NYC Jewish-y Events, July 19-28

Editors Picks: 

LEAVING EDEN
In the beginning God created Adam and … Lilith. But Lilith had too many questions, Adam had too many rules and Eve, Lilith’s runner-up in a modern metropolis, must deal with a mess of her own creation. With book and lyrics by Jenny Waxman and music by Ben Page, this musical explores the complexity of the female experience. Part of the 2019 New York Musical Festival. — On Friday, July 19 (5 p.m.) and Sunday, July 21 (5 and 9 p.m.), The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42nd St., (866) 811-4111, nymf.org/leavingeden.

OUR BOYS

Filmed in Israel and based on true events, the 10-part HBO series “Our Boys” follows two pivotal incidents that led to the outbreak the 2014 Gaza war: three Jewish teenage hitchhikers were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas militants, and, two days later, the burned body of a Palestinian teenager was found The Jerusalem Forest. As the series developed, a Shin Bet agent investigates the murder, while the parents of the slain teenager begin their anguished journey toward justice. An advance screening of the first episode of this HBO-Keshet Studios co-production is followed by a discussion with creators, executive producers and writers/directors Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar, Tawfik Abu Wael and Avi Nir and actor Shlomi Elkabetz. The Times’ former Jerusalem bureau chief, Jodi Rudoren, moderates. — Monday, July 29, 7 p.m., TheTimesCenter, 242 W. 41st St., (866) 811-4111, web.ovationtix.com.

WOLFF AT BIRDLAND

When A-list jazz pianist Michael Wolff (whose two sons formed the Naked Brothers Band) takes the bandstand next week for a three-night run at Birdland, jazz fans will be rejoicing. Wolff’s been battling a rare form of cancer over the last few years but is back in the piano chair, and with a new Sunnyside release, “Swirl.” Look for a tune called “Tough Ashkenazi,” which grew out of a conversation Wolff, 66, had with fellow MOT jazz pianist Fred Hersch, who is HIV positive and had channeled his ordeal into a 2011 stage work called “My Coma Dreams.” Discussing their illnesses — and their resilience — Hersch told Wolff, “We’re some tough Ashkenazis.” A swinging trio will never be as sweet as this. — Thursday, July 25-Saturday, July 28, Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., birdlandjazz.com.

Theater

TWO’S A CROWD

They say opposites attract — they haven’t met Tom and Wendy. Forced together by a computer error, freewheeling Tom and uptight Wendy do their best to ruin each other’s vacations, but the bright lights of Vegas may still work their magic. This new musical comedy stars Broadway and comedy icon Rita Rudner (“Born to Be Mild,” “Married Without Children”), Kelly Holden Bashar (“Fargo” on FX), Brian Lohmann (Off-Broadway’s “Lifegame”) and Robert Yacko (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”). — Through Sunday, Aug. 25, 59E59 Theaters, 59 E. 59th St., (646) 892-7999, 59e59.org.

THE LAST JEW OF BOYLE HEIGHTS
Set in the industrial east side of Los Angeles, in what was once a heavily Jewish area, three Holocaust survivors meet on a factory floor amid talk of deportations, poor wages and fading memories. Written and directed by Steve Greenstein (“Voices From the Holy and Not So Holy”). — Through July (Thursdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7:30 p.m.), Actors’ Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St., actorstempletheatre.com.

FOLKSBIENE’S HANNAH SENESH
Presented with music and song, this one-woman show tells the true story of Hannah Senesh, one of many Jews who escaped from Axis-allied Hungary in 1939 to the safety of British Mandate Palestine. There she joined Haganah and then volunteered for a daring Special Operations mission to parachute back into Europe to save Jews from Nazi hands. — Through Aug. 18, Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, (646) 437-4202, mjhnyc.org.

BREACH OF PROMISE
Leon Kobrin’s 1912 play is a tragicomic snapshot of tenement life on the Lower East Side.” It follows Katie Tsimbel, an unmarried 28-year-old, who has gotten herself “in trouble.” Enter her family’s recent-immigrant boarder — a Jewish ex-soldier in the czar’s army — who may have to marry her or risk a breach of promise charge. This reading will be in English, in a newly commissioned translation by director and translator Allen Rickman; it features his wife, Yelena Schmuleson. Part of YIVO’s “Treasures from the Archives” series. — Wednesday, July 31, 7 p.m., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., (212) 294-8301, yivo.org/Breach-of-Promise.

Music

BOOK OF J
Guitarist and vocalist Jeremiah Lockwood of The Sway Machinery and vocalist Jewlia Eisenberg, founder of the Balkan funk-punk band Charming Hostess, team up for their duo project, Book of J. Drawing from American psalmody, Yiddish folklore and Jewish liturgy, they mine the intersection of religion and radical politics. — Saturdays in July, 6 p.m., Barbès, 376 Ninth St., Brooklyn, (347) 422-0248, barbesbrooklyn.com.

Film

JOSEPH PULITZER: VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Pulitzer began as a penniless Jewish immigrant from Hungary and grew into one of America’s most admired and feared media figures. This documentary tells the rare story of the man behind the prize, who spoke of “fake news” and the importance of freedom of the press over a century ago. His New York newspaper The World spoke to an unprecedented number of readers and maintained powerful journalistic ideals through its ascent. — On various dates through Thursday, July 25, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., (646) 505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

ASK DR. RUTH

This documentary chronicles the life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became America’s most famous sex therapist. It traces the astonishing path of the now 90-year-old diminutive powerhouse —from child Holocaust survivor to Israeli sniper, American immigrant and single mother to licensed sex therapist, to unlikely media sensation. — On various dates through Thursday, Aug. 1, Marlene Meyerson JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave., (646) 505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

Talk

YIDDISH THEATER IN AMERICA
This lecture by JTS’ Edna Nahshon, professor of theater and drama, will review the American Yiddish theater’s formative years, its performance style and the intense bond between auditorium and stage. Delivered in English. — Monday, July 22, 4 p.m., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., (212) 294-8301, cjh.org.

Exhibitions

AUSCHWITZ
The most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Auschwitz to date, this groundbreaking presentation brings together more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions and museums around the world to explore the history of Auschwitz and its role in the Holocaust. — Through Jan. 3, 2020, Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, (646) 437-4202, mjhnyc.org.

CITY OF WORKERS, CITY OF STRUGGLE: HOW LABOR MOVEMENTS CHANGED  NEW YORK
From Samuel Gompers to A. Philip Randolph, this new show traces the social, political and economic story of labor through rare documents, artifacts and footage, and considers the future of labor in the city. Jewish contributions to the movement figure heavily. — Through Jan. 5, 2020. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. (at 103rd Street), mcny.org.

LEONARD COHEN: A CRACK IN EVERYTHING
This show celebrates the singer-songwriter’s powerful legacy through mixed-media works, including a video projection showcasing Cohen’s own drawings and a multimedia gallery where visitors can hear Cohen’s songs covered by other musicians. —Through Sept. 8, The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., (212) 423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

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.