A time to mourn and a time to dance

—Kohelet/Ecclesiastes 3:4

Please join Makom and Hillel UofT for an evening of mourning and dancing, crying and laughing, as we commemorate the third yahrtzeit (anniversary) of the Simhat Torah/Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel and then celebrate the joyous holiday of Simhat Torah (rejoicing with the Torah upon completing its annual reading).

Due to security measures, everyone must register in advance, even if you’re not participating in the dinner. (The memorial service, services, and hakafot are free, but donations are greatly appreciated.)

Schedule

5:00 pm  Doors open
5:15 pm  Memorial ceremony – prayers, poems & songs to remember the victims of the attack and all those who have died in the ensuing war, and pray for peace
6:00 pm   Festive holiday dinner (catered, kosher & vegan)
7:45 pm   Ma’ariv & Hakafot – evening service + singing & dancing with the Torah
10:15 pm Torah reading & conclusion of service
11:00 pm Goodnight!

Dinner registration required by Wednesday, Sept 30.

Please try to come on time for the memorial service at 5 pm so as not to disrupt the service.

Why are we commemorating Oct 7 on Oct 3?

As a Jewish spiritual community, we mark time based on the Jewish lunar calendar. Therefore, we’ll be ritually commemorating the third  anniversary of the attack on Israel and the start of the ensuing war on 22 Tishrei. This is the date of Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah, the holidays that were suddenly turned from joy to grief and celebration to mourning three years ago. This year, 22 Tishrei falls on October 3. 

Services

Makom is a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes participants who espouse many different approaches to Judaism, from secular to traditionally observant.

In order to join together as one community without regard to denominational labels, our services blend traditional and progressive practices. We offer mixed (all-genders), women’s, and men’s seating sections. Women, men, and non-binary folks may lead parts of services. We’ll have three dancing circles (mixed, women’s & men’s), each with a Torah scroll.

Accessibility Information

Makom and Hillel UofT welcome participants of all abilities. Our venue for this event is fully wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible washrooms. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

Chill in a sukkah with other downtown Jewish teens! 

Enjoy some pizza and games with new and old friends and learn about the holiday of Sukkot.

Next Thursday, October 1 | 7:30pm
@Kensington Market
This event is FREE! Register by October 1 at noon

Donations are greatly appreciated and help us cover pizza, sukkah rental, staff time, etc.

High school teens of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including interfaith/intercultural and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary.

Please note that this is for high school students only (Grades 9-12), not for parents.

Accessibility Information

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. The sukkah is wheelchair accessible. However, the washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

Ḥativah (Grades 6-8) Sukkah Pizza Party

Come hang out with other Jewish middle schoolers, enjoy some pizza, shake a lulav and etrog, and play fun games together, all in a sukkah. Feel free to invite friends!

Next Thursday, October 1 | 6:00pm
@Kensington Market
This event is FREE! Register by October 1 at noon

Donations are greatly appreciated and help us cover sukkah rental, staff time, etc.

Middle school kids of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including interfaith/intercultural and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary.

Please note that this is for middle school students (Grades 6-8) only, not for parents.

Accessibility Information

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. The sukkah is wheelchair accessible. However, the washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

Friday Night Sukkot Services + Shabbat Dinner

Join us for doubly-joyous services in the sukkah as we welcome the start of Shabbat and Sukkot!!  After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, catered, kosher vegan Shabbat dinner together in the sukkah.

Friday, September 25 | 6:30 pm
@Kensington Market
Dinner registration required by Wed, Sept 23

No need to register if you’re coming just for services and not staying for dinner.

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Thank you to Green Economy Law for their generous sponsorship.

Arrive at 6:30 pm to light candles, socialize, and find a seat. Services will start at 6:45 pm.

Services

Makom is a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes participants with many different approaches to Judaism, from secular to traditionally observant. Our services blend traditional and progressive practices, so our community can join together without regard to denominational labels.

Services in the Sukkah will have men’s, women’s, and mixed (all genders) seating sections.

In the event of rain, services and dinner will be held inside the Kiever Synagogue and services will have only men’s and women’s seating sections, in keeping with the Kiever’s practice.All genders may lead parts of services. We need an egalitarian minyan of 10 Jews and a non-overlapping traditional minyan of 10 men to start the maariv service, so we encourage you to come on time.

Accessibility Information

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. The sukkah is wheelchair accessible. However, the sanctuary is up a flight of stairs and their washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration