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W I N T E R 2 0 1 1

THE 23RD ANNUALBUNNY AND LEO HORVITZSCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCEPROGRAM

winter spotlight

MINI-COURSES

RESIDENCY TITLE:CONTESTING THELAND: JEWS ANDCHRISTIANS INLATE ANTIQUITY

HOLY SPACE & HOLY LAND:Early Christianity’s Attitude towards the Jews and their Land

JEWISH THOUGHT: The Land of Israel and Jerusalem in Late Antiquity

CONTESTING THE LAND IN THE END OF DAYS

Susan McKeown and

Lorin Sklamberg:

Saints & Tzadiks

Anti-Israel Rhetoric: Criticism or Anti-Semitism; How Can We Tell the Difference?Lecture by Kenneth Jacobson, Deputy

National Director of the Anti-Defamation LeagueMonday, Jan 10 • 8:00 PMFree

The Anti-Defamation League is often asked: When does criticism of Israel become anti-Semitism and why? Kenneth Jacobson, who has been with the ADL since 1972, is a noted author and articulate speaker on topics related to anti-Semitism, Israel and the Middle East. He will answer this question during a special presentation jointly sponsored by the ADL and the Jewish Community Center.

RSVPs are requested to ADL at southwest@adl.org.

This program is being made possible by the ADL’s Goldensohn Initiative to Fight Anti-Semitism and the Edith and Sidney Goldensohn Fund in partnership with the Jewish Community Center.

Hillul HaKodesh: Israeli Art and Jewish BlasphemyLecture by Dr. Alec Mishory,

Schusterman Visiting Israeli Professor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville Thursday, Feb 24 • 8:00 PM$8 Member / $10 Public

One of early Zionist artists’ significant dogmas stressed a deliberate “negation of the Diaspora” that was manifested in a contemptuous attitude toward Jewish culture. However, in the 1970s, attitudes began to shift and a process of strengthening Jewish identity through the arts began to take shape. Interestingly, some secular artists began to give visual expression to Jewish taboos and rituals. Orthodox Jewish-Israelis regard these works as blasphemy. Join Dr. Mishory as he explores this confrontation.

Turn it and Turn it: Studying the Weekly Torah PortionInstructor: Jonathan FassFridays • 12:00 PM

Join us for a weekly discussion of the Torah portion using both classic and modern commentaries. No knowledge of Hebrew required.

The Women’s Beit MidrashInstructor: Rabbi Michele FaudemEight Mondays Beginning Feb 217:30 - 9:00 PM$70 Member / $80 Public

Join a group of women for the study of Biblical and Rabbinic texts each Monday night at our Women’s Beit Midrash. In these sessions we will study chapter eleven of Tractate Sanhedrin, where we will explore the concepts of resurrection and the World to Come. A basic

knowledge of Hebrew is helpful.

Making Your Way Through MidrashInstructor: Rabbi Diana SiegelSix Wednesdays Beginning Feb 2311:30 AM - 12:30 PM$45 Member / $60 Public

When we study Torah we often have questions. We search for answers. The commentaries of our Rabbis help us understand different meanings of Torah. These interpretations and commentaries are called “Midrash.” We will study selected “midrashim” for the Torah and uncover their wisdom and guidance. No previous knowledge of Hebrew is needed.

Life & Death Dilemmas: Medicine & Jewish Ethics Instructor: Rabbi Yossi Grossman, Dean - Jewish Ethics InstituteFour-Part Series,

Mondays Mar 21, 28, Apr 4 and 117:30 - 8:30 PM$36 Member / $45 Public (series)$10 Member / $12 Public (session)

Join Rabbi Yossi Grossman as he discusses contemporary bioethical dilemmas and many more practical decision making issues that one faces throughout one’s life, through the prism of Jewish ethics and philosophy.

Session 1: Sharing Life: Organ Donation and Transplantation

Session 2: The Human Blueprint: Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer and Other Diseases

Session 3: Split Decision: Conjoined Twins

Session 4: Universal Health Care: A Jewish Perspective

CME Credit PendingAdditional Fee Required

LECTURES & LEARNING CONCERTSA Cappella Community Master ClassWith the UPenn ShabbatonesBrought to you by the Houston JCCTuesday, Jan. 4 • 7:00 PM

A cappella enthusiasts learn how to choose, arrange and conduct with one of the premier Jewish a cappella groups in the country.

For information call Brittany Horwitt at 713-729-3200, ext. 3327.

