy Glazier, Nicki Weiss

P.S. Your gift of $36, $72, $180 – or any amount you can afford – will make a difference in the life of one child or adult at DJC who needs your support.  Please give right away.  It’s a mitzvah!

Thank you.