NJPAC Presents Jewish Heritage, Israel and the Middle East: Four Unique Programs on Jewish Culture, Politics, and History

New Jersey Performing Arts Center presents Jewish Heritage, Israel and the Middle East which are four unique programs on Jewish culture, politics, and history. Admission is FREE.

RSVP to all events: https://10649.thankyou4caring.org/JewishHeritageIsraelandtheMiddleEast

Fighting Fear Through Film: Newark's Dore Schary
Sunday October 14, 2018- 3:00pm

Dore Schary, the Newark-born film director, writer, producer, playwright and head of MGM Studios in its 1950s heyday, was the Hollywood mogul responsible for films such as An American in Paris and Crossfire, and the playwright of classics like Sunrise at Campobello.

Not just a leader in his industry, Schary was also outspoken about his Jewish heritage, and a strong believer in using film as a weapon to fight prejudice. Film scholar and adjunct professor of cinema at Yeshiva University, Dr. Eric Goldman, will chronicle Schary's contributions to Hollywood and Broadway, and his battles for social justice and against anti-Semitism, through a lecture illustrated with film clips.


Israel at a Crossroads: Shaping the Future of a Nation
Wednesday October 31, 2018 - 7:30pm

What will Israel become? Much of the discourse around Israel abroad continues to focus on outdated paradigms. Within Israel, there is a growing realization that the country's core challenges have shifted. Israel today is at a crossroads: It is home to some of the world's most innovative companies and leading universities and medical centers, while a large - and increasing - share of the population is being left behind economically and socially.

Dr. Dan Ben-David, founder of the Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research and professor at Tel Aviv University, will discuss these domestic changes and their impact on Israel's still-evolving future.

With special thanks to Josh Weston
In partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

Jewish History: A Very Short Introduction
Monday November 5, 2018 - 7:00pm

The history of the Jews is one of the longest and most unlikely tales of survival in the annals of humanity. How did a small and dispersed group manage to overcome adversity and persecution to flourish in so many diverse settings over the centuries?

David N. Myers, Professor and Chair in Jewish History at University of California - Los Angeles, unpacks the mysteries of Jewish history in less than one hour based on his 2017 book of the same name.

Middle East Flashpoints: From Iran and Syria to ISIS and Saudi Arabia
Wednesday November 28, 2018 - 7:00pm

Why is the Middle East seemingly impervious to change? Political, economic, social, and religious crises abound, producing what journalist and author Robin Wright has termed "sacred rage." Ms. Wright, a veteran New Yorker reporter and Distinguished Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center, who has covered almost all of the region's myriad conflicts, will share insights on the multiple challenges facing the region.

Daniel Kurtzer, US ambassador (ret.) to both Israel and Egypt, will moderate the discussion.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, N.J., has the most diverse programming and audience of any performing arts center in the country, and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey - where Great Performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 9 million visitors (including over 1.7 million children and families) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.