Social action
Reconstructionists place social action (tikkun olam - repair of injustice in the world)
high on their action agenda. It is both as individual Jews and by working together in
our communities that Reconstructionists seek to improve the world.
At Darchei Noam there are many and varied programs implementing this
philosophy. Many individual members participate in these
programs which also provide an opportunity for our Bat and Bar Mitvah
students to participate and learn about tikkun olam and its centrality
to Jewish living.
Darchei Noam Joins Ontario Synagogues In Urging Premier To Act Now on Child Poverty
Read this report from The Toronto Star describing an open letter to Premier McGuinty from 18 synagogues including Darchei Noam urging immediate action to fight child poverty in Ontario.
JRF Kehillat Tzedek Award Goes to Darchei Noam
Darchei Noam was proud to receive the
Kehillat Tzedek (Community of Justice) Award
from the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Tikkun Olam Initiative. The award was presented at the 2002 JRF convention in Montreal.
The announcement read, in part:
In light of their sustained efforts for social justice, building of partnerships with diverse communities,
and demonstration of a powerful commitment to address issues of hunger, homelessness, and affordable housing,
the JRF Tikkun Olam Committee recognizes Darchei Noam as an outstanding example of congregational tikkun
olam work. May their efforts serve as an inspiration to all of us!
The award announcement highlighted some of the social action accomplishemnts
of Darchei Noam over the past ten years:
Moshav Noam
Darchei Noam sponsored a 133-unit affordable housing co-op, Moshav Noam, which opened in 1995.
This was the product of five years of work for the Darchei Noam social action committee.
Members of Darchei Noam created a board that saw the project through from start to finish,
working with developers, architects, and city officials.
Trellis Gardens
Darchei Noam sponsors Trellis Gardens, a 24-unit affordable housing building.
In 1999, members of Darchei Noam formed Trellis Housing Initiatives, an
independently incorporated board whose mission is to develop affordable housing.
In September 2002, the doors of Trellis Gardens opened to the first tenants
in the three-story, mixed income building that offers affordable housing
to approximately 65 people.
Out of the Cold / Out to the Parks
Darchei Noam is a lead partner in the First Interfaith Out of the Cold
Program along with members of several other faith communities. Each
winter, over fifty volunteers from Darchei Noam attend this weekly
Thursday night program to provide food, shelter and friendship to
hundreds of the most needy residents of Toronto. The program runs on
Thursday nights at St. Matthew's United Church on St. Clair Ave. just
west of Christie St. In the summer months, we operate the Out to the
Parks program at the same location. This program delivers 80 bagged
dinners a week to homeless people in Toronto's parks.
Our philosophy is simple:
To treat our guests as human beings - with respect and dignity, while trying to
meet both their physical and emotional needs.
The Darchei Noam Bar and Bat Mitzvah
children play a significant role in setting up tables, serving food,
distributing clothing and playing cards and games with the guests.
