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Updated (April 26): The deadline for this position is extended to May 2, 2026 (the application form is working again!). The Peretz Centre in Vancouver is recruiting an experienced, caring, and creative camp counsellor for our summer program for youth (8-13) to explore Jewish arts and culture and participate in intergenerational learning. Learn more about the program and role below and apply by May 2, 2026. Title: Peretz Zumershule Camp Counsellor & Artistic Advisor Type: Contract Position Location: Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC) Dates: Monday, August 17th to Friday, August 28th, 2026 Hours of work: Must be available between 9am to 5pm, plus additional hours on Friday, August 28 (until 9pm) Compensation: $3000 for two weeks (additional work requested will be paid at $35 per hour) Reports to: Co-Executive Directors Application Deadline: May 2, 2026 Zumershule Program Description The Peretz Zumershule is a two-week summer (zumer) program for youth ages 8-123, from all backgrounds and cultures, to explore forms of artistic expression historically associated with Jewish culture. From folk theatre and film, klezmer music, comedy and satire, to visual arts, writing, cooking, and literature, this program brings together youth with artists, scholars, creators, and elders in the Peretz community to share cultural heritage and skills with a special emphasis on intergenerational learning and understanding. Half-day arts-based workshops with Peretz community artists, creators, and scholars Half-day free time to explore creativity, imagination and experiment with artistic practices Final day ends with youth-led cultural shabbes potluck dinner (Friday, Aug. 28th) Camp Counsellor Job Summary As part of a two-person team, the Zumershule Counsellor & Artistic Advisor(s) will play an important role in shaping the experiences of program participants: Creating and maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants; Supervising and assisting with arts workshop activities (2-4 hours per day); Supervising, supporting, and advising participants with independent or group activities before and/or after arts workshops each day (emphasis on nurturing individual interests and creative expression); Facilitating the collaboration of participants in leading the final program community dinner; Supporting overall well-being and safety of youth participants while at camp. The ideal candidate will be aligned with the educational and creative/artistic goals of the program and the interests of participants and demonstrate their ability to work in a highly collaborative environment. We encourage applicants from all cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. The Peretz Centre is committed to creating a safe workplace and using all means available to support employees and volunteers. General Responsibilities Organizing and supervising program activities: Contribute to camp preparations including programming, schedules, gathering and organizing materials in coordination with co-counsellor; Set up and clean up arts activities and supplies (with assistance from participants and volunteers); Supervise responsible play activities in the Peretz building and nearby Tisdale Park; Work with co-counsellor to organize and facilitate unstructured activities for participants as needed; Keep time so that activities start and end according to schedule; Assist with organization of and participate in the community dinner at end of the program (Aug. 28). Creating a great experience for all participants: Support and care for all participants with respect, creating a welcoming environment; Emphasize and encourage collaborative, youth-led activities and initiatives; Communicate with participants and their families to learn about their needs and share relevant information with other Peretz staff to improve overall experience. Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of participants: Ensure the safety of children in their care and maintain safe practices; Be aware of participants' medical needs (medications, allergies, etc.) and other special circumstances or requirements and adjust programs for maximal accommodation; Ensure all Health, Safety, and Risk Management policies and procedures are followed at all times, by all participants and staff; Know Fire Safety Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan for all activities and areas. Other responsibilities: Work with Peretz staff and other program leaders to deliver program goals, including post-program debriefs and feedback processes as requested by staff; May need to open or close the Peretz Centre building (according to guidelines provided). Program hours may be adjusted according to participants' needs. All additional work will be paid at the hourly rate of $35/hr. Job responsibilities and other details in this description are subject to change. Required Qualifications Experience working with children and young adults, especially with arts and crafts projects (all forms of lived experience are welcomed); Flexibility and adaptability; Respect for pluralistic experiences of cultures and religions; Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively; Strong communication skills across all age groups; First aid training; Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check for persons 18 and over; Candidates must be legally entitled to work in British Columbia. Additional/Preferred Qualifications The following qualifications are assets but are not required in order to be considered for the position: Creativity and skills in artistic expression and creation is an asset; Previous experience and/or studies in neurodivergent and/or inclusive pedagogies is an asset (guidance will be provided); Familiarity with Jewish cultural practices and/or one or more Jewish languages is an asset but not required. Working Conditions Inflexible schedule Working indoors and outdoors (summertime) Working in close proximity with groups of children ages 8-13 Engaging in safe, physical play activities with children (indoors and outdoors) Handling art supplies and equipment Cleaning and carrying supplies Potential for excessive noise Building (two storeys) is accessible except for stage area (elevator and underground parking available) How to Apply The Peretz Centre is a cultural and secular charitable organization, committed to the values of diversity, equity, and social justice. People of diverse experiences, cultures, genders, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply. We welcome all forms of lived experience and invite applicants to share relevant knowledge or skills gained from personal experience during the application process. As an employer, we strive to create an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process for paid positions. