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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 culture and history.

Introduction & Overview

The name "Pnei Mitzvah" uses the gender-neutral "pnei" (faces of) instead of "b'nei" (sons of)

Starting with our first secular bar mitzvah at the Peretz School in 1965, Pnei Mitzvah has evolved into one of our core educational programs. We offer 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 focus on literature, language, ethics, music, art, and dance to connect with and reinterpret traditions in new ways. Although children 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.

There are lots of reasons our Pnei Mitzvah program may be the one you're looking for...

You are looking for an inclusive, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish culture.

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 as well.

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 is to bring Jewish values and wisdom to life here in Canada as part of the rich tapestry of Canadian culture.

You are looking for your child to learn in an environment which is truly open-minded and welcomes all points of view.

Your child is not interested in Synagogue life.

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. Children 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. Children 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 and how to care for the stranger to Jewish contributions to ethical and political theory in the modern era.

Curriculum & Pedagogy

Pnei Mitzvah students meet every other Sunday for a two hour class with their teacher.

Year 1

In Year One the 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 with the children 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 are 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 Jews went from a people in ancient Israel to a global presence.

At the end of year one students are asked to create a midrash — a creative expansion or reinterpretation of a narrative from the Tanakh — in any medium they choose.

Year 2

In Year Two 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.

At the end of the second year, students prepare a Pnei Mitzvah project that presents an aspect of Jewish culture that they have connected with and wished to research and explore in whatever medium they choose. In past years this has taken forms from a book report, art, dance, or video to learning to chant the traditional haftorah.

The program ends with the two year Pnei Mitzvah ceremony. Each cohort plans their own version of the ceremony to showcase the students and celebrate their learning.

The Pnei Mitzvah graduation ceremony is planned and organized cooperatively by the parents. In the past years this has been a wonderful opportunity for community building, new friendships, and celebration of the always incredible growth that the students have undergone.

Parents are encouraged to be part of your child’s education at Peretz. The year is also dotted with holiday celebrations which everyone can attend: our Rosh Hashana celebration, Passover Community Seders, our Purimshpiel, Tikkun Olam activities, picnics, Fraytik Tsu Nakht Shabbat dinners, and more.

Upcoming Cohorts

Pnei Mitzvah (2024-2026 Cohort) | Year 1
Started Oct 20
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If you want to be notified when registration opens for the next Pnei Mitzvah cohort, sign up for the waiting list.

Please note that new cohorts start annually in September or October.