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.
“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.
Support the MJCC and PJA communities by donating books for our annual Used Book Sale.
Book Collection Drive: January 14 – March 15. Donate your used books to the MJCC. Drop off at the front desk. Need a pickup? Email pjabooksale@gmail.com to schedule pickup. No encyclopedias, please.
The Book Sale will be at the MJCC March 31 – April 2
Free and open to the community.
20s – 30s Cosmic Havdalah
Join us for Havdalah on the mountain! Meet at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl for Havdalah and then hit the slopes for Cosmic Tubing. Carpooling arrangements will be made prior to the event.
Cost: $30, includes rental gear and snacks.
Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Ski Bowl
Tickets: oregonjcc.org/cosmichavdalah
A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD
Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:
- The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
- Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
- Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
- The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical
Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning
Used Book Collection + Sale
Support the MJCC and PJA communities during our annual Used Book Sale. Find thousands of books at great prices!
Book Collection Drive: January 14 – March 15. Donate your used books to the MJCC. Drop off at the front desk. Need a pickup? Email pjabooksale@gmail.com to schedule pickup. No encyclopedias, please.
Book Sale: March 31 – April 2
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Free and open to the community.
A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD
Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:
- The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
- Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
- Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
- The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical
Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning
A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD
Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:
- The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
- Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
- Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
- The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical
Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning
A Jewish Studies Sampler with Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD
Four Surveys of Intriguing and Slightly Mysterious Topics:
- The Dead Sea Scrolls Today
- Kabbalah – New Approaches and Discoveries both Scholarly and Popular
- Jewish Magic: Amulets, Healing and Transformation
- The Jewish Role in the Development of Science both Empirical and Mystical
Sundays: February 17, March 31, April 28, May 12
1:00 pm
Cost: $15. Register: oregonjcc.org/jewishlearning
PJ Havdallah Movie Night (0-2nd Grade), Saturday, Jan 25, 5:15pm
Say goodbye to Shabbat in our PJs with dinner and an age-appropriate movie.
RSVP: nevehshalom.org/pjhavdallah
Support the MJCC and PJA communities during our annual Used Book Sale. Finds thousands of books at great prices!
March 29 – 31