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact admin@peretz-centre.org or phone the office at (604) 325-1812 and leave a message. All information shared will be kept confidential. Application Process: Applicants are invited to complete our short application form and attach a copy of their resume (1-2 pages) no later than May 2, 2026. We will review these submissions and invite a number of candidates to an interview with 2-3 Peretz staff/volunteers, either in person at the Peretz Centre or online. References will be requested from candidates who are shortlisted during or after the interview stage. Successful candidates will be expected to remain in contact with Peretz staff as the program start date approaches and communicate/review program schedules and other materials as needed. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will review applications as they are submitted. About the Peretz Centre The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture was founded in 1945 to establish and conduct a school that provides students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Located in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, we hold classes, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, holiday celebrations and similar gatherings in order to teach and advance the cause of progressive and modern Jewish learning, culture, and education and the Yiddish language. We offer a pluralistic, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish education that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage.

The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is hiring an Event & Rentals Coordinator to join our small team and take an active role in event logistics and venue operations, strengthening our rental program, and supporting building operations. The deadline to apply is Sunday, August 16, 2026. Title: Event & Rentals Coordinator Type: Full-time position Location: Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture (6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC) Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (including some evenings/weekends) Compensation: Starting salary of $55,000 per year + benefits (after three months) Reports to: Executive Director Application Deadline: August 16, 2026 Event & Rentals Coordinator Job Summary As the Peretz Centre enters a new phase of growth, we are seeking a team member to help shape the future of one of Vancouver’s longstanding cultural institutions – a vibrant community space that hosts concerts and performances, film screenings, festivals, workshops, lectures, seniors’ and family programs, meetings, conferences, and other community events throughout the year. Situated at the intersection of event production, venue operations, and community engagement, the Event & Rentals Coordinator will work closely with staff, volunteers, members, renters, artists, educators, and community partners to help deliver welcoming, well-organized events while supporting the expansion of our diverse rental program and improving the effective use of our facilities. Unlike highly specialized event roles, this position offers hands-on experience across event production, venue rentals, community engagement, facility operations, administration, and organizational planning. The ideal candidate is practical, detail-oriented, adaptable, and an excellent communicator who enjoys being where the action is. They take pride in making complex events seem effortless, are equally comfortable meeting with performers and community partners as they are setting up a room or troubleshooting an unexpected problem, and are motivated by seeing good ideas through from planning to execution. We are seeking candidates who are excited to play an active role in our organization's future. The successful candidate will have opportunities to take initiative, contribute ideas, and help strengthen organizational systems and practices across events, rentals, and facility operations. This position offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth and mentorship, with the potential to take on increased responsibility, lead new initiatives, and contribute to organizational decision-making as the Centre continues to expand its programs, partnerships, and community impact. Role Responsibilities 1) Coordinate events and venue operations (45%) Help deliver welcoming, well-organized events by coordinating logistics before, during, and after Peretz programs and community rentals. Collaborate with event organizers plan and deliver successful events, coordinating logistics such as schedules, room layouts, audio/visual equipment, lighting, catering, décor, special event permits, security, and other requirements; Provide administrative and logistical support for events from planning through completion; Act as the primary contact for performers and presenters in coordinating technical requirements and facilitating the technical rider process; Orient volunteers and renters to building procedures and event logistics; Set up and take down tables, chairs, basic A/V equipment, instruments, etc., ensuring facilities are clean, secure, and ready for subsequent use; Serve as the primary onsite staff contact during events, responding to operational issues and coordinating appropriate emergency procedures when required; Provide basic troubleshooting for audio/visual and lighting equipment and coordinate specialized technical support when needed; Ensure organizational policies (including health, safety, emergency, and risk management policies) are followed during events; Supervise the safe use of the Peretz