On Saturday evening, November 18, United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien (UJF) will once again host Tapestry, a long-running evening of communal Jewish learning.
Although there hasn’t been a full-scale Tapestry event since 2018, this year marks the sixteenth time that the community has come together for an evening of adult Jewish education. Tapestry’s theme will be “Israel at 75” with each of this year’s presenters focusing on an aspect of Israel, from creation through modern day.
The evening will begin at 6:30 pm at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, with a wine and cheese reception, followed by a communal Havdalah (Shabbat closing) ceremony. Attendees will then participate in two learning sessions, with four to five class options available per session. The evening will close with a dessert reception, as participants gather to celebrate the unity of the community.
“We tried a small version of Tapestry last year to gauge interest, and it was clear that we were ready to bring it back at the same scale it had been before. We couldn’t be more excited to be holding this amazing communal evening of learning again… and the lineup of presenters is not to be missed!” said Bob Abrams, UJF education chair.
“Watch out for invitations in your mailboxes and email inboxes, flyers and posters all over town, and social media posts too, and please, help us spread the word.”
Presenters/Classes Available: (List Still in Formation)
• Michal Abrahamof, Northeast Senior Shlicha (emissary): Evolution of the Reform Movement in Israel
• Michael Feldstein: Naftali Herz Imber – The Man Who Wrote HaTikvah.
• Dr. David Flatto, Hebrew University Professor of Law, Religion, and History.
• Jeremy Newberger, CEO of Ironbound Films: Capturing Israel’s World Baseball Classic Cinderella Story on Film.
• Dr. Shay Pilnik, Director of the Emil and Jenny A. Fish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Yeshiva University: The Israeli Labor Movement – A Brief History.
• Neil Rogachevsky and Dov Zigler, authors of the book: Israel’s Declaration of Independence, The History and Political Theory of the Nation’s Founding Moment.
• Rabbi Joshua Rosenfeld, Head of Judaic Studies at BiCultural Hebrew Academy.
• Eric Ross, UJF Deputy Director, and Rachel Klein, UJF Board member and Executive Director of Hillels of Westchester: When Anti-Israel Animus Becomes Antisemitism.
• Community Shaliach Yoav Yaron and Chagit Yaron (his mother!): Israeli Nature in the Bible
• Two Israel-themed craft sessions available for children ages 3rd grade and older.
Tapestry would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of UJF’s education committee members: Bob Abrams, Chair; Michael Feldstein; Barbara Friedman; Wynd Harris; Elissa Kaplan; Lynn Lowin; Bruce Newman; Arlene Rosen; Ronnie Sichel; and Betsy Stone.
Tickets purchased by November 5 will be $25 per person, and $36 per person after the 5th. Children’s tickets are $10 which includes all craft materials, and must be purchased by November 5. Event sponsorship is available for $180, and includes two tickets and recognition during the event. Please visit www.ujf.org/tapestry23 to register. For more information, please contact UJF Deputy Director Eric Ross at 203-321-1373 ext. 1004, or at Eric@ujf.org.
This article appears in the October issue of The New Jewish Voice newspaper. To receive The New Jewish Voice delivered free to your home, sign-up today at www.ujf.org.