One Community. One Meal. Four Amazing Events. This shabbat evening is inspired by and presented with the Other Israel Film Festival. Our dinners will include conversations, films, panels and music featuring aspects of Israeli and Palestinian society and underrepresented populations in Israel. Our dinner takes the spiritual practice of breaking bread together and uses our shared time to explore human stories, engage our community, and challenge our perspectives. $18, pre-registration required. Please check the web for updates Mira Awad—Stories and Music The multitalented Mira Awad uses her guitar and mesmerizing voice to share her stories and experiences as a Palestinian singer, songwriter, actress, artist, advocate for peace, and creator of the recent hit TV show Muna. Short Films for 20s + 30s Join the JCC 20s + 30s group for a collection of films focusing on connections and conflicts between family, identity, and relationships. Films include Arabic Friday, Girl on a Bike, and The Day My Father Dies. Samaritans—a Discussion with Abood Cohen* Samaritans were one of the original tribes of Israel, and their traditions date to before the Second Temple. Today, the 780 remaining members of this religion observe religious laws closely to how they were observed in biblical times. Join Abood Cohen, the Samaritans’ high priest’s grandson, in a conversation about culture, religion, and the rare path of the Samaritan people. Facilitated by Moshe Samuels, program director at the David H. Sonabend Center for Israel. *For those who prefer a traditional Shabbat experience with no technology or amplified sound. A Conversation with Professor and Pioneer of Women’s History Laura Schor Laura S. Schor, author of the newly published Sophie Halaby in Jerusalem, An Artist’s Life, will discuss her biography of this little-known Palestinian Christian artist. This sweeping book captures the character of this Russian-Arab, British-educated, French-trained artist from Mandate Palestine, Jordanian Jerusalem, and Occupied/United Jerusalem, who lived among violence yet painted the gorgeous landscapes of Jerusalem. Schor served as provost of Hunter College, executive director of Hadassah, and founding dean of the Macaulay Honors College. The first 30 registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the book. An Openhearted discussion on Shared Society in Israel Join our distinguished panel, Dr. Merav Ben-Nun, Motaz Ershield, and Meg Sullivan, in conversation. Dr. Merav Ben-Nun founded the Hand in Hand integrated Jewish-Arab school in Haifa. She lectured at Oranim Academic College, and has combined academia with experience and knowledge in historical and contemporary aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, community aspects of peace-building, and the fostering of a shared society. Motaz Ershield is a graduate of the Max Rayne Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem. He currently attends Columbia University. Meg Sullivan is the director of JCC Harlem. She is also the founder and director of Camps at Project Harmony Israel, an initiative of the Hand in Hand Center, overseeing English immersion camps at two school sites. Meg’s thesis on restorative justice in deeply divided societies, focused on Israel/Palestine and South Africa as case studies; she holds an MS in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University.
WHAT IS SHABBAT SHABBANG?
It starts with rituals and appetizers in the lobby. It continues with fascinating and entertaining program offerings, paired with a dairy meal and seasonal wines. We reconvene for delicious desserts and coffee. Your weekend has not just begun. It’s kicked off—with a SHABBANG.