Centre’s commercial kitchen (Foodsafe Level 1 will be required); Reset rooms to required layouts in coordination with Facilities Manager; Work with Executive Director to ensure events are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible. 2) Coordinate and strengthen the Peretz Centre’s rental program (35%) Support the continued growth of the Peretz Centre's rental program by providing excellent service, building long-term relationships, and identifying opportunities to improve operations. Work with other staff to maximize rental potential through responsive client service, effective scheduling, operational improvements, and relationship-building, while balancing community programming and operational capacity; Review rental requests with other staff to ensure that rental requirements, scheduling, capacity, and associated costs (including SOCAN/Resound fees) are appropriately assessed; Meet with prospective renters on site to provide occasional facility tours and answer questions about availability, capacities, equipment, rates, and venue specifications; Liaise between renters and Peretz staff to ensure rentals are well coordinated and organizational policies are clearly understood; Build and maintain positive relationships with long-term renters, prospective clients, and service providers (e.g. sound technicians, caterers); Monitor rental activity and prepare reports that inform operational planning and revenue goals; Assist in reviewing rental agreements, pricing, and related policies; Recommend improvements to rental policies, procedures, scheduling, service offerings, and client experience. 3) Support building operations (20%) Contribute to the effective operation of the Peretz Centre by supporting facility management, safety, maintenance, and continuous operational improvement. Assist the Executive Director in maintaining and updating health and safety plans, as well as policies and procedures for rentals and events; Support implementation of building access, security, and emergency procedures; Work with the Executive Director and Facilities Manager to coordinate maintenance priorities, inventory systems, equipment purchases, facility upgrades, vendors, contractors, and other operational needs. General responsibilities Participate in weekly staff meetings during regular business hours; Maintain confidentiality of all tenant, renter, volunteer, and organization information; Perform other related duties consistent with the scope of the position. Required Qualifications We recognize that relevant experience can be gained in many different settings, including employment, volunteer work, community organizing, and education. If you are excited about this role and believe your experience aligns with the qualifications below, we encourage you to apply. Demonstrated experience coordinating complex events, programs, or community initiatives; Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate as part of a small team; Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, with demonstrated reliability and attention to detail; Basic proficiency with common office software, including Microsoft Office suite; Commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice; Legally entitled to work in British Columbia. Preferred Qualifications The following qualifications are not required but may be assets during hiring: Experience with venue rentals or performing arts; Experience working with audio/visual equipment, venue operations, or technical event support; FoodSafe Level 1 certification; Familiarity with basic budgeting, purchasing, or procurement processes; Experience working with people from diverse cultural, religious, social, and/or linguistic backgrounds; Ability to speak more than one language is an asset in our multilingual workspace. Working Conditions Full-time position based primarily at the Peretz Centre in Vancouver. The Peretz Centre is located one block west of Cambie Street and 500m from the Langara-49th Canada Line station (view directions and transit information); A portion of working hours is determined by programming and rental schedules, including evenings and weekends (typically 1-3 days per week); While the position requires significant on-site work to support events, rentals, and facility operations, the Peretz Centre is committed to providing flexibility wherever operationally possible. Administrative work, planning, reporting, and other duties may be completed through flexible scheduling arrangements developed collaboratively with the Executive Director; Periods of increased workload may occur during busy event and rental periods, requiring ability to manage multiple priorities and respond calmly to unexpected issues; Work is performed primarily indoors in a climate-controlled office and active community/event venues; Regular physical activity, including event setup and teardown, light to moderate cleaning, and moving equipment and supplies; Regular standing and walking for extended periods during events; Events may involve exposure to elevated noise levels, large groups of people, and fast-paced or time-sensitive situations; The building (two storeys) is generally accessible, with elevator access and underground parking available; however, the stage and green room are accessible only via stairs; There is one non-gendered, single-stall washroom on site in the green room. Learn more about building accessibility. How to Apply The Peretz Centre is a cultural and secular charitable organization, committed to the values of diversity, equity, and social justice. 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. 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 execdirector@peretz-centre.org or call 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 (1-2 pages). Selected applicants will be invited to an interview (in person or online). References will be requested from candidates who are shortlisted during or after the interview stage. A second interview may be required. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will review applications as they are submitted. About the Peretz Centre The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is a registered charity 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.

