Search Results

The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture welcomes back Matthew Gindin as Pnei Mitzvah teacher for the 2024-2026 cohort. Renewing Ways to Face our Past, Present, and Future Did you know that the first Peretznik to have a secular bar mitzvah was in 1965? Avrom Osipov told the story of his groundbreaking ceremony at a Peretz alumni event in 2018, explaining that the concept was newsworthy enough to be reported on in the local media. Indeed, the event was reported in the Jewish Western Bulletin as follows: "History was made and a precedent set on Saturday morning, Aug. 21 at Vancouver Peretz school when Allan Frank Osipov became Bar-Mitzvah according to the beliefs and practices of modern secular Jewish life. Eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Osipov, Allan Osipov addressed a large gathering of relatives and friends on the significance of this stage in his life. He spoke in both Yiddish and English, paying tribute to his grandparents, parents and teachers." (Aug. 21 1965) (The article also notes that the pianist who accompanied the students who sang Yiddish songs for the occasion was Gyda Chud.) Nearly 60 years later, the secular, pluralistic tradition has included well over a hundred children who have found new meanings in reinterpreting the bar mitzvah rite of passage. Since 2019, we call it the Pnei Mitzvah program, inspired by the renaming of Reb Zalman 's organization from "Bnei Or" (sons of light) to "P'nei Or" (faces of light) in the 1970s. The gender-neutral name not only represents the plurality of faces in our Pnei Mitzvah cohorts, but also the task of facing our histories and traditions, as well as our present and collective future. Welcoming Back Pnei Mitzvah Teacher Matthew Gindin for the 2024-2025 Cohort Matthew Gindin We're excited to begin the new Pnei Mitzvah cohort with Matthew Gindin as teacher. Formerly Education Director at the Peretz Centre (and most recently Master Teacher at Or Shalom ), Matthew is an exceptional educator who focuses on the unique needs and experiences of each student and their learning journey. Part of the reason that we're particularly enthusiastic about Matthew's return is his in-depth approach to history and culture, which aligns with the Peretz Centre's mission of progressive and modern Jewish education. As an teacher, Matthew stands out for his respect for children as learners and people. His teaching style encourages engagement with traditional texts as literature, with the freedom to reinterpret and make connections to their own experience of the world. Over the two year program , students will go through millennia of Jewish history from a pluralistic, non-dogmatic standpoint, from beginnings as a nomadic people into the temple period and through to the present day. They will be exposed to a breadth of Jewish thought, arts, and culture and learn major concepts and themes that have shaped our understandings of Judaism and Jewish life. In addition to redesigning the Peretz Bnei Mitzvah curriculum in the 2010s and coining the term "Pnei Mitzvah," Matthew has been teaching Jewish history, philosophy, and contemplative traditions in a wide variety of settings since 2004. He also works as an acupuncturist, freelance writer and editor, professional lecturer, and independent journalist. Forging Meaningful Connections: Pnei Mitzvah Project and Ceremony As an educational and cultural institution, we aim to help students renew their relationship with the Jewish culture that they inherited and live in by providing informed, ethically-grounded avenues to deeper study and broader interests. Children will enjoy spirited debates while studying Talmud, as well as learn to trace ethical issues from Halacha (rabbinic law) through different texts to see the way they develop. Alongside textual study that lies at the core of Jewish learning, the Pnei Mitzvah curriculum maintains a focus on the cultural and historical impacts of Jewish concepts, beliefs, and practices. Students will discuss different denominations of Judaism and learn about how they emerged and changed over time. They will gain an understanding of major Jewish philosophical and political movements, from the birth of secular Judaism in Europe (Heine, Spinoza, etc.) to Jewish political radicalism (Jewish Feminism, Jewish unionism and the Bund, Emma Goldman, Marx, etc.). In the first year, students work on their own interpretation of a text that they have studied. Matthew has seen many creative "midrashim" produced over the years, like one student who retold the story of Adam and Eve from the point of view of a worm in the apple. Another student wrote and recorded a song telling the story of King David using the Minecraft soundtrack. The second year encourages students to go deeper with an individual Pnei Mitzvah project that they present at the Pnei Mitzvah ceremony to close the program. Whether they pursue a topic related to the course materials or to their own interests, or even learn their traditional Torah portion, the emphasis is always on their intellectual curiosity, and learning the art and practice of learning itself. While these projects are unique to each student, the final ceremony is focused on community. Each cohort plans their own version of the ceremony to showcase the students and celebrate their learning , which has become a highlight of the Peretz Centre's events calendar as we welcome new generations of Peretzniks. The 2024-2026 cohort starts on Sunday, October 20 2024. Save your spot and register now to join the next group of Peretz families. Don't miss the Pnei Mitzvah ceremony for the 2023-2025 cohort in June 2025!

