Bernstein Bursary Program

Thanks to the generous support of The Zita and Mark Bernstein Family Foundation, KlezKanada is pleased to once again offer a bursary program for the 2026 Summer Retreat. The Bernstein Bursary program is intended to help make the retreat financially accessible to people who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate and who do not qualify for the Azrieli Scholarship Program. It is also a vital part of KlezKanada’s on-going effort at creating an increasingly inclusive and accessible experience for all.

Bursary recipients will be required to pay a minimum registration fee of $500 and be responsible for their own transportation to and from the retreat. However, the fee for our shuttle bus between Montréal and Le P'tit Bonheur will be waived for bursary recipients who wish to avail themselves of this service.

Eligibility and Allocation

Preference will be given to those who do not have access to other financial assistance programs or aid, seniors, and first-time attendees.

• KlezKanada will do its utmost to allocate the available funds to those who need it most. Bursaries may not cover the full difference between the minimum required retreat registration payment of $500 and the full registration fees.
• Bursary applicants are also encouraged to consider applying for our Work Exchange Program which could also further reduce the costs of participating in the Summer Retreat. For further information click HERE.
• Participants who are between the ages of 18-36 and thus qualify for the Azrieli Scholarship Program are not eligible for the bursary program.

Applying for a Bernstein Bursary | Priority Deadline: May 1
We invite interested individuals to submit their bursary application by Friday, May 1. An acknowledgement of receipt will be sent within one week.

Participants may apply for the program after the priority deadline; should there be a balance of funds remaining after the first phase of bursaries have been awarded, bursary applications will remain open until the remaining bursary funds are fully awarded.

All applications and information contained within will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Application Results

We will contact all bursary recipients in writing beginning the third week of May. Bursary recipients will be required to register for the retreat online no later than June 15 or risk forfeiting their bursary.