Posted on by Adina in Class, Programs | Comments Off on Nov 8-29: Torah Reading for Beginners
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.
Posted on by Adina in Class, Programs | Comments Off on Nov 1: Practical Torah Skills Workshop
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.
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.
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.
Posted on by Adina in Class, Programs | Comments Off on June 30: Jewish Sources on Abortion
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.
After a two-year Covid hiatus, this incredible festival of diverse Jewish learning is back in person, in a condensed format, from 6:00 to 11:30pm.
Among the many fascinating sessions (and snacks!), our community will offer holiday ma’ariv/evening services (9:30pm on the MNjcc rooftop) and Rabbi Aaron will teach “When’s Shavuot?! Adventures in the Jewish Multiverse” (10:45pm in Robert Street Park at Sussex). In the event of rain, sessions will be held inside the MNjcc.
It’s free and open to all, but registration’s required by Friday afternoon. You won’t want to miss it!
Posted on by Adina in Class, holidays | Comments Off on May 18: Interfaith Couples’ Conversation: What’s Lag ba-Omer?
ALL* interfaith/intercultural/interracial couples** with one Jewish partner are invited to come together (virtually) to join our growing, warm community!
Get to know other interfaith couples and learn about the mysterious Jewish holiday of Lag ba-Omer!
*LGBTQ and straight couples warmly welcome!
**One or both partners of interfaith couples are welcome to join us.
Zoom link sent upon registration; look for an email from support@guestlist.co
We’ll deliver Torah right to your home! We’ll focus on a brief piece of the parashah (weekly Torah portion) together with a commentary or midrash (interpretation). Through guided text study and discussion, we’ll arrive at an inspiring message we can apply in our lives.
Everyone is welcome! No prior Jewish study or Hebrew knowledge required.
Posted on by Adina in Class, Programs | Comments Off on Weds, May 4 – June 22: 8 Prophets in 8 Weeks
8 Wednesdays, May 4 – June 22 12-1pm Online $120 for the series ($80 reduced rate available) Registration Required Automatic Closed Captioning
What do our ancient Jewish prophets have to say to us? And why did Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel call the prophets “some of the most disturbing people who have ever lived”? Let’s delve into eight of their very shortest books to find out!
Each week, we’ll explore the historical context, literary features, soaring rhetoric, and personalities of one of eight books of the “minor” prophets of the Tanakh (Jewish Bible): Yoel, Ovadiah, Yonah, Nahum, Havakkuk, Tzefania, Haggai, and Malakhi.
We’ll both overview each book and engage in a close reading and discussion of key passages.
So we can make the most of our class time together, please prepare for class by reading that week’s prophet (only 1-4 chapters) in English, Hebrew, or whatever language you prefer. Reading from a print Tanakh is best (recommended: Robert Alter’s English translation or JPS Hebrew-English edition), but you can also find the JPS Hebrew-English free online.
No prior Jewish study or Hebrew knowledge required Questions? Contact Rabbi Aaron
