UJPO / Winchevsky Centre

UJPO / Winchevsky Centre The Winchevsky Centre is home to the United Jewish People’s Order, the Morris Winchevsky Shule (School), & Camp Naivelt. Visit us at www.winchevskycentre.org

We are a community of secular Jews that centres social justice in our collective work. Our mosaic of institutions - the United Jewish People's Order, Toronto's Morrs Winchevsky School, Camp Naivelt and the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir - are guided by a celebration of secular Jewishness and Yiddishkayt, anti-racism and social justice principles, a respect for other cultures and a progressive outlook o

n world issues. It is this philosophy that has kept our institutions an enduring and vital part of Toronto's Jewish scene since the 1920's, and we are proud to continue to offer a home, a community and a voice for Toronto's progressive, secular humanistic Jews. Our roots are connected to the labour history and worker consciousness inherited from the 1920's and 1930's, the internationalism of the 1940's and 1950's, the civil rights and peace movements of the 1960's, and the women's movement of the 1970's. Our survival and strength is a testament to the enduring sense of community rooted in the Eastern European immigrant experience of poverty, oppression, struggle and protest.

Since 2000, Suoni Per Il Popolo has been a meeting ground for experimental music, art, and activism, presented by the no...
08/31/2026

Since 2000, Suoni Per Il Popolo has been a meeting ground for experimental music, art, and activism, presented by the non-profit organization Société des Arts Libres et Actuels (SALA) in Montreal, Quebec.

Earlier this June, UJPO Toronto partnered with Suoni to bring an incredible evening of Toronto- and Montreal-based Jewish and Arab musicians, artists, activists, and filmmakers to Montreal. Now, we’re bringing this event to Toronto!

Join us, with our friends at IJV on Thursday, October 1 at 7 PM at the Tranzac for an evening of music, performance, comedy, and conversation. Proceeds will go to the Elham Fund and the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. Hosted by DJ Me Time.

Come see and hear Montreal artists:
- Gambletron — iconic q***r sound/performance artist and musician
- Emna Maaref — electro-oud player
- Moose Terrific — live soundscapes

And from Toronto:
- Never Temple — deep sonic landscapes
- Habib Siam — comedian

Thursday, October 1 | 7 PM | The Tranzac, Toronto
Come join us for an evening of music, art, solidarity, and community!

Tickets in bio and stories.

The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir is back! 🔗 link in bio to sign up. It’s happening! After a wildly successful pilot season,...
08/27/2026

The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir is back!
🔗 link in bio to sign up.

It’s happening! After a wildly successful pilot season, the legendary TJFC is starting up again in September 2026, this time for a full year. Registrants have the option of signing up for one season at a time or joining for the full program (24 rehearsals and two concerts) at a rebate.

All are welcome! No experience necessary! Rehearsals now will be on Tuesdays.

When: Tuesdays, Sept 29 - Dec 8, 2026 / Feb 16 – May 4, 2027 
Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Where: First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto, 473 Oakwood Ave.
Concerts: the choir will perform at two events: Thursday, Dec 10 (May concert date TBD)
Repertoire: a mix of Yiddish, English and other languages
*Registrants are required to commit to attending all rehearsals

Registration Fees:
UJPO members, each session (fall, spring): $180
Nonmembers: $210

OR

Register for full year (2 sessions) at a rebate!
UJPO members: $330
Nonmembers: $390

Questions: contact David Wall, [email protected]
 
The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir: Singing Our History Back to Life! Founded in 1925 as the Freiheith Gezangs Farein (Freedom Singing Society), the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir quickly became a beloved fixture in the city’s cultural life. By the late 1940s, it boasted more than 130 singers and performed a rich repertoire of Yiddish, Hebrew, and Canadian folk songs, alongside classical and newly commissioned works. The choir often appeared with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and graced major stages such as Massey Hall, sharing the spotlight with renowned guest artists, including Paul Robeson and Regina Resnik.
After many vibrant decades, the choir took its final bow in 2013 — but now, the United Jewish People’s Order is thrilled to bring this spirit of community singing to life once again.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of beloved folk singer and songwriter, Phil Ochs, who performed at C...
08/14/2026

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of beloved folk singer and songwriter, Phil Ochs, who performed at Camp Naivelt in 1973. Join us for The Life and Legacy of Phil Ochs, a special Bagel Brunch, featuring Howard Doughty at 11:00am and “Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute,” an evening of song and story honoring two powerful voices for justice and human dignity, at 7:00pm

Naivelt Nakhes Day, Saturday, August 22nd.

