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Members are the foundation of our community. Join our mission to provide students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education, including programs, classes, lectures, holiday events, and more. Become a Member of The Peretz Centre Members are the foundation of our community. Join our mission to provide students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education, including programs, classes, lectures, holiday events, and more. Renew your Peretz Centre membership annually to maintain good standing, sustain a home for progressive Jewish community in Vancouver, and access membership benefits . Register Now Go to Members' Area Peretz Centre Membership Information The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture is a registered charity mandated to provide students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education since 1945. Over the past 80 years, our programs, events, and community initiatives are supported by our members, who contribute annual membership dues, volunteer, participate in our activities, and take an active role in Society governance. Read Bylaws Code of Conduct What are membership dues? As a registered charity and non-profit society, the Peretz Centre is governed by dues-paying members. Our bylaws state that membership is (with a few exceptions) for life, but you must pay membership dues every year in order to be a member in good standing. If you do not pay your dues annually, you are still a member but no longer in good standing, meaning you lose some membership benefits like voting rights in General Meetings and board elections. Your membership dues are financial contributions to the Peretz Centre’s annual operations, helping to fund our work, subsidize participation for our essential community programs (including children and youth programs), and sustain a home for progressive Jewish community in Vancouver. How much does membership cost? Membership rates are offered in a few different categories. Members may register up to 4 adults in the same family and include children under 18 in any of the categories below. Anyone who identifies as a family and shares resources can register together. Registration for children under 18 is free! We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. 2025-26 Membership Rates: How does Peretz decide membership rates? In setting membership rates, the Board of Directors aimed to: Support Peretz programs and events while ensuring that membership is affordable for anyone who wants to be a part of our community Recognize different family configurations and keep costs down for single parents Encourage members with partners and/or children to register all individuals in their family, which helps us plan for programs and grow our community The base amount of $180 for an individual adult (18+), or $25 for a self-identified low-income individual, is lower than most synagogues or societies like ours because we are able to use rental revenue from our building to keep membership costs down for those who can’t afford to pay more. Rather than introduce tiers for members who are able to contribute more financially, we encourage those who can afford it to make a charitable donation in addition to renewing membership. This way, the entire amount of the donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Will I get a tax receipt for paying my membership dues? Payments are no longer eligible for charitable tax receipts as of September 1, 2025. For the 2025-26 membership year, the Board of Directors voted to change our membership model to provide monetary advantages (or membership benefits that have monetary value, like discounts) in order to recognize membership engagement and reduce barriers to participation. In other words, this new model allows members who frequently attend events or participate in programs to benefit from lower overall costs as a result of paying their membership dues. Because your membership dues will now directly save you money, payments are no longer considered donations. That’s part of the reason that we kept membership dues fairly low, so members who are able to contribute financially at a higher rate can do so with a charitable donation and receive a tax receipt for 100% of that voluntary contribution. What are the new membership benefits for 2025-26? For the 2025-26 membership year, we are introducing members-only monetary advantages, including special rates and promotions on program registration, event tickets, and building rentals. Starting November 30, 2025, members will receive new benefits: 10% off program registration (excluding members-only programs) 10% off event ticket prices (excluding events with free/in-kind/by donation registration options like Fraytik tsu Nakht) 15% of rental rates Additional promotions (like promo codes or early registration) offered only to members Please note: Starting in 2026, some programs (like Pnei Mitzvah and the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir) may be restricted to members-only, as they were in previous years. Why do member discounts only start in November? Since Peretz membership has traditionally conferred only non-monetary advantages (like voting rights), payment of dues was considered a charitable donation. This is true for everyone who paid dues between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025; that’s why we issued charitable tax receipts for amounts paid (over $10). As a result, we are phasing in monetary advantages to ensure that we comply with Canada Revenue Agency Regulations for charitable contributions. The main reason to phase in these new benefits is that we open registration and ticket sales for programs and events during the changeover of the membership year (September and October are some of the busiest months!). Members who registered for programs or bought event tickets before the new membership year started on September 1st (or before they renewed their membership) cannot receive monetary advantages, and it wouldn’t be fair to give discounts to people who signed up later. To make the transition simpler, we decided that discounts will only be introduced for events and programs that start on or after November 30, 2025. How will I get members-only discounts and advance registration? Registration for programs and events starting after November 30, 2025 will have a “members-only” registration or ticket option. Please select this option to get the members discount. We may also send out special discount codes and early registration access to members via email – keep an eye out and make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list! Why is it important to register my child(ren)? Children under the age of 18 are free to register for Peretz membership! We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. Only children who are registered as members are eligible for members-only programs and discounts. To register one or more children in your family, please add their names and ages to your membership registration form. 2025-26 Membership Benefits Voting Privileges Steer the direction of the Peretz Centre by voting in General Meetings (like the AGM and board elections) and Special General Meetings Participatory Opportunities Be involved in Peretz Centre activities and governance through the Board of Directors (elected positions), committees, and working groups Advance Registration Gain priority access to registration for popular Peretz programs and events with limited seats, so you can register before they fill up! Members-Only Discounts Get 10% of program registration* and event tickets*, plus 15% off rental rates for our facilities and additional promotions sent via email to members Members-Only Forums Access members-only forums and special events around the Peretz mission and vision, plus the Members Area of the website Borrowing Privileges Check out book from the Kirman Library, the largest collection of Yiddish books in Western Canada, plus a wide variety of Jewish history and culture texts! *Events with free/in-kind/by donation ticket options are not eligible for member discounts. Registration for members-only programs is already subsidized (not eligible). Register or Renew Your Membership for 2025-26 Each new membership year begins on September 1st . Membership fees are due annually to ensure you are a member in good standing (able to vote and access benefits). Peretz Centre annual membership fees apply for adults (18+), who can register as individuals or in groups of up to four adults; children under 18 are free to register . We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. Anyone who identifies as a family and shares resources can register together. Subsidized rates are available for self-identified low-income individuals and families. New members: Anyone is welcome to register for membership. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders, sexual orientation, and abilities. Returning members : Please submit the registration form below to renew your membership. Register Join Our Mailing List Subscribe Become a Member Register Support Our Work Donate

The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in Vancouver, BC was founded in 1945 to provide students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Welcome Coming Up Register for Programs Subscribe Notices The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture We believe in a diverse, connected, and engaged Judaism that contributes to a just and compassionate world. Sign up for our newsletter 6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC info@peretz-centre.org Get Directions Reflections on the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce 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. Jun 23 7 min read Peretz Membership Endorses the "We're Better Together" Campaign in Support of Migrant Rights At the Peretz Centre's Annual General Meeting on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, the membership unanimously voted to endorse the "We're Better Campaign" to counter rising anti-immigrant sentiment and divisive rhetoric from politicians, and to demonstrate and grow public support for immigrants and refugees in Canada. Jan 29 3 min read 1/3 See all updates Upcoming Events Sun, Jul 12 East and West: A Yiddish Kino & Shmues / See Event Jul 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada Watch the classic Yiddish film East and West (1923) with other Yiddish learners and shmooze afterwards! Event Series Fri, Aug 28 Youth-led Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck / See Event Aug 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada For this special summer community event, our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes celebration and potluck dinner will be youth-led! Sat, Aug 29 Yiddish Songs in Harmony: A Vocal Workshop with Levyosn / See Event Aug 29, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada The world’s leading Yiddish vocalists introduce singers of all levels to their bewitching mixture of contemporary and traditional folk singing Sat, Aug 29 Levyosn's Dream: Old, New, and Reimagined Yiddish Song / See Event Aug 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 6184 Ash St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9, Canada The Peretz Centre welcomes internationally-acclaimed Yiddish folk ensemble Levyosn to perform songs of nature, labour, and love from their new album Levyosn’s Dream Load More Subscribe to Our Mailing List Please provide your contact details to receive our twice monthly community update. First name* Last name Email* I consent to receive the Peretz Centre newsletter * Comments (optional) Submit Special Statement from the Board of Directors November 2023 : As a secular, humanist Jewish organization, the Peretz Centre abhors the loss of life and the suffering of all those affected by the Israeli/Hamas conflict and supports all efforts to achieve an early and long lasting solution.

