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The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in Vancouver, BC was founded in 1945 to provide students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Welcome Coming Up Register for Programs Subscribe Notices The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture We believe in a diverse, connected, and engaged Judaism that contributes to a just and compassionate world. Sign up for our newsletter 6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC info@peretz-centre.org Get Directions A Weekend of Yiddish Culture, History, Music, & Dance in Vancouver (Feb. 20-22) Open a window into centuries of Yiddish culture in a full weekend of events (Feb. 20-22, 2026) for Peretz members, friends, and the general public. From discussions to performances to interactive workshops with celebrated musicians, dancers, and scholars, people of all ages can learn about and experience Jewish folk culture and engage with the fascinating, and complex, work of cultural preservation and renewal. Feb 13 4 min read Job Posting: Alto Section Leader & Soloist for the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir is seeking an alto section leader/soloist to support and anchor our community choir’s rehearsals and performances throughout the season. This position starts immediately (applications accepted until filled). Nov 6, 2025 4 min read 1/3 See all updates Upcoming Events Sun, Mar 29 Peretz Community Passover Seder 2026 / See Event Mar 29, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Join the Peretz community's annual Peysakh Seyder with our Secular Humanist haggadah, Holocaust memorial service, traditional Pesach meal (vegan option), and performances by the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Sat, Apr 11 Settler (Dis)placement: Interrogating Home on Coast Salish Territories / See Event Apr 11, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada An art show featuring five local activist-artists from diverse Jewish cultures and who share a personal or ancestral history of immigration onto unceded, stolen Indigenous land Event Series Sun, Apr 12 Kindervelt: Jewish Storytime for Kids at the Peretz Centre / See Event Apr 12, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Open up a world of Jewish cultural stories for children! All kids age 6 and under are invited to join us for an hour of stories, songs, and a craft Event Series Sun, Apr 12 KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam / See Event Apr 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Join a jam session of klezmer music (all instruments and musicians welcome) Event Series Fri, Apr 17 Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck / See Event Apr 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration, potluck, and for April's after-dinner learning, guest speaker Bob Ages shares from his experience working with Wet'suwet'en land defenders and what it means to be a settler ally in the fight against ecocide Load More Register for Programs Zumershule: Youth Summer Program 2026 A two week program for youth ages 8-13 to learn and explore Jewish forms of artistic expression Starts Aug 17 Loading availability... Loading availability... Learn more Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir 2025-26 Spend Tuesday evenings learning and singing traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people Learn more Exploring Jewish Writers A weekly, intergenerational reading circle (online) More Info View all programs Subscribe to Our Mailing List Please provide your contact details to receive our twice monthly community update. First name* Last name Email* I consent to receive the Peretz Centre newsletter * Comments (optional) Submit Special Statement from the Board of Directors November 2023 : As a secular, humanist Jewish organization, the Peretz Centre abhors the loss of life and the suffering of all those affected by the Israeli/Hamas conflict and supports all efforts to achieve an early and long lasting solution.

