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The Peretz Centre's Pnei Mitzvah program offers students aged 10-13 a pluralistic approach to Jewish education and culture that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage. Over two years of bi-weekly sessions, Pnei Mitzvah cohorts focus on literature, language, ethics, music, art, and dance to connect with and reinterpret traditions in new ways. Intro & Overview Core Themes Curriculum & Pedagogy The Peretz Centre Pnei Mitzvah Program A two-year, bi-weekly program, whose breadth and richness is not matched anywhere else in Vancouver, for students aged 10-13 to gain a comprehensive understanding of Jewish cultures and histories. Register The P'nei Mitzvah program is the only place that makes learning about history interesting. Also, the instructor is OK with us taking over the world with giant vegan marshmallows, so you can't go wrong! The snacks are pretty good too. You should join us >:) -- Ray, Pnei Mitzvah Student (2026) Introduction & Overview Starting with our first secular bar mitzvah at the Peretz School in 1965, Pnei Mitzvah has evolved into one of our core educational programs. We offer a pluralistic, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish education for children aged 10-13 that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage. Over two years of bi-weekly sessions, Pnei Mitzvah cohorts focus on literature, language, ethics, music, art, and dance to connect with and reinterpret traditions in new ways. Although children learn about Jewish spirituality and religious history, Peretz does not seek to promote particular religious commitments or doctrines. Peretz is an LGBTQ+ safe environment, and while we are rooted in the Ashkenazi humanist, yiddishist culture that gave birth to Peretz, Jews of all backgrounds are welcome, and the diversity of global Judaism is explored in our Pnei Mitzvah curriculum. The name "Pnei Mitzvah" uses the gender-neutral "pnei " (faces of) instead of "b'nei " (sons of) There are lots of reasons why the Peretz Pnei Mitzvah program may be what you're looking for... You are looking for an inclusive, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish culture. Your family practices more than one faith or is not religious. You are interested in the principle which Peretz’ founders embraced: do’ikeit or “hereness”, the idea that a Jewish life is lived here in the country where one lives, and one’s principal responsibility begins with local struggles for justice, equality, and mutual liberation. Your child is not interested in Synagogue life. You are looking for your child to learn in an environment which is truly open-minded and welcomes all points of view. You are looking for a intellectually rich education that doesn’t just focus on Hebrew, Holidays and Bible stories, but teaches Jewish history, ethics, literature, culture, music, and art as well. Torah, prayer and Israel are not the primary way your child. connects to Judaism, or your child has no connection to Judaism and you want them to find their own way into Jewish tradition and history, not have that way chosen for them. Language Introduction to both to the Hebrew and Yiddish languages. Students will also learn Yiddish words, phrases and songs and can choose to delve deeper into the mameloshn (Ashkenazi “mother-tongue”) if they choose. Literature Grounding in Jewish literature, starting with Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Mishna, Talmud and Rabbinic thought, with a focus on the Jewish ethical tradition. As they progress they will then study Jewish novelists, poets, and philosophers of the classical and modern eras. Music, Art & Dance Exploration of the ways that Jews have used art to create beauty or make the world a better place. Students will be exposed to major Jewish artists in a variety of mediums and learn about Jewish contributions to modern music, from Bob Dylan to Gene Simmons (ok, maybe not Gene Simmons). Ethics Foundations of values and virtues in Jewish traditions, from studying tikkun olam (repair of the world) and how to care for the stranger, to Jewish contributions to ethical and political theory in the modern era. Curriculum & Pedagogy YEAR 1 In the first year, Pnei Mitzvah students learn pre-modern Jewish history and culture , studying the major narratives of the Hebrew Bible and being introduced to the Mishna, the Talmud, Rabbinic thought and Kabbalah. All subjects are taught as literature and their meaning and significance are examined and debated by the students, who are given space to find their own relationship to the texts. No question or thought is out of bounds. Students also study Jewish history from the time of the closing of the Biblical canon up to the modern era and are introduced to topics like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, great Rabbis, Jewish women in history, the development of Jewish thought and religious practice, and how the Jews went from being a nomadic people to a global presence. Year One Project Students are asked to create a midrash — a creative expansion or reinterpretation of a narrative from the Tanakh — in any medium they choose. These imaginative projects have included a retelling of the story of Adam and Eve from the point of view of a worm in the apple, to writing and recording a song about King David using the Minecraft soundtrack. YEAR 2 In the second year, Pnei Mitzvah students explore Judaism in the modern world . Beginning with the Jewish enlightenment (haskalah ) and the fall of the ghetto walls, we examine the thought of great modern Jewish thinkers, revolutionaries, artists and scientists. The students are introduced to Jewish film, music, art and literature of the modern period, and study modern Jewish history including Jewish political movements, the Holocaust, and the creation of the state of Israel. The second year encourages students to go deeper with an