UPenn Shabbatonesin ConcertOpening Act: Houston JCCjTunes

Wednesday, Jan. 5 • 8:00 PMat Congregation Brith Shalom,4610 Bellaire Blvd.Tickets: $18 per person

Known for their energetic arrangements and entertaining performances, the UPenn Shabbatones will perform for the first time in Houston. Specializing in popular American, Israeli and Jewish music, UPenn Shabbatones performances boast arrangements written by the group members. They have performed throughout the country and have chosen Houston as this year’s winter break destination.

This concert is a collaboration of the Jewish Community Center of Houston and Congregations Beth Yeshurun and Brith Shalom.

Saints & Tzadiks: A Concert of Yiddish and Irish Songs at the University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall, 3910 Yoakum

Wednesday, Feb. 16 • 7:30 PM $10 AdultsChildren and Students Free

Irish singer Susan McKeown and Klezmatics lead singer and accordionist, Lorin Sklamberg, present Saints & Tzadiks — a concert combining Yiddish and Irish songs. Culled from rare archive material and old recordings, McKeown and Sklamberg have selected songs on various themes from the Jewish and Irish traditions. The bulk of the Jewish material is drawn from the Ruth Rubin Archive at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The Irish songs come from both the popular and the ancient Gaelic sean nos traditions.

Presented in collaboration with The University of St. Thomas Center for Irish Studies Cultural Outreach Forum, Houston Young Professionals Supporting Irish Studies and The Irish Society.

The University of St. Thomas Center for Irish Studies Cultural Outreach Program is funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

The 23rd Annual Bunny and Leo Horvitz Scholar-in-Residence Program

Dr. Oded IrshaiDepartment of Jewish History Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Dr. Oded Irshai is a Professor of Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the Academic Chair of the Ben-Zion Dinur Research Center for Jewish History and has served as the Chair of the Univer-sity’s Department of Jewish History and as a fellow at Scholion, the Interdisciplinary Center for Judaic Studies. In addition, Dr. Irshai has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University, Penn State, Williams College and the University of Moscow. His primary interests include Palestine in the Second Temple period, Jews and Judaism in early Christian historiography and the social and cultural dimensions of Jewish life in Late Antiquity.

Opening Night Lecture

Late Antiquity – Chronology, Sources, and Thematic IssuesSunday, Jan 23 • 7:30 PM

This lecture will outline the main issues of the residency, the encounter between the Jewish understanding of the Land of Israel and the Christian concept of the Holy Land. Dr. Irshai will offer the historical, political, cultural and religious context of this encounter, as well as some of the methodological problems facing us in our analysis.

Bagel Breakfast Beit Midrash

Between Eretz Israel and Babylonia: Changes in the Notion of Center and Periphery Sunday, Jan 30 • 10:00 AM

This discussion will focus on one of the most important and long-lasting changes that took place in the Jewish community of late antiquity – the major shift of cultural and spiritual authority from Eretz Israel to Babylon.

This program will follow the format of traditional

Jewish learning, allowing the participant to directly

engage with the source texts.

Mid-Residency Lecture

King David and Jesus, the Jewish Patriarch and Jesus: Contesting Lineage Sunday, Feb 6 • 10:00 AM

This lecture will deal with one of the most heated debates between the Church Fathers and the Jews in the 4th and early 5th centuries, the credentials of the Jewish Patriarch and his claim to be a descendent of King David.

Closing Lecture

The Past and the Future of the Past: Ancient and Modern Perspectiveson Eretz Israel and the Christian Holy Land Wednesday, Feb 9 • 8:00 PM

This final lecture will tie together and re-contextualize some of the major themes discussed during the residency and offer some later historical perspectives as well as pointers for further thought.

Mini-Courses

Holy Space and Holy Land: Early Christianity’s Attitude toward the Jews and their LandThree Mondays: Jan 24, 31 and Feb 7 • 8:00 PM

Utilizing the writings of Origen, Eusebius, and Early Christian Pilgrims, this mini-series will present Early Christianity’s fluctuating theological and historical attitudes regarding appropriating Palestine from the Jews.

The Land of Israel and Jerusalem in Late Antiquity Jewish Thought Two Wednesdays: Jan 26 and Feb 2 • 8:00 PM

This mini-series explores the evolving Jewish attitude towards the Land of Israel and the centrality of Jerusalem in Late Antiquity. It also explores Jewish responses to Christian appropriation of the land.

Contesting the Land and the End of DaysTwo Thursdays: Jan 27 and Feb 3 • 8:00 PM

This mini-series will analyze the centrality of Jerusalem and the Jews in the Christian understanding of the “End of Days.” It will also conduct an in-depth survey of the “End of Days” time tables in the Jewish and Christian world of Late Antiquity.

