The Village People: Jewish History of Harbord

​Right in the heart of Toronto, the cozy Harbord Village is nestled north of the bustling Kensington Market that 30,000 Jewish residents once called home. As the community moved northward on Bathurst, their mark on the neighbourhood began to fade—but not all was lost.  100 years later, traces of these cultural markers remain. If we simply know where to look, a layered past rife with immigration and resettlement, anti-Semitism and allyship, tradition and assimilation is revealed in our footsteps. 

​Starting at Christie Pits, this walking tour will unveil a complex mosaic of Jewish history across this downtown Toronto neighbourhood; from the blighted Ward neighbourhood, to Toronto’s infamous race riots, to the flourishing Jewish Market serving up traditional delicacies, we will learn about the local legends that shaped the neighbourhood, reflected in today’s built environment.

​About the Guide

​​Rebecca (she/her) is a designer, urbanist, community advocate, and overall lover of all things that make cities great. She is most passionate about the intersection between community, cultural identity, and built/natural environment. Her work has appeared at the Toronto Biennial of Art and DesignTO. Her current project, The Village People, aims to spark dialogue about cultural memory and resilience found in Toronto’s urban landscape. The project debuted as part of Jane’s Walk 2025.

​Details

​Location: This tour will meet at the south east corner of Christie Pits and end on Harbord Street and Brunswick Avenue.​

​Price: This tour operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. At the end of the tour, you can pay whatever you feel the tour was worth (cash or card both accepted). Most guests choose to pay between $20-$40 per person.

Accessibility: This tour will navigate a few narrow streets, intersections and laneways, but is overall mobility device-accessible. Please indicate any accessibility requests in the registration form.

​​Disclaimer: By booking this tour you acknowledge that you accept personal responsibility for your safety. You understand and confirm that you are participating in this tour voluntarily, and understand the associated risks. You must be sure to obey all rules of the road, including waiting at red lights, walking on sidewalks, and crossing at designated crosswalks. For your own safety, you must stick to the designated walking paths. You release Rebecca Arshawsky from any liability.