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

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

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

The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is proud to present Discovering Doikayt , a new initiative launched with support from a $70,000 grant from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s National Anti-Racism Fund . The initiative will support members of the Peretz community to connect to ancestral roots and identities, critically face the histories of antisemitism, racism, migration, and colonization in Canada, and enhance our collective capacity to engage in inclusive, anti-racist dialogue and meaningful change on the community and policy levels. The concept of Doikayt  (“here-ness”) stems from progressive, Yiddish-speaking movements of the 20th century and emphasizes that struggles for justice, equity, and mutual liberation begin here in the place where we live. Through educational programs, partnerships, and a community-led projects,  Discovering Doikayt  will offer opportunities to combine deep and meaningful learning about Jewish history in and outside Canada with engagement in real, tangible anti-racism work for social change in the Jewish community. Progressive, Intersectional Jewish History Education   א פאָלקס-זכרון איז די היסטאָריע! אָן היסטאָריע — וי א מענטש אָן א זכרון — קען קיין פאָלק נישט קליגער, נישט בעסער ווערן. — I. L. Peretz, “Vegn Geshichte" [“On History”] in Di ṿerḳ fun Yitsḥaḳ Leybush Perets vol. 12 , p. 35 Icchok Lejb Perec by Władysław Wajntraub ( Wikimedia ) As I. L. Peretz wrote in 1890, " A people's memory is history! Without history -- like a person without a memory – a people can become neither wiser nor better .” Jewish history is complex and multifaceted, including great cultural and historical achievements, along with traumatic memory of persecution, discrimination, and violence. Jews share a common history of experiencing these oppressions alongside other migrant groups and Indigenous peoples; our collective liberation lies in the shared recognition of struggle and fight to free ourselves from these systems of oppression. One of the goals of the initiative is to approach cultural and historical education within the Jewish community through a progressive, intersectional, and trauma-informed lens. In order to do so, Discovering Doikayt  aims to facilitate learning in a way that allows members of the community to approach historical memory in a safer and more supportive way, and explore sensitive and even painful issues without further generating suspicion and distrust of others, instead fostering inclusion, solidarity and mutual recognition, and commitment to justice and equity. Discovering Doikayt  will invite participants to elaborate on the ways in which Jewish historical and cultural experience can serve as a bridge for solidarity and justice, and allow for fuller participation of members in the Jewish community in initiatives to combat racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and discrimination, drawing from Jewish values of social justice, openness to the other, mutual liberation, and critical dialogue. By combining critical and reflective historical research and learning with a commitment to combating racism and hate in current Canadian society, we believe Discovering Doikayt  can serve as a model for other communities, Jewish and non-Jewish, to draw on their unique cultural and historical knowledge and experience for the sake of a better, more just, and equitable society. Introducing the Peretz Centre's Anti-Racism Community Task Force Discovering Doikayt  will include the creation of a new Anti-Racism Community Task Force, which will be assembled in August/September 2025 with five appointed Peretz members . The Task Force will run in parallel with community educational activities and events and devise recommendations for social justice-oriented policy changes at the Peretz Centre and Jewish cultural and educational institutions. These policy recommendations will be targeted towards enhancing Jewish organizations’ capacity to engage in inclusive and anti-racist dialogue using intersectional and grounded approaches towards anti-racism, justice, and equity. Omri Haiven, Anti-Racism Community Task Force Project Manager We are pleased to announce Omri Haiven  as the project manager who will facilitate and support the Task Force’s activities. Omri is an active member of the Peretz Centre who shares his expertise in community-building, knowledge mobilization, political advocacy, and research. He has worked and volunteered in a range of initiatives connected to systemic social change, including climate justice, economic justice, racial justice, Indigenous solidarity, food and energy sovereignty, and anti-oppression education. With an extensive background in both grassroots community organizing and academic/institutional work, Omri is well positioned to aid the taskforce in learning from the Peretz community and identifying opportunities for culture and policy change that will further align Peretz with its founding values, and support the goals of the Discovering Doikayt  initiative. Omri is originally from Nova Scotia but has lived in Vancouver for over 6 years. His other work involves green energy policy, farming, and photovoltaics. Please reach out to him to say hello: ohaiven@peretz-centre.org The Task Force’s recommendations will be implemented in inclusive, intercultural Jewish education programs for children, young adults, and seniors, as well as community events and celebrations. They will also be shared with the Peretz community and other communities in a final report. Crucially, the Peretz Centre is one of the only institutional spaces within the Jewish community in Vancouver where constructive, compassionate, and open dialogue around Israel and Palestine, Zionism, and Palestinian