We’ll start with Havdalah, the short & sweet ceremony for ending Shabbat. Then we’ll skate together at the Christie Pits Ice Rink!
Skating is free. Please bring your own skates (there are no skate rentals at the rink).
Please register by January 23rd at 3pm.
Middle school kids of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including from interfaith/intercultural families and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary. Feel free to invite friends!
Please note that this is an event for middle school students (grades 6-8) only.
Any questions? Contact Talia Levitt, Youth Programming Coordinator, at youth@makomto.org.
Join us for an upbeat, kid-friendly Shabbat morning family service followed by Shabbat lunch! Services are geared for kids in grades 1-5 and their parents, but all families with kids are welcome.
Saturday, Jan 17 10:30am-1pm @Makom Register by Thurs, Jan 15 at 7pm Free if you’re coming just for services and not staying for lunch, but registration’s still required.
Services are egalitarian with mixed seating, and will include prayers, songs, a Torah story, and discussion to meaningfully engage adults and children together.
After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious vegan & kosher lunch together.
The fun of a play date meets meaningful Jewish family education! Join us for a weekly parent/grandparent and tot program for children aged 18 months through 3 years, focused on Jewish holidays, Shabbat, and Jewish values.
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.
We offer men’s, women’s, and mixed (all-genders) seating sections. 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. 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.
Learn Torah together in an open and supportive environment.
Every other Tuesday: Jan 13 & 27; Feb 10 & 24; Mar 10 & 24 (plus more dates after Passover) 7:00pm: Soup & Socializing 7:30-9:00pm: Learning @Makom (map) Register Now!
This is not a class, but a space for you to:
Enjoy soup and socializing 7:00-7:30pm
Choose a Jewish text that interests you – we have a wide variety, from weekly Torah portion to ethics, mysticism to law, and much more; or bring your own book
Find a havruta (study partner) – come with a friend or we’ll help pair you with someone with a similar interest as you
Sit and learn together – read aloud, ask each other questions, discuss, debate, and reflect
Rabbi Aaron will be your Torah concierge to help you pick a text that works for you, find a havruta, get started, and navigate any difficulties you encounter.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your Jewish learning background!
And of course, LGBTQ+ folks, interfaith couples, and people from interfaith backgrounds are always absolutely welcome.
This program is free. Please help us cover costs by donating when you register.
Our recommended donation amounts are lower for current Makom members. Be part of the Makom community: become a Makom member now.
What’s a Beit Midrash?
Beit Midrash is usually translated as House of Study, a place in which people come together to learn, discuss, and debate Jewish texts of all sorts. But the root of the word “midrash” means searching. When we study Torah, we’re not just trying to comprehend it intellectually, but seeking meaning from it to apply in our lives. Hence, House of Searching.
Why is this important?
As Rabbi Aaron spoke about on Rosh Hashanah, it’s the Torah that gives meaning and substance to being Jewish.
The word Torah literally means “teaching.” It refers not only to the Torah itself (the 5 Books of Moses), but to any Jewish teaching. There are so many ways to learn Torah, whether by reading the parashah (weekly Torah portion), studying the rabbinic debates of the Mishnah and Talmud, examining halakhah (Jewish law), delving into kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), and on and on.
Torah can enlighten us. It can teach us our people’s stories, about Jewish ritual and ethics, the world, each other, God, even ourselves.
Torah – in its fullest sense – is so vast and varied, there’s definitely something that’s just right for you to learn.
Who is this for?
Torah is for all of us! It’s not some secret knowledge just for certain people. As the Torah says about itself: כִּי־קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ – “This thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart” (see Devarim 30:11-14). House of Searching is intended for all adults; high school teens are also welcome.
Donations & Sponsorships
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. You may sponsor in honour or memory of someone or to mark a special occasion. Please connect with Rabbi Aaron if you’re interested in supporting this program in general or for a particular week.
Donations are tremendously helpful and greatly appreciated; if you’re able, please contribute.
Posted on by Adina in holidays, Programs | Comments Off on Dec 18: IGNITE! Tikkun Leil Chanukah
Presented by Holy Blossom Temple, Ashkenaz Foundation, Beth Torah Congregation, Beth Tzedec Congregation, City Shul, Congregation Shir Libeynu, Danforth Jewish Circle, Darchei Noam, First Narayever, Kiever Shul, Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, and the UJA Committee for Yiddish
Thurs, Dec 18 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm @ Holy Blossom Temple (1950 Bathurst St) Register here
IGNITE: Tikkun Leil Chanukah returns with light, joy and jolliness! Join the community for an intergenerational, songful candle-lighting and Horah, then break into a choose-your-own-adventure of arts-based workshops, performances and Chanukah study sessions. Enjoy a big, bold concert inspired by the season’s themes, curated by the Ashkenaz Festival. Come early or late, stay a little or stay the whole time! Limited hybrid options available.
The evening includes light kosher snacks
Doors open at 6:00 pm The Kid’s Track is focused on children ages 5 to 12. Admission provides access to the inter-generational communal candle-lighting at 6:30 p.m. and to a shorter program for kids from 7-8 PM. Children can join their parents at 8:00 for the concert in the Mishkan.
Adult and Teens (13+) Track: Suggested $20 per person Children: 5 to 12 years old free of charge
Join Hativah – Makom’s youth group for grades 6-8 – to celebrate Hanukkah together!
We’ll light candles together outside at 5:45, then head inside for a fun evening of latkes, hot chocolate, music, and games! Feel free to invite friends.
Middle school kids of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including from interfaith/intercultural families and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary.
Please note that this is an event for middle school students (grades 6-8) only.
Any questions? Contact Talia Levitt, Youth Programming Coordinator.
Posted on by Adina in holidays, Programs, Teens | Comments Off on Dec 17: Downtown Jewish Teens Hanukkah Party
Hey Downtown Jewish Teens!
Join us to celebrate Hanukkah together! We’ll light candles together outside at 5:45, then head inside for a fun evening of latkes, hot chocolate, music, and games! Feel free to invite friends.
