Israel Blog

Many opportunities are being made available for online Jewish and Israel engagement during this time of physical separation. Scroll though this blog post to learn about online events including concerts, music, dance, holiday celebrations, theater, film, art, discussion and live performance.

This blog post is being updated as events become known, so check back for new additions. Events that do not include a date can be viewed at any time. Events that take place on a specific date are often recorded and then available for viewing at any time.

June 2^nd at 1 PM – The Rise of Domestic Violence During the Pandemic: Join the Consulate General of Israel in New York for a discussion about the impact of Covid-19 on domestic violence and how this crisis is being addressed in both New York and Israel. Registration is required. Click here to register.

June 2^nd at 4 PM - Digging Up Dead Bones: Decadence, The Gothic, And The Grotesque In The Works Of H. N. Bialik And I. L. Peretz: This YIVO Institute for Jewish Research lecture will explore the images of the ghost, the undead, and the zombie in the bilingual, Hebrew-Yiddish works of Hayim Nahman Bialik and Isaac Leib Peretz. Admission is free but registration is required. Register at YIVO.

June 3 at 4 PM – Dybbuks, Golems, S. An-Ski, and Jewish Legends in Times of Fear: The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research will present a talk via Zoom “of compelling contemporary relevance — on centuries-old Jewish legends.” Read more in The Jewish Week article titled Dybbuks, Golems Can Comfort in Ghastly Times. Admission is free but registration is required. Register at YIVO. In preparation for this talk The YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe contains a detailed entry on The Dybbuk. And watch The Golem on YouTube.

For details on YIVO’s 2020 An-ski Festival click here.

Visit YIVO’s web site for a complete list of their online events and free online courses.

June 7^th at PM – The Celebrate Israel Parade is going virtual for 2020. The event will have a theme of Todah (thank you in Hebrew). Join in thanking all the healthcare, first responder and other frontline workers in New York, across the United States, in Israel, and around the world. It will also be an opportunity to thank long time sponsors, marching groups, and spectators for the past 55 years of parades and look forward to being together on 5th Avenue next year. The Celebrate Israel Parade Virtual Event will be on Sunday, June 7th at 1 PM ET, and then on demand, at www.celebrateisraelny.org!

Locked down? Open up to the satirical Israeli police series “Hashoter Hatov.” The Times of Israel says — whose title is Hebrew for ‘The Good Cop’ — now streaming on Netflix —  "If you’re looking to be moved, to laugh and to be distracted from the raging pandemic “Hashoter Hatov” is your next binge.” Read the complete review.

The weekly Israeli Culture in North America email newsletter contains information about a lot of online events in music, film, dance, theater and more. Highlights include three film festivals (Tribeca global film festival, JCC Manhattan's annual film festival, and the 23rd Brooklyn Film Festival), dance, music and yes, more film. Click here for the newsletter or subscribe.

For a complete list of events offered by the Museum of Jewish Heritage visit their website. Events include conversation, lecture and teacher professional development.

The Jewish Enquirer – Now streaming on Amazon ($13.99 for six episodes). According to a review by the Times of Israel, the show features a protagonist who is a freelance journalist for, as the opening credits boast, “the UK’s 4th Biggest Jewish Publisher” who is nicer than Larry David but still finds himself in the same hilarious situations.

Israel Museum Virtual Tours – Curator-led gallery and exhibition tours of the Israel Museum can be seen on the museum’s web site. Tours include Secrets from the Art Garden, Hidden Rooms in the Youth Wing, Splendor and finery among Italian Jews, Emoglyphs and more.

Posted May 21 

To May 24^th - Batsheva Dancers Online Festival: For the first time, the annual Batsheva Dancers Create event is going digital. The Company and Young Ensemble combine forces to bring you an incredible 10-day online festival that will include live performance, interactive performance, film, music, photography, and other visual art.

JNF OnDemand offers an ongoing schedule of new events that can be watched live or on demand. The following are just some of the upcoming events:

• May 22^nd at 5:30 PM –JNFuture Weekly Virtual Shabbat.
• May 24^th at 1 PM –Shavuot Torah-Thon is Six Hours of Learning with AMHSI-JNF.
• May 26^th at 12 PM – The Indigenous Jews of the Middle East: Forgotten Refugees from Arab Lands
• May 26^th at 1 PM – The Aleppo Codex: The Other Book in the Shrine
• May 27^th at 1 PM – The Book of Ruth, and Women in Judaism

The New York Jewish Week has an updated list of virtual events including a ten day food festival, klezmer string players from 12 countries, and many other events worth checking out. 

