A Place for Jewish History and Culture in the Pine Tree State: an Interview with Gary Berenson of the Maine Jewish Museum
May 10, 2011
While Maine may not be the first place many people think of when considering Jewish cultural hotspots, there is in fact at least one very important Jewish place in Maine which is working to preserve, protect and share the legacy of Maine Jewry. In this interview, Maine Jewish Museum Executive Director Gary Berenson discusses what inspired the creation of this fascinating New England institution, and how it has helped to rejuvenate the surrounding Jewish community.Read More
An Interview with Daniel Elbaum, American Jewish Committee Regional Director in Chicago
May 9, 2011
Recently Daniel Elbaum, Regional Director for the American Jewish Committee in Chicago took some time to answer a few questions via email about the work of his organization which includes reaching out and forming connections to a diverse array of other communities and organizations. In this interview, Mr. Elbaum details some of the innovative programming his office is doing, including partnering with a wide variety of foreign consulates and cultural institutions and shares some of his own story and what led him to work for the AJC.
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Tasting the Seasons
by Claire Rosenberg, Staff Writer
May 6, 2011
One of the most important ways that many Jews connect to family and tradition is through food, In this new essay, new Vilna Review staff writer Claire Rosenberg explores the wide range of Jewish cuisine, and how she sees connections between different holidays and the foods she associates with them. From the Matzoh ball soup of Ahskenzic tradition to falafel and spicy Morrocan salads, Ms. Rosenberg covers a wide range of Jewish culinary history and tradition.Read More
An Evening of Remembrance, a Morning of Education
by Daniel E. Levenson, ALM
May 4, 2011
Boston 3G Board Members
For people whose lives have been impacted by the Holocaust, either by the deaths of family members or through the heart-wrenching tales of survival that have been passed down by grandparents or parents, Yom Hashoah (Holocaust remembrance Day) has a deeply personal resonance. In this new essay, New vilna Review publisher, Daniel E. Levenson, writes about the efforts of Boston 3G, a group of third generation Holocaust survivors, who have created a unique annual event which serves as a remembrance and a teachable moment.
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Bus 174
by Rebecca M. Ross
May 2, 2011
Israel can be a very tense place for both Jews and Arabs alike. In this new essay, author Rebecca M. Ross contemplates the ways in which decades of violence and anger have fostered a general climate of mutual distrust in Jerusalem. What makes this essay so engaging and perhaps unique is the way in which she offers her readers a brief glimpse of hope in the shape of our common ability to recognize, at some level, the inherent humanity within each other.
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My First Patient
by Kenneth Kenigsberg
April 29, 2011
In this thoughtful new essay, Dr. Kenneth Kenigsberg describes an episode in his own life, when as a young physician he formed an important bond with a Yiddish-speaking patient.
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Joseph and the Politics of Diaspora Judaism, Part 2
by Professor Aaron Koller, PhD
April 22, 2011
In the second part of this two-essay series, Professor Aaron Koller of Yeshiva University explores thematic links between the lives of several key "diaspora" figures in the Torah: Joseph, Esther and the prophet Daniel. In particular, he considers the ways in which the narrative of Joseph, as an Israelite living in Egypt, may have served as the inspiration for the author of the Book of Daniel.
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Art, Business and Philanthropy: an Interview with Art in Giving Founder, Eliane Markoff
April 19, 2011
Eliane Markoff, founder of the arts non-profit “Art in Giving,” recently took some time to answer a few questions via email for the New Vilna Review. In this interview she discusses what led to the creation of the organization, her own background in the arts and the deeply personal family connection to the important work she does as both an artist and a philanthropist.
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Joseph and the Politics of Diaspora Judaism, Part 1
By Professor Aaron Koller, PhDApril 16, 2011
For thousands of years the Jewish people have been sustained by telling and exploring the stories of our ancestors many of whom make us think deeply about not only the evolution of Jewish culture and tradition, but present us with a variety of moral and ethical questions to ponder. In this insightful new essay, Professor Aaron Koller of Yeshiva University considers the actions and decisions of two key figures in the Torah, Joseph and Moses, and how the experiences each had in Egypt helped to shape the course of their respective lives.