Members of the Vancouver Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture can access members-only profiles, groups, and more Peretz Centre Members' Area Log In Not a member yet? Become a member What's Here? We're working on creating new ways for members to stay connected and get involved. Currently, through your account you can: Complete your member profile Update your contact information Save your payment details View your events and program registrations Customize your notifications Please note that we automatically apply the highest privacy settings to your member profile, making your information totally private . You have the option to make your profile visible to other Peretz members by changing the settings in your account. All information that you choose to make "public" is visible only to other Peretz members. Community Updates Reflections on the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce 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. Jun 23 7 min read Peretz Membership Endorses the "We're Better Together" Campaign in Support of Migrant Rights At the Peretz Centre's Annual General Meeting on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, the membership unanimously voted to endorse the "We're Better Campaign" to counter rising anti-immigrant sentiment and divisive rhetoric from politicians, and to demonstrate and grow public support for immigrants and refugees in Canada. Jan 29 3 min read 1 2 3 4 5 Peretz Members' Meetings Social Justice & Hereness: How Can Doikayt Guide Policy at Peretz? A Taskforce Presentation, Community Dialogue, & Lunch Sun, May 03 All members of the Peretz community are invited to learn about the path-breaking work of the Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce (J-ART) in an afternoon of workshops, good dialogue, food, and schmoozing View Event Load More Membership FAQ Read Bylaws Code of Conduct What are membership dues? As a registered charity and non-profit society, the Peretz Centre is governed by dues-paying members. Our bylaws state that membership is (with a few exceptions) for life, but you must pay membership dues every year in order to be a member in good standing. If you do not pay your dues annually, you are still a member but no longer in good standing, meaning you lose some membership benefits like voting rights in General Meetings and board elections. Your membership dues are financial contributions to the Peretz Centre’s annual operations, helping to fund our work, subsidize participation for our essential community programs (including children and youth programs), and sustain a home for progressive Jewish community in Vancouver. How much does membership cost? Membership rates are offered in a few different categories. Members may register up to 4 adults in the same family and include children under 18 in any of the categories below. Anyone who identifies as a family and shares resources can register together. Registration for children under 18 is free! We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. 2025-26 Membership Rates: How does Peretz decide membership rates? In setting membership rates, the Board of Directors aimed to: Support Peretz programs and events while ensuring that membership is affordable for anyone who wants to be a part of our community Recognize different family configurations and keep costs down for single parents Encourage members with partners and/or children to register all individuals in their family, which helps us plan for programs and grow our community The base amount of $180 for an individual adult (18+), or $25 for a self-identified low-income individual, is lower than most synagogues or societies like ours because we are able to use rental revenue from our building to keep membership costs down for those who can’t afford to pay more. Rather than introduce tiers for members who are able to contribute more financially, we encourage those who can afford it to make a charitable donation in addition to renewing membership. This way, the entire amount of the donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Will I get a tax receipt for paying my membership dues? Payments are no longer eligible for charitable tax receipts as of September 1, 2025. For the 2025-26 membership year, the Board of Directors voted to change our membership model to provide monetary advantages (or membership benefits that have monetary value, like discounts) in order to recognize membership engagement and reduce barriers to participation. In other words, this new model allows members who frequently attend events or participate in programs to benefit from lower overall costs as a result of paying their membership dues. Because your membership dues will now directly save you money, payments are no longer considered donations. That’s part of the reason that we kept membership dues fairly low, so members who are able to contribute financially at a higher rate can do so with a charitable donation and receive a tax receipt for 100% of that voluntary contribution. What are the new membership benefits for 2025-26? For the 2025-26 membership year, we are introducing members-only monetary advantages, including special rates and promotions on program registration, event tickets, and building rentals. Starting November 30, 2025, members will receive new benefits: 10% off program registration (excluding members-only programs) 10% off event ticket prices (excluding events with free/in-kind/by donation registration options like Fraytik tsu Nakht) 15% of rental rates Additional promotions (like promo codes or early registration) offered only to members Please note: Starting in 2026, some programs (like Pnei Mitzvah and the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir) may be restricted to members-only, as they were in previous years. Why do member discounts only start in November? Since Peretz membership has traditionally conferred only non-monetary advantages (like voting rights), payment of dues was considered a charitable donation. This is true for everyone who paid dues between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025; that’s why we issued charitable tax receipts for amounts paid (over $10). As a result, we are phasing in monetary advantages to ensure that we comply with Canada Revenue Agency Regulations for charitable contributions. The main reason to phase in these new benefits is that we open registration and ticket sales for programs and events during the changeover of the membership year (September and October are some of the busiest months!). Members who registered for programs or bought event tickets before the new membership year started on September 1st (or before they renewed their membership) cannot receive monetary advantages, and it wouldn’t be fair to give discounts to people who signed up later. To make the transition simpler, we decided that discounts will only be introduced for events and programs that start on or after November 30, 2025. How will I get members-only discounts and advance registration? Registration for programs and events starting after November 30, 2025 will have a “members-only” registration or ticket option. Please select this option to get the members discount. We may also send out special discount codes and early registration access to members via email – keep an eye out and make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list! Why is it important to register my child(ren)? Children under the age of 18 are free to register for Peretz membership! We encourage members with children to register them in order to help us plan for children's programming, including members-only programs. Only children who are registered as members are eligible for members-only programs and discounts. To register one or more children in your family, please add their names and ages to your membership registration form.

