Social Action Fund General Information

Community-based donations, whether of time or money, make it possible to pursue initiatives and activities over and above what we can accomplish as individuals.   Funds raised through the Social Action Committee are used to pursue three over-all goals:

1. To address the needs of Toronto’s downtown Jewish community
2. To help build an Israel consistent with our values of fairness, egalitarianism and social justice
3. To protect communities facing discrimination or anti-semitism.

This past year, we supported:

In Canada:

Heart to Heart which brings 10 Jewish Israeli and 10 Palestinian Israeli youth to Canada to spend time with one another and hear from and interact with the Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in the GTA. Through these experiences and dialogues they are encouraged to help promote peace in Israel upon their return home.

Jewish Free Loan which is a micro-financing organization that provides interest-free loans to members of the Jewish community in need, helping them to be financially self-sufficient and maintain their dignity during times of financial hardship.

Jewish Family and Child Services’ Passover Assistance Program which provides a community seder and other assistance to those living in poverty during pesach.

The Downtown Jewish Community School which requires funding for enrichment programs for its students throughout the year. Several members of our community have attended or had their children attend the DJCS.

Ve’ahavta’s mobile response to homelessness which is dedicated to responding to the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable – both Jewish and non-Jewish – via a van that provides food and harm reduction supplies to Toronto’s homeless community.

Kehilla an organization that champions affordable housing initiatives responsive to the needs of the Jewish community in the GTA.

First Interfaith Out of the Cold Program which provides some much needed relief to the homeless in Toronto. Many members of our congregation have been very active with Out of the Cold for a number of years.

In Israel:

Krembo Wings which provides much-needed recreational opportunities for marginalized children and youth with disabilities in Israel. The organization is also dedicated to providing safe spaces for cross cultural understanding between its diverse attendees as well as important dialogues about inclusion of those with special needs in Israel.

Merchavim an Israeli non-profit dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools across the country. Narayever funding will be put towards their “Art of Kulanana” program which provides an opportunity for 9 – 12 year olds from diverse backgrounds (Arabic Israeli, secular and ultraorthodox Jews, and others) to get to learn about one another and build bridges between their communities through various art projects.

Kashouvot an Israeli initiative that brings pastoral care into medical and community settings across the country. Its model is unique as it provides spiritual care to aging for ill people in healthcare institutions, something that isn’t otherwise institutionalized in Israel.

Leket Israel’s largest food bank and food rescue network. It collects and redistributes excess food across the country in order to feed those in need.

Dualis which offers employment and vocational training opportunities to economically and socially marginalized members of Israeli society in order to assist them in their efforts to become self-sufficient.