Check out upcoming events at the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in Vancouver, BC Calendar View Upcoming Events Sold out Peretz Community Passover Seder 2026 Sun, Mar 29 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event Settler (Dis)placement: Interrogating Home on Coast Salish Territories Sat, Apr 11 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event Kindervelt: Jewish Storytime for Kids at the Peretz Centre Sun, Apr 12 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam Sun, Apr 12 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck Fri, Apr 17 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam Sun, May 10 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event Save the date Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck Fri, May 15 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event Save the date Kindervelt: Jewish Storytime for Kids at the Peretz Centre Sun, May 24 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Quick view View event Load More Past Events at the Peretz Centre Multiple Dates Sun, Mar 15 KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Mar 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Join a jam session of klezmer music (all instruments and musicians welcome) Sat, Mar 14 Brief Utopias in the Time of Monsters: A Purim Variety Show / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Mar 14, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada "The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters." In partnership with the Peretz Centre, Gliklekh in Goles presents a community Purim variety show of music, poetry, drama, burlesque, drag, and more glimmers of joy and hope for a more liberatory world. Sun, Feb 22 Klezmer & Yiddish Dance Workshops with Christina Crowder and Maia Brown / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Feb 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Deepen your connection to Yiddish culture through movement and music with two workshops, offered by celebrated klezmorim and teachers Maia Brown and Christina Crowder Sat, Feb 21 Christina & The Zamlers: The Lost Klezmer Music of the An-ski Expeditions / Or Shalom (at Cityview Church) Details Feb 21, 2026, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Or Shalom (at Cityview Church), 4370 Sophia St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3V7, Canada Or Shalom's Light in Winter Concert Series presents, in partnership with the Peretz Centre and KlezWest, a unique exploration of lost musical manuscripts with Christina Crowder, Maia Brown, Jimmy Austin, and Mae Kessler Multiple Dates Fri, Feb 20 Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Feb 20, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration, potluck, and for this February's after-dinner learning, Jess Goldman brings us profound questions about culture, history, and the way we understand it with a discussion of "An-ski, Ethnographic Performance, and History's Phantom Limbs" Sun, Feb 08 El Tesoro de Sefarad (Treasury of Sepharad) with the Mauro Perelmann & Tânia Grinberg Duo / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Feb 08, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada An evening of Ladino songs, stories, and rhythms with Tânia Grinberg & Mauro Perelmann, and special guests Elliot Polsky (percussion), Laurence Mollerup (bass) Sun, Jan 25 Peretz Centre AGM 2026 / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Jan 25, 2026, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada The Peretz Centre's Annual General Meeting (AGM) is where we reflect on the year, share updates, vote on resolutions, and elect new members to the Board of Directors. Multiple Dates Fri, Jan 16 Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Jan 16, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration, potluck dinner, and for January's after-dinner learning, David Catzel helps us rethink our relationship to the food systems that sustain us, and learn how colonization feeds off their destruction Multiple Dates Sun, Jan 11 KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Jan 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Join a jam session of klezmer music (all instruments and musicians welcome) Fri, Dec 12 Khanike Fraytik tsu Nakht: Hanukkah Celebration! / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Dec 12, 2025, 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada For this special Fraytik tsu Nakht (Friday Night), we invite community members and friends to celebrate a culturally-vibrant, peacenik Khanike (Hanukkah) with food, games, live music, and dance Sun, Dec 07 Here Where We Live is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Labor Bund / Online Details Dec 07, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PST Online Molly Crabapple investigates the radical history and modern relevance of the Jewish Labor Bund Wed, Dec 03 Light in Winter: Ira Khonen Temple and Michael Winograd in Concert / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Dec 03, 2025, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Or Shalom's Light in Winter & the Peretz Centre present two staples of NYC's vibrant klezmer and Yiddish music scene, playing klezmer classics and their original compositions that will surprise and delight you! Thu, Nov 20 No Pasarán! Jewish Collective Memory in the Spanish Civil War / Online Details Nov 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PST Online Prof. Amelia Glaser discusses her work on anti-fascist Jewish poetry emerging from the Spanish Civil War, an early literary front of the international struggle against fascism in the 1940s Multiple Dates Sun, Nov 16 KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Nov 16, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Join a jam session of klezmer music hosted with KlezWest (all instruments and musicians welcome) Multiple Dates Fri, Nov 14 Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Nov 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration, potluck, and after dinner, a community screening