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Learn how to contact the Peretz Centre office, directions on how to get here, and details about facility accessibility information. Contact Directions Accessibility The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture 6184 Ash Street Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9 info@peretz-centre.org +1 (604) 325-1812 Our office is open by appointment To request a meeting, or to inquire about membership, donations, programs, events, or other questions, please contact us by email or call and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note: Rental booking requests are only answered when submitted via the rental inquiry form . We aim to respond to requests within 5 business days. Upcoming office Closures: Apr. 1-Apr. 12, 2026 Directions How to Get Here Address The Peretz Centre is located at 6184 Ash Street in Vancouver, BC, just west of Cambie Street and between W. 45th Ave. and W. 49th Ave. Parking Information There is no designated wheelchair-accessible street parking, but there is street parking on Ash Street (in front of the building) and around the neighbourhood. Free underground parking is open for most events. Please check program descriptions or contact the office/event host. The gate is locked outside of event hours. Elevator access is available from the parkade to the ground floor and 2nd floor. There are limited accessible parking stalls located near the elevator entrance. Directions via Canada Line The Peretz Centre is located near two major Canada Line skytrain stations: Langara-49th Station (500 metres) Oakridge-41st Station (550 metres) Directions via bus The Peretz Centre is located on major bus routes: #15, #17 on Cambie Street (200 metres) #49 on W. 49th Avenue (500 metres) #41, R4 on W. 41st Avenue (750 metres) Cycling An unsheltered bike rack is installed in front of the building. Please note: Construction for the nearby Oakridge Centre Redevelopment project is expected to be completed in 2027. Road closures, traffic, and other access issues may change without notice. Building & Accessibility Our Building Front Entrance The Peretz Centre front entrance is wheelchair accessible directly off the sidewalk (paved entrance). The standard double-door entrance is power-assisted (button located to the right of the doorway). The doors swing outwards. Ground Floor The ground floor of the Peretz Centre is accessible from the sidewalk and by elevator from the parkade. The following spaces are located on the ground floor: Peretz Centre administrative office (not wheelchair accessible) Kirman Library (not wheelchair accessible) Senior's Lounge (temporary location of the Vancouver Public Library's Oakridge branch) Forget Me Not Montessori Preschool (Schoolroom) Vancouver Jewish Film Centre's Office Washrooms are multi-stalled and gendered. Each washroom includes a wheelchair accessible stall. A baby changing station is located in the women's washroom. A water fountain is located in the hallway leading to the bathroom. 2nd Floor The second floor of the Peretz Centre is accessible by stairs or elevator. Spaces include: The Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium Upstairs Foyer Kitchen Green Room (not wheelchair accessible) Jewish Museum & Archives of BC offices Washrooms are multi-stalled and gendered. Each washroom includes a wheelchair accessible stall. A single-occupancy, non-gendered washroom is located in the Green Room on this level (locked, access provided upon request). Unfortunately, there are stairs leading up to the washroom. There is a coat room available, but we don't always use it! Please reach out to the office/event host to request opening the coat room. Elevator An elevator (106cm/42 inches wide) provides access to all three levels of the Peretz Centre (underground parking, ground floor, 2nd floor). General Information Our building includes a mix of fluorescent, incandescent and LED lighting. We offer free WiFi for members, students, and visitors, which may impact those with electromagnetic sensitivities. To request accessibility support or to ask questions, please contact the office. We welcome your feedback on how we communicate accessibility information and how we can improve our facilities! Send us an email

Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Jews in Eastern Europe in Zhargon: A Journey through the Histories of Yiddishkayt *Zhargon poster art by Jess Goldman Course Overview Topics & Themes Speaker Series ZHARGON A Journey through the Histories of Yiddishkayt Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Yiddishkayt — the culture of Jews in Eastern Europe. Register Yiddish History Course Overview What was Jewish life like in Eastern Europe? How did the political and economic upheavals of the 19th and 20th centuries change Jewish Eastern European culture, and how do these changes still inform historical and cultural memory today? How did the changes in traditional Jewish life relate to gender and the place of women in society (and importantly, how do we queer these historical narratives)? Who were the Bund, and what was their relation to socialist movements of the time? What is a Shtetl , and how was it distinct from other types of communal settlement in Europe? In this course we explore these (and other) questions, focusing on the social, cultural and political changes that shaped the lives and cultures of Jews in Eastern Europe. Drawing on a wealth of literary, musical, and visual materials, as well as archival and historical documents, we will encounter poets, radicals, artists, musicians, and revolutionaries who lived, created and dreamed in Yiddish, and learn how they thought about their world and sought to change it for the better! Our course takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. In our collective study and inquiry, we are indebted to the Nations who have been caretakers, custodians, and protectors of this land since time immemorial. This course aims to critically reflect on our narratives, historical memory, and practices within a commitment to the process of reconciliation and decolonization. The Zhargon program was relaunched in 2025 as part of the Peretz Centre's Discovering Doikayt initiative . We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada. The most enduring maskilic term of opprobrium for Yiddish was zhargon ("jargon"). Derived from an Old French word for the jabbering of birds, the term has come to mean either the inscrutable language of a closed group or a debased, uncivilized form of speech — in either case, something less than a full, proper language. [...] By the turn of the twentieth century, the use of zhargon ranged considerably in connotation, having become for some Jews, in effect, the name of the Ashkenazic vernacular . -- Jeffrey Shandler, Yiddish: Biography of a Language Tseydo-ladeyrekh / צדה-לדרך (Food/Preparation for the Journey) Khavershaft Exploring Jewish history is exciting and fascinating (and fun!), but can also confront us with difficult histories, trauma, and deep questions about personal and collective identity. Before gaining knowledge, our commitment is to each other and to our learning. Let us commit to creating a space of inquiry, critical questioning, respect for each other, and mutual support. Identity Our goal in this course is to approach the histories of the Yiddish-speaking world with curiosity, respect, and a critical mind, as well as make space for personal exploration and expression. We acknowledge that everyone is coming to this class from a different place, and we want to make space for individual learning within the space of our collective process. Knowledge We all bring different forms of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives to the table, and all of these are part of our learning together. We will meet some real experts along the way, but ultimately, the processing, questioning, and knowledge creation will be up to us as a group. Topics & Themes in Yiddish History The Origins of Yiddish Where did Ashkenazi Jews come from? What did Jewish life look like in Eastern Europe? How did the different upheavals, changes, and crises shape Eastern European Jewish communities? Where was Yiddish born? We will look at the movement of Jewish communities from Central to Eastern Europe, from medieval times to the eve of WWII. Pictured: Territorial changes of Polish states