NYC Jewish-y Events May 4 – May 13

Editor’s Picks:

IDAN RAICHEL
Acclaimed Israeli singer-keyboardist-producer Idan Raichel is credited for almost single-handedly revolutionizing mainstream Israeli music. His Idan Raichel Project, a collection of cross-cultural collaborations, pioneered fusing contemporary pop with traditional Arab and Ethiopian music, creating a sound that is today considered a hallmark of Israel’s pop/rock scene. He’s been performing solo of late; on his latest CD, “At the Edge of the Beginning,” it’s just Raichel and a piano. Hear him in an intimate solo show as he works over songs old and new. — Sunday, May 13, 6 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. start, City Winery, 155 Varick St., (212) 608-0555, citywinery.com.

SHABABNIKIM

Written by Eliran Malka and Daniel Paran, the hit Israeli TV show “Shababnikim” (slang for ‘yeshiva drop-out’) offers a whimsical and cutting glimpse into the lives of the new and cool brand of charedi youth that is evolving in Israel. In the first onscreen portrayal of the changes taking place within Israel’s ultra-Orthodox youth, the show’s four protagonists, roommates in a Jerusalem yeshiva, are educated, upwardly mobile, technologically savvy, but still clinging to tradition. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Lincoln Square Synagogue screens three episodes per evening. — Beginning Sunday, May 13, 7-9 p.m., Lincoln Square Synagogue, 180 Amsterdam Ave., (212) 874-6100. For future screening dates, visit lss.org/event/shababnikim.

COMPOSING FOR PEACE
Iconic Israeli folk singer-songwriter David Broza has been a tireless advocate for peace for nearly two decades. In January 2013, he went into a recording studio in predominantly Palestinian east Jerusalem for a session that became “East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem,” featuring songs in Hebrew, Arabic and English and performed by both Israeli and Palestinian musicians. Singer-songwriters Noa (Achinoam Nini) and Mira Awad, the first Israeli-Palestinian duo to represent Israel in the international Eurovision singing competition, are also longtime champions for peace. The three will perform and share stories about the unique role music plays in social change in Israel. — Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, 1 E. 65th St., (212) 507-9580, emanuelstreickernyc.org.

Theater

ONE OF THOSE — A YIDDISH PLAY

Millennial Judith Zaltsman cannot resign herself to the recent loss of her mother, nor can she bear her father’s second wife taking her mother’s place. Unable to remain at home, and with no options available, the strong-willed Judith makes some fateful choices. A staged reading of Paula Prilutski’s rediscovered heyday-of-Yiddish-theater work. — Monday, May 14, 7 p.m., YIVO Institute, 15 W. 16th St., (212) 246-6080, yivo.org.

THE YIDDISH KING LEAR
Written in 1892 by the “Jewish Shakespeare,” Jacob Gordin, the play centers on Reb Dovidl Moysheles, a Russian-Jewish merchant used and abandoned by all but one of his daughters. — Through May 18, 7:30 p.m., Metropolitan Playhouse, 220 E. Fourth St., (212) 995-8410, metropolitanplayhouse.org.

ADMISSIONS
Director Joshua Harmon’s (“Bad Jews”) satire about the values of liberal white America. Sherri Rosen-Mason (Jessica Hecht) is head of the admissions at a New England prep school. Alongside her husband, the school’s headmaster, she’s fighting to diversify the school’s largely white student body. But when their only son sets his sights on Yale, personal ambition and lofty lefty values collide. — Through May 6, Lincoln Center Theater, 150 W. 65th St., (212) 239-6200 or visit lct.org.

GOLDSTEIN

Louis Goldstein has written a tell-all family memoir. The book is a best-seller — but is it true? Directed by Brad Rouse, with musical staging by Sarah O’Gleby, “Goldstein” drives home the message that families are complicated, the truth is multifaceted and forgiveness is key.— Through July, Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St., (212) 239-6200, Goldsteinmusical.com.  

