METROPOLITAN NEW YORK
Exhibit
‘Layers of Time’: Artist Marty Greenbaum’s series of colorful mixed media, titled Recent Work: Layers of Time, is presented in a group exhibition at the Safe-T-Gallery in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood. Greenbaum’s work appears with pieces by artists Daniel Blochwitz, Susan Bowen, Roger Bruhn and Burst387. Safe-T-Gallery, 11 Front St., Ste 214, Brooklyn; through July 22, Wed.-Sun. 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; free. (718-782-5920 or www.safeTgallery.com)
Films
Personal Quest: Elijah Wood stars in Liev Schreiber’s film “Everything Is Illuminated” (2005), which is based on the acclaimed novel by Jonathan Safran Foer. The work tells the story of a young man who sets out to find his grandfather’s hometown — a small Ukrainian village that was obliterated by the Nazis. Led by a translator who speaks a bizarre, humorous form of broken English, the protagonist’s journey becomes loaded with meaning as he discovers the significance of remembrance, the legacy of the Holocaust and true friendship. The film will be screened on the rooftop of the JCC in Manhattan. JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (at 76th St.); July 13, 8:30 p.m.; $5, free for members. (646-505-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org)
Over the Top: Nati Adler’s documentary “Hats of Jerusalem” (2005) takes a tour of the city, focusing on the many different types of headdresses donned by its denizens. The film examines the hat wear of three different religions and explores personal identity, history and culture. “Hats of Jerusalem” is presented in its New York premiere. Makor 35 W. 67th St. (between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.); July 18, 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.; $9. (212-601-1000 or www.makor.org)
Lectures and Discussions
She Said: Three female authors discuss “War by Other Means: Gender Politics,” a hot topic today in journalism. Moderated by MarketWatch media editor Jon Friedman, the panel features Rebecca Traister, staff writer for Salon; Michelle Goldberg, senior writer for Salon, and freelance writer/blogger Rachel Sklar. Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.); July 12, 7 p.m.; $12 in advance, $15 at the door. (212-601-1000 or www.makor.org)
Bookish: Liel Leibovitz and Samuel Freedman are the featured readers in the upcoming installment of the Hampton Synagogue’s Author Discussion Series. Leibovitz, who is a journalist, penned “Aliya: Three Generations of American-Jewish Immigration to Israel” (St. Martin’s Press, 2005). The book explores three very different stories of people who left the comforts of America and immigrated to Israel. Former New York Times reporter Freedman, a professor of journalism at Columbia University, wrote the recently published “Letters to a Young Journalist” (Perseus Books Group), which examines the state of American journalism.The book includes personal memories and advice for aspiring journalists. Hampton Synagogue, 154 Sunset Ave., Westhampton Beach; July 13, 7:30 p.m.; free. (631-288-0534 or www.thehamptonsynagogue.org)
Music
Soulful Sounds: The band Pey Dalid and guitarist Yossi Piamenta perform Jewish music at a concert presented by Makor. Pey Dalid blends traditional Jewish sounds and themes with rock, reggae and funk. Israel-born Brooklyn resident Piamenta, who has been described as the “Hasidic Hendrix,” plays rockin’ grooves that incorporate touches of jazz and blues. Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.); July 11, 8 p.m.; $15. (212-601-1000 or www.makor.org)
‘Full Force’: Three bands hit the stage at Tonic as part of Full Force: The New Rock Complexity, a series of shows curated by renowned composer John Zorn. The bill features Rashanim, a trio of guitar, bass and drums that blends Jewish melodies, indie rock, punk and jazz; Capital M, an electric chamber ensemble that integrates modern classical music and sounds of rock and jazz, and Jersey Band, which plays horn- driven heavy metal tunes. Tonic, 107 Norfolk St.; July 13, 8 p.m.; Capital M: 9:30 p.m.; Rashanim: 10:30 p.m.; Jersey Band: $5 per set, $10 for the entire evening. (866-468-7619 or www.tonicnyc.com)
Performance
Shall We Dance: Cuban salsa meets Stravinsky in Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat’s piece “The Rite of Spring.” Performed by two men and three women of Emanuel Gat Dance, the work explores fertility, death and renewal. Presented as part of Lincoln Center’s Festival 2006, the program also includes “Winter Voyage,” a duet focused on such themes as desire and loss, which is set to three selections from Schubert’s song cycle “Winterreisse.” Emanuel Gat and dancers from Emanuel Gat Dance discuss their creative process in a symposium following the third performance. LaGuardia Concert Hall, 100 Amsterdam Ave. (at 65th St.); July 12, 14 & 15, 9 p.m.; $35. (212-721-6500 or www.lincolncenter.org)