and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1635-2009) by Esemono (via Wikimedia Commons) Peretz School The Shtetl What do we really know about the Shtetl, a unique type of Jewish settlement, exclusive to Eastern Europe? How did literary, artistic and cinematic images influence our perception of shtetl life, and how do these representations differ from the daily realities? Drawing from diverse sources, we will get to know a bit about life in the shtetl across different historical periods. Pictured: My Village (1923), by Issachar Ben Ryback (via Wikimedia Commons) Events Jewish Life in Transition The life, traditions and culture of the Jewish shtetl exhibit profound richness, beauty and significance. At the same time, they were deeply embedded within broader social and political structures, both within and outside the Jewish community. We will explore stories of tradition and change, and study the radical changes faced by Jewish communities with the advent of modernity. Pictured: Icchok Lejb Perec (1939), by Władysław Wajntraub (via Wikimedia Commons) Kirman Jewish Political Movements Autonomism vs. Territorialism, Bundism vs. Zionism, Communism, Diaspora Nationalism… These are some of the political movements and ideologies that swept across Eastern Europe in the early 20th century. We will work to understand what some of these movements stood for, the complex relationships and rivalries between them, and their influence on broader social and political changes in 20th century Europe (and beyond). Pictured (edited): Election poster of the General Jewish Labour Bund in Kyiv (artist unknown) , 1917 (via Wikimedia Commons) Guest Lectures from Yiddish Scholars & Artists Since 2021 (when the first Zhargon course was offered), each Zhargon cohort extends and opens our classroom learning with a series of public, online lectures that broaden our perspectives of Yiddish history and culture. The Zhargon Speaker Series brings leading figures in Yiddish Studies and contemporary Yiddish arts and culture to share their work and engage in a live discussion with participants. A selection of recorded lectures are available on our YouTube channel . Past Event Give Alms to the Jewish King Lear: Eldercare in Yiddish Literature Thu, Jun 25 Online Quick View View Event Past Event Here Where We Live is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Labor Bund Sun, Dec 07 Online Quick View View Event Past Event No Pasarán! Jewish Collective Memory in the Spanish Civil War Thu, Nov 20 Online Quick View View Event Past Event Ottoman Musical Routes & Roots: Moldavian Yiddish Connections Sun, Nov 02 Online Quick View View Event Load More Zhargon Speaker Series | The Peretz Cent... Play Video Play Video 01:02:21 Play Video Play Video 53:28 Play Video Play Video 42:10 Zhargon Resources at the Kirman Library A selection of course texts and books for further reading will be available at the Peretz Centre's Kirman Library , which is open to the public by appointment. (Peretz members have borrowing privileges.) Language in Time of Revolution by Benjamin Harshav (University of California Press, 1993) The Meaning of Yiddish by Benjamin Harshav (University of California Press, 1990) History of the Yiddish Language by Max Weinreich (University of Chicago Press, 1980) Modern Yiddish Culture: The Story of the Yiddish Language Movement by Emanuel Goldsmith (Fordham University Press, 1987) Writing in Tongues: Translating Yiddish in the Twentieth Century by Anita Norich (University of Washington Press, 2014) Architects of Yiddishism at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century: A Study in Jewish Cultural Histo by Emanuel S. Goldsmith (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1976) Found Treasures: Stories by Yiddish Women Writers Edited by Frieda Forman , Ethel Raicus , Sarah Silberstein Swartz (Second Story Press, 1994) Shtetl: A Vernacular Intellectual History by Jeffrey Shandler (Rutgers University Press, 2014) Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its Moods by Michael Wex (Harper Perennial, 2006) Polish Jewish Culture Beyond the Capital: Centering the Periphery Edited by Halina Goldberg and Nancy Sinkoff, with Natalia Aleksiun (Rutgers University Press, 2023) Radical Jewish Politics: A Global Perspective Edited by Nathaniel Deutsch, Alma Rachel Heckman, and Tony Michels (Rutgers University Press, 2025) Jewish Radicals: A Documentary History Edited by Tony Michels (NYU Press, 2012) The First Modern Jew: Spinoza and the History of an Image by Daniel B. Schwartz (Princeton University Press, 2012) The Enemy at His Pleasure: A Journey through the Jewish Pale of Settlement during World War I by S. Ansky, edited and translated by Joachim Neugroschel (Metropolitan Books, 2002) Old Jewish Folk Music: The Collections and Writings of Moshe Beregovski Translated and edited by Mark Slobin Voices of a People: The Story of Yiddish Folk Song by Ruth Rubin (T. Yoseloff, 1963) Bad Rabbi: And Other Strange but True Stories from the Yiddish Press by Eddy Portnoy (Stanford University Press, 2017) Yiddish Lives On: Yiddish Lives On Strategies of Language Transmission by Rebecca Margolis (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2023) A Birdge of Longing: The Lost Art of Yiddish Storytelling by David Roskies (Harvard University Press, 1996) Yiddish: A Nation of Words by Miriam Weinstein (Steerforth Press, 2001) I. L. Peretz and the Making of Modern Jewish Culture by Ruth R. Wisse (University of Washington Press, 2015) The Dybbuk: Between Two Worlds by Sh. An-Sky, translated S. Morris Engel (Regnery/Gateway, 1974) Sing, Stranger: A Century of American Yiddish Poetry—A Historical Anthology Edited by Benjamin Harshav, translated by Barbara Harshav & Benjamin Harshav (University of Stanford Press, 2006) Fear and Other Stories by Chana Blankshteyn, translated by Anita Norich (Wayne State University Press, 2022) The Acrobat: Selected Poems of Celia Dropkin by Celia Dropkin, translated by Faith Jones, Jennifer Kronovet, & Samuel Solomon Proletpen: America's Rebel Yiddish Poets Edited by Amelia Glaser, & David Weintraub, translated by Amelia Glaser (University of Wisconsin Press, 2005) American Yiddish Poetry: A Bilingual Anthology by Benjamin Harshav and Barbara Harshav (Stanford University Press, 2006) Reading Women: Marginality and Modernization in Nineteenth-Century Eastern European Jewish Society by Iris Parush, translated by Saadya Sternberg (Brandeis University Press, 2004) Jewish Life in Renaissance Italy by Robert Bonfil, translated by Anthony Oldcorn (Unviersity of Californiai Press, 1994) Jewish Musical Traditions by Amnon Shiloah (Wayne State University Press, 1995) The Golem and the Wondrous Deeds of the Maharal of Prague by Yudl Rosenberg, edited and translated by Curt Leviant (Yale University Press, 1997) Moscow Yiddish Theater: Art on Stage in the Time of Revolution by Benjamin Harshav (Yale University Press, 2007) The Shtetl: A Creative Anthology of Jewish Life in Eastern Europe by Joachim Neugroschel (Richard Marek Publishers, 1979) The Marxists and the Jewish Question The History of a Debate (1843-1943) by Enzo Traverso, translated by Bernard Gibbons (Humanities Press, 1994) Upcoming Yiddish History Courses Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt (2025) Ended View Course Want to hear about future programs? Sign up for our newsletter Zhargon Curriculum Creators Itamar Manoff is co-executive director of the Peretz Centre. A PhD in Educational Studies, Itamar is a community educator, language teacher and learner, and Jewish history enthusiast. He is a graduate of the Wallis Annenberg Helix-Yiddishkayt Fellowship (2018–2019), and the Yiddish Book Center's Yiddish Pedagogy Fellowship (2025–2026). Itamar is also the co-founder of This is Not an Ulpan , a grassroots, cooperative language school dedicated to the principles of critical pedagogy and emancipatory education in Palestine and Israel. Jess Goldman is a writer, comics artist, and amateur puppeteer based on the traditional, unceded lands of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam peoples. Their writing has been published in Maisonneuve, the CBC, and Room Magazine . Their story “Tombstone of a Tsaddik ” won the 2025 Bronwen Wallace Award for Short Fiction. A graduate of University of British Columbia’s MFA in Creative Writing Program, their writing explores that sweet spot where Yiddishkayt and queer culture joyfully collide.