Love Letter to New York, from Habimah, the National Theatre of Israel.

CultureBuzzIsrael is your source for up to date information on contemporary cutting edge Israeli art and culture. CultureBuzzIsrael brings performances, live chats, virtual tours, films and exclusive content, as a courtesy of Israeli artists and cultural institutions.

Jerusalem Youth Chorus Global Family: Home (from home) - David Broza, Mira Awad, Achinoam Nini, stars from Hamilton, legendary vocal activists, and a hundred singers from around the world joined the Israeli-Palestinian Jerusalem Youth Chorus from home, to create and share music and community.

Go2Films On Demand: The film distribution company is offering a wide selection of Israeli film and series to watch at home, through their Vimeo platform.

Visit the Jewish Agency website for their updated listing of events. 

Posted May 9

The New York Jewish Week has an updated list of upcoming events on its web site. These include three klezmer events for Mother’s Day, a discussion with actor Jesse Eisenberg and director Jonathan Jakubowicz about their film “Resistance” and live concerts from FolksbieneLIVE! Click here for the complete list.  

Posted May 5

The New York Jewish Week has an updated list of upcoming events on its web site. These include three klezmer events for Mother’s Day, a discussion with actor Jesse Eisenberg and director Jonathan Jakubowicz about their film “Resistance” and live concerts from FolksbieneLIVE! Click here for the complete list.  

Posted May 5

May 5^th at 2 PM – For kids 3rd-8th Grades. Explore Israel’s diversity and challenges. Click here to join and use password: machaneh

May 5 at 3:00 PM – A Conversation with David Mamet: A strong supporter of Israel and of JNF, David Mamet is one of the most acclaimed and eclectic writers of our time. A Pulitzer Prize recipient, playwright, film director, screenwriter and author, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed the Plow. He’s written for television and radio, and is the creator, producer and frequent writer for the television series The Unit. His screenplays include The Postman Always Rings Twice; The Untouchables; Hoffa; The Verdict; Wag the Dog; The Edge; Ronin; and Hannibal. He will be interviewed by Daniel Houseman.

Jewish National Fund On Demand. A virtual experience for you from the comfort of your own home. – Click here to view a regularly updated schedule of events offered by the JNF.

May 5^th at 7:30 PM – Following the four episodes of the popular Netflix show Unorthodox, Netta Asner-Minster, will be hosting a session for women to share and explain the religious practices as seen in the show. Click here to register. Pre-registration is required.

May 6^th at 1 PM – Join an open conversation about women's rights and the coronavirus with Dr. Ilana Kwartin, Western United States Regional Director for The Jewish Agency for Israel. Pre-registration is required.

May 6^th at 5:30 PM – Join for virtual Israeli cooking sessions! These special workshops will showcase food from various communities in Israel and tell the stories behind the recipes. Pre-registration is required.

May 8^th at 10 AM – Learn about the Ethiopian community in Israel through a discussion with Zehava Tesfay (Head of UJANY Delegation of Jewish Agency Shlichim, NY) http://zoom.us/j/853542075.

May 8^th at 5:30 p.m. – The Israeli Backpacker: Why do Israelis love to travel? How did it become something so meaningful in Israeli culture and how does the army service have an impact on that? Explore these questions and more with the Jewish Agency’s Avia Sagron. https://zoom.us/j/403944704?pwd=QlhFS0VENE1jaUhDeHVjTllSQzZJQT09

May 8^th at 12 PM – Challah Baking: Get ready for Shabbat with Challah-making led by Shmulik Levi. Click here to join with password: machaneh

Other events from the Jewish Agency: 

• Take a cue from former Chairman of the Executive, Natan Sharansky, on how to cope with being in quarantine, here.
• Join the hundreds of thousands who have already watched the online concert by Idan Raichel here.
• Fresh off of Yom HaAtzmaut celebrations, recipes for all the yummy food showcased by famous Israeli chef Haim Cohen. Download and get cooking!
• Join Shaliach, Shachar, in his kitchen and learn how to make the ultimate Israeli staple: Shakshuka. Part 1, Part 2.
• Let South California Shinshinim (Gap-year Israeli Emissaries) teach you how to make their favorite home recipes for Passover. Download their cookbook.
• Posted May 2

May 4^th at 12 PM – You’re invited to Herzl’s Birthday Party!

