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
NEW! “So You Think You Can Dance?” Bring the whole family for our Simhat Torah celebration, starting with appetizers, Caesar salad, deli platters, fruit & more (alcohol will be offered). At 6:13pm, share in CAI’s traditional Hakafot as we celebrate with Israeli singing and dancing, and refreshments (there will be a children’s holiday-related activity in another room). Get a guided tour from Creation to Mt. Sinai as the Torah is completely unrolled to encircle all who attend! THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND DINNER; however, reservations are required by Oct. 2.
The celebration continues with a festive service geared toward families with children. At 9:30am, the Sifrey Torah are taken out of the Ark. The children parade behind, then go up on the Bimah and are blessed.
NEW! In the Cantor Falkow Lounge, we offer a special program for children to include stories, singing, seriously silly snacks and shenanigans with Rabbi Ruven Barkan. We’ll then rejoin the congregation, followed by lunch in the Rabbi Breger Hall (a potato bar with Russet & sweet potatoes & lots of toppings, an array of salads, & sweets). THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND LUNCH; however, reservations are required by Oct. 2
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 evening includes a wine, cheese and dessert reception; Havdallah program “Areshet S’fateinu … May the Words of our Lips … Translating Prayer into Song”; the changing of the Torah covers and a moment to honor our Minyan; followed by the opening service to the High Holy Days, Selihot, at 10:00pm. No charge; however, reservations are requested by Sept. 19.
Even if your loved ones are not buried in CAI’s Cemetery, you are encouraged to participate in the service and pay your respects to your dearly departed. The 30-minute service includes a special booklet of prayers.
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.