THE BEN HECHT SHOW – live theatrical performance
Ben Hecht tells you everything you need to know about show business,
Jews and anti-Semites.
With jokes.
Sat., Jan. 23 – 7:30 pm – post-show reception with Mr. Sherman available
Sun., Jan. 24 – 2:00 pm
At the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center – 122 E. Culver St. in Phoenix
602-241-7870 – www.azjhs.org
The Ben Hecht Show, a theatrical production written and performed by James Sherman, will be presented at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St in Phoenix, on January 23 and 24. The 80 minute show, set in 1943, chronicles the views and musings of the iconic Ben Hecht, the versatile journalist, playwright, novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter.
James Sherman’s name is familiar to theatre-goers in the Valley as a talented playwright who scripted such plays as “Beau Jest,” “Jest a Second,” “The God of Isaac,” Romance in D,” “Door to Door” and many others. All of these plays and others of his were produced by the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, and currently the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert is producing “Beau Jest” for its second time. Sherman will participate in a post-show discussion there after the Jan. 22 performance.
“I’ve known Jim since 1991, when AJTC chose to produce “Beau Jest,” and we’ve been friends ever since,” says Janet Arnold, former Producer at AJTC and current Board Member of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. “When AzJHS told me they’d like to do some more cultural programming, I had just learned about Jim’s latest adventure and knew it would be a perfect match.” Arnold will be producing the show for the Arizona Jewish Historical Society.
The Ben Hecht Show deals with Hecht’s illustrious career as a Chicago journalist in the 20s and as a NY playwright and Hollywood screenwriter in the 30s and 40s, but is most concerned with Hecht’s growing awareness of anti-Semitism and his support of Zionism in the 1940s. After having considered himself only an “American” for most of his life, Hecht was suddenly spurred to activism as a Jew by the situation in Europe.
Sherman, who resides in Chicago, was an actor even before he became a playwright, with a theatre degree from Illinois State University and an MFA from Brandeis University. He began his professional career as a writer and performer with The Second City in Chicago. Since 1985, he has had thirteen plays premier at the Tony Award-winning Victor Gardens Theater in Chicago.
Sherman currently teaches Playwriting and Improvisation at Columbia College of Chicago and DePaul University. He has performed The Ben Hecht Show to rave reviews in both Chicago and Los Angeles.
Performances will be at 7:30 pm on Saturday, January 23 and 2 pm on Sunday, January 24 at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St. in Phoenix. Tickets are available for $20 for members of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, $25 for the general public. A special Sponsor package is available for Saturday night at $180, which includes 2 reserved seats and a post-show wine and cheese reception with Mr. Sherman. Tickets can be purchased at azjhs.org or by calling 602-241-7870.
Beau Jest, one of Sherman’s earliest and most beloved comedies, is playing at the Hale Centre Theatre at 50 W Page Ave. in Gilbert from Dec. 31-Feb. 13. There are performances on New Year’s Eve at both 6 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are available at haletheatrearizona.com or at 480-497-1181.
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society, located in the restored building of Phoenix’s first synagogue, was established to preserve the rich heritage of Arizona’s Jewish communities and promote awareness of our state’s diverse history. AzJHS educates the public on Jewish contributions to both Arizona and American life. The Ben Hecht Show is being presented in part through a generous grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix.
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Sundays, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31
Early Play: 7:30-10 a.m. & Late Play: 9 a.m. – noon
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254
The J has pickup basketball games Sunday mornings for ages 18+. Gather your friends and family for a great game of organized pickup. See you on the court! Free to J members; $10 for non-members. Information and registration: 480.483.7121 ext. 1283 or sports@vosjcc.org.
For this Schmooze Couples event (30s and 40s), we will be enjoying a hike at Piestewa Peak followed by brunch nearby at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace (1590 E Bethany Home Road, Phoenix). The hike will be easy to moderate, and we will be meeting at the Ramada at the base of Piestewa Peak at 9 AM.
You can RSVP for this event and get more information through the Facebook event page or Meetup event page.
Torah Ark Dedication and Tu B’Shevat Seder
Come celebrate the dedication of our new Ark and TuB’Shevat! Sunday, January
24, 2016, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at: 12861 N. 8th Avenue, Phoenix. Meet the artist
who designed the Ark and help celebrate TuB’Shevat with a seder.
congregationmerkaz.org.
Sun., Jan. 24 – noon-2 p.m.
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254
This grounding practice walks you through ways to calm your mind, elevate your mood and create balanced energy throughout the day. Be prepared to relax, unwind and rejuvenate! Members: $25; Non-members: $35. Information and registration: 480.483.7121 ext. 1281 or healthandfitness@vosjcc.org.
Chili Lovers Alert! Food and fun!
If you like chili you won’t want to miss Temple Beth Shalom’s Chili Cook-Off and Fun Fest on Sunday, Jan. 24, noon-3PM. There will be all kinds off chili- mild, spicy, meat and vegetarian and maybe a few surprises. This will be a contest where attendees get to taste test and vote on their favorites. A great Silent Auction will be held with a vast array of prizes to be won. Also, there are kids games, a cake walk and more. Come for lunch with friends and family! Lunch is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 13, children under 5 are free. Temple Beth Shalom is a multigenerational Reform Jewish congregation located at 12202 N 101st Ave., Sun City, 2 blocks off Grand Ave. and 101st Ave.
Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, an American Muslim activist nationally recognized for his belief on the “separation of mosque and state”, as well as being vocal opponent of the ideology of “political Islam” will present “The Battle for the Soul of Islam” as part of the Beth Ami Temple Speaker Series at Beth Ami Temple in Paradise Valley on Sunday, January 24, 2016.
