UPCOMING EVENTS
For details on any of the following events, or to purchase tickets, visit our website. |
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sabes jcc benefit features comedian rain pryor and honoree evan maurer
On Saturday, March 6, 2010 the Sabes JCC will host their annual benefit, an evening of comedy, cuisine and community, at the Metropolitan Ballroom. All proceeds will benefit the Robert and Janet Sabes Center for Jewish Arts and Humanities of the Sabes JCC. Cocktails and hor d'oeuvres begin at 6:15 PM, followed by dinner and a special performance by Rain Pryor. Tickets are also available for the Rain Pryor portion only, beginning at 8:30 PM. All are followed with a dessert reception. Click here to RSVP.
This festive event features a special performance by Rain Pryor, daughter of the late great comedian Richard Pryor. As she performs THE PRYOR EXPERIENCE she will share her love of comedy and music. Growing up Jewish and African-American gives Rain a unique perspective on race, religion, and spirituality, as she brings rare experiences alive through comedy and song.
 THE PRYOR EXPERIENCE is an edgy irreverent Jazz and Blues Cabaret of singing and comedy. Rain will also incorporate some of her vignettes from her 2004 one-woman show, "Fried Chicken and Latkes."
Rain Pryor wears many hats-playwright, comedy writer, director, acting teacher, award-winning actress, singer and two-time award nominated author. In her book called, Jokes My Father Never Taught Me: Life, Love and Loss with Richard Pryor, published in 2006, she talks about her life and relationship with her father Richard Pryor. This book received nominations for an NAACP Image Award and the African American Literary Award.
In 2004, Ms. Pryor created a one-woman show based on her life called "Fried Chicken and Latkes," an award-winning production that examines issues of race and class from her perspective as a woman with an African American father and a Jewish mother.
 The benefit will also honor Evan Maurer, Director Emeritus of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, for his vision, guidance, and involvement in the creation of the Robert and Janet Sabes Center for Jewish Arts and Humanities, and his contribution to the Minneapolis arts community.
Over the past five years, Evan has served as a mentor to the Sabes JCC's CEO Stuart Wachs and staff as the JCC created the Center for Jewish Arts and Humanities. His wisdom, experience and passion have been instrumental and critical to this new venture. His guidance assisted staff in achieving the vision the JCC developed for our new initiatives in Jewish Arts and Humanities. In addition, Evan helped the Sabes JCC connect with the general arts community and provided numerous resources which enabled the Center to grow in its first five years.
Evan earned his BA at Amherst College in 1966 and went on to graduate studies in Art History at the University of Minnesota for his MA and the University of Pennsylvania for his PhD. He served as Assistant to the Director and as a Curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts from 1971 through 1973 when he went on to become Curator of the Department of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1973 he became the Director of the University of Michigan Museum of Art and also served as a Professor in the Department of Art History and the School of Art. He returned to become the Director and CEO of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts from 1988 through 2005. Evan has been President of the Association of Art Museum Directors and has served on many distinguished advisory Committees throughout the United States and in England and France.
Evan has received numerous fellowships, scholarships and honors over the course of his career including three Honorary Doctorates, an Alumni of Notable Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota and was made a Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the Republic of France. During his arts career he has also published many books and exhibition catalogues and over 40 essays and articles. His special scholarly interests are European and American Surrealism, and the arts and cultures of Africa and Native America.
Evan has been a mentor to many students and colleagues and has made a lasting impact on his employees and the visitors to the museums in which he has served. One of his best attributes is his encouraging nature. He has inspired many people to strive for excellence in order to reach their full potential. Evan is also known for his commitment to bringing art into communities and for making the MIA free and accessible to the public. Evan continues to volunteer his guidance and expertise to individuals and organizations in our community and around the country.
Evan lives in St. Louis Park and has two sons, Noah and Aaron.
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Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will begin at 6:15 PM, followed by dinner and the Rain Pryor show. Tickets are also available for the Rain Pryor show only, beginning at 8:30 PM. All are followed with a dessert reception. Raffle tickets are also available with a Grand Prize - 7 day all inclusive 5 star resort trip to Mexico, valued at $4500 and donated by Delta Vacations and Delta Air Lines (no black out dates!). Second prize is a $500 gift certificate to Continental Diamond and third prize is a $500 gift certificate to Best Buy.