The Paulina and Shaya Kirman Library is the largest Yiddish language library in Western Canada. Open to the public, it contains 4000 books, journals, and other print media in Yiddish and English. Browse Visit Borrow About The Kirman Library With a diverse and fascinating collection of Jewish books, the Kirman Library contains the largest collection of Yiddish language texts in Western Canada. Open to everyone! Become a Supporter Yiddish does not offer the path to the past as much as to a collective future which is linked with the past: a better future, but better because of human endeavour. The library at the Vancouver Peretz Institute is one such endeavour. -- Faith Jones, The Vancouver Peretz Institute Yiddish Library , p. 140 Our Collections in Yiddish & English Browse & Search the Catalogue The Kirman Library at the Peretz Centre is a unique library with a treasure trove of Jewish literature, history, music, art, theatre, humour and scholarly works in Yiddish and English. The library’s Yiddish collection is the largest in Western Canada. Our library catalogue is available to browse online via Library World. Search the Catalogue Browse our catalogue Visit the Kirman Library The library is open to all. While we work to establish regular hours, access to the library is by appointment only. For more information about library policy, including overdue or lost items, or to obtain a library card, contact the Peretz Centre office at 604-325-1812, or e-mail admin@peretz-centre.org . Make an Appointment Visit the library Borrowing from the Library Members of the Peretz Centre may borrow four items at a time, for a period of four weeks, which may be renewed if no hold has been placed on the items. Bring books you are borrowing or returning to the office so they can be checked out or in. Become a Member Borrowing Kirman Library History Paulina Kirman at her home (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986) Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. Paulina Kirman at the UBC Library Processing Centre (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986) Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. Paulina Kirman at the UBC Library Processing Centre (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986) Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. Paulina Kirman at her home (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986) Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. 1/3 "Paulina Kirman 's dedication to the project of creating an ordered library from a room full of books is the single greatest reason for the library's existence. She believed strongly in the goals of librarianship, particularly equal access to information and dissemination of culture." -- Faith Jones, The Vancouver Peretz Institute Yiddish Library , p. 130 Paulina (Neuman) Kirman (1919-1999) emigrated to Vancouver from Poland in 1958. She and her husband Shaya (1903-1982) were devoted readers and Yiddishists. A polyglot who knew Yiddish, Hebrew, Polish, Russian, German, Latin, and several other Slavic languages, Paulina was hired to catalogue books for the University of British Columbia's Slavic department in 1962, where she worked for 22 years. Paulina and Shaya started a Yiddish reading group at the Peretz Institute in 1972. In 1976, the couple started organizing the Peretz School's book collection into a working lending library, with Paulina cataloguing and classifying the texts and Shaya assisting her. The library officially opened on January 21, 1979 with a visit from the Yiddish writer Itche Goldberg. Securing donated reference texts and literature from UBC, Paulina actively participated in the Yiddish literary world and the library became a member of the League for Yiddish, YIVO and the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. Over the decades, the library amassed a collection of Yiddish books, literary journals, magazines, and more. Most of the books in the library were donated by Peretz members like Archie and Anne Wyne, and Sid Sarkin, with many families donating personal collections of loved ones after their deaths. Paulina retired from UBC not long after Shaya's death in 1982 and devoted more of her time to the Peretz library until her health began to decline. At this point, the library's collection of English language books also began to grow to support the Peretz School's programs, including a large number of children's books and Holocaust books. In the 1990s, Faith Jones began volunteering at the library and started work restoring the library with David Kaetz. Many other organizations that closed (like Calgary's Peretz School) or downsized their collections (like UJPO's Toronto branch or the Winnipeg Jewish Library) sent their books to the Vancouver Peretz School, and the collection continued to grow with large donations from the late Dr. Gersh Winrob and the late poet Miriam Waddington, among others. Paulina Kirman at her home (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986). Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. Paulina Kirman at her home with portrait of late husband Shaya (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986). Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. Paulina Kirman in her flower garden (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986). Paulina Kirman (photographed by Celia Brauer, 1986). Paulina Kirman photographs sub-series, 94.01.0058. Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Survivors Today project fonds. © Celia Brauer. The maintenance of a Yiddish language library in Vancouver, against all odds, can only be ascribed to a certain stubbornness of spirit on the part of a few individuals. The Peretz community continues to insist on the importance of a Jewish past which most Jews -- including its own members -- cannot access directly. That this past will inevitably be filtered and condensed due to translation, and that it will need constant re-examination in order to keep it a living and sustaining component of Jewish identity, does not reduce its power. Unlike those who declare Yiddish already dead, the Peretz School's members do not appear to need closure on this question. -- Faith Jones, The Vancouver Peretz Institute Yiddish Library , pp. 138-139 In 2001, when the Peretz Institute re-opened its new building under the new name of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, the library was a central feature of the plan and was named after Paulina and Shaya. In its new space, more volunteers stepped in to care for the diverse collection of texts, which was disorganized and dispersed in boxes. Al Stein led the effort to restore the library over the next two decades and more. With a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver, the Peretz Centre was able to hire a library technician to digitize the library catalogue. This was an enormous undertaking, especially for a library tech unfamiliar with Yiddish, and the project relied on the support of Al and other volunteers to meticulously transliterate book and journal titles. Containing a treasure trove of 4000 books and journals in Yiddish and English, the Kirman Library is under the care of Al and Carl Rosenberg (former editor of Outlook magazine). We are working to reopen the library with regular hours and more funding to honour the work of Peretz members and all of the history and memory contained in its pages. Become a Supporter Old Peretz Institute building at 6184 Ash Street Grand opening of the new Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture, 2001 Paulina & Shaya Kirman Library at the Peretz Centre References & Further Reading Faith Jones, "The Vancouver Peretz Institute Yiddish Library: The Social History of a Jewish Community Library ," UBC Thesis (Master's of Library and Information Studies), 1999. Faith Jones, "A Chimney on the Canadian Prairies: Yiddish-Language Libraries in Western Canada, 1900 to the Present ," Judaica Librarianship , vol. 12, 2006. " Kirman Library spans the arts ," Jewish Independent, February 26, 2001. Al Stein's Oral History , Yiddish Book Centre's Wexler Oral History Project (interviewed by Christa Whitney, 2023). Paulina Kirman testimony , Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (interviewed by Sandra Hayden, 1985). Paulina Kirman Collection at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Become a Library Supporter Make a Contribution Your tax-deductible donation helps us preserve valuable texts, make the library more accessible to the general public, and expand our collection to include the wealth of contemporary Yiddish studies and Jewish studies scholarship. Donate Donate Books Donations of books in Yiddish and English are welcome. We won’t be able to use all items offered for donation, but we would love to see what you have. Charitable tax receipts may be available for large donations. Contact Us Volunteer The Kirman Library is volunteer-run. If you are interested contributing your time to the library, please get in touch. More opportunities to volunteer will be available soon. Contact Us