The Bagel Brunch: The Life and Legacy of Phil Ochs, featuring Howard Doughty at 11:00am, Lasowsky Centre

Naivelt Swim - 1:00pm - 2:00pm Bring your bathing suits!!
Naivelt History displays, Tours and Snack Shack - throughout the afternoon

The Concert: “Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute,” at 7:00pm, Lasowsky Centre

Featuring:
• Ken Whiteley
• Eve Goldberg
• Jose Sanhueza, Miguel Vasquez & Alexis Ratsch
• David Wall & Sarena Sairan
• and more!

Come for the whole day! There will be swimming, Camp tours and snacking (dinner will not be included – make sure to bring picnic meals)

Link to register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/phil-ochs-and-victor-jara-a-loving-tribute

MWS is hiring! ✨Now is your chance to become part of our dynamic Sunday Shule in downtown Toronto! We are hiring for an ...
08/11/2026

MWS is hiring! ✨

Now is your chance to become part of our dynamic Sunday Shule in downtown Toronto! We are hiring for an Education Director, Shule Operations Coordinator and B'Mitzvah Educator.

For almost 100 years, our Shule has been building community and championing social justice through a secular Jewish lens. Through experiential, creative, and community-based education, we encourage young people to explore Jewish culture, history, identity, and values while engaging meaningfully with the world around them.

We’re currently hiring for several positions, with interviews taking place on a rolling basis. If you or someone you know is passionate about Jewish education, social justice, community building, and creating meaningful experiences for young people, please get in touch!

Don’t wait and apply today and become part of our community.

➡️ Link in bio to learn more about the available positions and how to apply!

🔥 Many Flames One Fire: Protest & Prayer - High Holidays 5787📅 When: September 11 - September 21, 2026�📍 Where: Parkdale...
08/07/2026

🔥 Many Flames One Fire: Protest & Prayer - High Holidays 5787

📅 When: September 11 - September 21, 2026�📍 Where: Parkdale Hall (Tashlich location TBD)

Join our communities for Rosh Hashanah, Tashlich, and Yom Kippur as we welcome the new year together. These gatherings weave song, social justice, and reflection to deepen our connection to Jewish culture and values.

🌕Erev Rosh Hashanah (led by UJPO): September 11, 2026, 7:30 - 9 pm, doors at 7 https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/many-flames-one-fire-protest-and-prayer-high-holidays--5787�

🌅 Kol Nidre (led by UJPO): September 20, 2026, 7:30 - 9 pm, doors at 7: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/many-flames-one-fire-protest-and-prayer-kol-nidre--5787-2

All ages are welcome- we have childcare. There will be holiday activities for kids ages 4 - 14 for all events except Tashlich.

💻 Livestream available! Link(s) below and above.

♿ Access Notes- Our goal is to make our events as accessible as possible. Parkdale Hall is a fully accessible venue, and we are looking into providing live-captioning or equivalent. Please let us know if you require any assistance or preferred seating. We encourage masking, and will have K95 masks available at the door.

Our bedrock policy is that no one gets turned away. If you require a greater subsidy, please contact [email protected].

✨ UJPO and D'ror Yikra are teaming up for Tashlich!�For those of you that don't know D'ror Yikra yet, they are an emergent congregation rooted in liberationist Jewish ritual and prayer services. Our offerings are distinct from one another, but connected in our collective vision of a just future for the Jewish left. That's why we're doing a protest-oriented Tashlich together on Sunday, September 13th. Location and time TBD.

D'ror Yikra are hosting their own spiritual prayer based services, also at Parkdale Hall:
🌅 Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Service (led by D'ror Yikra): September 12, 2026 (daytime service)�
📖 Yom Kippur Workshop (led by D'ror Yikra): September 21, 2026 (pre-evening service)�
🌙 Neilah Service (led by D'ror Yikra): September 21, 2026 (evening service)

🎟️ Tickets for UJPO Rosh Hashanah: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/many-flames-one-fire-protest-and-prayer-high-holidays--5787
UJPO Kol Nidre: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/many-flames-one-fire-protest-and-prayer-kol-nidre--5787-2