Nearly a year after the project began, the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce shares practical policy recommendations to help our community take meaningful action against racism, antisemitism, and colonialism in pursuit of a better and more beautiful world for all. The Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce (J-ART) was created in October 2025 as part of the Discovering Doikayt initiative with a mandate to create concrete policy recommendations for the Peretz Centre to strengthen our capacity for action against racism, internal and external. I was hired to support and facilitate J-ART, beginning with research into existing policy frameworks and recruiting volunteer members to the project. Six committed Peretz members joined and we got to work. We are proud to share the J-ART report with the Peretz community and other organizations and people who strive for justice and who are concerned with the current climate of anti-migrant xenophobia, proto-fascism and undermining of Indigenous rights and title. Thank you to all the volunteer taskforce members: Annalee Yassi, Claudia Bulaievsky, David Catzel, Erica Mildner, Gyda Chud, and Joanna Garfinkle. Without their earnest efforts across multiple meetings, initiatives and discussions, this project would not have been possible. Doikayt & Jewish Anti-Racism Founded in 1945, the Peretz Centre was born from an urgent need to ensure the continuity of Jewish secular humanistic culture and Yiddishkayt in the aftermath of the Holocaust. Over the last 80 years, the Peretz community has sustained a unique space in Vancouver for progressive and modern Jewish learning, culture, and education and the Yiddish language, taking responsibility for continuing the never-ending pursuit of justice and peace. What is the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce? (video) Our 80th anniversary poses an opportunity to reflect on what has changed over our organization’s history and what still needs to change today. Importantly, while Jews are a minority in Canada and while anti-Jewish hatred is on the rise alongside hatred of other minorities (Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians), we are no longer marginalized in a systematic way. By systematic, I mean Jews do not face significant structural barriers to accessing education, institutions, or livelihoods on the basis of their Jewish identity, as had once been the case. It is therefore a unique experience to work on anti-racism at Peretz, where the majority of our membership are European descendants but who share ancestral histories of navigating racism, migration, and colonization, alongside other migrant groups. At the same time, Jews are not a monolithic ethnic identity and though the Peretz’ was founded to promote Yiddish culture rooted in Eastern European traditions, our community at Peretz is wonderfully diverse. As the Peretz Centre grows, so do our definitions of who is part of our community. Many different kinds of Jews and people with an interest in Jewish culture from all around the world have made Vancouver their home and it’s incumbent on the Peretz Centre to expand our understanding of the demographics we serve to include these new voices and stories while retaining the history, philosophy, and core principles on which we were founded 80 years ago. These changes in conditions and perspectives since our organization began in 1945 spark important questions: What can we do to strengthen our commitment to and capacity for action against racism, both within our community and in the interest of our community as we combat white supremacy and antisemitism? How do we work to address systemic power imbalances that lead to inequality in our cultural spaces? How do we create a richer, more vibrant, and equitable community at Peretz by supporting solidarity with oppressed groups in our society? How do we face our community's implication in larger social harms, including colonialism, racism, and classism, and seek repair and redress? How do we defend and uphold the legacy of progressive Jewish politics in Canada? To approach these questions and try to respond to them, we are guided by the concept of doikayt ("here-ness"), a core principle of the Peretz Centre’s mission that teaches us that the struggle for justice, equity, and mutual liberation must begin right here, in the places where we live and work. One lesson I’ve learned as project coordinator for J-ART is that regardless of complications, the path of doikayt starts with a recognition that our own liberation is bound up in the liberation of other minority groups from these systems of oppression. We cannot "go it alone" without exposing ourselves or others to the same violence that racism exerts on other minorities. Peretz is 80 years old and yet, I’ve learned through this process that we still have so many more horizons left on our journey. We