Theodore Herzl, the visionary of the State of Israel, is turning 160. Yet, his ideas and thoughts bring him to life every day. Join a celebration of his life and his legacy. Participate in a dynamic conversation about Herzl, Zionism, and their current relevance. Register on Zoom or watch on Facebook Live.

May 4^th at 12:30 PM – You’re invited to join a special zoom briefing featuring Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York, for a briefing entitled, “State of Emergency: Israeli Government Responses to COVID-19.” Ambassador Dayan will address several topics, including the Israeli government’s actions to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, the formation of an emergency unity government, and plans to ease restrictions and reopen the economy. To register for the zoom meeting, please click here.

Through May 3rd - Orchestra of Exiles: The story of one of the greatest violinists of the century who saved a thousand Jews from the coming Holocaust while beginning the very culture of Israel in 1936. Bronislaw Huberman, founder of the Israel Philharmonic. Available to stream for free, for a limited time, with the password: ww2

For children: Orli Shaham's Bach Yard Playdates - Internationally acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham brings her interactive classical music series for children to your home with season one of a new 10-episode online series introducing musical concepts, instruments and the experience of concert-going to children. New episodes are posted every Sunday at 11AM. The Bach Yard web site provides other fun musical activities to do with your kids at home.

NIF Virtual Film Club: The Oslo Diaries - 1992. Israeli-Palestinian relations are at all time low. In an attempt to stop the bloodshed, a small group of Israelis & Palestinians meet in Oslo. The meetings that changed the Middle East forever were chronicled only by the negotiators’ diaries. The film is available to rent for $3.99. There is also a film discussion with the director on May 5^th at 3:00.

Two Room Apartment in Quarantine - After having created numerous clips on their many tours abroad, dancers and choreographers Niv Sheinfeld and Oren Laor present a unique Tel Aviv edition, created at home. The work “Two Room Apartment” was inspired by the 1987 dance by Liat Dror and Nir Ben Gal.

Yom Ha'Atzmaut Performance - Israeli pianist, composer & vocalist Guy Mintus dedicated his weekly FB live show for an Independence Day Special. Selected songs received a "Mintusian treatment" with his surprising, imaginative and highly improvisational approach.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – a Living Memorial to the Holocaust, has a list of upcoming events on its web site.

Posted 4/26/2020

April 30^th at 12:00 PM - The use of Humor in Times of Crisis A glimpse into the Medical Clown’s Toolbox - Join the Consulate General of Israel in New York and the Dream Doctors for an entertaining, funny and interactive lecture that includes touching stories from the field, as well as a live clowning demo that may make you laugh unexpectedly. Click here to register for this event.

#yomfromhome - Celebrate Israel’s independence from home now through May 2^nd with #yomfromhome programming. Click here for a complete list of events, including a cooking classes, Israeli Mocktail Night, Pilates and Israel’s 72nd Birthday Bash.

Celebrate Israel's Independence Day - April 29th

The Shalom Hartman Institute is offering Hartman@Home: Yom Ha'atzmaut, with events, resources and activities for an Independence Day unlike any other. 

Wherever you are in the world, CELEBRATE ISRAEL TOGETHER with MATISYAHU and GLOBAL DANCE PARTY! Join a Global Celebration of Israel's Independence Day on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 from 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM EDT. Join in for a packed day of celebrations on Facebook LIVE with an incredible lineup including renowned leaders, Netflix and Broadway Stars, celebrity chefs and prominent athletes!

Here’s the line-up:

• 11:30 AM Cooking with Israeli Celebrity Chef Haim Cohen
• 12:00 PM Celebrating the Israeli VIBE- Culture, Fashion and Technology
• 1:00 PM Winning Together -Sports, Community and Achievements
• 2:00 PM The Jewish Federations of North America's Worldwide Celebration of Israel's Independence Day
• 3:00 PM MATISYAHU - Special Performance from his home studio
• 3:30 - 5:00 PM Global Dance Party with GLGLZ, Israel's Top Radio Station

Free genealogy resources available during the pandemic - It may not be quite the same as the long list of online events accumulating in this blog post, but genealogy largely moved online a long time ago. Click here to read my post about resources being made available for free that can help you trace your family history and connect with relatives.

