From June 7 to June 13, 2026, the Rady JCC comes alive with music, film, food, dance, and unforgettable experiences as we celebrate the third annual Put a Yid On It! Festival of New Yiddish Culture.

This is not your typical festival. It is a joyful, creative, and welcoming space where tradition meets today, and where everyone is invited in. Whether you are discovering this world for the first time or reconnecting with something familiar, there is something here for you.

Yiddish is a language of humour, resilience, poetry, and everyday life once spoken by millions. Today, it is being reimagined by a new generation of artists, musicians, and creators who are bringing fresh energy to a rich cultural legacy.

Across one exciting week, you can dance, listen, watch, taste, and take part in experiences that are as meaningful as they are fun. 

From hands-on workshops and family friendly events to powerful performances and live music, every moment is designed to bring people together.

All tickets must be purchased through the Rady JCC Digital Store by clicking here.

This is knish making the way your baba would want it.

Join Harriet Zaidman, the beloved voice behind the North End Nosh blog, for a hands on workshop rooted in tradition, memory, and community. Drawing on the rich culinary history of Winnipeg’s North End, Harriet shares techniques and stories shaped by generations of Jewish, Ukrainian, Polish, and immigrant kitchens.

Learn the art of stretched dough, pulled slowly by hand until it becomes paper thin, transforming simple ingredients into something both humble and extraordinary.

Along the way, stories of migration, food, and family bring every step to life.

A joyful, high energy dance party for all ages.

Step into a room filled with music, movement, and connection, where everyone is invited to join the circle. Led by Avia Moore, Artistic Director of KlezKanada, this interactive experience makes it easy for anyone to jump in to be part of Yiddish circle and clapping dances.

Live music by Winnipeg klezmer favourites Kinzey Posen and Shayla Fink brings the space to life, with songs that are easy to follow and fun to be part of.

Whether you come with family, friends, or on your own, this is a chance to move, laugh, and connect.

And yes, there will be a little nosh.

An evening of dance, music, and shared celebration.

Guided by internationally renowned instructor Avia Moore, participants are introduced to traditional Yiddish dances in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Live klezmer music keeps the energy flowing as the evening moves between learning and social dance. Circles form, rhythms build, and the room comes alive. And yes, refreshments will be served!

Come solo or with friends. Take a hand and be part of it.

An unforgettable night of music, movement, and history.

Payadora Tango Ensemble brings their internationally acclaimed sound to the stage, blending Argentine tango with Yiddish musical traditions. Their performance traces the journey of tango across cultures, revealing a rich and emotional connection between worlds.

Joined by master dancers on stage, the evening becomes more than a concert. It is a powerful and immersive experience filled with rhythm, storytelling, and connection.

Sit back, take it in, and let the music carry you.

A rare and remarkable piece of Yiddish cinema returns to the screen.

Blending drama, comedy, and music, this newly restored 1936 film tells a sweeping story of love, loss, and survival across decades and continents. It offers a fascinating glimpse into early Yiddish filmmaking and storytelling.

Presented with English subtitles and a full digital restoration, this is a unique chance to experience a film that has rarely been seen in decades.

A special screening for film lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Romeo & Juliet in Yiddish

Thursday, June 11 | 7:30 p.m.
Berney Theatre, Rady JCC | 123 Doncaster Street

Under 30: $8 | Over 30: $12 | Members receive 25% off | REGISTER HERE

A fresh and unexpected take on a classic story.

Set in contemporary Brooklyn, this clever and engaging film follows a group of young translators working to bring Romeo and Juliet into modern Yiddish. Along the way, language, identity, and lived experience shape the story in surprising ways.

Blending humour with heartfelt moments, the film offers a unique perspective on tradition and change.

A creative reimagining that feels both familiar and entirely new.

Saturday, June 13 | 8:00 p.m.
Crescent Arts Centre | 525 Wardlaw Avenue

Under 30: $15 | Over 30: $25 | Members receive 25% off | REGISTER HERE

A powerful and unforgettable closing night.

The Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics celebrate 40 years of music that pushes boundaries and brings people together. As one of the most influential voices in the global klezmer revival, they have redefined what this music can be, blending tradition with bold, contemporary energy.

Their sound moves effortlessly between folk, jazz, and world music influences, creating something both deeply rooted and completely alive in the present moment.

Known for their electrifying live performances, The Klezmatics bring an energy that fills the room. The music builds, shifts, and opens into something shared, where the line between stage and audience begins to disappear.