Her novel alternates between late medieval Spain and Portugal during the traumatic time of the Inquisition, and a very small town in New Mexico in 1992. The modern New Mexican characters are Catholics with peculiar habits. Nobody in town eats pork but they don’t know why. It is likely they are the descendants of conversos, Jews who converted during the Spanish Inquisition. The story weaves a connecting thread from the Iberian Peninsula to Mexico City and then on to the original settlers who moved into what is now the American Southwest. Five hundred years later, a young amateur astronomer wonders about the secret of the town he grew up in: Entrada de la Luna, or Gateway to the Moon.
Morris’ previous work, The Jazz Palace, won the Anisfeld-Wolf Book Award for important contributions to the understanding of racism in 2016. She also writes short stories and travel memoirs. Her many novels and story collections have been translated into six languages. She lives in Brooklyn, New York and teaches writing at Sarah Lawrence College.
Doors open at 4:00 PM to meet and greet the author. A one-hour author reading and discussion will follow beginning at 4:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
Co-sponsored by the Beit Am Jewish Community and the MJCC. Grassroots Bookstore will be there with copies of the paperback edition of Gateway to the Moon for sale and author signing.
Art Gallery Exhibit: The Passover Series
Shlomo Katz, Polish/Israeli, 1937 – 1992
Born in Lodz, Poland, Shlomo Katz immigrated to Palestine when he was eight years old in 1945. Katz developed an original technique of oil painting on a gilded metal surface. The result recalls medieval icons on the one hand, and oriental miniatures on the other. These ancient resources combine to form a totally modern image with a light humorous touch and a noble character. It took a lot of experimentation to translate these images to the graphic art form. The metallic inks of the golden tones and the importance of absolute registration presented just a part of the challenge, but the Katz serigraphs became the ultimate in modern printmaking.
Exhibit on display April 19 – 28, MJCC Lobby
Come out to see police vehicles, fire trucks, limos, race cars, construction trucks, and more! Enjoy food stations, games, and live music. Free and open to the community.
Free Krav Maga Classes
Come and try for free, Krav Maga, a practical form of self-defense. It was pioneered by the Israel Defense Forces from a combination of boxing, wrestling, aikido, judo, and karate. This introductory course, taught by an IDF veteran of the special forces, will focus on providing you with the three pillars of Krav Maga: technique, conditioning, and situational awareness.
Instructor: Elias Stahl, former Israel Defense Forces SFC from 2012-2015
Tuesdays, December 3 + 17
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Register: oregonjcc.org/freekrav
Here’s what to wear and expect when you arrive:
- Open to ages 16 – 60, on the condition that you are able to withstand strenuous physical activity.
- Please arrive promptly and be dressed in gym shorts/long pants, a t-shirt, and running shoes/sneakers.
No necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. Watches should be removed before class. - Please bring a water bottle in order to stay hydrated!
Free Krav Maga Classes
Come and try for free, Krav Maga, a practical form of self-defense. It was pioneered by the Israel Defense Forces from a combination of boxing, wrestling, aikido, judo, and karate. This introductory course, taught by an IDF veteran of the special forces, will focus on providing you with the three pillars of Krav Maga: technique, conditioning, and situational awareness.
Instructor: Elias Stahl, former Israel Defense Forces SFC from 2012-2015
Tuesdays, December 3 + 17
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Register: oregonjcc.org/freekrav
Here’s what to wear and expect when you arrive:
- Open to ages 16 – 60, on the condition that you are able to withstand strenuous physical activity.
- Please arrive promptly and be dressed in gym shorts/long pants, a t-shirt, and running shoes/sneakers.
No necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. Watches should be removed before class. - Please bring a water bottle in order to stay hydrated!
New Year’s Eve at Noon
Join us for this fun family event as we ring in the New Year! Arts and crafts, games, bouncy house, dancing, snacks, pool float, and our annual countdown to 2020 at noon with the balloon drop!
Tuesday, December 31
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Pool Float from 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with MJCC Day Camp
The Dead Sea is dying. Since 1976, its level has dropped more than 100 feet, leaving the coastline pockmarked with thousands of sinkholes. NOVA follows scientists, engineers, and political leaders who have come up with a daring plan.
Tuesday, January 21
7:00 pm
Free and open to the community.
Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
Women’s Torah Study
Sat, Mar 14, 28, Apr 11, 25, 2020
12:30pm
Join Mel Berwin for uplifting learning & conversation – all levels welcome!
Women’s Torah Study
Sat, Mar 14, 28, Apr 11, 25, 2020
12:30pm
Join Mel Berwin for uplifting learning & conversation – all levels welcome!
Women’s Torah Study
Sat, Mar 14, 28, Apr 11, 25, 2020
12:30pm
Join Mel Berwin for uplifting learning & conversation – all levels welcome!