ReSources Links for Renewing Judaism in Canada

Organizations

ALEPH CANADA: Alliance for Jewish Renewal (Canada)
ALEPH Canada catalyses, supports, and strengthens the grassroots movement for Jewish renewal. ALEPH Canada organizes and nurtures communities, develops leadership, creates new liturgy and other resources, and works for social and environmental justice. http://www.alephcanada.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlephCanada/

WEBSITES

http://www.jewishrenewalhasidus.org: A blog with precious teachings of Reb Zalman z’l. Between 2007 and 2013, many of the entries were submitted by Reb Zalman himself. The site continues to grow through submissions by gabbai Seth Fishman who has served as the Blog Editor since its inception.

People

Rabbi Hanna Tiferet Siegel, a gifted singer and songwriter, poet, liturgical artist, ritualist, teacher, and spiritual guide (and Rabbi Daniel Siegel’s life partner). Hornby Island, British Columbia. http://hannatiferet.com/

Kohenet Annie Matan is a singer, artist, spiritual leader, mama and Jewish educator. She is founder of Matanot Lev, and is the Jewish Life Coordinator at the Miles Nadal JCC. Passionate about inclusive and accessible Jewish and multi-faith spirituality, Annie is known for using original gospel music to infuse Jewish liturgy with meaning, intention and soul. Toronto, ON, 647-975-3614, contact@anniegilbert.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AlternativeKabbalatShabbat/

Fran Avni, singer-songwriter, recording artist and producer, has been creating original music for over two decades. An internationally-acclaimed performer, she engages her audiences in dynamic interactive concerts, workshops and artist residencies. Montreal, Quebec. http://www.franavni.com/

Ralph Benmergui (Hamilton area): Jewish Renewal in Hamilton, Ontario; spiritual direction; workshops on Aging and Sageing, DeepEcumenism,  ralphbenmergui@gmail.com

Rabbi Louis Sutker (Victoria): ravenlws@gmail.com; says Rabbi Sutker: "I love to play with liturgy and song to enhance connection with God and each other. I am interested in interim and/or Holy Day positions. Go toward Peace." 

Rabbi Susan Shamash (Vancouver) enables all Jews and their loved ones to celebrate Jewishly through lifecycle events (weddings, baby naming), guest speaking, Shabbatons, and Talmud classes.  http://www.rabbisusanshamash.com/

Synagogues and Chavurot

Or Shalom Synagogue, Vancouver BC. Renewal. Rabbi Hannah Dresner. Or Shalom is Vancouver’s East Side Shul. Or Shalom Synagogue is a Jewish spiritual community affiliated with ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Creative, egalitarian, traditional and participatory.  https://www.orshalom.ca/

Beth Jacob Synagogue, Regina, SK. Conservative/Renewal. Rabbi Jeremy Parnes. At our core, we are a house of worship. Weekly minyans are on Wednesdays at 6 pm and Saturdays at 10 am, as well as monthly Friday night services, in addition to special holiday and festival services. https://www.bethjacobsynagogue.com/

Or Haneshama, Ottawa, ON. Reconstructionist, Rabbi Liz Bolton. Shabbat services three times/month: one Friday evening and two Saturday mornings.  http://www.orh.ca/

Congregation Dorshei Emet, Montreal, QC. Reconstructionist, Rabbi Boris Dolin. Egalitarian, progressive community where Jewish traditions are celebrated and innovation is welcomed. An open community where everyone is welcomed. Promoting Jewish life through creative approaches to spirituality, ethics and culture.
http://www.dorsheiemet.com/

Mile End Chavurah, Montreal, QC. Diverse community of Jews committed to creating spaces for Jewish study, learning, prayer, celebration and acts of social justice. We are non-denominational, but inspired by the ideals of the Chavurah movement, progressive Judaism and Jewish Renewal. Our vision is to create a sustainable, progressive Jewish community in our own neighbourhood (Mile End)—one which will nurture us, and our children. http://www.mileendchavurah.org/

Advocacy and Public Policy

CIJA - The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs - is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada by advancing the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community. CJIA helps partners across Canada manage local advocacy challenges by providing strategic advice, subject matter expertise, and resources. http://www.cija.ca/

Food Security / Sustainability / Environment

Food Secure Canada: http://www.foodsecurecanada.org

Food Banks Canada: http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/

Oxfam Canada: http://www.oxfam.ca/

Slow Food Canada: http://www.slowfood.ca/

Équiterre:  http://www.equiterre.org/en 

The Stop Community Food Centre (ON): http://www.thestop.org/

Foodshare Toronto (ON): http://www.foodshare.net/

Shoresh (ON): http://shoresh.ca/

Daily Bread Food Bank (ON): http://www.dailybread.ca/ 

BC Food Systems Network (BC): http://bcfsn.org/ 

NDG Food Depot (QC): http://www.depotndg.org/

Coopérative la maison verte (QC): http://www.cooplamaisonverte.com/

Lufa Farms (Montreal rooftop farm) (QC): https://lufa.com/en

Santropol roulant (QC): http://santropolroulant.org/site/home/

 Food First (NL): http://www.foodfirstnl.ca/about-us/

Other Jewish Food/Environment Resources

Hazon: http://www.hazon.org/

COEJL – Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life: http://coejl.org/

Jewish Food Education Network:  http://www.hazon.org/education/jfen/

Urban Adamah: http://urbanadamah.org/

Adamah Farm and Learn at Isabella Freedman: http://isabellafreedman.org/adamah

Mazon Canada – Jewish Response to Hunger: http://www.mazoncanada.ca/

The Shefa Project: http://shefaproject.wordpress.com/ 

News and Views

Canadian Jewish News – weekly Canadian newspaper reporting on all things Jewish. National and Montreal editions. http://www.cjnews.com/