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Museum of Jewish Heritage Seeks Emerging Jewish Artists

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Here’s an excerpt from a press release I received today from the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York:

After three years of sold-out shows which the Downtown Express called “authentic, funny — and yes, subversive…” the Museum is seeking submissions by up-and-coming local Jewish artists for possible inclusion in this year’s event. The winners will be showcased in a dynamic evening of cutting-edge comedy, music, storytelling, and film at the Fourth Annual New York’s Best Emerging Jewish Artists at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust on Wednesday, June 17. The show will take place in Edmond J. Safra Hall, the Museum’s 375-seat-theater, which features state-of-the-art light and sound systems, and a Fazioli grand piano.

Filmmakers, musicians, singers, comedians, poets, spoken word artists, and dancers are invited to send performance samples by April 13 to Sarah Wolff at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NY, NY 10280. Inquiries may be sent to Swolff(at)mjhnyc(dot)org with Emerging Artist in the subject line.

To be eligible, performers must: be at least 18 years old by May 1; submit materials informed by Jewish themes or identity; and be based in the New York tri-state area. Finalists may be required to audition at the Museum for the judging committee.

Submit a maximum of two (2), five to ten minute samples in DVD, or CD format – cued to play or including a cue time – that best represents the work that would be performed if selected. Do not submit originals; materials will not be returned. Samples must be labeled individually with the applicant’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and title. Include a brief description of the work. If possible, also enclose artist bios and/or photos. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Submissions must be post-marked or received no later than 5 p.m. on April 13.

Up to four winners will be notified by phone by May 13 and will receive $250 for the performance.

Talmudist-in-Training

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

It’s been a rough couple of days, for reasons I may explain another time, but I was cheered enormously this morning by a report from my sister about her daughter (my five-year-old niece), who is clearly receiving an excellent religious upbringing.

Unlike her younger brother (not to mention her Aunt Erika!), little R doesn’t fall asleep very easily, and often chats with her various stuffed animals before drifting off. Last night, as my sister paused outside my niece’s bedroom door, she heard R holding the following discussion with “Bunny” and peers:

“So when there are 3 stars in the sky on Saturday night, then Shabbat is over. But what, do you ask, happens when you can’t see any stars at all? Then Shabbat would last forever….Hmmm. That really makes no sense.”

I think we have a Talmudist on our hands.

Jeffrey Goldberg on "How to Stay Alive in a Terrorized Hotel"

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

This is awkward to write about.

As you might surmise from the links I’ve spotlighted to the right, I visit Jeffrey Goldberg’s Atlantic blog quite frequently. And at least for me, there is something sadly and authentically Jewish about spending time considering “how to stay alive in a terrorized hotel,” as Goldberg does in this post. A subject continued in this one.

Let’s hope none of us will ever need to use this advice. But I have to say that as I read these posts, I was grateful for them. Which I also think has something to do with my Jewish background: Somehow, as a grandchild of people chased out of their homeland, I focus a lot on safety issues.