The First Jew in Canada: A Trans Tale

Creator and performer of three award-winning solo performances, S. Bear Bergman will share his newest spoken word solo show, based on the historic journey of Jacques La Fargue, the first Jew in Canada.   

The story of the first Jew to step foot in New France is not unfamiliar: a young Jewish woman named Esther Brandeau, born in France around 1718, who arrived in New France disguised as a man and using the name Jacques LaFargue, and whose identity was discovered in September 1738.  In his inimitable and engaging way, Bear will take us on a journey of discovery, and challenge us to revisit our assumptions and the history we thought we knew. 

Made possible thanks to the generous support of the Mary and Sheila Heimlich Cultural Endowment Fund.