I want to acknowledge that these past two months have been difficult for Jews, Palestinians, and anyone with a connection to Israel and Palestine. It has been challenging working on this article and knowing what to say, because I don’t want to hide my opinions but I also know that this is a very polarizing time and people will disagree with me regardless of where I stand. I’ve been writing the Arts & Kvetch column since Niv launched in September 2020 and the Jewish community has never felt so divided. We’re all working through a variety of emotions and it can be overwhelming.
I’ve been attending vigils and teach-ins to try and understand the issues more deeply, as well as talking to friends and reflecting on opinion pieces and social media posts from across the political divide, as we do not benefit from existing in echo chambers. Unfortunately, I haven’t successfully found any events in Toronto that aim to bring Palestinians and Israelis together, but I encourage you to seek them out. I also encourage you to stay abreast of the news in Israel and Palestine if you can, and stay invested after the war ends (if indeed it does).
Hopefully, these upcoming events and activities can help lift your spirit in some small way.
Hanukkah
Second order of business—Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah takes place from Thursday, December 7 to Friday, December 15.
On Sunday, December 17, Gila Münster presents 8 Gays of Chanukah Queer Jewish Variety Show! This is the 5th annual rendition of the show, and features a multitude of Toronto’s queer Jewish artists including singers, dancers, and drag performers. This event is presented in partnership with FENTSTER, and will incorporate an interactive art installation in the space, which guests will be able to participate in before and after the show. Tickets start at $18.
On Tuesday, December 12, FENTSTER will host an event by and for Jewish artists and creatives called Gathering & Celebrating Difficult Times: A Conversation for Jewish Artists + Chanukah Hang. The goal is to counter the isolation that many are currently feeling with connection and embrace hopefulness and healing.
Please note the event states: “We do not presuppose any particular political orientations and affiliations. However, this is not a context for political debate or to advocate for specific political solutions.”
Film
On Sunday, December 10, the day this issue launches, you can catch the advance screening of The Zone of Interest (directed by Jonathan Glazer), presented by the Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF) at 4:00 p.m. I missed this film at TIFF in September so I’m excited to finally see it; I even mention it in my previous Arts & Kvetch article.
This film is adapted from Martin Amis’ 2014 novel and is inspired by the real-life Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall), who strove to build a dream life for their family in a house right next to the concentration camp. Special guest filmmaker Matthew Shoychet (The Accountant of Auschwitz) will introduce the film. You can buy tickets for the screening here. If you can’t make the screening, it will be in select theatres (including TIFF Bell Lightbox) starting December 22.
The Zone of Interest is co-presented with the Toronto Holocaust Museum, which opened to the public a few months ago. On Tuesday, December 12, there is a free talk with Globe & Mail journalist Marsha Lederman who will “shed light on the current moment through her unique lens as journalist and columnist for the Globe & Mail and as a descendant of Holocaust survivors”. Sign up for tickets to the event here.
Another film in TJFF’s international series Film Bites will screen on December 13. The Price of Sugar, directed by Jean Van de Velde, is set in 18th century Suriname, and tells a little-known story of slave-owning Dutch Jews. Come to the screening early and enjoy a meal inspired by the film for an additional fee. Buy tickets here.
Museums
The Koffler Gallery’s exhibit The Synagogue at Babyn Yar: Turning the Nightmare of Evil into a Shared Dream of Good, has been extended until January 14. The gallery said the exhibit has been emotionally resonant for patrons due to its messages of hope. So if you haven’t visited yet, you now have more time to see it.
I know that Niv is the best Jewish-content online magazine around, but if you’ve read every single article on the website and are looking for more, Koffler has a magazine called Arcade where you can find articles related to the exhibitions on display. During Holocaust Education Week in November, Koffler Arts hosted a symposium called “Babyn Yar, the Holocaust and Beyond: Architectures of Memory,” which invited a range of speakers to expand on themes explored by the exhibition. You can read the conversation between the artists and historians that concluded the event here.
Community
If you’re not in the Jewish& Facebook group (and you’re not yet annoyed with me recommending that you join it!) please do. This is a lovely online, inclusive community, and members frequently share events going on. The group’s monthly Building the Jewish Cookbook is a way to try new recipes and sample fusion cuisine. Their November event was Veggie Okoy Latkes with sour mango applesauce!
Thanks to the Jewish& group, I happened across the cutest little (virtual) Judaica shop based in the east end. Now hear me out—if you, like me, think of an overcrowded, old-fashioned store full of tchotchkes when you hear Judaica, there is an alternative. East Toronto Judaica has items that are so cute and trendy they look like they could fit right in at Urban Outfitters—I want that 20-sided dreidel and “L’chaim Baby” card. Or maybe the Jewish dino sticker. There are some neat books too, so check it out here. Bonus: you’re buying local! And if you are a Jewish artist and interested in selling your own products in the shop, they’re looking to add more. You can reach out here.
If you want more Jewish merch, take a look at these neat handcrafted handbags. FENTSTER salvaged bags that were headed to the dump and invited artists to upcycle them. The result? One of a kind personal works of art that you can use every day. In purchasing one, you will help raise funds for the gallery, and a contribution will be made to Heart to Heart, a Canadian organization that works with Palestinian and Israeli youth to equip them with the skills and tools to work in solidarity across lines of difference to create more just and inclusive societies.
Lastly, if you’re interested in the idea of making art to relax, sign up for the last session of Restorative Creativity at the Miles Nadal JCC on December 16. This Shabbat activity can help with any internal processing you may need.
That’s all for this month. I truly hope that the next time you’re reading my words, things are a bit brighter. Please take care of yourself and let’s work towards a better future.
