Posted on by Adina in Makom Families, Shabbat | Comments Off on Feb 14: Family Shabbat Morning Services + Lunch
Join us for an upbeat, kid-friendly Shabbat morning family service followed by Shabbat lunch!
Sat, Feb 14 10:30am @Makom (402 College St) Register now!
Services are geared for kids in grades 1-5 and their parents, 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.
At lunch, we’ll enjoy a delicious vegan & kosher meal together.
Registration required! We have various price options so that finances aren’t an impediment to participation.
Free if you’re coming just for services and not staying for lunch, but registration’s still required.
Registration deadline: Thursday, February 12th at 7pm.
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.
Any questions? Contact Talia Levitt, Youth Programming Coordinator, at youth@makomto.org.
Posted on by Adina in Class, Programs, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Jan 13 & 27; Feb 10 & 24; Mar 10 & 24: House of Searching: the Downtown Beit Midrash
Learn Torah together in an open and supportive environment.
Every other Tuesday: Jan 13 & 27; Feb 10 & 24; Mar 10 & 24 (plus more dates after Passover) 7:00pm: Soup & Socializing 7:30-9:00pm: Learning @Makom (map) Register Now!
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.
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. There are wheelchair accessible washrooms one block away at the coffee shop at the corner of Bathurst and College. If you have an accessibility need or require any accommodations, please reach out to us.
Sun, Feb 1 2:30-4pm @MNJCC (750 Spadina Ave) Free! Register now
Join us for a joyful Tu Bishvat Family Connector celebrating nature, creativity, and growth.
In collaboration with the MNJCC, families with young children are invited to explore Tu Bishvat values through hands-on, nature-inspired arts and crafts, shared experiences, and playful learning.
Activities will encourage caring for the earth, noticing growth, and expressing gratitude, all in an age-appropriate and welcoming environment. Families will also enjoy Tu Bishvat snacks inspired by the Seven Species.
This relaxed, drop-in gathering offers a warm space to create together, connect with one another, and mark Tu Bishvat in a meaningful and joyful way.
A beautiful way to begin your Friday or end your Monday. Come sit in a circle of community in silence, song and Torah led by meditation teacher, musician and prayer leader Aviva Chernick.
No previous meditation or mindfulness practice necessary. Just come with your curiosity and tender heart. You are welcome just as you are.
Payment Options Option 1 / neyShev Subscriber Please consider becoming a neySHEV subscriber and contribute to the sustainability of this community. Subscribe here with an automatic monthly payment.
Option 2 / Pay per Session Monday sessions: $10 minimum recommended. Friday sessions: $20 minimum recommended. Canadians: E-transfer to chernick.aviva@gmail.com Outside of Canada: Pay by Paypal.
Please reach out if you have any concerns about payment. Ability to pay should not be a barrier to participation.
We’ll start with Havdalah, the short & sweet ceremony for ending Shabbat. Then we’ll skate together at the Christie Pits Ice Rink!
Skating is free. Please bring your own skates (there are no skate rentals at the rink).
Please register by January 23rd at 3pm.
Middle school kids of all Jewish identities are warmly welcome, including from interfaith/intercultural families and LGBTQ+. No Makom affiliation necessary. Feel free to invite friends!
Please note that this is an event for middle school students (grades 6-8) only.
Any questions? Contact Talia Levitt, Youth Programming Coordinator, at youth@makomto.org.
Join us for an upbeat, kid-friendly Shabbat morning family service followed by Shabbat lunch! Services are geared for kids in grades 1-5 and their parents, but all families with kids are welcome.
Saturday, Jan 17 10:30am-1pm @Makom Register by Thurs, Jan 15 at 7pm Free if you’re coming just for services and not staying for lunch, but registration’s still required.
Services are egalitarian with mixed seating, and will include prayers, songs, a Torah story, and discussion to meaningfully engage adults and children together.
After services, we’ll enjoy a delicious vegan & kosher lunch together.
Posted on by Adina in Makom Families, Programs | Comments Off on Jan 11 – Mar 8, every Sun: PJ+ Parent & Tot Program
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 3 years, focused on Jewish holidays, Shabbat, and Jewish values.
