This year, September 2004-September 2005, marks a most significant milestone in the lives of American Jews. The anniversary year commemorates the 350th Anniversary of the arrival of 23 Jews who fled Recife, Brazil and came to New Amsterdam in 1654. While not the first to arrive in North America, they were the first to establish a distinct Jewish community.

In order to observe the significance of the 350th Anniversary, a national initiative has been established, under the umbrella of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating appropriate activities by Jews and Jewish institutions across the country.

In celebrating 350 years of Jewish life in America, we not only have the opportunity of celebrating our Jewish culture, but also our American culture – which in the spirit of freedom has created the climate to allow our rich culture to flourish freely. In addition, we honor and celebrate the many areas in which our Jewish culture has impacted and enriched America, such as civil rights, medicine, civil liberties, literature, music, film, the arts, etc.

The JCRC encourages local organizations and religious institutions to sponsor at least one program each during the year that serves to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of Jews in America. The JCRC will act as the clearinghouse for all community programs, will list programs, projects and activities on our web site and will include them in our weekly email. By so doing, members of the community will be able to take advantage of programs taking place throughout our community and we will be able to avoid duplication of effort.

The JCRC will keep this calendar throughout the year and at the end of the year of celebration we will assemble a booklet of all the activities that have taken place in our community.

If your organization is planning a program in celebration of the 350th Anniversary of Jews in America, please email all the details to Marlene Gorin, JCRC Director (jcrcdallas@jfgd.org) and to Renee Stanley, Chair of Dallas’ “CELEBRATE 350” Committee (RLSTA2@aol.com).

A national web site has been developed to assist organizations and religious institutions with materials, program suggestions, logos, historical information, audio-visual materials, etc. You are encouraged to access this web site at www.celebrate350.org.


UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS ON JEWISH LIFE IN AMERICA

L’CHAIM COMMUNITY-WIDE POSTER CONTEST
In celebration of 350 years of Jewish life in America, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas invites students in grades 3-12 to participate in a community-wide poster contest.

Posters will be evaluated based on creativity and interpretation of one of the following themes:
• Beginning of the American Jewish Journey: Jewish immigration to America
• Our American Roots: The who, what, when and where of the first Jewish settlers
• Deep in the Heart of Texas: The heritage of Jewish Texans
• Achievements of Jews in America: Medicine, entertainment, literature, sports, science and politics

Entries may include drawings, collages or paintings. Posters may be no larger than 28” by 22”.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: grades 3-6; grades 7-9; and grades 10-12.

All entries must be submitted to the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas by Friday, January 14, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. Award winners will be announced at Yom Limud on Sunday, February 6, 2005. For more information contact the Esther Nathan, assistant director of the Jewish education department at (214) 750-6461 or enathan@jfgd.org.

A MUSICAL TRIBUTE: 350 YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE IN AMERICA
Sunday, January 30, 2005
7:00 p.m. Temple Shalom, Sanctuary
Featuring performances by Cantor Annie Bornstein, Temple Emanu-El, Cantor Don Alan Croll, Temple Shalom, Cantor Jacob Cohen, Congregation Tiferet Israel, and Cantor Itzhak Zhrebker, Congregation Shearith Israel.

For ticket information, contact (214) 762-6673 or hjg@att.net.

“A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER: JEWS COMING TO AMERICA”
Dolores and Walter Neustadt Lecture Series led by Rabbi Kenneth Roseman
7:30 p.m.
Temple Emanu-El – Linz Hall
November 2 – “Jewish Life in the Colonial Period”
November 9 - “The Immigration of German Jews”
November 16 – “Jews and the Civil War”

FILM PRESENTATION: “They Came for Good: A History of Jews in America”
Sunday, November 14 – 2:00 p.m.
Bridwell Library, Southern Methodist University
6005 Bishop Blvd.
To celebrate the 350th anniversary of Jewish settlement in America, there will be a screening of this award-winning film, which follows the history of Jews in America from the first Brazilian Jews who landed on Manhattan Island in 1654 through the end of the 19th century. Letters, diaries, and rare images portray the Jewish experience from the American Revolution to the founding of the Reformed movement, with many fascinating episodes in this grand history, including the story of August Bondi who supported John Brown with Theodore Wiener (both Yiddish speakers), and led a militia against slavery in the Kansas Territory; Asher Levy’s early fight for equal rights. Running time:120 minutes
Sponsored by Bridwell Library,SMU, in co-sponsorship with the Dallas Chapter of the American Jewish Committee and Beyt Midrash of North Texas

The American Jewish Experience in Hollywood Cinema: “West of Hester Street”
Sunday, November 14 – 3:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Center – Senior Lounge
In conjunction with the celebration of 350 years of Jews in America, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas is pleased to present a series of films that look at the family life of Jews; the process of becoming an American; the costs of assimilation; the importance of religion and tradition; and the tragedy of prejudice. After viewing each film, there will be a discussion of the structures and forms used and the issues raised. The purpose of this program is not to present a history of film or a history of Jews in film, but rather to look at how Jews and Jewish life have been represented in Hollywood cinema. A discussion of the second film in the series, West of Hester Street, will be facilitated by the film’s directors Cynthia Salzman Mondell and Allen Mondell. This event will take place at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven Rd., in Dallas, in the Senior Lounge. There is no fee to attend this program, but space is limited. Kosher snacks are welcome. Attendance of entire series not mandatory, films can be viewed on a stand-alone basis. The third film screening will be Avalon on Sunday, December 5. For more information or to register, contact Joan Gremont at (214) 750-6461 or jgremont@jfgd.org.