Legacy of Shoah Film Festival

Lukas Pribyl, from the Czech Republic, has spent the last 10+ years of his life making four amazing documentary films about Czech Jewry during the Holocaust, highlighting themes that were a reality for all Jews during that time. The big US premiere is this Saturday night, and it’s going to be a very special evening. See all relevant information below:

Forgotten Transports

4 Documentary Films about Survival

By Lukas Pribyl

Winner of Czech Lion Award for Best Documentary

Saturday, March 27, 7:00pm Opening Night

7:00pm Forgotten Transports to Estonia: Women’s Friendship

8:30pm Discussion with Lukas Pribyl

With the participation of the last survivors of the transport, all women nearly 90 years old, who have traveled to New York for the premiere and a reunion.

9:00pm Children of the Night by Marion Wiesel

Sunday, March 28 12:30-9:30pm

12:30pm Forgotten Transports to Latvia: Family Strength

3:00pm Forgotten Transports to Belarus: Men Who Fought

5:30pm Forgotten Transports to Poland: The Human Spirit

Admission Free

Gerald W. Lynch Theater John Jay College 899 10^th Avenue at 59^th Street

More Purim Pictures...

Here are some great ones from member Jeremy Richardson...

We Were Slaves Then - And Now? Rebbe's Table, Sunday, March 28

While the Passover story tells modern Jews to imagine that they too were enslaved in Egypt, it also invites us to think about iPhones, work (or lack thereof), the 24/7 news cycle, and other things that we struggle to liberate ourselves from today. Join Rabbi Dan Ain for a look at how Passover connects to now, at the Rebbe's Table brunch series on Sunday, March 28 at 10 am at City Winery, located at 155 Varick Street in Manhattan.

"As everyone who considers themselves slaves to their Blackberries knows, our lives are full of things that prevent us from feeling free," said Rabbi Dan. "Passover presents an ideal time to explore redemption, whether it's the story of the Jews' exodus in ancient times or our current desire to unplug."

The discussion is open to the public (New Shul members $12/Non-Members $15). Subway: 1 Train to Houston Street or Canal Street; C / E Trains to Spring Street.

"I Love my Mom's Oatmeal Cookies"

Check out Maayan, daughter of teacher Sharon Levine, featured on the NYtimes Blog "City Room" holding up this adorable sign at her school "bake-in." You can read the whole story here.

Mazel Tov Glass B'nai Mitzvah Kiddush Cups

New Shul Member Andrea Osnow makes these beautiful B'nai Mitzvah Kiddush Cups. They are perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Wedding gifts! For more pictures and information or to order please visit her site: http://www.mazeltovglass.com/

Jewish Scholars at the New School

What role did What role did Jewish scholars play in the history of The New School? How did Jewish scholars at The New School conceive of their relationship to Jewish cultural and intellectual traditions? Join our panel discussion on the legacy of HANS JONAS, HORACE KALLEN, and HANNAH ARENDT, as well as the University in Exile which was created in 1933 by Alvin Johnson, the New School president at the time, as a haven for European scholars endangered by Hitler's and Mussolini's regimes. More about the history of The New School can be found at http://www.newschool.edu/history.aspx.

Monday, April 5, 6:30 p.m.
55 West 13th Street, NYC
Free and open to the public
Registration required at publicprograms@newschool.edu

For a list of panelists, to RSVP and more about this event, click HERE.

For information about the Jewish Cultural Studies program at The New School for General Studies, visit http://www.newschool.edu/jewishculture.

New Shul member Diane Temkin in VLOG's "Fiddler on the Roof"

Diane Temkin will be in the Village Light Opera Group's production of "Fiddler on the Roof." It will be at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University (3 Spruce Street, New York, NY.) The show will take place from May 8-16, so make sure you get your ticket!

For more information, go to VLOG's website.

Come to the Downtown Seder...

...where Rabbi Dan will be leading a blessing over a cup of wine!

It takes place at the City Winery, located at 155 Varick Street on Vandam, on March 25th at 7 PM.

Regular tickets are $95.00, VIP tickets are also available for $150.

An Excerpt from a Participant of "Folies Esthere"

(Photo of Candy from Lisa Teiger)

Enjoy! (The full post can be found on his blog)

...What makes The New Shul's Purim celebration unique, though, is that this liberal, family-oriented congregation with lots of children and members of all ages, has chosen to transform the ritual into a challenging experience on many levels, not least of which is its embrace of complete genderfuck. Queen Vashti has, for these three years, been portrayed by my drag queen friend Candy Samples. King Ahasuerus is portrayed by a drag king; and this year in fact every role from Esther to Mordecai to Haman is portrayed by a member of the opposite gender. The cantor singing the sacred text was an evening-gown clad woman.

Candy/Queen Vashti was accompanied by two "Vashti Vixens," fellow drag queens, who sang Candy's new song "Promise of a New Year" and later, after Queen Vashti refused to submit to the King's will to bare herself except for her crown, a medley of Mama Cass's "Make Your Own Kind of Music" with the theme from the Mary Tyler Moore show.

Before Haman is executed, transformed into a GI Joe doll hanging from the balcony by a noose, s/he issues an impassioned warning that s/he, Haman, represents the dark wickedness potential in all of us, something we must constantly guard against and uproot. As the GI Joe doll swings, darkly hilarious and disturbing, the community begins to sing "Once there was a wicked wicked man, and Haman was his name..." Justice wins out and bad people who would scapegoat others for their problems -- in this case the Jews -- are defeated. Powerful stuff....

Shabbat on Tap: Good for the Jews?

