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The precursor to the Peretz School, the Jewish National Radical School was opened in 1911. It was founded on the principles of sympathy for the working classes, secularism, and the desire to perpetuate secular Jewish culture through the Yiddish language. The curriculum consisted mainly of secular subjects - Jewish history and Yiddish language.
Workmen's Circle I.L. Peretz School, Junction Branch, 1911-1960
- Address
- 131 Maria Street
- Source
- Landmarks
The precursor to the Peretz School, the Jewish National Radical School was opened in 1911. It was founded on the principles of sympathy for the working classes, secularism, and the desire to perpetuate secular Jewish culture through the Yiddish language. The curriculum consisted mainly of secular subjects - Jewish history and Yiddish language.
- Address
- 131 Maria Street
- Time Period
- 1911-1960
- Scope Note
- The precursor to the Peretz School, the Jewish National Radical School was opened in 1911. It was founded on the principles of sympathy for the working classes, secularism, and the desire to perpetuate secular Jewish culture through the Yiddish language. The curriculum consisted mainly of secular subjects - Jewish history and Yiddish language.
- History
- Due to financial problems, in 1916 the school was taken over by the Workman’s Circle (Arbeiter Ring) and renamed the I.L. Peretz School after the well-known Yiddish author and playwright Isaac Leib Peretz. After seeing great popularity and strong attendance, the school expanded to other branches around the city, including this branch at 131 Maria Street in the west Toronto Junction. After about 50 years as an educational institution, the I.L. Peretz School closed its doors. Isaac Matenko (1874-1960) was one of the founding teachers and later, the principal of the Toronto Yiddish National Radical School. He was later affiliated with the Junction branch of the Peretz School, where he was a teacher and principal. He worked tirelessly to preserve and promote secular Jewish culture and the Yiddish language in Toronto.
- Category
- Education
- Source
- Landmarks
