Three Great Events

Three Noteworthy Events

1. Honoring Henry Foner

On Wednesday, June 11th, from 6-8 PM, Jewish Currents will be cosponsoring an event to honor our Editorial Board member, Henry Foner, who has endured a long recovery from hip surgery last summer. Our fellow sponsors are The Workmen’s Circle, Labor Arts, and the Bread and Roses Cultural Program of 1199/SEIU. The evening will introduce people to the new exhibit at the Labor Arts website, www.laborarts.com, called “Play It Again Sam: The Lost Chords of the Labor and Progressive Movements.” Henry will be singing six of the songs that he recently recorded for the website exhibition, including his own “Shoot the Shtrudel to Me, Yudel” and “Song of the Pennies and Selling Union,” written with Norman Franklin. Two other Norman Franklin numbers that he’ll be presenting are “Mrs. Foner Had Four Sons” and “The Ballad of Morris Schappes.”

Other wonderful guests and performers are being rounded up for the event, which will be a wine-and-cheese affair. Admission is free, but we are asking people to let us know if they’re coming and, if possible, to make a contribution in support of Labor Arts, for which Henry serves as a consultant. RSVP to Kathy Anderson at The Workmen’s Circle, 212 889-6800 ext. 212, or e-mail jewishcurrents@circle.org. Contributions can be made at the event or in advance by using the enclosed return envelope; checks should be made payable to “Labor Arts.” Please come to honor Henry’s remarkable contributions to the labor movement, to progressive culture, and to our magazine.


2. The Workmen’s Circle Biennial Convention, June 13-15th

Fundamental questions about the future directions of The Workmen’s Circle will be discussed at Convention, as will be such topical questions as the war in Iraq, Jewish ethnic and racial diversity, arts and politics, and much, much more. Guest speakers include Theodore Bikel, Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center, Leslie Cagan of United for Peace and Justice, and author/activist Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz. It would be marvelous if a corps of readers of Jewish Currents who are not members of The Workmen’s Circle were to attend, to further the aims of the WC-JC merger. The Convention takes place at Circle Lodge, about 70 miles north of New York City. Visit www.circle.org for more information.


3. The Jewish Currents Weekend at Circle Lodge, July 11th-13th

A weekend of great conversation and culture. Editor Lawrence Bush will facilitate discussions about social justice and Jewish identity; Israel from a Diasporist perspective; and bridging Jewish generation gaps. Yiddish educator Kolya Borodulin will present on Yiddish Culture in Birobidzhan: New Discoveries and Developments. Adrienne Cooper will lead us in a song round-robin and a Sholem Aleichem reading. Rokhl Kafrissen will lead a discussion on the heritage of Jewish Currents as perceived by young Jews. There’ll also be a session of Jewish poetry, old and new. In between we’ll eat up a storm, share cocktails, take walks, go for swims and boat rides, nap in the shade or the sun, make music, enjoy an art exhibition, and keep the conversation going. Rates are inexpensive, as follows — per person, with all meals included, for the entire weekend:

___$160 for lakeside cabins __$190 for lawn bungalows __ $240 for lodge rooms
All accommodations have private baths. All meals include a vegetarian option.

Please send your deposit of $100 to reserve space immediately! To consult about childcare, transportation, dietary needs or preferences, or other questions, please contact Kathy Anderson at (212) 889-6800 ext. 212. Those who have registered will receive more details in June.