A networking and learning event for Jewish artists and cultural workers
A conference for Toronto’s artists and cultural workers exploring the future of Jewish cultural and artistic life.
The Jewish Futures Arts and Culture Salon returns for its third year! Join us downtown at the Miles Nadal JCC.
What future do we want to create together? How can the past and presentation of memory help to inform our present? How do we share our stories to guide our futures?
Considering the current moment, this event will give Jewish artists and cultural professionals a way to come together to learn, share and connect.
The program will emphasize networking, communal learning, and the exploration of Jewish and artistic identity and practices, providing the foundation for building resilience and leadership for Toronto’s Jewish cultural community. The day will include conversations with specialists and local artists, community-building workshops and activities, a showcase of Toronto’s Jewish arts organizations, and facilitated conversations about artistic and Jewish identity.
Who is this event for?
Speakers will represent the spectrum of Toronto’s cultural scene, including visual arts, theatre, film, music, dance, writing, curatorial, arts administration, museums, and heritage.
This event is for Jewish artists, creatives, and cultural workers, or those who produce cultural content with Jewish spaces. This event is also for culture vultures, arts supporters and patrons. Not sure if this event is for you? Please get in touch with us at info@kulturacollective.com
Presented by
Programming Supporters
Promotional Partners
Keynote Presentation
YidLife Crisis
Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman – the duo of cultural comedians known as YidLife Crisis – are filmmakers and performers from Montreal, with over 30 years of credits across television, theater, music, and film. Known for their roles on Student Bodies, Mad Men, House MD, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, their work as writers, directors, and producers has been showcased at prominent film festivals, including Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, and SXSW. Their shared passion for Jewish comedy led them to create YidLife Crisis, the first Yiddish-language web series, which joyously (and irreverently) explores the complexities of modern Jewish life. The show has received several awards and amassed over four million online views, inspiring live performances across North America and Europe. Their documentary works, including the “Global Shtetl” series, Narishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Krakow, Chewdaism: A Taste of Montreal, and Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm, continue to comedically explore and celebrate Jewish identity worldwide.
YidLife Crisis will also be presenting Swedishkayt LIVE! On November 20 at 7 PM at the Miles Nadal JCC. Click here for tickets.
Featured Panelists, Workshop Leaders and Guests
We are excited to welcome a group of artists, cultural producers, and educators for a series of conversations and workshops.
Eli Batalion
Jamie Elman
Miriam Borden
Rosette Sund
Jérémie Abessira
Marnie Salsky
Noa Vigny Billick
Josh Heuman
Gil Segev
Benjamin Miller
Karen Pe'er
Michael Fraiman
Emunah Woolf
Ori Dagan
Clarrie Feinstein
Seth Zosky
Hanna Schacter
Sam Mogelonsky
Esther Arbeid
Noa Sarid
Lorie Wolf
Zack Rosen
Beth Silver
Alyssa Stokvis-Hauer
Jess Riva Cooper
Becky Gold
Alysse Rich
Jeremy Cammy
David Rosen
Sharoni Sibony
register + join us on November 16, 2025
Your ticket includes access to all conversations and workshops, as well as kosher refreshments throughout the day, and a catered lunch. We will also be offering CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) captioning.
The event runs from 10am to 4:30pm.
Tickets are $36 each.
Registration is now closed. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door on November 16. Please email info@kulturacollective.com for more information.
If you require a subsidy to join the event, please email us.
Event Schedule
Start of Day
Registration
Lobby / Aerobics Studio
Time: 10:00 AM
Collect your nametag and swag bag. Grab a coffee and mingle with fellow creatives.
Welcome Workshop
Al Green theatre
Time: 10:30 AM
A grounding workshop to meet each other and start our day together with intention.
First Sessions
Option A
Jewish Joy (Panel)
Room: 206
Time: 11:45 AM
A conversation with artists and cultural producers on how to spread more “joy” than “oy” through art.
Option B
Meeting the Moment (Panel)
Room: Chapel
Time: 11:45 AM
A conversation about making and/or programming art about our times with artists and cultural leaders.
Option D
Jewish Infusions (Panel)
Room: 318
Time: 11:45 AM
Jewish creatives share insight on how they infuse Jewish ideas and identity into their personal and professional practices.
Option D
Envisioning a Jewish Future Rooted in Chesed (Workshop)
Room: 218
Time: 11:45 AM
Explore what a Jewish future grounded in chesed, loving kindness and compassion, might look like. Through meditation and collage, participants will reflect on empathy, care, and community. No experience needed, just curiosity and an open heart. All materials provided.
Option E
Chill Out Room
Room: 317
Time: 11:45 AM
We know there’s a lot going on and it’s a busy day.
Feel free to take a break, relax and have a quiet moment.
Lunch Break
Lunch
Room: Al Green Theatre
Time: 12:45 PM
Fuel up and chat with new connections. Enjoy a simple lunch of sandwiches and salads with friends.
Second Sessions
Option A
Accessing Art & Artistic Access: A Workshop
Room: 206
Time: 2:00 PM
Curious about the intersections of art and disability? Join us for a multi-sensory art making workshop and a discussion about how to apply accessibility practices in your own work.
Option B
Art and the Sacred (Panel)
Room: Chapel
Time: 2:00 PM
A conversation about bringing Jewish spirituality and/or mysticism into arts practices.
