May 2019 Get the Folk Out

In the afterglow of Pesach, we’ve got a whole slew of a bevy of bountiful options for you to come out and play all May long. As one might expect, it gets a little slow over Memorial Day but picks right back up after the holiday.

So get the Folk out with this nice weather, and join us…

“Shul: A World Premiere”

Through May 19th @ Highland Park Community Center, St. Paul. $23 – $38.

… or, you know what? Come inside and see some art. It’s dark by 8 p.m. anyway!

An endearing world premiere about the power of community from the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, Shul follows the remaining congregants of an old synagogue who must decide what to do with their dilapidated building with holes in the roof. Should they try to keep the congregation going, sell the building, or share it with members of the Sikh community? This funny, charming, and endearing new work explores what it means to be Jewish for different generations while touching on themes of religious tradition, gentrification, and poverty. Tickets and more information at http://mnjewishtheatre.org/shul/

“Jewish Gangsters”

Friday, May 3rd — 7:30 p.m. @ Sabes JCC, St. Louis Park. FREE

Because the first word that comes to mind after “Jewish” is “gangsters.” Join Or Emet in hosting applied social scientist Howard Schneider for a presentation on the growth & demise of 20th-century Jewish gangsters, their context, and how mainstream Judaism responded. FASCINATING!

Preceded by a short Humanistic Jewish Sabbath service, free and open to the public, and followed by an Oneg Shabbat reception.

Or Emet’s services and programs take place in the Beit Knesset, Room M-28, at the Sabes Jewish Community Center, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd. S., St. Louis Park. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.oremet.org.

“Yoga by the Lake”

Saturday, May 4th — 10 a.m. @ Lake of the Isles. FREE

You know what they say: the first Saturday Shabbat service of the month is the best Saturday Shabbat service of the month. [They do say that, right?] And this one truly is the best: celebrate Shabbat with morning yoga, followed by brunch at Moishe House. Namaste, my Tribe.

“Good Deeds Day!”

Sunday, May 5th — 11 a.m.-2 p.m. @ JFCS Community Room, Golden Valley. FREE

NextGen’s made a name for itself with fun, inclusive, community-building volunteer events… and this one is no different. Join NextGen for “Good Deeds Day” to help kids from PJ Library and Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School get their introduction to volunteering. NextGen volunteers will run stations for Meals on Wheels placemat decoration, PRISM doggy bags, and more. A light kosher lunch and Good Deeds Day T-Shirts will be provided!

Sign up here, and make it happen!

“Pikuach Nefesh: The Art of Art [An Artist’s Workshop]”

Wednesday, May 8th — 1-3 p.m. @ Sabes JCC, St. Louis Park. $10-$12

A great one for my fellow daywalkers out there, in partnership with the Jewish Artists’ Lab: It is said in Jewish law that preservation of a human soul takes precedent over any other religious obligation. As artists, we are in conversation with ourselves, each other, and the world. In this workshop, explore our authentic voices as artists, and what we feel is the soul of our practice. Using Jewish rituals and texts to anchor our journey, the goal is to leave feeling inspired and anew. Grab your ticket here!

“Screening of The Infamous T, with J-Pride + Adath’s Keruv Committee

Thursday, May 9th — 7:30 p.m. @ Adath Jeshrun, Minnetonka. FREE

Join J-Pride and Adath Jeshurun’s Keruv committee for a screening of The Infamous T, a documentary following the story of a local 18-year-old participant in Avenues for Homeless Youth’s GLBT Host Home Program. We’ll spend the evening watching the documentary, learning about LGBTQIA+ housing and community, and discussing creating safer and more accessible LGBTQIA+ spaces within the Jewish community. Come ready to watch, listen, discuss, and learn!

If you have any questions, please reach out to J-Pride Program coordinator Jayce Koester ([email protected]) or Adath Keruv Committee Chair Sharon Garber ([email protected]).

“Take MoHo Out to the Ball Game!”

Saturday, May 11th  — 1:10 p.m. @ Target Field, Minneapolis.

Spring! Baseball! FRIENDS! Get your pre-Mother’s Day jitters out with our MoHo pals, and watch the Twins crush the Detroit Tigers. Check back with Moishe House Twin Cities for pricing & details!

“Soul Sisters: The Untold Stories of Biblical Women,” with Hazzan Joanna Dulkin

Thursday, May 16th — 10:30-11:45 a.m. @ Adath Jeshurun, Minnetonka. FREE

Another one for the daywalkers! If you haven’t caught this yet, now’s your chance to learn at this fascinating seminar, exploring the stories behind the stories of our fearless matriarchs. All genders welcome.

“Mini Golf @ the Walker”

Sunday, May 19th — time TBA @ Walker Art Museum, Minneapolis. FREE to join.

The Walker’s mini golf setup is one of the best interactive art pieces going in the Twin Cities. What better way to explore it than with your MoHo pals?

I swear, nobody is better at getting people together for good, clean fun than Moishe House. This sounds like an absolute blast. Of course, check back with Moishe House Twin Cities for details.

“20s and 30s Happy Hour, with Bet Shalom Congregation”

Thursday, May 23rd — 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. @ Freehouse, Minnetonka. FREE to join.

Aimed straight at my fellow MillennialFolk: If you were born anywhere between 1984 to 1999, join Bet Shalom Congregation for Happy Hour at the Freehouse in Minneapolis!

“Makom Fridays”

Friday, May 31st — 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka. FREE

“Makom,” the Hebrew word for “space,” reanimates ancient Jewish wisdom for today. Join Adath Jeshurun for Makom Fridays, celebrating Shabbat with new and familiar faces through soulful prayer, delicious food, a space to unwind, and the sweet ruach [energy] of community. All are welcome to this “everybody friendly” event.

While they’re known to have a few gourmet cooks and bakers [and some take-out pros who know how to order], they do ask attendees to bring a dairy or vegetarian dish to share — after all, what better way to break ice, than to break bread to go with it? Challah, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, but additional details on what to bring are on the Makom Facebook page & website.