East and West: A Yiddish Kino & Shmues
Sun, Jul 12
|Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture
Watch the classic Yiddish film East and West (1923) with other Yiddish learners and shmooze afterwards!
Time & Location
Jul 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada
Event Description
In the silent 1923 film East and West (dir. Ivan Abramson & Sidney M. Goldin), free-spirited New Yorker Molly (played by Molly Picon) attends her cousin’s traditional Polish shtetl wedding. Shenanigans ensue.
This wonderful example of pre-war Yiddish comedy not only gives a fascinating glimpse into 1920s Vienna, where it was filmed and partially set, but also captures the magnificent Picon, star of the Yiddish theatre and later Hollywood, at the earliest height of her powers.
The film, which will be screened with both Yiddish and English titles, will be followed by a 40-minute relaxed, peer-led Yiddish shmooze in small groups for Yiddish speakers and learners of all levels (one course in Yiddish or the equivalent is recommended). Vocabulary for shmoozing about film will be provided.
Sunday, July 12th from 2-4pm
Kirman Library at the Peretz Centre
6184 Ash St., Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9
➤ How to Get Here / Building & Accessibility Information
Free parking is available on the street or in the underground parkade.
Registration is required in advance as space is limited (max. 12 people).
This event is sponsored by the Shaya Kirman Memorial Fund for Yiddish Culture. Stay tuned for more!