QUENCH YOUR THIRST FOR JEWISH CULTURE SPRING 2020 WELCOME TABLE OF CONTENTS
It isn’t a coincidence that Passover, the holiday that celebrates freedom, is in the Spring. That’s when flowers Welcome 2 bloom, temperatures rise, and, after a winter trapped indoors, we all get to play outside. Buying Tickets 3 So it also isn’t coincidence that freedom and playfulness are undercurrents of JArts’ Spring 2020 season. You’ll savor it through special menu items at Boston’s only Israeli restaurant week. You’ll hear it in the music of Support JArts 4 the unforgettable Argentinian musical duo who will be our Rukin Memorial artists-in-residence. You’ll be surprised and delighted with it in our new JLab series of experimental, unexpected works. And you’ll experience it through The Shape of Play, our public art installation in downtown Boston by artist Sari Carel, following our award-winning Events 6 Pathways to Freedom project. Staff, Contact Info, 20 Whether in a public art project or at a Seder, fun and play are far from frivolous. From the ancient afikomen to Sponsors today’s latest parody songs, people have always incorporated playful elements for passing stories like the Exodus story on to the next generation. Leadership 20
Nachman of Breslov declared “Freedom is the world of joy.” The connections between freedom, laughter, and play Season Calendar 23 are core to the Jewish experience.
We hope you will join us this season.
Laura Mandel Joey Baron Executive Director Artistic Director
2 BUYING TICKETS IS EASY ABOUT THE JEWISH ARTS COLLABORATIVE
ONLINE JArts™ brings people together to explore and celebrate the diverse, world of Jewish art, culture, and creative expression. Visit jartsboston.org
BY PHONE Call 617.531.4610, Monday-Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
BRING YOUR FRIENDS We offer discounts for groups of 10+ for most events.
QUESTIONS? Member of CALL: 617.531.4610 EMAIL: [email protected] SIGN UP: Register at JArtsBoston.org for regular updates.
FOLLOW US: Laura Mandel, Executive Director, JArts, at the 2018 MFA Hanukkah celebration @jartsboston
VOLUNTEER Want to help out at JArts events? Please complete the volunteer form at jartsboston.org/volunteer or email [email protected]
3 JOIN US IN SUPPORTING JARTS MAJOR SPONSORS OUR FOUNDERS
Combined Jewish Philanthropies Special thanks to those who were critical in the founding of the New Center for Arts and Culture, "JArts allows me to be part of something fun but meaningful Julie and Ronald M. Druker the Boston Jewish Music Festival, and now that I can enjoy with my friends, with an impressive diversity the Jewish Arts Collaborative. of offerings. GRoW@Annenberg Robert L. Beal The synagogue and day school involvement that have been The Klarman Family Foundation Julie & Ronald M. Druker our lifelong Jewish connections look different for millennials, and JArts provides an important new way for them to be The Krupp Family Foundation The Klarman Family Foundation Jewish. There’s nothing like JArts, in Boston or around the country, and we must support this organization for the future Myra Musicant and Howard Cohen The Krupp Family Foundation of Jewish life and community." Myra Musicant & Howard Cohen Michael B. Rukin Charitable Foundation - Howard Cohen, Michael B. Rukin Charitable Foundation Co-chair, JArts Board of Directors Paula Sidman Sidman Family Foundation Susan and Gerald Slavet Susan & Gerald Slavet Millicent C. Starr Charitable Trust "When I think about the kind of Judaism I want to share with Millicent C. Starr Charitable Trust my family and friends, Joyful Judaism always resonates with Wolk Family & Cross Country Group me. That’s exactly what JArts does. Wolk Family & Cross Country Group
JArts brings Jewish arts and culture to our community. There’s a little something for everyone. Whether it’s our biggest event of the year Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights at SPECIAL THANKS the MFA or one of our smaller events like a historical Walk & Nosh Tour of Chelsea (with bagels, of course), JArts makes Jewish culture accessible, experiential, and immersive. "
- Kerry Epstein, Co-chair, JArts Board of Directors
4 IF YOUR ANCESTORS COULD FIND A WAY OUT OF EGYPT
YOU CAN FIND A SITTER
JArtsBoston.org TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
BONAPITA MAINELY BURGERS CAFÉ LANDWER MAMALEH'S CHUBBY CHICKPEA MILK STREET CAFE CRAIGIE ON MAIN OUR FATHERS CRAIGIE BURGER SIMCHA GALIT’S TREATS VARIETY BAR
— VISIT JARTSBOSTON.ORG FOR THE FULL LISTING — Check with individual restaurants for hours, reservations, and pricing.
