Following Rabbi Ryan’s recent d’var Torah on antisemitism, we want to share an update with the Darchei Noam community. Like so many in our wider Jewish community, we have been watching with grave concern as attacks on Jewish individuals, and institutions and communal life continue to escalate across the Greater Toronto Area. In response, an ad hoc group has come together to begin thinking about how we, as a congregation, can respond with care, purpose and solidarity. One important step already taken is that Darchei Noam has joined the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA), a national coalition working through advocacy, legal education and community action to confront antisemitism. We urge all DN members to sign up to receive their news and action alerts.

We are now hoping to hear from DN members who would be interested in helping shape this effort and support the organizing of our community response. Our initial thinking falls into the following categories – educational programs (including children and youth), respectful dialogue, mentorship and skill building, and partnering with other shuls and allies to create programing and share costs. If this work speaks to you, please email Fredelle Brief at fbrief@gmail.com to let us know of your interest. We would be grateful to build this effort together.