With the summer winding down, many citywide establishments are planning on going full speed ahead with their fall programming—including the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
Kicking off at the end of September, Philadelphians can head to a book signing event with celebrity chef Michael Solomonov and New York Times bestselling cookbook author, chef, and celebrity food influencer chef Jake Cohen. The event, which takes place on Sept. 28, will be surrounding Cohen’s second cookbook, ‘I Could Nosh.’ While there, audience members can nosh themselves on samples during the post-event book signing, which the chefs will prepare live on stage.
Then on Oct. 10, a virtual book talk with comics artist and deli aficionado Ben Nadler will kick off online through the Weitzman. During the event, Nadler will discuss his new book ‘The Jewish Deli: An Illustrated Guide to the Chosen Food’, with Ted Merwin, an expert on the history of Jewish delis.
Two days later on Oct. 12, The Philadelphia premiere of the Academy Award-nominated documentary, ‘Stranger at the Gate’ will take place, followed by a panel discussion.
As a release states, the discussion will feature Bibi Bahrami, Richard “Mac” McKinney, and filmmaker Josh Seftel, moderated by Marty Moss-Coane. The film itself depicts the collision between Richard “Mac” McKinney and the Muncie Islamic Center congregants, and the release states that ‘Stranger at the Gate’ offers hope by showcasing how kindness, openness, and understanding can confront hate and division, and the film’s heroes inspire positive change through empathy and compassion towards differing ideas and opinions.
The Weitzman will then host a Secret Chord Concert & Talkback on Thursday, Oct. 19, aka an evening of “soul-stirring melodies and high-energy Jewish Bluegrass tunes,” featuring Nefesh Mountain. The group is made up of a husband and wife duo who happened to be the first band to ever sing in Hebrew at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. This concert will be recorded as an episode of the Secret Chord Concerts series from the Museum as well.
November will also hold a few activities as well at the cultural establishment, including an in-person book talk on Nov. 9 with Ari Mittelmen, who will be on-site to discuss his new book ‘Paths of The Righteous: Conversations with Allies who Stood Up for Jews in the Face of Antisemitism.’ While there, Mittelmen will be joined by two of the book’s subjects: Lt. Aston Bright and Olga Meshoe Washington.
Later in the month, The Weitzman will be gearing up to partner with the Philadelphia Jewish Film & Media for its 43rd Fall Fest from Nov. 11 to 18, and on Nov. 14, Award-winning author Rebecca Clarren will be online virtually through the Museum to discuss her new book ‘The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota and American Inheritance’ (which is also held during Native American Heritage Month.)
Then on Nov. 16, Philadelphians can catch the first-ever concert of the new ensemble Piyut Rising, a group of Mizrahi (Jews of Middle Eastern and North African descent) musicians who are based in the US and Israel. As the release states, the band is led by two Jewish musicians, Yoni Battat and Yosef Goldman, collectively of Iraqi, Syrian, and Yemeni descent.
Finally, on Dec. 9, Michael Winograd & the Honorable Mentshn will stop by the Museum for a performance while on their Hanukkah tour.
Said to be the “Lebron James of Klezmer,” bandleader Winograd is known as one of the top Klezmer musicians in the world today. The band will also feature Berlin-based, Latvian-born vocalist Sasha Lurje, Philadelphia-based trombonist Dan Blacksberg, and other musicians hitting the stage.
The group will perform songs from their expansive repertoire of high-energy hits as well as Hanukkah tunes from classic albums like Moishe Oysher’s legendary album, “Chanukah Party”.
To learn more about the events happening at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (101 S Independence Mall E,) visit, theweitzman.org
