at the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall
YEARS
Arts & Dialogues 2019–2020 Season at the Oshman Family JCC We’re thrilled to welcome you back for another inspiring season at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center. For the past 10 years, our boutique arts center at the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall has been home to some of the most inspiring artists and authors of our generation. The artists we’ve presented have unanimously sent messages of peace, hope and brotherhood for all humanity, emphasizing the values of inclusion, diversity and equality. Together with our donors, loyal arts patrons, OFJCC leadership and volunteers, we’ve built a platform for powerful, transcendent moments for the communities to come together as one.
Photo by Dario Acosta
The 2019—2020 season promises entertaining, intimate and thought-provoking experiences that will broaden your perspectives and cultural horizons. We invite you to explore a wealth of performances, literary events and concerts ranging from the exquisite, second-to-none talents of pianist Yefim Bronfman, a stand-up evening with Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander, the Obama and Clinton speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz as well as one of America’s favorite political satire shows The Capitol Steps. We’ll continue the tradition of high quality, fun-for-the-whole-family shows with performances from beloved rescue-dogs-turned-stars, the exhilarating Chinese acrobatic phenomenon Cirque Mei and the return of the dazzling B—The Underwater Bubble Show. Our OFJCC is home for the entire community to come together under the great canopy of arts, where we all share inspiring moments that expand the mind and breathe fresh air into our everyday community experience.
Yefim Bronfman – Piano Recital
For the love of arts and humankind,
"A marvel of digital dexterity, warmly romantic sentiment, and jaw-dropping bravura" –Chicago Tribune Internationally recognized as one of today's most acclaimed and admired pianists, Grammy® Award-winner Yefim Bronfman stands among a handful of artists regularly sought by festivals, orchestras, conductors and recital series throughout Europe, North America and the Far East. His commanding technique, power and exceptional lyrical gifts are consistently acknowledged by the press and audiences alike.
Ronit Widmann-Levy Director of Arts & Culture
Sunday, September 8 | 7:30PM Part of the Jewish Luminaries Series
An Evening with Adeena Sussman Author of Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors from My Israeli Kitchen Tuesday, September 10 | 7:30PM
"Sababa," derived from the Arabic word "tzababa," has come to mean "everything is awesome." And when it comes to Adeena's highly personal take on the Israeli kitchen and its diverse, delicious and vibrant culture, everything truly is sababa!
Persona Non Grata Film Screening, Reception and Film Director Talk Thursday, September 12 | 6:00PM
The audacious true story of the Japanese diplomat who acted against orders to save thousands of Jewish lives from Nazi extermination. Persona Non Grata offers long-overdue recognition of Japan's Schindler, Chiune Sugihara, the only Japanese recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by the Israeli government and honored at Yad Vashem. This event is sponsored by The Consulate General of Japan San Francisco, The Consulate General of Israel and AJC San Francisco.
Cirque Mei Elite Circus Artists and Acrobats from the Hebei Province, China Wednesday, September 18 | 7:30PM
Cirque Mei’s gravity-defying acrobatics and circus acts will leave you breathless! Performing traditional and contemporary Chinese circus acts, this global sensation delivers a kaleidoscope of heart-pounding athleticism and artistry, including hoop diving, contortionists, ladder balancing and more!
TEDxPaloAlto Saturday, September 21 6:30PM–9:30PM Spring Date: To Be Announced In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized
Jewish Luminaries Series
events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event,
Yefim Bronfman – Piano Recital Sunday, September 8 | 7:30PM
TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are organized TED event. The OFJCC is proud to sponsor
Shulem in Concert, The Perfect Dream Sunday, September 22 | 5:30PM
Photo by Baruch Azagui
branded TEDx, where x = independently
TEDxPaloAlto. Visit tedxpaloalto.com for updates and to purchase tickets.
Shulem in Concert, The Perfect Dream Sunday, September 22 | 5:30PM Part of the Jewish Luminaries Series "His music is able to reach across cultural divides and touch people of diverse faiths and backgrounds." –Tablet Magazine There are some voices that have to be heard—and Shulem's is one of them. Whether it's prayers, psalms or contemporary classics, this youthful Brooklyn tenor finds in music something rich and affirming, an endeavor that makes the soul soar and the spirit rise. Marking the first time that a singer from the orthodox Hasidic community has been signed to a major label, Shulem's debut album, The Perfect Dream, will be released on Decca Gold, an imprint of Universal Music Group's Verve Label Group.
