High Holy Days that are Feminist, Witchy, and Open to All
Matanot Lev | Gifts of the Heart Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Unservices
Join Matanot Lev | Gifts of the Heart for a Transformative High Holy Day Experience: Feminist, Witchy, and Open to All
Led by Kohenet Annie Matan, Matanot Lev | Gifts of the Heart invites you to explore High Holy Day Unservices that offer a radically different approach to Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Teshuvah, and Yom Kippur. This year’s offerings are guided by the question (coined by The Lilith Institute’s Ruach D’vorah Grenn), “What would Lilith do?”—a transformative inquiry that challenges patriarchal norms in Jewish traditions. Inspired by the Sacred Feminine and the wisdom of our Priestess ancestors, we’ll reimagine these sacred days through feminist, queer and empowering practices.
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with a Red Tent for all genders, embracing the new year with intention under the new moon. Our Shabbat Teshuvah Playshop, designed for all ages, invites playful and joyful engagement with the Days of Awe through sensory and embodied experiences.
For Yom Kippur, join our Shabbat Shabbaton Kol Nidrei chanting circle, setting the tone for pleasure and deep reflection. Then, experience the Sacred Heresy Yom Kippur Retreat, where we move beyond traditional ascetic practices to embrace nourishment, grace, and comfort. Through joy and self-compassion, we reclaim these holy days in alignment with contemporary feminist values.
Click on the event images or “Register Here” buttons for more details and to sign up for each offering.
Details & Accessibility
Matanot Lev | Gifts of the Heart is committed to inclusivity and accessibility. We are proud to be a feminist, queer-of-centre, and witchy spiritual community that welcomes everyone—Jewish, Jew-ish, interfaith, LGBTQ+, and those curious about Jewish spirituality.
Pricing:
All events are priced on a sliding scale from $11 to $111 (and up to $333 for Yom Kippur because it’s a much longer event with more offerings), with the option to use the coupon code COMP for free registration if needed. There is also an option to pay cash at the door. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. For more detailed pricing information and to register, please click on the event images or “Register Here” buttons.
Matanot Lev | Gifts of the Heart High Holy Day Unservices attendees can expect*:
experiences that feel like an exhale.
the choice to sit, dance, lie down, meditate, chant, hold silence, and pray in a circle.
to leave your shoes at the door.
parents can stay and pray even if you don’t have child care, with the help of our “Prayground,**” a corner IN THE ROOM with quiet books and toys. You supervise your own kids and no one needs to miss out.
connect with traditional and original, creative liturgy in gender expansive English and Hebrew.
All of these High Holy Day Unservices are hosted at a location in Toronto’s Annex/Yorkville neighbourhood that has an accessible entrance and washrooms. The address will be shared with participants when they’ve registered. Please reach out to Kohenet Annie directly if you have specific accessibility needs or questions.
Here are the events:
New Year, New Moon Rosh Hashanah Red Tent: A New Year of Aligned Beginnings
Thursday, October 3, 2:30PM
Step into the Jewish New Year with open hearts and a commitment to joyful renewal in a sacred Red Tent for all genders. In this inclusive space, we’ll weave together creative liturgy, chanting, divination and reflection. This Rosh Hashanah invites us to embrace a vision of community where all genders, faiths, and backgrounds are celebrated and honored. Bring your intentions and join a circle that honors both tradition and innovation, celebrating and mourning where we’ve been and inviting us into our hopes and dreams for the future.
Shabbat Teshuvah Playshop: A Sensory Journey for All Ages
Friday, October 4 at 3PM
Join us for the Shabbat Teshuvah Playshop—a fun-filled, sensory adventure for everyone, from toddlers to the young at heart! During this Season of Awe, it’s easy to get caught up in deep, serious practices and forget about the joy of our bodies. This playshop puts our senses at the centre, bringing Shabbat’s sense of rest and renewal to life through playful activities.
Taste delicious treats, let the shofar’s sound move your spirit, and dance like nobody’s watching. We’ll explore Teshuvah in a way that tickles your senses and warms your heart.
Plus, we’re excited to introduce a special guest—our old friend, Todah the Sloth! Todah will help us slow down and savor every moment of this special time.
Whether you’re dancing, feasting, or just hanging out with Todah, this all-ages playshop is all about having fun and reconnecting with your true self. Come ready to play, laugh, and celebrate!
Shabbat Shabbaton Kol Nidrei Chanting Circle: Welcoming Our Beloved Selves
Friday, October 11 at 7PM
Join us for a heartfelt Kol Nidrei, where we embrace the sacred act of at-one-ment and reflection in a space of grace and compassion. This year, we blend the traditional Kol Nidrei liturgy with the joy and serenity of Kabbalat Shabbat, celebrating the unique convergence of Shabbat and Yom Kippur.
In a departure from tradition, we’ll enjoy sweet and nourishing snacks throughout the evening. This thoughtful addition helps us continue the sweetness and intentions from Rosh Hashanah, allowing us to approach our reflections with a full tummy and open heart, rather than feeling hungry and anxious.
Expect an evening rich with chanting, personal sharing, and moments of quiet reflection, all infused with the warmth and joy of Kabbalat Shabbat. This blend of tradition and innovation creates a nurturing environment for continuing our journey into the new year with intention, love, and a touch of delight.
Sacred Heresy Yom Kippur: A Day of At-One-Ment with Comfort and Compassion
Saturday, October 12 at 2PM
This Yom Kippur, let’s flip the script. We’ll step away from the traditional discomfort and embrace nourishment, pleasure, and embodied spirituality. Another name for Yom Kippur is “Shabbat Shabbaton” and it even falls on Shabbat this year, offering us a double portion of peace, delight, and sacred rest. You’re invited to wear white, bring cozy comforts like pillows and blankets, and settle into a spacious retreat that celebrates our messy, beautiful humanity.
In this sacred space, we’ll sit, move, learn, share, meditate, chant, and pray together. No fasting, no prohibitions—just several hours of spacious time for of At-One-Ment where we welcome all parts of ourselves with compassion.
Special Guest: Kohenet Talia Johnson
We are thrilled to have Kohenet Talia Johnson as our special guest for all of our High Holy Day events. Talia, ordained a Kohenet Hebrew Priestess in 2019, is a service leader, activist, poet, speaker, advocate, and award-winning anthology editor. She is also transgender, autistic, and disabled.
During the Sacred Heresy Yom Kippur Retreat, Talia will offer a thought-provoking teaching on reworking the word "abomination," providing a fresh and empowering perspective. The specifics of her involvement in the other events are still being finalized, but we are excited to have her bring her wisdom and insight to our celebrations.
Post Oct 7 note:
This space is for you if you believe in the humanity of all. As an Israel-loving Jew, I advocate for safety and sovereignty for Israelis and Palestinians. It's important to me to offer a space that can hold nuance and a lot of compassion. Matanot Lev | Gifts of the Heart gatherings include folks across a spectrum of backgrounds and perspectives. Grief and hope are welcome.
Join us as we uplift what these High Holy Days can mean—rituals that are nourishing, relaxing, and support our re-connection with ourselves, our community and our experience of the Sacred.