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NOVEMBER 2024 PROGRAMS
FOUR LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITIES
The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to present our Four Lesser Known American Jewish Communities series starting in November. Join us for our first program, a live virtual Jewish tour of New Mexico, on Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00 pm EST. Please visit our event webpage for more details and to register.
U. S. Travel 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!
Bridging Cultures through Art – Hip-Hop, Poetry, and the Art of Multilingual Expression
Tuesday, November 19, 1:00 pm EST (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join us for a special one-hour online session live from Jaffa, Israel, in honor of the memory of CSP patron, Bernard “Barney” Gilmore (z”l), beloved Professor of Music at University of California, Irvine. This unique program will feature Neta Weiner and Samira Saraya, founders of the Beit System Ali movement for cultural activism, as they share their experiences in binational, multilingual artistic creation. Through live performances of hip-hop, poetry, and spoken word, along with insightful discussion on the power of art in challenging times, Neta and Samira will inspire and move us with their profound artistic vision.
Neta Weiner is an artist and social activist based in Jaffa. He is a founding member and lead singer of System Ali, a multilingual Jewish-Arab Hip-Hop project, and the artistic director of the Beit System Ali social educational movement. Weiner has created several critically acclaimed and award-winning stage works that have been produced for festivals and significant theaters worldwide.As a musician, he wrote the soundtrack for the acclaimed TV teen series “Madrasa” (meaning “school” in Arabic). Last year, Weiner released his second solo album, “Pinui Binui,” written in Hebrew, Arabic, Yiddish, and English.Weiner is a lecturer in the Tufts University Theatre, Dance, and Performance Department. In the upcoming academic year, Weiner will serve as a guest scholar at the Schusterman Center at Brandeis University.
Samira Saraya is a Palestinian-Israeli actor, writer, director, performer, rap and spoken-word artist, and an LGBTQ activist. In 2017, Saraya won the Best Actress Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival for her performance in Death of a Poetess. As an actress and director, Saraya’s shows and films have been acquired by Netflix and screened internationally, including at the Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival and San Sebastian Film Festival. In 2018, Saraya won the Best Screenplay Award at TLVFest for her short film Polygraph.
Register here
Images Of A People – Jews in Art
Part 1 – The Earliest Images – Jews as an Object of Fascination – Thursday, November 7, 3:30 pm EST (online)
Part 2 – Exemplification – Good Jews: Priests, Prophets, Monarchs – Thursday, November 14, 3:30 pm EST (online)
Part 3 – Demonization – Jews as the Root of All Evil – Thursday, November 21, 3:30 pm EST (online)
Part 4 – The Jewish Jesus in Art – Thursday, December 5, 3:30 pm EST (online)
Part 5 – Jewish Spaces in Christian Art – Thursday, December 12, 3:30 pm EST (online)
Part 6 – From Anti-Judaism to Antisemitism – Echoes in Modernity and Postmodernity – Thursday, December 19, 3:30 pm EST (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join us for a captivating six-part online series led by renowned scholar Professor Marc Michael Epstein. This thought-provoking journey delves into how Jews, Jewish stories, and Jewish spaces have been portrayed throughout history. Whether you’re passionate about art, history, or Jewish culture, this series offers profound insights into how images shape identity and influence perception across time.
Winner of CSP’s 4th Annual Maimonides Award for Excellence in Adult Jewish Education”as well as the 2015 Jewish Book Award in Visual Arts for Skies of Parchment, Seas of Ink: Jewish Illuminated Manuscripts, Marc Michael Epstein is the product of a mixed marriage between the scions of Slonimer and Lubavitcher Hassidim and Romanian socialists, and grew up, rather confused, but happy, in Brooklyn, New York. He is currently Professor of Religion at Vassar College, where he has been teaching since 1992, and was the first Director of Jewish Studies. At Vassar, he teaches courses on medieval Christianity, religion, arts and politics, and Jewish texts and sources. He is a graduate of Oberlin College, received the PhD at Yale University, and did much of his graduate research at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has written numerous articles and three books on various topics in visual and material culture produced by, for, and about Jews. His book, The Medieval Haggadah: Art, Narrative, and Religious Imagination (Yale, 2011) was selected by the London Times Literary Supplement as one of the best books of 2011. During the 1980s, Epstein was Director of the Hebrew Books and Manuscripts division of Sotheby’s Judaica department. He continues to serve as consultant to various libraries, auction houses, museums and private collectors throughout the world, among them, the Herbert C. and Eileen Bernard Museum at Temple Emanu-El in New York City, for which he curated the inaugural exhibition, and the Fowler Museum at UCLA. He is the Director of Beit Venezia, the home for International Jewish Studies in Venice, Italy.