Here All Along, An Evening with Speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz Monday, September 23 | 7:30PM An Evening with #1 Bestselling Author Mitch Albom Chika: A Little Girl, An Earthquake, And The Making Of A Family Tuesday, December 10 | 7:30PM
Secrets of Sand Hill Road A Conversation with Scott Kupor Moderated by Michael Krasny
Wednesday, October 30 | 7:30PM Find out how to turn your startup into a unicorn! Scott Kupor, managing partner of the famed VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, will discuss his book, Secrets of Sand Hill Road, in which he explains exactly how VCs decide where and how much to invest, and how entrepreneurs can get the best possible deal and make the most of their relationships with VCs.
Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency A Conversation with Author and Scholar Larry Diamond Here All Along, An Evening with Speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz Monday, September 23 | 7:30PM Part of the Jewish Luminaries Series After a decade as a political speechwriter, Sarah Hurwitz decided to apply her skills as a communicator to writing a book . . . about Judaism. And no one is more surprised than she is. Hurwitz’s entertaining and accessible book shows us why Judaism matters, how its message is more relevant than ever and inspires Jews to do the learning, questioning and debating required to make this religion their own. Sponsored in part by the Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropic Fund
Tuesday, September 24 | 7:00PM Learn about the fluctuating waves of global democracy from one of its most dedicated students. Mr. Diamond, author of Ill Winds, offers concrete, deeply-informed ideas to fight polarization, reduce the influence of money in politics and make every vote count.
Border Wars: Inside Trump’s Assault on Immigration An Evening with Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Michael D. Shear Monday, November 4 | 7:30PM
New York Times correspondents Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Michael D. Shear have covered the Trump administration from its earliest days. Border Wars identifies the players behind Trump’s anti-immigration policies, showing how they planned, stumbled and fought their way toward major immigration changes that have further polarized the nation.
The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America An Evening with Author Margaret O'Mara Moderated by Anne Kornblut Wednesday, November 13 | 7:00PM
Taimane: Elemental Tour A Visual and Musical Experience Saturday, October 26 | 7:30PM
Catch ukulele virtuoso, songwriter and rising star Taimane in fresh and full blossom as she brings her full palette of artistic color to the OFJCC. Featuring Jonathan Heraux on percussion and Ramiro Marziani on classical guitar, as well as dancer Enormvs (contemporary and Polynesian dance). In March, Taimane and her band performed at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, playing to roaring crowds and receiving rave reviews.
Come learn the true, behind-the-scenes history of the people who built Silicon Valley and shaped Big Tech in America from one of the foremost experts on the intersection of tech and government. Deploying a wonderfully rich and diverse cast of protagonists, from the justly famous to the unjustly obscure, across four generations of explosive growth in the Valley, from the forties to the present, Dr. Margaret O'Mara has wrestled into magnificent narrative form one of the most fateful developments in modern American history.
Stunt Dog Experience Saturday, November 23 2:00PM & 6:00PM
Featuring more than a dozen dogs that have been rescued from shelters, this high-energy, interactive show features amazing tricks, comedy antics, dancing canines and audience participation. The exceptional cast of professional performers and talented pound pups will delight audiences of all ages while raising awareness about pet adoption. It's not just a show, it's an experience!
Capitol Steps, Make America Grin Again Thursday, January 9 | 7:30PM
Enjoy a hilarious evening of American political satire and song parodies with the nationallyacclaimed Capitol Steps. No matter who or what is in the headlines, you can bet the Capitol Steps will tackle both sides of the political spectrum and all things equally foolish. What more would you expect from the group that puts the ″MOCK″ in Democracy?
As Long As You’re Asking— An Evening of Comedy, Music and Conversation with Jason Alexander Sunday, December 1 | 7:30PM
Presenting an evening with Jason Alexander, the award-winning star of stage and screen—with a twist: the audience determines what they want to know the most! Alexander has starred on Broadway, in hit films like Pretty Woman and Shallow Hal and, of course, Seinfeld. He is an actor, director, producer, writer, children’s book author, award-winning magician, semi-pro poker player and social/political activist. It's all on the table and the conversation is completely in your control, making for a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Jewish Women’s Theatre
Mapping of the Mind: Monday, February 3 | 7:30PM Sex, Love & Addiction: Monday, March 30 | 7:30PM Ah Ha Moment: Tuesday, May 26 | 7:30PM Jewish Women’s Theatre returns with three new shows! Their unique performances engage a variety of writers, actors and audiences to deeply reflect on and celebrate Jewish life. Performances are a unifying experience, providing great entertainment and unexpected opportunities for self-reflection and connection that strengthens our humanity. JWT seeks, develops and adapts stories celebrating a diverse Jewish population that can share the stage, regardless of gender, generation, degree of Jewish observance, ethnicity, cultural background or sexual orientation.
