A time to mourn and a time to dance

—Kohelet/Ecclesiastes 3:4

Please join Makom and Hillel UofT for an evening of mourning and dancing, crying and laughing, as we commemorate the third yahrtzeit (anniversary) of the Simhat Torah/Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel and then celebrate the joyous holiday of Simhat Torah (rejoicing with the Torah upon completing its annual reading).

Due to security measures, everyone must register in advance, even if you’re not participating in the dinner. (The memorial service, services, and hakafot are free, but donations are greatly appreciated.)

Schedule

5:00 pm  Doors open
5:15 pm  Memorial ceremony – prayers, poems & songs to remember the victims of the attack and all those who have died in the ensuing war, and pray for peace
6:00 pm   Festive holiday dinner (catered, kosher & vegan)
7:45 pm   Ma’ariv & Hakafot – evening service + singing & dancing with the Torah
10:15 pm Torah reading & conclusion of service
11:00 pm Goodnight!

Dinner registration required by Wednesday, Sept 30.

Please try to come on time for the memorial service at 5 pm so as not to disrupt the service.

Why are we commemorating Oct 7 on Oct 3?

As a Jewish spiritual community, we mark time based on the Jewish lunar calendar. Therefore, we’ll be ritually commemorating the third  anniversary of the attack on Israel and the start of the ensuing war on 22 Tishrei. This is the date of Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah, the holidays that were suddenly turned from joy to grief and celebration to mourning three years ago. This year, 22 Tishrei falls on October 3. 

Services

Makom is a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes participants who espouse many different approaches to Judaism, from secular to traditionally observant.

In order to join together as one community without regard to denominational labels, our services blend traditional and progressive practices. We offer mixed (all-genders), women’s, and men’s seating sections. Women, men, and non-binary folks may lead parts of services. We’ll have three dancing circles (mixed, women’s & men’s), each with a Torah scroll.

Accessibility Information

Makom and Hillel UofT welcome participants of all abilities. Our venue for this event is fully wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible washrooms. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

The post Oct 3: A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance: Oct 7 Memorial + Simhat Torah appeared first on Makom.

Chill in a sukkah with other downtown Jewish teens! 

Enjoy some pizza and games with new and old friends and learn about the holiday of Sukkot.

Next Thursday, October 1 | 7:30pm
@Kensington Market
This event is FREE! Register by October 1 at noon

Donations are greatly appreciated and help us cover pizza, sukkah rental, staff time, etc.

High school teens of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including interfaith/intercultural and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary.

Please note that this is for high school students only (Grades 9-12), not for parents.

Accessibility Information

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. The sukkah is wheelchair accessible. However, the washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

The post Oct 1: High School Teens Sukkah Pizza Party appeared first on Makom.

Ḥativah (Grades 6-8) Sukkah Pizza Party

Come hang out with other Jewish middle schoolers, enjoy some pizza, shake a lulav and etrog, and play fun games together, all in a sukkah. Feel free to invite friends!

Next Thursday, October 1 | 6:00pm
@Kensington Market
This event is FREE! Register by October 1 at noon

Donations are greatly appreciated and help us cover sukkah rental, staff time, etc.

Middle school kids of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including interfaith/intercultural and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary.

Please note that this is for middle school students (Grades 6-8) only, not for parents.

Accessibility Information

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. The sukkah is wheelchair accessible. However, the washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

The post Oct 1: Ḥativah (Grades 6-8) Sukkah Pizza Party appeared first on Makom.

Connect with other downtown Jewish families over dinner and crafts while celebrating Sukkot.

Bring your kids for a fun and relaxed community dinner in the sukkah (harvest holiday hut)! Families will learn about what makes a sukkah a sukkah, build an edible sukkah, get to shake lulav and etrog, and enjoy a yummy kosher dinner together.

Tuesday, September 29 | 6:00 pm
@Kensington Market
Registration required by September 29 at noon

6:00 pm: Dinner – order pizza or falafel
6:15 pm: Learn what makes a sukkah a sukkah
                 Make your own edible sukkah
                 Shake lulav & etrog
6:45 pm: Dessert
7:00 pm: Goodnight

Registration required by September 29 at noon.