The son of Syrian immigrants who escaped the oppressive Baath regime of Syria in the mid-1960’s for American freedom, Dr. Jasser is a devout Muslim and founder and President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy. The AIFD is the most prominent American Muslim organization confronting the ideologies of political Islam and openly countering the belief that the Muslim faith is inextricably rooted to the concept of the Islamic State.
The public is highly encouraged and welcome to attend this important discussion sponsored by Beth Ami Temple. The boutique reform temple’s Speaker Series brings to light important topics that not only impact the city’s Jewish population, but the entire Phoenix community altogether.
“Dr. Jasser presents a picture of Islam that represents religious tolerance for others and a different perspective,” says Beth Ami Temple Rabbi Arthur Abrams. “It is so important for us to hear about a more moderate view point of Islam.”
Dr. Jasser regularly briefs members of Congress on the threat of political Islam and has been called to testify on the issue of Muslim radicalization in the United States. During the event, Dr. Jasser will provide insight into the historical context of the cauldron in the Middle East that brewed ISIS and lay out the only path forward for the world’s interests: the promotion of a “Liberty Doctrine” in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Arab Awakening of 2011 presented the region with a major opportunity at a transformation away from old Arabic military dictatorships toward liberty. Instead, this created a vacuum that is being filled by Islamist movements. Dr. Jasser will discuss if there is a way forward from this situation and whether Muslim majority nations are only destined toward theocracy.
Dr. Jasser believes many American Muslims are conflicted about the state of their religion today. They hate and want to condemn the acts of terror, but they are not ready to take on the ideology behind the terrorism. Dr. Jasser looks to build the future of Islam through the concepts of liberty and freedom, and his organization’s mission is derived from a love for America and a love of Islam.
For more information on Beth Ami Temple and its Speaker Series, please visit www.bethamitemple.org.
About Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D.: Dr. Jasser is the Founder and President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) and the author of A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot’s Fight to Save His Faith. Dr. Jasser served as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. A devout Muslim, Dr. Jasser founded AIFD in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the United States as an effort to provide an American Muslim voice advocating for the preservation of the founding principles of the United States Constitution, liberty and freedom, through the separation of mosque and state.
About Beth Ami Temple: Beth Ami is a boutique temple for active adults seeking a spiritual connection with their Jewish roots and social involvement in a small, friendly congregation.
THE BEN HECHT SHOW
Ben Hecht tells you everything you need to know about show business,
Jews and anti-Semites.
With jokes.
SAT. JAN. 23 – 7:30 PM
SUN. JAN. 24 – 2:00 PM
at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center
122 E. Culver St. in Phoenix
www.azjhs.org
The Ben Hecht Show, a theatrical production written and performed by James Sherman, will be presented at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St in Phoenix, on January 23 and 24. The 80 minute show, set in 1943, chronicles the views and musings of the iconic Ben Hecht, the versatile journalist, playwright, novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter.
James Sherman’s name is familiar to theatre-goers in the Valley as a talented playwright who scripted such plays as “Beau Jest,” “Jest a Second,” “The God of Isaac,” Romance in D,” “Door to Door” and many others. All of these plays and others of his were produced by the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, and currently the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert is producing “Beau Jest” for its second time. Sherman will participate in a post-show discussion there after the Jan. 22 performance.
“I’ve known Jim since 1991, when AJTC chose to produce “Beau Jest,” and we’ve been friends ever since,” says Janet Arnold, former Producer at AJTC and current Board Member of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society. “When AzJHS told me they’d like to do some more cultural programming, I had just learned about Jim’s latest adventure and knew it would be a perfect match.” Arnold will be producing the show for the Arizona Jewish Historical Society.
The Ben Hecht Show deals with Hecht’s illustrious career as a Chicago journalist in the 20s and as a NY playwright and Hollywood screenwriter in the 30s and 40s, but is most concerned with Hecht’s growing awareness of anti-Semitism and his support of Zionism in the 1940s. After having considered himself only an “American” for most of his life, Hecht was suddenly spurred to activism as a Jew by the situation in Europe.
Sherman, who resides in Chicago, was an actor even before he became a playwright, with a theatre degree from Illinois State University and an MFA from Brandeis University. He began his professional career as a writer and performer with The Second City in Chicago. Since 1985, he has had thirteen plays premier at the Tony Award-winning Victor Gardens Theater in Chicago.
Sherman currently teaches Playwriting and Improvisation at Columbia College of Chicago and DePaul University. He has performed The Ben Hecht Show to rave reviews in both Chicago and Los Angeles.
Performances are at 7:30 pm on Saturday, January 23 and 2 pm on Sunday, January 24 at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St. in Phoenix. Tickets are available for $20 for members of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, $25 for the general public. A special Sponsor package is available for Saturday night at $180, which includes 2 reserved seats and a post-show wine and cheese reception with Mr. Sherman. Tickets can be purchased at azjhs.org or by calling 602-241-7870.
Beau Jest, one of Sherman’s earliest and most beloved comedies, is playing at the Hale Centre Theatre at 50 W Page Ave. in Gilbert from Dec. 31-Feb. 13. There are performances on New Year’s Eve at both 6 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are available at haletheatrearizona.com or at 480-497-1181.
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society, located in the restored building of Phoenix’s first synagogue, was established to preserve the rich heritage of Arizona’s Jewish communities and promote awareness of our state’s diverse history. AzJHS educates the public on Jewish contributions to both Arizona and American life. The Ben Hecht Show is being presented in part through a generous grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix.
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Tu B’Shevat Celebration – Jewish New Year of the Trees
Sun., Jan. 24 – 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254
Celebrate with a special seder and tasting, planting, arts and crafts, story time and Israeli music. Also, learn how to grow your own family garden! Free. Everyone welcome. A collaboration among PARDES, PJ Library and VOSJCC. For more information and to RSVP, contact 480.483.7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org.