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If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am not for Israel, Who Will Be? And if not now, WHEN?
by Claire Rosenberg, Staff WriterApril 14, 2011
Since the founding of the modern State of Israel in 1948, Jews around the world have grappled with a whole new set of questions relating to community, identity and Zionism. In this new essay, New Vilna Review staff writer Claire Rosenberg explores this subject and discusses why she plans to make alyah as well as how she hopes to personally contribute to the improvement of the country as an Israeli citizen.Read More
Israel Education and Advocacy, an Interview with Michal Adut of The David Project
April 6, 2011
Michal Adut works on college and university campuses throughout New England and Canada for The David Project, an Israel education and advocacy organization founded in Boston, Massachusetts and which has since grown to cover large sections of the US as well as Canada. In this interview, Ms. Adut describes the work of the organization, as well as some of the challenges faced by pro-Israel student groups.
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Between Obedience and Freedom, Thoughts on Desert Wandering
by Daniel E. Levenson, ALM
April 4, 2011
At the heart of the Passover Haggadah is the tale of a disparate group of people linked by a common past, who undertake a long and dangerous journey toward nationhood. In this new essay, New Vilna Review publisher Daniel E. Levenson considers a central tension within the Israelite community, between the desire for freedom and the desire to become part of a collective, which is woven throughout the story of the Exodus.
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Jewish Values, International Development and America’s Inner Cities: An Interview With Sarah Gogel of Global Potential
April 4, 2011
Sarah Gogel, co-founder of the non-profit group Global Potential recently took some time to answer a few questions from the New Vilna Review via email. In this interview, Ms. Gogel discusses the evolution of the organization, its work in New York and Boston and the connections she sees between the goals of Golobal Potential and core Jewish values and ideas.
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Adding Some (Conversational) Spice to the Seder
by Claire Rosenberg, Staff Writer
March 24, 2011
With Passover fast approaching many Jews are beginning to think about new ways to make the Pesach Seder more interesting and engaging for guests. In this essay by New Vilna Review Staff Writer Claire Rosenberg, she writes about Dr. David Arnow's new book, Creating Lively Passover Seders: a Sourcebook of Engaging Tales, Texts and Activities and shares some insights she gleaned from her conversation with the author.
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An Interview with Dr. Jonathan Klawans – Teacher, Scholar and Associate Professor of Religion at Boston University
March 22, 2011
Dr. Jonathan Klawans is a scholar, teacher and author whose work focuses on the period of Jewish history extending from the destruction of the First Temple to the destruction of the Second Temple. His writings have made major contributions to our understanding of this period in Jewish history, while at the same time asking intriguing questions (many of which remain unanswered) about the nature and evolution of Jewish life during this period. In this interview, Professor Klawans touches on a wide range of topics relating to his work, including, among other things, the ways in which diverse Jewish ideas, experiences and texts inspired him to embark upon a career in Jewish studies, the importance of considering ancient texts within their own social-historical contexts and his participation in a Greek-Jewish dialogue event held last month.
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Israel, Legitimacy and Human Rights: An Interview with Professor Gerald Steinberg of NGO Monitor
March 16, 2011
While many organizations in the Jewish world have expressed concern about on-going efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, one group which has been at the forefront of this effort to fight the demonization of the Jewish State is NGO Monitor. In this interview, Professor Gerald Steinberg, President of NGO Monitor and a faculty member of the Political Studies Department at Bar Ilan University, discusses how his organization is responding to this threat and offers his opinion on some of the ways in which certain international human rights NGO's are potentially giving a veneer of respectability to efforts aimed at undermining the legitimacy of Israel.
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AJWS Dvar Tzedek on Parshat Vayikra
by Shira Fischer
March 14, 2011
In this piece, which was written by Shira Fischer as part of the American Jewish World Service, the author considers themes of sacrifice, change and ritual in parshat Vayikra.
