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FEBRUARY 2024 PROGRAMS

JERUSALEM:  THE HOLY CITY’S DEVELOPMENT FROM ANTIQUITY TO TODAY

The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to present our Jerusalem:  The Holy City’s Development from Antiquity to Today series.  Join us in February for our first program, The Old City: Jerusalem in Antiquity, on Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00 pm EST.  Please visit our event webpage for more details and to register.
Jerusalem Series details

 

CSP

The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to be a partner congregation of the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program.  Please join us at an upcoming program!

Exile and Home: Tales of Traveling Rabbis

Why does a great rabbi return to the town that had banished him? Who is the immigrant rabbi cruelly humiliated by his new havruta? And what happens when a man from Babylon marries a woman from Israel? The Talmud is riddled with travel narratives, stories of rabbis who leave their former lives behind and set out into the unknown, disoriented in unfamiliar territory, disparaged by unfriendly locals. This course looks at four such narratives, exploring the trials and tribulations of the traveling rabbis, and the lessons they must learn before they can arrive at their destination.
Gila Fine is a teacher of Aggada at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, exploring the tales of the Talmud through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. She is also a faculty member of the London School of Jewish studies, the Nachshon Project, and Amudim Seminary, and has taught thousands of students at conferences and communities across the Jewish world. Gila’s dynamic literary method and unique intertextual approach, ranging from folktales to fiction to film, bring the stories of the Talmud to life, revealing their relevance for our time. Haaretz has called her “a young woman on her way to becoming one of the more outstanding Jewish thinkers of the next generation.”

 

Jews on the Silver Screen

Over eight enlightening weeks, we delve into the tapestry of Jewish representation, both overt and subtle, in Hollywood’s history. From the pioneering Jewish visionaries who shaped global cinema to the enduring fascination with biblical narratives and the layers they hold, we uncover the intersections of culture and storytelling. We also confront and deconstruct stereotypes through the lens of Jewish gangsters and explore how cinema has exposed and healed societal ills. As we transition to adaptations of literature and the works of renowned directors like Steven Spielberg, we question the Jewish elements that lie beneath the surface. At the end of the series, we spotlight the roles of Jewish women in the industry and explore both the visible and invisible aspects of Jewishness in film, from unspoken identities to bold declarations.
Part 5 – Dumbing Down Literature: The Chosen as Novel and Movie
I. Potok’s Jewish New York
II. Explaining Hasidic Spirituality
III. Rod Steiger’s Rebbe
Part 6 – Spielberg before Schindler: How Jewish?
I.  ET: A Story of Exile and Return?
II. The Twilight Zone: A Jewish View of Aging
III. The Lost Ark and the Battle between Good and Evil
Part 7 – Jewish Women in Movies
I. Marjorie Morningstar
II. Izzy Grossman and the Escape from Delancey Street
III. Woody Allen’s Jewish Mothers
IV. Baby Houseman and the World of the Catskills
Part 8 – Visible and Invisible Jewishness
I.  What’s Up Doc: Barbara Streisand’s Unstated Jewishness
II.  Avalon and the Melting Pot
III. Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller: Masters of Chutzpah
IV. Cher Horowitz — Jewish American Princess
Professor Howard Lupovitch is Professor of History and Director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University. He was educated at the University of Michigan, and Columbia University (earning a Ph.D. in History from the latter). Over his career, Prof. Lupovitch has taught at Cornell University, Colby College, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of Michigan, where he was also a fellow at the Frankel Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies. Prof. Lupovitch is the author, most recently, of Transleithanian Paradise: A History of the Jewish Community of Budapest, 1738-1938, and is presently completing a history of the Neolog Movement and researching a new history of the Jews of Detroit.  This program is fully funded by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County

 

Resiliency & Faith in Difficult Times – Featuring Rabbi Naomi Levy in conversation with Rabbi Elie Spitz

