Upcoming events
Qesher is an independent initiative introducing different Jewish communities from around the world. Your contributions to the talks allow us to continue with our mission. You can choose from three different admission fees according to your ability. We also donate 10% of the profits of every talk to different projects and institutions.
Learn more about us here. You can also read more about the projects supported thanks to your contribution here.
Sunday, November 10
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
The Life and Times of the Zimbabwe and Zambian Jewish Communities
Dave Bloom - The former British colonies of Northern and Southern Rhodesia saw thousands of Jews arrive during the late 19th and early to mid-20th century. This presentation will describe how, why and when Jews arrived and how they contributed to the building of those countries which became Zimbabwe and Zambia as well as their own highly organized and closely knit Jewish Communities. It will cover over 130 years of history tracing the origins of Jewish migration and how the backdrop of powerful political changes impacted on their development, both positively and negatively. Read more and sign up
Tuesday, November 12
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 60 minutes
Qesher Book Club: "Cave of Secrets"
Lynne Golodner - During a writing sabbatical in the Scottish Highlands, American author Lynne Golodner researched the Jews of Scotland and stumbled upon some historic individuals whose stories and legacies inspired her new novel, CAVE OF SECRETS. With a love for the culture and the land, Golodner wove a tale of romance, suspense and identity. She'll talk about how the story came to be, her on-the-ground research of the places and people behind the book and shed light into the actual history of Jewish Scotland. This presentation will include photos, history, a brief excerpt of the novel and why she focuses her author brand on creating stories with compelling Jewish characters—and why it's so important, especially in these times, to share with the world strong Jewish identity wherever we find it. Read more and sign up for free
Thursday, November 14
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
Shtetl Part 1: A Jewish Universe
Evgenia Kempinski - A shtetl is often defined as a small self-contained Jewish market town, full of Jewish life and tradition. But a simple definition does not explain its importance and influence on Jewish life and culture. This talk will help us find our own answers to many questions about the phenomenon of a shtetl like: What was so unique about the shtetl? What made the life of the Jewish community in the shtetl so special? What did the shtetl look like and who actually lived there? Were there any non-Jews in the shtetl? In addition, we will discuss food, traditions, language, beliefs, jobs, community, and other important elements of the shtetl's everyday life. Read more and sign up
FREE EVENT
Sunday, November 17
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
Letters From Cuba: A Jewish Literary Journey with Ruth Behar
Join us for a special event inspired by Ruth Behar's book, Letters From Cuba. In this unique "Qesher Book Club" session, you'll have the opportunity to meet Ruth Behar herself as she discusses her book. In the second half of the event, you'll meet Adolfo Nodal and Sage Lewis, leaders of "Project Por Amor," who will share details about this one-of-a-kind trip to Cuba inspired by the novel. Read more and sign up for free
Thursday, November 21
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
Shtetl Part 2: A Virtual Tour of the Once Jewish Towns of Eastern Europe
Evgenia Kempinski - In our previous talk we presented the general world of the shtetl. This time we are going to visit selected shtetls from all ends of Eastern Europe - Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Belarus. We will walk down their old streets, look at the Jewish homes, and see how general shtetl features are reflected in them. We will discuss the relations between Jews and Christians, as well as the political and social life in these shtetls. We will see how shtetl life changed over the centuries. Combining old and new photographs and people's memoirs we will travel through time to imagine and understand the life of our ancestors. Read more and sign up
Sunday, November 24
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
The Belgian Jewry: Dynamic, Complex, Unique
Eitan Bergman - Belgium, home to the largest Hassidic community in Europe, has been described as the 'most successful failed state in the world'. In this land of surrealism, the Belgian Jewish community mirrors its nation, exhibiting a multifaceted nature—strong yet weak, united yet divided. Embark on an enlightening journey with Eitan Bergman, a Liège-born Jew who found his way to national and European Jewish institutions. Through his personal and family stories, witness the exceptional character of Belgian Jewry and explore its remarkable evolution throughout history. Read more and sign up
FREE EVENT
Tuesday, November 26
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 60 minutes
Get to know the Bendigamos Community of Amsterdam
Nachshon Rodrigues Pereira - Amsterdam was once a thriving center of Jewish life, offering refuge to Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition and Eastern European pogroms. The city became known for its synagogues, Torah schools, and vibrant Jewish culture. WWII devastated the community, with 80% of Dutch Jews murdered. In 2015, Bendigamos was founded to revive Jewish life, preserve Portuguese Jewish traditions, and address Holocaust trauma. Engaging around 2,000 people annually through services and events, Bendigamos now aims to expand its reach and revitalize the Dutch Jewish community. This talk explores their journey and future plans. Read more and sign up for free
Sunday, December 1
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
The Jews of Croatia: A Rich Heritage of History and Culture
Ante Jericevic - This presentation explores the history of Croatia's Jewish community from Roman times to the present. Jewish communities developed in cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb, with notable synagogues such as Dubrovnik's 14th-century synagogue (the oldest Sephardic synagogue still in use and one of the oldest in Europe) and Split's synagogue, located within Diocletian's Palace complex. During World War II, many Jews were persecuted and deported, but the Zagreb Jewish Community Center remained operational during the Holocaust, providing vital support. Today, the Jewish community in Croatia is small but active, preserving its rich heritage through various educational and cultural institutions. Read more and sign up
FREE EVENT
Tuesday, December 3
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 60 minutes
Qesher Book Club: "Places We Left Behind"
Join us for a conversation with Jennifer Lang as she presents her new memoir, Places We Left Behind. When American-born Jennifer falls in love with French-born Philippe during the First Intifada in Israel, she understands their relationship isn't perfect. Both 23, both Jewish, they lead very different lives: she's a secular tourist, he's an observant immigrant. Despite their opposing outlooks on two fundamental issues—country and religion—they are determined to make it work. For the next 20 years, they root and uproot their growing family, each longing for a singular place to call home. In Places We Left Behind, Jennifer puts her marriage under a microscope, examining commitment and compromise, faith and family while moving between prose and poetry, playing with language and form, daring the reader to read between the lines. Read more and sign up for free
Thursday, December 5
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
Shtetl Part 3: Exploring the lives of Jewish children in Eastern Europe
Evgenia Kempinski - In this part of our journey, we will step back in time and immerse ourselves in the world of Jewish childhood in the shtetl. From the moment a child was born to the joyous celebration of their wedding day, we will explore their daily lives and the many factors that shaped their futures. We will discover their toys, education, friendships, and family bonds. We will look at the food they ate, the holidays they celebrated, and the joys and challenges they faced. Through stories, photographs, and memoirs, we will reimagine the innocence, curiosity, and resilience of childhood in these unique communities. Read more and sign up
Sunday, December 8
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
Vilnius: The Jerusalem of Lithuania and the city of my family
Daniel Gurevich - Lithuania became home to a Jewish community seven hundred years ago, which eventually became known as 'Litvak'. Why did this happen? When did it occur? What did this term mean then, and what does it signify today? In this talk, I will use my personal and family stories to illustrate the past and present of Vilnius and Lithuania. I will explain the main reasons why Vilnius is famous in the Jewish world and show you the principal highlights of a Jewish tour in Vilnius." Read more and sign up