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Bringing A Biblical Tale to Life in Music: An Interview with Dr. Lawrence Herz, of the Boston Cecilia
March 8, 2011
The biblical tale of Jeptha has intrigued and disturbed readers, scholars and even composers, including Handel. In this interview, Dr. Lawrence Herz of the Boston Cecilian talks about some of the themes explored in this piece of music, and the different ways that audiences have experienced them.
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An Interview with Sid Lejfer, Chairman of the New England Section of the American Technion Society
March 1, 2011
Sid Lejfer has been deeply involved with the Boston Jewish community for many years, lending his time and expertise to a number of major Jewish organizations, including AIPAC and the American Jewish Committee. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of the New England Region (as well as a member of the National Board of Directors) of the American Technion Society, an organization founded in 1940 in order to help support the Technion, one of Israel’s premier institutions of higher learning, and a hotbed of technological innovation. In this interview, Mr. Lejfer discusses why he feels it is important to support the Technion and other organizations whose work is helping to strengthen Israel and the Jewish community, as well as what has inspired him personally to take on leadership roles in the Jewish world.
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An Interview with Ken Schoen, Founder and Owner of Schoen Books
February 28, 2011
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A Panoply of Artists Populate Newbury Street Gallery: An Interview with Suzanne King of Galerie d’Orsay in Boston, Massachusetts
February 21, 2011
The Galerie d’Orsay opened ten years ago on Newbury Street in Boston and since that time has offered visitors and potential buyers the opportunity to see art work by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Rembrandt, Escher and Chagall. It was this last artist whose name caught the attention of the New Vilna Review, for there are perhaps fewer Jewish artists whose names are more well-known when it comes to visual art in the twentieth century than this Russian-born, French-trained artist. In this interview, Ms. King discusses the history and evolution of the gallery, and the various kinds of artists which it represents.
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Of Torah and Khoresh Gheymeh
A Brookline couple shares its passion for Judaism – and Persian food – with the world.
by Sohrab Ahmari
February 21, 2011
Text, food and tradition have been at the heart of Jewish life and experience across the centuries. In this new piece, essayist Sohrab Ahmari, profiles one Jewish couple from Boston who have come to embrace these three pillars of Jewish life, building a life together which they have come to share with a diverse group of friends.
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Feasting on Jewish Diversity
by Claire Rosenberg, Staff Writer
February 17, 2011
From Kugels to Knishes and pastrami to pesach, the Jewish table is a rich cornucopia of different ingredients, tastes and traditions. In this new piece from Claire Rosenberg, New Vilna Review staff writer, she explores the varied origins of Jewish cuisine and what it has to tell us about how we live our lives today.
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Economic Ties Between Israel and Massachusetts: a Potential Bright Spot in a Bleak Economy
by Daniel E. Levenson, ALM
February 14, 2011
While there is no shortage of people concerned about the state of the American economy, there are also a number of people who are taking creative approaches to trying to jump-start the Massachusetts economy by looking to improve ties with business and industry leaders abroad. David Goodtree, an active volunteer in the Jewish community is one such person who has been working to encourage closer ties between Massachusetts and Israel, and it seems that people are listening to him - including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who recently announced he will lead a delegation to Britain and Israel in March. In this piece, Daniel E. Levenson writes about economic and business ties which already exist between the Commonwealth and Israel, and how these connections can provide even more benefits to the people of Massachusetts.
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Salami
by Simi Monheit
February 14, 201
In this new essay for the New Vilna Review, writer Simi Monheit reflects on childhood, favorite school lunches, and the significance of the Red Heiffer in Temple ritual.
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Egypt, Israel, Russia and More: A Recent Conversation with Joshua Rubenstein, of Amnesty International
by Daniel E. Levenson, ALM
February 9, 2011
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Take a Bubbe to Lunch
by Ted Roberts
February 8, 2011My old Bubbe on my mother’s side wore high-top shoes and black dresses that covered her shoe tops. She moved in a mist of cologne that simulated, with incredible fidelity, the scent of stewed chicken and onions. Or maybe she didn’t wear cologne - maybe she carried that tantalizing scent honestly - due to long hours over a dutch oven full of chicken and onions.
