Nov

29 2018

False Messiah: The Life and Impact of Shabbetai Tzvi

10:45AM - 12:00PM  

This Federation event will be held at Knesset Israel 16 Colt Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201

Contact Nancy Maurice Rogers
413-442-4360, ext. 1
nrogers@jewishberkshires.org

The Jewish Federation Connecting with Community program welcomes Rabbi Barbara Cohen of Congregation Ahavath Sholom in Great Barrington for "False Messiah: The Life and Impact of Shabbetai Tzvi."

Rabbi Cohen will share the fascinating history about a man who gained hundreds of thousands of followers across the Jewish World.  In the 17th century, in the wake of mass oppression and the deadly and devastating Chmielnicki Massacres, a personality arose into public consciousness, in Poland and Ukraine, whose impact at first elevated and then destroyed the lives and hearts of hundreds of thousands of people.

Shabbetai Tzvi, a mystic and madman, captured the imaginations and hopes of the people for a Messiah, to deliver them from horrors of their everyday lives.

This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.