Visit our website or call 952.381.3514 for information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase show or raffle tickets. Click here for a RSVP form. |
how a jewish humor festival is born
By Claire Avitabile, Director of Performing Arts
Artistic ideas often come to artists in their dreams. If we're smart, we keep notepads on the bedside table so that we can jot down these ideas in the middle of the night. Who knows? Someday, one of these ideas may make sense.
In the case of the Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival, the idea made sense. About half-way through my first year as Director of Performing Arts, I woke up at 2 am with the idea: Purim + Performing Arts = Comedy?
Yes.
The 'Festival' atmosphere fits for many reasons. Having several years of experience working with the highly successful Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival and the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and taking into consideration the doldrums of the winter season, what better way to lift the spirits of our community than by giving them a laugh or two? Or twenty!
I am very lucky to work for a JCC that not only embraces and supports my wacky ideas, but trusts me to bring them to life! In approximately nine months, with the help of a great Artistic Advisory Committee and other Jewish Arts & Humanities staff members, we advertised a call for submissions, received and reviewed over 45 performance proposals from around the country, and decided on an 11-day schedule of fantastically funny Jewish stand-up comedy, short plays, one-woman shows, film, workshops, visual art, special events and so much more!
Okay, okay, so it all sounds fabulous, right? But some of you out there are still probably wondering - why Jewish humor? Why are Jews so funny? Why is humor important to Jewish culture? According to Rabbi Glaser of Temple Israel, "Humor is God's blessing. Why else would laughter feel so good? The problem is that God is a just and perfect God. God created the world. By logic it ought to be perfect. But it isn't. It's a mess. So the Jew has three options - to despair, to take it very seriously, or to repair it, or to laugh at it. With 2000 years plus of tsurus behind us, option one - despair - is out of the question, so we opt for fixing and shticking. In this way we perform the ultimate duty of humankind - to accept God's goodness in one of its most delicious forms - humor. Also, we learn to bestow it upon one another."
So grab your friends, layer on the mittens, and come have a laugh.
For a complete schedule of the 2010 Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival, visit our website.
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alix sobler and amy salloway - an interview with two funny jewish women
By Claire Avitabile, Director of Performing Arts
 Alix Sobler is originally from NYC and currently lives and works in Winnipeg. Her solo show, Jason Neufeld is Impotent, performs Saturday, February 27 at 7pm, and Sunday, February 28 at 9pm.
 Amy Salloway is a local Minneapolitan writer/performer who's So Kiss Me Already, Herschel Gertz! will perform Saturday, February 27 and Monday, March 1 at 8:30pm.
CLAIRE: Where did the ideas for your solo shows originally come from?
ALIX: My partner Jason and I have been working in theatre together since we met during the Fringe festival in 2002. We usually direct each other's shows, and as a couple, we have developed a sort of following to our work. People usually check out both of our shows, and we often attract fans for each other. A few years ago we thought it would be fun to create two separate shows that would challenge ourselves as artists, and also be a great way to boost audiences. We came up with the idea of "dueling" solo shows, and because we were known as a couple we decided to use a bit of guerilla theatre and have some fun. We have never actually broken up, but the "issues" in the plays represent real issues that we have faced as a couple. About two weeks before the show opened, I thought: "WHAT ARE WE DOING?" It's a scary thing to air your dirty laundry in front of hundreds of people, but the rewards were incredible. The experience brought Jason and I closer together, and the honesty in our work was really appreciated by the masses. Jason has since retired his solo performance career, but the plays were created to stand alone, which is why I am able (and so thrilled) to bring Jason Neufeld is Impotent to the Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival!
AMY: In 2005, I had no intention of writing a show about Jewish summer camp. It's rare that I can plan my writing like that. I ended up in a class where we were doing a writing exercise about teenage girls, and I started to write about being at a very observant Jewish summer camp when I was 15, and going to the bathroom after lunch only to accidentally walk in on a bunch of my cabin mates revealing a serious secret, and what it felt like to then have to be a keeper of their secret. There was something so vivid about that memory, and other camp memories that started to flood my mind, that made me feel like perhaps this topic should be molded into my next performance piece.
