Candles and Conversations

Candles and Conversations invites Jewish singles in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to intimate, thoughtfully designed evenings built around one goal: bringing people together in a warm and meaningful way. Rather than the typical awkward “singles event,” founder Annette Cohen-Hoffman creates engaging, interactive gatherings — complete with candle-making, icebreakers, and thought-provoking conversation starters — that give attendees a genuine chance to connect over food and drinks in a comfortable setting.

The organization was born out of a personal and communal need. As Annette Cohen-Hoffman watched her own children navigate their twenties without enough real-life spaces to meet other Jewish singles, and as the Jewish community sought unity and connection in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, she launched the first Candles and Conversations event in May 2024 for singles in their 20s and 30s. The response was overwhelming, with friendships and even romantic relationships forming. Encouraged by that success, the initiative expanded after five events to include a gathering for singles 40 and older, extending its reach to Jewish singles across multiple age groups throughout the GTA.

Today, Candles and Conversations continues to run recurring social events for Jewish singles in Toronto, pairing candle-making and heartfelt discussion with a low-pressure, community-driven approach to meeting new people — a modern take on Jewish matchmaking rooted in genuine connection rather than the pressure of traditional dating.