Calendar | Oregon Jewish Life

Not What You Think: The Role of the Holocaust in the Establishment of Israel – The 2018 Lorry I. Lokey Lecture @ 238 Smith Memorial Student Union

Tickets

Apr 9 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

What: A public lecture by Dr. Aviva Halamish, Open University of Israel
When: Monday, April 9, 6:30pm
Where: 238 Smith Memorial Student Union (SMSU 238)
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Contact: Stacey Johnston | judaicst@pdx.edu| 503-725-8449

Please join us for the 2018 Lorry I. Lokey Lecture featuring Dr. Aviva Halamish of the Open University of Israel titled, “Not What You Think: The Role of the Holocaust in the Establishment of Israel”

Contemplate and confront the widely accepted assumption that the Holocaust had a decisive influence on the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

Explore questions like: Is there a link between the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel? Who promotes this claim? What really happened and how did the Holocaust impact the process of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine?

This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of Lorry I. Lokey. Cosponsored by the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and the Middle East Studies Center.

Jul

6

Fri

THEATER: Adroit Maneuvers @ Imago Theatre

Tickets

Jul 6 @ 7:00 pm – Jul 22 @ 8:00 pm

Adroit Maneuvers by Michael Bertish.

This timely and thought-provoking drama portrays a very different view of the personal impacts of war in a touching study of intergenerational trauma and the painful dysfunctions that continue to haunt an entire family. The play is full of music, and discussions of art, philosophy, culture, science and politics on a world stage. As details of the story lay out the facts of the past, the audience can’t help but be reminded of the political climate of the present.

Not suitable for children.

ABOUT THE PLAY

“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

This well-known anonymous statement from the 1930s (often erroneously attributed to American novelist Sinclair Lewis) is a prophetic warning about the rise of authoritarian regimes. With the recent tragic events of Charlottesville and other flashpoints of intolerance in the news, assaults on members of the LGBTQ community and racial, religious and ethnic minorities, attacks on a free press, and the rise of voices advocating extreme nationalism throughout the civilized world, many say that our current time is reminiscent of the advent of World War II. However, the real test of our time is to avoid the trap of reactionary fear and to commit to healing change. Adroit Maneuvers offers a compassionate, hopeful perspective on bridging these divides that threaten to fracture our humanity.

The play is set in New York City in 1996 at the Dinger family home. The story revolves around an elderly grandmother, Tilde, and her adult grandson, Micky, who comes back to the city for a final visit. Micky is determined to get Tilde to open up about her experiences during the Anschluss in Vienna. Until this point in her life, Tilde has never spoken about living through the Nazi invasion and World War II. As Tilde tells her story, her memories come to life and the characters from her past enter to relive vignettes from the golden era of Vienna’s famous café society. Micky discovers Tilde’s acts of selfless courage and her friendships with world-class figures of the day: Sigmund and Martha Freud, Albert Einstein, and members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Tilde’s story is interwoven with true historical events, and hearing her story gives Micky the courage to be open for the first time about his own deep-rooted secrets.

This timely and thought-provoking drama portrays a very different view of the personal impacts of war in a touching study of intergenerational trauma and the painful dysfunctions that continue to haunt an entire family. The play is full of music, and discussions of art, philosophy, culture, science and politics on a world stage. As details of the story lay out the facts of the past, the audience can’t help but be reminded of the political climate of the present.

In October 2017, actor/director Tom Hanks said, “If you’re concerned about what’s going on today, read history and figure out what to do because it’s all right there.” Adroit Maneuvers delves into the history of intolerance and brings us to the realization that we have the power to rise above it all through devoted relationships, humility, compassion and forgiveness.

Tags: Fascism intergenerational trauma

Oct

7

Sun

JGSO: Jewish Life in Poland @ Congregation Ahavath Achim

Tickets

Oct 7 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon invites you, your family and friends to its upcoming program “Jewish Life in Poland” by Avraham Groll.

Description: Part 1 (10th-15th centuries) will explore patterns of Jewish migration to Poland between the 10th-15th centuries. We will discuss when and why the major shifts happened, where the Jews settled and their involvement in the Poland’s development. This presentation is designed for beginners, and is not a workshop. Maps, pictures, and documents will be displayed. Handouts with further information and a bibliography will also be distributed.