The Zhargon Speaker Series starts on Sunday (November 17) 2024! Since the Zhargon: A Journey through the Histories of Yiddishkayt course started back in 2021, for each cohort, we extend and open our classroom learning to a series of public, online lectures that broaden our perspectives of Yiddish history and culture. This winter, we have an amazing group of scholars and artists lined up. Sunday, November 17th (5-6:30pm PST): Anna Elena Torres on "Anarchism by Our Grandmothers" Kicking off the series on Sunday, November 17th, Dr. Anna Elena Torres will discuss the fascinating feminist genealogies of Yiddish anarchism. Torres will present a chapter of her new book Horizons Blossom, Borders Vanish: Anarchism in Yiddish Literature (2024), which examines Yiddish anarchist aesthetics from the nineteenth-century Russian proletarian immigrant poets through the modernist avant-gardes of Warsaw, Chicago, and London to contemporary antifascist composers. The book also traces Jewish anarchist strategies for negotiating surveillance, censorship, detention, and deportation, revealing the connection between Yiddish modernism and struggles for free speech, women’s bodily autonomy, and the transnational circulation of avant-garde literature. Dr. Anna Elena Torres  is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Comparative Literature and Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity at the University of Chicago. Torres is the author of  Horizons Blossom, Borders Vanish: Anarchism and Yiddish Literature  (Yale University Press, 2024) and co-editor of  With Freedom in Our Ears: Histories of Jewish Anarchism  (University of Illinois Press, 2023). Currently, Torres is writing a book titled  The Dancing Bear: Animality in Yiddish Arts and Literature,  which explores representations of the bear as a liminal figure – wild, half-tamed, or dancing – in folklore, painting, and modernist literature. Her creative practice has included work as a community muralist, contributor in the Venice Biennale’s Yiddishland Pavilion (2022), and commissioned artist by the POLIN Museum, Warsaw. Sunday, November 24th (11am-12:30pm PST): Vivi Lachs on "London's Yiddish Pop Songs" In the second lecture in the Zhargon Speaker Series, Dr. Vivi Lachs will tell the fascinating story of the London Yiddish stage at the turn of the 20th century, when Yiddish pop songs offered a glimpse into the experience of Jewish immigration to Britain from a grassroots perspective. Using humour and satire, their poignant, funny, and sometimes surprising lyrics tell of a community in transition, battling with religious, emotional and ideological hurdles as women and men integrated into British life. This talk will situate the songs in London’s Yiddish theatre/music hall, and analyse a few in detail to consider how they engaged with political debates of the day, at the same time as entertaining a rather diverse audience. Vivi Lachs  is a historian of the Jewish East End, a research fellow at Queen Mary University and Yiddish performer. Her books include Whitechapel Noise: Jewish Immigrant Life in Yiddish Song and Verse   and London Yiddishtown: East End Jewish Life in Yiddish Sketch and Story . She founded the Great Yiddish Parade, is the vice chair of the Yiddish Café Trust and leads tours of the Yiddish East End. She sings, records and composes with Klezmer Klub (Whitechapel, mayn vaytshepl) and Katsha’nes (Don’t Ask Silly Questions). Sunday, December 1st (5-6:30pm PST): Avia Moore on "The Critical Mythology of Yiddishland" In this session, the third in the Zhargon Speaker Series, Dr. Avia Moore will invite us to think about the term "Yiddishland" itself, which is often used to describe the network of people, projects, and events that make up the contemporary Yiddish cultural scene. Together we will read and discuss texts that reveal several distinct but interconnected categories of use, including Yiddishland as nation, Yiddishland as lost homeland, and Yiddishland as cultural space. Paying attention to cultural imaginaries, we will bring a critical lens to the term in both historical and contemporary usage, analyzing its relationship to nation, borders, and networks, and seeking a definition that holds space for difference while activating networks of solidarity and support. Dr. Avia Moore  is the Artistic Director of KlezKanada and has worked extensively as a creative producer with festivals and cultural organizations across North America as well as on individual artistic projects in North America and Europe. Avia holds a PhD in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies from York University. Her current research examines how the postvernacularity of the contemporary Yiddish cultural scene creates the space for a subjective, relative, and contingent relationship with Yiddish cultural practices, and reflects on the importance of integrating critical thinking tools into the pedagogy and transmission of cultural practice. An internationally-acclaimed teacher of Yiddish dance, Avia Moore leads Yiddish dance workshops for festivals and events around the world, coaches emerging dance leaders, and works as a consultant for choreographers, directors, and teachers seeking to engage with Yiddish movement. Sunday, December 8th (5-6:30pm PST): Faith Jones on "Recovering Yiddish Women Writers" The fourth talk of the Zhargon Speaker Series, Peretznik Faith Jones will examine the unflinching works of Yiddish writer Shira Gorshman, who, despite her large body of work (including ten books published across five decades and three