Sun, Jan 15
8-10pm
Online
Free
Registration Required

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) was a tremendously influential Jewish philosopher, prolific author, and civil rights activist. (His actual yahrtzeit – the Jewish-calendar anniversary of his death – is today, the 18th of Tevet.)

Makom is excited to partner with Yeshivat Chovevei Torah – Rabbi Aaron’s rabbinical school – on this online program exploring Heschel’s Torah (teachings) and enduring legacy.

Please register to join us and other communities for this inspiring evening of learning, including talks by Prof Susannah Heschel and Rabbi Aaron’s teacher Rabbi Saul Berman, who, like Rabbi Heschel, marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

ASL Interpretation & Closed Captioning available

4 Tuesdays, Nov 8 – 29
7:00 – 8:30pm
@Makom – 402 College Street (map)
Free – donations greatly appreciated!
Register today

Learn to read Torah!

We’ll introduce the system of chanting marks known as “trop,” and how it encodes structure, meaning, and melody. You’ll learn the Torah reading melody commonly used in Ashkenazi communities in North America.

Over the course of four weekly sessions, we’ll cover all the trop marks and how they fit together, and how to prepare to read a Torah portion at services.

Prerequisites
You should be comfortable reading a short Hebrew text with vowels, out loud in a classroom setting. You do not need to be “good at singing”!

Covid Precautions
To make this class safer for community members who have health concerns, surgical or higher-quality masks (KN-95, KF-94, etc.) are required. We’ll provide masks for those who don’t have.

Tues, Nov 1
7:00 – 8:30pm
@Makom – 402 College Street (map)
Free – donations greatly appreciated!
Register today

Develop your Torah-handling skills in this hands-on workshop!

Learn how to open a Torah scroll and roll it to the right place, what to do when you’re called up to the Torah, and how to lift and wrap the Torah.

We’ll practice in a relaxed environment so you’ll feel comfortable and confident handling a Torah at services.

We’ll also take a close look at the inside of a Torah scroll and discuss how they’re made.

Everyone is welcome; no experience necessary!

Covid Precautions
To make this workshop safer for community members who have health concerns, surgical or higher-quality masks (KN-95, KF-94, etc.) are required. We’ll provide masks for those who don’t have.

Language Exchange

Thurs, Sept 15 & 29
7:00-8:30pm
@Makom (map)
Free – donations greatly appreciated!
Registration Required

Looking to meet people to learn language with? Wondering how to say “hello” in Hindi, Judaeo-Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, or Yiddish? Join us for a language exchange!

We know our community is rich with knowledge of languages from around the world, so we’re coming together to share that wealth in a relaxed and friendly environment.

No previous knowledge required!

Any Qs? Email Benjamin.

Surgical or better-quality masks required to be worn. (Makom will provide for those who don’t have.)

Indigenous History & Colonization Workshop

Sun, Sept 18
4-6pm
@Dunn Avenue Parkette – 185 Close Ave (near Queen & Dufferin)
Free
Registration Required

During the month of Elul, a time for personal and communal reflection and teshuvah (repentance) leading up to the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe), please join us for an important, interactive program on Indigenous history, colonization, and reconciliation that fosters truth, understanding, and respect.

All adults and children 8+ are warmly encouraged to participate.

Created in 1997 by Indigenous people and allies, the Blanket Exercise was intended to introduce Canadians and Indigenous peoples to findings from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) and major historical events in Canadian history in relation to settler-Indigenous relations and legislation.

This popular cultural tool, later known as the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, is built on relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to raise awareness of continuing injustices and impacts of colonization, and to promote further learning.

The script has been updated numerous times to reflect current events, including most recently the final reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada  and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

• Each person should bring their own sheet or blanket.
• Please wear comfortable clothes.
• You’ll be required to remove your shoes, so wear comfy (or interesting) socks.

In the event of rain, we’ll meet in the nearby Parkdale Library auditorium. If we’re indoors, masks and proof of triple vaccination for ages 12+ (double vax for kids 5-11) will be required. The library, auditorium, and washrooms are all wheelchair accessible.

We’ll be led by Dawn T. Maracle, who is Mohawk, sits with the Bear Clan, and lives in Toronto. Dawn is an award-winning diversity community organizer, facilitator, cultural advisor, consultant, and curriculum writer.

Thurs, June 30
8-9pm
Online
Free – donations greatly appreciated!
Registration Required
Zoom link sent upon registration

What does Judaism teach about abortion?

In light of the US Supreme Court’s tragic decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion, join Rabbi Aaron online to explore relevant Jewish sources, from ancient to contemporary.

In addition to learning the texts, we’ll discuss the changing legal ground in the US and its implications for women’s bodily autonomy and freedom of religion.

Everyone is welcome!

No prior Jewish study or Hebrew knowledge required.

Automatic Closed Captioning.