The list below is combined from sources including The New York Jewish Week and The Israeli Office of Cultural Affairs at the Israeli Consul in New York. The New York Jewish Week’s complete listing contains even more events including music, film and live performances. The Israeli Office of Cultural Affairs sends cultural event details in a weekly email to which you can subscribe. For a complete list of upcoming and recorded events offered by the Jewish National Fund visit their web site.   

For children: Orli Shaham's Bach Yard Playdates - Beginning on April 26th, the internationally acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham brings her interactive classical music series for children to your home with season one of a new, 10-episode online series presented by Kaufman Music Center introducing musical concepts, instruments and the experience of concert-going to children. New episodes are posted every Sunday at 11AM. The Bach Yard web site provides other fun musical activities to do with your kids at home.

Streaming until April 26th at 7PM - Tel-Aviv based Batsheva - The Young Ensemble performs a choreographic odyssey that includes a staggering range of abstractly interpersonal scenes, creating a constellation of human pathos and beauty.

April 26^th at 2 PM - Yom Ha’atzmaut Across America: A live streaming concert event with communities across America.

April 26 to May 2 - JNF's premiere screening of the award‑winning film Sustainable Nation in honor of Earth Day and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. This hour‑long documentary follows three Israeli innovators who are doing their part to bring sustainable water solutions to an increasingly thirsty planet, using solutions developed in Israel.

April 27^th at 12:50 PM - Join The Jewish Agency for this meaningful memorial that will be the largest virtual Yom HaZikaron ceremony in the world, live streamed on their Facebook page. Click “Going” in order to get notifications.

April 27^th at 6 PM - Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror. From the Consulate of Israel in New York.

April 27^th at 6:30 PM - Jewish Resilience Through Chocolate - Join a discussion on Zoom with the author of “On the Chocolate Trail,” the inspiration behind the exhibit “Semi[te] Sweet: On Jews and Chocolate.”

April 27^th at 7 PM - Where Is Our Homeland? - A live, digital concert and discussion about songs transcribed from the testimonies of Holocaust survivors.

April 28^th at 12 PM – The Jewish Agency has a full day of events planned to commemorate Yom Hazikaron. Click here for the complete lineup with details. Most events require registration in advance.

April 28 at 1PM - My War Hero Uncle. This documentary film (Hebrew with English subtitles) won an award for Best Director at Jerusalem Film Festival. Shaked one day discovers that his war-hero uncle Ami, in fact, did not die on the battlefield. He sets out on a journey to uncover the truth. Participants will receive a viewing link at 9am ET. Live Q&A will take place at 1pm ET.

NIF Virtual Film Club: The Women Pioneers - A hundred years ago, women pioneers came from Europe to Palestine, to realize the dream of creating a new woman in a new world. This film uncovers the course of their passionate battles and painful disappointments. Watch online and join a Zoom chat with director Michal Aviad on April 28 at 3 PM.

April 29^th at 10:30 AM - Threats and Opportunities with Ambassador Ido Aharoni, Israel’s longest-serving consul-general in New York.

April 29^th at 12 PM - Singing Independence with the Israeli Opera, an online concert in celebration of Independence Day. Register in advance.

April 29th at 7PM - Daniel Kahn Presents Yiddish Blues in Berlin, from Folksbiene!LIVE.

April 30^th at 1 PM - A Rabbi, A Banker, and 10 Farmers: The Little‑Known Story of How Zionism Was Saved. 

April 30^th at 8:30 PM - Interactive Yom Ha'Atzmaut Performance: Israeli pianist, composer & vocalist Guy Mintus will dedicate his weekly Facebook live show for an Independence Day Special. Selected songs will receive a "Mintusian treatment" with his surprising, imaginative and highly improvisational approach.

Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company - In honor of Holocaust Memorial Day and in memory of the millions of lives lost, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company shares a moving short animated film dedicated to its founder, Yehudit Arnon, a true survivor. Her influence and contribution to the Israeli and international dance community have left an everlasting impression of passion, love, and artistry.

King Bibi - The remarkable and controversial story of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rise to power, reflected through four decades of public appearances that changed Israel forever. While some perceive him as Israel’s savior, others see him as a relentless politician who will stop at nothing to retain his power. This film is available to stream for $4.99.

Posted 4/16/2020

The following online event information was provided courtesy of The Israeli Office of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York. Click here to subscribe to their weekly culture update.

