AN AFTERNOON WITH SPEAKER AND AUTHOR MARTY BROUNSTEIN
Shadow Rock United Church of Christ at 12861 N Eighth Ave., Phoenix and Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr will be hosting a special program at 11:30 am on Jan. 29 featuring Marty Brounstein, author of Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust. He brings a true interfaith story of courage, compassion, and rescue about a Christian couple in the Netherlands named Frans and Mien Wijnakker who, despite much risk and danger, saved the lives of over two dozen Jews during the Holocaust and World War II. Marty also has a meaningful personal connection to this story and its heroes, which he reveals in his engaging storytelling presentation. A book signing (just $15 for the book) follows the presentation.
Marty has been on an unexpected journey in sharing this special story in a variety of venues and a dozen other cities beyond his home base of the San Francisco Bay Area, now well into its 6th year. He is back again in the Valley for a speaking series on this special story that will continue through March. For more information, call 602-993-0050 or visit martyabrounstein.com.
ITZHAK PERLMAN AND NAVAH PERLMAN COMING TO MESA ARTS CENTER
Violin virtuoso, Itzhak Perlman is coming to the Mesa Arts Center at One E Main St. in Mesa for one evening on Jan. 12 at 7:30 pm. Perlman will be accompanied by pianist Rohan de Silva. Their performance will include pieces from Vivaldi, Beethoven, Schumann and Stravinsky. Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to his irrepressible joy for making music. Ticket prices range from $50-$90 and are available through the Mesa Arts Center box office at 480-644-6500 or online at mesaartscenter.com.
On Feb. 16 at 7:30 pm, Itzhak’s daughter, Navah Perlman, will perform and recount her journey growing up with her famous father. An accomplished pianist, Navah has performed with chamber music groups, major orchestras around the world and with her father at the White House. Tickets to her performance range from $30-$70 and can be purchased through the information for the Mesa Arts Center above.
TASTE OF JUDAISM AT THE J
Temple Emanu-El and Tucson Jewish Community Center join forces to bring the celebrated class, “A Taste of Judaism,” to the Tucson community on Jan. 8, 16, and 22 from 2-4 pm. Taught by Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon and Rabbi Batsheva Appel, the Taste of Judaism is free and open to all – Jewish or not.
In the last 17 years, approximately 5,800 students have taken advantage of the wonderfully accessible Taste of Judaism classes. An open, interactive exploration of the history and practice of Judaism, the class meets in three two-hour sessions covering the topics of Spirituality, Values, and Community. Taste of Judaism is an exciting learning opportunity for anyone who is simply curious about Judaism or who wants to deepen knowledge and gain understanding of Jewish culture, history, rituals, community, and practice. In addition, the class includes delicious “tastes” of traditional Jewish foods prepared by Temple Emanu-El’s Women of Reform Judaism. The sessions are free and open to all, regardless of religious background, but you do need to pre-register.
Taste students routinely say they have fun, feel very welcome, and emerge more knowledgeable and inspired to learn more. Rabbi Cohon attributes the success of Taste of Judaism to Temple Emanu-El’s strong commitment to make Judaism fresh and interesting, The Jewish Community Center is located at 3800 E River Road, Tucson. To register and for more information, call the Temple Emanu-El office at 520-327-4501.
“THIS IS HUNGER” EXHIBIT COMING TO TUCSON
The Tucson Jewish Community Center is proud to host “This Is Hunger,” a national touring exhibit that will be in Tucson from Jan. 5-8. This first-of-its-kind free exhibit will bring Tucsonans face to face with the stark realities of hunger through state-of-the-art storytelling techniques and interactive elements.
“We often think of hunger in stereotypes, such as the homeless person walking down the street, but the reality of hunger in Tucson is much more complex,” said Todd Rockoff, president and CEO of the Tucson J. “This exhibit gives us an opportunity to engage the whole community with an incredible experience that will change the way you look at hunger. We want to help everyone understand that those who are hungry can be your neighbor who just lost her job or the teenager at school who can’t concentrate properly because he isn’t eating enough nutritious food at home.”
To raise awareness about the prevalence of hunger in Tucson, the Tucson J partnered with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger to bring “This Is Hunger” to a local audience. The exhibit features black and white portraits by an internationally renowned photojournalist and the stories of dozens of Americans who have had difficulty putting enough nutritious food on the table each day. Through digital and hands-on activities, “This Is Hunger” takes participants on a compelling journey that draws them into the real-life circumstances of these individuals and deepens their awareness about who in America struggles with hunger and why. Visitors are then encouraged to educate others and advocate for change.
“This Is Hunger” is housed in a 53-foot-long double expandable semitrailer that, when parked and opened on both sides, provides nearly 1,000 square feet of exhibit space. The exhibit is on a 10-month national tour that is stopping in more than 30 cities across the country.
For free ticket reservations and tour times, visit thisishunger.org.
