Since 1998, the College of Charleston’s Jewish Studies Program has been producing “A World of Jewish Culture” as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. This year’s series will take place on June 4 and 5, 2011.
“A World of Jewish Culture showcases the breadth and variety in Jewish performing arts and culture and the talent of local performers as well as those of global acclaim,” says Marty Perlmutter, director of the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program.
A cornerstone of the program, and one of the most popular events, the Starbucks Jewish Coffee House will take place on June 4 and 5, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks (475 East Bay Street). The event features local singers, songwriters and musicians performing a variety of original songs typical of a Jewish coffeehouse setting. The $6 ticket includes coffee and desserts.
Two films will be shown at the Sylvia Vlosky Yaschik Jewish Studies Center (96 Wentworth St.) on the College of Charleston campus. Barney’s Version (Film – 2010, 134min) will be shown on June 5, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 with coffee and bagels provided. The Human Resources Manager (Film-Israel 2010, 103min) will be shown on June 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 with coffee and bagels provided.
Barney’s Version takes a ride through the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer, as he reflects on his life’s successes and (numerous) gaffes and failures as the final chapters of his own existence come sharply into focus.
In The Human Resources Manager, a human resources manager at Israel’s largest bakery finds himself the unlikely custodian of the corpse of a young Romanian woman in this touching tragic-comedy. Eran Riklis, the acclaimed director of The Syrian Bride, brings a poignant and personal approach to a story that speaks to the ever-present threat of violence in Jerusalem and the increasing sense of social dislocation.
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim’s choir, Koleinu under Music Director Heidi Kunitz-Levy, presents “Sound the Trumpet,” with liturgical choral music and favorite instrumental meditations from the High Holy Days at historic KKBE, America’s first Reform Jewish Congregation. Instrumental musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra include Yuriy Bekker, violin; Brandon Nichols, French horn; Tacy Edwards, flute; Kathleen Wilson, harp; and Julia Harlow, organ. Also performing are Ellen Dressler Moryl, cello and Carol Beyer, cello accompanist. Rabbi Stephanie Alexander gives an overview of the program, including the history of instrumental music in Reformed Judaism and the history of the KKBE Synagogue organ. The event will take place at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (90 Hasell St) on June 5, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Basya Schechter leads her band, Pharaoh’s Daughter, through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica, thattake the listener directly to the Middle East and Africa. The program begins with a medley by the Jewish Choral Society of Charleston. The event is at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (90 Hasell St) on June 5, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.
All events are sponsored by Herzman-Fishman Foundation.