The Peretz Centre to bring progressive and modern Jewish cultural education and events to Vancouver! View current and past job postings, volunteer positions, and more. Work with Us The Peretz Centre is a cultural and secular charitable organization, committed to the values of diversity, equity, and social justice. We welcome people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders, sexual orientation, and abilities. Hiring & Recruitment 1 2 3

The Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce (J-ART) was established in fall 2025 to devise recommendations for social justice-oriented policy changes at the Peretz Centre and Jewish cultural and educational institutions. ​​These policy recommendations, presented in their final report (May 2026), are 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. Social Justice & Doikayt Policy Recommendations for Progressive Change in the Jewish Community Beginnings Preamble Part 1. Collaboration Part 2: Anti-Racism Framework Part 3. Resources Appendix: Resource Kit Beginning a Taskforce for Social Change The Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce (J-ART) was established in fall 2025 to devise recommendations for social justice-oriented policy changes at the Peretz Centre and Jewish cultural and educational institutions. These policy recommendations, presented in their final report (May 2026), are 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. Download the Report About the Peretz Centre The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture was founded in 1945 as the Peretz Shule (also known as the Peretz Institute) in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Our purpose is to 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 abilities. Learn More Donate Preamble to the Final Report This report contains policy recommendations authored by the Peretz Jewish Anti-Racism Taskforce. The Taskforce was created in October 2025 as part of the Discovering Doikayt initiative , which aims to 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. Following an open call for community participation, the Taskforce was assembled with six volunteer Peretz members committed to advancing and finding opportunities for anti-racism through policy and grassroots action in our shared community. דאָיִקייט Doikayt ("here-ness") is a concept that teaches us that the struggle for justice, equity, and mutual liberation must begin right here, in the places where we live and work. A core principle of the Peretz Centre’s mission, the concept of doikayt (“here-ness”) stems from the progressive, Yiddish-speaking movements of the 20th century. It teaches us that the struggle for justice, equity, and mutual liberation must begin right here, in the places where we live and work. As Jews, we share a history of navigating these systems alongside other migrant groups and Indigenous peoples; we recognize that our own liberation is bound up in the collective fight to dismantle these structures. Building on Faith Jones’ vital historical research, we recognize the Peretz Centre as a long-standing sanctuary for diverse political thought. 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. This legacy is especially critical today as we witness a deliberate narrowing of allowable debate within mainstream Canadian Jewish institutions; an echo of the respectability politics and self-censorship that once targeted the Jewish left in Vancouver. As Jews in Canada, we have a deep, painful understanding of what it means for this country to block those seeking safety. Between 1933 and 1945, Canada admitted fewer than 5,000 Jewish refugees, one of the lowest numbers accepted by any Allied nation relative to its population. This history is hauntingly summarized by the 1939 rejection of the MS St. Louis and the infamous words of a senior immigration official who, when asked how many Jews should be admitted, replied: “none is too many.” This exclusion was not an exception; it is a recurring pattern in Canadian policy. We see it in the 2010 arrest of 492 Sri Lankan Tamils seeking a better life after arriving in Vancouver’s port and the current crisis facing Gazans, where of the 7,500+ who have applied for refuge, only about 860 have arrived while 1,750 remain trapped in bureaucratic limbo. Today, this pattern of exclusion is intensifying with the implementation of Bills C-2 and C-12, which curtail migration, restrict refugee applications, and allow for data sharing with the United States, on top of a 30% funding cut to immigration and settlement services. The "none is too many" philosophy is finding new life in modern legislation. How are we to react as the Peretz community? Our hope is that the policy recommendations in this report allow our cultural centre to make a small but meaningful mark in favour of justice. We aim to better understand our role in a country built by Indigenous peoples and migrants and to ensure that the Peretz remains a place where the "big tent" of Jewish secular-humanism leads to real-world action. 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. A Note on the Policy Format We define policy as a course of action that is adopted by a group or organization and focuses on a set of criteria used as a basis for decision-making. The set of policy recommendations in this document embrace a humanist approach and should be considered a ‘living document’ open to suggestions and changes periodically, through Townhall discussions and workshops in the Peretz community. Part 1. Collaboration Interacting with Other Groups to Maximize Anti-Racism at Our Centre, in Our Community and Beyond To promote the mission of the Peretz Centre, an anti-racism framework is necessary in all aspects of Peretz initiatives, programs and events, not only with its own members but also in its public-facing and community interactions. Learning from — and with — other organizations and institutions that share an anti-racism framework would help produce greater understanding and collective initiatives towards our shared mission in Vancouver, British Columbia, and across the country. We therefore recommend the following policies: 1.1 Peretz will adopt a policy of reaching out to various organizations that are deemed by the Peretz Board to have common or overlapping goals, based on suggestions from the membership. This may include co-sponsoring speakers, films and other events; these can be located at Peretz or elsewhere and may include joint activities. A survey of the membership (see Policy 2.2) should include reseeking suggestions from membership regarding events they would like to see and organizations with which they think Peretz may wish to work. 1.2 Peretz will make a special effort to reach out to organizations that promote and protect the rights of asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants. This may also include endorsing principles and statements such as on Sanctuary Cities, Apartheid-free communities, We’re Better Together, and others (see Appendix for references). 1.3 Peretz reaffirms its commitment to decolonization, with efforts to fully respect and support Indigenous nations whose traditional and unceded territory we are located. These nations are the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh but there are many urban Indigenous People in Vancouver who have been displaced from their home nations who we also commit to working in solidarity with. 1.4 Peretz will adopt an anti-colonial framework , opposing ethno-nationalism that promulgates a divide-and-conquer strategy that is harmful to collective well-being and social justice. 1.5 Peretz reaffirms its commitment to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, with anti-Palestinian racism to receive special emphasis in prioritizing activities in which to participate. 1.6 Peretz will adopt a “big-tent” approach in deciding which organization to reach out to for specific events, including groups that may not have identical missions, as long as the group in question shares a demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice. This may include groups focused on specific ethnic-religious, or racial identity groups, or have more general anti-racist objectives as part of broader mandates. (See Appendix for an ongoing list of possible organizations with which Peretz may wish to collaborate.) In the context of deciding which groups to look to for co-sponsoring events, a discussion regarding what constitutes an anti-racist framework should be placed on the agenda for a workshop within the coming year. The Board may seek to form a subcommittee to organize such a workshop (see subsequent sections). 1.7 Peretz will interact with other Jewish organizations for common activities and knowledge-sharing. This may include Jewish groups focused on specific subgroups (e.g., seniors, women, parents), or more general community programming, so long as they see Judaism within an antiracist framework. The discussion alluded to in recommendation #6 is relevant in this regard as well. The Board may consider forming a separate subcommittee for working with other Jewish groups or include this in the mandate of the subcommittee or working group suggested above. 