 

Dance

DYBBUK AT CITY BALLET

Using “The Dybbuk,” S. Ansky’s famed Yiddish play, as inspiration, Jerome Robbins’ work (with music by Leonard Bernstein) evokes the types of dark magic-religious rituals, hallucinations and conflicts present in the original play. — May 4, 5, 8 and 20, New York City Ballet, David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, (212) 496-0600, nycballet.com.

Film

RBG

At 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. A documentary from Betsy West and Julie Cohen, “RBG” explores Ginsburg’s unique life, career and legacy. Co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films. — Opens Friday, May 4, in wide release.

MR. GAGA
Tomer Heymann’s documentary tells the story of Ohad Naharin, renowned choreographer and artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, one of Israel’s top cultural exports. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Heymann and Naharin, moderated by Ambassador Ido Aharoni. — Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m., Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, 1 E. 65th St., (212) 507-9580, aicf.org.

LOST TOWN
This documentary tells the story of one man’s obsessive search to get closer to his deceased father by uncovering the story of his family’s town of Trochenbrod. It triggers a resurgence of interest in the town and reconnects the few remaining survivors from it who hadn’t seen each other in over 60 years. — Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m., Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, (646) 437-4202, mjhnyc.org.

IDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXhCaVqB0x0

Set in 1962 Poland and composed of austerely gorgeous black-and-white images, Pawel Pawlikowski’s film follows the path of a young novitiate nun, who, on the verge of taking her vows, discovers that she is Jewish and embarks on a road trip into the Polish countryside with  her aunt to learn the fate of their family. — Saturday, May 12, 7 p.m. and Monday, May 14, 4:30 p.m., Quad Cinema, 34 W. 13th St., (212) 255-2243, quadcinema.com..

Music

PAUL SHAPIRO’S RIBS & BRISKET REVUE

A N.Y.-based saxophonist and composer with serious mainstream jazz and R&B cred, Shapiro leads a group that offers a hard-blowing, finger-snapping, klezmer-inflected jazz and wailing big city blues. — Saturday, May 5, 8:30 and 10 p.m., Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia St., (212) 989-9319, corneliastreetcafe.com.

DAVID AMRAM
Composer-conductor-multi-instrumentalist David Amram has composed more than 100 orchestral and chamber music works. He’s authored countless jazz compositions, spoken-word poems, scores for Broadway theaters, film and a Holocaust opera. Hear a selection of his works. — Monday, May 7, 8:30 p.m., Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia St., (212) 989-9319, corneliastreetcafe.com.

MAYA ISAC

The Israeli-American singer-songwriter initially made a name for herself busking on the streets of Israel. Her debut album, “Safe & Sound” (2011), hit gold in Israel, and her second LP, “All of the Miles,” won The NYC Akademia award for Best Folk Album of 2016. — Wednesday, May 9, 8:30 p.m., City Winery, 155 Varick St., (212) 608-0555, citywinery.com/newyork/tickets.

MOTHERS DAY BRUNCH WITH METROPOLITAN KLEZMER
City Winery’s 9th Annual Special Mother’s Day Brunch features the noted Metropolitan Klezmer; known for its sweeping arrangements and versatile ensemble playing, the quintet blends downtown, classical and world music into a danceable neo-traditional Yiddish repertoire. —  Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m. doors, 11 a.m. concert, City Winery, 155 Varick St., (212) 608-0555, citywinery.com/newyork/tickets. $28, brunch included.

DUDU TASSA AND THE KUWAITIS

A prominent singer-songwriter and guitarist on Israel’s rock scene, Tassa’s latest project is a tribute to his grandfather and great-uncle. Known as the Al-Kuwaiti Brothers, they were highly popular composers/musicians in Baghdad during the first half of the 20th century. Dudu interprets their songs in Arabic and Hebrew and integrates new sounds into his rock band lineup, creating what he calls “Iraq ’n Roll.” — Friday, May 4, midnight, Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St., (212) 539-8778, publictheater.org.