In this in-person seminar, participants trace the histories of Jewish migration and settlement to the west coast from the 1880s through the 1930s. We will seek to understand the role Jews played in the colonial project of Canada and the political landscape of the emerging nation-state, from railroad barons to bootleggers to radical labour organizers, and ask how these experiences shaped what being Jewish in this place called Vancouver meant and means today. *Doikayt poster art by Jess Goldman Course Overview Topics & Themes Speaker Series DOIKAYT Histories of Jews Going West Trace the histories of Jewish migration and settlement to the west coast and revisit the stories we tell (and don't tell) about who we are and how we got here. Register Local Jewish History Course Overview In Doikayt: Histories of Jews Going West , participants work together to critically and lovingly trace the histories of Jewish migration to the west coast from the 1880s through the 1930s. We embark on this journey inspired by the radical concept of "doikayt" – literally translated from Yiddish as “here-ness” – that emerged from Jewish progressive movements of the 20th century and emphasizes that struggles for justice, equity, and mutual liberation begin here, and now, in the place where we live. The concept of doikayt grounds connection to place in existing relationships, cultures, and histories rather than a sense of belonging tied to national identities or borders. In this vein, this community-based seminar approaches Jewish experiences and struggles in context and in conversation with other migrant groups and Indigenous peoples. Who were the Jews that came to settle the west coast? How did Jews relate to and interact with Indigenous communities and their settler neighbours? How did groups respond to antisemitic and anti-immigrant politics? Why were Jews associated with radicals and communists? How and why did Zionism take root in Jewish communities, especially in the west? Why do all (rail)roads lead back to Winnipeg? And what can we learn more about the connections, relationships, and commitments that we hold here, now? Our course takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. In our collective study and inquiry, we are indebted to the Nations who have been caretakers, custodians, and protectors of this land since time immemorial. This seminar aims to critically reflect on our narratives, historical memory, and practices within a commitment to the process of reconciliation and decolonization. Through engaging with historical records and archival materials, we will seek to understand the roles Jews played in the colonial project of Canada and the political landscape of the emerging nation-state, from railroad barons to bootleggers to radical labour organizers. "[...] both in the realm of politics and cultural production, do’ikayt [here-ness ] encourages a connection to the Here, where one lives, including its histories. But it also includes a demand to change, to improve that Here. Do’ikayt insists that this change cannot wait, and will not be easier anywhere else." -- Madeleine (Mindl) Cohen, Here and Now: The Modernist Poetics of Do'ikayt (2016), p. 2 The Doikayt program was created as part of the Peretz Centre's 2025-26 Discovering Doikayt initiative . We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada. Tseydo-ladeyrekh / צדה-לדרך (Food/Preparation for the Journey) Khavershaft Exploring Jewish history is exciting and fascinating (and fun!), but can also confront us with difficult histories, trauma, and deep questions about personal and collective identity. Before gaining knowledge, our commitment is to each other and to our learning. Let us commit to creating a space of inquiry, critical questioning, respect for each other, and mutual support. Knowledge We all bring different forms of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives to the table, and all of these are part of our learning together. We will meet some real experts along the way, but ultimately, the processing, questioning, and knowledge creation will be up to us as a group. Identity Our goal in this course is to approach local histories from all groups with curiosity, respect, and a critical mind, as well as make space for personal exploration and expression. We acknowledge that everyone is coming to this class from a different place, and we want to make space for individual learning within the space of our collective process. Topics & Themes in Local Jewish History The Transcontinental Railroad We begin with the infrastructure of Jewish migration -- and colonial expansion and control -- across North America. Starting with the incorporation of the City of Vancouver in 1886 and the opening of the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, this seminar places the westward expansion of the railroads in the context of nation-building, colonialism, and Indigenous resistance. Early Jewish settlers played various roles in this history, from industrialists like mayor David Oppenheimer to railroad workers who laid the tracks with Indigenous and other migrant labourers. Who were the early settlers and what was life like for them here? How did they relate to Indigenous peoples and their struggles? Pictured: First CPR train to reach Vancouver, May 23, 1887 (photo by J. A. Brock, via Vancouver City Archives ) Peretz School Western Settlement & Jewish Farms Moving into the second major wave of immigration to Canadian territories, we examine changing profiles of the ideal settler/immigrant for the new Canadian state and how Jews fit (and did not fit) into that profile. Our first area of focus is the establishment of Jewish farming colonies, which were enabled by laws and policies granting "free land" to certain immigrants. What was life like on these farms in Western Canada? How did they start, who funded them, and what happened to them? What can they teach us about the relationships of Jews to colonial powers and land theft? And how can we understand the political and economic influences of "back to the land" movements championed by figures like Chaim Zhitlowsky in Jewish communities around the world? Pictured: Cover of Canada West immigration atlas, Department of Immigration and Colonization, 1923 (via Library and Archives Canada ) Events Cities & Working Class Politics What was life like for urban Jews? Winnipeg was at the centre of Jewish society in Western Canada, providing a dynamic setting to