are a broad-based community and yet we have room to expand ourselves to a great deal more people through solidarity, learning, and support. Social Justice & Doikayt: Policy Recommendations for Progressive Change in the Jewish Community J-ART’s final report, Social Justice & Doikayt: Policy Recommendations for Progressive Change in the Jewish Community, is a living document. In other words, it is intended to be a basis for decision-making and collective growth that is ongoing. The first section focuses on maximizing impact beyond the walls of the Peretz Centre itself, to forge strategic partnerships with organizations who have overlapping goals and share a demonstrable commitment to inclusion and equity. Especially important is seeking active solidarity with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. The second section aims to advance understanding of internal experience through equity audits, inclusive programming (like promoting diverse Jewish cultures beyond the Ashkenazi centre), conflict resolution, and training members on anti-racism and living with discomfort. The third section emphasizes the importance of building a library of interventions, recommending that Peretz undertake a resource review to ensure that anti-racist material and authors from the global south are represented in our Kirman Library, share knowledge through collaborations with organizations like the Vancouver Public Library to promote progressive Jewish thought, and enshrining Yiddishkayt to connect Yiddish radical history with modern activism. Lastly, J-ART members also created an appendix to the report with a list of contacts, resources, and references for further reading. A portion of the taskforce’s discretionary budget was used to purchase anti-racist books for the Kirman Library, which are available to Peretz members and the general public. The full report is available on the Peretz Centre website, or in PDF format (click to download). Supporting Anti-Racism Education The taskforce’s activities extended well beyond creating policy recommendations. In our efforts to achieve the goals of the project, the J-ART has produced several important events and opportunities to work towards anti-racism at the Peretz Centre and beyond. The following list is incomplete but demonstrates the important efforts of so many Peretzniks, who have shown up to expand our horizons and engage in meaningful conversations and actions: A capstone event where the J-ART final report and policy recommendations were shared with the wider community. The event was facilitated through breakout groups and feedback was recorded. (Thanks to Gyda Chud and Claudia Bulaievsky from the taskforce for helping to facilitate and record feedback!) A detailed survey of the cross-section of Peretzniks who attended the capstone event on their perspective for the path forward for anti-racist work at the Peretz Centre. An anti-racism training workshop with professional facilitators from RADIUS social innovation hub at SFU to help move from policy recommendations to tangible actions at Peretz, attended by Peretz members and members of the Board of Directors. An anti-racism educational workshop for two cohorts of Pnei Mitzvah students (one of Peretz’s educational programs for youth ages 10-13), led by Gyda Chud and Claudia Bulaievsky. A membership motion successfully passed at the Peretz Annual General Meeting to support the “Better Together” campaign led by the Canadian Council for Refugees, a national campaign for migrant and refugee rights. In addition, the taskforce sponsored three events to support anti-racism education: Fraytik tsu Nakht (Friday night) cultural shabbes dinner with after-dinner learning on "How Colonization Dismantles Food Systems," presented by taskforce member David Catzel on decolonization and food justice as it relates to Jewish culture. Fraytik tsu Nakht cultural shabbes with after-dinner learning on "Indigenous Sovereignty, Land Defence, and the Fight Against Ecocide," presented by longtime activist and Peretz member Bob Ages on his experience and analysis of solidarity work with Indigenous self-determination struggles rooted in Jewish secular humanist principles (hosted by taskforce member Erica Mildner). Revolutionary Yiddish Singalong workshop introducing archival anti-authoritarian Jewish folk songs from the early 20th century, led by local historian and musician Dan Carkner & and Brooklyn-based DJ Chaia. What’s Next for the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce? The J-ART project was a great step on a longer journey for the Peretz Centre. The final report of the taskforce has been presented to the Peretz Board of Directors , which will include multiple new projects that pick up the work of the taskforce. Illustration adapted from an election poster for the Jewish Labour Bund (Kyiv, ca. 1917). Peretz is a charitable organization with limited staff, a