Ladom Ensemble

"I can honestly say that this is the first time I have heard such a fascinating mix, and it really works well. The music can be very elegant and contemplative and it can also be rocking and fiery and there is no denying of the passion of the four musicians investing in their playing.” — CBC, Errol Nazareth

Bring your lawn chair (if you have one) and join us for great music, ice cream, Havdalah and friends. This event is part of our Havdalah on the Porch series.

Temple Emanu-El is thrilled to welcome this groundbreaking, boundary-pushing Canadian ensemble to Havdalah on the Porch. Ladom Ensemble will be featuring many of the Jewish repertoire from their brand new album, being released in May 2025.

Ladom Ensemble

Ladom Ensemble is a mini-orchestra made up of four musicians who play a kind of acoustic fusion drawn from Western classical, klezmer, rock, tango, jazz, east coast traditional and classical Persian influences - music that is distilled into something distinctly Canadian.

All are classically trained, all fearlessly virtuosic. They believe in taking improvisational risks, in listening deeply and responding spontaneously to one another. They value friendship, mutual respect and great food.

Ladom was founded nearly 20 years ago by a pair of music students at the University of Toronto. It grew into a quartet and took its current configuration in 2018.

Pouya Hamidi, piano, was born in Tehran and is the only remaining member of the original duo. Adam Campbell, percussion, is from Summerside, PEI. Michael Bridge, accordion, grew up in Calgary. Beth Silver, cello, is from the Toronto area and grew up at Temple Emanu-El! All have obtained advanced degrees in music.

Outside of Ladom, they work as composers, arrangers, studio musicians, teachers and soloists.

Ladom has played countless shows across Canada and has worked with choreographers, animators and visual artists.

Their second album, “The Walls Are Made of Song” released in 2019, was  inspired by Rumi poetry and includes classical arrangements of Prokofiev, Bach and Chopin. An album based on Jewish and Iranian themes is set for release in 2025.

“Ladom can play really detailed and complex and tight notes and follow the score,” says Pouya. “And we can also let go and improvise in the moment. It becomes an intersection of ideas and connection on a human level. And everything we do is underpinned by genuine friendship.”

Learn more about Ladom Ensemble HERE.

Listen to Ladom Ensemble on Spotify HERE.

Follow Ladom Ensemble on Instagram HERE.

The event is FREE with the generous support of the Judy Dan Fund for Arts and Education and the Cantor's Discretionary Fund.

Please try to bring a folding lawn chair. There is a very limited number of chairs available from the synagogue. You may need to stand or sit on the ground if you do not bring a chair. If it is critically important that you use one of the synagogue's chairs, we recommend that you come early. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve a chair for you, even if you write it in the registration notes.

Outdoors, weather permitting: The program will take place outdoors in front of Temple Emanu-El, Toronto. In case of inclement weather, the program will take place indoors.

Getting to Us: Temple Emanu-El is located at 120 Old Colony Road, Toronto. For a map, additional directions, and TTC guidance, click HERE.

It's all free. This evening is free of charge and open to everyone. Donations to Temple Emanu-El are greatly appreciated and will help us present more great musical programming. To make a donation in honour Temple Emanu-El's musical programming, click HERE.

Security: Please be prepared to show photo ID for each adult and for security to examine bags.

More like this: Find more Havdalah on the Porch events HERE.

Registration: Advance registration is appreciated. It helps us have an idea of how many people are coming (and to make sure we have plenty of ice cream, of course). Use the registration form below, and please use the notes to tell us the names of all the people you expect to be joining you. 

Zoom: We will try, but cannot guarantee Zoom coverage of this event because of the program's location outside of our building. You do not need to register if you are planning to join the program on Zoom. The Zoom link will be found in the  Sunday & Friday Temple Emanu-El newsletter, the week before the event, or contact Carli Portman closer to the date (carli@templeemanuel.ca) and she will email you the link. Try to come join us live!

Last minute? If you don't get a chance to register and would like to join us last minute, please come!