of the new short documentary "Four Pillars of Peretz" Sun, Nov 02 Ottoman Musical Routes & Roots: Moldavian Yiddish Connections / Online Details Nov 02, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST Online Dr. Alan Bern traces the centuries-old, rich cultural connections between Yiddish and Ottoman cultures through music Multiple Dates Fri, Oct 24 Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck with JQT / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Oct 24, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration, potluck, and for October, a special evening of singing nigunim (tunes) together, led by Antonia Lassar (co-hosted by JQT) Multiple Dates Sun, Oct 12 KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam / Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture Details Oct 12, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Join a jam session of klezmer music and Yiddish dance (all instruments and musicians welcome) Load More

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The Peretz Centre in Vancouver is recruiting an experienced, caring, and creative camp counsellor for our summer program for youth (8-13) to explore Jewish arts and culture and participate in intergenerational learning. Learn more about the program and role below and apply by April 19, 2026. Title:  Peretz Zumershule Camp Counsellor & Artistic Advisor  Type: Contract Position Location:  Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC)  Dates:   Monday, August 17th to Friday, August 28th, 2026   Hours of work : Must be available between 9am to 5pm, plus additional hours on Friday, August 28 (until 9pm)  Compensation:  $3000 for two weeks (additional work requested will be paid at $35 per hour)  Reports to:  Co-Executive Directors  Application Deadline: April 19, 2026 Zumershule Program Description The Peretz Zumershule   is a two-week summer ( zumer ) program for youth ages 8-123, from all backgrounds and cultures, to explore forms of artistic expression historically associated with Jewish culture. From folk theatre and film, klezmer music, comedy and satire, to visual arts, writing, cooking, and literature, this program brings together youth with artists, scholars, creators, and elders in the Peretz community to share cultural heritage and skills with a special emphasis on intergenerational learning and understanding.  Half-day arts-based workshops with Peretz community artists, creators, scholars, and elders  Half-day free time to explore creativity and imagination and experiment with artistic practices  Final day of program ends with youth-led cultural shabbes potluck dinner (Friday, Aug. 28th) Camp Counsellor Job Summary As part of a two-person team, the Zumershule Counsellor & Artistic Advisor(s) will play an important role in shaping the experiences of program participants:  Creating and maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants; Supervising and assisting with arts workshop activities (2-4 hours per day); Supervising, supporting, and advising participants with independent or group activities before and/or after arts workshops each day (emphasis on nurturing individual interests and creative expression); Facilitating the collaboration of participants in leading the final program community dinner; Supporting overall well-being and safety of youth participants while at camp. The ideal candidate(s) will be aligned with the educational and creative/artistic goals of the program and the interests of participants and demonstrate their ability to work in a highly collaborative environment. We encourage applicants from all cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. The Peretz Centre is committed to creating a safe workplace and using all means available to support employees and volunteers. General Responsibilities Organizing and supervising program activities:   Contribute to camp preparations including programming, schedules, gathering and organizing materials in coordination with co-counsellor; Set up and clean up arts activities and supplies (with assistance from participants and volunteers); Supervise responsible play activities in the Peretz building and nearby Tisdale Park; Work with co-counsellor to organize and facilitate unstructured activities for participants as needed; Keep time so that activities start and end according to schedule;  Assist with organization of and participate in the community dinner at end of the program (Aug. 28). Creating a great experience for all participants:   Support and care for all participants with respect, creating a welcoming environment; Emphasize and encourage collaborative, youth-led activities and initiatives; Communicate with participants and their families to learn about their needs and share relevant information with other Peretz staff to improve overall experience. Ensuring health, safety, and well-being of participants:   Ensure the safety of children in their care and maintain safe practices;  Be aware of participants' medical needs (medications, allergies, etc.) and other special circumstances or requirements and adjust programs for maximal accommodation; Ensure all Health, Safety, and Risk Management policies and procedures are followed at all times, by all participants and staff; Know Fire Safety Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan for all activities and areas. Other responsibilities:   Work with Peretz staff and other program leaders to deliver program goals, including post-program debriefs and feedback processes as requested by staff; May need to open or close the Peretz Centre building (according to guidelines provided).   