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July 29: Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch n’ Learn

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Join us for soulful and song-filled Shabbat morning services,followed by Shabbat lunch and learning!

Saturday July 29 
9:30am-1pm
@Makom (map)
Various price options available so finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation.
Services do not require registration.

We’ll hear the Torah reading of parashat Va’etchanan (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), in which Moses pleads to enter the Land of Israel before his final speech to the Israelites, reminding them to keep the commandments.

Supervised childcare will be provided in Makom’s playroom during services.

Lunch registration required! We have various price options so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation.

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Services don’t require registration.

At lunch, we’ll enjoy a  catered, delicious vegan & kosher meal together.

Please come on time so we can start services strong with a double minyan,* especially for anyone saying kaddish.

*As a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, Makom has mens’, womens’, and all-genders’ seating sections. Female, male, and gender non-binary Jews can lead parts of services, read and be called up to the Torah, and count in our double minyanim of both 10 Jewish men and 10 Jews regardless of gender. Makom services follow the traditional Ashkenazi liturgy (prayer text).

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom and playroom are not. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Register Now

July 26: Tishah be-Av Services + Eikhah Reading

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Wednesday July 26
8:30PM
@Makom (map)
Free registration required

Please join us for a powerful, contemplative evening marking historical Jewish loss and ongoing brokenness in the world as we usher in Tishah be-Av, the ninth day of the lunar month of Av. This date marks the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies in Jewish history. It is traditionally observed with fasting, refraining from wearing leather, and other mourning customs. (For more background, see here.)

We’ll pray the brief evening service and listen to the Biblical book of Eikhah/Lamentations, hauntingly chanted by community members. We’ll also sing some songs, kinnot (elegies), and niggunim (wordless melodies).

Services will be held at Makom – 402 College Street. Doors open at 8:30, services to start promptly at 8:45.

Please bring:

-Blanket, cushion, or chair for sitting

-Cash to donate toward feeding the hungry, in keeping with the spirit of Isaiah 58:6-7, “This is the fast I desire… It is to share your bread with the hungry.”

-Kippah/head covering (if you wear one during services)

FYI, the fast begins Wed at sunset, 8:47pm, and ends Thurs at nightfall, 9:20pm.

Register Now

July 7: Outdoor Services + Picnic Shabbat Dinner

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Gather in the great outdoors (of downtown TO) to wind down from the week and welcome Shabbat with soulful and song-filled services, followed by a picnic Shabbat dinner at Bickford Park! 

Friday July 7
7PM
@Bickford Park (map)
Various price options available so finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation.
Services do not require registration.

We’ll have separate sections for women’s, men’s, and mixed (all genders) seating. Since we’ll be outdoors and not in a regular prayer space, there won’t be curtains between these sections.

Children are welcome and must be registered as well.

Please note that washrooms should be open, based on information from the Parks Department, but cannot be guaranteed.

In the event of rain, services will be held indoors at Makom (402 College).

Register Now

June 17: Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch n’ Learn

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Celebrate Shabbat with spirit!

Saturday, June 17
9:30m – 1:30pm
@Makom – 402 College St (map)
Services do not require registration.
Lunch registration is required – click to register.
Various price options are available so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation. Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Start your Shabbat morning off right with soulful, song-filled services, in which everyone can participate. After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, kosher vegan Shabbat lunch together.

Please come on time so we can start services strong with a double minyan,* especially for anyone saying kaddish.
*As a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, Makom has mens’, womens’, and all-genders’ seating sections. Female, male, and gender non-binary Jews can lead parts of services, read and be called up to the Torah, and count in our double minyanim of both 10 Jewish men and 10 Jews regardless of gender. Makom services follow the traditional Ashkenazi liturgy (prayer text).

Register Now

June 16: Community Pride Shabbat Dinner

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Wind down from the week with Shabbat while celebrating Pride!

Friday, June 16
6pm – 8:30pm
@Cecil Street Community Centre – 58 Cecil St (map)
Registration required – sign up here.

As a part of our Pride Month celebrations, we invite you to our annual Pride Shabbat 2023. We will gather as a diverse Jewish community to celebrate Pride and be in community with one another.

Please join us on June 16 from 6:00-8:30pm for a Pride Shabbat service, followed by a Kosher vegan dinner. This year’s Pride Shabbat will take place at the Cecil Street Community Centre, 58 Cecil Street at Spadina.