countries), is little known even within Yiddish circles. This lecture will look at Gorshman's work and ask why she was forgotten, and why a revival of interest in her is now underway. We will examine some of the recurring themes in her work, and ask questions about how literary history is created. Faith Jones is a librarian, translator, and researcher of Yiddish culture in Vancouver. She is a member of the Digital Yiddish Theatre Project, which brings primary source material and accessible inquiry to the public sphere. Her book of translations of Shira Gorshman’s stories, Meant to Be and Other Stories , was recently released by White Goat Press. She is a co-translator of The Acrobat  (Tebot Bach, 2014), a selection of the poetry of Celia Dropkin, and she created supertitles for the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s new production of Kadya Molodowsky’s genre-defying, futuristic play “ Ale fentster tsu der zun ” (All Windows Face the Sun). Jones' research on Yiddish language activism in Winnipeg and Vancouver has been published in scholarly journals. Her recent essay “ How to Suppress Yiddish Women’s Writing ” responds to the current state of scholarly denial of the rich, complex history of women’s literary culture. Get Tickets for the Zhargon Speaker Series 2024! You can attend this incredible series of online lectures live to hear from leading Yiddish scholars and artists on an array of topics! Tickets for the Zhargon Speaker Series 2024 are available for $10 to support the speakers: Anna Elena Torres, "Anarchism by Our Grandmothers: Feminist Genealogies of Yiddish Anarchism" (Nov. 17) Vivi Lachs, "London's Yiddish Pop Songs: Telling Secrets of the Immigrant Experience" (Nov. 24) Avia Moore, "The Critical Mythology of Yiddishland" (Dec. 1) Faith Jones, "Recovering Yiddish Women Writers: Shira Gorshman and the Making of Literary History" (Dec. 8) Current students in the Zhargon course attend for free, and Zhargon alumni get 20% off -- just contact Itamar if you don't have the promo code. See you soon!

Hanukkah starts late in 2024, so we're hosting warm up events on Friday, December 13th and Sunday, December 15th to celebrate as a community (all are welcome). Contact our office with questions at info@peretz-centre.org Friday Night Hanukkah Singalong and Community Potluck Fraytik tsu Nakht (Friday night) Shabbes for Cultural Jews is a longstanding tradition of the Peretz Centre. Starting with songs and readings from our Secular Humanist booklet, we welcome members, friends, and newcomers to light candles, share food, and stay for a kids-friendly singalong of classic Hanukkah songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, and English. Peretz staff have arranged for potato latkes and sfenj (Moroccan doughnuts) to commemorate the essential role of fried foods in Hanukkah celebrations. When: Friday, December 13th, 2024 (6pm-9pm) Where: The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street) Admission: a contribution to the pot luck OR pay $18.00 per person (children under 13 and Pnei Mitzvah grads are free). Please register early to help us prepare enough food for everyone. How to Learn the Songs (Music, Lyrics, and Translations) Whether you want to learn or teach the songs, refresh your memory, or just sing them for fun, Donna, Dan, and Rivka made a playlist of the songs we have planned: Please note that we often sing secularized versions of traditional songs and some of the videos may be a bit different than the Peretz versions. Each video is linked with additional resources in the list below (click to expand): Ikh bin a Kleyner Dreydel (Yiddish) Listen and singalong with Karen Feldman's performance for Yiddish Oystralye on YouTube: Score, lyrics, and translations here: Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydel – The Yosl and Chana Mlotek Yiddish Song Collection at the Workers Circle I Have a Little Dreidel (English) Learn the lyrics along with the music in this video by Shaboom: Lyrics: I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay, And when it's dry and ready, Then dreidel I shall play. Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay; Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, Now dreidel I shall play. It has a lovely body, With leg so short and thin, And when it gets all tired, It drops and then I win. Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, With leg so short and thin, Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, It drops and then I win. My dreidel's always playful It loves to dance and spin A happy game of dreidel Come play-now let's begin Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of sand, Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel it crumbles in my hand! I have a little dreidl, I made it out of schmalz, And ev'ry time I spin it It does a little waltz. Maoz Tzur / Rock of Ages (Hebrew) We will sing Don Cooper's version of the traditional song Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages), which you can listen to here: Khanike oy Khanike (Yiddish) This Yiddish version of Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah by Mordkhe Rivesman is performed by Pete Seeger in a video shared by Yiddishkayt channel: Score, lyrics, and translation here: Khanike, Oy Khanike – The Yosl and Chana Mlotek Yiddish Song Collection at the Workers Circle Lyrics: Khanike oy khanike, A yontev a sheyner​ A lustiger a freylikher, Nito nokh azeyner​ Ale nakht in dreydlakh shpiln mir​ Zudigheyse latkes esn mir​ Geshvinder tsindt kinder​ Di dininke likhtelekh on​ Lomir ale zingen, un lomir ale shvingen​ Un lomir ale tantzn in kon​ Lomir ale zingen, un lomir ale shvingen​ Un lomir ale tantzn in kon Hanukkah oh Hanukkah (English) In English, we joyfully share the recording by the Barenaked Ladies: Lyrics: Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah​ Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora​ Gather round the table, we'll all have a treat ​ Dreidls to play with, and latkes to eat.