Jewish Brooklyn Through the Decades: A Photographic Journey

Join photographer Marcia Bricker Halperin as she looks back at a classic slice of Jewish life in New York City and reflects on the experiences that shaped her as a Brooklynite and launched her photographic career. Over almost five decades, she has created a distinctive narrative by documenting Jewish calendar events in her local communities. From outdoor shofar blowing at the onset of the High Holy Days, to Chol Hamoed outings at Coney Island, Chanukah celebrations by Soviet émigrés, and Purim celebrations in Williamsburg, Hasidic style, she creates images that tell a story of the diverse and evolving Jewish presence in an urban setting.  Read more and sign up

Qesher Book Club: "Wave After Wave"

Sarah Ansbacher - Newlywed Lilly is looking forward to the future with her husband in Vienna until the Nazi annexation of Austria throws everything into uncertainty. Suddenly, their Jewish heritage turns them into outcasts, facing persecution and daily humiliation. With the outbreak of war, Lilly remains trapped in Vienna, fearful of what lies ahead. Her cousin discovers a possible escape: joining a group of Jewish refugees on a daring journey down the Danube River and across the sea to British-controlled Mandatory Palestine. With danger and difficulties at every turn, can Lilly and all the other refugees survive the journey and reach their intended destination? Read more and sign up for free

It is personal: Reviving the history of the Jewish community of Mosul, Iraq

Omar Mohammed - As a historian, I understand the difference between what happened and the 'narrative of what happened.' This difference motivated me to understand the history of my own city, Mosul, following its liberation from ISIS. These questions—what happened to the Jews of Mosul, why was their history erased and kept off the record, who were they and how did they live, how were they deported, and what happened next—led me to search for every Mosuli Jewish person around the world and reconnect with them to ensure their stories are preserved and documented for future generations. Read more and sign up

Jewish Istanbul: Where East Meets West

Nisya Isman Allovi - Istanbul, a city of contrasts and the crossroads of two continents, blends diverse religions and cultures. Once known as ancient Constantinople, it boasts a stunning skyline of minarets and domes. Scattered across its neighborhoods are synagogues with unique stories of the Jews who built and worshiped in them. Join me in exploring the Jewish heritage of this remarkable city and its vibrant Jewish culture. Read more and sign up

Exploring the Jewish Heritage of Turkey: A Journey Through Izmir and Ankara

Nisya Isman Allovi - After exploring Istanbul, we still need to examine Jewish life in two major cities in Turkey. The first is Izmir, also known as Smyrna, which stands out for its rich history and remarkable personalities, with an important cultural heritage where vibrant Jewish life continues. The second is Ankara, the capital of Turkey, with a small but significant Jewish community that dates back to the 1st century BC. Architecture is one of the most important elements here, preserving the authentic character of the Jewish neighborhood. Let's discover the Jewish legacy of these two cities in Turkey together. Read more and sign up

Virtual tour of Jewish Bessarabia: Today's Moldova and its capital - Kishinev (Chișinău)

Jewish Bulgaria: A Virtual Sephardic Journey

Dr. Joseph Benatov - Join us for an interactive trip through Bulgaria's rich Jewish heritage. You will have a chance to learn about the history and culture of the Bulgarian Sephardic Jews and the details surrounding the survival of 50,000 of them during the Holocaust due to the efforts of Bulgarian society and leadership. Joseph will also share personal family stories of growing up and being part of the country's vibrant Jewish community. Read more and sign up

Jewish Tour of the Baltic States

Daniel Gurevich - Join this brief excursion into the history of the Jewish communities of the Baltic States: success, tragedy, and revival. In the first half of this talk, we will explore key sites in Vilnius and Kaunas (Kovno) in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia, and Tallinn in Estonia. In the second part, we will focus on the Jewish History Tour: Baltics 2025 (June 5-15, 2025). We will review the daily program with Daniel, who will walk us through the highlights of the planned itinerary. We will also discuss the itinerary, hotels, and food. Read more and sign up for free