From Tea Parties and airport scanners to the movie Avatar, determining whether a given subject is “good for the Jews” offers a way to find Jewish connections and weigh the potential for backlash. Join Rabbi Dan and fellow New Yorkers for a discussion of this oft-heard question on Friday, March 19 at 7 pm at Honey, located at 243 West 14th Street in Manhattan.

“An age-old pastime for Jews is to assess how current events might affect them,” said Rabbi Ain. “On March 19 we’ll ask whether some items in the news today are ‘good for the Jews,’ and whether the question itself still makes sense.”

The event is free and open to the public. Honey is located at 243 West 14th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues (subway: 1, 2, or 3 to 14th Street).

Passover Deliveries to Homebound Seniors

In the midst of making our Passover plans, we encourage you to help our neighbors in need.


We are joining forces again this year with Project Ezra to help deliver Passover food boxes to the Jewish elderly on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The food boxes will contain all the ingredients the seniors will need for a kosher Passover. In addition to just dropping off the food, you have a chance to bring a smile to the door as you greet (and hug) this homebound population.

When: Sunday, March 21 beginning at 9:30 AM

Where: Project Ezra, 465 Grand Street

Volunteers should commit to come for one hour, either the 9:30 AM or 10:30 AM spots. Only volunteers with cars are needed or those up for schlepping (!). It is easiest when there is at least two volunteers, a driver and one more. You will pick up the boxes of food at Project Ezra and then go deliver them to the seniors. If possible and appropriate, we encourage volunteers to visit with the senior as well.

Any questions or to sign-up, please call Dalia Abott at 212-982-4124. Thank you!

LREI Art Auction

New Shul member Marie Christine Katz is a participating artist in The LREI Art Auction which opened this Wednesday, March 3rd. This is LREI's major fundraising event of the year. Come view, enjoy and buy art donated by many, many members of the extended LREI community.

There will be pieces available from established as well as from new and emerging artists, at all prices. Works include those by Tom Otterness, Chuck Close, Peter Max (commissioned piece for LREI), Gabriel Orozco, Elizabeth Peyton, James Nares, William Wegman, Willem de Kooning, Carlton Davis, among others. Add to your collection, start a collection or just come and browse!

Reception and final bidding is Thursday, March 4th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Free admission, cocktails and light refreshments. It is located at Splashlight Studios, One Hudson Square (75 Varick Street), 3rd Floor. Just North of Canal.

Wednesday, March 3rd - 12:00 PM - 8:00 P M

Thursday, March 4th - 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Artists' reception at 5:00 PM
Final bidding and cocktail reception from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Rabbi Niles Goldstein's Book Event

Join us at Rabbi Niles's event at Barnes and Noble where he presents his book Gonzo Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith in paperback!

Wednesday March 10, 2010 7:30 PM

Barnes and Noble Greenwich Village
396 Ave of the Americas at 8th Str., New York, NY 10011, 212-674-8780

The Memory Project

Laurie and Roz, creators of The Memory Project, spoke at our Holocaust Social Action program this past Monday. This is a really amazing project that encourages us to find creative ways to deal with our stories and to understand the Holocaust from one photograph.

Join The Memory Project at The Anne Frank Center this Sunday, March 7 from 11 AM - 4 PM to participate in one of their amazing activities. During this engaging project, visitors will create a self-portrait or portrait of a loved one with the help of a professional artist. First, families will watch the short film entitled “The Memory Project: Loss, Memory, History, Art” and view the accompanying art exhibition. Next, acclaimed artist Roz Jacobs will teach visitors how to create portraits of their own through easy, fun drawing techniques.

The AFC USA supplies all the materials. Feel free to bring photographs or other artistic materials to incorporate into your portrait!

RSVP suggested so call (212) 431-7993 ext. 304 or email exhibits@annefrank.com.

The Macaroons: Let's Go Coconuts! A Family Passover Concert at The Museum of Jewish Heritage

Family Passover Concert: Sunday, March 14, 1 PM

Celebrate Passover with JDub's first rock group for kids with whimsical songs about flying matzoh brei and what to do if you drop a matzoh ball. The Macaroons' big harmonies and irresistible melodies are inspired by everything from the Kinks to Queen to the Shins.

This concert is made possible through a generous gift from the Margaret Neubart Foundation Trust.

Use discount code FAM1425 to purchase tickets for $7, $5 children 12 and under (Regular prices are $10 & $7) If ordering tickets online, enter the discount code in the “Access Code” field. To purchase tickets visit this website or call 646-437-4202.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage is located at 36 Battery Place.

Tefillin Unbound will Meet next Tuesday, March 9 at 7:45 AM

Join Rabbi Dan Ain for an unorthodox exploration of the ancient ritual of laying tefillin, Judaism’s original morning meditation practice. These leather straps and boxes are meant to help start the day by connecting mind, heart and hand. The idea is to refocus and reintegrate the (sometimes) disparate aspects of our being before we go out to face the world.

Where: 14 Horatio Street (between Greenwich Avenue & 8th Avenue)

Tefillin Unbound will also take place:
April 13
May 11
June 8

If you have your own tefillin, we encourage you to bring them with you!

Kids' Club Social Action is Meeting This Saturday, Mar. 6

We will be partnering with Chelsea Kids' Club for a day of social action. Join us as we organize games and activities for kids in need from 11am-2pm.

We start out at Chelsea Mini-Storage (new location: 524 W. 23rd Street at 10th Avenue), and then head over to Hudson Guild (26th Street b/w 9th-10th Aves) for Kids' Club.

This is a very rewarding experience for all those that participate, and we strongly encourage you to volunteer.