​ ​ And while we are playing, the candles are burning low​ ​ One for each night, they shed a sweet light ​ To remind us of days long ago. ​ One for each night, they shed a sweet light​ To remind us of days long ago. Sevivon sov sov sov (Hebrew) Savannah Kids made a video with the lyrics in Hebrew, plus translation in English to follow along: Transliteration: Sevivon, sov, sov, sov!  Chanukah, hu chag tov;  Chanukah, hu chag tov-  Sevivon, sov, sov, sov!  Dreydl spin spin spin  Chanukah is a nice holiday  Chag simchah hu la-am,   Nes gadol hayah sham;   Nes gadol hayah sham-   Chag simcha hu la-am.  It's a joyous holiday for the nation  A great miracle happened there  It's a joyous holiday for the people  Ocho kandelikas (Ladino) This choir performance of Ocho Kandelikas ("Eight Little Candles") by Flory Jagoda includes lyrics in Ladino and translations in English: A version for kids sung by Seth Hoffman provides the lyrics in Ladino to follow along too. Lyrics: Hanukah linda sta aki, Ocho kandelas para mi Hanukah linda sta aki, Ocho kandelas para mi Chorus: Una kandelika, dos kandelikas Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas Sintyu kandelikas, seysh kandelikas Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi. Muchas fiestas vo fazer, con alegrias i plazer Muchas fiestas vo fazer, con alegrias i plazer (Chorus) Los pastelikas vo kumer, con almendrikas i la miel Los pastelikas vo kumer, con almendrikas i la miel (Chorus) Sheet Music: Light One Candle (English) A performance of Peter, Paul and Mary's folk song by Hassidic singer Benny Friedman : Sheet Music: Tsindt on Likhtlekh (Yiddish) Listen to Tsindt on Likhtlekh performed by the Lori Cahan-Simon Ensemble on YouTube: Sheet Music: Drey zikh, dreydele (Yiddish) Another one from YiddishOystralye, performed by Joshua Reuben and Tomi Kalinski: Lyrics in Yiddish, transliterated Yiddish, and English can be found here: Drey Zikh, Dreydele – The Yosl and Chana Mlotek Yiddish Song Collection at the Workers Circle Borukh Ate zingt der tate (Yiddish) Performed by The Peace of Heart Choir in New York City, including lyrics in Yiddish and English: Get Tickets for the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir 2024 Hanukkah Concert After a long absence, the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir will be performing our Hanukkah/Khanike repertoire at the Peretz Centre this year. The performance will featuring songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, and English ( see event details for the full repertoire). When: Sunday, December 15th, 2024 (2pm-3:30pm) Where: The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street) Admission: Early-bird tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors) until Tuesday, Dec. 10th, or regular price $18 from Dec. 11th. Though the choir hasn't performed for Hanukkah at the Peretz Centre in many years, they regularly bring out their holiday repertoire at other locations in Vancouver. You can watch CBC's coverage on their 2023 concert at the downtown branch of the Vancouver Public Library:

Hello Peretzniks, The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is home to a vibrant, caring, progressive community that will celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2025. We are looking for members who are passionate about our community to join our board of directors! Who We Are Founded in 1945 to establish and conduct a school that provides students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education, 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. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders and sexual orientation. Elections for the Board of Directors Elections for up to 9 board positions will take place at our Annual General Meeting on January 26, 2025 (2-4pm) . You must be a member in good standing to vote in the AGM. While many current board members will be running again, we are seeking new board members to help us continue to grow this wonderful institution. We need committed, enthusiastic, curious people who are willing to learn what this community is and commit their time, talent, and skills to grow together. What's Involved? We are a working board, meaning that you should expect to contribute 2-3 hours a week in order to support the organization, including monthly board meetings in the evenings. While this is a volunteer position and there is no remuneration, it’s a chance to get non-profit experience and more importantly, to build the present and future of Peretz. Board members will work alongside staff and volunteers in order to fulfill Peretz’s mandate: to provide a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education for students of all ages, including lectures, classes, holiday celebrations etc. with a focus on incorporating and promoting Yiddishkayt in our programming. You will have the opportunity to chair various committees, such as Programming, Finance, and Fundraising, as well as support events. Most exciting is that you will help Peretz celebrate its 80th anniversary this coming year!  If you have previous experience on a board or working at a non-profit we would love to hear from you! That being said, previous experience is not necessary. If you are passionate about Peretz and you want to help grow our community we encourage you to run as well! All board members will receive training on policies and procedures when they start, so everyone will feel confident and be equipped with all the necessary tools to help support Peretz. Come be a part of shaping the Peretz as a place to work towards peace and justice. If you are interested in running or are considering it and have questions or concerns, please contact our current President Aurel Matte and current Vice President Veronika Gorlova : BoardChair@peretz-centre.org veronika.gorlova@gmail.com

