Offerings
During our time together with your community we will strive to promote positive narratives, inclusivity, and cultural expression while making a lasting impact on individuals through a Jewish and Torah-based lens.
From Hollywood to Holywood: How I Paved My Own Path w/ Leah Gottfried
Being Orthodox, female and a filmmaker seems like a non-starter. As a child I was told my dreams of acting and film-making were unattainable and inappropriate. This talk will delve into my journey as an Orthodox actress and filmmaker, working in Hollywood while maintaining my values, and ultimately being rejected from my community and Hollywood and forming my own path. This talk can be followed by a Q&A.
Color Erases, Color Paints: Growing Up Mixed Race in Monsey, NY w/ Rabbi Rothstein
Both my maternal and paternal ancestors were slaves: As Hebrews in the desert hills of Egypt, and as Africans on the southern plantations of Alabama. I grew up in the Orthodox Jewish community of Monsey, N.Y., in the Haredi community. Because of this, from a very young age I was forced to consider what my own identity would be and what I would make my legacy. Join a conversation around the complexity of dual identities and how we as a community can do better to promote racial equity.
Improvisation Class - w/ Leah Gottfried
A combination of improv games, acting techniques and storytelling, this workshop is a space to let loose, laugh and learn new skills. This class can be geared towards kids, teens or adults.
Jewish Engagement in the 21st Century: A Moment or a Movement? - w/ Rabbi Rothstein
What are ways in which we can engage the Jewish future in innovative and meaningful experiences for this generation? Join Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein in conversation on social and demographic trends to pay attention to.
Jewish Creativity and Creative Jews Panel Discussion w/ Leah Gottfried and Rabbi Rothstein
What are the challenges, benefits and opportunities for those in the Orthodox community to lead a creative life, professionally or otherwise? This talk will explore personal experiences and advice to those who seek to lead a more creative life.
Leading Davening, Drasha, Tisch/Farbrengen, and Learning throughout Shabbos w/ Rabbi Rothstein
Rabbi Rothstein has been a Chazzan for Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur for almost 10 years, and leading other forms of davening since 2007. Isaiah has also facilitated dozens of tisches/farbrengens, Torah conversations and classes, and hundreds of musical and spiritual Friday Night programming for all ages
“I’m Not White, I’m Jewish”: Did the Jews Negotiate Their Whiteness in America w/ Rabbi Rothstein
Let us explore and unpack the history of whiteness, the creation of race as a construct, and how/if the American Jewish community negotiated their whiteness in 19th and 20th century America, and whether we, the American community have maintained such classification until 2020 or if things are different...Finally, let us consider the identities of Jews and discuss what the implications of each mean in a 2019 America.
Musical Havdallah w/ Rabbi Rothstein
As Shabbat comes to a close Rav Isaiah will facilitate a spiritually rousing musical Havdallah experience filled with original melodies, musical improv. And group participation. It’s time to slow down, take the chance to do so.
Soon By You Film Screening + Q&A w/ Leah Gottfried
Screen the latest episode of the award-winning comedic web series Soon By You, about Orthodox Jews navigating life and love in NYC, followed by a Q&A with director/actor Leah Gottfried and the cast. Dubbed the “kosher version of Friends” by the NY Post, Soon By You explores the challenges of dating while facing societal pressure to settle down at a young age.
