Saturday, July 25 | 9:30 am – College & Bathurst
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Join us for soulful and song-filled Shabbat morning services, followed by a delicious Shabbat lunch and stimulating learning!

Lunch registration required by Thursday, July 23.

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.

At lunch, Professor Sara Verskin will teach on “Interfaith Spa Night! The Bathhouse as a Social Experience for Medieval Women.”

In the medieval world, the bathhouse, hammam, or mikveh was a venue where women congregated together for medical and life-cycle events, away from the supervision of male religious leaders. We’ll explore writings by Jewish, Muslim, and Christian authorities about the social significance of the bathhouse and their belief that it was a place where women developed close ties with women from other religions and where they formulated their own, separate framework for understanding what the religious commandments meant to them.

Sara Verskin is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto in the departments of Religion and of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, where she teaches courses on Islamic family law, the history of medicine, and medieval social history.

Registration

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Saturday, June 27 | 9:30 am – College & Bathurst
Register now!

Join us for soulful and song-filled Shabbat morning services, followed by a delicious Shabbat lunch. After lunch, we’ll sing zemirot (table songs) together. Rabbi Aaron will teach them first, so even if you’re unfamiliar with the words or melodies, you’ll learn them and can join in!

Lunch registration required by Thursday, June 25.

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.

Registration

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Every other Tuesday: June 16 & 30
7:00pm: Soup & Socializing
7:30-9:00pm: Learning
@Makom (map)
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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 June 16 & 30: House of Searching: the Downtown Beit Midrash appeared first on Makom.

Saturday, May 30 | 9:30 am – College & Bathurst
Register now!

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

Lunch registration required by Thursday, May 28.

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

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Thank you to Green Economy Law for their generous sponsorship.

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

After lunch, Dr. Adina Gamse will lead us in thought-provoking, interactive learning on “Math & Mishna.”

Dr. Adina Gamse loves introducing non-mathematicians to the joys of the subject. She has a PhD in Mathematics from Northeastern University and held post-doctoral research fellowships and a teaching fellowship at U of T before switching careers. Adina also loves Jewish learning and is excited to combine these subjects in this class. You may know her as Makom’s Managing Director, keeping all the administration and logistics for our community flowing. In her free time, she enjoys trampolining and flying trapeze.

Registration

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The downtown Jewish community’s renowned Tikkun Leil Shavuot is back for our 18th year!

Rooted in tradition and inquiry, Tikkun is an all-night learning festival and a gathering that brings together diverse voices and generations. Through thought-provoking talks, late-night learning, and meaningful conversation, we explore Jewish wisdom and the big questions of our time in a space to be curious, inspired, and in community.

There’s something for everyone at this year’s celebration – a night of community, study, snacking and more. Free and open to all. Registration required.

If your teen is joining, please be sure to register them for the Teen Program. Registration is required for entry.

Registration is free, but we invite you to mark 18 years with a donation of $18 or more in support of accessible Jewish learning for all.

Check back soon for the full night’s schedule of classes, panels, workshops!

Tikkun Lel Shavuot is a holiday celebration co-created by Makom along with the MNJCC, Beth Tzedec Congregation, City Shul, First Narayever Congregation, and the Committee for Yiddish.

With our Promotional Partners: Beach Hebrew Institute, Congregation Shir Libeynu, קהילת דרכי נעם – Congregation Darchei Noam, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage, Hillel U of T, Holy Blossom Temple, Jewish Family and Child Service , Kiever shul, Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, Danforth Jewish Circle.

The post May 21-22: Tikkun Leil Shavuot – All Night Jewish Learning Festival appeared first on Makom.

Saturday, May 2 | 9:30 am – Makom (402 College)
Register now!

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

Lunch registration required by Friday, May 1 at 10 am.

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, Dr. Joshua Picard will lead us in thought-provoking, interactive learning on “Let’s Go to a Tunisian Island for Lag ba-Omer!” exploring a fascinating Tunisian Jewish pilgrimage custom.

Joshua Picard is the postdoctoral fellow for the Evolution of the Jewish Family in Islamic North Africa working group with the Department of History and the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies at UofT. His research focuses on the colonial encounter between France and the countries of North Africa, especially Tunisia, with particular focus on the roles and experiences of Jewish communities on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Registration

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Thinking about your child’s Jewish Education? 

Join us for an online information session about Makom Afterschool for students in JK-grade 5 on Tuesday, April 28 at 8:00 pm! (Looking for Jewish and Hebrew education for grades 6-8? Check out Makom ATID.)

We’ll discuss Makom’s approach to Hebrew language and pluralistic Jewish education and answer all your questions.

Zoom link sent to those who register.

Any questions? Email Sarah English

About Makom Afterschool

Makom Afterschool is a fun, inclusive, pluralistic Jewish and Hebrew learning program for kids in JK through Grade 5. Children from the diversity of downtown Jewish families find their place in our warm and welcoming community.

Makom Afterschool operates at TDSB schools in four different neighbourhoods: Kensington Market, Roncesvalles, Seaton Village, and Wychwood.

Registration is now open for the 2026-2027 school year.

The post Apr 28: Makom Afterschool Virtual Info Session appeared first on Makom.

Learn basic textile mending skills and explore the significance of repair, both environmentally and through a Jewish lens. 

Wednesday, March 25 | 6:00-8:00 pm – Makom (402 College St)

We’ll begin with a kosher, vegan dinner, followed by a short text study and discussion with Rabbi Aaron. Then, we’ll have an hour of hands-on learning to mend clothing with Shoresh educator Rebecca.

Bring your clothing and textiles that need a little love, and any yarn or materials you have that you’d like to work with. 

You’ll receive a basic mending kit you can take home with you, including darning needles, a darning egg, and some yarn swatches you can choose from.

This is a beginner, introductory workshop; no experience necessary! Come learn some new skills, or enjoy an enriching community space to continue your learning. 

Please try to arrive on time to maximize our workshop time.

Brought to you by Shoresh and Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism

Accessibility Information

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

The post Mar 25: Let’s Repair! Clothing Mending Workshop + Dinner appeared first on Makom.

Saturday, March 21 | 9:30 am – Makom (402 College)
Register now!

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

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, Naama Baumgarten Sharon will lead an interactive learning session.

Since completing an MA in Bible at the Hebrew university in 2009, Naama has focused her professional efforts on the protection of human rights and advancement of social justice, while continuing to embrace opportunities to learn Torah and find the bridge between these two worlds. 

Registration

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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

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