JEWISH&
Half Jewish? Part Jewish? An eighth Jewish on your grandfather’s side?
You don't need to quantify or qualify your Jewishness! We welcome you and everything you bring to the table at Jewish& - a program that explicitly gathers multi-faith, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic folks and families for Jewish exploration, education and celebration.
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For questions about any of these programs, please email laurens@mnjcc.org.
WHAT IS JEWISH&
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
SUPPORT JEWISH&
We’re so proud of the outstanding programs and events we offer. Now we’re hoping we can count on you to support us!
Any amount helps. Please click here to donate!
JEWISH& RESOURCES
18Doors (Formerly Interfaith Family)
18Doors empowers people in interfaith relationships— individuals, couples, families and their children—to engage in Jewish life and make Jewish choices, and encourages Jewish communities to welcome them. https://18doors.org
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Jews of Colour Canada
Jews of Colour Canada is a social group and online community for Jews of Colour and our allies in Canada.https://jewsofcolour.ca
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No Silence On Race
No Silence on Race is born out of the necessity for racial equity and inclusivity in Jewish spaces in Canada. https://www.nosilenceonrace.ca
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The Jews of Color Initiative
The Jews of Color Initiative is a national effort focused on building and advancing the professional, organizational and communal field for Jews of Color.https://jewsofcolorinitiative.org
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Global Jews
Be’chol Lashon (Hebrew for “in every language”) strengthens Jewish identity by raising awareness about the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of Jewish identity and experience. https://globaljews.org
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Danforth Jewish Circle
The Danforth Jewish Circle is a joyous & inclusive, accessible & inspiring, egalitarian & independent Jewish community. Our members include singles and families of all ages who come from diverse Jewish backgrounds and cultural traditions, interfaith and intercultural families, and the full spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities https://djctoronto.com ​
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Threads of Spadina: Our Interwoven Stories - Sunday, Sep 22, 10 am-2 pm
Let’s pull back Spadina’s rich tapestry, revealing a world of seamstresses and sweatshops, tinkers and tailors, pushcarts and pamphlets, bagels and bushel baskets. Step back in time to when this neighborhood was the vibrant heart of a bustling Jewish community, with Spadina Avenue serving as its “cosmic spine.” As we walk through history, we’ll recapture the essence of what novelist Matt Cohen described as “an infinity of delectable possibilities, an adolescent theme park throbbing with folk music… protest marches, idealists of all ages.” Discover how Spadina's Jewish community wove itself into the broader fabric of the city, paving the way for new waves of immigrants and emerging countercultures.
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Rosh Hashanah Hike - Friday, Oct 4, 10 am-12 pm
Join us for a beautiful walk on the second day of Rosh Hashanah! Shofar blowing, tashlich (casting away), BYO apples and honey picnic. Open to families, individuals, anyone! Exact location provided upon registration; registration required. This event is presented in partnership between Secular Synagogue and Jewish& at the Miles Nadal JCC.
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Synagogue Scouts
Interested in exploring congregational life in Toronto, but unsure of what might be a good fit for you/your family? Together we will scout out different services, experience what they have to offer, and hear directly from their leadership about how they are welcoming Jewish& (interfaith/mixed heritage/multicultural) people and families into their communities. Bring your curiosity and your questions!
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Upcoming Dates:
Nov 23 - First Narayever Congregation
Dec 7 – Beth Tzedec Congregation
Jan 11 - Congregation Shir Libeynu
Jan 25 – Danforth Jewish Circle
Feb 8 – Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism
Feb 22 – Darchei Noam
March 8 – City Shul
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Judaism 101 - Tuesdays: Oct 29 - Dec 17, 7-8:30 pm
Judaism 101 is an intro to Judaism class for everyone! It welcomes those who identify as Jewish or not, and those who have prior knowledge of Judaism or don't. The eight-part class explores the "Jewish bookshelf" and foundational topics of Jewish living, including Shabbat, the year cycle, lifecycle events, synagogue, and spirituality.
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Jewish&: December Delight Family Photos - Sunday, Nov 24, 10 am-4 pm
We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Jewish& December Delight Family Photos! Join us and take a beautiful family portrait with a neutral backdrop you can use for a holiday card everyone will love. 60$ for a 15-minute session and 3 edited photos.
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Jewish& Cookies and Cards - Sunday, Dec 1, 12-2 pm
Let’s get in the spirit of the holidays! Join us for cookie decorating, holiday card making, and a storytime. Cozy up indoors for a family-friendly afternoon of community and creativity, coffee and cocoa provided! What could be sweeter?
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Couples and Conversation - Tuesdays: Nov 5 - Nov 26, 7-9 pm
Couples & ConversationTM is a 4-week workshop on building a life together as an interfaith* couple.
(*Intercultural, Dual-faith, Mixed Heritage, Jew-ish...)
Being part of an interfaith/Jew-ish/multi-faith/however-you-define-yourself couple can be challenging, but you don’t need to find the answers alone. This 4-week workshop facilitated by 18Doors rabbis offers a safe environment to work on creating your religious/cultural lives together.
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Jennifer Podemski on Intersectionality and Representation - Thursday, Sep 19, 7-8 pm
Botannica Tirannica, the exhibition by award-winning Brazilian artist Giselle Beiguelman, explores how common botanical names both mirror and perpetuate societal prejudices against racial, cultural, gender, and social groups. Over a 30+ year career, Jennifer Podemski has been an actor, writer, director and producer in television and film. She has said that her mother’s Anishinaabe, Lenni Lenape and Métis side is “a long line of powerful leaders, advocates and medicine people.” Her father’s Ashkenazi Jewish side were “musicians, entrepreneurs and artists who were persecuted, de-humanized and sent to concentration camps” during World War II, after which her grandparents immigrated from Poland to Canada. We'll explore the exhibit, and then hear Podemski’s insights gleaned from her intersectional Indigenous and Jewish life.