Gliklekh in Goles is delighted to be partnering with the Peretz Centre to co-produce a Purim shpiel like you've never experienced. Satire! Solidarity! Jew-cy queer critique and so much more... Save the date: Evening of Thursday, March 13! Auditions: Sunday, Feb. 2 - 2-5pm  (Everyone who auditions gets a part! Learn more below ) As Yiddish researcher Miriam Borden explains , the Purim shpiel is a centuries-old tradition that makes up a rich part of the history of Jewish folk theatre, bringing together "parody, irony, social criticism, bawdy humour, and folklore." These "short comic plays" -- typically performed by non-professional actors -- are "a form of popular theatre that combines the elements of inversion and reversal that are intrinsically rooted in the holiday, with elements of carnival." How to Participate in the 2025 Purim Shpiel We're looking for community performers to collectively create and stage this one-time hamantaschen-loving, Netanyahu-hating brilliance.  3 rehearsals  Childcare provided AND Kiddoes welcome to participate  Everyone who auditions gets a part!  Auditions: Sunday, February 2nd (2-5pm)   Prepare two minutes of any performance form you feel embodies your spirit. 🎉 Register for auditions here 🎉

This spring at the Peretz Centre, we're hosting three Passover/Peysakh gatherings for members and friends. Peretz Passover 2025 starts Saturday, April 5th through Thursday, April 10th! Chad Gadya by Eliezer Lissitzky, 1919 ( link ) Peretz Community Seder Sunday, April 6th from 4-8pm Farvos iz di nakht fun Peysakh andersh fun alle nekht fun a gantz yor? Why is this night different from all other nights of the year? The Peretz community's secular humanist seder includes both traditional and progressive cultural practices emphasizing our collective power to create a better world. Through readings, songs, and food, we highlight the struggles for gender, economic, social, and climate justice. Alongside readings and songs from our community Haggadah, the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir  will perform their Passover repertoire with (traditional and non-traditional) songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, and English. Afikomen and children's activities  will be organized by the Peretz Child Activities Committee (which you can join here ). Children and adults are encouraged to sign up to read a portion of the Haggadah via the registration form. Tickets are available until Tuesday, April 1st at 11:50pm . Registration is required in advance to provide enough time for food preparation. Don't forget to pre-order your gefilte fish! Sit with us in comradeship and let people everywhere be free to do the same -- with us and with one another. Next year, may we all live in harmony, and in a world at peace! Bird's Head Haggadah, ca. 1300 CE ( link ) Peretz Passover Prep Party Saturday, April 5th from 2-5pm A friendly place to prepare for Passover, enjoy creative activities with friends, and help set up for our community Passover seder! The Peretz Passover Prep Party will include: Themed arts & crafts, inspired by historical Passover art Painting decorations for the auditorium doors Table set up for dinner the next day Music for the festival of freedom Friendship and fun and more! RSVP to sign up and discover what lies deep in the Peretz storage cupboards... All ages are welcome to participate. Chad Gadya  by Eliezer Lissitzky, 1917 ( link ) Liberation-Centred Reading & Discussion Group Thursday, April 10th from 7-9pm Matir asurim! Join us for a liberation-centred discussion! In keeping with the theme of freedom traditionally associated with Pesach, we're inviting members to an evening of discussing some distinct texts that centre on liberation—or more accurately, co -liberation. Through a small selection of pieces from various media and perspectives, we invite dialogue on the interconnection of our freedom struggles and how cultural contexts give rise to visions of freedom. We'll also explore how oppressions manifest in physical geographies, as well as in our mental and cultural landscapes. Please register in advance to participate and receive PDFs of the readings (will be circulated a week before the discussion). Hear about all upcoming events at the Peretz Centre by subscribing to our biweekly community newsletter