Program hours may be adjusted according to participants' needs. All additional work will be paid at the hourly rate of $35/hr. Job responsibilities and other details in this description are subject to change. Required Qualifications   Experience working with children and young adults, especially with arts and crafts projects (all forms of lived experience are welcomed);  Flexibility and adaptability; Respect for pluralistic experiences of cultures and religions; Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively; Strong communication skills across all age groups; First aid training; Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check for persons 18 and over; Candidates must be legally entitled to work in British Columbia. Additional/Preferred Qualifications The following qualifications are assets but are not  required in order to be considered for the position:  Creativity and skills in artistic expression and creation is an asset; Previous experience and/or studies in neurodivergent and/or inclusive pedagogies is an asset (guidance will be provided); Familiarity with Jewish cultural practices and/or one or more Jewish languages is an asset but not required. Working Conditions Inflexible schedule  Working indoors and outdoors (summertime)  Working in close proximity with groups of children ages 8-13 Engaging in safe, physical play activities with children (indoors and outdoors)  Handling art supplies and equipment  Cleaning and carrying supplies  Potential for excessive noise  Building (two storeys) is accessible except for stage area (elevator and underground parking available) How to Apply The Peretz Centre is a cultural and secular charitable organization, committed to the values of diversity, equity, and social justice. People of diverse experiences, cultures, genders, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply. We welcome all forms of lived experience and invite applicants to share relevant knowledge or skills gained from personal experience during the application process. As an employer, we strive to create an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process for paid positions. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact admin@peretz-centre.org or phone the office at (604) 325-1812 and leave a message. All information shared will be kept confidential.  Application Process:   Applicants are invited to complete our short application form  and attach a copy of their resume (1-2 pages) no later than April 19, 2026 . We will review these submissions and invite a number of candidates to an interview with 2-3 Peretz staff/volunteers, either in person at the Peretz Centre or online.  References will be requested from candidates who are shortlisted during or after the interview stage.  Successful candidates will be expected to remain in contact with Peretz staff as the program start date approaches and communicate/review program schedules and other materials as needed.  We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will review applications as they are submitted. About the Peretz Centre  The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture was founded in 1945 to establish and conduct a school that provides students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Located in Vancouver, BC  on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, we hold classes, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, holiday celebrations and similar gatherings in order to teach and advance the cause of progressive and modern Jewish learning, culture, and education and the Yiddish language. We offer a pluralistic, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish education that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage.

The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir is seeking an Alto Section Leader & Soloist to support and anchor our community choir’s rehearsals and performances throughout the season. This position starts immediately (applications accepted until filled). Updated : March 9, 2026 Title: Alto Section Leader & Soloist Employment type: Part-time contract position Location: Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC) Dates: September through June (annual) Hours of work: Must be available on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9pm, plus performances and additional rehearsals as needed Compensation: $30 per hour Reports to: Choir Conductor (David Millard) Application Deadline: Open until filled About the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir  is an amateur, non-audition choir that learns and performs a repertoire ranging from traditional Jewish folk songs to more sophisticated cantatas and other longer works (mid-level). Founded at the Peretz Institute (now the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture) in 1980 by Searle Friedman, we are committed to three core missions: Providing an open, welcoming place to sing for all levels of ability; Maintaining Yiddish and other Jewish languages; Contributing to a progressive vision of what Jewish culture can be. With members from different cultural and faith backgrounds from their 20s to 80s, and a long history of overlapping with the LGBTQ+ community and many queer and trans members, the VJFC creates a welcoming, safe, and supportive multi-cultural space where people of all abilities and backgrounds can be in community, learn about Jewish music and languages, and build bridges with other folk music traditions. We stand with the long revolutionary Yiddish history of advocating for peace. Learn more about the VJFC  and read our  recap of the 2025 spring concert .  Job Summary The Alto Section Leader & Soloist is one of four section leaders (SATB) who, along with the conductor and piano accompanist, supports and anchors the VJFC in rehearsals and performances throughout the choir season. Section leaders play an important role in improving the singing experience for amateur choir members. As pillars of our community choir, section leaders share their talents, knowledge, and love of choral singing with other members and act as mentors by helping others learn the music and develop their skills. The successful candidate will be a community-oriented person who enjoys singing with other people in a choir setting and is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for members and audiences. The position starts immediately and runs until mid-June, with the possibility of extension for the next season. Responsibilities The Alto Section Leader & Soloist will: Attend and