The Montreal Jewish Museum

Windows to the Soul
2026-02-24 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Montreal Jewish Museum, 5220 St-Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1S1, Canada
What do we see in ourselves and our histories when we hold them up to the light?
In 1962, celebrated Jewish painter Marc Chagall’s 12 Tribe Windows were installed in the Abbell Synagogue at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, each arched stained-glass window was painted by Chagall to represent one of Jacob’s 12 sons and what their respective tribe symbolizes.
In this workshop with Merav Epstein, we’ll be emulating Chagall’s process to make mini tribe windows to represent ourselves or our loved ones. This workshop will start with a short presentation on Chagall’s practice as a painter and how he moved into stained glass, as well as a quick history on stained glass within Judaism and in Montreal. Participants will then brainstorm and sketch out ideas for what their own “tribe” window will look like, what aspects they wish to represent, before diving in on painting their own window (6″ x 8″).
No prior painting or stained glass experience is required. All materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring along any objects of importance to them that they may want to depict in their window. Come solo or with friends or family. All identities and cultures are welcome to join!
Admission is free but capacity is limited, so early registration is strongly recommended.
Merav Epstein is a multidisciplinary artist based in Montreal. She received a BFA in Film Animation from Concordia University in 2021, and has work experience in animation as a Production Coordinator at DNEG Animation Studio, and has animated multiple freelance music videos for artists in Canada and the United States. While her work experience is more animation-based, Merav’s artistic practice centres upon stained glass and fibre arts (knitting, crochet, and needle felting), and their occasional intersection and interaction with animation. Merav’s professional background in the fast-paced and technological environments of animation have drawn her closer to the slowness, intentionality, and materiality required of fibre arts and stained glass as mediums. She is currently a recipient of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s Microgrant Program.
Accessibility: Please note that the upper floors of our building are currently not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. This workshop will take place on the second floor.
This event is a part of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s 2026 Microgrant Program for Creative or Cultural Exploration, made possible with support by the Azrieli Foundation, the Betty Averbach Foundation, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and CANVAS.

Nuit Blanche x Amour Toujours
2026-02-28 22:00 - 2026-03-01 02:00 | Cinema L’amour, 4015 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1Y4, Canada
Stay up late with us?! For the 23rd edition of Nuit Blanche, join us at the iconic Cinéma L’Amour for late-night projections and nonstop beats by Montreal DJs and musicians.

Once a vaudeville theatre, Cinéma L’Amour holds a lasting and singular legacy in Montreal’s historic Jewish quarter. With projections by artist Jennifer Jack, immerse yourself in the history of this legendary venue while guest DJs and performers create a nocturnal atmosphere that you won’t want to miss.

With sets and performances by:Hex PRing HollowSocalledDonny LebowitzBuy Me FlovversUcanquit

Tickets:$15 Early Bird$18 Last Call$20 Door

Please note that performance times are subject to change.

This event is organized by the Museum of Jewish Montreal, KlezKanada and POP Montreal. Presented in collaboration in and with support from Nuit Blanche à Montréal and Montréal en Lumière.

By the tips of your fingers, for the palm of your hand
2026-03-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Québec
On March 26, join us for a book launch and artist talk with MJM microgrant recipient Levana Katz.
By the tips of your fingers, for the palm of your hand, is a book by Levana Katz that explores how cultural memory informs place. It examines the personal and communal significance of Mezuzot, an archive of letters between her parents, and her family’s passage through Montréal. Combining handbinding, risograph and inkjet printing, and her mother’s calligraphy alongside her own, the book is a tactile, interactive work that draws on inherited cultural traditions.
Katz will discuss her process for making this book, touch on its themes, and share some of her family’s archival materials that went into its production. Following the talk, Katz will lead a bilingual audience Q&A. Guests are encouraged to mingle and see up-close some of the objects that inspired the contents of the book.
A limited run of copies of By the tips of your fingers, for the palm of your hand will also be on sale on a first-come, first-served basis. All proceeds will go towards Katz. Price: $40/each or PWYC.
Admission is free but capacity is limited, so early registration is strongly recommended.
Levana Katz is an interdisciplinary artist based in Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang (Montréal). She holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Concordia University. Levana creates multimedia installations, primarily working across material processes such as drawing, printmaking, and fibre arts. Her work has been shown in several galleries in Montréal, including Arprim, Ada X and the Fofa Gallery. In 2023, Katz moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland to pursue the Don Wright Scholarship at St. Michael’s Printshop where she exhibited her first solo show, Where the Ground Remembers You Twice. As the recipient of the Prix Albert Dumouchel, Levana was granted a residency at L’imprimerie, which she completed in 2025. Currently, Levana works as an art educator at the Visual Arts Centre, and is creating an artist book supported by a microgrant from the Museum of Jewish Montreal.
Accessibility: Please note that the upper floors of our building are currently not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. This workshop will take place on the ground floor.
This event is a part of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s 2026 Microgrant Program for Creative or Cultural Exploration, made possible with support by the Azrieli Foundation, the Betty Averbach Foundation, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and CANVAS.

