The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and Generations After are excited to co-host the Southwest premiere of the new documentary film, “The Return”, at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Historical Society on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 7:00pm.
“The Return” is the fascinating story of four young Polish women who were raised Catholic, only to discover in their teens they were actually Jewish. Alongside the film’s quartet of dynamic twentysomethings, Zucker invites audiences to explore a tiny but growing sector of young Poles attempting to pioneer an authentic Jewish identity with little knowledge of their long-buried ancestry in a country still regarded as a “Jewish graveyard.”
Before World War II, Poland was the epicenter of European Jewry and home to 3.5 million Jews. In the aftermath of the Holocaust and through the fall of communism in 1989, only an estimated 20,000 Jews remain.
The Return’s award-winning director Adam Zucker will be present at the premiere and conduct a post-film question and answer session with the audience.
More information at www.gpjff.org. Phone orders only: 602-753-9366
Friday, Nov. 13: Service 5:45pm, Shabbat Dinner 6:45pm, Presentation 7:45pm; and Saturday, Nov. 14: Shabbat Service D’var Torah 9:00am, Presentation (in lieu of Torah Study) 3:30pm
Gil Hoffman is the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post. Well-connected to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Hoffman has interviewed every major figure across the Israeli political spectrum, has been interviewed by top media on six continents and is a regular analyst on CNN, Al-Jazeera and other news outlets. Called “the most optimistic man in Israel” by Israel Television, Hoffman’s writing and TV appearances provide a behind the scenes look at both the intrigue and humor in the Israeli political arena.
His visit will include a Shabbat dinner and presentation, and delivering the Shabbat morning D’var Torah and an afternoon presentation on Saturday. *RSVP & fee required by Nov. 9 for Shabbat dinner only – CAI members: adults $14, children $8; guests: adults $20, children $12.
Friday, Nov. 13
5:45pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat Service
6:45pm Shabbat Dinner*
7:45pm Gil Hoffman presents, “Behind the Scenes in Israeli Politics and the Battle over the Future of the Jewish-Democratic State”
Saturday, Nov. 14
9:00am Shabbat Service – Gil Hoffman presents D’var Torah, “Peace Politics and Plutonium: An insider’s look at the Mayhem in the Middle East”
3:30pm Gil Hoffman presents, “Red States, Blue States and the Jewish State: The view from Jerusalem on Obama’s relationship with Israel”
4:30pm Mincha, followed at 5:00pm by Seudah Shlesheet (Third Meal), Ma’ariv and Havdallah
Annual program to observe the celebration of the anniversary of the day Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Includes service, dairy dinner, two study sessions, dessert and the reading of the Book of Ruth.
Ma’ariv/Shavuot Service 8:00pm; dairy dinner 8:15pm
Study Session 1 at 8:45pm: Rabbi Robert Eisen will present “Megillat Ruth: The Character of the Characters”
Study Session 2 at 9:40pm: Rabbi Ruven Barkan will present “Is the Torah True? What Happened at Sinai?”
Dessert 10:30pm; Reading of the Book of Ruth 11:00pm
$8 per person to attend dinner; no charge for service, study sessions & dessert.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED by June 8 TO ATTEND ANY PORTION OF TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT.
The East Valley JCC in Chandler will present its first Klezmer Fest in January 2019, which features two community events.
The screening of the documentary “The Last Klezmer: Leopold Kozlowski, His Life and Music,” followed by a musical performance by the film’s director and Klezmer expert Yale Strom, will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler.
A Klezmer Music Festival will take place noon-5 p.m. at the East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. The event will feature musical performances by Yale Strom, the Rural Street Klezmer Band and Jerusafunk.
The music festival will also include a Yiddish experience, with genealogy workshops, Yiddish poetry readings and songs, lectures and crafts. There will also be children’s activities, such as inflatables, face-painting and a petting zoo, as well as a Kosher Jewish Food Experience.
Tickets for the Jan. 10 event are $15. Tickets for the Klezmer Music Festival on Jan. 13 are $15, adults, $5 children up to age 12.
To purchase tickets, visit evjcc.org/klezmerfest or call 480-897-0588. Group tickets are available for $12 each for groups of 12 or more.
“Special Needs” – “Disability” – “Inclusion” – so many ways to describe individuals in our community who have differences. Come hear what those words mean to a mother of a young adult, a disability agency, and an individual. Rabbi Nate Crane will moderate a panel through which these speakers can tell their stories sharing what support means to them in both the secular and Jewish communities. Learn how best to help in various situations and get involved in a way that makes sense to you.
Panelists Amy DL Hummell of Gesher Disability Resources, Sharon Landay, and Barton. Facilitated by Rabbi Crane of Congregation Or Tzion and Hagigah.