volunteer board, and some motley volunteers, but this project showed me that this community can lead the fight against racism in the Jewish community. It starts by approaching this issue with curiosity, listening to one another, and working together towards a vision of a truly humanist approach to Jewish culture. The J-ART project was created within the secular humanist vision of the Peretz Centre. We worked to help create a foundation for Peretz to grow, with the goal of being a model for anti-racist and equity-centered values within Jewish cultural and educational spaces across Canada. We must work to fight anti-Jewish hatred and racism by learning from and sharing in the struggle for social justice. Now is a crucial time for Jews of conscience to act in solidarity with other minorities to preserve dignity and respect for all. We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada. About the Author Omri Haiven is a grassroots community organizer, communicator, and researcher. From July 2025 to June 2026, he facilitated and supported the work of the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce's volunteer members, sharing his expertise in community-building, knowledge mobilization, political advocacy, and research. Omri has worked and volunteered in a range of initiatives connected to systemic change over the years, including climate justice, economic justice, racial justice, Indigenous solidarity, food and energy sovereignty, and anti-oppression education. His Masters (M.A.) project through the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University (SFU) focused on agrivoltaics (the integration of solar panels with farming) through a political-economic lens, aiming to uncover how we can solve both energy and food security problems while promoting peri-urban economic development. In addition to his role as J-ART project coordinator, Omri is the Agrivoltaics Policy & Community Engagement Coordinator with the Clean Energy Research Group (CERG) at SFU and an active member of the Peretz community.

Announcing a new short documentary film project coming this November! Four Pillars of Peretz is a rollicking celebration of four women—Bluma Field, Sylvia Friedman, Claire Klein Osipov and Gallia Chud—and their invaluable contributions to Vancouver's Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. As the Peretz marks its 80th anniversary, this short film explores the important roles these women and the Centre played (and continue to play) in preserving Yiddish culture while providing an inclusive place for Vancouver's secular Jewish community. Relying on interviews with their families and Peretz members, photographs, and other archival materials, the film is an oral history of the Peretz and these four pillars of the community. Though they were not the only ones who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, they shared a unique bond. Together their contributions—from Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir  to Canadian Jewish Outlook Magazine  and more—were integral to the Centre’s existence, laying the foundations for future generations. The film aims to be celebratory and insightful, funny, quirky and, like Bluma, Claire, Sylvia and Gallia, full of chutzpah. Watch the trailer: Filmmaker Profile Filmmaker Michael Kissinger is writing and directing the project, situating the story of these four women within the history of Peretz and highlighting the role Peretz plays and continues to play in Vancouver's secular Jewish community. As a former community journalist, I am attracted to stories about communities—the colourful, “force of nature” characters who inhabit them and the essential role community plays in a healthy, robust society.The Peretz is no different. For 80 years, it has been a hub of activity, education, arts and culture for Vancouver’s secular Jewish community, for those seeking connection to their Jewish heritage, history, and experience but who may have struggled to find a home within the confines of mainstream Jewish institutions. As Donna Becker, a longtime fixture of the Peretz, says: “It’s the Yiddish, it’s the secular humanism and it’s the left-wing politics.” Director Michael Kissinger with Hinda Avery, the subject of his short film Hinda and Her Sisterrrz. (Photo by Dan Toulgoet) Michael Kissinger  is an award-winning writer, journalist, filmmaker and former editor of the Vancouver Courier  community newspaper. He directed and edited the animated short film series Bayla’s Issues , which screened at the JxJ Washington DC Jewish Film Festival and 2021 Vancouver Jewish Film Festival. His short documentary film, Hinda and Her Sisterrrz , about Vancouver artist Hinda Avery, can currently be seen on Knowledge Network and was an official selection of the 2017 Toronto Jewish Film Festival, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Boston Jewish Film Festival, Vancouver