1.8 Peretz will endeavour to apply for grants to help fund anti-racist programs and events. A wide variety of granting agencies and programs can be approached, notwithstanding that some policies of these organizations themselves may be those that Peretz may not wish to endorse (e.g., publicly funded universities, or government bodies.) Taskforce-Sponsored Events Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck Fri, Jan 16 More info Details Fraytik tsu Nakht Cultural Shabbes & Potluck Fri, Apr 17 More info Details Social Justice & Hereness: How Can Doikayt Guide Policy at Peretz? A Taskforce Presentation, Community Dialogue, & Lunch Sun, May 03 More info Details Revolutionary Yiddish Singalong Sun, May 10 More info Details Part 2. Anti-Racism Framework Taking Steps to Better Understand and Prevent Inadvertent Racism at Our Centre To promote an anti-racism framework in all aspects of Peretz initiatives, programs and events, greater attention is needed to understand the experience of our own members. Adopting a trauma-informed approach and offering a welcoming and inclusive environment are first steps towards this goal. We therefore recommend the following policies: 2.1 Peretz membership will remain open to anyone who identifies as Jewish in any way, is interested in Yiddish culture (Yiddishkeit) and/or Jewish cultures, and/or upholds the principles of doikayt (or hereness), consistent with the ethos of humanism and social justice that characterizes the mission of the Centre. 2.2 Peretz will conduct a survey or focus group of its membership at least every two years that will focus on themes of equity, diversity and inclusion — with particular focus on understanding the experience of racialized, multi-racial and interfaith families, as well as the experience and any concerns of newcomers to Canada. A review of the sign-up survey should be undertaken to ascertain if more detail could be garnered to help in this regard. 2.3 Peretz will include programming that reflects diversity of Jewish communities , promoting Yiddish culture but not restricted to the culture of Ashkenazi Jews. This can be done through films and speakers, including inviting suggestions from our membership at large. 2.4 Peretz will outline a non-hierarchical process to address inevitable conflicts that may arise, building on processes found useful in other organizations. Unresolvable conflicts will engage an outside mediator to find a just resolution. 2.5 Peretz will hold at least one training session every two years devoted to living with discomfort from, and responding to racism . A focus group style may be adapted for this purpose, and/or a Forum Theatre -style approach. 2.6 Peretz will be mindful of equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in hiring or contracting staff for various purposes, including educational talks or panel discussions. Part 3. Resources Building and Sharing Resources The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture’s mission is to provide students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Sharing resources is an important aspect of education. We therefore recommend the following policies: 3.1 Peretz will review its resource library to ensure that anti-racism material is well represented, including authors from the global south, and addressing a full range of historically marginalized peoples, including Indigenous, Black, and Asian communities, as well as specifically addressing anti-Palestinian racism. (See Appendix for an early-stage reading list.) 3.2 Peretz will promote Yiddish culture , including Klezmer music, Yiddish stories, and historical materials, with emphasis on those that shine a light on the socially progressive nature of Jewish history, including the Jewish Labour Bund and philosophy of doikayt. Enshrining Yiddishkeit is to remain a core mission. 3.3 Annually share a list of resources with the Vancouver Public Library , promoting acquisition of such books and films, especially those that might work towards the twin goals of promoting Yiddish/Jewish Secular Humanist thought while combatting racism and xenophobia. The board may wish to seek volunteers from the membership to form a library working group to oversee this task. Decisions as to which resources to put on the list could be tied to the outcome of the workshop described in Policy 1.3. Policy 3.1 Towards a Vision of Jewish Anti-Racism at Peretz Through these policies and procedures, we hope 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 anti-Jewish hatred and racism by learning from and sharing in the struggle for social justice. We observe that now is a crucial time for Jews of conscience to act in solidarity with other minorities to preserve dignity and respect for all. Acknowledgements Thank you to the Taskforce members who made this work possible: Annalee Yassi Claudia Bulaievsky David Catzel Erica Mildner Gyda Chud Joanna Garfinkle Project coordinator: Omri Haiven We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada. Appendix: Anti-Racism & Doikayt Resource Kit To support policy recommendation 3.1 , the taskforce has prepared and shared a resource library that is available to the public. It includes: Potential presentations and workshop leaders External organizations and partners New books at the Peretz Centre's Kirman Library (shown below) Digital resources for further reading (shown below) Download the Report On recommendation of the taskforce, the following books will be available at the Kirman Library , which is open to the public by appointment (Peretz members have borrowing privileges). Becoming an Ally: Breaking the Cycle of Oppression Anne Bishop's seminal guide for those with relative privilege (Fernwood, 2025, 4th ed.). On Cuddling: Loved to Death in the Racial Embrace Phanuel Antwi's explorations of human connection and care within social justice (Pluto Press, 2024). The End of Jewish Modernity Enzo Traverso's analysis of the changing role of Jewish identity (Plooto Press, 2016) Abolitionist Intimacies El Jones on community care and the abolitionist movement (Fernwood, 2022). Black Matters Afua Cooper & Wilfried Raussert's examination of Black history and presence in Canada (Roseway, 2020). Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism Harsha Walia's analysis of migration crisis and state violence (Fernwood, 2021). Frequently Asked White Questions A readable Q&A on whiteness and discrimination in Canada by Ajay Parasram & Alex Khasnabish (Fernwood, 2022). My Conversations with Canadians Conversational, personal essays by Sto:Lo storyteller Lee Maracle (BookThug, 2017). Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present Robyn Maynard's history of anti-Black state violence in Canada (Fernwood, 2025, revised ed.). Holocaust to Resistance: My Journey A personal narrative connecting historical trauma to modern activism by Suzanne Berliner Weiss (Roseway, 2019). Whatever Happened to Antisemitism? Redefinition and the Myth of the “Collective Jew” Antony Lerman's critique of the "new antisemitism" definition (Pluto Press, 2022). A Moon Will Rise from the Darkness: Reports on Israel’s Genocide in Palestine Francesca Albanese's reports on human rights and conflict in Palestine (Pluto Press, 2025). Decolonizing Israel, Liberating Palestine: Zionism, Settler Colonialism, & the Case for One Democrat Jeff Halper's framework for a post-colonial future in the region (Pluto Press, 2021). What is Modern Israel? Historical and religious analysis of the state by Yakov M. Rabkin (Plooto Press, 2012) Digital Resources for Further Reading On Doikayt (Hereness) Here and Now: The Modernist Poetics of Do'ikayt [ Thesis ] – Madeleine Cohen (UC Berkley, 2016). Revolutionary Yiddishland: A History of Jewish Radicalism [ Book ] – Alain Brossat & Sylvia Klingberg (Verso, 2017). “Between Suspicion and Censure: Attitudes Towards the Jewish Left in Postwar Vancouver” [ Article ] – Faith Jones (Canadian Jewish Studies , 1998). “Vancouver’s Left-Wing Jews and the Politics of Respectability” [ Lecture ] – Faith Jones (Peretz Centre, April 2026). “Between Jewish State and Diaspora: Exploring the Founding of the Canadian Jewish Congress” [ Article ] – Gilli Cohen (Canadian Jewish Studies , 2024). “Ethnicity, Religion, and Socialism in Canada: The Twenties through the War” [ Article ] – Nelson Wiseman (Canadian Ethnic Studies , 2015). “My Great-Grandfather the Bundist” [ Article ] – Molly Crabapple (New York Review of Books , 2018). (See also book published in 2026) “Two Inward Turns: Canadian Jews Since Multiculturalism, Since October 8, and Since Trump’s Annexationist Threat” [Article ] – David S. Koffman (Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas , 2025). “Isolation and Alienation: Factors in the Growth of Zionism in the Canadian Prairies, 1917-1939” [Article ] – Joseph Glass (Canadian Jewish Studies , 2001). “In Search of Unity: Anti-Semitism, Zionism, and the Canadian Jewish Congress to 1945” [Book chapter ] – Jack Lipinsky (in Canada’s Jews , edited by Ira Robinson, Academic Studies Press, 2013). Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine [Book ] – Noura Erakat (Stanford University Press, 2019). “The Invention of the Mizrahim” [Article ] – Ella Shohat (Journal of Palestine Studies , 1999). “Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color” [Report ] – Jews of Color Initiative (2021). “White Jews: An Intersectional Approach” [Article ] – David Schraub (AJS Review , 2019). “Arguments for the Sake of Heaven: A Jewish Community Divided” [Survey ] – JSpace & New Israel Fund (2025). “The B’nai Brith Audit of Antisemitic Incidents: An Unreliable and Dangerous Document” [Report ] – Independent Jewish Voices (2024). The Non-Jewish Jew: And Other Essays [Book ] – Isaac Deutscher (Verso, 2017). “From Gaza to Warsaw: Mapping Multidirectional Memory” [Article ] – Michael Rothberg (Criticism , 2011). Colonialism and the Jews [Book ] – Ethan B. Katz, Lisa Moses Leff, & Maud S. Mandel, editors (Indiana University Press , 2024). Breaking the Silence [Website ] – Israeli veteran testimonies on occupation. On Jewishness, Israel, & Zionism On Anti- Racism & Decolonization Musqueam Teaching Kit [Website ] – Interactive teaching kit and resources from Musqueam Nation. Native Land Digital [Website ] – Territory mapping and protocols. “21 Things You May Not Have Known About the Indian Act ” [Article ] – Bob Joseph (Indigenous Corporate Training, 2015). (see also book published in 2018) “Decarceration via Self-Determination: Ending the Mass Incarceration of Indigenous People in Canada” [Report ] – Prisoner's Legal Services (2023). “Land Back: A Yellowhead Institute Red Paper” [Report ] – Yellowhead Institute (2019). “Decolonization is Not a Metaphor” [Article ] – Eve Tuck & K. Wayne Yang (Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society , 2012). Settler: Identity and Colonialism [Book ] – Emma Battell Lowman & Adam J. Barker (Fernwood, 2025). 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Learn about educational programs at the Peretz School and explore community-run, Jewish cultural programs, open to all! The Peretz School and Programs 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. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders and sexual orientation. Explore and register for current programs below! Register Now Donate Programs at the Peretz School Educational programs for students of all ages Yiddish Language Courses Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history with beginner and intermediate classes. Learn More Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Yiddishkayt — the culture of Jews in Eastern Europe. Learn More Cultural Pnei Mitzvah Program A pluralistic, non-dogmatic educational program for students 10-13 to reinterpret the bar mitzvah rite of passage. Learn More Peretz Zumershule (Summer Program) A two-week summer program for youth ages 8-15 to explore Jewish cultural heritage and practice creative expression. Learn More Community Cultural Programs Jewish cultural programs run by Peretz members and open to all Exploring Jewish Writers Each week the group reads aloud and discusses an English-language text by a Jewish writer. Learn More The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Learn and sing the traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and English. Learn More Yiddish Reading Groups Practice and expand your Yiddish with the intermediate or advanced reading groups, which meet online every week! Get in Touch Register Now for Current Programs Open Closed Pnei Mitzvah 2026-28 Cohort (Year 1) 2-year program for students (10-13) on Jewish culture and history from a pluralist, progressive lens Starts Oct 18 Loading availability... Loading availability... More Info Pnei Mitzvah 2025-27 Cohort (Year 2) The second-year cohort for the Peretz Centre's Pnei Mitzvah program (2025-27) Starts Oct 18 Loading availability... Loading availability... More Info Exploring Jewish Writers A weekly, intergenerational reading circle (online) More Info Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir 2025-26 Spend Tuesday evenings learning and singing traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people More Info Past Programs Do you want to hear about it if these programs start up again? Sign up for our newsletter Pnei Mitzvah 2024-26 Cohort (Year 2) The second-year cohort for the Peretz Centre's Pnei Mitzvah program (2024-26) Ended View Course Reading Group: The Jewelers of the Ummah In person group meets monthly to read Ariella Aïsha Azoulay's 2024 book Ended View Course Shmues: Practicing Yiddish Conversation Build your confidence in the art of shmusen in Yiddish in four friendly, multi-level classes Ended View Course Continuing Yiddish 2026 / ייִדיש װײַטער Deepen your understanding of the Yiddish language with intermediate classes Ended View Course Zayt Bagrist 2026 (Welcome to Yiddish!) Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history this fall! Ended View Course Doikayt: Histories of Jews Going West What do we know—and not know—about the place where we live and how local history shapes our present? Ended View Course Pnei Mitzvah 2025-27 Cohort (Year 1) 2-year program for students (10-13) on Jewish culture and history from a pluralist, progressive lens Ended View Course Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt (2025) Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Jews in Eastern Europe Ended View Course Zayt Bagrist 2025 (Welcome to Yiddish) Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history this fall! Ended View Course Continuing Yiddish / ייִדיש װײַטער Deepen your understanding of the Yiddish language with intermediate classes Ended View Course Zumershule: Youth Summer Program 2025 A two week program for youth ages 8-15 to learn and explore Jewish forms of artistic expression Ended View Course Yiddish in Motion: Language & Dance Explore the worldviews of Yiddishkayt through language and movement in four summer classes Ended View Course Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir (2024-2025) Spend Tuesday evenings learning and singing traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people Ended View Course Pnei Mitzvah (2024-2026 Cohort) | Year 1 2-year program for students (10-13) on Jewish culture and history from a pluralist, progressive lens Ended View Course Yiddish Language Lab 2025 Enhance your reading (leyenen) & writing (shraybn) skills in Yiddish and traditional Hebrew letters Ended View Course Pnei Mitzvah 2023-2025 Cohort | Year 2 The second year cohort for the Peretz Centre's Pnei Mitzvah program (2023-2025) Ended View Course Intermediate Yiddish (Spring 2025) Deepen your understanding of the Yiddish language with intermediate classes Ended View Course Beginners' Yiddish (Spring 2025) Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history! Ended View Course Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt (2024) Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Jews in Eastern Europe Ended View Course Yiddish Dance Workshop (All Classes) 6-session Yiddish folk dance workshop for all levels and all bodies Ended View Course Load More Join Our Mailing List Given name* Surname Email* I consent to receive the Peretz Centre community update * Subscribe

Join our 80th anniversary celebrations at the peretz Centre! Write a message for our 80th anniversary booklet and be a part of our history in print. Share your congratulations, a shout out, or memory of Peretz for generations to come. | Deadline: Sunday, April 26th, 2026 Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Peretz Centre As we mark 80 years at the Peretz Centre, we honour our community's past and present, and work towards a sheynere un besere velt far ale -- a better and more beautiful world for all. Donate Order Our Commemorative Booklet Since 1952, the Peretz Centre has produced commemorative booklets that beautifully capture moments of our history and community. Our 80th anniversary continues the tradition of featuring messages from members and community partners. Booklets, as well as 80th anniversary pins and stickers, are available for purchase online, and pick up at the Peretz Centre. Order Booklet 1952 Download PDF 1986 Download PDF 1996 Download PDF 2006 Download PDF Our 80th Anniversary Gala Sold out! Peretz’s 80th Anniversary: A Wedding Between Peretz and the Past, Present, and Future Sat, May 23 Mark 80 years of the Peretz Centre's illustrious history, support our youth programs, and experience an artsy and camp interpretation of shtetl wedding rituals, featuring live music from KlezWest's KlezJam, the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir, and much more Details Our 80th Anniversary Campaign for Youth Programs The Peretz Centre is in the midst of an unprecedented revival, and thanks to our youth programs, we are thrilled that more and more young