participate in weekly rehearsals and scheduled performances throughout the season (September through June);  Learn the choir’s repertoire at a sufficiently high level (all lyrics in transliteration);  Support the alto section during rehearsals to help them learn the music, and act as a teaching resource;  Provide an anchor for the alto section during performances;  Perform alto solos as needed;  Create and post voice recordings to the choir’s Google Drive as needed;  Support the promotion of the choir and performances . The VJFC’s annual spring concert typically takes place in early June. Since Jewish holidays take place according to a lunar calendar, holiday performance dates can vary year to year. The VJFC typically performs at Peretz community holiday events, in particular for the High Holidays (September/October), Hanukkah (November/December), and Passover (March/April). Skills & Qualifications The VJFC is seeking candidates who demonstrate the following skills: Ability to lead the altos in both rehearsals and performances, including the ability to hold the alto part when singing with other voices;  Ability to perform in public both as a member of the alto section and occasionally as a soloist;  Competence in reading music (western musical notation) and learning lyrics in non-English languages (transliterated);  Ability to occasionally lead a sectional alto rehearsal;  Previous choir experience or transferable skills; Candidates must be legally entitled to work in British Columbia . Only applicants who can commit to attending rehearsals on Tuesday evenings (7:30-9pm) at the Peretz Centre, plus some performances on evenings/weekends, will be considered. Working Conditions Part-time role with scheduled weekly rehearsals and occasional extra sessions;  Fixed dates for most performances, usually on evenings and weekends;  Requires vocal demonstration;  Cushioned, folding chairs provided for rehearsals and performances;  Rehearsals in a large auditorium (3000 sq. ft.) with high ceilings, hardwood floors;  Two-storey building is accessible except for stage area and green room (elevator and underground parking available);  There is one non-gendered, single-stall washroom on site (unfortunately not wheelchair accessible);  The Peretz Centre is located one block west of Cambie Street and 500m from the Langara-49th Canada Line station ( how to get here )  . Learn more about building accessibility . How to Apply The Peretz Centre is a cultural and secular charitable organization, committed to the values of diversity, equity, and social justice. As an employer, we strive to create an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process for paid positions. People of diverse experiences, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact admin@peretz-centre.org  or phone the office at (604) 325-1812 and leave a message. All information shared will be kept confidential.   Application Process:   Applicants are invited to complete our short application form ; We will review these submissions and invite potential candidates to attend a choir rehearsal. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted . Applications are accepted until the position is filled.  About the Peretz Centre  The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture was founded in 1945 to establish and conduct a school that provides students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Located in Vancouver, BC  on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, we hold classes, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, holiday celebrations and similar gatherings in order to teach and advance the cause of progressive and modern Jewish learning, culture, and education and the Yiddish language.

Open a window into centuries of Yiddish culture in a full weekend of events (Feb. 20-22, 2026) for Peretz members, friends, and the general public. From discussions to performances to interactive workshops with celebrated musicians, dancers, and scholars, people of all ages can learn about and experience Jewish folk culture and engage with the fascinating, and complex, work of cultural preservation and renewal. Learn the History & Ask Questions at Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes with Jess Goldman Friday, February 20th from 6-9pm at the Peretz Centre Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration, potluck, and for this February's after-dinner learning, Jess Goldman brings us profound questions about culture, history, and the way we understand it. Sh. An-ski, 1915 The Peretz Centre hosts a monthly Secular Humanist shabbes, including songs and readings, a potluck dinner, and an engaging, educational community discussion. To help us dive into the historical themes of the weekend's events, Peretznik Jess Goldman will lead our after-dinner learning and discussion on " An-ski, Ethnographic Performance, and History's Phantom Limbs ." Much of what we now consider Yiddish culture (our songs, folktales, and even rituals) come from the preservation work of the famous Yiddish activist, writer, and ethnographer Sh. An-ski's Ethnographic Expedition of 1912-1914 into the Pale of Settlement. But what were the ethnographic strategies An-ski used to record the traditions of turn-of-the-century Ashkenazi Jews? And how does this ethnographic expedition shape our understanding of Yiddish culture now? How, by exploring An-ski's strategies, might we complicate this cultural inheritance and imagine what might be missing from this history? Whether An-ski's name is new to you or as familiar as a friend, Jess' brief talk in a relaxed community setting, followed by discussion, will be an excellent journey into the fascinating questions raised by An-ski's work and anyone interested or invested in cultural preservation and revitalization. Everyone is welcome to attend and bring a contribution to the potluck, or pay $18 (kids are free)! Hear (and Dance to!) the Lost Music of Yiddishland with Christina & The Zamlers Saturday, February 21st from 8-10pm at Or Shalom's temporary location at Cityview Church Or Shalom's