This event centres on LGBTQ+ Jewish community members. Allies to both Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities are more than welcome to join us. Families are encouraged to bring children, with programming offered by Machane Lev for those aged 8-17. 

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children. If this cost is prohibitive to your attendance, you are welcome to select the $18 ticket option. We likewise invite community members who can sponsor a community member’s dinner to select to pay $36 to offset somebody else’s meal cost. If the reduced fee is still a barrier to your attendance, please reach out to emunahw@mnjcc.org for further conversation. 

We are committed to ensuring our programming is accessible to anybody who wishes to attend. Cecil Community Centre is wheelchair accessible and has gender-neutral washrooms. We ask that folks who are not feeling well stay home and encourage attendees to wear masks whenever they are not eating. Please email emunahw@mnjcc.org with any accessibility questions or requests and we will work together to find ways for you to join us. The venue has a limited capacity, so buy your tickets as soon as you can!

Thank you to all of the partners supporting this event, including: Annex Shul, BBYO Maple, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Camp Gesher, Camp Shomria, CIJA LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, Congregation Shir Libeynu, The Danforth Jewish Circle, Eshel Toronto, Holy Blossom Temple, LGBTQ+ at the J, Machane Lev, Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism, MAZON Canada, Miles Nadal JCC, Moishe Pod, Prosserman JCC, UJA LGBTQ+ Division

Register Now

June 9: Interfaith* Couples Shabbat Dinner

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Wind down from the week and welcome Shabbat with other interfaith couples!

Friday, June 9
7pm – 10pm
@Makom – 402 College St (map)
Registration required – sign up here.
Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Presented by Makom and Jewish&.

Join us to learn about and participate in traditional Shabbat rituals and songs in warm, supportive community; and enjoy a delicious, catered kosher vegan Shabbat dinner together.

*interfaith, multicultural, mixed heritage, Jewish&, etc. LGBTQ+ couples warmly welcome! One or both partners are welcome to join.

Accessibility Information
Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom and playroom are not. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us

Register Now

May 6: Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch

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Celebrate Shabbat with spirit!

Saturday, May 6
9:30m – 1:30pm
@Makom – 402 College St (map)
Services do not require registration.
Lunch registration is required – click to register.
Various price options are available so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation. Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Start your Shabbat morning off right with soulful, song-filled services, in which everyone can participate. After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, kosher vegan Shabbat lunch together.

Please come on time so we can start services strong with a double minyan,* especially for anyone saying kaddish.
*As a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, Makom has mens’, womens’, and all-genders’ seating sections. Female, male, and gender non-binary Jews can lead parts of services, read and be called up to the Torah, and count in our double minyanim of both 10 Jewish men and 10 Jews regardless of gender. Makom services follow the traditional Ashkenazi liturgy (prayer text).

Covid Precautions

To make services safer for community members who have health concerns, everyone age 5+ must wear a surgical or higher-quality mask (KN-95, KF-94, etc.) throughout services. Children 2-4 should try to wear any mask they’ll keep on. We’ll provide masks for those who don’t have.
After services conclude and folks who aren’t staying have a chance to leave, those staying for dinner are welcome to remove their masks.

Register Now

April 21: Friday Night Services & Shabbat Dinner

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Celebrate Shabbat with spirit!

Friday, April 21
6:45pm – 9:45pm
@Makom – 402 College St (map)
Services do not require registration.
Dinner registration is required – click here to register.
Various price options are available so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation. Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Wind down from the week and welcome Shabbat with soulful, song-filled services, in which everyone can participate. After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, catered kosher vegan Shabbat dinner together.

Please come on time so we can start services strong with a double minyan,* especially for anyone saying kaddish.
*As a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, Makom has mens’, womens’, and all-genders’ seating sections. Female, male, and gender non-binary Jews can lead parts of services, read and be called up to the Torah, and count in our double minyanim of both 10 Jewish men and 10 Jews regardless of gender. Makom services follow the traditional Ashkenazi liturgy (prayer text).

Covid Precautions

To make services safer for community members who have health concerns, everyone age 5+ must wear a surgical or higher-quality mask (KN-95, KF-94, etc.) throughout services. Children 2-4 should try to wear any mask they’ll keep on. We’ll provide masks for those who don’t have.
After services conclude and folks who aren’t staying have a chance to leave, those staying for dinner are welcome to remove their masks.

