Programs - Makom

March 31: FENTSTER Crafternoon

FENTSTER Crafternoon & Raffle Ticket Sales

Pop by to craft with us and pick up your FENTSTER swag as we bring our wonderful TOTElly FENTSTER Fundraiser to a close with an afternoon of fun, friends and upcycling art making!

Together we’ll be bedazzling buttons left over from another event with premium materials saved from the dumps. We have sourced amazing second-hand fabric samples and swatches and other strings and sparkly things so you can add colour to your coat, jazz up your jacket or bling out your backpack with one-of-a-kind zero waste creations. For ages 4 to 94!!

Click here to register

FENTSTER CRAFTERNOON

$5 per button (includes all the supplies)

$15 for 4 buttons

$20 for one button plus a limited edition FENTSTER window decal

If you made a donation to our fundraiser, come by to pick up your tote bag, water bottle or window decal and stick around to craft with us! All supporters who contributed $54 or more are invited to register as our guests, select TOTElly Fabulous Friends.”

To support our first-ever fundraiser, please visit: http://fentster.org/#/totally/

RAFFLE ANNOUNCEMENT

To wrap up our fundraiser with a Purim-inspired splash – we’re raffling off THREE special Mishloakh Manot Gift Bags with goodies all bundled up in a one-of-a-kind artist-made tote bag. (Value: $250) Purchase individal raffle tickets or add to your order! We’ll draw a winner at the close of the Crafternoon. *Mishloakh Manot (meaning ‘sending portions to one another’) are gifts friends share for the holiday of Purim, especially food-related goodies.

March 30: Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch n’ Learn

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

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

Learning topic and teacher TBA.

Lunch registration required! We have various price options so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation. Register here.

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Services don’t require registration.

Please try to come on time so we can start services strong with a double minyan,* especially for anyone saying kaddish.

*As a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, Makom has mens’, womens’, and all-genders’ seating sections. Female, male, and gender non-binary Jews can lead parts of services, read and be called up to the Torah, and count in our double minyanim of both 10 Jewish men and 10 Jews regardless of gender. Makom services follow the traditional Ashkenazi liturgy (prayer text).

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.

March 23 – 24: Purim 5784!

Please join us for a joyous Purim full of mitzvot, community & fun for all ages!

With evening & morning megillah readings, a party, a seudah (festive meal), childcare, an abridged megillah reading & family carnival, and dedicated parties for middle-schoolers and for high-school teens, we have something for everyone!

See below for the full schedule. Register here

Come in costume and B.Y.O. Gragger/Ra’ashan/Noisemaker!

Advance registration required for all participants.  If you can’t afford regular-price tickets, please choose the reduced-rate option, or contact us.

If you’re coming as a family, look for the bundled ticket options for Purim day (but don’t forget Purim eve tickets, too).

Money from ticket sales will be put toward nearly $7,000 of Purim expenses, including venue rental, sound technician, food costs, childcare providers, carnival supplies, etc.

There are lots of great opportunities to help sponsor Purim in honour or memory of someone. Please contact Rabbi Aaron to discuss.

Volunteers needed for the door, setup, food service and cleanup. If you can help out, please check the box when you register, and we’ll be in touch.

Fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot le-Evyonim (giving Purim gifts for the poor); donation links below.

Cash donations accepted at the door for Mahatzit ha-Shekel (donations for your community).

Schedule

Purim Eve ~ Saturday, March 23 @ The Tranzac

Co-presented with Toronto Partnership Minyan

9:30pm  Doors Open

9:45       Havdalah & Megillah Reading

11:00      Main Party with cash bar & music

             Teen Party (high school teens only)

1:00am   Goodnight

Purim Day ~ Sunday, March 24 @ The Tranzac

9:45am  Doors Open

10:00      Shaharit (morning service)

11:00      Megillah Reading

10-12      Childcare

12:15pm  Seudah (festive meal)

1:30pm   Doors open for Family Program

1:45pm   Abridged Megillah Reading

2:00pm   Family Carnival

              Hativah Party (grades 6-8 only)

3:00pm   Goodbye

Covid Precautions

Anyone who had symptoms of Covid-19, or who has a household member with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19, that began within the last 10 days, must not attend.

Accessibility Information

We welcome participants of all abilities. The Tranzac is wheelchair accessible. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.

Matanot le-Evyonim – Gifts for the Poor

It’s a mitzvah to give tzedakah (redistributive justice) to needy Jews on Purim itself. Here are some websites where you can donate and your contribution will be distributed to those in need on Purim:

United Chesed of Toronto: donate before March 20 for distribution on Purim

Chevrah Oseh Chesed/Tomchei Shabbos of Toronto: donate before Purim day & select “Matanas Levyonim” as donation type

Yad Eliezer (Israel): donate before Purim day

Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario: donate even on Purim day

We look forward to celebrating Purim together with you!

