Lexington Institute of Jewish Studies

State of the Arts: Snapshots of Contemporary Jewish Arts and Culture

With the Lexington Institute of Jewish Studies (LIJS)

This fall we will dive into the world of Jewish arts with LIJS, our longstanding Emunah-Isaiah learning partnership.

Jewish arts and culture are rich, diverse, and continually evolving. Join us to hear from local artists across multiple genres. They will discuss their work—what inspires and concerns them as Jewish artists and what is happening in their fields. These artists are all engaged in exciting new work; their art and their stories will inspire you.

Te programs will be in person; some at Isaiah and some at Emunah. 

Tuition for the series is $36. Or you may sample one program for $10. Please register here.

Nigunim Old & New with Zach Mayer

Wednesday, November 13, at 7:45

Temple Emunah

Join musician Zach Mayer to learn about niggunim and how he is adding modern elements to these traditional wordless melodies. He will lead us in a niggun and play one of his own compositions. Coming from four generations of cantors, Zach is a singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and teacher, working in both traditional and very modern styles, including Jewish Afrobeat.

Mixed Media: Art, Activism & Antisemitism

Caron Tabb in Conversation with Laura Mandel

Wednesday, December 4, at 7:45 pm

Temple Emunah

Artist Caron Tabb and JArts Executive Director Laura Mandel will dive into what Caron calls “artivism”— art designed to prompt activism. We will see photos of JArts’ Be the Change™ exhibit, including Caron’s larger-than-life Tzedakah box on the theme of antisemitism, as well as some of Caron’s other exciting mixed media work.

Caron has lived in South Africa, Israel, and the US. Her conceptual mixed-media and installation art address issues of social inequality, racial justice, and feminism as seen through the lens of her deep Jewish identity.

Jewish Stories on the Stage with Dori Robinson

Wednesday, December 11, at 7:45 pm

Temple Isaiah

According to theater professional Dori Robinson, this is a critically important time to talk about Jewish stories and how Jews are portrayed on stage. A director, playwright, dramaturg, and educator, Dori recently served as the associate or assistant director for the Huntington’s Leopoldstadt, Prayer for the French Republic, and The Band’s Visit, among other plays with Jewish themes.

Jewish Stories on the Page with Joan Leegant

Wednesday, December 18, at 7:45 pm

Temple Isaiah

In Joan Leegant’s award-winning new short story collection, Displaced Persons,

half of the stories are set in the States and half in Israel. In her talk, Joan will share her perspective on the creative process, writing about Israel, and what it means to be coming out with a Jewish book today in this climate of anti-Israel sentiment. Joan’s previous novels and stories have won numerous awards, and she is an engaging speaker.

Copies of Displaced Persons will be available for purchase and signing after the talk. They’ll make a great Hanukkah present!