Jewish Cultural Arts

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The St. Paul JCC has become a center for Jewish cultural art performances within the Twin Cites. From conntemporary artists like Israel's Hadag Nahash and jazz basisst Avishai Cohen to stand up comedian Judy Gold to cooking demostrations from visiting Israeli chefs, many are suprised by the diversity of programs. The Arts are alive at the St. Paul JCC!

Here's what's coming up:

Twin Cities Jewish Book Fair beginning November 7, 2009

"The Unanswered Question"
This concert kicks off the Friends of the Symphony Campaign
Wednesday, March 10, 7:30pm
Free and open to the community

Drawing upon the title of a well-known piece by American composer Charles Ives, JCC Symphony conductor Marina Liadovan calls the March 10th concert "The Unanswered Question."
From the vastness of the universe to the nature of love, poets, artists, scientists and composers have labored to make sense of life's biggest mysteries. These ideas are evoked in beautiful and powerful music, such as Tchaikovsky's "Andante" from his Fifth Symphony, Schubert's immortal melodies form his Ninth Symphony, and Grieg's beloved "Solveig's Lament." The evening will feature baritone Andrew Wilkowske, seen regularly in title roles with the Minnesota Opera, as well as on stages around the world.
Join us for an evening of inspiring music including a short meet-and greet with Marina Liadova starting at 7:00pm
Consider underwriting the operating expenses of the JCC Symphony by contributing $36 to the Friends of the Symphony Campaign that also kicks off during the concert event.
The St. Paul JCC Symphony is also partnering with the Minnetonka Civic Orchestra this month. As Liadova describes the project, "The idea is to bring two smaller ensembles together to play a concert. Each orchestra will play two pieces from their own repertoire and then both groups will join forces to play larger compositions including Mahler and Gershwin."

The joint performance, "Creative Connections," will be hosted by the Minnetonka Civic Orchestra on Sunday, March 14 at 7:00pm at the Minnetonka High School Auditorium.
Free admission.
Call 952-401-5954 for more information.

Symphony

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Renowned author Lev Raphael to appear at the St. Paul JCC
"My Germany,"
Sunday, March 14, 3:00pm
$6 members, $9 community
Free for People of the Book

The children of Holocaust survivors have a unique psychological makeup. As Lev Raphael notes in his latest work, "My Germany: A Jewish Writer Returns to the World His Parents Escaped," the formative events of their lives occurred not to them, but to their parents: "At a meeting of children of Holocaust survivors in the 1990's, we were all asked to introduce ourselves, and, almost without exception, we told others who we were and then instantly reeled off our parents' 'pedigrees' where they had suffered during the war (and sometimes what) as if our identities were totally subsumed by their wartime ordeals." The loss and pain his parents suffered at the hands of Nazi Germany shaped Raphael's life and plays a major role in his writing. Raphael vowed never to visit Germany and kept that promise until after his mother's death. Then a combination of events forced him Lev Raphael

to not only re-evaluate this decision, but offered him an opportunity to "explore what had always been taboo and terrifying to me" in order to face the demons that had obsessed him since childhood. Raphael has done hundreds of invited readings and talks all over the world and has been featured in two documentaries.
Raphael served as a panelist at London's Jewish Film Festival and presented the keynote address at several international Holocaust conferences.
Come to the JCC to hear this renowned author speak about his life experience and his book, "My Germany" on Sunday, March 14 at 3:00pm
For tickets, call the St. Paul JCC front desk at 651-698-0751.

Gallery Tour: The Studio of Paula Leiter Pergament

Wednesday, March 24, 7:30pm-9:00 pm.

Join the artist for a cup of tea in her studio. Browse the collections, hear from the artist, and talk about what inspires you.
Group is limited to 8.
Reserve by calling the JCC front desk.

Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with Shira Betzibur
Tuesday, April 20, 7:00pm

Join us as we celebrate Israel's 62nd anniversary and be transported to the hum of Israel with Shira Betzibur, a sing-a-long, Israeli style. We will sing the folk songs that remind us of the early days as well as the Israeli songs of today.
Leading the Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration in song will be two visiting musicians from our Partnership 2000 (P2K) region in Israel, the Sovev Kinneret. Evyatar Edri is from Kibbutz Ma'agan and is the lead singer and guitarist for the Israeli rock band, Haktzizot Shel Lidia (Lidia's Meatballs). Or Cohen, a recent law school graduate from Netanya Academic College, is from the town, Poriyya Elite, and is a song leader and guitar teacher.
Israeli folk music originated in the early 20th century. Patriotic composers, convinced that there should be music that would unify the various immigrant groups, invented a "new" folk tradition, writing songs to inspire the young nation. If Arik Einstein, Shalom Chanoch, Naomi Shemer, HaParvarim, Noa, and Sheva get you nostalgic, you belong with us on Israel Independence Day. There is nothing like a good sing-a-long!
Bring your family for this fun Yom Ha'atzmaut event.
Previous knowledge of Hebrew is not necessary.

For more information, contact:
Alisa Warshavsky, St. Paul Shalichah, 651-255-4753.

Jazz at the JCC
Celebrate Israel with the Mattan Klein Quartet
Thursday, April 22, 7:00pm
Tickets: $15 JCC Members, $20 Community, $5 Students

Join the St Paul JCC as it celebrates Yom Ha'atzmaut with Israeli Jazz flutist and composer Mattan Klein. Klein is one of today's hottest Jazz/World music artists, blending his clear and fluent flute sound with some of New York's brightest contemporary voices. He has performed from Hong Kong and Viet Nam to Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and was featured at the Tel Aviv International Jazz Festival in 2009. According to the Senior Music Critic for Maariv, "Mattan Klein's virtuoso improvisation lifts Jazz-flute playing to new heights."

In Mattan Klein's words, "World music is today's Jazz. The presence of Africa, India, South America and the Middle East makes Jazz a very diverse genre." Israel is a melting pot of the Middle East with a third of Israeli Jews from countries such as Yeman, Morocco, Tunisia and Iraq with still others from India, Ethiopia and Central Asia. Klein's flute sound is clear, crisp and melodic and his international ensemble presents the ultimate contemporary Jazz sound that blends musical styles from various diasporas and Jewish communities worldwide. Joining Mattan are Manu Koch, Piano, Gustavo Amarante, Bass, and Yuval Lion, Drums.

Celebrate Israel's 62nd Independence Day with the Mattan Klein Quartet and become connected to the diversity that is Israel!

The Mattan Klein Quartet is co-sponsored by the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul.

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For more information or to exhibit your work contact:
Jeffrey Richman, Jewish Cultural Arts Director, at 651-255-4752.