2 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
More than just a recitation of facts gleaned from books or the internet, this tour goes behind the facades to talk about what went on in the buildings that we'll see, how the people who lived and worked in them dealt with one another and the larger, non-Jewish world. The tour guide lived in the area as a young man. He’s davened (prayed) in its synagogues, patronized its shops and restaurants, explored its past, lived some of its history, and even performed on some of its stages. He's a world class authority on Yiddish language and culture who has appeared on NBC’s Today show and NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.
Operated by
Toronto Jewish Walking Tours
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.25
/ 5
4 traveller ratings
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Detailed history
stuart_s, Oct 2024
Detailed and interesting history of the Jewish community in Toronto since the 19th century Missing the story of the current community
Interesting tour about the history of the Jews of Vancouver.
JILL_G, Sept 2024
Hearing the history of how the Jewish people came to Vancouver. Seeing the old synagogues. He was very knowledgeable and informative.
Very informative
Andrea_K, Jul 2024
Original wall of names in the old synagogue the story telling and knowledge our leader shared from long ago. He was extremely prepared.
This is not just a tour, its an experience. It was profound. Michael is amazing and a quintessential Jew.
bobwE8344WE, Sept 2023
Michael Wex is a gold mine. His Toronto Jewish Walking Tour through the Old Jewish Kensington Market neighborhood is a vibrant tour bringing the rich past history of this neighborhood, its people, culture and community back to life. Michael knows the history but also lived in its midst. Even more than the tour itself is Michael. A very humble and unassuming fellow sojourner and seeker in life. If you desire to explore or expand your knowledge and experience of authentic Jewishness or Jewish living and our Jewish ancestors that fled persecution and immigrated to the United States, come hang out with Michael. Michael can easily field general or specific questions about Jewish life, customs and teachings. He clearly has the learning, training and teaching acumen of the most famous and learned Rabbis. Arrange time for your small group to walk or just meet and sit down and talk. He is knowledgeable in the Torah; the Prophets; Jewish Traditions; the major and minor prophets; the Talmud; Midrash; Jewish history; famous commentators including Rashi, Maimonides and others; extremely knowledgeable in World Religions; and well versed and comprehends the Christian perspective and can respectfully share a completely authentic Jewish interpretation of it as any great professor should. Personally, I search for meaning in life, in my life. I question and wonder and marvel and fret over life. I grew up Jewish but in a very secular non-Jewish world. I didn’t know how Jewish I was until I went to work in L.A. at a Jewish law firm (Fischer, Krane, Jacobs and Kabat; and then Spolin Krane et al.) Michael helped me put greater depth and understanding to my human experience and in being Jewish. Michael did not ask me to write this and I did not know him prior to spending an hour and a half with him on his tour. I just found the time very profound and enthusiastically just want others to experience the same. Michael is a great non-intrusive resource to anyone desiring a deeper understanding and experience of what is authentically Jewish. In my book, he is the quintessential Jew. Does he Kvetch or maybe give you reason to Kvetch, sure, that’s what makes him the most perfect Jew. Is there any one way to be Jewish? Of course not. I think he would protest any description of himself of being any type of Jew, he is just jewish.
Itinerary
Art Gallery of Ontario
The early history of Toronto's Jewish community through mass immigration of the late 19th-early 20th century.
10 minutesOriginal character of the neighbourhood. Establishment of Jewish institutions, absorption of immigrants.
7 minutesGovernment immigration policies, Jewish reaction to them.
3 minutesFormerly Eitz Chaim school. Colourful characters in the school's history.
4 minutesGeorge Brown House. Some non-Jewish Canadian context. The Jewish history of the public school next door.
3 minutesWe'll learn some interesting details about the commercial history of the street as we walk through it to Henry St.
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, formerly the Henry Street synagogue. Synagogue architecture. Early synagogues and Toronto's first Jewish architects.
10 minutesRabbi of the Henry Street Synagogue.
206 and 207 Beverley: Introduction to Cecil Street as institutional hub of the older Jewish community.
24 Cecil Street: Labour Zionist HQ and school. Its later political history.
33-58 Cecil Street: An overview of the Jewish organizations and institutions once housed here.
Cecil Street Community Centre: The building's past as a synagogue and centre of traditional entertainment.
24 minutesNorthbound from Cecil St to the El Mocambo: The less traditional side of the neighbourhood. Spadina Avenue cowboys of the 1930s and '40s.
Southbound, back to Cecil Street: Grossman's Tavern, commercial development on the street and the Spadina music scene.
Spadina Avenue, west side at Baldwin Street: How Kensington became a market.
Spadina, between Dundas and St. Andrew St: Yiddish theatre, delicatessens, dairy restaurants, and the history of the hat trick.
26 minutesThe Minsker Synagogue. St. Andrew St. as the neighbourhood in miniature. Labour Lyceum across the street. History of the synagogue, the first in the kensington area
5 minutes
Experience
Inclusions
- Occasional Yiddish language instruction
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.