About our Jewish Life programming
Our programs bring people of all ages and backgrounds together — from holiday celebrations and cultural festivals to music, art, learning, and conversation. Whether you’re lighting candles, exploring Jewish creativity, or meeting other families in the heart of the city, there’s always a place for you here.
Families are at the heart of what we do. From children’s programs and intergenerational events to opportunities for parents to connect, our offerings help families build friendships and a shared sense of belonging.
We’re proud to welcome everyone who wants to engage in Jewish life — including LGBTQ2+ individuals and families, interfaith and multicultural households, patrilineal Jews, Jews of Colour, Sephardi, Mizrachi and Ashkenazi Jews, people with disabilities, and friends and allies. However you identify or connect, you are part of our community.
Jewish life at the MNjcc is open, inclusive, and ever-evolving — a reflection of the vibrant downtown families who shape it. Come join us, celebrate traditions old and new, and connect with others who make Jewish life come alive in the heart of Toronto.
Jewish Life Programs and Initiatives
We love to welcome young families into the fold, whether you're interested in Jewish programming or not ... or both! Maybe Shabbat Song Circle is your Friday thing and Jungle Gym is your weekend jam. We aim to delight, regardless!
The Jewish holiday calendar is not something we skim over! From meaningful High Holiday programming to joyful Chanukah activities, to our signature Tikkun Leil Shavuot: All Night Jewish Learning Festival, we have got you covered!
From Judaism 101 to Hebrew classes to the Lishma Jewish Learning Project, we offer educational opportunities for every level and ability.
Half Jewish? Part Jewish? An eighth Jewish on your grandfather’s side? You don't need to quantify or qualify your Jewishness! We welcome you and everything you bring to the table at Jewish& - a program that explicitly gathers multi-faith, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic folks and families for Jewish exploration, education and celebration. For questions about any of these programs, please email laurens@mnjcc.org.
The Israeli Connection is a special initiative of the MNjcc, it brings together ex-pat Israelis to connect, navigate, celebrate, network, and tap into a wide variety of programming and resources (in both Hebrew and English) geared to newcomers, temporary residents, and permanent residents, alike. When you tap into the Israel Connection, you become part of a supportive, helpful, and extended family. The Israeli Connection is supported generously by UJA Federation, as well as Mosaic United. If you’re new to Toronto or new to the Israel Connection, we encourage you to please reach out and say hello!
החיבור הישראלי בדאונטאון טורונטו הוא הבית הרחק מהבית שלכם. אנחנו מציעים לכל הישראלים המתגוררים בלבה הפועם של העיר מגוון תכנים ופעילויות לאורך כל השנה, במטרה לאפשר לכם להפוך לחלק מהקהילה היהודית ישראלית בעיר. המרחק מהבית, הניתוק מהשפה, התרבות הכל כך שונה וגם מזג האוויר המאתגר יכולים ליצור תחושת זרות וניכור. אנחנו פה כדי להזכיר שיש לכם מקום להרגיש בו שייכים! עם אירועים בשבתות וחגים, פעילויות לילדים ולבני נוער, אירועי תרבות והרצאות מרחב להכיר חברים וליצור קשרים משמעותיים ומקום לחקור את הזהות הישראלית, יהודית לכם.
התכנים שלנו מתקיימים באנגלית ובעברית ונגישים לכולם. כי השפה שלנו היא גם תרבות, ערכים וחלק בלתי נפרד מהזהות שלנו.
צְרוּ קֶשֶׁר
H.A.M.S.A (Honouring & Affirming Mizrahi and Sepharadi Ancestry) at the MNjcc aims to do just that. We’ve launched a new hub for folks who come from ancestral lines that are often overlooked and underserved in mainstream Jewish communities. This includes Mizrahi and Sepharadi people as well as many other communities such as Bene Israel and Beta Israel. Our programming spotlights folks from these ancestral traditions, offering opportunities to teach and learn about different Jewish practices, meet others and build community, and make space for our food, art, holidays, ritual, language, and more.
At LGBTQ+ at the J there is no right way to be Queer, and no right way to be Jewish; there's certainly no right way to be both. Our programs aim to support diverse, pluralistic, and accessible community at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities and experiences. We bring Queerness into Jewish moments and bring Jewishness into Queer life, striving for spaces where everybody can bring their full self. We both celebrate and amplify LGBTQ+ Jewish people and stories, in recognition of their inherent value.