Contact us at  413-442-4360

'Standing at the Shore,' April 1

At 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 1st, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program "Standing at the Shore of the Sea," with Rabbi David Weiner of Congregation Knesset Israel in Pittsfield.

Free and open to the public, Weiner's program will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, following the Federation sponsored "Older Adult Kosher Hot Meal Program," which has a $2 suggested donation. Reservations are required by 9 a.m.

Weiner noted that "the narrative of the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds is a challenging one; what does a story that contravenes much of our own experience have to teach us about life?"

In pursuit of eternal meaning and relevance, during his presentation Weiner will facilitate an exploration of "Standing at the Sea" that transcends its historical-literary moment.

For more information contact Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15. For reservations for the Meal contact Cindy Bell-Deane, Director of Food Services at 413-442-2200.

Dave Lebowitz: At the Piano

At 1 p.m. on Monday, April 12, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents "Dave Lebowitz: At the Piano."

Free and open to the public, Lebowitz' program will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield, following the Federation sponsored "Older Adult Kosher Hot Meal Program," which has a $2 suggested donation. Reservations are required by 9 a.m.

Lebowitz' selections will include traditional Jewish tunes, popular tunes of yesteryear, and lesser known songs.

A Pittsfield native, Lebowitz' began his professional solo piano career while a student at UMASS - Amherst.  Currently seen regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lebowitz has performed to enthusiastic audiences in bars, restaurants, nightclubs, senior care facilities and weddings nationwide.

For further information please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director at 413-442-4360 ext. 15.  For lunch reservations call Cindy Bell-Deane, Director of Food Services, at 413-442-2200.

"Stories in Words and Music"

At Hevreh, April 30

A presentation of its "South County Lunch Program," at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 30, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program, "Stories in Words and Music," with Darlene White and Robin O'Herin.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington, and will be followed at noon by a buffet lunch, at $5, catered by Freund Farm Market and Bakery, including vegetable frittata, spinach salad with feta & candied walnuts, crusty rolls and apple crunch galette.  Reservations due by Monday, April 26.

Drawing on the talents of blues and gospel performer Robin O'Herin, who listens to the "story within the song," and storyteller Darlene White, "who accesses music to find her stories," the program will demonstrate how combining art forms can lead to creative outcomes.

White manages the BSO's Berkshire Education and Community Programs and the company's Education Resource Center.  O'Herin plays both original and traditional American music using bottleneck and finger style guitar.

For lunch reservations and further information, please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15.

Federation Presents Dancer Idan Cohen

Young choreographer from Israel

Free and open to the public, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the demonstration and discussion, "From Kibbutz to Choreography" with Idan Cohen, one of Israel's leading young choreographers and contemporary dancers who are in the United States as part of a cultural exchange program organized by the Schusterman Foundation.

To be held at Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street, Pittsfield, from "Kibbutz to Choreography" examines the ways in which the socialist philosophy of the kibbutz has influenced Cohen's aesthetic ideas.

Cohen has taught modern dance and choreography in Israel, Europe, and the United States, and his honors include the prestigious Israeli Union of Performing Artists Award.

At Hevreh: "Judaism, A Mindfulness Guide," March 26

A presentation of its "South County Lunch Program," at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, March 26, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program, "Judaism As A Guide For Traditional Mindfulness."

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington, and will be followed at noon by a catered buffet lunch, at $5, featuring matzo ball soup, spinach with candied walnut and feta salad, tuna salad, broccoli salad and carrot cake.

Facilitated by Roberta Wall, the program examines Jewish experiences and practices as being deeply compassionate and of a "mindful" nature, in accordance with the philosophy of the Vietnamese Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, who has noted, "'Mindfulness' is at the heart of every great religious tradition - that is what makes it a great religious tradition."

For lunch reservations, due by Monday, March 22, and further information please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15. 

"Shakespeare and the Old Testament,"

At Hevreh, May 7

A presentation of its "South County Lunch Program," at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, May 7, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program, "Shakespeare and the Old Testament," with Larry Robbins.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington, and will be followed at noon by a buffet lunch, at $5, catered by Freund Farm Market and Bakery, including pasta prima vera, tossed salad, garlic & herb bread and an assortment of cookies and brownies.  Reservations required by Monday, May 3.

Robbins' presentation will focus on Shakespeare's knowledge of the Bible, with specific references to the Old Testament and Catholic and Protestant translations which Shakespeare uses as references, often in humorous ways.

Robbins, who holds a B.A. from Harvard, and M.A. from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley has taught "Renaissance Literature and Composition" at UPENN.

For lunch reservations and further information, please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15.