JANUARY 6 • 2022 | 25
C
ongregation Beth
Ahm in West
Bloomfield will host
a Zoom series highlighting
global Jewish communities
on four Sundays in February
from 7-8:15 p.m. Jewish travel
guide specialists will present
the history, cultural back-
ground and status of import-
ant sites central to Jewish
communities in China, India,
Spain and the Netherlands.
On Sunday, Feb. 6, Israeli
Eliaz Reuben-Dandeker, a
descendant of leaders of the
Bene-Israel community in
India, will outline his com-
munity’s ancient story as
well as Jewish involvement
in 20th- century politics
and culture like Bollywood.
The evening also features
American artist Siona
Benjamin, originally from
Mumbai, who identifies as a
Bene Israel Jew.
Jewish life in China, on Feb.
13, will explore three historic
communities: Kaifeng, Harbin
and Shanghai. Argentinian
Pablo Faivel Levinton is
studying in China and runs
the YouTube channel “
A Mole
Around the World,” dedicated
to showcasing faraway Jewish
communities. Also, Hebrew
Union College’s archivist
Jordan Finkin will speak about
a recovered Kaifeng Haggadah
and other ancient manuscripts
in the college’s collection.
On Feb. 20, visit the Spanish
island of Majorca, known for
its beach resorts. However, for
centuries, few discussed one of
its biggest secrets: The Chuetas
or Crypto-Jews, in response
to the Inquisition, publicly
professed Catholicism while
privately practicing Judaism.
Speaker Dani Rot-stein
moved to Majorca in 2014 and
became fascinated with their
legacy. Participants will also
learn about Ladino music and
the songs transmitted from
mothers to daughters through
music by Israeli musician/
singer Noam Vazanaon.
The series will end with
a presentation on Jewish
Netherlands on Feb. 27. When
people think of Amsterdam,
they think about Ann Frank,
but there is so much more.
Nachshon Rodrigues Pereira
is a community leader, cantor
of the Bendigamos commu-
nity and works for the Jewish
Seminary of Amsterdam.
Participants are urged to read
House on Endless Waters, a novel
by Israeli Emuna Elon. A brief
book discussion will conclude
the program.
Registration for this series is
free and open to the commu-
nity at www.cbahm.org/event/
jewishcommunitiesaroundthe-
world. This series is under-
written by Congregation Beth
Ahm’s Sisterhood.
Beth Ahm to host free virtual program.
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