explore class politics that still leave their trace on the city's geography today. In Winnipeg's North End, working class immigrants organized vibrant community institutions, mutual aid networks, and labour unions that built relationships across cultural groups. How did they respond to oppositions and crackdowns from the state? Why did Jews become associated with communists and anarchists, and what were the consequences of this association? What impact did the Great Depression and increasingly restrictive and xenophobic immigration laws have on these communities, and their relatives in other places? Pictured: Crowd facing streetcar during Winnipeg General Strike, June 21, 1919 (via University of Manitoba Archives ) Kirman Nationalism & Solidarity Leading up to the Second World War, how did Jewish communities organize in the face of anti-immigrant and antisemitic politics in Canada, including Canadian fascist movements? In the conclusion of the seminar, we compare two approaches adopted by key institutions in response to these political realities: nationalism and the politics of solidarity. How did these two approaches influence the sense of identity and belonging for Jews struggling for equality alongside other marginalized groups? How did they affect discourses around "assimilation" and "Canadianization"? What were the bases of collaboration and conflict between institutions? What role did Zionism play in shaping Canadian Jewish politics, especially in Western Canada? Why are the legacies of major progressive Jewish movements relatively unknown today, and what can we learn from them now? Pictured: Poster by Michael Loeb, 1934, used by the American Jewish Labor Committee, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, and others (via Jewish Labor Committee ) Guest Lectures from Local Scholars & Organizers The Doikayt Speaker Series extends and opens our classroom learning through public, online discussions with local scholars and organizers, helping us think about what it means to be here, right now -- and how we can be part of the work to sustain and initiate change for the sake of a better, more beautiful world for all. Deepening our connection with the local history and culture, topics expand beyond the scope of the Doikayt seminar to highlight contemporary issues and artistic works, as well as historical perspectives and research. Recorded lectures are available on our YouTube channel . Past Event Listening to the Here and Now: Spontaneous Prayer in an Era of Polycrisis Wed, Jun 17 Online (Zoom) Quick View Details Past Event Indigenous Sovereignty & the Fight Against Ecocide: Stories of Solidarity in the Tradition of Jewish Anti-Fascism Tue, May 12 Online (Zoom) Quick View Details Past Event A Labour of Love: A Brief History of the Jewish Independent Mon, Apr 27 Online Quick View Details Past Event Vancouver's Left-Wing Jews and the Politics of Respectability Tue, Apr 07 Online Quick View Details Doikayt Speaker Series | The Peretz Cent... Play Video Play Video 44:35 Play Video Play Video 45:01 Play Video Play Video 43:56 Doikayt Resources at the Kirman Library A selection of course texts and books for further reading will be available at the Peretz Centre's Kirman Library , which is open to the public by appointment. (Peretz members have borrowing privileges.) We’re Going to Run This City: Winnipeg's Political Left after the General Strike by Stefan Epp-Koop (2015) For a Better World: The Winnipeg General Strike and the Workers' Revolt Edited by James Naylor, Rhonda L. Hinther, and Jim Mochoruk (2022) Communal Solidarity: Immigration, Settlement, and Social Welfare in Winnipeg’s Jewish Community, 188 Arthur Ross (2019) A Future Without Hate or Need: The Promise of the Jewish Left in Canada Ester Reiter (2016) Sweatshop Strife: Class, Ethnicity, and Gender in the Jewish Labour Movement of Toronto, 1900-1939 Ruth Frager (1992) Canadian Jewish Studies Reader Edited by Richard Menkis and Norman Ravvin Chosen Capital: The Jewish Encounter with American Capitalism Edited by Rebecca Kobrin (2012) Compelled to Act: Histories of Women's Activism in Western Canada Edited by Sarah Carter and Nanci Langford (2020) Storied Landscapes: Ethno-Religious Identity and the Canadian Prairies Frances Swyripa (2010) Revisiting Human Rights in Canadian History Edited by Jennifer Tunnicliffe and Stephanie Bangarth (2025) No Better Home? Jews, Canada, and the Sense of Belonging Edited by David Koffman (2021) The Jews' Indian: Colonialism, Pluralism, and Belonging in America David S. Koffman (2019) In a “Land of Hope”: Documents on the Canadian Jewish Experience, 1627–1923, Volume 1 Edited by Anctil Pierre and Menkis Richard (2024) Radical Roots: The Shaping of British Columbia Harold Griffin (1999) Jewish Radicalism in Winnipeg, 1905-1960 Proceedings of a conference organized by the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, September 8-10, 2001, Edited by Daniel Stone (2003) The Worst of Times the Best of Times: Growing Up in Winnipeg's North End Harry Gutkin with Mildred Gutkin (1987) Profiles in Dissent: The Shaping of Radical Thought in the Canadian West Harry Gutkin and Mildred Gutkin (1996) The West and Beyond: New Perspectives on an Imagined “Region” Alvin Finkel, Sarah Carter, and Peter Fortna (2010) Making Vancouver: Class, Status, and Social Boundaries, 1863-1913 Robert A.J. McDonald (1996) Taking Root: The Origins of the Canadian Jewish Community Gerald Tulchinsky (1992) Pioneers, Pedlars, and Prayer Shawls: The Jewish Communities in British Columbia and the Yukon Cyril Edel Leonoff (1978) The Jews in Manitoba: A Social History Arthur A. Chiel (1961) Canada's Jews: A Social and Economic Study of Jews in Canada in the 1930s Louis Rosenberg, edited by Morton Weinfeld (1939/1993) The Defining Decade: Identity, Politics, and the Canadian Jewish Community in the 1960s Harold Troper (2010) Upcoming Western Jewish History Courses Doikayt: Histories of Jews Going West Ended View Course Want to hear about future programs? Sign up for our newsletter Doikayt Curriculum Creator Adi Burton is an interdisciplinary scholar and community organizer. She became the co-executive director of the Peretz Centre in 2024 after completing her Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia on the responsibility of activists in the face of genocide . As a teacher, she draws on Jewish political and ethical thought, postcolonialism, memory studies, and philosophy of education.

Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history! We offer in-person beginners' and intermediate Yiddish language classes. Learn Yiddish Course Levels More Programs Yiddish Language Courses Learn to read, write, and speak in Yiddish at the Peretz Centre in Vancouver Register Learn Yiddish at the Peretz Centre "It is true that they are saying that we are a dead language already 500 years ago, but as far as I'm concerned, Yiddish is going to be a dying language for the next 2000 years." -- Yitzhak Bashvis Zinger (1904-1991) Yiddish has been the spoken language of Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern and Central Europe for a thousand years. It has served as the everyday expression of Jewish life -- secular, religious, and everything in between. Yiddish isn't just a language, it's a meeting point of different cultures, histories, and geographical locations. When we learn Yiddish vocabulary, we encounter Hebrew and Aramaic, German, and Slavic languages that shaped the unique experience of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. Yiddishland isn't just the physical places where Yiddish-speaking Jews lived, it is also "a republic of letters." When we learn Yiddish, we tap into a treasure trove of stories, poetry, philosophy, history, politics, and the records of everyday life. We will draw on these texts to deepen our connection to our history and culture. By engaging with Yiddish language and culture, we locate ourselves at the threshold of Jewish modernity, encountering thinkers, rebels, revolutionaries, sages, and storytellers of our past and present. Vocabulary & Grammar We will focus on developing the building blocks of Yiddish vocabulary and grammar: sentence structure, forming questions, using descriptive language, pronunciation, and tenses. Reading & Writing We will read short poems, children's stories, biographies, Wikipedia articles, historical newspapers, contemporary online magazines and more to explore the written world of Yiddish. Conversation The best way to learn a langauge is to speak it! We will practice talking about different themes and topics ranging from cooking, daily routines, all the way to classic fables and newspapers. Yiddish Language Classes in Vancouver Beginners' Yiddish Classes Start your Yiddish language learning journey at the Peretz Centre with Beginners' Yiddish! In this introductory class, we will dive into the language and culture of Eastern European Jews, and explore the fascinating world of Yiddishkayt. Using a communicative and task-based approach, we will practice basic conversational skills, learn important verbs and adjectives to describe our daily life, and learn to read and write in Yiddish! During our classes we will also learn Yiddish folks songs and get exposed to Yiddish film, art and, culture. See Upcoming Classes Yiddish for Continuing Students Deepen your understanding of Yiddish with interactive, text-based classes This course is based on a conversational, interactive and communicative approach to Yiddish. In it, we will focus on deepening our conversational and expressive skills in Yiddish, all the while deepening our grammatical to allow us to engage in authentic conversation in Yiddish. In addition, we will learn Yiddish songs, read short stories and poems, watch Yiddish films, clips, interviews and more! See Upcoming Classes More Yiddish Language Programs at the Peretz Centre Online Yiddish Leyenkrayz Practice and expand your Yiddish with the intermediate or advanced Leyenkrayz (reading circle), which meet online every week! With a rotating reading list, these informal, long-running groups are great ways to dig deeper into the language. Get in touch Kirman Yiddish Library The Paulina and Shaya Kirman Library, located at the Peretz Centre, is the largest Yiddish language library in Western Canada. The library contains over 4000 Yiddish and English books, journals, and other print media (visit by appointment). Browse catalogue The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir The Choir sings mostly Yiddish pieces ranging from traditional folk and Yiddish theatre songs to newly-composed and arranged pieces of greater complexity, plus Hanukkah and Pesach repertoires in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, and English. Join the Choir Register for Yiddish Courses Continuing Yiddish 2026 / ייִדיש װײַטער Deepen your understanding of the Yiddish language with intermediate classes Ended View Course Zayt Bagrist 2026 (Welcome to Yiddish!) Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history this fall! Ended View Course Want to hear about future programs? Sign up for our newsletter Curriculum Creator Itamar Manoff is co-executive director of the Peretz Centre. A PhD in Educational Studies, Itamar is a community educator, language teacher and learner, and Jewish history enthusiast. He is a graduate of the Wallis Annenberg Helix-Yiddishkayt Fellowship (2018–2019), and the Yiddish Book Center's Yiddish Pedagogy Fellowship (2025–2026). Itamar is also the co-founder of This is Not an Ulpan , a grassroots, cooperative language school dedicated to the principles of critical pedagogy and emancipatory education in Palestine and Israel.

Rent our auditorium or meeting room for your next event, party, wedding, meeting, or life cycle event. Hall rental for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, banquets, fundraisers, dances, reunions, anniversary and birthday celebrations, concerts and plays. Room rental for meetings, conferences, workshops and classes. Peretz Centre Venue Rentals Rent our hall or meeting room for your next program, concert, conference, meeting, or life cycle event. Conveniently located near Oakridge Mall in Vancouver, one block west of the Canada Line (half way between the 41st and 49th Avenue stations), our variety of spaces can accommodate all of your rental needs. Submit an Inquiry Available Rental Spaces in Vancouver We prioritize renting to community organizations at affordable rates. If you are looking for a long-term rental partnership, please contact us. The Peretz Centre and our rental rooms are wheelchair accessible, with underground parking and an elevator. Our rooms are available for one-time or long-term rental. *Please note that the lower floor (Seniors Lounge) is currently rented by the Vancouver Public Library and will not be available until 2027. Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium (interior) Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium (stage) Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium (stage) Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium (interior) 1/5 3,000+ sqft Capacity: 200-300 people Our dividable auditorium can accommodate up to 200 seated guests (banquets, weddings) or 300 people for cocktail receptions, concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, and more. Features a maple wood floor, spacious foyer, stage, portable stage, green room (off-stage prep room), and full catering kitchen. Lighting system, sound system, and wi-fi available. Kitchen Peretz Centre Kitchen Peretz Centre Kitchen Peretz Centre Kitchen 1/2 550 sqft Capacity: 20 people The kitchen, located right next to the Ben Chud Auditorium on the second floor, is fully equipped for a wide range of needs, from commercial catering to community cooking classes. (Included in full rate auditorium rentals.) Dishes, cutlery, glassware, and more are also available for food service and coffee/tea service. Kirman Library Kirman Library Kirman Library Kirman Library 1/2 345 sqft Capacity: 12 people In addition to holding a fascinating library of Yiddish and Jewish texts, the Kirman Library, is a conveniently sized meeting room equipped for in-person and hybrid/virtual events. Includes access to wi-fi and a full video conference system with a 65" TV. Schoolroom Schoolroom (Forget Me Not) Schoolroom Schoolroom Schoolroom (Forget Me Not) 1/3 1500 sqft Capacity: 30 people Thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of both adults and kids, this cozy space is bright and welcoming and includes a small kitchen and washrooms. Perfect for dance practices, play rehearsals, classroom on the weekends (not available during the week). Additional Rental Amenities Round or rectangular tables, comfortable banquet chairs included. Also available by arrangement: dishes, coffee/tea service, tablecloths, whiteboards, underground parking, microphones, built-in sound system, and stage lighting. Rental inquiries for the foyer on the second-floor (capacity: 30) are also welcome for social events, displays, luncheons, and more. Submit a Rental Inquiry Please provide as much information as possible in order to help us assess your booking needs. Contact name* Contact family name* Who do you represent?