LOST TRANSPORT

As a part of the Teicholz Film Series, join us for a special screening of Lost Transport, a film about the unexpected friendships formed when a train intended to arrive at a concentration camp gets stranded.  August 3, 6:00 pm, PT.  Free.  https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/lost-transport

DO THE HEBREW PROPHETS SPEAK TO YOU?

For many Jews, the prophets’ voices are only heard during worship if even there and then only in Hebrew.  Even in English their words are a challenge. After studying the job qualifications and tasks of a prophet and learning when and why Judaism says that prophecy ended, we will use contemporary interpretations to better hear their ancient words which often feel challenging in both form and content.  Reaching beyond, we will look at alternative prophet-like voices that can inspire us to realize the words of the haftarah blessing: toward holiness, rest, honor and glory.  Led by Rabbi Barbara AB Symons of Temple David in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.  August 3, 1:00 pm, PT.  $18.  https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/event/do-the-hebrew-prophets-speak-to-you/

JEWISH NAMES AROUND THE WORLD

This session explores the origins and characteristics of Jewish family names across different regions and time periods. Participants will delve into the reasons behind the specific surnames given to Jews in various places such as Central Europe, Italy, the Middle East, the Ottoman and Russian Empires. Additionally, the session discusses the motivations behind surname changes among Jewish communities in North America, Hungary, Israel, and other locations, as well as the recent trend of reclaiming ancestral names. The session covers a range of name types, including patronymic, geographic, and profession-based names, shedding light on traditions of naming after honorees and using biblical and local sources. Notably, the discussion also touches on the unique names Jews select for their pets.  Led by Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at Hebrew Union College Sarah Bunin Benor.  August 3, 12:00 pm, PT.  $9. https://www.qesher.com/jewish-names/

FROM OUR TRAVELS

Travel with Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback through 1,000 years of Jewish life, culture, and history as she shares pictures and stories from the Workers Circle’s recent Jewish Journey to Poland and Lithuania.  This meaningful and thought-provoking Workers Circle trip included stops in Vilnius, Warsaw, and Krakow.  There will be time for Q & A.  August 3, 11:00 am, PT.  Free.  https://www.circle.org/events/fromourtravels

ISRAELI JUDICIAL REFORM

Finding it hard to understand the headlines about what is going on in Israel? Concerned about the unprecedented current polarization of Israeli society? Wondering how we got here? You are not alone. In this presentation, expert Israeli educator specializing in Land of Israel studies Avi Ben-Hur will share a historical perspective and identify what factors contributed to the current situation. Ben-Hur will then review the government’s proposed reforms, clarify the key arguments for and against the reforms, and explore the potential political, economic, social, international and security ramifications of passing them. Join us for an objective analysis of one of Israel’s current most divisive political challenges.  August 3, 10:00 am, PT.  $18.  https://events.org/events/calendarcourse?tid=792f3902-ff57-41a0-ae91-caee3b6907b1

JEWISH NATIONALISM IN THE AGE OF LIBERAL DEMOCRACY

What is the relationship between nationalism and democracy in Israel and in the United States, and can ethno-nationalism be reconciled with liberal democracy? This lecture highlights the conceptual differences between the constitutional foundations of Israel and the U.S. and delves into the different understandings of the state’s purpose and the meaning of nationalism and citizenship within the context of these two democracies.  Led by Dr. Masua Sagiv of UC Berkeley.  August 6, 10:00 am, PT.  Free.  https://mailchi.mp/bf7bc208f0da/csp-zoom-programs-week-of-april-5-5926420

JEWISH FINLAND

Finland is often seen as a highly secularized country despite having a significant Lutheran population. The local Jewish minority, comprising about 1,200 individuals, is unique for being one of the northernmost Jewish communities globally.  Centered around two Orthodox communities in Helsinki and Turku, Finland’s Jewish community has an intriguing history. Unlike many other Eastern European Jewish communities affected by the Holocaust, Finland’s Jewish community remained largely untouched. Although the number of converts and mixed marriages is high, the community still identifies as Orthodox and proudly embraces its distinct Finnish-Jewish identity.  This presentation offers an introduction to various Jewish sites in Finland, including synagogues, cemeteries, and historical locations with Jewish connections, showcasing the vibrant blend of cultures, languages, and religious perspectives within the community.  Led by Dr. Mercédesz Czimbalmos and Dr. Dóra Pataricza, both of Åbo Akademi University. August 6, 12:00 pm, PT.  $9.  https://www.qesher.com/finland/

NAVALY

Don’t miss the award-winning documentary Navalny that earned the 2023 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.  Discover the courageous story of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, and political prisoner who fearlessly challenged Putin’s regime.  From August 4 to August 14, you can watch Navalny on your home device by registering for the screening link.  Join us on August 6 for an engaging program featuring a distinguished panel of speakers, including director Daniel Rohner and Austrian politician Karl von Habsburg, with Dr. Jud Newborn as the moderator.  August 6, 11:00 am, PT.  $18.  https://sousamendesfoundation.org/event/navalny

