Welcome to Lishma: a community of learners in our 20s and 30s
Whether you're a seasoned scholar or brand new to Jewish learning, we value the perspectives and experience you bring to the class.
In grateful recognition of J.B. and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Semester 2
In-person @ Miles Nadal JCC
Jan 29 - Mar 5, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
In-person @ Miles Nadal JCC
Jan 29 - Mar 5, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Deviant Drash: Drawing out of the Margins with Cliel Shdaimah and Sof Kreidstein
So many figures slip into the margins of Jewish sacred texts as their narratives lean into deviant and taboo territory. What happens when we explore and tease out their subversive stories in relationship with one another? How can we build present-day relationships with these ancient characters looking towards an expansive future? Join us as we draw out marginalized Midrash through a creative, queer, and critical lens!
In this course, participants will learn in an open and hands-on environment, with the supportive structure of weekly sketchbooking, low-pressure text-based learning, and open conversation. The only prerequisite for this course is curiosity, as we honor multiple modes of engagement and accessible learning. Together we will respond to and build upon a palimpsest of stories subject to erasure, (re)vitalizing transgressive Torah. We gratefully acknowledge the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Cliel Shdaimah (she/her) is an artist and researcher at UofT currently pursuing a PhD in the Department for the Studies of Religion. Cliel is interested in creative queer interpretations and translations of narratives in the Tanakh, especially those that center bodily fluids and functions. Prior to moving to Canada from the US, Cliel completed a gender studies BA, a fellowship at a pluralistic yeshiva, and a MA in Hebrew Bible from Yale Divinity School. She has been working in Jewish education and empowerment since 2014 including Habonim Dror and the Danforth Jewish Circle where she teaches 8th grade. Cliel’s art practice incorporates sketchbooks, collages, and crocheting, creative collaborations and self-published zines.
Sof Kreidstein (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist and facilitator based in Tkaronto. With a poetic and experimental approach to material, performance, media, and language, their malleable practice often takes shape through multifaceted installations, Judaica and ritual spaces, workshops, and socially engaged projects. They are guided by queer and trans ritual, Jewish mysticism and practice, neurodivergence and madness, relationality, ecocentrism, and intuition. As an educator and facilitator, they are constantly learning through collaboration, working with youth, and leading workshops, as well as their studies at NSCAD University (Interdisciplinary Fine Art, BFA 2022), in addition to community programs, residencies, and fellowships. As a youth educator, Sof has worked with a number Jewish organizations, including Shoresh Canada, Danforth Jewish Circle, Makom Afterschool, and Machane Lev (an LGBTQ+ Jewish overnight summer camp and in-city organization). Sof is a curious creature exploring micro/macrocosmic patterns (reflecting inward and expanding outward) to cultivate growth and interconnection.
So many figures slip into the margins of Jewish sacred texts as their narratives lean into deviant and taboo territory. What happens when we explore and tease out their subversive stories in relationship with one another? How can we build present-day relationships with these ancient characters looking towards an expansive future? Join us as we draw out marginalized Midrash through a creative, queer, and critical lens!
In this course, participants will learn in an open and hands-on environment, with the supportive structure of weekly sketchbooking, low-pressure text-based learning, and open conversation. The only prerequisite for this course is curiosity, as we honor multiple modes of engagement and accessible learning. Together we will respond to and build upon a palimpsest of stories subject to erasure, (re)vitalizing transgressive Torah. We gratefully acknowledge the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Cliel Shdaimah (she/her) is an artist and researcher at UofT currently pursuing a PhD in the Department for the Studies of Religion. Cliel is interested in creative queer interpretations and translations of narratives in the Tanakh, especially those that center bodily fluids and functions. Prior to moving to Canada from the US, Cliel completed a gender studies BA, a fellowship at a pluralistic yeshiva, and a MA in Hebrew Bible from Yale Divinity School. She has been working in Jewish education and empowerment since 2014 including Habonim Dror and the Danforth Jewish Circle where she teaches 8th grade. Cliel’s art practice incorporates sketchbooks, collages, and crocheting, creative collaborations and self-published zines.
