JIMENA Calendar



	Mizrahi Oral History Filming in Los Angeles Tuesday, January 10th – Wednesday, January 11th JIMENA’s Director, Sarah Levin will be conducting two full days of interviews of a number of Jews who fled Iraq. Interviews will take place at an Iraqi Synagogue and will be filmed by a professional cameraman. If you live in Southern California and would like to get involved with JIMENA’s Oral History Project, by sharing your story or coordinating interviews with members of your community, please get in touch with the office. 415-626-5062. Fore more information click here

	“The Forgotten Refugees” and the Arab Spring With JIMENA’s Egyptian Speakers, Albert Bivas, Remy and Joe Pessah Saturday, January 14th 7:15PM – 9:30PM Congregation Kol Emeth, Main Sanctuary 4176 Manuela Ave, Palo Alto, CA Free Following a free screening of “Forgotten Refugees”, Egyptian natives, Albert Bivas, Remy and Joe Pessah will reflect on their expulsion decades earlier as attendees discuss Egypt's Exiled Jews and the impact of the Arab Spring: Can it be good for both Arabs and Jews? Join the panelists in examining the Arab Spring and discussing recent events in North Africa. Albert, Remy and Joe will discuss the implications of the Arab Spring on Egypt’s exiled Jewish population while reflecting on the ongoing, nation-wide anti-Semitism. For more information click here

	A Lost Art from the Last Jews of Yemen: Filigree Jewelry JIMENA Speaker Yehuda Tassa Presents at Jewbilee Sunday, January 22 2:40PM Silicon Valley JCC, Levy Valley Campus 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA Adults, $10; Seniors and Students $8 JIMENA Speaker, Yehuda Tassa, was born into a well-known Yemenite family of jewelers who migrated to Israel in the early 20th century. Yehuda eventually settled in the USA. For the last decade, Yehuda has dedicated himself to reviving and teaching the lost filigree art of his ancient Yemenite Jewish community. Come learn about the rich history and beautiful culture of Yemenite Jews. Yehuda’s presentation is part of Jewbiliee. Jewbilee is the embodiment of the belief that for at least a day, the larger Jewish Community can come together under one roof, despite our many differences, and celebrate being Jewish and what that means to each of us. For more information on this community wide event click here.

	Jewish Heritage Month at Foothill College Featuring JIMENA Speaker Albert Bivas Thursday, Jan. 26 10:00AM - 11:50AM Foothill College, Campus Center Building Los Altos Hills, CA Free! Following a screening of the full-length film Forgotten Refugees, Albert Bivas will share his personal story of life in and escape from Egypt. For more information on the series, please visit here: For more information on the series: http://www.foothill.edu/news/heritage/jhmevents12_Brochure.pdf

	A Jewish Exodus from North Africa: A Point of No Return JIMENA Speakers Dalia Sirkin and Albert Bivas present at Feast of Jewish Learning Saturday, January 28th 7:30OPM Oshman Family JCC 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA Free Join us for a unique presentation on the turning points in the lives of two North African Jewish minorities. Albert Bivas was born in Cairo, but in 1956, under increasing pressure and threat from Nasser's regime, he and his family fled, living for the next 8 years as stateless refugees. Born in Tripoli in 1950, Dalia Sirkin, along with her family, fled Libya for Italy after the Six-Day War in 1967. Both will share their personal stories and reflect on current events in their native countries. Their talk will be preceded by a screening of the award winning film, The Forgotten Refugees (an abridged version of ~ 15 minutes). Their presentations are part of Feast of Jewish Learning, a unique night of community, connection and learning. Feast of Jewish Learning will start with Havdallah at 7PM followed by dozens of thought provoking classes and interactive workshops on an array of Jewish topics - history, literature, traditional text, spirituality, dance, song, film - taught by rabbis, scholars and educators from all walks of Jewish life. For more info click here.

