Congregation Shir Libeynu

Congregation Shir Libeynu is a liberal, unaffiliated, egalitarian, intentionally LGBTQ+-inclusive synagogue based in downtown Toronto.^[1] Formerly led by Rabbi Aviva Goldberg until her retirement in 2019, its current spiritual leader is Cantor Cheryl Wunch.^[2]

The congregation was founded by Aviva Goldberg, Dinah Rosen, Adrienne and Myra Rosenwhite, and Erica Goodman who wanted to create a "welcoming and inclusive synagogue for LGBTQ+ Jews and interfaith couples and families."^[3]

Shir Libeynu held its first service in 1997 with 75 people coming to its first High Holy Day services, held at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). It has since expanded to holding monthly services as well as on Jewish holy days such as Yom Kippur, Chanukah and Purim, and has held an annual Pride service in June since 2007, the first congregation in Toronto to hold a Pride service.^[4] In 2012, Goldberg told the Canadian Jewish News: "We started out with about 75 people who came to our services... There are now about 300 who come to our High Holiday services." She added that: "We're a congregation of people who want to be at shul, and we feel comfortable in all aspects of our lives. I mean that from a sense of pride, but I also mean that they can be all of who they are when they come to the synagogue."^[4][3]

Shir Libeynu does not have its own building but holds services at the College Street United Church.^[5] The congregation previously has held services at Cecil Street Community Centre (which had formerly been the Anshei Ostrovtzer Synagogue), and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre in Downtown Toronto.^[3]

The congregation has its own section in Beit Olam, the Jewish cemetery at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Woodbridge, Ontario, which allows interfaith couples to be buried together.^[6][7]

See also

• LGBTQ-affirming religious groups
• LGBTQ-affirming denominations in Judaism