Solidarity is not silenced or censored. With our long history of peace activism and respect for the humanity of all peoples, we believe that the Peretz Centre is uniquely situated to undertake and share this work with other Jewish community organizations. Educational Programs Exploring Landscapes of Jewish Histories The other major part of this initiative involves two educational seminars, which are each accompanied by a public lecture series as well as open-source digital learning tools, recorded lectures, accessible scholarly texts, oral histories, and more. Zhargon poster art by Jess Goldman Zhargon: A Journey through the Histories of Yiddishkayt  (starting October 21st, 2025) will explore the histories, languages, and cultures of Jewish communities in Eastern and Central Europe and the deep, long-lasting connections between Jewish and non-Jewish communities across a vast geography and cultural landscape. Doikayt: Reckoning with Jewish Histories in Canada is a new seminar (starting January 20th, 2026) that will delve into the intersection of Canadian and Jewish history through thoughtful, critical engagement with the history of colonization in Canada and a focus on how immigrants (Jews and non-Jews) interacted with and were implicated in colonization. This seminar will engage with scholars and researchers dedicated to reconciliation through an intercultural lens, with each session confronting this difficult history and our connections to it. These educational programs will culminate in a workshop collaboration with the University of British Columbia’s Centre for European Studies (spring 2026). Meaningful Learning & Change Starts Here with Discovering Doikayt 80th anniversary stamp by Jess Goldman (2025) This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Peretz Centre. Since 1945, Peretz has been a safe haven for 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. Today, we find ourselves in the midst of an exciting period of growth and renewal from the blossoming Yiddish cultural revival movement to the resurgence of progressive politics in the face of fascist violence, crises of loneliness and alienation, and planetary catastrophe. Discovering Doikayt  is the first step in a larger, community-led process, in which community members are involved in the various stages of learning and leadership and invited to actively explore areas of interest and shape their learning experience, alongside developing collaborative, intersectional approaches for working towards peace and justice together. Through this new initiative, we aim to produce a growing body of historical and cultural knowledge based in community learning, as well as strategies, policies and actions to tackle racism within Jewish educational and cultural institutions in BC and across Canada. 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. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders, and sexual orientation. We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.

Hello Peretzniks, The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is home to a vibrant, caring, progressive community that is currently celebrating our 80th anniversary. We are looking for members who are passionate about our community to join our board of directors! Elections for up to 7 new members will take place at the Annual General Meeting on January 25, 2026 . Candidates are invited to submit a short bio by January 18th, which will be distributed to members in advance of the AGM. 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, sexual orientation, and ability. 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. 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 mainstream Jewish institutions. Some highlights from the last year include klezmer concerts, performing arts events, guest speakers, community holiday celebrations, language and history courses, youth programs, and more: What's Involved? The board of directors must include between 7 and 11 members, who each serve for staggered, 2-year terms (meaning that about half of the board is elected each year). We are seeking up to 7 new board members to participate in the governance of this wonderful institution. Today, we find ourselves in the midst of an exciting period of growth and renewal from the blossoming Yiddish cultural revival movement to the resurgence of progressive politics in the face of fascist violence, crises of loneliness and alienation, and planetary catastrophe. We need committed, enthusiastic, curious people who are willing to learn what this community is and commit their time, talent, and skills to work together. 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 as one of the only remaining Jewish progressive organizations in Canada that stands for peace, justice, and mutual liberation. Working alongside staff and volunteers, you will have the opportunity to take part in important projects that will guide and support the next stages of our community's 80-year history, from governance and policy development to finance and fundraising to our exciting educational and cultural programming. If you have previous experience on a board or working at a non-profit or grassroots community organization, 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! 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. 2026 Elections for the Board of Directors 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! Elections for up to 7 board positions will take place at our Annual General Meeting on January 25, 2026 (times TBA) . You must be a member in good standing  to vote in the AGM. If you are interested in running or are considering it and have questions, please contact our current President Veronika Gorlova  ( BoardChair@peretz-centre.org ) or any other member of the board or staff. Candidates are invited to submit a short bio by January 18th, which will be distributed to members in advance of the AGM.

