National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section

Drive for Dreidels

Drive for Dreidels 2011

Originating in the inspired vision of the Cooper/Shear family and now facilitated by the partnership of Jewish Family & Child, National Council of Jewish Women of Canada - Toronto Section (NCJWC-TS) and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Drive for Dreidels is committed to addressing the needs of the impoverished in our community, particularly the needs of the children, making sure that thousands of Jewish children in the GTA have a new toy at Chanukah.

Back in 2003, it was the recognition of just how urgent those needs were that motivated Bob Cooper to approach his brother Josh and his mother Bonnie Lawrence Shear about launching a community toy collection.  It was then Jewish Family & Child partnered with the Cooper/Shear family and Drive for Dreidels made its Toronto debut.  The community responded swiftly and with great generousity, but no one anticipated how creative and committed the Jewish GTA would be in its support!

The drive soon outgrew Jewish Family & Child’s limited space and Jewish Family & Child partnered with National Council of Jewish Women of Canada – Toronto Section, who also brought their superb history of coordinating the Toronto Passover Food Drive.  The Cooper/Shear family were thrilled to be welcoming National Council of Jewish Women of Canada- Toronto Section, into Drive for Dreidels.   And to address the needs of the impoverished Jewish children in the downtown core, Jewish Family & Child has since also partnered with the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.


We are extremely fortunate to live in a Jewish population that is so caring and ready to pitch in to support the thousands of Jewish children who live in poverty.  To brighten Chanukah for these children and youth again this year, we need donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards.   Please share some holiday happiness by dropping off new unwrapped toys or gift cards between December 5th and 21st.  

Toys can be dropped off at National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section, 4700 Bathurst Street or the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Avenue.  For drop-off times, please call the location nearest you: NCJWC-TS at 416 633 5100, the MNJCC at 416.924.6211.  

To make a monetary or gift card donation to Drive for Dreidels, please contact Leah Marmer at Jewish Family & Child, 416.638.7800 ext 6312 ; lmarmer@jfandcs.com or visit our secure website at www.jfandcs.com.

Drive for Dreidels thanks the community for their continued support.