March 15: Friday Night Services + Shabbat Dinner

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.

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Dinner registration required by Thursday, March 14 at 9am.

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

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

Those who wish may light candles upon arrival until 7:15pm.

Thank you to Green Economy Law for their generous sponsorship!

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 men’s, women’s, and mixed (all-genders) seating sections. Women, men, and non-binary folks 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.

March 1: Friday Night Services + Kiddush in Honour of Adar Levy Kramer’s Bar Mitzvah

Rabbi Aaron Levy and Miriam Kramer invite you to celebrate their son Adar Levy Kramer becoming a bar mitzvah!

Register here by Thursday February 29th.

@Kiever Synagogue

5:45pm Candle lighting (optional)

6:00 Welcome Shabbat with soulful, song-filled services

Services followed by kiddush (snacking and socializing)

Services will begin promptly at 6pm; please try to come on time.

Note: services will be at the Kiever Synagogue (not Makom).

Enter at the front doors on the south side (facing the park)

Services Details

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

As guests in the Kiever Synagogue, we’ll follow their practice of services having men’s- and women’s-seating sections only (no mixed/all-genders’ section).

Women, men, and non-binary folks 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

The Kiever’s sanctuary is up a flight of stairs and washrooms are down a flight of stairs.

Feb 24: Family Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch

Got kids? Join us and other families for upbeat, abridged Shabbat morning family services, followed by Shabbat lunch!

Services are geared for kids in grades 1-5, but all families with kids are welcome.

Services are egalitarian with mixed seating, and will include prayers, songs, a Torah story, and discussion to meaningfully engage adults and children together.

Services will be led by Makom’s Director of Youth Education & Programming, Racheli Mandelker, and Rabbi Aaron.

At lunch, we’ll enjoy a  home-cooked, delicious vegan & kosher meal together.

Lunch registration required! We have various price options so that finances aren’t an impediment to anyone’s participation. Registration deadline: Thursday, February 22.

Become a Makom Member first to save 10%.

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.

Feb 17: Downtown Jewish Teens’ Skate Night + Havdalah

Have fun hanging out with new and old friends and skating at iconic Nathan Phillips Square, in front of City Hall and the Toronto sign.

For high school students only!

We’ll start with havdalah, the short & sweet ceremony for ending Shabbat, led by teens. Then we’ll skate together.

Skating is free. Register here.

Skate rentals: $15 debit, credit, or cash

Rentals require an ID deposit: valid drivers license, passport, Health Card, or any government-issued ID with photo; they DO NOT accept student IDs.

More info on rentals here

Feel free to invite friends.

All Jewish teens in high school are welcome, including LGBTQ+ and interfaith-family teens!

Free!

Any Qs? Email Racheli.

Feb 16: Friday Night Services + Shabbat Dinner

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.

Become a Makom Member first and save 10%.

Dinner registration required by Thursday, February 15th at 9am.

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

Please try to come on time for services at 6pm.

Because sunset is at 5:48pm, we won’t be lighting candles together.

Thank you to Green Economy Law for their generous sponsorship!

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 men’s, women’s, and mixed (all-genders) seating sections. Women, men, and non-binary folks 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.

Feb 10: Interfaith* Havdalah, Dessert & Ask the Rabbi

Join our warm, supportive community to learn about and participate in a musical havdalah, the short and sweet traditional ritual for concluding Shabbat.

Then we’ll enjoy delicious kosher, vegan desserts and tea while socializing.

We’ll also have time to sit down together for an Ask the Rabbi session with Rabbi Aaron. Bring all your questions about Judaism!

Register by Thursday, Feb 8.

Who is this event for?

This event is for adults in interfaith* relationships in which one partner is Jewish, and for adults of interfaith family background. One or both partners of interfaith couples are welcome to join us. LGBTQ+ couples warmly welcome!

*interfaith, multicultural, mixed heritage, Jewish&, etc…

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.

Presented by Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism and Jewish& at the Miles Nadal JCC

Jan 28: Taste of Tu bi-Shvat: Families Snacks, Songs + Craft

Families with kids! Join us for a taste of Tu bi-Shvat – the Jewish New Year for Trees – with snacks, songs, and a craft.

Geared for kids in JK-Grade 5, but all families with children are welcome.

Schedule

1:30  Learn about Tu bi-Shvat and enjoy some snacks

2:00  Make your own bird feeder

2:30  Sing Tu bi-Shvat-inspired songs

3:00  Lehitra’ot ~a goodbye

This program is specifically for families with children.

All families with kids are welcome, including LGBTQ+ & interfaith/intercultural families.

Any Qs? Email Racheli Mandelker, Makom’s Director of Youth Education & Programming.

Register here:

https://guestlist.co/events/767649