individual Pnei Mitzvah project that they share at the Pnei Mitzvah ceremony to close the program. Year Two Project At the graduation celebration, students will present an aspect of Jewish culture that they connected with and wished to research and explore in whatever medium they choose. In past years, projects have taken many forms, from book reports, art projects, dances, or videos, to learning to chant the traditional haftorah. The emphasis is always on their intellectual curiosity, and learning the art and practice of learning itself. Collective Pnei Mitzvah Ceremony The program ends with a collective Pnei Mitzvah ceremony that honours each individual student while focusing 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 events calendar as we welcome new generations of Peretzniks. The Pnei Mitzvah graduation ceremony is planned and organized cooperatively by the parents, with support from the Peretz Centre. Program & Community Participation Pnei Mitzvah students meet approximately every other Sunday for a two hour class with their teacher, including a snack break. Classes take place at the Peretz Centre in the Kirman Yiddish Library. Since the cultural program formally began in the early 1990s (though the first secular Bar Mitzvah took place in 1965 ), participants have been encouraged to take an active role in the Peretz community. The program includes service and Tikkun Olam components. Families are also encouraged to be part of community cultural and educational life at Peretz. We welcome Pnei Mitzvah families and friends to our cultural (secular) Jewish holiday events, like our combined/condensed Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur, Hanukkah celebrations, Purimshpiln (Purim plays), Passover Community Seyder, and our monthly Fraytik tsu Nakht cultural shabbes potluck dinners. See upcoming and past events here Join the Next Pnei Mitzvah Cohort Thinking about the next cohort ? Two-year cohorts for the Pnei Mitzvah program typically start each year in the fall (September/October). Sign up to get a notification when registration opens for the next Pnei Mitzvah cohort by filling out the contact form. You can also hear about all our upcoming events and programs by subscribing to the Peretz Centre's bi-weekly newsletter here Contact Form Sign up to be notified when registration opens for the next Pnei Mitzvah cohort. Your given name* Your family name* Your email* Yes, subscribe me to the Peretz Centre newsletter (twice a month) Name of child Current age In a few words, what are you looking for in the Pnei Mitzvah program? Comments (optional) Submit Curriculum Creator Matthew Gindin has been teaching Jewish history, philosophy, and contemplative traditions in a wide variety of settings since 2004. Formerly Peretz Education Director and Master Teacher at Or Shalom, we welcomed Matthew back to the Peretz Centre in 2024. Matthew also works as a freelance writer and editor, professional lecturer, and independent journalist. (matthewgindin.com )

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 and environment. All singers welcome! 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 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 Play Video Play Video 02:25 Lomir beyde Family Naiman 2017 Choir Performances Peretz Community Passover Seder 2026 Sun, Mar 29 Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture More info Details Past Performances High Holidays at the Peretz Centre Quick view View Event Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir's 2025 Spring Concert Quick view View Event Peretz Community Seder Quick view View Event Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Hanukkah Concert Quick view View Event High Holidays at the Peretz Centre 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)

Members of the Vancouver Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture can access members-only profiles, groups, and more Peretz Centre Members' Area Log In Not a member yet? Become a member What's Here? We're working on creating new ways for members to stay connected and get involved. Currently, through your account you can: Complete your member profile Update your contact information Save your payment details View your events and program registrations Customize your notifications Please note that we automatically apply the highest privacy settings to your member profile, making your information totally private . You have the option to make your profile visible to other Peretz members by changing the settings in your account. All information that you choose to make "public" is visible only to other Peretz members. Community Updates Call for Board Members: Join the Peretz Centre's Volunteer Board of Directors in 2026 [Closed] Deadline: Jan. 25, 2026 | Elections for up to 7 new members of the Peretz Centre's Board of Directors will take place at our Annual General Meeting on January 25. Come be a part of shaping the Peretz as a place where we work together towards a shenere un besere velt far ale -- a better and more beautiful world for all! Dec 15, 2025 3 min read Reflections for a New Year of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir A new season of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir starts on Tuesday, September 13th! In honour of our 45th year (founded in 1980), choir members share reflections on the annual Spring Concert, "Doyres Zingen," which took place at the Peretz Centre on Sunday, June 15th, 2025. Learn more about the choir's 45 year history and how to join (all singers are welcome). Aug 19, 2025 5 min read 1 2 3 4 5 Peretz Members' Meetings Peretz Centre AGM 2026 Jan 25, 2026, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. View Event Load More Membership FAQ Read Bylaws Code of Conduct What are membership dues? As a registered charity and non-profit society, the Peretz Centre is governed by dues-paying members. Our bylaws state (https://eca153a1-3d4a-4eee-a68f-293d2b40f5ae.usrfiles.com/ugd/eca153_fd37e946a08341c7ae745d402129f2ae.pdf)that membership is (with a few exceptions) for life, but you must pay membership dues every year in order to be a member in good standing. If you do not pay your dues annually, you are still a member but no longer in good standing, meaning you lose some membership benefits like voting rights in General Meetings and board elections. Your membership dues are financial contributions to the Peretz Centre’s annual operations, helping to fund our work, subsidize participation for our essential community programs (including children and youth programs), and sustain a home for progressive Jewish community in Vancouver. How much does membership cost? Membership rates are offered in a few different categories. Members may register up to 4 adults in the same family and include children under 18 in any of the categories below. Anyone who identifies as a family and shares resources can register together. Registration for children under 18 is free! We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. 2025-26 Membership Rates: How does Peretz decide membership rates? In setting membership rates, the Board of Directors aimed to: • Support Peretz programs and events while ensuring that membership is affordable for anyone who wants to be a part of our community • Recognize different family configurations and keep costs down for single parents • Encourage members with partners and/or children to register all individuals in their family, which helps us plan for programs and grow our community The base amount of $180 for an individual adult (18+), or $25 for a self-identified low-income individual, is lower than most synagogues or societies like ours because we are able to use rental revenue from our building to keep membership costs down for those who can’t afford to pay more. Rather than introduce tiers for members who are able to contribute more financially, we encourage those who can afford it to make a charitable donation in addition to renewing membership. This way, the entire amount of the donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Will I get a tax receipt for paying my membership dues? Payments are no longer eligible for charitable tax receipts as of September 1, 2025. For the 2025-26 membership year, the Board of Directors voted to change our membership model to provide monetary advantages (or membership benefits that have monetary value, like discounts) in order to recognize membership engagement and reduce barriers to participation. In other words, this new model allows members who frequently attend events or participate in programs to benefit from lower overall costs as a result of paying their membership dues. Because your membership dues will now directly save you money, payments are no longer considered donations. That’s part of the reason that we kept membership dues fairly low, so members who are able to contribute financially at a higher rate can do so with a charitable donation (https://www.peretz-centre.org/charitable-donation)and receive a tax receipt for 100% of that voluntary contribution. What are the new membership benefits for 2025-26? For the 2025-26 membership year, we are introducing members-only monetary advantages, including special rates and promotions on program registration, event tickets, and building rentals. Starting November 30, 2025, members will receive new benefits: • 10% off program registration (excluding members-only programs) • 10% off event ticket prices (excluding events with free/in-kind/by donation registration options like Fraytik tsu Nakht) • 15% of rental rates • Additional promotions (like promo codes or early registration) offered only to members Please note: Starting in 2026, some programs (like Pnei Mitzvah and the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir) may be restricted to members-only, as they were in previous years. Why do member discounts only start in November? Since Peretz membership has traditionally conferred only non-monetary advantages (like voting rights), payment of dues was considered a charitable donation. This is true for everyone who paid dues between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025; that’s why we issued charitable tax receipts for amounts paid (over $10). As a result, we are phasing in monetary advantages to ensure that we comply with Canada Revenue Agency Regulations for charitable contributions. The main reason to phase in these new benefits is that we open registration and ticket sales for programs and events during the changeover of the membership year (September and October are some of the busiest months!). Members who registered for programs or bought event tickets before the new membership year started on September 1st (or before they renewed their membership) cannot receive monetary advantages, and it wouldn’t be fair to give discounts to people who signed up later. To make the transition simpler, we decided that discounts will only be introduced for events and programs that start on or after November 30, 2025. How will I get members-only discounts and advance registration? Registration for programs and events starting after November 30, 2025 will have a “members-only” registration or ticket option. Please select this option to get the members discount. We may also send out special discount codes and early registration access to members via email – keep an eye out and make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list! Why is it important to register my child(ren)? Children under the age of 18 are free to register for Peretz membership! We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. Only children who are registered as members are eligible for members-only programs and discounts. To register one or more children in your family, please add their names and ages to your membership registration form.

