Happening
SEE
Independent Filmmakers: Looking at Ourselves is a guide to films featured in the San Francisco Bay Area’s acclaimed annual Jewish film festival. Edited by Deborah Kaufman, Janis Plotkin, and Rena Orenstein, this resource describes more than 225 films — features, documentaries, shorts,Yiddish, Hebrew, etc. — with information on how to order them, plus a step-by-step guide to organizing your own film festival. $20 to institutions; $10 to individuals. The Jewish Film Festival. 2600 Tenth Street, #102. Berkeley. CA 94710.
CONNECT
Heal and renew yourself in broadening circles of social, political and ecological transformation at a retreat center offering workshops by Starhawk, Judith Plaskow, Rabbi Burt Jacobson, Matthew Fox, Arthur Waskow, Linda Hirschhorn and others. Contact: Jeff Roth, Elat Chayyim. The Woodstock Center for Healing and Renewal, P.O. Box 127, Woodstock, NY 12498.
The Second International Conference of Children of Holocaust Survivors will take place in Jerusalem, July 5-10, 1992. Topics include the conspiracy of silence; the importance of the family unit after the Holocaust; legislation relating to anti-Semitism, racism and the denial of the Holocaust; and education for the third generation. 2nd Generation Conference, Peltours, Te’um Organizers, P.O.B. 8388, 91082 Jerusalem, Israel.
Join Jewish genealogists at the 11th summer seminar on Jewish Genealogy, July 26-31. “The New York Jewish Experience” will be explored from the first Sephardic settlers in 1654 to the newest wave of Eastern European emigres today. Attendees do hands-on research at such repositories as the New York Public Library, local court houses, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, and the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Jewish Genealogical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 6398, New York, NY 10128.
Are you a psychotherapist? A social worker? In any one of the helping professions? Plan to attend the First International Conference on Judaism, Feminism and Psychology, “Creating a Shelter in the Wilderness,” October 29 – November 1, 1992, in Seattle. For general information: Kayla Weiner (206)343-0828. To receive a call for papers, contact Rachel Josefowitz Siegel (607) 273-2028
Common Road To Justice: A Programming Manual for Blacks and Jews describes hundreds of successful intergroup social action and community involvement activities, cultural exchanges, freedom celebrations, Black-Jewish dialogues, and includes essays on the history and current state of the Black-Jewish alliance, step-by-step instructions for implementing programs in your community, contact people and a comprehensive list of education and information resources. 238 pages. $7.95 from Marjorie Kovler Institute for Black-Jewish Relation, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, 2027Masssachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Connect with Jews in Budapest and Prague. Trips to Israel via El Al Airlines can now include en route stops in these and other Eastern European cities. Package tours to Eastern Europe begin at $1395 per person. Call Isram World (212) 661-1193 or (800) 223-7460.
The impact of women in public office and the ways they address pressing human needs like health care, children and family issues, and women’s rights issues is the subject of an unprecedented survey of women and men serving in state legislatures across the U.S.A.. Center for the American Woman and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901; (908) 828-2210.
WRITE
A writing workshop for Jewish women who want to explore their feelings about their heritage and their lives. “Generating Memories/ Remembering Generations” can be booked directly by contacting author Leslea Newman, 20 Orchard Street, Northampton, MA 01060, 413-584-3865. Leslea also offers a workshop “What Are You Eating/What’s Eating You.” and is seeking non-fiction first person accounts about what we as women do with food. Ten page maximum, payment in copies. Include 50 word bio and SASE. Deadline June 15, 1992.
Find a pen pal. The phenomenal response to a request for a pen-pal published in the Israeli women’s magazine inspired a nonprofit organization whose goal is to encourage letter writing as a means to friendship, understanding and perhaps even matchmaking among Jews. A booklet in English lists would-be correspondents in seven age categories from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Finland, Germany, Holland, India, Switzerland, and of course Israel. Write to: International Jewish Pen-Pal Service/P.O. Box 18,000/ Jerusalem, Israel.
BODY POLITIC
Women and AIDS is a brochure that is remarkable for its frank and explicit information on how to practice safer sex. Written for a college population, it is available at bulk rates; a single copy for review is free. The American College Health Association, P.O. Box 28937, Baltimore, MD, 21240-8937; (410) 859-1500.
Healing after abortion: Folklorist/artist/writer collecting for anthology in progress: artworks, rituals, poetry, stories, personal experiences (written or on cassette tape) from women who have experienced and found ways to heal grief after abortion. How do we reconcile our feelings, our politics, and our spiritual beliefs in a hostile political climate? Also interested in hearing about grief and healing from women who relinquished children through adoption. Confidential if requested . Send SASE to: Heather Bohannan at 2565 Riverside Drive, #1G, Columbus, OH 43221 -3647; (614) 486-4763.
Homosexuality and Judaism: the Reconstructionist Position, published in 1992 ($5.00) written by a study commission of lay and rabbinic leaders forms the basis for “Homosexuality: A Reconstructionist Workshop Series” ($7.50) which includes eight workshops on such topics as: what we know and how we learned it; gender socialization and discomfort about homosexuality; experiences of gays and lesbians; mistreatment and negative stereotyping directed at Jewish and at gay and lesbian people; Jewish textual sources on homosexuality, AIDS and discrimination against lesbians and gays. Add $ 1.50 shipping and handling for the first book and $.50 for each additional book. From Reconstructionist Commission on Homosexuality, Church Road and Greenwood Avenue, Wyncote, PA 19095.