A MUSICAL JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
Marking Yom Yerushalayim/Jerusalem Day, cellist Elad Kabilio and an ensemble of musicians from MusicTalks presents a selection of music inspired by the City of Gold, from Ladino and klezmer to opera and Israeli songs. — Sunday, May 13, 3 p.m., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., (212) 294-8301, cjh.org.

Talk

ISRAEL: A CONVERSATION ACROSS GENERATIONS
Today’s Jewish young people grow up on a narrative of Israel as an occupier and oppressor; their parents and grandparents see it as a miracle of justice and hope. How to bridge the divide? Two father-daughter pairs — Professor Jonathan Sarna and Leah Sarna, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and Naomi Telushkin — will discuss. Moderated by author Abigail Pogrebin. — Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m., Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, 1 E. 65th St., (212) 507-9580, emanuelstreickernyc.org.

JEWS IN SPACE: MEET ASTRONAUT JEFFREY HOFFMAN

What’s it like to spin a dreidel in zero gravity? Join Jeffrey Hoffman, NASA’s first Jewish male astronaut and veteran of five Space Shuttle missions, as he shares out-of-this-world stories from his outlandish Jewish journey. Presented in conjunction with the exhibit “Jews In Space: Members Of The Tribe In Orbit.” — Monday, May 7, 6:30 p.m., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., (212) 294-8301, cjh.org.

MOSES ON FILM
Culture mavens John Podhoretz and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik show film clips, compare favorite biblical movie lines and explore the depiction and characterization of Moses on film in this pre-Shavuot event. — Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., (212) 294-8301, cjh.org.

PRIME MINISTER FOR LIFE?
What is Bibi Netanyahu’s legacy, how has he managed to hang onto power despite investigations swirling around him and what’s the future of Israeli politics — and the Palestinian conflict — in a post-Netanyahu era? Anshel Pfeffer, a Haaretz columnist and author of a new Netanyahu biography, and Dan Senor, co-author of “Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle,” join journalists Amir Tibon (Haaretz) and Jodi Rudoren (New York Times) for a discussion. — Monday, May 7, 7-9 p.m., Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., (646) 505-4444, jccmanhattan.org.  

Exhibitions

EXILE IS HOME

The personal history of Oded Halahmy, one of New York’s most acclaimed Israeli-American sculptors, has been shaped by exile, migration and travels. Born in Iraq, raised in Israel, educated in London and currently traveling between homes here and in old Jaffa, Halahmy fills his work with images evocative of the cultures he is connected to. “Exile is Home” includes over 100 works representing his work from the mid-1960s to the present. — Through July 1, Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, (718) 681-6000, bronxmuseum.org.

VIOLATED!
Tackling the charged topic of sexual violence during the Holocaust, “Violated! Women in Holocaust and Genocide” features 47 bold works on sexual violation by 30 artists. Alongside pieces dealing with the Holocaust are some about later genocides and ethnic cleansings — in Bosnia, Darfur, Eritrea, Guatemala, Iraq, Nigeria and Rwanda. — Through May 12, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Gallery, 31 Mercer St., (212) 226-3232, feldmangallery.com.

ROMANCE AND REASON
Bringing together an exceptional group of rare Islamic manuscripts, the exhibit “Romance and Reason: Islamic Transformations of the Classical Past” features 24 illustrated and illuminated manuscripts from the collections of the National Library of Israel; they testify to the fertile relationship between medieval Islam and the classical world. Organized by NYU’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) in partnership with the NLI. — Through May 13, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, 15 E. 84th St., isaw.nyu.edu/exhibitions.

To publish events, submit them to jewishweekcalendar@gmail.com two weeks or more in advance. We cannot guarantee inclusion due to space limitations. Since scheduling changes may occur, we recommend contacting the venue before heading out to an event.