Sephardi Othello, Prophet Nahum Endures, Rare Spanish-Jewish Pottery Portrait, and Indian-Jewish Shabbat Piyyut

24 June 2016 Mazel Tov/Mabrouk Rose Shoshanah Seidman on the success of the 51st Conference of the Association of Jewish Libraries in Charleston, South Carolina

“Why Sephardic ‘Othello’ is a Dream Come True”  By David Serero, Forward The Forward asked David Serero to write a reflection on his Moroccan interpretation of Othello, which is running now through 30 June at The Center for Jewish History.  Combining Shakespeare’s original with musical selections from Verdi’s opera as well as Judeo-Arabic songs, Serero proudly asserts that: “For the first time we will return … [Othello] to its roots, back to Morocco.” Serero’s production is likewise informed by his fascination with the main character: “I love [Othello’s] rage. You can feel the blood boiling in his veins; he is a man given to excess in everything, whether in his anger or with his love.”

Othello Poster, The Center for Jewish History, New York City

“Why Sephardic ‘Othello’ is a Dream Come True” 
By David Serero, Forward

Othello Poster, The Center for Jewish History, New York City 

Secondary entrance to the sarcophagal sanctuary at Nahum’s Tomb, al-Qosh, Iraqi-Kurdistan (Photo courtesy of Josh Shamsi/Diarna Geo-Museum of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Life)

“Amidst War and Devastation, Prophet Nahum Respected by All Faiths” By Benjamin Kweskin, Philos Project The Iraqi city of al-Qosh is a mere 30 miles north of ISIS. But in stunning contrast to the savage intolerance of the Islamic State, Assyrian Christians, Kurdish Muslims and, until the middle of the 20th century, Iraqi Jews would all make pilgrimage to al-Qosh in order to visit the traditional grave of Nahum, the Biblical prophet. Kurdish Jews even had a saying: “Those who have not made the pilgrimage to Nahum’s tomb have not yet known real pleasure!” Today, however, not even the purported remains are housed at the shrine.

Secondary entrance to the sarcophagal sanctuary at Nahum’s Tomb, al-Qosh, Iraqi-Kurdistan (Photo courtesy of Josh Shamsi/Diarna Geo-Museum of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Life) “Amidst War and Devastation, Prophet Nahum Respected by All Faiths”
By Benjamin Kweskin, Philos Project

The Iraqi city of al-Qosh is a mere 30 miles north of ISIS. But in stunning contrast to the savage intolerance of the Islamic State, Assyrian Christians, Kurdish Muslims and, until the middle of the 20th century, Iraqi Jews would all make pilgrimage to al-Qosh in order to visit the traditional grave of Nahum, the Biblical prophet. Kurdish Jews even had a saying: “Those who have not made the pilgrimage to Nahum’s tomb have not yet known real pleasure!” Today, however, not even the purported remains are housed at the shrine.  Video of the Week: “Shir Hadash Ashir” (“I Will Sing a New Song”)

“Spanish archaeologists identify rare pottery portrait of a Jew” By JTA   A piece of pottery discovered in Spain and dating back to the 13th century depicts a bearded Jewish man wearing a frilled gown. The find is particularly valuable because: “Researchers have very few depictions of Spanish Jews from the period, with the majority of illustrations being miniature sketches on prayer books, including ones used by Christians.”

A pottery fragment discovered in Teruel depicting a Jewish man. (Photo courtesy of Sefarad)

“Spanish archaeologists identify rare pottery portrait of a Jew”
By JTA

A pottery fragment discovered in Teruel depicting a Jewish man. (Photo courtesy of Sefarad)

Othello by William Shakespeare
in a Moroccan Adaptation

June 26th, 28th, and 30th
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street
New York City

ASF’s theatrical season (Merchant of Venice, Nabucco) concludes with David Serero’s Othello, a Moroccan adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play about love and war, reason and race, fortuna and virtù. The production features Serero (as Othello), a diverse cast, and traditional music.
 

Please click here to purchase tickets
(General Admission $26; VIP $36)

Portugal, The Last Hope: Sousa Mendes’ Visas for Freedom

April 7th through September 9th
Center for Jewish History 
15 West 16th Street
New York City

The American Sephardi Federation, Portuguese Consulate of New York, the Sousa Mendes Foundation, and the Municipality of Almeida, Portugal proudly present a new exhibition in the Leon Levy Gallery honoring Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the courageous and creative Portuguese diplomat who saved Salvador Dali, the authors of Curious George, and thousands of other Holocaust refugees.
 

Please click here for additional information and viewing hours

Your Cardholder Benefits Include:  Subscription to the print edition of The Sephardi Report, a magazine that shines a light on contemporary Sephardi creativity and excellence in the arts, scholarship, entrepreneurship, rabbinic thought, and philanthropy   Subscription to Sephardi Ideas Monthly and Sephardi World Weekly   Invitations to special events across the country     Discounts at Sephardi businesses around the world, including restaurants, salons, and boutiques    Reduced ticket prices and back-stage access at the annual NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival

$72

($54 tax-deductible)

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Copyright © 2016 American Sephardi Federation, All rights reserved.

Thank you for opting (on our websites, at an event, or by email) to receive American Sephardi Federation Programming Updates and Publications. We apologize if this message was sent in error.

The American Sephardi Federation’s Sephardi House is located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, New York, 10011).

www.AmericanSephardi.org | info@Sephardi.House | (212) 548-4486


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