Asa Brunet-Jailly, Communications and Development Associate at KlezKanada, shares insights into the organization’s mission and activities. Founded in 1996, KlezKanada is dedicated to teaching, nurturing, and presenting Jewish traditional arts and Yiddish culture. Through year-round programming in Montreal and online, as well as its renowned Summer Retreat, KlezKanada brings together people from around the globe to celebrate and sustain Yiddish arts and culture.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
KlezKanada was founded in 1996 to teach, nurture and present to a broad public the best of Jewish traditional arts and Yiddish culture. Alongside year-round programming in Montreal and online, KlezKanada’s flagship program, the Summer Retreat, draws people from around the world. Participants celebrate the living traditions of Yiddish arts and culture during an immersive week in the beautiful Laurentian mountains. Intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and international, KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat has grown into one of the leading Jewish cultural events in the world.
What problem does it aim to solve?
KlezKanada’s goal is to foster Jewish cultural and artistic creativity worldwide as both an ethnic heritage and a constantly evolving contemporary culture and identity. A central element of this mission is to provide intentional spaces anchored in Yiddish where creativity, learning, and community can flourish.
When did you start/join it?
I joined as an intern in 2019 and continued to volunteer until I began a paid position in 2022.
What made you want to get involved?
I fell in love with Yiddish during my first semester at McGill as an undergraduate. I wanted to further involve myself in the Yiddish culture scene that summer, and was lucky to get an internship at KlezKanada. KlezKanada’s inclusive, diverse community immediately made me feel at home, so I never looked back!
What was the situation like when you started?
For many of the almost 30 years since KlezKanada was founded, it was mostly volunteer-run. Over the last few years, KlezKanada began to professionalize and hired an Executive Director, its first full-time, year-round staff member, in 2018. I joined as an intern a year later, and much emphasis was put on growing the capacity of a very small team.
How has it changed since?
While KlezKanada’s team is still small, it has four year-round staff members, as well as additional coordinators who join us in planning for the Summer Retreat. Our team is small but mighty!
What more needs to be done?
Ongoing goals include KlezKanada’s long-term strategic plan and a focus on expanding its year-round programming, both online and in Montreal. This year, for example, KlezKanada offered an online Arts in Jewish Elder Care series as well as an ongoing series of Yiddish arts and cultural workshops hosted in Montreal at L’Annexe: the Ometz Centre for Young Adults and the Cummings Centre.
KlezKanada is also working on making its events, both year-round programming and the Summer Retreat, more accessible to a wide range of participants. For instance, alongside the Azrieli Scholarship Program, which allows young artists and scholars of all backgrounds to attend the Summer Retreat at a highly reduced rate, KlezKanada has also created a Bursary Program and a Work Exchange Program to make the retreat more financially accessible for participants of all ages.
How can our readers help?
KlezKanada is always looking for new people, of all ages and backgrounds, to get involved, whether they are already deeply engaged with the Yiddish scene or are only curious about one aspect of it and want to learn more. People are welcome to dip their toes in at one of KlezKanada’s year-round events online or in Montreal, or do a deep dive at the Summer Retreat!
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes! KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat is coming up between August 20-26, 2024 at Le P’tit Bonheur in the Laurentian Mountains (1.5 hours outside of Montreal). There will be the opportunity for those who are interested in the Summer Retreat but can’t attend the entire week to register for a Day Pass and participate in the retreat on Sunday, August 25th. Following the Summer Retreat, KlezKanada is offering a host of programming in Montreal.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We love the work that our friends at the Museum of Jewish Montreal are doing.