Film

Chichinette - The Accidental Spy: The untold story of Marthe Cohn, a feisty young woman who joined the French resistance during WWII. After keeping silent for almost 60 years, Marthe now shares the extraordinary story of how she managed to beat the odds and fight the Nazis as a spy. Now available to rent online.

NIF Film Club - NIF is offering a virtual film club, bringing you poignant and relevant Israeli films in partnership with JCC Manhattan's Other Israel Film Festival. This week's film is Forever Pure, with director Maya Zinshtein (via Zoom).

Diary - David Perlov's monumental six part documentary, shot between 1973-1983, is a defining work in the history of Israeli cinema. It has now been made available to rent online, via Vimeo.

Docorona - This week's serving of three Israeli documentary films, temporarily available to stream for free. Courtesy of The Israeli Documentary Filmmakers Forum.

• The Optimist and the Buddhist - Password: optimist_for_forum
• Queen Khantarisha - Password: QK2014
• Good Garbage - Password: goo8lhd

Art

April 8 - May 10, Zoya Cherkassky: Lost Time - This exhibition, featured in The New York Times, is the second in Fort Gansevoort's ongoing online series, Seeing Through You. Curated by Alison M. Gingeras.

Degorla - A special project allowing art lovers to experience great Israeli exhibitions, with one click of a button, from everywhere in the world. Photo: Shay Zilberman at Inga Gallery.

Music

Renana Gutman at 92nd Street Y - Lauded by The New York Times for “passionate and insightful” performances, Renana Gutman performs Bach’s French Suite No. 6 and Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28, plus works by Debussy, Fauré, and Scriabin, live-streamed from Brooklyn.

Orli Shaham’s MidWeek Mozart - This spring, pianist Orli Shaham gives you a special preview of her forthcoming recording of the complete Mozart sonatas on MidWeek Mozart. Each week, you’ll get to hear a movement of a Mozart sonata, before Volume 1 is released this fall.

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performs Peter and the Wolf - Premiere broadcast of the beloved children's tale, Peter and the Wolf, conducted by Guy Feder and narrated by actor Dror Keren. In Hebrew.

Dance

Moving for All by Dafi Dance Company, Every Sunday & Wednesday, 9:00-10:00am

When all is different, it is important to go back to body and movement, creating happiness and connections to ourselves. Please join us for a virtual dance platform for non-professional dance lovers, ages 50+.

Free Online Ballet Classes by Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company

• Every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00-11:40am, 4:00-4:40pm
• Link to enter via Zoom app:
• https://zoom.us/j/391971079
• Password: 0000

Literature

Sunday, April 19, at 7 p.m. ET - Join author Yair Assulin, Booker Prize winning translator Jessica Cohen and novelist Ruby Namdar for a live online discussion of The Drive via Zoom. The Drive is a searing tale about a young soldier at a breaking point, Assulin penetrates a torn world and gives a tour to the depths of Israeli society. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/102443928548.

April 17, live at 11 AM ET (for 5th graders) - Scavenger Hunt with Bar Levi (Hashomer Hatzair / Camp Shomria Shlichah, NY). Click this link to attend https://bit.ly/2K185Ca.

April 17, live at 12 PM ET – Mimouna – learn about a traditional North African Jewish celebration with Itai Divinsky(Senior Community Shaliach, Denver, JEWISHcolorado). Pre-registration required via https://bit.ly/2XwQWYO.

April 17, live at 01:00 PM ET – Self-Care and Stress Reduction Webinar: 12 Ways to Deal with Stress and Anxiety. This live event is hosted by The Consulate General of Israel in New York and IsraAid, an Israel-based non-governmental organization that responds to emergencies all over the world with targeted humanitarian help. This 45 minute self-care/mental health online session provides practical strategies and useful resources to improve your emotional well being. Click here to register for the event.

April 19, live at 5 PM ET – Post-Pesach “Mimouna” Celebration — In Morocco, Jews open their homes on the last day of Passover to their Muslim neighbors to celebrate the end of Pesach restrictions. Join us for an online Live Mimouna musical show, featuring enchanting Moroccan tunes played by musician Jawad Bouhssina, followed by a Talkback that will shed light on the holiday’s origin and its importance in interfaith initiatives in 2020. Click here to attend.