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. Who We Are What We Do Our Values 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. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders, and sexual orientation. Join Our Mailing List Office & Location Who We Are The Vancouver Peretz Institute, also known as the Vancouver Peretz Shule, was founded in 1945 in response to the threat to Jewish culture and Yiddish language posed by the Holocaust and WWII. The founding families felt an urgent need to establish a school to ensure the continuity of Jewish secular humanistic culture and thought. And they opened the doors to all — Jews and non-Jews — who felt a connection to Jewish culture, history, and experience. The Peretz Institute was renamed the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in 2001. From the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir to our Pnei Mitzvah program for children 10-14, we sustain a unique space in Vancouver’s Jewish community for multicultural, interfaith, gender-inclusive, and LGBTQ+-friendly cultural education that honours and upholds a broad, inclusive understanding of Jewish culture. Created for the Peretz Centre by artist Rob Friedman in 2002, the stained glass windows with their Yiddish calligraphy and secular content are unique in the world. The four panels make up a vertical window 22 ft by 18 1/4 inches wide and are designed to flow into each other. Each panel on average contains over 2000 cuts and each piece was beveled to fit into the very thin detailed leadwork. "A people's memory is history; a people without a history can grow neither wiser nor better." -- Isaac Leyb Peretz (1852-1915) With a long history of peace activism and respect for the humanity of all peoples, we strive to provide an accessible space to a wide range of progressive Jewish people, organizations, and cultural and social allies, who struggle to find a home within the confines of mainstream Jewish institutions. Learn More History View Bylaws Join Our Mailing List Subscribe Become a Peretz Member Register Make a Charitable Donation Donate What We Do The Peretz School & Programs Education is the core of the Peretz mission. Through the Peretz School programs and community-run workshops, reading groups, and more, we offer students of all ages opportunities to enrich our understanding of Jewish cultural expression, history, and diversity. Explore Programs Peretz School Jewish Cultural Events The Peretz Centre offers a vibrant space for celebrations, lectures, performances, film screenings, and cultural events open to all. From our combined/condensed High Holidays to Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and more, we host Jewish holidays and shabbes dinners based in secular humanist principles, honouring our heritage, upholding the value of peace and diversity, and welcoming interfaith, inter-cultural, and LGBTQ+ members and families. See Upcoming Events Events The Kirman Yiddish Library The Paulina and Shaya Kirman Library is the largest Yiddish language library in Western Canada. The library contains over 4000 Yiddish and English books, journals, and other print media (open to the public by appointment). Learn More Our Values Secular Jewish Humanism Secular humanism emphasizes human endeavour rather than supernatural intervention. We believe that people have a kinship with all living things and that people working together creatively, adhering to ethical and democratic principles, can make the world a better place. The first secular Jewish organizations arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in both Europe and the Western Hemisphere. Those organizations defined the Jews as a people whose history, traditions, values and cultures could be researched and understood rationally, using the methods and insights of modern thought and science. The encompassing term was Yiddishkayt — Jewishness. At the Peretz Centre, we believe that Jewish continuity is best assured in a pluralistic, inclusive society where mutual dignity and respect, justice, freedom, and peace prevail. This is the lesson of Jewish history and this is why secular humanist Yiddishkayt is at the core of Peretz Centre educational and cultural programs. Learn more about humanistic and secular Judaism: The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SJH) The Cultural and Secular Jewish Organization (CSJO) Secular Jewish Holidays From our combined/condensed High Holidays to Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and more, we gather to celebrate together. See Events Monthly Shabbes for Cultural Jews Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes observance and potluck dinner (Fraytik tsu Nakht) is open to all. See Events Cultural Pnei Mitzvah Program A pluralistic, non-dogmatic educational program for students 10-13 to reinterpret the bar mitzvah rite of passage. Learn More Exploring Jewish Writers Each week the group reads