Part 1 – Program video
Part 2 – Program video
Register here
Roots and Resilience – The Jewish Story of Romania and Moldova
Part 2 – Moldova (Former Bessarabia) and Its Jewry – Sunday, November 17, 1:00 pm EST (online)
Part 3 – Resilience and Transformation: Jewish Romania in the 20th Century – Sunday, December 15, 1:00 pm EST (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Welcome to an immersive three-part series exploring the rich and complex Jewish history of Romania and Moldova (aka Bessarabia). From the roots of Jewish life in the 2nd century CE to the vibrant communities of the 18th and 19th centuries, and the tumultuous events of the 20th century, this virtual journey will take you through the heart of these lands, visiting both bustling capitals, Bucharest and Kishinev, and smaller towns in the region. Together, we’ll uncover the intricate tapestry of Jewish heritage in Romania and Moldova, delving deep into the political, cultural, and social landscapes that shaped Jewish life across the centuries.
Part 2 – Moldova (Former Bessarabia) and Its Jewry – Step into the streets of Kishinev, a city once home to over 50,000 Jews, where we’ll recount the devastating pogrom of 1903 that left an indelible mark on Jewish history and culture. We’ll explore the lives of Kishinev’s Jewish intellectuals, political leaders, and everyday citizens, while also discussing the present and future of the Jewish community in Moldova.
Part 3 – Resilience and Transformation: Jewish Romania in the 20th Century – Witness the dramatic shifts in Jewish life throughout Romania in the 20th century, from the challenges of the World Wars to the migration of Jews to Israel. Our virtual tour will take us to surviving synagogues and Jewish communities, including the Grand Synagogue of Bucharest, as we explore the resilience and transformation of Romanian Jewry over the last century.
Evgenia Kempinski is a Russian Jew born and raised in St. Petersburg. Her family was originally from the Pale of Settlement, Poland, Ukraine and Belorussia, and endured the suppression of Judaism in the Soviet Union then the rebirth of Jewish culture and religious life in today’s St. Petersburg. She has been an official St. Petersburg tour guide for over 15 years and is the founder and owner of St. Petersburg Jewish Tours, a company offering Jewish travelers a unique experience of showcasing the best of Russia from a Jewish point of view. She currently lives in Haifa, Israel, still keeping close connections with St. Petersburg and its Jewish community.
Register here
COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAMS
Boston Jewish Film Festival
Wednesday, November 6 through Wednesday, November 20
(in-person at venues around Greater Boston and online)
Enjoy films, conversations, and live performances with opportunities both in-person and online!
Learn more – 2024 Boston Jewish Film Festival
From Torah Arks to Yahrzeit Plaques: Preserving Our Sacred Spaces and Community History
Wednesday, November 20, 5:00 pm EST
(in person program at Newbridge on the Charles, 5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham)
Meet the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center for an evening at Newbridge on the Charles to celebrate their past and present work to document and preserve ritual objects and spaces in our Jewish community. Ruth Fein Research Fellow Samuel Gruber will give a talk about historic ark builder Sam Katz and the history of synagogue architecture. Carol Clingan will be presented with the Community Preservation Award. Business or cocktail attire. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
More information and registration
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
PAST NOVEMBER 2024 CSP PROGRAMS
From Center to Periphery – Redefining Israel’s Cultural Landscape
Tuesday, November 12, 1:00 pm EST (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join Stav Even Zahav and Maya Prat, founders of the Yama Center for Art and Culture in Nahariya, for an insightful exploration of how art can transform public spaces and foster community connections, especially in times of crisis. As curators, creators, and social activists, Stav and Maya are leaders in the Tarbut Movement, a nationwide organization of artists and educators dedicated to promoting social resilience through culture in underserved areas of Israel. In this session, they will share their experiences working in northern Israel, highlighting the role of grassroots art initiatives, the power of community involvement, and how vibrant, interactive art can challenge boundaries and inspire new social dynamics. Discover how their innovative projects are reshaping the Israeli periphery, creating lasting cultural impact.
Maya Prat and Stav Even-Zahav, curators, creators, and social activists based in Nahariya, are founding members of the Tarbut Movement and the founders of “Yama,” a vibrant gallery and cultural center dedicated to art in public spaces. Since 2019, they have been collaborating as an artistic duo, focusing their efforts on transforming urban environments. Their curatorial work is all about pushing the boundaries between artists, their art, and the public, seeking to forge new pathways and innovative practices in the realm of public space.
The Tarbut Movement is dedicated to bringing vibrant, high-quality art and culture to all corners of Israel, not just Tel Aviv. Founded in 2006 by Hadas Goldman and a group of friends, the organization seeks to reverse the traditional migration of artists from the periphery to major cultural hubs like Tel Aviv, Berlin, or New York. Instead, Tarbut focuses on building thriving cultural centers in underserved regions of Israel, where there is a pressing need for art education and community engagement. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of early Zionists, Tarbut’s mission is to create social change through art, fostering cultural resilience and providing artists opportunities to make a living while contributing to the social fabric of Israel’s periphery.