The plot of Herschel Gertz is almost entirely true, and autobiographical, with some adjustments made to the time-frame of events, chronology, and character details. The name of the camp is changed as well - I didn't want to run the risk of Jewish summer camp defamation! However, lots of audience members have come up to me after performances to whisper, "I bet I know what camp that was!" and they're always right. If you've been a camper there, you know what the identifiers are. Jewish camp alumni - teens and adults alike - you will truly enjoy this show!
CLAIRE: Other than the fact that both of you are Jewish women and Jewish artists, how is your work identifiable as "Jewish"?
ALIX: Growing up in a Jewish household is a unique experience and influences a person in ways she can't even explain, and I think that is largely reflected in my writing. Also, the fact that I am in an inter-faith relationship will have great relevance to other Jews. I talk a lot in my show about disappointing my parents, and the pressure to meet and marry a Jew, and my inability to do so. I'm sure many can relate to those things, and hopefully with a laugh!
AMY: It's great to be able to see and feel how much identification Jewish patrons have with the story and emotions in Herschel Gertz, and how much they laugh. In my case, I feel it's obvious - the show is about being at Jewish summer camp. But I've also found great joy (and relief) in the fact that being Jewish is not at all a requirement for enjoying the show, or laughing ones' pants off.
CLAIRE: Why do you feel humor is important to Jewish culture?
ALIX: There are times I feel that humor is the most important part of Jewish culture. Period. As a people, we have developed the ability to laugh at our own sorrow for over 5,000 years. As a people, we are loud, brassy, expressive. How do you survive terror, sadness, loss? You laugh. No matter how painful life can be, if you remember to smile, laugh, and better yet help someone else laugh, then you can find the strength to go on.
To see more of these two funny ladies, visit the 2010 Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival website. |
minneapolis jewish film festival selects opening night film
By Miryam Kabakov, Director, Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival
As a reward for finishing up the film festival in 2009, I treated myself to a trip to the Tribeca Film Festival last April. The first film I noticed on the schedule was an Israeli film about Sumo wrestlers. Sumo? In Israel? Because I have a deep appreciation for the outrageous, I had to see it.
And what a surprise! A Matter of Size follows a group of men and one woman who are frustrated with their weight watchers group. They quit to start a sumo wrestling team. The film takes us on a journey from self-loathing to self-acceptance with pathos and humor. It is about re-claiming your body, in whatever form it comes in and learning how to be honest with yourself and others. It is a romance, it's a comedy, (it's in Hebrew with English subtitles) and it resonates on so many levels. So join us for our Opening night film on April 8th. Here is a description from the producers:
A Matter of Size
Herzl is a shy 340 pound man living with his mother in Ramle. Fired from his job because of his unpresentable image, and dumped by his weightloss group because he keeps adding rather than shedding pounds, he takes a job as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant. There, he discovers the one activity where girth is a virtue and fat guys can be rock stars- sumo wrestling! He and three obese friends begin a rigorous training program and follow their path from body shame to body celebration and from loneliness to love. In the process, they learn that happiness and success will only come from being true to themselves. With echoes of The Full Monty, this hilarious yet tender-and very Jewish-film beats to the drum of a plus-size heart.
Check back soon for more news about the 2010 Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival at our website. |
| bbyo joins the sabes jcc
By Donna Garber, Associate Director of Youth and Camping
We are excited to announce that BBYO has become a Sabes JCC program! This development brings positive changes for both the North Star Region of BBYO and the Sabes JCC. It makes the Sabes JCC truly a hub for the lives of local Jewish teens. The partnership will provide a lot of opportunities and resources for local Jewish teens.
But what is BBYO? BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement with 80 years of history and traditions. It provides Jewish teens with leadership training, social action involvement and a Jewish atmosphere that helps to develop strong Jewish Identities. The local North Star Region is a portion of the International BBYO Organization spanning North America, the United Kingdom and Bulgaria; with plans to reach even further. The local North Star Region is composed of the 3 BBG (female) chapters: Shedlov, Resnick and Stillman, as well as 3 AZA (male) chapters: Hershky, Brandeis and Lippman. Programming takes place almost every Monday night as well as additional larger programming including conventions, social action events and other occasional programs.
We are excited to be a part of this successful movement and connect the local teens with JCC programs, internships and more. With this partnership comes opportunities for local teens. Whether they are employment opportunities, internships, summer programs or more, local teens will be able to create their Jewish journey at the Sabes JCC.
