Please join us for House of Searching: The Downtown Beit Midrash!

Learn Torah together in an open and supportive environment.

Every Tuesday until December 17
7:00 Soup & Socializing
7:30-9:00 Learning
@Makom (map)
Free
Register now

It’s not a class, but a weekly 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

While Rabbi Aaron won’t be formally teaching, he’ll 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.

Learning Torah is fun! We really hope you’ll join us for it.

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.

Torah literally means “teaching,” so 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.

How are we funding this?

Thank you to a generous, anonymous donor for partially sponsoring House of Searching and to Sunflower Kitchen for donating large amounts of soup.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available; please connect with Rabbi Aaron if you’re interested in supporting this program in general or for a particular week, perhaps in honour or memory of someone or to mark a special occasion. 

Donations are tremendously helpful and greatly appreciated; if you’re able, please contribute.

In these difficult times, many of us could use an opportunity to gather with others to be in community, sing, and enjoy the fall together.

Please join us for a campfire, s’mores, and song circle.

Accompanied by guitar, we’ll sing English and Hebrew songs of peace, togetherness, and comfort.

B.Y.O. Water Bottle

Schedule

5:00  Singing
5:30  Roasting marshmallows, making & eating s’mores
6:00  More singing
6:30  Lehitra’ot ~ goodbye

This program is intended for adults and teens. Families are invited to bring their kids to our family-focused campfire earlier in the afternoon.

Everyone is welcome, including LGBTQ+ folks & interfaith/intercultural couples.

Any Qs? Email Rabbi Aaron.

Sunday, Oct 29
3:30-5:30pm
@Makom (map)
No registration required

You’re invited to a sing-along and ceremony expanding on Fringes – the beautiful and evocative current installation in FENTSTER (the art gallery in Makom’s front window).

We’ve reimagined the afternoon of welcoming the debut presentation of Fringes as a “kumzitz” (literally, “come sit”) – a chance to pull up a seat and join in song. Taking up a classic benei mitzvah tradition, there will also be a candle lighting ceremony with three generations of women in the artist’s family, inviting all gathered to reflect on and honour their journeys of feeling in-between. More info here.