Fri, Mar 6
6pm
@ Makom
Register now!

After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, catered kosher vegan Shabbat dinner and each other’s warm company.

Dinner registration required by Wednesday, March 4 at 10am.

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.

Please try to come on time for services at 6pm.

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.

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.

Registration

The post Mar 6: Friday Night Services + Shabbat Dinner appeared first on Makom.

With three full megillah readings, a family juggling show with abridged megillah reading, and dedicated parties for adults, middle-schoolers, and high-school teens, we’ve got something for everyone!

See below for the full schedule.

Come in costume and B.Y.O. Gragger/Ra’ashan/Noisemaker!

Dinner registration deadline: Sun, Mar 1!

If you can’t afford regular-price tickets, please choose the reduced-rate option, or contact us.

Money from ticket sales will be put toward nearly $5,000 of Purim expenses, including venue rental, sound technician, food costs, party supplies, etc.

There are lots of great opportunities to help sponsor Purim in honour or memory of someone. Please contact Rabbi Aaron to discuss how you can help.

Volunteers needed for the door, setup, food service and cleanup. If you can help out, please check the box when you register, and we’ll be in touch.

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).

Schedule

Purim Eve ~ Monday, March 2 @ The Tranzac

Families (babies through grade 8)

Full Megilah Reading + Parties

Purim Day ~ Tuesday, March 3 @ Makom

FREE Morning Megillah Reading: 9:30am

Covid Precautions

Anyone who feels unwell or has symptoms of Covid-19 must not attend.

Accessibility Information

We welcome participants of all abilities. The Tranzac is wheelchair accessible. 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:

• Chevrah Oseh Chesed/Tomchei Shabbos of Toronto: donate before Purim day & select “Matanas Levyonim” as donation type
• Yad Eliezer (Israel): donate before 9am on Purim day
• Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario: donate even on Purim day

We look forward to celebrating Purim together with you!

Register Now!

The post Mar 2-3: Purim 2026! appeared first on Makom.

Tues, Feb 24
5-8pm
@MNJCC (750 Spadina Ave)

If you’re 17-35 years old and healthy, come get your cheek swabbed to see if you’re a match for Daphne Goldberg or any of the thousands of other people waiting for a match for a stem cell donation.

If you’re matched, the donation process is similar to giving blood.

If you’re 36-60 years old and healthy, Canadian Blood Services won’t swab you at this event, but you can request your free swab kit from Gift of Life using this link and they’ll send a swab kit to your home so you can be added to the stem cell donor registry.

Registrations appreciated; walk-ins welcome!

Co-presented by Camp Shomria, Canadian Young Judaea, Committee for Yiddish, Congregation Shir Libeynu, Danforth Jewish Circle, First Narayever Congregation, The Kiever Synagogue, Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism, Miles Nadal JCC, Shoresh, neySHEV, Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, Toronto Jewish Film Foundation & Ve’ahavta

Registration

The post Feb 24: Stem Cell Registry Cheek Swabbing Drive appeared first on Makom.

Sat, Feb 21
9:30am
@Makom (402 College)
Register now!

Lunch registration required by Friday, Feb 20 at 10am.

Services don’t require registration – no need to register if you’re not staying for lunch!

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

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

After lunch, Rabbi Aaron will lead an interactive, text-based discussion on “Should We Get Drunk on Purim?”.

Registration

The post Feb 21: Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch ‘n’ Learn appeared first on Makom.

Thurs, Feb 19
6pm
For grades 6-8 only
Register now!

We’ll come together to make and package peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for Ve’ahavta to distribute on their nightly Mobile Jewish Response to Homelessness (MJRH) Outreach Vans to unhoused folks in our community. Dinner will be provided for all attendees.

Please register by Feb 18 at 7pm.

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.

Registration

The post Feb 19: Hativah (grades 6-8) Volunteer Night: Pizza Dinner + Sandwich-Making for Unhoused Folks appeared first on Makom.

Sat, Feb 14
10:30am
@Makom (402 College St)
Register now!

Services are geared for kids in grades 1-5 and their parents, but all families with kids are welcome. 

Services are egalitarian with mixed seating, and will include prayers, songs, a Torah story, and discussion to meaningfully engage adults and children together.

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

Registration required! We have various price options so that finances aren’t an impediment to participation. 

Free if you’re coming just for services and not staying for lunch, but registration’s still required.

Registration deadline: Thursday, February 12th at 7pm.

Become a Makom Member first to save 10%.

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.

Any questions? Contact Talia Levitt, Youth Programming Coordinator, at youth@makomto.org.

Registration

The post Feb 14: Family Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch appeared first on Makom.

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.

Registration

The post Jan 13 & 27; Feb 10 & 24; Mar 10 & 24: House of Searching: the Downtown Beit Midrash appeared first on Makom.

Fri, Feb 6
6pm
@ Makom
Register now!

After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, catered kosher vegan Shabbat dinner and each other’s warm company.

Dinner registration required by Wednesday, February 4 at 10am.

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.

Please try to come on time for services at 6pm.

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.

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. There are wheelchair accessible washrooms one block away at the coffee shop at the corner of Bathurst and College. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

The post Feb 6: Friday Night Services + Shabbat Dinner appeared first on Makom.

Sun, Feb 1
6-8pm
@Makom (402 College St)
Register now!

At our Tu bi-Shvat seder – a meal with multiple courses of symbolic foods and drinks – you’ll:

• Drink four cups of red & white wine or grape juice
• Eat a variety of fruits & nuts with mystical significance
• Enjoy dinner of pita & dips, rice & hearty soup
• Learn brief nature Torah (Jewish wisdom)
• Hang out with new & old friends

Registration required by Thursday, Jan 29.

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Please try to arrive on time so we can maximize our time together and not interrupt the seder.

Registration

The post Feb 1: Tu bi-Shvat Mystical Seder + Dinner appeared first on Makom.

Sun, Feb 1
2:30-4pm
@MNJCC (750 Spadina Ave)
Free! Register now

Join us for a joyful Tu Bishvat Family Connector celebrating nature, creativity, and growth.

In collaboration with the MNJCC, families with young children are invited to explore Tu Bishvat values through hands-on, nature-inspired arts and crafts, shared experiences, and playful learning.

Activities will encourage caring for the earth, noticing growth, and expressing gratitude, all in an age-appropriate and welcoming environment. Families will also enjoy Tu Bishvat snacks inspired by the Seven Species.

This relaxed, drop-in gathering offers a warm space to create together, connect with one another, and mark Tu Bishvat in a meaningful and joyful way.

The post Feb 1: Tu bi-Shvat Family Celebration appeared first on Makom.