6 #tasteofisraelboston #morethanfalafel Restaurants across Greater Boston
Cost is per menu item, order as you wish. Check restaurants for hours and reservations.
Leave your passport at home and enjoy a week of Israeli-inspired delights at the 2nd annual Taste of Israel Restaurant Week. Chefs at participating restaurants offer their creative interpretations of the diverse cultures and flavors that shape Israeli cuisine today – Moroccan, Ethiopian, Yemenite, Persian, Russian and many more. See the new Taste of Israel special events below. In Partnership:
FEBRUARY IS ALL ABOUT ISRAELI CULTURE!
JAN 28 FEB 1 FEB 6 – FEB 13 VIBE OF THE TRIBE JAZZ WITH BOSTON ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL JewishBoston Podcast live at ROY BEN BASHAT See the biggest new Israeli Mamaleh’s at Bonapita movies in a weeklong celebration of Israeli film. JAN 30 FEB 2 COCKTAIL + BOUREKA COOKING DEMO Visit BostonIsraeliFilm.org POP-UP WITH CHEF MICHAEL LEVITON at Variety Bar at Timeout Market Boston
7 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6 LERNER AND MOGUILEVSKY : THE MICHAEL B. RUKIN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY Various locations
Imagine that klezmer takes a trip to Buenos Aires and falls in love with tango, jazz, and Latin American folk music. That gives you some idea of the unique sound of Argentinian virtuosos, C´esar Lerner and Marcelo Moguilevsky. They have performed in concert halls and music festivals world-wide and in 2015, they accompanied fellow Argentinian, Pope Francis, on his visit to Israel. Naturals on a wide range of instruments from accordion to whistles to their own vocals, their concerts are irresistible celebrations of how new music can reflect so many traditions.
We are excited to welcome Lerner and Moguilevsky as our 2020 Artists-in-Residence. They will hold 3 public performances, as well as workshops and master classes at Framingham State University, Framingham Public Schools, MetroWest Jewish Day School and Congregation Beth El of Sudbury. “Lerner and Moguilevsky create a special Jewish mix that is Sponsored by: simply fascinating, – a pleasure to hear simply because the music is so good.” - KlezmerShack.com
JFS / MW
In partnership with: Congregation Beth El, Congregation B'nai Torah, Congregation Or Atid, MetroWest Jewish Day School, Temple Israel of Natick, Temple Shir Tikva
8 #lernermoguilevsky #argentinainmetrowest @lerner.moguilevskyduo FEBRUARY 4, 7:00-8:30PM FEBRUARY 5, 12:00-1:00PM FEBRUARY 6, 7:00-9:00PM A CELEBRATION OF LUNCH AND LEARN CONCERT DIVERSITY CONCERT DISCUSSION/DEMO The Burren Dwight Hall Congregation Beth El of Sudbury 247 Elm Street, Somerville Framingham State University 105 Hudson Road, Sudbury Tickets: $35 in advance/$40 at the door Free Open to all, RSVP required. This dynamic duo takes to Somerville to perform at this beloved local music room. An evening for students, families and FEBRUARY 5, 7:30-9:00PM neighbors to celebrate the multi-cultural LERNER & MOGUILEVSKY: nature of our community. CONCERT AND CONVERSATION The Center for the Arts in Natick
14 Summer Street, Natick Tickets: $35 in advance/$40 at the door
Experience Lerner and Moguilevsky’s musical fusion in this exceptional and intimate venue. Come for the performance, stay for the chance to speak with the musicians about their craft.
9 SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 5:30-7:30PM
BEYOND BUBBIE’S KITCHEN
Revere Hotel 200 Stuart Street, Boston Tickets: $36 in advance/$40 at the door
Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen is bigger and better than ever with a new location, new chefs, and new make & take opportunities! Come hungry and sample tasty new takes on Jewish cuisine from around the world, created by your favorite local chefs. Attending Boston’s biggest, best, and most delicious celebration of Jewish food is sure to make any bubbie proud.
In partnership with:
10 #beyondbubbieskitchen #bbk2020 #tastethediaspora #noshtilyouplotz PARTICIPATING DRINKS: CHEFS FROM: Atlantic Imports, wine Area Four Bantam Cider Nosh Awafi Kitchen Beyond the Mixing Glass Bonapita Lord Hobo TILL YOU Café Landwer Jack's Abby Chubby Chickpea Privateer Rum La Morra plotz Mamaleh's MAKE & Mei Mei TAKE DEMOS: Our Fathers Challah for Hunger Peregrine Doves and Figs Simcha Inna’s Kitchen Sol Azteca Mandylicious Challah Whole Heart Provisions Michael's Deli
Visit JArtsBoston.org for the complete listing.