Sof Kreidstein (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist and facilitator based in Tkaronto. With a poetic and experimental approach to material, performance, media, and language, their malleable practice often takes shape through multifaceted installations, Judaica and ritual spaces, workshops, and socially engaged projects. They are guided by queer and trans ritual, Jewish mysticism and practice, neurodivergence and madness, relationality, ecocentrism, and intuition. As an educator and facilitator, they are constantly learning through collaboration, working with youth, and leading workshops, as well as their studies at NSCAD University (Interdisciplinary Fine Art, BFA 2022), in addition to community programs, residencies, and fellowships. As a youth educator, Sof has worked with a number Jewish organizations, including Shoresh Canada, Danforth Jewish Circle, Makom Afterschool, and Machane Lev (an LGBTQ+ Jewish overnight summer camp and in-city organization). Sof is a curious creature exploring micro/macrocosmic patterns (reflecting inward and expanding outward) to cultivate growth and interconnection.
Dreams: The Torah of The Unconscious with Aaron Rotenberg
What do Jews say about dreams? Are dreams prophetic? What can I do after a nightmare? In this course we’ll explore these questions and more, and dive into what dreams can show us about our lives from a Jewish frame and how their images can help us deepen our relationships to ourselves, our community and the wider world. Over our six sessions we’ll look at diverse Jewish teachings about dreams, from the rich biblical sources in Genesis, to the Talmud’s ambivalence and approaches to dream interpretation, to more contemporary spiritual and poetic responses including some from Rabbi Kohenet Jill Hammer and Rodger Kamenetz. Each class will explore an approach to Jewish dreaming, an invitation to engage with imaginative practices and include space for discussion about what dreams can teach us in our waking lives. All are welcome: dreamers, skeptics and the dream-curious. We gratefully acknowledge the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Aaron Rotenberg serves as the Spiritual Leader of Annex Shul in downtown Toronto and is studying towards rabbinic ordination through ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. He completed a certificate program in Earth-Based Judaism from ALEPH and loves exploring realms of Jewish consciousness and learning about the interplay of text and image in Jewish history and practice.
What do Jews say about dreams? Are dreams prophetic? What can I do after a nightmare? In this course we’ll explore these questions and more, and dive into what dreams can show us about our lives from a Jewish frame and how their images can help us deepen our relationships to ourselves, our community and the wider world. Over our six sessions we’ll look at diverse Jewish teachings about dreams, from the rich biblical sources in Genesis, to the Talmud’s ambivalence and approaches to dream interpretation, to more contemporary spiritual and poetic responses including some from Rabbi Kohenet Jill Hammer and Rodger Kamenetz. Each class will explore an approach to Jewish dreaming, an invitation to engage with imaginative practices and include space for discussion about what dreams can teach us in our waking lives. All are welcome: dreamers, skeptics and the dream-curious. We gratefully acknowledge the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Aaron Rotenberg serves as the Spiritual Leader of Annex Shul in downtown Toronto and is studying towards rabbinic ordination through ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. He completed a certificate program in Earth-Based Judaism from ALEPH and loves exploring realms of Jewish consciousness and learning about the interplay of text and image in Jewish history and practice.
Censoring the Jewish Library with Maxine Lee Ewaschuk
In this class we will look at selections from controversial Jewish texts from the canonization of the Bible until the present day, covering topics from Inquisitorial restrictions on the Talmud, to controversies around Kabbalah and false messiahs, to disruptive philosophical ideas and political messages. We will discuss some of the reasons why Jewish texts have been banned and censored by Jewish and non-Jewish authorities, what distinguishes self-censorship from prudent editorial decision-making, and how communities are shaped by the texts and ideas they accept and forbid. Some familiarity with rabbinic literature is helpful, but not necessary. We gratefully acknowledge the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Maxine Lee Ewaschuk is a student of Jewish Studies, History, and Philosophy at the University of Toronto. She is currently an intern at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Kogod Research Center and has worked as a research assistant at the Bais Yaakov Project. Her academic interests include legal history and early modern Italian Jewry. Maxine also enjoys learning Torah, knitting and embroidering, tending to her houseplants, and fantasizing about learning to play the accordion.
In this class we will look at selections from controversial Jewish texts from the canonization of the Bible until the present day, covering topics from Inquisitorial restrictions on the Talmud, to controversies around Kabbalah and false messiahs, to disruptive philosophical ideas and political messages. We will discuss some of the reasons why Jewish texts have been banned and censored by Jewish and non-Jewish authorities, what distinguishes self-censorship from prudent editorial decision-making, and how communities are shaped by the texts and ideas they accept and forbid. Some familiarity with rabbinic literature is helpful, but not necessary. We gratefully acknowledge the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund for their support.
