April 2019 Get the Folk Out

IT’S SPRING. SERIOUSLY. GET THE FOLK OUT.

Not that you need me — or anyone else to tell you — but, my zisseles and boychiks, it’s time to get out and grab that vitamin D. And this month, we’ve got plenty o’ ways to make it happen with some new and old friends alike.

“Coming Together, Coming Apart: Spiritual Geographies in my Art”

Friday, April 5th — 7:30-9 p.m. @ Sabes JCC, St. Louis Park. FREE

Or Emet [the MN Congregation for Humanistic Judaism] will host artist Susan Armington for a presentation of her work — imaginative map paintings of the Middle East made with ancient texts, as well as her “Talking Suitcases” art and storytelling project — as well as a hands-on taste of her process that aims for “deep talk in a diverse world.”

Rabbinic Candidate Eva Cohen will lead a short Humanistic Jewish Sabbath service to be followed by the program, which is free and open to the public. An Oneg Shabbat reception will follow.

“Mindfulness Meditation”

Saturday, April 6th — 9:15 a.m. @ Beth Jacob Congregation, St. Paul. FREE

The Hineni program believes that engaging with Jewish teachings and practices challenges the mind, inspires the imagination and touches the soul thereby enriching individuals, communities, and the world. Drop in for a half hour mindful meditation session, a practice that can support and sustain our Jewish lives and the fulfillment of our Jewish values.

Additional dates include Friday, April 12th; Saturday, April 20th; and Friday, April 26th.
*Friday sessions are at 11 a.m.

“Respons!a”

Sunday, April 7th — 7 p.m. @ Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis. $6 – $12

Rimon, the MN Jewish Arts Coucil, concludes its 2018-19 Artist Salon season with a commission for Russian-Israeli artists Boris and Katya Oicherman. Boris and Katya are joined by Nooshin Hakim Javadi and Pedram Baldari in a performance piece inspired by the traditional form of Jewish study, called chevruta. Admission is $6 for participants who are age 36 or under.

“Thoughtful, Thirsty Thursday Doubleheader”

Thursday, April 11th — 4:30-8:30 p.m.

OK, Tribe. These are two separate events, from two separate organizers. But they just happened to line up in a way that you can do a mitzvah and then toast yo’self afterwards. So, be a mensch and hit ‘em both!

Part 1 of 2: “Passover For All” [Volunteers needed] @ Jewish Family Service of St. Paul.

Help assemble and deliver over 150 bags to JFS clients — a simple way to meet some of the people who benefit from the services offered by JFS, and a perfect mitzvah activity to help others. Russian-speaking volunteers especially needed! Register to volunteer at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/2666993/false#/invitation

Part 2 of 2: “MoHo Happy Hour at Red Cow”

6 p.m. @ Red Cow MPLS, 2626 Hennepin Ave. FREE to join [plus snacks!]

Raise a glass to your good deed with your pals at Moishe House, who are hosting a group happy hour at the Red Cow, a.k.a. Ye Former Green Mill [R.I.P.] Get out and raise a pint — after your pre-Passover kindness, you deserve it. L’chiem, motherfathers!

“Adath Blood Drive”

Sunday, April 14th — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. @ Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka.

Reach out directly to Adath’s Congregational Nurse, Elaine Savick, for sign-up information: [email protected] or 952.215.3936.

“Tastes from the Mideast, to the Midwest”

Sunday, April 14th — 2-4 p.m. @ Mount Zion Temple, St. Paul. $25

The last of the series! A cooking class led by Tal Dror (St. Paul Jewish Federation Shlicha) and Zehorit Heilicher to teach about the culture, the flavors and stories from the Mideast, all the way to the Midwest. Each meeting is about a different cultural dish from the Mideast/Midwest. Co-sponsored by Talmud Torah of St. Paul. Get tickets at www.jewishstpaul.org/israelicooking

“Makom Fridays”

Friday, April 19th — 6:30 p.m. to 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.

**PASSOVER**

Alright, friends. It’s one of the best holidays of the year, and there’s no shortage of events and gatherings to join if so inclined. Here’s a quick list of what’s going down:

Friday, April 19th:

  • Community Seder @ 6 p.m., at the Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul. A communal celebration of Passover with a sumptuous Passover feast! $20-$45. Register here.
  • Uptown Passover Seder, via Uptown Chabad — for YJP & Community. Doors at 7:30 p.m., buffet at 8:30 p.m. $18. Advance RSVP required at  https://youngjewishminneapolis.com/events/uptownseder/

Contact [email protected] with questions. **No one will be turned away for lack of funds**

Saturday, April 20th:

Monday, April 22nd:

  • Freedom From Addiction Seder. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Beth El Synagouge, St. Louis Park. The Jewish Recovery Network [JRN] and Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis [JFCS] invite you to celebrate freedom from addiction and slavery, led by Cantor Art Shragg. $25 [$10 for children], financial assistance available.

Tuesday, April 23rd:

  • Adath Matzah Brei & Pizza Dinner [RSVP by April 15th] @Adath Jeshurun, Minnetonka. Come to the best Passover dinner deal in town! Matzah brei and matzah pizza, salad, veggies, fresh fruit, dessert and more! $6 [$5 for children aged 2-5; under 2 are FREE!]

And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming…

“EXCLUSIVE Avengers: Endgame Viewing”

Thursday, April 25th — 7:15 p.m. @ Willow Creek Emagine Theater. $3 [?!]

DUDE! Moishe House has rented an ENTIRE theater, just for all of us! Only $3 [YUP] to see Avengers: Endgame the night it comes out. Priority seating is first come/first serve, and you can arrive as early as 6:15. If you show up late, no worries: if you sit in the very front row, you’ll technically be the first to see the movie [little victories, friends. Little victories.]

Oh… does it get better? YES, IT DOES! Popcorn and soda are included. And if you’re observing Passover, they’ll even let you sub candy. These people are the freakin’ best.

Payment must be made to Sara Karol — email our MoHo pals at [email protected] for more info.

“Mimouna [a.k.a., Carb Fest]”

Saturday, April 27th — 7:30 p.m. @ Moishe House. FREE

Usually, I wouldn’t let Moishe House dominate our calendar this much, let alone one week of it. But when the hits keep comin’, sometimes, you just gotta roll with ‘em.

For this bash, they’re bringing back #CarbFest [better known to our Sephardi friends as Mimouna] and inviting us all to celebrate eating chametz with all of the carbs you could dream of. Gluten-free options will be available, too; just send any dietary restriction requests to [email protected], attn: Hanah.

“Shul: A World Premiere”

Saturday, April 27th — 8 p.m. @ Highland Park Community Center, St. Paul. $23 – $38.

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/

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And there you have it, friends. Hope to see you out there!