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Looking for Peaceful Partners in the Middle East: an Interview with Nadav Greenberg of the Organization “Just Vision”
February 7, 2011
Nadav Greenberg works for an organization called “Just Vision,” which recently released a film entitled “Budrus,” which is focused on efforts by Palestinian villagers to peacefully (and ultimately successfully) protest the building of a section of Israel’s security fence, which was set to run through an important section of agricultural land. In this interview Mr. Greenberg talks about how this film has been received by audiences around the world, as well as the overall goals and work of “Just Vision.”
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A Passion for Words, Food and Judaism: An Interview with Blogger Renee Hirschberg
February 4, 2011
Renee Hirschberg is the driving force behind the popular food blog “EatLiveBlog,” and was one of several food bloggers and writers in attendance at the New Center for Arts and Culture event, “Beyond Bubbe’s Kitchen,” which was held this past weekend at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston. In this interview, Ms. Hirschberg takes some time to talk about her passion for food and writing.
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How Will Israel Respond?
by Daniel E. Levenson, ALMFebruary 4, 2011
As unrest continues to spread in the Arab world, most visibly in Egypt & Tunisia, but perhaps most dangerously (in the near and medium term) in Lebanon, there has been relatively little discussion of how these events might influence Israeli actions and policy in the region. While there has been some coverage of this aspect of the story – mostly in the form of the media reporting on the various ways in which Israeli officials are nervously following developments, for those who take a more holistic (not to mention, realistic) approach to looking at the region, it would seem fairly obvious that to leave Israel out of these discussions is short-sighted.
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Kasha, and Varnishkas , and Duck Comfit, Oh My!
by Daniel E. Levenson, ALM
February 2, 2011
Kasha and varnishkas with duck comfit ? This was just one of the creative dishes on display at the second annual "beyond Bubbe's Kitchen" event organized by PRISM, the young adult arm of the New Center for Arts and Culture, an event which challenges local chefs to come up with unique takes on traditonal Jewish cuisine. In this piece, Daniel E. Levenson writes about what worked (and what didn't) at this popular Boston culinary event.
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An Interview with Samantha Colpak of the Jewish Law Students Association at New England Law School
February 1, 2011
Samantha Colpak is the President of the Jewish Law Students Association at New England Law School. She recently took some time to answer a few questions about the work of the association and the role it plays in larger law school community.
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Shylock and Shakespeare Revisited: An Interview with A.R.T. founder, Dr. Robert Brustein
January 31, 2011
For decades, Dr. Robert Brustein has been a major force in the theater world as a producer, playwright, critic, educator and founder of two major theaters – the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA and the Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT. Recently, Dr. Brustein took some time to answer a few questions from the New Vilna Review about his participation in a joint New Center for Arts and Culture-ArtsEmerson event, entitled “Shakespeare’s Jews,” as well as about his own work and life in the theater.
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ShalOOooooooommmmm
by Claire Rosenberg, Staff Writer
January 27, 2011
Om or ‘Aum’ is a symbol and sound familiar to many in the Western World, although its origins are tied to the East. It appears on yoga accessories, home décor (some of which decorates my own apartment) clothing, and in recordings of meditative music by numerous artists. The general consensus is that Om is actually beyond human constraints as a reverberating sound, awareness, and intention, yet there has been an attempt to make it accessible as well, through the letters “A-U-M”, which cover the progression of pronunciation. I have seen numerous attempts to define Om (as well as equivalent insistence that it is beyond definition) but one suggestion that particularly resonates with me, is the assertion that Om is a reference to GD, albeit without the restriction the word G-O-D is subject to when spoken in English. I am so intrigued by this definition because it brings to my mind the term YHWH (or Yaweh) that has long been used in Judaism to describe a higher power without allowing it to become commonplace. The dichotomy between the two terms is striking however, in that YHWH is a name meant to retain its holiness through scarcity of use; that we might remain on a separate plane from GD. Conversely, Om is not only meant to be pronounced, but to allow practitioners to feel all encompassed in the understanding and presence of a creator.