Option C
The Pitch (Workshop)
Room: 318
Time: 2:00 PM
A “Dragon’s Den” style workshop where participants can present project ideas and receive supportive feedback from experienced programmers and producers in the field.
Option D
Drawn Forward (Workshop)
Room: 218
Time: 2:00 PM
Toronto artist Zack Rosen leads this drawing workshop to offer creativity and relaxation to attendees. Materials are provided.
Option E
Chill Out Room
Room: 317
Time: 2:00 PM
We know there’s a lot going on and it’s a busy day.
Feel free to take a break, relax and have a quiet moment.
Keynote and Wrap
Keynote Presentation: YidLife Crisis
Room: Al Green Theatre
Time: 3:15 PM
YidLife Crisis joyously (and irreverently) explores the complexities of modern Jewish life. Join creators Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman for some thought-provoking comedy, a conversation with Miriam Borden, and live music to close it out!
End of Day Schmooze
Room: Aerobics Studio
Time: 4:15 PM
Nosh and mingle with the group and reflect on the learnings of the day. This is an opportunity to network, exchange that final business card, and end the day with a sweet treat.
Recap from the 2024 event
Jewish Futures 2024. Photos by Shay Markowitz.
FAQ's
The Miles Nadal JCC is located at 750 Spadina Avenue on the corner of Bloor and Spadina.
This event is for Jewish artists, creatives, and cultural workers, or those who produce cultural content with Jewish spaces.
Participants will represent the spectrum of Toronto’s cultural scene, including visual arts, theatre, film, music, dance, writing, curatorial, arts administration, museums, and heritage.
Not sure if this event is for you? Please get in touch with us at info@kulturacollective.com
Tickets for the Jewish Futures event on November 16, 2025 are $36 each.
If you require a subsidy to join the event, please email us at info@kulturacollective.com
We will be holding this event entirely in person. It will not be recorded or live streamed.
Yes, there will be security at the event. When you enter the Miles Nadal JCC, you will be asked your reason for visiting and to show your ID as well as your ticket for the event.
Security monitors the JCC and will be on site all day.
The taxi can drop you off at the main entrance on Spadina Avenue, just south of Bloor Street.
There is a Green P parking lot at 35 Spadina Road, or street parking.
The closest TTC subway station is Spadina which services both Lines 1 and 2, and the 510 streetcar, as well as buses.
Yes, all refreshments and dinner will be certified kosher (dairy). We will have vegan and vegetarian options available. Please let us know any dietary needs upon registration.
Yes. The Miles Nadal JCC is wheelchair accessible.
We will also be offering CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) captioning.
When you register for the event, please note any accessibility needs and we will do our best to accommodate you.
No. We are unable to provide childcare during the event.
In 2023 we convened over 100 artists and cultural professionals for the first iteration of the “Jewish Futures: Arts and Culture Salon” at the Prosserman JCC and Toronto Holocaust Museum. Following the success of the first event, the conference continued in November 2024, again with over 100 creatives in attendance.
The first event of its kind in Toronto, this day was created for Toronto’s Jewish artists and cultural workers to come together to learn, connect, share, and explore Jewish artistic life. Now, as we begin the third year of the event, we are excited to be bringing the conference downtown, to the Miles Nadal JCC.
The focus of the programming frames the Jewish future through the lens of artists, inspired by the keynote lecture at the 2023 Salon by theatre producer and rabbi, Kendell Pinkney.
Yes. You are welcome to join for only a part of the program. However, we cannot offer a discounted ticket price.
No, we cannot offer a tax receipt for event tickets.
If you no longer wish to attend the event, please contact Adam Miroshnikov at amiroshnikov@ujafed.org for a refund.
If you are interested in supporting the event, please email Sam Mogelonsky, Director of Arts and Culture at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto at smogelonsky@ujafed.org
We are grateful to our partners and supporters.
UJA will be filming and/or taking photos of you and/or your dependent(s) during this event. Through this content, we hope to promote UJA’s fundraising campaigns, which will ultimately help us help those in need. By purchasing tickets, you give UJA the absolute right to and/or permission to publish your photo or video in the following manners:
- On UJA websites, affiliated sites, and blogs
- On UJA-owned and managed social media websites and social media ads
- In UJA produced video
- In UJA printed materials and advertisements
You understand that UJA will own all rights, including the copyright to any photos and videos. You hereby waive any right that you may have to inspect and/or approve the finished product that may be used in connection therewith, or the use to which it may be applied.
Following the event, a short feedback survey will be sent to registered participants by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
The best way to find out what we having coming up is to subscribe to our e-newsletter or follow us on Instagram.
Website – https://www.kulturacollective.com/
Newsletter sign up – https://www.kulturacollective.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kultura_to/
Get in touch with us
Not sure if this event is for you? Have a question about the program? Do you require a subsidy to attend? Please send us a note below or get in touch with us at info@kulturacollective.com
Presented by: Kultura Collective, Miles Nadal JCC, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Programming Partners: CANVAS, The Azrieli Foundation
Promotional Partners: Niv Magazine, Koffler Arts, Toronto Holocaust Museum, Toronto Jewish Film Foundation, Museum of Jewish Montreal, Prosserman JCC
Supported by
Project support from
