Social Justice Advocacy | Congregation Darchei Noam

The Darchei Noam Social Justice Advocacy Committee (SJAC) is committed to the protection of social justice in Canada. As Jewish citizens informed by the principles of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam and by international commitments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we aim to reduce injustice and poverty within our city, our province, and our country.

Working along side other faith groups, SJAC has been instrumental in the development of a number of community programs to alleviate the effects of inequality in Toronto. We were in on the ground floor of the First Interfaith Out of the Cold Program and helped launch two affordable housing projects (Trellis Gardens and Moshav Noam Co-op) as well as the Streets to Homes project. More recently we sponsored and supported a Kurdish Syrian refugee family.

On an ongoing basis, SJAC continues to sponsor Social Justice Scholars-in-Residence at the shul every year. The scholars work with our children and inspire the congregation during our biannual Social Justice Shabbat. The committee also provides thoughtful programming every year to mark Human Rights Shabbat.

SJAC participates in direct advocacy in conjunction with groups such as C2C (Commitment to Community) and ISARC (Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition). In addition we may bring in speakers on an ad hoc basis to address timely social justice topics, and invite the community to attend.