Lara
I want to acknowledge that these past two months have been difficult for Jews, Palestinians, and anyone with a connection to Israel and Palestine. It has been challenging working on this article and knowing what to say, because I don’t want to hide my opinions but I also know that this is a very polarizing time and people will disagree with me regardless of where I stand. I’ve been writing the Arts & Kvetch column since Niv launched in September 2020 and the Jewish community has never felt so divided. We’re all working through a variety of emotions and it can be overwhelming.
I’ve been attending vigils and teach-ins to try and understand the issues more deeply, as well as talking to friends and reflecting on opinion pieces and social media posts from across the political divide, as we do not benefit from existing in echo chambers. Unfortunately, I haven’t successfully found any events in Toronto that aim to bring Palestinians and Israelis together, but I encourage you to seek them out. I also encourage you to stay abreast of the news in Israel and Palestine if you can, and stay invested after the war ends (if indeed it does).
Hopefully, these upcoming events and activities can help lift your spirit in some small way.
Hanukkah
Second order of business—Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah takes place from Thursday, December 7 to Friday, December 15.
On Sunday, December 17, Gila Münster presents 8 Gays of Chanukah Queer Jewish Variety Show! This is the 5th annual rendition of the show, and features a multitude of Toronto’s queer Jewish artists including singers, dancers, and drag performers. This event is presented in partnership with FENTSTER, and will incorporate an interactive art installation in the space, which guests will be able to participate in before and after the show. Tickets start at $18.
On Tuesday, December 12, FENTSTER will host an event by and for Jewish artists and creatives called Gathering & Celebrating Difficult Times: A Conversation for Jewish Artists + Chanukah Hang. The goal is to counter the isolation that many are currently feeling with connection and embrace hopefulness and healing.
Please note the event states: “We do not presuppose any particular political orientations and affiliations. However, this is not a context for political debate or to advocate for specific political solutions.”
Film
On Sunday, December 10, the day this issue launches, you can catch the advance screening of The Zone of Interest (directed by Jonathan Glazer), presented by the Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF) at 4:00 p.m. I missed this film at TIFF in September so I’m excited to finally see it; I even mention it in my previous Arts & Kvetch article.
This film is adapted from Martin Amis’ 2014 novel and is inspired by the real-life Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall), who strove to build a dream life for their family in a house right next to the concentration camp. Special guest filmmaker Matthew Shoychet (The Accountant of Auschwitz) will introduce the film. You can buy tickets for the screening here. If you can’t make the screening, it will be in select theatres (including TIFF Bell Lightbox) starting December 22.
The Zone of Interest is co-presented with the Toronto Holocaust Museum, which opened to the public a few months ago. On Tuesday, December 12, there is a free talk with Globe & Mail journalist Marsha Lederman who will “shed light on the current moment through her unique lens as journalist and columnist for the Globe & Mail and as a descendant of Holocaust survivors”. Sign up for tickets to the event here.
Another film in TJFF’s international series Film Bites will screen on December 13. The Price of Sugar, directed by Jean Van de Velde, is set in 18th century Suriname, and tells a little-known story of slave-owning Dutch Jews. Come to the screening early and enjoy a meal inspired by the film for an additional fee. Buy tickets here.
Museums
The Koffler Gallery’s exhibit The Synagogue at Babyn Yar: Turning the Nightmare of Evil into a Shared Dream of Good, has been extended until January 14. The gallery said the exhibit has been emotionally resonant for patrons due to its messages of hope. So if you haven’t visited yet, you now have more time to see it.
I know that Niv is the best Jewish-content online magazine around, but if you’ve read every single article on the website and are looking for more, Koffler has a magazine called Arcade where you can find articles related to the exhibitions on display. During Holocaust Education Week in November, Koffler Arts hosted a symposium called “Babyn Yar, the Holocaust and Beyond: Architectures of Memory,” which invited a range of speakers to expand on themes explored by the exhibition. You can read the conversation between the artists and historians that concluded the event here.
Community
If you’re not in the Jewish& Facebook group (and you’re not yet annoyed with me recommending that you join it!) please do. This is a lovely online, inclusive community, and members frequently share events going on. The group’s monthly Building the Jewish Cookbook is a way to try new recipes and sample fusion cuisine. Their November event was Veggie Okoy Latkes with sour mango applesauce!
Thanks to the Jewish& group, I happened across the cutest little (virtual) Judaica shop based in the east end. Now hear me out—if you, like me, think of an overcrowded, old-fashioned store full of tchotchkes when you hear Judaica, there is an alternative. East Toronto Judaica has items that are so cute and trendy they look like they could fit right in at Urban Outfitters—I want that 20-sided dreidel and “L’chaim Baby” card. Or maybe the Jewish dino sticker. There are some neat books too, so check it out here. Bonus: you’re buying local! And if you are a Jewish artist and interested in selling your own products in the shop, they’re looking to add more. You can reach out here.
If you want more Jewish merch, take a look at these neat handcrafted handbags. FENTSTER salvaged bags that were headed to the dump and invited artists to upcycle them. The result? One of a kind personal works of art that you can use every day. In purchasing one, you will help raise funds for the gallery, and a contribution will be made to Heart to Heart, a Canadian organization that works with Palestinian and Israeli youth to equip them with the skills and tools to work in solidarity across lines of difference to create more just and inclusive societies.
Lastly, if you’re interested in the idea of making art to relax, sign up for the last session of Restorative Creativity at the Miles Nadal JCC on December 16. This Shabbat activity can help with any internal processing you may need.
That’s all for this month. I truly hope that the next time you’re reading my words, things are a bit brighter. Please take care of yourself and let’s work towards a better future.
Lara