May 2024

Jewish Heritage Month

May is Jewish Heritage Month, and I would like to take the time to highlight some Jewish institutions in Toronto:

First Narayever Congregation

Founded in 1914, the First Narayever Congregation in Toronto has a rich history entwined with Jewish migration to North America. The congregation was founded by immigrants from Narayiv, establishing North America’s first Ukrainian congregation in Toronto. It grew from humble beginnings in a family home to a rented space on Huron Street, eventually finding its permanent location on Brunswick Avenue in Harbord Village. Today, it stands as a vibrant hub of Jewish life in downtown Toronto, rooted in tradition, but prides itself

on inclusivity and activism. To learn more, please see my recent interview with Rabbi Elkin here or visit First Narayever Congregation’s website here.

Mount Sinai

Founded in 1923 by immigrant women in Toronto’s Jewish community, Mount Sinai Hospital began with $12,000 raised door-to-door. Originally the Hebrew Maternity and Convalescent Hospital, it rapidly evolved into a leading medical, teaching, and research institution. With roots in comprehensive community care, it expanded from 30 to 472 beds and gained recognition for groundbreaking work in genetics, women’s health, oncology, and more. Today, Mt Sinai’s core values have endured, fostering a global reputation for excellence and cultural inclusivity, with interpreters in 45 languages. Mount Sinai’s legacy continues, driven by vision, determination, and compassion for all. To learn more, please see here.

Holy Blossom Cemetery at Pape and Gerrard

In 1849, Toronto’s Jewish community established the Holy Blossom Cemetery, the first Jewish graveyard west of Montreal. Located just south of the Matty Eckler Community Centre, the cemetery was founded in 1847 by local businessmen Judah G. Joseph and Abraham Nordheimer. Faced with the imminent death of Joseph’s son and the lack of a nearby Jewish cemetery — the closest ones were in Buffalo 

or Montreal —  they took the initiative to establish one in Toronto. Seven years after the cemetery, the city’s first synagogue was opened. The Holy Blossom Cemetery continued to serve the community until it closed in 1930.

The Toronto Jewish Film Festival starts May 30

Since its inception in 1993, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF) has been a beacon of Jewish cultural expression in the city’s cinematic landscape. Founded by Helen Zukerman, it addressed a gap in Toronto’s cultural scene by celebrating Jewish heritage through film. Evolving from a downtown event, it has grown, spanning various venues across the city. Beyond screenings, TJFF pioneered accessible programming, accommodating diverse communities, including the deaf and autistic, enriching the tapestry of Jewish heritage during Jewish Heritage Month. This year’s festival runs from May 30 to June 9. To learn more, please see here.

Asian Heritage Month

May is also Asian Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich history, vibrant cultures, and significant contributions of Asian communities in Canada and across the world. This month-long observance highlights the diverse heritage and the integral role that Asian Canadians have played in shaping the nation.

In our community, there are many notable landmarks with a rich history behind them. Have you ever noticed the statue near the path that leads from the Don behind Gerrard into Riverdale Park and wondered about its story? Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a pivotal figure in Chinese history, he led the nationalist movement aimed at overthrowing the Manchu dynasty. The memorial dedicated to him holds a prominent place in east-end Chinatown’s history. It was funded by Chinese immigrants from Vietnam and mainland China, who established businesses in the area during the 1970s. In 2009, an archway was erected at Gerrard Street East and Broadview Avenue to honour the Chinese pioneers, labourers, railway workers, and their descendants who immigrated to Canada. This archway stands as a tribute to their enduring spirit and resilience. To learn more about Asian Heritage Month, please see here. 

Platform for Connecting Parents with Accredited Pediatric Professionals

Everyday Heroes Kids connects families to health and mental health professionals and organizations to improve access to care. To date, over 2000 professionals and organizations have built comprehensive profiles in our community so that families can find all the services and resources they are looking for and also those they didn’t know existed. To learn more about this platform, please see here.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline offers support that is bilingual, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, and available to anyone in Canada.

If you are a youth or young adult in need of mental health support, call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders.

For more information, visit the Kids Help Phone website for online chat support or to access online resources for children and youth.

Toronto Nature Stewards

Toronto Nature Stewards (TNS) is a stewardship program which operates to restore public land in ravines and natural areas. The program has been running since spring 2021 and has since expanded to more than 90 Lead Stewards and 700 Stewards, operating across more than 30 sites throughout our city. There is a great need for stewards, if you are interested in getting involved, please see here.

Don’t Mess with the Don DVP Clean Up on June 2 at 10:00 am

On Sunday June 2, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, join Don’t Mess With the Don for a unique opportunity to clean up the green spaces surrounding the DVP while the road is closed for a charity bike ride. There are four locations where you can participate: Don Mills, Lawrence Avenue, Danforth Avenue, and Queen Street East. For more information, please visit here.  

Yours,

Julie

Julie Dabrusin

Member of Parliament for Toronto–Danforth