Mother's Day Paper Flower Workshop
2026-05-10 13:00 - 14:30 | H. Fisher & Fils, 4129 Saint-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1Y7, Canada
Mother’s Day and Shavuot are just around the corner! Join us to celebrate with a paper flower crafting activity at H. Fisher & Fils.
To kick off the celebrations, children and their adult companions are invited to join our staff for a themed craft activity at our current location: the old H. Fisher & Fils sewing accessories store. Children will be encouraged to create a paper flower bouquet that can serve as a Mother’s Day card, gift, or even a home decoration for Shavuot!
After the activities, kids and families will be invited to explore the H. Fisher shop and complete a scavenger hunt introducing them to all the different “notions” that go into costume and fashion design.
$10 per child, $5 per adult. All materials provided. Due to limited capacity, advanced registration is encouraged. Reserve your spot here.

Hasidic Montreal Walking Tour
2026-05-28 17:30 - 19:00 | 5201 Rue Waverly, 5201 Rue Waverly, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 2X6, Canada
On May 28, join us for a fascinating glimpse into Montreal’s Hasidic community through Outremont and the Mile End.
Formerly the home to the vast majority of Montreal’s Jews in the first part of the twentieth century, today, the leafy neighbourhood hosts dozens of Hasidic groups and their synagogues. Led by Steven Lapidus, this tour will illuminate Montreal’s Hasidic history through a tour of its institutions.
Please note that this tour will be offered in French. English tours will be added later this season.
Steven Lapidus, PhD is a Montreal-based scholar of the history of Orthodox Judaism, with a focus on North American Hasidism. A former co-curator at the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, he has published articles and book chapters in both English and French on Canadian Jewish history and the Hasidic experience in Canada. As a long-time resident of Mile-End, his current professional engagements involve working with the borough of Outremont on improving communal relations.
Point of Departure: We will meet at the northeast corner of Waverly and Fairmount (approximate location: 5201 rue Waverly) at 5:30pm, and will conclude at Parc Saint-Viateur.
Weather Policy: In the event of light rain, the tour will go on as scheduled. If there is a strong warning of heavy rain and/or thunderstorms, the tour will be postponed. All registrants will have the option to attend the rescheduled tour.

Finding Balance with Donny Lebowitz
2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Montreal Jewish Museum, 5220 St-Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1S1, Canada
On June 18, join us for an evening of live rap performance and guided introspection with Finding Balance, featuring Donny Lebowitz.
In advance of the launch of their first Gay Jewish Rap Album, Montreal-based artists Alex R and Josh FG invite you to this intimate and interactive debut performance. Donnie Lebowitz has ascended from Cavendish Mall beginnings to finding his voice as a rap performer. With original klezmer inspired beats produced by Alex R, Donnie’s slick flows are transfixing.
Expect candlelight, cushions, herbal tea, and a rap album preview performance with live acoustic musical accompaniment. Q&A and optional writing exercise to follow. Admission is free. Reserve your spot.
Accessibility: Please note that the upper floors of our building are currently not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. This workshop will take place on the ground floor.
This event is a part of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s 2026 Microgrant Program for Creative or Cultural Exploration, made possible with support by the Azrieli Foundation, the Betty Averbach Foundation, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and CANVAS.

Cyanotype Workshop
2026-06-21 13:00 - 15:30 | Montreal Jewish Museum, 5220 St-Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 1S1, Canada
What better way to embrace the sun than solar printing? On June 21, join us with artist Sonia Bazar for a cyanotype workshop.
Workshop participants are invited to create their own cyanotype print using pretreated cyanotype fabric, found plant matter and personal household items. During the workshop, Bazar will guide guests in creating their pieces, and will demonstrate how the medium is used in her artistic practice. Upon bringing the cyanotypes home, prints can be stitched into a tote bag, hoodie, or even a quilt for an added special touch. All levels of experience are welcome!
Meeting Point: We will meet the corner of Rue St-Dominique and Av. Fairmount (approximate address: 5198 rue St-Dominique). Afterwards, we will make our way back to the Museum of Jewish Montreal (5220 boul. St-Laurent).
In addition to foraged materials, guests are encouraged to bring items from home! We suggest objects with elements of translucency and that can easily fit under a sheet of glass. Some ideas include:

Lace
Mesh
Jewelry
Photo negatives
Small figurines
Dried flowers
Buttons
Thread or yarn

Tickets are $25, with all necessary materials provided. Due to limited capacity, advanced registration is encouraged. Reserve your spot here.
Sonia Bazar is a Montreal-born and based artist, who holds an MFA in Photography from Concordia University. Through sculpture, photography and poetry, their practice examines the notion of alien landscapes and how the body belongs to space. Sonia’s work has been shown in Canada, Germany, and Spain. In 2023, Bazar presented her multidisciplinary practice in the exhibition BACK RIVER at the Museum of Jewish Montreal.
Image: Courtesy of Sonia Bazar.

