The days are warming up — and we're blessed with a bountiful variety of Yiddish-related activities. Check out the possibilities below. |
| | | Save the date! The 2026 KlezCalYidFest, our annual Yiddish culture & klezmer music festival, will be held October 9 - 11 in Berkeley. Stay tuned for more details. | | Co-presented by KlezCalifornia | | |
Sunday, June 7, 7 pm
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Free tickets available
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Following their European run, The Klezmatics return to North America with a new series of shows across the USA. They will bring their new album, We Were Made for These Times, to the stage — alongside fan favorites, special collaborations, and moments that happen only live.
More Info »
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KLEZCADIA — A Safer Shtetl for Klezmer Music and Yiddish Culture | Fiscally-sponsored by KlezCalifornia | Tuesday, June 9 - Sunday, June 14, Online | |
KLEZCADIA is a fully-hybrid festival and learning retreat. Set in the beautiful Cascadian city of Victoria, British Columbia, KLEZCADIA will feature outstanding artists from both sides of the border. FREE registration required by Friday, June 5 for virtual participation.
More Info »
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Presented by KlezCalifornia
Sunday, June 21, 2 - 3 pm PT, online (calculate your local time HERE)
| | | | This free, monthly online conversation Salon is for fluent (flisik) Yiddish speakers. | Bashraybt eynem fun di merste farkhapndike kunstverk vos ir hot ven a mol gezen. Ver iz der kinstler? Vos hot aykh tsugetsoygn tsu dem? | | Co-presented by KlezCalifornia | | Sunday, June 14, 2 pm
Jewish Community High School of the Bay, San Francisco | | | | |
The Jewish Folk Chorus of San Francisco is celebrating its 100th birthday with a program of songs chosen from their many exuberant years of singing. Adding to a variety of historic favorites, they will perform music written by some of the dynamic new composers of today, sung in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, Russian, and English.
More Info »
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Presented by The Workers Circle
June 8 - 25, online
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Whether you’ve always wanted to learn a few words of Yiddish, reconnect with family roots, or simply enjoy music, stories, and conversation in good company, these free online mini-courses are a wonderful place to begin.
Choose from beginner-friendly conversational Yiddish, learning the alef-beys (Jewish alphabet), intermediate conversation, music and song sessions, and more — all taught by inspiring instructors in a warm, supportive atmosphere.
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| | Co-presented by KlezCalifornia | |
Sunday, June 28, 3 - 5 pm, in person and online
St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Albany
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Violinist and klezmer veteran Cookie Segelstein and mandolinist Mike Thompson present a workshop: how do you jam? Learn from the pros! The second half of the session will be pure jamming. ALL levels of musicians are welcome! In person and livestream options.
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| | Co-presented by KlezCalifornia | |
Tuesday, June 30, 7 - 9 pm
Near Morcom Rose Park, Oakland. Register for exact address.
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Come ready to learn and sing along to the vibrant and colorful songbook of Eastern European Jewry’s unique cultural history. Guitarist/vocalist Cindy Paley will be joined by accordionist Dan Cantrell, clarinetist Asaf Ophir, and violinist Nathan Ladyzhensky.
More Info »
| | August 17 - 23, near Montreal | | | | |
KlezKanada's Summer Retreat draws people from around the world. Nestled among the beautiful Laurentian mountains, participants gather to celebrate and study the living traditions of Yiddish arts and culture. Intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and international.
More Info »
| | View more events and classes on our website: | | In honor of Zina Pozen. I am pleased to recognize Zina Pozen for her generosity and community spirit. During my visit to Berkeley, where my son is studying, Zina kindly lent me her accordion for practice, allowing me to stay connected to my music while away from home. She also shared thoughtful insight into the local cultural scene, enriching my experience. Her willingness to give her time, resources, and knowledge reflects the true spirit of the KlezCalifornia community. I am grateful for her kindness and honored to place her on the Honor Wall. | | View KlezCalifornia's Honor Wall. Become a donor to post your tribute. | | A bisl mer (a little bit more) | | | | |