* Registered charity Registered non-profit society Private organization or business Individual/group Booking priority may be given to registered charities and/or non-profit societies. Organization name Website Email* Phone I am interested in renting:* Gallia & Ben Chud Auditorium Kitchen Kirman Library Schoolroom Lounge (upstairs) Please provide a brief description of your event or program* What kind of event/program are you planning to host?* Private (invite-only) Open to the public Other Estimated number of attendees* Do you plan to have food and/or drinks?* Yes, there will be food and/or non-alcoholic beverages Yes, there will be food and alcoholic beverages No food or drinks Not sure yet Please indicate if your event/rental will include any of the following. Live music/performance Recorded music (including background music) Dancing Select one or more amenities (optional): Sound equipment and/or set up Projector and screen Underground parking access Other Preferred event date* Start time* Time : Hours Minutes AM End time* Time : Hours Minutes AM Additional information (optional) I want to book more than one day in a row I want to book a recurring day and time (weekly, monthly, etc.) Do you currently have insurance coverage for your planned activities? Proof of insurance will be required to confirm rentals.* Yes Not yet How did you hear about the Peretz Centre?* Submit

Make a charitable donation to the Peretz Centre and support our secular Jewish educational programs, cultural and community initiatives, events, and more! Support Our Work The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to providing a progressive, modern Jewish cultural education to students of all ages. Charitable number: 108167602 RR 0001 Donate Ways to Give Donate to the Peretz Centre Your tax-deductible contribution sustains a home for progressive Jewish culture. Donate Online: Donors from Canada and around the world can make a one-time, monthly, or annual gift online via Zeffy , or through CanadaHelps . Gifts are eligible for a Canadian tax receipt. Donate Securities: Donations of securities, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, are gratefully accepted via CanadaHelps . Donate by Cheque: To make a donation by mail, send a cheque to the following address (Canada only): Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture 6184 Ash St. Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9 Canada Ways to Give Make a Gift All donations, large and small, help sustain a home for progressive Jewish learning and culture. Donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt (registered charity 108167602 RR 0001). Donate Become a Member Members are the foundation of our community. Become a member and renew your membership annually to support our programs year-round, and take an active role in building our future. Register Legacy Giving Continue an 80-year legacy of Jewish learning and culture in BC by including the Peretz Centre in your estate planning. Bequests and other forms of legacy giving leave a lasting impact and help us grow. Contact Us Get in touch Speak with us to learn more about giving opportunities and other ways to get involved! Send an email to execdirector@peretz-centre.org or call and leave a message at +1 (604) 325-1812 .

The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in Vancouver, Canada, is one of dozens of schools, cultural centres, libraries, organizations, streets, and plazas, from Buenos Aires to Birobidzhan, named in honour of I. L. Peretz.​ Read Al Stein's short biography of Peretz. Who was I. L. Peretz? by Al Stein The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in Vancouver, Canada, is one of dozens of schools, cultural centres, libraries, organizations, streets, and plazas, from Buenos Aires to Birobidzhan, named in honour of I. L. Peretz. Peretz: A Modern Yiddish Writer See 1905 map from Topographic Maps of Eastern Europe: An Atlas of the Shtetl Yitzkhok Leybush Peretz was born in 1852 in Zamość , a small city in the southeast of Poland, to a prominent Orthodox family and by six years of age had already begun to study the Talmud. Recognized as a prodigy, he was expected to become a revered Rabbi or a great Jewish scholar, but as a young teenager was given the key to a private library of masterworks of secular European literature and the social and physical sciences. He painstakingly learned Russian, German, French and some English and was forever transformed by this learning. In keeping with Orthodox Jewish custom, his parents arranged a teenage marriage for him that did not last, but did produce a son, Lucian, who Peretz took charge of. He soon remarried and that marriage, childless, endured for his lifetime. He was accepted as a law student and by age twenty-five was granted a license by the Czarist authority to practice private law, but not before the Russian court, and soon developed a respected reputation in and around Zamość. At 37 years old, he was suddenly disbarred without explanation, but presumably for his socialist sympathies. He moved to Warsaw and was offered the position of a functionary for the Jewish Community Council, in charge of burial records for the Jewish cemetery. Peretz's income was modest but he now had time to devote to writing. He had previously written a small number of works in Polish and Hebrew but now decided to write in Yiddish, the everyday language of the Jewish people. In 1888, Peretz’s first Yiddish work, “Monish”, a mock-epic verse ballad, was published in Sholem Aleichem’s journal, “Yiddish Folks-Bibliotek”. Nothing so modern in style and content had ever before been written in Yiddish. Sholem Aleichem was seven years younger than Peretz, but had started to write in Yiddish earlier; his humorous sketches and gentle satires of the ways that ordinary Jews in the Ukraine coped with everyday hardships and the many changes that were happening, had made him very popular. Peretz made it very clear in an accompanying letter that he had no intention of trying to copy Sholem Aleichem’s style and goal which he said was to amuse and comfort his readers. Peretz said he intended to appeal more to intellectuals, his goal being to enlighten his readers. Their relationship continued to be cooperative, if somewhat prickly. Read Monish in Yiddish online at the Internet Archive “Peretz was committed to one premise above all others: that it was possible, through literature, to fuse Jewish tradition with Western ideas of humanism, reason, and social justice and to show that those ideas were, in fact, implicit in Jewish tradition all along." -- Aaron Lansky, Introduction to Pakn Treger No. 72 , Peretz: Redux (Fall 2015) Peretz’s literary genius was multi-faceted and his writing styles very varied, reflecting his diverse experience and the psychological and neo-Romantic impulses found in contemporary European literature. He was always concerned about the practical questions of Jewish national and cultural identity during a period of great social and political unrest. He served as a guide and mentor to the next generation of Yiddish writers who would regularly gather at his modest home. The relevance of Peretz’s writings to issues facing Jews today is readily apparent. Examining traditional and khasidic Jewish culture through his secular intellect, he wrote stories, poems, essays and plays where earthly goodness frequently had a higher value than traditional piety and where he often scourged religious hypocrisy and exploitation of women. Although sympathetic to most socialist ideals, Peretz in his last years expressed growing anxiety and uncanny foresight about simplistic class politics that he feared would stifle individual liberty and intellectual and literary expression. He never ceased to champion Yiddish as a unifying force that would strengthen and