Posted on 4/11/2020

Watch: "The Hippest Seder on Earth"

Live on Sunday, April 12 at 2 PM EST via Facebook live - The Third Seder: An Online International Yiddish Cultural Celebration. This special holiday program features a stellar ensemble of some of the leading contemporary Yiddish performing artists: Frank London, Zalmen Mlotek, Joyce Rosenzweig, Lorin Sklamberg, Susan Abbe Watts, Joanne Borts, Sarah Gordon, Michael Winograd, Shura Lipovsky, Daniel Kahn, Elmore James, and Steven Skybell. The Seder will be performed live on Sunday, April 12 at 2 PM EST via Facebook live.

Live on Sunday, April 19 at 2 PM ET - Virtual Presentation of New York's Annual Gathering of Remembrance. Please mark your calendar to join us online where we will come together as a community to say: we will never forget. This year's commemoration for Yom HaShoah / Holocaust Remembrance Day will be a virtual event. As we do every year, we will honor the memory of those who perished at the hands of evil, and pay tribute to those who survived and have made a better world for us all.

Watch: Under curfew and Passover lockdown, thousands of Israelis reached out to their neighbors and the country by belting out ’Mah Nishtana’ from their balconies, asking “Why is this night different from every other night?” Also drawing the country together, Israel Channel 12 broadcast “The Great Israeli Seder Live,” with presenters leading the seder meal together, surrounded by large screens with hundreds joining in on Zoom. The event featured a long list of Israeli celebrities who shared their seder on Wednesday night so that no one had to sit alone during the countrywide closure for the coronavirus. Participants included politicians, comics singers, journalists and TV personalities. The recorded event is now streaming online.

Passover Greeting from the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra - Maestro Lahav Shani and the Israel Philharmonic present a special musical greeting for Passover.

Zoya Cherkassky: Lost Time - April 8 - May 10 - This exhibition is the second in Fort Gansevoort's ongoing online series, Seeing Through You. Curated by Alison M. Gingeras.

Diary - David Perlov: In early 1973, David Perlov bought a 16 mm film camera. Told in 6 parts, the film focuses on the life of David Perlov and his family in the years 1973–1983, showcasing his life and the developments in area politics, while David Perlov himself narrates. Several portions show David Perlov visiting São Paulo, his place of origin. Diary is considered by some to be the greatest and most important Israeli film ever made in Israel. It has now been made available to rent online, via Vimeo.

together@home by Shalva Band - The Shalva Band was invited to perform to lift the spirits of the country when COVID-19 put Israel in lockdown. Let the music and the powerful messages of hope and the strength of the human spirit help us navigate these uncharted waters together.

April 12^th to 14^th - The Viral Festival is an Israeli digital performance festival with more than 20 new performances for the online realm (some in English or nonverbal). The event attempts to develop new artistic languages around digital performances and experiment with new digital tools in our art practices.

Benjamin Hochman, piano: “Classical music doesn’t get better than this,” wrote New York Times critic Anthony Tommasini about a performance Benjamin Hochman gave as part of 92Y’s SubCulture series in 2014. The masterful pianist invites us into his home for what promises to be a transporting evening of Mozart.

Free Online Ballet Classes by Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM ET (4PM in Jerusalem). Use the following link to enter via the Zoom app https://zoom.us/j/391971079 and use password 0000

Docorona - This week's serving of three Israeli documentary films, temporarily available to stream for free. Courtesy of The Israeli Documentary Filmmakers Forum.

• Maabarot (Hebrew with English subtitles)
  • Password: almamaabarot

• The Worst Company in the World (Hebrew with English subtitles)
  • No password needed

• A Heartbeat Away (Hebrew with English subtitles)
  • Password: heart_for_forum

Posted on 4/07/2020

Are you hosting your first ever virtual seder? Tabet Magazine is offering the Seder Academy, with a series of daily video tutorials to help you along. 

Posted on 4/03/2020

April 5 at 3PM - Livestream a concert by the Israeli pianist Shai Wosner, internationally recognized for his exceptional artistry, musical integrity and creative insight.

Israeli documentary films are being made availableon to stream for free courtesy of The Israeli Documentary Filmmakers Forum. The films are changed every week. 

• Dimona Twist, password: DIM1008. With English subtitles.
• The Wonderful Kingdom of Papa Alaev, password: papa_for_forum. With English subtitles.
• Probation Time, no password needed. With English subtitles.

Five tips for people in quarantine - Natan Sharansky, a freedom fighter and Zionist who was imprisoned in isolation for many years by the Soviets, has shared some advice for people in quarantine.

