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First Narayever Congregation —a cornerstone of Jewish Toronto for over 100 years —is a warm, welcoming, and accessible community dedicated to serving the Jewish community in downtown Toronto and beyond. Our shul is unaffiliated with any particular movement in Judaism allowing us to forge strong traditional and egalitarian values of which we are very proud.
We actively welcome Jews from all walks of life, including Jews of colour, intermarried Jews, Jews in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, Jews with mobility restrictions, Jews from all ethnic backgrounds, Jews from all socioeconomic levels, and those who made the profound choice to become Jewish through conversion, to join our relaxed, spirited, participatory heymish congregation that combines traditional liturgy with an egalitarian ethos. We have recently renovated our shul to make it as accessible in practice as it has always been in spirit. Our view of progressive Judaism is one that strives to cultivate an environment of acceptance and pluralism while also developing and sustaining traditional Jewish values such as love of Torah and Jewish learning for all ages. We seek to ensure that financial need is never a barrier to membership.
Our community dedicates itself to tikkun olam, tzedakah, social action and contributing to the vitality of the downtown Toronto Jewish community. Our shul encourages a thoughtful and committed connection to the State of Israel. We prioritize caring for one another and supporting our multi-generational community through both times of celebration and times of difficulty and enriching the lives of our members by providing dynamic programming for children of all ages and adult education opportunities that enhance spiritual growth and Jewish identity.
Curious to learn more about our Rabbi Edward Elkin? Click here to gain insights into his background, teachings, and contributions to our vibrant community.
Territorial Prayer
The footprints that the Jewish community have placed on this land go back many years, but the traditions that we have brought from around the world are new additions in the long history of Turtle Island. And so we acknowledge that the Narayever congregation is situated on land that is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The traditions, customs, and languages of Indigenous Peoples were the first to flourish on this land and for generations they have been the caretakers. We acknowledge that like the Jewish People, the First Peoples of this land work to sustain ancient traditions and give them meaning.
We acknowledge that we have benefited from living on this land. As a congregation we recognize that with this privilege also comes responsibility.
And so it is the intention of the Narayever congregation to actively pursue meaningful reconciliation and uphold our responsibilities as treaty partners, in good faith and with open hearts.
Wed, July 16 2025
20 Tammuz 5785
SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES SUSPENDED as of NOVEMBER 23, 2020
In-person services have been supended. Please refer to our Shabbat Services page for more information.