The Opening and Closing Lectures of the lecture are free and open to the entire community.

Participating in the additional lectures and mini-courses requires a $25 pass. Selected programs have additional fees. Higher contributions to the program are greatly appreciated.PR

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Please contact Naomi Barancik at 713.729.3200, ext. 3288 or nbarancik@jcchouston.org to enroll in any of these CJLL programs. All of these programs take place at the Milton Levit Family Campus at the Joe Weingarten Building unless otherwise indicated.

C O N T E S T I N G T H E L A N D : Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity

PLEASE HELP US TO SUSTAIN THE HORVITZ

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM FOR

TODAY AND FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

GO TO JCCHOUSTON.ORG AND MAKE A

CONTRIBUTION ON THE DONATE PAGE.

Community Presentations

Congregation Sha’ar HaShalomTuesday, Jan 25 • 7:30 PM

Jews in the Service of Christians: Jews as the Carriers of Authentic Christian Traditions of the Land and its Past

Houston Rabbinic CouncilThursday, Jan 27

The Sons of Aaron: The Resurgence of the Priesthood in Late AntiquityBy invitation for Rabbis only

Bureau of Jewish EducationWednesday, Feb 2 • 12:00 PMat the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston

Synagogue Art and PolemicsOpen to all school educators

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Lunch and LearnThursday, Feb 3 • 12:30 PM at the Merfish Teen Center

Jerusalem and Constantinople: Between the Re-Building of the Temple and the Renovation of Hagia Sophia Church

Pre-Lecture Lunch ($10) at 12:00 PMReservations required 713-729-3200 ext. 3288

Hebrew Speakers Professional OrganizationSunday, Feb 6 • 8:00 PM at the Jewish Community Center

Rabbis and Church Fathers: Biblical Exegesis and Polemics

Rice University Jewish Studies Program Tuesday, Feb 8 • 4:00 PM at Rice University

Jewish - Christian Violence in Alexandria in the Early 5th Century and its Representation in Early Christian Historiography

Please call for details regarding the location.

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Beginner Conversational Hebrew Instructor: Naomi BarancikTen Tuesdays Beginning Jan 18 9:30 – 10:30 AM $117 Member / $150 Public

This course will teach the foundations of everyday spoken Hebrew. You will learn to build simple sentences and have a basic conversation. Acquaintance with Hebrew alphabet required.

Advanced Conversational Hebrew Instructor: Naomi BarancikTen Tuesdays Beginning Jan 18 10:45 – 11:45 AM $117 Member / $150 Public

This course is suitable for those who read and comprehend Hebrew at a more advanced level but wish to expand their vocabulary and develop their fluency.

Beginning Hebrew - Level 1Instructor: Karen GreenspanTen Thursdays Beginning Jan 2012:30 – 2:00 PM$175 Member / $225 Public

This introductory course is a program of letter recognition, reading proficiency, building vocabulary, and learning basic phrases using the Hebrew textbook series Aleph Isn’t Tough.

Bring your lunch to class.

Beginning Hebrew - Level 2Instructor: Karen GreenspanTen Mondays Beginning Jan 177:00 – 8:30 PM$175 Member / $225 Public

This class builds on the reading skills established in the level one class. The focus will be on building reading fluency and a basic vocabulary to increase understanding. The course uses the Hebrew textbook Aleph isn’t

Enough.

Beginning Hebrew - Level 4Instructor: Karen GreenspanTen Wednesdays Beginning Jan 197:00 – 8:30 PM$175 Member / $225 Public

In this course we will continue to practice reading skills and vocabulary building with a focus on reading Torah. The course uses the Tav is for Torah textbook.

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew GrammarInstructor: Jonathan FassTen Wednesdays Beginning Jan 1910:00 – 11:30 AM$150 Member / $200 Public

Utilizing a college level biblical Hebrew textbook (purchase required), this course will introduce participants to Biblical Hebrew with an emphasis on understanding grammar and syntax. A knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet is required to participate.

LANGUAGE

FAMILY

Craig Parks in His Kol Kef ConcertFriday, Dec 24 • 11:00 AM$8 Kids / Adults FreeCraig Parks mixes it up in a delightful Jewish musical celebration for children and their families in a concert of songs from his new Kol

Kef (All Fun) CD. Craig’s energetic, silly, and fun style of song leading brings new life to old favorites. Craig’s performance is full of groovin’ music, hilarious shtick, and some fun surprises!

Tu B’Shvat Is HereSunday, Jan 16 • 2:00 – 4:00 PM FREE

Celebrate the New Year of the Trees with games and eco-friendly crafts.