Last Thursday on the 12th of Nissan, 5785 (י״ב בניסן תשפ״ה), beloved Peretznik Gallia Chud passed away at the age of 101. Gallia was born to Nina and Harry Ullman in 1923 in Staraya Russa, just outside of what is now St. Petersberg, and immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada with her parents and sister Bebi (Betty) in 1929. She met Ben Chud at Camp Naivelt in Ontario and they married in 1943. At the end of the Second World War and upon Ben's release from the Canadian military, the couple moved to Vancouver to help found the Peretz School, where Ben was the first principal and taught Yiddish. Their daughters Gyda Chud and Rita Chudnovsky were born in Vancouver in the years to follow.  Gallia was a major force in the Peretz community, from her years leading the Peretz Muters Farein  (or PTA) to her five years as president of the Peretz Board in the early 90s. She was a pivotal organizer of the Peretz’s Fraytik tsu Nakht cultural shabbes dinners, a role continued by her daughter Gyda. Gallia was an avid reader and member of several book clubs. She worked at Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia as well as at The Jewish Western Bulletin  with editor Abraham Arnold. She was an active member of the Vancouver Outlook Collective, the United Jewish People's Order, and the National Council of Jewish Women.  Gallia dedicated her life to making a better world for future generations, based in her values of equity, diversity, and social justice. Her decades-long impact at Peretz and other Jewish cultural organizations has helped keep Jewish history and culture alive. Those who knew her will always treasure her passion and commitment to family, friends, Peretz, and world peace.  The Peretz Board and staff extend condolences to Gallia's family. We honour her memory. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Peretz Centre on Sunday, June 29th. Please feel free to share stories in the comments below or email info@peretz-centre.org      Further Reading:   " Making the World Better: The Peretz Honours Gallia Chud on Nov. 18 ," by Cynthia Ramsey, Jewish Independent (Nov. 2, 2012). “ Review of Suite F rançais e by Irene Nemirovsky ," written by Gallia Chud, Outlook: Canada's Progressive Jewish Magazine (July/August 2006). Oral history interviews from Jewish Museum & Archives ( 1997 , 2009 , 2009 , 2009 , 2020 )  Interviews from " Focus on Jewish Education in BC " issue of The Scribe: The Journal of the Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia , vol. 39 (2020/21).

Combining storytelling, visual arts and original klezmer-inspired music, Shterna and the Lost Voice comes to Vancouver in May to reimagine Jewish folklore for a contemporary audience.   Looking forward to their performance of Shterna and the Lost Voice  at the Peretz Centre in Vancouver, BC on May 19th , we met with members of the Magid Ensemble to chat about the process and artistic decisions that went into creating this unique piece, which brings together Yiddish storytelling, visual arts and klezmer-inspired music to reimagine Eastern European Jewish folklore. Q: Can you tell us a bit about Shterna and the Lost Voice?    Shterna and the Lost Voice  is our the debut theatrical project. Drawing into question boundaries between adult and children’s literary genres, we address our audiences in this piece through the experience of wonder. The signatory elements of the performance are klezmer music, storytelling and the crankie (a hand powered scrolling visual storytelling machine).  Q: Who is Magid Ensemble? Tell us about your name and how you found each other. Magid Ensemble a collective comprised of visual artist Kiah Raymond, storyteller Weaver, and musicians/composers Mattias Kaufmann (accordion) Raffi Boden (cello) and Rachel Leader (fiddle) who have assembled to create an immersive multimedia storytelling performances that builds on themes and images from Eastern European Jewish folklore. Rachel Leader brought us all together to form this project, which we developed over the course of two years. “Magid” means storyteller in Yiddish. A magid in traditional Jewish culture was often itinerant, retelling religious stories and morality fables for popular audiences.  Q: How did you find materials and sources of inspiration for creating the piece?   The Ansky Expedition, (a 1911 ethnographic expedition, lead by playwright Sh. Ansky, which collected a large amount of folklore from Russian Jewish towns) is a touchstone for the aesthetic of Shterna , both in its content and for its ideological orientation towards the use of folklore in supporting and giving substance to contemporary Jewish social and aesthetic movements. This culture building project is ongoing and continues to inform our work as artists of the Jewish diaspora.  Collected folktales of Elijah the Prophet were also a source of inspiration, and the magidic form they often follow, blending fairy tales with homiletics, influenced the structure of the narrative.  Q: What were some of the creative challenges you found yourself engaging with while working together on Shterna ?   Because Kiah lives in Portland, Mattias lives in Boston, Raffi lives in NYC, and Rachel and Weaver live in Northampton, we all had to compose and create the story, visuals, and music separately, and it only all came together in the week before our first tour. Weaver wrote the story first, and sent it out to Kiah to make the crankie, and the musicians had several retreats in advance to compose and arrange the music, but we weren’t sure how it would all work together until really right before it was time to perform. It was a miracle!  Q: What's next for Shterna and the Magid Ensemble? Are you working on new projects? After 25 shows in the Eastern US over the past year, we're excited for our West Coast Tour  (May 14-29), including our first Canadian show. We hope to find places to do lengthier runs of the show rather than one-night engagements, to bring it to more spaces where the very young and the very old can enjoy it as well as adults, and bring it to other continents! We have some ideas in early phases for other projects... stay tuned!  Get Tickets Now for the Magid Ensemble's Vancouver Performance Shterna and the Lost Voice comes to the Peretz Centre in Vancouver, BC on Monday, May 19th from 7-8:15pm (Victoria Day). Until May 11th, save $13 when you buy two general admission tickets (youth tickets are available on a sliding scale from $5). Pre-Order the Album for Shterna & the Lost Voice Magid Ensemble's new album for Shterna and the Lost Voice  will be released on May 15th, 2025 by Borscht Beat Records! Now available for pre-order on Bandcamp . The Magid Ensemble is a collaboration featuring award-winning klezmer musicians and composers Mattias Kaufmann, Raffi Boden, and Rachel Leader, Yiddishist storyteller A. C. Weaver, and visual artist Kiah Raymond. Learn more at magidensemble.com

