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. We offer a pluralistic, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish education that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage.

Responsibilities

Phase 1 (July-August)

• Recruit and interview community members to participate in the Task Force for Social Change in the Jewish Community (5 members total, stipends provided);
• Research, collect, and share community, academic, and professional resources that support the policy direction and strategic priorities of the project (including relevant policy debates, trends, policies, and legislation related to systemic racism, discrimination, and combatting hate);
• Evaluate current policies, practices, and programs to make recommendations about best or promising practices.

Phase 2 (September-February)

• Organize and coordinate training for task force participants;
• Organize monthly task force meetings, prepare agendas and minutes, and document progress and challenges;
• Facilitate communication between task force participants;
• Collaborate with task force members to write and edit the final report;
• Support task force participants with respect, creating a welcoming environment;
• Participate in two in-person, six-week educational seminars as part of the Discovering Doikayt project and connect material to task force activities;
• Work with Peretz staff to write and submit interim project report to granting agency (January).

Phase 3 (January-April)

• Collaborate on organizing the capstone event, including policy launch (March 2026);
• Collaborate with Peretz staff and task force members to finalize report;
• Work with Peretz staff to write and submit final project report to granting agency;
• Participate in post-program debrief and feedback processes as requested by staff.

General Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with community members, organizations, and other stakeholders;
• Advocate on behalf of racialized community members and participants when appropriate;
• Work with Peretz staff and other program leaders to deliver project goals on schedule (including check in meetings);
• Ensure project milestones are completed according to schedule;
• Ensure documentation is maintained throughout the length of the project, including interim and final report;
  Communicate plans, actions, and issues with Peretz staff;
  Address any issues that may arise during the project in a respectful, responsible, and confidential manner.

Required Qualifications

• Strong commitment to anti-racism, equity, and social justice from an intersectional lens;
• Experience creating and implementing policies, educational initiatives, and/or programs targeted towards transformative, systemic change relating to racism, discrimination, and/or other forms of social, political, and economic oppression;
• Experience in participatory and community-led projects;
• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful partnerships and collaborations with historically marginalized groups;
• Proven facilitation skills, with an emphasis on community-based groups and participants of diverse backgrounds;
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement on sensitive matters and challenging conversations;
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills;
• Candidates must be legally entitled to work in British Columbia.

Additional/Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are assets but are not required in order to be considered for the position:

• Advanced education in a relevant discipline will be considered an asset; however, all forms of lived experience are considered during the hiring process;
• Strong understanding of relevant policy frameworks and legislation is an asset;
• Familiarity with trauma-informed approaches is an asset;
• Familiarity with the histories of colonialism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia in Canada (or other relevant contexts) is an asset;
• Familiarity with the Jewish community and its institutions in Canada and BC is an asset but not required;
• Specific and relevant research experience is an asset (policy research, qualitative methodologies, etc.);
• Event planning experience is an asset;
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is an asset.

Working Conditions

• Includes remote administrative work and research (office space may be available upon request);
• In-person meetings and events at the Peretz Centre in an office environment (underground parking and elevator available);
• Likelihood of irregular hours across timeframe of contract, depending on project milestones and events;
• Likelihood of maintaining flexible schedules for most work and meetings;
• Involves moderate risk of exposure to psychosocial hazards;
• This role involves self-directed project goals and meeting strict deadlines.

The Peretz Centre is a cultural and secular charitable organization, committed to the values of diversity, equity, and social justice. People of diverse experiences, cultures, genders, sexual orientation, and abilities are encouraged to apply. We welcome all forms of lived experience and invite applicants to share relevant knowledge, skills, or abilities gained from personal experience during the application process. Applicants are not required to disclose private and/or traumatic personal experiences. All information provided will be kept confidential.