Program video
Character and Complexity – Writing Multi-Dimensional Figures in Theater
Sunday, November 10, 1:00 pm EST (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
Join us for a one-hour conversation with Tony Award-winning playwright and librettist Itamar Moses, whose remarkable works have captivated audiences on Broadway and beyond. From plays like Outrage, Bach at Leipzig, and The Four of Us, to the acclaimed musicals The Band’s Visit and Fortress of Solitude, Itamar’s storytelling continues to inspire and provoke. In this special session, we will explore key moments from Itamar’s illustrious career and dive into the creation of his latest play, The Ally. Discover how personal influences and timely themes shaped this powerful work, as Itamar reflects on the complex intersections of identity, loyalty, and social justice through the journey of his protagonist, Asaf.
About The Ally – When college professor Asaf (Josh Radnor) is asked by a student to sign a social justice manifesto, what seems at first like a simple choice instead embroils him in an increasingly complex web of conflicting agendas that challenge his allegiances as a progressive, a husband, an artist, an academic, an American, an atheist, and a Jew. With tensions at an all-time high, Asaf is forced to confront the age-old question: “If I am only for myself, what am I?”
Itamar Moses is the Tony Award-winning author of the full-length plays Outrage, Bach at Leipzig, Celebrity Row, The Four of Us, The Band’s Visit (with David Yazbek), and An American Tail (with Alan Schmuckler and Michael Mahler), among others. His work has appeared both on and Off-Broadway, elsewhere in New York, and at regional theatres across the country and internationally. He has received awards for his work from the New York Drama Critics Circle, the Outer Critics Circle, the Drama Desk, and Obie awards in New York, as well as awards from the Portland, San Diego, Dallas, and Bay Area Theatre Critics Circles. He’ has received new play commissions from The McCarter, Playwrights Horizons, Berkeley Rep, The Wilma Theater, South Coast Rep, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center, and The Goodman. He holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University (NYU) and has taught playwriting at Yale and NYU. Born in Berkeley, California, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
The Age of Empires
Sunday, November 3, 1:00 pm EST (online)
(online in partnership with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program)
The Assyrian Empire’s rise to power, becoming the Neo Assyrian Empire, had a profound impact on the fate of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Judah chose to become a vassal state, while the kingdom of Israel was destroyed; later, when Judah rebelled, it paid a heavy price. It was saved in the nick of time, but was forced to partake in Assyrian campaigns and continue to pay heavy taxes. Join us as we explore the geopolitical changes in the region during the Iron Age, the way our ancestors responded to them, and the fate their choices had, for better or for worse.
Nachliel Selavan, an expert in Tanakh, Jewish history, and museum education, holds double majors in Tanakh and Mass Media, an MA from the Hebrew University’s Melton School of Jewish Education, and a second MA in Ancient Jewish History from Yeshiva University. With extensive experience teaching in Israel and the U.S., Nachliel has captivated thousands of students through formal and informal educational settings. His unique approach, sTOURytelling™, combines hands-on learning with museum tours, making history and art come alive. Currently residing in Israel, Nachliel continues to guide museum tours across the U.S., Europe, and Israel, including the Israel Museum. His tours cover diverse and intriguing topics, making each experience memorable and educational. Born and raised in Jerusalem’s Old City, he brings a rich family history and a deep connection to Israel.
PAST NOVEMBER 2024 COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAMS
Celebrate Mizrahi Jewish Heritage Month with Yoni Battat
Sunday, November 17, 4:00 pm EST
(in person program at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell Street. Peabody)
The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to be a community partner with the Lappin Foundation for a Mizrahi Jewish Heritage Month educational and musical program with Iraqi Jewish musician Yoni Battat. Yoni will take us on an exploration of Mizrahi music, which is largely based in Middle Eastern and Oriental musical traditions. The program is free and everyone is welcome. Registration is requested. Walk-ins are welcome. No charge to attend.
The Forgotten Refugees – Film Screening and Discussion
Monday, November 4, 7:00 pm EST
(in person program at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell Street. Peabody)
The Walnut Street Synagogue is pleased to be a community partner with the Lappin Foundation for the screening of The Forgotten Refugees, a film about the Jewish exodus from the Muslim world, and a discussion to follow. The documentary weaves personal stories with dramatic archival footage of rescue missions, historic images of exodus and resettlement, and analyses by contemporary scholars to tell the story of how and why the Jewish population in the Middle East and North Africa declined from one million in 1945 to several thousand today. The program is free and everyone is welcome.