How does a place become more meaningful once it's left behind? How do we make sense of memories that are not entirely our own?

On September 10, please join us for The Places Before You, a writing workshop and guided exhibition tour. Rooted in notions of place, identity, and the diaspora, this interactive writing workshop will explore overlapping topics found in our ongoing exhibition The Past Is Before You by Arnie Lipsey and Doikayt, On Being Here and Loving It, a zine produced by Karl Ponthieux Stern. Meaning "hereness" or "diasporism," the Yiddish term doikayt refers to how Jewish communities may be strengthened wherever they are. Faciltiated the Museum's curatorial team and by Karl, this guided workshop will consist of a guided exhibition tour, followed by several structured writing exercises from Karl's zine.

The workshop will run from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Tickets are $10 each, which includes one copy of the zine and all necessary materials. Pre-registration for this workshop is required for all who wish to attend. Capacity is limited so please register early to avoid disappointment.

An earlier edition of this writing workshop, and its accompanying publication, was initially produced with support from the Museum of Jewish Montreal's Microgrant Program for Creative or Cultural Production in February 2024.

About Karl Ponthieux Stern:

Karl is a Montreal-based writer, trans gay activist, and history student. They started their research activities way before university, by documenting medical violence against women, trans men, and non-binary people in France. They also led a self-educated research on Jewish Women in leftist organizations, for the revolutionary Jewish organization JJR. Karl´s hunger for knowledge, social justice, and Jewish culture has made them passionate about Yiddish revival and secular Jewish culture.

Karl holds a degree in History from the University of Paris Nanterre (2022). Their MA thesis at Concordia University focuses on an Oral History of the ExisTransInter, a yearly demonstration led by trans activists since 1997. In September 2024, Karl will begin their PhD in History at Concordia University.

Accessibility: Please note that our building is currently not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. The writing workshop will primarily take place on the ground level, but the exhibition tour will take place on the third floor which is accessible via stairwell.

Image: I.D. (détail) by Arnie Lipsey, 2019.

Background Image: From Doikayt, On Being Here and Loving It, zine by Karl Ponthieux Stern, 2024.