Both in her writing and from the pulpit, Rabbi Naomi Levy has drawn upon her own experiences of weathering crises to give others the tools to survive. Part of the first class of women admitted to the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1984, Rabbi Levy graduated in 1989 to become the West Coast’s first female Conservative rabbi at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo in Venice, California. In 1998 she published her bestselling book, To Begin Again: The Journey Toward Comfort, Strength, and Faith in Difficult Times, describing her reaction to her father’s murder when she was fifteen and offering insights about resilience and faith.  Her book contained original prayers, which led Rabbi Levy, with readers encouragement, to compose Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle, and Celebration (2002). Many of those personal prayers became part of synagogue liturgy. Rabbi Levy developed those ideas further in her 2010 book, Hope Will Find You: My Search for the Wisdom to Stop Waiting and Start Living, which described her rejection of her daughter’s potentially fatal diagnosis and her decision to live in the present and not assume the worst. In 2004 she founded Nashuva, an experimental synagogue for unaffiliated and previously disengaged Jews. Both in her synagogue and as a scholar in residence around the country, Rabbi Levy teaches lay people and rabbis to craft personal prayers and reach for a more engaged spiritual life. She has appeared on Oprah and the Today Show and has regularly been honored as one of the Forward 50 and Newsweek’s 50 most influential rabbis. This engaging session will offer a rare glimpse into Rabbi Levy’s life journey, her path to spiritual leadership, and her unique perspectives on faith and resilience. Join us as we explore how her insights can guide us in navigating the complexities and challenges of our world today.
Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz approaches the familiar in unfamiliar ways. A spiritual leader and scholar specializing in topics of spirituality and Judaism, he teaches, writes and speaks to a wide range of audiences. He served as the rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, California, for over three decades and served as member of the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Law and Standards for twenty years. Rabbi Spitz is author of Healing from Despair: Choosing Wholeness in a Broken World; Does the Soul Survive? A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife, Past Lives & Living with Purpose and Increasing Wholeness: Jewish Wisdom and Guided Meditations to Strengthen and Calm Body, Heart, Mind and Spirit (all Jewish Lights) and many articles dealing with spirituality and Jewish law. Rabbi Spitz spent the past seventeen months teaching the Psalms with half-hour presentations for each Psalm (recently completing all 150 Psalms!).
Program video

 

I Loved Jew, I Loved Jew Not – Gripping Stories of Antisemitism As Well as Uplifting Tales of Allies of the Jewish People 

Join us for an enthralling evening with I Loved Jew, I Loved Jew Not, presented by The Braid, formerly known as Jewish Women’s Theatre. This online salon theatre show is a unique blend of emotional narratives and compelling storytelling. It masterfully spotlights the challenging yet crucial stories of antisemitism, juxtaposed with heartwarming tales of allies who stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. This production promises not just entertainment but an enlightening experience that navigates the complex journey from hate to love. Witness a powerful transformation that transcends barriers, and feel the impact of unity and understanding in our world. Reserve your spot now for an evening of transformative storytelling!
The Braid moves hearts and challenges minds with mostly true contemporary stories performed on stage and online. Since 2008, the Braid has been recognized for its unique theatrical art form, “Salon Theatre,” that sits at the intersection of theatre and storytelling. These stories are pulled from a vast collection of over 75 original “Salon Theatre” shows spotlighting diverse Jewish experiences in America today. Written by over 350 professional and lay writers ages 13 through 98, and performed by professional actors, these inspiring Jewish stories deliver heart, humor, chutzpah and leave you laughing or crying, or both, while celebrating the truths that connect us all.

 

What Does Shock Look Like? Israeli Art After October 7th 

All areas of life in Israel were shaken on October 7th and the aftermath of this shock as well as the continuing war have deeply affected the art scene too. In this session we’ll briefly look at art from 2023 before October and then dive into the images that were and still are created since. What can art tell us about the current reality that we don’t necessarily see in the news? We’ll explore art responses, exhibitions and art works that are both praised and challenged to allow a different look at what we’re experiencing these days and further understand the emotional climate in Israel in the past months.
Shirel Horovitz: Through sculpting, drawing and sound, Shirel’s installations and performances explore the relations between cities and communities. She earned her BFA from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and her MA from the Interdisciplinary Art Program at Tel Aviv University.  Her works have been exhibited in museums and galleries across Israel and the U.S.  She is currently working on new works, among them, a sound installation to be exhibited in Ramat Gan Museum of Art. Alongside her art practice Shirel leads tours, lectures and is an art consultant with a variety of organizations. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Shirel has adapted her live tours and lectures to engaging online experiences inviting people from around the world to explore the fascinating world of Israeli art.

