Fentster

10/07/2026

We gathered two days ago to reflect together on what life was like in Palestine and Israel in the days before and the days after October 7, 2023.

Researcher Bashar Al Shawwa and artists Lea Mauas and Diego Rotman who all lived through that day in Ramallah and Jerusalem respectively (and who have since also made Toronto home) shared vulnerably and openly about what these days and years have been like for their families, their communities, and for their efforts at bridge building and to affect positive change in the conditions for Palestinians and Jews in Israel-Palestine.

We were reminded that the horrific devastation, loss and grief for all peoples didn't begin or end on October 7.

We were reminded of the work we need to do here to resist polarization and to lean into resilient listening.

We were reminded that discomfort does not equal lack of safety.

We were reminded of the power of connecting with others and of sharing from the heart.

May there be an end to the suffering in the days ahead.

🪺🪹🪺🪹🪺🪹🪺

FENTSTER's current exhibition - Like a Bird's Nest - features the Sala-Manca Group's mural suite about their Monument of Sukkot for Peace happening, which took place on October 5 to 6, 2023.

Please visit the FENTSTER Pop-Up at PIX FILM Gallery (1411 Dufferin St) to see it in-person alongside the Kingston Sukkah murals, the Deller Sukkah Replica and Sala Manca's collaboration with the Jahalin Bedouin community, The Eternal Sukkah.

🔗 link in bio to learn more

Photos: Soha Saeed / shutterb

09/28/2026

🍋🌿 𝗦𝗨𝗞𝗞𝗔𝗛 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻!
With a special event each weekday of the Sukkot holiday + extended hours!

🌿 Mon, Sept. 28
Singing in the Sukkah
7 PM: Exhibition Tour with the Sala-Manca Group
7:30 - 9 PM: Chanting & Learning
Presented by FENTSTER & .to

🌿 Tues, Sept. 29
Sukkot Celebration for Families
5 - 7 PM
*Registration for dinner closes Monday morning

The downtown launch of “Our Spectacular Sukkah” with writer and activities for kids with Shoresh

Ben McNally Books will be onsite!

Presented by FENTSTER & Shoresh

🌿 Weds, Sept. 30
USHPIZIN: Sukkot Potluck for Artists, Arts Workers & Friends
6 PM | Registration required

🌿 Thurs, Oct. 1
Online Conversation with Abu Suleiman of the Jahalin Bedouin tribe.
12 PM | Register for the link

🌿 Exhibition Tours w/ the Artists
Thurs, Oct. 1 / 5 PM in Spanish, 7 PM in English
Fri, Oct. 2 / 2 PM

COMING UP NEXT....
🌿 The Days Before, The Days After & The Days Ahead
With Sala-Manca Group & Bashar Al Shawwa
Mon, Oct. 5 | 7 PM

𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 @ 𝗣𝗜𝗫 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆
1411 Dufferin St
(between Davenport & Dupont)

🔗 Learn more & register for upcoming events:
http://fentster.org/events

09/25/2026

🌿🍋 𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐊𝐀𝐇 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰! 🍋 🌿

🌱 Extended gallery hours
🍋 Events for all ages
🌿 Artist-led tours
🍋 Online & in-person
🌱 Nosh in our outdoor sukkah
🍋 Join us once or daily

🪺 ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ʙɪʀᴅ'ꜱ ɴᴇꜱᴛ 🪺
𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 @ 𝗣𝗜𝗫 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗠 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆
1411 Dufferin St, Unit 3
(between Davenport & Dupont)

With work from:
🌿 Sala Manca Group
🍋 Rochelle Rubinstein
🌿 Jessica Thalmann
🍋 Maxine Lee Ewaschuk

Check out all the details:
https://fentster.org/events

👉 Certain events require advanced registration, space is limited

Presented by FENTSTER
with PIX FILM, Ha'Sadeh: Toronto Jewish Renewal & Shoresh

09/23/2026

ＯＰＥＮＩＮＧ　ＴＯＮＩＧＨＴ >>> Like a Bird's Nest | 7 - 9 PM >>> Join us at the new FENTSTER Pop-Up at PIX FILM Gallery >>> 1411 Dufferin Street (north of Dupont @ Geary)

🎤 Remarks at 8 PM
🎵 Live Mizrahi and Sephardic music throughout the evening from Matan Boker, Naghmeh Farahmand & Aaron Lightstone
🍷 Macedo W**ery & Macedo U-Vin
🥗 Parallel Brothers
🎨 With the artists from the Sala Manca Group and the artists who created our new outdoor sukkah: Rochelle Rubinstein & Jessica Thalmann (Maxine Lee Ewaschuk also made work for the sukkah but cannot attend)

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘…

Thurs, Sept. 24
🌿 Wandering Sukkot
7 PM
Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, 1260 Dufferin St

Distinguished scholar Prof. Galit Hasan-Rokem on the topic: “The Sukkah and Wandering Jews” joined by the .group speaking about their two decades of creative exploration into the symbolism of the sukkah.

𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐊𝐀𝐇 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓
With a special event each weekday of the Sukkot holiday + extended hours!

🌿 Mon, Sept. 28
Singing in the Sukkah
7 PM: Exhibition Tour
7:30 - 8:30 PM: Chanting & Learning
Presented by FENTSTER & Ha'Sadeh

🌿 Tues, Sept. 29
Sukkot Celebration for Families
5 - 7 PM | Registration required

Dinner in the sukkah followed by the downtown launch of “Our Spectacular Sukkah” with award-winning writer Sidura Ludwig and activities for kids with Shoresh

Presented by FENTSTER & Shoresh

🌿 Weds, Sept. 30
USHPIZIN: Sukkot Potluck for Artists, Arts Workers & Friends
6 PM | Registration required

Another in our series of gatherings for creatives and community. Meet artists who created our new outdoor sukkah! We'll also mark the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.

🌿 Thurs, Oct. 1
Online Conversation with Abu Suleiman
12 PM | Register for the link

Abu Suleiman al-Korshan is the spokesperson for the al-Korshan family of the Jahalin Bedouin tribe. The Sala-Manca Group collaborated with the al-Korshans to transform one of the community’s shelters into a sukkah. He speaks about how this collaboration was a creative avenue to bring public awareness to their circumstances of displacement and precarity.

🌿 Exhibition Tours w/ the Artists
Thurs, Oct. 1 / 5 PM in Spanish; 7 pm in English
Fri, Oct. 2 / 2 PM

🌿 The Days Before, The Days After & The Days Ahead
With Sala-Manca Group & Bashar Al Shawwa
Mon, Oct. 5
More details to come!

LEARN MORE:
https://fentster.org/birds-nest
https://fentster.org/events/birds-nest-events

09/20/2026

Just 4 days until our most ambitious exhibition opens! FENTSTER Pop-Up @ PIX FILM Gallery on Dufferin @ Geary. Join us this Wednesday at 7 PM for the opening with:
🎶 Live music from Matan Boker, Naghmeh Farahmand & Jaffa Road's Aaron Lightstone
🥗 Refreshments from Parallel Brothers
🍷 W**e from Macedo W**ery & Macedo U-Vin
🎨 Meet the artists behind the Sala Manca Group and our new artist-made sukkah: Rochelle Rubinstein and Jessica Thalmann (Maxine Lee also created work for this show but can't be in attendance)

PLUS.... the conversation continues on September 24:
🌿 Wandering Sukkot
7 PM | Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, 1260 Dufferin St

Distinguished scholar Prof. Galit Hasan-Rokem on the topic: “The Sukkah and Wandering Jews” joined by the Sala-Manca Group speaking about their two decades of creative exploration into the symbolism of the sukkah.

https://fentster.org/birds-nest

09/16/2026

✨️ 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙙’𝙨 𝙉𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!! 

👉 Weds, Sept. 23 | 7 - 9 PM
📍FENTSTER Pop-Up PIX FILM
1411 Dufferin St @ Geary

Remarks at 8 PM with live Mizrahi and Sephardic music throughout the evening from Matan Boker, Naghmeh Farahmand & Aaron Lightstone

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘…

Thurs, Sept. 24 
🌿 Wandering Sukkot
7 PM
Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, 1260 Dufferin St

Distinguished scholar Prof. Galit Hasan-Rokem on the topic: “The Sukkah and Wandering Jews” joined by the .group speaking about their two decades of creative exploration into the symbolism of the sukkah. 

𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐊𝐀𝐇 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓
With a special event each weekday of the Sukkot holiday + extended hours!

🌿 Mon, Sept. 28 
Singing in the Sukkah
7 PM: Exhibition Tour
7:30 - 8:30 PM: Chanting & Learning
Presented by FENTSTER & .to

🌿 Tues, Sept. 29 
Sukkot Celebration for Families
5 - 7 PM | Registration required

Dinner in the sukkah followed by the downtown launch of “Our Spectacular Sukkah” with award-winning writer and activities for kids with Shoresh

Presented by FENTSTER &

🌿 Weds, Sept. 30
USHPIZIN: Sukkot Potluck for Artists, Arts Workers & Friends
6 PM | Registration required

Another in our series of gatherings for creatives and community. Meet artists who created our new outdoor sukkah! We'll also mark the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.