Please read excerpt below from the North Star Regional Board Member Mackenzie Litt about her experience at BBYO:
After being in BBYO for 3 years now, it seems as if the time has flown by. BBYO is an amazing organization that has taught me leadership, character, public speaking skills and how to adapt to working with other people. I love the feeling of walking into BBYO on a Monday night, seeing everyone smiling, laughing and having a good time. No matter the type of day I'm having, BBYO always makes it better. BBYO isn't just a youth group to me; it's where my family is. I know that no matter what is going through my head that I have over 65 other people who will be there to support me. That is an incredible feeling!
North Star Region is looking for members! Jewish teens - grades 8 to 12 - are welcome! North Star meets almost every Monday night through May at the Sabes JCC from 7 to 8:30 pm.
There will not be BBYO on the following Mondays:
March 8 (no BBG only), March 29, April 4, April 19, May 31,
Upcoming Programs Include:
March 5-7: Mind, Body, Attitude Convention for BBG Girls
March 13: Membership Madness
April 16-18: Spring Regional Convention
To sign up go to www.b-linked.org
Questions? Contact Donna Garber at 952.381.3495 or dgarber@sabesjcc.org |
camp 2010 is coming!
by Danya Kornblum, Director of Youth and Camping
Snow up to our knees and hats covering our freezing heads means it's still winter outside, but here at the Sabes JCC, summer camp is definitely in the air! It's hard to believe that the first day of camp is less than five months away. I am so excited for Camp Olami and Summer Quest in 2010! It will be an amazing summer. As always, Camp Olami will include essentials like field trips, swimming, undernights and overnights, but this year we'll also introduce brand new programs such as Adventure Olami and a slew of new Summer Quest options that include Fencing, Martial Arts, Comedy Sportz and more. Make us the center of your summer and register today!
Don't miss out on the most wonderful summer of your life! Call 952.381.3421 or email to request a copy of the brochure. Be sure to visit our website at to learn more and to register now. |
ecc donates to ajws earthquake relief fund
As you know, on January 12th a powerful earthquake affected the impoverished country of Haiti. Humanitarian agencies have an immediate need for funds to meet the needs of the Haitian people.
We at the ECC thought it would be appropriate to donate a portion of the tzedakah money classrooms collect each week prior to Shabbat to the American Jewish World Service's Earthquake Relief Fund. Classrooms have been busy collecting funds and while participation is optional, the school has collected over $300 to date. The collection will continue until February 19.
Taking care of others by doing mitzvot and giving tzedekah is part of everyday life at the ECC. As Hillel said, "The more tzedekah, the more shalom." Pirke Avot 2:8
Click here to visit the ECC web page. |
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soles4souls shoe drive for Haiti
 Do you have gently worn shoes sitting around in your closet? The Sabes JCC, along with Talmud Torah and the Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School (HMJDS), will be partnering with an organization called Soles4Souls to host a shoe collection drive for those affected by the Haiti earthquake.
Soles4Souls has been sending gently worn shoes to needy people around the world since it was founded in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. To date, Soles4Souls, has distributed more than five million pairs of shoes to people in over 125 countries, including in the United States. They now distribute one pair of shoes to a person in need every 13 seconds.
In response to the Earthquake, Soles4Souls has pledged to deliver 1 million shoes to Haiti during 2010 and we want to help make that goal a reality. Official Soles4Souls collection boxes can be found in the front and fitness entrances of the Sabes JCC, near the HMJDS office, and by the building's education entrance.
How you can help! Please bring in your gently worn shoes (no snow boots, please, as Haiti is a warm climate nation) before March 23 and place them in one of the designated bins. Shoes will be bundled in preparation to send to Haiti at the HMJDS's VOICE (Volunteer Opportunities In Community Service Experience) night on March 23, and a Schuler Shoes (Soles4Souls local representative) truck will be there that night to load up what we hope will be our community's contribution of hundreds of shoes for those in need.
Thank you for participating in this community mitzvah. For questions, please contact Tamar Fenton at 952.381.3405.
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| volunteer experience at the jcc VOICE program
By ESL teacher-volunteer, Maureen Driscoll
Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give."
Growing up my mother always reminded me that by helping others we in turn help ourselves. Throughout my life, I've seen the difference that volunteering efforts can make in people's lives. I know the personal value of service as a local volunteer.