Jewish Film Festival, and the Victoria Jewish Film Festival. He lives in Victoria, BC. Support the Four Pillars of Peretz Film Project We invite members of the Peretz community, especially those who love and miss Gallia, Bluma, Sylvia, and Claire, to contribute to the making of the film and the preservation of our community's legacies for generations to come. Thanks to a generous gift by an anonymous donor, this project is already underway with an expected release date of November 2025 . Donations will cover the rest of the film's budget, which includes research, interviews, filming, editing, graphics, and music licensing. Donors will be acknowledged in the closing credits of the film, unless they wish to remain anonymous. Charitable contributions of all amounts are eligible for a tax receipt. For more information, please contact the Peretz Centre at info@peretz-centre.org This campaign is over, but you can still make a tax-deductible charitable donation to the Peretz Centre:

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: Lyrics and 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: See you soon!

Dear Peretz Community, Just four weeks ago, we stepped into the shared role of co-executive directors with a growing excitement and gratitude for the chance to serve the Peretz community. In sharing this responsibility as co-directors, we aim to develop a leadership model based on collaboration and friendship, with the understanding that positive change and growth can only happen in and through community. At every step, we’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm, curiosity, and care that has held the space together for very close to eighty years. Donna Becker continues to help us learn the ins and outs of Peretz operations, inspiring us with her deep commitment for both tradition and creativity as she continues to support events like Fraytik tsu nakht and programs like the Yiddish Folk Choir (both of which start again in September!). Iosif Gershtein has, probably quite literally, kept our building running with his passion for Jewish culture and hope for the future. Similarly, we are appreciative of Al Stein and Carl Rosenberg , who have carefully maintained and grown the Kirman Library (with all its exciting treasures), as well as program leaders like David Millard . We are keenly aware that without their enduring sense of responsibility, and that of previous staff, our job would be impossible. Though the last few years have been difficult, volunteers on the Board of Directors (past and present), along with others, have pushed hard to make new beginnings possible. We acknowledge that we are entering the directorship at Peretz at a time of big transitions and heightened sensitivity and tension. In this respect, we wish to draw on the Peretz Centre’s unique tradition as a place for open dialogue and conversation, learning and community. Peretz’s heritage as a space for fostering Yiddish and Yiddishkayt, Secular Jewish Culture, pluralistic and humanistic values, and an ongoing commitment to social justice – is a cultural communal treasure that is currently in dire need, and we are grateful and honoured to be able to participate in the reclamation of this rich tradition. Next year is the 80th anniversary of the Peretz Centre. Our goal is to make 2025 a year of renewed commitment to cultural and artistic programming, educational and language courses, music and dance, and community gathering and celebration. We are looking forward to doing this work in collaboration with you. As with all new beginnings, we expect this will take time, and we will surely make some mistakes along the way, and we ask for your patience as we learn together with you and work to make our Centre flourish. In the meantime, we’ve been working on: ➜ Restarting our core programs in September, stronger than ever ➜ Developing a working budget and membership plan for the upcoming fiscal year ➜ Re-establishing relationships with community partners and renters, including the VPL ➜ Addressing immediate building maintenance tasks ➜ Updating our website to showcase our community and create a membership forum ➜ Supporting community initiatives in all their forms Over the next few weeks, we would love to connect with all of you and hear about your experiences, hopes, dreams, and questions about the Peretz Centre! Please feel free to drop us a line at imanoff@peretz-centre.org and aburton@peretz-centre.org or come by the Centre for some tea and a schmooze. Looking forward to seeing you at the board meeting on Tuesday and/or at Finding Comrades Among our Ancestors on Friday this week! A Little About Us Itamar Manoff (he/him): I have worked in the field of community-based adult education for over 15 years, leading and developing educational programming that focuses on social justice, cultural renewal, and language education. Since 2021, I have been working at