Part 2 (16th-18th centuries) will explore patterns of Jewish migration to Poland between the 16th-18th centuries. We will discuss the “Golden Age of Polish Jewry,” the reaction to Shabtai Tzvi, and how the Jewish experience in Poland helped set the stage, in part, for the eventual rise of the Hasidic movement. This presentation is designed for beginners, and is not a workshop. Maps, pictures, and documents will be displayed. Handouts

Bio: Avraham Groll, the Director of JewishGen.org, is passionate about connecting people with their Jewish roots, and helping them experience what it means to be part of the Jewish people. Avraham holds an MBA from Montclair State University, an MA in Judaic Studies from Touro College, and a BS in Business Administration from Ramapo college, and spent two years studying at Yeshiva Ohr Yeruslahayim in Israel. He is a frequent lecturer on a variety of Jewish genealogical and historical topics.

Tags: family Family History Genealogy

Oct

10

Wed

Israel Film Series @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Oct 10 @ 7:00 pm

Israel Film Series

Calling all filmgoers! Join us for an array of Israeli films focusing on the topic of homelessness. A discussion with Q&A will follow each film, please see film details for specifics. Films to be announced soon!

Lost Boys of Portlandia
Wednesday, October 10
7:00 pm

Meet local Israeli filmmaker, Nili Yosha and Executive Director for Outside the Frame. In a riff on Peter Pan, homeless youth of Portland debate if and how to return to mainstream society while creating their own film version of the iconic story.

Diplomat
Tuesday, October 16
7:00 pm

The Hotel Diplomat in Jerusalem was once a five-star hotel. For nearly 20 years it is home to 600 immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Never having integrated into Israeli society, its residents have created their own little island, secluded from the outside world.

Zrubavel
Tuesday, October 30
7:00 pm

The personal dramas of the immigrant Zrubavel family and the universal intergenerational cultural struggles that come with assimilation are depicted in this first feature film made by Ethiopian Israelis.

Purchase tickets at oregonjcc.org/film

In partnership with the Institute for Judaic Studies

Tags: film Israel

Oct

16

Tue

Israel Film Series @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Oct 16 @ 7:00 pm

Israel Film Series

Calling all filmgoers! Join us for an array of Israeli films focusing on the topic of homelessness. A discussion with Q&A will follow each film, please see film details for specifics. Films to be announced soon!

Lost Boys of Portlandia
Wednesday, October 10
7:00 pm

Meet local Israeli filmmaker, Nili Yosha and Executive Director for Outside the Frame. In a riff on Peter Pan, homeless youth of Portland debate if and how to return to mainstream society while creating their own film version of the iconic story.

Diplomat
Tuesday, October 16
7:00 pm

The Hotel Diplomat in Jerusalem was once a five-star hotel. For nearly 20 years it is home to 600 immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Never having integrated into Israeli society, its residents have created their own little island, secluded from the outside world.

Zrubavel
Tuesday, October 30
7:00 pm

The personal dramas of the immigrant Zrubavel family and the universal intergenerational cultural struggles that come with assimilation are depicted in this first feature film made by Ethiopian Israelis.

Purchase tickets at oregonjcc.org/film

In partnership with the Institute for Judaic Studies

Tags: film Israel

Oct

30

Tue

Israel Film Series @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Oct 30 @ 7:00 pm

Israel Film Series

Calling all filmgoers! Join us for an array of Israeli films focusing on the topic of homelessness. A discussion with Q&A will follow each film, please see film details for specifics. Films to be announced soon!

Lost Boys of Portlandia
Wednesday, October 10
7:00 pm

Meet local Israeli filmmaker, Nili Yosha and Executive Director for Outside the Frame. In a riff on Peter Pan, homeless youth of Portland debate if and how to return to mainstream society while creating their own film version of the iconic story.

Diplomat
Tuesday, October 16
7:00 pm

The Hotel Diplomat in Jerusalem was once a five-star hotel. For nearly 20 years it is home to 600 immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Never having integrated into Israeli society, its residents have created their own little island, secluded from the outside world.

Zrubavel
Tuesday, October 30
7:00 pm

The personal dramas of the immigrant Zrubavel family and the universal intergenerational cultural struggles that come with assimilation are depicted in this first feature film made by Ethiopian Israelis.