Maxine Lee Ewaschuk is a student of Jewish Studies, History, and Philosophy at the University of Toronto. She is currently an intern at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Kogod Research Center and has worked as a research assistant at the Bais Yaakov Project. Her academic interests include legal history and early modern Italian Jewry. Maxine also enjoys learning Torah, knitting and embroidering, tending to her houseplants, and fantasizing about learning to play the accordion.
Costs and Funding
Lishma is funded by student contributions and partnering organizations, providing us with coordination, teachers, facilitators and space.
Lishma is presented with support from the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund.
Our partners are Annex Shul, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Darchei Noam, and Miles Nadal JCC, and we We strive to keep costs accessible and we use a sliding scale.
We strive to keep costs accessible and we use a sliding scale.
The suggested contribution is $72 ($12/night). There is a minimum of $36 for the semester ($6/night).
If you are unable to contribute at this time, please be in touch in confidence with Emunah Woolf at [email protected].
Lishma is funded by student contributions and partnering organizations, providing us with coordination, teachers, facilitators and space.
Lishma is presented with support from the J.B and Dora Salsberg Fund.
Our partners are Annex Shul, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Darchei Noam, and Miles Nadal JCC, and we We strive to keep costs accessible and we use a sliding scale.
We strive to keep costs accessible and we use a sliding scale.
The suggested contribution is $72 ($12/night). There is a minimum of $36 for the semester ($6/night).
If you are unable to contribute at this time, please be in touch in confidence with Emunah Woolf at [email protected].
Previous Classes
2024/25:
Semester 1:
Gender and Judaism with Simon Hart
When You Get What You Pray For with Rabbi Ryan Leszner
2023/24:
Semester 1:
Women Haunted: Yiddish Literature from Folklore to Modernism: with Julia Sharff
If These Walls Could Talk: Archaeology as Source Material: with Amit Rozenblum
Semester 2:
The Behemoth in the Wild: Compassion, Uncertainty, and the Quest for Meaning in the Book of Job with Benjamin Hackman
Revisiting Israel from the Dawn of Modernity to Our Time with Dr. Meirav Jones
Semester 3:
Deeper Time: Ancestral Altars and Connections Beyond the Moment with Robbie Solway
Shabbat Lab Presented in partnership with Jewish& + OneTable
Are You There, God?: Exploring Theology through the lens of Torah and Commentary with Lara Rodin
2022/23:
Semester 1:
Tools for Ending Antisemitism: Understanding Ourselves and the Canadian Context of Antisemitism with Aaron Rotenberg
The Jewish View on Reproductive Rights with Cantor Cheryl Wunch
Semester 2:
Tikkun-ing this Shattered Olam: Kabbalah 101 with Izzy Waxman
Jewish Fabulous: Queer and Subversive Figures from Across Jewish Sacred Text with Toby King
Semester 3:
Controversy and the Jewish Tradition with Dr. Ori Werdiger
Tending the Jewish Garden with Elena Potter
Marking Time: Creating a Jewish Calendar Together with Leah Gold, A Printmaking Course for Artists of All Levels and Experience
2021/22:
Semester 1:
ONLINE
Shmita: Release, Rest, and Reset with Risa Alyson Cooper
Spoken Word Poetry: Resistance and Resilience with Ayla Lefkowitz
Semester 2:
ONLINE
North African Jewish Storytelling: Miracles, Folk Tales, and Histories with Chaim Grafstein
Diaspora Judaism & Reconciliation: Locating Ourselves in the Conversation with Sterling Stutz
Tackling Talmud: Leadership and Society with Rabbi Jordan Shaner
2020/21:
Summer mini-mester:
ONLINE
Learning and Unlearning: Exploring the Experiences of Jewish People of Colour and Inequality in Canada with Sara Yacobi-Harris
Semester 1:
ONLINE @ Beth Tzedec
Hands-On Track: Middle Eastern Cooking with Ronnie Abraham