When I responded to the posting for a volunteer ESL teacher for senior Russian immigrants in the Jewish Community Action newsletter last September I had no idea how much my life would be affected. I am now teaching four classes every Monday night.
Every week my students come to class with the desire to learn more about American culture and the English language. They are highly motivated and extremely dedicated to learning more about their new country. I have made so many new friends; I hope to keep them for a long time to come.
As in every teaching experience, there is also a learning experience. My students are teaching me about their culture and language. They are teaching me about friendship and family. Most important they are teaching me that everything we do can have an effect on the lives of people around us.
Working with Lyudmyla Petrenko, VOICE Community Organizer, on developing a variety of lesson plans that my students can use has taught me so much. Lyudmyla is so dedicated to developing a curriculum that our students can use everyday.
 My experience volunteering through the JCC VOICE program, teaching ESL has been priceless to me. Each and every week that I spend with my students at the Booth Manor and Nicolette Towers is truly joyful for me. My students have made a long lasting impression on my life. I hope to continue my relationships and come back for a second term next year!
Thank you so much to the JCC, JCA, and the Minneapolis Jewish Federation for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime! I want to thank my students for allowing me to be a part of their lives. And a special thank you to Lyudmyla [Petrenko, VOICE director] who has been there for me every step of the way. |
live from new york it's...
...92nd Street Y Live! Since the fall of 2008, the Robert and Janet Sabes Center for Jewish Arts and Humanities has been proud to take part in the Live from New York's 92nd Street Y series. This lecture series features celebrity speakers broadcast live by satellite from the YMHA on New York's Upper East Side. These are not taped programs, but live talks broadcast to the Sabes JCC via satellite.
The Robert and Janet Sabes Center for Jewish Arts and Humanities is dedicated to engaging the community in the exploration of Jewish identity and culture through film, performance, visual art and ideas. We participate in these broadcasts in order to engage people in discussion of ideas of importance to us as a culture and society. Because broadcasts are scheduled on a seasonal basis and are viewed live across the continent they are able to touch on current topics of immediate interest and importance.
The 92nd St. Y is famous for their high quality and wide variety of programs relating to arts and culture. Taking part in this program allows us, in Minneapolis, to take advantage of the resources of the much larger 92nd St. Y. We have had broadcasts featuring celebrities, scholars and authors on topics such as Jewish ethics, the economy, and politics. Past programs have featured: Al Gore, Jerry Seinfeld, Rabbi Joseph Teluskin, Alan Dershowitz, Dennis Prager and Paul Krugman. Our next broadcast, on March 17, will feature Jon Meacham and Fareed Zakaria in a discussion of American and World Affairs. For more details go to our website.
We are able to bring these amazing programs to you because of the generous funding we have received from the Gary and Susan Rappaport Family Philanthropic Fund. If you would like to support the Live from New York's 92nd Street Y program please contact Corrie Patrick by email or at 952.381.3514. |
a jewish woman of many nations - film premiere and event
 A Jewish Woman of Many Nations: From Sarajevo to Jerusalem - a Minnesota Film Premiere
The Woman from Sarajevo is a vivid, heartwarming documentary about a Muslim family who saved a Jewish family in World War II, and 50 years later was rescued by the same Jewish family during the War in Bosnia. It will premiere at 10 am on Sunday, February 21, at the Sabes Jewish Community Center.
The movie will be introduced by Emir Beganovic, a native of Bosnia who is a part-time employee of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC). Emir will share his personal experiences as a refugee in Croatia and later as an immigrant in the United States as it relates to the film. A graduate of St. Louis Park High School and Macalester College in St. Paul, Emir has been working in various capacities at the JCRC for the past two years.
The main character in the movie is Sara Pachanec. Upon arriving in Israel, Sara and her family stayed in the Jewish Agency Absorption Center near Jerusalem. Sara and Shirah Ozery, then the director of the Center, became close friends. Shirah, who currently serves as the Jewish Agency Regional Aliyah Representative to the Midwest, will be present and lead a discussion following the film.
The program is free and open to the public, and will last until about noon. From 10 to 10:30 am, there will be coffee and bagels, and from 10:30 to noon, the film will be shown and a discussion will take place.
The program is presented by the Israel Program Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, The Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival, the Sabes JCC and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
For more information please contact Noga Shavit, Minneapolis Community Shlicha, 952.381.3551. | |