Tours
Wise Guys: Get the inside scoop on the scandalous world of infamous gangsters Meyer Lansky, Arnold Rothstein and Bugsy Siegel. “Jewish Crooks, Mobsters and Wise Guys” is a Lower East Side walking tour presented by Dr. Phil’s New York Talks and Walks. Led by Phillip E. Schoenberg, the trek is sponsored by the Yanina Jewish Museum and the First Roumanian Synagogue. Meeting place: in front of the Economy Candy Store, 108 Rivington St. (at Essex St.); July 9, 3 p.m.; $15. (888-377-4455 or www.newyorktalksandwalks.com)
CALIFORNIA
‘Straight Up’: Need a stiff drink? Skip the bar and head to the Skirball Cultural Center for a vodka tasting and a history lesson. Guided by a spirits expert, participants learn about the humble 13th-century origins of vodka, and taste pure premium vodka and artisanal infusions in order to cultivate personal preferences. A tasting menu designed by Skirball’s executive chef, Sean Sheridan, will be served. Infusion recipes and tasting notes will be provided. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles; July 13, 7:30 p.m.; $50 for ages 21 and up; ID required. (866-468-3399 or www.ticketweb.com)
Yiddish: Take in an afternoon of music, storytelling and shtick as Cantor Herschel Fox recalls his “Memories of the Yiddish Theater.” Fox, who is the cantor of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, has performed in nightclubs, theaters and synagogues throughout the United States. He has shared the stage with such renowned performers as Jan Peerce, Mickey Katz and Molly Picon. In addition, he was the assistant director of the Broadway production of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s play “Teibele and Her Demon.” Nick Fryman will accompany on piano. Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; July 16, 2 p.m.; $15, free for members. (310-552-2007 or www.circlesocal.org)
MASSACHUSETTS
Small Scale: The research and construction of the Zabldow synagogue model, a highly detailed re-creation of an 18th-century Polish wooden synagogue that was destroyed by the Nazis, is the topic of a talk and slide presentation by Rick and Laura Brown of Handshouse Studio. The pair also will discuss the bimah and a painting of the 18th century Polish Gwozdziec Synagogue. The pieces are part of the traveling exhibition Wooden Synagogues: A Lost World Revisited. Boston Center for Jewish Heritage, 18 Phillips St., Boston; July 13, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; suggested donation: $10 per person, $18 for families. (617-523-2324)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Testimony: Holocaust survivors share their personal stories at a series of events presented as part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s First Person program. The upcoming talk features Helen and Welek Luksenberg. Born in Poland, the pair met at a sub-camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. After the war, they were reunited in a displaced persons camp in the American-occupied zone of Germany. They were married March 2, 1947. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Rubenstein Auditorium, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. S.W.; July 12, 1 p.m.; free. (202-488-0400 or www.ushmm.org)
‘The Legacy of Jedwabne’: For more than two centuries, Jews and Poles lived together peacefully in Jedwabne, a small town in Northeast Poland. At the start of World War II, Jews made up more than half of the town’s 2,500 citizens. But everything changed on July 10, 1941, when nearly the entire Jewish population was murdered by the Nazis. Slawomir Grunberg’s documentary “The Legacy of Jedwabne” (2005, in Polish and Yiddish with English subtitles) focuses on the townspeople as they prepare for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the massacre, and as they struggle with their relationship with this horrific historic event. The director will be present at the screening, which is presented by the Washington Jewish Film Festival. Washington DCJCC, Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater, 1529 16th St. N.W.; July 17, 7:30 p.m.; $8.50, $7 for seniors, students and members. (202-777-3248 or www.boxofficetickets.com)
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