The Center for Jewish Life at Rockland Community College presents Jewish Heritage Month 2015: Celebrating Heroism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 25, 2015
CONTACT: Tzipora Reitman
845-574-4512
zreitman@sunyrockland.edu

The Center for Jewish Life at Rockland Community College presents
Jewish Heritage Month 2015: Celebrating Heroism

The Center for Jewish Life at Rockland Community College presents a series of events between the Jewish holidays of Purim and Passover to celebrate the theme of heroism in through drama, film, music and comedy. All events are open to the public and free. For more information, contact Rabbi Dov Oliver 845-574-4422 doliver@sunyrockland.edu.

Tuesday, March 10
12:30-1:30 pm
Ellipse, Technology Center
“Would You Risk Your Life to Save Others?”
Talk by Jeannie Opdyke Smith, daughter of a heroic Polish Christian woman, Irene Opdyke, who placed her own life in peril to rescue Jews in the Holocaust. Against extraordinary odds, she harbored a group of Jewish prisoners in the basement of a house occupied by a Nazi officer for whom she served as housekeeper. Her story was told in a Broadway play, Irena’s Vow. Visit www.ireneopdyke.com.

Thursday, March 19,
12:15-1:30 pm and 7:00-8:30 pm
Ellipse, Technology Center
The Mitzvah Project explores the Hidden Tragedy of Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers
The Mitzvah Project is a remarkable combination of theater, history lesson and conversation in which actor, author and child of survivor, Roger Grunwald, explores one of the most shocking aspects of the Jewish experience during the Second World War. Through one soldier’s story, the play reveals the startling history of tens of thousands of “partial Jews” who served in Hitler’s military.
Tuesday, March 24
12:30-1:30 pm
Ellipse, Technology Center
LIPA, the Superhero of Jewish Music Returns to RCC
“Songs of the Seder”
Sing along with Chassidic Superstar LIPA as we learn new Passover songs and enjoy classic favorites. Get your Passover songbook featuring English lyrics to the tune of popular songs!

Thursday, March 26
12:30-1:30 pm
Faculty Dining Room, Cultural Arts Center (back of Cafeteria)
“Beyond Your Bubby’s Macaroons: a Hands-on Passover Culinary Workshop”
Recipe Rachel, a heroine of Jewish cuisine, will guide us in making scrumptious macaroons (you’ll never eat them from the can again!), charoset and other holiday specialties. Her website offers a huge variety of recipes and ideas ranging from homemade chocolates to kosher Korean. Reservations required, call 845-574-4422. www.reciperachel.com

Tuesday, March 31
12:30-1:30 pm
Ellipse, Technology Center
Comedian Joel Chasnoff, author of The 188th Crybaby Brigade: A Skinny Jewish Kid from Chicago Fights Hezbollah
Anyone who can survive a stint as the only American in an Israeli army platoon – and write a hilarious and widely acclaimed memoir about it -- has got to be a hero! After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Joel volunteered to serve in the IDF, qualifying him to share with us the absurd reality of life in the Israeli Army. He also co-authored a cookbook, Balaboosta, with an acclaimed Israeli chef.
Visit www.joelchasnoff.com

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Photos: Irene Opdyke, LIPA, Comedian Joel Chasnoff, Recipe Rachel and Roger Grunwald of the Mitzvah Project.