BECOMING JEWISH AMERICANS: POPULAR CULTURE AND PROTEST IN YIDDISH NEW YORK

For newly arrived Jewish immigrants, New York was a city of contradictions. Here they experienced freedoms and opportunities they hadn’t enjoyed in the “old country,” allowing for the development of a mass popular culture that was at once Yiddish and American. Yet for many Jews, the pace of change was too fast, representing the decline of traditional Jewish values and cultures. Meanwhile, for those who found success on the Yiddish stage, screen, and in the press, America was indeed a “golden country,” but the vast majority of Jewish immigrants lived in extreme poverty and hardship. Home to the first popular Yiddish press and the world’s biggest Yiddish theater district, New York was also soon home to a sizable Jewish labor movement and an important center for the transnational Jewish left. Using materials featured in the JTS Library’s current exhibition, we will learn about Jewish immigrants in late-19th to early–20th century New York, and the various ways that they embraced, resisted, and demanded change.  August 7, 10:00 am, PT.  Free.  https://www.jtsa.edu/event/becoming-jewish-americans-popular-culture-and-protest-in-yiddish-new-york/

IIJS FILM@HOME: NELSON’S LAST STAND

Nelson’s Last Stand is a captivating nominee for “Best Israeli Film” at the 2021 DocAviv Film Festivals, offering a little-known glimpse into Israeli history through abundant archival footage from the 1970s. The film tells the story of Rafi Nelson, an eccentric bohemian who established a thriving beach resort village in Taba after Israel gained control of the Sinai in the 1967 Six-Day War. The resort attracted vacationers, celebrities, and even Members of the Knesset, becoming a popular anything-goes destination. However, with the 1978 Camp David Accords signaling peace between Israel and Egypt, Rafi Nelson embarked on a long battle to keep his beach village within Israel’s borders. The film runs for 81 minutes, and viewers in the United States can register to watch it at home on Friday, August 4th, with a Zoom Q&A session featuring Israeli journalist and historian Gershom Gorenberg scheduled for August 7, 9:00 am, PT.  Free.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iijs-filmhome-nelsons-last-stand-tickets-627397381457

BRIGHTON BEACH

Embark on a fascinating journey to explore the history of Brighton Beach, a beachside neighborhood in Brooklyn that was once known as “Brooklyn’s Riviera.” Before Coney Island took center stage, Brighton Beach was the prime destination for well-to-do New Yorkers in the 19th century. Led by NYC licensed guide Deborah Blau, this virtual trip will delve into the evolution of Brighton Beach, its million-dollar resorts, and the myriad of entertainment options they offered, ranging from hot air balloon shows and oompah bands to race tracks, vaudeville, gambling halls, and wild animal shows. Learn about the bathing fashions and beliefs of different centuries and how Brighton Beach became home to the largest Russian diaspora in any NYC neighborhood, earning the nickname “Little Odessa.” After the exploration, engage in a Q&A session with Deborah to satisfy your curiosity about Brighton Beach’s captivating past.  August 7, 11:30 am, PT.  $10.  https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/brighton-beach-from-old-nyc-resort-neighborhood-to-little-odessa-webinar-registration-673099457597/

ISRAEL 201: YOUR NEXT-LEVEL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE HOLY LAND

Israel is in the news a lot, and almost always for the same things: conflict, elections, or the occasional start-up that sells for a billion dollars. In Israel 201, Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovittpull back the curtain and show you the people, places, and phenomena that make the country truly unique, and that can happen “only in Israel.” From Yom Kippur bike sales to Jerusalem’s cat conundrum and shomer Shabbos car insurance to LGBTQ combat soldiers in the IDF, this is the Israel you haven’t heard about. AJU’s Alyssa Silva will delve into the authors’ own experiences living in Israel and discuss their inspiration and process for creating Israel 201, a behind-the-scenes look at the magic, mystery, and chaos of one of the most fascinating, and misunderstood, countries on earth.  August 8, 12:00 pm, PT.  Free.  https://maven.aju.edu/events-classes/program/israel-201-your-next-level-guide-to-life-in-the-holy-land

CARL REINER AND MEL BROOKS

Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, two comedy legends, have been bringing laughter to America for over seven decades. Whether working together or pursuing solo careers, they excelled in various mediums such as television, films, Broadway, and recordings.  Media historian Brian Rose pays tribute to their remarkable achievements, exploring their collaborations on comedian Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and the creation of the timeless 2,000-Year-Old Man sketches.  Rose also highlights their successes as writers, directors, and performers. Brooks, known for his unique style sporting a cocked, broad-brimmed hat and flowing cape, remains incomparable, leaving a lasting impact on comedy that nobody else can replicate, no matter how long they live.  August 9, 3:30 pm, PT.  $25.  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/carl-reiner-mel-brooks

SUFFERINGS LARGE AND SMALL

The ancient rabbis struggled with the classic problem of theodicy: why would God let terrible things happen to good people? But they also struggled with what may seem like a more contemporary problem: if suffering is supposed to be meaningful in some way, is there any significance to our more mundane, everyday disappointments? In other words, in a world in which we know that terrible losses happen, do our “first world problems” matter? In this webinar, we’ll explore the rabbis’ understanding of the relationship between suffering and teshuva. We’ll discover the Talmud’s surprising take both on what counts as “suffering” at all, and what it ultimately means for our relationship with God. Finally, we’ll consider how rabbinic interpretive creativity in a post-Temple world can inspire and empower practitioners today.  Led by JTS Assistant Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics Dr. Sarah Wolf.  August 10, 10:00 am, PT.  Free.  https://www.jtsa.edu/event/high-holiday-webinars-for-rabbis/

VALIANT HEARTS

As a part of the Teicholz Film Series, join us for a special screening of Valiant Hearts, a film that tells the story of six Jewish children hidden among the collection of the Louvre, and the brave woman who risked her life to save them.  All registered guests will receive a link to view the film 72 hours before the live online panel discussion, which will take place at the scheduled time. It is recommended to register at least three days before the event.  August 10, 6:00 pm, PT. Free.  https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/valiant-hearts