people in the Peretz community love being here! They participate in holiday events, play hide-and-seek in the auditorium, make beautiful creations, devise clever ways to lodge paper airplanes in the ceiling, bake challah, compose songs...all with endless creativity and spirit. Our goal is to keep these connections going and growing, building bridges between generations and ensuring the future of thriving, diverse, and progressive Jewish life in the place where we live. That's why our 80th Anniversary fundraising campaign is targeted towards supporting existing youth programs, new successes, and a new youth group that is just getting started. Your support helps us keep these programs exciting, accessible, and affordable for everyone! *Donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt via Zeffy Cultural Pnei Mitzvah A two-year, bi-weekly program, whose breadth and richness is not matched anywhere else in Vancouver, for students aged 10-13 to reinterpret the traditional bar mitzvah right of passage and gain a comprehensive understanding of Jewish cultures and histories. Learn more Zumershule Art Camp For 10 wild summer days, youth ages 8-13 explore Jewish cultural heritage and practice creative expression historically associated with Jewish culture with local artists and practitioners. This intergenerational program culminates in a youth-led cultural shabbes dinner. Learn more Kindervelt Storytime Open up a world of Jewish cultural stories for children! All kids age 6 and under are invited to join us for an hour of stories, songs, and a craft. Our newest children's program is led by librarian Aurel Matte and takes place monthly on Sunday mornings. Learn more A New Youth Club! Peretz members are organizing a new youth group program for Pnei Mitzvah graduates to continue their learning and help them stay active, connected members of the community. These amazing kids will start meeting bi-weekly in fall 2026. (More details to come!) Get in touch The P'nei Mitzvah program is the only place that makes learning about history interesting. Also, the instructor is OK with us taking over the world with giant vegan marshmallows, so you can't go wrong! The snacks are pretty good too. You should join us >:) -- Ray, Pnei Mitzvah Student (2026) Join Our Mailing List Subscribe Become a Member Register Support Our Work Donate

The Peretz Centre's Pnei Mitzvah program offers students aged 10-13 a pluralistic approach to Jewish education and culture that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage. Over two years of bi-weekly sessions, Pnei Mitzvah cohorts focus on literature, language, ethics, music, art, and dance to connect with and reinterpret traditions in new ways. Intro & Overview Core Themes Curriculum & Pedagogy The Peretz Centre Pnei Mitzvah Program A two-year, bi-weekly program, whose breadth and richness is not matched anywhere else in Vancouver, for students aged 10-13 to gain a comprehensive understanding of Jewish cultures and histories. Register The P'nei Mitzvah program is the only place that makes learning about history interesting. Also, the instructor is OK with us taking over the world with giant vegan marshmallows, so you can't go wrong! The snacks are pretty good too. You should join us >:) -- Ray, Pnei Mitzvah Student (2026) Introduction & Overview In 1965, Avrum Osipov made history by celebrating the first secular bar mitzvah in Vancouver right here at the Peretz School, and in 1990, Soli Jackson started what has evolved into one of the Peretz Centre's core educational programs, helping over 200 students find new meaning in reinterpreting the traditional bar mitzvah rite of passage. The Pnei Mitzvah program offers a pluralistic, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish education for children aged 10-13 that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage. Over two years of bi-weekly sessions, Pnei Mitzvah cohorts study Jewish history, literature, language, ethics, music, art, and dance to forge their own connection with their cultural heritage. Although students learn about Jewish spirituality and religious history, Peretz does not seek to promote particular religious commitments or doctrines. Peretz is an LGBTQ+ safe environment, and while we are rooted in the Ashkenazi humanist, yiddishist culture that gave birth to Peretz, Jews of all backgrounds are welcome, and the diversity of global Judaism is explored in our Pnei Mitzvah curriculum. The name "Pnei Mitzvah" uses the gender-neutral "pnei " (faces of) instead of "b'nei " (sons of) There are lots of reasons why the Peretz Pnei Mitzvah program may be what you're looking for... You are looking for an inclusive, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish culture. Your family practices more than one faith or is not religious. You are interested in the principle which Peretz’ founders embraced: do’ikeit or “hereness”, the idea that a Jewish life is lived here in the country where one lives, and one’s principal responsibility begins with local struggles for justice, equality, and mutual liberation. Your child is not interested in Synagogue life. You are looking for your child to learn in an environment which is truly open-minded and welcomes all points of view. You are looking for a intellectually rich education that doesn’t just focus on Hebrew, Holidays and Bible stories, but teaches Jewish history, ethics, literature, culture, music, and art. Torah, prayer and Israel are not the primary way your child. connects to Judaism, or your child has no connection to Judaism and you want them to find their own way into Jewish tradition and history, not have that way chosen for them. Language Introduction to both to the Hebrew and Yiddish languages. Students will also learn Yiddish words, phrases and songs and can choose to delve deeper into the mameloshn (Ashkenazi “mother-tongue”) if they choose. Literature Grounding in Jewish literature, starting with Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Mishna, Talmud and Rabbinic thought, with a focus on the Jewish ethical tradition. As they progress they will then study Jewish novelists, poets, and philosophers of the classical and modern eras. Music, Art & Dance Exploration of the ways that Jews have used art to create beauty or make the world a better place. Students will be exposed to major Jewish artists in a variety of mediums and learn about Jewish contributions to modern music, from Bob Dylan to Gene Simmons (ok, maybe not Gene Simmons). Ethics Foundations of values and virtues in Jewish traditions, from studying tikkun olam (repair of the world) and how to care for the stranger, to Jewish contributions to ethical and political theory in the modern era. Curriculum & Pedagogy YEAR 1 In the first year, Pnei Mitzvah students learn pre-modern Jewish history and culture , studying the major narratives of the Hebrew Bible and being introduced to the Mishna, the Talmud, Rabbinic thought and Kabbalah. All subjects are taught as literature and their meaning and significance are examined and debated by the students, who are given space to find their own relationship to the texts. No question or thought is out of bounds. Students also study Jewish history from the time of the closing of the Biblical canon up to the modern era and are introduced to topics like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, great Rabbis, Jewish women in history, the development of Jewish thought and religious practice, and how the Jews went from being a nomadic people to a global presence. Year One Project Students are asked to create a midrash — a creative expansion or reinterpretation of a narrative from the Tanakh — in any medium they choose. These imaginative projects have included a retelling of the story of Adam and Eve from the point of view of a worm in the apple, to writing and recording a song about King David using the Minecraft soundtrack. YEAR 2 In the second year, Pnei Mitzvah students explore Judaism in the modern world . Beginning with the Jewish enlightenment (haskalah ) and the fall of the ghetto walls, we examine the thought of great modern Jewish thinkers, revolutionaries, artists and scientists. The students are introduced to Jewish film, music, art and literature of the modern period, and study modern Jewish history including Jewish political movements, the Holocaust, and the creation of the state of Israel. The second year encourages students to go deeper with an individual Pnei Mitzvah project that they share at the Pnei Mitzvah ceremony to close the program. Year Two Project At the graduation celebration, students will present an aspect of Jewish culture that they connected with and wished to research and explore in whatever medium they choose. In past years, projects have taken many forms, from book reports, art projects, dances, or videos, to learning to chant the traditional haftorah. The emphasis is always on their intellectual curiosity, and learning the art and practice of learning itself. Collective Pnei Mitzvah Ceremony The program ends with a collective