Our Jewel.

Not every woman has the opportunity to learn about the jewel that they were given at birth: their Judaism.

Some women learn about Judaism in depth while they are young children. Others are educated in their teens and early adulthood.

But what if life doesn’t provide you with that opportunity? How do you pass on these important messages and teachings to the next generation?

The Toronto Sem was created to fill this need. It allows young women who are thinking about or starting to build a Jewish home the opportunity to learn in-depth about their heritage. There are no requirements other than the desire to discover more about yourself and your history.

This is incredibly unique because typically if you want to learn in an immersive environment like this, you have to leave your life in Toronto for a program in Israel.

Three years ago, this is what I did. I quit my job, packed up my belongings, said goodbye to my family and embarked on a journey to Israel. I had little Jewish education and I was inspired to learn more about my history. I wanted to know how the teachings of the Torah could relate to my present day life.

I spent six beautiful months in the holy land. Upon returning, I was starved for more classes and most importantly a community of like-minded women who were on a similar journey.

I knew the person who could make this happen was Liat Garelick. She is the one who opened my eyes to what the Torah could teach me to make my life even better.

During COVID, she had encouraged me to join her online learning program called Seriously Souled where I was able to virtually hear from the best teachers around the world. I couldn’t believe the Torah had messages about gratitude, self-improvement, dating, and more.

Before Seriously Souled, Liat had started the Toronto Sem. The program was designed for women who were working or in school full time. They couldn’t drop their lives in Toronto and head to Israel to learn. She recognized this need and built an after-hours program where women were able to attend classes in the evenings and weekends.

With some prodding, Liat decided to bring the seminary back. She hired the best teachers in Toronto and designed a fulsome curriculum. She invited a diverse, wise, and knowledge-hungry group of young women to join.

This has resulted in a beautiful, precious community filled with young women who lift each other up, ask critical questions, and strive to be the best versions of themselves. It is more than just attending classes. It is people to celebrate holidays with, to spend beautiful Shabbatons with, to check on you when you’re feeling down, and to navigate life with.

I am so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful program. I hope every woman in their formative, young adult years has the opportunity to be surrounded by growth-oriented people who help them be the best version of themselves. These are the years where you make critical decisions that impact the rest of your life and I’m lucky to have such wise and strong people by my side.