The Peretz Centre in Vancouver is recruiting experienced, caring, and creative camp counsellors for a new summer program for youth (8-15) to explore Jewish arts and culture and participate in intergenerational learning. Up to three paid positions are available. Learn more about the program and role below and apply by June 1, 2025. Title:  Peretz Zumershule Camp Counsellor & Artistic Advisor  Type: Contract Position Location:  Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC)  Dates:  Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 8th, 2025 (including BC Day on Aug. 4th)  Hours of work : Must be available between 9am to 5pm, plus additional hours on Friday, August 8 (until 9pm)  Compensation:  $3000 for two weeks (additional work requested will be paid at $35 per hour)  Reports to:  Co-Executive Directors  Application Deadline:  June 1, 2025  Zumershule Program Description The Peretz Zumershule   is a new, two-week summer ( zumer ) program for youth ages 8-15, 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. 8th) Camp Counsellor Job Summary 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. 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  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  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. 8)  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  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 8-15  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 info@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 June 1, 2025 . 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.  Up to three candidates will be hired depending on sufficient program enrollment.   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.

Updated : May 27, 2025 The Peretz Centre in Vancouver is recruiting an Anti-Racism Community Task Force Project Manager for a new Task Force for Social Change in the Jewish Community, who will facilitate the development of strategic, intersectional, and thoughtful policy recommendations targeted towards systemic issues of justice. Learn more about the project and role below and apply by June 15, 2025 . Title: Anti-Racism Community Task Force Project Manager Location: Hybrid (combination of remote work and attendance at in-person meetings and events as needed). The Peretz Centre is located in Vancouver at 6184 Ash Street. Dates: July 14, 2025 to April 30, 2026 Employment type: Part-time contractor position Hours of work: Flexible (approximately 30 hours per month, or 300 hours total) Compensation: $50 per hour (approximately $16,000) Reports to: Co-Executive Directors Application Deadline: June 15, 2025 Project Description: Discovering Doikayt Discovering Doikayt is a new project at the Peretz Centre (April 2025 to March 2026), funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation's National Anti-Racism Fund. It parallel with community educational activities and events, it includes the creation of a community-based Task Force for Social Change in the Jewish Community , which will devise recommendations for social justice-oriented policy changes at the Peretz Centre and Jewish cultural and educational institutions that will enhance Jewish organizations’ capacity to engage in inclusive and anti-racist dialogue using intersectional and grounded approaches towards anti-racism, justice, and equity at the community level. With a long history of peace activism and respect for the humanity of all peoples, we aim to contribute to meaningful change by confronting systemic racism and discrimination, such as antisemitism, anti-Indigenous racism, colonialism, and Islamophobia, and address specific areas of growth within Jewish cultural institutions and beyond. The task force’s recommendations will be implemented in Jewish education programs for children, young adults, and seniors, as well as community events and celebrations, and shared with other communities in a final report. Project Manager Job Summary The Project Manager will work closely with the Peretz Co-Executive Directors, board members, and other staff and volunteers to establish a vibrant and diverse community task force, comprising five members of the Peretz Centre, and facilitate the development of strategic, intersectional, and thoughtful policy recommendations targeted towards systemic issues of justice. The project manager will participate in a range of project activities (including two educational seminars), build relationships among stakeholders and partners, collaborate on policy creation and implementation at the organizational and community levels, and provide advice and recommendations on policies affecting race relations in the Jewish community. The successful candidate will be a