Register Now

April 2: Matzah Bake in the Park

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Join us for a fun afternoon making and baking Matzah in an outdoor, wood-burning oven!

Sunday, April 2
3:00pm – 5:00pm
@Dufferin Grove Park – 875 Dufferin St (map)
Find us at the north-west corner of Dufferin Grove Park, near the ice rink.

Presented by Makom in partnership with Miles Nadal JCC, PJ Library and Camp Shomria.

Join us for a fun afternoon making and baking Matzah in an outdoor, wood-burning oven! See if you can mix, knead, roll and bake in 18 minutes or less!  Note: Matzah won’t be kosher for Passover but it’s still a wonderful way to prepare for Pesah.

All ages and abilities welcome! Kiddos will enjoy Passover stories read by our friends from PJ Library. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Public washrooms should be open.

Register Now

Mar 6: Purim Palooza 5783

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Mon, Mar 6
5:15pm – 6:30pm (Family Program)
6:45pm-10:30pm (Main party and Megillah Reading)
Tranzac Club – 292 Brunswick Ave (map)
Registration required by Sun, Mar 4 at 12noon
Tues, Mar 7
8:00am – 9:00am (Daytime Megillah Reading)
Makom – 402 College Street (map)

Toronto Partnership Minyan & Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism

merrily present…

Purim Palooza!

Please join us for a joyous Purim full of mitzvot, community & fun for all ages!

Come in costume!

Colourful Purim graphic including a megilah scroll, a gragger, an overflowing cup of wine, and several hamentaschen

B.Y.O. Gragger/Ra`ashan/Noisemaker!

Advance registration required for all participants.  If you cannot afford regular-price tickets, please choose the free option. Register now!

Unable to join us in person due to health concerns or feeling unwell? Register for the 7pm megillah reading livestream and we’ll email you the Zoom link.

Volunteers needed for the door, setup, food service and cleanup. If you can help out, please select how you’d like to volunteer and a time slot when you register (after you select your tickets).

Fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot le-Evyonim (giving Purim gifts for the poor); donation links below.

Cash donations accepted at the door for Mahatzit ha-Shekel (donations for your community)

Purim Schedule

Purim Eve ~ Monday, March 6 @ The Tranzac

Family Program (masks optional)

5:15pm   Dinner (order by Sun, March 4 at noon)

5:45       Mini-Megillah Reading

6:00       Juggling Show

6:30       Family Program Ends

General Program

6:45pm  Ma`ariv (evening service, masks required)

7:00       Main Megillah Reading & Zakhor (masks required)

8:00       Dinner (order by Sun, March 4 at noon)

              Main Party (masks optional)

             Masked Party (masks required)

9:00       Late Megillah Reading (until 10:00; masks required)

10:30     Goodnight

Purim Day ~ Tuesday, March 7 @ Makom

8:00-9:00am  Morning Megillah Reading (masks required)

Covid Precautions

Anyone who had symptoms of Covid-19, or who has a household member with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19, that began within the last 10 days, must not attend in person. You’re welcome to register for the 7pm livestream of megillah reading.

During the family program (5:15-6:30pm) and main party (8:00-10:30pm), masking will be optional.

To be more inclusive of community members who have health concerns, during ma`ariv (evening service), any full megillah reading, and in the masked party room, everyone age 5+ must wear a surgical or higher-quality mask (KN-95, KF-94, etc). In those settings, children 2-4 should try to wear any mask they’ll keep on. We’ll provide masks for those who don’t have.

After megillah reading concludes and folks have had a chance to leave the room, those staying for dinner or the main party are welcome to remove their masks.

Both the Tranzac and Makom have HEPA filters.

Accessibility Information

We welcome participants of all abilities. The Tranzac is wheelchair accessible. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom and playroom are not. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Matanot le-Evyonim – Gifts for the Poor

It’s a mitzvah to give tzedakah (redistributive justice) to needy Jews on Purim itself. Here are some websites where you can donate and your contribution will be distributed to those in need on Purim:

–United Chesed of Toronto: donate before Feb 28 for distribution on Purim

–Chevrah Oseh Chesed/Tomchei Shabbos of Toronto: donate before Purim day & select “Matanas L’evyonim” as donation type

–Yad Eliezer (Israel): donate before Purim day

–Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario: donate even on Purim day

We look forward to celebrating Purim together with you!

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