Compiled by Courtney Byrnes
Mandel JCC Book Festival
Bookworms are sure to find new reading material and enjoy the programs at the 23rd annual Cleveland Jewish Book Festival, ongoing from now through March 19, 2023. Organized by the Mandel JCC in Beachwood, the fest features 24 books by nationally and internationally acclaimed authors. Visitors will hear stories in a broad range of genres including Jewish life, historical fiction, Israeli literature, cooking, memoir and more.
mandeljcc.org/bookfest
Israel Philharmonic concert
Join the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in launching its “Israel at 75” celebration series with a performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center in Cleveland. Founded in 1936 by Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman, it is the leading orchestra in Israel and performs throughout the world.
jewishcleveland.org
Cleveland Photo Fest
Be sure to capture the moment and visit the Cleveland Photo Fest between Nov. 18 and Dec. 31 at the Bostwick Design Art Initiative in Cleveland. This third iteration of the fest, which began in 2019, invites submissions from photographers all over the world to be part of “One Million Photos: Unity Through Photography” as it showcases the craft of photography.
clevelandphotofest.org
YLD Big Event
Join the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (for ages 22 to 45) to learn how you can make a difference in the Federation’s 2023 Campaign for Jewish Needs and be part of something bigger. Enjoy a sit-down dinner, cocktails and live entertainment at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at Young Israel of Greater Cleveland in Beachwood.
jewishcleveland.org
‘CATS’
Whether experiencing it for the first time or rediscovering it all over again, the stage musical “CATS” features new sound design, direction and choreography for a new generation when the beloved musical comes to the Connor Palace stage at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. On stage through Nov. 20, there is ample opportunity to hear the breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater, “Memory.”
playhousesquare.org
‘Land of Oz’
The familiar characters of Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion come to life with new friends, namely young Tip, on stage at Cleveland Heights’ Dobama Theatre. Based on the second book in L. Frank Baum’s Oz series, “Land of Oz” will take the stage from Dec. 2-31 as Tip sets out on an adventure.
dobama.org/land-of-oz
Campaign Closing Celebration
As the 2023 Campaign for Jewish Needs comes to a close, join the Jewish Federation of Cleveland on Dec. 7 to celebrate what has been accomplished together. The event will celebrate the community’s fundraising and commitment to the campaign’s theme – HERE FOR GOOD.
jewishcleveland.org
CJN 18 Difference Makers
Celebrate those performing acts of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, at the eighth annual Cleveland Jewish News 18 Difference Makers reception and award ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 8. This year at Park Synagogue East in Pepper Pike, the event will honor the CJN’s 2022 class of those who are giving back to the local Jewish community in their own unique ways. Philanthropists Lois Goodman and the Yanowitz family will also be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Generation Award, respectively.
cjn.org/18dm
Chanukah
Jstyle wishes all of Northeast Ohio a happy Chanukah. In between cooking latkes and spinning the dreidel, visit Jstyle’s sister publication, the Cleveland Jewish News, for coverage of what’s happening locally for Chanukah from Dec. 18-26. Chag sameach!
cjn.org/holidays
2022 Hanukkah Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service debuted its 2022 Hanukkah Stamp last month at Temple Emanu El in Orange, but don’t fret if you were unable to attend. The stamp, which features artwork depicting an abstract chanukiah, is available for purchase for $12 for a sheet of 20. Order them in time to send Chanukah cards.
usps.com/stamps
‘Impressionism to Modernism’ exhibit
Now on display until Jan. 8, 2023 at the Cleveland Museum of Art is the “Impressionism to Modernism: The Keithley Collection” exhibition. Explore the more than 100 works of art collected over two decades and gifted to the museum in March 2020 by Clevelanders Joseph P. and Nancy F. Keithley, and see how the works complement and contrast the CMA’s collection. Exhibition tours are offered at 11:15 a.m. daily through Dec. 31.
clevelandart.org
Home + Garden Show
The start of the new year signifies another round of exhibition shows at the I-X Center in Cleveland. If your New Year’s resolution has anything to do with revamping your home design or landscaping, get some inspiration from the Great Big Home + Garden Show from Feb. 3-12.
ixcenter.com
Tu b’Shevat
The Jewish birthday of the trees begins at sundown Feb. 5. Celebrate by hosting a seder, eating different kinds of fruits and considering the ecological issues of our time and how to address them. Enjoy the foliage at the Cleveland Botanical Garden or the Holden Arboretum, or make a donation to the Jewish National Fund to plant a tree in Israel.
jnf.org
‘Ghost the Musical’
The Beck Center for the Arts will show “Ghost the Musical” from Feb. 10-26 at its Senney Theater in Lakewood. Don’t miss your chance to see the story of lovers Sam and Molly, separated by life and death, reconnect through medium Oda Mae Brown as Sam warns Molly of dangers ahead.
beckcenter.org
Cleveland Orchestra family series
Fun for the whole family, the Cleveland Orchestra is holding kid-friendly performances in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall and Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall in Cleveland during its family concert series through April. Family concerts include the Feb. 12 “Gotta Dance,” and April 2 “Philharmonia Fantastique,” as well as music explorers concerts for the little ones.
clevelandorchestra.com
Brite Winter
The winter months can be cold and isolating. If by Feb. 25 you are looking for a break from sitting by the fireplace all day, head over to Brite Winter on Cleveland’s West Bank of the Flats for music, art, fire and fun. For 12 years and spanning three neighborhoods (and virtual spaces), the festival has brought hundreds of thousands of guests and hundreds of bands and artists out in temperatures as low as 8 and as high as 66 degrees for some fun in the winter.
britewinter.com
Cleveland Cavaliers season
Cheer on the wine and gold at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland as the Cleveland Cavaliers 2022-23 season is underway. You don’t want to miss this young and energized team as they attempt to make hometown fans proud.
nba.com/cavaliers
‘This Light of Ours’ exhibition
Originally premiering in Cleveland in 2016, “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement” has returned home for its final showing in 2022. On view at the Maltz Museum in Beachwood through April 2, the exhibition features work by nine activist photographers during the mid-1960s chronicling the Southern Freedom Movement.
maltzmuseum.org
Publisher’s note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events are subject to change or require specified health and safety protocols. Visit their corresponding websites for updated information regarding visitation prior to attending.