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Remembering Debbie Friedman
by Kelly Kossar, Staff WriterJanuary 23, 2011
I love Jewish music. The sounds of Debbie Friedman, Beth Schafer, Josh Nelson, Kol B’seder and Dan Nichols fill my iTunes. Upon learning of the death of Debbie Friedman, I smile through the tears, remembering the power of her words, and realizing the power that an individual has to positively affect the world.
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Sharing A Love for Food and Jewish Culture: An Interview with Author Joan Nathan
January 17, 2011
Joan Nathan is the author of ten cookbooks, including her latest work, Quiches, Kugels and Couscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France, which has been well-received. In addition to a varied career as an food writer, host of the PBS television series Jewish Cooking in America with Joan Nathan, and her work with charitable organizations, she also worked for the iconic Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek in the 1970’s. In this interview with the New Vilna Review Ms. Nathan discusses her life in food and politics.
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An Interview with Carol Hupping of the Jewish Publication Society
January 16, 2011
Carol Hupping, of the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) recently took some time to answer a few questions for the New Vilna Review about the valuable contributions that this publisher has made in the English-speaking Jewish world since its founding in 1888. As Ms. Hupping notes in her answers below, JPS started off publishing Jewish books in English at the end of the 19th century to meet the needs of new immigrants who wanted to have Jewish texts in the language of their adopted homeland and since that time has continued to grow and expand, to cover a wide range of important Jewish topics.
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Music, Technology and Immortality: an Interview with Composer and MIT Professor, Tod Machover
January 11, 2011
MIT professor Tod Machover recently took some time to answer a few questions from the New Vilna Review about his latest creation, an opera entitled “Death and the Powers: A Robot Pageant,” a work that asks the audience to think deeply about questions of family, mortality and legacy. In this interview, Professor Machover offers some fascinating insights into the ways in which he thinks about the intersection of technology and music, offers a glimpse into his own creative process, and discusses some of the ideas which inspired the creation of this latest opera. Read More
An Interview with Michael Glickman of the Center for Jewish History
January 8, 2011Michael Glickman, Chief Operating Officer for the Center for Jewish History in New York City, recently took some time to answer a few questions via email for the New Vilna Review about the work of the center and the important role it is playing in helping to preserve, protect, and share Jewish history.
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Jewish for the Holidays
by Claire Rosenberg, Staff Writer
January 5, 2011
I avoid the malls during the month of December. While the thought of dealing with the crowds and inflated holiday pricing doesn’t thrill me, there’s one reason in particular that I keep my distance; the music. If I have to listen to Mariah Carey inform me that All I want for Christmas is You while picking out a new sweater once more, I may just…well you can simply call me a scrooge now if you must. I have nothing against people’s enjoyment of the holiday atmosphere…families deriving joy from group meals, music, and gifts is among life’s true blessings, and I love sharing my Chanukah traditions as well. Unfortunately, I’ve reached a point at which I feel I’m being pushed and pulled into a yuletide abyss, the edge of which I’m holding on to for dear life.
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An Interview with Dr. Helen Brown of OakTree Software, of Accordance Bible Software
January 4, 2011
Dr. Helen Brown, an anesthesiologist by training, is one of the people who helped to create “Accordance Bible Software,” a series of programs which have become an invaluable tool for students, teachers and scholars in the world of Jewish studies and beyond. She recently took some time to answer a few questions about Accordance via email, for the New Villna Review.
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AJWS Dvar Tzedek on Parashat Vayechi
by Shira Fischer
December 28, 2010
At points of transition, particularly at the end of life, it is natural to look back at what we have accomplished and ahead to what we are giving the next generation. Some of us will bequeath money—directed towards a specific cause, through a foundation or in a building. Others will pass on our ideas through the institutions we found or the books we publish, or through the memories of our students and children. These are the ways that we hope our legacy—the things we lived for in life, our values and commitments—will live on.Read More
A Taste of Peace
by Eliane Markoff-(Written in October, 2007)
December 27, 2010
The drive to the hotel in the back seat of the taxi was peaceful and calm – unusual for the region we were visiting. My husband and I had just arrived in Jerusalem, a place like no other, more a state of being than just a city. It is difficult to express how I felt being there. I had been there twice before. As a young child it was a country that was off limits to my family, although every relative of mine yearned to visit. Admiring the view and sitting in the back seat of the taxi with my husband, we held hands and sensed each other’s excitement at the prospect of spending a few weeks in Jerusalem.
