IEI head
November 2013


Now that the days are shorter and darkness descends earlier and earlier, it's comforting to know that Hanukkah is around the corner, bringing with it LIGHT and hope to ward off the blues.

In this issue, we invite you to explore LIGHT as a metaphor, and to engage with resources and local events. We hope that you find the material presented here useful and relevant to your work and encourage you to share your comments, thoughts and ideas with us and with the rest of our Bay Area community.    

 

Jewish LearningWorks' Israel Education Initiative is proud to provide you with creative resource materials and innovative ideas to enhance Israel Education in your programs all year round. 


We wish you a house full of lights on this Hanukkah!


Hanukkah
Light as a Metaphor
Poster design by Tom Geismar
 
Four artists from four different disciplines bring their own unique perspective and meaning to the motif of LIGHT.


POSTER
"From every human being there rises a light..."
                                     Baal Shem Tov 

The poster designed by Tom Geismar is a part of Voices & Visions™, a program by Harold Grinspoon Foundation. A collection of 18 images, the series pairs leading figures of contemporary art and design with powerful quotes from Jewish thinkers across the ages.

A traveling exhibit of 18 framed posters accompanied by professional development and educational guidelines will soon be available to your school/institution through Jewish LearningWorks.
For more info


Food for thought:

Who are the lights in your life?

In what way are you a light to others?   

  

FILM

Lights: The Miracle of Channukah 

  

The popular animated film about the deeper meaning of light during the Festival of Lights. Retelling of the Chanukah story, it delivers the message that it is alright to be different and to stand up for what you believe. Available in our local Jewish Community Library and for sale 

 

 

POETRY

H.N. Bialik - I Didn't Win Light in a Windfall  

    

The poem is about the art of poetry (Ars Poetica). Haim Nachman Bialik, Israel's national poet, examines the sometimes-painful process of poetry writing, the way it is perceived by the readers and their response to it. Light here is a metaphor for the poetic expression. Light, like a precious stone, is chiseled and quarried from the poet's heart.
In-depth analysis of the poem in Hebrew



MUSIC
Amir Dadon - Great Light
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A song describing the hardship, doubts and loneliness associated with the road to independence, and the great light that emanates in the process of resolving these difficulties.   

 

Singer-songwriter Amir Dadon was born in Beer Sheva, wrote for and played with Idan Reichal Project, Shlomo Artzi and many others. His maiden album was a great success in 2010 and the song "Or Gadol" (A Great Light) was watched by more than two million viewers on YouTube. Besides his musical career, Amir works with youth at risk by introducing them to the power of music. He might be the light in their lives!

Hebrew Lyrics
English Lyrics
 

Other Hanukkah Resources  

 

From the iCenter:

Let There be Light - Resources for Hanukkah 

  

Treasured Hanukkah Menorahs of Early Israel: A Resource Guide 

 

Architectural Hanukkah Menorah  

 

Eight Unusually Designed Hanukkiyot 

 

G-Dcast Spins Hanukkah  

 

An article by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz

The Motif of Light in Jewish Tradition  

 

Balashon: Etymology of Chanukah 

  

Thanksgivukkah

Don't think that we forgot about the rare convergence of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving.  

Here are a few links that address the special date:

Thanksgivukkah 

Menorkey 

Buzzfeed 

Thanksgivukkah Boston 

 




Program Highlights
Dira Lehaskir - Apartment for Rent

"In a beautiful valley, beneath a blue sky
There stands a tower five stories high;
And to this very day good neighbors dwell,
Contented and happy, peaceful and well".

Dira Lehaskir (Apartment for Rent) is a dynamic, inventive program introducing students to Israel's most beloved children's book. The book was written by renowned author Leah Goldberg, and the program includes educational resources, English translation, musical CD's, puppets, set for a show, games and activities.
Easily transportable and hand crafted by a local artist.

Dira Lehaskir - Puppet Show
Up A Tree Puppetry and the Israel Education Initiative of Jewish LearningWorks present the play that became a phenomenon!

Synagogues and schools love it!  

Now this play could come to you!!

 

Download the Flyer and tell people in your community about it.  

 



Introduction 
Young Judaea Shlicha

It is our pleasure to introduce to you Aliza Grayevsky.  Aliza is the west coast Shlicha (emissary) for Young Judaea.  She is an educator who possesses vast knowledge on all issues concerning Israel.  Aliza will be joining our Israel education team at Jewish LearningWorks and is available for consultation and workshops.  Her main focus is working with teens and adults.  She is available to your program at no cost.

You can reach Aliza at aliza.grayevsky@youngjudaea.org   

 

Cultural Events
 

Shir Hashirim
: A Theatrical Presentation
A modern take on King Solomon's dramatic poetry, Shir HaShirim is a breathtaking one-woman act, presenting the essence of love and attraction. Ofra Daniel transforms poetic drama into state presentation accompanied by Lior Ben-Hur's original score. In Hebrew and English.



Saturday, November 16, 8:00 pm  
JCC East Bay, Berkeley 
Sunday, November 17, 7:00 pm
APJCC Los Gatos
 
Buy Tickets


Dror Moreh on the Gatekeepers
 
Director Dror Moreh is best known for The Gatekeepers, his Oscar-nominated documentary featuring interviews with all surviving former heads of Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency whose activities and membership are closely held state secrets. He'll reveal what he learned while making the film, his thoughts on the viability of a two-state solution, and how he thinks The Gatekeepers is moving the political conversation forward in Israel and abroad.
 
Tuesday, November 26, 5:00 pm JCCSF 
Monday, December 2, 7:00 pm OFJCC, Palo Alto (In Hebrew)   
 
Ari Shavit & David Remnick on the Israel Question 
Haaretz's Ari Shavit, one of the most influential columnists writing about the Middle East, illuminates many of the pivotal moments that led Israel to where it is today in his new book My Promised Land. He will join the New Yorker's David Remnick to discuss the complexities and contradictions inherent in Israel and the future of the country.  

Monday, December 2, 7:00 pm, JCCSF
Buy Tickets  

  

In Concert: Danny Sanderson 
Following the unbelievable success of Kaveret's (poogy) reunion shows in Israel, which sold over 150,000 tickets, the creator and the leading force behind the success of this this legendary band is coming to tour the USA with his 7-piece band performing all the hits of Kaveret, Gazoz, Doda as well as his own hits from his 40-year career. 

Saturday, December 7, 8:30 pm, OFJCC, Palo Alto
Buy Tickets  

  

 

Israeli Chanukah Party!

The Israeli House, Chabad of the East Bay, and Tehiyah Day School  

are happy to invite you to an Israeli Chanukah Party.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 4:30pm

Tehiyah Day School

2603 Tassajara Ave, El Cerrito
For more info 
   
   
To Build & Be Built: Kibbutz History 
Ongoing until July 2014
Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
 
Work in Progress: Considering Utopia 
Consider the concept of utopia both in a Jewish context and from a contemporary perspective.



Contact Jewish LearningWorks' 
Israel Education Initiative Team:
Ilan Vitemberg, Director
Vavi Toran, Arts & Culture Specialist