Passover recipes you’re going to want to make year-round

Posted on 3/28/2020

If you are home with children take a look at Resources for Quarantined Families from PJ Library.

92nd Street Y has many readings, talks, concerts and classes available on demand and live streaming on their web site. Recently held events available include a talk with Jerry Seinfeld and a concert by Jonathan Biss. “One of his generation’s most serious musical thinkers” (The New York Times), Jonathan Biss brings his rich insight and commanding technique to Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas. A concert by Third Coast Percussion is streaming live on March 28. "Doors open" at 7:30 pm ET, show begins at 8 pm ET.

The Center for Jewish History has a lengthy archive of past events available for streaming on demand.

Explore what The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research has to offer online. Click here to visit their web site.

For past blog posts on other topics click here. 

Posted on 3/27/2020

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra: Music moves the world — now more than ever. Please join us for this live recording of the Israel Philharmonic's magnificent program last week with conductor Osmo Vänskä. They performed without an audience in the hall, but knowing they could inspire and uplift us at home. Click here to watch the hour and twenty minute performance. Eight other performances are available for viewing at the same link.

Quality short films made by graduates of The Steve Tisch School of Film and Television are now available to stream online. Please note, some films require a password, which can be found at the beginning of the film's synopsis.

Stream Israeli Films: Three films by the Israeli distribution company Go2Films - Outdoors, Family in Transition and Saving the Hermans are now available online with a 50% discount, using the coupon code Together2020.

Aspaklaria Theatre: A Facebook talk in Hebrew with a different actor from the theatre's ensemble. Daily at 11am ET.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is hosting A Conversation with Natan Sharansky on the Pandemic and the Jews, on Wednesday, April 1st at 11:00 AM ET. Natan Sharansky is the past Chairman of The Jewish Agency, a former Soviet prisoner of Zion, Israeli politician, and world renowned human rights activist and lawyer. He will join David Bernstein, JCPA CEO and President in conversation.  Click here to register for this event. 

If you missed the Jewish Agency for Israel concert with Idan Raichel, performed from Idan's living room, you can watch a video of him singing "Waiting," with some of the Jewish Agency's shlichim singing along. 

The New York Jewish Week has an updated list of streaming events including film, discussion, exhibits and more. 

Posted 03/26/2020

Coronavirus and Israeli Democracy: Crisis and Opportunity, is an online discussion scheduled for March 27th at 10:30 AM ET with noted Israeli author Yossi Klein Halevi. Visit this link to register. Be sure to log in early so that if necessary you have a few minutes to install the GoToWebinar app. 

JNF On Demand has added several new events. Click here to see the entire list. 

Posted 03/24/2020

If you cannot go to Broadway right now, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (Folksbiene) will bring the stage to you! Featuring livestreamed theater, American Jewish performers, workshops, and other events – including a talkback with the cast of the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish – to entertain audiences young and old. Visit https://nytf.org/ for six upcoming live events and four recorded events to view on demand.

Jewish humor in the age of coronavirus - The Times of Israel podcast host Amanda Borschel-Dan — who is hunkering down at home with her six school kids who are “studying” online — decided to look for the humor in the situation. She phoned up two of Israel’s leading American immigrant stand-up comedians, Benji Lovitt and Yisrael Campbell, to talk about using comedy in dark times. They discussed some of the differences between Israelis’ and US Jews’ use of humor and whether anything is really off limits. Is it ever too soon to joke? Click here to a listen.

The Jacob Burns Film Center was planning to host the annual Westchester Jewish Film Festival in April. They are hoping now to reschedule it to sometime later this year. In the meantime, programmer Bruni Burres has put together this list of 10 hit films from previous WJFFs that you can stream online. With a selection of narratives and documentaries from the U.S., Israel, and beyond, this sampling of films gives you a chance to rewatch favorites and catch up with films you might have missed.

The Jewish National Fund invites you to listen to its IsraelCast podcast.

Visit The New York Jewish Week events calendar for information about online events. Look for the events in the list labeled “Virtual.” Events include Passover and Kabalat Shabbat programs for children, and a discussion for teens about celebrating celebrate Israel’s 72nd Independence Day.

The Jewish Museum in New York is offering “Virtual Unpacking the Book: Jewish Writers in Conversation” on Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 7 – 8:30 pm. Click here for more information.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage is offering several online events including a speaker series, concert, conversation, lecture and a special event “A Shofar Blown In Auschwitz: Artifact Presentation Ceremony.” Click here for more information.

