18 interesting things to do this fall in Greater Cleveland
Jeremy Woodhouse / Blend Images / Getty Images
Compiled by Michael C. Butz
‘Israel: Then & Now’
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will host the world premiere of “Israel: Then & Now” from Sept. 23 to May 12, 2019. In 1948, when Israel was declared the first Jewish state, it gave the Jewish people an opportunity to create a home for themselves and their children – what would come of this land, the people and a culture? Look back and imagine what’s ahead during this exhibition that combines milestone moments, historic images, interactive media and film. maltzmuseum.org
Playhouse Square
Get your tickets for Playhouse Square’s 2018-19 KeyBank Broadway Series, which includes the following productions: “Hello, Dolly!” (opens Oct. 2); “Les Miserables” (Oct. 30); “Miss Saigon” (Jan. 29, 2019); “School of Rock” (March 5); “A Bronx Tale” (April 23); “Dear Evan Hansen” (June 11); and “Come From Away” (July 9). broadway.playhousesquare.org
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Join the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage on Oct. 11 at The Temple-Tifereth Israel for “Truman and Israel,” a lecture and Q&A with award-winning author, professor, historian and media analyst Robert Watson. The discussion will detail the behind-the-scenes story of President Harry Truman’s relationship with Zionist leaders and the “founding fathers” of Israel – and their efforts to establish statehood and secure U.S. support for Israel. maltzmuseum.org
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
The ninth annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival rolls back into Chagrin Falls this year Oct. 3-7, during which time attendees can see up to 89 films, including nine world premieres. Films expected to be of interest to the Jewish community include: “When the Smoke Clears: A Story of Brotherhood, Resilience,” which tells the true stories of three Israeli soldiers who endured traumatic injuries and is sponsored by Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Cleveland-Israel Arts Connection; “Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me,” which chronicles the life of the legendary entertainer and will be screened in partnership with the Cleveland Jewish FilmFest; and “21 and Done,” which explores how turning 21 results in children aging out of the foster-care system and the challenges that brings. The film is sponsored by NCJW/Cleveland, which will host a presentation and dessert reception following the Oct. 7 screening aimed at shedding more light on the topic. chagrinfilmfest.org
Cleveland Jewish FilmFest
Grab some popcorn and enjoy the best in international Jewish cinema at area local theaters Oct. 4-14 during the Mandel JCC’s Cleveland Jewish FilmFest. mandeljcc.org/filmfest
Cleveland Cavaliers
The post-LeBron James era begins (again) for the Cavs when the 2018-19 season opens Oct. 21. James, who helped deliver the 2016 NBA Championship to Cleveland, returns to Northeast Ohio as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 21. cavs.com
Women in Leadership
The Cleveland Jewish News will host “Women in Leadership” Oct. 23 at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere, where attendees can network, nosh and gain inspiration from the personal experiences and professional journeys shared by this year’s panelists. The event’s moderator will again be Lauren Rich Fine of Gries Financial LLC. Panelists will include Hallie Abrams of Hallie Abrams – The Wardrobe Consultant; Dr. Francoise Adan of the UH Connor Integrative Health Network and Case Western Reserve University; Erica Lazzaro of Rakuten OverDrive; and Carole Rendon of BakerHostetler. cjn.org/wil
From left, Orly Einhorn, Reagan Anthony, Jonah Rubanenko, Ryan Muencz, Jeremy Gimbel, Zoey Zelman, Sam Eisner and Gabriel Shapera participate in last year’s Super Sunday. Photo credit: Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Super Sunday
Hundreds of community members will join forces for 10 hours Oct. 14 to make calls in support of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2019 Campaign for Jewish Needs – the annual fundraising campaign meant to ensure the community’s vitality and vibrancy in the year ahead – at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building in Beachwood. New this year, members of the community can get involved by participating either on site or online. jewishcleveland.org
About 1,400 women and girls attended The Shabbos Project Cleveland’s annual “Challah in the CLE” in 2017 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights. Photo credit: Cleveland Jewish News / Amanda Koehn
The Shabbos Project
The Shabbos Project’s “Challah in the CLE” returns for its fifth year on Oct. 25 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights. An estimated 1,400 women and girls are expected to participate in the annual challah-making event. Then, on Oct. 26-27, Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community will join Jewish communities from around the world to celebrate Shabbat. shabbosprojectcle.com
Artistic jewelry like this from a recent Art & Jewish Food Festival will be available at this year’s event. Photo credit: Temple Israel
Temple Israel Sisterhood’s Art & Jewish Food Festival
Art enthusiasts and foodies alike are sure to find something of interest during the Temple Israel Sisterhood’s Art & Jewish Food Festival, which will take place Nov. 4 at Temple Israel Akron in Bath Township. The biennial event is expected to feature work from artists who work in various media while offering attendees an opportunity to nosh on matzah ball soup, latkes, stuffed cabbage, kugel, chopped liver, rugelach, mandel bread, kuchen, hamantashen and more. templeisraelakron.org/artfoodfest
Mandel JCC Cleveland Jewish Book Festival
Bibliophiles are always excited for the Mandel JCC’s annual Cleveland Jewish Book Festival, which this year takes place Nov. 4-19. Local and national authors will be highlighted; topics related to Jewish life, Zionism, history, religion and more will be covered; and lectures, Q&A sessions and book signings will be held. mandeljcc.org/bookfestival
Apollo’s Fire
Take in Apollo’s Fire’s “O Jerusalem!” Nov. 10-18 at various locations, including Nov. 10 at The Temple-Tifereth Israel. The program’s music and poetry evoke a “tour” of the Jewish, Christian, Arab and Armenian quarters of Jerusalem. Musicians of Jewish, Muslim and Christian backgrounds will perform. apollosfire.org
Comedian Mike Polk Jr. entertains the crowd at last year’s YLD Big Event.
Photo credit: Jewish Federation of Cleveland
YLD Big Event
The Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host its sixth annual “Big Event” Nov. 17 at the House of Blues Cleveland in downtown Cleveland. Connect with more than 400 Jewish Clevelanders in their 20s, 30s and 40s and celebrate the 2019 Campaign for Jewish Needs at YLD’s signature fundraising event! jewishcleveland.org
18 Difference Makers
Join the Cleveland Jewish News as it celebrates the 2018 class of 18 Difference Makers. This year’s ceremony is Nov. 18 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, and as always, those who are making a difference in Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community will be recognized. cjn.org/18dm
Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s next big exhibition, “Georgia O’Keeffe: Living Modern,” opens Nov. 21 and will offer a unique look into the fascinating connections between the paintings, personal style and public persona of one of America’s most iconic artists. clevelandart.org
Holiday CircleFest
University Circle’s annual winter festival, Holiday CircleFest, returns this year on Dec. 1-2. Like last year, it’s a two-day festival, and as always, it will feature a holiday market, opportunities to ice skate on The Rink at Wade Oval and free admission to many of the museums and cultural institutions in the neighborhood. universitycircle.org
Chanukah
The Festival of Lights begins this year on the evening of Dec. 2. For comprehensive listings on Chanukah events and public menorah lightings, visit the Cleveland Jewish News’ website. cjn.org/holidays
Jstyle premiere party
Celebrate the winter issue of Jstyle – the annual Singles Issue – during the premiere party on Dec. 6. For updates on the time and location of the party, follow Jstyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @jstylemagazine. jstylemagazine.com