Donations are greatly appreciated and help us cover sukkah rental, staff time, etc.

Families of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including interfaith/intercultural and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary.

Note: this program is geared for families with kids from infants up through grade 5.

Accessibility Information

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

Registration

The post Sept 29: Makom Families: Pizza, Falafel & DIY Edible Sukkah! appeared first on Makom.

Friday Night Sukkot Services + Shabbat Dinner

Join us for doubly-joyous services in the sukkah as we welcome the start of Shabbat and Sukkot!!  After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious, catered, kosher vegan Shabbat dinner together in the sukkah.

Friday, September 25 | 6:30 pm
@Kensington Market
Dinner registration required by Wed, Sept 23

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.

Arrive at 6:30 pm to light candles, socialize, and find a seat. Services will start at 6:45 pm.

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.

Services in the Sukkah will have men’s, women’s, and mixed (all genders) seating sections.

In the event of rain, services and dinner will be held inside the Kiever Synagogue and services will have only men’s and women’s seating sections, in keeping with the Kiever’s practice.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. The sukkah is wheelchair accessible. However, the sanctuary is up a flight of stairs and their washroom is down a flight of stairs. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Registration

The post Sept 25: Friday Night/Sukkot Services & Dinner in the Sukkah appeared first on Makom.

The fun of a play date meets meaningful Jewish family education! Join us for a weekly parent/grandparent and tot program for children aged 18 months through three years, focused on Jewish holidays, Shabbat, and Jewish values.

8 Sundays, October 18 – December 6 
10:30-11:30am
Register

PJ Plus builds on the overwhelming success of PJ Library, using PJ Library books as a springboard to develop engaging and inspiring weekly classes for parents or grandparents and their tots. It’s where the fun of a play date meets the value of Jewish family education.

• Interactive PJ story circle time
• Arts and crafts
• Music and movin’
• Snack and schmoozin’

The post Oct 18 – Dec 6, Sundays: PJ+ Parent & Tot Program appeared first on Makom.

Join us on Saturday, September 5 as we conclude Shabbat together with a musical havdalah, and then socialize over dessert. We’ll kick off the High Holiday season with a singalong to learn stirring holiday melodies, followed by the powerful prayers of Selihot.

• 9:15 p.m. Doors open
• 9:30 sharp Musical Havdalah
•  9:45 High Holiday Tunes Singalong
• 10:15 Dessert & Socializing
• 10:45 Selihot Service
• 12:15 Lilah Tov ~ Goodnight!

Selihot are special penitential prayers recited on the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They’re also a great opportunity to learn some of the prayers and melodies we’ll use on those Days of Awe.

This event is free! Donations are greatly appreciated.

Accessibility

Makom welcomes participants of all abilities. Makom’s main space is wheelchair accessible; unfortunately, the downstairs washroom and playroom are not. There are wheelchair accessible washrooms one block away at the coffee shop on the corner of Bathurst and College. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

The post Sep 5 – Havdalah, Seliẖot, Days of Awe Singalong appeared first on Makom.

Friday August 28 | 7:00 pm – Register now!

Wind down from the week and welcome Shabbat with soulful, song-filled services, in which everyone can participate.

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

Dinner registration required by Wednesday, August 26 at 10am.

No need to register if you’re coming just for services and not staying for dinner.

Become a Makom first and save 10%.

Thank you to Green Economy Law for their generous sponsorship.

Please try to come on time for services at 7pm.

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 August 28: Friday Night Services + Shabbat Dinner appeared first on Makom.

Friday August 14 | 7:00 pm – Register now!

Wind down from the week and welcome Shabbat with soulful, song-filled services, in which everyone can participate.

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

Dinner registration required by Wednesday, August 12 at 10am.

No need to register if you’re coming just for services and not staying for dinner.

Become a Makom first and save 10%.

Thank you to Green Economy Law for their generous sponsorship.

Please try to come on time for services at 7pm.

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 August 14: Friday Night Services + Shabbat Dinner appeared first on Makom.

Saturday, July 25 | 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, 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

The post July 25: Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch ‘n’ Learn appeared first on Makom.