aloud and discusses an English-language text by a Jewish writer. Learn More Yiddishkayt & Doikayt Yiddishkayt is the Jewish culture that blossomed in Europe from the late 1700s. Yiddish, the daily language of most Jews, began to be used by writers who were often rebels against the old religious establishment and who championed new ideas of social justice and human dignity. A rich literature of poetry, prose, drama, and song thrived until curtailed by antisemitic massacres in the 1930s and 40s. As an educational centre dedicated to Yiddish language and culture, secular humanistic values, and progressive and social justice-related causes, we value Doikayt (“here-ness”), a concept that stems from Ashkenazi Jewish progressive movements and states the importance of connection and commitment to local social struggles for justice, equality, and mutual liberation. Yiddish Language Courses Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history with beginner and intermediate classes. Explore Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Yiddishkayt — the culture of Jews in Eastern Europe. Explore The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Learn and sing the traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and English. Learn More The Kirman Yiddish Library A diverse and fascinating collection of Jewish books in Yiddish and English. Open to everyone! Learn More Join Our Mailing List Given name* Surname Email* I consent to receive the Peretz Centre community update * Subscribe

See all events at the Peretz Centre in a calendar format Peretz Centre Events Calendar March 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7:00 p.m. Brief Utopias in the Time of Monsters: A Purim Variety Show 15 2:00 p.m. KlezWest Monthly Klezmer Jam 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 4:00 p.m. Peretz Community Passover Seder 2026 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Jews in Eastern Europe in Zhargon: A Journey through the Histories of Yiddishkayt Course Overview Learning Principles Topics & Themes 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 is 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. Current Zhargon students get free access to the Zhargon Speaker Series, with an alumni discount for future series. Past Event Postponed: Give Alms to the Jewish King Lear: Eldercare in Yiddish Literature New date and time is TBA 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 Upcoming Yiddish History Courses Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt (2025) Ended View Course Want to hear about future programs? Sign up for our newsletter Program Creators 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. 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 is a Yiddish Pedagogy Fellow at the Yiddish Book Center. 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.

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 See Courses 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. Go to Current 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! Go to Current 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 Zayt Bagrist 2026 (Welcome to Yiddish!) Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history this fall! Started Jan 8 Loading availability... Loading availability... Register Continuing Yiddish 2026 / ייִדיש װײַטער Deepen your understanding of the Yiddish language with intermediate classes Started Jan 8 Loading availability... Loading availability... Register 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 is a Yiddish Pedagogy Fellow at the Yiddish Book Center. 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.

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)(https://www.vpl.ca/location/oakridge-branch) • Forget Me Not Montessori Preschool (https://fmnmontessori.com/)(Schoolroom) • Vancouver Jewish Film Centre's Office (https://www.vjff.org/contact/) 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 (https://jewishmuseum.ca/index.html)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

Make a donation at the Peretz Centre to support our secular Jewish educational programs, cultural and community initiatives, events, and more! Support Our Work Your contribution supports our mission to provide a progressive, modern Jewish cultural education to students of all ages. The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is a registered Canadian charity (108167602 RR 0001). Donation receipts are given for any gift over $20. Donate Who We Are Become a Member If you experience any problems using the form above, please try directly at CanadaHelps.org Volunteering at the Peretz Center There are multitude of opportunities to get involved at the Peretz Centre, whether it's planning and setting up for events, or sitting on committees. Would you like to hear more about volunteering opportunities at the Peretz Centre? Email: info@peretz-centre.org , for more information