give voice to the cultural values of the Jewish people. Peretz was active in Jewish communal affairs in Warsaw; he organized a Jewish library, a choral society and was instrumental in the founding of an orphanage for Jewish children. During the early period of World War I, thousands of Russian Jews were scapegoated for potential disloyalty and forced out by the anti-Semitic Czar, Nicholas II. They flocked to Warsaw where Peretz, among others, made every effort to provide them with food, shelter and medical attention. This huge task and the sight of all the suffering undermined his already frail heart. He died on April 3, 1915. It is said that 100 thousand mourning Jews followed the coffin of the greatest Yiddish literary artist to the cemetery. Today, he is hardly recognized by most Jews in North America. Portrait by Władysław Wajntraub, undated ( via Wikimedia Commons ) Further Reading Note: This is an informal and most definitely non-exhaustive list of the many resources available about Peretz's life, work, and impact. Ruth R. Wisse, " Peretz, Yitskhok Leybush ," in the YIVO Encycolpedia of Jews in Eastern Europe. David Mazower, "Inside the Peretz Salon: The Engine Room of Modern Yiddish Culture, with David Mazower ," lecture at the Yiddish Book Center (Feb. 8 2024). Adi Mahalel, The Radical Isaac: I. L. Peretz and the Rise of Jewish Socialism (SUNY Press, 2023) David G. Roskies, " The Small Talk of I. L. Peretz ," In Geveb: A Journal of Yiddish Studies (May 22, 2016). David Mazower, " Peretz’s Worlds: Separating the Man from the Myth ," Pakn Treger No. 72 (Fall 2015/5776). Join Our Mailing List Subscribe Become a Member Register Support Our Work Donate

Take part in the inaugural year of Peretz's arts-based, community-focused Zumer (summer) camp! The two-week program for youth aged 8 to 13 will focus on: Creative expression and learning; Supportive, youth-centred initiatives; Intergenerational cultural exchange. Learn more and register at our website. Image: Lufṭ zun ṿaser by Julian Liebermann, ca. 1926 (New York Public Library ) Overview Structure & Pedagogy Community Peretz Zumershule A two-week summer program for youth ages 8-13 to explore Jewish cultural heritage and practice creative expression. Register Now Creative Practice & Artistic Exploration Friendship & Radical Inclusivity Intergenerational Cultural Learning Youth Summer Program for Jewish Arts & Culture The Peretz Zumershule is a two week summer (zumer ) program for youth ages 8-13 to explore forms of artistic expression historically associated with Jewish culture. From folk theatre and film, klezmer music, comedy and satire, to visual arts, creative 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. For ten wild days, Zumershule camp participants engage in independent creative inquiry, structured activities of all kinds, and outdoor play in nearby Tisdale Park, culminating in a youth-led, Secular Humanist shabbes community dinner. We welcome participants of all backgrounds and abilities. Bring your talents, curiosity, interests, and unique selves! Neurodiverse, BIPOC, and queer/trans/two-spirit youth will be enthusiastically welcomed. 10 Days of Arts-Based Learning & Creativity Zines & Comics Mikveh Tkhine zine by Sunny Nestler Learn more Paper Arts Papirshnit (papercut) art by Elijah Holstein Learn more Songwriting & Poetry Excerpt from Leonard Cohen's notebooks See more Food Arts Zumershule kids making challah About Jewish Food Language & Text Book of Jonah (1897) by Moses Elijah Goldstein. Learn more Music & Dance Ira Khonen Temple on accordion See more Painting & Drawing Painting from the Resisterrrz series by Hinda Avery See more Folk Theatre & Film Molly Picon in Mamele (1938) Learn more Plants & Earth Zumershule TEA-kun olam ingredients Jewish Seeds Textile Arts Stop the Occupation , fabric art by Sima Elizabeth Shefrin See more Learn & Practice Jewish Folk Arts Jewish cultural traditions offer a huge range of traditional and dynamic art forms. If you know the Peretz community, you know that we have a diverse membership who practice and study many of these arts. The Peretz Zumershule invites these Peretzniks to share their knowledge and skills with younger generations. Half of each day will be dedicated to arts-based learning workshops guided by volunteer community members and supervised by experienced counsellors. Over the course of two weeks, the Zumershule offers youth the chance to learn about Jewish cultural heritage and practice creative expression within a supportive environment, deepening their connection with community and place. Freely Explore Curiosity & Imagination The other half of the day will be open for participants to explore their own interests, individually or in groups. With assistance from supportive counsellors, youth will have the opportunity to pursue their questions, return to previous activities, work on projects, collaborate with others, and engage in creative play at the level of their choosing. The Peretz Zumershule is not a typical summer school! The words “school” and “shule” both trace back to the Greek scholé , which also meant “free time” – the kind of freedom you need to truly learn. The Yiddish shule , furthermore, refers more generally to a home for study; in socialist Yiddish circles, the word was used to signify homes for the renewal of Jewish life and culture. This program goes beyond regular modern schools to recover other traditional forms of education that foster authentic connections and interests, and value the perspectives and agency of young people to be active participants in their own education. By providing unstructured free time, the Peretz Zumershule offers students precious time and space for digesting new experiences, chasing their imagination, and studying/playing at their own pace. We love learning from Zumershule participants and witnessing their vibrant creativity! Learn and Practice Jewish Folk Arts Jewish cultural traditions offer a huge range of traditional and dynamic art forms, including but not limited to: Youth-Led Shabbes Finale Take Part in Community-Building The program will culminate in a youth-led cultural shabbes dinner at the Peretz Centre, where participants will share their learning and take an active leadership role in community life to foster a sense of belonging and responsibility. When it comes to education, there is no substitute for doing something yourself. The Peretz community’s monthly Fraytik tsu Nakht (Friday night) potluck dinners are central part of our 80 year history. We begin with our secular humanist shabbes/shabbat service of readings and songs in English, Yiddish, and Hebrew that emphasize and celebrate gratitude, solidarity, and peace. After a potluck meal, we engage together in an after-dinner communal learning, whether with guest speakers, performances, film screenings, and more. At these events, dedicated Peretznik and early childhood educator Gyda Chud often shares her mother Gallia’s understanding of word “secular”: at Peretz, we believe that it is human beings who are the thinkers of thoughts and the doers of deeds. By supporting young people to initiate and participate in our community events, we uphold educational values that reflect that belief and make space for youth to realize what these practices mean to them. Leading up to the community shabbes dinner, participants will have the chance to learn and experience: The meanings and histories of shabbes practices and symbols, which they will be invited to share with the community throughout the evening; Songs from Jewish culture and progressive political traditions; The processes of shabbes preparation (such as making challah) and community service, taking part in food prep, set up, and clean up according to age and ability; Leading the after-dinner educational activity, contributing to our collective understanding of community and culture. Register for the Peretz Zumershule Zumershule: Youth Summer Program 2026 Starts Aug 17 Loading availability... Loading availability... Register Want to hear about future programs? Sign up for our newsletter

