The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires cares for those in need and nurtures and sustains the Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world, today and for future generations. 

The Federation is where the values of compassion, charity, generosity and responsibility inspire us to improve the quality of life for people in our community - everyday.  A place where all of us, including you, can make a world of difference. Read more about what the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires does.  Or, contact us at  413-442-4360

 

The Nature Conservancy

A presentation of its "South County Lunch Program," at 10:45am on Friday, May 18, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor "The Nature Conservancy: Climate and Hazards, Preparedness and Response," with Frank Lowenstein, the Conservancy's Climate Adaptation Strategy Leader for its Global Climate Change Team.  Open to the public, the program will be held at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington.  More

Hearing Loss and What to Do About It

At 1 p.m. on Monday, May 21, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program, "Hearing Loss and What to Do About It," with Stephen L. White, Ph. D.  At a cost of $3, open to the public, and held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, White will offer an overview of the latest research on hearing loss as well as a review of the newest technologies and treatment options. More

A Summer Celebration of Jewish Music 

A Summer Celebration of Jewish Music, co-directed by Paul Green and Robert Scherr will kick-off with Jewish/African-American Fusion with special guest Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers on Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30pm at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. Pre-paid tickets and reservations may be made by calling 413-442-4360, ext. 12 or arlene.schiff@jewishberkshires.org.  More

Relationship Between Jewish and African-American Music

A Summer Celebration of Jewish Music continues with The Relationship Between Jewish and African-American Music: A Lecture and Performance with Paul Green and Charles Neville on Wednesday, May 30 at 7:30pm at Taft Recital Hall, Berkshire Music School, Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield. FREE.  More

Garden Sculpture Taught By Michel Paul Richard

At 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, June 7, and June 14, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the series, "Garden Sculpture Taught By Michel Paul Richard."  This is an opportunity to create a garden sculpture in terracotta clay. Open to the public with a cost of $40 for materials and firing, the program will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. More

The Jewish Deli in Pop Culture

A presentation of its "South County Lunch Program," at 10:45am on Friday, June 1, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program:  "Where Harry Met Sally: The Jewish Deli in Pop Culture," with Ted Merwin, Ph.D., a professor, journalist, and noted public speaker.  The program will be held at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington.  Merwin notes that in New York and other cities, the Jewish deli was a gathering place on par with the synagogue - a place where the overstuffed sandwiches symbolized nothing less than the achievement of "The American Dream." More 

Fiddler on the Roof

At 1 p.m. on Monday, June 4, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor "Fiddler on the Roof: Behind the Scenes," with Director Gary John La Rosa of Barrington Stage Company.  La Rosa, a 25 year professional, will present an in-depth look at the musical.  Open to the public at a cost of $3, the program will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. More

Chamber Music of Jewish Composers at Hevreh

A Summer Celebration of Jewish Music, co-directed by Paul Green and Robert Scherr will feature The Chamber Music of Jewish Composers showcasing important works by Jewish composers including Osvald Golijov, Felix Mendelssohn and Allen Shawn on Wednesday, June 6 at 7:30pm at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington. More

Seeking Safety

At 1 p.m. on Monday, June 11, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program, "Seeking Safety," with author Judy Weber.  In Seeking Safety, a work for children, Weber recounts that in 1944, 982 refugees were brought to the US to live in Fort Ontario in Oswego, NY with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt having arranged for passage.  Open to the public and at a cost of $3, the program will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield. More

Klezmer Evening with Paul Green & Friends

A Summer Celebration of Jewish Music, co-directed by Paul Green and Robert Scherr will present a concert of Klezmer music, including traditional pieces from the Eastern European Klezmer repertoire, the Sephardic repertoire and Klezmer music written in the United States on Tuesday, June 12, at 7:30pm at Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield. more

Jewish Choral Concert

Summer Celebration of Jewish Music presents a choral concert, in collaboration with the Berkshire Jewish Community's "Shabbat Across the Berkshires."  Worship will be augmented by choral music on Friday, June 15 at 7:30pm at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington. More

A Klezmer Afternoon with Paul Green & Friends

A Summer Celebration of Jewish Music, co-directed by Paul Green and Robert Scherr, will present a concert of Klezmer music in the afternoon, based on the June 12 performance in Pittsfield, including traditional pieces from the Eastern European Klezmer repertoire, the Sephardic repertoire and Klezmer music written in the United States on Sunday, June 17 at 3:00pm at Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street, North Adams. More

"Holy Ground: The Yiddish Connection"  

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and The Guthrie Center present the regional debut of Nora Guthrie's program of remembrance and discovery, "Holy Ground: The Yiddish Connection."  Through discussion, music, photographs, writings and artwork, Guthrie's presentation will reflect the artistic and personal implications of her father Woody's relationship with his Jewish mother-in-law, Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt, on Sunday, June 24 from 3:00-5:00pm at The Guthrie Center, 4 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington. More
Donate Now

Jewish Women's Foundation of Berkshire County Spring Event

Jane Glaser, chair of the Jewish Women's Foundation of Berkshire County, announced that the Foundation will hold its third annual gathering at Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club, 55 Lee Road, Lenox, at 10:30am on Monday, June 11.  The event will feature Lorraine Abramson, the author of "My Race: A Jewish Girl Growing Up Under Apartheid in South Africa." more

Fiddler on the Roof at Barrington Stage Company

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor a theatre trip to see Barrington Stage Company's "Fiddler on the Roof" on Wednesday, June 20 at 2 p.m.  Orchestra seating, at $36 per ticket, must be reserved by Wednesday, June 13. More

Monthly PJ Pals Program

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and The PJ Library invites children ages 6 months to 6 years, their parents/caregivers, and siblings of all ages to join in first-Monday-of-each-month PJ Pals Programs.  Each one hour session highlights a different PJ Library book and features a variety of fun-filled art, movement, music, and cooking activities. More 

Volunteer!

There are other ways to help besides donating money. Volunteering your time is a rewarding experience and helps the Federation run vital programs that benefit your neighbors and the Berkshires community. Sign up here.

Join Our Mailing List!

Stay updated on all things Jewish in the Berkshire County area as it happens!

Enter your E-mail Address: