KlezKanada values a diversity of participants and viewpoints. We aim to create a safe environment and uphold inclusion and equity at all KlezKanada events, whether digital or in-person. If issues come up during programming, or there are informal moments that feel sensitive for you, we ask you to remember the fact that these issues can be complex and to stay respectful of others as well as your own emotions.
Below, you can find KlezKanada’s community guidelines, including some suggestions about online etiquette. We expect that our attendees will respect these guidelines. Our policy for responding to breaches of conduct is below.
KlezKanada takes great pride in its diverse community and invites you to explore different ways to actively make sure everyone is not only welcome, but feels as though they rightfully belong. We encourage you to be a good host and a good guest who seeks to strengthen the community by building respectful and appreciative relationships.
Since 1996, KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat has taken place near Lantier, Québec, located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinabewaki, Huron-Wendat, Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), and Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin) people. We gratefully acknowledge these original custodians of the land, thank them for having hosted us, and commit to treating the land with care and respect.
Let us use this time to envision and enact the world we wish to see. At other times of the year, our actions large and small, individual and collective, may contribute to systems of oppression. Some of us are also subject to these systems of oppression in different ways. When we gather together at the Summer Retreat, let us actively work in a spirit of togetherness and intentionality against these forces and build a community with an ethos of opening and striving, a place where all are truly welcome. As the old song says, let us work for a tsukunft where libe iz greser un sine klener, a future where love is greater and hatred diminished, and where we will at last bafray un banay undzer alte velt, liberate and renew our old world.
What is klezmer? You may already know that “klezmer” literally means “musician,” but klezmer has also come to encompass Eastern European Jewish music and its related culture. It’s the music of then and the music of now. For everyone here – whether they grew up with it or have just heard it for the first time – it is a music that brings us together and serves as a glue in our community. KlezKanada seeks to explore the boundaries of this tradition, so keep an open mind, and be aware that the plurality of experiences and range of knowledge are what make this space rich.
Who comes to KlezKanada? In short, everyone comes, and everyone is welcome! Whether you want to rock out on the accordion, immerse yourself in Yiddishkayt or sing and dance along to your favourite klezmer tunes, KlezKanada is a place for anyone interested in Yiddish culture and Jewish music to come and enjoy themselves. We are proud of the religious and cultural pluralism in our community and we strive to create respectful spaces where everyone, of all levels of observance and secularity, and of all cultural backgrounds, can coexist with authenticity, integrity, and respect. To understand how KlezKanada works to create inclusive and respectful spaces within our community, we invite you to read our policy for responding to breaches of conduct which can be found in the Conduct Policy tab below.
At KlezKanada we encourage each other to be conscious of and celebrate differences in our community–whether in race, ethnicity, cultural and spiritual tradition, heritage, gender, or language. We hope it goes without saying, but please do not disrespect or make fun of any group’s cultural or spiritual traditions, especially when they’re not your own. There are Jewish people of all races, and not all KlezKanada participants are Jewish. Don’t assume that someone is or is not Jewish based on race, and avoid making assumptions or asking unsolicited questions about people’s religious or cultural backgrounds. In general, it’s important not to push fellow participants to share personal information. Some folks may volunteer personal details while others may not, and both are perfectly fine! Everyone, whether participant or staff, comes here to participate fully; having to implicitly or explicitly justify one’s belonging is a barrier to full participation.
It is important to be mindful of any written or verbal comments you make to others during the retreat and to keep all comments and interactions respectful, whether they are made publicly or privately so that KlezKanada’s spaces can remain safe spaces.
Consent is an important part of our community culture at KlezKanada. Respect others’ implicit and explicit boundaries, including personal space and privacy. Always take “no” for an answer — whether the question concerns playing music, singing, dancing, socializing, internet or phone communication, or sex.
Get consent before photographing, screenshotting, or recording others, and carefully follow all protocols involving recording and related technology. Read our recording policy below.
How does gender fit into the picture? KlezKanada aims to be intentionally welcoming to people of all genders. We actively want to facilitate women and non-binary folks coming forward and taking equal space both in formal and informal settings. We are actively supportive of those who are transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming (GNC). Please help us build a warm and welcoming space and refrain from making assumptions about people’s gender identities and pronouns. We invite all participants and leaders who feel comfortable doing so to share their pronouns and we remind our community that respecting pronouns is essential. It is also important to realize that it is not always safe or necessary for trans, non-binary, and GNC people to name their gender publicly.
What is a jam? Jams offer a chance for people to play informally together mixing all levels and instruments. They are an essential and fun part of KlezKanada! In order to make sure that everyone gets their share of this valuable space, we have come up with the perfect acronym for it:
Join in: Many people hold back in jams because they lack confidence, or feel that they aren’t good enough. But jamming is for everyone! If you only know how to play one note, then play that one note! Jams are a great space for learning, so we strongly encourage you to dare to play!
All people have an equal right to contribute. If you suspect that you have more confidence or more experience than others, or if you play a louder instrument… use this week to learn about stepping back and supporting others. Also: making space in a jam is not about putting people on the spot to lead or take a solo; it’s also about playing quieter, or slower… Did everyone get that? Let’s do it a bit slower… What tunes do you know? I’d love to hear one! It’s important to remember that taking up space is not merely physical – it’s important to check in with yourself and others throughout all jam sessions (whether in-person or digital) to make sure everyone is able to contribute and take part in the jam session. Always feel welcome to ask questions! This will be helpful for the whole group and increase access for everyone.
Be Mindful of the people around you. While jamming, ask yourself these questions:
What is my intention? Am I sharing? Am I truly listening? Jamming is not about being the star: it is a chance to construct a group experience built on respect and inclusion.
Who is leading? Does everyone who wants to start a tune get the chance to do so? We want people of all skill levels to have the chance to practice leading, especially those who are new at leading jams, as this is the key to sustainable community-building. Am I aware of my body? Can I see everyone? Are we in a circle? Is there space for everyone who is playing, or looks like they want to play? Can people find their way into the space, or onto the stage? Am I blocking someone with my body or my instrument?
Digital Jamming
With the exception of some adventurous sessions, the platforms we use for digital programming do not allow for synchronous music-making. Nonetheless, we still invite you to reflect upon and ensure equal participation in group sessions in whatever way possible. For some tips on how to do this, perhaps you will be inspired by the KlezKanada jamming philosophy above. Before starting the virtual jam, check if everyone who wants to participate online is able to participate. Because of online limitations, it is important to confirm that participants are ready to start the jam and are not dealing with technological difficulties that could stop them from contributing.
The community of KlezKanada is made up of many voices. A culture of respectful dialogue and communication is central to our values and something that we aim to actively cultivate at all times. The need to nurture practices of resilient listening and thoughtful sharing is particularly foregrounded in times of war and violence.
We know that our community holds a wide range of experiences, opinions, ideas, political orientations, and affiliations. We celebrate that KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat is a space where we gather together across differences through our shared love of Yiddish culture.
We have a shared responsibility to create safer spaces and the conditions in which everyone can show up as their full self.
We ask that you:
- Join us with an open mind and open heart.
- Be prepared to meet people who may be having similar or very different experiences to you at any moment.
- Cultivate curiosity and dialogue rather than debate, seeking to understand rather than to convince.
- Bring empathy to your interactions. If you find that you do not agree with someone, lean into empathy, strive to understand each other, and be kind to each other in your differences.
- Centre honest reflection rooted in your own experience. This means not trying to speak on behalf of a whole group or expecting others to speak on behalf of a whole group.
- Hold space for pause, stillness, and boundaries: no one should be pressured to speak or share anything that they are not comfortable sharing.
- Step back from the conversation if you feel uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or unable to engage with a conversation in a respectful manner. Disagreements/asymmetries may arise, but under no circumstances will aggression of any kind be acceptable. Escalating aggression will be addressed according to our Conduct Policy (see below).
- Practice sitting with complexity. We all have the capacity to hold conflicting experiences, truths, and ideas within ourselves.
At the 2024 Summer Retreat, we will be creating facilitated spaces where we can reflect and share, practice listening, and learn communication tools. We will also offer some framing on the dynamics of anti-Jewish oppression as it impacts our experiences and our capacity to navigate difficult times with clarity, compassion, and wisdom.
This text was developed in collaboration. It draws from guidelines created by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Encounter, and Fentster.
KlezKanada’s Recording Policy
KlezKanada documents the Summer Retreat through photography, audio, and visual means for both archival and marketing purposes. We reserve the right to use, reproduce, and distribute images, video, and sound recordings within the context of the organization. This may include licensing images, video, and sound recordings for use in media or documentary film contexts.
If you do not want to have your image included in published materials, please email us at info@klezkanada.org with the subject heading IMAGE CONSENT OPT-OUT and include your name and an image of yourself for reference. We can’t guarantee that you will not be included in archival footage, in the background of images, or in images taken by other people. However, if you choose to opt-out, we will not publish or license any images that feature you as a primary subject.
Recording Guidelines for Personal Use
We know that many of us love to take pictures and videos of our KlezKanada experience! It can feel as though everything around us is magical and needs to be captured.
At the same time, we want to make sure that the Summer Retreat is a safe place for creative experimentation and simply hanging out with friends. For this reason, we have developed the following best practices for taking pictures and videos of the week.
- Ask before posting cabaret performances online. We want to make sure that the cabaret is a space where everyone feels as though they can participate. For many, this means stepping outside their comfort zone in new ways.
- Ask before recording your teachers and fellow participants in workshop settings. Many people like to record their workshops for personal reference (for example, to review a song after the Retreat). We encourage this, but please ask first and please do not share recordings of your workshops without permission from the instructor.
- For many participants, Shabes is a day of rest, which includes not using technology. Please be especially mindful of recording in public spaces on Shabes (including the Tish).
Recording Policy for Media Professionals
Are you planning to make a film, podcast, radioshow, news segment, etc, at KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat? Whether you are a student making a project for school or a media professional, please follow the process below before proceeding with your project.
- Get permission from KlezKanada’s leadership team ahead of time (email Executive Director, David Moss at david.moss@klezkanada.org). Once we have approved your project, we will discuss best practices for filming unobtrusively at the Summer Retreat.
- Obtain formal consent from anyone included, using an approved written consent form.
- Coordinate with the Artistic Director and documentation team at the Summer Retreat, as identified by our Directors.
Create a production plan that does not interrupt or interfere with any formal or informal programming taking place during the Summer Retreat and submit to KlezKanada’s leadership team for review and approval. - Follow up with KlezKanada as your project is completed and released.
- Please note that we are not able to provide equipment or technical support for external projects.
Zoom is a wonderful invention in that it enables us to meet and create a community at a time when we need it most. Nevertheless, navigating online discussions and classes poses a different set of challenges which we should all reflect upon in order to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate.
In our Digital Programs, be aware all sessions, including chats, are recorded. Even if you feel certain that your microphone and video are switched off, please refrain from making comments and gestures that you would not feel comfortable sharing with the whole group.
Time Lags
Be aware of the time lag on Zoom, as this can make it easy to talk over each other. Be courteous in navigating who speaks first, and if you do inadvertently interrupt someone, remember to invite them to speak after you finish.
Raise Your Hand
If you’d like to add to the discussion or ask a question, you can either physically raise your hand on the screen or click the reaction button “raise hand” to alert the teacher or lecturer that you’d like to speak.
Give space for everyone to actively participate
Everyone is strongly encouraged to come forward if you want to say something/suggest a tune/ask a question in discussions, or during tune-learning moments, especially if you have not already done so… Equally, if you have already shared multiple ideas or questions in a single session, consider stepping back a little and encouraging other people to lead as well.
KlezKanada strictly prohibits the use of any illegal substance or drug at any time during the retreat and at any KlezKanada programs. Abuse of legally available substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis is strictly prohibited. Substance abuse may be defined as, but is not limited to: engaging in behaviour that results in the harm or discomfort of oneself or others; encouraging the use of any of the aforementioned substances by participants and staff under age 18 (minors); use of these substances by minors themselves. Participants and staff caught in violation of these rules will be removed from the retreat and will not be allowed to return in subsequent years. In the event that this occurs, no reimbursement will be offered to participants who are removed from the program. Designated smoking areas are provided for the consumption of tobacco and cannabis exclusively. Use of any other substances in these areas is prohibited.
We hope that you will have a great experience at KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat, but if for any reason any questions or concerns arise, you can always talk to our ombudsperson. Their role will be to offer a safe and neutral point of contact where anybody can feel free to speak in private.
Our ombudsperson for the 2024 Summer Retreat is Sivan Slapak. Sivan will be holding "office hours" throughout the week. If you prefer to meet at another time or place, just ask! You may also reach out to the ombudsperson over email.
Ombudsperson Office Hours:
1:00-2:00 PM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
Friling Tsimer
Confidential email address:
ombudsperson@klezkanada.org.
You can contact the ombudsperson throughout the week directly via email: ombudsperson@klezkanada.org. (Please note that this email is only active from August 1-September 30 each year).
Acknowledgments
Our Community Guidelines are living documents which we revisit and update each year. We invite you to read, engage with, and give us your feedback so we can continue to grow these ideas throughout this week and in future years.
Our Community Guidelines were developed from our work on equity and inclusion over recent years, and are based largely on discussions between, amongst others, Zoe Aqua, Joanna Britton, Maia Brown, Asa Brunet-Jailly, Magdalena Hutter, Jeyn Levison, Sebastian Schulman, Rebecca Turner, Miriam Margles, Evelyn Tauben, Avia Moore, and Michael Winograd. It also draws, with thanks, on texts from Annie Kaufman and the “Let My People Sing” program.