Hemlock is Poison for Society is an attempt to present an ethical alternative to the suicide handbook on the best seller list. Send for a list of books and tapes available on the subject of death and dying from the National Institute for Jewish Hospice Publications Department, 247 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, #21, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
TEACH
Teach in a new 550 student school established to serve the Jewish population of Budapest. Teachers (including retirees and those on sabbatical) in all areas of elementary and high school level academics may apply for positions. Familiarity with the Hungarian language is desirable. Salaries are competitive with U.S.A.; family relocation assistance is available. Send curriculum vitae to : Credential Committee, The North American Endowment School, c/o The Endowment for Democracy in Eastern Europe, 237 Park Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10017; (212) 867-4773.
CARE
Long term care weighs heavily on women of all ages. If we are not immediately concerned for ourselves, as present and future caretakers we worry about our parents. Researchers, private industry experts, Congressional staff and policy analysts addressed leaders of women’s organizations in 1991. Read their comments in a 27-page booklet, $5.00 (includes postage) from B’rai B’rith Women, 1828 L Street, NW, #250, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 857-1320.
Do you have an elderly parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who has moved to the sunbelt? A fee-for-service, personalized geriatric care management consultation program under the auspices of Jewish Family and Children’s Service, and Handmaker Jewish Geriatric Services of Tucson, is designed to deliver medical care, honest, caring and competent housekeeping or home care services , and to relieve some of the anxieties of geographically distant family members. Sarah Cohen, Director, Project ASSIST, 1011 North Craycroft Road, #404, Tucson AZ85711-7313; (602) 795-0300.
GIVE TZEDEKA
Help Jews behind bars. Congregation Devar Jonah of the Washington Correctional Facility is seeking Jewish enrichment. If you can supply a Torah, prayer books, ritual objects, library books. Judaic videos and movies, music and audio materials, kosher food or a new typewriter, contact: Rabbi Laurence Aryeh Alpern, Washington Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 180, Lock II Road, Comstock, NY 12821.
Adopt and preserve a symbolic piece of the deteriorating 317-year-old Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam. The Dutch government which recognizes the synagogue as a historic monument has granted $1.7 million, covering a portion of the estimated costs, additional individual sponsors are needed. American Friends of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, (212) 486-3154.
WEAR IT
A medallion sculpted by artist Elizabeth N. Weistrop depicts the Lion of Judah on one side guarding the Hanukkah menorah — symbol of freedom to worship in the Jewish faith, and the heroic figure of Moses as he descends from Mount Sinai bearing the tablets with the Ten Commandments ($109). The next time your group is honoring someone — male or female — consider a piece of Judaica of this sort rather than another plaque. Heirloom Sculptures, P.O. Box 248 Half Moon Bay, CA 94019; (800) 950-9297.
SEPHARDIC CELEBRATIONS
Voyages to Freedom: 500 Years of Jewish Life in Latin America and the Caribbean dramatizes a little known branch of the Jewish diaspora, and illuminates migration, family and communal life, economic and cultural development, and the relationship between Jews in the New World and their non- Jewish neighbors. The traveling exhibition is displayed on 20 full size panels.
For rentals contact: Rabbi Morton M. Rosenthal, 823 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017; (212) 490-2525. To purchase a smaller version of 16 posters mounted on 4 kiosks, contact: Jay Kaplan, New York Council for the Humanities, 198 Broadway, New York, NY 10038; (212)233-1131.
The Society of Crypto-Judaic Studies has established a data base to gather as much anecdotal information as possible about the “Hidden Jews ” of the American Southwest, those who were brought up to secretly light Sabbath candles and keep other Jewish practices while remaining Catholics. Eventually the Society will publish a journal. Contact: Dr. Stanley Hordes, HMS Associates, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, 1375 Santa Rose Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87501; (505) 983-6564.
The Sephardic Program Resource Guide is designed to assist in programming to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. It includes a bibliography, conferences and events, exhibitions, media materials, lecturers, and travel tours. $7.50 (includes postage and handling) from JCC Association, Sesil Lissberger, 15 East 26th Street. New York, NY 10010-1579.
Both performers and fans of Judeo-Spanish songs can participate in a survey by ethnomusicologist Judith R. Cohen, from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, also founder and lead performer of the Gerineldo Ensemble. For a questionnaire or more information: Dr. Judith R. Cohen, 751 Euclid Avenue, Toronto, ONT. M6G, 2V3. Canada.
Dona Gracia Mendes Nasi, was a Converso woman and central figure in Spanish Jewish history who helped other Jews escape persecution at the time of the Inquisition. Her work as a rescuer and later as a builder of the Jewish settlement in Tiberias, is celebrated in a performance piece by the Sephardic music and dance company .Voices of Sepharad. To schedule a performance during their tour, contact: Judith Brin Ingber, 4209 Basswood
