It’s A Season of Jewish Culture

Hello everyone! Last week, as I began celebrating Passover, I announced the launch of the 14th Street Y’s Season of Jewish Culture. I couldn’t be more excited to share more news on the many celebrations and events taking place here, at the 14th Street Y, and all around Downtown Manhattan.

Last Friday, we began Counting the Omer, the forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot. This count marks the growing bounty of spring, and a celebration of moving from the freedom from slavery to receiving the Torah, the source of Jewish wisdom and culture. We invite you to join our vibrant downtown community in celebrating this special time!

Upcoming Events:

We Remember: A Yom HaShoah Commemoration

Museum of Jewish Heritage
Wednesday, April 11 // 6:30 PM

Join Downtown Jewish Life in a special commemoration ceremony for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) to honor all of the lives lost over 78 years ago. This event is free, but registration is highly encouraged.

Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day)

Yael Deckelbaum & Prayer of the Mothers Ensemble
(le) poisson rouge
Wednesday, April 18 // 6:30 PM

Join award-winning Israeli artist Yael Deckelbaum & Prayer of the Mothers Ensemble in celebrating the great diversity of Israel. Yael will be joined by multi-cultural musicians living in New York and the Town & Village Synagogue Choir.

In[HEIR]itance Project & 14th Street Y Present: The Genesis Plays

14th Street Y Theater
May 1 – May 18

The In[heir]itance Project embarked on creating The Genesis Plays, a national theater series created to put communities in conversation with stories from the Torah. This festival is a completion of that cycle – 5 plays made in different cities around the United States, performed in NYC for the very first time over 3 weeks at the 14th Street Y, all inspired by stories from 1 book.

Downtown Jewish Life presents INTO THE NIGHT: a contemporary spin on Tikkun Leil Shavuot

14th Street Y
Tuesday, May 19 // 6:00 PM & into the night

More than 20 downtown community partners will join in the fourth-annual night-time journey through conversation, culture, and ritual. The Tikkun is a nightlong journey through culture in the vein of the many vernal “White Nights” of European traditions. The event will feature conversation and ritual led by artists, musicians, shamans, teachers, scholars, and rabbis. Downtown synagogues and community organizations will lead sessions and workshops designed to provoke philosophical discussion with attendees from ALL levels of observance. This event is free and open to all!