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:

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. As one of the last surviving Yiddish choirs in Canada, the choir has been entrusted with preserving and maintaining Yiddish cultural and political music for the benefit of future generations. Read below to learn more about the choir and how to join (all singers are welcome). A Celebration of the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir at 45 & Our Founder Searle Friedman Poster for the 2025 Spring Concert, " Doyres Zingen " The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir’s spring concert, which marked both the Peretz Centre's 80th anniversary and the Choir's 45th, embraced its title “ Doyres Zingen ”, or “Generations Sing”. Director David Millard selected arrangements and original music from the choir's history to present an eclectic programme of Yiddish music. This was also our last season with pianist Lacri Galagan, who has accompanied the choir for the past few years. The choir drew on its repertoire of music written or arranged by Peretzniks, including several arrangements by the choir's founder, Searle Friedman. One of these, a setting of the folksong “Fishelekh Koyfn,” (to buy a fish), portrays a heartbroken soul lamenting their fate. Another of Friedman’s arrangements was the titular piece “Doyres Zingen,” which was composed by Ben Chud, who was the Peretz School's first principal when it was established in 1945. The song exemplifies the hope and idealism of the first generation here at Peretz: “May the peoples’ songs reach the glory of the farthest heaven / New generations will make the time come for a humane sunrise.”   Photo courtesy of Lacrimioara Galagan Other more recent pieces were composed or arranged by current director David Millard, including “Sankt Besht,” his extended composition based on an Itzik Manger poem, and “La Roza Enflorese,” his setting of a poignant Ladino folksong. A handful of Yiddish translations from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance by retired New York schoolteacher Al Grand were thrown in for good measure as a throwback to a popular recital the choir once made of them. Choir members also presented musical or comedic interludes, giving it a more informal cabaret feel as compared to traditional choral recitals. Among these special performances were klezmer music duets, a drag number, and a clown routine. Retrieving and Recreating Folk Music Traditions The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir was founded at the Peretz Institute (now the Peretz Centre) in 1980 by Searle Friedman. We retrieve folk music and other cultural materials that would otherwise be lost or made inaccessible, from a diversity of Jewish languages and cultural backgrounds including Yiddish, Hebrew, and Ladino. In addition to performing traditional folk songs, the Choir creates new arrangements to bring those cultural treasures back to the community and into contemporary contexts for all generations. In the 45 years since our founding, the choir has regularly performed three holiday repertoires (High Holidays, Hanukkah, and Passover) and concluded each season with a spring concert. Performances feature traditional and non-traditional songs that offer local communities, Jewish and non-Jewish, unique educational opportunities to connect with beloved — and sometimes forgotten — folk music traditions. This work of recovery is especially important when it comes to music from Jewish progressive, leftist, and labour movements. Communal choruses like the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir, the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir (or "Freiheit Gezangs Farein" / "Freedom Singing Choir"), A Besere Velt (of the Boston Workers' Circle), and The Yiddish Philharmonic Chorus in New York (to name a few) are part of a history going back to the late 1800s . From protest songs to revolutionary poems set to music to satirical theatre pieces, choir members and audiences encounter and enliven important political and social aspects of our collective histories for the present day. Friendship, Mentorship, & Community With people from different cultural and faith backgrounds from their 20s to 80s, and a long history of overlapping with the LGBTQ+ community and many queer and trans members, the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir creates a welcoming, safe, and supportive multi-cultural space where people of all abilities and backgrounds can be in community, learn about Jewish music and languages, and build bridges with other folk music traditions. “As a newer member, I've grown musically and learned a huge amount about Jewish music. The choir is a place for diverse people, including non-Jewish members like me, to connect, express and perform.” – Marguerite In order to make participation accessible for singers of every level (as has been the goal for the past 45 years), songs in a variety of Jewish languages are taught in transliteration and recordings are provided to new members so they