The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir is a multicultural, queer-friendly, and progressive community choir, open to all! We learn and sing traditional and contemporary Jewish folk songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, and English. About Us Our Repertoire Performances How to Join The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Spend Tuesday evenings learning and singing traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and English. We strive for a queer-friendly, progressive environment. All singers welcome! Join the Choir Learn We learn songs and arrangements (in transliteration) together with our conductor and provide recordings to help new members learn at their own pace. Rehearse The Choir meets for weekly rehearsals (snacks usually included) in the Peretz Centre auditorium. What better way to spend a Tuesday evening? Perform In addition to our annual spring concert, the choir performs for holiday celebrations and special events at the Peretz Centre and in the Jewish and mainstream communities. Enjoy! Our snacky schmooze before rehearsal helps us (mostly) not derail rehearsal with snappy banter. We support each other as singers at every skill level. About the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Conductor: David Millard (since 1996) The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir was founded at the Peretz Institute (now the Peretz Centre) in 1980 by Searle Friedman. We are an eclectic and friendly choir of about 25 members. Our ages range from 20s to late 70s, and we have Jewish and non-Jewish members. The choir has a long history of overlapping with the LGBTQ+ community, and has many queer/trans members. We also aim to be a neurodivergent friendly and anti-ableist space. We stand with the long revolutionary Yiddish history of advocating for peace. 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. Today, the Choir sings mostly Yiddish pieces ranging from traditional folk and Yiddish theatre songs to newly-composed and arranged pieces of greater complexity, plus Hanukkah and Pesach repertoires in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and English. We have performed at numerous venues in the Vancouver area, including the Peretz Centre, South Granville Lodge, Louis Brier home, Cityfest Vancouver, Vancouver Public Library, VanDusen Gardens, Cavell Gardens, Orpheum Theatre’s Parade of Choirs, the Vancouver Planetarium, Victoria’s Emanu-El synagogue, the Israeli Street Festival, and more. You can read more about the history of the Choir, and its predecessors, here (written by Victor Neuman). The Peretz Centre and the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir are grateful for the support of our partners, supporters, and individual donors. Mir Zingen : The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Turns 40 In 2019, The Vancouver Jewish Museum and Archives created an online exhibit for the Choir's 40th anniversary, dedicated to the memory of Sylvia Friedman, whose contributions to the choir and to progressive Jewish life in Vancouver were endless. View exhibit Our Repertoire of Jewish Folk Music Many of our songs are in Yiddish, and some are in other Jewish languages (English, Ladino, Hebrew, etc.). We often get to sing music arranged or composed specifically for the choir, and most of our music is in beautiful minor keys. All text is in transliteration, so no knowledge of Yiddish is required. Major works in our repertoire from recent years include Rozhinkes mit mandlen, Yomervokhets (Jabberwocky), In Amerike, Benyomin der driter, Ikh bin a Yid, Oyb nit nokh hekher , and excerpts from Di yam gazlonim (Pirates of Penzance, translated into Yiddish by Al Grand). In 2013, the choir performed a piece written by one of it's members, Victor Neuman, The Family Naiman , which told in narration, song and video, of his family's journey to freedom during the World War II years. Join the Choir Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Play Video Play Video 05:54 Giter brider nit gekhapt as performed by the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir performs "Giter brider nit gekhapt" from the opera Malke Shvo, as sung by legendary drag king Pepi Littman, at the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (March 14, 2026). גוטער ברודער ניט געכאַפט Music by Joseph Brody Lyrics by Anshel Shor Arranged by Daniel Carkner The performance was part of a Purim variety show ("Brief Utopias in the Time of Monsters"), organized by the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and the local collective Gliklekh in Goles in Vancouer, BC, Canada. The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir was established in 1980 by Searle Friedman with the aim of keeping Jewish music alive and educating both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences about this rich cultural tradition. The choir’s diverse repertoire retrieves folk music and other cultural materials that would otherwise be lost or made inaccessible, from a diversity of Jewish languages and cultural backgrounds, including Yiddish, Hebrew, and Ladino. In addition to performing traditional folk songs, the Choir creates new arrangements to bring those cultural treasures back to the community and into contemporary contexts for all generations. The choir brings together people from different cultural and faith backgrounds from their 20s to late 70s to enjoy and learn about Jewish music and languages, and build bridges with other folk music traditions. Learn more here: https://www.peretz-centre.org/vancouver-jewish-folk-choir Play Video Play Video 03:39 Hey Dzhankoye VJFC June 3 2018 Play Video Play Video 05:08 Mayn Shvester Khaye - Claire Klein Osipov Claire Osipov performing at Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, Vancouver, BC Canada. Play Video Play Video 50:01 Portion of the 25th Anniversary Concert by the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir This is the middle portion of the 25th Anniversary Concert given by the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir in 2003. It includes the Feature work on the program, Fond Memories of Ivye, by Thomas Garber. This composition is a medley of three traditional Yiddish folksongs: Bin Ikh Mir a Khosidl, Wos Farshteys Du Filozof, and Arum dem Fayer. #yiddish #choir #ivye # ivje #iwie # iwje #music #Jewish Play Video Play Video 01:43 Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir - Das lid fun broyt Play Video Play Video 01:58 Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir - Akhtsik er un zibetsik zi Play Video Play Video 03:45 Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir - Oyfin pripetshik Play Video Play Video 02:14 Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir - Tayere Malke Choir Performances High Holidays at the Peretz Centre 2026 Sun, Sep 13 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture More info Details Peretz Community Passover Seder 2027 Sun, Apr 18 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture More info Details Past Performances Peretz’s 80th Anniversary: A Wedding Between Peretz and the Past, Present, and Future Quick view View Event Peretz Community Passover Seder 2026 Quick view View Event Brief Utopias in the Time of Monsters: A Purim Variety Show Quick view View Event Load More Join the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir As a Jew who didn't grow up connected, the choir is a really joyful place for me to get to do that as an adult. It's a really important part of my Jewish identity now. I'm also trans and the choir has been exceptionally supportive with both my social transition and all the funny bits of a second puberty. -- Aurel, 2025 The vision of the choir has always been as a community choir open to all. New members are welcome to join throughout the season (Sept-June), no audition required. You don't need to know how to read music (though it helps). We do sing from sheet music and in 4-part harmony, but also have paid section leads in each voice part to make things easier. Some beginner-level training is very helpful. We create recordings of voice parts to help newcomers learn the music. If you'd like to drop by our next rehearsal, go to the registration page below and select a date to visit (or contact us at info@peretz-centre.org ). Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir 2025-26 Spend Tuesday evenings learning and singing traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people Sign up (drop in)