Says You!
Sunday, February 16 | 7:00PM
Photo by Jenny Risher
Calling all word nerds...Says You!, public radio's quintessential quiz show, returns to Palo Alto for a Sunday afternoon live performance, filling the ether with laughter at the expense of the English language. Like Jeopardy, Scrabble and anagrams? You'll love this brand of wordplay!
An Evening with #1 Bestselling Author Mitch Albom Chika: A Little Girl, An Earthquake, And The Making Of A Family Tuesday, December 10 | 7:30PM Part of the Jewish Luminaries Series The author of Tuesdays With Morrie returns to nonfiction for the first time in over a decade to celebrate Chika, a young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change his heart. Chika is a devastatingly beautiful portrait of what it means to be a family, regardless of how it is made.
The Oshman Family JCC and San Jose Jazz Festival Presents: International Guitar Night Twenty Years of U.S. Touring Thursday, February 20 | 7:30PM
Violins of Hope Concert Presenting Veretski Pass Saturday, February 29 | 7:30PM Veretski Pass presents a concert of klezmer melodies based on the origins of the instruments beautifully restored in the Violins of Hope project. Obereks, Mazurkas and Polkas are performed on a Polish violin, Zhoks and Horas on a Rumanian, and Kolomeykes and Kozachoks on a restored Ukrainian fiddle, all united with an unmistakable Jewish sound, exquisitely performed by this world-renowned klezmer trio.
Photo by Lalo Jodlbauer
For this special Anniversary Tour, International Guitar Night Founder Brian Gore has put together his most eclectic lineup of guitar luminaries yet: Guest host Mike Dawes (England), with his incredible two-hand contemporary style, is joined by exotic fretless guitarist Cenk Erdogan from Turkey, electrifying jazz virtuoso Olli Soikkeli from Finland and Hawaiian Slack Key master Jim Kimo West.
Just Call Me God: A Dictator's Final Speech Starring John Malkovich Saturday, February 1 | 7:00PM “… a showcase for the hubris, confiding intimacy and skewed method-acting which has ensured Malkovich’s inimitable presence on stage and screen.” –Richard Whitehouse, Independent A dictator teeters on the brink, and megalomania escalates into fullblown madness. From Nero to Idi Amin, despots have had megalomaniac delusions of divine provenance. Michael Sturminger’s music-theatre piece pits Malkovich against the grandiloquent power of the organ. Organist Martin Haselböck responds with music by Bach, Wagner, Liszt: words against music, genius versus delusion, and at its terrifying heart, an actor who spares no one—least of all himself.
B—The Underwater Bubble Show
Saturday, March 14 | 4:30PM & 7:00PM Mr. B finds himself transported as if by magic to a special, colorful, happy place called Bubblelandia! Friendly seahorses, dragon fish, starfish, mermaids, clown fish and others will carry Mr. B along his imaginary journey in this beautiful underwater world where fantasy becomes reality and you are invited to follow him.
28th Annual Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival Opening Night: Sunday, October 27 | 6:30PM Closing Night: Sunday, November 17 | 6:30PM
The SVJFF screens films that showcase Jewish spirit, culture, traditions and humor. By bringing a variety of powerful cinematic lenses to the silver screen, the SVJFF strives to spark a dialogue around entertainment, art, politics, society and global issues.
Kat Edmonson
Wednesday, March 4 | 7:30PM Delightfully quirky and wholly original jazz singer Kat Edmonson fuses vintage Brill Building pop with 1960's lounge and a hefty dose of sophisticated, timelesssounding originals for a style that is uniquely her own. The Texas native is touring off her critically-adored new record Old Fashioned Gal, acclaimed as "fresh as a spring bouquet" by the New York Times.
Registration is now open! Our classes allow kids, teens and adults to explore different art forms including music, dance, theatre, and visual arts in a creative, safe and inclusive setting. All levels are welcome and classes culminate in a performance or presentation. This year's projects include a musical theatre production of The Wizard of Oz, community choir, preschool music, ballet, kids’ art classes and more!
