Rabbi Ilyse Glickman (she/her)

"I feel like I have come home. In this short time (as the DJC’s interim rabbi), I have developed relationships with lay leaders and staff members and have come to a deeper understanding of the DJC community and its members' spiritual and communal needs. I've also become aware of both the challenges and opportunities facing the DJC. That said, in many ways, it feels as if we have only just scratched the surface, and it would be my privilege to continue serving this congregation as your rabbi. Together, we can advance our mission of radically inclusive and progressive Jewish life by connecting each of us through learning, soulful worship, advocacy, and supporting one another in sacred community." - Rabbi Ilyse Glickman

We feel blessed to have a person of such quality, integrity, intelligence, and strength of character joining the DJC.

Rabbi Glickman grew up and did her undergraduate education here in Toronto. She was then ordained as a Rabbi in 2004 at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the rabbinical school of the Reform movement, and has two decades of experience as a Rabbi and educator. During that time, Rabbi Glickman has served congregations like Habonim here in Toronto, Am Shalom in Barrie, Shaarei Tefillah in Manhattan, and Scarsdale Synagogue in New York state. She has also worked with several Jewish organizations, including the Reform Jewish Community of Canada, Hillel, and Shoresh. On top of all that, Rabbi Glickman has completed two Masters degrees – one in Hebrew Literature and the other in Religious Education – and is currently working on a Doctorate in Jewish Education. Oh, and did we mention that she’s a certified yoga teacher?

Rabbi Glickman is delighted to be joining the DJC community along with her husband, David Rosen, who is the Senior Cantor at Holy Blossom, and their 11-year-old child Joel.

We are so lucky to have found Rabbi Ilyse Glickman. We feel she is a wonderful fit for our progressive and inclusive DJC community. As Rabbi Glickman is already working at the DJC, she will carry on…carrying on with us. Welcome to the DJC, Rabbi Glickman!

David Gershon (he/him) – Chazzan and Director of Music

Some of you probably grew up watching this face on TV singing with his wife, Cantor Judy Adelman Gershon, together known to millions of families as “Judy & David”. But unless you happened to come to his “Chanukah Palooza” shows, you probably didn’t know that David’s first and enduring connection to music has always been as a Jewish song leader. With the touring life gratefully behind him, David now concentrates his time on using music to unite, move, and inspire people of all ages – whether as Chair of Education Arts Canada, or as our new Chazzan and Director of Music. David is the recipient of the Juno award, the SOCAN award, and the Parent’s Choice Gold Award. He has produced and co-starred in two national TV series and has created dozens of recordings and touring musicals. David earned his BA at Brandeis University. By far, his favourite accomplishment is being dad to Jared, Abigail, and Zev and husband to Judy. He can’t wait to make music with his new DJC musical family!

David officially starts July 1, 2023, but you’ll see him around much sooner than that. Welcome to the DJC, David Gershon!

Kohenet Annie Matan (she/her)

Annie brings diversity to whatever she does and to who she is – whether it is through finding ancient or contemporary Jewish music from all over the world, or as a Jewish, Queer, Polyam single Mama. Annie is passionate about supporting people of all genders and faiths to feel seen, heard, and held as their whole selves in all spaces in their lives. Annie joined DJC’s recent Earth Hour Coffee House where we experienced her joy of music and song.

You can find out more about her work at linktr.ee/anniematan.

Annie officially starts Aug 1, 2023. Welcome to the DJC, Kohenet Annie Matan!