🌿 Thurs, Oct. 1 
Online Conversation with Abu Suleiman
12 PM | Register for the link

Abu Suleiman al-Korshan is the spokesperson for the al-Korshan family of the Jahalin Bedouin tribe. The Sala-Manca Group collaborated with the al-Korshans to transform one of the community’s shelters into a sukkah. He speaks about how this collaboration was a creative avenue to bring public awareness to their circumstances of displacement and precarity.

🌿 Exhibition Tours w/ the Artists
Thurs, Oct. 1 / 5 PM in Spanish; 7 pm in English

Fri, Oct. 2 / 2 PM in English

🌿 Mon, Oct. 5
The Days Before, The Days After & The Days Ahead
7 PM
With artists Lea Mauas & Diego Rotman and researcher Bashar Al Shawwa

🔗 Link in bio

09/16/2026

🍎 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🍎

Fentster's big exhibition opening is just one week from today @ PIX FILM Gallery on Dufferin (between Davenport & Dupont)‼️

𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙙'𝙨 𝙉𝙚𝙨𝙩 is a landmark exhibition highlighting 2 decades of work from the Sala Manca Group connected to the sukkah and new commissions from Maxine Lee Ewaschuk, Rochelle Rubinstein, and Jessica Thalmann.

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 | September 23 @ 7 PM with live music from Matan Boker, Naghmeh Farahmand and Jaffa Road's Aaron Lightstone.

➡ Read our newsletter for details for our incredible line up events for all ages with guest artists and speakers including with Galit Hasan-Rokem, Abu Suleiman al-Korshan, Bashar Al Shawwa, Sidura Ludwig & more.

Thanks to Ha'Sadeh and Shoresh for teaming up on Sukkot events with us!!

🍎 SHANA TOVA - a sweet year filled with peace and art

OPENING IN 3 WEEKS!! New FENTSTER Pop-Up showcases the work of the international artist collective, the Sala-Manca Group, together with acclaimed local artists: Maxine Lee Ewaschuk, Rochelle Rubinstein and Jessica Thalmann.

09/11/2026

Rosh Hashanah begins tonight. As we prepare to welcome the Jewish New Year, we've already got the holiday of Sukkot on the brain as we get ready to open our new exhibition exploring the symbolism of the sukkah, and related themes of shelter, impermanence, displacement, and liberation.

⚡️SAVE THE DATE
Like a Bird's Nest
Opening September 23

Wishing everyone a year of sweetness, goodness, creativity, safety & peace

🍎 🍯 🐝

Shana tova u'metukah
A zisn un gezuntn yor
Anyada buena, dulse, i alegre

🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

FENTSTER Pop-Up @ PIX FILM Gallery
Featuring the work of the Sala Manca Group
With new commissions from Maxine Lee Ewaschuk, Rubinstein & Jessica Thalmann
1411 Dufferin Street
(between Dupont & Davenport)

🔗 Link in bio for exhibition hours & launch week events for all ages

📸: Detail of the Sala-Manca Group's Deller Sukkah Replica (2017)

05/24/2026

✨ One week away! Our curator, Evelyn Tauben will be the kicking off the Association for Canadian Jewish Studies's annual conference. This opening session for the day of the conference that's open to the whole community will also be a live recording of the wonderful podcast Tête-à-tête: Conversations in Canadian Jewish Studies.
✨ Kindly register today to join us 🙂

The Association for Canadian Jewish Studies 2026 Annual Conference is 12 days away!

Join us May 31–June 1 at York University's Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies for an exciting array of panels, roundtables, workshops, and book launches, and a Jewish Toronto walking tour and live taping of our podcast, Tête-à-tête: Conversations in Canadian Jewish Studies, to boot.

View the full program here:https://acjs-aejc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ACJS-2026-Conference_FullProgram.pdf

And it's not too late to register by our extended deadline of May 24: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/association-for-canadian-jewish-studies-2026-annual-conference

We look forward to learning with you in Toronto!

With many thanks to our sponsors, the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies at York University and the Canadian Race Relations Fdn / Fondation canadienne des relations raciales.

05/21/2026

Jewish artists & arts workers - our gathering space / listening circle just for you is back! One week from today - join us. ❤️

Learn more & register:
https://guestli.st/818077

IMAGE: Artwork by Ya'ara Eshet for the FENTSTER exhibition, Transplant, 2021