can learn at their own pace, no matter what time of year they join. Choir members, including professional and semi-professional members who act as mentors, work to support and teach newcomers and often help out members who are sick by bringing food and sharing messages of support, as well as providing rides to and from rehearsals and performances for those who need assistance. Join the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir for the 2025-26 Season! Join a new season of the choir! The vision of the choir has always been as a community choir open to all. Prospective new members are invited to attend a rehearsal, where they can meet choir members and hear how rehearsals work. We accept new members in all voice parts, year-round from September through June (some exceptions leading up to performances). For the next Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir season, one of our focuses is resuming partnerships with other folk music performance groups in the spirit of multi-cultural exchange and in promotion of peace between all peoples of the world. Join this exciting, culturally-enriching, and fun work with us on Tuesday evenings at the Peretz Centre! Further Reading On the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir webpage "‘ An act of great care and great love’: The path toward Yiddish at UBC " by Tova Gaster ( The Ubyssey , Nov. 22 2023) " Yiddish alive and well " by Cynthia Ramsey ( Jewish Independent , May 12 2023) " B.C.'s Jewish museum celebrates 50th anniversary as part of Jewish History Month " (CBC News, May 28 2021) " Mir Zingen : The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Turns 40 ", exhibit at the Jewish Museum & Archives of BC (2019) On Yiddish & Jewish Choir Histories Yiddish Lives On: Strategies of Language Transmission  by Rebecca Marglois (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2023) " Yiddish Songs and Jewish Futures: A Besere Velt , Partisan Music, and Modern Performance " by Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler ( Jewish Folklore and Ethnology , vol. 1, Fall 2022) " The Art and Culture of Singing Yiddish: A talk with Polina Shepherd " by Tela Zasloff ( Berkshire Jewish Voice , May 5 2021) " Twenty Years of Singing for Bread and Roses " (interview on the 20th anniversary of A Besere Velt ) by Rebecca Lang (Jewish Women's Archive blog, May 8 2018) And We're All Brothers: Singing in Yiddish in Contemporary North America  by Abigail Wood (Routledge, 2013) " Music: Communal Organizations and Social Movements " by Marion Jacobson (YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe, 2010) " With song to the struggle: An ethnographic and historical study of the Yiddish folk chorus " by Marion S. Jacobson (Ph.D. dissertation from New York University, 2004) " Secular Yiddishkait: Left Politics, Culture, and Community " by Ester Reiter (Labour/Le Travailleur, vol. 49, 2002) " Leftist, Jewish, and Canadian Identities Voiced in the Repertoire of the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, 1939-1959 " by Benita Wolters-Fredlund ( MUSICultures , vol. 29, 2002) Check out choir member Dan Carkner's historical research blog about klezmer music and klezmer musicians, Alte Klezmorim ! The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir is funded in part by the BC Community Gaming Grant. We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Deadline : Monday, September 15, 2025 The Peretz Centre  is calling for nominations for appointed members of our Anti-Racism Community Task Force, a key part of the Discovering Doikayt  initiative .  Edited illustration from election poster of the General Jewish Labour Bund (artist unknown) , Kyiv, ca. 1917 ( via Wikimedia Commons ) This Community Task Force will engage in meaningful, hands-on work to create concrete policy recommendations  that 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. We will be using an anti-oppressive framework to address systemic power imbalances that lead to inequality in our cultural spaces. We will work to create a richer, more vibrant, and equitable community at Peretz by supporting solidarity with oppressed groups in our society. We will face our community’s implication in larger social harms, including colonialism, racism, and classism, and consider how to seek repair and redress. We will find ways to advance equity within our volunteer-run institution. We hope that our work can be used to advance anti-racism and equality within Jewish cultural and educational spaces across Canada and that this ongoing work will be done in the spirit of reciprocity and menshlekhkayt  (kindness, decency, humaneness). We must work to fight antisemitism and racism by learning from and sharing in the struggle for social justice. What the Task Force Will Do Over five meetings ( October 2025 – March 2026 ), members will: Examine  how the Peretz Centre and, by extension, other Jewish institutions can become more inclusive and equitable by studying comparable policies that address white supremacy in Canada and the structural inequalities faced by Indigenous peoples, racialized Canadians, migrants, and refugees. Develop recommendations  to  Actively work against the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous people from their land as well as recognize the responsibilities that non-Indigenous Jewish Canadians hold towards reconciling our own involvement in colonization.  