RCC Presents Jewish Heritage Celebration

PRESS RELEASE FROM RCC

The Center for Jewish Life at Rockland Community College presents a series of events between the Jewish holidays of Purim and Passover to celebrate Jewish Heritage through drama, film, music and storytelling. All events are open to the public and free. Kosher refreshments are served at most events. For more information, contact Rabbi Dov Oliver 845-574-4422 [email protected].

“We are excited to invite the community to learn about Jewish heritage through a series of programs intended to inspire, enlighten and entertain,” said Rabbi Dov Oliver, Director of the Center for Jewish Life at RCC.

Thursday, March 20, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Center, Faculty Dining Room
“Jewish Theater through the Ages” by LIPA
International Jewish superstar and RCC student Lipa Schmeltzer will take the audience on a theatrical journey that begins in Biblical times and travels from the European shtetel (village) to the heyday of NY’s Yiddish theater to today’s Jewish stars of Broadway.

Thursday, March 20, 7:00 p.m., Ellipse, Technology Center
Lecture by Alice Golembo, grand-niece of Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister (1969-74). Introductory remarks by Shahar Azani, Consul for Media Affairs, Consulate General of Israel. Actress Alice Golombo resided with her great-aunt Golda Meir in the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem. She was an actress and consultant for the Broadway play, Golda. Alice’s performance combines theater, humor, history and personal insight into the private life of one of world Jewry’s most famous women.
Co-sponsored with Holocaust Museum & Study Center as the Annual Sam & Shifra Colman lecture.

Thursday, March 27, 11 a.m. -1 p.m., Ellipse, Technology Center
Film screening, Fill the Void (in Hebrew, English subtitles, 90 mins.)
Post-film discussion facilitated by Sheila Goldstein, Professor of ESL.
Fill the Void tells the story of a Hasidic family in Israel. Eighteen-year-old Shira is about to be married off to a promising young man. When her older sister dies in childbirth, the pain and grief that overwhelm the family postpone Shira’s intended match. As her widowed brother-in-law grapples with caring for his newborn son, Shira is forced to confront her deepest feelings and make a life-altering decision. Winner of numerous international awards, including 7 Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress.

Thursday, April 3, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Ellipse, Technology Center
Performance by ARI LESSER: first time in Rockland!
Ari Lesser is a popular singer-songwriter, rapper and spoken word artist whose reggae and hip hop music brings Jewish concepts to life for English-speaking audiences. He steps into character and raps from the perspective of various Biblical characters. His music videos have gone viral on YouTube, including Ten Plagues; Purim Poetry Slam and the powerful, myth-busting Here is Israel.