The Israel Museum in Jerusalem says “The Museum is closed, Come in!” Activities include a virtual tour of the museum. Click here for more information.

The Museum of the Jewish People in Israel offers opportunities to visit from home. Online events include a walk through the museum, live online tour groups, family activities, learning how Jews how Jews around the world celebrate Passover, and more. Click here for more information.

The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is offering several opportunities to stay connected while the museum is closed. Online events include virtual tours, audio guides to selected works, and activities for children. Click here for more information.

The National Library of Israel has articles on many topics for reading as well as other electronic resources. Click here for more information.

Note that many online events are made available through the free Zoom software. To install the software on your computer, download the Zoom Client for Meetings at https://zoom.us/download. For Android, Mac or iOS devices, search the app store on your device to download the app.

Posted 03/21/2020

Numerous opportunities are being made available for online Jewish and Israel engagement during this time of physical separation. The Israeli Consulate in New York, the Jewish National Fund, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the Jewish Agency have provided information about several events. 

• Sunday March 22 at 4PM ET: Idan Raichel In Your Living Room is a special online concert by Idan Raichel, organised by The Jewish Agency. 

In their newsletter, JNF writes: “With everything going on in the world, the U.S., and Israel, always remember that you’re a cherished member of the Jewish National Fund USA family — and families unite when times get rough. More than ever before, it’s important that we feel connected, engaged, and yes — even inspired. The news from Israel, like the news from around the world is full of uncertainty. Yet, you don’t have to look too far to find glimmers of light. Across the country, we have been working tirelessly to create engaging and meaningful experiences for you–to connect you with the land and people of Israel–right from the comfort of your home. As we navigate through unchartered waters, many of our housebound friends and family, both here and in Israel are asking: "what’s next?" Jewish National Fund USA is committed to keeping our family engaged, connected and inspired. “

A list of free online experiences can be found on the JNF website at https://www.jnf.org/ondemand. Check often as new events will be added. Currently listed events include:

• March 24^th: Zoom call with Emmy‑Award winning actor Hal Linden who will regale you with his storied past.
• March 25^th: The start of a 4‑part series: Water Wednesdays, featuring Seth Siegel, author of Let There Be Water and Troubled Water
• March 26^th: Challah bake with Lauren Lizerbram ‑ Learn the secret behind her delectable, delicious challah.

The Consulate General for Israel in New York writes: “Dear friends, Our thoughts are with you all in these formidable times. We believe culture is not a privilege but a necessity. Therefore, we shall dedicate this week's edition to works of Israeli culture and art that can be accessed online, alongside innovative initiatives tackling the challenges that COVID-19 has inflicted upon us. Wherever you are, please keep safe and healthy.” The Consulate has provided the following information:

• The Cosmos - An exhibit by Yonatan Vinitsky, made available online by Tel Aviv Museum of Art
• Gaga Classes Online - Gaga/people and Gaga/dancers classes, live-streamed 6 times a day, 7 days a week. Classes are entirely donation based and open to anyone.
• Short of the Week - Seventeen wonderful Israeli shorts are among the many films available to stream for free.
• Jewish Literary Conversations in Quarantine - A list of authors and virtual experiences that will be continuously updated by The Jewish Book Council, aimed at supporting authors, their books, and book-stores during these uncertain times.
• Art Source Podcast - Thoughts on innovation through the eyes of creatives, from leading artists, founders and more.
• Haifa Theatre Facebook Stream - Daily at 3pm ET. Daily Hebrew broadcasts of Haifa Theatre original productions.
• 19DIVOC - The 1st online zine in reaction to COVID-19. OPEN CALL. You send - they post.
• Soviet Childhood - An exhibit by Zoya Cherkassky at Fort Gansevoort Los Angeles.
• Ho! - An online archive of the Israeli literary magazine. In Hebrew.

On March 24^th at 3PM ET, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs is hosting Antisemitism and Hate on the Internet During a Pandemic. “How have extremist groups exploited the current moment to advance their hatred and antisemitism? What’s being said and where is it being said? What can Jewish organizations and others do to combat such bigotry? The ADL's Center on Extremism combats extremism, terrorism and all forms of hate in the real world and online. Recognized as the foremost authority on extremism, the Center provides resources, expertise and training which enables law enforcement, public officials and internet and technology companies to identify and counter emerging threats.” Click here to register.