In collaboration with the Israeli House of the

Consul of Israel to the Southwest.

EXTRA! EXTRA!The Jewish Herald-Voice Centennial RevisitedAt the Deutser Gallery Dec 1 – 30

As the Jewish Herald-Voice celebrates 102 years, we will revisit its most significant stories. Encompassing the Houston Jewish community’s development as well as world politics, relive history through the newspaper’s headlines.

The 7th Annual Houston Jewish Film Festival March 8 - 20

The 2011 Official Selection will be announced soon! Last year’s festival was a great success, with 18 films screened. One selection from 2010, the Israeli film The Debt (HeHov), is now being reproduced in English starring Helen Mirren and will be released in U.S. theaters December 29. This year, expect a variety of films from countries all over the world, covering the personal to the political, both fiction and documentaries.

The Jewish BakerInstructor: Naomi Malakoffat United Orthodox Synagogue$36 Member / $45 Public (series)$15 Member / $20 Public (per class)

Learn some new recipes and share some laughs, as we explore the art of challah making and the sweet tastes of delicious holiday desserts.

February 20 • 2:00 - 3:30 PMChallah Making Made Easy and Delicious

March 6 • 2:00 - 3:30 PMDesserts That Will Make Your Mouth Water

March 13 • 2:00 - 3:30 PMHamantaschen and Cookies for Purim and Beyond

LIVING ART FILM MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Tirkedu Houston!Friday, Jan 14 - Sunday, Jan 16Full Weekend: $70 JCC Member/ $100 Public / $50 with Valid Student ID

Tirkedu Houston! is a fun-filled weekend of enthusiastic and energetic Israeli dancing at the Jewish Community Center. Join Shmulik Gov-Ari, a gifted Israeli folk dance choreographer and teacher who has many creative talents: dance, music, art and instruments (especially drums) as our guest artist in residence. The weekend will include an Erev Shabbat get together, two teaching sessions for intermediate to advanced dancers, (with reviews at the end of each session), a Saturday night dance party, and a review session of all dances on Sunday afternoon. Note Sunday’s review session is for only those who attended Session I, Session II or the dance party.

For a complete brochure and to register visit

jcchouston.org.

Koresh Dance Company ConcertRenowned for their powerful stage presence, Koresh Dance Company will perform two works in its Houston premier. Passomezzo choreographed by Ohad Naharin, Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company, and Sense of

Human, choreographed by Koresh Dance Company’s artistic director Ronen Koresh. Passomezzo, set to Baroque melodies, is a highly theatrical pas de deux depicting the intimate dialogue between a man and woman about tough love and opposition. Sense of Human depicts life in its purest, rawest, most guttural state. This work delves beneath our desired self-image to discover our true sense of humanity.

dance

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF HOUSTON PRESENTS:

DANCE MONTH AT THE KAPLAN THEATRE Celebrating 31 YearsJanuary 12 – February 12, 2011

Koresh Dance Company ConcertSaturday, Feb 5 • 8:00 PM $16 Member / $22 Public / $12 Senior Adults and Students

Student ShowFriday, Feb 4 • 11:00 AM$8 JCC Member, Senior Adult or Student / $12 Public

PHOTO: CHERYL MANN

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JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF HOUSTON5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, Texas 77096 jcchouston.org

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

P A I DHouston, Texas

Permit No. 6217

Ishay Shaer in ConcertSunday, Jan 9 • 7:00 PM$10 Member & Patrons of the Arts / $15 Public

Israeli pianist Ishay Shaer returns to Houston in concert at the JCC Kaplan Theatre. Born in 1983, Shaer is one of today’s leading young Israeli pianists. He has given recitals at concert halls around the world including Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Round Top Festival Institute, and the Recanati Auditorium. He is the recipient of numerous awards including prizes at the Newport International Competition, the Clairmont Competition and the International Beethoven Competition. Please join us for this special concert featuring this musical prodigy.

SAVE THE DATESATURDAY, MARCH 26

ISRAELI-GREEK DANCE PARTY WITH

AVRAHM PENGAS & THE NOGA GROUP

MUSIC, DANCING, FOOD, AND FUN!

In celebration of Dance Month, the JCC will exhibit works by photographer Loli Kantor. During the years 2000-2007, Kantor documented the performing arts, including theatre, puppetry, acrobatics and dance. Photographing the intimacy of daily classes, performance rehearsals, behind-the-scenes moments and performances, the broad scope of the world of dance is revealed. Kantor’s images portray not only choreographed and staged movements, but also moments of a single dancer’s experience at rest.

JANUARY 9 – FEBRUARY 18dance Photography

Exhibit