Judaism +Modernity Track: Finding Our Place: Jews in the Struggle for Racial Equity with Tema Smith
Text and Context Track: Exploring Sephardi Jewry through Rabbinic Texts with Chaim Grafstein
Semester 2:
ONLINE @ Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Multigenerational Trauma and Resilience with Carmelle Wolfson, MSW, RSW and Adrianna LeBlanc, MSW
Punishment and Prisons: the Polemics and Politics with Dyanoosh Youssefi
Homesteading the Holidays with Rabbi Becca Walker
Semester 3:
ONLINE @ Holy Blossom
Klezmer Crash Course with Lorie Wolf, Toronto Klezmer Society
Hands-on History: The Early Years of the Toronto Jewish Community with Sharoni Sibony
The Illustrated Pirke Avot with Rabbi Zachary Goodman and special guest, Jessica Tamar Deutsch
2019/20:
Semester 1:
@ CSI Annex
Tzedakah (Hands-On Track): Dyeing & Doykheit: An exploration of natural dyeing, connection to land and Jewish diaspora with Sarit Cantor
T’shuvah (Judaism +Modernity Track): Returning, Repenting & Reconnecting with Yacov Fruchter
T’fillah (Text and Context Track): Learning to Live Whole-Heartedly with Rabbi Julia Appel
Semester 2:
@ Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Hands-On Track: Jewish Self-Care through the Arts with Or Har-Gil
Judaism + Modernity: Faith Based Social Justice with the Lishma Team
Text and Context: 6 Amazing Texts with Rabbi Zachary Goodman
Semester 3:
@ Holy Blossom Temple
Hands-On Track: New Jewish Film with Aaron Rotenberg
Judaism + Modernity: Bad@$$ Sheroes with Rabbi Becca Walker
Text and Context: Jewish Couplehood with Yacov Fruchter
Semester 4:
ONLINE @ Beth Tzedec
Hands-On Track: Creative Writing with Tikva Hecht
Judaism + Modernity: Medical Ethics with Rabbi Steven Wernick
Text and Context: Queer Apocalypse in the Jewish Imagination with Rabbi Andrea Myers
2018/19:
Semester 1:
@ Miles Nadal JCC
Hands-On Track: Hebrew Calligraphy as Jewish Art with Baruch Sienna
Judaism +Modernity Track: Harry Potter and the Sacred Text with Jenny Isaacs
Text and Context Track: Weekly Torah for Beginners with Rabbi Jordan Helfman
Semester 2:
@ Beth Tzedec
Hands-On Track: Tachles! Learning (Beginner) Conversational Hebrew with Lior Sagi
Judaism + Modernity: PJ Library/Melton Foundations of Jewish Living with Daniel Silverman
Text and Context: People of the Book, People of the Land with Risa Alyson Cooper
Semester 3:
@ CSI Annex
Hands-On Track: Mindfulness in Silence and Song with Aviva Chernick / Jewish Music for the Healing of the Soul with Aaron Lightstone (split course)
Judaism + Modernity: Jewish Couplehood with Yacov Fruchter
Text and Context: Feminist Torah with Rabbi Denise Handlarski
Semester 4:
@ Holy Blossom Temple
Hands-On Track: Starting an Indigenous/Jewish Conversation with Leah Mauer
Judaism + Modernity: Refugees, Judaism and Asylum with Howard Adelman
Text and Context: Judaism and Happiness with Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl
Semester 1:
Gender and Judaism with Simon Hart
When You Get What You Pray For with Rabbi Ryan Leszner
2023/24:
Semester 1:
Women Haunted: Yiddish Literature from Folklore to Modernism: with Julia Sharff
If These Walls Could Talk: Archaeology as Source Material: with Amit Rozenblum
Semester 2:
The Behemoth in the Wild: Compassion, Uncertainty, and the Quest for Meaning in the Book of Job with Benjamin Hackman
Revisiting Israel from the Dawn of Modernity to Our Time with Dr. Meirav Jones
Semester 3:
Deeper Time: Ancestral Altars and Connections Beyond the Moment with Robbie Solway
Shabbat Lab Presented in partnership with Jewish& + OneTable
Are You There, God?: Exploring Theology through the lens of Torah and Commentary with Lara Rodin
2022/23:
Semester 1:
Tools for Ending Antisemitism: Understanding Ourselves and the Canadian Context of Antisemitism with Aaron Rotenberg
The Jewish View on Reproductive Rights with Cantor Cheryl Wunch
Semester 2:
Tikkun-ing this Shattered Olam: Kabbalah 101 with Izzy Waxman