D'ror Yikra Services: https://pci.jotform.com/form/262153246842254

Join us for “Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute,” an evening of song and story honouring two powerful voices for ...
07/28/2026

Join us for “Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute,” an evening of song and story honouring two powerful voices for justice and human dignity, part of Naivelt Nakhes Day, Saturday, Aug 22

This amazing concert, being held at beautiful Camp Naivelt, in the Lasowsky Centre, features a list of wonderful performers:
Ken Whiteley
Eve Goldberg
Members of the Brampton Folk Club
Jose Sanhueza
Miguel Vasquez
Alexis Ratsch
David Wall & Sarena Sairan
and more!
Naivelt Nakhes Day, featuring an informative Bagel Brunch, a communal swim, hill tours and other activities, starts at the camp at 10:00am
FREE registration link in bio!

Naivelt Nakhes Day: Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00am (all day)
Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute: 7:00pm
Camp Naivelt, 8520 Creditview Rd, Brampton

Join us for “Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute,” an evening of song and story honouring two powerful voices for ...
07/27/2026

Join us for “Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute,” an evening of song and story honouring two powerful voices for justice and human dignity, part of Naivelt Nakhes Day, Saturday, Aug 22

This amazing concert, being held at beautiful Camp Naivelt, in the Lasowsky Centre, features a list of wonderful performers:
Ken Whiteley
Eve Goldberg
Members of the Brampton Folk Club
Jose Sanhueza
Miguel Vasquez
Alexis Ratsch
David Wall & Sarena Sairan
and more!
Naivelt Nakhes Day, featuring a delicious and informative Bagel Brunch, a communal swim, hill tours and other activities, starts at the camp at 10:00am
FREE registration link in bio!

Naivelt Nakhes Day: Saturday, Aug 22, 10:00am (all day)
Phil Ochs & Victor Jara; a Loving Tribute: 7:00pm
Camp Naivelt, 8520 Creditview Rd, Brampton

We are proud to join the growing coalition standing with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and defending its curatori...
07/22/2026

We are proud to join the growing coalition standing with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and defending its curatorial independence.

Public museums must be able to present difficult and contested histories without political interference. Criticism and debate are legitimate, but politicians and pressure groups should not determine what exhibitions Canadians are permitted to encounter.

The statement remains open to additional organizations and individuals. We encourage others to join us.

Read and sign the statement: tinyurl.com/DefendCMHR

Mazel Tov to all of this year's MWS B'Mitzvah graduates! ✨We are so proud of each of you for reaching this meaningful mi...
07/14/2026

Mazel Tov to all of this year's MWS B'Mitzvah graduates! ✨

We are so proud of each of you for reaching this meaningful milestone. Your hard work, dedication, and growth have been inspiring, and we can't wait to see where your journeys take you next. May this be just the beginning of a lifetime of learning, leadership, and connection to your Jewish community.

As UJPO/MWS leaders-in-training, we hope you'll stay connected, continue learning, and help shape our community for years to come.

Is your family starting to think about a B'Mitzvah? We'd love to help make this special milestone meaningful, personal, and memorable. If you have a child approaching B'Mitzvah age and you're looking for a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community, we'd love to connect. And/or if you know someone else interested in having their child B'Mitzvahed!

Send us a DM, visit our website and reach out to learn more. We can't wait to meet you! Registration opening soon.

Mazel Tov to all of this year's B'Mitzvah graduates! ✨We are so proud of each of you for reaching this meaningful milest...
07/14/2026

Mazel Tov to all of this year's B'Mitzvah graduates! ✨

We are so proud of each of you for reaching this meaningful milestone. Your hard work, dedication, and growth have been inspiring, and we can't wait to see where your journeys take you next. May this be just the beginning of a lifetime of learning, leadership, and connection to your Jewish community.

As UJPO/MWS leaders-in-training, we hope you'll stay connected, continue learning, and help shape our community for years to come.

Is your family starting to think about a B'Mitzvah? We'd love to help make this special milestone meaningful, personal, and memorable. If you have a child approaching B'Mitzvah age and you're looking for a warm, welcoming, and inclusive community, we'd love to connect. And/or if you know someone else interested in having their child B'Mitzvahed!

Send us a DM, visit our website and reach out to learn more. We can't wait to meet you!

Address

PO Box 10541, RPO Bloorcourt
Toronto, ON
M6H4H9

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+14167895502

Website

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