curious, open-minded, self-motivated, strategic thinker who is proficient in project management and able to understand and engage with nuanced issues related to the project goals. Responsibilities Phase 1 (July-August) Recruit and interview community members to participate in the Task Force for Social Change in the Jewish Community (5 members total, stipends provided); Research, collect, and share community, academic, and professional resources that support the policy direction and strategic priorities of the project (including relevant policy debates, trends, policies, and legislation related to systemic racism, discrimination, and combatting hate); Evaluate current policies, practices, and programs to make recommendations about best or promising practices. Phase 2 (September-February)  Organize and coordinate training for task force participants; Organize monthly task force meetings, prepare agendas and minutes, and document progress and challenges; Facilitate communication between task force participants; Collaborate with task force members to write and edit the final report; Support task force participants with respect, creating a welcoming environment; Participate in two in-person, six-week educational seminars as part of the Discovering Doikayt project and connect material to task force activities; Work with Peretz staff to write and submit interim project report to granting agency (January) .  Phase 3 (January-April) Collaborate on organizing the capstone event, including policy launch (March 2026); Collaborate with Peretz staff and task force members to finalize report; Work with Peretz staff to write and submit final project report to granting agency; Participate in post-program debrief and feedback processes as requested by staff . General Responsibilities Build and maintain relationships with community members, organizations, and other stakeholders; Advocate on behalf of racialized community members and participants when appropriate; Work with Peretz staff and other program leaders to deliver project goals on schedule (including check in meetings); Ensure project milestones are completed according to schedule; Ensure documentation is maintained throughout the length of the project, including interim and final report; Communicate plans, actions, and issues with Peretz staff; Address any issues that may arise during the project in a respectful, responsible, and confidential manner . Required Qualifications  Strong commitment to anti-racism, equity, and social justice from an intersectional lens; Experience creating and implementing policies, educational initiatives, and/or programs targeted towards transformative, systemic change relating to racism, discrimination, and/or other forms of social, political, and economic oppression; Experience in participatory and community-led projects; Demonstrated ability to build meaningful partnerships and collaborations with historically marginalized groups; Proven facilitation skills, with an emphasis on community-based groups and participants of diverse backgrounds; Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement on sensitive matters and challenging conversations; Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills; 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:  Advanced education in a relevant discipline will be considered an asset; however, all forms of lived experience are considered during the hiring process; Strong understanding of relevant policy frameworks and legislation is an asset; Familiarity with trauma-informed approaches is an asset; Familiarity with the histories of colonialism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia in Canada (or other relevant contexts) is an asset; Familiarity with the Jewish community and its institutions in Canada and BC is an asset but not required; Specific and relevant research experience is an asset (policy research, qualitative methodologies, etc.); Event planning experience is an asset; Proficiency with Microsoft programs (SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is an asset . Working Conditions I ncludes remote administrative work and research (office space may be available upon request); In-person meetings and events at the Peretz Centre in an office environment (underground parking and elevator available); Likelihood of irregular hours across timeframe of contract, depending on project milestones and events; Likelihood of maintaining flexible schedules for most work and meetings; Involves moderate risk of exposure to psychosocial hazards; This role involves self-directed project goals and meeting strict deadlines. 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, sexual orientation, and abilities are encouraged to apply. We welcome all forms of lived experience and invite applicants to share relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained from personal experience during the application process. Applicants are not required to disclose private and/or traumatic personal experiences. All information provided will be kept confidential. 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 info@peretz-centre.org or phone the office at (604) 325-1812 and leave a message.   Application Process:   Applicants are invited to complete our short application form and attach a copy of their resume (2-3 pages). 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. A second interview may also be requested. 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.   Apply before the deadline: June 15, 2025 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.