Light in Winter Concert Series presents, in partnership with the Peretz Centre and KlezWest, a unique exploration of lost musical manuscripts with Christina Crowder, Maia Brown, Jimmy Austin, and Mae Kessler. Next, Christina & The Zamlers bring us an incredible evening of music, history, and dance based on the musical manuscripts collected in the An-ski expeditions. The story of how they came to us is a wild one: long-assumed to be lost to the ravages of the 20th century, they were hidden away in archives until the fall of the Soviet Union. Then, in 2017, a chance encounter in Tokyo between a Yiddish dance teacher and a musicologist leads to the unlikely release of thousands of these unique musical manuscripts. With help from klezmer enthusiasts throughout the world, and as part of the Klezmer Institute's Kiselgof-Makonovetsky Digital Manuscript Project (KMDMP), the tunes have been gradually transcribed and shared online, enabling klezmer musicians and scholars to bring them back to life for audiences all over the world to enjoy. The performance embodies S. Ansky’s vision of Jewish folklore as a living “Oral Torah” of Jewish culture, inviting musicians and dancers to interpret and reimagine it for the present day and to celebrate the Jewishness encoded in these melodies with audiences around the world. The Klezmer Institute’s Executive Director Christina Crowder will present this program together with musicians Jimmy Austin, Mae Kessler, and dance leader Maia Brown, sharing with us pieces ranging from lively freylekhs and skotchnes, to elegant mazurkas, nigunim, and soulful Jewish wedding ritual melodies. Tickets are by donation, minimum of $18 per person (suggested amount: $36). Experience & Learn the Movements of Yiddish Dance Sunday, February 22nd from 1-2:30pm at the Peretz Centre Dance leader Maia Brown offers an afternoon Yiddish dance workshop for all ages and abilities After the performance on Saturday night, come think about moving in a Yiddish lineage! If you are a Klezmer musician, dancer, dance-curious, or simkha celebrant, workshop participants will explore basic steps and gestures, notice the reciprocal relationship between Klezmer music and dance, and how each of our bodies like to move in this ever-changing vernacular. Maia Brown The Peretz Centre is so excited to welcome back Maia Brown (who visited us last year to perform as part of the anti-fascist Yiddish folk-punk duo Brivele), who, in addition to being a talented Yiddish musician and dance leader (among other things), is an excellent teacher. The dance workshop is open to all ages and experience/skill levels, with participation by donation (no minimum). Play Klezmer Music & Explore the Intersection between Body Mechanics and Rhythmic Texture Sunday, February 22nd from 3-4:30pm at the Peretz Centre Accordionist Christina Crowder teaches musicians how to play for core Klezmer dance genres and accompany folk dancing Christina Crowder After a short 30-minute break (with light refreshments), the dance workshop will turn to instrumental playing. Offered by accomplished musician and executive director of the Klezmer Institute Christina Crowder (accordion and tsimbl) , the second workshop invites participants to explore how the rhythmic textures and grooves we create in the core klezmer dance genres facilitate or block successful dance sets. Ever wonder what makes the best klezmer tunes so compellingly danceable? Ever experience a truncated dance set and wonder why things didn’t work out? Participants will take turns playing for each other and as a group, and learn the basic movement patterns for each dance genre. Understanding these essential movement patterns will make us better accompanists for tantshoyz and simkhes! Registration is by donation, and make sure to bring your instrument! Moving from discussions to performances to workshops, this incredible series of events is a unique chance to learn and experience Jewish culture and history, encountering lost cultural treasures, and understanding the labour that goes into cultural renewal! Hear about future events at the Peretz Centre by subscribing to our newsletter

Learn more about the choir, its history, and how to participate at peretz-centre.org/vancouver-jewish-folk-choir ***Schedule*** The 2025-26 season starts Sept. 16, 2025 (through June 2026)! Weekly rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the Ben Chud Auditorium at the Peretz Centre (6184 Ash Street). Performances will include (at minimum): - Peretz High Holidays (September 28) - Peretz Passover Seyder (March 29) - 2026 Spring Concert (June 14) ***Registration & Membership Dues*** No auditions are required! Prospective new members are welcome to attend a rehearsal, where they can meet choir members and hear how rehearsals work. We accept new members in all voice parts, year-round (some exceptions leading up to performances). 2025-26 Membership Dues: $150 per year (about $4.50 per rehearsal). Members have the option to pay $150 at the beginning of the season or $18/month ($162 over 9 months). Accommodations are available to address financial access barriers (please contact Donna at dbecker@peretz-centre.org). Membership dues subsidize the work of our professional conductor (David Millard), accompanist (TBA), and four section leads (Clara Troje, Byron Hanson, Tristan Pearson, and Sarah Little), who help teach and support members in learning a diverse repertoire of folk music. Dues also help buy snacks, fund promotion for the choir and our concerts, and help us build and keep our archive of music (including original compositions from current and past members, conductors, and our choir's historical performances, etc.) for generations to come. The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir is funded by the Peretz Centre and the BC Community Gaming Grant program. ***How to Sign Up*** Prospective members/drop ins can sign up to attend a rehearsal by registering below and filling out the registration form. Attendance is free! Current choir members will receive their annual membership registration form via email.