the Peretz Centre as a co-facilitator of Zhargon: A Journey through the Histories of Yiddishkayt , and as a teacher of Yiddish language . Outside of Peretz, I have been involved in professional educational work in the university setting, focusing on creating critical pedagogies that foster social and political change, awareness around issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as a commitment to developing anti-fascist pedagogies and practices, at the Department of Educational Studies and the Centre of Teaching, Learning and Technology at UBC. In addition, I have been involved in grassroots community in Israel Palestine through several solidarity and educational organizations. Adi Burton (she/her): I grew up in Jewish schools and shuls in Vancouver, where I learned to ask questions and seek the kinds of answers that never quite settle into explanations. As an anti-genocide activist for more than a decade, Jewish values have always inspired a sense of responsibility to act, and also to listen and learn. The deep questions at the heart of genocide studies, and embedded in the notion of responsibility itself, led me to complete my Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies at UBC in 2022, where I explored complex ethical, political, and educational questions around anti-genocide activism through the lenses of Jewish philosophy and Phenomenology. As a teacher, I love the in-between places of learning where the unexpected and complex is given space to unfold. The Peretz Centre is, to me, one of those treasured places. I hope to bring my years of activist, organizing, scholarly, educational, and (surprise!) marketing/business development skills as co-executive director. Coming from a mixed family background, I’m fascinated by the plurality of Jewish ways of life and the communal tasks of translation as we try to understand our place in, and responsibility for, our shared world.

Learn Yiddish at the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture! Our Fall 2024 beginners' and intermediate classes are open for new and returning students. Learn Yiddish in Vancouver This Fall As Nobel prize laureate and renowned author Isaac Bashevis Singer said in 1986, "It is true that they were saying that we are a dead language 500 years ago. But as far as I'm concerned, Yiddish is going to be a dying language for the next 2000 years." 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. Taught by Itamar Manoff and rooted in progressive, inclusive pedagogy, our Yiddish language program opens up worlds of history, literature, and cultural expression for adult language learners of all levels. Join Yiddish Language Classes for Beginners (Starting Sept. 4) In our introductory class for beginner Yiddish language learners, 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, get exposed to Yiddish film, art and culture and learn about the fascinating culture of Yiddish. Classes take place at the Peretz Centre (45th and Ash St, right off Cambie) on Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Learn more and sign up Deepen Your Language Skills with Intermediate Yiddish (Starting Sept. 5) The Peretz Centre's intermediate Yiddish language course is based on a conversational, interactive and communicative approach to Yiddish. In class, 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! Classes will continue at the Peretz Centre on Thursdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. This class is filling up quick, so sign up here now!

The 2024 Zhargon Speaker Series starts on Sunday, November 17th! 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. Anna Elena Torres on "Anarchism by Our Grandmothers" Sunday, November 17th (5-6:30pm PST) 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 , 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. Vivi Lachs on "London's Yiddish Pop Songs" Sunday, November 24th (11am-12:30pm PST) 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   (Wayne University Press, 2018) and London Yiddishtown: East End Jewish Life in Yiddish Sketch and Story (Wayne University Press, 2021). 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). Avia Moore on "The Critical Mythology of Yiddishland" Sunday, December 1st (5-6:30pm PST) 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. Faith Jones on "Recovering Yiddish Women Writers" Sunday, December 8th (5-6:30pm PST) 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 (Nov. 17): "Anarchism by Our Grandmothers: Feminist Genealogies of Yiddish Anarchism" Vivi Lachs (Nov. 24): "London's Yiddish Pop Songs: Telling Secrets of the Immigrant Experience" Avia Moore (Dec. 1): "The Critical Mythology of Yiddishland" Faith Jones (Dec. 8): "Recovering Yiddish Women Writers: Shira Gorshman and the Making of Literary History" 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!

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 🎉