Reform Jewish Community of Canada

I have always considered myself to be a Jewish Canadian, rather than a Canadian Jew. I couldn't tell you why I have always chosen to primarily identify by my religion first and then my citizenship; there is no defining moment in my life that explains that one way or the other. Being Jewish has always been my primary identity.

The Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC) is working to bring Canadian Reform Jews together by fostering new connections between communities and hosting gatherings that allow people to reconnect after two years of quarantine.

It’s been a decade since the Union for Reform Judaism passed its Resolution on First Nations, which affirmed, in part, the URJ’s support of the right of Canada's First Nations community to self-determination and encouraged Canadian congregations to develop relationships with First Nations communities.

In 2019, Canada’s federal election took place on October 21, the same time as the holidays of Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The overlap offered an opportunity to consider the relationship between our civic rights and obligations and Torah.

Sh’mini Atzeret