Reflecting & Looking Forward

We may be up to our knees in snow, but our homes are lit with Chanukah candles and our stomachs are full of potato latkes.  Winter is not so bad!

In December, Rabbi Miriam shared with us the historical, national, and spiritual reasoning behind Chanukah being eight days long and led prayer and learning at a joyful pre-Chanukah potluck Shabbat dinner.  She also guided us through two more sessions of “LearningLab: Torah for the 21st Century”, this time focused on understandings of Sinai as a direct encounter with holiness, and on individual and collective mitzvot (commandments).

Of course, through our ongoing learning and celebration, we continue to be conscious of those in the world who are lacking the warmth, safety, opportunity, and joy that we have been privileged to share as a community.  Guided by Jewish values and history, the DJC has responded to the crisis in Syria by sponsoring a family who will soon arrive in Toronto, and we remain committed to local tikkun olam (world repair) initiatives, such as food banks and interfaith partnerships.

As we end the Gregorian year and roll into 2017, we have so much to reflect on, work toward, and look forward to.  A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who’ve made this year a success, and who make winter months like this a whole lot warmer.

The DJC Board of Directors ~ Emma, Hilla, Josh, Elisabeth, Mara, Marlee, Michael, Mindy, Nadya, Shelley