This Spring, Educational Alliance’s 14th Street Y and Downtown Jewish Life Celebrate Jewish Culture Across the East Village with the 2019 Season of Jewish Culture

• Performing Arts
• Religion & Spirituality

This Spring, Educational Alliance’s 14^th Street Y and Downtown Jewish Life Celebrate Jewish Culture across the East Village with the 2019 Season of Jewish Culture

Celebration consists of a dozen interfaith, multi-faith, and Jewish Events

NEW YORK, NY – Starting Saturday, April 20th and ending June 8th, Educational Alliance’s 14^th Street Y and Downtown Jewish Life will join together in hosting and participating in a dozen events to celebrate Jewish culture, as part of “The Jewish Season of Culture.” These events will display the gorgeous breadth of Jewish art, religion, and culture and provide an opportunity for both Jewish and New Yorkers of all backgrounds with a way to engage with Jewish culture in an open, creative, and educational environment.

Educational Alliance President and CEO Alan van Capelle said, “We are excited for another year of incredible programming during Educational Alliance’s Season of Jewish Culture. With our impressive roster of partner organizations, we look forward to showcasing the vibrancy of Jewish life in downtown Manhattan and celebrating its connections and contributions to the rich diversity of New York City.”

14^th Street Y Executive Director Rabbi Shira Koch said, “The work of the 14^th Street Y is proudly steeped in the great history of Jewish cultural centers and settlement houses in Downtown Manhattan, and we are honored to serve one of the most diverse communities in all of New York City. Inspired by our Jewish values, texts, and traditions, the Season for Jewish Culture is an opportunity to awaken the love, compassion, joy, and awareness of the higher goodness within every human being.”

Season of Jewish Culture Events:

Unless otherwise noted, information about Season of Jewish Culture events can be found on the 14^th Street Y website at 14StreetY.org/SeasonofJewishCulture

Saturday, April 20^th, 6pm – Freedom’s Feast: A Multifaith Seder at Judson Memorial Church

Lab/Shul invites communities, families, and individuals to come together for a catered and programmed feast, led by partners in the pursuit of justice and liberation: faith and civic leaders, artists and activists. Our theme is the urgent need to welcome refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers into our homes and hearts.

For more information and tickets, go to https://labshul.org/event/freedoms-feast-2019/

Sunday, April 28, 7pm – Mimouna: Interfaith Dialogue and Multifaith Feast at the 14^th Street Y

A Jewish-Moroccan festival of music and food—an immersive experience.

Wednesday, May 1, 7pm – Yom Hashoah: Israeli Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Manny Cantor Center

Downtown Jewish Life brings the Lower East Side community together in a ceremony commemorating those who died and suffered in the Holocaust.

Tuesday, May 7 – Yom Hazikaron: Israeli Memorial Day at various times and locations

Downtown Jewish Life remembers fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terrorism with a variety of events.

Saturday, May 11 at 3 – 6pm – Pause/Play: Shabbaton Atzmaut at the 14th Street Y

Come celebrate Israel’s 71st Birthday through the diverse flavors and cultures of Israel from hummus making to Israeli dancing, gaga to sing-a-longs.

Friday, May 24 at 7:30pm – Jerusalem Day Study and Conversation at Judson Memorial Church

The first session of Israeli Midrasha, a laboratory for Israeli identity, led by Lab/Shul’s Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and Ophir Tal, Shaliach of the 14^th Street Y. The theme: Jerusalem! With drink, poetry, and storytelling, we’ll discuss what Jerusalem means (or doesn’t) to Israelis in New York.

Saturday, May 25 at 7:30pm – LABAlive III: LIFE + DEATH at the Theater at the 14^th Street Y

LABAlive III features music and performances by fellows—plus a fascinating teaching session from Liel. Reception following with refreshments.

Saturday, June 8 at 14^th Street Y- Into the Night: A Contemporary Spin on Tikkun Leil Shavuot at the 14^th Street Y

Hosted by the 14th Street Y on Saturday, more than 20 downtown community partners will join in the sixth-annual night-time journey through conversation, culture, and ritual.

ABOUT THE 14TH STREET Y

The 14th Street Y is a vibrant community center grounded in the belief that contemporary Jewish sensibilities can be a source of inspiration, connection, and learning for the individuals and families we serve throughout downtown Manhattan. We focus on health and fitness, education and enrichment programs, and innovative arts and cultural programming. We serve more than 26,000 people annually with a variety of community programs. The 14th Street Y is part of Educational Alliance, whose network of community centers also includes the Center for Recovery and Wellness, the Manny Cantor Center, the Sirovich Center, and Educational Alliance Community Schools.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN JEWISH LIFE

Downtown Jewish Life is a network of organizations who partner together to engage with and provide Downtown Manhattan with experiences that foster an inclusive Jewish community. These events and experiences offer a variety of opportunity for individuals and families to connect with one another in ways that are personally meaningful.

ABOUT EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE

Educational Alliance brings together and partners with diverse communities in Lower Manhattan, offering individuals and families high-quality, multi-generational programs and services that enhance their well-being and socioeconomic opportunities. We are proud of our legacy as a Jewish organization and we provide high-quality, transformational services and programs to all New Yorkers through our network of community centers. As we have for 130 years, we offer best-in-class programming–now across 15 sites—focusing on a mix of education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and civic engagement.