Acclaimed director Jacob Gordon’s last Yiddish film, Without a Home (On a Heym) starred Shimon Dzigan, Ida Kaminska and Yisroel Shumacher, and came out in 1939 just before the outbreak of World War II. The film “provides a poignant and dramatic picture of a difficult era, focusing on the bleak prospects for the survival of traditional Jewish family values.”
Film critic Shlomo Schwartzberg introduces the film at the Friends of Yiddish screening, Beth Tikvah Synagogue, 3080 Bayview Ave. (between Sheppard and Finch), Sunday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m. Yiddish with English subtitles. FOY members free, guests $5; includes refreshments. Please RSVP early to Sandy, 416-458-1440, or email to [email protected]
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The Singer’s Body: Professional vocal instructor Orville Heyn delivers The Singer’s Body, a workshop presented by the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre’s Institute for Lifelong Choral Wellness and SING! the Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. Miles Nadal JCC, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. $25 per person. Register through SING! at www.torontovocalartsfestival.com
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Opera Appreciation: Active Seniors and Boomers of the Miles Nadal JCC presents About Operas of the Met, another of Iain Scott’s popular opera appreciation series. This is a rare opportunity to learn about four Metropolitan Opera productions to be broadcast live in 2013 in Toronto cinema theatres. Also includes video excerpts of diverse productions and performances by great opera singers. Four Tuesdays from Jan. 22 to Feb. 12, 1:30 p.m. $50 for the series, $16 drop-in per program if space permits. Phyllis, 416-924-6211, ext. 155.
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Creative Writing Workshop: The Art & Craft of Short Fiction is a creative writing workshop for emerging writers, facilitated by creative writing coach Benjamin Hackman. Covers the basic techniques of short-fiction writing, including the drafting and revision of one complete story. No experience required. Miles Nadal JCC, Sundays from Jan. 13 to March 24, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. $235. [email protected], 416-924-6211, ext. 154.
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Focus on Woody Allen: Critic Kevin Courrier presents five lectures with film clips on “Woody Allen Past and Present.” The course ranges from the comedies that satirized stereotypes of wasp ideals to the success of Annie Hall and beyond. The opening session includes Play It Again Sam, Take the Money and Run, Annie Hall, Bananas, Love and Death, Sleeper, Stardust Memories, Interiors, Hannah and Her Sisters and Midnight in Paris. $56 for the series, $12 drop-in per class. Miles Nadal JCC. Monday evenings, Jan. 14 to Feb. 11, 7 to 9 p.m. [email protected], 416-924-6211, ext. 606.
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Two Documentaries: Toronto Jewish Film Society opens its 35th season with two documentaries. An Article of Hope documents the 2002 Columbia space shuttle mission in which Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon perished. The shorter animated film, Cohen on the Bridge, highlights Israel’s dramatic 1976 Entebbe rescue mission. With guest speaker Shlomo Schwartzberg. Miles Nadal JCC, Al Green Theatre, Sunday, Jan. 20, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Individual seats on sale 15 minutes before each screening, $15. 416-924-6211, ext. 606, esthera @mnjcc.org
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Arts in Brief
• Teatron’s production of Charlie Varon’s play Rabbi Sam continues at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St., through Jan. 13. “It is about a guy who is trying to do something with the bigger picture that he sees in his world,” says actor Ron Boyd, who plays the title role. 416-781-5527, www.teatrontheatre.com
• Active Seniors and Boomers presents Ruthie Ladovsky discussing United Bakers’ 100th anniversary. Miles Nadal JCC, Thursday, Jan. 17, refreshments at 1:30 p.m., program at 2 p.m. $4. Please pre-pay by Jan. 10. 416-924- 6211, ext. 155.
• Music educator and musician Kobi Hass’ Songwriting Workshop is a practical, hands-on 10-week series focusing on song composition, themes, melodies, harmony, rhythm, lyrics and form. Some musical knowledge and basic ability to play an instrument required. Miles Nadal JCC, Thursdays from Jan. 31 to April 4, 7 to 9 p.m. $200. Registration, 416-924-6211, ext. 0.
• Soundstream presents The Three Faces of Jerusalem, an afternoon of music and poetry inspired by the traditions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., Sunday, Jan. 27, 3 p.m. $20 to $65. 416-408-0208, www.soundstreams.ca
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At the Galleries
• Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery presents Kaleidoscope in Motion & Colour, an exhibition of works by artist Miriam Unger Ben-Ze’ev. Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. W. at Dufferin Street. On view Jan. 9 to Feb. 4. Opening reception, Thursday, Jan. 10, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.carriergallery.com
• A Co-existence – Photographs on Jewish Morocco, an exhibition by Aaron Vincent Elkaim, is on view in the Miles Nadal JCC Gallery through Jan. 27.
• Ceramic artist Clint Neufeld, whose exhibition Pipe Dreams of Madame Recamier opens Jan. 10 at the Koffler Gallery Off-Site at General Hardware Contemporary, presents a one-day workshop about the creative process of mould-making for his spectacular ceramic sculptures. $75. Prosserman JCC, 4588 Bathurst St. Monday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 416-638-1881, [email protected]