11 APRIL-MAY
THE SHAPE OF PLAY: A PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
Downtown Boston
JArts is excited to partner with local public art currators and producers Now + There to bring The Shape of Play, an engaging, multi-sensory public art experience to downtown Boston. Artist Sari Carel’s multi-media installation will be inspired by play and freedom and will reflect the sights, sounds, and sense-based experiences of local playgrounds. In so doing, Carel and JArts invite people of all ages and backgrounds to explore themes of acceptance, hope, and freedom. Just as playgrounds set the stage for people to play together, The Shape of Play will help us discover new ways to share a cherished sense of the freedom so intrinsic in play.
In partnership with: “Play is the exultation of the possible.” -Martin Buber
Workshop and installation dates available at JArtsBoston.org
12 #playsounds #shapeofplay #saricarel @now_and_there ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sari Carel is a multi-disciplinary artist based in New York. She works at the intersection of art, science, history, and community. Her work has been exhibited and screened internationally in venues such as New York’s Artists Space; Dumbo Arts Festival; Los Angeles’s LAX Art and Young Projects; Israel’s Tel Aviv University Gallery, and The Haifa Museum of Art. She has been awarded numerous fellowships and residencies, including AIR Vienna; the Socrates Sculpture Park Artist Fellowship, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Residency on Governors Island, New York. Recent exhibitions include Out of Thin Air, a public sound installation with community-driven workshops at City Hall Park in Manhattan as well as The A.I.R Gallery Biennial in Brooklyn.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU CAN:
• Join artist Sari Carel for a sound recording workshop.
PASSOVER PLAYFULNESS • Join artist Tova Speter in a community art making workshop, taking place across Greater Boston. Play is an essential component of the Passover Seder. A treasure hunt (afikomen) a fun song about • Come to this interactive installation and PLAY! about a goat (Chad Gadya), a counting song (Echad Mi Yodeah), and a joyous chorus of For more information visit JArtsBoston.org. gratitude (Dayenu) have been playful elements in Seders for centuries. Today, they’re being joined by plague toys, mask, and parody songs. INTRODUCING JLAB FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 7:00PM
WELCOME TO JLAB THE SHABBOS QUEEN The Vilna Shul In Jewish culture today, many artists are creating work 18 Phillips Street, Boston that isn’t easily categorized. New this season, JLab is a Tickets: $15 in advance/$25 at the door laboratory for the sharing and development of these projects – sharing works in progress, experimental event Part ritual, part performance, along with a vegetarian five-course concepts, and unexpected opportunities that you won’t meal, *The Shabbos Queen* is a new, queer take on an old Jewish find elsewhere. We hope these events surprise and ritual: Shabbat! With inspirations ranging from Barbra Streisand to delight you. Kabbalah, *The Shabbos Queen* creates a sweet and kind-of sexy stop from the fast-paced world. Everyone's welcome to this evening for unwinding, dreaming and togetherness, offering a taste of paradise. There'll be a post-dinner dance party, too.
Sponsored by:
In partnership with: American premiere of Salome at ART's Oberon.
14 #jlab #shabbosqueen #giraffesonhorseback TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 7:30-9:00PM
GIRAFFES ON HORSEBACK SALAD: THE MARX BROTHERS, SALVADOR DALI´ AND THE STRANGEST MOVIE NEVER MADE
Location: to be announced Tickets: $35 with book/$18 without
The true story of the surreal and zany movie painter Salvador Dali´ wanted to make with The Marx Brothers. Written in 1937, the never produced screenplay for this absurd love story featuring Harpo Marx as a Spanish aristocrat was lost until 1996 when it was discovered among Dali’s personal papers. This will be a conversation with Josh Frank, author, playwright, and owner of a mini drive-in theater in Austin, TX, who spent five years researching and adapting the story into a graphic novel, even producing an accompanying soundtrack.
In partnership with:
15 THE GALLERY@MAYYIM HAYYIM JANUARY 10 – APRIL 16
The Gallery@Mayyim Hayyim SERGIO BAUTISTA AND MICHAEL MITTELMAN 1838 Washington Street, Newton OPENING RECEPTION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 5:30PM The Gallery@Mayyim Hayyim is rooted in hiddur mitzvah, beautification of ritual. JArts and Mayyim Hayyim have teamed up to co-curate 3 shows annually by local artists in this beautiful gallery space.