Address the root causes of antisemitism and find links with the broader anti-racism movement to strengthen our shared objectives.  Address racism within the Peretz community related to the historical links between whiteness and Jewish settlement here.  Make community programs more inclusive to a broader swath of the population in Vancouver and the surrounding area, regardless of ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.  Collaborate  closely with peers to prepare a final report for publication in March 2026.  Ensure that the work we undertake is impactful, empathetic, and designed to be approachable for all members of the Peretz community. Examples of Tasks we will undertake:   Meeting with community partners to form collaborations and/or joint programming Research and discussion on anti-oppression best practices within similar community organizations Learning from trainers, organizers, and teachers from other backgrounds about their experience in this work Engaging with anti-oppression training and intercultural and intergenerational exchanges Mobilizing knowledge about anti-racism and structural barriers to inclusivity within our community Drafting proposals for recommendations on methods of promoting cultural safety, social justice, and intersectionality Drafting evidence-based anti-racist policies, potentially including  safety and security policies, community agreements, equitable employment practices, honoraria, decision-making trees, policy review guidelines, conflict resolution processes, cultural programming, etc. Who We’re Looking For The Peretz Centre will make the best effort to meet the needs of a diverse group of Task Force members, including accommodations related to accessibility, childcare, transportation, and translation.   We’re seeking Peretz members who:  Work well in a collaborative, team-based setting.  Bring unique perspectives and diverse skills that enrich the discussion.  Have lived experience that informs anti-racism and equity work.  Have intellectual curiosity and a willingness to learn.  Are willing to actively contribute time, energy, and thoughtful engagement throughout the process.  Are comfortable reading and potentially writing about policy with the help of our team.  Have a good sense of humour and perspective.  Are Peretz members in good standing. Nominate Peretz Members (Including Yourself!) To complement recruitment to the Anti-Racism Community Task Force, we invite members of the Peretz community to recommend people for this important work. Nominations will be reviewed by Peretz staff and volunteers, who will appoint five core members . Each member will receive $500 stipends for their work. The five core members are expected to contribute: 2 hours per month for meetings and learning (workshops, etc.) 2 hours per month of research/policy work per month We welcome and encourage self-nominations for members who are interested in participating in this project. Nominations may also be submitted for advisory members  who may wish to contribute voluntarily and who directly expand the reach/scope/representation of the Task Force’s work. This is work with real impact —a chance to help shape the future of our community in a more just and inclusive direction . Please join us! The deadline for nominations is Monday, September 15th, 2025 . Can’t Commit to the Task Force? Join the Discussion Circles We know not everyone has the time to commit to regular Task Force meetings. If you’d still like to contribute your ideas and lived experience , you can participate in a series of Discussion Circles over the coming months. These circles will give community members the opportunity to share perspectives, provide input, and help shape the recommendations — ensuring that more voices are heard  in this process.  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. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders, and sexual orientation. The Anti-Racism Community Task Force is a 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.

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 bit 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.

Want to learn Yiddish? You can sign up for beginners and intermediate classes now! 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." Join Yiddish Language for Beginners (Starting Sept. 4) 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, 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 here Keep Learning with Intermediate Yiddish (Starting Sept. 5) 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! Classes will continue at the Peretz Centre on Thursdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. This class is filling up quick, sign up here