Dressed for Deliverance: Pesach Fashion Insights
Clothing not only shaped the our journey from slavery to freedom but also mirrored the broader cultural and economic landscapes of the time.
A Primer on Haggadah Aesthetics
For centuries musicians have composed our Niggunim, architects built our sanctuaries, and designers have created our Haggadot.
A Musical Odyssey of Glitter, Comedy, and Belonging: RIZO at Joe’s Pub
Havurah’s Music Director Leah Dunn, reviews RIZO’s performance at Joe’s Pub.
An Indie Musician’s Journey to Jewish Sound
Leah Dunn is an audio engineer, producer, and recording artist. She joined as the music director of Havurah in the Summer of 2022.
Tzimtzum and the Art of Painting, with Ken Goshen
Ken Goshen’s recent paintings are featured in Tzimtzum, a Havurah gallery exhibition at the Jerusalem Biennial. Here, Goshen reflects on the idea of Tzimtzum in his own practice and as an inherent part of art-making.
How Hannah Gaffney Weaves her Jewish Heritage
Hannah Gaffney, an emerging artist from Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, is currently enrolled at The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she is honing her skills in Fiber. Drawing heavily on the textures and tales of found photos, antique trinkets, and family traditions Gaffney sees her art as an extension of herself.
Yoni Gutenmacher is Writing Fiction for our Jewish Time
Yoni Gutenmacher is a student at Brooklyn College, completing his MFA in Creative Writing. Based in New York, Yoni’s work both as a writer and a member of the Jewish community has been informed by his experiences within the city's diverse cultural landscape.
Suzy Ultman is Playing with Purim
Two weeks before Purim, Eitan Gutenmacher, the creative director of Havurah, sat down with illustrator and artist Suzy Ultman to chat about play, Buddhism, war, and finding creative humanity within some of the darkest experiences we endure. Their transcription below has been edited for clarity.
Emmet Cohen’s Jazz Forges Connection
Connecting Cohen and his current contributions to historical precedents underscores the deep reverence the young pianist has for the established masters of this music.
Hanna Veiler Writes Outside the Lines
Hanna Veiler, president of the German Jewish Student Union, writes on topics of complex identity, migration and memory culture. Known largely for her Jewish activism, her poems and short-stories lies side by side with her fight against antisemitism.
Trying to Capture Still Moments of Jewish Time
Moshe Sopher-Harelick is a photographer in his final semester at Parsons. He sees his art as a mechanism to show the world his Judaism through a medium thats accesible to all.
A Blemish on the Arts: A Letter from a Jewish Artist
Graphic Artist and Havurah Advisory Board Member Alex Woz writes on the rise of antisemitism in the creative world, and reflects on Jewish exclusion within the arts.
The Wonder of Paul Simon’s “Seven Psalms”
True to the meaning of the word psalm, Simon’s lyrics are accompanied by a haunting, dreamlike acoustic guitar hook that repeats and transforms in a sonic dance.
Eitan Gutenmacher is Designing a New Jewish Expression
Eitan Gutenmacher, a Jewish student at NYU Gallatin and a co-founder of Havurah, sat down with Hillel International to discuss community design, Jewish life on campus, and why he thinks Photoshop can be a tool for the divine.
Making Music with Sammy Tweedy
Indie musician and songwriter Sammy Tweedy’s recent single, “Complete Picture,” is a mixture of dark moody synths, mesmerizing off-kilter drums, and poignant lyrical vignettes.
Jay Michaelson’s Heretical Tales
The stories in Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson’s new book revolve around themes of Judaism and queerness, concealment and revelation. Havurah Journal’s editor Ellie Klibaner-Schiff sits down with Michaelson to discuss his work.
How to Reinvent Judaica, with Dana Hollar Schwartz
As the creative force behind Via Maris, Dana Hollar Schwartz has carved a unique niche in the world of Judaica, merging the ritual objects she designs with a timeless modernist aesthetic. In this conversation with Lindsay Leboyer, Schwartz takes us through her creative process, the influence of her art collector father, and how her family's love for art shaped her approach to design.
From Light to Light: A Chanukah Drash
The fire of Torah rages when we try to control it through fear. Its words, supposed lessons, and immutability hurt us as we try to confine it for our own perceived sense of safety. And it burns us when we try to become it, be consumed by it. But that same fire is creative when we work alongside it, actually trying to understand it. When we treat Torah with the deep reverence of our attention and our care, the fire burns bright creating light for us and through us.
Eight TV Episodes You Should Watch This Chanukah
From Rugrats to Seinfeld, I’ve narrowed down my essential viewing list of Chanukah episodes, sharing one for each night.
Havurah’s Annual Je-Wish List 5784
The season of hot beverages and thick sweaters is upon us. As Havurah’s self-proclaimed shopping expert, I thought it only right for me to publish our annual Chanukah gift guide. Our list includes some staff picks along with some spins on a few timeless classics. I guarantee these presents are so good, only one will be enough to last all eight nights.
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