​The Peretz Centre, formerly known as the Peretz Shule and the Peretz Institute, was founded in 1945 by an assorted group which included apolitical persons as well as Labour Zionists, Socialists and Communists, that shared a common goal of establishing a school in Vancouver, B.C. that would provide children with a non-political, secular Jewish and Progressive education. Its first principal was Ben Chud who, in 1945, had just returned from the war and was active in the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO). At the time, there was a small but growing Progressive movement in Vancouver (what he called "secular socialist-minded").

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The first Vancouver Peretz School was located in the basement of the old Jewish Community Centre on Oak Street and 11th Avenue. There were 15 kindergarten students and 24 children attending afternoon classes. Early teachers included Sara Sarkin, Annie Wyne, Ruth Korn and Ruth Popesky. The founders of the school purchased a house on West 10th Avenue but it was sold a few months later because neighbors took up a petition against a school in that area. For a while that building was only used for meetings. Then, in 1946, the founders bought a house at 1173 West Broadway where the school was located for 15 years before moving to the Oakridge area.

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In 1961, the Shule, with 110 students, moved to its current location – a brand new building with four classrooms, an auditorium, lounge, kitchen, office and caretaker’s suite – at 6184 Ash Street. That was also the year Label Basman took over as principal of the school. In 2001, we re-opened in our brand new building at the same location on Ash Street. To mark this occasion, we changed our name to the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture.

 

The Peretz Centre has had a rich and vibrant history, overcoming many obstacles in its effort to maintain its unique role in the Vancouver Jewish community. Offering Family Education and Pnei Mitzvah programs, lecture series, the largest Yiddish library in the province, the Jewish Folk Choir, community Shabbes dinners, and Jewish celebrations, Peretz provides a vital service as the only institution in the city to offer a secular progressive Jewish education and community. We are proud to offer a space where views on Jews and Jewish history can be discussed in a candid, respectful, welcoming atmosphere.

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The Peretz Centre is grateful to all the members, teachers, staff, donors and volunteers who, over its 80 year history, have worked tirelessly to ensure its continued service to the Vancouver community.