Photo by Jason Frank Rothenberg
Isaac Mizrahi Cabaret Show
Saturday, March 28 | 7:30PM Fresh off of a three-week residency at Café Carlyle in New York City, Isaac Mizrahi makes his debut at the Oshman Family JCC. He will perform classics by Leonard Bernstein, Cat Stevens, Jimmy Webb, John Kander, Cole Porter, James Taylor and Jerome Kern and will be joined by his band of (handsome, thin, single) (maybe not single) jazz musicians, led by Ben Waltzer. With all-new stories and hilarious observations, no topics will be off-limits: politics, sex, prescription drugs, millennials. The New York Times noted “he qualifies as a founding father of a genre that fuses performance art, music and stand-up comedy.”
Visit paloaltojcc.org/schoolforthearts for details. Oshman Family JCC | Taube Koret Campus For Jewish Life 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto 94303 | www.paloaltojcc.org | (650) 223-8700
Thank You for Your Support. We are grateful for the financial support of our patrons. If you would like to contribute to the OFJCC’s cultural arts programming, please visit: paloaltojcc.org/donate. The Oshman Family JCC is proud to be a part of the Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood, presenting educational and cultural programs that explore Jewish heritage, identity and community. The initiative is co-funded by the Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture.
Cultural arts programs are made possible in part through the generosity of the Koret Foundation, the Oshman Family, the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture, John Schwabacher and Madelene Wong, Bonnie and Marty Tenenbaum, Albert L. Shultz and Janet A. Schultz Supporting Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, and the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, The Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties.
SEPTEMBER
Thank you to Books Inc. Palo Alto for being the official bookseller for OFJCC author events.
OCTOBER
Thank you to the Palo Alto Sheraton and Westin Hotels for your generous support of the Oshman Family JCC’s performing arts season.
NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY
FEBRUARY
675 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (650) 321-4422 westin.com/paloalto
625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (650) 328-2800 sheraton.com/paloalto
MARCH
9/8
7:30PM
Yefim Bronfman—Piano Recital
9/10
7:30PM
Sababa: An Evening with Cookbook Author Adeena Sussman
9/12
6:00PM
Persona Non Grata Film Screening
9/18
7:30PM
Cirque Mei
9/21
6:30PM
TEDxPaloAltoSalon: Rethink
9/22
5:30PM
Shulem in Concert: The Perfect Dream
9/23
7:30PM
Here All Along: An Evening with Speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz
9/24
7:00PM
Ill Winds: A Conversation with Author and Scholar Larry Diamond
10/26
7:30PM
Taimane–Elemental Tour
10/27 &11/17
6:30PM
28th Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival Opening and Closing Nights
10/30
7:30PM
Secrets of Sand Hill Road: A Conversation with Scott Kupor
11/4
7:30PM
Border Wars: An Evening with Authors Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Michael D. Shear
11/13
7:00PM
The Code: An Evening with Author Margaret O'Mara
11/23
2:00PM & 6:00PM
Stunt Dog Experience
12/1
7:30PM
Jason Alexander: As Long As You’re Asking
12/10
7:30PM
Mitch Albom: Chika: A Little Girl, An Earthquake, And The Making Of A Family
1/9
7:30PM
Capitol Steps, Make America Grin Again
2/1
7:00PM
John Malkovich: Just Call Me God: A Dictator's Final Speech
2/3, 3/30, 5/26
7:30PM
Jewish Women’s Theatre
2/16
7:00PM
Says You!
2/20
7:30PM
The OFJCC and San Jose Jazz Festival Presents: International Guitar Night
2/29
7:30PM
Violins Of Hope Concert
3/4
7:30PM
Kat Edmonson
3/14
4:30PM & 7:00PM
B—The Underwater Bubble Show
3/28
7:30PM
Isaac Mizrahi: Cabaret Show
paloaltojcc.org/arts
Visit our website to see new programs as they are added. All programs are subject to change.
Non-profit Organization US Postage PAID Palo Alto CA 94303 Permit No. 33
3921 Fabian Way Palo Alto, CA 94303 (650) 223-8700 paloaltojcc.org
All events are wheelchair accessible and assisted listening devices are available. Please call the box office for more information at (650) 223-8699.
HOW TO ORDER TICKETS Online in advance: www.paloaltojcc.org/arts By phone at least 24 hours in advance: (650) 223-8699 In person at the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall one hour prior to performance, space permitting For more information about programs, patron services and policies, visit: paloaltojcc.org/arts. All programs are subject to change without notice. Š 2019 Oshman Family Jewish Community Center