Support

Ashkenaz is a charitable non-profit organization and produces its biennial festival as a community service.

Most festival programming is available FREE to the public, making high quality Jewish arts fully accessible to youth, students, seniors, young families, and low-income groups.

The world-class quality of Ashkenaz is recognized by generous support from the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and from all levels of government through competitive granting programs. But this is only a third of the equation.

We need your help to continue to produce the outstanding programming you’ve come to expect from us. We cannot produce the festival without the support of individuals in our community, people who believe in Ashkenaz’s mission to support the preservation and evolution of Yiddish and Jewish culture. In the great Jewish tradition of “tzedakah,” individual donors provide Ashkenaz with the vital resources to present a world-class festival celebrating the beauty and richness of Yiddish and Jewish culture, ensuring its survival for generations to come.

Your support allows us to provide over 60,000 music and arts enthusiasts with direct access to renowned international performers and outstanding local and regional talent. Ashkenaz has also been instrumental in the careers of many musicians and artists working in Jewish traditions and continues to support emerging talent through performance opportunities, workshops, and special commissions.

Ashkenaz offers a variety of patron benefits to its valued donors. All patrons receive a charitable tax receipt and acknowledgement in our Festival Program Book and website. Every donation also comes with the nakhes of knowing that you have helped bring to life this wonderful event, and have supported Jewish culture, internationally and in our own community.

Volunteer throughout the year

There are many rewarding year-round volunteer opportunities available at Ashkenaz, including front of house (ticketing, ushering), street team marketing (flyering, postering) and general office administration. Volunteers are required to arrive 45 minutes to an hour before an event or show begins. As a volunteer, you can also receive complementary entry to Ashkenaz events at which you are working.

We appreciate your interest and would love to have you join our volunteer team, this month or in future. To sign up or for more info, please email lauren@ashkenaz.ca or call 416-979-9955.

Volunteer at the Ashkenaz Festival

The Ashkenaz Festival depends on the skills and energy of a diverse and committed group of volunteers. Whether you’re an Ashkenaz die-hard or it’s your first time at the festival, there is a volunteer contribution that you can certainly make! We hope that whatever your age and stage, you will consider joining our fun and rewarding volunteer team.

Click Here to Volunteer at the 2024 Festival

Ushers
welcoming performers, assisting with stage managing, helping patrons to their seats during ticketed events

Runners
working with Ashkenaz staff to transfer important materials or information between the festival site to the on-site Ashkenaz office, as well attending to last-minute urgent needs of artists and audience members

Information Desk Attendants
the welcoming and friendly face of the festival: on-hand to engage with audience members who need advice on what to see, and where to see it

Workshop Assistants
for family programming, instrument workshops, parade support

Volunteer Drivers
Using own car to do airport pick-ups; material collection; general helpful schlepping

Click Here to Volunteer at the 2024 Festival