Calendar | Oregon Jewish Life

THEATER: Adroit Maneuvers @ Imago Theatre

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.

Mar

1

Fri

Monthly Mitzvah Project: Pillows @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Mar 1 – Mar 31 all-day

Monthly Mitzvah Project – March

Each month, the MJCC and PJA communities will collect items for the monthly mitzvah. These projects reflect the Jewish commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), providing opportunities to give back to our community.

Please drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC Lobby.

March – Pillows for Purim for Community Warehouse

Tags: give back mitzvahs MJCC pillows PJA Purim

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

Mar

1

Sun

March Monthly Mitzvah @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Tickets

Mar 1 – Mar 31 all-day

Each month the MJCC and PJA communities will collect items for the monthly mitzvah. Drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC lobby. Check the display for how you can participate and donate to these worthy causes.

This project reflects the Jewish commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), providing opportunities to give back to our community.

Please drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC Lobby.

March
Pillows for Purim and Used Household Items for low income families transitioning into housing
• Community Warehouse

Tags: community warehouse give back mitzvah MJCC pillows PJA Purim

Sisterhood Mah Jongg Madness Brunch and Tournament 2020 @ Congregation Neveh Shalom

Tickets

Mar 1 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sisterhood Mah Jongg Madness Brunch and Tournament 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020

11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Brunch and explanation of rules;

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Tournament and prizes
Please join us for a fun-filled day of Mah Jongg and friendship. Experienced and new players welcome (no teaching).

Register by Friday, February 21st.

For more information please contact: Judi Goodman (503) 531-7205 or Elisa Stevens (503) 929-1680.

You can now register online at: tinyurl.com/cnsmahjongg2020.

Tags: brunch congregation neveh shalom games mah jongg sisterhood tournament