Literature, Theatre and More Set for Center for Jewish History's Jan/Feb 2016 Programs

The Center for Jewish History has just announced its January & February 2016 programs. Highlights include a discussion on Jewish Museums in the 21st Century, the launch of Lawrence Douglas' book on John Demjanjuk, a daring theatrical examination of racism and anti-Semitism, a look back at the 16th century "Battle of the Books," and a look forward at the rise of a "New Judaism" in Latin America.

Scroll down for details!

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JANUARY:

Monday, January 4

7:00 p.m.

In Those Nightmarish Days: Ghetto Reportage and Holocaust Witnessing

Presented by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

Lecture

YIVO-Bard Winter Program on Ashkenazi Civilization Keynote Lecture

In the Warsaw and Lodz ghettos, reportage by Jewish journalists like Joseph Zelkowicz and Peretz Opoczynski individualized the ghetto experience and conveyed events in "real time." Samuel Kassow (Trinity College) explains why these writings were so important. Samuel Kassow is the Jacob Kronhill Visiting Scholar in East European Jewish History at YIVO. Supported by the Kronhill Pletka Foundation.

Tickets: Free; reservations required

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2755

Sunday, January 10

2:00p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Jewish Museums in the 21st Century

Presented by the Center for Jewish History, the American Jewish Historical Society, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the Yeshiva University Museum and the Jewish Museum

Symposium

As it negotiates new possibilities for national identity not possible under communism, Eastern Europe is experiencing a dynamic boom in museums that examine the Jewish past. How are these histories being presented, and what explains the increasing interest in Jewish culture and religion on the part of non-Jews? Join us for a lively discussion with distinguished European and American cultural critics, scholars and museum practitioners. With Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett (POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews), Edward Rothstein (The Wall Street Journal), Norman Kleeblatt (The Jewish Museum) and others. In honor of the Fall/Winter issue of the Journal of East European Jewish Affairs entitled "New Jewish Museums in Post-Communist Europe."
Tickets: $12 general; $8 members, seniors, students

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2757

Wednesday, January 13, 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 17, 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 19, 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 21, 3:00 p.m.

The Merchant of Venice

Presented by the American Sephardi Federation

Music

Back by popular demand, the American Sephardi Federation invites you to experience David Serero's Merchant of Venice, featuring a diverse cast and Sephardi music. The French-Moroccan baritone opera singer directs and stars (as Shylock) in his own Sephardi adaptation of Shakespeare's play about love, commerce, and bigotry.

Tickets: $26 general; $36 VIP

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2758

Thursday, January 21

7:00 p.m.

A Modest Suggestion

Presented by the American Jewish Historical Society

Theater

Why do racism and anti-Semitism exist? Do Jews eat bacon? In an anonymous conference room, in an anonymous city, an anonymous group meets to discuss whether to kill their Jewish hostage. "A Modest Suggestion" provides daring discussions on racism and anti-Semitism and quite a few laughs!

Tickets: $20 general; $15 AJHS members, seniors, students

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2756

FEBRUARY:

Thursday, February 4

7:00 p.m.

The Right Wrong Man: John Demjanjuk and the Last Great War Crime Trial

Presented by the American Jewish Historical Society

Book Talk

Legal scholar Lawrence Douglas will launch his new book on John Demjanjuk, whose legal odyssey began in 1975, when American investigators received evidence alleging he had collaborated in Nazi genocide. Demjanjuk was twice stripped of his American citizenship and sentenced to death by a Jerusalem court - only to be cleared in one of the most notorious cases of mistaken identity in legal history.

Tickets: $10 general; $5 AJHS members, seniors, students

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2764

Monday, February 8

6:30 p.m.

How They Lived: The Everyday Lives of Hungarian Jews, 1867-1940

Presented by the Center for Jewish History and the Leo Baeck Institute

Discussion

Pre-war Jewish life in Hungary from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries was astonishingly diverse in language, religious practice, and lifestyle. The population of Orthodox, Hasidic and assimilated Jews was unique among European Jewish communities, equally divided and strongly patriotic. Join us for a fascinating evening as scholars of social history delve deeply into the thriving daily lives of these Hungarian, Yiddish and German speaking Jews along with Andras Koener, author of the richly illustrated and highly acclaimed "How They Lived: The Everyday Lives of Hungarian Jews, 1867 - 1940."

Tickets: $10 general; $7 CJH/LBI members, seniors, students

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2765

Tuesday, February 16

7:00 p.m.

Flory's Flame

Presented by the American Jewish Historical Society and the American Sephardi Federation

Film | Discussion

Flory Jagoda's voice invokes the soulful musical Altarac family, whose heritage stretches back to pre-Inquisition Spain. Flory's Flame introduces us to the legendary Sephardi musician who shares her inspiring life story interwoven with original songs. A post-screening conversation will feature Flory Jagoda.

Tickets: $10 general; $7 AJHS/ASF members, seniors, students

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2763

Tuesday, February 23

6:00 p.m.

Burning Words: The Battle of Books

Presented by the Center for Jewish History and the Leo Baeck Institute

Lecture

One of the earliest controversies in Jewish-Christian relations was the 16th century debate over whether Jews should be allowed to publish books on Jewish theology. These discussions took place within the framework of the Renaissance and the rise of humanism, leading to a weakening of the Church's influence on theology and science and emphasizing the importance of the individual. In this talk, Elisheva Carlebach of Columbia University will focus on Johann Reuchlin, a German scholar of the period, who strongly advocated in favor of Jewish books, stressing the importance of Jewish ideas in the Christian world. He appealed to fairness, reason and due process and was one of the first to place Jews alongside Christians as part of the discourse on legal and human rights.

Tickets: Free; reservations required

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2766

Monday, February 29

6:30 p.m.

The Rise of a New Judaism in Latin America

Lecture

An unprecedented wave of mass conversions over the past two decades is creating a new kind of Judaism in Latin America as converts establish communities from the ground up. Stemming from a larger continental shift away from Catholicism toward Evangelicalism, conversions are creating new Jewish communities from Mexico to Chile. Rejected by traditional Jews in their countries and lacking a historical connection to Judaism, converts are offering new answers to old questions about what it means to be Jewish. Graciela Mochkofsky, a leading Argentine journalist and former Prins Foundation Fellow at the Center for Jewish History, will provide insights into this unusual phenomenon.

Tickets: $7 general; $5 CJH members, seniors, students

Link: http://cjh.org/event/2762

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The Center for Jewish History in New York City illuminates history, culture, and heritage. The Center provides a collaborative home for five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

The partners' archives comprise the world's largest and most comprehensive archive of the modern Jewish experience outside of Israel. The collections span 700 years, with more than 5 miles of archival documents (in dozens of languages and alphabet systems), more than 500,000 volumes, as well as thousands of artworks, textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films, and photographs.

The Center's experts are leaders in unlocking archival material for a wide audience through the latest practices in digitization, library science, and public education. As one of the world's foremost research institutions, the Center offers fellowships, a wide array of exhibitions, symposia, conferences and lectures. The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and is a partner of the Google Cultural Institute.

The Center for Jewish History is home to the Lillian Goldman Reading Room, Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute, The David Berg Rare Book Room and The Collection Management & Conservation Wing. Public programs create opportunities for diverse audiences to explore the rich historical and cultural material that lives within the Center's walls.

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