Red Light Walking Tour
2026-06-25 18:30 - 20:00 | 1111 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, 1111 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC, Quebec, H2Z 1J6, Canada
For the first time this season, join us for a tour of Montreal’s historic Red Light District with Karen Herland! Come learn about this storied district in a walk through its landmarks and alleyways.
Sex work, especially in its most visible forms, tends to be recognized as a problem, requiring intervention and eradication. As a major transportation hub and port city, many sectors of Montreal’s economy were intertwined with the sex trade, even as police and politicians manipulated social responses (positive and negative) to the presence of a thriving Red Light District. From Maimie Pinzer to Harry Ship and through to the present day, this tour explores the social, economic, labour, cultural, racial, and gender history of Montreal through its former Red Light, which for decades thrived in the heart of Montreal’s burgeoning Jewish community.
This tour covers 150 years and 10 city blocks over 1.5-2 hours. The tour begins on the southeast corner of Boulevard René Lévesque and Boulevard St. Laurent and ends near St. Laurent Metro station. Please note that while the tour will be led in English, questions can be asked and answered in French. Reserve your spot here.
TICKETS:
Adults: $26
Ages 65+: $24
Students: $14
Ages 12 and Under: $8
Point of Departure: We will meet on the southeast corner of Boulevard René Lévesque and Boulevard St. Laurent. Please ignore the specific address of 1111 Boulevard St. Laurent, as this is only an approximation.
Weather Policy: In the event of light rain, the tour will go on as scheduled. If there is a strong warning of heavy rain and/or thunderstorms, the tour will be postponed. All registrants will have the option to attend the rescheduled tour.
Image: Carte des bordels montréalais où les soldats ont contracté des maladies vénériennes : rapport de l’Armée sur la situation croissante des maladies vénériennes à Montréal. 1944. Archives de la Ville de Montréal. P43-3-2_V41_E521-E610_ext5op. Domaine public.

Hasidic Montreal Walking Tour
2026-07-14 17:30 - 19:30 | 5201 Rue Waverly, 5201 Rue Waverly, Montreal, Quebec, H2T 2X6, Canada
On July 14, join us for a fascinating glimpse into Montreal’s Hasidic community through Outremont and the Mile End.
Formerly the home to the vast majority of Montreal’s Jews in the first part of the twentieth century, today, the leafy neighbourhood hosts dozens of Hasidic groups and their synagogues. Led by Steven Lapidus, this tour will illuminate Montreal’s Hasidic history through a tour of its institutions.
Click here to reserve your spot.
Please note that this tour will be offered in English. Questions may be asked in French or English.
Steven Lapidus, PhD is a Montreal-based scholar of the history of Orthodox Judaism, with a focus on North American Hasidism. A former co-curator at the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, he has published articles and book chapters in both English and French on Canadian Jewish history and the Hasidic experience in Canada. As a long-time resident of Mile-End, his current professional engagements involve working with the borough of Outremont on improving communal relations.
Point of Departure: We will meet at the northeast corner of Waverly and Fairmount at 5:30pm, and will conclude at Parc Saint-Viateur.
Weather Policy: In the event of light rain, the tour will go on as scheduled. If there is a strong warning of heavy rain and/or thunderstorms, the tour will be postponed. All registrants will have the option to attend the rescheduled tour.

Pioneers of the Picket Line Walking Tour
2026-07-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Parc Ethel-Stark, Rue Prince Arthur O, Montréal, Québec, H2X 2R8, Canada
Curious to learn more about women’s involvement in Montreal’s garment history?
On July 22, join us with local expert Melanie Leavitt for Pioneers of the Picket Line, a walking tour that explores the overlaps between industry, activism, and labour movements in Montreal.
From sweatshops to picket lines, discover the stories of women – union organizers, workers, and radicals – who paved the way for the modern labour movement, workers’ rights and women’s rights in Montreal. This walk will delve into the history and evolution of Montreal’s once thriving garment industry, spanning over a century. A special focus will be given to the life and work of Léa Roback (1903-2000), a pioneering union organizer, social activist, pacifist, and feminist in 20th century Québec.
This tour will begin at Ethel Stark Park, and will take approximately 2 hours. Click here to reserve your spot.
TICKETS:
Adults: $26
Ages 65+: $24
Students: $14
Ages 12 and Under: $8
Point of Departure: We will meet at Ethel Stark Park, located on the corner of Prince-Arthur and Clark.
Weather Policy: In the event of light rain, the tour will go on as scheduled. If there is a strong warning of heavy rain and/or thunderstorms, the tour will be postponed. All registrants will have the option to attend the rescheduled tour.
Image: On strike with Léa Roback and the Midinettes, Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montreal, 1937. Courtesy of the Archives of the Quebec Federation of Labor, Les Midinettes de Montréal, 1937. Public domain.
