2009
April 2009
Thursday 2 April 2009
Thu 2 Apr. Inspired by the true story of a mysterious codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah, People of the Book is a sweeping adventure through five centuries of history. From its creation in Muslim-ruled, medieval Spain, the illuminated manuscript makes a series of perilous journeys: through Inquisition-era Venice, fin-de-siecle Vienna, and the Nazi sacking of Sarajevo. Discussion led by James Wald, Hampshire College. 7:00pm Cost: Free. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]
Thu 2 Apr, 7 pm. Filmed on location in Poland, the film's vaudeville scenes offer a glimpse of Warsaw's then-thriving Yiddish cabarets. Part of the National Center for Jewish Film's 12th Annual Film Festival. Co-sponsored by the National Yiddish Book Center and held at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. Go behind the scenes of The Jester's Film Restoration & Music with Sharon Pucker Rivo & Hankus Netsky. For more information, visit www.m. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. 10. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]
Sunday 5 April 2009
Sun 5 Apr, 2 pm. Sunday, April 5th - Film Two friends make a sacred pact pledging their newborn children, Rachel and Mendel, in marriage. Years pass, Rachel's father dies, and the two children, knowing nothing of their fathers' pledge, meet for the first time and fall in love. Made in 1937, The Vow captures authentic scenes of Jewish shtetl life. (B&W; Yiddish w/ new English subtitles; 82 min.). 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. 8. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]
Sunday 12 April 2009
Sun 12 Apr, 2 pm. In celebration of National Poetry Month, Marjorie Agosin, a poet and professor of Spanish at Wellesley College, presents her new book, A Sea of Voices - Women Poets in Israel. The anthology brings together the voices of 51 Israeli women poets, each writing in her native language. Readings in Spanish, Ladino, Hebrew and Yiddish by Professor Agosin, Yehudit Heller, and Kathryn Hellerstein. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. 5. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]
Sunday 19 April 2009
Sun 19 Apr, 2 pm. In commemoration of Amherst’s 250th anniversary, University of Massachusetts professor and award-winning author Madeleine Blais explores the town’s literary legacy. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. free. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]
Thursday 23 April 2009
Thu 23 Apr. Arguing with the Storm began as a communal project of the Winnipeg Women’s Yiddish Reading Circle, a group of seniors whose interest in women’s writing in Yiddish was piqued by the materials they found at the Winnipeg Jewish Public Library. The group translated, discussed, and selected these stories and narratives, many by women whose writing was not previously available in English. The result is a collection that embraces the wit, satire, and compassion of yiddishkayt, as well as its tragedy. Editor Rhea Tregebov will read from and discuss this anthology. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. National Yiddish Book Center - [more][email][events]
Sunday 26 April 2009
Sun 26 Apr. Paul Buhle, a lecturer in history and American civilization at Brown University, explores the exhibit Jews and American Comics: The New Generations. He is the author or editor of more than 30 books on radicalism, labor, and popular culture, including five volumes on the films of the Hollywood blacklistees. 12:00 p.m. Cost: Free. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]
Sun 26 Apr, 2 pm. Hankus Netsky and his Hampshire College student ensemble perform klezmer, Yiddish theater tunes, traditional folksongs, and cantorial selections as part of the Book Center’s Discovery Project. 1021 West Street, Amherst, 01002. Laura Sheppard-Brick, 413-256-4900. free. National Yiddish Book Center - [email][events]