Jewish Fabulous: Queer and Subversive Figures from Across Jewish Sacred Text with Toby King
Semester 3:
Controversy and the Jewish Tradition with Dr. Ori Werdiger
Tending the Jewish Garden with Elena Potter
Marking Time: Creating a Jewish Calendar Together with Leah Gold, A Printmaking Course for Artists of All Levels and Experience
2021/22:
Semester 1:
ONLINE
Shmita: Release, Rest, and Reset with Risa Alyson Cooper
Spoken Word Poetry: Resistance and Resilience with Ayla Lefkowitz
Semester 2:
ONLINE
North African Jewish Storytelling: Miracles, Folk Tales, and Histories with Chaim Grafstein
Diaspora Judaism & Reconciliation: Locating Ourselves in the Conversation with Sterling Stutz
Tackling Talmud: Leadership and Society with Rabbi Jordan Shaner
2020/21:
Summer mini-mester:
ONLINE
Learning and Unlearning: Exploring the Experiences of Jewish People of Colour and Inequality in Canada with Sara Yacobi-Harris
Semester 1:
ONLINE @ Beth Tzedec
Hands-On Track: Middle Eastern Cooking with Ronnie Abraham
Judaism +Modernity Track: Finding Our Place: Jews in the Struggle for Racial Equity with Tema Smith
Text and Context Track: Exploring Sephardi Jewry through Rabbinic Texts with Chaim Grafstein
Semester 2:
ONLINE @ Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Multigenerational Trauma and Resilience with Carmelle Wolfson, MSW, RSW and Adrianna LeBlanc, MSW
Punishment and Prisons: the Polemics and Politics with Dyanoosh Youssefi
Homesteading the Holidays with Rabbi Becca Walker
Semester 3:
ONLINE @ Holy Blossom
Klezmer Crash Course with Lorie Wolf, Toronto Klezmer Society
Hands-on History: The Early Years of the Toronto Jewish Community with Sharoni Sibony
The Illustrated Pirke Avot with Rabbi Zachary Goodman and special guest, Jessica Tamar Deutsch
2019/20:
Semester 1:
@ CSI Annex
Tzedakah (Hands-On Track): Dyeing & Doykheit: An exploration of natural dyeing, connection to land and Jewish diaspora with Sarit Cantor
T’shuvah (Judaism +Modernity Track): Returning, Repenting & Reconnecting with Yacov Fruchter
T’fillah (Text and Context Track): Learning to Live Whole-Heartedly with Rabbi Julia Appel
Semester 2:
@ Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Hands-On Track: Jewish Self-Care through the Arts with Or Har-Gil
Judaism + Modernity: Faith Based Social Justice with the Lishma Team
Text and Context: 6 Amazing Texts with Rabbi Zachary Goodman
Semester 3:
@ Holy Blossom Temple
Hands-On Track: New Jewish Film with Aaron Rotenberg
Judaism + Modernity: Bad@$$ Sheroes with Rabbi Becca Walker
Text and Context: Jewish Couplehood with Yacov Fruchter
Semester 4:
ONLINE @ Beth Tzedec
Hands-On Track: Creative Writing with Tikva Hecht
Judaism + Modernity: Medical Ethics with Rabbi Steven Wernick
Text and Context: Queer Apocalypse in the Jewish Imagination with Rabbi Andrea Myers
2018/19:
Semester 1:
@ Miles Nadal JCC
Hands-On Track: Hebrew Calligraphy as Jewish Art with Baruch Sienna
Judaism +Modernity Track: Harry Potter and the Sacred Text with Jenny Isaacs
Text and Context Track: Weekly Torah for Beginners with Rabbi Jordan Helfman
Semester 2:
@ Beth Tzedec
Hands-On Track: Tachles! Learning (Beginner) Conversational Hebrew with Lior Sagi
Judaism + Modernity: PJ Library/Melton Foundations of Jewish Living with Daniel Silverman
Text and Context: People of the Book, People of the Land with Risa Alyson Cooper
Semester 3:
@ CSI Annex
Hands-On Track: Mindfulness in Silence and Song with Aviva Chernick / Jewish Music for the Healing of the Soul with Aaron Lightstone (split course)
Judaism + Modernity: Jewish Couplehood with Yacov Fruchter
Text and Context: Feminist Torah with Rabbi Denise Handlarski
Semester 4:
@ Holy Blossom Temple
Hands-On Track: Starting an Indigenous/Jewish Conversation with Leah Mauer
Judaism + Modernity: Refugees, Judaism and Asylum with Howard Adelman
Text and Context: Judaism and Happiness with Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl
