Congregation Darchei Noam

About

Darchei Noam is Toronto's Reconstructionist Synagogue

Story

Darchei Noam, Toronto's only Reconstructionist Synagogue, blends Jewish practice with innovative forms of Jewish expression: a place where love of tradition meets appreciation of change. Inclusive, egalitarian and welcoming, we aspire to create a sacred space that encourages all who enter to experience Jewish life as a source of joy.

Our community is led by:

Rabbi Tina Grimberg
President Liane Sharkey
Synagogue Administrator (Interim) Debbie Moldofsky
Director of Youth Education and Programming Jenn Katz
Manager of Community Outreach and Engagement Tema Smith

Mission

Darchei Noam provides a Reconstructionist vision of an evolving, open, Jewish religious civilization, compatible with rational thought and modern knowledge, and to promote the best values of both historic Judaism and contemporary world civilizations - to our members and the Toronto Jewish Community.

WHAT WE DO

Our members work to maintain and enhance Darchei Noam as a supportive community that provides a source of spiritual meaning and connectedness, and as a means to strengthen our Jewish knowledge, experience and contribution to the community. We value the diverse backgrounds, orientations and experiences of our fellow Jews and we act to address their needs with a wide variety of Jewish responses. We welcome the participation of our non-Jewish associate members in support of the purposes and activities of our congregation.

We provide stimulating prayer services and an open intellectual environment supportive of discussion of all matters affecting Jewish life, so that we may better understand and appreciate our Jewish culture and heritage. We educate and motivate our members, both adults and children, to develop intellectual, spiritual and emotional bonds to Judaism and to the Jewish people. We put into action the positive Jewish social values that we as Reconstructionist Jews embrace. Our congregation is meant to be a place where Jews who have similar commitments to positive social change can meet and develop community, and where those seeking to develop an ethical understanding and practice of Jewish life will find learning and support in their efforts. We conduct the life of our congregation in a way that encourages all who enter our doors to experience Jewish life as a source of joy.

COMMUNITY AND TRADITION

Our tradition teaches us that the quest for meaning cannot take place alone. It must be undertaken within a community, which is more than just a group of like-minded individuals. To be truly transformative, it must be a kehillah kedoshah, a sacred community.

OTHER INFORMATION

Darchei Noam is affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Movement.

We are a member synagogue of the Pardes Shalom Cemetery.

The synagogue is accessible to people with disabilities and is LGBTQ positive.

The name Darchei Noam, taken from Proverbs 3:17, means "ways of pleasantness".

Darchei Noam appreciates the contribution made by the non-Jewish partners in a Jewish home. We welcome these partners as associate members of our congregation.