Debbie Field: Inaugural Darchei Noam Social Justice Scholar in Residence

Congregation Darchei Noam takes pride in naming Debbie Field as our the inaugural Social Justice Scholar in Residence for 2011/5772. For close to 20 years, Ms. Field has been Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto – an award winning non-profit organization that has pioneered a unique approach to improving access to affordable, healthy food through sustainable food programs.

Through the leadership of our Social Justice Advocacy Committee, Darchei Noam is Canada's first synagogue to establish a Scholar in Residence specifically focused on advancing social justice understanding and commitment. This new position builds on our synagogue's longstanding commitment to tikkun olam, and the elimination of poverty and homelessness in particular. In bringing leading social justice advocates to our synagogue we believe this will strengthen our work and commitment to Jewish social justice values.

Debbie Field is a respected leader of efforts to assure 'Good Healthy Food for All' – the vision statement of FoodShare Toronto. FoodShare has launched some of Canada's most successful food access programs including Baby and Toddler Nutrition, Student Nutrition, Field to Table Schools, the Good Food Box, Community Gardening and Kitchen initiatives. Over 145,000 children and adults every month benefit from FoodShare programs.

Debbie Field has received numerous awards for her leadership in food security:
In 2010 as the recipient of the first annual Food Green Toronto Award for leadership in food activities.

In 2007 the Afri-Can FoodBasket awarded Debbie their Ujamaa Award for "continued commitment towards food security and community economic development in the African Canadian Community."

In 2005 her work in the area of student nutrition was honoured by the Toronto Community Foundation when she received a Vital People award.

In October 1996 Debbie Field was named one of "Toronto's Ten Best Organisers" by NOW magazine.

As Social Justice Scholar in Residence, Debbie Field will deliver a number of talks and presentations at Darchei Noam during the month of Cheshvan. She will also liaise with all age groups of our community, connecting with various shul committees and programs, Our community will experience first-hand the programs and philosophy of FoodShare.

Debbie Field is a past member of Darchei Noam. Upon accepting this honour, she told us: My mom would be so proud."

Welcome back, Debbie!
Myer Siemiatycki President

A Social Justice Response to Hunger and Food Issues:
Debbie Field, Executive Director FoodShare Toronto
Darchei Noam Social Justice Scholar in Residence

Darchei Noam has distinguished itself as the first synagogue in Canada to establish a social justice Scholar in Residence and I look forward to the next year of lively and productive discussions about a social justice response to hunger and food issues.

As we bring in the fall harvest and reflect on the meaning of Sukot, we ask the age old question: "How can there be so much hunger in a country and a world of such abundance?" More than 1.2 billion will go to sleep hungry tonight, and around the world so many children and adults will die this year of famine. Even here in Canada, close to two million people are food insecure, struggling to pay the rent and feed their family. The continued global economic crisis is pushing the number of food insecure up here in Canada where unemployment remains high and around the world, where millions more are thrown off their land yearly to journey to cites where they have no jobs and no secure access to food,

At the same time, 1.2 billion, will go to sleep tonight malnourished from over consumption of food, at risk of diet related illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Anchoring both problems, we face a third crisis -- unsustainable agricultural systems in Canada and globally.

I hope you will be able to join us on November 26, 2011 when I will be delivering the D'var Torah and then in a special Post Kiddush Conversation to delve deeper into the issues raised.

We also plan a Research Group to discuss successful food policy models from around the world, and a Jewish response to hunger and food policy issue, an open public meeting next Spring, a scholarly paper for dissemination in the North American Jewish Community, projects with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, DN Teens and Shomrei Adamah Committee.

If you are interested in getting involved please contact me debbie@foodshare.net and Nathan Gilbert, ngilbert@laidlawfdn.org, Chair of the Social Justice Committee.

I am really looking forward to our conversations about what we can all do now and in the future to make sure that everyone in our society has access to good healthy food.