Purchase tickets at oregonjcc.org/film

In partnership with the Institute for Judaic Studies

Tags: film Israel

Mar

17

Sun

PIFF: Redemption @ Cinema 21

Tickets

Mar 17 @ 6:00 pm

Directed by Yossi Madmoni, Boaz Yehonatan Yacov

Israel • 2018 • 104 mins. • In Hebrew with English subtitles

Madmoni and Yacov’s deeply emotional spiritual journey highlights the necessity of family and friends, even if that means painfully coming to grips with one’s past transgressions. Single father Menachem (Moshe Folkenflick), whose daughter Geula (Emily Granin) is diagnosed with cancer, must find a way to pay for costly treatments despite eking out a simple existence without much cash flow. Enter Menachem’s former, marginally popular band, for which he was lead singer. In an effort to raise funds, the band gets back together and rekindles their old fire. But, as the recently-religious Menachem finds out, redemption is not so easily earned in this uplifting yet realistic tale of the bonds that connect us all. Winner, Best Actor, 2018 Karlovy Vary Film Festival; winner, Audience Award, 2018 Jerusalem Film Festival.

Filmography: The Barbecue People (2003), Melanoma My Love (2006), Restoration (2011), A Place in Heaven (2013)

Sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies

Tags: Foreign film Institute for Judaic Studies Israel NW Film Center

Mar

21

Thu

PIFF: Redemption @ Cinema 21

Tickets

Mar 21 @ 6:00 pm

Directed by Yossi Madmoni, Boaz Yehonatan Yacov

Israel • 2018 • 104 mins. • In Hebrew with English subtitles

Madmoni and Yacov’s deeply emotional spiritual journey highlights the necessity of family and friends, even if that means painfully coming to grips with one’s past transgressions. Single father Menachem (Moshe Folkenflick), whose daughter Geula (Emily Granin) is diagnosed with cancer, must find a way to pay for costly treatments despite eking out a simple existence without much cash flow. Enter Menachem’s former, marginally popular band, for which he was lead singer. In an effort to raise funds, the band gets back together and rekindles their old fire. But, as the recently-religious Menachem finds out, redemption is not so easily earned in this uplifting yet realistic tale of the bonds that connect us all. Winner, Best Actor, 2018 Karlovy Vary Film Festival; winner, Audience Award, 2018 Jerusalem Film Festival.

Filmography: The Barbecue People (2003), Melanoma My Love (2006), Restoration (2011), A Place in Heaven (2013)

Sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies

Tags: Foreign film Institute for Judaic Studies Israel NW Film Center

Apr

12

Fri

Call for Photo Submissions – Israel from the Eyes of the Community @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Apr 12 all-day

Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Call for Photo Submissions!

Israel from the Eyes of the Community: A PDX Community Art Display at our Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration

Send us your best photo that you took in Israel. Approved submissions (no lewd photos, or photos that include illegal paraphernalia) will be on display in the MJCC Art Gallery from April 29 – May 31, 2019.

Community members will vote on their favorite photo from April 29 – May 8. Winners will be announced at 8:00 pm at the Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration on May 8.

Email a high resolution digital copy of the photo, and include a note about where and when it was taken. Files no larger than 10MB per submission. Deadline is April 12, 2019. One submission per person. Email submissions to lsteinberg@oregonjcc.org.

Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and PJ Library

Tags: Israel JFGP MJCC photos PJ Library yom haatzmaut

Apr

29

Mon

Israel From the Eyes of the Community – A PDX Community Art Display @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Apr 29 – May 31 all-day

First place Israel photo by Niomi Markel

Israel from the Eyes of the Community – A PDX Community Art Display:

Members from the Greater Portland area submitted photos that were taken by them while in Israel. A committee selected the photos on display. During the week leading up to our annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut Celebration (May 8), visitors were ask to vote for your favorite photo! That evening, we will announce the winners.

This year’s winning photo was taken by Nimoi Markel.

Submissions to lsteinberg@oregonjcc.org by April 12.

Exhibit on display April 29 – May 31

Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and PJ Library

Tags: art exhibit Israel JFGP MJCC photos PJ Library yom haatzmaut