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From Darkness To Light

“Makom made me realize that life is worth fighting for! It was a light in the deep darkness.” -Makom member

The tagline for Makom is “From Darkness To Light,” which is a reference to “Acheinu Kol Beis Yisrael,” a song about Jews who are in trouble, trapped, and drowning and need our help. The name of God which is invoked in the song is “HaMakom,” – the Omnipresent.

Makom takes our members from the darkness of their lived Jewish experiences and helps them connect to a supportive community of peers. At Makom our members can find a Judaism and Jewish communities full of light and positivity by separating dysfunction and toxic people from religion and the Orthodox community.

What is Makom

What is Makom

Launched in 2014 as a result of the positive impact of Keter, which led ex-hasidic Jews to approach JITC and ask for guidance, Makom helps disenfranchised Haredi Jews find a positive place in Orthodoxy. Social events, educational classes, Shabbos placement, Shabbatons, and one-on-one encouragement is offered to those seeking support. We call this moving from darkness to light and allows JITC to move from discussing the conflicts within parts of the Orthodox Jewish community to finding solutions for them. Through hundreds of events and classes, we have been able to transform the lives of countless Makom members in a positive way. This would not be possible without the positive impact of Keter and Tikun branches of JITC.

Why Makom is Important

Why Makom is Important

  • The only program that rehabilitates and re-educates disenfranchised Haredi Jews to help them find a positive place in Orthodoxy
  • Reframes the OTD/ex-hasidic phenomenon to the world
Makom's Programs

Makom's Programs

  • Social Events
  • Judaic Classes
  • Career & Higher Education Based Events
  • Shabbos Placement
  • Shabbatons
  • Follow-Up
  • Ask the Scholar
  • Referrals to Social Service & Mental Health Organizations

Calendar

March 2023

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Yisroel Isaacs, LCSW: From A Struggling Childhood In Boro Park To An Amazing Journey Of Self Discovery And Healing: Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 8:30 PM
8:00 am - 10:00 am
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When Standing Out Is Assur: Why Separation and Individuation Are Vital to Connection and Finding a Community: Sunday, March 12, 2023, 8:30 PM
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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The majority of our Makom members began their journey from darkness to light by first consuming the content of Keter. The feedback from members helps us understand which issues need to be addressed at Tikun. The symbol of Makom is a bird’s eye view of a group hug, but turned sideways, it is also the crown of Keter. What we have learned from Makom members is that the vast majority of them never had secure attachment due to dysfunctional upbringings. In Makom, as symbolized by the group hug, our members can find secure attachment. Additionally, the word Keter not only means “crown,” it also means “surrounding,” perhaps it’s because when a person feels surrounded and protected, he can walk around proudly “wearing” his crown.

 

 

Neither Jew in the City, nor its Makom branch, are a mental health organization.

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