About
Mission (what we do)
KlezKanada fosters Yiddish cultural and artistic creativity worldwide as a living tradition and a constantly evolving contemporary culture and identity. We create spaces where a diverse community of participants can gather together through their shared interest in Yiddish culture. Anchored by the annual Summer Retreat, our programs promote depth of knowledge through the transmission of Jewish history, language, and culture, cultivate excellence in artistic practice, performance, scholarship, and pedagogy, and spark cultural innovation through the cross-pollination of arts and research.
Vision (the world we want to live in)
A thriving international ecosystem of people practicing contemporary Yiddish arts, culture, and scholarship.
Values (aspirational guiding principles)
- Multi-Voiced Yiddishkayt
We commit to building spaces in which there are many ways to connect to Yiddishkayt and to Jewish identity. - Community Care
We strive to create caring and accessible spaces where everyone can participate with integrity and respect. - Interkayt: Connecting Across
We commit to programming that connects people across generations, disciplines, denominations, borders, and languages.
About the Organization
Rooted in Montréal, Québec, KlezKanada is a Jewish arts and culture organization specializing in Yiddish culture. From its start as a small summer festival, KlezKanada has become one of the leading Yiddish cultural organizations in the world and an important site of the contemporary Yiddish cultural renaissance. KlezKanada cultivates its role in the international ecosystem of Yiddish cultural organizations as well as local connections in Montreal Jewish and arts communities. KlezKanada’s programming is anchored by an annual Summer Retreat in August and extends throughout the year through online and in local programs in Montreal. Our year-round work includes curated educational and performance programs, leadership development and mentorship programs, as well as consulting and advising.
With love and with deep gratitude for their vision and dedication, we carry forward the legacy of the group of passionate Montreal Yiddishists who founded KlezKanada in 1996 and formed a core of support for the first two decades, including Hy Goldman z"l and Sandy Goldman, Sara Mlotek Rosenfeld z"l, Jack Wolofsky, and many others.
Past Artistic Directors: Michael Alpert, Jeff Warschauer, Frank London, Michael Winograd.
Our Team
David Moss
Executive Director
Avia Moore
Artistic Director
Asa Brunet-Jailly
Communications and Development Associate
Kelly Steinmetz
Operations Manager
Summer Retreat Coordinators
Christian Dawid
Music Programs Coordinator
Uri Schreter
Multidisciplinary Programs Coordinator
Zoë Aqua
Azrieli Scholarship Program Coordinator
Leah Whiteman
Work Exchange Program Coordinator
Noah Guthman
Technical Logistics Coordinator – Workshops and Special Programs
Board of Directors
Adrian Banner, Bob Blacksberg (Chair), Jeff Warschauer, Evelyn Tauben (Vice-chair), Angela-Ruth Idelson, Howard Ungar (Treasurer)
Photo: Josh Dolgin (cover image)
Painting: Ava Berkson