I recently switched on the TV in the middle of a joint press conference by President Barak Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Now, honestly, these press conferences usually bore me to death, but before I could change the channel, I witnessed an amusing exchange.
NBC’s Chuck Todd had just started the third of his rambling questions when the president interrupted: “Chuck, how many have you got? Do you guys do this in the Israeli press — you say you get one question and then you add, like, five? You see the young lady from Channel 1, she had one question. She was very well-behaved, Chuck.”
Todd responded, “Passover starts in a couple days. I get four questions, right?”
That’s when Netanyahu joined in: “These are Talmudic questions. They have reiterations. Look, and this is not a kosher question, but don’t hog it.”
If you laughed at this exchange, you won’t want to miss the Dave and Mary Alper JCC events commemorating Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) and Israel Independence Day.
BUBBY’S KITCHEN
In her one-woman show, Shira Ginsburg tells the heartwarming, true story of one woman’s journey from youth through her 30s as experienced in her bubby’s (grandmother) kitchen. In her creative monologues, Ginsburg strikes a balance between the new and the old as she mixes in wisdom and humor along with Yiddish, liturgical, and musical theatre songs.
On Sunday, Apr. 14, at 2 p.m., in recognition of Yom Ha Shoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, there will be one performance of Bubby’s Kitchen at J. Inspired by Ginsburg’s grandmother, Judith, the show invites you inside a family’s inner circle for a glimpse of what it was like growing up among Holocaust survivors and resistance fighters. What evolves is a touching performance filled with poignant tales of love and laughter, loss and survival, and food and family.
Though Bubby’s Kitchen is the story of one woman’s life, it holds a heartfelt mirror up to anyone that has ever sat around their family’s kitchen table and been filled with the richness of food, the riches of stories and unconditional love. Whether struggling to find real happiness in life or discovering the key to the svelte Ginsburg figure, the answers are abundant, like the delicious desserts baked in Bubby’s Kitchen.
MIKA KARNI ENSEMBLE
In celebration of Israel Independence Day, the eclectic ensemble Mika Karni performs on Tuesday, Apr. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Alper JCC.
The group is led by Mika Karni, one of Israel’s all time favorite female vocalists, and features Israeli Moroccan, Yemenite and Ethiopian musicians and singers. The ensemble’s special sound combines traditional Jewish melodies with African-ethnic rhythms and a taste of folk/singer-songwriter qualities, creating a musical landscape of modern Israel.
The performance will feature Kol Dodi, Karni’s enchanting new musical perspective of the original Biblical psalms, Shir Ha Shirim (Song of Songs), combined with originally composed melodies. Karni composed and rearranged the original biblical lyrics of Shir Hashirim, one of the world’s most beautiful love songs of all time. She conveys the original story in a modern, intimate and personal way, taking the listener to a deep and emotional experience.
SALVADOR DALI: ALIYAH SUITE
Aliyah Suite, an exquisite collection of lithographs by surrealist master Salvador Dali opens on Apr. 23 compliments of art collector Barry Burack. Dali occasionally turned his astonishing talents to serious reproductions late in his career, usually with biblical or historical themes. Dali was commissioned to create Aliyah Suite to mark the Israel’s 20th anniversary in 1968. The show will also include pieces from Dali’s 12 Tribes and Historical Heritage.
For more information, call 305-271-9000, ext. 268, or online at www.alperjcc.org
