Happening

The Architecture of Survival

At Warsaw’s National Gallery of Art a new exhibition, Hideouts—The Architecture of Survival, memorializes some of the most unexpected hidden spaces where Jewish families took shelter during the Holocaust. Sculptor Natalia Romik has re-created these structures, from hollow tree trunks to sewers to empty graves. On view until July 2023. More at zacheta.art.pl.

Scaled-Down Jewish Fun

“Enter a world where trees talk; a gumball machine is a charity box; and where you can even crawl through a loaf of bread.” These are some of the treasures at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn. Children can learn about Jewish traditions and history through hands-on exhibits such as the Holiday Village, Kosher Supermarket, and World of Good. Daily programs listed at jcm.museum.

Surpising New Lyrics

Jewish singer-songwriter-producer Sharon Goldman has a new album, Kol Isha (A Woman’s Voice), with bold and sensual vocals and Jewish feminist lyrics, not to mention a diverse array of instrumentals by a team of musicians. And Track Four is entitled “Lilith.”

The Annual NYC Dyke March

On June 24, 2023, tens of thousands of queer women and folks across the gender spectrum are expected for the 31st annual NYC Dyke March—“unpermitted and unapologetic.” Originated in 1993 by the direct action group “Lesbian Avengers,” including Jewish writer and activist Sarah Schulman, the event often draws significant Jewish participation. Complimentary wheelchairs, ASL interpretation and other accommodations are available. More about the march and its lead-up events at nycdykemarch.com.

The Architecture of Survival

At Warsaw’s National Gallery of Art a new exhibition, Hideouts—The Architecture of Survival, memorializes some of the most unexpected hidden spaces where Jewish families took shelter during the Holocaust. Sculptor Natalia Romik has re-created these structures, from hollow tree trunks to sewers to empty graves. On view until July 2023. More at zacheta.art.pl.

Not Your Average Princess Story
A new children’s book written by Kathy Kacer and illustrated by Juliana Kolesova captures the story of a young Jewish girl hiding from Nazis in Greece—and the princess who helped her survive. The Brave Princess and Me (Second Story Press), narrated from the perspective of young Tilde Cohen, honors Princess Alice (the real-life mother of Prince Philip and grandmother of King Charles), who was born deaf and understands the pain of discrimination. So when Tilde and her mother protection, she does “what any decent person would do.”

Herstories of Resistance

Join the Jewish Women’s Archive for an online history course this spring, in collaboration with Warsaw’s POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Every Tuesday at noon EST, from April 18–May 16, a different professor, researcher or author will discuss women’s lives during the Holocaust and their role in the resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto and beyond. Lecturers will include professor/author Katarzyna Person, researcher Joanna Ostrowska, and others. Register for the course at jwa.org.

Rock n’ Roll…in Yiddish

From Poland-based Yiddish songwriter, vocalist and musician Maria Ka comes a new multi-genre album full of Jewish feminist lyrics and instrumentals to match. Through a combination of alternative, electronic, pop and rock, Ka shares original songs inspired by the biographies of “invisible women” and created during Poland’s November 2020 Women’s Strike. Listen at mariaka.bandcamp.com.

The Diary of Anne Frank— From Attic to Hollywood
A new podcast from The Forward explores the journey of The Diary of Anne Frank from personal journal to world-wide fame. “Playing Anne Frank” investigates how Anne Frank and her story became a Pulitzer-winning Broadway play, an Oscar winning movie, and ultimately, a household name. Listen to the podcast, hosted by Adam Langer, at forward.com.

Architecture and Memory in Israeli Film
And the Alley She Whitewashed in Light Blue, a new film by architect and story-teller Nili Portugali, explores the timeless buildings of Tsefat, the Israeli town often thought to have mystical associations. Portugali probes the meaning of “feeling at home,” among other questions that merge space, structure, and person. Portugali portrays this quest through childhood memories and a “meditative cinematic language.” More at niliportugali.com.

Linda McCartney’s Photographs
A new exhibition at The University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography features nearly 200 photographs from Linda McCartney’s 30-year career. McCartney focused her lens on a wide cast of musical icons, including Aretha Franklin and—of course—The Beatles, as well as on intimate scenes of her daily life in London, Tucson and places in between. Curated by Mary McCartney, daughter of Linda and Paul McCartney, the exhibition will be open to the public through August 5, 2023. ccp.arizona.edu

Jewish Feminist Theatre in St. Louis
The New Jewish Theatre is 25! To celebrate: Gloria: A Life, about (no surprise) Gloria Steinem, a play written by Emily Mann and directed by Sharon Hunter, takes the stage from June 1–18. It “embodies Steinem’s philosophy that conversation is a catalyst for change.” jccstl.com

Jewish Feminist Film and Photos

From March–September 2023, MASS MoCA presents new dynamic feminist art from creator Carrie Schneider. Sphinx consists of three series of photographs, plus one film, all about femininity, power, and voice. The works are large scale and uniquely printed in a manner that evokes intimacy and the daily life of pandemic isolation. For more details, visit massmoca.org.

Justice and Charity Boxes on Display
The Dr. Bernard Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College in Manhattan showcases two new exhibitions full of mixed media works and provocative questions. “One Nation: Contemporary Artists Consider America, Past, Present, and Future” presents a 360-degree view of American history, present realities, and imaginings of the future in photography, painting, textiles and more—on view through July 20, 2023. And until May 15, see “Tzedek Boxes: Artists Imagine a New Jewish Tradition,” a series of artistic renderings of tzedakah boxes, typically vessels for receiving charitable donations and here including ideas to help improve the world, More at huc.edu.

Marginalized Queer Teens

Jewish Queer Youth is a nonprofit organization created to support and empower queer teens primarily from Orthodox, Chassidic and Sephardi/Mizrahi communities. Their free drop-in center in New York has licensed social workers, kosher meals, support groups and a full calendar of programming, ranging from a queer Purim Party (The Vashti Ball!) to “Fireside Chats with JQY Staff.” For folks outside of New York City, they offer virtual support, including a JQY crisis line, an online conversation series, and other resources. More info at jqyouth.org— and on TikTok at @jewishqueeryouth.

Compiled by Arielle Silver-Willner