	Opening Reception of Last Jews of Yemen Photo Exhibit featuring Journalist Josh Berer Tuesday, February 7th (Exhibit posted throughout February) 7:00pm Congregation B’nai Tzedek 10621 South Glen Road, Potomac, MD Compelled by the opportunity to document the last indigenous Jewish community of the Middle East before it vanishes, journalists Rachael Strecher and Josh Berer spent several months living in Sana, Yemen. The result is a unique collection of photos and journal entries documenting an ancient Jewish community on the brink of exodus as a result of civil war, cultural isolation and violent anti-Semitism. This exclusive opening reception will feature a keynote presentation by Josh Berer, during which time he will share personal anecdotes and a historical context to the exhibit, as well as answer audience questions. Please send RSVP inquiries to Judy

	JIMENA Mizrahi Shabbat at USC Friday, February 10th 7:00 PM USC Chabad, 2713 Severance St. Los Angeles, CA Free for students JIMENA is bringing on-campus Mizrahi Shabbats to Southern California! Join students for a special Middle-Eastern themed Shabbat featuring unique regional dishes and an incredible personal story told by a member of JIMENA’s Speakers’ Bureau. For more information, contact JIMENA Student Intern Asal a.ehsanipo@gmail.com Co-sponsored by JIMENA and USC Chabad

	JIMENA Shabbat at Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound Featuring JIMENA Speaker Lily Golan Friday, February 17th Doors open 6PM, Shabbat is 6:30, Diner at 7pm, Program at 7:45 First Church of the Nazarene 4401 2nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA Potluck Dinner Following Shabbat Services and Dinner, JIMENA Speaker Lily Golan will share both her personal story of growing up in Iraq in the ‘60’s, as well as the incredible stories of her family during the Farhud, the Six-Day War, and their brave stories of escape. For more information, please contact Malya Muth at malyamuth@gmail.com or visit: http://secularjewishcircle.org

	Spanish Jewish History Class Fridays, February 17th & 24th 10:30 AM -12:00 PM Oshman Family JCC Room M-115 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA $12 Ages 65+ \| $20 Members \| $25 Non-Members Follow the rise and collapse of the Golden Age and meet fascinating characters. Dr. Marti Krow-Lucal brings us the history and culture of the Jews of Spain and Portugal, including issues of Conversos and the Inquisition. For more information: http://www.paloaltojcc.org/events/2012/02/17/classes-workshops-lectures/spanish-jewish-history/ Advanced Registration is required. For more information and to RSVP, contact Elisheva Salamo at (650) 223-8618 or esalamo@paloaltojcc.org Sponsored by the Leo Gabow Fund and co-sponsored by JIMENA.

	JIMENA Speaker’s Bureau Presents: Remy & Joe Pessah Sunday, February 19th 3:00 pm Congregation B'nai Emunah 3595 Taraval (@ 46th Ave) San Francisco, CA Join Congregation B’nai Emunah for an informative afternoon featuring the remarkable stories of life in and the harrowing escape from Egypt told by JIMENA speakers Remy & Joe Pessah. Their departure from Egypt in the 1970’s was delayed by Joe’s forced imprisonment in one of the Nasser regime’s prison camps for Egypt’s dwindling Jewish population. For more information, please click here

	JIMENA Director Sarah Levin in conversation with Speakers’ Bureau Member, Rachel Wahba As Part of a Series on Modern Anti-Semitism Sunday, February 26th 2:00 PM Congregation Beth Ami 4676 Mayette Ave, Santa Rosa, CA You are invited to hear the impact of state-sponsored Anti-Semitism in the Arab world and its effect on a Mizrahi family’s journey of disenfranchised statelessness. In discussion, Rachel Wahba will reflect on what led to the demise of her father’s Egyptian Jewish community, mother’s Iraqi Jewish community, and their status of being stateless refugees for over 20 years. Rachel will touch on the reaction of indigenous Mizrahi Jews to the recent revolutions that swept through North Africa and the Middle East. For more information, please click here

	2012 Lion of Judah Luncheon Featuring Gina Waldman Jewish Federation of the Desert – Palm Springs, CA Wednesday, February 29th 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Spencer’s Restaurant 701 West Baristo Road, Palm Springs CA Over the years this event has featured extraordinary speakers, who have shared their remarkable stories, singular expertise and unique perspectives. This formidable standard is being raised to another level with the speaker coming to this year’s Lion of Judah luncheon: Gina Waldman, President and Co-Founder of JIMENA. For more information, please call Mary Levine, Director, Women’s Philanthropy, at 760-324-4737.