Take part in the inaugural year of Peretz's arts-based, community-focused Zumer (summer) camp for youth aged 8 to 15! Two weeks (10 days) from July 28th to August 8th: 🡪 Half-day arts-based workshops with Peretz community artists, creators, scholars, and elders 🡪 Half-day free time to explore creativity and imagination and experiment with artistic practices 🡪 Final day of program ends with youth-led cultural shabbes potluck dinner (Friday, Aug. 8th) The Peretz Zumershule welcomes participants of all backgrounds and abilities and will include independent creative inquiry, structured activities, and outdoor play in nearby Tisdale Park. Bring your talents, curiosity, interests, and unique selves! Neurodiverse, BIPOC, and queer/trans/two-spirit youth will be enthusiastically welcomed. Learn more here: https://www.peretz-centre.org/the-peretz-school/peretz-zumershule-summer-camp ❂ Schedule ❂ DATES: Weekdays from July 28-Aug. 8 (including BC Day on Mon., Aug. 4). Please mark down the community Fraytik tsu Nakht shabbes potluck dinner on Fri., Aug. 8 (5-8pm). TIMES: 9:30am to 4:30pm, with possible early drop-off or late pick-up based on need. LOCATION: 6184 Ash Street, Vancouver Bring your own lunch and snacks! Food is not included in this program. ❂ Registration & Program Fees ❂ The Peretz Zumershule has a limited number of spots available in two cohorts for ages 8-11 and 12-15. (We hope to welcome younger kids in future years!) To reserve your spot(s), (1) pay the deposit from this page and (2) complete the participant information form (will be sent to your email automatically upon payment). Registration closes May 31, 2025; late registration may be available depending on program capacity. Program fees are offered on a sliding scale to reduce financial access barriers: • At cost ($75/day, $750 total) • Supporter ($90/day, $900 total) • Community-funded ($50/day, $500 total) • Discounted (2 children from the same family or household at $60/day, $1200 total) Payment plans are available upon request via the participant information form. If you have questions, please contact the Peretz office at info@peretz-centre.org Image credit: Lufṭ zun ṿaser by Julian Liebermann, ca. 1926 (New York Public Library)

Sign up here for one or more Vancouver Yiddish dance classes! To sign up a for a class, click the "register" button below and select from available dates (can only book one class at a time). ***Description*** In this workshop we will learn dances from the Yiddish repertoire that used to have different functions. We will look into the expressiveness of hands and facial gestures to convey a range of emotions as a relevant characteristic of Yiddish Dances. We will practice movement and spatial patterns that build the energy of the group such as in the zhok, bulgar, freilech, patsch tanz and sher. Additionally, we will have a taste of how these dances were influenced by the traditions of neighbouring communities and how they are being taught at Klezmer festivals nowadays. It is my hope that these dances will be adopted into our shared traditions and be part of our communal celebrations. Be ready to have a great time and dig deeper into Ashkenazi wisdom and joy. Modifications, including chair dancing, will be offered to welcome all bodies. ***Schedule & Fees*** Classes are on Tuesday evenings (6-7pm) from October 22 to November 26 2024. Drop ins: $18 per person (see package rate at our website) ***Instructor Bio*** Claudia Bulaievsky is a dance practitioner and educator who has experience teaching creative movement and dance to students of all backgrounds, from toddlers to seniors, in schools, after schools and community centres. She is passionate about learning dances from around the world, and can never stay still if a band is playing near her, usually encouraging others to explore their expressive playfulness as well. She believes that promoting Yiddish dances is not only a means towards learning about our origins and traditions but also a way to renew our communities with the joy of sharing a beautiful language of gestures and rhythms embedded in the moment.