We are Toronto’s oldest intentionally 2SLGBTQ+ congregation. Seventy people came to our first High Holy Day services. Since then, we have grown to a congregation of about 250 people who pray, sing, learn, celebrate and mourn together. Congregation Shir Libeynu was founded by our now, Rabbi Emerita, Dr. Aviva Goldberg, Dinah Rosen, Adrienne and Myra Rosenwhite, and Erica Goodman 25 years ago. They wanted to create a welcoming and inclusive synagogue for LGBTQ+ Jews and interfaith couples and families. On November 22, 2014, the community celebrated the formal rabbinic ordination of Rabbi Goldberg. Rabbi Goldberg led our congregation until she retired in 2019. She continues to be actively involved with our community. Our congregation is built on a foundation of diversity. Our membership is made up of individuals and families from many walks of life, and we welcome participation from all of our community members. We are proudly progressive, egalitarian, and unaffiliated with any particular stream of Judaism. We are home to multi-faith and intercultural families, Jews by birth, Jews by choice, Jews of Colour, Jews with varying levels of personal observance, and people interested in learning more about Judaism. Our mission is to celebrate and experience joyfully all aspects of Jewish life and spirituality within an environment of inclusivity, innovation and intellectual challenge. We embrace new rituals and liturgy, while recognizing and affirming the many paths our tradition offers. “Shir Libeynu” is Hebrew for “song of our hearts,” and our services include prayers and music, both ancient and modern. All our service materials are provided in Hebrew and English. We seek to use liturgical texts that reflect our values of diversity and inclusivity. Whenever we can, we opt for egalitarian, gender-inclusive language that allows each member of our community to find their own connection to the prayers. All of our members participate in our services through group aliyot (to be called up to the Torah for a blessing) and in many other ways, including singing, playing music, reading (from the Torah or in English), storytelling, giving sermons, sounding shofar, and providing workshops and presentations. We are always open to new ways of involving members. Everyone is invited to join us each month for Shabbat Morning services, attend High Holy Day services, and enjoy holiday celebrations such as Chanukah and Purim. In June 2007, we were the first congregation in Toronto to hold a special Pride service, which we have continued to celebrate every year since then. Our Pride service is usually for Havdalah (on Saturday evening to mark the end of Shabbat). Many members celebrate important milestones at our services, including B’Mitzvah*, baby namings, aufrufs (a blessing for a couple before their wedding), anniversaries and memorial tributes. We always enjoy a kiddush (a small meal to sanctify Shabbat after services), often sponsored by members to mark important milestones or honour people in their lives. *We are choosing to use the gender-neutral term “B’Mitzvah” (of the commandments), instead of the gendered “Bar” or “Bat” Mitzvah (son/daughter of the commandments).