Sephardic & Ashkenazi: Stories from Jewish Sarajevo and Bosnia

Dr. Joseph Benatov - Join us for a virtual journey through Sarajevo and Bosnia. The city's rich Jewish heritage earned it the nickname "Little Jerusalem". We will discuss notable moments and individuals from Bosnia's rich Sephardic and Ashkenazi past. How did the famous Sarajevo Haggadah survive both Nazi occupation and the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s? Who were the noble Bosnian Muslims who protected their Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust? Why was Freud fascinated by the town of Trebinje? Outside of Sarajevo, we'll make stops in picturesque Mostar, and we will also visit the most important pilgrimage site for the Jews of Bosnia – the resting place of Rabbi Moshe Danon. Read more and sign up

Transylvania Beyond Dracula: The History and Present of Transylvanian Jewry

Mercédesz Czimbalmos - When people hear "Transylvania" (now part of Romania), they often think of Dracula, but the region also has a rich Jewish history. This talk will explore the history of Transylvania's Jewish communities, highlighting their struggles, uniqueness, and current state. It will also cover the Sabbatarians and communities in places like Bezidu Nou, Alba Iulia, Satu Mare, Timișoara, Arad, Cluj-Napoca, and Oradea. Read more and sign up

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

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

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

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

Shtetl Part 2: A Virtual Tour of the Once Jewish Towns of Eastern Europe

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

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

The Jews of Indonesia: A Diverse Community Across Many Islands

Rabbi David Kunin - Join us in this exploration of the diverse "kehilot" that comprise one of the most isolated re-emerging Jewish communities in the world. Descended from many different Jewish diasporas, Indonesia's Jews span the archipelago from Sumatra to Papua. Each of their communities is unique, with its own history and culture, yet together they form a vibrant whole, creating a Judaism which is truly authentic and at the same time uniquely Indonesian. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Names and Heritage: The origins of Ashkenazi Surnames

Evgenia Kempinski - Explore the fascinating history behind the family names of Ashkenazi Jews in Central and Eastern Europe. This virtual lecture delves into the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of these surnames. Together, we will discover how historical events, occupations, places of residence, and local languages shaped the naming conventions of Ashkenazi Jewish communities. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

The Bene-Israel of India: an ancient living community

Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker - The Bene-Israel is the largest historical Jewish community from the Indian subcontinent. According to their oral tradition, they arrived in India sometime in the first or second century BCE. We will explore their history, culture, and heritage. How did it all begin? What part did they take in the history of today's India and Pakistan? What was their role under British colonial rule, and in the creation of the Bollywood film industry? Of some 100,000 Bene-Israel at the turn of the 21st century, less than 4,000 remain in India. The great majority have immigrated to Israel, thus realizing their motto: "Mother India, Father Israel". Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Jewish city tour of Riga, the hidden gem of the Baltic

Daniel Gurevich - Join us for a virtual walking tour of Riga, once dubbed the 'Paris of the North'. Latvia's capital is an architectural gem of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings, and its Old Town was declared a UNESCO Heritage site in 1997. The Jewish history of Riga reaches as far back as the 13th century, but it wouldn't be for at least 200 more years that Jews would make an economic impact. In the late 1920s, Riga even became the center of the global Lubavitch movement. Come and discover this hidden gem with us.  Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Echoes of the Past: Jewish Life in Venice's Ghetto and Beyond

Nina Wachsman - What is known about the Jews of Venice is that they were the first to be restricted to living in a small walled island known as a "ghetto." But though they were limited in where they could live, Jews were valued and their presence in Venice was seen as a benefit to the welfare of the city. This talk will describe Jewish life within and outside the Venetian Ghetto and the famous men and women from its Golden Age. Today, the smaller yet vibrant Jewish community in Venice preserves its heritage through synagogues, a museum, and cultural activities. You will come away with a better appreciation of the unique relationship between the city of Venice and its Jews. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

The Streets of Jewish Minsk: A Journey Through History

Sonya Shaipak - Embark on a captivating journey through the streets of Jewish Minsk. This talk will transport you back to the bustling neighborhoods where the Jewish communities lived, worked and prayed, and to the contributions of its inhabitants from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century, when more than half of the population was Jewish. We will uncover the resilience and creativity that characterized the Minsk's Jews, even in the face of adversity and persecution. By revisiting the streets of Jewish Minsk, we aim to celebrate the enduring legacy of a community that played a vital role in the city's history. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Stories from Jewish Barbados, the Pearl of the Caribbean