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An Interview With Human Rights Activist Mohamed Eljahmi
December 20, 2010
Mohamed Eljahmi is a Lybian-American human rights activist who has spoken out forcefully and eloquently on the abusive nature of the present regime in Lybia. In this interview with the New Vilna Review, Mr. Eljahmi discusses his work as a human rights advocate and shares the story of his brother who was arrested for democratic political activism in Lybia, and died while in custody. Mr. Eljahmi was recently part of a panel organized by the American Jewish Committee in Newton, Massachusetts, to mark the 62nd anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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AJWS Dvar Tzedek on Parashat Toldot
by Shira Fischer
December 19, 2010
In this piece on parshat Toldot, Shira Fischer considers the moral benefit to individuals and society when it comes to giving tzedekah. This is the second in a series of essays by Ms. Fischer, written as part of the American Jewish World Service Dvar tzedek program and republished with permission by the New Vilna Review.
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An Interview with Professor Robert Pinsky, Former US Poet Laureate
December 13, 2010
Recently, Professor Robert Pinsky, internationally-acclaimed poet and teacher of creative writing at Boston University, agreed to answer a few questions via email for the New Vilna Review. Dr. Pinsky was U.S. Poet Laureate from 1997-2000, during which time he created the Favorite Poem Project, an innovative endeavor which sought to highlight the importance of poetry in American culture and the lives of Americans. He recently appeared on stage at an event organized by the New Center for Arts and Culture in Watertown, Massachusetts, with artistic collaborator Professor Tod Machover of MIT, to discuss their work on a
new opera entitled “Death and the Powers: The Robots’ Opera.”
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Israeli-American
by Claire RosenbergDecember 10, 2010
While a quick moving and destructive fire raged in the Israeli Carmel during the first week of December, I received a number of emails requesting aid; the first plea being to “host refugees from the North,” a message to which I nearly responded “I’ve got space for two!” before remembering that I don’t live in Israel—yet. The impulse is indicative of my frame of mind in general…living in and amongst American Jewry, yet more often associating myself with Israeli culture, given my lifestyle even as I reside in North America.
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AJWS Dvar Tzedek on Parashat Breishit
by Shira Fischer
December 8, 2010
In the beginning, Bereshit, the world was created through speech. God spoke and there was light. God spoke and the waters were gathered. God spoke and the land produced grass.
The world was created through speech. The midrash counts ten separate instances of God speaking things into creation—light, dry land, grass and plants, heavenly lights.1 But in the barely nascent world, God was alone. So to whom was God speaking?
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Becoming an Activist
by Dr. Gil Troy
November 28, 2010
I always shock my students by admitting that when I attended Harvard University as an undergraduate, class of 1982, I was shy. I always had things to say in sections but was too intimidated to speak. As a graduate student and then a lecturer in history and literature there, I gained more confidence – I often call graduate school my finishing school. Still, during ten years at Harvard, the only time I was in the newspaper was in 1982 during a collective bout of food poisoning. Interviewed about “Quincy House Plague,” I told the Harvard Crimson that while lying on the floor retching, I could hear a chorus of others suffering through the bathroom vents and added: “It was charming.” That was the Crimson’s quotation of the day.
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AJC Young Leaders are Building Connections that Span the Globe
by Josh Fialkoff
November 27, 2010
Young Jewish leaders from Boston are building relationships with diplomats and community leaders after traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with international democracy activists, diplomats, leaders of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and even a White House staffer. The November 7th and 8th trip, sponsored by ACCESS, AJC Boston’s young leadership division, gave the group a first-hand taste—quite literally—of international diplomacy and an inside look at the work of one of the premiere Jewish advocacy groups.
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