In addition to opening receptions, works can be viewed upon appointment. Email Elizabeth Eggert [email protected] to book a tour.
In partnership with:
Sergio Bautista, New York, New York
16 @mayyimhayyim #beautifulritual #jewishart MAY 5 – SEPTEMBER
RESA BLATMAN AND ELLIOT SCHILDKROUT
OPENING RECEPTION SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 3:00PM
Resa Blatman, Refugees
Michael Mittelman, Interference Pattern Rounded 002
Elliot Schildkrout, River Light 17 JArtsBoston.org SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 10:00AM- 12:00PM
WALK AND NOSH TOUR OF CHELSEA
Tickets: $25, limited to 20 people
Back by popular demand, this JArts Kitchen Explorations event is your chance to learn about Jewish Chelsea. Once called "Little Jerusalem," tour the city where Jews once made up 80% of the population. This two-hour walking tour begins at the famed Katz’s Bagels, in business since 1938, and concludes at the historic Walnut Street Synagogue. Dr. Ellen Rovner, a Boston University cultural anthropologist whose family goes back four generations in Chelsea, leads our tour.
#jewishchelsea #walkandnosh #historicjewishboston 19 STAFF JARTS LEADERSHIP
Laura Mandel, Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS JARTS ADVISORS Jim Ball, Communications Director Howard Cohen Co-Chair Ambassadors, TheatreWorks, Art and Food Think Tank Kerry Epstein Co-Chair members have artistic, programmatic, and community Joey Baron, Artistic Director Chris Wyett Vice Chair expertise that helps shape JArts programming. Daniel Navisky Clerk Yael Alkalay Rachael Farber, Development Director David Orlinoff Treasurer Dan Levenson Linda Apple Sari Anne Rapkin Vice Treasurer Michael Leviton Michelle Barmazel Steinberg Sara Gardner, Collaborations Manager Jessica Alpert Silber Wendy Liebow Lizzie Bell Joshua Luckens Robert Beal Emeritus Susan Benjamin Dekel Luban, Administrative Manager Josh Mann Ronald M. Druker Past Board Chair Joan Blair Jen Mergel Jeff Freedman Jesse Brackenbury Joshua Meyer Lara Freishtat Rabbi Ariel Burger Annette Miller Harriet Goldin Rabbi Jillian Cameron Elizabeth Navisky Rosalind Gorin Jessica Coughlin Rebecca Price Alison Hammer Lyndsay Cox Ellen Rovner Morris Housen Simona Di Nepi Shirah Rubin Fred Ledley Ariel Freiberg Nina Schneider Bonnie Margulies Jeff Gabel Avi Shemtov Michael Miller Emeritus Elisha Gechter Barbra Sher Sam Gechter Hankus Netsky Emeritus Avital Shira Simona Gilman Lorre Polinger Tova Speter Harriet Greenfield Suzanne Priebatsch Julie Starr Stuart Hecht Alan Rottenberg Allyson Steinmetz Sidney Hutter Jim Segel Margalit Tepper Rabbi Suzie Jacobson Barry Shrage Barbara Wallace Grossman Alison Judd Paula Sidman Past Board Chair Dani Weinstein Adrien Khelemsky Gerald Slavet Past Board Chair Susan Werbe Dena Kowaloff 1320 Centre Street, Suite 201 Kevin Steinberg Jeff Werner Newton Center, MA 02459 Cecilia Kramer Caron Tabb 617.531.4610 Liana Krupp @JArtsBoston Barry Weisman 20 21 22 JArtsBoston.org SPRING SEASON AT A GLANCE FUN FOR YOU. Nachas*
Jan 28 - Feb 4 Feb 4 -6 March 1 April - May for her.
Taste of Israel Lerner and Moguilevsky Beyond Bubbie's The Shape of Play: Restaurant Week Artist-in-Residency Kitchen A Public Art Commission
Greater Boston Various locations Revere Hotel Location TBA Boston
April 3 June 2 January 10 – April 16 June 7
The Shabbos Queen Giraffes on Horseback Salad: The Gallery@Mayyim Walk and Nosh Tour The Marx Brothers, Hayyim of Chelsea The Vilna Shul Dali´ and The Strangest Boston Movie Never Made Newton Location TBA
* DEEP PRIDE AND JOY For tickets and information, visit JArtsBoston.org U.S. POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA 1320 Centre Street, Suite 201 PERMIT 684 Newton Center, MA 02459