Neal Rechtman - Join us for a fascinating tour of Jewish Barbados. We will visit the restored Nidhe Israel synagogue (1654), its adjacent cemeteries, and the recently discovered Mikveh. Learn how a group of Sephardic Jews, fleeing the Portuguese Inquisition in Brazil, made their way to Barbados and secured the protection of Oliver Cromwell, the English Protestant leader. This early Sephardic community later grew with new arrivals from England and was key in developing the British sugar industry. After its decline and the mass emigration of Jews from the island, a subsequent wave of Ashkenazi refugees formed the core of today's tiny 50-person community, giving Neal the distinction of being 2% of the entire Jewish population of Barbados. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

From Mount Ararat to Mount Sinai: The Jews of Armenia 

Lasha Shakulashvili - The first contacts between Jews and Armenians date back to antiquity, and there is evidence of Jewish settlements in the Armenian Highlands dating as early as the 1st century BC. Currently, the Jewish community of Armenia is estimated at around 500 – 2000 people, mostly descendants of Ashkenazi Jews who fled Eastern Europe and relocated here, finding a safe haven before and during World War II. This is the story of a community that strives to celebrate Judaism beyond the fact of simply having Jewish roots. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Jewish Siberia: Russia's Promised Land

Evgenia Kempinski - Siberia is a giant region of Russia usually associated with frost, snow, prisons and forests. But is it really like that? In this talk, we'll learn about Jewish life on this vast territory during the last 400 years. We'll explore when and how Jews got to Siberia, where they settled, and what they did there. I will also take you to Birobidjan – a Jewish Autonomous region located next to the border with China. Today it is still a unique place where a visitor may find the street signs in Yiddish. Temperatures in Siberia change from extreme cold to extreme hot, and so does the Jewish life there. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Desert Roots: Jewish Middle Eastern Music (Concert and Presentation)

Dror Sinai - Dror will take us on a beautiful journey around Yemen, Spain and North Africa from the 10th century until today, through songs of spirit and awe, songs of thanks and songs of love and hope. We will unveil how these chants inspired and connected Jews from different times and places, but with the same longings and spiritual quests. Dror will accompany his singing with a variety of percussion instruments including a Doumbek (an hourglass Middle Eastern drum also known as Tabla or Darbuka) Tar, Duff & Bendir (Mideastern & North African Frame drums) a Riq (Mideastern tambourine), Cajon (box drum) bells, shakers and rattles. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

The Jews of Cuba: Journeys, Stories, Poems

Ruth Behar - My talk will offer a broad perspective on the Jews of Cuba drawing on historical scholarship, ethnography, and literary and artistic visions. We will start with a close look at the formation of the first Jewish communities in the early 20th century and examine the rise and fall of these communities after the Cuban Revolution. The revitalization of Jewish life since the 1990s will lead us to the present day and to how Jews continue to assert their presence on the island in challenging times. We will also spend time exploring the nostalgia felt by Jewish Cubans who left the island but could never forget their beloved Cuba. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

Czeching In: The Rich History and Vibrant Present of Prague's Jewish Community

Emma Günsberger -  Join us on a captivating journey through time as we uncover the remarkable history of Jews in Czechia and delve deep into the heart of Prague to discover its vibrant Jewish heritage. Explore Prague's Jewish Quarter and learn about its history and contemporary life on a virtual guided tour. Learn about the current community, their cultural events, community initiatives, and the challenges they are facing today, which shape the lives of today's Czech Jews. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.

The Jews of Venezuela: Resilience and Resettlement

Henry Grunberg - The 20th century saw thousands of Jews from North Africa and Eastern Europe find refuge and opportunities in Venezuela, a land that became exceptionally welcoming to them. Since 1999, when Hugo Chávez took office, the emigration of Venezuelan Jews accelerated exponentially. This talk aims to shed light on the complex journey of the shrinking Jewish community in Venezuela. By understanding their story, we can gain deeper insights into the challenges faced by the Jews in Venezuela in a socio-political upheaval. We'll explore the broader themes of identity, migration, and cultural preservation, highlighting their struggles, resilience, and hopes for the future. Sign up here to be notified when we schedule a new date.