Pnei Mitzvah ceremony that honours each individual student while focusing on community. Each cohort plans their own version of the ceremony to showcase the students and celebrate their learning, which has become a highlight of the Peretz events calendar as we welcome new generations of Peretzniks. The Pnei Mitzvah graduation ceremony is planned and organized cooperatively by the parents, with support from the Peretz Centre. Program & Community Participation Pnei Mitzvah students meet approximately every other Sunday for a two hour class with their teacher, including a snack break. Classes take place at the Peretz Centre in the Kirman Yiddish Library. Since the cultural program formally began in 1990 (though the first secular Bar Mitzvah took place in 1965 ), participants have been encouraged to take an active role in the Peretz community. The program includes service and Tikkun Olam components. Families are also encouraged to be part of community cultural and educational life at Peretz. We welcome Pnei Mitzvah families and friends to our cultural (secular) Jewish holiday events, like our combined/condensed Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur, Hanukkah celebrations, Purimshpiln (Purim plays), Passover Community Seyder, and our monthly Fraytik tsu Nakht cultural shabbes potluck dinners. See upcoming and past events here Join the Next Pnei Mitzvah Cohort Pnei Mitzvah 2026-28 Cohort (Year 1) Starts Oct 18 Loading availability... Loading availability... Book Now Curriculum Creator Matthew Gindin has been teaching Jewish history, philosophy, and contemplative traditions in a wide variety of settings since 2004. Formerly Peretz Education Director and Master Teacher at Or Shalom, we welcomed Matthew back to the Peretz Centre in 2024. He also works as a freelance writer and editor, professional lecturer, and independent journalist. (matthewgindin.com )

The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture was founded in 1945 to establish and conduct a school that provides students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Who We Are What We Do Our Values The Peretz Centre The Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture was founded in 1945 to establish and conduct a school that provides students of all ages with a progressive and modern Jewish cultural education. Located in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, we hold classes, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, holiday celebrations and similar gatherings in order to teach and advance the cause of progressive and modern Jewish learning, culture, and education and the Yiddish language. Our doors are open to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, genders, and sexual orientation. Join Our Mailing List Office & Location Who We Are The Vancouver Peretz Institute, also known as the Vancouver Peretz Shule, was founded in 1945 in response to the threat to Jewish culture and Yiddish language posed by the Holocaust and WWII. The founding families felt an urgent need to establish a school to ensure the continuity of Jewish secular humanistic culture and thought. And they opened the doors to all — Jews and non-Jews — who felt a connection to Jewish culture, history, and experience. The Peretz Institute was renamed the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture in 2001. From the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir to our Pnei Mitzvah program for children 10-14, we sustain a unique space in Vancouver’s Jewish community for multicultural, interfaith, gender-inclusive, and LGBTQ+-friendly cultural education that honours and upholds a broad, inclusive understanding of Jewish culture. Created for the Peretz Centre by artist Rob Friedman in 2002, the stained glass windows with their Yiddish calligraphy and secular content are unique in the world. The four panels make up a vertical window 22 ft by 18 1/4 inches wide and are designed to flow into each other. Each panel on average contains over 2000 cuts and each piece was beveled to fit into the very thin detailed leadwork. "A people's memory is history; a people without a history can grow neither wiser nor better." -- Isaac Leyb Peretz (1852-1915) With a long history of peace activism and respect for the humanity of all peoples, we strive to provide an accessible space to a wide range of progressive Jewish people, organizations, and cultural and social allies, who struggle to find a home within the confines of mainstream Jewish institutions. Learn More History View Bylaws Join Our Mailing List Subscribe Become a Member Register Support Our Work Donate What We Do The Peretz School & Programs Education is the core of the Peretz mission. Through the Peretz School programs and community-run workshops, reading groups, and more, we offer students of all ages opportunities to enrich our understanding of Jewish cultural expression, history, and diversity. Explore Programs Peretz School Jewish Cultural Events The Peretz Centre offers a vibrant space for celebrations, lectures, performances, film screenings, and cultural events open to all. From our combined/condensed High Holidays to Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and more, we host Jewish holidays and shabbes dinners based in secular humanist principles, honouring our heritage, upholding the value of peace and diversity, and welcoming interfaith, inter-cultural, and LGBTQ+ members and families. See Upcoming Events Events The Kirman Yiddish Library The Paulina and Shaya Kirman Library is the largest Yiddish language library in Western Canada. The library contains over 4000 Yiddish and English books, journals, and other print media (open to the public by appointment). Learn More Our Values Secular Jewish Humanism Secular humanism emphasizes human endeavour rather than supernatural intervention. We believe that people have a kinship with all living things and that people working together creatively, adhering to ethical and democratic principles, can make the world a better place. The first secular Jewish organizations arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in both Europe and the Western Hemisphere. Those organizations defined the Jews as a people whose history, traditions, values and cultures could be researched and understood rationally, using the methods and insights of modern thought and science. The encompassing term was Yiddishkayt — Jewishness. At the Peretz Centre, we believe that Jewish continuity is best assured in a pluralistic, inclusive society where mutual dignity and respect, justice, freedom, and peace prevail. This is the lesson of Jewish history and this is why secular humanist Yiddishkayt is at the core of Peretz Centre educational and cultural programs. Learn more about humanistic and secular Judaism: The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SJH) The Cultural and Secular Jewish Organization (CSJO) Secular Jewish Holidays From our combined/condensed High Holidays to Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and more, we gather to celebrate together. See Events Monthly Shabbes for Cultural Jews Our monthly Secular Humanist Shabbes observance and potluck dinner (Fraytik tsu Nakht) is open to all. See Events Cultural Pnei Mitzvah Program A pluralistic, non-dogmatic educational program for students 10-13 to reinterpret the bar mitzvah rite of passage. Learn More Exploring Jewish Writers Each week the group reads aloud and discusses an English-language text by a Jewish writer. Learn More Yiddishkayt & Doikayt Yiddishkayt is the Jewish culture that blossomed in Europe from the late 1700s. Yiddish, the daily language of most Jews, began to be used by writers who were often rebels against the old religious establishment and who championed new ideas of social justice and human dignity. A rich literature of poetry, prose, drama, and song thrived until curtailed by antisemitic massacres in the 1930s and 40s. As an educational centre dedicated to Yiddish language and culture, secular humanistic values, and progressive and social justice-related causes, we value Doikayt (“here-ness”), a concept that stems from Ashkenazi Jewish progressive movements and states the importance of connection and commitment to local social struggles for justice, equality, and mutual liberation. Yiddish Language Courses Open up the world of Yiddish language, culture, and history with beginner and intermediate classes. Explore Zhargon: Histories of Yiddishkayt Explore the rich and fascinating history, art and culture of Yiddishkayt — the culture of Jews in Eastern Europe. Explore The Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir Learn and sing the traditional and contemporary songs of the Jewish people in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and English. Learn More The Kirman Yiddish Library A diverse and fascinating collection of Jewish books in Yiddish and English. Open to everyone! Learn More Join Our Mailing List Given name* Surname Email* I consent to receive the Peretz Centre community update * Subscribe