 

The Golden Path: Maimonides Across Eight Centuries – A Virtual Visit to the Yeshiva University Museum

Join us for a virtual visit to the Yeshiva University Museum with our special CSP guide – Dr. Sharon Keller. The story of Maimonides and his legacy crosses centuries, continents, and cultures. Exploring the life and impact of this multifaceted luminary and great Jewish sage, this exhibition presents rare manuscripts and books on loan from famed repositories in Europe, Israel, and the U.S. Exhibition highlights include manuscripts in Maimonides’s own handwriting, a carved 11th century door to the Torah ark from Cairo’s Ben Ezra Synagogue, and beautifully illuminated medieval manuscripts. Among the pieces on display are important and rare examples, such as 13th century Yemenite manuscripts, early printed books from Italy and the Ottoman Empire, and texts produced by and for Christian audiences.  Also included are items from the Hartman Collection, the most significant private collection of Maimonides manuscripts and rare books, and spectacular manuscripts, some in Maimonides’ own hand, borrowed from the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, the British Library, the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, the National Library of Israel, the Royal Library in Copenhagen, and others.
Dr. Sharon Keller, who served as CSP’s 15th Annual One Month Scholar-in-residence in January 2016 earned her doctorate at New York University (NYU) in the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies in the area of Bible and the Ancient Near East.  She is a member of the Classics faculty at Hofstra University and has been an Assistant Professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages at The Jewish Theological Seminary and at Hebrew Union College.  She has written and edited numerous scholarly articles and academic books, most of which relate to the interplay between biblical Israel and ancient Egypt. Her most popular book, Jews: A Treasury of Art and Literature was awarded the prestigious National Jewish Book Award. Known for the enthusiasm and humor that she brings to all of her talks that make otherwise esoteric subjects easily accessible, Sharon is an in-demand lecturer and adult education course instructor throughout the United States.

 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Update from Israel:  Exploring the Pulse and Mood of the Country

Wednesday, February 28, 7:00 pm EST
(online program presented by the Lappin Foundation)

Join the Lappin Foundation for Update from Israel: Exploring the Pulse and Mood of the Country. Ido Aharoni Aronoff will present an overview of social and political undercurrents in Israeli society and explore what may emerge from October 7 and the Israel-Hamas war.  Aharoni was Israel’s Consul General to New York, serving from 2010 through 2016, and he has been a member of the Tel Aviv University Board of Governors.

 

 

The Magic Box – Book Talk with Author Corie Adjmi

Monday, February 26, 7:30 pm EST
(online program presented by the Lappin Foundation)

Join the Lappin Foundation for a book talk on The Marriage Box with author Corie Adjmi.  The book is a novel about Casey Cohen who is forced to return to her parents’ roots in the Orthodox Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn as she faces two opposing worlds, explores the unfamiliar culture and finds love.

 

From Swastika to Jim Crow

Sunday, February 25, 4:00 pm EST
(in-person program presented by the Lappin Foundation at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St. in Peabody)

The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to be a program partner for From Swastika to Jim Crow, an in-person film screening and discussion presented by the Lappin Foundation at Temple Ner Tamid in Peabody.  The film tells the little-known story of Jewish scholars who fled to the United States from Nazi Germany. Confronted with American antisemitism and unable to find employment in major universities, a surprising number found an unexpected refuge teaching at historically Black colleges in the segregated South.
 

 

Exploring the History and Politics of the West Bank and Gaza

Thursday, February 1, 7:00 pm EST
(online program presented by the Lappin Foundation)

 

The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to be a program partner for Exploring History and Politics of the West Bank and Gaza, presented by the Lappin Foundation.  Ido Aharoni Aronoff will present an overview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the background.  Aharoni was Israel’s Consul General to New York, serving from 2010 through 2016, and he has been a member of the Tel Aviv University Board of Governors.

 

 

SUPPORT ISRAEL IN BOSTON

Israel Emergency Fund

Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) has launched the Israel Emergency Fund in response to the unprecedented and horrifying attack against Israel was launched over Shabbat and Shemini Atzeret. 100% of donations received will help support victims of terror and address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by these horrific attacks.
Donate here

PLEASE WATCH THIS PAGE AND THE WALNUT STREET SYNAGOGUE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

 

YAD CHESSED

Yad Chessed helps Jewish individuals and families who struggle with financial hardship pay their bills and buy food. As a social services agency rooted in the Jewish values of kindness (chessed) and charity (tzedakah), they are committed to helping those in need navigate a path toward financial stability while preserving their privacy and dignity.  They provide emergency financial assistance, grocery gift cards and compassionate advice for those trying to make ends meet. Hundreds of families and individuals throughout the state rely on Yad Chessed to provide for their essentials, and even at times, a Jewish burial for a loved one.  Members of our community, as well as others in the Jewish community, who need assistance may contact Yad Chessed by phone at 781-487-2693 or by Email at intake@yadchessed.org for a confidential conversation.    Questions can be directed to info@yadchessed.org.
Support Yad Chessed